Time for a rethink on leadership contests

My column this week on Loonie Politics looks at the collapse of the PC leadership contest in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the various other leadership contests underway in provincial parties across the country and posits that the chaos and bad choices that have resulted after months-long contests with millions of dollars spent, combined with the loss of accountability, means that perhaps the time has come to finally have the adult conversation about returning to a system of caucus selection with our party leaders.

Choosing a Minority

My column this week on Loonie Politics looks at the absurd editorial board endorsement that the Globe and Mail gave for the Progressive Conservatives in the Ontario election, in which they called for a minority government – as though it were possible for voters to consciously choose that. Along the way, I suggest ways to change the endorsement system to better reflect our system of elections, and wonder about the kind of civic illiteracy that these kinds of columns promote.

A looming Senate crisis is history repeating

My column on Loonie Politics this week looks at the announced early departures of two Senators – three shortly after it was published – and how the growing number of vacancies in the Upper Chamber is building a repeat of the problems caused in 2009 when that glut of 18 appointments were made at once, and how it stressed the system. Plus, I got to make reference to a Dame Shirley Bassey song, so that was fun.

Not the "Master of QP"

My column on Loonie Politics this week takes the moniker that everyone seems to be throwing around lately – that NDP leader Thomas Mulcair is the "Master of Question Period" – and challenges it, being as I am probably the only journalist who hasn't missed a QP in five years. I also rate the performance of the other leaders while I'm at it (and in case you haven't figured it out, no, Mulcair really isn't the "Master of QP").

Chong’s Reform Act is a step but not a panacea

My column this week on Loonie Politics turns to the forthcoming debate on Michael Chong's Reform Act, and gives a timely reminder that while a lot of people are looking to this bill as the saviour of our democratic system, the bill doesn't address some of the root causes of the problems around leadership, and that even some of the proposed solutions are not going to be the solution to the problems.

NDP satellite offices and expanding the definition of "parliamentary" work

I have an additional column on Loonie Politics this week, which looks at the committee appearance by NDP leader Thomas Mulcair with regards to the party's "satellite offices," and how a combination of the slow expansion of what is perceived to be an MP's job, and a healthy dose of self-aggrandizement, created this situation, leaving us all desperate for a reality check.

Showing up for QP

My column this week on Loonie Politics takes the party leaders to task for their increasing absences from the Commons when it comes to QP, and the boasts by some that they're doing more work by getting out on the road rather than their actual jobs as an MP. This includes a reminder about what those jobs are, which one would think is an important consideration if they're campaigning to get re-elected.