Aboriginal Students Centre Launch at UofR

The expanded space for the ASC was launched on Thursday in the RIC building. Many dignitaries were on hand. Shawn Fraser was rep’ing the City, and gave a short and sweet 2 minute speech. Everyone else was a bit more verbose, but all heartfelt and excited by the newly christened space intended for all students to have a common gathering place with support staff nearby. The older space in College West remains part of the ASC.

The reception after had excellent food, including four kinds of bannock! Baked, baked with Saskatoon berries, fried, and fried with cheese.

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I spoke briefly with Regina MP Ralph Goodale, and MLA Warren McCall. I also introduced myself to MLA Mark Docherty afterward, who I learned had heard of my blog. We traded stories of civic politics and our hopes for improved, honest political discussions around hot topic national and provincial issues like alcohol and marijuana. Having both run for city council at times, we each had to agree that anyone putting their name forward for public service is taking a bold step that not everyone cares to make (not saying that to pat ourselves on the back, Mark noted). Try running, and you’ll feel it too I’m sure.

#IdleNoMore: Regina Round Dance on Albert St. Bridge

Another exciting day of protest in Regina, and across the country, as Canadians rise up against the Harper regime and their undemocratic ominbus bills. This was at least the second march down Regina’s main street, Albert St. in the past weeks, and the second appearance of a crowd of hundreds in front of the Legislature too.

I estimated more than 300 people were packed onto one lane of Albert St. for the entire Green Mile (and then some). A few minutes were taken on the Albert St. Bridge (longest bridge over shortest span of water, in the world) to do a round dance.

Last night, Saskatoon’s downtown mall saw thousands of people show up in protest of the Harper ominbus bill C-45, and the removal of fresh and navigable waters protection (among other abuses).

Today, Warren McCall reminded people that it’s not just First Nations this undemocratic bill harms. Chief Spence in Ottawa, starving for justice, is leading the way. Harper has time for Bieber, but not for Chief Spence or other Chiefs?

-Goodale makes an announcement that draws a roar from the crowd.

ADDED – CTV’s report.

Last Updated Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 7:45PM CST

In First Nations culture, a round dance is common – it symbolizes peace and friendship. But Friday afternoon what wasn’t common was where an Idle No More round dance was held .

Hundreds of supporters stopped traffic on Regina’s busy Albert Street bridge. The rally was peaceful. It coincided with dozens of other such events across the nation. First nations elder Mike Pinay told CTV News “ we have to sit down and work together and save this land, this country and these waters”.

Idle No More supporters oppose federal bill c-45 which impacts many aspects of Canadian life – from the treaties of First Nations people to protection of lakes and rivers.

Regina Liberal MP Ralph Goodale argues the bill was “not advanced in a way that was proper and consistent with the democratic process of Canada.”

Organizers vow Friday’s event will not be the last.

By-election Monday; Plan to Fix Democracy

Well, the polls are closed in Victoria, Calgary, and Durham, ON so it’s time for some results. Since the voters of Durham were foolish enough to stick with Oda after her first waves of scandal until she burned out from too much $16 orange juice, they obviously stuck with the party of election fraud, and voted another Conservative drone into Harper’s harem. In Calgary, things were much more interesting, as the Liberals and Greens both have returns thus far as well over 30% and 24% respectively. The Greens last time got 10%, so this may signal that Chris Turner is awesome, or that Calgary isn’t as the Conservative ‘majority’ suggests it is.

What the results in Calgary also show is that the Liberals, Greens, and NDP are going to have to co-operate before the next general election in order to game the system as the Conservatives have. Why pretend the old traditions matter, when doing so ensures national defeat and disgrace? As Brandon explains, it’s not like Canada is a functioning democracy right now anyway. It can be again, with the right people in power, willing to fix our democratic institutions upon election.

Before you get indignant and say, “We can’t ‘game the system,” I have to remind you that Harper did with election fraud, statistically demonstrated, with audio recordings and reporting in the media of the resulting crimes. By comparison, co-operating to decide using votes which candidates party leaders will authorize to run in specific ridings, is not a crime. We actually expect our politicians to work together to make our country better, except now they have to do it outside of the House, and where the personal stakes are higher. Are they up to the task?

#YYCCentre By-election Pie Debate

The latest candidate debate in Calgary Centre riding had a twist, it was also a meat-pie contest. The winning pie, provided by the NDP candidate, was bison-tourtiere. The silliness didn’t stop there though, not when there’s a Sun TV, Wild Rose Party hack running as the pieholder for the Conservative Party. Joan Crockatt avoided many of the other debates, and it’s clear why when you hear her attempt to answer questions that take her off her PMO script.

First she suggested that MPs aren’t much good if they aren’t part of the governing party.

That a potential govt party MP wld suggest level of support you receive as a Cdn citizen abroad is tied to how your neighbours vote is foul.—
mark d. jarvis (@markdjarvis) November 25, 2012

When the candidates were asked how they perceived Canada’s declining reputation, Joan’s answer wasn’t inspiring. When questioned, she didn’t know who had awarded the PM the title she cited, since the organization is so credible and prestigious. An audience member shouted out to “Google it!”, and she obliged.

