Category Archives: Liberal

A Liberal MP wants a comprehensive review of his governments response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as more accountability and transparency are needed to answer to Canadians when it comes to implementing measures that affect the whole country.

We need a greater level of accountability and transparency. And so in this case, we need the health minister ideally to identify the key drivers of pandemic risks, describe how Canadian activities contribute to that risk, and then put in place measures to mitigate that risk, said Nathaniel Erskine-Smith in an interview with the National Post, reported on Oct. 7.

Erskine-Smith said he doesnt have any specific failure in mind that he wants the review to focus on, but would rather leave it to experts with the right experience and knowledge to judge the governments response.

In a perfect world, wed be striking a committee of people who are much smarter than me and with relevant expertise to answer that very question, he said.

Former Health Minister Patty Hajdu suggested last April that a full investigation into Canadas response will be required at the appropriate time. To date, the Liberal cabinet has yet to launch a task force with specific timelines and plans on how the issue will be discussed.

The Epoch Times reached out to incumbent Health Minister Jean-Yves Ducloss office for comment, but staff were unable to respond by publication time.

Erskine-Smith said in the interview that the federal government should take the opportunity to learn from COVID so that the country is better prepared for future pandemics.

Learning the lessons to inform those best efforts going forward is, I think, where the greatest value is, he said.

In June, the Liberal MP put forward a private members bill calling for a comprehensive review of the federal response to the pandemic.

Specifically, the bill requires Duclos to set up an advisory committee to review the pandemic response in order to reduce the risks associated with future pandemics and inform a pandemic prevention and preparedness plan. It also requires the health minister to consult other ministers in creating the new plan.

Finally, it amends the Department of Health Act to provide that the Minister of Health must appoint a national pandemic prevention and preparedness coordinator from among the officials of the Public Health Agency of Canada to coordinate the activities under the Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness Act, the bill said.

The bill completed its first reading on June 17, with a second reading pending. According to theParliament of Canadas website, the bill has been placed in the Order of Precedence since June 20.

There is a worry that we dont learn the appropriate lessons, and one of those lessons has to be that we have stronger public accountability for all future governments, whatever political stripe, Erskine-Smith said.

This isnt the first time the Liberal backbencher voiced his opinion about his partys approach in handling the pandemic.

In a speech on Feb. 21, Erskine-Smith said he had concerns about the invocation of the Emergencies Act by his government and the extension of its measures for 30 days.

Im skeptical that the strict legal test was met for the Acts invocation, and Im not convinced that the emergency measures should continue to exist beyond today, he said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14, using it as a means to quash the protests against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions by truckers and their supporters in Ottawa and across the country.

In May, Erskine-Smith criticized his partys travel restrictions, saying the vaccine mandates were no longer justified.

On Sept. 26, the government announced it was ending federal COVID-19 entry rules, and the use of ArriveCan became optional on Oct. 1. The decision was made based on the latest evidence, available data, operational considerations, and the epidemiological situation, both in Canada and internationally, a government news release said.

Follow

Isaac Teo is an Epoch Times reporter based in Toronto.

View post:

Liberal MP Calls for 'Comprehensive Review' of His Government's Response to COVID-19 Pandemic - The Epoch Times

The first argument of 2022 in Sackett v. EPA also marked Justice Ketanji Brown Jacksons first argument as a newly appointed justice. After several of her peers on the Court completed introductory questions, Justice Jackson chimed in by piggybacking on top of the previous question asked by Justice Kagan. Justice Jackson began by asking about Congress intention with the Clean Water Act:

isnt the issue what Congress would have intended with respect to adjacency and there was a regulation that defined adjacency to include neighboring? And as far as I know, Congress used the term adjacency and didnt adjust it to try to make clear the touching requirement that you say was intended by the term.

After the attorney Mr. Schiff conceded this point, Justice Jackson followed up with:

Well, let me let me let me try to bring some enlightenment to it by asking it this way. You say the question is which wetlands are covered, which I agree with, but I guess my question is, why would Congress draw the coverage line between abutting wetlands and neighboring wetlands when the objective of the statute is to ensure the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters?

