Commander Cherry turns down his commission

Politics it seems crosses all boundaries in Canada, below a post we first delivered to our HockeyNation portal, outlining the latest controversy surrounding hockey commentator Don Cherry.

The timing of the announcement seemed most appropriate, heading into Remembrance Week in Canada, the Royal Military College in Kingston had announced that hometown boy Don Cherry was to be acknowledged with an honorary doctorate for his long time support of Canada's military.

Cherry, who frequently features vignettes of the troops that have passed while in the line of duty for Canada, is perhaps the military's biggest booster in Canada, clearly wearing his heart on his sleeve when it comes to all branches of the military, as well as for police, fire fighters and EMT personnel.

And while many might rage at the man over some of his thoughts on the state of the game of hockey today, we don't think many would take up a quarrel with him over his support for the troops.

But, there was one dissenting voice loud enough it seems to put the honours in doubt, Catherine Lord a french language professor at RMC voiced her concerns that Cherry's past pronouncements from his weekly pulpit highlighted a less than respectful opinion on segments of Canadian society, thus it seems in her mind making him an unfit candidate for the military honour.

The objections seemed more of a case of petty grandstanding (letters to the editor, media releases? Really?) than any particular true case of a quest for some kind of social justice.

And while it's said she has company on the protest train, we have a feeling that within the Forces and at RMC hers would be a decidedly minority opinion in dissent, not one that really should have had much sway in the determination of who is fit or unfit to be bestowed with honorary acknowledgment.

And to that point it didn't appear that her interjection would have much of an impact, RMC had brushed aside that bit of bombast, the honorary doctorate was still set to be bestowed on the man from coach's corner, until he, himself, pulled the plug on the project.

There's no indication from Cherry as to why he chose not to accept the RMC honours, though we imagine he didn't want to be the distraction to the week of Remembrance, with Remembrance Day observations to come on November 11th, we imagine he feared that the controversy would detract from the solemn nature of those observations.

And he's probably correct if that was his thought and by his actions he has once again put the memory of the Canadian Armed Forces first, as he always has it seems.

We've had our moments trying to dissect the Cherry logic on some hockey matters, we think he's wrong on a few of them and has been quick to make comments that perhaps could have used a second or third go over, but when it comes to supporting the Armed Forces we can't think of a better champion for those that wear a uniform.

The language instructor in our mind was wrong on this one and we imagine if she takes the time to chat with the majority of the members of the forces that have been battle tested in any of our nation's overseas commitments she'll find she's a bit out of touch with those that she instructs.

Perhaps the Administration at RMC can make contact with Mr. Cherry once again, after we pay our respects for those that served and continue to serve this Remembrance Day.

With the week of solemn reflection behind us perhaps Mr. Cherry would be more receptive to the honorary degree and acknowledgement of his work on behalf of the military.

We have a feeling that there would be little blow back on RMC if they choose to go full steam ahead with their plan, as for all his faults Cherry is if nothing else, a dedicated supporter of the troops.

Regardless as any soldier, sailor or airmen will tell you, honours are nice, but the respect of your compatriots is probably reward enough. And we suspect that across the Canadian military and on into the fire, police and ambulance services, the majority of those that serve have a fair amount of respect for Cherry's frequent efforts on their behalf.

We imagine there's not an Army mess hall, Navy mess deck or Air Force base in the country where Mr. Cherry couldn't drop in for a pop of his favourite beverage, an attentive audience ready to share some time at the bar with him.

Our guess is he'd never have to pick up a tab anywhere, but he probably would anyways.

Toronto Star-- Go ahead Don, reconsider that military degree

Kingston Whig Standard-- Cherry saga disappoints official

Kingston Whig Standard-- Cherry passes on honorary degree from RMC

Kingston Whig Standard-- RMC prof pans Cherry honour

Kingston Whig Standard-- Royal Military College faculty protest honorary degree for Cherry

National Post-- Don Cherry declines honorary degree from military college

Globe and Mail-- Don Cherry turns down RMC honorary degree

Toronto Sun-- Cherry repeats pledge to decline RMC honour

Sun News-- Criticism keeps Don Cherry from accepting honorary degree

Ottawa Citizen-- Royal Military College of Canada says Don Cherry has declined Honorary Degree

Vancouver Sun-- Don Cherry honorary degree sparks debate at Canada's Royal Military College

Business Week-- Hockey Commentator Cherry Declines Military College Degree

Toronto Star-- Whatever you think of him, Cherry's slow fall sad to watch

CTV-- Don Cherry declines military college honorary degree

CBC-- Don Cherry turns down honorary degree

CBC-- Don Cherry's honorary degree sparks

CBC-- Should Don Cherry have turned down the RMC's honorary degree?

