OTTAWA — We were proud to make him one of us.
In 2001, Canada made Nelson Mandela an honorary citizen. Accepting his place in the Canadian family, Mandela called it a “high honour.” The honour, though, was all ours.
And now with his death, Canadians, like the millions around the world who were inspired by his life, are left to consider how we can continue to be worthy of that honour. Some thoughts on that in a moment. Continue reading We honour Citizen Mandela by honouring our own citizens
Conservative MP Michael Chong today published the following news release:
Chong Introduces Reform Act, 2013
Bill to reform Parliament would strengthen Canadian democracy.
OTTAWA – Michael Chong, M.P. for Wellington-Halton Hills, today introduced his Private Members’ Bill, Reform Act, 2013.
The Reform Act puts forward three simple reforms to strengthen Parliament by proposing to restore local control over party nominations, strengthen caucus as a decision-making body and reinforce the accountability of party leaders to caucuses. These three reforms will empower MPs and give them the tools they need to represent their constituents in Ottawa. Continue reading MP Michael Chong's plan to "strengthen democracy"
Just in from Google Canada:
Through the unique panoramic lens of Google Street View, for the first time you can explore the Prime Minister’s Office, find the secret door in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, and marvel at the ornate Memorial Chamber or the views from the Peace Tower observation deck.
We don’t know what former PMO lawyer Benjamin Perrin says in them but Perrin’s e-mails will shortly be in the hands of RCMP detectives investigating the allegations of bribery, breach of trust, and fraud levelled by RCMP at Senator Mike Duffy and Nigel Wright, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s former/fired chief of staff. We once thought there were no e-mails for Perrin told us, a la Sgt. Schultz that he knew nothing. And the PMO continued that line. Twice! Continue reading Harper's lawyer as Sgt. Schultz: "I did not even get up this morning!"
In Mumbai, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs) Lynne Yelich marks the 5th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed 109 there.
Here’s my Flickr set from Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit to Mumbai in 2009 to mark the one-year anniversary of those attacks: Continue reading Canada Marks Anniversary of the Mumbai Massacre
In order to encourage more of these kinds of civil moments in our House of Commons, I highlight the following exchange from Question Period on Nov. 19 (my emphasis):
Mr. Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, all parliamentarians are united in expressing our sympathy to the people of the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. Liberals wish to offer our full support for the $20 million in aid that the government has provided, in addition to matching private donations. Given lessons we all learned from the tragedy in Haiti, would the government consider two other measures? Would it extend the deadline for matching funds until the end of the calendar year, and would it grant visa extensions for workers, students and temporary workers from the typhoon area?
Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the support of the Liberal Party for this matter. I think it is a matter in which all Canadians are united. This is a humanitarian tragedy of immense dimensions that deeply touches Canadians across the country, and I can, of course, assure the hon. member that as we move forward we will apply the appropriate flexibility on all of these matters.
“As we approach Christmas, I encourage Canadians to keep donating to registered Canadian charities, and our government will match eligible donations, dollar-for-dollar, right up to December 23, 2013,” said Minister Paradis
Press release from The Green Party of Canada on November 18, 2013:
Elizabeth May joins Afghanistan delegation at UN climate conference
WARSAW, POLAND: Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May today announced that she has joined the Afghanistan delegation at the COP 19 UN climate conference, and will thus have access to high-level negotiations open only to government representatives … [Read the rest]
Eight days later:
Green Party condemns Government of Afghanistan’s plan to reintroduce stoning as punishment for adultery
Following the announcement that the Government of Afghanistan planned to reinstate the Taliban-era practice of punishing adultery with public stoning, the Green Party of Canada today voiced its unequivocal condemnation of the policy, and urged the international community to push for human rights reform in Afghanistan…. [Read the rest]
In the federal riding of Brandon-Souris — and in three other federal ridings — voters will elect a new MP Monday. Brandon-Souris holds the promise of a big upset. It’s been Conservative or Progressive Conservative for pretty much forever with one exception. In the Kim Campbell wipeout election of 1993, the Progressive Conservative candidate at the time, Larry Maguire, lost to the Liberals. Well guess what? Maguire’s name is on the ballot again, this time as the Conservative candidate, and he could lose what should have been a sure thing to Liberal Rolf Dinsdale. Continue reading Final push in Brandon-Souris with letters to voters and front page political ads
They still won’t let the TV cameras in but Senators will now let you gather around your radio-like machines and listen to live audio feeds of the Senate in action!
Senate to Make Audio Proceedings of Chamber Publicly Available
Ottawa (November 21, 2013) – Beginning November 26, 2013, audio proceedings in the Senate Chamber will be made publicly available, announced today the chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration. Continue reading Finally! The Senate moves into the, er, 20th century
The first Christmas card of the season arrived on my desk today — and it’s the official 2013 Prime Minister And His Family Card. Can hardly believe how those kids have grown. Continue reading The PM's 2013 Christmas Card