Justice Thomas actually began the questioning at oral argument as has typically been the case since last term. Justice Thomas began by helping Damien Schiff set the groundwork for the initial argument by engaging in the following back and forth:

JUSTICE THOMAS: Mr. Schiff, can can intrastate, purely intrastate, navigable bodies of water be waters of the United States?

SCHIFF: Yes, Justice Thomas.

JUSTICE THOMAS: And how is that, if its purely intrastate?

SCHIFF: If as a statutory matter, if that intrastate navigable water connects with some form of interstate transportation such that there could be a continuous channel of interstate commerce, then that water could be regulated.

While Justice Thomas began laying the foundation for questioning Mr. Schiff, the three justices on the left of the Court were all more involved in the arguments for the petitioners side than Justice Thomas was in terms of words spoken.

Perhaps more importantly, all three liberal justices were much more engaged during the petitioners turn than they were during the respondents argument. More engagement during one sides argument is often (but not always) a sign that the justices will vote against that side.

Since some of the more conservative justices spoke more during Brian Fletchers argument for the respondent, we may get a split decision for the first argument of the term.

The first figure tracks the words spoken during the entire span of oral arguments in Sackett.

While Justice Thomas only spoke sparsely, the rest of the justices engaged in the arguments more vigorously. The top four most active speaking justices in Sackett were the four female justices on the Court. This is also the first time four female justices have sat together on the Court. Quite a watershed moment.

The most active speakers on the Court during arguments in Sackett were as follows:

While the three more liberal justices spoke more during the petitioners argument, Justice Barrett spoke about evenly to both the petitioner and the respondents attorney.

Moving on to the rest of the week, Justice Jackson had the most words in an argument in the Merrill case with 2,269 words. It is very rare for a justice to speak over 2,000 words in an argument, even if there is extra time given for that argument. The next most active speaking justice in Merrill was Justice Kagan at 1,436 words.

Justice Jackson spoke more than any other justice in three of the four arguments this past week: Arellano, Sackett, and Merrill. She ended the week with almost a third more words spoken than any other justice at 4,568 words. The graph below shows the breakdowns for all the justices across the week.

Last Term

Last terms first argument was in Mississippi v. Tennessee. There was less engagement from the justices on the whole in that argument than in Sackett. In Sackett two justices, Justices Sotomayor and Barrett, each spoke over 1,000 words. No justice spoke over 1,000 words in last terms first argument. The justice that spoke the most during that argument was Chief Justice Roberts with 920 words and the second most came from Justice Gorsuch with 736 words.

The justices were even less talkative during the second oral argument last term which was Wooden v. United States. There, Justice Alito spoke the most with 751 words followed by Justice Kagan with 717 words.

Other Justices Firsts

Going back over the speaking statistics for the two justices appointed prior to Justice Jackson Justices Barrett and Gorsuch Justice Jackson appears to be much more talkative out of the gates.

Justice Barrett was confirmed in late October of 2020 and so she didnt sit for oral arguments until the November sitting. Her first oral argument was in United States Fish and Wildlife v. Sierra Club. Barrett was more reticent than Justice Jackson in her first oral argument as she spoke 490 words. The following graph has the speaking statistics for all the justices at that argument.

Per the statistics the justices appeared generally less engaged in these arguments than they did in Sackett. That said, Justice Breyer was far ahead of the pack in the US Fish arguments followed by Justice Kagan. Justice Gorsuch who spoke the third most during those arguments spoke over 150 fewer words than Justice Breyer.

Justice Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Court on October 6, 2018. He also did not start at the beginning of the term but took part in the last several arguments of the October sitting. Justice Kavanaughs first oral argument was in Stokeling v. United States. In 2018 as this was pre-pandemic Thomas was not generally participatory at oral arguments and he did not ask any questions in Stokeling. Justice Breyer did not actively participate either. This left seven justices to engage in oral arguments.

The justices still did not speak as much in Stokeling as they did in Sackett. Even so, Kavanaugh was the fifth most talkative justice during those arguments. In Stokeling, the justices word counts were as follows:

Kavanaugh only said 345 words during those arguments. This was fewer than Justices Barrett and Jackson in their first oral arguments. All other justices speaking statistics in Stokeling were dwarfed by Justice Kagans 1,067 words. Justice Alito was the second most active justice in the Stokeling arguments with 680 words.

