democracy
Harper's Conservatives Follow, in Lock-Step, the US Right Wing's Dirty Playbook
By David Myers, Vancouver Sun Community of Interest BlogThere is a disturbing trend going on amongst Canadian right wing proponents including the Harper government. They are attempting to copy US right-wing methods in Canada in lock-step formation. These methods include trying to establish a national right-wing media like FOX “News” that purports to be an unbiased factual based news media, but is in fact the propaganda tool of a right-wing political movement and its chosen party (the Republicans in the US and the Conservative in Canada).
Now, here in Canada, the Conservative government of Steven Harper is trying to use the power of government to control and manipulate the free flowing distribution of scientific information. (See “Tightened Muzzle on Scientists Is Orwellian” in the Vancouver Sun, page B2, Monday September 13, 2010).
Kelly McParland: Tory bodies are piling up
By: Kelly McParland, National Post Full CommentIt is now taken for granted that any senior, or even semi-senior, official who loses, quits or otherwise departs from their job in Ottawa is doing so because he/she somehow fell afoul of Tory policy and is being hounded from office by Stephen Harper’s demand for blood.
It has become part of the narrative. When a plane crashes anywhere in the world, the default response of Canadian news editors is: “Were any Canadians on board?” When a bureaucrat gets the boot in Harper’s Ottawa, the equivalent reflex is: “Did he offend the Tories?”
Tories wasting our money
Editor, The News:Much media attention has been given recently to the HST and the debate over the government’s decision to make filling out the long form of the federal census voluntary.
It is encouraging to see how many people have actively taken part in grass-root democracy.
It’s even more astonishing that, in a time of fiscal restraint and austerity, the Conservative government has spent taxpayers’ money to the tune of $9 billion for new fighter jets and $16 billion for maintenance of these jets.
Senator’s profanity reveals Tory ‘culture of intimidation,’ critics say
By: Jane Taber , Globe and MailStephen Harper’s Conservatives distanced themselves from one of their own today, arguing a Tory senator was not asserting government policy with her advice to “shut the fuck up” about the contentious maternal health initiative.
“Obviously, that type of language is completely unacceptable,” Transport Minister John Baird told the Commons in Question Period. “It is self-evident that view does not represent the view of government.”
Mr. Baird was filling in for the Prime Minister, who is on his way to Europe for the 65th anniversary of V-E Day.
Tories accused of trying to replace Guergis
CBC NewsConservatives in Helena Guergis's riding are accusing their own party brass of heavy-handed tactics in trying to parachute a star candidate in to replace the former cabinet minister.
The would-be candidate is well-known Conservative activist Kellie Leitch, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and director of the Health Sector MBA program at the University of Western Ontario's Richard Ivey School of Business.
In a lengthy letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, obtained by The Canadian Press, the Conservative electoral district association in Simcoe-Grey complains of repeated interference, obstruction and gag orders by Conservative headquarters.
House votes to limit prorogation powers
OTTAWA – The New Democrat motion to limit the Prime Minister’s powers to prorogue Parliament was adopted by a majority of the House of Commons – major victory for democracy and transparency of government.
“Since taking office, Stephen Harper has used prorogation as a tool to dodge accountability,” said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton. “This power was never meant as reset button. This motion will now hopefully curb the abuse of prorogation.”
Read more »video:
