Charlie Feldman
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parlcharlie.bsky.social
Charlie Feldman
@parlcharlie.bsky.social
1.1K followers 150 following 1K 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
Today in Canadian parliamentary history - January 29, 2001: Peter Milliken becomes Speaker of the House, a role in which he would serve for a decade (the record) and in which he would break a record number of ties, including on a confidence matter. Pic: Younger me with said Speaker :p
January 29, 2026 at 1:03 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
"Being on the CSPG Board is like, totally awesome. Seriously, gag me with a parliamentary spoon - AS IF I'd want to do anything else in my life besides learn how to drive" - younger me, probably

Don't be Clueless - apply today! :p
cspggcep.bsky.social CSPG/GCEP @cspggcep.bsky.social · 1d
The CSPG's Board of Directors is looking for Administrators to join its ranks. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2026. Click here for more details: cspg-gcep.ca/pdf/expressi...
The image contains the following text: "Join Our Board of Directors. The CSPG is looking for motivated individuals to complete its Board of Directors. Deadline to apply: March 1, 2026. More details at cspg-gcep.ca".
January 28, 2026 at 6:31 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
On this day in Canadian parliamentary history - January 28, 1969: An "outrageous act of vandalism" in the Senate!

... or at least that's how one senator characterizes the removal of certain materials from the Senate's reading room after Internal Economy's cost-cutting. :p
INTERNAL ECONOMY REMOVAL OF CERTAIN PUBLICATIONS FROM SENATE READING ROOM—PRIVILEGE Hon. M. Grattan O’Leary: Honourable senators, before the Orders of the Day are called, there is a matter I should like to bring before the house, perhaps as a question of privilege. It concerns what has been happening to the Reading Room of this Senate. I am aware of the decision reached by the Committee on Internal Economy and Contingent Accounts to make certain changes which would involve a place of, let us say, rest or recreation, and I am in favour of that decision, but I am not in favour of what has been done to the Reading Room itself. Since coming to this house I have had occasion to use that Reading Room nearly every day. I have used it even on occasions when this house was not in session. During the past week or two there has been committed upon that Reading Room what I can only characterize as an outrageous piece of vandalism. Someone acting on somebody’s orders went in there and removed a number of invaluable magazines and reviews. I will go over briefly some of the reviews, magazines and newspapers which were removed, by whose authority I do not know. For example, one of the newspapers removed was the Washington Post, considered the second-best newspaper in the United States or in North America. The Atlantic Monthly has been taken from the racks, as well. The Atlantic Monthly, one of the magazines we have had for many decades, with a cultural distinction which honoured the American people, has been removed. The Economist has been removed, and I venture to say, honourable senators that any man in public life in this country, any man sitting in this house, should have some acquaintance with that publication, perhaps the most authoritative financial journal published in the English-speaking world or any other part of the world.
January 28, 2026 at 10:24 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
It being my birthday, allow me to share a birthday story found in Canadian Hansard...

House of Commons Debates, 28th Parliament, 4th Session, 25 May 1972, p 2493.
I think I might end my remarks with reference to a story. Men who have been in the business world may appreciate a story about a 43-year old businessman who had just lost a good secretary. He was asked, “How is that fine looking secretary of yours; is she well?” The reply was, “No, I had to fire her”. His friend asked, in astonishment, “Why fire such an excellent secretary?” “Well,” he said, “it was my forty-third birthday. I came down to breakfast in the morning and not even my children remembered my birthday. I went to the office, my secretary remembered and said, ‘Happy Birthday’. She said she would like to take me to lunch. After lunch she said, ‘It is such a beautiful day, let’s take a drive in the country’, which we did. While driving in the country she suggested we go to her apartment for a martini and forget the office for a few hours. We went and had one martini, and as she was walking toward her bedroom she turned and said, ‘Make yourself comfortable while I do the same.’ In a few minutes she came out with a large birthday cake in her arms, followed by my wife and children singing ‘Happy Birthday’, and there I sat in just my socks.” I suggest that is how the government is likely to find itself sitting as a result of its lack of decision in calling an election.
January 27, 2026 at 9:35 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Posting tomorrow's "on this day in Canadian parliamentary history" early -- a decade since a Hansard first and a moving moment for those who saw it. January 27, 2016: M. Bélanger addresses the House using text-to-speech software. He was unable to speak owing to his advancing ALS.
January 26, 2026 at 8:49 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Today in Canadian parliamentary history – January 26, 1944: Fred Rose takes his seat, introduced by Dorise Nielsen. Both are notable – Dorise was the third woman elected and first (known) communist. Rose was the third MP overall to be expelled after a conviction related to spying for the USSR.
New members introduced Fred Rose, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Cartier, introduced by Mrs. Dorise Winifred Nielsen.
January 26, 2026 at 2:32 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
On this day in Canadian parliamentary history - January 25, 1960: The Speaker suggests deleting some unparliamentary interjections from Hansard ("You lie!") The House agrees to remove them as well as the conversation about deleting the interjections...