Will Justice Jackson continue with her active participation during oral arguments? Will the female justices continue to ask questions as frequently especially the liberal justices? Will the speaking statistics correlate with the justices votes on the merits? We are only four oral arguments into the 2022 Term and there are lots of questions like these that will take weeks or months to answer.

Read more at Empirical SCOTUS.

Adam Feldman runs the litigation consulting company Optimized Legal Solutions LLC. For more information write Adam atadam@feldmannet.com.Find him on Twitter:@AdamSFeldman.

Read more:

Liberal Justices Take The Reins In First Week Of Arguments - Above the Law

A common political archetype for students at UM is the self-proclaimed socially left, economically right individual. Many students believe in socially progressive values, such as access to abortion, gun control and LGBTQ+ representation, but dont voice the same support for the economic policies that would bring those ideas to fruition. Economic and social values are inextricably intertwined, and the disparity in ideals only serves to impede social progress.

Progressivism seems to line up fairly consistently, UM political science professor Casey Klofstad said. Social progressives would probably be in favor of raising taxes to fund social programs.

This is a reasonable extension of socially left policies, but oftentimes those who come from affluent backgrounds, as is the case with many UM students, are more sympathetic towards wealth protection. They are often opposed to high tax margins, free healthcare and other economically progressive ideas regardless of whether they consider themselves as fully conservative. For the good of society, it is very important for such students to abandon these notions.

Simultaneously embracing social liberalism and fiscal conservatism means relegating social policies to mere ideals. The fact of the matter is that tackling social justice issues like systemic racism is nearly impossible without an economic backbone.

For example, the United States still experiences effects from redlining, a 1930s process in which the Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC) created maps that ranked communities from best (green) to worst (red) based on investment risk. Communities with a high population of Black Americans were marked in red on the map and deemed hazardous, making it virtually impossible for people living in those communities to obtain loans. Though the practice was banned in 1968, previously redlined neighborhoods still suffer the effects from years of financial neglect with lower levels of homeownership and lower median household incomes.

The problem is, when faced with a discrepancy between ones beliefs and their actions, individuals will almost always change their beliefs rather than their actions. Simply put: people will do anything to avoid the perilous fate of being proven wrong. Thus the ever-compromising, socially liberal yet fiscally conservative hybrid is born.

Many people who claim they really value social issues like racial equality may simultaneously be against the economic aspect of police reform or defunding. When provided with evidence on how the police are implicitly biased against certain racial groups, they may often downplay their stance on racial equality rather than police reform. This cognitive dissonance they experience further stifles the conversation around social progress and generates zero solutions.

Most folks are not pure ideologuesmost folks have disparate opinions that can go in logically inconsistent directions, Klofstad said.

A persons belief system naturally tends to be complex and hypocritical. However, now is the time for the socially liberal and economically conservative student to iron out those complexities. Its imperative to understand that for any real change to occur, social issues cant be separated from the very funds that would enable them to work effectively. For lasting and beneficial social change, we must invest in it financially.

Jayden Cohen is a freshman majoring in Business Analytics in the Miami Herbert Business School.

See more here:

A Message to the Self-Proclaimed Social Liberal, Fiscal Conservative - The Miami Hurricane

The Seward County Sheriffs Office will be participating with the National Faith and Blue, and will be hosting their 2nd Faith and Blue event this Sunday October 9th. The Seward County Sheriffs Office, the Liberal Police Department and other area First Responders will participate in a Dodgeball Tournament. The event will begin by serving food and drinks to the community at 4:00pm, in the amphitheater at SCCC as well as a meet and greet with all the teams before the game starts. There will also be bounce houses and face painting on site as well. During the games in the Greenhouse, there will be a ton of door prizes given away to children and adults which all have been donated through our local businesses.

To receive a prize ticket, bring a nonperishable food item to be collected during the meet and greet (one ticket per person). All donated goods will be distributed throughout the food banks in our area.

The goal of this event is to bring law enforcement closer to the community by bridging the gap through our law enforcement agencies, 1st Responders, local schools, businesses, and churches.

View original post here:

2nd Annual Faith and Blue Coming to Liberal on Sunday - KSCB News.net

Because Latino Caucus was that support system he craved, he knew that stepping into the role of president meant that he also needed to ensure that support system carried on into the future. He wanted students to feel as welcomed and embraced as he did, no matter their situation, while providing opportunities for them to grow as students and individuals.

