Mr. Pierini blames EU treaty law for giving the U.K., France and Germany the power to stifle a common foreign policy and says the separation of aid and humanitarian assistance from the EU's diplomatic decision-making has undermined some of the soft power it can otherwise project.

WSJ: Syria Debate Illustrates EU's Foreign-Policy Weakness

Unlike other major central banks, including the Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve, the Bank of Canada's six-member governing council makes its decisions by consensus rather than votes and present verdicts as a common decision, thereby avoiding being labelled hard or soft on policy.

BBC: Bank of Canada names Stephen Poloz as new governor

Independent MLA Jim Allister wanted to know if this announcement was designed to provide a "soft landing" for what was intended to be a permanent decision to close the City accident and emergency department.

BBC: Health minister statement