@saskboy CPC candidate has something of a point. Knowing the reputation of the org in question makes us look much worse. #yyccentre—
NaoshadPochkhanawala (@venividitweety) November 25, 2012

Meanwhile the Green candidate, Chris Turner offered impressive answers, and responded to the world reputation question by remarking how he’d been thanked overseas once for being Canadian and part of the country responsible for rescuing American diplomats in Iran. He was very touched by that thanks offered to our country, via him. Now he says our international reputation has taken a hit because we’re not part of the world’s conversation on climate change, don’t take it seriously, and don’t put real resources into addressing the problem like other countries want to.

Turner is my obvious favourite, although I could see any of the four that were on stage as representing their parties as I’d expect, in Ottawa if elected. The sad thing is, that’s not saying something positive about Joan, and nothing special about Harvey or the NDP candidate either.

P.S. I’d like to know where the other candidates were, and if they were not invited, that stinks. If they’ve backed off to avoid splitting the vote for progressives, I could sympathize with their thoughts. I think Turner has a real chance this time if Liberal support swings around partially, and if the Greens have reached enough disengaged voters and re-energized them. GOTV on election day will be extremely important, where the by-election turnout is bound to be low. I also bit my tongue earlier when I saw a SK NDPer tweet they’re going to Calgary to help… but not with the GPC or LPC campaigns that appear to be well out in front in the ABC vote race.

Children Love Saskatchewan

Come to Saskatchewan, and see our Wall.

(- This wall is in Ottawa.)

That’s the apparent pitch, awkwardly spoken by Regina’s former mayor, Pat Fiacco. Now Fiacco is the head of Tourism Saskatchewan, and in charge of making people want to visit our province. Fortunately there are more lasting tourism draws than Canada’s currently most popular Premier. Saving us from 16 years of NDP rule isn’t exactly heroic, but that’s how many people choose to see his white-bread leadership. If the former Mayor figures this will make his job easier, so be it. I think it has more to do with why he’s got his job, and why he thought to mention it.

With all the available talent in the hospitality industry across this nation who might have been interested in such a senior provincial post, one might also question exactly what the government-appointed Tourism Saskatchewan board saw in Fiacco that put him ahead of the 40 other applicants who might have had more experience.

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Typical Canadian child, “Mommm, I want to go to Saskatchewan and see their Brad Wall. He’s so dynamic!”

“When you have a dynamic premier like we have, that is probably one of the best-identified images for Saskatchewan,” Fiacco said.

Seriously? Brad Wall’s image is a tourism selling point? Has one tourist ever come to Saskatchewan to see the wonders of Brad Wall?

Geist on Copyright vs. Internet

An interesting, long lecture from Canadian copyright expert Michael Geist, given at the U of Sask. recently.

ADDED: Here’s a little on open government, as presented at the U of Regina

Eye of Scheer over Peace Tower of Sauron #LordOfTheBills

What’s going on inside the House of Commons today is no laughing matter. In fact, Minister Tony Clement told me that if I don’t like his joking about the step back from democratic debate in Canada, I shouldn’t read his tweets. Seriously.

@saskboy @kady Don't like my sense of humour? Don't bother with my tweets. Thx.—
Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) June 12, 2012

-Artists are hitting back.
Here’s a good one I found on a facebook page. It inspired the following adaptation of Lord of the Rings. Stephen Harper is now Lord Of The Bills.

In the Land of Ottawa where the Shadows lie.

.@amirightfolks @kady #LordOfTheBills One Bill to rule them all (C-38) #Omnibudget—
Saskboy K. (@saskboy) June 14, 2012

.@CdnPolly @MeganLeslieMP #LordOfTheBills One Bill to find them, (C-30) #TellVicEverything—
Saskboy K. (@saskboy) June 14, 2012

.@LexyCameron @pmoharper #LordOfTheBills One Bill to bring them all (C-31) openparliament.ca/bills/41-1/C-3…—
Saskboy K. (@saskboy) June 14, 2012

.@fem_progress @ElizabethMay @cfhorgan #LordOfTheBills One Bill to bring them all and in the darkness bind them (C-10) openparliament.ca/bills/41-1/C-1…—
Saskboy K. (@saskboy) June 14, 2012

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Bill C-38 is a very good reason to #DenounceHarper as he'd have done to himself if it was still 1994 when he opposed Omnibus Liberal bill.—
Saskboy K. (@saskboy) June 14, 2012

See Stephen Harper rise against an Omnibus budget with arguments Elizabeth May put again to the Speaker?

F-35: Don’t Need No Stinking Accountability

I am genuinely concerned that there is no viable alternative party for conservatives in Canada who have, to this point, put all of their eggs into the Harper basket(case) Conservative Party of Canada. It’s staggering, the amount of intellectual fortitude (dishonesty) it takes to justify the crimes, the lying, the harassment, and general bad-neighbourly things the Harper Conservatives have done to Canadians.

