Ontario to rid itself of full-day kindergarten
February 10, 2012 | 4 Comments
This is (potentially) tremendously good news: Love it or hate it, the government’s costly new full-day kindergarten program is on the chopping block. Don Drummond will propose axing the all-day school program for tots in his much anticipated report on ways to control government spending, a senior Queen’s Park source says. Drummond, a former TD [...]
A newfound appreciation for Rob Ford
February 1, 2012 | 5 Comments
Ottawa’s former mayor, Larry O’Brien, got into a bit of trouble. How ’bout we let him tell the story: Anyone who knows me understands that being politically incorrect (PI) has been a special strength all my life. Unfortunately being so blessed is not good for my relations with the chattering class and other such [...]
The Blog of Foreign Affairs
January 25, 2012 | No Comments
This week, I have launched a new blog at The League of Ordinary Gentlemen called the 49th. Basically, it’s a Canadian political/cultural blog written for an American audience. I’ll be taking on subjects and linking to writers that I think will be of interest to our neighbours to the south. I’ll also be taking on [...]
Liberals and marijuana
January 17, 2012 | 3 Comments
Allow me to echo the general sentiments of my colleague, Charles Anthony, and give the Liberal Party a quick cheer for their policy resolution to legalize and regulate marijuana (though we might disagree about the regulation part). I may peruse the rest of the rump party’s policy resolutions (or I may not – I don’t [...]
How to make housing affordable
January 10, 2012 | 4 Comments
Give people money. The provincial and federal governments are giving the City of Ottawa (among other municipalities, I would imagine) millions of dollars to fund housing for the poor. City staff are suggesting, typically, that the best way to help the poor is by funneling such funds to corporations – either by aquiring or building [...]
This is the longest 22 minutes ever
January 9, 2012 | 5 Comments
At the risk of wasting everyone’s time, I’d like to draw your attention to the most recent development in what was, likely, the dumbest political story of 2011: Rob Ford’s boorish reaction to the boorish gotcha comendy of This Hour has 22 Minutes. In case you don’t recall, THh22M has a character named Marge Who-cares-what-her-name-is who pretends [...]
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.