DOCSLIB.ORG

President's Message

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
President's Message President’s Message The summer brings many good things we missed December 1885 prior to burial at the St-Boniface during the long winter such as warm sunshine, Cathedral. Clearly the house is an important green leaves and grass, songbirds, boating, fishing legacy that we must protect. and beaches. There is a lot of buzzing energy and general excitement in the countryside and in the As I had earlier announced, the MMF is pleased to community. There is lots to do and lots to see, in work with Canada, through our Louis Riel Institute, the all too short summer season. to ensure the prominent role of the Métis Nation and our People’s contribution to building western Summer is always a great time for families to join Canada continue to be part of the Riel House friends and neighbours and enjoy what Manitoba student and visitor experience. This site is an President David Chartrand, LL.D has to offer: parks, museums, outdoor sports and important part of our Nation’s and our Country’s concerts are just a few. Of particular interest to collective history. me, and I know for many of you, are the many Metis summer events put on by our MMF Locals and community members to celebrate The Louis Riel Institute offers guided tours in and around the Riel our culture, our history, and our nationhood. House as well as interpretive activities on the park grounds. To get more information about what is available I recommend contacting Examples of events such as the Shell River Jamboree that was our Louis Riel Institute at 204-984-9480, sending an email to recently held on July 12-14, the St. Ambroise Saskatoon Festival on [email protected] or checking out the Parks Canada website. July 16 and 17, and the St. Norbert Metis Sign Raising on July 20. An upcoming event is the St. Laurent Metis Days on the August long The Riel House is at 330 River Road just east of the Red River and weekend. I thank all the volunteers for their dedication in making this south of Bishop Grandin Highway. Be sure to visit it this summer. Its all happen. future as an invaluable public treasure depends on continuing support of the Metis Community, and indeed, all Canadians. I hope to see you To keep up with announcements about these and other events and there or at any of the other Metis special places and events across news please be sure to listen to our Metis Hour x 2 on NCI Radio, the province this summer. read our Le Metis here in the Grassroots News, and check out the MMF website. Without a doubt, there is a lot happening in the Metis Again, I want to thank all our volunteers, Home Office and Regional Nation’s Manitoba Metis Community this summer. staff, and elected representatives in the Regions and Locals for all their hard work and commitment needed to protect and showcase A great place to take the family this summer is the Riel House National our Metis culture, history, rights and pride each summer. These great Historic Site in St-Vital in Winnipeg. This is Louis Riel’s mother’s results are often achieved at personal cost and with family sacrifice. house. As we know, the Metis were Canada’s negotiating partners Thank you. in bringing Manitoba into Confederation in 1870. Louis Riel was the Metis Provisional Government Leader, President of the Legislative Have a great summer! Assembly of Assiniboia, and, in fact, first Premier of our Province. After Riel’s judicially sanctioned murder by the Canadian Believe in Yourself - Believe in Metis Government following the Battle of Batoche, in what is now known Meeqwetch. as Saskatchewan, his body was brought back to St-Vital under Metis guard where it then lay in state in Riel House for two days during President David Chartrand, LL.D Are you related to Louis Riel? Louis Riel was the son of Louis Riel Sr and Julie All the fun happens at Riel House National Lagimodière, both intensely devout Roman Historic Site located at 330 River Road in St. Vital, Catholics. In 1858, Msgr Taché sent the young Manitoba. Join us for our Thursday Night Soirée Louis to Montreal to continue his education, from 6:00pm-9:00pm and watch the lawn come with the hope that he would become a priest. But alive with music and song of the Metis! Louis opted instead to study law with Rudolphe Laflamme, and then found work in Chicago and Riel Descendants Celebration in St Paul, Minnesota, before returning to Saint- Thursday July 25th / 10am-9pm Boniface in 1868. Friday July 26th / 10am-9pm Saturday July 27th / 10am-9pm At the time, some 10,000 Métis were living along Sunday July 28th / 10am-9pm the Red River, most of them French-speaking and Roman Catholic. Today, his many descendents For more information, contact the Louis Riel live across the Manitoba. Institute: [email protected], 204-984-9480 If you believe you are one of Louis Riel’s Join the Louis Riel Institute in discovering how descendents, bring your