Tag Archives: john ivison

Ivison: Harper unlikely to take on unions so close to election

The Harper government has a plan to “dismantle vital public services and drive down wages of all Canadians,” according to Paul Moist. The CUPE president’s inflated rhetoric appeared in the National Post after the government introduced plans to give Cabinet powers to oversee … Continue reading

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Ivison: New Bank of Canada Governor’s most important attribute is understanding the Harper agenda

Bank of Canada Governors are appointed by the bank’s independent directors, subject to the approval of the Minister of Finance and the federal Cabinet. At least, that’s how the Bank of Canada puts it. Jim Flaherty would doubtless say it … Continue reading

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Ivison: Trudeau’s Liberals will likely be unable to resist matching Tories income-splitting pledge

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul, remarked George Bernard Shaw. Conversely, a government that lets Peter keep as much of his hard-earned cash as possible should be able to count … Continue reading

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Ivison: Andrew Scheer’s ruling shows he’s more loyal to his conscience than the party whip (1)

Andrew Scheer, the Speaker of the House of Commons, has made a potentially landmark ruling on MPs’ freedom of speech that could stem the flow of power from the backbench to party hierarchies, in defiance of the wishes his party … Continue reading

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Ivison: Stephen Harper looking to halt caucus unrest by creating a forum for disgruntled backbenchers (1)

Stephen Harper has engaged in a charm offensive with his restless caucus to help avert the most serious internal challenge to his authority since coming to power – the charge that he is muzzling his MPs by restricting what motions … Continue reading

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Ivison: Conservatives have attack ads set to launch against Justin Trudeau

The Harper Conservatives have not bothered to wait for the apparent formality of Justin Trudeau’s election as the next leader of the Liberal Party – an attack ad campaign is in the can already, claiming that Mr. Trudeau is “not … Continue reading

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Ivison: Conservatives remain intent on emissions progress. Some day, and very quietly (2)

If the first rule of politics is never to believe anything until it is officially denied, the second is never to believe politicians who promise they are about to “do the right thing,” no matter how unpopular. Rona Ambrose was … Continue reading

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Ivison: Ottawa set to cancel $2-billion in EI training transfers to the provinces

The federal piggy bank is empty, but Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is still obliged to bring down a budget this month. What to do? How about shuffle some money around that Ottawa is already transferring to the provinces to carry … Continue reading

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Ivison: Trans-Pacific talks provide opportunity to put an end to Buy American protectionism

When trade negotiators for the Harper government sit down in Singapore Monday for talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a bid to create a new free trade zone in the Pacific, they’ll also be trying to solve once and for all … Continue reading

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