The DAILY DIGEST: INFORMATION and OPINION from ST. JOHN'S to VICTORIA.
ARCHIVED at http://cdndailydigest.blogspot.com/
BUDGET- all 317 news articles » ARCHIVED at http://cdndailydigest.blogspot.com/
Leaders gather for crucial talks
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/571854
Harper, premiers talk big economic bailout
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090116/national/20090116first_ministers
Conservatives sharpen message on `recovery plan' budget
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/572046
Shape up shipyard, workers tell Ottawa
Politicians, union leaders join tradesmen in urging Ottawa to spend billions on shipbuilding
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1101010.html
Colour the budget green
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/571781
Premiers armed with ideas for talks with PM
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090116.wprems0116/BNStory/politics/home
Anxious Canadians tell Tories to spend
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090115.wpoll16/BNStory/politics/home
Clement, Lord push for boost to broadbandComment7
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090116.wbroadband16/BNStory/politics/home
Bad news for optimists: Expect a 'slow' recovery
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090115.wcosimp16/BNStory/specialComment/home
Provincial leader to Harper: Don't ignore the lobsters
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090116/canada/canada_us_economy_lobsters
Relief coming to middle class: PM
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/01/16/harper-budget.html
Money will flow quickly for infrastructure: Baird
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090115/Premiers_demands_090116/20090116?hub=Canada
U.S. recovery key to revival of economy in Canada
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/572036
Bad news for optimists: Expect a 'slow' recovery
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090115.wcosimp16/BNStory/National/columnists
EDITORIAL PAGEs
ST.JOHN'S TELEGRAM -
Idealism can be a luxury
http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=211614&sc=80
CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN -
Basic rules for payday lending
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=211696&sc=103
HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD -
Imported brake pads need to be safety tested
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1100989.html
MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Hate-mongers taint anti-Israel protests
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/Hate+mongers+taint+anti+Israel+protests/1182773/story.html
OTTAWA CITIZEN -
Open-book government
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/Open+book+government/1182872/story.html
KINGSTON WHIG STANDARD-
BLAME DRINKER, NOT THE SERVER
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1390368
End fighting in hockey
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1390350
Guarding our sovereignty
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1390388
TORONTO STAR -
Big and small in infrastructure
Big and small in infrastructure
The 905 homeless
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/571869
GLOBE & MAIL -
Be ready for more than shovels
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090115.weInfrastructure16/BNStory/specialComment/home
Hard lesson for Hamas
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090115.weIsrael16/BNStory/specialComment/home
Peril of exclusion
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090115.weArabs16/BNStory/specialComment/home
TORONTO SUN
Build it, but build it smart
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2009/01/16/8040676.html
NIAGARA FALLS REVIEW -
Hillary sounds just like Harper
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1390478
K-W RECORD -
Who's responsible when drivers drink?
http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/472842
WINDSOR STAR -
Truck contract: The answer isn't simple
http://www.windsorstar.com/opinion/editorials/Truck+contract/1183712/story.html
SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
Brazeau poor First Nations rep on Senate
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=607bb54a-11e5-4e62-a325-99bba1aecd6c
Spend to train workers needed to build projects
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=6458f95c-e6c3-46c3-b27f-bb60684b47aa
Strike against sexism
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=939cb394-8714-47fb-9040-01d16f9f20c3
Unions their own worst enemy
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=3214e80b-20c3-41e6-b053-e38510d02af3
REGINA LEADER-POST -
