…and the featured speaker was Little Timmy Hudak, the youngster who wants to gut human rights in Ontario.

The media, per usual, provide the best summary of last night’s shindig:

“Hudak’s speech was short on policy specifics.” (Toronto Star, May 18th, 2010)

“He attacked the 13 per cent harmonized sales tax that takes effect July 1, but pointedly refused to promise to repeal it.” (Toronto Star, May 18th 2010)

“With a nod to the populist rhetoric of the right-wing Tea Party movement in the United States, Hudak said a Tory government would “make Ontario freer.”” (Toronto Star, May 18th, 2010)

“Hudak . . . .suggested his administration would be open to slashing services in order to rein in spending.” (Toronto Star, May 18th 2010)

“Hudak wouldn’t be specific about which taxes he would cut.” (Canadian Press, May 17th, 2010)

“Hudak received polite applause when he talked about tax cuts, but the mainly business audience fell silent when he also vowed to end corporate welfare in Ontario.” (Canadian Press, May 17th, 2010)

“Hudak said a Conservative government would cut both spending and taxes.” (Canadian Press, May 17th 2010)

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This is now.

That was then.

Key message: if Stephen Harper’s Reformatories do it, it’s okay.  If anyone else does it, it’s Satanic.

Clear?

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Live! From Edmonton! It’s that guy from Calgary!

Interesting bit from the bottom of the story:

On Sunday, delegates will vote on a controversial resolution to co-operate with other “progressive” political parties in the next election. The NDP has voted down similar resolutions at their last two party AGMs.

Kinsella said the federal Liberals and NDP are inching toward some sort of co-operation, which may put pressure on provincial counterparts to do the same.

“If the other guys are splitting up, is it a good idea to consolidate to take advantage of that? I don’t think it’s such a bad idea at all,” Kinsella said.

UPDATE: The Journal guy is good-humoured about my jabs at the paper’s editorial board.

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I’m about to give a speech to 200 pumped-up Alberta Liberals, so I don’t have time to opine about this issue at length. But let’s just say that Susan Delacourt’s take on Stephen Harper and the Almighty is the same as mine.

I go to church more than Stephen Harper does. If you are only an occasional church-goer, you are also a lot more diligent about your faith than the Conservative Prime Minister.

Confused? Don’t be. I’m not suggesting that Marci McDonald’s thesis – that the Canadian Christian Right is getting a lot cockier, and a lot more aggressive, in its efforts to smash down the wall between Church and State – is wrong. If anything, she’s understating things.

What I am saying is this: the abortion-related machinations of the Harper PMO – or the top guy, at least – is all about politics, not faith. It’s about throwing a bone to a well-funded, well-organized conservative lobby. That may be good strategy, but – as Susan suggests – it isn’t very honest.

It’s the most despicable kind of cynicism, in fact.

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…and they’re good ones, too, as Calgree Grit writes.

Heading up to Edmonton, this aft, to meet up with Alberta Libs. It’s gonna be a great convention!

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 It’s fascinating, the people you meet on the streets of my hometown. I don’t know this fellow, but he was quite interesting.

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How can Stephen Harper now demonize coalition – after what has happened in Britain, and after his own party was the direct result of one?

Discuss. Will approve your comments when the plane lands!

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I am giving a speech – or about to – for a friend who is retiring.

Send comments about the Habs game so I can announce the score!

UPDATE: Wooot, as my son would say.

Dominic Moore (L) celebrates his first period goal in front of the Pittsburgh Penguins bench with teammate P.K. Subban

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…read this:

Fasken Martineau, a leading international business law and litigation firm, made the following statement concerning comments made today before a House of Common’s Committee.

In November 2006, Mr. Nazim Gillani of International Strategic Investments approached Fasken Martineau through one its partners, Alfred Apps, in connection with legal advice/services for International Strategic Investments. Mr. Apps met with Mr. Gillani, received documents from Mr. Gillani and accepted a retainer cheque from Mr. Gillani.

Mr. Apps previously had no knowledge of, or acquaintance with, Mr. Gillani. Very shortly thereafter, Fasken Martineau declined to act on behalf of International Strategic Investments. Mr. Apps so advised Mr. Gillani and returned the retainer to Mr. Gillani. Fasken Martineau has had no professional dealings with Mr. Gillani or International Strategic Investments in the intervening period.

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