Results tagged “bobrae”

Details are still sketchy, but according to at least two news outlets, Bob Rae will announce that he is ending his bid for leadership of the Liberal Party later today. This means that Michael Ignatieff will assume the party's leadership unopposed, and the Liberals may be able to justify their claim that they are finally getting it together under pressure. Ignatieff hasn't exactly won the hearts and minds of Liberals everywhere (his support of the war in Iraq still rankles for many), but they'll at least have some stability in the top role. The prospects for the coalition bid may dim substantially, however, as Ignatieff has been lukewarm from the start about that enterprise. Click here to join Torontoist's ongoing conversation about recent political developments.

The Canadian Press is reporting that Stéphane Dion will announce his resignation as Liberal leader today, clearing the way for Etobicoke—Lakeshore member of Parliament Michael Ignatieff to be installed as the party's new chief in a caucus vote on Wednesday. Fellow Toronto MP and leadership contender Bob Rae isn't going down without a fight, though: in an email to supporters yesterday, the former NDP premier of Ontario called on Liberals to demand that grassroots members have a say in the selection of their new leader. As for the Liberal-NDP coalition, the future of the nascent partnership is murky: Ignatieff has been decidedly cool to the idea, and there are rumblings of dissent in the Liberal ranks. Click here to discuss the tumultuous soap opera that is the Canadian political scene.

Several news outlets are reporting that Stéphane Dion's tenure is about to end. Despite earlier coalition promises to keep him on as head of the Liberal Party and as the coalition's proposed Prime Minister, the ranks are growing restive and don't feel he has the capacity to lead them effectively into power. The mechanics: according to Liberal Party rules, when a leader resigns the caucus may select an interim leader to head the party until a national party vote can be held. Ignatieff has a clear majority of caucus support, and if the national executive decides to pursue the caucus selection process, will be installed as leader at least until the party's national convention in May. Bob Rae is, unsurprisingly, fighting this proposal on the grounds that it is elitist and leaves ordinary Liberals (especially those in western provinces, who have no elected MPs to represent them in a caucus vote) out of the process. Click here to join Torontoist's ongoing conversation about the recent parliamentary shenanigans.

It was barely a month ago that the Harper Conservatives were returned to government with a strengthened minority and politicians of all stripes were pledging to work together to steer Canada through the global financial storm. But after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered an economic update yesterday that promised to end pay-equity programs, suspend federal employees' right to strike, and eliminate the subsidy for political parties (a move that would financially cripple the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc, but not the Conservatives), all three opposition leaders declared that either the Tories would have to blink or the government falls.

Photo by Brandon McKay.

Grit leader Stéphane Dion, who last Tuesday led his team to one of its worst electoral showings since Confederation, has announced that he will resign as head of the Liberal Party of Canada effective May 2009. Thus begins a leadership race in which high-profile Toronto MPs Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae are considered front-runners, and that could draw in GTA Liberal luminaries including—but certainly not limited to—former provincial education minister Gerard Kennedy, hockey great Ken Dryden, former federal immigration minister Joe Volpe, and lawyer Martha Hall Findlay. Be sure to check Torontoist later in the week for a rundown of the possible local contenders for the Liberal throne.

SPORTS: If you're wandering around the Financial District tonight, don't be too shocked when you see hundreds of people running around erratically. It's got nothing to do with the economic crisis; it's Newmindspace's Capture the Flag, back for its sixth episode, where the only crisis participants face is determining the whereabouts of their opponents' flag. Full details, the official map, and rules are available here. King Street and Bay Street (on the southwest corner), 9 p.m., FREE.

Every Saturday, Historicist looks back at the events, places, and characters—good and bad—that have shaped Toronto into the city we know today.

Photo by Marc Lostracco.

Bob Rae and Martha Hall-Findlay win seats for the Liberals in federal by-elections. Downside: oh, God, Bob Rae. Upside: commenters will have to wait until the next federal election to bitch and moan about Torontoist contributor and Green Party candidate Chris Tindal's column (Chris finished in third place, with only thirty-six fewer votes than NDP candidate El-Farouk Khaki in the Toronto Centre riding).

Four federal byelections are being held today, including two in the Toronto ridings of Willowdale and Toronto Centre. The Liberals are considered to have the edge locally, where the Conservative "We Loathe Toronto" campaign of the last two years hasn't been as well-received as hoped. Happy St. Paddy's Day and remember to get voting before you get drinking.

Torontoist Environment Editor Chris Tindal is currently engaged in a federal by-election campaign. This weekly column is an attempt to offer a behind the scenes glimpse into what it's like to be that mysterious Other: a politician.