During my term as president, I want these students to be able to prepare themselves professionally, academically, in any capacity to its fullest while also creating a unified space for Latinx marginalized communities here at Penn State as well as preparing them with the best possible resources and making sure they are set to pursue any goals they might have, he said.

It has not only been organizations like Latino Caucus that have allowed Garza to pursue his passions that pertain to his academic career. He credits his ability to explore these passions to Student Services staff in the College of the Liberal Arts who have awarded him many opportunities to grow as a student leader.

The College of the Liberal Arts has financially helped me beyond my own comprehension, Garza said. I did not think I would be able to come across the country to pursue a college education. It blows my mind every day to know that there are people here who want to see me succeed and be equipped with everything I might need.

After being accepted to Penn State, Garza was selected as a Chaiken Scholar in the College of the Liberal Arts, a program established by longtime benefactors Gene and Roz Chaiken in 2008.

Being a Chaiken Scholar has welcomed me to an environment that equips me with resources that I never knew existed, nor knew I would have because I am a low-income and first-generation college student, Garza said. My family would never be able to afford my undergraduate academic career, but with this financial assistance, I am able to get a world-class education. Being a part of the Chaiken community is a huge help because I have people in my corner who want to see me succeed, and that feels amazing.

The Chaikens made a gift in 2020 to establish the Roz and Gene Chaiken Center for Student Success in the College of the Liberal Arts, which opened the following year. Garza credits Patty Klug, director of the Chaiken Center for Student Success, for him becoming the student he is today and emphasizes that he would not be where he is today if not for her.

I pop into her office at least once a week, if not two times a week, he said. Shes just so helpful, and I like making sure that I say Hi to her or making small gestures like that to return the favor of everything she has done for me. I want to make sure that I am showing my appreciativeness towards her.

Garza has also received support from Earl F. Merritt, director of the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity in the College of the Liberal Arts. When Garza was accepted to Penn State, he received the Bunton-Waller Scholarship from Merritts office. This scholarship program was named in honor of Mildred Settle Bunton, recognized as the first African American woman to graduate from Penn State, and Calvin Hoffman Waller, believed to be Penn States first African American graduate.

When I saw my financial aid package, and the scholarship was on there, I legit wanted to cry, Garza said. The scholarship helped me get an education that I never thought I would be able to accomplish or achieve.

These two scholarships gave Garza the privilege of not worrying heavily about financial means and focusing solely on his academic and professional career. He also met other Bunton-Waller Fellows, which built yet another support system for him to lean on. This has been especially important to him since he is juggling a lot of responsibilities while also trying to enjoy everything college has to offer.

I would not be here had it not been for Mr. Merritt. He has helped me from a financial standpoint and has alleviated the burden of finances for me and my family, Garza said. I also meet with him at least once a semester to discuss where Im at in my academic path and go to him if I have any concerns or need any advice.

Both Patty Klug and Mr. Merritt are the best people I have in my corner rooting for me here at Penn State.

Garzas Penn State experience thus far is one that he will be forever grateful for and one that he hopes to continue to take full advantage of. Coming from the mentality of not knowing if he would ever be able to achieve such goals has pushed his involvement and desire to make an impact on the Penn State community.

Dont let anyone tell you that the goal you make for yourself, or the goals that you strive for, are unattainable and unreachable because theyre more than reachable, Garza said. You are more than able to do what you want to do.

Excerpt from:

Chaiken Scholar finds community in the Latino Caucus and Liberal Arts - psu.edu

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) on Monday discussed her newfound support from liberal Democrats as she continues her crusade against former President Trump, saying she is not choosy these days about who is in her corner.

During an event at Syracuse University, Provost Gretchen Ritter askedCheney, As a lifelong Republican, how painful is it to have liberal Democrats in your fan club now?

Im not choosy these days, the Wyoming Republican responded, laughing herself and eliciting chuckles from the crowd.

Cheney has gotten praise from across the aisle in recent months, specifically after she criticized Trumps claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and voted to impeach him following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

That stance got her ousted from her post as House GOP conference chairwoman in May 2021.