genealogy or family the Métis nation is one big family. knowledge and prepare to add to our giant family tree. Genealogists and staff will be on hand to help discover your connection to the father of Manitoba. Louis Riel Shelley Glover appointed Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages On July 2013, Ms. Shelley Glover was appointed Ms. Glover is a proud Métis woman and friend of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official the Manitoba Metis Federation who is a very active Languages. Previously, she was appointed community member with affiliations to several Parliamentary Secretary for Official Languages in non-profit organizations. May 2008, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in Mrs. Glover is married and has raised five August 2010, and Parliamentary Secretary to the children with her husband Bruce, who Minister of Finance in January 2011. is a retired police officer and small business owner. “What an amazing opportunity. I want to thank the prime minister for believing in me and giving me this chance to help my community and my country,” Ms. Glover said in a YouTube video that was posted. Prior to entering federal politics, Ms. Glover served as a member of the Winnipeg Police Service for almost 19 years. She had a diverse career in a variety of positions including undercover work, child abuse investigations, youth crime and gang investigations, and general patrol. Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Core 1..39 Journalweekly (PRISM::Advent3b2 10.50)
    HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES DU CANADA 40th PARLIAMENT, 3rd SESSION 40e LÉGISLATURE, 3e SESSION Journals Journaux No. 2 No 2 Thursday, March 4, 2010 Le jeudi 4 mars 2010 10:00 a.m. 10 heures PRAYERS PRIÈRE DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS AFFAIRES COURANTES ORDINAIRES TABLING OF DOCUMENTS DÉPÔT DE DOCUMENTS Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Lukiwski (Parliamentary Conformément à l'article 32(2) du Règlement, M. Lukiwski Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of (secrétaire parlementaire du leader du gouvernement à la Chambre Commons) laid upon the Table, — Government responses, des communes) dépose sur le Bureau, — Réponses du pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), to the following petitions: gouvernement, conformément à l’article 36(8) du Règlement, aux pétitions suivantes : — Nos. 402-1109 to 402-1111, 402-1132, 402-1147, 402-1150, — nos 402-1109 to 402-1111, 402-1132, 402-1147, 402-1150, 402- 402-1185, 402-1222, 402-1246, 402-1259, 402-1321, 402-1336, 1185, 402-1222, 402-1246, 402-1259, 402-1321, 402-1336, 402- 402-1379, 402-1428, 402-1485, 402-1508 and 402-1513 1379, 402-1428, 402-1485, 402-1508 et 402-1513 au sujet du concerning the Employment Insurance Program. — Sessional régime d'assurance-emploi. — Document parlementaire no 8545- Paper No. 8545-403-1-01; 403-1-01; — Nos. 402-1129, 402-1174 and 402-1268 concerning national — nos 402-1129, 402-1174 et 402-1268 au sujet des parcs parks. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-403-2-01; nationaux. — Document parlementaire no 8545-403-2-01; — Nos.
    [Show full text]
  • Court File. No. A-188-17 FEDERAL COURT of APPEAL BETWEEN
    Court File. No. A-188-17 FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL BETWEEN: STACEY SHINER IN HER PERSONAL CAPACITY, AND AS GUARDIAN OF JOSEY K. WILLIER Appellant - and - ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA Respondent - and - FIRST NATIONS CHILD AND FAMILY CARING SOCIETY OF CANADA Proposed Intervener MOTION RECORD OF THE PROPOSED INTERVENER FIRST NATIONS CHILD AND FAMILY CARING SOCIETY OF CANADA David P. Taylor Sébastien Grammond, Ad.E. Anne Levesque Conway Baxter Wilson LLP/s.r.l. University of Ottawa 400-411 Roosevelt Avenue Ottawa, ON K2A 3X9 Tel: 613.288.0149 Fax: 613.688.0271 Counsel for the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada TABLE OF CONTENTS TAB TITLE Page 1 Notice of Motion 1 2 Draft Order 4 3 Affidavit of Cindy Blackstock, PhD., affirmed October 22, 2017 5 4 Written Representations, dated October 24, 2017 191 Court File. No. A-188-17 FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL B E T W E E N: STACEY SHINER IN HER PERSONAL CAPACITY, AND AS GUARDIAN OF JOSEY K. WILLIER Appellant - and - ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA Respondent - and - FIRST NATIONS CHILD AND FAMILY CARING SOCIETY OF CANADA Proposed Intervener NOTICE OF MOTION TAKE NOTICE THAT the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society will make a motion to the Court in writing under Rule 369 of the Federal Courts Rules. THE MOTION IS FOR an order granting the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada (the “Caring Society”) leave to intervene in the present proceedings, under the following terms: a. The Caring Society will file a 15-page memorandum of fact and law at a time set by the Court; b.
