On Wednesdays, CBCNews.ca's Politics blogger convenes a "people's caucus." Up for debate this week: the possibility of amendments (or lack thereof) to the government's controversial online surveillance and omnibus crime legislation, an assessment of the online campaign against Vic Toews (and his bill) and what to make of the newly-released NDP membership figures.
An attorney who helped U.S. politicians write mandatory-minimum sentencing laws during the 1980s is warning Canadian parliamentarians not to make the same mistakes Americans did, thinking long sentences would deter drug dealers.
Former public safety minister Stockwell Day says he wasn't in favour of giving police extra powers when he was in charge of the file in 2007.
The NDP has added about 45,000 members since its leadership race began in the fall, new figures released Tuesday show. The biggest gains were in Ontario and Quebec.