Parliament Shut Down For Seven Weeks

Governor General Michaelle Jean granted Prime Minister Stephen Harper's request to suspend parliament until the new year.Her consent to prorogue Parliament means the work of the Commons has been discontinued, allowing Harper's Conservatives to escape a confidence vote next week that would have meant the defeat of his government. PMO spokesperson Kory Teneycke told reporters later that the Conservative government is prepared to do whatever it can to "defuse the situation" and "get out of the current crisis." He said the government is making a "good faith offer" to the opposition parties to make suggestions for the upcoming budget but added that it only wants specific suggestions. "There needs to be give and take." says Kory. Earlier in the week the Liberals and NDP signed a document agreeing to form a coalition to govern the nation, with the support of the Bloc Quebecois. Layton said his party will continue to express its lack of confidence in Harper when Parliament begins again next year. Layton also said his party expects to vote against the government. When asked why he would try to bring down the government before it delivered a budget, he said"That confidence isn't going to be restored by seven weeks of propaganda".

Personally as much as I do not enjoy have Stephen Harper as our Prime Minister, I think I would prefer him over Dion and a coalition government made of the NDPs and Liberals. However, I do agree with Jack Layton in the statement "That confidence isn't going to be restored by seven weeks of propaganda". I think that many people will still have the same view points even after the seven week break from parliament. However hopefully the Conservative plan will be enough to prevent Canada from having a coalition government.

Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/548382

Ted Rogers 1933 - 2008

Canada's most successful businessmen, transforming his name into a nation-wide brand that signified high-speed Internet, cellular telephones and major league baseball, Ted Rogers has passed away. Rogers was currently being treated for an on going heart condition, died in his Toronto home. He was 75 years old. Ted Rogers brought his company from a small radio station into a $25 billion Canadian institution. He was as happy to talk with his truck drivers as with his executives, but there is one point that every one held true: if you worked for Ted Rogers, you had better be on your game. John Tory is the Ontario Progressive Conservative party leader. He once ran RCI's cable division and was well acquainted with Rogers' mental dexterity.
"He could sit at one meeting and he could have a learned, intelligent discussion about a legal issue, then he could move on and have a learned discussion about a tax issue, and then if it happened to go around the table and there was an engineering issues with the company, he could discuss and debate it intelligently and then move on to a financial issue," said Tory. Rogers attended Upper Canada College in Toronto. It was here, in 1949 and 1950, where he installed a cable in his room, attached to a hidden rooftop antenna, and connected it to a television set. "Viewers were invited to gather around, for a small fee, to watch the marvels of television."
He wrote, "It dawned on me that I shared my father's two gifts, his passion for electronics and business acumen." "If my life has a lesson for others," he wrote, "I think it is that everyone has a shot. Don't follow your dream; live it. No matter what it is you want, take your best shot. Be passionate, work hard, maybe harder than you've ever dreamt, but the opportunity is there."

I think it is very sad that such a great man died today. I also think that this will effect all of Canada as Ted Rogers has made such a large contribution to Canadian society with his company. I think that Ted rogers is also a strong example and leader for many kids as well as anyone else, that have dreamed to do something. I know that regardless of if people knew him, everyone will miss him.

Source: http://www.thestar.com/article/546983