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Politics

Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth

It’s a beautiful day in Toronto. While it may be the last day of winter, it feels like the final days of spring.  Im sitting in Riverdale Park looking at the sun hanging low over the skyline of Toronto  and all I can think is how it exemplifies everything I love about this city, and my neighbourhood. The city is filled with green, and it fades to the skyscrapers downtown. Humans and dogs alike are running around the large open field at the bottom of the valley, while I can sit on the slope taking in the sun for the first time in months. Soon enough we’ll be able to… Read More »Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth

Robocalls

I wish the robocall scandal would actually do anything, but I have little faith. Why? Well… In and Out Scandal (2006) Proroguing parliament (December 4, 2008) Afghan Detainee Issue (2009) Proroguing parliament (December 30, 2009) Government defends horrible actions by Helena Guergis and then throw her under the bus for reasons not made public. (2010) Bev Oda adding the word “not.” (2011) Contempt of Parliament (2011) Conservatives call Irving Cotler’s riding to sew confusion. (Dec. 2011) I think that’s a good start to a list. I’m sure I missed a LOT more. What it shows is that nothing sticks. Depressing.

Gordon or Scott, not Liberal or NDP

On March 19, 2012, residents of the Toronto riding Toronto-Danforth will once again go to the polls to select someone to represent them in Ottawa. This by-election1 was called due to the death of the riding’s MP and Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Jack Layton. It was held by NDP Jack Layton since 2004. From 1988-2004, it was held by Liberal Dennis Mills. Between 1965 and 1988, it was also held by NDPers, including the current Liberal Interim Leader Bob Rae (who now represents Toronto Centre). Yes, I know that these facts are somewhat ambiguous, as the boundaries and names of the riding have changed numerous times. Either way,… Read More »Gordon or Scott, not Liberal or NDP

Kiddie porn or privacy

Dear Mr. Harper, It’s very disappointing to hear that you one of your cabinet ministers is bandying about names as horrible as “child pornographer” to those who are campaigning for something as simple and respectable as privacy. You have respectable civil servants1 who are outspoken against this piece of legislation, and yet your Public Safety Minister, Vic Toews call anyone who is against a piece of legislation which could allow government and police access one’s online footprint warrantless to be on the side of child pornographers. This is disgusting. Mr. Harper, the government of Canada must stand apart from comments from this minister. Yours, Adam Linky Privacy Commissioners [↩]

What Toronto City Council taught me

So it seems that if you’ve been found to be in breach of the city’s code of ethics for abusing your influence, the solution is to bide your time until you have greater influence and then you can walk away scot-free.

Those Crazy Liberals

The Liberals are trying to pretend they’re still relevant. Okay, okay, I actually think they are, and believe that the NDP being the opposition is a fluke. They’re still in trouble, but I don’t see it as dire as others do. They put forward some amendments to their internal constitution. Time for commentary from Adam. SUCCESSFUL AMENDMENTS: Amendment 1: Elimination of the National Revenue Committee and Appointment of Chief Revenue Officer Yeah, whatever… nothing too interesting here.  Amendment 2: Registration of supporters of the Liberal Party Amendment 3: Participation of supporters in Leadership Vote I see no point to this. Party membership is a minor $10 per year. If someone cared to… Read More »Those Crazy Liberals

#Rocktober 30 volume 14: Rob Benvie, Matt Murphy, Different Skeletons, and Queen’s Park

This month I turn 30. To mark such a remarkable event, I’m spending every day of October drenched in awesome-sauce. Last night I went to a weird alley in Kensington which in turn led to a staircase up to a strange bar I’ve never been in.  It was a packed house where Rob Benvie of Thrush Hermit fame was to be reading from his new novel. I didn’t quite understand why the place was so packed, but I quickly found Natalia and Tim and hung out with those two for a while. After hanging around for a while, we spotted Val, in the audience, and chatted with her. Turns out… Read More »#Rocktober 30 volume 14: Rob Benvie, Matt Murphy, Different Skeletons, and Queen’s Park

#Rocktober 30 volume 06: Entire Cities, Government, and The Nick

This month I turn 30. To mark such a remarkable event, I’m spending every day of October drenched in awesome-sauce. After work, I went to Jackman Public School and voted. YES! My candidate won the riding. I then dined at Toronto’s best restaurant, The Old Nick. From there I chilled until it was time to head to the Horseshoe where rock and roll was to be had, and rock and roll was had. I saw Entire Cities (who I nearly called The Entire Cities). The were fun as usual. It felt like old times as I think the majority of the songs were from Deep River, their previous album. They… Read More »#Rocktober 30 volume 06: Entire Cities, Government, and The Nick

Politics – City and Province

Today was a productive day. Councillors Mary Fragedakis and Paul Fletcher of wards 29 & 30 respectively held an information meeting today in Eastminster United Church. During this event they had speakers from many organizations, including the Toronto Library, Animal Services, and many other fantastic Toronto services speak about the KPMG report’s recommendations for service cuts. This event was simply the left preaching to the left. It was good to hear from these organizations, and give faces to the proposed cuts. Sadly all they talked about was “SAY NO TO CUTS!” It wasn’t anything to motivate those already against the cuts, it did nothing to move the masses. So I asked… Read More »Politics – City and Province

Jack Layton

Today’s a sad day for Canada, the left-wing, and Toronto-Danforth, the riding where Mr. Layton represented my neighbours and myself. I never found myself in full agreement with Layton, or his party, but I had respect for what he did. I always found him a better leader of the NDP than as an MP. While I might have disagreed with him at times, or get infuriated by canned replies to my letters, I always felt he was a good voice for Canada’s left, especially when the Liberals failed, leader after leader. Unfortunately, in Layton’s battle with cancer, the latter won. He’s missed by many. My riding has no voice in… Read More »Jack Layton