The three-term congresswoman has since dug in her criticism of Trump, particularly through her role as the vice chairwoman of the House select committee investigating the Capitol riot. She frequently uses the elevated platform to scrutinize the former president.

But the role as top GOP Trump critic also led her to be defeated in a reelection primary this summer against Trump-back candidate Harriet Hageman.

Before primary day, Cheney had been urging Democrats to switch their party affiliation and vote for her so she would prevail over Hageman. Her campaign website outlined instructions for how residents could change their party affiliation and participate in the GOP primary, and The New York Times reported that her campaign was sending mailers to Democrats in the state with information on voting in the GOP primary.

Two House Democrats Reps. Dean Phillips (Minn.) and Tom Malinowski (N.J.) cut ads for Cheney, urging members of their party to switch affiliations and vote for her.

While the strategy did not work to change the election results, the Times reported that voters at polling places in the Cowboy State were changing their affiliation.

Members of the Jan. 6 select committee have also praised Cheney.

On Election Day in August, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) on Twitter called Cheney a constitutional patriot and able servant of Wyoming.

Cheney on Monday, after remarking on Democrats showing her support, said members of the party on Capitol Hill gave us in the House everything we wanted, noting that Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) pulled GOP lawmakers from the panel.

Originally posted here:

Cheney on having liberal Democrats as supporters: Im not choosy these days - The Hill

That fact meant TV ads, social media graphics and other material to spruik the plan which were intended to be released on the same day as the policy were not ready to go. The party subsequently faced criticism because the initial story claimed the party would save more money from the policy than it could.

This week, Guys office again surprised campaign leaders when it decided to announce a policy to put armed Protective Services Officers in hospitals. It came days after the Coalition detailed a debt ceiling, which the campaign team intended to be the first in a week full of economic policies. Those policies have not yet eventuated. The hospital security plan was quickly rubbished by Labor as a rehash of an old, failed proposal.

Illustrating members dissatisfaction with the campaign, senior party members this week expressed surprise in a private Facebook group over the suggestion HQ was not teaching candidates how to add election authorisations to social media posts.

Last week, the party lost its deputy state director, who did not have a campaigning role, and about half of the junior campaigners responsible for individual seat operations.

The campaign director and their staff, who are funded by the party not the taxpayer, are supposed to be in charge of election policy and planning. This week, Guys taxpayer-funded staff and campaign workers moved into the same building to begin operating as a joint unit.

Loading

The enmeshing means leaders from HQ are likely to be vested with greater responsibility to oversee the entire machine. McGowan will leave the campaign next month to start campaigning as an upper house candidate (he is likely to be replaced as Guys chief of staff by his deputy). Meanwhile, experienced campaigners from NSW and former federal ministers offices have been hired, as has former state director and Josh Frydenberg staffer Simon Frost, who is supporting the campaign but is not directly involved.

While some Liberals fear the polls point to a bad election loss, other signs point to a coherent campaign. Labor officials have been impressed by the consistency of the Coalitions messaging on health and the strategic locations of hospital upgrades in key seats.

One party campaigner in Melbournes inner-east said MPs across the city were struggling to find volunteers, and party members were unclear about what the key election policies were other than scrapping the rail loop. In particular, senior Liberals are worried the party has not spent long enough boosting its narrative on the economy, reining in debt and alleviating cost-of-living issues.

On a recent Zoom hook-up, officials agreed to adjust the partys use of social media platforms such as TikTok, which has been criticised by some social media users last month.

Five Liberal MPs told The Age they were frustrated with planning spokesman Ryan Smith, who they believed was spending the weeks before the campaign laying the groundwork for a tilt as the leadership after the election rather than contributing to policy in his portfolio.

Ryan Smith in 2018.Credit:Eddie Jim

Smith has been meeting with a group of new candidates who may enter parliament and vote in a potential leadership ballot. At least one MP has been told he had discussed his leadership ambitions with a new candidate.

Responding to these claims, Smith said: In 2014 and 2018 I did all I could to assist candidates so we could win seats and form government. This election is no different. Im focussed on winning government, thats it.

Pollster and former Labor campaigner Kos Samaras whose RedBridge Group performed work for teal independents before the federal election said the Coalitions level of support was weak across Victoria and indicated the party would not pick up seats Labor won in 2014 which are required to get back into government.