Failure of leadership threatens FNUniv
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=b3a99e1a-bd80-45df-8801-24316452a2bd
Palestinian civilians feel Israel's wrath
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=634fed32-a737-484b-8979-48fba4137ba1
Smith's early release raises valid questions
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=d8b600e1-3de6-471d-b562-b19fbcea5e2a
CALGARY HERALD -
Alberta unwise to slam door on negotiating
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=44eb117d-63f4-44be-bf2c-0dbde1c56a49
Don't blame me, I'm just the drunk driver
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=eb4c19ee-e34c-44db-bad9-17c04180f1d1
EDMONTON JOURNAL -
Private fears about public ownership
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/Private+fears+about+public+ownership/1183482/story.html
LETHBRIDGE HERALD -
Canada needs national securities regulator
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/content/view/23153/56/
RED DEER ADVOCATE -
Chance to bring Obama up to speed
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/opinion/Chance_to_bring_Obama_up_to_speed.html
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN -
Drilling for dollars
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20090115170120/local/news/drilling-for-dollars.html
VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Sea kittens? Oh, PETA
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=dd0d9509-d3e2-402b-93d6-63c7b023ae85
The cost of cuts to legal aid plan
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=4260ec35-b9eb-43a3-afb5-d17db990cc8a
On welfare: Smarter, better work needed
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=edc7aa96-a5b5-42b6-aea7-211d4a164cef
A single securities regulator good news for investors
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=3225e743-99e3-4419-83ca-49f9564013f1
ISSUES
AFGHANISTAN -
US Strikes More Precise on al Qaeda
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/16/us-strikes-home-in-on-al-qaeda-kill-8-leaders/
Resistance to US Plan for Afghanistan
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/15/AR2009011504198.html
CANUSA/USACAN -
PM, Obama could easily settle feud over Arctic
http://www.vancouversun.com/Technology/Obama+could+easily+settle+feud+over+Arctic/1183244/story.html
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS -
Gas prices are rising while crude prices are falling. What gives?
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090116/national/20090116gasoline_prices
Interprovincial labour mobility, yes. Lower standards, no.
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/571853
Detroit's hybrid nightmare
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/01/13/peter-foster-detroit-s-hybrid-nightmare.aspx
Electric-car recharge stations planned for Ontario
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090116/canada/canada_us_autos_electric
FOREIGN AFFAIRS -
Obama and Gaza
Eric Margolis: Israel has handed the Obama administration a 'fait accompli' Pt. 3/3 view
Superpower strategy runs out of gas
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/KA17Ag01.html
Old battles, new contenders in the Gulf
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KA17Ak02.html
Fade out
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KA17Ak01.html
Yes, he did
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/KA17Aa01.html
Hope for India's 'broken' Buddhists
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KA16Df03.html
Gaza & The One-World Media's Propaganda
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/7635
ISRAEL BOMBS UN HQ IN GAZA
http://www.paperarticles.com/2009/01/israel-bombs-un-hq-in-gaza.html
Peace. Propaganda and the Promised Land
http://pacificfreepress.com/news/1/3608-peace-propaganda-and-the-promised-land.html
HEALTH CARE RELATED -
Commonly combined blood pressure drugs shouldn't be taken together
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jZEtxIYWeWF3gJqvvNEGBU92_t6g
POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES -
Premiers, PM reach labour mobility deal
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/01/16/ministers-economy.html
Don't count on Alberta to bail us out
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=4d101068-b063-4e5f-9686-b1e6c3626272
FEDERAL POLITICS -
Liberals gain but still trail ruling Tories
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090116/canada/canada_us_politics
Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks with The Post's John Ivison
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2009/01/15/q-amp-a-prime-minister-stephen-harper-speaks-with-the-post-s-john-ivison.aspx
Just which party is Ignatieff trying to improve?
