Christmas giving -- Part 2

Christmas is exactly one week away today, and I'm pleased to report that the spirit is alive on Twitter and in the blogosphere today. 

One of the more prolific, political  commenters in that  web realm is a woman named @ottawasteph, who's found herself staring down the prospect of homelessness and eviction this Christmas. Her story is here -- it's a vivid illustration of that old observation about how there are many people in this country who are only a paycheque or two away from real economic trouble.  Unemployed for the past six months, Stephanie, a freelance editor, former public servant, may lose her home within 24 hours.  She's put aside her pride, and some of her privacy, to ask for help these past few days.

Today, across the political spectrum, people are stepping up, with a flood of donations. I'm amazed by some of the generosity I'm seeing. And it just may work. If you do want to help out (and I can vouch for her), there's a donation link on her website. 

Or, if you prefer, you can donate to the Star's Santa Claus Fund -- there's a link here on the right side of the page.

Whatever you choose, I'd just like to say thanks in advance and special thanks to those who have already been in touch with "Ottawasteph"  this morning.  You folks do understand what Christmas is all about.

The PM in Denmark

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in Copenhagen, but not speaking to the Assembly this evening. According to this memo, just received from the PMO, here's what Harper is doing instead:

This afternoon Prime Minister Harper met with Environment Minister Jim Prentice, and Gary Doer, Canada's Ambassador to the United States.

Minister Prentice briefed the Prime Minister on the latest developments in the negotiations here in Copenhagen.

As you know, Ambassador Doer is part of Minister Prentice's advisory group for the Copenhagen meeting. Ambassador Doer provided his perspectives on the conference to date. 
 
The Prime Minister also met this evening with Shawn Atleo, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Chief Atleo is also a member of Minister Prentice's advisory group.

The Prime Minister will be leaving shortly for tonight's leaders' meeting, organized by the Danes. There, he will be engaging other leaders as part of Canada's efforts to work constructively to produce a single agreement here in Copenhagen that includes verifiable mitigation commitments from all major economies / emitters.
 
While the Prime Minister is meeting with other leaders, Minister Prentice will deliver Canada's statement to the assembly. Minister Prentice will be followed on stage  by U.S negotiator Todd Stern.

According to the official programme issued by the UN, the Chinese speaker will be Zhang Ping - the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Among G8 nations:

Japan is represented by their Minister of the Environment, Sakihito Ozawa.

Russia is represented by Igor Shuvalov, the First Deputy Prime Minister.

Italy will be represented by their Minister of Environment, Land and Sea, Stefania Prestigiacomo.

A worthwhile chat

Read this, Aaron Wherry's live webchat on Macleans yesterday, and you'll understand why he's one of my favourite writers/political observers in Ottawa these days. Smart, funny, sensible and, bonus, for me, my neighbour down the hall here on the 4th floor of the press building.

When I was away last year from daily journalism, Wherry was the guy I'd check every day to see what I was missing.

Don we now our gay apparel. Or maybe not.

The good news: It's 2009, and Liberal MP Scott Brison proudly sent out a Christmas card, featuring his (same-sex) spouse in the picture.

The bad news: The Globe put the photo on its Politics blog and had to shut down comments to the site. The explanation was given thus: "Editor's Note: This thread has been closed due to hateful, homophobic comments."

 We'll do the same here, by the way, so crazy hateful people should probably just walk away from the keyboard now. Yes, backward, just like that, slowly, hands in the air. There you go. Get outdoors; it'll be good for you.

Political books for Christmas

Just Watch Me, the second volume of John English's biography of Pierre Trudeau, is bound to be a big seller this season.  Here, in the latest issue of Policy Options, is my review/recommendation for the book. Download JustWatchMeReview

But if Trudeau's life story isn't your idea of holiday reading, Policy Options also has a raft of other reviews and recommendations, by some interesting reviewers. 

Environment Minister Jim Prentice, for instance, writes about The Ice Passage, by Brian Payton.

This is a book that will heighten your respect for the cruel history of the Canadian Arctic. It will also provide context for both the practical and policy challenges posed by our vast North.