... but Hansard still has that part :p
January 25, 2026 at 6:11 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Friend had this as their Instagram story and I've never been more triggered
January 25, 2026 at 5:41 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Why I love Canadian Hansard:
Sen. Firth: I withdraw calling the gov leader a "contemptible slob"
Sen. Corbin: Do you also withdraw the French version - « Quel plouc méprisable vous faites, monsieur » ?
January 24, 2026 at 7:09 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Today's Hansard reading spot: The Parliament Cafe by Gibraltar's Parliament 🇬🇮
January 24, 2026 at 11:04 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
This is not a drill -- Turks and Caicos is looking for a senior parliamentary counsel! Dream job in a dream location eh? :p careers.gov.tc/jobs.aspx
careers.gov.tc
January 23, 2026 at 10:04 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
The autumn issue of Canadian Parliamentary Review is up! My article is about parliamentary sports because Heated Rivalry got me interested in sports. Or something like that :P (Kidding - this was done way before the show aired)

Also flagging: an article on legislative responses to SCC decisions 1/2
Table of Contents Dear Diary: Rookie MPPs Share Thoughts on Their First Month(s) in Office As It Happened Joseph Racinsky, MPP and Tyler Watt, MPP.......................................................2 Casework Training for MP Staff: The Application of Learning Strategies and Instructional Design Robin Bruneel...........................................................................................................13 Redefining Legislative Compliance: Parliamentary Responses to the Supreme Court of Canada Shauna Hughey, Anindita Ponkshe and Andrea Lawlor...................................20 CPA Activities ..........................................................................................................29 New and Notable Titles.........................................................................................36 Legislative Reports ................................................................................................37 SportsCentre: Parliament Hill? Charlie Feldman.......................................................................................................64
January 23, 2026 at 8:19 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Have triple checked the calendar because I'm in disbelief at the passage of time -- on this day 20 years ago (Jan 23, 2006) Canadians went to the polls and Stephen Harper would be sworn in as PM two weeks later. Where does the time go?
January 23, 2026 at 2:59 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
On this day in 1901, Her Majesty Queen Victoria died. Canada's Parliament went into mourning -- this is a photo of the building during that period.

Credit: William James Topley/Library and Archives Canada/PA-008988
January 22, 2026 at 8:41 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Share a photograph of mountains that you've taken

