Parliament vs. the Crown in Canada -- Which is Supreme?

As Andrew Coyne of Macleans' Magazine notes, the issue of the transfer of Afghan detainees could be exposing a powerful debate between the powers of Parliament ( House of Commons & Senate) and the Crown (Prime Minister & Cabinet). The all-party House of Commons Parliamentary Committee (Military Police Complaints Commission [MPCC]) seeks documents the Prime Minister and Cabinet have heavily censored, thereby preventing the House of Commons Committee from being able to do its job and advise Parliament on the issue of Canadian tranfers of Afghan detainees. The Government (Prime Minister & Cabinet) have defended their position by stating that the censored portions have been blacked out for reasons of national security. Not only this, the government has effectively shut down the ability of the Committee to investigate further.

The controversey sets in as the constant hammering of this multi-party committee on the reputation of the government was proving to be a political liability for the Conservatives. Support for the government was dropping in public opinion polls primarily due to this issue.

Read Coyne's article and decide which side in the debate should be supported: Parliament or the Crown?

"An Iranian Nuclear Bomb, or the bombing of Iran?"

Read the article in the Economist dated December 3, 2009. Which alternative is the lesser of the two evils? Is there a 'third alternative' not provided for in the article? -- if so, what might it be?

The Chilcot Inquiry: the Leadership Methods of Tony Blair Revealed?

An inquiry is taking place in the United Kingdom over the actions of the Tony Blair government which resulted in British forces invading Iraq in 2003. The accusations of Sir Ken MacDonald directed against Tony Blair cast the former Prime Minister's actions as duplicitous and scheming; according to MacDonald, Blair may have knowingly mislead Parliament to orchestrate British involvement in the US invasion of Iraq. Even Blair acknowledges he would have agreed to war without the case for Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Given such (possible) revelations into the leadership methods of Tony Blair, to what extent does was Blair Machiavellian?

Safety ..at last? But for who?

Read the history of R. v. Charkaoui. After many years of imprisonment and state monitoring of his every move, the Moroccan Montreal school teacher's release has been ordered. Many celebrate the apparent triumph of human rights over unjust, unwarranted and dangerous state powers over the lives of Canadians; 'security certificates' in the eyes of many represent a dangerous breatch of the fundamental principle of habeus corpus.

But others are concerned by these latest developments. In particular, the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) believes that the developments in the case against Charkaoui compromise its ability to ensure the safety of Canadians. "CSIS cannot protect the safety and security of Canadians effectively if the subjects of its investigations are aware of its methods of operation," CSIS spokesman Manon Berube said to the Globe and Mail. "It is imperative that a security intelligence service protect its methodologies and investigative techniques."

Thus the question: is safety for the majority of Canadians worth the sacrifice of a few people's rights? At what point --if at all -- does harming one person to help another become ethical and moral?

(See how your knowledge of the issue compares to others!)

Canadian Cash Funds Genocide...

December 7, 2009, the Ottawa Citizen reports "Rwandan rebels settled in Canada have helped faciliate a resource-driven war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has killed millions and seen more than 200,000 women raped, United Nations investigators say."

Read the backgrounder offered by Doctors Without Borders on their Top 10 Humanitarian Crises of 2008 site.

The BBC also has an informative Country Profile on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Read the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's (DFAIT) web site which provides an overview of bilateral relations between the Government of Canada and the Government of the DRC.

Is the Canadian Government doing enough to affect resolution to the conflict in the DRC?

Canada's Polluted Politics:

Colin Horgan and George Monboit of Britain's Guardian Newspaper have characterized Canada in a light most Canadians would be shocked to read. The London Times also writes of the challenge Canada has if it seeks to avoid "Blackening its Name".

Canada, "a corrupt petro-state", writes Monboit, "is now to climate what Japan is to whaling."

Reading these charges against the Canadian image abroad, develop your own opinion. Are Monboit and Horgan presenting a reasoned and balanced discussion? - or do their articles offer an imbalanced and aggressive spin, distorting the truth in order to advance their political agenda?

