Author: Dave Cournoyer

hmm. Gurmant Grewal. Tapes. Editing. Pizza. Ujjal Dosanjh. Ambassadorships. Tim Murphy.

Sounds like a made-for-TV Movie.

I thought about posting on the Grewal tapes, but there seems to be a huge saturation of Grewal-gate related blogging out there. I would recommend Buckets of Grewal (one of the better and entertaining Grewal resources), Calgary Grit, Section 15, Mr. Cherniak, and Rational Reasons.

My take: the ENTIRE thing looks shady. If the tapes were edited (as it looks they may have been) then it gets even more shady. What do you think the chances of the Grewal’s being booted from the CPC Caucus are?

Also, props to the good senator for the following. I enjoyed it quite a bit!

Policy

In the beginning was the Plan.

Then came the Assumptions.

But the Assumptions were without form,

And the plan was completely without substance.

And the darkness was upon the faces of the workers.
So they spoke unto their group heads, saying: “It is a crock of shit, and it stinketh!”

And the group heads went unto their section heads, and sayeth: “It is a pail of dung, such that none can stand it!”

And the section heads went unto their managers, and sayeth unto them: “It is a container of excrement, and it is very strong, such that none here may abide the odour therof.”

And the managers went unto their Director, and sayeth unto him: “It is a vessel of fertilizer, and none may abide its strength.”

And the Director went unto the Director-General, and sayeth uto him: “It contains that which aids plant growth, and it is very strong.”

And the Director-General went unto the Assistant Deputy Minister, and sayeth unto him: “It promoteth growth, and it is very powerful.”

And the Assistant Deputy Minister went unto the Deputy Minister, and sayeth unto him: “This powerful new plan will actively promote the growth and efficiency of the department, and this area in particular!”

And the Deputy Minister looked upon the plan, And saw that the plan was good.

And the plan became policy…

Well, you might have noticed the new template. New and cleaned up for the summer. Goodbye blocky blue template and hello minty white and blue! Enjoy.

I thought I would briefly touch on the interesting evening I had last night. As a staff member at the U of A Students’ Union, I thought it would be a good gesture and an interesting expeditionary adventure to attend a Student’s Council Meeting at the good ol’e University Hall.

So, the evening was progressing as one would expect a Student’s Council meeting to progress when all of a sudden, things began to get slightly (only slightly) more entertaining. All of a sudden, without a moments notice the Speaker of Student’s Council, the Honorable Gregory Harlow, threw down the procedural gauntlet and flexed his bulging parliamentary muscles by having an observer thrown out of the Council Chambers.

Fortunately, this observer just happened to be me. Apparently, whispering when the Speaker demands silence is a parliamentary “no-no.”

I beg your forgiveness oh benevolent Speaker of the Council. 😛

D 🙂

TINY, BUT PERSISTANT REPUBLIC LAUNCHES “FALKLAND ISLANDS” STYLE WAR AGAINST COMMUNIST CHINA
Daveberta Daily Star
By: Maxwell T. Ferdinand, Holtopia Bureau Chief

On May 31 at approximately 10:45p.m. (Holtopian standard time), armed commando forces of the Republic of Holtopia launched a tactical assault on the People’s Republic of China, securing 3 acres of rice patties. The Holtopian commando’s outfitted in silver tennis shoes and green alien costumes, moved swiftly across the Chinese county-side causing much confusion in the local population as to who these green and silver costumed folks were. This hilarious confusion seems to be the strength of the small Holtopian army, and has led to the creation of their motto, “Laughter, Stealth, Strike.”

The President of Holtopia declared May 31 to be a great day in the life of the tiny republic. “Today, we conquer China. Tomorrow, the world!”

A Chinese Government spokesperson described the invasion as a “simple domestic disturbance, which will be dealt with in due time.”

*PRESS RELEASE*

DAVEBERTA SUPPORTS HOLTOPIAN INVASION
Office of the Ministry of Social Revolution

“It is my duty to announce that the greatest of the tiny little republics, Holtopia, has launched a “Falkland Islands” style war against the People’s Republic of China” the President of Daveberta said at a press conference late last night. The President subsequently announced that the Grand Republic of Daveberta will offer financial aid, “tactical advice,” and replacement tennis shoes to the glorious and blessed leader of Holtopia.

The President also described the war as a great economic opportunity for the growing tennis shoe industry that has boomed since the beginning of the NHL Hockey Strike.

Well, it seems that the Liberals have held their ground against Stephen Harper’s army of darkness in the sprawling riding of Labrador.