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/01/16/steve-janke-just-which-party-is-ignatieff-trying-to-improve.aspx
Coalition gov't still a possibility, Ignatieff says
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=d06db20f-8d96-4c84-b9da-b2236a013d91
Ignatieff launches his charm offensive in Quebec
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Ignatieff+launches+charm+offensive+Quebec/1182782/story.html
Ignatieff nimbly balances on Quebec's tightrope
http://www.thestar.com/Canada/Columnist/article/572045
PROGRAMMES -
Conservatives face test on foreign investment rules
Technology, jobs could fall into hands of other countries
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Business/Conservatives+face+test+foreign+investment+rules/1182917/story.html
Ottawa taking steps to ease flow of credit to businessesTechnology, jobs could fall into hands of other countries
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Business/Conservatives+face+test+foreign+investment+rules/1182917/story.html
http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=1181578
Sale of Nortel assets to test Ottawa
http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=1181432
Cut red tape and let money flow, Harper told
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/572044
Ottawa fails to follow through on toxics review
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090116.wbpanew16/BNStory/National/home
PRESSURE POINTS -
Fish poop fights climate change
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Technology/Fish+poop+fights+climate+change/1183373/story.html
OPINION AND INFORMATION -
Put MPs in the cheap seats
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/541825
PM times his fight for national regulator
Stephen Harper has driven a wedge between Quebec and rest of Canada
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/496482
Sir John A. Macdonald's lessons for Michael Ignatieff
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/01/16/thomas-axworthy-how-to-revive-the-liberals.aspx
In tough economic times, Obama can learn from FDR
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/571855
People of Israel value human life
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/497160
Canada's appointed Senate functions just fine the way it is
http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/472912
Be careful with infrastructure
http://www.ottawasun.com/Comment/2009/01/16/8040761-sun.html
Techno-fix du jour
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Life/Canada+finest+moment/1182875/story.html
Steve, don't be a Grit-wit
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/2009/01/16/8041621-sun.html
INFOS -
Stephen Harper reçoit ses homologues... et leur liste
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/16/01-818137-stephen-harper-recoit-ses-homologues-et-leur-liste.php
Baisse d'impôts généralisée: Campbell d'accord avec Harper
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/16/01-818213-baisse-dimpots-generalisee-campbell-daccord-avec-harper.php
Les conservateurs de Montréal ont peur d'être abandonnés
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/16/01-818170-les-conservateurs-de-montreal-ont-peur-detre-abandonnes.php
L'ONU touchée à Gaza
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/16/227672.html
Budget fédéral - Les provinces disent non aux baisses d'impôt
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/16/227673.html
Divergences budgétaires
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/National/2009/01/16/002-federal-provinces-budget.shtml
Les autochtones réclament trois milliards
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/16/227667.html
Ignatieff se défend d'avoir débauché un conseiller de Harper
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/16/227664.html
Michael Ignatieff à Vancouver
Conserver et créer des emplois
http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/colombie-britannique/2009/01/15/002-Ignatieff-Vancouver_n.shtml
Ottawa souhaite moins de contrôles
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/environnement/2009/01/14/001-environnement-ottawa-LCPE.shtml
Les maires des grandes villes demandent de la souplesse et de la rapidité
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090115/N0115127AU.html
L'UNICEF demande au Canada d'appuyer la santé des jeunes mères
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090115/N0115117AU.html
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From: "Anne Dickinson" Hi Joe-
The world watches while children, like broken rag dolls, lie in the rubble in Gaza, and it is shrugged off while our government mouths platitudes.
This shameful chapter reveals the hypocrisy of our"western" governments under the the bloodstained
.gaurdianship of the Bush/Blair world view . No matter how much we in North America put our fingers in our ears
to drown out the rest of the world and prate about our love of democracy, what we are doing speaks so much
louder than what we are saying.
Srurely if there had been a will,any real effort, there could have been something done before now. The foot dragging carries the message that these people and these dead children don't really count.Their deaths are acceptable.
I understand and share your outrage Becky and frustration with this situation and our governments
cheeleading from the sidelines. However. there is a big difference between the actions of the hardliners in the
govenrment and the Jewish faith,as I am sure you know.
Just as the war in Northern Ireland had little to do with religion and a lot to do with tribal hatreds and poitics.
Anne Dickinson
===================================
From: Ron Thornton
Joe:
I really appreciate hearing from Brian Marlatt. The man makes a guy think, and isn't that what this forum is all about? In our debate in regards to the Senate, I was very interested in the article Brian linked entitled "Australian Senate A Recipe For Disaster." For those who took a moment to read the article, it points out that any political model could be improved upon.
Without set election dates, where the government could fall prematurely due to a vote of non-confidence or impasse, I find it strange that Australian Senators would have six year terms, compared to the three for its version of our Commons, its House of Representatives. You would think all who serve in Parliament should face the electorate in order to serve in the next Parliament, regardless if they served in the Senate or the House. Both should face the same fate if the government falls, but that oversight in the Aussie model has caused them no end of grief.
