1) The Supreme Court ruled that Omar Khadr's rights were violated but that it wouldn't order the government to repatriate Khadr (yet), stating that it is up to the government to decide the best course of action. The Supreme Court cited the government's constitutional authority over foreign affairs as well as its own lack of knowledge of foreign relations specifics (such as whether the government had negotiated with the U.S., etc.).
The Supreme Court, though, did warn that it would make sure that the court could order the government to ensure that it was doing everything to rectify the abuse of Khadr's rights.
2) Harper has appointed five new Senators, as expected after he prorogued Parliament at the end of 2009. While the Conservatives do not hold an outright majority in the Senate, it does hold the largest number of seats there.
It's too bad that Harper has apparently given up on the idea of an elected Senate, as it was probably the only point of the Conservative platform that I liked.
Peace and long life.
1 year ago
... and yet,Jacques Demers (a Harper senate appointee) is already buckling with regards to the new, improved, better "juvenile crime bill" of Harper and his Harpies.
ReplyDeleteI suspect he'll buckle on many other issues as well.
Can we hope that others will follow his lead and their own consciences, as he is doing?
Ah,hopes and wishes ...
That's good news, since I was worried that all of Harper's appointees would be partisan. Honestly, I'm slightly more concerned about the change in the balance of power in the Senate with regards to when a non-Conervative government is elected. In the meantime, Parliament will/should be the biggest hindrance for Harper. Given that he has now overreached with his second prorogation, I doubt he'll ever win a majority (or perhaps not even another minority, if the Liberals don't crap the bed again).
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