I am quite disappointed with results of vote today in Parliament on Bill C-300, a private members' bill relating to corporate social responsibility. The concern relates to actions of Canadian extractive industries in developing countries.
As I understand it the bill would have strengthened a company's obligation to respect human rights obligations in its work. The bill would have established an effective complaint/investigation mechanism for dealing with this obligation.
But alas a majority of those MP's voting decided the inconvenience this may cause some companies was more important than international human rights obligations. I am most disappointed that some Liberal MP's did not vote for the bill even though the opposition has a majority of MP's in the present house.
I was very impressed with the arguments in support of the bill.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
2nd Time Around and Politics this week
Well my injured foot is not as bad as last time.. only a small broken/fractured bone on the right side...don't need any cast other than air cast I purchased last time...
Have been getting by.. and getting chance to sleep in as I am temporarily not delivering newspapers.
What a week we've had in Canada on the international scene. Two bungled items courtesy of our federal government. Failure to win a seat on the Security Council (and its aftermath) are classic Harperite. Upset everyone by taking positions known to be unacceptable to many in the international community; and then blame someone else for the results. Also messed up negotiations with another country and be embarassed when it blows up in your face.
On another matter, I had nice discussion with my local MP on a private member's bill to strengthen corporate accountability for Canadian extraction companies working in developing countries. While the MP and I did not see fully 'eye to eye' on the issue he had some interesting comments to make. He did indicate his support for the principle of accountability. Such a difference between meeting this MP (an opposition MP) and one of the government MP's.
Of course both of us agreed that in the current cirumstances in our federal political arena, it doesn't matter what any individual MP (except one) think about any issue. Other than the freelancing MP Mr. Bernier, our government's decisions on all issues are centred in one MP's office.
When oh when will we Canadians get a chance to change all this??
Have been getting by.. and getting chance to sleep in as I am temporarily not delivering newspapers.
What a week we've had in Canada on the international scene. Two bungled items courtesy of our federal government. Failure to win a seat on the Security Council (and its aftermath) are classic Harperite. Upset everyone by taking positions known to be unacceptable to many in the international community; and then blame someone else for the results. Also messed up negotiations with another country and be embarassed when it blows up in your face.
On another matter, I had nice discussion with my local MP on a private member's bill to strengthen corporate accountability for Canadian extraction companies working in developing countries. While the MP and I did not see fully 'eye to eye' on the issue he had some interesting comments to make. He did indicate his support for the principle of accountability. Such a difference between meeting this MP (an opposition MP) and one of the government MP's.
Of course both of us agreed that in the current cirumstances in our federal political arena, it doesn't matter what any individual MP (except one) think about any issue. Other than the freelancing MP Mr. Bernier, our government's decisions on all issues are centred in one MP's office.
When oh when will we Canadians get a chance to change all this??
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Vareity of stuff
For those who are friends on facebook or follow me on Twitter will know that once again I am 'laid up' temporarily with a foot injury. Early Saturday morning I 'tripped' on some wood laid out on a newspaper subscriber's sidewalk and fell down. I immediately felt a sore in the same foot, that had a broken ankle several months ago.
Two hours in the hospital resulted in my hearing that, yes, one small bone was broken. The day after tomorrow I am to be fitted with a cast at a cast clinic. I will be wearing some type of cast for from 4 to 6 weeks.
I have had to take 'leave' from my newspaper carrier activity for that time.....
So I will be far less 'active' in a real sense the next little while. But I am not upset as it makes no sense being upset at something one cannot change.
The shenanigans involving our current federal government never cease to amaze me. I only hope that sooner rather than later Canadians will get a chance to pass judgement on the current crowd.
In the meantime my 'less active' time means I can watch the baseball playoffs. I am definitely a member of the 'Anybody but the Yankees' crowd. I also don't particularly care for the Atlanta Braves as they have a 'racist' symbol their crowd uses to cheer them on. I would be happy especially if a team like the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, or the San Francisco Giants win the World Series.
Two hours in the hospital resulted in my hearing that, yes, one small bone was broken. The day after tomorrow I am to be fitted with a cast at a cast clinic. I will be wearing some type of cast for from 4 to 6 weeks.
I have had to take 'leave' from my newspaper carrier activity for that time.....
So I will be far less 'active' in a real sense the next little while. But I am not upset as it makes no sense being upset at something one cannot change.
The shenanigans involving our current federal government never cease to amaze me. I only hope that sooner rather than later Canadians will get a chance to pass judgement on the current crowd.
In the meantime my 'less active' time means I can watch the baseball playoffs. I am definitely a member of the 'Anybody but the Yankees' crowd. I also don't particularly care for the Atlanta Braves as they have a 'racist' symbol their crowd uses to cheer them on. I would be happy especially if a team like the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, or the San Francisco Giants win the World Series.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Various Stuff
Those who follow me on Twitter will recall a recent tweet about family issues...lots of stuff the past few days dealing with adult child and 3 of our 4 grandsons. I had forgotten how 'tiring' all this family stuff can be.. but isn't that to be expected with family. As we have done for the last 30 years we find ourselves frequently second guessing decisions. But that's life isn't it.
Seen some media stuff on new book on government of Stephen Harper. Will have to read it when it becomes available in a library near us.
Will there or will there not be a federal election this fall...more and more difficult to say.. but personally I hope there is one.....
Still busy delivering newspapers; telerecruiting for canadian diabetes association; and selling cash calendars..please contact me at dave.abbey@sasktel.net... you could win $20,000 next Valentine's Day.
Seen some media stuff on new book on government of Stephen Harper. Will have to read it when it becomes available in a library near us.
Will there or will there not be a federal election this fall...more and more difficult to say.. but personally I hope there is one.....
Still busy delivering newspapers; telerecruiting for canadian diabetes association; and selling cash calendars..please contact me at dave.abbey@sasktel.net... you could win $20,000 next Valentine's Day.
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