The above item first appeared on our HockeyNation blog.

I'll be Batman, you be Robin, together we'll have Ms. Clark's head a throbbin'

More grist for the rest of Canada, that politics in British Columbia is just a little bit different than in the rest of the federation.

The rather mercurial political career (seemingly on a downward descent at the moment) of one time Solicitor General Kash Heed took another bizarre twist in British Columbia this week, as Mr. Heeds' one time number two disclosed that the province's former top law man had a wee bit of an unusual take on his place in the pursuit of justice and political pecking order.

Micahel Smyth of the Province paints a wonderful portrait for us of Heed and indeed of some of the drama behind the Liberal party these days, as larger than larger than life egos try to find their place in the wake of Gordon Campbell's departure to Jolly Old England.

And while Premier Christy Clark probably has many things to have her reach for the Tylenol these days (polling numbers perhaps?) nothing is probably causing her more discomfort than what may come next out of Camp Heed.

The revelations in the Smyth article are beyond baffling and probably will pretty well scupper any thoughts that the now back bench MLA may have for further political advancement.

The most intriguing of which is the idea that Heed thought of himself as Batman, his former campaign manager and loyal partner  Barinder Sall, apparently more than happy to be Robin.

And if Batman's political career is now yet one more entry in the book of British Columbian farce (a very thick tome we imagine) Batman can lay the blame squarely at the feet of Robin.

Robin, er, Sall is finding himself in a wee bit of trouble in the Pacific version of Gotham City these days, a 15,000 dollar fine for dirty tricks in the last election key among them and well Robin, hurt by the abandonment of his Batman,  isn't going under the bus by himself it seems.

Among the more interesting aspects of the piece, the collection of e mail messages that Sall kept, snippets of background into the relationship between the two.

Those missives offer up some fascinating views into how the Police Chief, Solicitor General and MLA conducted himself over the years from his days as a crime fighter to today's hours of semi anonymous toil in the Legislature.

From the Smyth article we learn of many tales from beyond the realm of reality.

Including the concept that Heed as Chief of Police in West Vancouver kept a special phone in his desk, which according to Sall was called the "bat phone", a secret number of which only those with the need to know seemingly had access to.



From the email files we discover that Batman perhaps wasn't a total team player, describing fellow Liberal John Les as a goof,  John Van Dongen as apparently clueless and Cabinet Minister Mary McNeil as a loser and dense.

In Smyth's compendium of e mails, we learn that Heed gave some thought to other political options other than the Liberals, apparently ruminating on the idea of jumping to the Green Party one day, the NDP the next.

With the smoking gun of Heed's thoughts on his fellow Liberals and his fanciful idea that he could swoop into the NDP and lead the good fight, it would appear that Premier Clark needs to address his standing as a Liberal MLA pretty quickly.

Smyth suggests that she's not inclined to turf him at the moment, lest the MLA's seat fall into the hands of the NDP, but with Heed in the Liberal tent with what seems like less than total dedication, she may want to rethink that whole plan.

We're not sure exactly what the Premier is going to do about all of this, but it would seem that she has no option but to don her Commissioner Gordon suit and shut off that Bat Light permanently...

More of the decline and fall of Batman can be found below:

Victoria TC-- Kash Heed's long fall
Victoria TC-- Emails, controversy leave Heed in limbo
Vancouver Province-- Kash Heed needs to resign as MLA
Vancouver Province-- If Heed won't quit, he ought to be kicked out of caucus
Vancouver Sun-- Liberals to discuss Heed's status
Vancouver Sun-- Chief electoral officer reviews new allegations in Heed affair
Vancouver Sun-- The rise and fall of Kash's political operative
North Shore News-- Heed faces new spending allegations
CBC-- New Heed overspending allegations under review
The Tyee-- NDP Wants New Probe into Heed Spending

Greeksmanship!

Another day, another twist in the Greek drama playing out across the world's stock exchanges and into the heart of the Euro Zone.

Today's instalment of Get it from the Greeks features the prospect of a government change, with the Greek Parliament expressing its confidence or lack thereof in the Prime Minister.

All sorts of subplots surround the deliberations of the Greek Parliament and where it all comes to a resting place is but the purview of the Gods of Olympus.

Since the rocks started rolling from the Greek hills, we've seen a planned referendum hailed and panned in the same breath,  the surprise moment from Greek Prime Minister  (for now) Papandreou a curious gambit that quickly got quashed after a summons to meet with Angela Merkel and Ncholas Sarkozy, the Euro tandem seemingly laying down the Euro law to their mischievous Greek ally.