Anthony Wilson-Smith, former editor of Macleans, now with Canada Post,  has written about Sarah Jennings' book on the National Arts Centre. (A book I'm dying to read too.) He calls the story  a "love letter" and   notes:

It also mirrors the larger story of the role of the arts on the national political scene, including the way it has tied into everything from national unity issues to a showcase for bilingualism to a battleground for internecine political wars.

And Geoff Norquay, of Earnscliffe, has written a trio of reviews, covering the new offerings by journalists Peter Mansbridge, Margaret Wente and Rex Murphy. Geoff's review is almost as much fun to read as the books he describes.  

 I'll be putting up some more book recommendations in the days ahead, but this is the first instalment.

Afghan pullout: part two

Afghan pullout: part two

Here's why the Conservatives were a no-show at committee today, in their own words (or talking points.) Apparently, if they showed up, the terrorists would win.

Today, Government members of the Special Committee on Afghanistan refused to participate in the opposition’s attempts to play partisan games on the backs of our men and women in uniform.

· We did not think the matter at hand qualified for an urgent meeting, as the events in question happened over 3 years ago and have been thoroughly aired many times.

· We have no intention of being part of the partisan games the opposition continues to play on the backs of our troops and the mission.

· During the Christmas season, we should be applauding the work of our troops who are serving overseas. Not trying to imply they are war criminals.

· Opposition members were given the option of a teleconference to discuss future business but they turned it down. The notice for this meeting was sent out by the Clerk as required under the Standing Orders.

· Conservative committee members are back in their ridings this week meeting with constituents.

· They are dealing with the issues that matter to their constituents such as the economy, which remains our government’s top priority.

 

The Afghan pullout

The Afghan pullout

The Conservative government decided last week to defy an order of Parliament and today, failed to show up for a Commons committee. Taken together, I believe we can assume that the strategy is to brazen out the Afghan controversy, or more correctly, belligerent it out. Here's an early report of today's proceedings (or non-proceedings) from my colleague, Richard Brennan.
 ****
Richard J. Brennan
OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA -- Conservative members refused to show up Tuesday for a parliamentary committee looking into allegations of prisoner abuse.
"Where the hell are the (Conservative) members?" said NDP MP Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) told reporters.
The opposition MPs on the special committee probing the handling on Canadian detainees were visibly angry at the Conservative no-show.
"This is a sad day," said Liberal MP Ujjal Dosanjh told his fellow committe members.
"I am actually embarrased we have such a government as this in our country," he said.
The opposition members had asked for the meeting to talk about having further meetings during the parliamentary recess, which ends Jan. 25
The committee chair MP Rick Casson called the meeting but even he didn't show.

 

Politicians, strings attached

Some people say that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet is made up of mere puppets. Some people make puppets.  Here's where those two types of  thinking  merge: a story in U of T Magazine about Gabe Thirlwall, who designs political puppets. (Stocking stuffers, anyone?)  And here's  the part of the story I found intriguing.

The most popular puppet is John Baird, outfitted in pink lamé. Almost no one wants poor old Jim Flaherty, even with his glittery gold shoes. “Maybe I can put him on sale,” muses Thirlwall.

I'm happy to post pictures of the Baird and Flaherty puppets, if anyone has them handy.

Canadian Blog Awards

Thank you to everyone who voted to help this blog make it to the next round of voting in the Canadian Blog Awards. I'm delighted and flattered to be included in the same company as my colleague Antonia Zerbisias and Kady O'Malley.  While I'm being all self-promotish, I should say thanks also to The Hill Times (subscription required) for including me in their annual most-influential list, published in this week's edition.

Should you want to vote in the second round of the blog awards, the ballot is here.  And thanks in advance!

What Ignatieff is reading

The Liberal leader has given some book recommendations to Foreign Policy magazine, which named him one of the world's top 100 thinkers a few weeks ago. Here's what he has to say about his picks (both Canadian authors.)  

Angels and Ages by Adam Gopnik: "An absolutely wonderful book about the liberal temperament."

Fearful Symmetry: The Rise and Fall of Canada's Founding Values by Brian Lee Crowley  "It's an attack on everything I believe, so it's very bracing and interesting.... He's saying that Canadian liberalism has damaged Canada, and as the Liberal Party leader I have to disagree. But it's very intelligent and it's very important to take your adversaries seriously, so I'm taking him seriously."