Canadian Politics
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Canadian Gov't Dissolves Thousands of Same-Sex Marriages (Including Dan Savage's) | Gay Blog | Gay News
The reversal of federal policy is revealed in a document filed in a Toronto test case launched recently by a lesbian couple seeking a divorce. Wed in Toronto in 2005, the couple have been told they cannot divorce because they were never really married – a Department of Justice lawyer says their marriage is not legal in Canada since they could not have lawfully wed in Florida or England, where the two partners reside. The two women – professionals in the their early 30s – cannot be identified under a court order. But Martha McCarthy, a prominent Toronto lawyer who represents them, said the government’s about-face is astonishing. “It is scandalous,” she said in an interview. “It is offensive to their dignity and human rights to suggest they weren’t married or that they have something that is a nullity.”
Do you have opinions about political priorities? Thoughts about policy? Here’s your chance to choose a leader and potential premier that reflects your concerns. To join or re-join the NDP, go to http://www.bcndp.ca/ and click on “Join”. Alternatively, contact the membership secretary of your local constituency.
Corky Evans: Thoughts about “what’s next” | richardhughes.ca
WANTED. Have you seen this man? « Sister Sage's Musings
Poor Les Leyne laments in today’s Times Colonist at the lack of Leadership in BC these days. Did he really just notice this? The rest of the province have been wondering what the hell happened to Gordon Campbell since the day he resigned without stepping down. The so-called professional media have not been helpful, or even curious, it seems. But this week I have had a couple of telltale hints that these political pundits know exactly where Campbell is on any given day.
BC Liberal Constitution
January 24, 2011 UPDATE: Possibly as a result of yesterday's article and coverage of it by CKNW, the BC Liberals have restored access to their constitution on their party's website. Two issues remain: First, will delegates to their Feb 12 constitutional convention be given a list that shows the number of members for each of the 85 constituencies compared to the average membership? Those under the average would increase their influence with the weighted voting system, those over it would lose influence.
NDP inexperience shows in latest gaffes | Election 2011 | National Post
The week began on a high for the New Democratic Party, but in the few days since its sweeping victory, a number of public relations gaffes have played into the hands of critics, skeptical of the party’s ability to transition from third party to Official Opposition status with an especially young and inexperienced caucus. Early Thursday morning, the youngest MP in Canadian history, 19-year-old Pierre-Luc Dusseault raised eyebrows after an interview on the John Oakley Morning Show, in which he asserted the issue of Quebec’s role in Canada remains open and that the newly increased representation Quebec has in parliament will be reflected in the way the province relates to the rest if Canada. “The NDP and I respect sovereignty,” said the MP-elect who represents the Sherbrooke riding in Quebec. “Sovereignty will be done in Quebec. Quebecers will decide if they want to be a country.”
Conservation Voters urge BCers to join the Liberal Party | rabble.ca
Yesterday I received an email from the Conservation Voters of BC urging me to join the Liberal Party of B.C. so I could vote for their next leader. I thought it might be a joke but reading the whole piece it was clear this group was serious. It is one of the most ill-considered and dishonest appeals I have ever received from normally progressive organizations. It represents incredibly bad judgement on the part of five respected organizations -- three of which I have actually given money to in the past year. The groups that make up the Conservation Votes are: Dogwood Initiative, Ecojustice, Georgia Strait Alliance, West Coast Environmental Law and Wildsight. If they don't rescind this appalling appeal they won't be getting a donation from me this year or any year in the future.The Tyee – Politicians Don't Like Recall? Well, Why Would They?
"As citizens of this democracy, you are the rulers and the ruled, the law-givers and the law-abiding, the beginning and the end." -- Adlai Stevenson, U.S. politician,1900-1965 Prominent British Columbia politicians of all persuasions really don't trust you, the voter. It doesn't matter if they hold a BC Liberal or BC New Democrat membership card or were premier or cabinet ministers -- your democratic rights are a threat to their privileged existence.
There have been too many examples of Kevin Falcon’s cavalier use of the truth in his approach to public policy for me to now believe that he will deliver a government that will not be exactly the same as that of Gordon Campbell. Indeed, if one tries to honestly define the Liberal leadership candidates, Falcon is the closes to being a clone of Campbell. My first memory of Falcon dates back to the late 1990s when he was the spokesperson for Concerned Citizens of B.C. You might remember him from the “Total Recall” campaign which tried unsuccessfully to launch recall against the NDP MLAs. He swore at the time that he was an independent British Columbian who had no connection to Campbell or the Liberal party and no interest in politics, just truth from the government. That proved to be untrue.