In all the electorates said we have polled now and it exceeds 40 all but one has the Liberal Party primary vote below 40 per cent, he said. Matthew Guys seat of Bulleen had a Liberal primary of 41 per cent, more than 10 points down on his last election result.

Kos Samaras believes the Coalitions level of support is weak across Victoria.Credit:Wayne Taylor

He said the Liberal Party primary vote had shown signs of recovering but the signs of 2010 - when a late Coalition surge defeated the Brumby government - were not present.

The Cormack Foundation an investment fund uninhibited by donation caps that was established to finance Coalition campaigns has given the party a fraction of the amount it wants, leaving the campaign with far less cash than it had for the 2018 poll.

The campaign is seeking between $4 and $5 million but have so far received less than $2 million. Senior Liberals are hopeful more money will be transferred to pay for things such as crucial TV and digital ads, but the current level of funding means the Coalition will begin the campaign well behind Labor, which has an approximately $3 million head start on public funding alone.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.

Follow this link:

Liberal campaign beset by threats to quit, surprise announcements and lack of cash - The Age

Commentary

Canada is not immune to the dire challenges of a world gripped by the first European war since World War II, with nuclear threats from an irredentist Russia, a destabilizing energy crisis, a looming global recession brought on by central bankers aggressively raising interest rates to combat galloping inflation which they had previously underestimated, unprecedented public debt, and a lingering global pandemic.

The stock markets wild volatility reflects these forces, with a chilling US$9 trillion drop in global stock valuations in the third quarter and uncertainty whether the most recent upswing is sustainable or a bear trap.

In spite of overarching challenges, Prime Minister Trudeau and his ministers remain obsessed with a climate emergency, a fixation that is unjustifiable for at least four reasons.

First, Canada represents only 1.5 percent of global emissions and the oilsands are a minuscule 0.1 percent, so the government is powerless to impact warming here or anywhere else. Second, global GHG emissions are up over 60 percent in the past 20 years because other countries, especially those with the most rapidly growing emissions, are doing precious little to decrease them, notwithstanding all their impassioned rhetoric. Third, the attempt to achieve net zero by 2050 would cost Canadians a crushing $2 trillion, according to RBC Economics. Fourth, Canada is blessed with some of the most abundant proven oil and gas resources in the world, yet Liberal policies block their huge potential for employment, economic growth, and public funding for critical social programs like health care.

What will Trudeau say to Canadians when a recession likely hits them next year, which could have been precluded or at least mitigated by the development and sale of oil and natural gas? Like a man falling from a skyscraper reassuring himselfSo far so goodhe will soon hit the pavement. Most countries couldnt care less about a wealthy countrys self-harm, regardless of its high-minded motivation. However, there are two exceptions: European allies who urgently need energy resources, and fossil fuel exporters like Russia and other autocracies that benefit from reduced competition.

While our PM boasts about the nobility of his intentions and the moral superiority of his wokeness, Canada has become a vainglorious model of wasted potential and uselessness.

By imposing punishing taxes including a carbon tax, rigid production caps, and other draconian regulations like the Clean Fuel Standard, the government effectively precluded over $150 billion in gas and oil projects and strong-armed provinces to move to intermittent renewables that require backup from natural gas, which it also discourages. Eventually net zero can be achieved, but not at the targeted pace. Furthermore, the cost will be very onerous, especially for the least economically advantaged here and in the poorest countries. However, true believers do not question whether the headlong rush is justifiable or even achievable and whether there are better alternatives, including adaptation and more emphasis on scientific research.

Meanwhile, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts is predicting a colder winter with less wind and rain than usual, thereby reducing the generation of renewable power. Energy prices in Europe rose over 40 percent in September, driving inflation to 10 percent. The Brits and Dutch are returning to high-emitting coal and wood pellets to heat their homes. In Germany, nuclear plants may operate longer and the coal phaseout may be delayed. Twenty-seven EU energy ministers are backing emergency measures to cut power use and tax windfall profits of energy companies to reduce the burden on individuals and businesses.

