C-288, A Triumph For The Opposition

I never thought that bill C-288 (The Kyoto Implementation Act) would turn out as badly as some progressives thought, and many Tories hoped. So when Harper caved last night and said he would "obey" the new measure, I felt quite vindicated.

Why did he do it? Well, it was clear from the Libs Senate Leader, Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette, that C-288 would not necessarily be fast-tracked through the upper-house, which meant that the timing of its passage would remain in Liberal hands. This would make it impossible for Harper to use the bill as a trigger for a March election call. And any other response (for example, doing nothing and waiting for lawsuits) would have looked like more Tory stalling.

So what is our situation now? As Antonio over at Fuddle Duddle notes, the opposition has just written the environmental law of the land:

Yesterday was already a non-confidence motion. The Liberals, BQ, and NDP already agree on enough things like Child Care, Kelowna, Status of Women Canada, etc., that they can pass legislating mandating the government to do something about it.

Technically, they cant spend any money, but they can get all kinds of bills through parliament and make the Conservative budget contradict parliament’s will.

I think this is hilarious and John McCallum should begin drafting a budget which should also be another Private Members’ Bill. I think we still have the old platform somewhere. The NDP and the Bloc have seen the poll numbers, neither wants an election. After seeing our numbers I wouldn’t want one either. Who needs an election anyway?

Well, exactly. I don't know why the three opposition parties don't just seize control of the Clean Air Act, for example, rewrite it with teeth, pass it over Conservative opposition and tell Stephen Harper to go squeal like a pig. Certainly, they can pass new regulations.

I might even suggest writing legislation proclaiming Same Sex Marriage compulsory in Alberta. Make the Tories beg for an election.

Also, I would just second Antonio's words to the effect that Pablo Rodriguez, the Liberal MP behind C-288, is an extraordinarily sexxxy guy.



In fact, Antonio himself is pretty damn sexxxy. Between these two fellas and Mitsou, is it any wonder that federal governments of all political stripes feel the need to give Quebec money whenever it pouts?

The Air Goes Out Of That Tory Trial Balloon

Quebec does not support the Tories' "plan" for an "elected" Senate. The "plan" requires the Feds to :

...conduct a form of plebiscite [in concert with Federal elections], likely only within provinces that have Senate vacancies.

The results would be presented as information to a prime minister to consider when filling a vacancy.

However, Quebec's resident constitutional expert, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Benoit Pelletier, argues that you would have to open the Constitution to even effect such small changes to Senate election procedures as Stephen Harper is proposing.

This news is from a couple of days ago, but I have seen nothing since in the MSM or in the blogosphere. I assume this is because nobody really expected this particular Conservative plan to go anywhere, not even its supporters. Because if you have both Quebec and Ontario against a scheme, which you do in this case, it's dead. I assume it was a trial balloon sent aloft by the Stephen Harper government to draw fire and ink and given the illusion of progress on an issue near and dear to the heart of the party's political base. People like Andrew Coyne should feel betrayed.

But the bottom line is: in Quebec they will never be able to vote for Mitsou, and I will never be able to vote for Galactus. Furthermore, it means my own Senate hopes are effectively dead. Luckily I didn't order up posters yet.

Parliamentary Reform Update: You Can Vote For Mitsou

If she offers herself up for the position.

A plebiscite vote would only be held if a provincial senate seat was vacant, or to soon become vacant. There is no limit on the number of people who can offer themselves for candidacy.

Galactus could run, and even I could offer to serve my nation, take a job that lasts forever and provides free lunches to boot.











Make Me A Senator, And I Will Do No Harm!

Parliamentary Reform: If We Elect The Senate, Can I Vote For Galactus?

Apparently, the Harper government wants to "consult with electors" before choosing new Senators:

... the Ottawa Citizen has learned the bill proposes to establish a procedure where Elections Canada, which has the legal authority to conduct a federal referendum as well as federal elections, would conduct a form of plebiscite, likely only within provinces that have Senate vacancies.

The results would be presented as information to a prime minister to consider when filling a vacancy.

If there are 2 Senate vacancies in my home province of Ontario (which, according to the above-noted article, there are) what if anything would constrain my choice in the plebiscite? Will I be fed a slate of candidates approved by the current provincial government? Or merely a list of potential candidates who have indicated a willingness to serve? (For a discussion of the problems inherent in any of the options discussed in this post, see here)

IMHO the coolest scenario would be a pure write in. If there are two available Ontario Senate seats, I get two blank lines on my ballot. In this case, my first choice would obviously be Galactus, because Canada needs an almost infinitely powerful Being on our side. My second choice would probably be for Mitsou, to balance off the boy/girl ratio, and because after all these years she's still hot.

Ontario Next Senators?