Friday, June 17, 2011

Friday Link Grab Bag

A few random Friday thoughts:



1. Don't expect this weekend's NDP convention in Vancouver to be nearly as exciting as Wednesday night. Still, the possibility for riots and/or make out sessions does exist when delegates begin debating a motion to repeal the Clarity Act.


2. Speaking of the NDP convention, FarandWide has a good blog post up on NDP attempts to squeeze the Liberals.


3. The Liberals, meanwhile, will be holding an extraordinary telephone convention this weekend, to determine when we'll pick a new leader. Truth be told, I haven't decided how to vote yet - as I've said before, neither a 5 month mad dash or a 2 year marathon are appealing leadership options. I have writen to the LPC in support of Jeff Jedras' motion to hold the leadership vote next fall - I still think that's too far out, but it beats the alternatives.


4. Kudos to the Liberals and NDP for speaking out in favour of an asbestos ban. I've given the NDP some flack on this blog for choosing politics over principle in the past, but I'll give them props for doing the right thing, even if it doesn't jive with their new role as protectors of Quebec.


5. Samara has a fascinating report out, based on their MP exit interviews.


6. One incoming MP who managed to grab headlines this week was Elizabeth May, who was the sole voice in the House opposing the extension of the mission in Libya and the passage of mega trial bill.

While it's important for May to stay relevant, she'll need to learn to pick her battles - the quickest route to a headline is not always the quickest route to relevancy.

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Friday, July 30, 2010

Quick! Someone show these guys some polling data...

Ignatieff's proposed asbestos ban may have killed deal

A mining company says Michael Ignatieff might be responsible for stalling the reopening of one of Canada's last asbestos mines.

The Jeffrey Mine says it had a Chinese investor lined up and willing to invest $40 million, but that its would-be partner became scared over comments from the Liberal leader.

Ignatieff has called for a ban on exports of the potentially deadly substance. His spokesman, however, expressed skepticism Thursday that the Liberal leader's remarks might have torpedoed the deal.

[...]

"A week after Mr. Ignatieff's comments, they started questioning me, saying, 'What happens if we decide to invest in you and Mr. Ignatieff becomes prime minister and decides to stop production of chrysotile asbestos?"'


I too, am skeptical that Ignatieff killed this deal, but if he did...well, then, good for him. It's unconscionable to export a product we won't use here for safety reasons when we know it's killing millions of people in the developing world.

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