<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" > <channel> <title>Bev Oda – Routine Proceedings</title> <atom:link href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/tag/bev-oda/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com</link> <description>The adventures of a Press Gallery journalist</description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 08 Jan 2014 03:44:50 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-CA</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <image> <url>https://www.routineproceedings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/cropped-DSmith-2024-32x32.jpg</url> <title>Bev Oda – Routine Proceedings</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">34256478</site> <item> <title>Roundup: Strahl, Enbridge, and no broken rules</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2014/01/08/roundup-strahl-enbridge-and-no-broken-rules/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jan 2014 10:38:34 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bev Oda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Chuck Strahl]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CRA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CSE]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CSIS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Espionage]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fiscal Austerity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jason Kenney]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Northern Gateway Pipeline]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Prostitution]]></category> <category><![CDATA[RCMP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Rob Anders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Stephen Harper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Supreme Court]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=2370</guid> <description><![CDATA[In regards to the hysteria around Chuck Strahl consulting on behalf of Enbridge in BC, it seems that Enbridge has been a client of his since 2011 – at least, with regards to any activities on the provincial level. He’s … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2014/01/08/roundup-strahl-enbridge-and-no-broken-rules/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In regards to the hysteria around Chuck Strahl consulting on behalf of Enbridge in BC, it seems that Enbridge has been a client of his <a href="http://www.vancouverobserver.com/environment/chief-spy-watchdog-working-enbridge-2011">since 2011</a> – at least, with regards to any activities on the provincial level. He’s also <a href="http://aptn.ca/news/2014/01/07/csis-watchdog-chair-lobbying-fn-energy-firm-links-china/">registered in Alberta</a> to lobby for a First Nations energy that is drilling for oil on its territory with a Chinese-financed company. Can’t you just see all of the conspiracy theories churning? But as Kady O’Malley <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/politics/inside-politics-blog/2014/01/former-minister-turned-spy-oversignt-chair-faces-questions-over-enbridge-lobbying-gig.html">points out</a>, because the chairmanship of SIRC is considered a part-time gig (as they meet less than a dozen times per year), he’s exempt from many of the restrictions in the <em>Conflict of Interest Act</em>, and Strahl also has stated that he’s <a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=270801&playlistId=1.1628087&binId=1.810401&playlistPageNum=1">not hearing</a> any CSIS cases that involve Enbridge or any of his other clients, there’s no real conflict there.</p> <p><span id="more-2370"></span>Speaking of intelligence, it seems that the Communications Security Establishment has new stuff up on their website, thanks to all of the media coverage they’ve received recently, and have now <a href="http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2014/01/06/cse-backtracks-and-now-admits-it-spies-on-canadians-spy-agency-still-provides-misleading-information-on-its-website-says-cse-watcher/">admitted</a> that sometimes they accidentally end up spying on Canadian’s phone conversations – but don’t worry, they quickly take steps to protect the privacy of that person! Err, except long-time CSE watchers are pretty sure that’s not actually the case.</p> <p>Peter MacKay says that the government is going to have to <a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/feds-must-introduce-legislation-to-address-the-effects-of-prostitution-mackay-1.1627878">draft legislation</a> to deal with the “effects of prostitution,” which he described as “corrosive” in society. That sounds to me like it’s going to end up being the Nordic Model (criminalising the buyers), which will just keep the whole thing underground, and we’ll be right back to where we started.</p> <p>The Federal Court has <a href="http://o.canada.com/news/minister-within-rights-to-halt-funding-to-arab-group-over-apparent-anti-semitic-leanings-judge/">ruled</a> that Jason Kenney was within his right to stop funding one of the country’s largest Arab groups over concerns that they support terrorist groups and anti-Semitism.</p> <p>The CRA is still trying to determine if the problem of some taxpayers wrongfully being declared dead is a “<a href="http://o.canada.com/news/national/canada-revenue-agency-reviewing-issue-of-taxpayers-wrongfully-declared-dead/">systemic issue</a>” or not, as they investigate the problem.</p> <p>Here’s a bit about the <a href="http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2014/01/07/protecting-the-pm-a-delicate-balancing-act/">balancing act</a> that is protecting the PM, which is once again in the news after those climate activists got mere inches away from him at an event. Neither of the protestors was charged, but security experts say that this incident is a <a href="http://o.canada.com/news/security-breach-should-be-a-wake-up-call-for-rcmp-says-expert/">wake-up call</a> for the RCMP protection detail.</p> <p><i>Maclean’s</i> obtained some Access to Information documents about Bev Oda’s trip to Africa in 2011, where she changed hotels mid-trip and rebooked flights in order to <a href="http://www2.macleans.ca/2014/01/07/a-refugee-camp-and-a-game-park-hotel-bev-oda-goes-to-africa/">extend her trip</a> and stay next to a game park with the intention of going on safari. And yes, those changes were billed to taxpayers.</p> <p>Three upcoming Quebec-based cases before the Supreme Court will only have a <a href="http://o.canada.com/news/politics-and-the-nation/crime-and-justice/top-court-to-face-shortage-of-quebec-judges-this-winter/">single Quebec judge</a> sitting on them, because Justice Nadon remains sidelined until the reference on his appointment is settled, and Justice Wagner was involved in those three cases in some way, and a superior court judge can’t revisit a case that he or she has already heard.