David Akin’s On The Hill – Page 53 – Working notes, observations, links and other errata from a parliamentary bureau reporter in Ottawa, Canada

Apparently, apologies from Mssrs. McGuinty and Trudeau were not good enough

On Tuesday, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources met. And, after that meeting, our Daniel Proussalidis asked the only Liberal member on that committee, David McGuinty, what he thought about what he’d heard at that meeting. You know the results of that “Go Back to Alberta” conversation.

On Wednesday, McGuinty apologized for his post-committee comments and resigned his position as the Critic for Natural Resources for the Liberal national caucus. Continue reading Apparently, apologies from Mssrs. McGuinty and Trudeau were not good enough

Thinking of cross-border shopping Friday? Could be a gamble.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, like many federal government public sector unions, is upset that the Harper government is trying to trim the civil service. Earlier this week, the Harper government announced it had reduced the size of the civil service by nearly 11,000 positions. Most of those job cuts came by attrition — i.e. someone retired or quit and no replacement was hired — and only a few were actual layoffs. And while 11,000 sounds like a lot, there are about 275,000 federal civil servants. So that’s about a 4% reduction.

But, as I said, PSAC is upset about this and they’re going to take it out on cross-border shoppers Friday, if I read between the lines in this press release correctly: Continue reading Thinking of cross-border shopping Friday? Could be a gamble.

Leadership candidate Burton "extremely disappointed" about McGuinty

Wonder what Alex Burton might say about his rival for the Liberal leadership, Justin Trudeau?

In any event, here’s an “open letter” to Ottawa South MP David McGuinty about his anti-Alberta comments:

Honourable David McGuinty, M.P.
House of Commons
111 Justice Building
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Dear David,

As I sat in an RV park in Grande Prairie, AB, early this morning, I took some time to reflect upon your recent comments. Continue reading Leadership candidate Burton "extremely disappointed" about McGuinty

Audio: David McGuinty in his own words: "Go back to Alberta"

On Tuesday afternoon, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources met to consider “Innovation in the Energy Sector” (Here are the minutes with the witness list).

Our reporter, Daniel Proussalidis caught up with the Liberal MP on that committee, David McGuinty, after the committee meeting had concluded and asked McGuinty if he had heard anything during the committee “that would reassure you about the way the oil sands are being developed — the innovation or technology that’s being employed?” Continue reading Audio: David McGuinty in his own words: "Go back to Alberta"

London mayor, former federal minister, charged with fraud

London Free Press colleague Chip Martin had a front-page scoop in mid-October:

Government cheque paid for ex-MP Joe Fontana’s son’s wedding reception

LONDON, ONT. – Federal tax dollars paid the $1,700 deposit on the 2005 wedding reception for Mayor Joe Fontana’s son, QMI Agency has learned.

And the then-manager of the London facility recalls another cheque issued by the feds appeared several months later to cover the outstanding $18,900 Fontana still owed. … [Read the rest of Chip’s story]

Today, the RCMP made the following announcement:

Continue reading London mayor, former federal minister, charged with fraud

An "acceptable decision" to hang a terrorist in India

Outside Chabad House — MUMBAI, India – The bullet holes from shots fired by terrorists who tortured and murdered the occupants of the Jewish community centre in November, 2008 could still be seen outside the centre when Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Laureen visited the site a year later. (DAVID AKIN)

On November 26, 2008, Islamist terrorists landed in small dinghies on the shores of Mumbai, India and, over the next three days killed 164 and wounded 308.

Most of the attackers were killed by the police and army in fierce battles.

On Wednesday, at 7:30 a.m. local time, Indian authorities hanged the lone survivor of the terrorist squads that attacked Mumbai. Continue reading An "acceptable decision" to hang a terrorist in India

China in the oil patch? Trudeau has thumbs up. Mulcair thumbs down. Harper? Who knows?

CS_Trudeau042 — CALGARY – Liberal Party of Canada’s leadership candidate, Justin Trudeau, holds up a message after speaking to students at Mount Royal University on Tuesday Nov 20, 2012. (Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI AGENCY)

The Chinese state-owned firm CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation) has a $15-billion bid on the table to buy under-performing Calgary based oil-and gas producer Nexen.

Quebec Liberal MP and leadership candidate candidate Justin Trudeau had this to say about the deal in an op-ed distributed today to the Postmedia papers. (He approves): Continue reading China in the oil patch? Trudeau has thumbs up. Mulcair thumbs down. Harper? Who knows?

U.S. calls on leaders in Rwanda, Uganda to step up and help Congo

Dead Congolose soldier — GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo – A dead Congolese army soldier is surrounded by civilian onlookers as he lies on the roadside in Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on November 20, 2012. M23 rebels fought gun battles with government soldiers this morning, before gaining control of many parts in the provincial capital. (AFP PHOTO/PHIL MOORE)

The U.S. State Department callsup on the leaders in Uganda and Rwanda (and Congo) to step up and do something. It’s in their ‘hood after all. And things aren’t good in this corner of the Congo:

The United States is gravely alarmed by the rapid deterioration of the security situation in eastern DRC. We condemn the renewed military campaign by the M23 rebel group, Continue reading U.S. calls on leaders in Rwanda, Uganda to step up and help Congo

Liberals: You're electing a "third party" leader – and there's nothing wrong with that

There is much in Andrew Coyne’s latest column to commend. For example,

Liberals, do not delude yourselves. You are not, whatever you may say to each other, electing “the next prime minister of Canada” here. If your checklist for assessing the candidates includes “ability to win the next election,” strike it now.

And then he develops the thesis:

… you are not choosing a prime minister, and if you allow considerations of that kind to cloud your judgement, you are unlikely to choose well. Rather, you are choosing a leader for a third party. And in that role it is quite possible to see any one of a number of the candidates. I say this with the greatest respect, for there is nothing wrong with being the third party. Get used to thinking of yourselves as one, and you can do much good, both for your party and your country.

Put it this way: that is your only chance of survival — as a forceful, effective third party, the kind that inspires a determined, loyal following. Harden up the brand, persuade even 20% of the electorate that you are their party through and through, and you can build towards the day when you might contend for power once again. Neglect that task, and you will be eaten alive by the other two parties.

Put your third-party status to work for you. See it for the advantage it is: for it frees you to take risks that those closer to power will not.

I tend to agree with this and, as Coyne has primed my cranial pump, let me gush forth some more:

Continue reading Liberals: You're electing a "third party" leader – and there's nothing wrong with that