Now HERE'S a winning campaign platform!

Stephane Dion declares that a Liberal government would consider rescinding Tory GST cut - Ottawa Sun. (H/T National Newswatch).

Definitely one to sway the average voter, Stephane. Well done.

Keep going with your instincts while you sit there on your hands.


And in case anyone missed that, it's the LIBERALS wanting to raise your taxes federally, just as they likely will provincially here in Ontario.

* * * *

Update: The Leader of Canada's Official Seatwarmers leads another brave mission of abstention. Now that's True Grit!


Kate has a brilliant illustration of Stephane Dion's future right here.

Jack has a great link to an interview with Mike Duffy on the John Gormely show. If you like political intrigue and cloak & dagger stuff, you'll love this!! (The plot to get rid of Dion.)

Thursday Update: Jane Taber - Liberal caucus in restive mood. (At first I thought that said 'festive'!)

Beware of cat tails

Any regular readers will know that occasionally I digress into little snippets of real life. This one is rated 'PG' which means that my mother should probably skip it.

The scene - Fitness class on Hallowe'en. We were told last week that we could wear costumes, but most of us came as 'work-out' people. I did wear an orange tank and black shorts to somewhat salute the day.

Two women actually got dressed up; which is a challenge when you're also having to work out. One came as a mime, with a black bowler cap secured around the chin with an elastic, white T with bow tie, and black capris with black suspenders and white gloves, the latter of which she eventually had to remove for the weights portion of the class.

The other costumed woman wore a great cat outfit with well-secured cat ears, makeup whiskers and black nose, and a long, black, stuffed, somewhat curly tail attached to the black belt which she wore around her waist.

Cat lady was in front of me, so that tail was somewhat distracting as we bounced up and down during the aerobic portion, but I managed to follow the instructor.

Finally it was time to lay down on our backs, with legs bent waiting for the crunches to start.

Suddenly a howl of laughter erupted from the whole class as we all stared at Cat Lady. It seems that she had shifted her belt around to position her tail in the front, in order to lay more comfortably on her back. There she was, long black, somewhat-bent tail at a 45 degree angle between her legs.

Needless to say, belt and tail were quickly removed.

Timing is everything

Some political pundits have been speculating this morning on the seeming rush and strange timing of yesterday's 'economic update', which actually turned into a mini-budget.

Of course, this year's announcement the day before Hallowe'en seems to be an obvious attempt to give out treats to squash the memories of last year's Income Trust trick. On the surface at least, one would surmise that this is the strategy.

However, other pundits are wondering why Flaherty would spend all his political capital now, rather than wait for the spring budget.

Don Martin's take on this is likely as accurate as any - Minority all but begging for an election.

Still, the hurry-up tax offensive makes a suspicious columnist wonder if the Conservatives are plotting legislation the three opposition parties will have to vote against, thus forcing a fall election after all. There could be nothing worse for a Conservative finance minister than entering a campaign saddled with missed spending and tax-cut opportunities.

He'd much rather rush his fiscal blueprint into the Commons under the Conservative flag now than risk waiting for a spring budget.

And as a bonus:

Besides, Mr. Flaherty effectively neutered criticism by rolling the GST cut into a colossal combo of other tax relief that spanned the income spectrum.

Bottom line: A two-income household of four earning $100,000 saves $427 in taxes from just this statement, with hints of more to come in the spring.

That finally paints the Conservatives in true blue colours after they posted several budgets of liberally increased program spending.

True blue. Heh. I like that.

Perhaps only a cynical columnist could see such Machiavellian strategy in a simple economic update, but there may be a grain of truth in it. Or at the very least Flaherty is hedging his bets.

Ironically, with the aid of the Bloc and the NDP continuing to oppose anything Harper lays out, the government is now holding all the cards in a minority situation that no one expected to be able to continue this long.


And so this year, the Hallowe'en trick was played on Stephane Dion.

No election yet

Dion's response to the fiscal update - Bad, but not bad enough to force an election.


Full 2007 Economic Statement available here. (H/T Bourque)

* * * *

Update: National Post gives Flaherty the thumbs-up - Flaherty respects the taxpayer.

Dalton, please take note.

Post reports Sorbara to be included in 'silly' lawsuit

And in more news completely unrelated to Greg Sorbara's resignation from cabinet (Post - Sorbara dismisses 'silly' lawsuit):

None of the allegations contained with the Access Health Vaughan's lawsuit have been proven in court and York Central Hospital is currently listed as the lawsuit's sole defendant. However, Tony De Cicco, the company's director, confirmed plans yesterday to amend the statement of claim to include Mr. Sorbara. Mr. De Cicco declined further comment, as did Emilio Bisceglia, his lawyer.

"I've been instructed by my client not to comment beyond what's in the claim," the lawyer said when reached by phone.

Interesting that this is only in the Post.

* * * *

Cabinet Shuffle update - *Yawn*

Adam Radwandki's reaction is worth reading though.

Wednesday Update: McGuinty shows ruthless side in crafting new cabinet - Ian Urquhart.

Has the buck finally stopped?

Dalton McGuinty's decision to have the Aboriginal Affairs ministry stand separate from Natural Resources, sounds like a good one at first glance. Natives and non-natives alike think it's about time.

Yet, I can't help agreeing with Aaron Detlor's take on things:

Detlor also described the post-election move as a "reluctant admission" on the part of the government that land claims are in fact a provincial concern.

That was exactly what I was thinking.

Time to start actually taking responsibility, Dalton.


Meanwhile, there's a throne speech coming.

Smitherman and Wynne are staying put.

*Sigh*


And I didn't see that one coming.

How many more sleeps til the next election?

Blair Wilson Resigns

B.C. Liberal MP resigns from caucus. (CTV)

Good decision.

Steve Janke has more.

And Stephen Taylor has a few questions about Garth Turner's donation practices.


From the Province:

His father-in-law, West Vancouver real estate mogul Bill Lougheed, former Wilson campaign workers and business associates are claiming the MP committed breaches of the Canada Elections Act in failing to report campaign expenses.

Liberal insiders who worked for the candidate in the 2005-2006 election allege Wilson ran a campaign using cash payments and did not report all his spending.

They claim many campaign expenses were never reported to Elections Canada after Wilson, 44, switched his staff in favour of another team.

Last week a citizen in the riding filed an Elections Canada challenge to Commissioner William Corbett to have Wilson's campaign expenditures investigated.

Here is a nice tidy summary of some of Dion's current headaches - Alberta Ardvark. H/T CC.