A reduction or alteration of the Senate's powers might also assist in improving it, both Australia's and in a reformed version of our own. If the Senate's ability to debate money bills is an issue, then you remove that power. If the Senate's ability to delay a bill is a problem, then provide a time limit for it to act. If it fails to do so within the time requirements, then view its inaction as constituting its approval. In short, if it needs fixing, then fix it instead of abandoning it out of hand. If we used the same logic on our cars, we would be driving something different every year or two.
Unfortunately, the article touts proportional representation as the cure. A system where party lists, where the party itself determines the order of precedence as to whom might be elected, instead of individuals facing the electorate to determine their fate, would seem a less democratic, less representative system of government than even that we currently enjoy.
Brian mentions that by making the Senate elected and responsible, we would turn it in to a partisan institution, but isn't it that already? Senators arrive, for the most part, representing one political party or another and past experience shows that it can and has been quite partisan in its actions. The "sober second thought" myth about the Senate almost makes it seem like a review board of the actions of the House of Commons. If that is so, then can anyone name any specific incidents where the views of the Senate, the result of its sober second thought, in any way tempered the actions of the government of the day?
Brian suggests that "Few acts could pose a greater threat to national unity or political stability within Canada today or at Confederation than to make Canada's Senators responsible too or elected by provincial election to represent some sort of provincial interest, one province against another." I suggest the opposite is true, that such a move would cause our national policy to be exactly that, the vision of a nation rather than being primarily the dictates of central Canada. Had that been the case in the United States during the 19th century, where its House of Representatives could have dictated to the South as to policy, that nation would have dissolved decades prior to when its Civil War finally occurred. It was the Senate, which allowed the South an institution that put it on an equal political footing with the North, that actually delayed the war.
We should also remember that the Civil War was a conflict between those who wished to separate from the Union and those who wished it to remain as one. The abolition of slavery was a by-product of that war, not its primary objective, and the decision to separate was not done in the US Senate, but at the state level. The seeds of the conflict, including the concept of state rights, was there from the very beginning but never resolved. Rather than being the institution that brought about the conflict, it were the compromises reached in the US Senate that delayed it. Simply put, the Fathers of the United States created an institution that kept their nation united much longer than it would have otherwise been the case, rather than being the cause for its near destruction.
Brian advocates that, under the present distribution, holding nearly 57% of the seats in the House of Commons, the two central Canadian provinces are actually under represented by also having nearly 46% of the seats in the Senate. I believe their population base to be well represented in the House without giving them the run of the Senate as well. At some time the rest of the nation has to matter, if in fact they do matter. I suggest ten Senators from each provinces, two from each territory, and you have a 106 seat institution. Of course, I would also suggest a House that gives each province and territory one seat each, with the other 295 divided strictly by population. That would give Ontario 115 seats and Quebec 69, but unfortunately we all know what that won't fly.
Unlike Brian, I believe an elected Senate would make our system more democratic, one that would cause policy to be presented that better represented a truly nation consensus. However, until such time as all provinces buy in to doing what is best for the national good, who buy in to a desire to build instead of divide this nation, I am afraid we are just having a wonderful debate which little practical hope for implementation.
As for Larry Kazdan....
Governments have long provided us with policy they haven't made public, unless it is to deny he (Trudeau) would do what the Conservative leader (Stanfield) proposed, then implemented it upon election. That is different from making secret deals to take power but denying such to the electorate, though I agree both are dishonest and underhanded. For one, I don't have a problem with eliminating public election funding, but I agree we should have heard about it during the election. However, Layton proved to be the guy with the hidden agenda during the last election, so making similar charges against Harper have lost much of their sting. As for the appointed Senators, they have been there for Harper to appoint for the last couple of years. Considering that the Liberals had a 59-20 edge prior to the recent appointments, you could argue that Harper was somewhat irresponsible to not doing so earlier.
Joe, I really appreciate the contribution Larry and Brian make here. As I mentioned earlier, they make a guy think, and I truly enjoy that. I always look forward to reading their comments.
