HalifaxLive is reporting more details about Paul Martin’s plan for handguns post-election.
The Liberals will also re-introduce legislation that doubles the mandatory minimum sentences for key gun crimes such as trafficking and smuggling of firearms and the illegal possession of loaded handguns in public places. Those who use handguns to commit a crime need to understand that using handguns will result, each and
every time, in jail time.
The Handgun issue may be important to those in Toronto or Vancouver, but unfortunately I feel the rest of the country is going to have a hard time relating.
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The Globe and Mail has a story about Stephen Harper pledging more support for the Military:
“The men and women who put on the uniform of Canada must have the tools they need to
protect themselves and to do their job,” Mr. Harper said at a hotel across from Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
He said the extra money would help buy at least three big, strategic transport planes, re-establish an airborne force and double the size of the DART, the humanitarian team which most recently was used in the aftermath of the Pakistan earthquake.
Mr. Harper is really covering all bases this campaign - I doubt there is a single Canadian that he has not attempted to appeal to in his the campaign - but will it work?
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CCNMatthews has a story outlining Paul Martin’s announcement that our current Health Care system can work, given some changes and cooperation between provincial and federal governments:
Prime Minister Paul Martin on Monday hailed the announcement of a set of evidence-based benchmarks as proof that federal and provincial governments can work together to improve the system and strengthen Canada’s public health care system for the benefit of all Canadians.
“The strategy that we put in place along with the provinces is working,” the Prime
Minister said. “We’re not talking about promises out of thin air, we’re talking about a plan that has been put in place for a year and a half and it is working.”
Speaking in Toronto yesterday, Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh thanked his provincial and
territorial counterparts, as well as the many health care professionals who worked to support the bench-marking process, noting that this has been “a revolutionary process” leading to “a landmark announcement.”
I hope they have a response better than this on the health care issue - it is going to be a big election battle and, despite his wording it would seem hardly revolutionary in the minds of the voters.
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CCNMatthews service has story describing Jack Layton attacking the other parties by outlining what he feels are their secret plans for health care:
“Make no mistake about it. Medicare is being sabotaged by people who claim to be
protecting it. Paul Martin, Ralph Klein, Stephen Harper, Jean Charest and Gordon Campbell are all on the same wavelength,” Layton said. “They want to open Canada’s health system to the profiteers. They know that’s the last thing Canadians want.
“So instead of being honest about what they want to do, they’ve been sneaking up on
their goals,” Layton said.”
That may be the last thing his supporters want, but he does not speak for me. It is naiive to think that people aren’t highly profiting from our current public health care system and it’s closed minds like his that are going to sink our country financially. You cannot defend something at all costs” without sacrificing in other areas - which will they be?
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The Toronto Star is reporting on Jack Layton’s answer to the Daycare debate:
The program, to be phased in over four years, would enable parents to return to work, help kids get an early start in their education and even help eliminate child poverty, he said yesterday.
“We don’t do a very good job of looking after our kids nationwide,” Layton said, as he
unveiled his proposal at the Parkdale Beach Childcare Centre. He cited the examples of several mothers who were on hand with their children, saying they’ve had a tough time finding daycare, with waiting lists topping a year.
As the page says, this is really becoming a key issue in the election campaign. I hereby declare this election to be the RACE FOR THE SOCCER MOMS. Where is my Astrovan?
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Seems Paul Martin’s staffers are in a bit of hot water over this ‘Beer and Popcorn’ comment.
Once again the Liberals show an utter disregard for the hard work and
dedication that all Canadian Parents demonstrate each and every day. Canadian
Parents are demanding that Martin fire these two advisors and if unwilling to
do so, he should resign himself.
Can you say hardline standpoint? Reading that paragraph actually made me laugh out loud - get real. I am not a steadfast Liberal Party supporter - but the comments were inappropriate at worst, not worthy of the party leader’s resignation.
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The CBC is reporting that Stephen Harper claims he would not send Canadian troops to Iraq but he applauds the US efforts toward Iraqi freedom.
On Iraq, Harper said he supported the removal of Saddam Hussein and applauded the “efforts to establish democracy and freedom.”
But he said he would not commit Canadian troops to the country and added his “great
disappointment” at not substantiating pre-war intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction.
Sounds like another way of saying “I wish I could send troops but I know that voters wouldn’t support it if I mentioned this before the election”..
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The Edmonton Journal has a piece describing Stephen Harper’s plan for tax breaks based on children in sports:
The Tory leader said the initiative, combined with a promised GST cut and the $1,200 a year payment for parents with children under six, is part of a bid to support Canadian families and offer a tangible form of tax relief.
“Governments should not just encourage international excellence in sports, but also
(encourage) the choices of ordinary families that enourage active children,” Harper said here at a hockey arena with three western Quebec Tory candidates.
I agree with Mr. Harper’s intent but I’d like to see a laid out definition of “Sports” before I make a supportive decision - It appears that activities including Poker are now considered sports in the broadest definition. Would handicapped children taking part in physical therapy also qualify?
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The Hamilton Spectator has a piece that outlines the opinion that Paul Martin’s handgun proposal infringes on our personal rights.
People who collect handguns and use them for sport are not criminals, despite Paul Martin’s statement that “Handguns kill people. That’s why they exist.”
Even though some handguns are stolen and used in crimes, this is something a democratic
society must live with to remain a free society. The government could save thousands of lives each year by banning big Macs and reducing speed limits by 50 percent.
I agree .. slightly. I feel the main point is that banning handguns is really not going to take them out of the hands of criminals… who obtain them illegally anyhow.
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Reuters had a story (And has now removed) reporting a story that outlines how critics believe Paul Martin is boosting the separatist threat in Canada.
Although the scandal occurred under the Liberals, Martin says only a vote for him will keep Canada united. Early on in the campaign he declared the January 23 federal vote was “really a referendum election” — a phrase with powerful undertones.
When the separatist Parti Quebecois (PQ) was in power in Quebec, the province held
referendums on breaking away from Canada in 1980 and 1995. Both failed, but the PQ — now in opposition — says if it wins the next provincial election it will push hard for another vote on independence.
More nonsense attacks - the Liberals are the only party in PQ with any opposition to the Bloq.
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