Category: Canadian politics

If you want to stay connected with the chattering classes in Ottawa, then look no further  then accessing your own twitter account. Increasingly politicos and  professionals have been using this social networking tool to get the word out and stay connected to their own supporters. Currently  only 6% of Canadians are using the popular micro-blogging site. In spite of its limited user base Twitter will be an important tool in breaking news on the campaign trail where it happens when it happens.

The downside of this instant Internet fix it is easier to  report more misinformation faster than ever before.This hypercompetitive media environment,  would be like something out of Mark Twain’s worst nightmare who when hearing of his own demise said “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” One thing is certain twitter is here to stay and along with other social media platforms will it  sure to shape news and opinion in the next federal election .

Sunshine is the  best disinfectant for secrecy , therefore why is CBC afraid to open up their books for all to see. Furthermore if the public broadcaster is seen to be complacent with the public purse questions will continue to dog the Corporation about who earns what at the CBC.

From Winnipeg Sun

If disclosure of executive compensation for publicly traded companies serves the public interest, then we as coerced shareholders of the state-funded broadcaster are certainly concerned by the culture of secrecy that refuses similar disclosure by executives at the CBC,”

Steven Taylor National Citizens Coalition

Here is a mock interview with Dalton McGuinty to get the reader in a festive frame of mind.

From Christina Blizzard

PD: What do you mean the HST? How was that a highlight? Terri hated the HST. Every time she went to the hairdresser or the manicurist she got dinged another 8%.


I’ve been on the naughty list since July 1 for that one.


CB: Tell us about the G20. Whatever possessed you to pass that secret law, Premier Dad?


PD: Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad. It’s not like we’d doubled your hydro bill over five years or snuck through outrageous eco fees on everything.


Now THAT would be worth taking to the streets about.


Besides, what’s the point of having civil rights in this country if the government doesn’t come in every now and then and arbitrarily impose martial law?


We need to crack a few heads to let those left-wing kooks know who’s the boss.


(At this point, the aide lunges at Premier Dad, tackling him to the plush broadloom).


A trickle of eggnog dribbles down Premier Dad’s chin as the aide vainly tries to gag him with a handful of candy canes and a glow in-the-dark Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.


Next year, Premier Scrooge, when it comes to year-enders, I have seven letters for you: SUN NEWS.

From don’t touch my junk to now don’t tax my iPod. As part of the iPod generation I can say that digital music is a fact of life and no longer a neat little innovation. Also the iTunes store reached the10 billion downloads mark on February 24th of this year with that in mind it is safe to say this technology isn’t going away anytime soon.

That’s why the announcement by industry Minister Clement yesterday was welcomed to news to my earbuds. It’s good to see the government targeting the pirates who ride every new emerging digital wave and not the average consumer who could be unknowingly caught in the crossfire of a bad tax.

From Globe and Mail


This bill … goes after the bad guys, the guys that are destroying value for commercial – for commercial ends or just because they get a kick out of doing so.”


Mr. Clement said some artists have figured out how to make money in an age where audio files can be freely traded – and urged others to follow their lead.


“Many creators have come up with ways to create a new revenue stream whether through the internet or by other means for their creation and that’s what I would encourage ours to do as well.”


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