Two high profile Canadian politicians found themselves dealing with major health challenges this week.
One handled the announcement with grace and style accompanied by a sophisticated use of social media.
The other, er, didn't.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams jetted down the United States for heart surgery, leaving his constituents in the dark about what exactly was wrong with him, when their premier would be back at work and why he felt the need to get treatment in the States.
New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton, on the other hand, confronted the news about his prostate cancer head on. In a press conference today, recorded video, tweets and an e-mail to NDP supporters, he let Canadians know what was wrong with him, how it was likely to affect how he did his job and reassured them that he was staying on as leader of the NDP. He set a new gold standard for politicians struggling with how to break the news about a serious medical problem.
The result was a tidal wave of non-partisan well wishes from political leaders and Canadians across the country and a Facebook page wishing him well.
He even made the trending list on Twitter - a spot usually reserved for rock stars and pro-athletes.
More important than how Layton and Williams handled the PR side of things, though, is how they both handle the life threatening health challenges that fate has put in their path. And in that, I'm sure all Canadians wish them nothing but success.
Tanning beds should come with warning, Tory MP says.
If Tory MP James Bezan has his way, these are the warning labels you could see at a tanning centre near you.
The Manitoba MP said he is inspired by his wife who survived two bouts of skin cancer after spending her youth and young adult life by the swimming pool and under tanning beds in her sister's salon.
He plans to introduce a private member's bill legislating mandatory labeling when Parliament resumes.
Bezan said he thinks people under 18 should not be allowed to tan, but federally he can't do anything to stop them.
He hasn't told his sister-in-law about his plans yet...
Israel's Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz was in Ottawa this week meeting with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. He also met with Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff.
Steinitz said he was pleased to see the "friendship, the support and the understanding for Israel."
"It is very very encouraging," he said.
"It is very important for us to have friends. Relations between Israel and Canada were good always but they are improving, and we are very happy to experience this," Steinitz said.
Steinitz said it was his first time in Canada but because his visit was so short, he'd like to come "once more."
Liberal MPs packed a unofficial committee meeting today hearing from University of Ottawa professor Errol Mendes and Col. Michel Drapeau.
The legal experts told opposition MPs the government was violating the Canadian Constitution by refusing a motion citing parliamentary privilege ordering the executive to turn over documents to MPs.
At least 18 Liberal MPs and Senators showed up to hear what they had to say, including: Carolyn Bennett, Irwin Cotler, Bonnie Crombie (pictured above), Mark Eyking (pictured above), Kirsty Duncan, Mike Savage, John McCallum (pictured above), Marlene Jennings, Alexandra Mendes, Anita Neville, Michelle Simson, Shawn Murphy, Pablo Rodriguez, Sen. David Smith (pictured above), Sen. Grant Mitchell, Sen. Jim Munson and Sen. Dennis Dawson.
Ujjal Dosanjh, Bob Rae, Byron Wilfert, Paul Szabo, Bernard Patry were also in attendance — and sitting around the table.
Senator Jim Munson says he plans to skate 100 km this coming weekend to raise money for Haiti. When you live in the nation's capital, home of the Rideau Canal Skateway, you can do that sort of thing. He'll have to complete the "round-trip" of the skateway about seven times to meet his goal. Here's his press release:
OTTAWA, February 3, 2010 – Senator Jim Munson (Ottawa-Rideau Canal) congratulates Ottawa’s Haitian community, the Canadian Red Cross and the National Capital Commission as they embrace his initiative to make the first weekend of Winterlude, February 5-7, a Skate for Haiti weekend.
The Skate for Haiti weekend is about raising funds to build a better tomorrow for Haiti and to celebrate Ottawa’s Haitian community on our own beautiful Rideau Canal Skateway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The theme, Giving a little means a lot, encourages Ottawans to skate and donate to rebuild Haiti today and into the future.
All money put into NCC donation boxes February 5-7 will go to the Canadian Red Cross and a portion of sales from Beaver Tails will also go in aid of Haiti. Visitors will be entertained by performers from the Haitian community at various rest areas along the skateway from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm., February 5-7. A human chain is planned for 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 6.
“When we all join hands along the skateway, we will be extending the hand of friendship to the people of Haiti. The canal may be as cold as ice, but not the people on it,” said Senator Munson.
Senator Munson has pledged to skate 100 kilometres over the first three days of Winerlude and raise $3,000 in pledges. To sponsor the Senator, please visit: http://sen.parl.gc.ca/jmunson/haiti.htm
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