This afternoon I attended a Levée that was held by my MP Stephen Woodworth. The event was well-attended, and there was a continual lineup to talk to Stephen.
Memorable moments include seeing Marian Meinen once again, who is the party’s Regional Organizer for Southwestern Ontario. Last time we met was when Stephen Harper came to Kitchener just before the last election. Marian is very friendly and outgoing. I also had a great chat with Steven Cage who ran in the 2006 election and is still passionate about his hobby of marathon running.
Other highlights included the best cake I’ve ever tasted in my life. I’m hoping that the pics we took will do it justice if they turn out (of course you still won’t be able to taste it). However, let me tell you that it was a heavenly combination of whipped cream, moist vanilla cake and fresh blueberries and raspberries. Not overly sweet – just perfect.
When I finally got a chance to talk to Stephen Woodworth, I asked him that one burning question that had been on my mind for days – Will there be a throne speech? Probably not the usual question from a constituent.
The answer is yes, and it will happen Monday afternoon. Budget Tuesday, then debate over the budget begins. While cutting the cake, Stephen mentioned to us all that he is scheduled to speak in the House on Thursday regarding the budget. I will be looking forward to it.
From what I could gather, there will be a vote on the budget before the one on the Throne speech. I imagine the reason would be to expedite the stimulus package.
Another unexpected surprise was seeing Liberal MPP John Milloy there. To me, that is a class act when a politician from a different party shows up at an event such as this. Too bad for John that he chose the McGuinty Liberals. It causes me such extreme cognitive dissonance when I have to cast my vote in a provincial election. Dang! Why does he have to be so nice?
So there you have it. Lots of fun, meeting good people and tasting yummy cake – a great way to spend a cold January afternoon in Canada.
* * * *
Sunday Update:
Thanks to my camera guy for this pic of Stephen Woodworth and his lovely wife Sharon, cutting that delicious cake. Fresh blueberries on top. Yum.
“Other highlights included the best cake I’ve ever tasted in my life. I’m hoping that the pics we took will do it justice if they turn out (of course you still won’t be able to taste it). However, let me tell you that it was a heavenly combination of whipped cream, moist vanilla cake and fresh blueberries and raspberries. Not overly sweet – just perfect.”
Aw, gee, that’s mean. LOL Actually, we could have Conservative kitchen parties all over this land. Just put that cake on the menu and watch them come!!
“Liberal MPP John Milloy there. To me, that is a class act when a politician from a different party shows up at an event such as this. Too bad for John that he chose the McGuinty Liberals. It causes me such extreme cognitive dissonance when I have to cast my vote in a provincial election. Dang! Why does he have to be so nice?”
I hear you, doesn’t that just frost your pidork?
I have spent the last hour catching up on your brilliance today. What a spectacular day of entertainment!
Re, The throne speech…ya it could be over before the budget! I am more interested in that than the budget, frankly.
Add on… YEA, Gabby is back in great form!
Hi Gabby, welcome home! Now we need to find WCT!!
We love you WCT, oh yes we do..hoo….
Still renovating so I will catch you on my down time…
I will be shutting down Monday and Tuesday, come he!! or high water!!
Actually, we could have Conservative kitchen parties all over this land. Just put that cake on the menu and watch them come!!
What a great idea, Ed! Actually my description didn’t do it justice. There were layers of fresh fruit and some kind of pudding in between the white cake. And the layers were very artistically arranged.
I hope my camera guy dumps those pics soon so I can see how they turned out.
O/T
Don’t know if anyone has mentioned this but Jane Taber on Fridays “On The Hill” stated that CTV Question Period is moving to 12 noon (Eastern) as of today. I believe it is to be wall-to-wall Obama (surprise!!).
Thanks for the tip, Madmacs.
So wall-to-wall Obama, eh? I may just skip it this week. I think I’ve had enough of that.
Thanks for the warning MadMacs!
CTV’s Question Period could be the new Farce replacing CBC’s “Air Farce”.
“I may just skip it this week. I think I’ve had enough of that.”
All of you who watch it are made of stronger stuff than I am – I cannot abide those two sniffing, haughty, liberal shills. They make me sick and I end up being depressed after watching. That’s why I do not watch the BRAWWWWWDCAST or now, On The Hill. I just end up yelling at the TV. The news is getting to be just about as bad – everytime they have an “Ottawa Report” there is some innuendo or slight against our prime minister.
