Apparently Stephen Harper is getting a “hero’s welcome” in Israel for being such a “great friend” of that country. David Akin notes that the oversized entourage that Harper is bringing with him to Israel includes not only six cabinet ministers, as well as MPs and Senators, but also a handful of business executives, 21 rabbis and priest. And as was pointed out, you don’t take rabbis on a “trade mission.” (Also, if anyone brings up Adrienne Clarkson, her infamous delegation was at the behest of Foreign Affairs).
Chris Alexander says that Canada won’t get involved in resettling Palestinian refugees because most of them would want to go home once a two-state solution has been reached and they have a state of their own.
Neil Young’s Honour the Treaties tour has apparently surpassed its fundraising goals, and “continues to generate discussion” on the oilsands. Young rejected an offer by the oil companies to discuss what actually happens in the area, while social media has begun to refer to him as a “Jenny McCarthy” figure after his comparisons to the region as being like Hiroshima. Michael Den Tandt rather aptly points out that Young and his fellow critics haven’t really brought forward any credible alternatives to the table, which helps to blunt the impact of his message.
Foreign Affairs is looking for contractors to help determine whether or not our foreign embassies are resistant to earthquakes, and what it will cost to give them proper seismic upgrades.
It appears that another Canadian soldier – this time the former commander of a tactical helicopter squadron – has committed suicide. This would be the eighth within two months.
The Conservatives’ fundraising numbers are in for the last quarter of 2013 – they took in $5.2 million, compared to the Liberals’ $4.3 million, though that gap is narrowing. Still no numbers from the NDP.
Two Canadians were killed in the recent suicide bombing in Kabul. They were auditors working to determine the efficacy of our aid dollars in the area.
And long-time Press Gallery reporter Barry Wilson, who writes for the Western Producer, is retiring, marking an end of an era, and one more loss for beat journalism in the Gallery in an age where everyone is becoming a generalist.