“It’s better to die on your feet than to live on your knees”

Update: Province article - Part 2: The real story behind Blair Wilson's business ventures.


And this is a hoot - The Province blogging about bloggers' reactions to the Province's Blair Wilson story.

* * * *

Question Period Update (2:40) - I can't believe it! The Liberals are that stupid to bring up the alleged 'In and Out scheme'. Peter Van Loan is having a heyday with it talking about Blair Wilson; or more correctly, the Member for West Vancouver--Sunshine Coast--Sea to Sky Country.


BTW, fall fiscal update to be tabled tomorrow - CTV.

Wow

Well, I guess it's safe to say that the Liberals will be abandoning any line of questioning in Q.P. that relates to the Election Act - You are not fit for public office. (H/T National Newswatch)

Heh.

* * * *
Updates

Steve Janke has more. And more.

Jarrett cautions us about the source. - Kerplonka!

"I should start off by cautioning skepticism at the reportings of a BC tabloid, but the internal evidence and the fact that they're running with it two days in a row really suggests they've got all their ducks in a row."

Brandon does a great analysis - From bad to worse.

Time for John Tory to face the party faithful

John Snobelen lays it all out for John Tory in this morning's Sun - Conservatives need a leadership contest.

One of his main points is that the so-called 'unanimous' caucus endorsement of Tory as leader is hardly a cause for celebration:

Provincial politics is a team effort so it is neither surprising nor meaningful that caucus would endorse the current leader.

All we have to do is look at Stephane Dion and the Federal Liberals' attempt to give the appearance of solidarity to see how flimsy the reality is. In both cases, the knives can barely be contained.

Snobelen's also points out that Tory was supposed to be assuming responsibility for all his decisions in this disastrous campaign, but his response was to fire his polling firm; not himself.

Sun columnist and defeated Liberal candidate Marianne Meed Ward also expresses some candid thoughts about John Tory's leadership abilities this morning (Tory has an uphill climb in the 905 area). Ward suggests that one of his biggest problems is his corporate background which does not translate well to politics:

In politics, you use polling data to craft your policies, not defend them. In corporate circles, it's the other way around. The joke about corporate consultants (of which pollsters are but one variety) is this: You hire consultants, give them a watch, and ask them to tell you the time. The more sophisticated consultants will first ask what time you want it to be.

Tory wanted faith-based schools to fly, and somebody told him it would.

Snobelen is asking John Tory to show some real leadership:

Leadership is about taking responsibility for your team and taking the blame when things go wrong. Tory's current strategy has his team taking responsibility for his loss.

So here is my advice to John, again: Resign and ask the party to hold a leadership contest as soon as possible. Let's get the leadership issue resolved once and for all and get on with the business of being a great opposition party and a creditable alternative in the next election.

I agree. Let's put it to the party in a free and democratic process. If John Tory emerges the undisputed leader, fine. He then deserves unanimous support.

A fractured party won't be able to hold the McGuinty regime to account. The PC party needs strong leadership, with its leader actually able to sit in the Legislature - not observe from the gallery. It also needs to develop clear, practical policies.

Otherwise, we'll be picking up the pieces of this province four years from now.

* * * *

Update: Jeff Allan has a segment on first thing Monday morning that looks interesting - "Faith-based school issue here to stay".

My prediction is that four years from now we will either have funding for all faith-based schools in Ontario, or else none.

The status quo is no longer acceptable in such a culturally diverse province. I'm not saying I'm for it one way or the other. It's just that it's no longer a defensible position.

Sorbara Plot Thickens...

Yesterday we heard the shocking news that Ontario Fiberal Finance Minister Greg Sorbara no longer wishes to be part of the Ontario cabinet, because he apparently needs more 'family time'. Hard to understand that one immediately after an election!

First, a bit of history from the above Star article:

...The Oct. 10 re-election was a fitting pinnacle to a career that was briefly derailed when the RCMP put Sorbara's name in a search warrant in connection with its investigation of Royal Group Technologies, where he had been on the board of directors.

It was a move many suspected was politically motivated because the Mounties' warrant was made public on Oct. 11, 2005, the day before the throne speech. It forced him to resign as treasurer.

But Sorbara fought back, spending "six figures" to fight the RCMP. Ontario Superior Court Justice Ian Nordheimer later ordered Sorbara's name removed from the search warrant. McGuinty immediately returned him to cabinet...

Meanwhile, in completely unrelated news, the Post tells us today about a little law suit involving two Ontario companies that are suing a York region hospital :

...The claim also alleges that "influence was being exerted on the hospital by the Honourable Minister Greg Sorbara to move the proposed dialysis unit of the urgent care centre to another location and property."

The plaintiffs further allege that Mr. Sorbara interfered so that the hospital would be moved to a property owned by a company to which he allegedly has ties.

The claim alleges that Mr. Sorbara inappropriately met with hospital representatives and indicated that unless the dialysis unit was moved, the hospital "would be unsuccessful in its request for Phase 2 funding in the amount of approximately $300,000,000. The Honourable Minister Sorbara also indicated that he did not want this matter to be in the media."

Oops!

Now I understand this comment - "Worse, perhaps, for Mr. McGuinty would be news that something has surfaced that prevents Mr. Sorbara from sitting in cabinet."


Oh well. At least we don't have to worry about public funding going to the education of all those horrible religious people. Whew!

* * * *

Related: The speculation begins on who will replace Sorbara - Star.


BTW, Sorbara's resignation has nothing at all to do with the law suit - (Record):

Global News reported yesterday that Sorbara is at the centre of a dispute between a developer and a Richmond Hill hospital, even though Sorbara himself is not being sued. A McGuinty spokesperson said the case had nothing to do with Sorbara's sudden resignation.

Absolutely not.

All right then. As you were.


But the Sun's Christina Blizzard is also left wondering why...


Murray Campbell asks, Who Will Fill the Finance Shoes? Interesting line there, buried in all the speculation: "He argued that the $2.5-billion annual health tax was needed if Ontario's social programs were to be augmented..."

Social programs! Not health care!!!



Oh, and a big thank you to Jack's Newswatch for today's honours.

Ranting at the Fat-Cat politicians and their cabal - with Breaking News

(Breaking news below)

Linda Leatherdale is back at it again today - ranting at all levels of government, and starting with His Blondness (Pols tighten our belts, but never their own):

...Barely a moment passed after the piggies at the tax trough gave a thunderous ovation to Mayor David Miller winning his new municipal land transfer tax and vehicle registration tax -- then we learned firefighters are getting a sweet pay raise...