Problem question: given the details of the Tar Sands debate, should Canada prioritize its environment or economy?

Additional Resources:
Jonathan Gatehouse, "Suddenly the World Hates Canada," Macleans Magazine, December 16, 2009.

View video of Greenpeace Climate Change protest on Parliament Hill, Ottawa

New York Times: Who's At the Climate Talks, and What do They Seek?

New York Times: Timeline - Science & Politics of Climate Change

New York Times: Energy & Environment - Copenhagen Climate Talks

The Guardian: Copenhagen Climate Change Interactive

Official Site: Copenhagen Climate Change Conference

Barrak Obama -- What a Disappointment!!!

If what the Washington Post writes is correct, then the aura and mystic surrounding Barrak Obama might be starting to dissipate. Arab reformers in the Middle East recall the promises made in the early days of the Obama regime, and find policy decisions might tell a diminished, or even different story altogether.

Read the article and offer your opinion on whether the United States should make democracy or stability in the Arab Middle East its declared priority (assuming there can only be one!).

Canadian Government Officials Prosecuted for War Crimes? -- Credible and Dangerous Allegations or Partisan Political Spin?

November 20, 2009, an article appears in Maclean's magazine which challenges readers with a stirring and provocative title. Responding to current allegations involving the transfer of prisoners by Canadian Forces operating in Afghanistan to Afghan security forces, Michael Byers -- Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia -- asserts "the prohibition of torture ranks with the prohibitions of genocide and slavery as one of the most fundamental rules of international law." Given Canada's ratification of the International Criminal Court statute and the jurisdiction acquired over Canadians, the impact is disconcerting. "If Canadian officials allowed detainees to be transferred to Afghan custody despite an apparent risk of torture ..they are as guilty of a war crime as the torturers themselves. They could be prosecuted in Canada under the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act," Byers writes, or "they could be hauled before the International Criminal Court."

--Read a BBC Backgrounder on the International Criminal Court
--Visit Official International Criminal Court Web Site

Despite the apparent enormous significance of these charges, the response to the testimony has been curiously understated by the Government of Canada.

This prompts the question: is the possibility of Canadian Government Officials prosecution for War Crimes built on credible and dangerous allegations? or merely partisan political spin?

Investigate this issue and determine for yourself an answer to this question.

Further, if there is truth to the allegations, what should the Government of Canada do in response?

Where the word "Canada" is reviled and hated overseas...

On November 22, 2009 The Toronto Star has published an article which calls attention to ALLEGATIONS of serious breaches in ethical, environmental and human rights violations by Canadian multinational corporations operating in the mining industry. Of particular interest to the Star's reporter Brett Poppelwell is the Vancouver based Copper Mesa corporation's operations in Ecuador.

Video

As the article notes: "John McKay, Liberal MP for Scarborough-Guildwood, has introduced a private member's bill designed to put controls on mining companies overseas. Conservatives have vowed to kill the bill, which is opposed by Canada's mining industry. MP's are debating it in a House of Commons committee this week (Nov. 22, 2009).

Follow this debate and determine which side of the argument you support and why. Does the Toronto Star appear to be offering a neutral and unbiased journalistic account? How? Or, does the newspaper slant the story so as to bend the reader's objectivity in advance of all the facts? How?

Stephen Harper & Canadian Foreign Policy

The November 12, 2009 article in the Economist profiles the foreign policy agenda of the Canadian Prime Minister in the weeks ahead.

Is Mr. Harper's global tour more about domestic political opportunism, or setting a new direction for Canadian foreign policy?

Royal Tour of Prince Charles & Duchess of Cornwall -- is there a present & future for the Canadian Monarchy?

Given the 11 day Royal Tour by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, discussion has turned to the role of the monarchy in Canada.

(Visit the Official 'Royal Tour 2009' Web Page)

As you will recall from your Civics course in Grade 10, the Statute of Westminster, 1931 eliminated any formal control by the government of the United Kingdom over any other Royal domain within the Commonwealth. As a result, the Monarchy cannot be viewed as an instrument of control by Britain over Canada. In addition, the Queen holds the title of 'Queen of Canada', and she is a Canadian Citizen along with all other members of the Royal Family -- Charles and Camilla included. It cannot be argued that the Monarchy is not Canadian in this regard.

