Since the publication of my book Rogue in Power, I have called the attention of my readers to two main points. First, I wanted to underline the significance of a mass vote against the Conservatives, taking into account the particularities of each riding. Second, I invited the members of civil society to imagine today what kind of mobilization we will need after the elections. In essence, even if we imagine that Stephen Harper and his team lose the next elections, which I highly doubt, we will need to do a lot of work to rebuild the Canadian institutions and democratic practices needed for the maintenance of the rule of law.
liberals
Access-to-medicine bill is mired in Parliamentary red tape
A parliament battle currently raging gives the impression that the Conservative government isn't keen on delivering affordable drugs to children dying from HIV in the rest of the world.
Of course, many members of the public disagree, especially the 30,261 signatories of a petition calling for the government to support Bill C-393.
2.jpg "David Climenhaga, author of the Alberta Diary blog, is a journalist, author, journalism teacher, poet and trade union communicator who has worked in senior writing and editing positions with the Toronto Globe and Mail and the Calgary Herald. His 1995 book, A Poke in the Public Eye, explores the relationships among Canadian journalists, public relations people and politicians. He left journalism after the strike at the Calgary Herald in 1999 and 2000 to work as Communications Director of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, which with more than 73,000 members is Alberta’s largest union and Canada’s 10th largest. Alberta Diary focuses on Alberta politics and social issues. Contact: albertadiary @ gmail.com")
Young blood for shaky Grits, but no government-in-waiting
The Liberals win byelections in Yarmouth and Glace Bay with bright young fellows. Is something going on in our politics? The Liberals on the march, perhaps, against a fading NDP?
Let's inquire.
It is a marvellous victory for the Liberals -- especially in Glace Bay where logic would have dictated that they'd be in bad odour because a sitting Liberal resigned amid scandal. It's especially good for Stephen McNeil, whose iffy status as leader is firmed up.
But I wonder. How long is the idealism of two bright young fellows going to last sitting around with some of the old horses in the Liberal caucus? Will they end up like most of them -- locally strong MLAs in a party that doesn't really have a core?
Send a letter to Harper and McGuinty protesting closure of Electro-Motive plant in London
Outraged at Caterpillar's closing of Electro-Motive's London, Ontario plant? Disgusted by the lack of action on this by the Harper government, and the government in Ontario? Tell them what you think. Send Harper and McGuinty a letter today using this form.
For more on this issue read rabble's Labour Issue page.
Two steps backwards for the Liberals
Once upon a time there was a Liberal party. The new party president, Mike Crawley, elected this past weekend at the party convention in Ottawa, thinks it needs to change. It is not enough to say "national" and "plan" every time we are confronted with an issue, he opined.
The Liberal party must move beyond its membership, the convention delegates decided on the weekend. From now on, anyone prepared to say they "support" the party will be able to vote in the next party leadership contest. Outsiders will be invited to discuss policy with Liberal caucus members, along with party members.