(Waterton, Alberta, Canada)
January 22, 2026 at 7:27 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
When will we get a law movie where the lead is a legislative drafter?
January 22, 2026 at 11:38 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
On this day in Canadian parliamentary history - January 22, 1912: A member raises concern over the parliamentary tower clock. It stopped working for nearly two weeks because of frost. When thawing started, the clock faces each showed a different time - something the press enjoyed.
THE TOWER CLOCK. Mr. CLARK (Red Deer). Before the orders of the day are called I would like to be allowed to address a question to the Minister of Public Works (Mr. Monk), on what appears to me to be a question of urgent public importance. The tower clock, which has acted in a peculiar manner since the very beginning of the session, has stopped for the last ten days altogether. I should like to know from the Minister of Public Works whether this falls under the general head of dismissals, or whether it is symptomatic of the general condition under which we may expect the country to drift since the change of government; and if the hon. gentleman will have the matter attended to. Mr. MONK. This is even a more complicated matter than dismissals, on account of the arrangement made by the late government in regard to the clock. I find that in order to have the clock attended to I must communicate with Mr. Belanger. But Mr. Belanger himself is not the party directly responsible, he must communicate with Mr. Lapierre, who has a contract about the clock. It is due to this circuitous arrangement with regard to the clock, probably, that it has not been put in order sooner. I have myself taken the trouble in the matter to-day to communicate again with Mr. Belanger, and have extracted from him a promise that he will communicate with Mr. Lapierre. As soon as I have been able in this way to reach Mr. Lapierre, I suppose the clock will be attended to. THE TOWER CLOCK. Mr. MONK. I would like to say for the information of the House that I have finally been able to reach the man who has charge of the parliamentary clock. He is suffering from a severe cold. According to his report, the clock has stopped in consequence of the peculiar climate which we are now experiencing and which occurs almost every year. Dampness has formed on the movements, particularly the outside hands of the clock, and they become so charged with frost that it is impossible to remove it without danger to the clock itself and to the building. It is necessary, therefore, to wait until a thaw releases the machinery. The tower clock now provides three kinds of time and perfectly suits any politicians or politicians who may be looking three ways for Sunday.
January 22, 2026 at 9:57 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
My vote for the most sexually charged dialogue in all of Heated Rivalry
January 21, 2026 at 6:39 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
On this day in Canadian parliamentary history - January 21, 1942: An MP raises concerns over constituent mail being reviewed by the war censor.
January 21, 2026 at 11:37 AM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
A bold claim from 1934
January 20, 2026 at 10:36 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Call for papers: Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel Conference (Singapore 2026) calc2026.agc.gov.sg/calc-confere...
Call for Papers
Call for papers and other proposals
calc2026.agc.gov.sg
January 20, 2026 at 3:06 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
On this day in Canadian parliamentary history - January 20, 1987 - Commons Question Period went well, it seems...
Hon. Pat Carney (Minister for International Trade): Mr. Speaker, the Hon. Member lacks a certain credibility when it comes to his job losses— An Hon. Member: Look whose talking. Miss Carney: May I point out that in May, 1986, concerning shakes and shingles, the Hon. Member told the House: “Yesterday shake and shingle producers told us almost 4,000 jobs will disappear in British Columbia”. Mr. Blackburn (Brant): Stick to the question. Mr. Riis: We will fight them on the beaches. We will fight them in the surf. Miss Carney: They have not disappeared in British Columbia. Mr. Riis: We will fight them in the palm trees. Miss Carney: Only one firm has asked for funds for worker retraining. I suggest that the Hon. Member’s estimate of job losses— An Hon. Member: Back to the beach. Miss Carney: —is terribly exaggerated. An Hon. Member: You are a joke and you are incompetent. Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members know that the Question Period is nearly at an end. I just want to advise that about 15 minutes were spent on the first three questions and answers. I know Hon. Members will understand that while there are still Hon. Members wishing to ask questions, the Chair does have to close it off. However, I will accept one question from the Hon. Member for Nunatsiaq and that will be the last question.
January 20, 2026 at 12:11 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
On this day in Canadian parliamentary history - January 19, 1994: With a new government leader in the Senate, history is made: Joyce Fairbairn is the first woman to serve as Government or Opposition leader in the Senate, as noted in that day's Debates.
SENATORS’ STATEMENTS THE HONOURABLE JOYCE FAIRBAIRN, P.C. FELICITATIONS ON APPOINTMENT AS FIRST WOMAN LEADER Leave having been given to revert to Senators’ Statements: Hon. Pat Carney: Honourable senators, I wish to acknowledge the presence in the chamber of the first woman Leader of the Government, or of the Opposition, in the Senate. Senator Carney: Honourable senators, I think we should mark this occasion, because it is the first time that the Leader of either the Government or the Opposition has been a woman. This is, therefore, a red-letter day — if I may be excused the pun — in the history of this institution. I hope that it will not be the last occasion on which a woman will hold this position. I am particularly happy to acknowledge this historic event today because my relationship with Senator Fairbairn goes back about 25 years, to the time when we both first became members of the Press Galley in the 1960s. I am fully aware of the distinguished role that she has played in her many positions in government: as legislative assistant to the former Prime Minister Trudeau, and as a long-time member of the Senate. I hope that she will have the support of all of us in the Senate to enable her to carry out her new and distinguished role. In my case, she certainly will have not only my support but my affection. Hon. Joyce Fairbairn (Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, I cannot tell you how delighted I am to hear those words from my friend of many years — and I do believe, Senator Carney, it might even be more than 25. Senator Gigantès: Not possible — chronologically impossible. Senator Fairbairn: I will do my very best to be worthy of the confidence and the kindness that you have expressed today. I am also very conscious of the privilege and the honour that has been conferred on me, as indeed anyone would be in this position. It is the biggest challenge of my life. I will work with every bit of dedication, experience and will at my disposal to do a good and credible job for the Parliament of Canada but, most particularly, for all the Canadians we represent in this chamber. I look around the chamber today and see how very different it is from the day that I came here in 1984. There are now many more women. I even see an old friend who is sitting in what was my original seat. I refer…
January 19, 2026 at 12:41 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Today in Canadian parliamentary history (1916): The House creates a committee to draft a condolence resolution for the late Charles Tupper, former PM. Three committee members served or would serve as PM. The resolution was produced in February and makes no specific mention of Tupper's 68 days as PM
January 18, 2026 at 12:32 PM
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Figured at a coffee shop called Esquires I could get away with asking whether they had any "appealing grounds" to recommend.

Was served a trespass notice.
January 17, 2026 at 5:14 PM