Sometimes it is worthwhile to review a sequence of events.
As it relates to the SNC situation that we find our Country transfixed by - the discussion around the deluge of lobbying by the company as they sat charged with serious criminal offences - has been somewhat vetted.
Many have also talked about the fact that changes to the Criminal Code were buried in a Budget Bill. Most seem to find that inappropriate.
Obviously there are continued questions and escalating mistrust which will likely continue to haunt the PMO and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - as long as there are no comments from Jody Wilson-Raybould.
This post however will review a surely impossible sequence of events that lead up to the tabled change to the Criminal Code within the Budget Bill.
Let's make this short. It will add to the call for investigative measures to take place regarding this SNC mess.
You've probably heard by now that Canadians were told that the government was considering Deferred Prosecution Agreements. The spin - partially true - was that the public could have commented on this idea. Let's say the MP's did not do a full court press to constituents on this very important matter. The MSM were not all aflutter with advising Canadians of this very important consultation process.
Putting that aside - the consultation took place between September 25th - December 08 2017.
The report on the consultations found (PRESS HERE) was dated February 22nd 2018. The report is a general summary of what was heard or submitted by participants, a copy of the questions given to participants to answer, and a paragraph at the end of report titles "Next Steps", The following is that paragraph: The Government of Canada will further review the feedback received and assess whether enhancements to the Integrity Regime are warranted to ensure that the Regime continues to achieve its objectives, is efficient in doing so, and addresses new trends and risks in a constantly changing marketplace. Feedback will also be used by the Government of Canada in considering the possibility of introducing a Canadian DPA regime as an additional tool for prosecutors, to be used in appropriate circumstances, to address corporate crime. (emphasis added)
Further the last paragraph reads: While this public consultation has ended, the Government of Canada remains committed to hearing from interested parties regarding both the Integrity Regime and DPAs.
So on February 22nd of 2018 the report for consideration - to be assessed and reviewed - and even to possibly continue to hear from other people was released. It could be reviewed by Canadians and Parliamentarians alike. Let's have a discussion kind of tone.
5 days later there is a Budget Bill presented to the House of Commons that included the changes to the Criminal Code on these matters.
The proposed law was written and presented to Parliament 5 days after the report is released for assessment, review, and even more invited commentary.
Please take the time to think about that. In 5 short days 3 months of material and findings were reviewed - assessed - and already presented for passage of the Budget Bill.
Any reasonably minded person would conclude the proposed changes to the Criminal Code were already written before the report was released.
Any reasonably minded person knows that Criminal Code changes just don't happen that way or that fast.
The report does not allow Canadians to see who said what - and what exactly was being submitted.
But lucky for Canadians - SNC Lavalin put its submission on their site.
Have a look at the report referenced above and then the changes to the Criminal Code (PRESS HERE) and then decide who influenced our law.
Undue influence? Need to get the fix in place for SNC in a timely manner?
Next post will deal with the change in language from Deferred Prosecution Agreements to Remediation Agreements. Funny that when GM Butts resigned - he actually used the term Deferred Prosecution Agreements instead of Remediation Agreements - the latter of which is actually law.
Showing posts with label CBC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CBC. Show all posts
Monday, February 18, 2019
Friday, February 15, 2019
YES NC Trudeau
By now most Canadians are asking what happened between former Justice Minister and Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould (JWR), the Prime Minister, the PMO and SNC Lavalin.
After watching and reading many different news stories, commentaries/opinions, social media discourse, legal filings, banking information, global conventions, and documents of the World Bank - I am prepared to put together a maybe.
The following represents my thoughts, speculations, and opinions based on what really seems plausible to me.
Please note that not all the statements below are facts - rather a group of facts and hypothesis based on what we know and don't.
SNC Lavalin is experiencing difficulties primarily do to their self-made legal troubles. I do not believe losing the Canadian marketplace is where they are most worried (easy for government to get around that).
The companies urgent concerns are anywhere where the World Bank is backing developments wherein SNC is likely and able to bid for work.
I believe it's possible that JWR - the former Justice Minister was chosen by Trudeau and strategists for that Cabinet post for 2 reasons. The first is to enhance and display their branding - indigenous woman holding a top portfolio - the second they estimated that JWR was malleable to execute a saving agreement for SNC Lavalin. I find the first reason insulting as I do not believe it was sincere - just part of a large scale marketing plan and the second was one of the the greatest miscalculations of a person and their integrity, intelligence, and backbone I have ever seen.
SNC Lavalin knew what they needed long ago. They pegged the Liberals for delivery and worked their back-room magic for insurance.
They "lobbied" that is to say they prettied up influence to make an attempt at a legal process to direct their reward.
They did not want - they needed - very desperately for the bribery and fraud allegations and charges to disappear.
They could not suffer an additional blow to their already trashed reputation at the World Bank.
The Liberals did the first thing that was necessary and that was to change the Criminal Code. They did so under a Budget Bill. That was more due to urgency than it was anything else. If it had gone through a proper process - a process expected when one proposes to change the Criminal Code it would likely have been too late for SNC Lavalin.
Once the Budget Bill passed - the rush was on to get SNC Lavalin the fix they needed.
They needed a Remediation Agreement (RA) applied to the company.
No doubt SNC Lavalin went through the motions of "lobbying" while who knows what other methods of communication to get this process moving.
The prosecutor was not budging - so the deed was passed to JWR.
One can guess that this whole compromise deal was raised in Cabinet and probably the majority of Cabinet agreed to the proposed fix for the company. Unlike other Cabinet Posts the Department of Justice and the Attorney General must be independent. It's only proper. It was then no doubt that JWR started to feel the pressure. It may have come from a combined effort applied by Cabinet colleagues and the PMO.
