Dion's Tuesday

Good Decision. Don't pander to that emotionalism for one second. It's interesting that Gilles Duceppe takes a more liberal approach on this issue of citizenship, identity and belonging than does Jack Layton.

Not Great Decision. We are the party of the Charter. That means we don't believe it's up to parliamentarians to determine what rights are protected when. We mean to take that decision out of their hands. We don't put onus on our political leadership to talk Canadians into upholding rights. If there is ever a vote to whip, it's one like this.

Having said that, it's clear that this is purely strategic. By allowing a free vote we don't allow Harper to obscur the issue with that red herring ("muzzling MPs") come election time. I have difficutly arguing with that logic. It's just too bad that we have to play these games.

ELSEWHERE

$125 million cut from indigenous language preservation programs is a big deal, and it should command at least one question period. Canada gets the importance of language - particularly founding languages upon which identity is largely based. So let Prentice/Oda have it - they deserve it.