Here’s how the results of yesterday’s by-election played out:

Todd Russell, Liberal – 5,438 (51.5%)
Graham Letto, Tory – 3,415 (32.3%)
Frances Fry, NDP – 1,045 (9.9%)
Ern Condon, Ind – 598 (5.7%)
Jason Crummey, Green – 68 (0.6%)
Total Valid Votes – 10,564 (54.1% voter turnout)

So, the Tories gained as expected but didn’t win (also as expected).

Watching this by-election gave me the urge to look at the results of past by-elections. It turns out that since the Liberals formed government in 1993, there have been 33 by-elections. The Liberals have won 21, the Bloc Quebecois 4, the NDP 2, the former Progressive Conservatives 4, and the former Canadian Alliance 2 (Stockwell Day and Stephen Harper).

An eye-jump down to the sidebar to your right will reveal that I have signed my blog up with the coolest new batch of affliated bloggers out there: the new alberta blogs group.

It seems like an interesting mix of Alberta bloggers from left to right to right to wrong and everything in between and senile. Check it out. If you’re from Alberta or just blogging in Alberta, you should join up. Only then will we rule the blogosphere forever!!! mwahahaha…

yes…

Anyway, thanks to Aaron for setting this group up

Cheers.

D : )

Well, when was the last time this many federal politicians flocked to the great semi-province of Labrador? Well, considering that Tuesday’s federal by-election for the Labrador seat could shift the balance of the House of Commons, all parties seem to be taking this seriously.

I heard this morning that Harper and Tory MP Gordon O’Connor were up there promising to build some super army base or something crazy like that while stumping for local Tory candidate, Graham Letto.

The Liberals are also sending in a posse to help out their candidate, Todd Russell. The posse will include newly minted Human Resources Minister Belinda Stronach.

Other candidates include New Demcrat Frances Fry, Green Jason Crummey, and Independent Ern Condon (former leader of the anti-Newfoundland, Labrador Party).

The Liberals took 62% of the vote in the 2004 election, with the Tories trailing in second place with 15%. The riding has gone Liberal in every election since 1952 save one (1968). So, any shift would be huge.

The results should be telling.

From Wednesday’s Hansard at the Alberta Legislature…

The Acting Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre.

Notice of Privilege

Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to give notice of a possible question of privilege. Under Standing Order 15(5) on behalf of the Member for Edmonton-Rutherford I’d like to be able to advise the House of the possibility that I would bring forward the privilege motion on the next regular sitting day of this Assembly.

There needs to be additional information sought and additional research done, but at this point I can advise the Speaker that this is being considered because of an altercation that took place immediately outside of the Assembly between the Member for Drayton Valley-Calmar and the Member for Edmonton-Rutherford. Although it is outside of the Chamber, I believe that there are sufficient citations to address a matter that takes place within the precincts of the Assembly and under the purview and control of the Speaker, particularly where the action which occurred involves a physical assault or molestation.

So, with those words, I will hope that that acts as sufficient notice, and when I have been able to do sufficient research to be confident that I would not be abusing the time of the Assembly, as I say, I’ve given notice and that allows me to bring forward the point of privilege motion on the next regular sitting day of the Assembly. Thank you.

The Acting Speaker: Hon. members, the hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre has given notice that she will bring forward a motion of privilege. As you know, the next sitting that we will have will not be a regular one. That will be the one at which the Queen will visit the Assembly. So probably this matter may not be dealt with until the fall when we reconvene. So it shall be dealt with at that point in time. Thank you.

Ms Blakeman: Thank you.

Well, here’s my take on what has been one heck of a week in Canadian politics…

1) Belinda Stronach:

Like almost everyone, I was surprised and shocked to watch this high profile Tory MP and former leadership candidate cross the floor to the Liberals and accept a position in Cabinet. Pure opportunism. She’s an ambitious politician who knows what she wants, and obviously saw this as the best way to get there (the PMO I’m assuming). The sexist outrage and blasts coming from Tories were unacceptable and only boost the case of why I don’t vote Conservative. The voters in her riding of Newmarket-Aurora will hold Minister Stronach accountable for her actions when the next election comes around. Now, can we have some civility, gentlemen? Which leads to…

2) Welcome to the sausage party!

With the departure of Stronach from the Tories, this now leaves Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition with only 10 women and 88 men. Hmmm. This is quite a troublingly disproportionate number. Not to say the Liberals or ND’s are much better…

3) Chuck Cadman:

The MP from Surrey North listened to his constituents. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for this former Reform/Alliance/Conservative to vote with the Liberals and NDP, but I respect him for not caving into the “protection offered” by Mr. Harper (he must be taking some lessons from Mr. Gagliano) and instead listening to his constituents. There should be more Independent MP’s in the House of Commons; it could cut down on the partisan hackery.

