Roundup: Dodgy contracts and sophomoric pranks

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The start of week two in the big trail, and Crown apparently regained some ground –getting the Senate’s HR clerk to note all of the things Duffy either tried to charge for and was rebuffed, or did end up charging for by means of the apparent clearing house that his former camera man started on his behalf, and all kinds of non-Senate related things were paid for that way, be it photo framing or personal training. No doubt Duffy’s lawyer will try to argue that in the absence of enough rules or controls, it should be treated as acceptable, but perhaps I’m getting pessimistic. Here is Nicholas Köhler’s piece of the kinds of nostalgia that the trial is evoking. Meanwhile, the NDP have been trying to have their juvenile fun at the expense of the Senate over the course of the trial to date. Last week it was small boxes with pieces of Camembert and crackers, and this week it was handing out their “Senate hall of shame” hockey cards, with the new addition of Senator Nancy Ruth – because apparently making a deadpan joke is a scandal. But hey, whatever distracts them from having to justify their own expenses scandals with those improper mailings and satellite offices, right? Imagine what they could accomplish if they put their energy to productive use rather than the sophomoric pranks and snarky press releases that they seem to be so heavily invested in as they chase the impossible dream of Senate abolition (which, I remind you, will never, ever happen ever).

Good read:

  • John Geddes writes about the Senate as repository for political memory in the country, which is a good read even if I don’t agree with his overall views.
  • Part 2 of Jordan Press’ look at childcare shows the problems with Quebec’s model and the conundrum of federal funding.
  • Despite a shortage of mental health workers, the military turned down a US-trained psychiatrist because of certification issues.
  • Ontario and Quebec signed a cap-and-trade agreement, but Ontario hasn’t got their system even close to designed yet. Jim Prentice rejects the notion, even though he was for it when it was Conservative policy in 2008.

Odds and ends:

Canadian media had to go through communist Cuban state media to get a photo of Harper’s meeting with Castro. Most open and transparent government ever!

David Bertschi is expanding his lawsuit around his disqualification as a Liberal candidate.

The Prime Minister of India is visiting today, and it’s not without some controversy.