Montreal’s mayor has stepped down
June 18th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Montreal has now seen its second mayoral resignation in less than a year after interim mayor Michael Applebaum stepped down this afternoon. He was arrested on a series of criminal corruption charges yeaterday. Applebaum says he’s innocent and will work to prove it. In a massage to people of the city, he said he loves them and promises that he has never taken a penny from anybody. The Provincial Government has urged him to resign after the arrest by Quebec’s anti-corruption squad.
McGuinty’s former chief of staff defending the move by top Liberals who deleted their emails on cancelled gas plants
June 18th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Former Chief of staff for Dalton McGuinty says there are a number of reasons why staff deleted emails on cancelled gas plants. Chris Morley says in the Ontario Public Service rule book staff were instructed to “destroy immediately” several types of records, including emails. Morley told the legislature’s justice committee that he did not keep all of his records because the rules told him not to. However, McGuinty’s former top aide testified he did turn over 300 documents Monday to the province’s archives.
Two-day G8 summit in Northern Ireland set to tackle security, economic issues and the Syrian conflict
June 17th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Security, economic issues and the Syrian conflict will highlight the G8 summit taking place in Northern Ireland. Prime Minister Stephen Harper says when it comes to the Syrian matter; this is the “G7 plus one”. Harper says trying to get Russia to drop its long-standing support of Syria’s Assad regime is an exercise in futility. Russian President Vladimir Putin has disputed U.S. claims that forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad have used chemical warfare against the rebels. Meantime, Harper says he needs the approval of the provinces and territories before he can offer full support to a proposal to fight tax havens. British Prime Minister David Cameron is pushing for more sharing of financial information among countries.
Harper continues trade talk with Irish Prime Minister before G8 Summit
June 16th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Stephan Harper will meet with the Irish Prime Minister Sunday morning. The pair are set to talk trade, as Canada and the European Union tries to work out details of a free-trade pact. It’s believed Canada is close to signing the deal. Once Harper’s meeting with Enda Kenny wraps up, he’ll be talking with local business leaders at a round-table. On Monday, the Prime Minister goes to Northern Ireland for the annual G8 summit.
Saskatchewan premier says Liberal leader should return $20K
June 15th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says it’s not right for leaders to charge money to speak at non-profit events. He says Justin Trudeau has shown poor judgment, after he charged $20,000 to speak at a literacy conference more than a year ago. Wall wants the Liberal leader to give back the money, but admits it isn’t illegal accepting the cash.
F.I.F.A. authorizes religious head covers in all levels of Canadian soccer
June 14th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Soccer’s world body has struck a blow against Quebec’s turban ban, saying such headwear is perfectly acceptable on the pitch. FIFA said in a statement today it is authorizing the wearing of male head covers at all levels of Canadian soccer.The statement says the headwear must be the same colour as the jersey, look professional, must not be attached to the jersey and not pose any danger to players. FIFA’s position comes four days after the Canadian Soccer Association suspended Quebec’s soccer federation after the provincial body banned the wearing of Sikh headwear. The Quebec organization had cited safety issues for its decision and the fact that the garments were not endorsed by FIFA.
Majority of Canadians want senators and MPs expenses posted online
June 14th, 2013 | Comments (0)
A majority of Canadians seem to think it’s not just senators who are likely helping themselves to taxpayer dollars. A new poll suggests most of us think MPs are getting in on the gravy train too. The Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey finds 89 per cent of those polled want to be able to check up on MPs and senators by having them publicly post their expenses online.
Harper concerned about the risks of providing weapons and ammunition to Syrian rebels
June 14th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Prime Minister Harper says he’s sure the Syrian government used chemical weapons against opposition forces. Harper’s remarks came after the U.S. announced it has proof President Bashar Assad’s forces have used chemical weapons, including the nerve agent, Sarin — against Syrian rebels. The white house announced on Thursday it will begin arming the rebels. Harper, who’s on a visit to France, says he’s concerned about the risks of providing weapons and ammunition to the Syrian rebels.
Judge dismisses conflict of interest complaint against Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion
June 14th, 2013 | Comments (0)
A judge has dismissed a conflict of interest complaint against Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion that threatened to force her out of office. The allegation was brought forward by a Mississauga resident stemming from a 2007 vote at Peel Region council. McCallion was accused of interfering in a lucrative land deal that benefited her son, but denied the accusation in court saying she didn’t know much about her son’s real estate businesses. The judge found that McCallion’s vote in the matter did not violate the municipal conflict of interest act.
N.D.P. request debate on security and privacy of Canadians
June 14th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The New Democrats are requesting an emergency commons debate on how security and law enforcement collect personal information from Canadians. Declassified documents indicate Defence Minister Peter Mackay has issued new instructions to Canada’s electronic eavesdropping agency. The instructions to the Communications Security Establishment detail how and when it can help Canada’s spy agency C.S.I.S and the R.C.M.P. investigate Canadians.
NDP leader denies he ran multiple stop signs
June 14th, 2013 | Comments (0)
NDP leader Tom Mulcair denies he ran multiple stop signs yesterday on Parliament Hill and says there was never any angry exchange with police. Mulcair has apologized for what he termed a “misunderstanding” after breezing through a security checkpoint and failing to stop for an R.C.M.P. cruiser with it’s lights on. But Conservatives who have spent months being hammered over the Senate expense claims scandal jumped on the traffic miscue. Mulcair says the tories will do “anything to change the channel”.
RCMP launches formal investigation into the $90,000 cheque given to Senator Mike Duffy
June 14th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The RCMP has launched a formal investigation into the involvement of Nigel Wright, Prime Minister Harper’s former chief of staff. Wright resigned as Harper’s chief of staff last month after admitting he gave $90,000 to Senator Mike Duffy to enable him to reimburse the senate for improperly claimed living expenses. Harper has insisted wright did not tell him about the “gift” until after news of it leaked out. The PMO, meanwhile, says it will provide any possible assistance in the wright investigation if asked to do so by the Mounties.