</p> <p>The District of Kitimat has decided to hold a <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/plebiscite-to-reveal-kitimat-s-opinion-on-northern-gateway-project-1.2487326">plebiscite</a> to determine the level of local support for the Northern Gateway Pipeline, which would end at its harbour.</p> <p>And Rob Anders <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/contest-for-rob-anders-job-triggers-tory-infighting-1.2487716">appeared</a> on <i>Power & Politics</i> against one of the organisers of the campaign to oust him, and pretty much the only thing that Anders said was “Red Tories!” As in, he’s a Wildrose supporter/Blue Tory, and all of these challengers are Alison Redford supporters, Red Tories and Liberal/NDP “temporary Tories” who are engaged in a “revenge campaign” against him. No, seriously.</p> <p>Up today: Stephen Harper is in Inuvik to <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stephen-harper-to-kick-off-highway-construction-in-inuvik-1.2487543">kick off</a> the construction of the planned highway between there and Tuktoyaktuk.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2370</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Adventures in Vladivostok</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/09/10/roundup-adventures-in-vladivostok/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:37:31 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bev Oda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Canadian Forces]]></category> <category><![CDATA[F-35 Fighters]]></category> <category><![CDATA[First Nations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Foreign Policy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Iran]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Office of Religious Freedoms]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Stephen Harper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Syria]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Senate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Trade]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=692</guid> <description><![CDATA[While at the APEC Summit in Vladivostok, Russia, over the weekend, Stephen Harper and Chinese president Hu Jintao witnessed the signing of the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. Harper and Russian president Vladimir Putin also agreed to disagree … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/09/10/roundup-adventures-in-vladivostok/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While at the APEC Summit in Vladivostok, Russia, over the weekend, Stephen Harper and Chinese president Hu Jintao witnessed the <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/09/08/harper-hu-jintao-apec.html">signing</a> of the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. Harper and Russian president Vladimir Putin also agreed to disagree on the issue of Syria. While at the summit, Harper also <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/09/09/harper-iran-apec.html">ratcheted</a> up the rhetoric around Iran now that we’ve shuttered our embassy there.</p> <p>It looks like the new Office of Religious Freedoms may have finally <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/09/07/pol-office-religious-freedom-ambassador.html">found</a> its ambassador and could be set to open soon. Of course, it was also revealed that the Muslim panellists for their consultations were “<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/09/07/pol-elliott-sidebar-office-religious-freedom.html">not available</a>,” which sounds terribly convenient when you’re trying to assure people that this won’t simply be an office devoted to Christian proselytising.</p> <p><span id="more-692"></span>As Bev Oda’s spending habits continue to be combed through despite her resignation, we find that she <a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/penalty-for-smoking-in-a-hotel-room-among-expenses-oda-charged-to-taxpayers-169016286.html">charged</a> a $250 fine for smoking in her room at one hotel to the public purse. Because $16 orange juice wasn’t outrageous enough, apparently. Predictably the Canadian Taxpayers Federation <a href="http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2012/09/09/20182521.html">wants</a> ministerial expenses posted online – err, except the Conservatives have pretty much eschewed the proactive disclosures already in place, and have been putting their expenses in other ledgers, like those of departments, so as to look like they’re not spending as much.</p> <p>One of Harper’s new Senate appointees <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/new-conservative-senator-warns-ei-reform-will-drive-down-wages/article4525951/">recently</a> penned a piece about how the changes to EI will drive down wages. Now let’s all give him a chance to breathe before We The Media smother him in “IS STEPHEN HAPRER LOSING CONTROL OF HIS SENATORS?” speculation.</p> <p>Small surprise, but First Nations are treating the government’s new “Results-based approach” to treaty negotiations with a bit of <a href="http://o.canada.com/2012/09/08/106164/">scepticism</a>, given the history.</p> <p>There is a move to <a href="http://www.globalnews.ca/arrow%2Bcould%2Bfly%2Bagain/6442711404/story.html">revive</a> the Avro Arrow programme to replace the CF-18s instead of the F-35s, because of its superior speed and altitude capabilities, as well as features that are specifically designed to operate in the Canadian Arctic. Meanwhile, there was <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/military-planners-worried-about-strain-of-libyan-campaign-on-jet-fleet-documents/article4530279/">concern</a> about the level of wear-and-tear on the CF-18s caused by the Libya mission.</p> <p>And here’s an interesting <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/rise+Twiplomacy+What+Canada+learn+from+Hillary+Clinton/7209415/story.html">column</a> about the Americans’ use of “Twiplomacy” or diplomacy via social media. She feels this could be useful for Canada, but one has to wonder about the value of announcing via Twitter every time we walk out of a presentation at the UN, which seems to be the extent of our diplomatic engagement these days.