4) Gurmant Grewal, the new Ambassador to France

Opps, I jumped the gun on that one. I really didn’t pay attention to this story, it sounded to “made up.” Apparently there was a tape or something? Was anybody keeping tabs on where Rahim Jaffer‘s assistant was during this ordeal?

5) THE VOTE:

Yes, the vote that political hacks from Victoria to St. John’s tuning in to watch (yes, I watched it on the big screen on SUB stage). I’d never seen something like this before, so close, so dramatic, so intense, so fun to watch! 153-152! It’s like the Stanley Cup for political nerds!

6) Campbell gets it twice!

In BC, Gordon Campbell‘s Liberals were re-elected. No suprise. Carole James’ NDP went from 3 seats to 33 seats. Wow. STV fails, democracy loses.

7) The Queen:

Yes, currently flying under the national news radar is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. Her Majesty arrived in Saskatchewan on Tuesday and will tour around that province until tomorrow, when her and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip will spend the weekend relaxing in beautiful Jasper National Park. Following their weekend retreat, the Royal couple will visit Edmonton for a big 100 anniversary celebration party at Commonwealth Stadium (which I’m going to) and numerous tours around Canada’s greatest city. Next Tuesday, (still-) Prime Minister Paul Martin will be hosting a gala dinner in the honour of Alberta’s Royal visitors. I was lucky enough to be on the invitation list, so my lovely date and I are getting all spified up and going to have dinner with the Queen and 900 or so other lucky Edmontonians (I had to rent a tux :P). I will definitely let the blogosphere know how that goes.

8) Alberta Centennial Celebrations:

Well, what can I say, so far they suck. Other than the Queen coming for 3 days, I haven’t heard of any other real celebration party. Saskatchewan looks like it’s having more fun than us. We only celebrate 100 once, Ralph! The least you could do is spend some of that massive surplus to buy us some booze for a change. Such a money hog.

9) Candidate nomination mania!

Well according to this site, quite a few candidate nominations have occurred in preparation of a possible election (averted for now). From what I can tell, in my lovely riding of Edmonton Centre (the best riding in Alberta!), I know of three candidates: Deputy PM Anne McLellan (woo hoo!), Tory Laurie Hawn, and New Democrat Donna Martyn (who got thumped by Kevin Taft in Edmonton Riverview during the 2004 provincial election). I’m expecting a Green, at least an Independent, and probably a Marxist or “Progressive Canadian.”

10) Oliver, the Liberal Heartland:

Today, I was pondering from my downtown perch when it dawned on me that I live in the Liberal heartland of Alberta. My federal riding has been Liberal since 1993, my provincial riding has been Liberal since 1993 (and NDP from 1986 to 1993). Both my MP and MLA are women (Anne McLellan and Laurie Blakeman). My polling district went solidly Liberal in both the last federal and provincial election. Of course, I’m sure that it has a lot to do with the large population of low-income renters, students, the large gay community, people who think for themselves, and no-good transients such as myself in the area.

11) The Federal Tories have updated their normally boring website into a more election style format. Did someone forget to tell them they lost today’s vote?

And to answer your question. Yes, I am a political nerd.

Have a nice weekend.

D 🙂

woo hoo. I was right.

well, 10 minutes until the non-confidence vote!

I’m heading down to the main level to watch the vote on SUB Stage.

My prediction, based on pure instinct, the government will win the vote. Cadman will side with the Liberal/ND/Parrish Coalition for Confidence.

I guess we’ll find out in 10 minutes 😛

D

Just over one hour until Judgement Day in Ottawa.

Belinda Stronach showed up for her first question period today as a Liberal MP and Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. She was sitting in the second row beside Ethel Blondin-Andrew and Ken Dryden.

“Come hell or high water, there’s no frigging way I’m going to let one ovary bring the government down.”

– The ever-eloquent Carolyn Parrish, Independent MP for Mississagua-Erindale

No wonder the rest of Canada think’s we’re a bunch of rednecks.

Members of Alberta legislature have spitting match over Stronach insult

Lorraine Turchansky
Canadian Press
May 18, 2005

EDMONTON (CP) — What started out as a crude swipe at Tory-turned-Liberal Belinda Stronach morphed into a nasty confrontation between two members of the Alberta legislature Wednesday.

Tony Abbott, a rural Conservative backbencher who is also an evangelical Christian minister, found himself apologizing repeatedly for saying Stronach was “whoring” herself by defecting to the Liberals.

Abbott said he made the remark out of anger but decided to retract it after getting plenty of negative feedback from his constituents — including his wife. read the rest here…