Daily Archives: April 14, 2017

CANADIAN NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

The Liberal government will announce its plan for legalizing marijuana today, shortly after noon Eastern Time. It will not be smooth sailing over the next year, as the government will have to contend with an independent Senate and sort out implementation with the provinces, which will be responsible for how the product is sold. Doctors are warning the recreational drug isnt totally safe, of course, even when its legal. It remains to be seen, too, what effect legalization will have on organized crime.

The Liberals continue to appoint judges at a slow pace, leaving a near-record list of vacancies.

The enabling legislation for the Canada Infrastructure Bank, which was tabled this week, is raising some concerns about just how independent the bank will be from its political masters. The really big question that I dont really see [answered] in the legislation is striking the appropriate balance between the democratic oversight of the infrastructure banks spending decisions with the independence necessary to make sure that this bank is going to be critically evaluating project business cases, said Benjamin Dachis of the C.D. Howe Institute.

The Liberals are also warning the Trump administration that Buy America provisions in the building of new oil-and-gas pipelines would violate international law.

The military is going to redo how it helps soldiers transition to civilian life.

And The Globe will argue in court today to release more information from the RCMP search warrant for Vice-Admiral Mark Norman.

B.C. ELECTION BRIEFING

By James Keller (@ByJamesKeller)

Today, the New Democrats will release their full platform with details about how the party plans to pay for some of its more expensive promises including $10 per day daycare, cancelling tolls on two major bridges in the Vancouver region, freezing electricity rates, and the rent subsidy. The NDP has previously said it will raise some of that money through tax increases on the wealthy, but the Liberals argue that wont be nearly enough to cover all the New Democrats are offering. The Liberals, who released their platform in full on Monday, have not publicly disclosed Ms. Clarks itinerary for today.

Kinder Morgans proposed expansion of its Trans Mountain pipeline between Alberta and the B.C. coast was seen as a deciding factor in the 2013 B.C. election, when then-NDP leader Adrian Dix made a surprise mid-campaign announcement opposing the project. The position fed into a narrative that the New Democrats were against resource development and resource jobs and provided a clear contrast with the B.C. Liberals, who won re-election. Four years later, B.C. and Ottawa have both approved the project, though Liberal Leader Christy Clark appeared eager to sidestep the issue yesterday. Campaigning in Burnaby, where the pipeline route ends, Ms. Clark insisted the pipeline approval was a federal decision that didnt have much to do with her government. The NDP and the Greens both oppose the Trans Mountain expansion, which could turn into a liability for the Liberals in tight races in Burnaby.

Housing is already emerging as a central theme in the campaign, as the governing Liberals and the NDP offer policies designed to address a growing housing crisis that has priced many out of the market to buy a home, while squeezing renters with high rates and low vacancies. The NDP is promising to help renters with a $400-per-year subsidy to offset housing costs. The party isnt saying how much the program would cost, but with 524,000 renters recorded in the 2011 census (the most recent year available), the bill could exceed $200-million per year. The Liberals say the focus should be on helping low-income renters and building affordable housing, and criticized the plan for applying to all renters even if theyre living in a luxury condo in downtown Vancouver.

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QUOTABLE

From Wednesdays Question Period:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: I know there are going to be Canadians all across the country getting onto their mobile phones, accessing their Internet, turning on their TVs, to watch the Stanley Cup playoffs, which start tonight, and I know that everyone across this country will join me in rooting for the Montreal Canadiens over the Maple Leafs, over the New York Rangers --

Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

House of Commons Speaker Geoff Regan: Now we are getting into dangerous territory.

Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

The Speaker: Order. That is the kind of thing that creates disorder in the House. I know the Prime Minister should realize that.

(Note: no Canadian team did well on opening night of the NHL playoffs, unfortunately.)

