The Commons: This uncivil democracy
By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - 0 Comments
Just before Question Period this afternoon, Costas Menegakis, the Conservative MP for Richmond Hill, stood in his spot along the back row of the government side and lamented for the NDP’s quibbles with a piece of government legislation.
“The NDP has proven once again that they will always put the interests of criminals first,” he reported, his words thus committed to the official record where they will remain in his name for eternity.
Was this uncivil?
A few spots after Mr. Mengakis, it was Ted Opitz’s turn. “Yesterday my NDP colleague from Scarborough Southwest said that his party will offer practical solutions,” explained the Conservative MP who had to fight all the way to the Supreme Court for the honour to stand in this place and say these words. “What he fails to mention is that the NDP solution is a new $21 billion job-killing carbon tax.”
This is mostly ridiculous, but is it uncivil?
Question Period then began. Soon enough, Bob Rae was on his feet, speaking loudly and wagging his finger at the Prime Minister.
“Mr. Speaker, it is clear after the Minister of Finance’s attack on the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Mr. Kevin Page, that it is the Prime Minister’s intention to turn the taxpayers’ watchdog into his personal lapdog. That is the plan that the government has,” he declared. “Why is the government having to fire Marty Cheliak, Pat Stogran, Linda Keen, Peter Tinsley, Paul Kennedy, Adrian Measner, Munir Sheikh, Steve Sullivan and Remy Beauregard? Why is the name of Kevin Page being added to this list of people who are being thrown out of the bus because they had an independent opinion about something?”
Was that uncivil? Continue…
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Questioning and defending C-290
By Aaron Wherry - Monday, November 26, 2012 at 9:00 AM - 0 Comments
Two more Conservative MPs join Michael Chong in publicly opposing C-290, the sports betting bill.
Saskatchewan Tory MP Brad Trost called it “the equivalent of passing it in the middle of the night.” ”It didn’t follow proper democratic due diligence in the House of Commons,” he said. “There seems to have been a deal done.”
Manitoba Conservative MP Lawrence Toet also voiced concerns about the process and said it was known a number of MPs had concerns about C-290.
The New Democrats have written to
Conservative Senator Bob Runciman, the bill’s sponsor in the Senate,all senators to argue that there was nothing wrong with how the bill advanced through the House. Here (pdf) is a copy of that letter. -
John Baird’s guide to polite conversation
By Aaron Wherry - Monday, October 29, 2012 at 5:54 PM - 0 Comments
The Scene. In the 15 minutes before Question Period, John Weston stood and worried that a carbon tax would raise the price of Halloween candy. Then Cheryl Gallant fretted that a carbon tax would raise the price of wood. Then Lawrence Toet lamented for a carbon tax that would punish families and kill jobs. Then Pat Martin stood and attempted to shame a Conservative backbencher into rejecting his talking points. And then Kelly Block cried that a carbon tax would “hurt ordinary Canadians.”All of this was supposedly something to do with the NDP and its leader.
When Question Period was finally called to order, Thomas Mulcair wanted to fret publicly about the Harper government’s handling of foreign investment. Continue…
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The public shaming continues
By Aaron Wherry - Friday, October 19, 2012 at 10:03 AM - 0 Comments
NDP MP David Christopherson used his members’ statement yesterday to chide Conservative MP Lawrence Toet.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Conservative member for Orléans and the Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Public Works did not talk about their ridings; they talked about the official opposition. The member for Elmwood—Transcona has only made one statement in the House since we returned. What did he do with his precious, limited opportunity? He also parroted the PMO’s blatantly misleading lines about the NDP. If that member does not want to talk about his great riding, I am proud to tell the House some of the fantastic things going on in Elmwood—Transcona.
For instance, Transcona is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. This coincides with the annual Hi Neighbour Festival, also celebrating its own 40th anniversary. These celebrations have allowed people in Transcona to reflect on the famous Canadians who have also come from the area, including Terry Fox; Olympic speed skater, Susan Auch; sports commentator, Rod Black; and of course our own Bill Blaikie. We on this side of the House take great pride in celebrating the centennial. Shame on the member for kowtowing to the PMO—
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Add Elmwood-Transcona to the list
By Aaron Wherry - Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 11:55 AM - 0 Comments
The NDP says Elmwood-Transcona was targeted by robocalls misdirecting voters.
According to the NDP, the party’s campaign manager in Elmwood-Transcona has informed them of more than half a dozen complaints received in Jim Maloway’s campaign office on election day from voters who said someone phoned them and said their polling station location had changed.
Elmwood-Transcona, a longtime NDP-held riding, saw Conservative Lawrence Toet upset Maloway, the incumbent MP, by 300 votes. Maloway said the margin was so close the so-called robocalls may have played a role. Maloway said he did not know about the calls until contacted by the Free Press on Friday.
Meanwhile, Liberal MP Mark Eyking confirms complaints in Sydney-Victoria.
See previously: How many ridings?