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">692</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Spinning prison gangs as good news</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/08/01/roundup-spinning-prison-gangs-as-good-news/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 09:39:47 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bev Oda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bruce Carson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jason Kenney]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Liberal Leadership]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Omar Khadr]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Refugees]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Senate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tough on Crime]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=581</guid> <description><![CDATA[What’s that? More gangs in prisons as we’re seeing more overcrowding, more double-bunking, more and incidents of violence that might entice prisoners to join gangs for protection? You don’t say! What’s more audacious, however, is the government dressing this up … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/08/01/roundup-spinning-prison-gangs-as-good-news/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What’s that? <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/31/pol-prison-gangs-numbers-climbing.html">More gangs</a> in prisons as we’re seeing more overcrowding, more double-bunking, more and incidents of violence that might entice prisoners to join gangs for protection? You don’t say! What’s more audacious, however, is the government dressing this up as more gang members in prison and off the streets, and yet not having any police data to back that particular claim up. Just so long as it has to feel convincing, we don’t need facts!</p> <p>Martha Hall Findlay, Hedy Fry and Joe Volpe are trying to <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2012/07/30/ex-liberal-leadership-candidates-hope-to-strike-debt-repayment-deal-with-elections-canada">make a deal</a> with Elections Canada about their outstanding leadership debts now that the courts won’t give them any more extensions.</p> <p>Tim Uppal wants Parliament to stop “stalling” the Senate Reform Act. Um, it’s your government that’s not bringing it forward for debate. Oh, and they want the <a href="http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2012-07-30/article-3042303/Provinces-to-pay-for-senate-elections:-federal-minister/1">provinces to pay</a> to “elect” (but not really since it’s just a “consultation”) federal senators. Predictably, no province except Alberta is wild on the idea and won’t pursue their own plans if they have to pay for them. Not that it matters anyway, since the whole thing is unconstitutional to begin with.</p> <p><span id="more-581"></span>The Muskrat Falls hydro project has <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/31/nl-muskrat-falls-announcement-731.html">cleared</a> a major legal hurdle.</p> <p>An immigration lawyer trying to complain about the speed with which Conrad Black’s application was processed says he’s being <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/lawyer-says-kenneys-office-tried-to-intimidate-him-over-conrad-black-comments/article4451188/">intimidated</a> by Jason Kenney’s office. Kenney, meanwhile, has come up with a raft of statistics to “prove” that supposedly bogus claimants are milking the system, though he has a history of conflating numbers to give a figure that looks terrible but doesn’t accurately reflect the truth. The Liberals, meanwhile, <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/31/pol-refugee-health-liberals.html">want</a> to look into the refugee healthcare situation once the House comes back.</p> <p>iPolitics has an <a href="http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/07/31/beyond-the-oj/">infographic</a> breaking down Bev Oda’s spending in honour of her last day as an MP. Aaron Wherry collects some of her <a href="http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/07/31/the-quotable-bev-oda/">memorable quotes</a> over the past two years.</p> <p>Elizabeth Thompson speaks to Lee Richardson about <a href="http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/07/31/political-vet-lee-richardson-is-feeling-kind-of-young-again/">life after federal politics</a> and what it’s like working for Alison Redford.</p> <p>Emmett Macfarlane looks at the Supreme Court’s <a href="http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/07/31/the-supreme-court-is-culpable-in-the-omar-khadr-case/">culpability</a> in Omar Khadr still not being repatriated.</p> <p>As the charges against Bruce Carson go ahead, PostMedia <a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Alberta+school+headed+former+Harper+advisor+Bruce+Carson/7019593/story.html">looks into</a> the school he set up in Alberta and how he was apparently billing inappropriate travel expenses there.</p> <p>And Pundit’s Guide looks at the <a href="http://www.punditsguide.ca/2012/07/party-second-quarter-returns-hint-at-trends-worth-watching/">second quarter returns</a> and finds that the Liberals are still beating the NDP in terms of fundraising, and are growing their pot of smaller donations. The NDP is catching up, but in large part because of some very large bequests. Kady O’Malley <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2012/07/post-10.html">takes note</a> of the all of the late filers from the past election.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">581</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Redford vs Clark</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/25/roundup-redford-vs-clark/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 09:34:01 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Alison Redford]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bev Oda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dean Del Mastro]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Elections Canada]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Etobicoke Centre]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Federalism]]></category> <category><![CDATA[First Nations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Northern Gateway Pipeline]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Senate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tough on Crime]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=565</guid> <description><![CDATA[The brewing battle between premiers Christy Clark and Alison Redford went up a notch yesterday as Clark fired back at Redford’s suggestion that her demands for a portion of the royalties meant rewriting Confederation. Clark, not unsurprisingly, called Reford’s comments … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/25/roundup-redford-vs-clark/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The brewing battle between premiers Christy Clark and Alison Redford went up a notch yesterday as Clark <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/24/bc-alberta-gateway-pipeline.html">fired back</a> at Redford’s suggestion that her demands for a portion of the royalties meant rewriting Confederation. Clark, not unsurprisingly, called Reford’s comments “<a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/news/alberta/Alison+Redford+turns+heat+Northern+Gateway+royalty+words/6982233/story.html">silly</a>” and unreasonable to suggested that she was trying to destroy Confederation. Clark’s point is that BC is taking a disproportionate share of the risk with regards to the length of the pipeline and the marine consequences, but isn’t guaranteed an adequate proportion of the revenues. She also steadfastly says that she is neither supporting nor objecting to the pipeline at this point considering that the environmental review process remains incomplete. On a side note, here’s a look at how the <a href="http://www.globalnews.ca/looming+elections/6442685302/story.html">upcoming elections</a> in BC and Quebec may play out at the Council of the Federation Meeting that starts today.