From there we've seen any number os scenarios unfold, from a coalition government of unity (seemingly a non starter with the opposition) to a change in government with the Prime Minister to resign, in some quarters, even the whisper of a military coup wafted through the air, suggestive that the mess that is Greece may be beyond control now.

The EU has already advised that no further financial assistance will be provided to Greece until they have come to some kind of arrangement on the financial package originally arranged.

Add onto that the rumblings from the Euro partners that perhaps it's time to bid Greece avrio and let them count their own drachmas, while Europe tends to its own troubles and the scene seems set for a final showdown.

In the end, they may get pushed out or, the Greeks may take heart the words of Groucho Marx, with the declaration of "we wouldn't want to be a member of any club that would have us".

As events move forward and quickly so, Greece may end up the afterthought of the drama unravelling in Europe, for most of Europe the Greek situation seems so much old history, with Italy now the new potential tipping point for the grand experiment of European Unity.

Considering the rather melodramatic nature of Silvio Berlusconi's rule, there may be even more drama to come, this one from the Italian stage.

Either way, it would seem that things are going to be quite interesting among the ruins from the continent for more than a few months to come.


Gird for 'reasonably possible' Greek exit from euro zone, Flahtery tells G20
Disillusioned Greeks despair at political drama
Euro zone finds no new money for debt crisis at G20
G20 nations balk at investing in Europe's bailout fund
Things could get ugly' as Greece braces for confidence vote
Give up the euro might be the best move
Ottawa to Europe: Fix your own mess
Greece aims for crisis coalition
Greece may leave euro, leaders admit
Greece PM Papandreou faces knife-edge confidence vote
How Greece might leave the Euro?
Revenge of the Sovereign Nation
Europe falls victim to a classic Greek tragedy

They are the 23 per cent

They've redesigned the future seating plan for the House of Commons, an expansion that will reward Alberta for its population boom, add a bit for British Columbia for the same and provide for Ontario's population domination with more seating as well.

Ever mindful of the political ramifications of such seat shifting, the Conservatives have also proposed a modest increase for the Province of Quebec, one which will seemingly bring the province right on target should one follow the path of representation by population.

Quebec which at the moment makes up 23% of the nations population, will upon the delivery of additional space in the House of Commons, lay claim to 23 per cent of the seats in the people's chamber.

So, one has to wonder why the federal NDP seems to be sticking to their quest for perpetual seats, regardless of the ebb and flow of population in the country.

Clearly the short term benefit of their stand would be to reward the legions of voters that sent the Orange wave from Quebec off to Ottawa, a political meteorite that streaked across the Quebec sky last spring and pushed the NDP from perennial third party status to Her Majesties Loyal Opposition.

Much of that of course came on the strength of the personality of the late Jack Layton, and now those that seek to replace him appear ready to take up the challenge of permanent seats for Quebec, while the rest of the nation will remain along the the rep by pop dogma.

A move that perhaps won't resonate too well with the old line NDPers of the west, especially those Premiers and would be Premiers who still feel the odd pang of alienation from the nation's capital.

The House of Commons re-design has had varying degrees of reaction from coast to coast to coast, some of that can be found below.

Toronto Star-- Canada's unequal voters
Toronto Star-- Tories fall short in repairing democratic imbalance
Toronto Star-- Fixing our democracy
Toronto Star-- No so common math goes into new seat allocation
Calgary Herald-- Quebec still more equal than other provinces
Edmonton Journal-- Seat-allocation merry go round spins
Ottawa Citizen-- Musical seats
CBC-- 6 new B. C. MPs are not enough, says NDP
CBC-- Adding 30 new MPs to cost millions per year
Vancouver Sun-- BC gets short end of stick in new House of Commons plan
Montreal Gazette-- Three more ridings not enough, minister says
National Post-- More than fair to Quebec
Globe and Mail-- Harper quells unrest in Tory ranks to juggle seats in House
Globe and Mail-- In redrawing the House, Harper plays to Quebec
Globe and Mail-- Analysis shows Tories would benefit most from rebalancing plan
Globe and Mail-- Conservatives should not waver on rep-by-pop
Saskatoon Star Phoenix-- Adding seats a cynical tactic

The Princess Warrior and her quarry

Mayor Rob Ford of Toronto is trying to make for a bit of damage control these days, that after reviews of his X-rated, expletive deleted phone call to Toronto's 911 service began to surface.

Ford, seemingly in fear for his personal safety upon an ambush by Princess Warrior Marg of 22 Minutes fame, hightailed it back to the homestead to make a number of anxiety steeped phone calls to the emergency phone centre for Metro Police.

And, while as a parent, we can understand his concern over his six year old daughter who it seems was quite scared by all the commotion in the family driveway, perhaps his Worship could have handled it all with a wee bit less drama (and expletives).

