Articles like this one explain why so many Canadians are lured into supporting Stephen Harper.
You've got to love the caption: PM aims to turn aside U.S. and EU initiative that risks becoming a distraction from his G20 agenda
Right, as if the United-States and the EU, who represent over 800 million people and half of the world's economy, will let their plans be derailed by the great force of Stephen Harper, and the 30 million Canadian souls he represents.
The reality is that Canada, on the international stage, counts about as much as Sweden, Poland and South-Africa. We're a small country, and like all small countries, we have a small say. Sure, every now and then, a truly remarkable figure like Lester Pearson might give our voice a little more resonance than it would usually have, but please... Harper is no Lester Pearson.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
What's Wrong With The CBC
Stephen Harper's attacks on the CBC are nothing but partisan hogwash, but I can't fault him for being fed up with the path the CBC is embarking on.
Economists always say that government has a role only when the public sector fails. That's what the CBC fails to understand.
CBC television offers programming that is not very different from what can be found on competing stations, most notably CTV. The only difference is that CBC is publicly funded, whereas CTV is for-profit.
The same is now true of Radio 2. While Radio 2 used to provide mainly classical music programming, that couldn't be found anywhere else and featured truly intelligent, learned commentary, it has now turned itself into a regular popular radio station, which only distinguises itself from rival stations by the fact that it has no ads.
There's no point in funding the CBC to replace profitable private stations. Public broadcasting is pointless unless it can offer something different. On Radio 2, that means classical music. On television, that means more documentaries, televised academic forums and investigative programs.
Economists always say that government has a role only when the public sector fails. That's what the CBC fails to understand.
CBC television offers programming that is not very different from what can be found on competing stations, most notably CTV. The only difference is that CBC is publicly funded, whereas CTV is for-profit.
The same is now true of Radio 2. While Radio 2 used to provide mainly classical music programming, that couldn't be found anywhere else and featured truly intelligent, learned commentary, it has now turned itself into a regular popular radio station, which only distinguises itself from rival stations by the fact that it has no ads.
There's no point in funding the CBC to replace profitable private stations. Public broadcasting is pointless unless it can offer something different. On Radio 2, that means classical music. On television, that means more documentaries, televised academic forums and investigative programs.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Two Notes On The British Election
-It's ironic to see the prospect of a coalition being treated with mild acquiescence in the country that is the birthplace of the Westminster System. How come it was such a big deal in Canada?
-Read this article in the Globe. Basically, John Ibbitson is suggesting that, if Britain were to adopt proportional representation, Canada would likely follow. Why? Well, that's the big question. Despite our talk of independance, we still look to mother England for democratic inspiration.
-Read this article in the Globe. Basically, John Ibbitson is suggesting that, if Britain were to adopt proportional representation, Canada would likely follow. Why? Well, that's the big question. Despite our talk of independance, we still look to mother England for democratic inspiration.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Salaires
Une nouvelle qui surprendra bien des gens: il s'avère que les francophones au Québec gagnent mieux leur vie que leurs cousins anglais.
Cette nouvelle surprend même les francophones en question, dont la grande majorité croient encore que les anglophones sont les mieux payés. C'est d'ailleurs certainement ce que j'aurais cru moi-même.
Mais à bien y penser, il est parfaitement logique que les francophones gagnent le mieux leur vie dans une province où le français est la langue de travail. Ils ont l'avantage de la langue, et aussi celui de vivre dans une société dont ils partagent la culture dominante.
Cette erreur que nous commettons tous si facilement montre bien à quel point l'image du francophone opprimé reste vivante dans les mentalités collectives. Si les francophones vivaient jadis dans l'ombre des riches industriels de Westmount, la situation est aujourd'hui renversée. Il est temps qu'on s'en rende compte.
Cette nouvelle surprend même les francophones en question, dont la grande majorité croient encore que les anglophones sont les mieux payés. C'est d'ailleurs certainement ce que j'aurais cru moi-même.