</p> <p>The head of Peter Penashue’s campaign says he’s <a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/mp-peter-penashue-campaign-head-apologizes-for-spending-errors-lax-reporting-163582176.html">sorry</a> for exceeding the limits and for his lax bookkeeping. Well, so long as he’s sorry, that makes everything better, right? (Todd Russell, the former MP, who lost by a mere 79 votes, doesn’t plan to challenge the results given the recommendations, for the record). Meanwhile, Elections Canada was <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Elections+Canada+interested+immunity+offer+Mastro+case/6983047/story.html">not interested</a> in offering Dean Del Mastro “immunity” in exchange for more information about the funding irregularities.</p> <p><span id="more-565"></span>On the Etobicoke Centre file, Borys Wrzesnewskyj is <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/24/pol-wrzesnewskyj-opitz-elections-canada-etobicoke-centre.html">calling into question</a> some of the “new evidence” that Elections Canada provided before the Supreme Court.</p> <p>Hey, another elections spending scandal, this time in Alberta, where the province’s publicly owned bank apparenty <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/07/24/edmonton-atb-financial-political-donations.html">violated</a> its own policies and possibly the law in order to donate to the PC party. Now, think about that federal bill that proposes to restrict political loans to accredited financial institutions. Oh yeah, this is going to end well.</p> <p>Stephen Harper <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/24/harper-toronto-gun-summit.html">met with</a> Toronto mayor Rob Ford yesterday, and after they had a photo op and took no questions, everyone went their separate ways. So really, we have no idea what went on, but judging from the look on Harper’s face, it seems even he couldn’t much take Ford either. What Harper <a href="http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/07/24/this-is-not-a-theoretical-problem/">did say</a> later in the day was that he wants the courts to enforce those mandatory minimums, no matter how arbitrary or inappropriate. Yeah, that solves the problem of gun crime.</p> <p>Elsewhere, Harper says that the Chinese takeover of Nexen shouldn’t be <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/24/cnooc-nexen-harper.html">presumed</a> to be a given. CNOOC, meanwhile, has <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2012/07/lobbywatch-update-hill-and-knowlton-to-guide-cnooc-through-foreign-investment-review-process.html">retained</a> Hill & Knowlton to guide them through the regulatory process.</p> <p>The Quebec government has <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/24/quebec-cree-deal-24-07-2012.html">signed</a> an agreement that creates a new regional government in the James Bay area that gives the Cree in the area more authority over the territory and their own affairs.</p> <p>Documents show that Bev Oda <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1231202--bev-oda-repaid-five-inappropriate-expenses-following-lavish-spending-story">repaid</a> five inappropriate expenses after the Savoy/$16 orange juice story came to light.</p> <p>And Senator Bert Brown says that Harper has “<a href="http://www.hilltimes.com/news/news/2012/07/23/pm-has-time-on-his-side-to-reform-senate-says--sen-brown/31571">time on his side</a>” when it comes to Senate “reform,” since he can keep appointing “reform-minded” senators as current ones retire. But do you know what he doesn’t have on his side? The constitutional authority to do it unilaterally. Just saying.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">565</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Clerical errors and attack ads</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/11/roundup-clerical-errors-and-attack-ads/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jul 2012 09:34:37 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bev Oda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bob Rae]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Canadian Forces]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Etobicoke Centre]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Liberal Leadership]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Political Ads]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Supreme Court]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tough on Crime]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=536</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Supreme Court heard arguments about the Etobicoke Centre election yesterday, and the crux seem to hang on whether “clerical errors” are enough to overturn votes and “disenfranchise” Canadians. But how many errors are too many and how many should … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/11/roundup-clerical-errors-and-attack-ads/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Supreme Court heard <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/10/pol-live-supreme-court-etobicoke-centre-appeal.html">arguments</a> about the Etobicoke Centre election yesterday, and the crux seem to hang on whether “clerical errors” are enough to overturn votes and “disenfranchise” Canadians. But how many errors are too many and how many should we let slide before it becomes “fatal” to the integrity of the election? It’s actually a weighty issue to ponder, and they have reserved judgement. While it’s supposed to be handled expeditiously, the point was also made that the remedy – a by-election – is time-sensitive, and so one can hope that the Court will be swift in its ruling. (I offered some of my own thoughts as to the arguments <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/10/on-justice-mclachlin-and-the-question-of-record-keeping/">here</a>).