Apolitical Staples

Well, I would expect that the senate, who has taken 260-some-odd days to read 66 words, will take at least 3 or 4 years to read this bill. Anything quicker would show that they are as partisan as we know they are.

When will Canadians wake up?

If this bill passes, all Mr Harper has to say is:

“We will carry on with the former Liberal Government’s actions on Kyoto, while we examine other, more effective options”

Since the Liberals repeat over and over that they have a plan to meet Kyoto if it begins in 2007, and Mr. Dion said he has established his plan, maybe the Conservatives should accept the will of the Parliament and put Liberal MP Mr. Rodriguez as chair of a committee that draws up the plan. It should take him an hour to do this completely (not 60 days), since apparently their effective plan is already in existence - and he has no money to spend.

Canadians state that their priority is cleaning up the Environment. It is doubtful that a poll of Canadians will show meeting Kyoto targets is their priority - especially if it means paying billions to Russia for credits to which the Liberals have agreed. Has such a poll question been asked of Canadians?

The government should start right away by ordering all buildings to turn down the heat by 33%, especially in the Senate, that should keep them awake during debates.

Next, the opposition should cut down their office space by 33%, if they don’t lead by example, how can they expect the average voter to reduce their consumption by 33%.

Oh, and what about a 33% cut in opposition members salaries? They tell us endlessly that Kyoto won’t hurt average Canadians, see how they howl about losing only some of their salary, when Canadians would be faced with job loses.

If all that doesn’t work, send them here to Alberta, let them work on the rigs for a few days, that would clue them in real fast. Come on Holland, I have a job I’m sure your going to like, you know, what Dion said, it’s “easy” money.

I grant I’m not a constitutional expert, but I’m not aware of the legislative branch being able to compel the legislative or judicial branches to DO something. They can prevent the executive from doing something as well as enable or allow the executive to do something, but compel them to do it? I can’t even think of an occasion in which this has happened, either in Canada or Britain.

Does anyone know of any precedent of the legislative compelling the executive into action?

Imagine the possibilities: Parliament could theoretically compel Her Majesty in Right of Canada to declare war on another country. Or compel the Governor-in-Council to select certain senators (kind of removes the Liberals’ argument that it requires constitutional change to elevate individuals chosen by popular ballot to the Senate though…).

What if we promised to double the actions the previous government took - we’ll hire too Newfy comedians to tell us we should really pollute less.

Good point, Chris…2x0 = 0