(Read the Canadian Heritage website which outlines the role of the Monarchy in Canada)

This being acknowledged, there is still a strong sentiment among many Canadians that the Monarchy is more a British than a Canadian institution, and does not reflect the realities of Canadian political culture at the beginning of the twenty-first century. (Reuters, November 2nd, 2009) , (The Ottawa Citizen, November 8th, 2009)

Take some time and review some CBC archival footage of previous trips to Canada by Prince Charles; is the current Royal Tour any different? What can you observe about the relationship between Canadians and the Crown in Canada? Is it true that these institutions have no place in a 21st century Canada?

Can the argument be made that Charles & Camilla are actually irrelevant to the discussion -- what is more important is how such Royal Tours encourage Canadians to show Canada to their fellow Canadians? If so, does the Monarchy enrich the lives of Canadians by making us more observant and conscious of what it means to be Canadian? Thus, is the relationship between such Royal Tours and Canadian political culture not reflective, but rather affective?

A Big Day for the United States

With the passing of the Health Care Reform Bill in the House of Representatives, it was a big day in the political life of the United States. Read the article in the New York Times, November 7th, 2009.

Do you agree with the contents of the bill? Do you support the philosophy which is at the core of the proposal -- that the state has a role in providing health care to its citizens? Finally, do you agree with the political strategy the Democrats used to secure enough votes in the House?

Britain's Future in Afghanistan? Canada's? Nato's?

Listen to the Guardian's podcast for November 6th, 2009.

Are you inclinded to favour the arguments of Rachel Reid or Ghaith Abdul-Ahad? Explain with references to their respective discussions.

How can you use this discussion for your essay?

Press Freedom Index - 2009

Read the Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Index for 2009.

Which countries deserve attention? why?

Should citizens be interested in such reports? why?

How is the growth and development of democracy inextricably linked to freedom of the press? Discuss.

Links to Videos Watched in Class

Click on the link to view film:

Obama's War (PBS: Frontline)

Afghanistan: The 'Other War' (PBS: Frontline)

Afghanistan Unveiled (no online streaming available)

Edward Said on Samuel Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" article

Blog responses to these films are highly encouraged.

Rise of the Far Right / Fascists in Europe

Read the articles from the Globe and Mail from June 2009, and the Guardian discussing the electoral advances made by the BNP in recent months.

Should such developments be a source of concern? If so, why? Does the rise of far right parties conflict with the fundamental principles of Democracy - or rather provide evidence that the formal democratic structures are providing full articulation of the will of the people?

Is a similar development taking place in Canada? Why or why not?

Hunger Bytes Competition

Read the information on the World Food Programme's Hunger Bytes Video Competition. If you're interested, speak with me and we'll discuss CPW course recognition. This may be of particular interest to students in IDC 4U as well.

Bras, Whips, Women & Human Rights?

This commentary article published by Britain's Independent newspaper, October 28, 2009 should draw some discussion!

Challenge yourself with this article - move beyond a statement of acceptance or disapproval of what is taking place. Rather, try to analyse the mechanics of the article and how the reactions you're meant to experience are created. Did the article succeed in stirring a reaction? how was this achieived?

For students who were in the Ancient Civ. class last year, you'll no doubt remember the authors Von Daniken & Otto Muck; is this author, Alaa Al-Aswany, employing some of the same techniques? Explain.

For students who were not in the Ancient Civ. course last year, what do you observe about the relationship between Alaa Al-Aswany's evidence and argument? How does this achieve the desired effect within the reader?

Alternatively, you could consider the consequences this article has on Canada's relationship with the countries mentioned in the report. What should the government of Canada state is our formal policy towards such practices? Should private Canadian companies do business in countries which engage in such practices? Should what happens in other countries be of any concern to Canadians, or should we mind our own business?

I'm interested to read your responses...

