Standing in the way of the Firearms Registry

I have tried to avoid righting anything about the gun registry in the interests of non-partisanship, but I feel that now is the time to weigh in on it. My colleague Chad is invited to argue this one with me if he so wishes.

The Firearms Registry was established in 1996 after the Chretien government passed bill C-68 in 1995. It requires all citizens owning a gun to purchase a license which costs $60-$80, and is renewable every 5 years on the holders birthday. It was created to make all guns traceable, thus reducing gun related crime.

While it is known that many crimes are committed with unregistered firearms, many crimes are committed with registered firearms. How many criminals have been put behind bars because of this program? How many lives have been saved?

The program cost taxpayers between $1.1-$3.6 million every year to operate, which in terms of savings lives is a small price to pay. Even if the system only saves a handful of lives, isn't it worth it? Can we really put a price on life?

Now, the Conservatives want to scrap the registry because they say it cost too much for what it does. It saves lives. $3.6 million is too much money for saving lives? Bill C-391 (the bill to scrap it) has passed second reading in the house and will proceed to third reading (which is the last vote) this fall. Conservative MPs will almost certainly vote in favour of it, while the Liberals will vote against it. In the previous votes, 8 Liberals voted in favour, however this time around Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has declared it a "whipped" vote which means that all Liberal MPs are required to vote with the party or face penalties.

With the Liberals voting against the bill, it all comes down to the 12 New Democrat MPs that voted in favour of it. The official NDP stance is against the bill, but Leader Jack Layton has yet to declare it a whipped vote which means MPs can vote however they want.

The NDP really does hold the fate of the Firearms Registry, and hopefully with the RCMP's recent announcement, they will vote against the bill.

The RCMP announced that they have completed a 40 page report showing that the "program is cost effective, efficient and an important tool for law enforcement." However, the report which was turned over to the government in February has not been publicly released yet. The Liberals are accusing the Conservatives of purposely withholding the report until after the vote to cover up the facts, and "The Liberal Party is demanding that the Harper government stop trying to cover up key facts in the gun registry debate and release an RCMP report that tells Canadians about its importance to public safety" in a statement released by the party.

Liberal Public Safety critic Mark Holland has submitted a letter to the Speaker of The House of Commons asking him to intervene and force the government to release the report.

And this isn't the first time that the Conservatives have seemingly withheld crucial information about the registry. After the second reading of the bill last November it was discovered that the government was in possession of a report that showed that police agencies accessed the registry an average of 10,818 time per day.

The RCMP isn't the only organisation standing in favour of the registry, the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs also believes that the registry is useful and important.

The program obviously saves lives, and if police forces are saying that they use this regularly than why would we get rid of it. This RCMP report needs to be released so that Canadians and MPs can see just how effective the program is. Hopefully with the release of this report, New Democrat MPs will vote against Bill C-391 even if they aren't "whipped" to do so.

Taxes: Why so complicated?

Don't get me wrong, I know we need to pay taxes. I'm not even going to suggest that we get rid of taxes, because I know they are necessary in our society. What I am saying is that he taxation system has gotten way too complex!

I am a university student. I live at home and work 4 months of the year. In September I leave home and head north to North Bay where I rent an apartment, attend classes, and stop working for 8 months of the year. One would think that my taxes would be simple because; a) I only work 4 months of the year, b) I live in a university residence, and c) Most of my money comes from the government (student loans and grants). Unfortunately, the lack of communication amongst government departments and the total incompetency of our taxation system makes it incredibly difficult.

Lets start with income. I work 4 months. That income is obviously reported. Then comes the loans, scholarships, grants and bursaries, almost all of which come from the government. Some of them say that I have to claim them on my income tax, others say that I don't need to claim them, and others say nothing at all. This is where it gets complicated. I get a loan from the Government of Canada, a loan from the Government of Ontario, a bursary from the Government of Canada, and a bursary and grant from the Government of Ontario. The one thing these all have in common is that they come from the Government.