We're still not quite sure why a fellow who seems to project the image of a man afraid of no one, would be reduced to the state of taking his fears out on a telephone operator.

Clearly the television cameras should have given him some understanding of what was going on and after safely returning his daughter to the home, one wonders why he didn't return to the driveway if for no other reason than  to explain to the crew of the CBC program the right and wrong time to launch an ambush interview.

There is some blame to be given to the program's producers,  while the ambush of politicians is always entertaining fare, and a particular feature of 22 minutes,  there are limits to that kind of project, escorting ones child down a driveway  should be a clue to producers that it's not the best time to launch the attack.

For the CBC which is finding itself under more and more scrutiny these days, whether from the pulpit addresses of Don Cherry, to what seems to be a blood feud with Quebecor, the attention to its guidelines in proper form of interview probably isn't timely.

 So with that out of the way, on to his worship, his reaction to the whole escapade certainly doesn't reflect well on his rather strong willed nature, in short, perhaps he should have Manned up and taken to the driveway to dress down the fashionably attired Princess Warrior.

Instead, a bad situation got a lot worse with his tirade to the 911 staff, a strange little display that surely have some of Toronto's voters wondering what the hell they were thinking on election day, or as the Mayor might say, what  the %$^# they were thinking.

Ford who seems to have all the social skills of a hermit crab, certainly hasn't won himself many fans over recent months and we imagine this latest event won't do much for the declining popularity.

All in all, we imagine that his phone skills will be under the microscope and resonate across the Toronto political scene for months, if not years to come.

To be honest though, we're rather surprised at his call to Metro Police for assistance,  as past precedence for Toronto's Mayors suggests that when put in a panic induced state, you skip the police and go straight to the Canadian Armed Forces...

It's said that for politicians, any publicity is good publicity as long as your name is spelled correctly, somehow we don't think that holds true for Mayor Ford in this instance.

Back a few decades ago, a popular acronym for FORD was FIX OR REPAIR DAILY, alluding to problems of the era with the automobile of the name. That Ford, now one of the leading car makers in the world repaired their image quite nicely.

This Ford, it would seem has a bit of work to do.


Globe and Mail-- The mayor, the ambush and the unfortunate F-bomb
Globe and Mail-- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford apologizes for profanity in 911 call
Globe and Mail-- Games people don't play: It's ulcer time at the CBC
Globe and Mail-- Why Rob Ford called 911 on CBC
National Post-- Rob Ford and the CBC's condescending inside baseball
National Post-- What the #!%* did Rob Ford say to the 911 operator?
National Post-- "I apologize for expressing my frustration inappropriately: Rob Ford
National Post-- Rob Ford makes a bad situation worse
CBC-- Rob Ford denies calling  911 dispatcher names
CBC-- Jian's essay on Rob Ford's 22 minutes of fame
Toronto Star-- Mayor to dispatch: I'm annoyed
Toronto Star-- Pressure mounts for Mayor Ford to release tape of 911 call
Toronto Star-- Who leaked mayor's 911 call?
Toronto Sun-- Ford miffed at CBC troupe
Toronto Sun-- Ford says he didn't swear at 911 dispatcher
Toronto Sun-- Ford's statement about CBC ambush, 911 call

Peter, row your boats ashore.

Peter McKay, or any other Federal cabinet minister may not have had much impact on the final decision to award shipbuilding contracts, (at least that seems to be the message of the transparency process outlined prior to the bid) but for the home folk in Nova Scotia it would seem that their favourite son has delivered the goods anyways.

Nova Scotia, as has been trumpeted the last few days, came out the big winner in the procurement-arama competition, landing the most valuable of the contracts offered out on Wednesday.

Halifax's Irving Shipyards was awarded the lucrative 25 billion dollar combat ship contract, to provide the latest in naval capabilities for the recently re-christened Royal Canadian Navy, and while the fleet will no doubt welcome the new and shiny vessels upon their delivery, Wednesday's announcement was of course much more than just rebuilding the fleet.

It's of course about jobs, high paying, technology laden jobs that will make the Irving shipyard and BC's Seaspan operation (Seaspan won the 8 billion dollar contract for non combat vessels) busy hives of employment for the next few decades.

The announcement was hailed in Nova Scotia as the kind of thing that will bring some of the diaspora of  Nova Scotians that have left the province cause to come back home.

Likewise, in British Columbia, the Premier who of late never misses an opportunity for a photo op, was equally effusive over the opportunities for British Columbia's Seaspan shipyard with the announcement.  It certainly offers up a bit of tangible job creation for her much touted jobs, jobs, jobs agenda of recent weeks.

