Category: Other

The reshuffled Alberta PCs under new premier Alison Redford  is  reconvening the Alberta legislature  for a whopping two days.  More to the point, in the current legislative year 2011. The Alberta legislature has had a grand total of 34 sitting days.Doing some quick math, that works out to be less than 10% of the current year. That poses the question , how can the government effectively be held to account when the Legislature only sits around 10 to 13% a year . 


To be fair, most provincial legislatures only have a maximum of three months of sitting days, In any given year. Far from being a bleeding heart liberal, if I was in Alberta , I would just want to see my politicians work a little harder for their money.

At least this is what could happen to  bloggers. If Québec culture minister Christine St.-Pierre gets her way. On Monday the minister. outlined regulations that would attempt to sanction the profession of journalism in Québec. Another round of regulation shouldn’t come as a surprise in La Belle province. More importantly, this raises the question.

From National Post

At the heart of the project is legislation that would define the “status of professional journalists.” The stated intention is to distinguish those dedicated to “serving the public interest” from “amateur bloggers.” Those admitted to the rank of professional journalist would enjoy unspecified “advantages or privileges,” such as “better access to government sources.”

Why does a government feel compelled to legislate, who can and cannot be a “real” journalist.  Just like the establishment media, citizen journalists have to build their list of contacts and credibility. What do you think about this very disturbing development in Québec. Let me know by voting in the poll .

Bernard Trottier

Learn more about the man who beat  ignatieff  Bernard Trottier and what he plans to do as the new MP from Etobicoke Lakeshore. [Read This]