Lets be clear. The Government doesn't forget that they have given me this money. They keep records of this stuff. So why then do I have to claim this on my taxes? Shouldn't the government know they gave me the money? In short, no. The grants, bursaries and loans come from various departments in various levels of Government, and do you think they will share this information with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)? No. They won't. They won't communicate with each other at all. In fact, they barely communicate with me! I don't know what needs to be claimed and what doesn't!

Next, I have a billion credits to wade through to find that I'm eligible for barely any of them. Education credit? Sounds simple enough. I just have to get a T2202A form that the university has already submitted to the CRA- wait. Already submitted? The Government already knows how much I paid for tuition? Yes. Actually they knew before taxes because the University has already told the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Then the University told them again by submitting the T2202A to the CRA. And now I have to tell them.

Now,what about the textbook credit. Does the CRA make the assumption that I bought textbooks while at University? No, I have to tell them that.

And what's with all those questions that have absolutely nothing to do with me. Do I own rental properties? I do believe I have already been asked that by OSAP. Am I married? OSAP knows. Did I move? Well I'm not commuting 4 hours everyday to go to school, and OSAP knows where I go to school.

Lets look at the Ontario Property Tax Credit. To be eligible you must be over 16, check. Must pay property tax or rent, check. Must not be a dependent, check. Seems to me that I am eligible for this credit. Why shouldn't I be? I paid for my residence, the equivalency of over $700/month for 8 months! But no, apparently paying rent to the residence isn't the same as paying rent to any other landlord in the province. Apparently all I'm eligible for is $25 for living in residence. $25. Thanks Ontario.

Now what happens when you need help with this monstrosity we call taxes? Not a whole lot. I had the above predicament happen to me this year, so I called the CRA to ask them. Their response: "Thank you for calling Canada Revenue Agency. No one is available to take your call right now. Please try again later." Click. Thanks. 5 phone calls later I finally get through, and a lady tells me that of course I am eligible! "Just call the university and get them to send you a signed letter stating how much you paid." So I call the University and they tell me no, I am not eligible and they will not provide me with a letter or a tax receipt. So I call CRA another 4 times and a different lady tells me that I am probably not eligible. Probably? The letter I have says they want to see this receipt within 30 days. I don't have time for probably. So I call back and yet another lady tells me that I am most likely not eligible. She says that I am however most likely eligible for the $25 residence credit.

So I wrote a letter to CRA, using a lot of "maybe's" and "probably's." I probably did my taxes wrong, and I might have to ask them to make changes to it. Maybe. I faxed it to them, so I know they have it now. I'm still waiting for their response.

Taxes will never be a fun time of year, but it doesn't have to be so painful and complicated. If the Government could get some interdepartmental communication going, and simplify all these tax credits than perhaps people wouldn't mind doing taxes every year. I don't think I'm asking for much. I just want the Government to communicate with itself, and the taxation system to be streamlined.

How much money could the Government save it they shared information? Hey, they might even be able to lower taxes with all those savings!

I'm back!

Good morning faithful readers! It must be a good morning, because I'm back from holidays! After spending a week on the east coast of our beautiful country (no I didn't see the Prime Minister on his east coast tour), it's good to be back!

Alas, as excited and ready as I am to write, there is not a lot to write about. I am delighted to see that my colleague, Chad Godin, was able to keep you all up-to-date while I was away, so I suppose I don't have a whole lot to catch you up on.

In terms of action today, the Prime Minister stops in Churchill, Manitoba for an announcement before heading to the arctic for his annual northern tour. I will be sure to let you know if the announcement is anything exciting! Ignatieff and the Liberal Express are finishing up in BC today, and Jack Layton is attending some events in Montreal.

