Jerry J. Fortin

Well said, and I agree. Here in Alberta we have let bad events in the past colour our views of the present and future. I think that the proper way to go is to seek the changes we desire through cooperative efforts during First Ministers meetings. To date our efforts at the fed level have proven to be far less than what we desire. We need to try something different. All Canadians share much common ground from coast to coast to coast and there is no reason to believe that we cannot work together to make things better. There is no doubt in my mind that many Canadians feel the feds are just not doing what needs to be done and that is reflected in the reality that nobody seems to trust any of the party leaders to any substantive degree. That tells me that the way forward is not through the traditional federal channels but instead through the back door of equal partners in the First Ministers format.

Well said! In the end that was in fact proven out when they were soundly defeated. However, during their time they brought in the GST and NAFTA which were decidedly right wing in the implementation of those systems. Which may or may not have played into their demise. They were determined to be too far to the right for the Quebec caucus which abandoned ship and formed the Bloc. I suppose it is a matter of perception.

Perhaps, but we seem to complain about that too!

In my mind each province is distinct. I like that! Each has their good sides and their bad. Then there is the federal government, it is suppose to be the bridge that provides the means for like minded folks to form a union that makes us a nation. The bridge is old and need of repair, we can all see that but we don't seem to do much about it. I would prefer a newer bridge, but I can live with just fixing the old one. It would be cheaper and it would preserve a political landmark which is something else I can live with. This nation was once proud and free, and I would like to see it that way again. Yet I am ready to pull up stakes and move to greener pastures if need be. The nation requires care and attention, which some people declare to be whining. A nation is not a static feature, it is a dynamic relationship that like any other relationship requires maintenance. The rise of vocal opposition to programs, policies and services should be viewed in a light that is positive, not negative. Those voices seek to not merely preserve and protect but enhance and strengthen the nation. Those voices do not seek to tear down but instead to build up. It is far easier to destroy something than to create it, and those voices desire to create.

There are indeed lots of sheeple in Canada. You know the kind, the blind followers who take the easy road because they can. The folks that take this path lack courage and foresight. These are the people who would have a nice and safe static political environment. They are the same group of folks who argued against Churchill in the 30's. Appeasement is a foolish policy direction to take that can and has cost lives. The only thing certain in politics is change. Sometimes for the better and sometimes not, yet it is in fact certain. That is how the world works. Change is certain, you can bank on it. It is interesting to see people calling others whiners for simply stating their views. Rather arrogant and even delusional in the view that they can sit in judgment of others for speaking their mind. Not exactly a shining example of the Canadian ability to respect the differences of people and revel in them as a positive diversion from the norms of our insulated lives. Yet that is their right, and I respect that.

Its fun to beat up CBC! Yet I think if folks looked into its history a little their views may change. The CBC has been a positive influence for the nation. It has supported a Canadian identity in the media and it has left its mark on our society. We would have been rolled over by the USA in media terms long ago if not for the CBC. It has proven to be an expensive operation, of that I have no doubt.

My generation are now retiring in droves. There will be a paradigm shift in political policies because of it. The danger of course is steady swing left or a steady swing right. Ideologies are fun to consider and play with, but the reality of politics is far different. Once the elections are over, its just a government doing day to day things to keep the lights on and the citizens happy. I think that the future of politics in this nation will be focused on provincial politics. The rise and evolution of confederation "Canadian style" is where things are going. Quebec was the leader in this, but they will not be alone. Alberta is making lots of noise already and more will follow over time.

I was a Liberal for years. Then I woke up. I am an avowed independent now, I support no specific party and will vote for whomever I chose to.

The Bloc was a provincial response to Mulroney. They simply didn't like the right wing agenda, likely because they are more European in their political views. Perhaps more cosmopolitan is a better description. Unfortunately for the rest of the nation, that is an expensive decision, and fortunately for Quebec the entire nation gets to foot the bill for it. I am more of pay as you go kinda guy, if you can't pay for it then don't borrow to buy it. I know that is kinda backward but especially in political terms within the current financial environment it makes sense to me. I will label the cause of our current financial problems on the Regeanomics of the 80's. Planning to finance debt through growth is fine for business, but it is not exactly functional when using the peoples money for a government. That would represent gambling in my view which is not where you want a government to go. Quebec has gambled and won, so my argument doesn't have much credibility, even so I think it is still valid. Quebec is a real problem spot within confederation, yet it should not be. When you read about how the system was designed to work you really begin to wonder how we got to the here and now of things. We are supposed to be equal partners in confederation, yet the way the system applies itself through Parliament that is proven very wrong. Numbers do the talking and democracy rules! We have not and never will be equals within confederation. The only cure for that problem is to empower the provinces to a much greater degree. Let the provinces determine their own fate, yet at the same time the entire concept of equalization looms over our heads. The Bloc works for Quebecers because it puts them ahead of all other Canadians. Quebec first. They are not anti-Canadian but they view themselves as French-Canadians. They are different in their eyes, and they want to preserve that view, hence the support of the Bloc. No fools these folks. Canada needs to change. It needs to embrace the political reality of Quebec. It is a nation within a nation, you simply can't tell them what to do. I order to deal with Quebec you need to keep in mind the First Ministers role in our society because that is where confederation really lives. It is where Quebec has only one voice and it is where all provinces are truly equal. The fed role in that situation is very limited, outnumbered as they are by the provinces. This is the flaw of Canadian federalism and it is why the federal government doesn't exactly embrace the process because the know they are vulnerable there. The provinces are really in control of things, and I think that is a good thing. So much so that I think it is the real answer to Quebec or even my own province of Alberta. The Government of Canada has about as much power as we allow them to from all that I have read. The provinces are indeed limited in the areas they can control, but they can get together and force the issues if they want. Thaqt is what I hope eventually happens, its time to marginalize the feds.