Mais à bien y penser, il est parfaitement logique que les francophones gagnent le mieux leur vie dans une province où le français est la langue de travail. Ils ont l'avantage de la langue, et aussi celui de vivre dans une société dont ils partagent la culture dominante.
Cette erreur que nous commettons tous si facilement montre bien à quel point l'image du francophone opprimé reste vivante dans les mentalités collectives. Si les francophones vivaient jadis dans l'ombre des riches industriels de Westmount, la situation est aujourd'hui renversée. Il est temps qu'on s'en rende compte.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Saunders on Greece
As always, a great article by Doug Saunders: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/life-in-the-german-empire/article1553140/ .
Yet another blot on the Euro's copybook.
Yet another blot on the Euro's copybook.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Miliken Ruling
Peter Miliken's ruling this week gave Parliament the power to decide which of the thousands of pages of material on the Afghan detainee controversy could be released to the public.
The Conservatives had already hired former Supreme Court Judge Frank Iacobucci to decide which documents could be published. However, Iacobucci was supposed to report to the government, not to Parliament.
Michael Ignatieff suggested that Iacobucci's mandate could simply be changed to have him report to Parliament rather than the government. The Bloc and NDP are categorally against this proposal, and want instead for select MPs -who would be sworn to secrecy- to decide which documents are fit for publication.
The opposition parties need to compromise. The Bloc and NDP are right to point out that, given the historic nature of the Speaker's ruling, Parliament should not respond by hiring a proxy to undertake a function to which it just laid claim. But MPs have neither the time nor the expertise to make informed decisions on which documents to release. Hence Frank Iacobucci.
The solution is simple. Follow Michael Ignatieff's suggestion by getting Iacobucci to report to Parliament, and put in charge a small group of MPs to supervise his work. That way, if Mr. Iacobucci ever wanted to hide information that would reflect poorly on the government, Parliament would be able to overrule him.
The Conservatives had already hired former Supreme Court Judge Frank Iacobucci to decide which documents could be published. However, Iacobucci was supposed to report to the government, not to Parliament.
Michael Ignatieff suggested that Iacobucci's mandate could simply be changed to have him report to Parliament rather than the government. The Bloc and NDP are categorally against this proposal, and want instead for select MPs -who would be sworn to secrecy- to decide which documents are fit for publication.
The opposition parties need to compromise. The Bloc and NDP are right to point out that, given the historic nature of the Speaker's ruling, Parliament should not respond by hiring a proxy to undertake a function to which it just laid claim. But MPs have neither the time nor the expertise to make informed decisions on which documents to release. Hence Frank Iacobucci.
The solution is simple. Follow Michael Ignatieff's suggestion by getting Iacobucci to report to Parliament, and put in charge a small group of MPs to supervise his work. That way, if Mr. Iacobucci ever wanted to hide information that would reflect poorly on the government, Parliament would be able to overrule him.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Back To The Blog
After an extended April holiday, this news makes me want to get back to blogging.
Most Conservatives are obviously against abortion, but I just wonder whether they are not using this announcement as a handy way to deflect attention from the Rahim Jaffer stories.
Most Canadians are in favour of abortion, but their votes are split between the Liberals, Bloc, NDP and the Greens. It's not clear that this anti-abortion stance will do much damage at all to the Conservatives, especially if they are trying to make gains in newly immigrated religious communities, many of which oppose to abortion rights.
The Conservatives have taken a big hit in the polls this week because of the Jaffer affair, and it seems to me that they would be quite happy if we all starting talking about abortion instead.
Anyway, just a thought!
Most Conservatives are obviously against abortion, but I just wonder whether they are not using this announcement as a handy way to deflect attention from the Rahim Jaffer stories.
Most Canadians are in favour of abortion, but their votes are split between the Liberals, Bloc, NDP and the Greens. It's not clear that this anti-abortion stance will do much damage at all to the Conservatives, especially if they are trying to make gains in newly immigrated religious communities, many of which oppose to abortion rights.
The Conservatives have taken a big hit in the polls this week because of the Jaffer affair, and it seems to me that they would be quite happy if we all starting talking about abortion instead.
Anyway, just a thought!
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