Tag Archives: Canada

Policing Marijuana

Canada is decriminalizing marijuana next year. As of July 1 the entire country can get stoned at will, with drugs purchased in government sanctioned shops. I’m not convinced it is sound policy. Indeed, I think the decision was based not on science, not on evidence of social harm or benefit, but rather on a calculated […]

A Blind Eye To Corruption

The Premier of Ontario is in court today. Kathleen Wynne should be embarrassed by that. But she probably isn’t. Wynne is a witness in what essentially is a corruption trial involving her political party. It is alleged that inducements were offered to a potential candidate to stand aside so that the party’s preferred nominee could […]

Le Grand Charlie

There were a few mentions in the newspaper this past week about it being the 50th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle’s infamous proclamation of “Vive le Quebec libre!” (That’s long live a free Quebec for those of you who don’t speak French.) I didn’t read the articles – I remember 1967 and the furor over […]

More Reflections on Omar

There has been continued discussion in Canada of the $10.5 million payment made by the federal government to former child soldier Omar Khadr. According to polling, 71% of Canadians are opposed to the deal. Of those who support the governing Liberals, 61% are opposed. Most of the reaction I’ve seen has been emotional, no matter […]

Canada Day Reflections – II

When my children were younger and complained about something I would tell them not to just complain but to offer a solution as well. It is a sound principle: be part of the answer, not just part of the problem.  Otherwise you are just a whiner. I have complained a couple of times about the […]

A Matter of Justice?

I had a post planned for today. I was just checking the spelling when the rumour became reality: The Government of Canada has apologized to Omar Khadr and is handing him a cheque for $10,500,000 for his suffering. I think it is fair to describe this as a cowardly act on the part of the […]

Canada Day Reflections – I

I’ve had some time to reflect, and so have the authorities. It is obvious someone screwed up, to use the vernacular, but no-one wants to take the blame. As I mentioned earlier, getting to Parliament Hill on Canada Day was a challenge. For once I am not going to bash our transit agency, OC Transpo, […]

Canada Day Celebrations – IV

Just a photo essay today, the rest of my fireworks pictures. I had thought about splitting them over two days, but decided to let you have them all at once.

Canada Day Celebrations – III

    Pretty much anyone in Ottawa will tell you that the worst place to watch the national Canada Day fireworks display is on Parliament Hill. But I went anyway. You would think the Hill would be the best place, given that the fireworks are set of more or less at its base. The Hill […]

Canada Day Celebrations – II

After Bono and The Edge performed early Saturday afternoon, I left Parliament Hill. Since I didn’t have to wait in line for hours to get onto the site, I figured I could take a break and go back in the evening for the later portions of the show. The early evening thunderstorm had almost abated […]