Iggy has not been tested as a leader yet. He soon will be, and the result will determine his future in politics.

Imagine what would happen if Ontario spawned their own federal party!

Those numbers spell big trouble for the Conservatives. With a lead in only Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba they will loss their minority government without doubt.

The political parties will not, but in this case Parliament will. This will become a firestorm, Harper will claim security reasons and the opposition will claim privilege until they are blue in the face. The result will be a media marvel! I will enjoy watching how this unfolds.

Not a damned thing has ended. What have just experienced is a beginning. Not of the end but of an age. We are now entering the age of transnational corporatism and all that goers with it. Business is calling the ball, governments will soon find themselves influenced by their debt loads. Many decisions will be made for financial reasons and not the reasons of the people.

Jaffer has had several days! Many of those were an affront to justice in my opinion. The man was caught driving drunk and in possession of cocaine. He cheated his constituents and was called on that as well. He has lied in front of a Parliamentary Committee and was called on that. He attempted to profit from his political connections and has been called on that. How or why can this man be trusted?

I think that if the speaker dares to rule against the Prime Minister a political firestorm will occur.

This is growing into a scandal and perhaps rightly so as it involved a cabinet member. So far it has not seemed to have adverse impact to the government, but only time will tell. This appears to be another stinky mess and the number of those seem to be adding up.

If that is the charge, guilty is the only verdict.

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that Harper isn't dumb enough to lay his junk on a table and hand a hammer to his political opposition? Keep in mind that the ex minister was either fired or resigned their position over allegations now in the process of being investigated by the RCMP. Even Harper considered the issues to be of a serious enough nature to walk into a political fire storm, he did it to cover his own behind. There was little else he could do. The person in question has a spouse with issues, and as a matter of fact, issues of their own. Not the kind of person to be placed in a position of responsibility. In any case this could well be the next nail in the coffin of bad judgment that Harper has been collecting. I believe he knows that the citizens carry the hammer, and I would expect him to act accordingly over the next days and weeks to come.

I don't like the way this topic is going! Do you people not realize that the military follows orders and procedures established by the government? The Canadian Armed Forces does what its told to do. They don't have the luxury of questioning their instructions, because in their line of work they are orders to be obeyed. Its not all that complicated, you tell the soldiers what to do and they will literally die trying to fulfill those instructions. Lets not mistake the true issue here, and that is the source of the instructions.

Until such time as the case has been investigated by the RCMP the public will have to live with assumptions. Even then, we may never have access to all the facts if there are no charges laid. Only after charges have been made will we find out what they are, that is a given because that is how the system works. The government and the cops can't say a damned thing until after any charges are proven or not proven in a court of law. All we can reasonably expect is to find out what charges, if any, are made after an investigation. Harper didn't bring this on himself, his minister or her spouse did, or at least that is the only logical conclusion that can be made. Harper has acted in proper fashion so far, and cannot be expected to comment upon things under investigation. That leaves hum in a large pile of smelly stuff, I guess it sucks to be him. All the opposition parties can have as much fun as they want with this at Harper's expense. Harper's political credit card may yet get maxed out with this, its hard to say for sure. At any rate this is scandal number five or six with lots of time left in his mandate to go. The opposition would be foolish to force an election at this point and I for one don't expect them too. Their best play is to stretch this out and add it to the stack of issues to hold over Harper's head. Before they can hope to win, the opposition needs to discredit Harper. Its all good for the opposition these days it seems and the government is having a hard time.

There is a very fine line between national security and the true need for secrecy is some specific respects. That does not mean that a government may violate the laws and traditions of the land without oversight, and that is where Parliament comes into play. The public interest being the focus of the government, must be considered to be contained within the laws of the land. Not even the government is allowed to violate the law. The laws of this land contain the allowable actions available to the government with respect to foreign policy application. Parliament is where the voice of the people can be heard, and it is where the will of the people is determined. No government action should be hidden from the Parliament of Canada, yet within that legislative body internal security must be maintained.

Then they are not really good enough, are they?

I am pretty sure that the RCMP will make a decision one way or another. Once called in its hard to call them off. Harper is in a bad position to be sure, but even so he cannot really be faulted for the way he has handled the situation. She is gone only after he is convinced that there is something worthy of investigation. He stood up for his people, nothing wrong there.

At night he talks to his mother and dead dogs?