Canadian Corner

[Jay]

Tim Horton's Roll Up The Rim to win contest begins on Monday.

[Jay]

I won a free donut from Timmie's today. That's almost as awesome as a Toyota Matrix or a Panasonic 3D TV.

[Jay]

Former Expos broadcaster Duke Snider passed away this weekend.

[Jay]

Woot! I finally joined the 21st century and signed up for Videotron digital cable. I called this morning and a technician came over 4 hours later.

[coksy]

Originally Posted by Jay

Woot! I finally joined the 21st century and signed up for Videotron digital cable. I called this morning and a technician came over 4 hours later.

Woohoo! Welcome.

[Jay]

I can't stop watching The Food Network. Is there a support group?

[Jay]

Looks like a federal election in May?

[kungfuhippie]

Yup. Another big voting year for us in BC. Federal election coming up in May, a referendum on the HST in June, municipal elections in November. And maybe a provincial election soon too if the new premier wants to go to the polls to get a mandate.

[Jay]

I was thinking of taking advantage of the Energy Renovation rebate program in the last budget and replace a few old windows and doors.

Oh joy. 2 months of mud slinging and attack ads.

[kungfuhippie]

The Conservatives haven't stopped running attack ads since the last election!

[toque]

And now the libs have joined in. What are we, USA municipals or court judges? Do we really have to pull this BS?

We JUST had a federal election.

On another note, I got my rebate from Bell Canada the other day. There is no indication in the letter they are paying back money they owe us. We aren't STUPID, Bell. Agh.

[Jay]

Air Farce's Roger Abbott passed away yesterday. He was only 64.

[kungfuhippie]

I'm chokin' on my own rage here

'5 questions' Harper refuses to explain limits on media queries

By Mark Kennedy, Postmedia NewsMarch 31, 2011


HALIFAX — Prime Minister Stephen Harper held his news conference Thursday and declined to tell journalists — corralled behind a yellow fence over 12 metres away — why he limits the daily encounters to just five questions.


The episode highlighted the brewing issue of whether Harper, as the apparent front-runner in the race, is running a campaign in a bubble to prevent embarrassing mistakes.


After several days, it is clear his daily schedule is carefully designed to minimize political risk. Harper has not done any "walkabouts" on city streets where average voters can meet him. Moreover, the photo-ops with voters — such as at a seniors' home and a deli — have been pre-arranged. Also, people who attend rallies must be on a list to gain entry to the event.


Harper only provides one news conference per day, and it is specifically designed to ensure that it is not free-wheeling. Journalists who are travelling with his campaign tour are, as a group, only allowed to ask four questions. One more question goes to a local journalist at the news conference.


On Thursday, Harper was asked to explain why — when Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff and NDP leader Jack Layton provide news conferences with no limits on questions — he insists on no more five questions.


Harper chose not to answer that question and moved on to the next questioner.


When journalists then pressed him for an answer to the question he ignored, Harper said. "If there's another subject I'll answer it."


That led to another question from a journalist, who noted that politicians such as himself promise openness and accountability. With that in mind, he was asked again, why the limit on questions during the campaign?


"If there are other subjects I'm not addressing, I'll take them. What's the subject? One subject."


Journalists asked another question, about Canada's position about the conflict in Libya. Harper answered and then ended the news conference.

© Copyright (c) Postmedia News

[Jay]

What a contrast to Jack Layton.

[toque]

But who would want Jack Layton as PM? Things aren't looking good any way you cut it. I may actually put in a blank ballot, or vote the green party or something.