</p> <p>The NDP launched their own <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ndp-counters-tory-attack-ads-with-video-of-their-own/article4403450/">attack ads</a> in response to those the Conservatives launched against Thomas Mulcair. The crux of the message: Harper created the recession, the deficit, and is now making cuts to the vulnerable. It’s all pretty much demonstrably untrue and contradictory, but since when were attack ads supposed to be entirely factual when the intent is to cast doubt on your opponent? James Moore was quick to <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesMoore_org/status/222749712548237312">respond</a> via the Twitter Machine: “Hope is better than fear.” Touché.</p> <p><span id="more-536"></span>Scientists and supporters held a “death of evidence” <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/10/pol-death-evidence-protest-parliament-hill.html">march</a> on Parliament Hill yesterday to protest cuts to science – most especially the Experimental Lakes Programme. The government insists it’s spending more on science and research – and it is, in <a href="http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/07/10/the-scientists-vs-harper/">sheer dollar values</a>. But its focus has shifted more to commercialisation than pure research, and it has shown a distinct disdain for evidence when it comes up against ideological positions (such as with Insite), so on balance the dollar figures may not be the best defence.</p> <p>Peter MacKay <a href="http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/07/10/mckay-announces-9-3m-irving-contract-to-get-shipbuilding-program-underway/">signed</a> a $9.3 million dollar deal with Irving Shipyards to get the exploratory and design process underway for those Arctic patrol vessels (also known as the “slushbreakers”) that we’ve been hearing about for years have yet to see signs of. MacKay also <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/10/ns-helicopter-deal-mackay.html">called</a> the Sikorsky helicopter deal the “worst in Canadian history.” Because apparently we’ve thus far dodged the F-35 bullet, I’m guessing.</p> <p>What’s that? The government is <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-10/canada-studying-private-firms-for-prisons-as-budgets-fall.html">looking to</a> private companies to deliver prison services? You don’t say! Hands up who didn’t see this one coming.</p> <p>We now have <a href="http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2012/07/20120710-164727.html">confirmation</a> that yes, Bev Oda did smoke in her office and charge for two air purifiers for her office.</p> <p>There is a “dark horse” <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-split-over-co-operation-with-new-democrats/article4401861/">challenger</a> for the Liberal leadership who wants to run on a “pro-cooperation with the NDP” platform. Yeah, good luck with that. I’m continually amazed by people who think that ousting Harper is enough policy gruel with which to form a platform to govern. (Hint: It’s nowhere even close). Or those who believe that there’s enough common economic ground between the two parties to make a merger palatable for either side. (Hint: Not in the slightest).</p> <p>And Bob Rae is up in the oil sands at Form McMurray, Alberta. His <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/07/10/oil-sands-tremendous-benefit-to-canada-but-need-proper-regulation-from-ottawa-alberta-bob-rae/">take</a> thus far is that they have tremendous potential, but need proper provincial and federal regulation.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">536</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Etobicoke Centre appeal today</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/10/roundup-etobicoke-centre-appeal-today/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 09:34:57 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Alison Redford]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bev Oda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Electoral Boundaries]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Etobicoke Centre]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jason Kenney]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Labour]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Refugees]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Supreme Court]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Thomas Mulcair]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vic Toews]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=529</guid> <description><![CDATA[Are you ready? The Supreme Court hears the Etobicoke Centre appeal today. This is going to be one to watch, considering how much attention is being focused on the way Elections Canada runs elections, and their training and operations are … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/10/roundup-etobicoke-centre-appeal-today/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Are you ready? The Supreme Court hears the Etobicoke Centre <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/09/pol-etobicoke-centre-supreme-court-hearing.html">appeal</a> today. This is going to be one to watch, considering how much attention is being focused on the way Elections Canada runs elections, and their training and operations are as much under the microscope here as any particular voter impropriety.</p> <p>There is talk that the new seat redistribution in <a href="http://www.hilltimes.com/news/news/2012/07/09/british-columbia’s-ridings-to-be-‘changed-dramatically’-for-2015-election/31413">BC</a> and in <a href="http://demarchy.ca/post/26829622400/proposed-redistricting-federal-new-brunswick">New Brunswick</a> will disproportionately be beneficial to the Conservatives, in large part because new ridings in BC are going to the lower mainland suburbs, while in New Brunswick, Dieppe moves into a new riding, but on balance there shouldn’t be any loss of seats to Liberals or NDP even if the vote spread changes. I’m a bit torn on this assumption that these new ridings in the suburbs of BC will automatically go Conservative. Given that much of the redistribution has reduced the influence of rural ridings (which were over-represented to begin with), and that rural ridings were far more likely to vote Conservative than anything else, one could argue that it makes the ridings more volatile – especially as the “rurban” phenomenon of small urban area at the narrow end of a large rural riding is being blunted in a lot of places. This will create more representative urban and suburban ridings that might actually see their issues addressed rather than swamped by rural concerns. This could put those ridings into play far more, now that the more conservative rural population can’t be relied upon to carry the votes.