When Russia places a flag on the floor of the Arctic Sea, when its bombers approach Canadian airspace, and when espionage allegations involve Russia it is most certainly newsworthy. The Canadian-Russian rivalry is well known and seems unlikely to change. But does it have to be this way? At least one Russian opposition leader says it doesn’t.
Walk on the Wild Side – Not for goats
Environment Minister Peter Kent gave the go ahead to a futuristic see through spacey looking skywalk to be built in Jasper National Park today. Apart from the obvious concerns about shepherding vertiginous wobbly legged visitors onto a see through glass-like platform high above the ice fields there has been controversy over its actual construction…and the impact on goats. Read more…
Liberals fret over seat redistribution
Liberal reform critic Stephane Dion and MP Marc Garneau offered up some vague warnings Thursday that the Conservatives might be ready to meddle in the redrawing of electoral boundaries.
Federal electoral districts are reviewed after each 10-year census to reflect changes and movements in Canada’s population. This time around, 30 seats will be added to the House of Commons in a bid to ensure certain regions and provinces aren’t underrepresented.
Statistics Canada released its population census data Wednesday, setting off a 60-day countdown to establish independent boundary commissions in all 10 provinces to aid in redrawing those boundaries.
Certainly, looking at the results of the last election – and the numbers contained in the census release Wednesday – the Liberals have little to gain under the seat redistribution. Of the 30 seats being added to the House of Commons in the 2015 elections, a rash of them are likely to be created in areas that vote Conservative regularly or that voted Conservative on May 2, 2011. The Tory vote has consolidated in areas where Canada is experiencing population growth – the West, the 905 area code around Toronto, for example.
Two minutes of politics, February 9
I wonder if we should send someone to check on Nycole Turmel? She must be feeling quite weird since the Toronto Star (that famous right-wing paper) released the results of a public opinion poll showing that a majority of Canadians favour the death penalty.
Prince Harry shows the way
Prince Harry, grandson of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, will be returning to active service in Afghanistan as a newly qualified Apache attack helicopter copilot gunner. Meanwhile his brother William, Duke of Cambridge and 2nd in line to Canada’s throne, is on active service as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot. Those who say the monarchy is obsolete and its members out of touch might ask how many members of Canada’s elected political elite and their backroom associates can boast two children, or grandchildren, performing perilous military duties.
Whatever you do, do NOT show this to Dalton McGuinty
Or any other a-helmet-for-every-sport politician, really. Next thing you know they’ll try to ban swimming at the cottage.
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — When you head down to the beach for a little fun this summer, county officials want you to leave the pigskin at home.
The Board of Supervisors this week agreed to raise fines to up to $1,000 for anyone who throws a football or a Frisbee on any beach in Los Angeles County.
In passing the 37-page ordinance on Tuesday, officials sought to outline responsibilities for law enforcement and other public agencies while also providing clarification on beach-goer activities that could potentially disrupt or even injure the public.
The updated rules now prohibit “any person to cast, toss, throw, kick or roll” any object other than a beach ball or volleyball “upon or over any beach” between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Exceptions allow for ball-throwing in predesignated areas, when a person obtains a permit, or playing water polo “in or over the Pacific Ocean”.
It will also be illegal for your kids to dig holes in the sand deeper than 18 inches. Unless of course the hole is for a movie or a TV show. This is L.A., after all…
Two minutes of politics, February 8
It’s fascinating to see the evolution of America politics. From “All politics is local” to today’s cultural wars via Bill Clinton’s famous “It’s the economy, stupid”, our neighbours to the south have always enjoyed vigorous debates and turbulent politics. And even though I find the Republican presidential generally uninspiring, I enjoy watching how various issues – everything from the economy to religious freedoms to political culture – are having an impact on the race.