..But it's blatantly obvious a powerful union lobby, who abandoned Bob Rae's NDP after he ushered in Rae Days, is now backing the tax-happy Dalton McGuinty Liberals at Queen's Park and the tax-happy Miller at City Hall...

...Miller cries City Hall is flat broke, our infrastructure is crumbling and if over-taxed taxpayers don't cough up more money, it'll go bankrupt.

So, this powerful lobby helped Miller win the vote for his tax grab, which will line the city's coffers by up to $300 million a year over a full year. And still Miller says it's not enough money.

Why then, if the city's so broke, are we giving firefighters a 9.66% raise over the next three years -- which is above the rate of inflation? Now, Toronto's police are at the table. For the record, also Toronto's finest...

Did you catch that??? A 9.66% raise over the next three years!!! Do you know of anyone else other than politicians that get that kind of increase?

This is only the beginning folks.

You know, it's strange how many times I saw signs from the firefighters union supporting Dalton during the election. Now there are rumours that the province might take over the TTC.

Miller and Dalton must have had some kind of sweet deal cooked up between them.


Yes, and then there's dear Dalton:

Hypocrisy also lives at Queen's Park. McGuinty lied about "no new taxes," then blamed a Tory deficit for one of the biggest tax grabs ever, the $10-billion health levy. Now, rumours swirl he's planning to hike the PST by 2%, with 1% going to hard-pressed municipalities and 1% to cash-strapped transit, then harmonize the PST with the hated GST. If true, we'll now be paying a provincial sales tax on services, like home buying closing costs, legal fees, court costs, etc.

And McGuinty will tell us he didn't raise taxes. That's because Ottawa is cutting the GST by 2%.

Yup. Watch for it. The GST will go down and Dalton will raise the PST. No tax hike right? It's a wash.

It's enough to drive a person to drink - if you could afford the taxes and mark-up. Better not anyway, because you don't want to be needing a doctor - if you could find one.

* * * *

BREAKING NEWS: Sorbara Quits Cabinet!!!

More at CTV, and Freedom is my Nationality.

CBC speculates on possible replacements.

Halls of Macadamia - Sorbara Surprise.

John's sad 'tory - Updated again!!

Friday A.M. Update: Our own Adam Daifallah has an excellent, no-nonsense editorial in today's National Post - Bye-Bye, Mr. Nice Guy.

Well, somebody had to say it, and Adam did it very well. Time for some Tory tough love.


Ian Urquhart - Tory convinces most important backer - himself.

* * * *

Thursday Evening update: Star - Public Funding Fight Far from Over: School groups. They might even fight it in court.

Good idea, John; but bad timing.

* * * *

Good column by the Globe's Campbell Murray, who seems to think that we should be giving John Tory a second chance - Tory has a chance to transform himself, just like McGuinty once did.

This contrasts with the Star's Ian Urquhart whose column contains a very candid interview with Frank Klees - Faith-based plank not mine, Klees says:

...Nonetheless, Klees said he "implored" John Tory to get out in front on the faith-based schools issue and define it in his own terms before Liberals framed it in theirs.

However, according to Klees, Tory got conflicting advice from his "communications strategists," brandishing polls that said the issue was not a big concern to the public.

"The advice that he (Tory) received was that we should not focus any attention on this issue, that we should allow this to be dealt with quietly and focus on other issues," said Klees. "My warning to John was: you risk having the Liberals distort this proposal and you will find yourself on the defensive and your good intentions will end up causing us great difficulty."

But Tory accepted the advice of his campaign team and chose not to highlight the faith-based schools policy in his campaign speeches or advertisements, until near the end of the election...

Too bad John didn't listen a bit more to Frank Klees.


Campbell Murray informs us that Tory has now "deep-sixed his faith-based schools proposal", and that "John Laschinger's Northstar Research will no longer be doing Conservative polls".

Finally!


My personal feelings at this point are that John Tory should stay on as leader for a while, to do what he does best - help the party recover from the past election costs.

However, he needs to demonstrate some humility and ability to learn from his mistakes, and listen to his caucus when they tell him he is going off in the wrong direction.

A good leader makes tough decisions, but he also values and listens to those under his command.


And the biggest lesson of all is this, John - Never, ever underestimate the moral depths to which the Liberal war machine will descend in order to win an election.

* * * *

Sunday Update: From a defeated Liberal candidate and Sun columnist Marianne Meed Ward - Tory has an uphill climb in the 905 area.

Take it outside, boys.

Man, this one's getting juicy! (H/T Bourque)

More at Jack's Newswatch. I would love to watch Stephane Dion eat crow.


Update: CTV - Tories threaten lawsuit over 'defamatory' attacks. (H/T National Newswatch)

* * * *

Friday Update: Stephen Taylor - In and Out, Conservatives respond.

Saturday Update: Star - Furor over campaign funds heats up.

Head coverings for school bus drivers - Yay or nay?

There are a number of issues here.

Should any kind of head covering be allowed for school bus drivers?

Should the media report when driver of a school bus involved in a fatal accident was wearing a head covering (scarf, hoodie, whatever)?

Should a newspaper who has allowed a columnist report the fact that the media isn't reporting the head covering issue then go and remove the story when the heat gets turned up?

Is it racism if we discuss the issue at all?

Scott Reid at it again?

Scott Reid of Popcorn and Beer fame, was just on a special edition of MDL as we await the vote on the speech from the throne.

He was trying desperately to defend the Liberal's position to support the government on this vote (by sitting out or whatever they chose to do) - to the absolute scorn and derision of the NDP.

His logic went somewhat along this line - Stephen Harper is in too solid a position right now. We don't want to have an election and hand him a majority government.

Putting aside for a moment that this gives Harper a virtual majority government, if there were indeed an election and the CPC achieved a majority, wouldn't that be the result of the will of the people?

Is Scott Reid trying to save Canadians from themselves? Do we not know what we are doing?

Thank heavens we have the LPC and Scott Reid to look out for us.

* * * *

Update: Throne speech passes, Liberals abstain from voting. Of course, it might have been a different story if the Liberals' numbers were higher...



Thursday Update:

Casey votes for throne speech.

Tories rebuked on GST - Globe.

And yet, GST cut won't trigger an election, Dion says.

Wow. What will it take, Stephane? Personally, I'm not that crazy about a further GST cut, because Dalton is likely going to use it to raise the PST, as Linda Leatherdale has already explained.

