Charlie Feldman
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parlcharlie.bsky.social
Charlie Feldman
@parlcharlie.bsky.social
1K followers 140 following 860 posts
Fan of legislatures and legislation! Past President, Canadian Study of Parliament Group. Co-Chair, CIAJ Legislative Drafting Section. All views personal and most likely uninformed :)
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parlcharlie.bsky.social
Fabulous turnout tonight for the premiere of the parliamentary history documentary
November 29, 2025 at 6:53 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Just saw that Australia's PM became their first to marry while in office. From the Canadian Hansard archives - March 5, 1971: The sitting after PM Pierre Trudeau got married (to the surprise of many). My favourite quote? 1/2
HOUSE OF COMMONS Friday, March 5, 1971 The House met at 11 a.m. THE PRIME MINISTER — CONGRATULATIONS ON MARRIAGE Hon. Mitchell Sharp (Acting Prime Minister): Mr. Speaker, I apologize to the House for not having given notice yesterday of the intention of our esteemed Prime Minister to get married. Some hon. Members: Hear, hear! Mr. Sharp: The trouble is he did not consult the members of his Cabinet on this essentially private affair, but I am sure all members of the House will join me in wishing great happiness and long life to the happy pair. Some hon. Members: Hear, hear! ● (11:10 a.m.) Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Prince Albert): Mr. Speaker, in the absence of the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition I join with the Secretary of State for External Affairs in extending deep and warm congratulation and good wishes to the Prime Minister and his bride. I was surprised, however, that he made an admission that the cabinet was not consulted. That apparently is not in the usual course for the Prime Minister, but in this case more understandable than usual. My suggestions are not often accepted by the members of the government and, in particular the Prime Minister, but I think the House would want to know what I said on the occasion of my 30th year in the House of Commons, on March 25, 1970, when in response to the warmth that often fills this chamber I stated: I do not want to mention personal matters, but on an occasion like this, filled with emotion, I do want to say that one’s happiness is greatly increased by having a wife to support and to counsel one. I am not passing that on to the Prime Minister by way of a suggestion but I say to him that if he would follow my advice in that connection he would be amazed at the translation that would take place. Some hon. Members: Hear, hear! Mr. Diefenbaker: I wish to the Prime Minister and his bride the happiness that has been that of my wife and myself. The bride is the daughter of one of the most distinguishe…
November 29, 2025 at 2:33 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Hansard moments I think about far too often
Honourable members interjecting. The SPEAKER — Order! Mr Micallef — What is the difference between you and a bucket of shit? The SPEAKER — Order! The honourable member has used an unparliamentary expression. I ask him to withdraw. Mr MICALLEF (Springvale) — I withdraw ‘bucket’. The SPEAKER — Order! An unqualified withdrawal please!
November 29, 2025 at 9:23 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Get someone who looks at you like Sir Thomas Herbert looked at Charles I?
Plaque: Sir Thomas Herbert (1606-1682) lived hereabouts. A parliamentarian, he later became a Groom of the Bedchamber and close friend of King Charles I. He stayed with him on the night before his execution and attended him on the scaffold.
November 28, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Reposted by Charlie Feldman
psa-parliaments.bsky.social
🎉 Follow along with our third panel on Legislative Process and Scrutiny!

➡️ First up is @parlcharlie.bsky.social telling us about Senate public bills in Canada 🇨🇦

#PSAParl25
November 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
When parliament nerds meet! @bymyong.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Off to York for the @psa-parliaments.bsky.social gathering! Looking around the train for other people reading Hansard 😍
November 27, 2025 at 3:52 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Happy 10th birthday to "Open and Accountable Government" - released on this day in 2015. www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news...
Prime Minister releases guide for Ministers
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today took the step of publicly releasing Open and Accountable Government, a guide that sets out his expectations for the conduct of his Ministers and their roles a...
www.pm.gc.ca
November 27, 2025 at 12:15 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Very excited for legislative band practice! Hope everyone likes "The 12 Deems of Christmas"
November 26, 2025 at 4:25 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Saw that MPs are set to honour long-serving MP Louis Plamondon -- here is his must-read advice to members in 2019 :)
Order. I think everyone saw the white smoke. A number of members have asked me how I could keep my seat for 35 years in a row through 11 elections. I have three little pieces of advice. First, you need to be able to manage your frustrations, because politics is one frustration after another. You will come to know this, especially the new members. Second, I would say that you must be prepared and speak intelligently. I would like to share a story. In the first month after my arrival in 1984, I made three statements, two of which contradicted my party's platform. At my first caucus meeting, an old senator told me that he wanted to talk to me. I say “old”, but I would not consider him very old today. He brought me to his office and asked if I wanted to stay in politics for a long time. I told him yes. He told me to look at the wall, where a magnificent stuffed fish was mounted. He told me that had the fish kept its mouth shut, it would still be alive. Some hon. members: Oh, oh! The Presiding Officer (Mr. Louis Plamondon): He added that it was pretty much the same in politics. The third thing I would like to say is that you should get into politics because you like to serve, because you like your constituents and because you are dedicated. Never get into politics for recognition. If you are looking for recognition, you would be better off getting a nice dog.
November 26, 2025 at 11:52 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
The bill's in committee /
What joy and what fun! /
Who has an amendment? /
Let's start with clause 1!

