In May 2, 2011, it was the 41st general federal election. That was the day that Stephen Harper won his first and only majority government, and while that did shake up the normal political order, it was not the only thing that happened that day to reverberate in Canadian political culture. Remember Pierre Poutine? Remember Robocalls? Well this is the day for a little political unsolved mystery. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #272 – A Political Unsolved Mystery”
In a few days, the second decade of the the 21st century will be in the history books, and we’ll be back again in the Roaring ’20s. Before leaving all this behind, let’s take one look back at the decade, and rate the 10 biggest political news stories that happened in and around the Royal City for the last 10 years. Continue reading “The Top 10 Guelph News Stories of the Decade”
Although, it was known last month that the appeal of the convention of Michael Sona was denied, the exact reasons for that decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal was not known… Until now. On Thursday, the court posted the rationale for their decision, and it seems that they’re satisfied with the judgement of the trial judge and his reasons despite the objection of both Crown and defense. Continue reading “Ontario Court of Appeal Releases Sona Decision”
In the Ontario Court of Appeal last Wednesday, Michael Sona arrived with one of three roads in front of him, more jail, less jail or the same amount of jail he was sentence to back in November. Ultimately, the three judge panel chose door number three, but does that mean the case is over, and what about the unanswered questions that linger still? Continue reading “Appeals in the Sona Case Denied, the Man Himself is Now in Jail”
We may have put a whole other election between us and it, but the robocall scandal returns to the foreground today when the parties arrive at Osgood Hall to appeal the sentence of Michael Sona. The Tory staffer has tried and convicted of “preventing or endeavouring to prevent an elector from voting” back in 2014, but according to his appeal, Sona’s been either punished too harshly, or, according to Crown, his nine month prison sentence is too light. Continue reading “Sona and Crown Appeal Sentence Today in Toronto”
Elizabeth May brought the Green Party national campaign to the University of Guelph earlier today to talk about their platform for education in Canada. The conversation after the announcement though turned to the young people the Green Party and May are courting, and whether or not they might be depended upon to make it out to the polls on October 19. May’s answer reference a fairly infamous chapter in Guelph political history. Continue reading “Elizabeth May Warns of Robocalls and Other Shenanigans”
Are you worried about another robocall scandal? Judging from the turnout at a townhall at St. James Anglican Church here in Guelph today, a lot of us are. Between 80 and 100 people showed up for the event organized by Fair Vote Guelph and the St. James’ Environment and Social Justice Committee, and on the eve of the start of the last parliamentary session before the 2015 election, it sure sounded like there was still a lot to be concerned about even after the conviction of Michael Sona last summer. A combination of politicians, experts and ordinary citizens came out to remember how we got here, and what we should be on the look out next. Continue reading “Robocall Townhall Shows Community Still Worried”
It wasn’t exactly a “whodunnit?” on par with Agatha Christie, but when the Guelph Tribune appeared on doorsteps across the Royal City Thursday, one ad in particular caught their eye, and it was unknown who might have placed such a provocative bit of negative advertising. Continue reading “Farbridge Campaign Takes Credit For Controversial Ad”
If you talked to Elections Canada about getting a robocall referring you to Old Quebec Street as your polling place on May 2, 2011, then you might have gotten an e-mail like the one below. Continue reading “Elections Canada Now Collecting Victim Impact Statements”
Yesterday’s conviction of Michael Sona managed to do the impossible, prompt a response from Marty Burke. Continue reading “Marty Says Mea Culpa”
Guelph Politico 