Liberals' 'whipped abstention' preserves minority by the Globe's Jane Taber:

Liberal MPs were ordered to show up in the House of Commons yesterday but remain in their seats to allow the passage of the Harper government's Throne Speech and to ensure the survival of the minority government.

It was believed to be the first "whipped abstention" in parliamentary history. It is common for party officials to "whip," or tell their caucus how to vote on an issue, but Liberal caucus whip Karen Redman went a step further yesterday by telling Liberal MPs to be present for the vote but not participate.

MPs were not told whether there would be repercussions for disobeying the order, although in the past, MPs of various parties have been denied parliamentary trips or have even been kicked out of their caucus for ignoring a whipped vote.

"I have never heard of it before," said C.E.S. Franks, a professor emeritus of political science at Queen's University, about a whipped abstention. "I think that it sets a precedent and it actually reflects the current state of the Liberal Party. They'll attend, but they'll sit on their hands."

( . . . )

In the Liberal caucus yesterday, Ms. Redman told her colleagues: "We've got to stick together. This is a decision that we have made."

Some good comments here at ASTTR.

Enjoy the show - Updated

Warren Kinsella sits back smugly and marvels at the fact that John Tory is even considering hanging on to the faith-based funding issue.

...John, who I like, has perhaps lost his marbles. He needs to get back to Florida for a really long vacation. That, or this is a cunning ploy to get the Ontario Conservative party to fire him so that he can go back to making money and having a life.

Either way, it’s time for Ontario Liberals to get out the healthy snacks, put up their feet, and watch the show. It’s going to be entertaining.

Well, at least they've given up on the popcorn & beer.


3:30 P.M. Update:

Sorry, Warren. The show's over - Tory backs off from contentious funding policy.



Meanwhile, Christina Blizzard clues us in on the real upcoming entertainment in Ontario Legislature, whenever they finally get back to work - Randy Hillier vs. George Smitherman.

This is one pit-bull fight you won't want to miss.

* * * *

Evening update: I think I might end up becoming a Liberal Lemming after all. Dalton is so cute you just want to follow him no matter how many promises he breaks.

Another 'Traversty'

I usually don't bother allowing my eyes to even glance at a James Travers column, but this cannot go unanswered - On crime issue, facts don't matter.


Contrast this:

"...wasting time on violence in a safe and growing safer country is at least a misdemeanour and maybe even a crime."

With this:

(Sun's Joe Warmington - With 10 weeks left in 2007, Toronto could be headed for a record year in the number of murders committed on our mean streets):

Just look at the numbers. It's shocking if you consider the city has already eclipsed last year's count of 69 murders.

( . . . )

"Lets hope the record isn't broken, but there are still 10 weeks left in the year," AM 640 crime expert and former cop Craig Bromell said yesterday. "We pray it doesn't happen, but it could because today's criminals have absolutely no fear of the system."

Combine that with easy access to bail, guns, an increase in stabbings and that the gangsters have a "no snitch" edge, it makes it difficult for the overworked cops.

"These guys are out on bail or parole before the poor cops can get their paperwork done properly to prevent some liberal judge from throwing out their whole case and then order compensation for the criminals for their inconvenience," said an angry Bromell.

"No matter the number, there better not be dancing in the streets come Dec. 31st from the leftists that crime is down. It would be a slap in the face to all of these victims and their families."

But don't let that stop you, James Travers.

We all know that in your column, facts don't matter.

* * * *

Update: The Post takes Travers to task on a previous column. Heh.

Wow! Now the Globe's Adam Radwanski is taking on the Post editorial!

Media flame wars!!!



Meanwhile, Alberta Ardvark has a suggestion for Mayor Miller! (Courtesy of Jim Travers).

Wednesday Update: Lorrie Goldstein - Existing parole rules a sham.

Truth in sentencing - Post (Well worth the read.)

Don't let anti-American rant cloud need for tory anti-crime law - by Criminologist John Martin of the University College of the Fraser Valley.

Sorting through the spin - with big update at end

There's so much political spin these days about just who's tougher on crime, that it leaves my poor head spinning.

On one hand we have Lorrie Goldstein (Tories get tough on crime- Sun) telling us this morning that the Tories are the only national party to take this seriously:

From time to time, the Liberals, Bloc, NDP and the old Progressive Conservative party, when the public outcry became so deafening that even they couldn't ignore it, might grudgingly agree to do something, although never much.

Their default position, however, was to ignore this outcry and even on those rare occasions when they deigned to hear it, make a great show of saying they could not respond to the cries of the uniformed mob, even though there was no mob and it wasn't uninformed.

There was just a lot of Canadians frustrated at never being heard.

Lorrie, you can count me among those 'frustrated Canadians'.

The Omnibus bill includes the following measures:

...(1) longer mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes (2) placing a "reverse onus" on people seeking bail after being accused of gun crimes, to prove to a judge they are not a threat (3) sanctions against drug-impaired driving (4) raising the age of sexual consent to 16 from 14 (5) putting a reverse onus on a criminal after he has been convicted of three serious, violent offences, to prove to a judge he should not be declared a dangerous offender and jailed indefinitely....

Lorrie calls them 'baby steps', adding that if we want a more serious approach, we may have to elect a majority Conservative government.

By contrast, today's National Post includes an op-ed by Ralph Goodale on the same subject - Harper's Crime of Deceit.

Ralph tries to convince us that the Liberals are tough on crime, and he goes about it by using words like 'Conservative fiction', 'disinformation campaign', 'ruse' and 'falsehood' (which is really, really close to the word "lie" - why not just say it?).

Goodale says that the Liberals offered to fast track 70% of the justice bills, but that it was actually the Conservatives who were playing games:

All five of them were already passed through second reading in the House of Commons. Four of them were actually completely done in the House and had gone on to the Senate for final approval there. Three of them were included in the Liberal fast track offer stretching back at least eight months. They could be the law by now, if the Conservatives had not stalled their own agenda.

So, let's assume he's right; that the Liberals are all for being tough on crime, and that the government is playing some little game. Why didn't any of the previous Liberal governments ever bother to introduce these measures if they thought it was such a great idea?

Anyway, Gayle and I are having an ongoing discussion in a previous thread. Feel free to join us.

Personally, I'd really like to know the truth. Why didn't the Conservatives accept the Liberal offer to fast track those bills? Was it simply a big game?

* * * *

Update: Sandy's not buying it - Goodale's Arrogance.

And here's a jaded view - Political power is the name of the game.

