The vast socialist conspiracy (II)

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 3:45 PM - 18 Comments

The NDP is now categorically denying any involvement in yesterday’s kerfuffle. A rather long discussion of the matter occurred in the House after Question Period (transcript will be posted here once it becomes available).

Meanwhile, Jane Taber makes contact with the individual widely identified as the organizer.

The vast socialist conspiracy

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 1:55 PM - 15 Comments

Asked Karl Belanger, press secretary to Jack Layton, about suggestions that the NDP was associated with yesterday’s protest. His response.

Ya, that’s right. We organized a protest to interrupt our Leader during his question. Clearly, it was a socialist plot from the NDP.

So there. Nonetheless, whether officially sanctioned or not, NDP MP Nathan Cullen seems to have appreciated the disruption.

The case of the reappearing blood

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 12:15 PM - 44 Comments

The CBC’s Janyce McGregor compares and contrasts images of the bloody faced protester as he was led away from Parliament Hill (no blood) and as he appeared a few hours later on Power & Politics (blood).

Stop whispering, start shouting

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 9:01 AM - 18 Comments

Susan Delacourt considers yesterday’s disturbance in the House.

I was initially taken aback by the demonstration today — thinking “you can’t do that” in the Commons. But I’m thinking that they’ve done us a favour.

There is no more respect among rivals in the Commons. There is no advantage for any politician to demonstrate respect or show civility or act as part of the institution … So why wouldn’t members of the public, in the public galleries, decide to join in the  mayhem? The point of parliamentary privilege is that it has to be earned. Rather than punish the protesters, I think I’d argue that all the participants in the Commons have lost their privileges, because the foundation of respect is gone.

Thou dost protest (IV)

By Aaron Wherry - Monday, October 26, 2009 at 11:09 PM - 7 Comments

In case you were wondering what it’s like to be a true shoe-leather reporter on the Hill, David Akin has uploaded audio of the protest as heard from the press gallery, him running up a stairwell after the protesters and then the RCMP politely asking him to go elsewhere.

Thou dost protest (III)

By Aaron Wherry - Monday, October 26, 2009 at 9:40 PM - 13 Comments

An enterprising videographer attempts to connect the dots between today’s protest and the NDP.

Elsewhere, the CBC has put together some of the relevant footage from today’s excitement.

The Commons: Unsophisticated debate will not be tolerated in this place

By Aaron Wherry - Monday, October 26, 2009 at 6:25 PM - 40 Comments

The Scene. Ralph Goodale stood and the Conservatives, obviously quite eager to hear and consider his particular concern this day, were yapping and squawking before he’d so much as spoken a clause.

“Mr. Speaker, survey after survey about the H1N1 vaccine show a dangerous trend. Only half of Canadians are planning to get vaccinated. That is down from two-thirds in July. Too many people do not think it is safe, do not think it is necessary. That is a communications failure that could put lives at risk,” Mr. Goodale posited. “How does the Prime Minister justify an advertising tsunami of $100 million for partisan Conservative propaganda, but only a pittance for crucial information about vaccinations?”

The Prime Minister, alas, was not present. In his place, Tony Clement took a turn.

“Mr. Speaker,” he said, “the honourable Minister of Health is doing an excellent job in communicating to Canadians about the H1N1 flu situation.

“She has said that the vaccine would be available to every Canadian who needs and wants one,” Mr. Clement reported on behalf of Leona Aglukkaq, seated perhaps 20 feet to his right. “Not only is the Minister of Health urging Canadians to get the vaccine but the Chief Public Health Officer is doing so as well. This is the best way to protect our health and the health of our loved ones. Despite the fearmongering on the other side, we are focused on protecting the health and safety of every Canadian.”

To better convey this fearmongering, the Industry Minister wiggled his fingers in the general direction of the opposition side. Continue…

Thou dost protest (II)

By Aaron Wherry - Monday, October 26, 2009 at 5:25 PM - 17 Comments

CBC’s new politics show—Evan Solomon’s Power & Politics—is debuting now with a bloody faced protester claiming rough treatment. Further details and reaction from Canadian Press, the CBC, Globe, Star, Gargoyle and Canwest.