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Introducing ... the Ottawa Office Notebook
In our new blog, we in the Ottawa Office offer relevant and insightful musings, reflections, and commentary on our presence in the "halls of power."
Weekly posts have included a theology for political engagement, significant concerns with the government's proposed immigration and refugee legislation Bill C-31, and a challenge to communicate with MPs on nuclear weapons reduction.
Upcoming posts will reflect on a visit from partners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, muse on atonement and restorative justice, grapple with just peace, and much more.
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Parliamentary Business
What's next for the budget?
The tabling of a federal budget is a high profile event that gets quite a bit of media coverage. However, what actually happens in terms of Parliamentary procedure is less clear.
The key part of Finance Minister Flaherty's speech in the House of Commons on March 29 was that he introduced a sweeping motion: "That this House approve in general the budgetary policy of the government."
This is a required part of the "Ways and Means"process that gives the government the necessary authority to raise revenue through taxation, and it is this motion that was debated and passed in Parliament last week. The budget document itself, however, is simply a communications tool. The government must now pass legislation as part of what is known as the "Supply" process in order to begin implementing this policy statement.
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Get Involved
Churches around the world are collectively
supporting a global treaty that would more effectively regulate the deadly trade of arms.
The World Council of Churches is engaged in a dynamic campaign, mobilizing violence-affected
communities to bring their stories to the attention of political decision-makers.
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New KAIROS Resource
 This resource is grounded in the struggle of indigenous peoples and the particular challenges they face as a result of increasing global, devastating climate change and resource extraction on traditional lands.
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Staff Update
Jennifer Wiebe, Policy Analyst
As we write, the Ottawa Office has the pleasure of hosting a high-level partner delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
As part of a larger trip to visit with MCC staff and constituents in the United States and Canada, Ms. Sabine Muhima Bintu, a former Parliamentarian, and Mr. Bulambo Lembelembe, Director of the Church of Christ of Congo's Refugee and Combatant Repatriation Program, are meeting in Ottawa with various civil society groups and government officials to discuss pressing issues in the eastern Congo.
Jenn has been coordinating their itinerary in Ottawa and is now accompanying them to their meetings. Stay tuned for her reflections on this crucial partner visit.
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Quotation of the Month
"The psychology [of political debate] is that of the sports arena, not the seminar room." -- Philip E. Tetlock, political psychologist (2005).
Watch for an upcoming blog post on this theme.
In the meantime, listen to Question Period a few times!
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