I feel a little sorry for Peter MacKay
December 16, 2011 | 4 Comments
I have not been investigating Mr. MacKay’s most recent ‘scandal’ really closely, but from what I have read, it seems quite understandable that he would be staying at an otherwise ridiculously expensive hotel when at some sort of international conference. The pitchforks seem a little uncalled-for in this case. Of course, had he not demonstrated [...]
Our Offensive Oath
December 15, 2011 | 21 Comments
In the comments of a previous post, readers David* and Peter asked what I find so offensive about our oath of citizenship, which reads: I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully [...]
Quote of the Day
December 13, 2011 | 4 Comments
Ladies and gentlemen, your Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney: “I’m sure they’ll trump up some stupid Charter of Rights challenge. That’s democracy. They’re welcome to object.” A true champion of Canadian values.
We’re Here, We’re Queer, We Don’t Want Anymore Bears!
December 13, 2011 | No Comments
A bear found its way into a dumpster in downtown Vancouver today, so naturally… No word on whether or not it was a Trash-Co waste disposal unit.
Who really cares about the oath?
December 12, 2011 | 10 Comments
We talk a lot about religious face coverings around here (from this point on, I’m just going to write ‘veils’), partially because freedom of religion (and freedom from oppressive and unnecessary government sanctions) are a hobby horse of mine, and, partially, because the government keeps trying to stop people from wearing religious garments (seriously, if [...]
Won’t Somebody Please Think of the Chickens!
December 9, 2011 | No Comments
Sigh. If it isn’t one supply management crisis, it’s another. We’ve got to save the Wheat Board because, well, because. And we need a chicken board to keep the marauding Colonel Sanders at bay, lest our very way of life be destroyed. I’d like to propose a blogging marketing board. How about the government force people to [...]
The Tyranny of Farmers
December 9, 2011 | 13 Comments
A Federal Court has ruled that the federal government does not have the right change (or eliminate) the Canadian Wheat Board without first consulting with – and getting the support of – farmers currently using it, as per legislation passed in 1998. In an editorial criticizing the ruling, the Ottawa Citizen has a pretty solid [...]
Due Process vs. Freedom of Religion
December 8, 2011 | 17 Comments
I’m torn on this one. The question before an Ontario court is should a muslim woman who is the victim of a sexual assault be forced to remove her niquab when testifying? It’s a pretty clear instance of due process rights clashing with a Charter-protected freedom, and I don’t see how we can come to [...]
The Greatest Ham in the World
December 7, 2011 | No Comments
When I was in a punk rock band, I ate the greatest ham of my life. It was Easter, about 12 years ago. We had an upcoming show, so family obligations had to be planned around a band practice. Our guitarist and I headed out to Kars (a town maybe 20 minutes south of Ottawa). Farming [...]
Attawapiskat: Hardly A Day of Reckoning
December 6, 2011 | No Comments
Shawn Atleo, Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said the Attawapiskat crisis marks a “moment of reckoning” in Canada’s policies regarding First Nations. I would like to believe him. But, recent history suggests otherwise. After all, the E. coli crisis in the northern Kashechewan reserve in 2005 was large enough to warrant a [...]