Though it would seem that the way the process moved forward, that any actual credit for the announcement won't rest at the Premier's doorstep, rather, it is just a convenient opportunity that lands at her door in the nick of time.

For good measure, it was also revealed that any future BC Ferry fleet requirements would most likely  utilize British Columbia shipyards, perhaps a back door admission that the German built ferry procurement of a few years back wasn't the wisest of strategies for a corporation that depends on British Columbians for its livelihood.

And should there be troubles along the way in the always challenging industry of shipbuilding, the Canadian government has the right to take over either of the two shipyards to complete the jobs at hand, should either default on their contractual obligations. An insurance policy of sorts for their 33 billion dollar investment.

While the champagne corks were popping in Nova Scotia and British Columbia, there was a bit of a bitter taste for the workers at the Davie Shipyard in Quebec City, the frequently bankrupt yard has just begun the process of moving back into the no bankruptcy world, the prospects of a federal contract for naval ships a hopeful wish that didn't come to fruition.

The Parti Quebecois as would be expected has used the announcement as another example of how Quebec never gets a fair shake and another example of Jean Charest's inability to deliver jobs to Quebec.

The decision to award the contracts to Nova Scotia and British Columbia, is having it's impact on the Federal NDP and its large Quebec caucus as well, as the euphoria and sadness appears split upon regional lines.

But, time perhaps will heal all wounds, as the CBC frequently pointed out on Wednesday afternoon, in the post mortem of the big announcement, there is still a rather large refit and rejuvenation requirement for the current ships in the fleet, which of course will have to be upgraded while the new vessels come on stream.

The dollar figures haven't been released yet on that project, and probably they won't be in the range of the windfall for Nova Scotia and maybe not that of BC. But providing the Quebec yard can stay afloat until that tender goes out, that refit work could factor in as a consolation prize to the folks at Davie Shipyards and perhaps a lifeline for Jean Charest.

That announcement of course is for another day, perhaps when it is need most and will provide for the maximum impact.

The press release from the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy outlined the successful bidders, the result of its long running process to add to the marine infrastructure of the nation, the details of which can be discovered through its website.

The CBC offers up a helpful review of just what 33 billion is going to provide (see slideshow here)

Further discussion points on the decision of Wednesday can be found below.

Globe and Mail-- Halifax, Vancouver win $33 billion in shipbuilding sweepstakes
Globe and Mail-- N. S. and B. C. Premiers hail 'Olympic' shipbuilding victories
Globe and Mail-- How Ottawa will reveal shipbuilding winners to yards, Tories and public
Globe and Mail-- Harper's team keeps hands off $35 billion shipbuilding hot potato
Globe and Mail-- Stakes high as Nova Scotia, B. C. Premier lobby for shipbuilding contracts
Globe and Mail-- Billions in shipbuilding contracts will make waves for Harper
Globe and Mail-- Procurement politics: The ship stops here
Globe and Mail-- Long wait almost over for shipyards seeking $35 billion in federal bounty
Globe and Mail-- Secrecy shrouds Ottawa's imminent $35 billion shipyard announcement
National Post-- Hope they float
National Post-- Picking the boat builders
National Post-- Taxpayers, prepare to run aground
National Post-- Quebec loses out on ship contracts
National Post-- A no-win scenario on military spending
National Post-- Public Works, Harper not informed of $35B decision
National Post-- 'Chomping at the bit', Navy says
Toronto Star-- Two winners and one big loser in contest to build military ships
Toronto Star-- Conservatives sailing into rough seas over shipbuilding contracts
CBC-- Was Quebec ships bid sunk by history of red ink?
CBC-- Politics of shipbuilding mean rough seas for Harper
CBC-- Halifax, B. C. yards win shipbuilding work
CBC-- Ships to start in Halifax, but not yet
CBC-- Jubilation as Halifax Shipyard awarded contract
CBC-- B. C. shipyard awarded $8B shipbuilding contract
Vancouver Sun-- Jubilation greets $8-billion shipbuilding contract for B. C.
Vancouver Sun-- Post-secondary sector prepares for marine-trades boom
Vancouver Sun-- Deal with federal government pulls B. C. shipyard industry out of long slump
Vancouver Sun-- Jubilation greets $8 billion shipbuilding contract for B. C.
Vancouver Sun-- NDP leader's criticism of shipbuilding off target
Vancouver Sun-- East, West coasts win shipbuilding contracts, Quebec frozen out
Vancouver Sun-- PM tells Clark contracts will be awarded without political interference
Vancouver Sun-- B. C. pledges $40 million to back shipbuilding bid
Vancouver Sun-- Evaluation process took the politics out of shipbuilding contracts
Vancouver Sun-- Federal government braces for blowback on $35B shipbuilding contract
Vancouver Province-- Hypocritical hurrahs from B. C. Libs over shipbuilding win
Vancouver Province-- Massive windfall as B. C.'s Seaspan wins $8-billion ship-building contract
Vancouver Province-- Colleges and companies gear up to fill skills and materials for B.C. shipbuilders
Vancouver Province--- Seaspan deal feels like the good old days
Vancouver Province-- 'Positive ripple effects' from deal likely to last decades
Vancouver Province-- B. C. Libs breathe sigh of relief over Seaspan contract
Vancouver Province-- Shipbuilding bid aided by rival's woes

