Because he needs to change the channel of the national conversation, Stephen Harper announced yesterday that one of his government’s priorities coming back in the fall will be a bill to toughen the sentences for child sex offenders. Because nothing says “tough on crime!” like increasing sentences. Harper also blasted Justin Trudeau for putting pot ahead of the economy – as though it were an either/or proposition, or that there were no economic consequences from legalising marijuana, or the resources that it would free up from enforcing the existing laws in a rather futile way. Harper also seems to think that Trudeau is encouraging youth to use marijuana, when in fact Trudeau has said exactly the opposite – that legalising and regulating it will help to keep it out of the hands of children. But hey, since when to sound bites need to be factually accurate? Harper did say that he would take a look at the Chiefs of Police’s report recommending that marijuana possession be made a ticketable offence rather than one meriting a criminal conviction, so baby steps – right?
If you’re keeping score in the wireless spectrum debate, Harper denies giving Verizon an unfair advantage over Canadian telecoms – err, assuming that Verizon will indeed be making a play for our market.
The judge in the “Pierre Poutine” case of the fraudulent robocalls in Guelph hinted that there may not be a trial for Michael Sona. There will be another meeting on September 25th to determine if it moves forward or not.
iPolitics takes an in-depth look at the problems associated with the constant delays by the government in introducing their regulations for oil and gas sector emissions, and how there is pretty much no way that there can be regulations implemented that will have any effect by our 2020 emissions targets.
Sikorsky says they might start delivering replacement helicopters for the Sea Kings this year – really! Err, except for that whole dispute they’re having with National Defence over the capabilities of the current helicopters they’re producing, or the delays in necessary software upgrades, or any of that.
Here’s more about the lack of a paper trail from the PMO with regards to the Duffy/Wright case, which apparently has frustrated even the bureaucrats themselves. Interesting though that Wright himself has apparently turned over “hundreds of pages” of documents to the RCMP, but it remains to be seen if they will be of any value or use.
Pundit’s Guide updates us on the open nominations in the four upcoming by-elections.
Here’s an interesting look at whether or not our systems of government are facing an “accountability overload,” which has reached the point of paralysis and demoralization, so that politicians and public servants are now expending so much time and effort on transparency that it suffocates all other work.
Ontario sounds like it too will be arguing that provincial unanimity would be required for Senate abolition – as well they should be.
The Fraser Institute put out a report that decries the fiscal burden of immigrants, and apparently completely ignored the second generation, with higher levels of social mobility and who tend to be much more successful, or the ways in which parents and grandparents who come over contribute in other, undocumented ways.
The Federal Tax Court has ruled against the leader of the polygamous community at Bountiful, and he now owes a giant tax bill for hiding income, and is not being granted tax exempt status as the leader of a church.
Alberta’s auditor general is contemplating whether or not to do a review of pipeline safety in the province after the report that was released last week was widely panned as being insufficient.
And because I appear to be behind on these, here are some more PostMedia profiles of Senators doing good work, on Paul Massicotte, Asha Seth, Serge Joyal and Kelvin Ogilvie. It’s well worth reading up on these accomplished individuals making a contribution to our parliamentary debates.