</p> <p><span id="more-529"></span>Thomas Mulcair <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/07/09/mulcair-redford-in-mutual-stampede-snub-over-oilsands/">won’t be meeting</a> with Alison Redford when he makes his Stampede appearance later in the week, and it doesn’t sound like she’s too eager to meet either.</p> <p>Bev Oda allegedly ordered an <a href="http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2012/07/20120709-210401.html">air purifier</a> for her office so that she could smoke with impunity – and charged it to the public treasury. Her office denies it, mind you. (Has anyone checked if Diane Finley has done the same? Just wondering).</p> <p>Candu scientists and engineers are <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/09/ottawa-strike-engineers-nuclear-candu-chalk-river.html">on strike</a> in a wage dispute. Lisa Raitt is “disappointed.”</p> <p>What’s that? Imprisoning refugees who arrive by “irregular means” could have <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/09/pol-cmaj-refugee-health.html">negative impacts</a> on their mental health? You don’t say!</p> <p>Alberta environmental groups are <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/09/edmonton-oilsands-alberta-impact.html">challenging</a> oil sands companies to prove that their remediation efforts are working, as one of those companies seeks regulatory approval to expand their current mine.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/a-judgeship-for-toews-161757585.html">rumour</a> that Vic Toews is up for a judgeship in Manitoba has resurfaced once again (not that I necessarily believe it this time either).</p> <p>Pundit’s Guide looks at <a href="http://www.punditsguide.ca/2012/07/explaining-the-2011-federal-election-iii-the-money-and-the-metrics/">money spent</a> versus results in the last election.</p> <p>And Jason Kenney has a petition on his website to <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1223658--petition-thanking-immigration-minister-jason-kenney-posted-to-his-own-website">thank him</a> for tackling refugees getting healthcare coverage. I’m still not convinced that this wasn’t actually a template page with dummy text that was accidentally made public (considering there are no links on the site itself to said petition), but when his office said it was legitimate, well, my head exploded. Apparently Kenney is that cheeky. (Alternately, his office is going to great lengths to keep from admitting that their webmaster ballsed this one up big time, which is equally plausible.)</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">529</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: No prorogation until the “mid-term”</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/06/roundup-no-prorogation-until-the-mid-term/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jul 2012 09:30:13 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Access to Information]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bev Oda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Civic Literacy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dean Del Mastro]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Refugees]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Senate]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=522</guid> <description><![CDATA[In case you were wondering, Stephen Harper has ruled out a prorogation anytime in the near future, but hints that there would be a more extensive cabinet shuffle and new Speech From the Throne in the “mid-term” as they re-jig … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/06/roundup-no-prorogation-until-the-mid-term/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In case you were wondering, Stephen Harper has <a href="http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/07/05/never-mind-that-prorogation-speculation/">ruled out</a> a prorogation anytime in the near future, but hints that there would be a more extensive cabinet shuffle and new Speech From the Throne in the “mid-term” as they re-jig their longer-term agenda. (Full interview <a href="http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/07/05/a-few-words-from-the-prime-minister/">here</a>). All of this media speculation he’s quashing – all that’s left to speculate on is who will fill those six vacant and soon-to-be-vacant Senate seats. Meanwhile, Susan Delacourt <a href="https://twitter.com/SusanDelacourt/statuses/221065344696074240">wonders</a> if Bev Oda was tricked into resigning if she supposedly got tipped off that she was being shuffled out, and yet Harper said he’s not planning any major shuffles. It does make you think.</p> <p>Speaking of Oda, it seems that all of her old limousine invoices <a href="http://www.globalnews.ca/oda+charged+taxpayers+16000+for+car+rentals+since+2007+invoices/6442674027/story.html">mysteriously turned up</a> the day after she resigned – even though days ago media outlets were told that those documents didn’t exist. I’m sure the Information Commissioner will be very interested in how that happened.</p> <p>Failed refugee claimants are being <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/article/1221718--canada-offers-failed-refugee-claimants-2-000-to-go-home">offered</a> $2000 worth of assistance and a one-way plane ticket if they voluntarily return to their country of origin. Some refugee lawyers say it’s humane and voluntary, while others worry it’s a bribe for them to walk away from their legal rights. Apparently this <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/05/pol-refugees-voluntary-return.html">saves</a> taxpayers money because it means CBSA doesn’t have to chase them down for deportation, so everyone (except genuine refugee whose claims have been unfairly denied and who are in danger if they return to their country of origin) wins, right?</p> <p><span id="more-522"></span>Free donuts and <a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/nrc-staff-enraged-by-gift-cards-161407515.html">$3 gift cards</a> to National Research Council employees who are being shown the door after restructuring their entire operation – what could possibly go wrong?</p> <p>Senators on both sides of the aisle are <a href="http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/07/04/proposed-united-church-boycott-of-israeli-goods-denounced-by-canadian-senators/">decrying</a> the United Church’s position on boycotting Israeli products. Note that at least one of these senators was visibly angry in the chamber the other day about the government plans to investigate the United Church for their charitable activities.