    [Show full text]
  • SFU Thesis Template Files
    The Right to Authentic Political Communication by Ann Elizabeth Rees M.A., Simon Fraser University, 2005 B.A., Simon Fraser University, 1980 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Communication Faculty of Arts and Social Science Ann Elizabeth Rees 2016 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Spring 2016 Approval Name: Ann Elizabeth Rees Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Title: The Right to Authentic Political Communication Examining Committee: Chair: Katherine Reilly, Assistant Professor Peter Anderson Senior Supervisor Associate Professor Catherine Murray Supervisor Professor Alison Beale Supervisor Professor Andrew Heard Internal Examiner Associate Professor Political Science Department Paul Thomas External Examiner Professor Emeritus Department of Political Studies University of Manitoba Date Defended/Approved: January 22, 2016 ii Abstract Increasingly, governments communicate strategically with the public for political advantage, seeking as Christopher Hood describes it to “avoid blame” and “claim credit” for the actions and decisions of governance. In particular, Strategic Political Communication (SPC) is becoming the dominant form of political communication between Canada’s executive branch of government and the public, both during elections and as part of a “permanent campaign” to gain and maintain public support as means to political power. This dissertation argues that SPC techniques interfere with the public’s ability to know how they are governed, and therefore undermines the central right of citizens in a democracy to legitimate elected representation by scrutinizing government and holding it to account. Realization of that right depends on an authentic political communication process that provides citizens with an understanding of government. By seeking to hide or downplay blameworthy actions, SPC undermines the legitimation role public discourse plays in a democracy.
    [Show full text]
  • Selkirk Record 080620
    GREGMICHIE.COM 204.336.2800 PREPARE TO BE BLOWN AWAY by this custom 2525 SF Maric built bungalow, featuring 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, with dramatic Great Room concept living. THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 VOLUME 11 EDITION 31 SERVING SELKIRK, LOCKPORT, ST. ANDREWS, ST. CLEMENTS, WEST ST. PAUL, CLANDEBOYE, PETERSFIELD, LIBAU, GARSON, DUNNOTTAR & TYNDALL MURPHY SAYS… “Be safe on your boat while catching the big one” 377 Main Street Selkirk (Next to Liquor Mart) 204-482-7800 k5insurance.ca RECORD PHOTO BY BRETT MITCHELL Tina Case (left), Selkirk & District Seniors Resource Council’s Tenant Resource Centre Coordinator and Gerry Hamm, Chair of the Selkirk & District Senior’s Resource Council outside of the new Selkirk & District Seniors Resource Council, also known as Selkirk Services to Seniors, offi ce at 326 A Main St. See story on page 10. > everything you need to know in your locally owned and operated community newspaper Unique Chindi Rugs HOURS 439 MAIN ST., SELKIRK MON - WED 9-8 THURS & FRI 9-9 North of Manitoba Ave. SAT 9-6 SUN 12-5 BiG DOLLAR 2 The Selkirk Record Thursday, August 6, 2020 Fresh Sunkist $ 49 Fresh Hot House $ 59 Fresh Red Delicious ¢ Valencia Oranges Tomatoes Apples 86$ 1 OE &DQDGD 1 OE 86$([WUD)DQF\ 99 OE NJ NJ NJ Pinty’s Pub & Grill Chicken Wings Smith’s $ 99 Fresh $ 99 $ 99 Pork Shoulder $VVRUWHGJ Beef Burgers OE Eat Well Chicken Entrees J 10 ea Blade Steak 2 11 NJ $VVRUWHGJ Bull’s Eye French’s Visit us at HARRYSFOODS.CAWRYLHZRXUHQWLUHÀ\HU Barbecue Tomato Ketchup ¿OOHGZLWK¶VRIRWKHULWHPVRQVDOHHDFKZHHN Sauce 2ULJLQDO $VVRUWHG
    [Show full text]
  • Riel House National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan Text in English and French on Inverted Pages
    © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, 2003. Government of Canada Catalogue No. R64-271/2003 ISBN: 0-662-67143-0 National Library of Canada cataloguing in publication data Parks Canada Riel House National Historic Site of Canada management plan Text in English and French on inverted pages. Title on added t.p.: Lieu historique national du Canada de la Maison-Riel, plan directeur. 1. Riel House National Historic Site (Man.) – Management. 2. Historic sites – Manitoba – Management. 