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January Poll Soup
I neglected my monthly polling updates a bit during the end of 2009 – and can you blame me, given how bleak they looked? But, poll soup has returned, with the January 2010 numbers. I could offer up some analysis but these numbers speak for themselves – it’s fairly evident what effect prorogation has had […]
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Diverging Views on Democracy
Two quotes, from two Tories, both posted on Macleans: “We have a government that is focused on the economy, focused on safer streets and focused on research and development,” Clement said. “If you don’t agree with that, which is your right, then you can vote us out of office. That’s democracy.” For [Conservative MP Rob […]
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This Week in Alberta – Blue Grits
Very interesting, both because of the message and the messenger: Signalling a major shift in the party’s energy policy, the Alberta Liberals unveiled Monday several proposals for revamping the sluggish oil and gas sector, including lowering royalties in some cases. Calgary Grit MLA Dave Taylor, the party’s energy critic, said the province’s main industry is […]
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A brief history of why no one cares about prorogation
“Anyone can get 20,000 in a Facebook group – call me when they pass the 127,000 in the anti-coalition groups.” (now 214,000) “Oh, that’s just Facebook. It won’t impact the polls.” (Liberals and Conservatives in virtual tie)“But no one really cares. No one will actually show up at the protests.” (most estimates have comparable crowd […]
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Stephen Harper: He Prorogues
I was at the Victory Fund fundraiser last night in Toronto. I thought Ignatieff was better than he’s been at past events and he tantalizingly teased us that there would be concrete policy coming from the Liberals shortly. However, the highlight of the night was the Piano Man, Bob Rae, who regaled everyone with “you […]
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Grassroots Fury
Another day, another poll confirming the beating the Tories are taking over prorogation. Perhaps an even better political barometer would be Rick Mercer: So, the real question is – how did this happen? Why are Canadians actually giving a damn? It’s not like voters were really up in arms over the Afghan detainee issue, and […]
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Another Day, another shuffle
It’s been a busy week for Cabinet shuffles – first Alberta, then Ontario, now the feds. Assuming this was more than a “hey! look over here!” ploy to shift attention away from prorogation, what should we make of Harper’s moves? Well, even though 10 ministers change jobs, it doesn’t feel like a big shuffle. The […]
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More Shuffling
Analysis to come later, but for now: -Van Loan moves to International Trade,-Toews takes over the Public Safety portfolio-Day becomes president of the Treasury Board-Lisa Raitt moves over to the Labour portfolio-Rona Ambrose takes charge of the Public Works portfolio-Christian Paradis takes the lead on the Natural Resources file-Diane Ablonczy becomes the Minister of State […]
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‘Tis the Season to Shuffle
You know, it occurs to me I have more to say about a PC Cabinet shuffle in a province I don’t live in, than on McGuinty’s shuffle today. Perhaps I’ll make following Ontario politics closer my New Years resolution for 2010. So I’ll be sure to update this post with links to some solid post-shuffle […]
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Moment of the Decade: #1 The Merger
If you missed it, I asked readers to nominate, then vote, on Canada’s top political moment of the decade. Over the first two weeks of January, I’ve been counting down the top 10 vote getters. Today, the political moment of the decade: The right wing merger didn’t get a lot of Canadians excited. There weren’t […]