U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss advised King Charles to stay away from the upcoming COP27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, since she does not want the new monarch to mouth off about a far-off climate emergency. Her government is focused on citizens who are confronting a heat-or-eat dilemma, prompting her to lift a moratorium on shale gas extraction that could eclipse North Sea production in 15 years. Furthermore, Truss appointed appointed Jacob Rees-Mogg, a well-known climate skeptic, as business secretary, and Suella Braverman, her powerful home secretary, questioned the wisdom of the net-zero goal.

President Biden keeps spouting environmental fealty, even as he opened 62 million acres of federal onshore and offshore lands to fracking. The Republicans seem poised to win a majority in the House of Representatives in the midterms and possibly the White House in 2024, which would change the direction of American climate policy.

Between 2015 and 2021, the United States reduced its emissions by 6 percent, mainly by moving from coal to natural gas. However, wealthy countries represent less than one-third of global emissions, so Americas improvements will be swamped by increases in India, Africa, and especially China that, during the same period, increased emissions by 11 percent. Furthermore, China is planning or building coal-fired power plants with a total capacity of at least 100 gigawatts, enough to power 77 million homes. Xi Jinping was clear: We cant be detached from reality. We cant toss away whats feeding us now while what will feed us next is still not in our pocket.

There was never a basis for the oft-repeated claim that 97 percent of scientists agree about a climate emergency. Now the much-vaunted scientific consensus is increasingly questioned. As just one example, over 1,400 scientists and professionals from 55 countries signed the World Climate Declaration asserting there is no climate emergency; warming has both natural and anthropogenic causes, it is far slower than predicted and has not increased natural disasters; CO2 is not a pollutant but rather the basis of all life; and climate policy must respect scientific and economic realities.

A dispassionate public discussion, without acrimony, insults, and threats, is long overdue about a public policy issue that some consider to be existential. So far that has proven to be impossible because of people like United Nations spokesperson Melissa Fleming, who proclaimed at a World Economic Forum meeting that We own the science.

On one side of this debate of the deaf are passionate believers in the imminent irreversibility of an apocalyptic climate emergency. The groupthink of quasi-religious adherents holds enormous sway in the corridors of political power, media, academia, and in the public square. On the other side are pragmatists who rely on facts over faith, data over ideology, and historicity over revisionism. We may finally be at a turning point as a result of scarce energy, galloping electricity prices, pervasive inflation, and compromised national security.

Its time for adults in the room who will act on scientific, economic, and geopolitical reality. Mind you, no one could credit our government with political maturity, an ability to competently deliver on its core mandates, or effectively respond to opportunities and threats outside its ideological bubble.

And the band played on.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Follow

Joe Oliver was the minister of finance and minister of natural resources in the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Canada.

Read the rest here:

Joe Oliver: In Spite of Overarching Challenges, the Liberals Remain Unduly Fixated on a 'Climate Emergency' - The Epoch Times

The Parti Qubcois (PQ) is appealing to other political parties to grant them official party status, something that would give them more money and more visibility in the national assembly.

Following Monday night's election, they say the system is unfair, as other parties have also complained that the current electoral system is "broken"and is in need of an update.

The current rules state that a party needs at least 12 seats or 20 per cent of the vote but the PQ won only three seats on Oct. 3 and just under 14.61 per cent of the vote.

The PQ said it makes little sense that the Quebec Liberal Party got official party status even though the PQ got more votes and a higher percentage of the vote than the Liberals. The party is also deploring Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade for getting in the way of the separatist party from gaining the official status, and is calling on her to show some"introspection" and "humility."

After Monday's election, the Liberals got 591,077 votes (14.37 per cent of the vote) and 21 seats, whereas the PQ got 600,708 votes but won just three ridings. It harkens back to the old seats versus votes debate that was once again reignited after the 2022 election results came in.

"Given these results, we cannot accept that a party that got less votes than us considers itself legitimate to prevent us from representing more votes than them," said Pascal Brub, the PQ MNA for Matane-Matapdia, on Friday.

By comparison, Qubec solidaire also got more votes than the Liberals 634,535 votes or 15.43 per cent, according to Elections Quebec.

The breakdown of voter support for the major political parties in Quebec after the Oct. 3, 2022 election. (Source: Elections Quebec)

With official party status, the PQ would get about $1 million more to pay for things like additional national assembly staff, research staff, as well as more time in the Salon Bleu to ask questions.