SECUREDROP

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WHAT EVERYONES TALKING ABOUT

Campbell Clark (The Globe and Mail): When the Liberal government moves Thursday to table legislation to legalize cannabis, its going to talk about controlling and regulating and restricting sending a signal marijuana is bad, making sure its sold without a lot of branding hoopla to limit the dark arts of temptation, and especially emphasizing measures to stop pot from falling into the hands of minors.

John Ibbitson (The Globe and Mail): Gerald Butts, Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus principal secretary, and Katie Telford, his chief of staff, were young staffers at Queens Park in the Harris years. Mr. Butts eventually became Liberal Premier Dalton McGuintys principal secretary. Mr. McGuintys governments liked cramming all sorts of things into the annual budget-implementation bill. Mr. Butts watched Stephen Harpers majority government routinely employ omnibus bills and closure. Now, its the Liberals turn.

Andrew MacDougall (The Globe and Mail): The Liberals are now learning, just as Stephen Harpers majority government did, that a determined opposition can gum up Parliament. The oppositions moves, while within the rules, are undoubtedly frustrating for a government that wants to hit the barbecue circuit with a list of results longer than the current haiku. The temptation to strong-arm Parliament thus increases with every legislative obstacle.

Yves Boisvert (The Globe and Mail): When there are many nations in a single country, the task of constructing one national history is doomed. In any country, in fact, there are many histories. But at least you can try to be honest. Some attempts by groups of Canadian scholars have granted good results in the past. But the CBCs Story of Us did not even try.

Andrew Coyne (National Post): In the spirit of the times, let me add my own grievance to the gathering national pile. If by some oversight Confederation should somehow be discussed in its 150th anniversary year, it is a safe bet one figure in particular will be mentioned only in passing, if at all: George Brown. Father of Confederation, leader and principal architect of what was to become the Liberal party, founder of The Globe (later the Globe and Mail) newspaper, Brown is the forgotten man of Canadian history.

Written by Chris Hannay.

Follow us on Twitter: @GlobePolitics

Originally posted here:

Liberals to release plan today to legalize marijuana - The Globe and Mail

Liberal comedian Chelsea Handler has really put herself out there to support Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff, but shes apparently not even sure when his election is.

Handler has donated a few thousand dollarsto Ossoff, who is running in a special election to represent Georgias 6thCongressional District,replacing Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price in the House of Representatives.

But the comedian got a little bit ahead of herself earlier this week, asking her nearly 7million Twitter followers to head to the polls Tuesday when the election isnt taking place until next week, on April 18.

As it turns out, Handler, who in 2016 told NBCs Matt Lauerthat she associates racism with really like dumb people from the South, isnt the only Hollywood name backing Ossoffs campaign. In fact, 95 percent of the donations to the Democrats campaign have come from sources outside Georgia.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, more than $500,000 has come from California, $400,000 has come from New York, and Massachusetts donors have pitched in around $160,000.

Ossoff has received support from big names such asGeorge Takei, Sam Waterston, Debra Messing, Rosie ODonnell, and Kristen Bell. Actors Alyssa Milano and Christopher Gorham, who were in Georgia for a film project, even offered to drive early voters to the polls tocast their ballotsfor Ossoff in late March.

Republicans have criticized Ossoff for not really being connected to the district hes running to represent, pointing out that he doesnt even live in the area and that much of his financial support is coming from out of the state.

In response, Ossoff said he would move to the district,should he win.

Read more:

Liberal comedian Chelsea Handler sends Georgia voters to the ... - TheBlaze.com

A pair of veteran members of Parliament had a spirited exchange Thursday over the integrity of the former Liberal justice minister who advised the government on marijuana legalization.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale even invited his Conservative critic Tony Clement to repeat his accusations outside the House of Commons, where parliamentary privilege shields him from lawsuits.

Conservative MP Tony Clement asks a question in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 13, 2017. (Photo: Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Clement rose in question period shortly before the Liberals unveiled their long-awaited bill to legalize cannabis and highlighted a report from The Globe and Mail detailing McLellans links to the marijuana industry.