Kudos to those of you who can stomach it.
AG, if you have any nerf balls to toss at the TV it helps. Certainly something to watch if you’re craving aggravation.
Often wondered how Newman’s brawwwwdcast did in viewership ratings when Duffy was on? I’m guessing he took a hit, we’ll never know of course.
Expect further aggravation when Tommy Clark parks his butt in the Host seat On The Hill.
If anyone wants to rev up their anger have a read of Greg Weston in the Ottawa Sun today: “Interest mounts in PM’s big plan”.
He’s making up the Liberal tale, Harper is in big trouble within Conservative ranks.
Where are these haters living anyway? Did Harper cause the GLOBAL economic crisis?
I’m thinking they’re all running scared for their Adscam Libranos/Lieberals, (we can’t stop using those terms).
GRRRRRRRRRRRR!
send Weston a note. Don’t rant in it, just be assertive and offer proof to the contrary.
If we want to fight fire with fire…..we can.
Journalists need to know that they’re offending people.
I received this in my email this morning – most likely because the CBC asked concerned “friends” to email the PM about including arts funding in the budget a month or so ago – so I did email the PM – although what I asked for probably wasn’t what they were thinking when they solicited “friends”.
Anyhooo – I received this today and it shows what kind of campaign the CPC are up against
“As you know, a principal mission of the FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting is to act as a government watchdog. And with the re-election of Stephen Harper’s Conservatives to a minority government last year, Canadian culture needs a watchdog more than ever!
As we have reported to you, FRIENDS obtained some troubling information from a very reliable source late last year: the Conservatives have a secret plan to cut $200 million from the CBC’s operating budget – 18% of its total government funding. Needless to say, such a cut would be devastating and would threaten the very existence of the CBC as we know it.
We decided then that the best strategy would be to expose their secret plan to gut our public broadcaster to the light of day. Here is a memo we created describing the scope of the cuts to CBC’s programming and services that would be needed to achieve a $200 million cut:
http://www.friends.ca/fact-sheet/7620
We also launched a grassroots advocacy campaign asking you to send a letter to the government saying how vital Canadian culture – and the CBC – are to our economy:
It appears as if the work of all of us, standing together, has been successful. When asked point-blank by a reporter about possible CBC cuts, Heritage Minister James Moore recently said:
“The short answer to your question is, no, we’re going to continue our strong investment into the CBC.’
While we now anticipate no CBC cuts in Tuesday’s budget, we must remain vigilant. The Conservatives have played their hand: we know Stephen Harper wants to cut CBC funding and will try do so as soon as politically feasible. The next occasion will be the publication of the Treasury Board’s Estimates in late February.
I can assure you that Harper will have a huge fight on his hands if he decides to proceed with this secret plan.
Thank you very much for your dedication and support. We will keep you posted.
Ian Morrison
Spokesperson
FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting
P.S. If you would like to strengthen the watchdog capacity of FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting, please consider making a secure online donation here.”
I will post the other two links that were in the email in another comment to prevent moderation (see how fast I am learning Joanne)!!
that “grassroots” group can be found at
http://www.culturematters.ca
the other link was to James Moore’s email.
Reading Weston’s article I was struck by this
” Phase Two started last week when a senior government official briefing reporters left otherwise shock-proof jaws agape as he spilled the actual deficit numbers in the still secret budget.
While the move was clearly intended to get the bad news out of the way early, the unprecedented breach of budget secrecy for purely PR advantage underscores just how much the Conservatives are worried about public reaction to their fiscal plan. ”
Um – no Travers – it probably was to circumvent you guys from sitting in your “lock up” and spinning the negative stories – it was probably to get the “real” story out before you in the media could twist it into something it is not and before you guys could get your “experts” to dis the budget as being harmful to Canadians.
I would love to sent that to him directly but I can’t find his email address.
AG – I think we should all sign up and suggest that as every other corporation at this time understands the need for everyone to do their share in finding savings.
CBC should be no different.
I think the more ink and paper we start laying the better.
I’m going to sign up and also send to James Moore.
