Archive for the ‘Liberals’ Category

Liberals' Twitter gibes about Labor's leadership woes come back to bite

By Luke Malpass, Lisa VisentinFeb. 5, 2015, 1:58 p.m.

When the Labor leadership changed hands from Kevin Rudd to Julia Gillard in June 2010, the federal Coalition had plenty to say about it on social media, but senior Liberals may now be finding that some of their scathing comments could apply equally to the leadership scrap embroiling them now.

Now: Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Parliament. Photo: Andrew Meares

And then: Then-deputy prime minister Julia Gillard and then-prime minister Kevin Rudd in Parliament in June 2010. Photo: Glen McCurtayne

When the Labor leadership changed hands from Kevin Rudd to Julia Gillard in June 2010, the federal Coalition had plenty to say about it on social media, but senior Liberals may now be finding that some of their scathing comments could apply equally to the leadership scrap embroiling them now.

One of the key campaign memes used by the Liberal Party in the lead-up to the 2013 elections and after the Coalition victory was the focus on stability and grown-up government.

An indulgent focus on a party's own leadership, changing leaders because of panicked pollsters or disgruntled MPs with petty grievances: none of these were for the Liberal Party when it was in opposition.

But the worm has since turned.

Usefully then for punters, Twitter has given us a record of comments about the leadership ructions made by then-opposition Liberal MPs, including senior members in government.

The now-Minister of Social Services Scott Morrison belled the cat on the first Rudd/Gillard leadership spill, with this comment.

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Liberals' Twitter gibes about Labor's leadership woes come back to bite

Liberals to support Conservative anti-terror bill, will address the gaps later

The Liberal Party is ready to ignore gaps in Ottawas anti-terrorism bill and vote in its favour, while the NDP plans to put up a fight and could still oppose the proposed legislation.

The two parties were united in opposition to Canadas combat mission in Iraq last year, but they are heading in different directions in regards to Bill C-51, known as the Anti-Terrorism Act (2015).

CP Video Feb. 04 2015, 8:05 PM EST

After a caucus meeting on Wednesday, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau announced his party will support plans to beef up the powers of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the RCMP, and to criminalize the promotion of terrorism.

Mr. Trudeau said his priority will be to address the gaps in the bill. In particular, the Liberals will push for parliamentary oversight of Canadas national security agencies, and try to add a sunset clause that would force Parliament to evaluate the legislation before it is periodically re-enacted.

Mr. Trudeau said the Liberal Party will be willing to compromise during the current session of Parliament, and then promise to amend the legislation in its next election platform.

The current government can accept that Canadians want greater oversight and accountability, or it will give us the opportunity to offer that directly to Canadians in the upcoming election campaign, Mr. Trudeau said.

The NDP blasted the Liberals for giving a blank cheque to the Conservative government, which has clearly rejected calls to increase the oversight of Canadas national-security agencies.

The NDP says its still studying the legislation, but a party official said a majority of MPs currently oppose the bill. A final position will be taken next week.

In an interview, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair said he does not believe that a new balance between security and rights needs to be achieved. This notion that somehow there has to be this massive tradeoff, I dont believe that, he said. The whole purpose of fighting against terrorism is to make sure that people who want to take away our rights and freedoms arent the ones who wind up winning.

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Liberals to support Conservative anti-terror bill, will address the gaps later

Trudeau's Liberals agree with Tories on new anti-terrorism bill

David Akin, National Bureau Chief Feb 4, 2015

, Last Updated: 3:36 PM ET

OTTAWA Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said Wednesday his MPs will vote in favour of the Harper government's new anti-terrorism bill even if the government rejects their suggestions to improve the legislation.

"We need to do what we can to keep Canadians safe," Trudeau said.

After meeting with his caucus on Parliament Hill, Trudeau told reporters the Liberals believe the bill could be improved by setting up some mechanism to allow parliamentarians oversight of the activities of Canada's security agencies. He also wants those agencies to have more funding.

Trudeau said the decision is in line with the party's approach to balancing civil liberties with new and effective counterterrorism tools by "keeping Canadians safe in a way that's consistent with Canadian values."

Because the Conservatives have a majority in the House of Commons and the Senate, Bill C-51 will pass regardless of how Liberals or New Democrats vote.

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Trudeau's Liberals agree with Tories on new anti-terrorism bill

Sudbury Byelection 2015: OPP Seek Recordings In Liberal Probe

TORONTO - Ontario's provincial police have gone to court to seek recordings in an investigation into allegations the province's Liberals broke the law during the selection of a candidate for the Sudbury byelection.

Premier Kathleen Wynne asked Andrew Olivier, the Liberals' candidate in Sudbury in last June's general election, not to seek the nomination for Thursday's byelection because she had another candidate she wanted to appoint.

Olivier has alleged that the Liberals offered him a job or appointment in exchange for his stepping aside for Glenn Thibeault, who left his job as an NDP MP to run for the provincial Liberals.

Olivier, who is quadriplegic and records conversations in lieu of taking notes, posted audio to YouTube of his talks with two Liberals, including Ontario Liberal campaign director Pat Sorbara.

The Progressive Conservatives asked the OPP to investigate, believing the Liberals' alleged actions could contravene sections of the Criminal Code that relate to offering government advantages and securing appointments.

After interviewing Olivier the police found no evidence to conclude a criminal offence had been committed. But after Olivier posted the audio online, the Tories asked the OPP to take another look.

"Mr. Olivier had the opportunity to voluntarily offer the recordings he had made at the time to the OPP, but he chose not to do so, then he released recordings with two individuals via social media after that," said OPP Det.-Supt. Dave Truax.

"Subsequent to that we've reviewed the matter further and since that time have obtained a production order."

Elections Ontario is also investigating and has interviewed both Wynne and Sorbara, after the New Democrats suggested the Liberals' alleged conduct violates the Election Act, which makes it an offence to promise a job or appointment to induce a person to withdraw their candidacy.

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Sudbury Byelection 2015: OPP Seek Recordings In Liberal Probe

What happens when you join Today’s BC Liberals? – Video


What happens when you join Today #39;s BC Liberals?
Watch as Premier Christy Clark phones new members just to say thanks for their membership. It #39;s just one of the privileges of membership - getting to connect with the leaders of the province...

By: BCLiberals

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What happens when you join Today's BC Liberals? - Video