That's really all that's happening in Canadian politics right now. Now if we turn our gaze to Australia, we have a totally different story! The country is still in limbo, with neither the Labour Party nor the Coalition (Conservative Liberal) Party holding enough seats to form a government. As of right now, the Labours hold 72, and the Coalition holds 70. A party must win 76 seats to claim victory. The drama continues, but seeing as this is a Canadian political blog, I won't bore readers with Australian politics. See the ABC's (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) election coverage here.

CORRECTION: The original post stated that the Prime Minister would be in Winnipeg for the announcement. This is incorrect, and the post has been corrected.

Going Ahead as Planned

It seems after the European Union's own legal court put a hault on the ban of seal products, the EU will disregard the ruling and go ahead with the ban as of today. Prime Minister Harper is quite upset with the fact that the EU would not respect their own court system. His message however remains consistant, "They [Canadian sealers] should not be targetted like this, and the government of Canada will continue to speak out in their defence."

There are however a few exemptions from the EU's ban, which include groups who have already filed with the court on the issue. The ban also originally called for an exemption on seal products sold by aboriginal groups. However, the ban itself kills the maketability of the product and will ultimeatley hurt sales, as it has the potential to become a cultural taboo over time.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

In Miramichi, New Brunswick where the Prime Minster was announcing a new payroll centre which would create about 550 new jobs for the town, it seems another problem lured its head. In a move that would supply much needed jobs to a town who lost so many due to the loss of the gun registry. It seems now, Harper could have more unemployed Canadians on his hands if the European Union's (EU) ban on seal products goes ahead as they have signed the motion.

The European Union delivered the ban on all seal products which has many Canadian politicians fuming at the notion. Notably, Prime Minister Stephen Harper was quite dissatisfied with the decision as it threatens many Canadian jobs. Harper believes this travesty is a harsh critique of the sealers in Canada, "This is flagrant discrimination against the Canadian seal industry, against Canadian sealers ... people who are doing animal husbandry, no differently than many other industries." He went on to say, "It is a disgrace that they're treated this way in some countries based on no rational facts or information whatsoever. We strongly object to the decision. We will continue to defend our sealers."


However, Canada has seemed to bought itself a little bit of time. The ban on the seal products that was scheduled to go into effect on Friday has been halted for the time being. The European General Court, based out of Luxembourg, was forced to delay the ban because an Inuit group filed an application to delay the motion. Now government lawyers from Canada now have time to review the decision by the court in an attempt to launch an appeal. 


With this ban looming, it really hurts an industry that is already been hurting since the recession. This ban is really the equivalent to kicking an industry while it is down. Who knows how long the sealers can muster to stay in this fight? If the EU ban passes, it just might be the knockout blow which will leave the Canadian sealers down for the count. 

Running out of civil servants

One would think that, by now, the Conservatives must be running low on qualified civil servants to run the countries countless federal agencies. In the last year alone, the government has lost more civil servants to resignation, dismissal, and demotion than most fast food restaurants. And that’s saying something.

It surfaces in the news every few weeks, and lately, every week. Another dedicated civil servant, who has spent most of their life working in the public sector, is out of a job. In most cases because they don’t agree with the current governments agenda.

Lets not forget that these senior public servants are supposed to act non-partisan, much like the agencies they manage, so agreeing with everything the Conservatives do is not only unlikely to happen, its expected that it wont happen.

Of course, a typical government would use these agencies to provide advice, so much of the governments decisions would be acceptable to the said agencies.

What we are seeing lately, however, is a government making decisions without the advice of the agencies. As such, we are starting to see these agencies voice their opinions and advice publicly, in the hopes of being heard by a government that doesn’t want to listen.

What happens when a federal agency takes on the federal government? The head of the said agency gets fired, demoted, or forced to resign. What’s wrong with this? Canadians lose intelligent, qualified, and dedicated civil servants, and as such, we can expect our services to suffer.

Let us take a look at some of these civil servants. We have the head of StatsCan, the Veterans Ombudsman, the head of the Gun Registry, the Victims of Crime Ombudsman, and of course, the Governor General to name a few. The list is long and growing.

