Perhaps the leader of the opposition should show respect for other politicians and Parliament and stick to making critical positive and negative observations rather than attack everyone...even members of his own party. He simply does not deserve respect if he can't give it. Plus he stayed at Stornoway when he had no claim. If he attacks nonsense then he should get what he gives. It s not about Stornoway.. it's about him.
David, respectfully, I disagree. Times change. What seemed like a good idea back then doesn’t necessarily hold water today. I don’t think you have made a case for why we should continue to provide housing for the official leader of the opposition. It does make sense for our country to provide housing for our Prime Minister. What has happened to 24 Sussex Drive is a travesty! I’m glad that something is finally being done. It also makes sense for the residence of the Governor General. But the leader of the official opposition party? It has never made sense to me and still doesn’t. I support the petition and the need to end this wasteful spending.
A good article and I support the significance of the three heritage sites maintained by the NCC. Regardless of the public figures that may occupy them.
Rob Ford was a master at attacking government spending like free coffee while wasting millions. The public relates to a cup of coffee or in this case a home, but only a few can get their head around a billion.
Heritage of course, helps define who we are , on whose shoulders we are standing on.
I totally agree with you. We need more of this public spirit for the reasons you mention. I am tired of Canadians refusing to separate the holder of the position from a wider policy perspective.
The Leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition is not just some party leader. They occupy an important constitutional office, being, in principle, a government in waiting. Opposition is structurally essential to our system. It's to Canada's credit that we dignify this office, not just with the fancy label, but with an official residence.
Long before I had heard of sortition (i.e. in the 80s), I wondered why an Opposition? Loyal Opposition seemed like quite a fine line to walk - why were they supposed to oppose if the government came up with a really good idea? Just because it was their job? Deliberative democracy seemed to me the way parliament ought to be run - leave the Question Period histrionic theatre out of it. Government is serious business (to paraphrase Michael Douglas/Andrew Shepherd in The American President) - the people expect parliament to get real work done, not flaunt their rhetoric in front of cameras.
So, if we really had a deliberative democracy based, sortition composed parliament, there would be no Opposition or Opposition Leader. One might imagine a parliament appointed CEO as the head of the civil service (distinct from the Privy Council Clerk?) who might live at 24 Sussex, and one might also imagine a chair of a parliamentary executive oversight committee, who might live at Stornoway.
Perhaps the leader of the opposition should show respect for other politicians and Parliament and stick to making critical positive and negative observations rather than attack everyone...even members of his own party. He simply does not deserve respect if he can't give it. Plus he stayed at Stornoway when he had no claim. If he attacks nonsense then he should get what he gives. It s not about Stornoway.. it's about him.
"We should reject playing political games with government properties, tempting as that is." Yes.
David, respectfully, I disagree. Times change. What seemed like a good idea back then doesn’t necessarily hold water today. I don’t think you have made a case for why we should continue to provide housing for the official leader of the opposition. It does make sense for our country to provide housing for our Prime Minister. What has happened to 24 Sussex Drive is a travesty! I’m glad that something is finally being done. It also makes sense for the residence of the Governor General. But the leader of the official opposition party? It has never made sense to me and still doesn’t. I support the petition and the need to end this wasteful spending.
A good article and I support the significance of the three heritage sites maintained by the NCC. Regardless of the public figures that may occupy them.
Rob Ford was a master at attacking government spending like free coffee while wasting millions. The public relates to a cup of coffee or in this case a home, but only a few can get their head around a billion.
Heritage of course, helps define who we are , on whose shoulders we are standing on.
I totally agree with you. We need more of this public spirit for the reasons you mention. I am tired of Canadians refusing to separate the holder of the position from a wider policy perspective.
Good piece, thanks.
The Leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition is not just some party leader. They occupy an important constitutional office, being, in principle, a government in waiting. Opposition is structurally essential to our system. It's to Canada's credit that we dignify this office, not just with the fancy label, but with an official residence.
Long before I had heard of sortition (i.e. in the 80s), I wondered why an Opposition? Loyal Opposition seemed like quite a fine line to walk - why were they supposed to oppose if the government came up with a really good idea? Just because it was their job? Deliberative democracy seemed to me the way parliament ought to be run - leave the Question Period histrionic theatre out of it. Government is serious business (to paraphrase Michael Douglas/Andrew Shepherd in The American President) - the people expect parliament to get real work done, not flaunt their rhetoric in front of cameras.
So, if we really had a deliberative democracy based, sortition composed parliament, there would be no Opposition or Opposition Leader. One might imagine a parliament appointed CEO as the head of the civil service (distinct from the Privy Council Clerk?) who might live at 24 Sussex, and one might also imagine a chair of a parliamentary executive oversight committee, who might live at Stornoway.
Until then, I still dream ...