Inside Politics

Orders of the Day - Conservative Party of Canada vs. Council of Canadians-backed robocall complainants (Round One)

by Kady O'Malley Posted: June 25, 2012 8:21 AM Last Updated: June 25, 2012 8:43 AM
As the Quebecois corner of the National Capital Region savours the last day of the Ste. Jean Baptiste long weekend, the first week of the summer recess will begin on a quiet, downright leisurely note, with the precinct operating at a distinctly reduced capacity due to the statutory holiday, which will keep a good number of Hill staffers -- both political and administrative -- off the clock until tomorrow. 

But all is not entirely quiet on the political front. 

Conservative Party lawyers head to federal court this morning to make their (preliminary) case to kill off a cluster of Council of Canadians-backed legal challenges sparked by complaints of misleading polling station change calls that, the CoC contends, may have lowered turnout, and, by doing so, "affected the election result" in seven separate ridings. 

According to the CoC-issued advisory, the court will ponder a passel of procedural motions proffered by the party -- seven in total, or one per riding, each of which asserts that the complaint is "frivolous and vexatious," and "an abuse of the process of the Court". 

Annoyingly, the federal court website is currently down -- some sort of internal server issue, according to the error message -- which makes it difficult to determine whether the hearing itself will be open to the press and/or public, but in any case, it seems unlikely that the judge -- or, in this case, prothonotary -- will hand down a ruling today. As always, I'll keep you posted on any developments. 

Meanwhile, on the ministerial circuit:

  • Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney will team up to deliver an "important announcement" of interest to Canadian Bomber Command veterans at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum.
  • Meanwhile, Environment Minister Peter Kent is back in Toronto, where he will share the "next steps" in the creation of the Rouge National Urban Park, including the launch of a "public involvement phase."
  • Justice Minister Rob Nicholson attends the unveiling of a plaque recognizing Hamilton Family Court as the first Unified Family Court in Canada.
  • Moving west, Transport Minister of State Steven Fletcher will represent the federal government at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, where, in the presence of Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger and mayor Sam Katz, an "important infrastructure announcement" will be made.
  • In Whitehorse, Conservative MP Ryan Leef will join with Yukon Housing Minister Scott Kent to "celebrate" the opening of new affordable housing developments.

Finally, just a few blocks away from the Hill, Governor General David Johnston conducts his annual Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard at Rideau Hall.

For up to the minute dispatches from the precinct and beyond, keep your eye on the Parliament Hill Ticker below -- or, alternatively, bookmark it and check back throughout the day. 

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Tags: blackberry jungle, orders of the day