I don’t believe that preserving Canadians culture is about money. If the CBC is asking for donations, then why not go all the way and pull all funding. Why would I want to donate to the CBC when my tax money already goes to support it. No one asked me by the way either.
Instead of fundraising I’d much rather the government review the need for it to be in the broadcasting business.
When Jay Hill was on last week, he pointed out that there does not have to be either debate or a vote on the throne speech, and since it will be the shortest throne speech in history, that is likely what will happen. Also of course, in his opinion the budget is the important thing, so better to get right to it.
Sorry to disagree with MadMacs, but I think QP is supposed to be all about the Budget, though I’m sure they will be unable to restrain themselves from discussing Obama’s First One Hundred Minutes/Hours/Whatevers.
“Obama’s First One Hundred Minutes/Hours/Whatevers”
HA HA – how true! The plethoria of polls out there asking if people think Obama is doing a good job so far is laughable. The thing that struck me was that the Ekos poll actually asked who people thought was doing a good job and Obama won by a landslide over Harper, Ignatieff etc. 81%. Now considering that poll came out BEFORE the inaguration, goes to show how people do not think but react to polls out of emotion.
Alberta Girl @ 10:34 am: “… it [purported breach of budget secrecy] probably was to circumvent you guys from sitting in your “lock up” and spinning the negative stories – it was probably to get the “real” story out before you in the media could twist it into something it is not …”
You’re absolutely right. As a matter of fact, much of the information about the expected size of the deficit was divulged by the bureaucrats at the Finance Dept., according to some reports I’ve read (I linked to them yesterday in a comment under the Between A Bloc And A Harvard Place thread).
The Liberals in particular have been whining they didn’t have the numbers to be able to give specific suggestions to the government. Now they’re whining too much has been divulged.
The same with pundits and analysts. They whine if the government keeps a tight rein on information, and they whine if the government loosens up its control.
They call it unprecedented leaks if several media orgs. are called to a meeting in order to receive some information, but it’s OK for individual journos to get privileged information whispered in their ears.
It’s time to pour a little water on their whine!
Still here Bec … Blue’s site is generating so much traffic that I have difficulty keeping up!!
I was pretty sure there had to be a throne speech. It may be little more than a formality in this case, but that is how the government lays out the agenda for the opening of the session.
Darcy Meyers at 1:33 pm: “I was pretty sure there had to be a throne speech.”
Both CBC and Radio-Canada have been announcing coverage of the Throne Speech tomorrow, so it seems there’s going to be one, followed by the budget at 4:00 pm Tuesday Jan. 27.
I think it was brilliant strategy on the part of the gov’t! The so-called “leaks” weren’t leaks at all.
Anyway Ignatieff should be used to “leaks” by now between his inability to prevent his own party secrets from finding their way out, and his references to plumbing and leaky pipes as an analogy go Canada’s finances.
As always the media fluffs up good strategy by Harper with a leak conspiracy. Harper’s in control and in charge and the media wants to wrestle that control away from him. So, what do they do…resort to the kind of language and descriptors designed to “shock and awe” us and shame Harper.
Sorry…didn’t work. Too bad Harper’s becoming the politician the Liberals WISH they had in their corner at the moment.
Joanne – that 22 minutes skit on Ignatieff is dead-on.
Blue’s site is generating so much traffic that I have difficulty keeping up!!
Me too!
“too much traffic…..” probably those opposition and media types looking for their talking points for next week:-)
Gabby in QC Says:
January 25th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
“It’s time to pour a little water on their whine!”
Good one, Gabby!! LOL Once again you demonstrate what you said previously: Conservatives have a sense of humour!!
As a fund raiser, maybe we could make little “Liberal” dolls that whine when we press them.
Joanne & Gabby, I wonder if any of the bloggers have read the following:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/billion+question/1216050/story.html
This is L.Ian MacDonald’s interesting take on the deficit, etc.. I find him a much better read than MacPherson. I’ve been reading these journalists for many years. More often than not, I disagree with MacPherson. I find he leans to the lamb-lobby side, the appeasement side.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Ignatieff+Launches+MISSION+quebec/1216052/story.html
This article written by Hubert Bach is about Iggy in Montreal. Generally, this reporter is pretty good. In this article, we see Iggy being cosy with a union head. The union head supports Iggy to get rid of Harper but, interestingly, he falls short of giving Iggy a full endorsement. That lends credence to what I have posted in the past: that the unions support the bloc in Ottawa. Get Iggy in Ottawa and the bloc will work on him.