Christian Conservative - Goodale doesn't get it:

Did you hear that? "As much as 70%". Ralph, Ralph, Ralph... you keep talking about the 70% you agreed to fast-track, but you keep ducking and dodging whenever anyone asks you about the other 30%. It's the other 30% that's the issue... WE WANT IT PASSED, IMMEDIATELY.

Bravo!

* * * *

Big Tuesday Update!!! Where do you stand on crime, Stephane Dion?

This is a must-read by our Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Rob Nicholson.

One murder charge or two?

Interesting program tonight on CTV's The Verdict.

The question was surrounding murders of pregnant women, and whether there should be two murder charges or one.

Most of the arguments on both sides were nothing new, but I did catch one intriguing point that the opponents of the two-charge option were trying to advance - that there is no gain in making the extra murder charge because in Canada just one life sentence is served for first-degree murders, or something along that line (if I've got that wrong, please correct me).

Anyway, the other side made the point that if a woman and her already born child were both murdered, then there would be two murder charges; so what's the difference?

The website should be updated soon with the new episode. Definitely worth the time to watch what continues to be a very emotional and complex issue.

* * * *

Update: Great article here by Father Raymond J. De Souza - There's no justice in silence (Post Oct. 25):

...The desire to maintain our permissive abortion regime should not prevent the criminal law from addressing the reality of crimes against pregnant women. A crime against an expectant mother is something different -- there is real trauma to the mother, if she survives the violence, resulting from the injury or death to her child -- to say nothing of the child. The Roxanne Fernando case makes it all the more clear; without the child, there would have been no crime. The law should not have to pretend otherwise.

Excellent point.

Use this as your personal rant - Updated again

(Breaking News update at end of post)

I'm going to be very busy the next few days, so posting will be light if any. I will update anything earth-shaking.

So feel free to use this post as a place to rant, or offer tips, or anything you like.

I only ask that there be no personal attacks and no vulgarity. Otherwise the Comment Moderation Police will be called in.

Thanks.

* * * *

Discussion suggestions: In Friday's Post - One Sales Tax on Table. I don't like the idea of more taxes on haircuts, electricity, shoes, etc. And what's stopping Dalton from doing this?

Also in Post - Recognize fetus, victim's family pleads. Actually, that should read victims' family.

Majority support Fetal Protection - CFRA.

And - City can't afford Pilates lessons by Councillor Karen Stintz. Free Pilates and Yoga lessons? No wonder Toronto is in trouble! Councillor Stintz also points out what a choke-hold the unions have on the city finances.

Oh, and speaking of unions ... Heh.

Star - Poll finds (among other things) that "Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion is the least popular opposition leader in more than 20 years."



Record - Province rejects Six Nations' demands for fees:

It's a move that the confederacy's traditional government says "can only be seen as an attempt to incite violence and raise doubt and more confusion in the minds of their own people and ours here at Six Nations."

Spectator - Developer calls for more protection.

11:30 AM - Natives occupy Brantford building site.

Ruby Montour, spokesman for the group, made an announcement warning all home buyers and developers that their patents and titles would not be recognized and that homeowners should make sure they check their insurance policies.

It's your move, Dalton.


The Black Rod - Memo to Grand Chief: The 12 Steps. (H/T to reader Swift)

New poll!

Tough on crime; tough on the opposition

Update: The Tackling Violent Crime Act was introduced this morning. Amendments from last session appear to be included, contrary to earlier reports. There is no reason why this shouldn't be passed quickly by both the House of Commons and the Senate.

* * * *

I applaud Stephen Harper getting tough with his omnibus crime bill - Some of the previous opposition amendments will be stripped out, no new ones will be accepted, and it will be a matter of confidence.

This is important legislation that Canadians demand. The political shenanigans of the opposition parties caused it to be abandoned in the unelected Liberal-dominated Senate last session.

My guess is that Stephane Dion will not only be forced to go along with this bill, but will also be expected to expedite its passage through the Senate. If the Senate obstructs democracy again, I don't know what kind of leverage Harper will be able to apply, but it would definitely provide an excellent example of why Senate reform is crucial.

There were two interesting letters in today's Post that are related to this bill. First we have one from James Morton of Steinberg Morton Hope & Israel, Toronto:

One of the key elements of Tuesday's Throne Speech was the omnibus Tackling Violent Crime bill. The controversy over the legislation is far more apparent than real. Anyone dealing with the justice system knows a major overhaul of the criminal system is long overdue--indeed, the strongest complaint that can be leveled against the proposed crime bill is that it does not go far enough.

The reforms proposed are, for the most part, straightforward and reasonable. A dangerous offenders bill that puts the onus on criminals convicted of three violent offences to show they should not be taken out of society is hardly a significant attack on civil rights -- to require someone thrice convicted of serious violent offences to explain to a judge why they should be released into society is not an onerous burden. Overall, these initial revisions to the criminal law are long overdue.

So let's see speedy passage. If the opposition wants to fight an election on this one, then go ahead and make my day!


Part of this omnibus bill is the move to raise the age of sexual consent from 14 to 16, with a close-in-age exemption of 5 years. I really can't understand anyone objecting to this bill. However, it appears that Ken Erickson of Calgary doesn't like it:

I fail to see how raising the age of sexual consent from 14 to 16 will protect young people from predators. If anything, it will lead to wrongful convictions and criminalize consensual relationships among youth. Even with close-in exemptions, this proposed legislation will drive sexual activity underground, away from the scrutiny of parents and friends. Given that there is no objective evidence to lend credibility to such legislation, one can only assume that the Harper Conservatives are playing to their religious base -- to the detriment of the country. Someone should remind the Conservatives that Canada is not a theocracy.

"This proposed legislation will drive sexual activity underground, away from the scrutiny of parents and friends"????

So, instead of a 40 year old jerk diddling a 14 year-old right under her parents noses, they might have to take a room somewhere? Is that what he's trying to say?

This legislation is designed to help convict predators. It is not going to punish the children. It is going to protect them. Coercion is often difficult to prove the way the law reads now. This will give police and parents an improved method to protect youngsters.

But Mr. Erikson's attempt to paint this as a religious issue is pitiful, really.

It's not the agenda of some wacko religious zealots, Mr. Erikson.

It's a matter of protecting children while they are still vulnerable. Why do you have a problem with that?

Warning - Don't get old in Ontario

- Or if you do, try to stay healthy.

Violence in nursing homes - Marketplace. Nursing homes are not covered by the Canada Health Act.