</p> <p>A <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Elections+Canada+following+proper+procedure+asking+speak+Mastro/6889887/story.html">reminder</a> of the Elections Canada investigative process that Dean Del Mastro grumbles that he’s being unfairly targeted by.</p> <p>And Conservative backbencher Brent Rathgeber is <a href="http://brentrathgeber.ca/some-thoughts-as-the-houses-rises-for-the-summer/">amazed</a> at the media attention he got for doing his job in criticising cabinet spending. He’s right – this shouldn’t be news, but sadly, it is because almost no backbenchers actually do it. And yes, that is a major problem for the health of our democracy.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">522</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: A wee little cabinet shuffle</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/05/roundup-a-wee-little-cabinet-shuffle/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2012 09:38:15 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bev Oda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Canadian Forces]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CIDA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[David Johnston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dean Del Mastro]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Governor General]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Immigration]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Julian Fantino]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tough on Crime]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=519</guid> <description><![CDATA[Stephen Harper surprised everyone yesterday with a wee little cabinet shuffle – Julian Fantino is going to CIDA in Oda’s place, and Bernard Valcourt gets the associate deputy minister position for defence while retaining his ACOA portfolio and the Francophonie. … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/05/roundup-a-wee-little-cabinet-shuffle/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Stephen Harper surprised everyone yesterday with a wee little <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/04/pol-cabinet-shuffle-fantino-valcourt.html">cabinet shuffle</a> – Julian Fantino is going to CIDA in Oda’s place, and Bernard Valcourt gets the associate deputy minister position for defence while retaining his ACOA portfolio and the Francophonie. Fantino is an…interesting choice, considering he’s spent his career being the guy who as getting tough on crime and now he’s being the face of Canada’s compassion and aid. As for Valcourt, he’s a <a href="http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/07/04/cabinet-mini-shuffle-a-mulroney-era-veteran-moves-up-a-notch/">Mulroney-era veteran</a> who is moving a up the ladder a little bit, but considering how marginalised the military procurement file has become in the advent of the era of the procurement secretariat, it makes one wonder why they bothered to retain the portfolio. Also, interesting that Peter MacKay and John Duncan are staying put despite major gaffes of their own, and more evidence that Harper will refuse to make changes in order to avoid admitting that he made a mistake with his choices.</p> <p>The government is <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/04/pol-temporary-foreign-workers-no-longer-exotic-dancers.html">tightening</a> temporary foreign worker rules so that it will exclude exotic dancers, escorts and people who work in massage parlours, as they’re more “vulnerable to exploitation.” Of course, one suspects that this will just drive this all that much further underground and rather than have people documented so that they have access to some kind of assistance if they are being exploited, they’ll just be classified as “hostesses” or “servers” (provided they take a drink order) and it won’t actually have an effect on exploitation of human trafficking (assuming of course that we’re not just conflating human trafficking with the sex trade, as they are not the same thing).</p> <p><span id="more-519"></span>There is a rise in <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/04/pol-prisions-use-of-force-double-bunking.html">prison violence</a> as our institutions deal with overcrowding and an increase in double-bunking – not that there is a direct correlation. But talk to anyone who deals with these kinds of issues and they’ll draw the correlation for you pretty quickly, as opposed to the excuse the Conservatives are giving (newer, more violent criminals being locked up) yet providing zero evidence for. But hey, who needs facts when you’ve got a narrative to preserve.</p> <p>It looks like our new Sikorsky helicopters won’t be completely rolled out and operational for up to <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/04/weston-naval-helicopter-delays.html">five years</a>. But that’s “relatively soon,” right?</p> <p>Dean Del Mastro is <a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/tory-mp-dean-del-mastro-says-donation-allegations-hurting-family-name-161343795.html">worried</a> that all of the elections spending allegations are tarnishing his family name, and is <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Mastro%2Blashes%2Bagainst%2BElections%2BCanada%2Bmedia%2Bover%2Bexpense%2Ballegations/6884206/story.html">lashing out</a> at the media for their investigations.</p> <p>And His Excellency the Governor General has been <a href="http://www.gg.ca/gallery.aspx?id=10744&lan=eng">invested</a> in the Order of St. John, which is one of the high Canadian honours.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">519</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Buh-bye Bev Oda</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/04/roundup-buh-bye-bev-oda/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 2012 09:33:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bev Oda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Budget 2012]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Canadian Forces]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Copyright]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CSIS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Liberal Leadership]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Refugees]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Senate]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=516</guid> <description><![CDATA[Bev Oda, embattled cabinet minister and fan of limousines and nice hotels, has announced her resignation from both cabinet and the Commons, dated July 31st. The PMO release said that she’s leaving Parliament, which seems to preclude a Senate appointment, … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/04/roundup-buh-bye-bev-oda/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Bev Oda, embattled cabinet minister and fan