pierretrudeauismyhomeboy

Have Your Say: "New" "Democratic" "Party"

2009-08-14T15:45:00.000-07:00

With the recent discussion at the NDP convention of dropping the "New" part of the name as well as the controversy of removing past candidates and screening resolutions, I have to ask - is the "N" part of NDP the only inaccurate part? Take part in the online poll to the right to have your say and let's see if the NDP is any of those.

Guadalajara Blues

2009-08-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

H/T: Calgarygrit

Alberta's NDP and "Community Leauges"

2009-08-07T17:01:00.000-07:00

With Brian Mason's recent temper tantrum, I decided to do a quick read through of his website.

Bush-league would be an accurate description. The website (which is still copyrighted as of 2007...) is simply a joke. For instance, under the "take action" tab, you find this page. Given the massive white spot in the middle of the page, it seems the NDP is subtly suggesting that nothing can be done (given the irrelevancy of the NDP in Alberta politics, that may actually be true). The short list of tips for writing letters to the editor found on the right-hand side is a list that boggle the mind. "Make your points clearly." Reallllllllllly? So that's what's been holding the NDP back in Alberta for so long!

The pages are off-kilter and pictures often over-flow the areas meant for them giving the website the look of something put together as an after-thought at the last minute.

The cherry on top though is the multiple times "leagues" is mis-spelled as "leauges".

No wonder nobody takes this party seriously in Alberta...

Ed Stelmach - Anti-Boy Scout?

2009-07-31T16:32:00.000-07:00

Ed Stelmach stated today that Canada shouldn't be "boy scouts" when it comes to climate change. The use of that term struck me as odd. Honestly, I found it hilarious.

You see, Ed isn't exactly a "bad ass" (is "bad ass" the opposite of "boy scout"?) Does anyone really believe Ed isn't a boy scout? Remember Ed, the Alberta Nanny from Air Farce?

You see, Ed has a nasty habit of telling other people how they should live their lives when it comes to issues particularly relating to morality; minimum liquor laws anyone?

I'm curious if the PCs will be putting their new anti-"boy scout" approach to climate change to work on anything else.

Alberta Still In Recession

2009-07-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

Finance Minister Iris Evans admitted today that low natural gas prices (that won't increase in the near future) will likely keep Alberta in recession for now.

If only there had been someone saying we should diversify our economy so it's not so reliant on energy prices...

Cha-Ching

2009-07-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

Liberals quadruple fundraising totals

Jane Taber

Globe and Mail Update Last updated on Thursday, Jul. 30, 2009 07:01AM EDT

The Ignatieff Liberals have raised $3.9-million in the second quarter for this year, four times the amount raised last year at this time when Stéphane Dion was leader.

The party posted its results on Twitter Wednesday evening with an update that read, in part: “Exclusive 2nd Quarter Fundraising numbers are in: $3.9M More than 4 times last year's.”

Last year, in an election year, the party raised a total of $5.8-million. So far this year, the Grits under Leader Michael Ignatieff have raised $5.7-million.

It is not known yet what Stephen Harper's Tories have raised for this period, but last year they attracted $3.5-million in the second quarter. Liberal Party spokesman Daniel Lauzon said the results are “cause for optimism” as the Grits have had trouble raising funds.

A Change that Works for Ed Stelmach

2009-07-18T16:01:00.000-07:00

With the news today that Guy Boutillier has been kicked out of the PC caucus, we see yet another example of how the PC Party is no longer a viable political party.

The Wildrose Alliance continues to seemingly pick up steam and most PCs I talk with are concerned that upper party brass just don't seem to care. A sense of invincibility and triumphalism has spread throughout Ed's entourage since the 2008 election; they feel they can do whatever they want. As Ron Liepert so eloquently put it, "screw the opposition, we got our majority."

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the PCs have become too big of a tent. Parties are meant to be coalitions of individuals who, for the most part, can agree and find compromise. The PCs however, have come to dominate Alberta politics to such a degree that pretty much anyone who wants to have any sort of influence whatsoever just joins them. Thus you have a party where, at least on some of the edges, people have nothing to agree about. That's why the Wildrose Alliance seems to be picking up strength - it appeals to the hard-right conservatives who feel as though they no longer have a place within the PCs.

What I find an interesting question then is, do progressives within that Party feels as thought they still have a place in it?

The Rougher Than Originally Thought Road Ahead...

2009-06-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

"He who angers you conquers you." - Elizabeth Kenny

Talk about awkward...

No hard feelings from Tory leadership campaign, right?

Jun 29, 2009 04:30 AM
Robert Benzie

Whitby-Oshawa MPP Christine Elliott was the only one of Tim Hudak's rivals to show up at his victory party Saturday night, a fact the newly elected Progressive Conservative leader acknowledged yesterday.

During the leadership campaign, Elliott had attacked Hudak's plan to scrap the Ontario Human Rights Tribunals in favour of a courts-based system as a "politically toxic" move akin to former leader John Tory's ill-fated plan to fund faith-based schools.

While Elliott coped well with defeat, her husband, federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, appeared bitter during the crowded celebration at a downtown pub, astonishing Tories with his demeanour.

Three sources told the Star that Flaherty told Tory MPP Ernie Hardeman (Oxford) to "f--- off" because he hadn't supported Elliott.

Elliott placed third on the second ballot, forcing her elimination.

Flaherty ran for the provincial party leadership twice – in 2002 and 2004 – and lost both times.

Insiders note that Elliott's disappointing finish has likely undermined Flaherty's status as Prime Minister Stephen Harper's point man in Ontario.

Instead, federal Transport Minister John Baird, a key Hudak supporter, may have emerged from the provincial contest as the most influential federal Conservative in Ontario.

Peter MacKay at PCPO Convention

2009-06-28T15:45:00.000-07:00

With Rodney MacDonald announcing his resignation as Leader of the Nova Scotia PC Party, this interview with Peter MacKay is very interesting. No hint of interest from MacKay and drops a few names of people that are being mentioned as possible candidates. Of course, with no official announcement on the way the leadership race will be run, perhaps people are just waiting to see what turns up. Hmmm…

H/T: Stephen Taylor

More Back-Door Health Care Privitization?

2009-06-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

When the Health Minister declines to comment, there's likely something up. Just a thought since it is Ron Liepert - not exactly known for being camera shy. The evaluation by ALP leader David Swann - "they're allowing little bits of privatization here and there" - is a fair and accurate one.

The fact that this clinic operates for those willing to cough up $3000 makes it pretty clear it's goal is to be a business. Furthermore, the claim that doctors are available for free for clients is a pretty flimsy one given that you have to pay $3000 to become a client. I'd be interested to see a lawsuit on that; does paying to be a client to then see a doctor constitute payment for a doctor's services?