George Smitherman was interviewed by Marketplace. He obfuscated as usual.


George, someday you'll be old. Let's hope the Health Minister in charge tries to keep violent residents away from you; even though mixing them in is more 'cost effective'.

And try to stay continent.

Well at least that horrible John Tory didn't get elected! Who knows how badly this province might have deteriorated?

Checkmate - Final Update

9:30 P.M. - Don Martin - No retreat with honour for Dion. (Harper's government a majority in all but name.)

4:30 P.M. - Dion supports throne speech - Star.

3:50 P.M. - Dion is speaking in the House now. Globe has this report disclosing a face-saving plan. It's Jack's move now.

* * * *

11:30 A.M. - Breaking news from Newstalk 570 - Liberal insiders have advised that Dion will support the Throne Speech!

National Newswatch - Liberals to bite the bullet on throne speech:

National Newswatch has learned that the buzz circulating among Liberal insiders this hour on Parliament Hill indicates the Liberal Party will not defeat the government on the throne speech.

Star - Dion Won't Force Vote: MP's

* * * *

Here is the big question - What will Stephane Dion's next move be?

First of all we need to find him. Apparently he's holed away somewhere pondering his options and will let us know around 3 p.m. this afternoon. Iggy doesn't see a 'poison pill' hidden in the throne speech. He complains of ambiguity, but hello - it's a throne speech.

I'm listening to Ralph Goodale on Canada AM telling us that Canadians don't want an election right now, and that the Liberals will have to carefully study their options and do the responsible thing. I hear that as code for a lot of Liberal backbenchers suddenly catching the Parliament flu.

I started nosing around Liblogs to see what advice they were giving their fearless leader, and the prevailing mood seems to be that an election is inevitable. Some would appear to want it sooner than later. (Warning - very gross pic at Liblogs of a diseased mouth. Not good breakfast fare.)

Don Martin seems to be saying that Dion has little choice but to oppose the Throne speech or else risk losing his credibility altogether:

If there's an election sooner, at least the Liberals can argue they took a principled stand on key issues against a prime minister who was trying to bully his agenda through Parliament.

If they force an election later, after regular bouts of white-flagged capitulation, people will see them as timid and perhaps overcome their fears of the Conservatives as majority rulers.

I would not want to be in Stephane Dion's shoes today.

First thoughts from the Throne Speech

#1. Just what the doctor ordered.

#2. Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean, you did a great job! Now I understand why the GG needs to be someone with a good speaking voice and an ability to read flawlessly in both official languages. My humble apologies for ever doubting you.

* * * *

Great analysis at CBL.

Andrew Coyne talking to CBC's Peter Mansbridge - This throne speech is 'bulletproof'.

Throne speech - drawing a line in the sand

If today's throne speech mirrors the content of the National Post editorial (A speech we'd like to hear), I'll be quite happy.

I would only add some kind of plan to actually bring about the law and order changes that we so desperately need here in Canada, and that the unelected Liberal-dominated Senate seems hell-bent on delaying - specifically the bill raising the age of consent from 14 to 16. With the close-in-age exemption of 5 years, why would the Liberals not want to put some teeth in this disgusting loophole, and thereby send some of the pedophiles packing for sunnier shores?

It's time for the opposition to either get on board or else defeat this government. Another session like the last one is a waste of everyone's time and money.

Harper needs to say, 'You're either with me, or you're against me'.

Trial Balloon?

Just caught Linda Leatherdale on CHML's Bill Kelly show.

Linda wonders if the email she discussed in yesterday's Sun was a leak, unsubstantiated rumour or a trial balloon?

CHML has a call in to Finance Minister Greg Sorbara.


Now I'm wondering if this was code for PST tax increase? - "Finance Minister Greg Sorbara said dealing with the financial difficulties of municipalities will be a priority".

* * * *

Related: Library cuts may have backfired, board says - Star. Such competence!

Even His Blondness has to come clean at some point! Miller expected to name external audit panel. (Star)

Kevin Gaudet - Ontario needs a new direction.

Could the answer be this simple?

A letter to the editor in today's Spectator suggests two methods be used for dealing with Caledonia-type issues - Preventing the Crisis.

The first is to "ensure the provincial government stops issuing licences and permits to build, mine, etc. on native or contested land without the permission of the First Nations concerned..."

This is something that has puzzled me since the Caledonia occupation/reclamation began. How did those building permits get issued in the first place. Isn't the Ontario government extremely negligent here?

The second suggestion by Mr. Sorger is that the Feds speed up the land claim resolution process. I think that one is easier said than done, but you do wonder why this seems to drag on. Of course, why take millions, if you're willing to hold out for 'billions'?

* * * *

Backgrounder - Interesting but complicated history here - Difficult to Resolve.

Related: Native Protester's lawyer using obscure treaty to derail CH case. (Spectator)

Sidestepping the PPG

And the battle between Harper and the PPG continues.


Update here at ASTTR.

Greg Weston puts in his snarky two cents worth - One heel of a plan.

'Reproductive Rights' or 'Trafficking in Children?'

I'm just going to throw this out here and let you decide - Gay Couple Buys Twin Boys (H/T National Newswatch):

...Dr Steinberg said between 75 to 80 per cent of gay and lesbian couples came to him for treatment decided to choose the sex of their babies - using the controversial IVF procedure and embryo screening known as Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis.

"If they choose gender, about 65 to 70 per cent of male gay couples choose male," he said.

Each gay couple is able to choose a baby to order - taking into account the physical characteristics and education level of egg donors, who are aged between 18 and 27...

Still on the rehash (if Dalton can break promises, so can I)

Very thought-provoking column by Norman Webster in today's Montreal Gazette - Lessons from the Ontario election.

He discusses the results of the election from the point of view of how the MMP system might have altered the results. No doubt this is a hollow victory for Dalton McGuinty:

"Sweeping victory," said the headlines, and so it was - in seats, which are all that count in our system. McGuinty can now, if he wishes, slide into comfortable-dictator mode à la Jean Chrétien, based on the support of less than one-quarter of the voters. You don't have to be a political scientist to discern further questions about legitimacy...

He states that we still need to be looking at some kind of electoral reform that delivers results more in line with the voters' wishes. I agree.

This past effort was a sham. There was no time to properly educate the electorate and debate the issue in an effective way. Personally, I felt that MMP was too fraught with pitfalls, but I don't feel that we should therefore unquestioningly accept FPTP as the single, perfect system.

