Matthew Fisher, National Post, Feb 6 2012: The Canadian Forces, like every part of the federal government, is facing stiff budget cuts. Before the hatchet falls, it is worth considering how little, rather than how much, Canada spends on national defence.

Australia may not immediately spring to mind as the country with which to best compare Canada’s defence spending, but it is not that much of a stretch. They share the same values and allies, have similarly robust resource-based economies, generous welfare nets and military histories from the Boer War through to the war in Afghanistan that usually have dovetailed. Keep reading

Toronto Sun, Feb 1 2012 OTTAWA -- Canadians who are hankering for some titillating programming from France can turn to an online platform being offered by the French branch of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Tou.tv is described as "entertainment oriented web TV video on demand offered by Radio-Canada and twenty partners, broadcasters and producers. It is the largest web TV entertainment in French Canada." The website includes a show entitled Hard that has scenes of soft core pornography.

"If this is the RDI using French actors through our tax system in order to produce this, I would say it is not a good use of taxpayers' dollars. I think most Canadians and Quebecers would say, 'What the heck is going on here?'" said NDP MP Peter Stoffer after viewing a sample of the raunchiest scenes. Keep reading

Calgary Herald, Jan. 25, 2012: A Crown appeal of a judicial stay for a trespassing charge against an Edmonton man for distributing anti-gay pamphlets at the University of Calgary nearly four years ago is set to be heard March 30 in Court of Queen's Bench.

The appeal, filed by prosecutor Eli-ana Close, followed the Nov. 15 ruling by provincial court Judge John Bascom that found William Whatcott's charter right to freedom of expression was infringed. Read more

Vancouver Sun, Jan 31 2012: Saskatchewan Conservative MP Brad Trost is questioning the "ironclad" party discipline that prevails in the House of Commons, saying it stifles debate and prevents independent thinking. In a recent commentary aired on Saskatoon's News Talk 650 CKOM, Trost said other western democracies such as Britain and the United States are mature enough to have more vigorous debates within parties. "Contrast that to Canada, where party discipline is ironclad," said Trost the MP for Saskatoon-Humboldt. "If everyone in a party thinks the same on every issue, not a lot of thinking is going on." Keep reading

JANUARY 30 - Upon seeing CTV’s “investigative report,” Vellacott acting on his own initiative decided to investigate the circumstances that led to it as part of his responsibility as a parliamentarian, to be certain that the broadcast regulations are being followed properly. The crisis pregnancy centres themselves are completely non-political and never become involved in any political campaigns or legislation. The Member of Parliament and founding board member of a crisis pregnancy centre in Saskatoon is concerned that CTV’s ‘investigative reporting’ on crisis pregnancy centres in BC may be in violation of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Code of Ethics, to the ultimate detriment of vulnerable pregnant women.

“It is CTV’s duty, as a Canadian broadcaster, to treat fairly all sides of a controversial issue,” said Maurice Vellacott, MP for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin. “It is no secret that abortion is a controversial issue. Relying almost exclusively on views espoused by abortion providers and abortion advocacy organizations for a story about pregnancy options is like relying solely on the views espoused by tobacco companies and smokers’ rights groups for a story about whether to take up smoking or not,” said Vellacott.

“It’s especially concerning in this case because it seems CTV’s so-called ‘investigation’ may have been triggered by abortion advocates who have been intent on harming the reputation of the crisis pregnancy centres for years,” Vellacott added.

Winnipeg Free Press, Jan 22 2012: CAIRO - The United States and other western governments must accept the new reality that Islamists have emerged to fill the power vacuum in the Arab world after a wave of popular uprisings, Human Rights Watch said in its annual report Sunday.

The New York-based group also urged Islamist parties, which have emerged as the biggest winners in recent elections in Tunisia and Egypt and are expected to fare well in Libya, to respect the rights of women and religious minorities, saying they cannot "pick and choose" when it comes to human rights. Islamist parties are "genuinely popular" in the Arab world, said HRW's executive director, Kenneth Roth, warning that "ignoring that popularity would violate democratic principles." Keep reading

By Patricia Maloney: http://run-with-life.blogspot.com: There is a best way to get money from CIDA--and there is a worst way.