3. Historic sites – Canada – Management. I. Title. FC3364.R54P37 2003 333.78’097127 C2003-980060-1E F1062.8R54P37 2003 RIEL HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA Management Plan August 2003 Foreword Canada’s national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas represent the soul of Canada. They are a central part of who we are and what we are. They are places of magic and wonder and heritage. Each tells its own story. Together, they connect Canadians to our roots, to our future and to each other. What we cherish as part of our national identity, we also recognise as part of our national responsibility. All Canadians share the obligation to preserve and protect Canada’s unique cultural and natural heritage. Together, we hold our national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas in trust for the benefit of this and future generations. To achieve this, practical action grounded in long term thinking is needed. These principles form the foundation of this new management plan for Riel House National Historic Site of Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • River Road to Rivergate Drive Study Recommendations
    MORE PEOPLE BIKING MORE OFTEN River Road to Rivergate Drive Study Recommendations Given the poor lack of north/south connectivity between River Road and the Henteleff Park/South St. Vital Trail corridor, a pathway along the Red River connecting the Minnetonka and Normand Park neigbourhoods would be a positive addition to Winnipeg’s bicycle network. Ultimately, we feel that this pathway could be extended south to Maple Grove Park. Of course, any investment in a pathway connection along the Red River will need to maximize connections to the local and regional bicycle network, and to neighbourhood, community, and regional destinations. We feel that the benefits of this project would be greatly increased by improving walking and cycling connections to St. Amant Centre, Minnetonka School and Park, Greendell Park Community Centre, and Darwin School & Park. Ideally, the planned pathway would also provide a spur giving access across St. Mary’s Road into Dakota Park and the River Park South neighbouhood, but given potential rights of way and their distance from existing traffic signals on St. Mary’s Road, this may not be achievable. Without a signalized crossing of St. Mary’s Road and access through the Okolita Park development into Dakota Park, we feel that the missing connections to St. Amant Cenre, Minnetonka School and Park, and Greendell Park Community Centre should take priority over any connection to St. Mary’s Road. P.O. Box 162 Corydon Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3M 3S7 · Ph: 204-894-6540 · [email protected] · www.bikewinnipeg.ca 1 Key Recommendations 1. We prefer Option 2 over Option 1 as the more comfortable and attractive option, but with the addition of a connection to the Village Canadien driveway as per Option 1 a.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Senate
    Debates of the Senate 2nd SESSION . 41st PARLIAMENT . VOLUME 149 . NUMBER 65 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, June 3, 2014 The Honourable NOËL A. KINSELLA Speaker This issue contains the latest listing of Senators, Officers of the Senate and the Ministry. CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates Services: D'Arcy McPherson, National Press Building, Room 906, Tel. 613-995-5756 Publications Centre: David Reeves, National Press Building, Room 926, Tel. 613-947-0609 Published by the Senate Available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1653 THE SENATE Tuesday, June 3, 2014 The Senate met at 2 p.m., the Speaker in the chair. future of social housing in this country, and I once again urge the federal government to work with its partners to find a solution to Prayers. this problem. [Translation] SENATORS' STATEMENTS THE HONOURABLE ANDRÉE CHAMPAGNE, P.C. CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING Hon. Jean-Guy Dagenais: Mr. Speaker, honourable senators, in Hon. Catherine S. Callbeck: Honourable senators, this week, a few days we are going to lose one of the most eminent members the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada is holding its of this chamber, the Honourable Senator Andrée Champagne, Co-operative Management Conference here in Ottawa, offering who will be retiring this summer after serving in the Senate for workshops and opportunities for discussion for managers and nine years. staff of housing co-ops. If I had to choose one word to describe Senator Champagne's One item certainly on the minds of attendees is the expiry of life, without a doubt it would be longevity: she spent 60 years in federal rent-geared-to-income assistance.
