Posts Tagged by parliament
Yes, I’ve Joined the Liberal Party, Get Over It!
| 9/10/2009 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Back in July, I made a move rather out of character for me — I joined the Liberal Party of Canada. Generally I have always tended towards an attitude of keeping my options fully open by belonging to no particular party. So, why the change? I’m fed up with Harper; his behaviour, his atittude, his politic — you name it. He needs to go.
This evening, I will be taking that move one step further. I’m going to show up at the nomination meeting for Northumberland Quinte West. I’m going to be supporting Andrew McFayden for the Liberal candidate should (and it is looking very likely) an election is called this fall. I find myself impressed with Andrew, he has a straightforward passion for wanting to serve the people of this riding. I know, a novel thought for a politician, he’ll likely get eaten alive in Ottawa but hey, if he’s willing to go there, I’m willing to support his passion. (more…)
Ignatieff Slams MIA Prime Minister
| 2/10/2009 | Posted by Patti under General |
Ignatieff went after the Prime Minister’s absence from both the House and the public scene when it comes to the economy and the value of the economic stimulus contained in the budget. I watched Obama’s press conference last night and found it refreshing to see a politician speaking very frankly about the state of the economy and how he wanted to see it dealt with.
Yes, I know, he was trying to sell a stimulus package which is receiving largely partisan opposition. It was refreshing to hear that opposition being framed not just as partisan game playing but asking the questions and laying out guidelines for what he sees as necessary for the good of the people and the economy and where there is room for bipartisan cooperation and what wont gain traction with him.
The major difference between the leadership of the two countries is that in the US, the leaders recognized and faced the fact that the economy was sliding towards and over the edge while in Canada, the Opposition parties were sounding the alarm while the government was busy telling us that if a recession was going to happen, it would have already taken place. (more…)
Government Will Survive
| 1/28/2009 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Well the budget has been read, what hadn’t already been ‘leaked’ is now known. Ignatieff and his caucuse has had time to review it and made the call on if the government will stand, for now.
From what I saw of the tax cuts, they have hit some areas where tax relief should be like low income earners and seniors. The cuts for the middle income people was more about Conservative idealogy and vote buying than any true benefit. While middle income earners will save a bit (and I do mean a bit) on their income taxes each year, that collective ‘bit’ will mean we stay in deficit longer.
For the most part, Harper brought in the budget he had to bring in if he wanted to stay in office. The Liberals have said they will support the budget but with amendments. The primary part of those amendments is that the Conservatives will have to report to parliament with details of how much of the budget funds have been distributed by specific dates. (more…)
Parliament Opens, Let the Games Begin
| 1/26/2009 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Well, parliament has reopened without a lot of pomp and circumstance. The lack of show was more due to the frigid cold than any austerity move. I’ve been in Ottawa and around the Hill this time of year, it is VERY cold there. The throne speech, written by the government and delivered by the Governor General, was relatively brief as throne speeches go.
The big news of the day wasn’t really the throne speech anyways. The bigger news is the budget that will be delivered tomorrow. Many of the details of the budget has been ‘leaked’, although when the leaking gets done by government officials and ministers, that is deliberate.
It appears there is going to be a $64billion deficit in the next two years. That is a complete 180 degree turn for the Conservatives from just two months ago when they claimed that we first of all were not going into a recession and secondly that we would not be incurring a deficit if a downturn should occur. (more…)
Prime Minister is Not Directly Elected
| 1/23/2009 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Next week Parliament will once more resume, the second time since the October 14th election. The first sitting lasted a matter of days before Harper’s lapdog Flaherty aka the Finance Minister made an economic statement that accomplished nothing else except getting the three opposition parties talking to each other in a serious way.
Oh, it also brought about a very swift transition of power for the Liberals as Dion left and Ignatieff was installed as leader. He will have to be confirmed as leader at their convention in May but at the rate things are moving, that will be a rubber stamp. Flaherty’s statement provoked the three opposition parties to put together an agreement to form a coalition government to propose to the Governor-General after they had brought down the government on a vote of non-confidence.
Harper responded by showing the steely fortitude that he possesses and running to the GG to ask for parliament to be prorogued, which means to suspend this session of parliament. His reason of course was to sort out how to save his sorry butt to do battle another day. It is rather ironic that the threat of a confidence vote sent him scurrying when he’s been having a ball for two years declaring bills to be matters of confidence and then taunting the opposition to vote against them. (more…)
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