Who makes the *rule of law*?

In all of the talk about the Ontario government using the Notwithstanding Clause, you hear things like, the "bill violated “unwritten constitutional principles” of democracy and rule of law" or as Andrea Horwath said, “Doug Ford is literally suspending the Charter of Rights for Ontario’s people" and other such nonsense.

"Unwritten constitutional principles"? Really? They had all the words in both official languages at their disposal but they thought they'd leave some out and we could all just surmise what they meant by not putting them in? The Constitution is a written document, and too often, judges have *read in* words that are not on that document.

Are there "unwritten constitutional principles*? It would seem to me that when judges impute meanings or infer things from the largely unambiguous language, what they are doing is pruning it, or growing it to fit their own vision of justice. They are not interpreting anything -- they are inventing. Stretching. Creating. Imagining. Because they can. Because who is going to stop them.... except maybe a lawmaker, finally using the means afforded to him within the constitution to pass the legislation.

If you read the ruling, you know its specious. The law does not impede the charter rights of any citizen. It doesn't suppress freedom of expression and it doesn't prevent adequate representation -- but even if you think it does -- Ford will be judged in four years' time by us and the law will be challengeable again in five. Big deal.

Whatever you think of the law reducing Toronto City Council -- whatever you think of the judge's ruling striking it down -- the Notwithstanding Clause is a mechanism of the Constitution and its use is not an abuse of power.

How can a tool in the lawmaker's arsenal be *violating (...) democracy and rule of law*?

Has Canada forgotten who is supposed to make laws?

canadianna

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Having watched the full half hour of *Taking on the Tyrant*, Chrystia Freeland's comments and conversation are fairly innocuous in and of themselves.

That said, the piece begins with ominous text and images of dictators and despots ... men like Donald Trump.

Say what you will about Trump -- go ahead. You're no one. Whether you have 1,000 followers on Twitter or a blog of your own, your voice about Trump doesn't matter. You aren't the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, appearing (with NAFTA talks ongoing) on stage after a video montage with that foreboding text interspersed with images and clips of the American President.

Chrystia Freeland has again, put her wokeness above her constituents. Her disrespect for Donald Trump has translated into disrespect for Canadians -- because it's on behalf of Canadians she is negotiating a trade deal. It's no secret that she's not well liked by the Americans and is there any wonder why? Her blatant slams against Trump show contempt for all of those who are working on this deal -- because they are there representing him, and the people of the United States -- at least a few of whom, voted for him.

The smugness of the Trudeau regime as they share their enlightenment with the world, is trying the patience of our most important trading partner, to our detriment. There is nothing to be gained by continually taunting Trump. Where is the dignity in the Trudeau government? Where is the diplomacy? Where is the maturity??

Trump is a manifestation of the frustration of the working class. He is their emissary -- their voice. Why are these so-called intellectuals not listening?

Be clever. Keep talking down to him. Keep flicking him like a gnat, taunting him. He'll squish you-- because he can. Does it make you feel good to know that you *told him*? This is not Hitler and this is not Nazi Germany -- for all the bullshit comparisons, no journalists are being arrested, no concentration camps built, no laws enacted to stifle the voice of the average American. He's a blowhard and he's playing you. And you think you're so brave. You're bravely talking away any semblance of a chance of a decent deal, since you already squandered the good faith in place prior to the G7.

You can show respect for someone without sucking up to them. Grown ups do it all the time. That's what diplomacy is. You'd think someone who won an award for it would know. People do it with their bosses and co-workers -- and it isn't about playing nice or pretending to like someone -- it's just not talking trash - being mature enough to keep your opinions to yourself if they are not helpful to the situation. It's about manners.

Whatever you think of Donald Trump, you are our representative when dealing with the US. If you show disdain and contempt for him, you are showing that same disdain and contempt for us - because the United States is our bread and butter...their trade feeds us. Don't shit where we have to eat.

canadianna

What keeps you up at night?

In a province just reeling from a major blow to its economy, Justin Trudeau was asked by a reporter, "what keeps you up at night?"

His response:

“There’s a simplification and a dumbing-down of politics and a polarization and a fearful populism that really does worry me.”

Seriously.

I'm sure Albertans share that concern while they're scrambling to find other employment and pay their bills.

There is no one in public office I could ever imagine responding to such a question, at a time of crisis, in such an obtuse manner. This is a man who has never been kept up all night worrying about anything. He has no concept of paying a mortgage or a hydro bill, or putting gas in the car, or buying groceries --- or not being able to. He has no idea what it might mean to a family to lose a week's pay, let alone a position you believed would last years. Everything -- everything for these families has shattered -- nothing is on hold while they try to patch up their livelihoods-- and Trudeau muses about polarization and fearful populism.

Mr. Trudeau -- what do you think causes polarization and fearful populism?

Could it be the ignorance of the elite ruling class to the plights of the people they govern?

I won't even comment on his desire for Canada to fall into entropy.

This man would be a joke if he didn't have our economy, our resources and our social fabric in his hands for the ruination.

What an asshole. Canada really dumbed-down when we elected you.

canadianna