Not everyone is impressed with the Occupation

There's a case to be made that Canada's version of the Occupy (insert your town here) movement isn't carrying quite the gravitas as that of other nations.

Unlike Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and other parts of the European Union, our economic standing isn't quite in the midst of collapse, actually even compared to our neighbours to the south, Canadians for the most part are moving on with life as usual.

Unemployment in some locales is far too high and there is no doubt a growing number of the hidden unemployed that just don't count anymore, lost in the mystery zone of Stats Can statistical calculus, where leaving the EI rolls means you have been zapped away, out of sight, out of mind...

Still, all in all, compared to the rest of the world, Canada has fared the tumult better than most.

Hence, the regular crowd that seems to appear at all protests that have gathered this weekend past under the  Occupy banner.

Kelly McParland of the National Post offers up this review of their efforts in Toronto, a gathering, which in his mind, is one that really doesn't portend of a great movement at the moment.

Some of the other observations from the Occupation's front lines can be found below:

Globe and Mail-- Small group of 'Occupy Toronto' protesters gather outside the TSX
Globe and Mail-- Occupy movement a protest no politician can afford to ignore
Globe and Mail-- For the middle class, Occupy movement is a moment of decision
Globe and Mail-- Occupy: A movement in search of a destination
National Post-- Greed doesn't stop at the 1%
National Post-- Why they're 'occupying Wall Street'
National Post-- March of the global anarchy-crazies
National Post-- The Occupy movement finally comes home to Vancouver
National Post-- Occupy Wall Street protesters get things half right
National Post-- Occupy Wall Street: It's a symptom of something serious
Toronto Star-- Bay Street protest fizzles
Toronto Star-- Planned Bay Street protest divides Toronto activists
Toronto Star-- Occupy Toronto protesters settle in at St. James Park
Toronto Star-- Occupy Toronto: Copycat protest or the start of a true people's revolution
Toronto Star-- Voices from Occupy TO : Why they're protesting
Toronto Star-- Occupy Wall Street and the Canadian connections
Winnipeg Free Press-- Here as long as it takes
Winnipeg Free Press-- Social concerns occupy 'Peggers
Vancouver Sun-- Occupy Vancouver protest stretches in Sunday as protesters set up camp
Vancouver Sun-- 10 best Occupy Vancouver signs
Vancouver Sun-- Occupation could last for weeks say protesters
Vancouver Province--  Occupy Vancouver continues under 24/7 police presence
Vancouver Province-- Occupy Vancouver needs to be peaceful, protesters agree
Vancouver Province-- Occupy Vancouver promises whine-in
Vancouver Province-- Shared angst underscores Occupy Vancouver
Victoria Times Colonist-- Occupy Victoria protesters set up camp in Centennial Square
Victoria Times Colonist-- Occupy Victoria protest draws nearly 1,000 downtown
The Tyee-- Elites foolish to dismiss Occupy Wall Street
The Tyee-- Handful of BC cities set to be "occupied" on Saturday
The Tyee-- Strong labour presence at Occupy Vancouver
The Tyee-- Occupy Vancouver closely followed by BC bloggers, tweeters

And by their business cards, we shall know them!

While Major League Baseball is reaching the end of it's seasonal cycle, it's a new session of Parliament and with it the first brush back pitches of the new season of the Parliamentary hardball league.

Up to the Parliamentary plate steps John Baird, the Foreign Affairs Minister who seemingly has a fairly secure impression of his place in the pecking order at External, at least judging by the rather ostentatious nature of his official business cards.

Previous to today's debate, the pre session dynamics of Ottawa had focused on Billy Bishop McKay's frequent flyer points (Coast Guard helicopters on standby) but with word of Mr. Baird's fondness for gold embossed business cards, the focus has shifted a tad it seems.

Debate in the House of Commons on Friday offered up some contentious discourse as Liberal MP Scott Brisson waded into the Question Period debate with a few er, ahem, colourful observations on Mr. Brisson's fondness for gold.

So much for the prospect of a more civil approach to the issues of the day, it would seem that when in the sandbox that seems to be the House of Commons, the best approach is to dig in and toss some sand.