The Globe wrote that McLellan, who chaired the task force that helped mold the governments approach to pot, is a senior adviser for law firm Bennett Jones LLP, "the go-to advisory firm in the marijuana sector." The report noted a dozen lawyers at the firm have stakes in a company expected to profit from legalization.

"Anne McLellan's firm promotes itself as the go-to advisers to the industry, and at least 12 of its employees stand to make millions from their ownership stake in one of the pot companies," Clement said. "She, herself, is criss-crossing the country, promoting the Liberal policy, and handing out her own business cards.

"How deep in the grass does all this Liberal cronyism go?"

Goodale: 'Good luck'

Goodale was succinct in his defence of his former colleague, with whom he served in previous Liberal cabinets.

If the honourable gentleman wants to attack the integrity of Anne McLellan, good luck, Goodale shot back, sparking laughter and applause from the Liberal benches.

The remark evidently lit a fire under Clement, who said he would do just that when McLellan and her law firm stand to capitalize on Liberal connections.

While she was designing the framework for this new system, her legal colleagues were waiting in the wings to make big pot profits. Is this new legislation merely a smokescreen for Liberal cronies to fill their pockets? Clement bellowed before tossing his question card.

Anne McLellan, leader of the federal task force on marijuana, speaks during a news conference in Ottawa on Dec. 13, 2016. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Goodale said the clear answer is no. He then invited Clement to step outside.

If the honourable gentleman would like to make those suggestions outside the House, I am sure Ms. McLellan will meet him in court, Goodale said.

The Liberal governments pot legislation will, if passed, allow adults over the age of 18 to buy and grow small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Selling the drug to a minor, however, could result in as much as 14 years behind bars.

With a file from The Canadian Press

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Excerpt from:

Tony Clement, Ralph Goodale Have Feisty Exchange Ahead Of Liberal Pot Bill - Huffington Post Canada

Published on: April 13, 2017 | Last Updated: April 13, 2017 4:09 PM PDT

NDP supporter and retired teacher Bill Wilson (middle) is helped after nearly fainting after confronting Liberal party volunteer Andrew Roberts (left) outside a NDP party rally in Coquitlam on Thursday. Roberts was handing out Liberal party literature at the time. NDP press secretary James Smith (right) helps Roberts steady Wilson. Jason Payne / PNG

A B.C. Liberal volunteer helped steady an upset NDP supporter who nearly fainted during some tense moments in Coquitlam Thursday.

The incident developed just after an NDP-sponsored event when NDP supporter and retired teacher Bill Wilson confronted Liberal Party volunteer Andrew Roberts, who was handing out pro-Liberal Party leaflets outside the event.

Postmedia photographer Jason Payne said the incident happenedwhile he was loading his car after taking photos at the main NDP rally.

(Roberts) started handing out Liberal Party flyers (and) Wilson started laying into the guy about Liberals being bad for teachers. Nothing much happened, but when I turned away (Wilson) almost fainted.

Payne said that Roberts and NDP press secretary James Smith managed to grab Wilson and steady him.

He (Wilson) had overexerted himself. They got him a chair and a glass of water. They called an ambulance, but he seemed OK.

bmorton@postmedia.com

NDP supporter and retired teacher Bill Wilson (left) confronts Liberal party volunteer Andrew Roberts outside a NDP party rally in Coquitlam on Thursday. Jason Payne / PNG

NDP supporter Bill Wilson (left) confronts Liberal party volunteer Andrew Roberts. Jason Payne / PNG

Liberal party volunteer Andrew Roberts (left) and NDP press secretary James Smith (right) help NDP supporter Bill Wilson (middle) after he nearly fainted outside a NDP rally in Coquitlam on Thursday. Jason Payne / PNG

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Liberal volunteer helps steady NDP supporter after confrontation - Vancouver Sun