I saw the new Star Wars movie yesterday. The acting/dialogue sucked, but the action scenes were pretty cool. Yoda is still the best. He’s a 2 foot tall little green guy who kicks ass!!! How sweet is that!??!?!
I picked up this little puppy from primeminister.ca. It’s okay until about the 3rd question, when it starts to get boring. He didn’t get mine: a muskox 😛
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 🙂
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…
Like many Canadians, I was shocked and surprised to hear that Tory MP Belinda Stronach had crossed the floor and joined Paul Martin’s Cabinet. But what shocked and suprised me the most was the wave of negativity, anger, and pure outrage that came from Conservative MP’s, MLA’s, and their supporters.
The comments, many, which came from Alberta Conservatives, were embarrassing and insulting not only to Ms. Stronach, but to all Canadians. Accusations that “she whored herself out for power,” and that she is a “dipstick” are completely unacceptable and show a complete lack of class and integrity from the politicians who threw the insult.
Yes, Ms. Stronach is an ambitious and opportunistic politician, and the voters in her riding will hold her accountable for her actions. But, the sexist outrage that has been thrown at her by her former Conservative colleagues is unacceptable and disgraceful.
It is the perfect example of how little we expect of our elected officials.
Shame.
Based on pure instinct… here I go…
Seat Projections:
Liberal – 53 (46%)
NDP – 25 (38%)
Green – 1 (10%)
DRBC – 0 (3%)
Other – 0 (3%)
Predictions:
– Campbell will keep his seat in Vancouver Point Grey.
– James will win in Victoria Beacon Hill.
– The NDP will win nearly every seat on Vancouver Island (Malahat-Juan de Fuca will be a close NDP win against DRBC Leader Tom Morino) but be the minority in the Interior and the Lower Mainland.
– Green Leader Adrienne Carr will be elected in Powell River-Sunshine Coast by a very slim margin.
– The largest amount of popular vote will go to the Liberals.
– The STV Vote will be defeated.
– Expect a low voter turnout.
So… tonight, we will all see how acurately attuned I am to the BC political climate…
This is huge. http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/05/17/stronach-liberals050517.html
Belinda Stronach, MP for Newmarket – Aurora, has crossed the floor from the Tories and joined the Liberals. She is now the Minister of Human Resources and Democratic Renewal.
Prime Minister Paul Martin said:
“I am very pleased to announce that Belinda Stronach will cross the floor and has agreed to join the cabinet as Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
In addition, Ms. Stronach will assume responsibilities for democratic renewal and will help guide the implementation of the recommendations that flow from the Gomery Commission’s final report.”
wow.
more commentary later.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
LIVE FROM DAVEBERTA, HERE ARE THE OFFICIAL “UNRESPONSIBLE POLLING” ELECTIONS POLLING RESULTS…
THE QUESTION: If an election were to be held tomorrow, which party would you vote for?
Liberal – 35% (35 votes)
New Democratic – 26% (26 votes)
Conservative – 18% (18 votes)
Green – 15% (15 votes)
Bloc Quebecois – 4% (4 votes)
Other – 2% (2 votes)
Who ever Ralph Klein is running for – 1% (1 vote)
What do you think?
Alberta. Home of the beautiful baldass prairie, Jasper, Banff, and Lake Louise, the mad cow, the giant perogy, the Calgary Stampede, the Senator-in-Waiting, and of course, the Lodgepoll Pine. This free spirited province flavours its politics as western populism, where the roots of the Manning dynasty and the Reform Party flourished in a longstanding democratic tradition of down to earth politics and social conservatism. And last but not least: Alberta, the personal playground of our glorious, blessed, and beloved Leader, Ralph Klein….
Klein no doubt enjoying ‘personal time’ away from dome: Regards question period a time for opposition to ask him ‘stupid questions’
The Edmonton Journal
Sun 15 May 2005
Page: A6 Section: News
Column: Capital Notebook
When Premier Ralph Klein revealed Friday he was taking “personal time” instead of showing up this week for the closing of legislature, it marked the latest chapter in his long-standing lack of interest in house business and question period, its public highlight.
In fall 2003, he skipped out of Edmonton for trips to Ontario and England and missed about half of a skimpy three-week autumn session.
The opposition was miffed he was ditching his democratic duties — and their chance to grill him during QP — but Klein responded with contempt.
“My sole purpose to exist is not to satisfy the Liberals,” the premier said.
“Their whole performance depends on whether they can grill me and try to embarrass me and to ask me stupid questions to which I’m expected to give intelligent answers.”
For QP-watching junkies, the last one this spring will either be Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, depending on how swiftly MLAs can go through the remaining legislation debates.