He's Topp of the list (for now)

The first of an anticipated rush of hats has been tossed into the NDP leadership campaign, as Brian Topp entered the leadership race on Monday, gaining the endorsement of longtime New Democrat and former leader Ed Broadbaent.

Topp is a bilingual Quebecker, the current President of the NDP and as the Executive Director of ACTRA the Alliance of Canada's Cinema, Television and Radio Artists.

In addition to his time as NDP President (which he will now relinquish) and ACTRA head, he can count on his resume his time spent in the fulcrum of Democratic Socialism that is Saskatchewan (serving government in the Roy Romanow era) as the Premier's deputy chief of Staff.

Word out of British Columbia that prior to today's decision, Topp had been tapped to help out BC NDP leader Adrian Dix in what at the time was thought to be a possible BC Election campaign (an event now seemingly deferred by Premier Clark)

He was a close confidant of Jack Layton, and in his remarks announcing his candidacy for the leadership he  outlined that while no one can clearly replace Jack Layton, it's his  hope and his goal to keep Layton's message alive into the next election.

In addition to counting on the support of former leader Ed Broadbent, Mr. Topp has also collected the backing of  Gatineau MP Francoise Boivin.

While he's first into the gate, there are any number of other potential NDP candidates for the leadership, a few familiar names in recent NDP history and no doubt, others that Canadians haven't met  as of yet.

New Democrats will meet in convention in Toronto on March 24th to select Jack Layton's replacement.

Some background on today's announcement.

Globe and Mail -- Brian Topp makes it official: He's running for NDP leader

Vancouver Sun-- Brian Topp first to announce bid to lead NDP

Maclean's-- Brian Topp, candidate

National Post-- Topp announces NDP leadership campaign

Toronto Star-- Brian Topp launches bid to be NDP leader

CBC-- Brian Topp first to declare for NDP leadership race

CTV-- Brian Topp announces plans to run for NDP leadership

Toronto Sun-- NDP's Brian Topp seeks top job

We don't need no stinkin' merger

The debate over the future of both the Liberal and NDP parties heated up this month, as both parties addressed the possible paths ahead.

The NDP suddenly thrust into a leadership campaign that was completely unthinkable less than three months ago, perhaps are a little taken aback that the calls for a merger with the Liberals has once again been thrust into the debate.

The Liberal side of the House of Commons has their own leadership concerns as well, interim leader Bob Rae ( a one time NDP leader in Ontario) trying his best it seems to try to keep the Liberals focused on the continuation of the Liberal brand, despite the inclinations of former MP's and a former Prime Minister.

The positives and negatives of the prospect of a merger are being debated, rebutted, argued and in some cases ignored completely,  the prospect of the two parties becoming one a non-starter for the more dedicated of each party.

It would seem that bringing the two factions to the same table is perhaps asking a little too much, the distinctive planks of the two parties may have a few similarities, but there are just as many opposing ideals, which to many suggest that there is no real common ground to expect a smooth and amenable union.

In the end, it seems as always in politics, money will be the determining factor, trumping idealism and political science.

As Chantal Hebert examined in the Toronto Star this week, just the whispers of a political merger between the NDP and the Liberals is shutting off the funding spigots for the Liberals, a warning shot perhaps that there will be a financial cost for those that are pushing for an accommodation with their socialist allies.

A warning shot if you will, that a good number of Liberals will vote with their feet and their wallets should the merger go ahead, a possibility that no doubt warms the cockles of a Tory Fundraisers heart we imagine.

Beyond that very real and definitive aspect of the merger mania of the last thirty days or so, the political talking points suggest that the Liberals, steeped in history as they are may in the end feel that the best course for their future is to revisit their past, reaffirm their Liberal roots and wait out the process of a leadership campaign and start anew, under their own agenda and without the different agendas that the NDP would bring into the tent.

Needless to say there has been much to review of the merger discussions, some of which you can track below. We will update developments are the returns come in.

September 10-- A Liberal-NDP merger would weaken both parties

September 8-- Sheila Copps has her Joe Clark moment 

September 8-- Merger talk threatens the Liberals' bank account

September 7-- Chretien's case of bad timing

September 7-- NDP's Topp attacks Rae, takes stand against merger with Liberals
September 7-- Seeking Liberal presidency, Sheila Copps vows to fight merger

September 7-- Lefties, a little progressive merger wouldn't hurt

September 6-- Liberal-NDP merger could 'come very quickly' Chretien predicts

September 2-- Liberals' best strategy is to wait for NDP decline

September 2-- CAW chief Lewenza urges NDP to consider merger with Liberals

September 1-- Move on folks, no mergers to be seen here

August 30-- Talk all you want - but Liberal and NDP pieces just won't fit

August 30-- Merger talk risk splitting NDP unity
August 30-- Bob Rae scoffs at Liberal-NDP merger fiction