@saskboy Exactly. The Progressive Conservatives would still be a good party today (more or less) had they not imploded post-Mulroney.—
unfuckwithable (@unfuckwithabIe) May 12, 2012

It must taste awful to have to claim that Stephen Harper is a sound fiscal manager, while there are indisputable lists everywhere showing how he’s not even close to such a title.

The Harper Cabinet is filled with liars, habitual ethics violators, and hypocrites. Cynics will say it’s always been this way, but it doesn’t have to be, with this group of distasteful, mean people ruling by fear, while simultaneously ^NOT fearing an early end to their own cushy jobs. “If you vote NDP, they’ll destroy the economy and you’ll lose your job,” can’t you hear the Info Alert emails spreading that line? “Strong, Stable, National Conservative Majority Government”? How many strong and stable people do you know who describe themselves that way? Isn’t it a bit like someone driving a Hummer or Corvette to compensate for, uh, intrinsic shortcomings?

There are so many millions of Canadians willing to put up with the abuse, but it really should stop. There are people without proper shelter, or enough food or hope, but the rail line is luxury travel these days, so good luck seeing a fruitful On To Ottawa march in the world’s second largest country. What will be the flashpoint of democratic change, if RoboCon and the F-35 $10B+ lie haven’t been it?

It’s been more than a month that many ministers of the government should have resigned or been fired in disgrace for openly lying to the House of Commons. What happens when mere commoners like you and I lie in court? For Conservative MPs, there is special treatment from the Speaker. If you find yourself on the stand entering your words into the public record, and are caught in a lie, see how far you get claiming it’s your constitutional right.

Has the media been pushed too far to accept the Harper government as acceptable, and even endorsement worthy? Still, it’s been months since RoboCon became widely known among well informed Canadians (like journalists), and still there is great hesitation in their papers and shows to identify Poutine, or mention that his scheme took place in only half a percent of the ridings affected by similar democracy-stealing crimes. That kind of forgiveness is really Christ-like. Maybe they’re all Christians before Canadians, or before journalists, or before people who want to live in a free country with a functioning democracy. Who among them are not cowards, or are edited by cowards?

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Haste Makes Waste

“Opposition parties accuse the Harper government of stooping to a petty, new low in the muzzling of dissent.”

Note that says a “new low”, an acknowledgement that accountability is already at a low point.

Rae cited the incident as one of many examples that Canadians are “now living in a democracy with dictatorial tendencies.”

Garneau wouldn’t discuss what Van Loan said to him, citing the confidentiality of House leaders’ meetings. But he did say he believes the choice of May 18 for the party’s next opposition day was deliberate.

“I think there’s a message being sent,” Garneau said.

And the message is: “Behave yourself. (If not,) they have some ways of making things difficult.”

As the NDP discovered this week when it was apparently penalized for tying the Commons in procedural knots in a bid to compel the government to split up its massive, omnibus budget implementation bill into manageable chunks.

The NDP had been scheduled to have an opposition day on Thursday but that was abruptly cancelled and shifted to next Wednesday. Wednesdays, like Fridays, are short parliamentary days that allow for only two hours of debate.

“Did they give us a short day as a punishment? Whatever. You now, they’re in the bubble,” shrugged NDP House leader Nathan Cullen.

Elizabeth May spoke about the bill the NDP have tried to split apart from the budget, to improve debate over the irresponsible environmental law changes in it. The Environmental Destruction Act is a more descriptive wording of the Budget Implementation Act.

As the Westray disaster was a built “bomb” where 26 men were put into it, and died as a result of effective government safety assessments, so too is the present bill a giant carbon bomb where we’re all inside.

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Meanwhile, there are shocking claims of police state actions, from LaRue today. I look forward to reading his tell-all expose’ book he’s promising now.

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The government is isolating itself from valid criticism. Very worrying, but not surprising.

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Here’s another’s perspective on development at any cost.

This is What Authoritarianism Sounds Like

IF anyone else wants to hear what open, transparent parliamentary democracy sounds like, the MP4 file is here: is.gd/35VNrS #hw—
kady o'malley (@kady) May 10, 2012

If you download the 25MB audio file that is over an hour long, all but the first 4 minutes are relaxing music. Why? The Conservatives immediately put the committee into the secretive In Camera mode of discussion (where Members cannot discuss what was talked about, later on). An opposition Member (Harris?) objected on a Point of Order, overruled by the Chair because a motion to go in camera is not debatable, only voted on.

The problem is, there’s nothing that will be talked about that requires secrecy. It’s not standard practice to have secret committees, as the Harpercon member claimed at the start of the audio file. No national security implications, for instance, were on the agenda. The committee was put under the cone of silence only because it’s become a “charade”, for the Harper Government to pretend we’re still a Parliamentary Democracy. How’s that Open and Transparent and Accountable Government claim looking now?

Listen to the first 4 minutes of the audio clip, the opposition Member is spot on.

“The idea is to do its work in public”
“This committee is shut down by the government members” “The motions they don’t like are going to disappear” “We’re just an exercise in a charade” “The rules of this committee and this House, are being abused in this manner again, and again, and again by the government, and under instructions, obviously from On High” “I think it’s outrageous.”