The Harper government’s shoestring approach to diplomacy, typified by an attitude of serving ginger ale and Ritz crackers as being “good enough” for hosting diplomatic functions, has not been without controversy, especially when it comes to the illogical sale of a number of diplomatic properties and residences around the globe in the name of fiscal austerity. Many of these sales have been controversial, and the looming sale of our diplomatic residence in Rome is even more so, because of the symbolic links to our troops liberating Italy during the Second World War, and the property was basically given to Canada as thanks. The government, however, denies that there are such links, and has spun a tale of how lavish the place is and how costly it is to maintain – never mind that the former Canadian ambassador to Italy is on the record disputing everything the current government says. But hey, it’s totally cool that we project an image to the world that we’re Mickey Mouse cheapskates who have the taste and class of backwater rubes right? Prestige isn’t our brand, according to this government, nor do we have any appetite for symbolic links to the past. Let’s just do it all on the cheap. Because that always works out well.
Day one of Princess Anne’s visit to Ottawa, and it was spent planting a second tree at Rideau Hall, giving awards at the National Police College, and presenting a number of other youth awards. Here are some photos of the day. Patricia Treble looks at Anne’s propensity for being a no-nonsense style recycler, who wears the same outfits over and over again with no attention paid to the style watchers of the royal family, in part because she’s one of the hardest working royals (500 engagements last year alone) with no time to fuss about outfits between events.
In continuing story about sexual harassment on the Hill prompted former Liberal deputy Prime Minister Sheila Copps to reveal that she was once sexually assaulted as an MPP in Queen’s Park, and that there have been allegations against previous Speakers. (Copps gets it wrong when she says that the police have no jurisdiction the Hill – they can, but it’s slightly complicated). CBC reporter Laura Payton writes about her own experiences (which is a must-read), and the delicate dance that young women on the Hill need to negotiate in order to avoid unwanted advances while still trying to be social and engaged in situations where things can get uncomfortable or inappropriate quickly.
Here’s a fantastic long-form story from Maclean’s Michael Petrou about the fight against ISIS in Iraq, which is definitely worth your time to read.
The government is imposing quarantine measures and self-monitoring orders for high-risk travellers from Ebola-affected countries.
Five years of cuts at Transport Canada, but rail safety isn’t affected – really! You can trust them!
What’s that? Kinder Morgan may have overplayed the economic benefits and underplayed the costs of its Trans Mountain pipeline expansion? You don’t say!
The federal government has signed a renewed ten-year agreement with Alberta on gas tax fund transfers. Jason Kenney just warned that they don’t want the province to spend it on building new NHL arenas.
What’s that? Political parties are stockpiling millions so that they can spend the summer buying ads without any spending limits, thanks to our fixed election date? You don’t say! Tell me again how fixed election dates were going to solve all kinds of problems.
Two of our Canadian Forces’ operating bases in the Iraq theatre are being named after Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent.
Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers has been honoured by the Knesset in Israel.
Justin Trudeau let Energy East protesters have their say at a Toronto Q&A for his memoir. He has previously pledged for a full review of environmental concerns for that pipeline.
Philippe Lagassé writes about the F-35 rumours, and why it’s unlikely that there’s about to be a purchase of four of the fighter jets from the Americans.
Andrew Coyne argues for mandatory voting. As regular readers will know, I’m not convinced, and I can now count Emmett Macfarlane into the club of turnout nerd sceptics.
https://twitter.com/emmmacfarlane/status/532013096530092032
https://twitter.com/emmmacfarlane/status/532013217518981120
And here are a couple of shots of Stephen Harper and company at the APEC summit in Beijing before Harper’s return to Canada for Remembrance Day. (He heads back on a plane to New Zealand and Australia later tonight).
https://twitter.com/channay/status/531881274773078016
https://twitter.com/channay/status/531882668833902592