Gruending On Chaplains In Prisons

If the changes introduced by Minister Toews are not really about cutting costs, then what is going on? The best analysis that I have seen is from Stephen Maher for Postmedia News. “Toew’s decision,” he wrote, “fits the pattern of this government regarding groups of people whom devout elements of their electoral base dislike.”

[...]

Mr. Harper’s problem is that if he gives too much to his socially and religiously conservative base, he will alienate many other Canadian voters who want nothing to do with this agenda. In this context, dropping the part-time chaplaincy for inmates is  an easy and painless way to provide crumbs to that base, even as the government withholds the loaf.

Best explanation I've heard.

Breaking Bourque! MacKay Tossed From Helicopter! Paradis meets Paradise! Toews phased out! Fantino Basically Fucked! Bernier Back In, Cleared To Date Bikers!

BREAKING: Bourque insiders are reporting late this afternoon that Prime Minister Stephen Harper may soon shuffle his Cabinet. It remains unclear at this time if the move will be a major re-jig involving several known political figures or if it will be a more modest housecleaning to address certain deficiencies. Cabinet ministers said to be targeted include embattled Defense Minister Peter MacKay and his sidekick Associate-Defence Minister Julian Fantino, hapless ethics-challenged Industry Minister Christian Paradis, and the aging Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, currently suffering from a stressful portfolio that sent him to hospital earlier this week. MacKay may well be on his way out of Cabinet, Fantino may be going to Public Safety, Toews may defibrillate at Industry, and Paradis may be demoted to a 'Minister-without-portfolio' status for the time being. Should the shuffle be of a larger nature, names being whispered for promotion and re-jig include the rehabilitated Maxime Bernier (currently Minister of State for Small Business), the PM's Parliamentary Secretary Dean Del Mastro (said to have impressed many both in the House and in media settings), and affable journeyman Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield, of all people. It is thought that the blood-letting will both address growing Conservative caucus discontent at its frontbench performance, while mitigating Opposition outrage at Ministerial actions (or lack thereof), which have dominated headlines in recent weeks. The Prime Minister is also poised to fill a handful of Senate vacancies in the coming months and at that time may replace Mulroney-era Senate leader Marjorie LeBreton with Doug Finley, which would not only bring the amiable one-malt kilt-man into Cabinet, but would also create the first husband-wife Cabinet tandem in the history of Canada. Raise a finger or two of 25-year-old GlenDronach to that ! Developing ..

Hitler On On-Line Surveillance

All that needs to be said, really.

Return Of The Psychic Hairdresser

Reading this, you have to figure that Michelle Muntean is still on the payroll:

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper had already made the decision to kick a controversial cyber crime bill to committee even before Opposition howled because he sensed a public backlash was rolling his way, QMI Agency has learned.

Actually, any fool should have seen this one coming, given the response to SOPA.  Vic Toews is one of those rare fools who did not.

At This Moment I Am Not Wearing Any Pants

You too can go on-line and TellVicEverything.  Far more classy and imaginative  than spilling his divorce deets.

Wanna See How Vic Toews "Oppose Our Lawful Access Bill And You Support Child Porn" Pitch Is Playing Among The Base?

 Check out this thread at FreeD.

Mind you, their  reaction might be unrepresentative.    I would hope that a law which demands that your IP provider build infrastructure meant to spy on you on behalf of the cops, with the result being that you pay higher fees to your IP so they  can do this spying, might unite Left and Right in opposition.

I fear that the people it really unites are us Netheads, us on-line activists, whatever our political persuasion.  And meanwhile there is a huge body of Canadians who still don't really get or care about this on-line shit and are willing to swallow any old humbug in the name of  "Law & Order" or "The Children"

Karla Homolka Pardon Story All Bullshit?

Lawyer James Morton thinks so:

The radio says Karla Homolka is seeking a pardon.

I'm not so sure -- she has, apparently, changed her name and become a Dutch citizen. A pardon would do her very little benefit and would force her to disclose her current location, name and the like. More to the point, she would be most unlikely to get a pardon.

My guess is that the Homolka pardon is being suggested by those who want to tighten parole restrictions.

And since the original story quoted "unnamed sources" (government sources??), and served as the backdrop for some high silliness on the part of Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, I am inclined to believe Mr. Morton.

Tomorrow's News Today

Holland is talking about the Seaway International Bridge Crisis, natives have been protesting armed guards at a bridge that runs across the U.S./ Canada border through Akwesasne. Since Vic Toews took over public safety, the locals have been waiting for him to step in and do something about the issue. He hasn't, and apparently doesn't want anyone else to either.

More here.

Vic Toews Goes Permanent Prorogue

The Senior Conservative Member of Parliament in Manitoba is expected to be part of a cabinet shuffle this week.

It's expected Vic Toews will announce as early as today his departure from the Harper government for an opportunity outside of the federal government.

Well Damn.

PS. Don't Step on Vic Toews! In the updated story through the link above, Toews says he may be shuffled but isn't leaving parliament.

And from the Winnipeg Free Press:

OTTAWA -- Manitoba Senior Cabinet Minister Vic Toews' office is denying reports he is stepping down.

...but not that he's being shuffled.

But, on the other hand, a spokesperson for the Minister is now saying that "Rumours relating to a cabinet shuffle are just those, rumours."

Vic Toews Speaks Out On Upcoming Session

Looks like a version of C-484 is coming back:

Back in the summer, Minister Nicholson announced our Government’s intention to introduce legislation this fall to strengthen the criminal law response to violence against pregnant women.

This new Bill would expand the list of aggravating factors to be considered by a sentencing judge to include the fact of a woman's pregnancy. While this Bill will not reopen the debate on abortion, our Government has made it very clear that we will protect pregnant women from violence.

Meanwhile, after speaking the party line on Section 13, Toews ends with some vacuous mush.

Our government is committed to the protection and promotion of human rights. We are also committed to ensuring that legitimate expressions of opinion, including religious free speech, are protected.

Sounds like a prescription for inactivity, but I guess we'll see.