Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has written a new book, On Leadership, which has a very interesting section on foreign policy. Blair says this is an area of governing that few consider before taking office, but which invariably takes up a great deal of time, effort, and political capital once in office.
I take Blair's insights into the relations among the great powers of the United States, China, and India, and the threats posed by the alliance of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and extrapolate how Canada might best play a significant role in the years to come.

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Parliament is returning to session on September 16th, with a new dynamic, after the NDP 'ripped up' their Supply and Confidence Agreement with the governing Liberals. I discuss the impact of that, the high hopes many once had for Jagmeet Singh, the appearance of Mark Carney at the Liberal caucus meeting in Nanaimo, the recent news around Jaime Battiste, Mike Kelloway, and Sean Fraser, and the carbon tax turnaround by NDP leaders in BC, Manitoba, and federally.
Then, I discuss the latest in the nomination battle to be the Conservative Party candidate in the newly configured federal riding of Cape Breton Canso Antigonish.
To sign up to become a Conservative member (for $15 for one year), you can go to this link;
https://secure.conservative.ca/en/membership

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With the federal cabinet coming to Halifax for a retreat, I discuss Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier and her underwhelming and uncertain reaction to news that fisheries officers are refusing to enforce fisheries laws, and have made a complaint under the Canada Labour Code about their working conditions. Both Cape Breton MP’s, Mike Kelloway and Jaime Battiste, should be front and center on these fisheries matters, but have been mostly silent. Kelloway is Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, and Battiste hold himself out as an expert in indigenous legal matters. Instead of engaging in this important issue, which affects many communities in Atlantic Canada, both have spent their summers handing out cheques and attending festivals.

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In St. Peter’s today for the annual Swim the Canal event. Nearly 400 participants this year, with ideal conditions.

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I am going to be taking a summer break from recording the Rodgers Brief. Legislatures are not sitting, and Courts tend to slow down some over the summer. Also, I am focusing my time on seeking the federal Conservative nomination in the newly configured riding of Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish. In this video, I describe the riding, and discuss my connections to each region of this vast geographical area. I also talk about what makes CBCA unique, and what gives us a leadership responsibility within Canada.

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This week, I review the controversy around the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians report on foreign interference, and the allegation that some MP's are witting participants in such interference.
Also, I examine the government's Charter Statement on the proposed Online Harms Act, the Supreme Court's view on 'secret trials' in Canada, the NS justice minister's announcement that 1200 cases in Nova Scotia are at risk of being dismissed because of delays in the system, the (related) ongoing complaints of Judge Rickola Brinton about her refusal to take the Covid vaccine, Judge Perry Borden's use of an Impact of Race and Cultural Assessment in sentencing an 18 year old on gun and cocaine charges, and Justice Arnold's decision on the Chief Electoral Officer's decision to sanction on signage in the Preston by-election last summer.
Finally, I review the decision this week on cannabis dispensaries on Mi'kmaq reserves in NS, and whether they represent a treaty right.

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This week I focus on two NS Court of Appeal decisions. One relates to the delay in Judge Rickola Brinton's decision in the sexual interference and exploitation trial of Brandon McNeil (who now goes by the name Brynn Milner), and the plentiful blame that can be laid at the feet of Judge Brinton, as well as former Provincial Court Chief Judge Pam Williams.
The other is the successful appeal of a 2nd Degree Murder charge by Gregory Purvis. The Court of Appeal found that his rights were violated through improper instructions by the trial judge to the jury deciding his case. I review those errors, and the allegation of ineffective counsel.
Also covered are the appointment of former Lieutenant Governor Myra Freeman to chair the Mass Casualty Commission implementation committee, the Trump verdict (with some commentary on the performances of the two main lawyers on the case), the lawsuit filed by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador's Justice Minister John Hogan against the Federal Government regarding equalization, along with some comments on the death of Robert Pickton and the decision to drop all charges against world #1 golfer Scott Scheffler.

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This week, I start with a look down south to the charges against world #1 golfer, Scott Scheffler, before the second round of the PGA Championship. I also examine the cross examination of former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, in the trial against the former President.
In Canadian stories, I discuss the McGill University injunction application, seeking to end the student protests. I also review the case of the Nova Scotia government versus the Federal government over the needed upgrades to the Chignecto Isthmus.
Also covered are the conviction of Colin Tweedy in his retrial over the death of 10-year old Talia Forrest, the not-guilty pleas and seeking of bail in the death of Halifax teen Ahmad Al Marrach, and the retirement of Ron MacDonald, former Anitgonish prosecutor, head of SiRT, and for the past seven years the head of the BC equivalent. Ron had some wise parting words, which other like organizations should heed.

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There will not be a Rodgers Brief this weekend, but I wanted to send out a Mother’s Day message, share some thoughts on the passing of the great Rex Murphy, and comment on the Liberal’s efforts to create a controversy by building up a nobody leader of a nothing organization into something scary, just because that leader has a (very tenuous) connection to the opposition leader.

I will be on with Jordan and Paul tomorrow night at 9:15pm for The Sunday Night Show. See you then!

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