And another one steps down – this time, long-time Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis, or “Jimmy K,” as he is known colloquially, has tendered his resignation, and he plans to run for Toronto city council instead. Karygiannis is something of a polarizing figure, a “bare-knuckles” organizer for the party who made great inroads with ethno-cultural communities, but who also had a tendency to boast that if the party simply listened to his communications advice that they would be better off. Karygiannis was one of the three longest continually serving MPs in the House. This also means that we’re up to four by-elections to be called, which is going to put us at a really high number in recent parliaments, and we’ve still got a year-and-a-half to go before the next election.
The government’s plans to create a “super-agency” to manage the operations of quasi-judicial federal tribunals is raising concerns, especially because it will be operating under the portfolio of the department of justice. Oh, but don’t worry, Peter MacKay says – it’s just a way to save money, which is what we’re all concerned with. Err, justice costs money, and these tribunals are already saving an overburdened court system a lot of time and money. Never mind that nobody knows just how much it will actually save, or the fact that it’s being folded into the larger omnibus budget bill so its various merits and issues can be debated properly. No, we just need to trust Peter MacKay, apparently.
In Fair Elections Act news, blind or visually impaired Canadians may lack the proper ID that would allow them to vote under the new rules. Oops. The CRTC said that the new provisions around tracking elections calls wouldn’t apply to live calls made by volunteers, which Pierre Poilievre says was deliberate to keep volunteer campaign workers from drowning in forms and red tape. The current Commissioner of Elections talked about why the ability to compel testimony is urgently needed, as many investigations are stalled or even aborted because of it. Out of all this, there is word that after meeting with Conservative senators, Poilievre sounded like he was willing to entertain changes to the vouching system, but not striking the provisions from the bill entirely. And good on Senators like Janis Johnson for speaking out about their reservations.
It sounds like the Conservatives will end up supporting the NDP’s motion at Industry Committee to look into planned wireless rate hikes. Given their boasting how much rates have lowered under their watch, it’s probably in their best interests to look like they’re doing something.
The NDP say that Elections Canada has cleared them of wrongdoing in the case of householders being sent into ridings just before by-elections. Erm, except that the letter actually says that they’re still investigating, and the Board of Internal Economy is also still considering the matter. But hey, that’s “cleared” and signs that it was a failed attempt at a “smear,” apparently.
Injured soldiers are being asked to sign forms saying they won’t criticise senior officers over social media, “for their own good.” They insist that it’s not to stifle criticism, but to provide guidance and for the protection of those soldiers who are suffering from mental illnesses, but it all does fit uncomfortably with the overall picture of controlled communications by the current government.
Kady O’Malley wonders if all of the recent rancour over riding nomination battles will wind up turning voters off. Personally, I doubt it considering how few people actually participate in these nominations, and add to that fact the way that most voters think that these candidates are either hand-picked by the parties in exchange for whatever considerations, or appear out of thin air, I’m pretty sure that the effect on voter turnout will be minimal. Aaron Wherry wonders if open nominations are as nice of an idea as free votes that also turn out to be more difficult to execute in reality.
An independent investigator has cleared Senator Colin Kenny of harassment allegations, and that he wasn’t abusing his authority with the personal items that his staffer was doing for him. Other allegations about the assistant who accused Kenny came out in the report, including why she had been fired by a previous senator, but we must also remember that nine other women have come forward to allege sexual harassment by Kenny, so this may not be the last we have heard of the issue.
CBC looks into Irwin Cotler’s allegations that he was poisoned during his last visit to Moscow, and how there aren’t any tests to prove it, but Cotler notes that a Russian official apologised for the poisoning, calling it a “mistake.” It’s all very interesting the way pieces fit together.
Conservative Senator Nicole Eaton has seen the light and has realised that a fully elected Senate would essentially become a carbon copy of the House of Commons and would diminish its role as a chamber of sober second thought. And she’s right. Funny how a little time in the chamber makes these senators more independent and less dogmatic to the previous Harper reform proposals.
Aging beacons on aircraft and boats are causing false alarms for search and rescue crews that are costing millions of dollars every year, but so far the government hasn’t shown any signs of making the newer, more reliable digital beacons mandatory.
What’s that? CBC’s mandate suffers from a lack of focus making it impossible to hold to account? You don’t say!
My column this week looks at one of the latest proposals for transforming the Senate, and casting a bit of a critical eye on it.
Paul Calandra compared the NDP to a skunk during debate. No really. Because that’s the way grown-ups debate in the House of Commons, apparently.
Justin Trudeau jokingly swore once more for George Stroumboulopoulos’ benefit.
Maclean’s illustrated some of the quotes former minister and Newfoundland and Labrador lieutenant governor John Crosbie made after visiting the Commons on Monday.
And for April Fools, Minister Ed Fast celebrates an international maple syrup agreement. Just because.