Near Ottawa City Hall at the corner of Cooper and Cartier Streets lived an unforgettable prime minister, Charles Tupper. His grand home like so much of the city’s architectural heritage is gone. Yet Tupper is oddly immortal. He once punched a man who interrupted his Bible reading. His autograph lists on eBay for $4,950. READ MORE
They don’t make British Columbia premiers like they used to. Richard McBride was the first to build his own navy, the first to create a university. “Any complaints?” he asked voters. McBride was so sentimental that, when confronted by a petitioner with a son in the penitentiary – “He is only a boy, Mr. McBride, and meant no harm” – he gave the woman $20. He was a glad-handing spendthrift who cheerfully accepted a case of Old Curio Whiskey from lobbyists, and told British Columbians: “Let everyone wear a smile.” In Boundless Optimism biographer Patricia Roy captures the forgotten genius and sinfulness of this flawed man who campaigned by stagecoach and ruled for three terms. READ MORE
Opposition MPs last evening called for disclosure of a secret audit on millions in cost overruns for one of cabinet’s signature programs, the Canada Dental Care Plan. A summary referred to soaring administration charges: 'Just so we’re clear, this is to produce information that has been hidden from Canadians.' READ MORE
The Department of Natural Resources yesterday denied any favouritism in financing a Nova Scotia wind farm benefiting friends of the Liberal Party. “There is no conspiracy here,” said Minister Tim Hodgson. READ MORE
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson yesterday blamed war in the Middle East for Canada’s housing crisis. Speaking in the Commons. Robertson stopped short of explaining the connection amid jeers from MPs: "Wow." READ MORE
The Department of Public Works yesterday disclosed billions in emergency loans for Canada Post do not carry any deadline for repayment. The open-ended financing means “taxpayers will be responsible,” Conservative MP Kelly Block (Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek, Sask.) told the Commons government operations committee: "Where exactly are you getting the money?" READ MORE
Senators are seeing overwhelming support for a private bill to proclaim the Whiskey Jack as Canada’s national bird. Ornithologists and birders including Grammy-award winner Anne Murray petitioned the Senate to celebrate the rugged bird also known as the Canada Jay: "I think it’s time Canada had a national bird." READ MORE
The Charter Of Rights in Canada is all about minority rights, not majority rights. The idea that Parliament wants to deal with all these difficult issues is simply a fiction. There’s been a lot of criticism of so-called judicial activism. This is but one example. They said we were reckless. I realized the sky was not going to fall. I mean, there are times when the courts have to act. To me it was an issue we didn’t need to go on debating indefinitely.
