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A lot of people are making noise about recent dramatic developments in Canadian politics. I've written up a timeline with quotes and links to sources, and a commentary. Those of you familiar with the situation can just click on the lj cut. Those of you who are not, please read on for background.
The centrist party in Canada, which is called the Liberal Party, has been embroiled in a scandal involving large amounts of embezzlement of government money, or severe nepotism etc., referred to as the Sponsorship Scandal. There is currently an inquiry into the whole situation being conducted by Supreme Court Judge Gomery, known as the Gomery Inquiry. What it has revealed so far has enraged Canadians.
Meanwhile, we have a minority Liberal government. For those unfamiliar with the parliamentary style of government, this means that they do not have enough members of parliament to pass a budget (or, I believe, anything), even though they have the most seats in Parliament. Minority governments often fall when they try to pass their first budget, after a vote of "no confidence." The leftmost party in Canada, the NDP, has made a deal with the Liberals to support their existing government in return for certain amendments to the budget. The rightmost party's stance is that this is selling out to a corrupt party, and the party leader, Stephen Harper, plans to call a vote of no confidence tomorrow (Thursday), in order to bring the current government down. My understanding is that if they can't pass a budget, they must call another election, in which Harper hopes to win enough seats to be Prime Minister. To accomplish this, Harper has allied with the Bloc Quebecois, a party based in Quebec which is outwardly in favour of separating from Canada (a platform many Canadians view as treasonous).
Belinda Stronach is a thirty-eight year old rich girl who was given (or earned, depending on who you ask) an executive position at Daddy's company. She eventually became the CEO, as I understand it, and according to some, did well by the company. Last year she left the company to run for MP in her own riding. Which brings you to the material behind the cut.
( Timeline and commentary )
I can't believe I spent all afternoon on this. I hope it is enlightening to SOMEONE, or at least, interesting. I guess the research was helpful to me.
I guess my major request is that you, my readers, work on making qualified statements. Unless you can "prove" something beyond a reasonable doubt (where having a good source is a reasonable doubt), say "I think" or "it seems to me that..." or "well, this would suggest that..." Thanks, guys.
x-posted to canpolitik
The centrist party in Canada, which is called the Liberal Party, has been embroiled in a scandal involving large amounts of embezzlement of government money, or severe nepotism etc., referred to as the Sponsorship Scandal. There is currently an inquiry into the whole situation being conducted by Supreme Court Judge Gomery, known as the Gomery Inquiry. What it has revealed so far has enraged Canadians.
Meanwhile, we have a minority Liberal government. For those unfamiliar with the parliamentary style of government, this means that they do not have enough members of parliament to pass a budget (or, I believe, anything), even though they have the most seats in Parliament. Minority governments often fall when they try to pass their first budget, after a vote of "no confidence." The leftmost party in Canada, the NDP, has made a deal with the Liberals to support their existing government in return for certain amendments to the budget. The rightmost party's stance is that this is selling out to a corrupt party, and the party leader, Stephen Harper, plans to call a vote of no confidence tomorrow (Thursday), in order to bring the current government down. My understanding is that if they can't pass a budget, they must call another election, in which Harper hopes to win enough seats to be Prime Minister. To accomplish this, Harper has allied with the Bloc Quebecois, a party based in Quebec which is outwardly in favour of separating from Canada (a platform many Canadians view as treasonous).
Belinda Stronach is a thirty-eight year old rich girl who was given (or earned, depending on who you ask) an executive position at Daddy's company. She eventually became the CEO, as I understand it, and according to some, did well by the company. Last year she left the company to run for MP in her own riding. Which brings you to the material behind the cut.
( Timeline and commentary )
I can't believe I spent all afternoon on this. I hope it is enlightening to SOMEONE, or at least, interesting. I guess the research was helpful to me.
I guess my major request is that you, my readers, work on making qualified statements. Unless you can "prove" something beyond a reasonable doubt (where having a good source is a reasonable doubt), say "I think" or "it seems to me that..." or "well, this would suggest that..." Thanks, guys.
x-posted to canpolitik
