Labour Issues in the News
May 1, 2013 | No Comments
It’s May Day, so what better time to go over some labour issues that are currently making news? What’s the value of Peter Mansbridge? The Tories have made the decision that Crown Corporations need a new strategy when dealing with upcoming collective bargaining (contracts will be ending in 2015). The government will be taking a [...]
Special Treatment
April 22, 2013 | 2 Comments
The current government has experienced some bad press regarding the treatment of soldiers recently. First, there was the heretical notion that the danger pay for conducting training programs need not be as high as the danger pay received for fighting on the front lines. Don’t worry, the Tories stepped in and slapped down the rogue [...]
Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott is an idiot
May 18, 2012 | 1 Comment
At least he is if we’re to judge him on the things he says: Maurice Vellacott, who represents the Saskatchewan riding of Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, says abortion procedures are far worse than any schoolyard or neighbourhood bullying. He calls it the “cruellest of ironies” that there’s no protection in Canada for fetuses at any stage of pregnancy. [...]
Do they really want him working that two extra years?
April 5, 2012 | 1 Comment
Recently, the federal government decided to make (eminently sensible) changes to Canada’s retirement age, raising it from 65 to 67. Apparently, though, that (eminently sensible) change isn’t going to affect the Prime Minister: All Canadian prime ministers who served at least four years in office are given a $100,000/year allowance beginning at the age of [...]
Well, this isn’t good
March 30, 2012 | 10 Comments
It seems a Tory MP got into a little (alleged) hot water after a recent visit to an Ottawa high school: Garry Breitkreuz, the Tory MP best known for his campaign to repeal the long-gun registry, denies an Ottawa woman’s claim that he was “promoting gun violence” during a recent speech to her daughter’s high [...]
Vigilantes – all of them – are a threat [Updated]
March 23, 2012 | 5 Comments
This is why I think the Conservative government’s fetish for protecting vigilantes* the fetish for protecting vigilantes by all federal parties is more than just foolish, it’s deadly: What we have in Florida–and doubtlessly in other parts of the country–is the state relinquishing a crucial aspect of meting out justice. The logic here militates toward [...]
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.
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 [...]
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 [...]
I don’t care about helicopter rides or gazebos
December 5, 2011 | 4 Comments
The Tories have gotten some bad press recently for some wasteful activities of some Cabinet Ministers. Tony Clement is getting roasted for a bunch of border security funding being diverted to his home riding in cottage country, and Peter MacKay is catching flak for hopping a military helicopter for a ride back from a fishing [...]