#LegislationBooksForChildren
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Is there a study of MEP views on airport and airline regulation broken down into those who fly to Brussels through Zaventem vs those who journey from Charleroi? Surely someone has considered this.
November 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta government eyes AI to write legislation for 1st time | CBC News
The Alberta government is considering using AI technology to write a law for the first time, eyeing a forthcoming piece of whisky legislation as its test case.
www.cbc.ca
November 23, 2025 at 7:21 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Hansard + waffles + fries
🇧🇪
November 22, 2025 at 9:47 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
This may be the most inside the beltway thing anyone's ever sent me
Metro safetrack ad with "Rayburn subway next week" on tpp
November 21, 2025 at 10:25 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Hallmark announced its holiday movies, but C-SPAN remains silent 🤔 Here are some suggestions:
1) Miracle on the 218th signature
2) A Muppets Christmas Conference Committee
3) It's a wonderful shutdown
4) Rudolph the red-nosed (continuing) resolution
5) ¡Feliz Filibuster! 🎄
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
CBC News.... what is AI black smoke?
November 21, 2025 at 11:08 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Canadian Senate Hansard - November 20, 1990.
Senator Meighen: Is this part of the sixteen hours? Senator Gigantès: No, we will get to that in good time. Senator Kelleher: Keep drinking lots of water. Senator Gigantès: Just looking at you makes me hot under the collar. The liquid goes out through my pores and not through my bladder.
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Today in Canadian parliamentary history - November 20, 2001: The legislation to declare the Canadian Horse as the national horse is discussed for the first time in the House. At right: Said horse on the Hill as part of the lobbying effort for today's National Horse of Canada Act.
November 20, 2025 at 9:16 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Who has two thumbs, two chins in most photos, and an accepted paper abstract on an incredibly boring topic?!

See you at Oxford in the spring!
November 19, 2025 at 6:50 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Christmas sale is on at the Scottish Parliament boutique -- this is not a drill!!
November 19, 2025 at 8:47 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
In Ottawa? In law? It's Lawyer Play audition time! 🎭

Auditions for the 2026 CCLA/GCTC Lawyer Play are now open! The next production is the classic "Our Town" in support of Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support.

Email [email protected] for more and break a leg!
November 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
New article in the just-released Australasian Parliamentary Review!

“Senate Public Bills in Canada: What goes up must bring something down?” It explores the rise of SPBs & their impact on Canadian parliamentary practice.

Shout-out to my excellent co-author Anushua :)
SPRING/SUMMER 2025 • VOL 40 NO 2
Welcome to the latest online edition of the Australasian Parliamentary Review. The online journal format allows for easier article searches, as well as the inclusion of electronic links and graphical ...
www.aspg.org.au
November 18, 2025 at 2:04 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
I understand that Richard Gere is in Ottawa and at Parliament today. If any one sees him, please ask whether he considered my script for "Pretty Warrant" re the Governor General's authorization of funds through special warrants during dissolution. I really think Julia Roberts would nail this scene:
November 17, 2025 at 10:30 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
On this day in Canadian parliamentary history - November 17, 1910 - the 11th Parliament, 3rd Session opens with the Throne Speech. It begins by noting a calamity that occurred since Parliament last met.
“I meet you under the shadow of the calamity which has befallen this country and the whole British Empire, in the demise of our beloved sovereign, King Edward VII. His death is mourned, not only by his subjects the world over, but also by all civilized nations who had learned to appreciate the many gifts and qualities which had earned for him the name of Peacemaker, by which he will be known in history.”
November 17, 2025 at 12:27 PM