The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Ottawa - Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson says a Commons committee decision to investigate her budget is a welcome opportunity for her office to explain to Canadians what the Governor General does, but she indicated Thursday she has no plans to appear before the body of MPs. Members of the government operations and estimates committee will probe why Clarkson's budget has jumped to $19 million from about $11 million when she took office. The committee also will ask questions about three state visits, including the current one - a $1-million, 19-day circumpolar trip to Russia, Finland and Iceland with 59 Canadian intellectuals, artists, scientists, ambassadors and political activists in tow. Ottawa - Prime Minister Jean Chretien said Thursday that he's in no hurry to start formally transferring power to Paul Martin and suggested his longtime rival should curb his enthusiasm. Chretien appeared unwilling to bend to Martin on Thursday, refusing to refer to his successor by name and continuing to suggest there will be two candidates at the party's November leadership convention. Vancouver - Thousands of coastal forest workers in B.C. were in a legal strike position Thursday, but back-channel talks were underway that could avoid walk-outs and get both groups back to the bargaining table.
