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Anti-crime package short on cost details |
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Written by Lethbridge Herald
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Thursday, April 29 2010, 8:33 PM |
Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have sought to get rid of the controversial long-gun registry which they criticize as ineffective in reducing crime and for its huge cost overrun.
At the same time, the Tories are touting their tough-on-crime legislative package, at least part of which is expected to cost much more than the government estimates.
Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page is expected to release a report next week that forecasts the cost of just one piece of the package — the new Truth in Sentencing Act, which took effect in February — at between $7 billion and $10 billion over five years. That’s considerably more than the $2 billion figure tossed out by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
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A victory for the right to know |
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Written by Lethbridge Herald
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Wednesday, April 28 2010, 8:21 PM |
“Canada’s Parliament, as conceived by the Fathers of Confederation in 1867, continues to be a vibrant example of democracy in action. In Parliament, our representatives examine the top issues of the day, decide on policies and laws, and hold the government accountable for its actions.”
There are times when voters might question parts of that statement, which is found on the Parliament of Canada website. But Canadian democracy received an important shot in the arm Tuesday.
Drawing on those very parliamentary traditions that go back to Confederation — and some to 17th-century Britain — Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons, issued a historic ruling that concluded Parliament’s right to know takes priority over the government’s right to keep the lid on national security secrets.
Milliken, siding with opposition parties, determined that parliamentary procedure gives MPs unlimited power to demand the release of all uncensored documents related to the alleged torture of Afghan detainees. He softened the force of the ruling, however, by allowing two weeks for the government to reach a compromise with opposition parties on the matter in a bid to avoid an ugly showdown.
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Canadian kids flunk their physical |
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Written by Lethbridge Herald
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Tuesday, April 27 2010, 9:17 PM |
Eight years ago this spring, the Canadian Medical Association Journal declared obesity a pandemic in Canada and the World Health Association warned that physical inactivity was causing two million deaths a year.
In response, Health Canada introduced a plan to increase physical activity among children by at least 30 minutes a day.
So, how’s that going?
Not well, according to a report released Tuesday by Active Healthy Kids Canada. In its sixth annual report card, the organization created in 1994 gave Canadian children an “F” for physical activity levels. It marked the fourth consecutive year Canadian kids have flunked the activity subject.
The report indicates that only 12 per cent of children and youth in Canada are getting the recommended 90 minutes of daily physical activity. Instead, they’re spending huge amounts of time occupied with video games, computers and television, racking up six hours of screen time on weekdays and more than seven hours on weekend days.
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Expanded voting will help – a little |
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Written by Lethbridge Herald
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Monday, April 26 2010, 9:28 PM |
Giving Canadians more time to vote is the aim of legislation that was to be re-introduced by the Harper government Monday.
It’s hoped the Expanded Voting Opportunities Act, which would add more advance polling days during federal elections, will perk up a declining voter participation rate that hit a record low in the 2008 election.
The proposed legislation would add two new advance polling days to the campaign period, on the Sunday eight days before election day and on the Sunday immediately before election day. In addition, all 65,000 regular polls would be open on the Sunday before election day.
In originally introducing the bill last June, Steven Fletcher, minister of state for democratic reform, said, “Many Canadians still find it difficult to get out and vote because of school, work or family commitments. Providing more opportunities to vote will help to increase their participation in elections.”
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Safety fair’s message an important one |
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Written by Lethbridge Herald
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Friday, April 23 2010, 10:25 PM |
You can never be too safe.
That’s why the inaugural Walk and Wheel Safety Fair, taking place today at Exhibition Park, is such a good idea.
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