I was wondering about WCT too. Glad to hear all is well in that neck of the woods. Maybe I should have kept my gardening site going and then this time of year we could have been anticipating the spring instead of this week in the HOC. LOL
Mind you, I still own the domain name for “My Butterfly Garden.” Only, since we moved to a condo, my garden will likely consist of containers of every shape and size.
OT I know, but hey, there is an old saying: “A change is as good as a rest.” Not sure about that.
WCT Reports … bright and sunny today, on shore breeze from the north making it cool and crisp. Waves running about a foot with some white caps. Snow drops beginning to show as are the daffodils. Condo Gardener cut the grass again this week. All is well.
Thanks for the weather report, Teddi. Now we can all sit back and imagine that picture and try really hard not to be jealous.
In this article, we see Iggy being cosy with a union head. The union head supports Iggy to get rid of Harper but, interestingly, he falls short of giving Iggy a full endorsement. That lends credence to what I have posted in the past: that the unions support the bloc in Ottawa. Get Iggy in Ottawa and the bloc will work on him.
Thanks for those links, Ed. I saw the stories at National Newswatch this morning but didn’t get a chance to read them until now.
You have a very interesting take on the unions’ goals. So if Iggy were in power, then the Bloc would attempt to further their cause by using their support as a carrot or a threat? Is that what you’re saying?
Ed – I had heard that union membership was on the decline in Canada (and the USA). I think the percentage of union membership was in the low 30%. Would you happen to know how accurate that is?
I’m asking because one of the tricks of the unions in Ontario is to pick a candidate and blitz their opposition with ads, manpower, money etc. It was the unions which sunk Mike Harris. Seems to me that something similar may be setting up nationally.
p.s. – on the weather front, we just received photos from my brother in North Carolina where they rec’d several centimeters last night. There baby had never seen snow. They’ve just moved north from Key West because they got fed from having to be evacuated so many times this summer due to hurricanes.
Ed @ 2:24: “As a fund raiser, maybe we could make little “Liberal” dolls that whine when we press them.”
I like your idea! What would they say?
• “Where are my entitlements?”
• “Liberal good! – conservative baaad!”
• “The media likes me … they really like me!” (remember Sally Field upon winning the Oscar?)
• Iggy doll that says “A Liberal vote is a coalition vote … maybe”
• Iggy doll that says “I love the smell of manure in the morning!” (modelled on the Apocalypse Now character played by Robert Duvall
• Ralph Goodale doll that says “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” (the movie Network)
That picture is super, Joanne! Your camera guy is a keeper. And I’ve gained three pounds just by looking at that yummy cake.
Ha-ha, Gabby! You’re hilarious! I love your Libdolls sayings too. Who says Conservatives don’t have a sense of humour?
BTW, Ed, I read L. Ian Macdonald’s column this a.m., but haven’t yet read Bauch’s. I was busy doing a bit of research to post a comment about Omar Khadr.
L. Ian Macdonald is much like Chantal Hebert – they both call them as they see them. Macdonald is a conservative, but he has been critical of Mr. Harper in the past depending on the situation. Chantal Hebert has been pretty fair in her columns, although I may not always share her assessments.
Just to show you Chantal’s mindset. She was a guest on the very popular Rad-Can show Tout le monde en parle just before Christmas. She was asked what she thought about Afghanistan, whether the troops should be brought home or not. Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe were also guests.
She replied she could not comment in that venue, on a topic that she is paid to cover. I thought that was pretty fair.
Joanne Says:
January 25th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
“You have a very interesting take on the unions’ goals. So if Iggy were in power, then the Bloc would attempt to further their cause by using their support as a carrot or a threat? Is that what you’re saying?”
First, I’d say the Bloc and the Quebec unions are to the left. They know that the PM is a roadblock to their goals. The union head said he’d like to see Iggy replace the PM. I believe the Bloc and the unions feel they can further their agenda with Iggy. In an election, I believe the Quebec union members would vote for the Bloc – at least, most of them. In a coalition government, the Bloc, I think, believes they can weasel some concessions out of Iggy despite the arrangements the coalition has already made.