    [Show full text]
  • March 10, 2014 Via Email: [email protected]
    March 10, 2014 Via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. The Honourable John Baird, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs Langevin Building 125 Sussex Drive 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2 Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2 The Honourable Peter MacKay, P.C., Q.C., M.P. The Honourable Shelly Glover, P.C., M.P. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Minister of Canadian Heritage 284 Wellington Street 15 Eddy Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0H8 Gatineau, QC K1A 0M5 The Honourable Rona Ambrose, P.C., M.P. Minister of Health Brooke Claxton Building Tunney's Pasture Postal Locator: 0906C Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9 Dear Prime Minister and Ministers: Re: UN Convention on the Rights of the Child I write on behalf of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) to enjoin the Government of Canada to make a detailed action plan to effectively implement the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UN CRC). The Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UN Committee) constitute a road map that could prove transformational in improving the lives of Canadian children. We urge you to follow this in tabling a detailed Government Action Plan. The CBA is a national association of over 37,500 lawyers, law students, Québec notaries and law teachers. Our primary objectives include improvement in the law and the administration of justice, promoting the rule of law and public respect for the law and legal process.
    [Show full text]
  • The Exchange District a National Historic Site Heritage Interpretation Strategy
    The Exchange District A National Historic Site Heritage Interpretation Strategy All roads lead to Winnipeg. It is the focal point of the three transcontinental lines of Canada, and nobody, neither manufacturer, capitalist, farmer, mechanic, lawyer, doctor, merchant, priest, or labourer, can pass from one part of Canada to another without going through Winnipeg. It is a gateway through which all the commerce of the east and the west and the north and the south must flow. No city, in America at least, has such an absolute and complete command over the wholesale trade of so vast an area. It is destined to become one of the greatest distributing commercial centres of the continent as well as a manufacturing community of great importance. (Curtis, W.E. Chicago Record Herald, September 1911.) The Exchange District A National Historic Site Heritage Interpretation Strategy July 1999 The Exchange District Heritage Partnership Prepared by Shelley Bruce, Project Coordinator Table of Contents Table of Contents vii TABLE OF CONTENTS xi Acknowledgements xvii Executive Summary 1 Chapter 1: Introduction 3 Purpose of this Strategy 5 The Exchange District Heritage Partnership 7 Goals and Objectives of the Strategy 9 Chapter 2: Background 11 Contemporary Context 15 The Need for an Interpretation Strategy 19 Planning Process The Planning Team Historical Themes Resource Analysis Targeted Consultation Local Heritage Models Public Consultation Workshop 29 Marketing Strategy Process Downtown Visitors Summary In-Person Interviews Conclusion 39 Chapter 3: Designation
    [Show full text]
  • Municipal Manual 2004 Manitoba Cataloguing in Publication Data
    Municipal Manual 2004 Manitoba Cataloguing in Publication Data Winnipeg (Man.). Municipal Manual - 1904 - Also available in French Prepared by the City Clerk’s Dept. Issn 0713 = Municipal Manual - City of Winnipeg. 1. Administrative agencies - Manitoba - Winnipeg - Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Executive departments - Manitoba - Winnipeg - Handbooks, manuals, etc. 3. Winnipeg (Man.). City Council - Handbooks, manuals, etc. 4. Winnipeg (Man.) - Guidebooks. 