Tom Coghlan vs. Lord Ashdown -- The Reality of Modern Afghanistan -- Centralized Goverment or Tribal Structures?

"One of the major problems we have faced in Afghanistan is the mismatch between the theory and the practice of Afghan government. Thanks, in large measure, to the intervention of the West, Afghanistan is, in theory, a centralised-governed country in the model of the classic Western nation state. But, in practice, Afghanistan is what it has always been for the last 1,000 years – a deeply decentralised country based around tribal structures." -- Lord Ashdown, The Independent, 21 October, 2009.

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/paddy-ashdown-afghanistans-future-lies-in-strengthening-its-tribal-structures-not-in-its-corrupt-government-1806249.html

The Times (former) Afghanistan Correspondant, Tim Coghlan, presents an alternative argument on what the West's response should be.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6882983.ece


To what extent do you agree with the statements made by Lord Ashdown? Tim Coghlan? Explain.

The Three Fallacies That Have Driven The War in Afghanistan

Read Johann Hari's opinion piece in the October 21st, 2009 edition of the Independent. Do the risks of staying dwarf the risks of pulling out? Thoughts?

Who is in Charge of Canada?

Read the article in the Ottawa Citizen, October 12, 2009.

This begs the question: how Canadian is the Canadian Monarchy? Your thoughts/reactions? What would Canada lose if it were to sever ties with the Monarchy? What would it gain?

Ethnic Struggles, 250,000 people behind barbed wire...

Read the article in the Economist, October 1, 2009.
How do Sri Lankan authorities justify this ongoing situation? What is your reaction? What should be done by the Sri Lankans? The Tamils? the international community? Canada?

Genocide Forgotten? Money vs. Memories...

Read Robert Fisk's article in Britain's Independent Newspaper, October 8, 2009.

Should the diplomatic negotations between Armenia and Turkey proceed before coming to terms with past wrongs? What is the relationship between trade and human rights? Do historical events matter in present day economic / political relationships?

Countdown to Copenhagen: The Future of International Climate Control Negotiations

Read and react to the online article published in Britain's Guardian Newspaper, October 7, 2009.

To what extent do you agree with the policy of the American administration on this issue?

What should be Canada's position on this issue?

Increasingly there will be a lot of discussion surrounding the Copenhagen Conference; if environmental politics interests you, this is a good on-going story to follow on your blog.

The Future of Canadian Representative Democracy?

Read Andrew Coyne's article in Macleans Magazine, October 6, 2009.
and a similar article which appeared in The Hill Times, October 5, 2009.

To what extent should additional ridings be added? in total? by region? by Province?
Should partisan politics be allowed to interfer with the core principle of representation by population? or is the political fall out from pushing forward with this democratic update too damaging to national unity?

Thoughts? Opinions?

Strong Suggestion for Blog Posts: WIAM One World Film Festival

Founded in 1972, Ottawa's World Interaction / Interaction Mondiale (WIAM) is a "volunteer-based, charitable organization working to create awareness on world issues." Each year WIAM hosts its 'One World Film Festival' in Ottawa. This festival is described as "an annual media-arts Festival based in Canada’s National Capital Region. The Festival is committed to presenting innovative forms of film and video as a medium for raising public awareness of world issues.It is both a celebration of documentary film and a powerful forum for filmmakers, activists, the public, and social justice, human rights and environmental organizations to engage in issues currently facing our global community." This year the festival will be held at the National Archives / National Library of Canada on Wellington street, downtown Ottawa.

Read the One World Film Festival guide to see what films will be screened, when and where.

A fantastic opportunity exists to view a film and critically review it for a CPW 4U blog entry.

Looking forward to reading what you have to write!

Tips for Effective Blogging:

When writing your own blogs, consider some of the advice given in the list of Twenty Usability Tips. Of particular note is #14.

Obama soft on Civil Liberties?

What are your thoughts on the Economist article dated October 1, 2009?

The Future of NATO's mandate in Afghanistan ?

Read the article from the Times of London, September 11, 2009. Do you agree with the assertion made in the last paragraph? Why/Why not?