However, the second half of Webster's column is even more intriguing:

Finally, a bit worryingly, the whole election turned on Conservative leader John Tory's pledge to support faith-based separate schools with public funds. The promise turned out to be political suicide. McGuinty seized the issue and ran with it, summing things up in his victory speech Wednesday night: "We work and build and dream together ... always, always, always, together."

That's a fine sentiment, but to some those are code words for not accommodating the immigrant Others and their differences in the new Canada. And so we have an Ontario election lost on unspoken fears of Islamic madrassas in Toronto the Good - not to mention a Quebec election hijacked by a soccer player wearing a head covering, or wacky proposals to ban hijabs and yarmulkes on public employees.

Canada's largest, most important province has sent a message about integration and cultural differences; it wants more of the first and less of the second, at least when it means special treatment. Politics, religion, schooling, race are potentially volatile areas.

This of course, brings to mind all the current debate in Quebec about 'reasonable accommodation'.

Here is my theory: Canadians are indeed a tolerant and welcoming group of people. Other than the natives, we are all immigrants to some degree. However, the problem is that a culture of political correctness has taken away our right to voice our concerns publicly. We smile, but inside we're furious and fearful that so many immigrants prefer to cloister themselves rather than blend in.

When we see Muslim women walking behind their husbands with only their eyes visible, we are reminded again and again of the differences. Some of us find that disturbing. But we are told to be quiet.

What happened this past Wednesday, I believe, was the collective voice of Ontario voters saying that this is where they draw the line.

* * * *

Christiana Blizzard - Grits getting too comfortable?

Linda Leatherdale - Ready for more hikes? (H/T to reader Bluetech)

Randall Denley - Liberal Special the easy choice. This is priceless:

...Voters are busy and impatient. Our jobs and families occupy most of our time and there just aren't enough hours in the day to attend to the demands of both. We are more interested in entertainment and consumerism than public policy. We demand instant results and get frustrated if something doesn't download in five seconds.

We don't have the mental energy or time to really think through an election. Instead, we take the same approach as we do when ordering a pizza. We just pick what we had the last time. That's why the incumbent special was a big hit again.

Premier Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal strategists understood this new Ontario reality best, and that's why they won the election. It's not that we can't think, but we don't want to think, and the Liberals know that. That's why the religious schools issue was so perfect. It let us choose who to vote for based on emotion, not reason...

See also Education still a big issue by Moira Macdonald.

Ontario Tories pit centre against right - Star's Ian Urquhart.

What is the Star's agenda?

You just have to wonder why, after endorsing Dalton McGuinty as the greatest thing since iced slushies, they suddenly are begging John Tory to stay on?

Things that make you go hmmmm....

There's one born every minute

I guess I'll throw my two cents worth in here about Al Gore winning the Nobel peace prize (Terence Corcoran reams the decision in today's Post - A coup for junk science).

In spite of the recent British High Court judgment labelling "Inconvenient Truth" as a 'political' film, some people think that the prize somehow legitimizes Gore's efforts, and that indeed he should now seriously consider challenging Hillary Clinton.

I agree. He should go for it. This award has proven that he has what it takes - the ability to deceive, bend the truth and manipulate the masses. All great assets in the game of politics.

* * * *

Update: Check out PTBC - Fox News report on Gore's Nobel 'Peace' prize. (H/T Bluetech).
That was one of Corcoran's points - that this badly flawed piece of propaganda hardly improved world peace.

Gore and Peace - Peter Foster

Globe - A word or two, Mr. Gore.

Star - Gore's Nobel has Sides Lined Up.

Ottawa Citizen - If only there were a Nobel Peace Prize for Deception.

President of CMA - Include dental coverage in public health care

I like this idea - probably because I'm in the 40% without dental coverage - Extend dental coverage, doctors urge. (Post)

Dr. Brian Day also recommends making sure all Canadians have prescription coverage.

20% have to pay out of pocket. What good is it for a doctor to tell you you need antibiotics if your budget is too tight to afford them?

Back to the dental care - Infection in the mouth can easily spread to other areas of the body, costing much more in health coverage than some preventative screening would demand. I think this would be a very cost-effective measure.

However, according to the article, this type of suggestion often meets with resistance from the unions:

...In his first major address since taking over the CMA in August, Dr. Day also said the opposition to his most contentious ideas comes chiefly from unions and union-backed organizations, concerned mainly about safeguarding their members' jobs...

Well, the article seems to contain some opposing viewpoints on the union issue, but I still think this idea should be considered.

I know. It's not very conservative, and likely to stress our already fragile health care system, but looking at it long-term, I think it has potential. Healthy gums, healthy teeth, happy people make more productive workers.

And it's really a matter of equal access to public health care. Isn't that what everyone wants?

"Working Families" Day? - With update

Was Dalton's first duty with the declaration of new stat in February meant to reward his unionized supporters?

You just have to wonder.

The National Union of Public and General Employees seems quite thrilled. Among their members is OPSEU. So, we the taxpayers are bankrolling that one. If anyone of them has to work on the holiday, I'm guessing there will be some overtime involved.

Then we have the Teachers' unions who would likely be quite thrilled about another day off, right? And indeed there was a huge amount of support for Dalton and his crew from the teachers. They helped work on campaigns in copious numbers, courtesy of their ability to take time off for "union work" - up to 20 days.

Oh, and don't forget those lovely ads run by "Working Families" during the election - ads with the sole purpose of glorying McGuinty and trashing John Tory. Who is part of Working Families? Well, among their illustrious crew are the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation.

The irony here is that because Dalton just arrogantly declared this a stat without consultation, there is now a ripple of panic being felt throughout the province - and not just from small business.

Today's Record explains that "Family Day" is causing headaches for school boards as well ("McGuinty's new day off giving schools a headache"). Now they have to figure out whether or not to take away a professional development day, or else add another day to the school year in June:

"This has really come out of left field," said Bernie Kowalczyk, superintendent of student services at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. "We weren't prepared for it."

Indeed.

And imagine how a small businessperson is trying to deal with this now, when their bottom line is so tight to begin with, and the economy suddenly looking less than rosy.

So Lemmingland, this is the first example of what you did on Oct. 10 - You handed Dalton a blank cheque, just as Howard Hampton predicted. You see, Dalton has no one to account to now for another four years. Whatever he wants will be passed by his bobble-head majority.

Howard and I warned you, but you wouldn't listen. You got your tax-and-spend government back again. Yes, sir. We lemmings love taxes!!! - Especially the Toronto Lemmings.