Brub said the system is unfair.

"We can't stand this kind of system that doesn't count every vote in democracy. So the winner takes it all. If you win the seat, you have 100 [per cent] of the power. It cannot work that way anymore," he said Friday.

"And I feel like we're going to have this discussion sooner than later and we're going to be part of that discussion."

In order to be given official party status, MNAs in the national assembly would have to vote unanimously in favour of it. The PQ says for now, the Liberals are holding out.

With files from The Canadian Press

See the original post:

PQ calling on Liberals to grant them official party status - CTV News Montreal

Protesters have clashed with police in Melbourne's cityas people ralliedin the streets to promote opposing messages about abortion rights.

Pro-choice protestersmarched a course through the CBD that was planned to intersect with ananti-abortion march taking place at the same time.

Police worked to stop the marches from crossing paths, with officers liningup across city streets, patrolling on horseback and blocking the paths of the demonstrators.

Bourke Street and Spring Street were closed near parliament due to the protests, delaying traffic and tram services through the CBD.

As one driver sat in a queue ofcars, she said she thought the protests were a waste of taxpayer money and police resources.

"I get that people want to protest and that, but on a Saturday when everyone is out and about trying to do their thing it's ridiculous, take it somewhere else, not in the middle of the CBD," she said.

Victorian Convenor of the Animal Justice Party Bronwyn Currie said the pro-choice protestwas fighting "for the lives of women".

"If abortion is not legal, if it's not affordable, if it's not accessible, it's not going to stop abortions," she said.

"Abortions will continue to happen but women's lives will be in peril and we're not going to let that happen. We are here to fight and demand that we have our human rights protected."

Secretary of the Reason Party, Emma Sinclairsaid anti-abortion sentiment has grown after the overturning ofthe Roe v Wade decision by the United States Supreme Court.

In response to that decision, more than 3,000 people demonstratedin early July Melbourne's CBD in a show of solidarity with abortion rights protesters in the US.

"It is a battle we've been dealing with for centuries, we've taken steps forward to decriminalise and now we're at risk again," Ms Sinclair said.

In August, MP Fiona Patten. leader of the Reason Partyintroduced a bill into state parliament that would haveremoved the right of hospitals that receive taxpayer funding to refuse to offer reproductive health servicesdue to "corporate conscientious objection".

Ms Sinclair said that bill has since beenrejected, but the Reason Partyis still pushing for the changes to be implemented.

With many attendees holding blue and pink balloons, the anti-abortion march gathered close to the pro-choice protestat Treasury Gardens to call for the repeal of Victoria's abortion laws.

Some peoplewore clothing and held a flag with the insignia of thefar-right Proud Boys extremist group.

Others at the marchsaid they were there as a show of support for religious freedoms, following the resignation this week of Essendon CEO Andrew Thorburn,after it emerged the church he leads has publishedarticles that are critical of homosexuality and abortion.

In an attempt to disrupt the anti-abortion event, some pro-choiceprotestersjoined the crowd at Treasury Gardens and held balloons indicating they were part of the anti-abortion march.

They were quickly expelled by police when they started chanting "pro-life is a lie, you don't care if people die".

Former Liberal MP and organiser of the anti-abortion march Bernie Finn said the Liberal Party should change its abortionpolicies.

"If the Liberal Party really cares about human rights and really cares about civil liberties, they will protect everyone, and that includes babies before birth," he said.

Mr Finn, who has been an MP for nearly four decades, was expelled from the Liberal Party in May after posting inflammatory social media contentabout abortion rights.

Mr Finn said Moira Deeming, who was chosen to replace himand contest the upper house Western Metropolitan Region seat atthe November state election, also hasanti-abortion views.

When asked about Ms Deemnig's opinions at a press conference this morning, leader of the Victorian Liberals Matthew Guy said no one should be "demonised for any point of view they express".

"Anyone in this country is entitled to have a view on issues like that, and so long as their debates are sensible and respectful, everyone is entitled to have a view," he said.

"The Liberal Party, we don't penalise people for having different points of view and on that topic [abortion]we've got very broad differences of a point of view."

Read more:

Police clash with abortion protesters, as opposing rallies take to the streets of Melbourne - ABC News