C.C. Says:
January 25th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
“I had heard that union membership was on the decline in Canada (and the USA). I think the percentage of union membership was in the low 30%. Would you happen to know how accurate that is?”
C.C., you made me do my homework.
I found this website which verifies your percentage:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/lp/wid/union_membership.shtml
It seems today the minority has a say greater than its numbers. Or should we say, the silent majority better speak up!!
Gabby in QC Says:
January 25th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
“As a fund raiser, maybe we could make little “Liberal” dolls that whine when we press them.”
I like your idea! What would they say?
• “Where are my entitlements?”
• “Liberal good! – conservative baaad!”
• “The media likes me … they really like me!” (remember Sally Field upon winning the Oscar?)
• Iggy doll that says “A Liberal vote is a coalition vote … maybe”
• Iggy doll that says “I love the smell of manure in the morning!” (modelled on the Apocalypse Now character played by Robert Duvall
• Ralph Goodale doll that says “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” (the movie Network)”
Gabby, you’ve got me laughing and rolling on the floor. LOL Your sayings are a riot!!
Maybe one of the many creative bloggers out there could make some of these dolls. And go on that TV program where you ask entrepreneurs to support your project financially!! LOL
Or maybe someone could create an animated film using these dolls!! LOL And use it at Conservative rallies for comic relief.
Alberta Girl:
January 25th, 2009 at 10:24 am
E Mail from
Ian Morrison
Spokesperson
FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting
Would that be the same loon that said any day you can cause ShawTV problems is a good day.
Jim Shaw is ticked off CEO tired of subsidizing CBC. The CEO of Shaw Communications is tired of subsidizing the CBC. He’s frustrated by spending five per cent of his company’s annual revenues on television programs no one watches.
We all line up for those funds say Gordon Henderson, a former CBC producer who now heads 90th Parallel Production in Toronto.
Giggles Taber didn’t challenge Layton on QP when he only mentioned the Liberals and NDP as the “coalition” that MIGHT bring down the government. He conveniently forgot to mention the Bloc. Funny that, considering Gilles was the person he made the deal with before inviting Dion in.
wonder if Gilles is feeling shunned enough to back out?
Or maybe someone could create an animated film using these dolls!!
How about the CBC’s Dragon’s Den pitching the idea, the Canadian Video or Film Tax Credit fund and the Provincial Video or Film Tax Credit fund paying for it so we wouldn’t have to foot the bill!
wonder if Gilles is feeling shunned enough to back out
Gilles is into the coalition like a truffle pig in the French country side.
For those with the attention span of a mating gnat, WK says THE NDP ARE A DISGRACE
Liz J at 6:44 pm, Gilles is back in whining mode. Today he was interviewed by Daniel Lessard on the Rad-Can program Les coulisses du pouvoir and first he was shocked and appalled that there have been so many disclosures about the contents of the budget.
Then he LIED – non-parliaMENTtary language, I know – by saying the government has changed the equalization formula.
Nah-huh! What has changed is the growth rate, niaiseux! So if equalization was supposed to grow at a rate of 6% it will now grow at 2% to mirror the growth of the economy (percentages used simply as examples, not actual growth rates).
Ed at 6:20 pm, glad you enjoyed the Liberal dolls bit. Like Bec said a while back (sorry, I don’t remember the exact quote) a little fun is called for once in a while.
Or as Chuckles the Clown on the Mary Tyler Moore show used to say “A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.”
I must confess why I sometimes get a little giddy. Whenever I have a little skirmish with she who cannot be named whose name begins with G, no matter how brief, I break out in hilarity. She has that powerful an effect on my funny bone. Thanks, G!
“WCT Reports … bright and sunny today, on shore breeze from the north making it cool and crisp. Waves running about a foot with some white caps. Snow drops beginning to show as are the daffodils. Condo Gardener cut the grass again this week. All is well.”
Well, if it makes the rest of you feel any better, I live about 45 minutes away from WCT in the Fraser Valley, and we still have TONS OF SNOW EVERYWHERE! No bulbs showing here yet!
I’m jealous, too!
re: “Liberal dolls” – you’ve got it all wrong.
Liberal dolls actually appear to talk, they have the pull-string and the mechanisms in place but when you really want them to say something worthwhile, you find that they have nothing substantial to say at all.
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