Ron Thornton
===================================
From: Larry Kazdan
Subject: Letter to National Post re: Flogging the coalition dead horse, Opinion, January 15
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=1178087
Re: Flogging the coalition dead horse, Opinion, January 15
If the coalition threat is "the surest way" for the Liberals to win concessions from the Tories, then perhaps the rumours of its death have been greatly exaggerated. Soon Michael Ignatieff will be the decider: Ride the coalition horse, or take a chance as Harper's poodle?
Larry Kazdan,
Vancouver, B.C.
===================================
From: "Rebecca Gingrich"
Subject: STV
Joe--is there a difference between STV and STD?. Not one that I can see.
Surely by now we all know that politics is nothing but a despicable game
played for greed and power, with nothing to do with the well-being of the
people or the country? And the end result is the same--we are nothing in
the greater scheme of things.
Until our total system is cleansed and we start off again with something
meaningful, and are constantly vigilant, nothing will change.
Politics is a deadly game that impacts us daily but not positively. When
was the last time our input had any impact? We are just supposed to play
the voting game, making our decisions on words that are not only meaningless
but are too often outright lies and then sit back for how many years
accepting the dictates of the 'winner'.
We cannot depend on politics and politicians to change anything. I agree,
we need citizen input--but that is easy to say. We also need to make our
politicians accountable--and that won't happen until we stand up and say
enough is enough. I for one am tired of the game. Life is real, politics
is a boil on the behind of most of us.
becky
===================================
From: "Jacob Rempel"
Subject: the Senate ---
Brian Marlatt wrote ---
" --- As the noted constitutional scholar F.A. Kunz (who cannot be cited too often) observed, it is not necessary for all offices within our government to be elected to make it democratic, it is enough that those whose legislative role is to bring forward legislatation that may in time become positive law should be elected, while those who serve to offer conservative philosophical reserve and caution may otherwise be called upon to fulfil their responsibilities. Such, at least, is my humble understanding...and my final word for a time because, again, I have far too much to do if I am to be responsible at all. --- Brian Marlatt.
My reply: ---
On this issue, Brian, I am in full agreement with you. However, you do no evaluation of the performance of the Senate as a "chamber of sober second thought," whether such is necessary, whether it actually successfully performs a necessary function, or whether a change in its "form and function" might be helpful or make it more credible. As is, the Senate is being used by successive prime ministers mostly as an adjunct to H of C power plays. I for one do not appreciate the present chamber of partisan patronage sinecures. Perhaps I should read F.A.Kunz for such an evaluation and for ideas for improvement, for alternatives if any, or for abolition.
--- Jacob Rempel, Vancouver
===================================
Look who's talking
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Look+talking/1181645/story.html
By Colin Kenny , The Ottawa CitizenJanuary 15, 2009
Those of us who aren't philosophers usually don't like wrestling with difficult concepts. Most of us prefer homilies, stereotypes and myths. After all, complexity can lead to confusion, confusion can lead to anxiety ... it's a very slippery slope.http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Look+talking/1181645/story.html
By Colin Kenny , The Ottawa CitizenJanuary 15, 2009
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is smart enough to understand that simplicity sells. That means being seen with your family at hockey rinks, reducing taxes, inveighing against the Senate and arguing that cutting cultural programs is good for Canadians because culture is all about fat cats who attend fancy galas.
OK, OK, that last cheap shot against culture did backfire. But, in politics, simple usually works — particularly if you can incorporate villains into your mythology.
On the issue of Senate reform, the sleazy senators are the villains. They're unelected, they're often old, and every now and then one of them sneaks off to Mexico instead of attending committee meetings. The Upper Chamber has been a boon for cartoonists for many decades, so why wouldn't it serve as a target for Stephen Harper?
I don't want to get too close to the slippery slope of hard thought, but allow me to argue an outrageous proposition: that as an institution, Canada's appointed Senate as I have observed it up close for the last 25 years, poses far less of a problem to democratic government in North America than does (a) Canada's House of Commons, or (b) the U.S. Congress (which, of course, contains an elected Senate).