You can’t govern a country this way. These civil servants are experts in their fields. They are appointed to the position to provide the government with advice on how to better our country. A government that turns its back on the experts and facts, and removes anyone that has a difference of opinion; that is a scary thought.

New Laws Sailing into Canada

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is worried about Canada's security suggesting that changes need to be made.

"This trend gives us some significant concern, and we'll take whatever steps are necessary going forward" was the comment made by Stephen Harper in Mississauga, Ontario today when when he spoke to the media. 


After the recent events which saw a migrant ship filled with Tamils sail into BC, the Prime Minister recognizes that Canada is indeed a country of refuge but restrictions have to be increased. When it comes to Canada's vast coastline, the issue of human smuggling is becoming all the more a matter of national security, and not about refuge. He plans on giving authorities more power to deal with these situations accordingly.

Harper stated, "We will not hesitate to strengthen the laws if we have to, because ultimately as a government, we're responsible," Harper said. "It's a fundamental exercise of sovereignty, and we're responsible for the security of our borders and the ability to welcome people or not welcome people when they come."

As to what the Prime Minister has in mind when it comes to changing the laws he did not elaborate, but with the House of Commons reopening next month surly his ideas shall be bantered about loud and clear.

Liberal MP A Target?

According to Liberal MP Wayne Easter he is exactly that, a target....a political target that is. As Prime Minister Harper makes a stops in PEI this week Easter believes Harper wants him to be defeated in order to make his riding in Malpeque a conservative riding when the next election is called. This might be some heavy speculation but it makes sense after all, this is politics.

If Harper plans on the conservatives winning this riding next time, he has his work cut out for him. Easter has been the MP for the area since 1993. It is clear that the people in the area have built up a lot of trust and familiarity with their representative. Easter however believes, amid his speculation, for this to be true primarily because,

"I've stood up against this prime minister over some of the things he tried to do in agriculture, and I've stood up for my constituents,"


In the argiculture based riding of Malpeque, Easter went on to say that,

"Stephen Harper is going to gun for a majority, but just because they target a riding doesn't mean they get it"


For the record, MP Wayne Easter will be running against his conservative counterpart, Tim Ogilvie, among others.

The main question remain however, when the election is called, who will be voted off the island?

For more check: CBC.ca

NDP Call Emergency Debate

Once again the census takes center stage as the NDP feel an emergency debate is needed in order to determine the "integrity of the census". The Leader of the NDP, Jack Layton, is clearly worried about the changes made to the census by the Harper government, so much that he wrote a letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons. He is requesting that a debate should be scheduled next month when the House of Commons reopens. The main thing in question is that the census would be made "voluntary," with the clear issue being the lack of accuracy and  reliability in the results. So far these new proposed conditions to the census have been met with a lot of resistance as all major parties have rejected the notions made by the Conservatives. Apparently Mr.Layton has had enough. If this does see a debate, it should make for an interesting feud. It is definitely something worth watching as fall programing returns.

Provincial Issue Could Have National Effect

CBC.ca is reporting that the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) that was implemented in both B.C. and Ontario on July 1st is not getting a great reception out on the west coast. There has obviously been a huge backlash by citizens who are against the tax. This battle took another turn today as the politics shifted to law as the case is being brought before the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

This case enters the courtroom after a petition was circled around the province (which collected at least 700 000 signatures) which even saw former B.C. premier, Bill Vander Zalm, get involved to defend the petition in court. The petition group is also backed by many prominent industries and businesses from within the province.  Industires include, the staple, mining and forestry industries.

If the petition is seen as valid then in all likelihood a bill could be sent to the provincial legislature or become a provincial referendum. However, the group plans to stick it out until the court gives its ruling and also does not plan to appeal the decision. It is also being reported that lawyers representing the provincial government will be joined by lawyers from the federal government as the PMO will be keeping an eye on this trial.