Yesterday, the Post's Steve Murray complained that "Family Day" is discriminatory because not everyone has a family. Well, that's hard to believe, but maybe he's got a point.

He is taking for suggestions for a better name and is asking readers to send them to smurray@nationalpost.com.

How about "McPander Day", Steve?

* * * *

Update - Great Letter in the Post today:

The minimum estimated cost of enacting a Family Day holiday in Ontario is at least $500-million. That is $100-million more than the estimated cost to end the religious discrimination against 53,000 students in the province. It would be interesting to find out how many parents of the 53,000 children will need to work on Family Day in order to afford to send them to school, after they have already paid for everyone else's kids.

No one can deny that the Ontario Liberals have their priorities straight -- spending on one extra day a year off work is surely a better use of tax money than righting bias.

Michael N.W. Baigel, Toronto.

* * * *

Christina Blizzard -Take a break on holiday idea.

Dalton McDoublecross

All those Catholic teachers and parents that supported Dalton McGuinty may live to regret that decision before the next four years are up - H/T Brian Lemon and ASTTR.


Because Liberal governments don't usually aim for the right thing; they try to do the popular thing.

Final thoughts on the Oct. 10 massacre

I am not a member of the Ontario PC party. During the Harris years I supported it, because I felt Mike Harris prescribed the medicine that Ontario needed to get well again after Bob Rae's effect on the economy.

We all choked it down. The medicine worked, but it left a bad taste in the mouths of many Ontarioans.

John Tory is the anti-Harris, if you will. Liberal-lite. That's why I never took out a party membership.

John Tory is by all accounts a wonderful, kind, generous and enthusiastic man. But he is not what the PC party needs right now.

John, for the sake of the party, please step down. Allow Elizabeth Witmer or Bob Runciman take over as interim leader until the party can recover, and rediscover its mission and focus.

Tough medicine, John. But necessary.


Because after four more years of Dalton McGuinty, we're going to need another Mike Harris.

* * * *

As a sidenote to what kind of fallout this might have on a fall federal election, I can only suggest that Stephen Harper has nothing to worry about.

Ontario just woke up and found itself in bed with a four-year McGuinty hangover.

We won't be wanting any more of the hair of the dog that bit us, thank you very much.

* * * *

Saturday Update: Enlightening column by Ian Urquhart -- From Owen Sound, a bombshell:

...One source says John Laschinger, the Conservative campaign director, raised a red flag about the policy. But by then Tory was deeply committed to the idea and it was included in the party platform, which was released in early June.

The initial media reaction was muted, but the Liberals knew right away that Tory was vulnerable on the issue.

For months, the Liberals had been searching for some way to make education the focal point of the campaign, but they couldn't get the media interested. Then along came Tory with his proposal to provide public funding for faith-based schools.

"It was like throwing a belt-high fastball to a fastball hitter," says one key Liberal strategist. The Liberals hit it out of the park, with a series of ads and speeches that focused on the issue...

Did you bother to vote Wednesday?

Very disturbing story on the front page of the Record - Election Aftermath: Voter turnout was at record low.

Across the region, nearly as many people stayed home as took to the polls Wednesday in an election that saw the lowest voter turnout in Ontario history.

About 51 per cent of the region's 334,000 eligible voters bothered to cast ballots.

In most local ridings fewer than half the number of eligible voters cast ballots. Turnout was lowest in Cambridge, which registered just 49.3 per cent of the vote, a 4.5-point drop from the 2003 election.

"I have never seen such apathy since I've been involved in politics," said Cambridge MPP Gerry Martiniuk, who was elected to a fourth term in a tight race against Liberal Kathryn McGarry....

I find this so puzzling. Not only was there a lot of emotion fanned by the Liberal war room against FB-funding, but there was also a rare referendum on the very way we determine democracy in Ontario. How is it possible that so few people care or 'are too busy' to vote? Would you have time to stand in a long line for a free case of beer if it were offered?

Voting ahead is the way to go. It's easy, convenient and not crowded.

You're not just a bunch of lemmings, fellow Ontarioans - You're apathetic lemmings. Especially those who live in Waterloo Region.

Anyone who didn't vote has no right to complain about anything for the next four years.


I am disgusted.

* * * *

I wonder if these people actually voted:

Obviously this one didn't (Post):

...I am a conservative who did not vote in Wednesday's Ontario election. There are tens of thousands of others like me, who stayed away because we had no one for to vote for. We want leaders who stand for lower taxes and smaller government. John Tory was not that man.

A liberal who pretends to be a conservative is worse than a liberal who admits it. This is why Mr. Tory lost. Let's find a Mike Harris conservative, and get ready for next time.

Ron Tillotson, Toronto.

From the Record:

I am absolutely appalled with the provincial election results.

What could the smart citizens of Ontario possibly be thinking about by giving Dalton McGuinty another four year free reign. It sure beats me.

I guess the people don't care if they are misled, or that reminders about all the broken promises fell on deaf ears.

What has McGuinty done about the Caledonia fiasco except give the natives more ammunition to go after more control over the six miles on either side of the Grand River, and to require permission from the Six Nations council before anything can happen? McGuinty did nothing except blame others, such as the federal government.

The Liberals gave $1 million to the Ontario Cricket Association. That money surely could have been better spent.

I can go on and on, but what's the use. The people of Ontario have spoken, so fasten your seatbelts. for the next four years because Dalton is driving the legislative bus.

You wanted him again and you've got him.

David J. Burnside, Kitchener

(I bet he voted!)

The strategy revealed

Check out MDL - Click on Strategists debate faith-based school funding with Bernard Lord, Joy MacPhail and Martha Hall Findlay.

Now that the dust has settled, anyone who was taken in by the FB-funding issue is going to feel somewhat manipulated when they watch this video.

Duff talks about fears of Muslims and immigration as an undercurrent in Ontario.

Joy MacPhail - All Canadians were poorly served by Ontarioans and their malaise.

What is Martha trying to say? That the discussion was positive? That they might consider it?
Joy calls her up on it.

Duff brings up the push for elimination of funding for Catholic Schools.

Bernard Lord calls it an 'inconsistency' in Ontario.

In the previous clip ("A discussion of the future of the Ontario PC Party"), Peter Shurman says he never liked the term 'Faith-Based funding'. He prefers 'Inclusive Public Education'.


More at Daimnation! - Warren the K reveals his secrets.

What a bunch of lemmings.


It was a hollow victory, Dalton. Very hollow.