August 29-- Talk of NDP-Liberal merger grows after Layton funeral

August 25-- A counterintuitive alternative to a Liberal-NDP merger

The Federal Parties: The Conservative Party

Links to items of interest about the Conservative Party

September 10-- Tory MP keeps foreign affairs role after "flirtatious" e mails...
September 10-- Canada's royal rebrand
September 9-- Tory MP apologizes for "flirtatious  emails to Chinese reporter
September 9-- Architects of Canada's anti-terror laws support Harper's plan to revive...
September 9-- U. S. Canada reach new security deal
September 9-- Ottawa vows action on jobs as hiring slumps
September 8-- Harper eyes job creation with softened tone on deficit
September 4-- Tories seek investigation of alleged NDP Elections Act violation
September 4-- Tories ask Elections Canada to investigate NDP over financing laws violation
September 3-- PMO appointment signals Quebec's fading presence
September 1-- Harper's new top messenger vows to treat Quebeckers with 'utmost respect'
September 1-- To Harper go spoils of Libyan victory

August 31-- Haper hires 'eminence grise' of ethnic media as communications chief
August 30-- With opposition parties in chaos, Tories focus on tone

The Federal Parties: The Liberal Party

Links to items of interest about the Liberal Party


September 10-- A Liberal-NDP merger would weaken both parties
September 8-- Sheila Copps has her Joe Clark moment 
September 8-- Merger talk threatens the Liberals' bank account
September 7-- Chretien's case of bad timing
September 7-- Seeking Liberal presidencey, Sheila Copps vows to fight merger
September 7-- Lefties, a little progressive merger wouldn't hurt
September 6-- Liberal-NDP merger could 'come very quickly' Chretien predicts
September 2-- Liberals' best strategy is to wait for NDP decline
September 2-- CAW chief Lewenza urges NDP to consider merger with Liberals
September 1-- Move on folks, no mergers to be seen here

August 31-- Rae targets Conservatives blasts Hudak's ''Tea Party' politics
August 30-- Talk all you want - but Liberal and NDP pieces just won't fit
August 30-- Bob Rae scoffs at Liberal-NDP merger fiction
August 29-- Fixing party structure difficult first step for Liberal rebuilding
August 29-- Talk of NDP-Liberal merger grows after Layton funeral

The Federal Parties: The New Democratic Party

Links to items of interest about the New Democratic Party


September 10-- A Liberal-NDP merger would weaken both parties
September 9-- NDP will choose new leader in Toronto next March
September 8-- NDP expects spring leadership convention in Ontario or Quebec
September 8-- Federal NDP rejects special role for unions in selecting leader
September 7-- Lefties, a little progressive merger wouldn't hurt
September 7-- NDP's Topp attacks Rae, takes stand against merger with Liberals
September 5-- NDP leadership drama is worthy of Shakespeare
September 5-- Chow insists NDP leadership 'not for me'
September 5-- Jack Layton's memory looms large at Toronto's Labour Day parade
September 4-- NDP solidarity cracks over rule of unions in picking leader
September 4-- Olivia Chow rules out leadership bid
September 4-- Olivia Chow won't seek late husband Jack Layton's job of NDP leader
September 4-- NDP does some soul-searching on the role of labour in the party
September 4-- NDP firebrand toots his own horn
September 4-- Firebrand Muclair is the best bet to take on Harper
September 3-- MP Nathan Cullen comtemplating a run at federal NDP leadership
September 2-- Former Cree leader joins list of potential candidates for NDP top job
September 2-- Delay NDP leadership race or I'm not running, Muclair says
September 2-- CAW chief Lewenza urges NPD to consider merger with Liberals
September 1-- Move on folks, no mergers to be seen here

August 31-- Lacking members, NDP's Quebec wing seeks delayed leadership vote
August 31-- The NDP's game before the leadership game
August 31-- Public grief over Layton puts NDP even with Tories in poll
August 30-- NDP leadership race should be open and competitive
August 30-- Muclair mulls NDP leadership run
August 30-- Talk all you want - but Liberal and NDP pieces just won't fit
August 30-- Merger talk risk splitting NDP unity
August 30-- Bob Rae scoffs at Libera;-NDP merger fiction
August 30-- Thomas Muclair concedes he's 'thinking' about NDP leadership bid
August 28-- NDP leadership race effectively starts now
August 26-- Brian Topp vows to step aside as NDP president if he seeks leadership
August 26-- Who is NDP leadership contender Brian Topp?
August 25-- A counterintuitive alternative to a Liberal-NDP merger