5. Winnipeg (Man.) - Politics and government - Handbooks, manuals, etc. 6. Winnipeg (Man.) - Politics and government - Directories. I. Winnipeg (Man.). City Clerk’s Department. JS1797.A13 352.07127’43 Cover Photograph: The Provencher Twin Bridge and the Pedestrian walkway known as “Esplanade Riel”. The dramatic cable-stayed pedestrian bridge is Winnipeg’s newest landmark, and was officially opened on December 31, 2003. The Cover Photo was taken by Winnipeg Sun photographer, John Woods and is used with permission from the Toronto Sun Publishing Company. All photographs contained within this manual are the property of the City of Winnipeg Archives, the City of Winnipeg and the City Clerk’s Department. Permission to reproduce must be requested in writing to the City Clerk’s Department, Council Building, City Hall, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 1B9. The City Clerk’s Department gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Creative Services Branch in producing this document. Table of Contents Introduction 3 Preface 4A Message from the Mayor 5A Message from the Chief Administrative Officer
    [Show full text]
  • An Evaluation of Manítobar S Eultural in Partial Fuifillment of The
    . An Evaluation of Manítobar s eultural Resources for lforld Herítage Designatísn A Practicum Submitted in Partial FuIfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Natural Resources Management by Mark J" Stroski Natural Resources Institute The University of Manitoba 177 Dysart Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 January 1 988 Perníssion tras been granted L'autorisation a êtê accordêe to the $[ational LibrarY of à Ia Biblíothèque nationale Canada to nicrofilm thie du Canada de microfilmer thesis and to 1end or sell- cette thèse et de Prêter ou copies of the filn. de vendre des exemPl,aires du film. The ar¡thor (copyright' owner) L'auteur (titulaire du droit has reserved ot'her d o auteur ) se rêserve Les publ-i.cation rights, and autres droits de publícation; ne i ther the thes i s nor ní la thèse ní de longs extensive extracts from it' extraits de celle-ci ne may lre printed or otherwíse doivent être i.mprimês ou reþroduðed t¿ithout hie/her autre¡nent reprodults aana aon written pernieeion. autorlsation êcríte rsBN 0-3L5- 47934-5 AN EVALUATION OF MANITOBA'S CULTURAL RESOURCES }.OR WORLD HERITAGE DESIGNATION by Mark John Stroski A practicum subm¡tted to the Faculty of Craduate Studies of the universíty of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Natural Resources Management. @ r98B Permission has been granted to the LIBRARY OF THE uNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA to lend or sell copies of this practicum,totheNATloNALLlBRARYoFCANADAto microfilm this practicum and to lend or sell copies of the film, and uNIvERSITY MICROFILMS to publish an abstract of this Practicum.
    [Show full text]
  • Harper's Hard Right Turn
    Harper’s hard right turn Printed: Maclean’s, Mar 19, 2010 By Paul Wells It says in all the papers the well has run dry. The commentators keep writing that Canadian conservatism has died on the vine, that four years into his reign of tactical obsession and fiscal profligacy, Stephen Harper has forgotten why he ever went into politics. “Where’s the big, strategic agenda for the next election?” John Ivison quoted a senior Conservative in the National Post. “I haven’t found one yet.” In the same paper, Terence Corcoran ran a string of columns identifying programs the feds should cut, because Harper seems unwilling to do the work himself. And Andrew Coyne delivered his annual post-budget verdict of despair and mourning. “Those Conservative faithfuls who have been hanging on all these years, in the hopes that, eventually, someday, with one of these budgets, this government would start to act like conservatives, must now understand that that is not going to happen. Conservatism is not just dead but, it appears, forgotten.” But it’s a funny thing. If Canadian conservatism is dead, somebody forgot to tell Canadian conservatives. Earlier this month, the Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Ottawa played host to two consecutive conferences, a small one by the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada followed by a big one by the Manning Centre for Building Democracy. Both were well attended by current and former ministers, employees and strategists of the Harper government. Both drew energetic crowds of activists and ordinary people. Both gave free rein to an unabashed social conservatism that is rarely mentioned, and even less frequently championed, by even prominent fiscal conservatives in the big papers and magazines.
    [Show full text]