of limousines and nice hotels, has announced her <a href="http://bevoda.ca/2012/07/03/the-honourable-bev-oda-stepping-down/">resignation</a> from both cabinet and the Commons, dated July 31<sup>st</sup>. The PMO release said that she’s leaving Parliament, which seems to preclude a Senate appointment, but never say never. Not surprisingly, NDP MP Charlie Angus was quick to <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2012/07/so-long-soon-to-be-former-international-cooperation-minister-and-mp-for-durham-bev-oda.html">crow</a> about it. While the resignation was <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1221037--analysis-bev-oda-goes-away-quietly-true-to-form-in-harper-s-ottawa">handled quietly</a>, in the Harper Government<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/2122.png" alt="™" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> style, we should also remember that Oda did do a few good things, like keep Canada’s <a href="http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Harper_government_keeps_2011_Global_Fund_commitment-11280.aspx">commitments</a> to the Global Fund when other countries weren’t, and not only that but ensured our contributions were sent in early.</p> <p>Jason Kenney insists that there was no backtracking, just “<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/03/pol-refugee-health-cuts.html">clarification</a>” on those refugee health benefits.</p> <p>The government wants you to know there’s still no “iPod tax,” and no <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/03/pol-no-copyright-fees-micro-sd-memory-cards.html">copyright levy</a> on SD memory cards either.</p> <p><span id="more-516"></span>The Canadian Forces are <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/03/ns-dnd-signing-bonuses.html">axing</a> signing bonuses for new recruits, saying they currently don’t have any skills shortages.</p> <p>CSIS says that a Federal Court of Appeal decision will <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Canada%2Bservice%2Bfights%2Bcourt%2Bruling%2Bsays%2Bputs%2Binformants/6873320/story.html">imperil</a> their informants if they are forced to reveal their sources.</p> <p>The Ontario Superior Court says that Hedy Fry, Martha Hall Findlay and Joe Volpe <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/07/03/ex-liberal-leadership-candidates-could-face-fines-jail-time-after-court-rejects-pleas-for-extension-on-debts/">shouldn’t be allowed</a> any more extensions for repaying their leadership debts. The penalty is a thousand dollar fine or up to three months in jail – never mind that the law was changed retroactively to punish the Liberals in the most crassly partisan way by both the Conservatives and NDP.</p> <p>And Liberal senators <a href="http://www.liberalsenateforum.ca/News/16734_Liberal-senators-denounce-passage-of-Bill-C-38-as-undemocratic-and-regressive">denounce</a> the passage of the omnibus budget bill as “undemocratic” and “regressive.”</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">516</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Roundup: Quiet backtracking on refugee healthcare</title> <link>https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/03/roundup-quiet-backtracking-on-refugee-healthcare/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dale]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:36:38 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Political Roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bev Oda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Canadian Forces]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Etobicoke Centre]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Refugees]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Robocon]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.routineproceedings.com/?p=513</guid> <description><![CDATA[It seems that the federal government has quietly backtracked on some of the changes it’s making to providing health care for refugees. In particular, ministerial instructions went up on the department website which said that government-assisted refugees would continue to … <a href="https://www.routineproceedings.com/2012/07/03/roundup-quiet-backtracking-on-refugee-healthcare/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It seems that the federal government has quietly <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Feds%2Bbacktrack%2Bproposed%2Breforms%2Brefugee%2Bhealth%2Bpolicy/6873272/story.html">backtracked</a> on some of the changes it’s making to providing health care for refugees. In particular, ministerial instructions went up on the department website which said that government-assisted refugees would continue to receive benefits, which was not the case in the lead-up to the passage of the budget implementation bill. Of course, some of the rollbacks will continue, but they won’t be quite as draconian as previously announced.</p> <p>The NDP want an <a href="http://www.hilltimes.com/news/news/2012/07/02/corbett-should-explain-why-he-stepped-down-from-robocalls-investigation-say/31321">explanation</a> from the outgoing Commissioner of Elections as to why he stepped down in the middle of the robo-calls investigation (never mind that his plans had been in the works for months and months).</p> <p><span id="more-513"></span>With the appeal to the Supreme Court a week away, things are <a href="http://www.hilltimes.com/news/news/2012/07/02/tories-grits-poised-for-a-showdown-as-supreme-court-hearing-on-etobicoke-centre/31322">heating up</a> in Etobicoke Centre in anticipation of a by-election there.</p> <p>Oh, look – even <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/decades-long-mission-to-replace-sea-kings-hits-another-snag/article4384407/">more delays</a> with the Sikorsky helicopters that are supposed to replace the aging Sea Kings! Who would have guessed? (And at this point, isn’t Sikorsky supposed to pay out enough in penalties that we should be getting these things for free?)</p> <p>And here’s a bit of contrast between the <a href="http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2012/07/02/19942431.html">upgrades</a> that Bev Oda requested for her stay at the Savoy (which she eventually paid out of her own pocket) versus those a senior bureaucrat in Edmonton requested for a visiting minister, and the <a href="http://blogs.canoe.ca/davidakin/main-page/minister-oda-vs-bureaucrat-helene-yarmuch-a-different-approach-to-upgrades/">due diligence</a> applied. There may be a lesson involved somewhere (though it may not matter if Oda is shuffled out of cabinet, as is the speculation from everyone, including members of her own caucus).</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">513</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss>