Gilles Duceppe

By-election Breakdown

Accidental Deliberations (Free subscription) | yesterday

The spinners are out in full force when it comes to today's by-elections . The Cons are presenting a laughably skewed take in order to try to claim some momentous victory if they can eke out a win in territory which has voted for actual or expelled Cons all but once in the past 40 years; the Libs are understandably pointing out that the ridings aren't friendly terrain in order to justify a set of third-place...

H1N1 in the House

Macleans.ca (Free subscription) | 11/05/2009

One MP appeared to be wearing a medical mask during tonight’s vote and it is being reported now that Bloc MP Claude Guimond has, or may have, H1N1. Gilles Duceppe says the Bloc offered to “pair” Guimond’s vote with a Conservative so Guimond could have stayed away from the House tonight, but the Conservatives declined. The [...]

‘Mensonges, mensonges, mensonges’

Macleans.ca (Free subscription) | 11/04/2009

After Question Period yesterday, Conservative Rick Dykstra rose to complain that Gilles Duceppe had referred to a government minister as a liar on “at least four occasions and more like six.” Mr. Duceppe explained that he had only shouted out the word “lies” in reference to something that was being said. This led once more [...]

For the gun registry: part III

Impolitical (Free subscription) | 11/04/2009

The vote on the gun registry repeal tonight is a 2nd reading vote, so there's still time for the ultimate vote to come out in favour of retaining it. But it's worth considering at the moment how this is playing in Quebec and what the fallout might be down the road. This piece gives you a sense of some story lines that may be germinating: "Les liberaux hesitent a sauver le Registre des armes a...

‘Depasse and archaic’

Macleans.ca (Free subscription) | 11/03/2009

Gilles Duceppe, not particularly excited about the visit of Charles and Camilla. “The monarchy is a system that is depasse and archaic,” Duceppe said Tuesday in Montreal. “I call it a genetic lottery. People who say they have blue blood should see their doctor as soon as they can.”

For the gun registry

Impolitical (Free subscription) | 11/03/2009

An op-ed today from the mother of one of those killed at Ecole Polytechnique on the need to maintain the gun registry (Google translation): The Law on Firearms is a monument erected in memory of victims of the massacre at the Ecole Polytechnique, including my daughter, Anne-Marie Edward. I am disappointed that the Conservative Party of Canada, who claims to be the party of law and order, chooses to...

Let us settle this virtually

Macleans.ca (Free subscription) | 10/28/2009

To Twitter we go. mpjamesmoore I see Lib MP Carolyn Bennett, one of the loudest, nastiest & most frequent hecklers in Parliament complains about heckling in the Star today Carolyn_Bennett James Moore nds 2 understand difference between heckling at WHOPPERS&insensitvity.Here’s my takehttp://www.thestar.com/News… Mr. Moore was similarly scolding of Gilles Duceppe’s behaviour...

Nortel Pensioners Take it to the Hill

Pension Pulse (Free subscription) | 10/22/2009

CTV reports that Nortel pensioners protest bankruptcy laws in Ottawa : Former Nortel employees gathered on Parliament Hill to ask for government help to ensure they continue receiving pension and disability payments - regardless of what happens to the beleaguered telecommunications firm. Organizers said ex-Nortel employees were bussed in from Montreal and Belleville to attend the demonstration, which...

He’s a big fan

Macleans.ca (Free subscription) | 10/20/2009

Gilles Duceppe, speaking with reporters after QP today, responds to Jean Chretien’s Order of Merit award from the Queen. Question: Mr. Duceppe, very quickly, another opponent of yours has been given a great honour by the Queen. Mr. Chrétien has been honoured by the Queen today. Just wondered did you want to say congratulations? Do you [...]

L. Ian MacDonald: The Quebec bust-up, take two

Full Comment (Free subscription) | 10/16/2009

Robert Bourassa often said that a week is a long time in politics, and a year is an eternity. Those are words for Stephen Harper to consider this week, on the one-year anniversary of his missed rendezvous with a majority, largely because of his misbegotten campaign in Quebec. Or as a habitué of the Conservative war room put it afterwards: “How did you like our brilliant plan to lock up...

Slings and Arrows #2

nonamedufus (Free subscription) | 10/09/2009

Note: No politicians' reputations were harmed in this satirization. They did that themselves a long time ago. TWO CLOWNS IN SPACE By Uni Blogger and nonamedufus SOMEWHERE BETWEEN EARTH AND THE MOON (S&A) Canadians were shocked to learn today that Cirque de Soleil founder Guy Laliberté wasn’t the only “tourist clown” on board that Russian Soyuz capsule that recently linked...

Bloc Nomination Trouble

Bowie's Blog (Free subscription) | 10/08/2009

Quick Question. How on Earth does Gilles Duceppe ever survive without a "Quebec Lieutenant?"

UN Climate Summit: Countdown to Copenhagen

A Free Man's Life (Free subscription) | 10/06/2009

Right Hon. Stephen Harper, Today I’m joining millions of people around the world calling for action on climate change. I’m ready and I want my voice to count. I’m calling on you as Canada’s Prime Minister and on all world leaders to sign an ambitious, fair and binding agreement safeguard our future at the crucial UN climate change summit in Copenhagen this December. Action on...

Gilles Duceppe on Prime Minister Ringo Starr: Try Canadian Idol!

David Akin's On the Hill (Free subscription) | 10/05/2009

Duceppe: Well, I think he was a good singer. And now if he could start answering questions in the House he could be a good Prime Minister. It's not the case yet.

Gerry Nicholls: And now, Jack Layton, singing 'Stairway to Heaven'

Full Comment (Free subscription) | 10/05/2009

In a stunning political move, Prime Minister Stephen Harper scored a “game changer” on Saturday night when he wowed a National Arts Centre gala by playing the piano and belting out a Beatles tune. When the surprising performance was over, the crowd, made up of artists who are typically hostile towards the Prime Minister, stood up in unison and chanted. “We want a grant, we want a...

• Canada's Political Idol - Making Sense with Nicholls