Friday December 9, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday December 9, 2016 Dark skies dim TrudeauÕs sunny ways Whether they are miscues or gaffes, the past few weeks have seen the shine wear off the Liberal government, more than 13 months into its first mandate. Call them wobbles, or missteps, mistakes, or worse. Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef was forced last week to apologizeÊfor slagging opposition MPs as lazy after she tossed aside their electoral reform report. As she stood Monday, Conservative MPs heckled they smelled Òtoast,Ó a taunt that her career was on the line. Monsef appeared unconcerned. She had trailed into the Commons, late, sat down and asked aloud, ÒWhereÕs Jim?Ó ThatÕs her seatmate, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr. He capped last weekÕs approval of two new pipelinesÊby suggesting defence and police forces would deal with protesters. Carr, an otherwise strong performer on government bench to date, was absent for MondayÕs question period. So was the prime minister. Justin TrudeauÊwas elsewhere in downtown Ottawa at a coding workshop for high school students to launch computer science education week. Ottawa locations are often photo op venues for the prime minister. But Trudeau was nowhere to be seen Friday when his government hastily reversed a decision on the location of a new Ottawa hospital. It left egg on the face of another star Liberal cabinet minister, Catherine McKenna, whose campaign rhetoric had backed the wrong locale and forced a lengthy, pointless re-examination. (Continued: Toronto Star) https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/12/05/dark-skies-dim-trudeaus-sunny-ways-analysis.html Canada, Electoral reform, Justin Trudeau, Pierre Trudeau, Prime Minister, ghost, dynasty, father, son

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 9, 2016

Dark skies dim Trudeau’s sunny ways

Whether they are miscues or gaffes, the past few weeks have seen the shine wear off the Liberal government, more than 13 months into its first mandate.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday May 20, 2016 Justin Trudeau apologizes for 'failing to live up to a higher standard' A repentant Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized Thursday morning for the third time in two days for a physical encounter with two opposition MPs that resulted in a melee on the floor of the House of Commons the day before. "I apologize to my colleagues, to the House as a whole and to you, Mr. Speaker, for failing to live up to a higher standard of behaviour. Members, rightfully, expect better behaviour from anyone in this House. I expect better behaviour of myself," the prime minister said in the Commons after he apologized directly to two opposition Mps. Trudeau's apology came as members of Parliament debated a privilege motion by Conservative MP Peter Van Loan on "the physical molestation" of a female MP in the House of Commons. MPs agreed as debate resumed after question period to send the matter to a committee Ñ a decision supported by Trudeau hours earlier. On Wednesday, Trudeau walked across the aisle and into a clutch of NDP MPs where he took Conservative Party whip Gord Brown by the arm, elbowingÊNDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau in the process. The prime minister "unreservedly" apologized for the physical contact which he said was "unacceptable.Ó The incident took place just as some MPs were trying to stall a contentious vote to limit debate on Bill C-14, the government's assistance in dying bill. "No amount of escalation or mood in this House justifies my behaviour last night. I made a mistake, I regret it. I am looking to make amends," Trudeau said on Thursday. "I fully hear the desire... of a number of members across the House including the leader of the Official Opposition that we take concrete measures to improve the way the tone functions in this House and the way this government engages with opposition parties as well.Ó "I am apologizing and asking members to understand how contrite and regre

May 20, 2016

Call them wobbles, or missteps, mistakes, or worse.

Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef was forced last week to apologize for slagging opposition MPs as lazy after she tossed aside their electoral reform report.

As she stood Monday, Conservative MPs heckled they smelled “toast,” a taunt that her career was on the line.

Monsef appeared unconcerned. She had trailed into the Commons, late, sat down and asked aloud, “Where’s Jim?”

Saturday August 29, 2015That’s her seatmate, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr. He capped last week’s approval of two new pipelines by suggesting defence and police forces would deal with protesters. Carr, an otherwise strong performer on government bench to date, was absent for Monday’s question period.

So was the prime minister.

Justin Trudeau was elsewhere in downtown Ottawa at a coding workshop for high school students to launch computer science education week. Ottawa locations are often photo op venues for the prime minister. But Trudeau was nowhere to be seen Friday when his government hastily reversed a decision on the location of a new Ottawa hospital. It left egg on the face of another star Liberal cabinet minister, Catherine McKenna, whose campaign rhetoric had backed the wrong locale and forced a lengthy, pointless re-examination. (Continued: Toronto Star)