Let's be clear, I am not trying to put Canada's Senate on a pedestal as a perfect political institution. I don't know of any such institution. I am simply arguing that the Commons and the U.S. Congress are both in far greater need of repair than the Canadian Senate. They are certainly both less cost-effective, and both come far closer to being sham democracies than Canadians and Americans deserve.
First, Canada's Senate. The Senate cost Canadians $2.42 each last year. And what did citizens each get for their half-a-latte? During the election campaign, Dr. Thomas Axworthy, a respected academic and former principal secretary to Pierre Elliott Trudeau, noted that the United States has all kinds of private and public think tanks but that Canada has few: "perhaps the single most effective 'think tank' in Canada has been the Senate."
Dr. Axworthy cited the late Senator David Croll's committee report on poverty in Canada, which led to significant government policy reforms. He referred to the Senate Committee on Health — with Liberal Michael Kirby as chair and Conservative Marjory LeBreton as deputy chair — and its blockbuster 2002 report on Canada's health-care system.
He mentioned the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence — which for several years has worked in bipartisan harmony producing report after report on vital issues such as airport security, the weaknesses of our armed forces, the holes in our coastal defence, and many, many more.
These are the kinds of issues that the Commons doesn't have time to delve into. The Commons focuses on issues of the moment that win or lose votes. It's like the stock market. Too many investors have focused on quick company profits in recent years so they can turn a quick buck. CEOs responded by focusing on short-term gains.
Well, somebody has to focus on the long-term health of Canada as a society, just the way CEOs in recent years should have been paying more attention to the long-term health of their companies. Senate committees focus on finding long-term solutions to deep-seated problems that the Commons often skims over.
Should the Senate be elected? Maybe. But do we really want a duplicate House of Commons whose members primarily think about what will sell to the public today because that's where the votes are?
If the Senate can be improved, I'm all for it. But my argument here is that if Prime Minister Harper wants a reconstructed Senate, all he needs to do is win the support of seven provinces with a combined 50 per cent of Canada's population, and then get a constitutional amendment approved by the House.
Which brings us to the House of Commons and the American Congress, both allegedly mighty paragons of democracy. But how democratic is the House of Commons, really?
Prime ministers whose parties win 40 per cent of the electoral vote can often win a majority government, meaning that they can become virtual dictators of national policy for four years or more when 60 per cent of the electorate said they shouldn't hold office. In his recent book Two Cheers for Minority Government, Peter H. Russell has this to say about governments that win less than 50 per cent of the popular vote:
"I call such governments 'false' majority governments because their leaders, once in power, have a tendency to act as if they have a popular mandate from the people when in fact they do not. ... False majority governments can only happen because our current electoral system does not reward parties with seats in numbers proportional to their share of the popular vote."
How "democratic" is that? And how democratic is it when the Harper government simply shuts down Commons committees when witnesses threaten to say something that the government doesn't like? Federal governments for years have been promising more independent committees — the kind the pre-Harper Senate has always been so proud of — but so far no serious reform has been forthcoming, because dictatorship is so much more fun.
The Canadian House of Commons badly needs reforming. After all, the Commons is the primary engine of our democracy, and Senate reform should take a back seat until the Commons begins to work as it should.
As for all those Canadians who would prefer to see a republican system similar to what they have in the United States, all I can say is that we don't want to even think about copying the United States until the U.S. system starts responding to the needs of individual voters rather than the lobbyists and special interests that keep buying congressional favour.
The U.S. Congress has been called "the best Congress lobbyist money can buy," with good reason. The number of Washington lobbyists has doubled since 2000, to more than 34,000. It costs most candidates for Congress at least a million dollars to run a successful campaign, and he who pays the piper calls the tune.
Honest members of congress will tell you they expend more resources on trying to raise money than they do on trying to help run the country.
The U.S. Congress and the Canadian House of Commons are badly in need of reform. The Canadian Senate? Maybe. But if you buy Stephen Harper's argument that the Senate is really what is so terribly wrong on Parliament Hill, I have some swamp land to sell you.
Colin Kenny was chair of the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence in the last Parliament.
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