Pat's Posts

MARIANNE WHITE, Postmedia News

   After the oilsands and the seal hunt, asbestos has become Canada's new sin, tarred as an evil at home and abroad.

   In just three years, asbestos went from being one of the country's great exports, supported by all political parties at the House of Commons, to being vilified by politicians of all stripes, including some Conservatives.

Mia Rabson, Winnipeg Free Press

   Prime Minister Stephen Harper declared Thursday there is nothing in a federal court ruling on his government's wheat board legislation that prevents the government from continuing to push the bill forward.

   But a leading expert on parliamentary procedure said the courts can - and likely will, if asked - issue an injunction against implementing the bill until the court case is completed.

BYLINE: Mia Rabson

SOURCE: Winnipeg Free Press

   OTTAWA -- Manitoba NDP MP Pat Martin says he is prepared to throw his hat into the NDP leadership ring if no other candidates step forward on a platform to unite the party with the Liberals. Martin, one of the four longest-serving MPs in the NDP caucus, said the only candidate who will get his support is one who will bring the two parties together.

BYLINE: Mia Rabson / Hill Talk
SOURCE: WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

OTTAWA -- It was a whirlwind spring in Ottawa what with the federal election, two budgets, and the flurry of post-election activity. But as the new Parliament begins to settle in to its new reality of a Conservative majority, NDP opposition, and the smallest Liberal caucus in Canadian history, one other important factor has taken hold.

At least it's important in this province.

Manitoba is not a doormat anymore when it comes to leadership roles on the federal stage.