The Politics of Spite ?

Read the Opinion column in the New York Times, October 4th, 2009. Agree? Disagree?

Can you write a follow up piece which notes a similar trend in Canadian politics?

A violation of individual rights? or an overdue necessity for public safety?

Read the October 5th, 2009 CBC report on the possibility of random roadside breathalyser testing.

Thoughts?

The Rise of a New World Economic Order

Read the article in Britain's Independent, October 5th, 2009. Thoughts? Reactions? Implications on Canada / Canadian economic influence?

Obama vs. the Dalai Lama? Thoughts?

Did Obama do the right thing? Read the article from the Times of London, October 5th. Thoughts? Reactions?

Shut up and Salute? or Give McChrystal what he wants? -- US Generals vs. Obama --- do you agree?

Suggestion for Blog post: Washington Post Opinion Column, October 5th, 2009. Comments? Reaction?

How does it compare to the Opinion column in the Britain's Guardian newspaper?

Looking for Ideas for Blog Posts?

Here are some suggestions:
-the 'politics' of the environment debate / environmental issues
-government handling, response and action on human rights files
-the operation of the minority Parliament in Canada
-posturing and political strategies of political parties
-the 'politics of sport' re: the Vancouver Olympics etc.
-the War in Afghanistan
-The US / Iran Relations
-Military Leadership in Guinea
-the Israel / Palestinian Crisis
-Darfur / Sudan
-Haiti
-Aids in Africa
-Canada / US Relations
-US Relations with another country(countries)
-the fuctioning (or lack thereof) of the United Nations
-current state and future of the NATO Alliance
-the role of the press / media in shaping and influencing political perspectives
-issues on the agenda of the City of Ottawa
-issues on the agenda of the Province of Ontario
-issues on the agenda of the Government of Canada
-election campaigns / results in other countries (eg. Germany, Japan, Iran, Afghanistan etc...)

Often looking at the editorial "Opinion" columns in the mainstream media (online or print) will elicit debate and discussion topics. See what you find.

See me if these ideas do not get you started!

Online Media Suggestions

In today's morning class the request was made to post some suggestions for online media for students to follow. This is by no means an extensive list; I'll add to it as time permits. Scanning these sites should allow for at least one opportunity for engagement over a two week period.

Canadian Media:
National Post
Macleans Magazine
Globe and Mail / Globe Politics
Toronto Star
Ottawa Citizen
Montreal Gazette
La Presse
L'Actualite
Le Devoir
CBC
The Hill Times
Google News (Canada)

US Media:
Washington Post
New York Times

British Media:
The Times
The Guardian / The Observer
The Independent
The Economist / The Economist: World Politics
BBC

onlinenewspapers.com (incredible!)

Paperboy.com (links to 6369 Newspapers throughout the world)
Paperboy Canada
Magazine Boy / News Magazines

Getting Started

September 2009--

Getting started on your political blogs:

Select a blogging site of your choice to host your blog. (ex. blogspot.com used here)

Some things to remember when developing your blog:
1. Protection of your personal information is absolutely critical.
2. Do not write your real name or post any identifying information online
3. Do not use an email address which directs school / professional activities with your personal / private activities
4. Do not use school activities to generate revenue online
5. Do not violate school board policy regarding appropriate use of information technology
6. Consider the suitability of material linked to your blog - if its not appropriate at school, its not appropriate for your blog.
7. Adhere to the principles and standards of academic integrity at all times

Instructions:
1. Blogs must be updated bi-weekly at a minimum
2. Blogs must engage course material in a responsible and academic tone
3. Subjects for discussion on blogs must have a focus on Canadian & World Politics
4. On occasion, course assignments will be 'handed in' in the form of a blog entry and assessed / evaluated accordingly
5. Consider your blog a chance for outside readership to engage your writing; develop a product which establishes your academic talent, your professionalism as a web-publisher and writer, and independent voice. After 10 months of building your blog, you may wish to have future employers, academic institutions etc. view it as a sample of your work.