One has to think this verdict could have an impact nationally as well. Many other provinces have had the HST for a while and are adjusted to it, but Ontario is just as new to the idea as the citizens in B.C. and their is unrest there over the issue as well. If the decision by the B.C. Supreme Court comes back in favour of the petition, will it only be a matter of time before a petition in Ontario starts circulating? How about any of the other provinces who have been stuck with this tax for a while now? Like many things time will tell but this case has all the elements to be a problem not only at the provincial level but at the federal level too.

For more information check out this article from the National Post: The Next Battle in B.C.'s War on the HST

While the Cat's Away...

Even though Cole is on vacation you all still have me...hahahaha....Anyway, even though I am only a rookie and not as thorough as our veteran leader I will still update the site if anything major happens.

On vacation

My apologies for not mentioning this earlier, but I am in Nova Scotia on holidays this week and as such probably wont be posting much. Be sure to follow me on Twitter as I will continue tweeting. Thank you for you understanding, and I look forward to resuming regular programming in a week.

Something's Gotta go Wrong...

She was, "...feelin' way to damn good," as she moved on from the disaster that saw her kicked out of the Conservative Caucus in April, but Helena Guergis was thrust into the spotlight once more on Thursday. Once more, it was on a negative note as she remains front page material for various media outlets.

After the the fatal accident that saw Michael Ignatieff's Director of Communications, Mario Lague, pass away after his motorcycle collided with an SUV, it seems this former Conservative member who is no stranger to the spotlight, was also involved in an automotive accident.

Independant MP, Helena Guergis, was involved in a car accident near CFB Borden on Thursday. Thankfully, it was not fatal, but te MP probably was not too concerned about her own health and more of that of her unborn child. Five month pregnant Helena, was attending an announcement by Defense Minister Peter McKay at CFB Borden about new funding when her car was struck while going through an intersection. Her assistant was also in the vehicle, and both were rushed to a hospital in Alliston, Ontario.

She is now reportedly been released from the hospital and is recovering at home, as is her assistant, after being kept for observation. The pair will now take time off to recover from their injuries and spend time with their respective families after the experience. She is very lucky to have escaped the indecent with little to no injuries.

Defense Minister Peter McKay released the details of the the event to her office in Simcoe-Grey as she was obviously unable to attend and he wishes her a speedy recovery as parlayed by his spokesman, Jim Paxton to the Globe and Mail, "Minister MacKay was very sorry to hear about the accident and hopes Ms. Guergis, her baby and all on board recover quickly."

PM Stephen Harper was also near by when the event occurred as he was attending a charity hockey game in Barrie, Ontario. He has yet to comment on the event.

OLO Director of Communications killed

Michael Ignatieff's Director of Communications, Mario Laguë, has been killed in a tragic motorcycle accident in which his motorcycle collided with an SUV. Many details are not known, but it appears as though he was on his way to work.


Michael Ignatieff issued this statement:

"It is with great sadness that we learned this morning that our Director of Communications, Mario Laguë, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in Ottawa.  

A man of many talents and accomplishments, Mario was a beloved member of our staff, and a valued personal advisor to me and the entire Liberal team. A man of great integrity and spirit, Mario served his country in many capacities with honour and dignity. Whether as a public servant under Prime Ministers Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin, Ambassador to Costa Rica or in his most cherished role as a husband and father, Mario brought a bright light to everything he did.  

While we will miss Mario's extensive talents, we will miss most of all his warmth, his humour, and his passion for Canada that inspired us all.  

On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family, loved ones and the many, many friends and colleagues that knew him." 

The Liberal Leader is not the only one to express his feelings of this tragic loss, as other political figures and masses of journalists write about their pain as they mourn his loss.

