Just released by the PMO. You can read the back story here.

The Conservatives as, we all know now, were beaten silly when they decided to trim the $2 billion or more Ottawa spends every year to support the cultural work of the country. So, it's only fair that, just as we noted the cuts, we should also note some of the additions -- and there have been nearly $6 million worth of funding announcements made today. Similarly, I assume that those who decried the Tories for the cuts will now applaud their generosity. Pardon me? You think I'm a bit naive. Maybe so.

"Canada will never stop the fight against racism. We will never stop the fight against discrimination. We will never stop the fight against persecution and genocide. And we will never stop the fight for peace, liberty, democracy and human rights . .

At 1 pm, with the TSX trending up today, you would now be up $4.12 on your $1,000 investment from the Harper "Buy Call".

Today, Elliott was in Ottawa as part of her campaign and, thanks to Twitter, we know a little bit about a reception held for her at a pub just off of the Parliamentary Precinct.

After putting out the call for volunteers, "Gabby from QC" a frequent commenter here (and, I've noticed, at many other blogs), stepped up and has provided a transcript based on the recording of the call distributed yesterday by the Prime Minister's Office. The call was organized, the PMO said, by The Israel Project which was also responsible for inviting reporters. Here then, is what "Gabby from QC" has provided and I am very thankful for the assistance:

If he wants to talk to American reporters-- fair enough, that's completely within his prerogative and it probably makes sense for a Canadian PM to do a little outreach with reporters from the U.S. and other key allies. But I'm a little confused why he and his staff want to keep that fact a secret from the rest of the country.

International Trade Minister Stockwell Day met Monday with Chen Deming, China's Minister of Commerce (Day's on the left, Chen's on the right). Day and Chen have met before, in Lima at the APEC summit. Before leaving Canada, Day was asked several times by reporters if he planned to bring up China's human rights record or other non-trade issues such as North Korea's rocket test but all he would say is that Canada had not agreed to restrict itself in any of the discussions Day is having or will have during his travels in China.

The newly elected board of Conservative riding association in Vegreville-Wainwright -- a board that the incumbent MP Leon Benoit didn't want elected -- and the national council of the Conservative Party are at odds over the rights to hold a nomination meeting . . .   more »

A month or so ago, Liberal Senator Mac Harb introduced a private members' bill in the Senate that would have effectively ended the seal hunt in Atlantic Canada. Not a single Senator, Liberal or Conservative, would second that bill and, as a result, it died.

Conservative Fisheries Minister Gail Shea and Conservative Senator Fabian Manning issued press releases on government letterhead and at government expense denouncing Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and his "hidden agenda" on the seal hunt.

Shea's officials would subsequently concede that these press releases were issued in error.

Earlier this week, Minister Shea made her first appearance in front of the Senate's Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. Liberal Senator Bill Rompkey is the chair of that committee. Here is an excerpt of an exchange between Shea, who represents a PEI riding, and Senator James Cowan of Nova Scotia ...