Torontoist Environment Editor Chris Tindal is currently engaged in a federal by-election campaign. This weekly column is an attempt to offer a behind the scenes glimpse into what it's like to be that mysterious Other: a politician.

Torontoist Environment Editor Chris Tindal is currently engaged in a federal by-election campaign. This weekly column is an attempt to offer a behind the scenes glimpse into what it's like to be that mysterious Other: a politician.

Torontoist Environment Editor Chris Tindal is currently engaged in a federal by-election campaign. This weekly column is an attempt to offer a "behind the scenes" glimpse into what it's like to be that mysterious Other: a politician.

The annual Polar Bear Dip is a success, raising $59,000 for World Vision Canada. This follows Toronto's proud tradition of really, really bloody stupid stunts for charity, like the Great Canadian Tack-Eating Contest of 1958 and the Who Needs A Parachute? First Canadian Place Jump-Off of 1971.

Queen Elizabeth II––who you will recall is our Head of State and yet still won't pony up to fix the TTC ––- has had her annual Christmas address posted on YouTube this year. The 81-year-old monarch gives a dignified formal message about her thoughts on the past year and hopes for the future before stripping to bra and panties and lip-syncing to Nellie Furtado's "Promiscuous."

Bill Graham retires. The MP for Toronto Centre hopes that the by-election is called promptly so that Bob Rae can run for his seat. Torontoist's reaction at losing Bill Graham and getting Bob Rae can mostly be described as a vaguely displeased-sounding "oh, goody."

The Liberal Party narrowly wins a minority government in Quebec. The ADQ came in a very close second, and Mario Dumont will be the official opposition leader when the Quebec National Assembly reconvenes. Many voters expressed their dissatisfaction with Premier Jean Charest, expressing their desire for a premier who looks less like Gene Wilder circa See No Evil, Hear No Evil.

The Tories are taking a chainsaw to Status of Women Canada, closing three-quarters of the organization's regional offices, including Toronto's. Heritage Minister Bev Oda insisted that the budget cuts and office closings will streamline the department and make it more efficient. Just like a business! Because government should be run like a business!

It seems that Bob Rae is the Liberal candidate most likely to get Ontarians to vote for him. However, he is also the Liberal candidate most likely to get Ontarians to vote him. Thus, Bob Rae is the Canadian version of Hillary Clinton. You heard it here first, people!

But all agreed one thing: "Liberals, we need to get back to power as soon as possible."

A 41-year old experienced long-distance runner died at the marathon over the weekend. The man finished right near the end of the race.

United Church Minister Cheri DiNovo and the NDP have taken Parkdale-High Park away from Sylvia Watson and the Liberals. The NDP won the riding with 41% of the vote, despite the Liberals summoning 11 cabinet ministers and high profile members like Bob Rae and Gerard Kennedy to campaign with former city councillor Sylvia Watson.

Yes we know it's awfully presumptous of us to assume that Ignatieff could not just win the Liberal leadership but lead the party back into 24 Sussex Drive.

The AIDS conference started last night and while Bill and Melinda Gates were there Stephen Harper sent his health minister. We think Stephen owes Tony one. Clement had to face a crowd who repeatedly chanted "Where's Stephen Harper" and some who held up signs and placards protesting the Conservative government's poor record on fighting AIDS in Canada and abroad. Even the co-chair of the conference criticized the PM for not showing up.

A TTC janitor might just be subject of one ot those TTC employee ads after spotting a four-year old boy that was snatched and Amber-Alerted. A 34-year old woman was also arrested.

It's official, Gerard Kennedy will be running for the federal Liberal leadership. Minister of Community and Social Services Sandra Pupatello will be taking over Kennedy's job as Education Minister. In other Liberal Leadership news Bob Rae is joining the party.

Looks like we picked the right 3-year period to quit smoking cigarettes. The province will raise the price of butts or darts or whatever they call it for the fourth time since 2003. The price increase, at an extra $1.25 per carton and an estimated 16 cents per pack, matches the last time the price of cancer-sticks went up.

In the last week three big names in the Liberal leadership race, former deputy PM John Manley, ambassador Frank McKenna and former Newfoundland premier and Captain Canuck Brian Tobin have dropped out. Frank McKenna put it best "I reminded myself this week of my vow upon leaving office - that having escaped the trap, I wouldn't go back for the cheese." He also pointed out that being Liberal Leader means pretty good odds that you'll eventually be PM and that, in fact, there's only been one Liberal leader who didn't eventually become PM.