NDP Leader Jack Layton had this to say:

"On behalf of all New Democrats my deeepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Mario Laguë,"

PMO Director of Communications, Dimitri Soudas said:

"On behalf of PMO Communications, I extend our deepest condolences to Mario Laguë's family, friends and colleagues. He will be missed."

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends during this difficult time.

In other news, Ignatieff is still in Iqaluit and Harper is in Barrie, ON helping out at a hockey tournament.Will this seemingly good willed gesture help restore some image after being absent from the political scene for nearly a month? It certainly won't help the census issue at all.

Liberal Express goes bus-less

Michael Ignatieff is headed to Iqaluit to meet with locals in Nunavut, and understandably, the Liberal Express bus will not be joining them. Not to worry though, as Ignatieff already explained, the Liberal Express is much more than a bus; its about meeting Canadians all across the county, 10 provinces, 3 territories. As he has told us, time and time again, its about showing Canadians the "clear Liberal alternative", and welcoming them into he big red tent at the center of Canadian politics."

In other news, Liberal MP Bob Rae is holding a press conference in Ottawa to discuss the census and the recently released census documents. Ah, the census documents (and more of them here). They clearly show that StatsCan issued tons of warnings to the Government regarding why they shouldn't scrap the long form census. From the documents I have read, Tony Clement's assertion that StatsCan approved the scrapping of the long form has absolutely no truth to it. There is quite a bit of information to read over in these documents, and I haven't had time to read them all yet, but I am sure that there is more startling (or lack there of) revelations buried in them.

Following Bob Rae's statement, NDP Leader Jack Layton takes the stage to discuss aid to the areas in Saskatchewan affected by the recent flooding, but there is a good chance that the reporters will push the questions into the census direction.

And the Prime minister is out of service today; that is, he has no public engagements planned. He will be in Barrie tomorrow to help at a hockey tournament.

Public safety committee: we're back!

The Public Safety Committee is meeting today after the Conservatives called it to discuss airport security, after a YouTube video showed some Muslim women boarding an Air Canada jet with their faces covered, having never been checked by officials.

It is unclear how the opposition parties will react, although I expect they will cooperate; after all this is a situation that has outraged most Canadians. However, an early attempt by the opposition parties (in this same committee) to initiate a public inquiry into G8/G20 security was foiled after Conservative members successfully wasted enough time to run down the clock, thus resulting in the vote never happening. If the opposition wanted to play partisan games, they certainly could attempt to give the Conservatives a taste of  their own medicine, although I do believe that they will act in the best interests of Canadians by allowing an investigation into airport security.

In other news, Ignatieffs Quebec adviser, Jean-Marc Fournier, has returned to provincial politics, thus vacating his position in the Federal party. Both Ignatieff and Fournier expressed sadness by the decision, but Ignatieff has said that he will continue to call Fournier for advice in the province.

As far as the leaders go, the NDP are trying to "pull a liberal," as leader Jack Layton heads to lunch at a local Tim Hortons, BQ Leader Gille Duceppe is being interviewed about his 20 years in politics, Ignatieff is continuing on the Liberal Express as he prepares to head to Iqualuit, and Harper is finally visible again as he tours around some events in BC.

Liberal Express in Pembroke

Real Canadian Politics own Chad Godin lives in Pembroke/Petawawa, but unfortunately he will not be at today's Liberal Express event.

Luckily enough, the CBC's Kady O'Malley is on hand to liveblog the event for us



Please note, the above feed is the property of the CBC and Kady O'Malley. I take no responsibility or credit for the content above.

PM completes minor cabinet shuffle

The Prime Minister has completed a minor cabinet shuffle today in an effort to replace Jay Hill, the retiring Government House Leader. Former Minister of Transport John Baird replaces Hill as Leader of the Government in House of Commons, while former Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Chuck Strahl replaces Baird as Minister of Transport. Former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development John Duncan has been promoted to cabinet to replace Strahl.

I understand why Harper would promote Strahl to Transport, as he has done a relatively good job by this Government's standards. And I fully understand why Harper would appoint Duncan as Minister, as he is already familiar with the portfolio, and he is riding in BC should help with the poll numbers.

What I personally can't understand is why John Baird has been promoted to Government House Leader. From my experience, watching Baird during Question Period and in committee meetings, he is one of the most stubborn, uncooperative, and downright trouble causing Conservatives I have ever seen. I can't comment on how he is off camera as I have never seen him there, but on camera he seems to be the last person I would choose for House Leader. The only thing he has going for him is that he is pretty knowledgeable with parliamentary procedure, despite choosing to ignore it at times.

With the exception of Baird as House Leader, it was a pretty boring cabinet shuffle, and as such I think it will have very little effect on the polls.

Harper and Ignatieff virtually tied!

Well, not exactly, but their respective parties are! This is good news for the Liberals, who until this week, have consistently ranked lower than the ruling Conservative party this summer.

Still, lots of work for the Liberals to do. They are ahead of the Conservatives in just two regions; Atlantic and Quebec (although still behind the BQ in Quebec of course). They are virtually tied with the Conservative in Ontario, and have a lot of catching up to do elsewhere in the country.

What caused this change in voter intentions? Was it the census debate? The recent news about the Guergis scandal? The Liberal Express? One can only speculate on the possible cause, but one thing seems certain; the Liberals aren't done yet!

Still, this could be a faulty sample as we have seen in the past. No poll is completely accurate, and this one is no different. If the Liberals can maintain a tie or pull ahead in the next couple polls then we will know for sure that the Liberals are back.

In other political news, Liberal MP Mark Holland is holding a press conference later today, and President of the Treasury Board, Stockwell Day is also holding a press conference. Hopefully for him, this one goes better than his last one on "unreported crime."

The Conservatives are having their national caucus meeting today as well, although I don't expect we will hear much from the PMO about it.

Welcome back Helena Guergis?

Well it’s starting to look as though PMO really did jump the gun by removing Helena Guergis from Conservative caucus. As previously reported, the RCMP completed their investigation of the embattled MP and her husband, concluding that they found no criminal wrong doings. In addition, the ethics commissioner has yet to accuse her or her husband of any ethical wrong doings. Add that to the word of the three reporters that have seen the security footage of the incident at the Charlottetown airport, and she certainly has a good case for wrongful dismissal.

The CBC’s Rosemary Barton is the latest journalist to see the security footage, and she reports that she doesn’t see Guergis taking any kind of tantrum. She says it is obvious the former minister is flustered, but clearly not freaking out as was previously reported.

With no word from the PMO on what the serious allegations are, it’s certainly starting to look as though the PMO made a major error in judgment.

To top it all off, Guergis is asking to be let back in to Conservative caucus! If I was ever treated the way she was by anyone, I would never ask them to hire me back. She was treated horribly and falsely accused by her own party, and now she is knocking on the door hoping they invite her inside. Her reason for this; “I’m a Conservative.”

Well, conservative or not, it seems like they don’t want her back. They could take her back in, and hope that this blows over. But that would involve admitting a mistake, which might just be something out of the realm of possibilities for our Prime Minister.

She is not totally convinced she will be welcomed back however, and has stated that whether she is the Conservative candidate or not, she will be on the ballot.

Now I’m not Conservative, but I have to say this; good luck Helena!

Home from the cottage

And I don't just mean me, Prime Minister Stephen Harper should be returning to the political scene this week for the Conservative's National Caucus meeting. Apart from that and the Liberal Express, not a whole lot is happening this week (so far).

If you are looking for an interesting read, I recommend a recent coloumn in the Globe and Mail by NDP strategist Brian Topp. He estimates the chances of a fall election at 60-40 against.

In case you are wondering, my weekend at the cottage was great! And a brief programming note: Chad Godin will now be joining us as a regular contributor at Real Canadian Politics. Welcome Chad!