It may have been at this point that JWR started to put it all together and began to wonder what was truly her "role" in the Trudeau administration.
She started to smell a rat and felt that she must do what was expected or she would end up under a political bus.
At that time she probably did want reassurance from the man who had praised her so highly and made a very compelling public case for equality in the Cabinet. Surely this man - who had embraced her and praised her skills and intelligence would provide some assurance that making - what she felt was the right decision - would be welcome by this Prime Minister.
Whatever happened at the meeting and the tone of which words were spoken will only be known when JWR speaks.
Trudeau however had his answer and it was not what he or SNC wanted to hear. No deal!
It could have been real tidy, a Minister that played her role - for the sake of saving Quebec enterprise. Gazetted by Minister JWR and in the event of a backlash (spin did not work on the SNC file) she could have been sacrificed while the rest stayed "clean". No deal!
That presented a unique and difficult situation for the Liberals and their buddies. Now what?
Well if he hauled her out of the portfolio it may very well be seen as pandering to SNC and firing her for not doing what they expected she would.
BMO and other banks and their investment divisions certainly are affected by the potential outcomes of a potential SNC Lavalin failure or takeover.
This part is a bit trickier because I have mixed thoughts on whether Scott Brison knew or not - regarding a needed Cabinet Shuffle. BMO might have offered him what is a very lucrative and prestigious position at a time when Brison may have wanted a change for more than one reason. They all might have played him like a fiddle or he might have taken one for the larger corporate/political team (so to speak) as the cushion he landed on was quite soft.
Trudeau said it perfectly today - if Brison had not resigned JWR would have remained and still be the Minister of Justice and AG. Reread above - yes we can assume that just throwing her out on her own without another reason for a shuffle would have been too obvious.
Regardless of why Brison took the leap - he did and this gave the PM an opportunity to shuffle. The shuffle was ridiculous and clearly a demotion for JWR. That is part of the Liberal's incompetent attempt at covering.
The PM then appointed a person who could certainly be seen to enjoy towing the line and getting done what JWR would not.
The new Minister and AG did a poor job of playing it coy and generally delivered an amateur attempt at being a master "politician" - at a time when the Liberals needed one most.
JWR stayed in Cabinet and probably learned that SNC would be taken care of - so to speak.
Between that and the mixed, confused, and inconsistent messaging attempts of Trudeau and his overrated cast of cohorts - JWR decided it was time to pull out.
One thing remains if Trudeau can be taken at his word - being she would have remained as Minister of Justice had Brison not resigned - then certainly we can assume that the decisions she made re: SNC would be continued and would have been acceptable (not). This is what makes the whole thing ridiculous, unbelievable, and and likely the reason the Liberals may be defeated.
Then again - I am of the belief that SNC will be saved at the cost of losing government if necessary. All those who deliver would certainly expect to land as softly as let's say Scott Brison.
As Trudeau likes to say we are working for the middle class and those trying to join the middle class - just like his loyal backbench is working hard to join the Cabinet.
They might just want to pause and really think about what their actual role is.
Everything you have read above makes coincidence unlikely but political/corporate collusion more than likely.
One last note - remember this:
On December 17, 1997, Canada signed the Convention on Combating Bribery in International Business Transactions of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD Convention). In 1998 Parliament passed the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA) to implement Canada’s obligations under the OECD Convention into Canadian law.
The OECD Convention aims to stop the flow of bribes and to remove bribery as a non-tariff barrier to trade, producing a level playing field in international business. The OECD Convention came into force on February 15, 1999, following Canada’s ratification. To date, 44 states have ratified the OECD Convention, including the 36 member states of the OECD and eight non-member states: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Russia and South Africa.
In June 2013 Parliament amended the CFPOA to increase the maximum penalty for convicted individuals, to create a new books and records offence and to expand jurisdiction based on nationality. In addition, the 2013 amendment stated that at a later date the Government would eliminate the exception for facilitation payments. Facilitation payments are those made to foreign public officials to secure or expedite the performance of acts of a routine nature that are within the scope of the official's duties. The repeal came into force on October 31, 2017 and such payments are now included under the foreign bribery offences listed in the CFPOA.
and now in 2018 The Trudeau government did this:
In September 2018, a Remediation Agreement (RA) regime came into force through the creation of a new Part (Part XXII.1) of the Criminal Code. An RA is a new tool available for use by prosecutorial authorities – at their discretion, in the public interest and in appropriate circumstances – to address corporate criminal wrongdoing. It is an agreement, between an organization accused of committing a listed offence and a prosecutor, to stay any proceedings related to that offence, if the organization complies with the terms of the agreement.
Perhaps it's time the World Bank amended its position to ignore such weakening of commitment to cleaning up the global market by not recognizing such RA's.
and there is this last little bit: (emphasis added for easier read)
The Honourable Kevin G. Lynch, P.C., O.C., PH. D, LL.D
Vice-Chair, BMO Financial Group
The Honourable Kevin Lynch has been Vice Chairman of BMO Financial Group since 2010. Prior to that, he was a distinguished former public servant with 33 years of service with the Government of Canada, serving as Clerk of the Privy Council, Secretary to the Cabinet, Deputy Minister of Finance, Deputy Minister of Industry, as well as Executive Director for Canada at the International Monetary Fund.
Kevin is Chancellor of the University of King’s College, a senior Fellow of Massey College and the past Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Waterloo. He chairs the Board of SNC Lavalin and is a director of CN Railway and CNOOC Ltd (China National Overseas Oil Company). As well, Kevin is a Trustee of the Killam Trusts and a Director of Communitech, the Governor General’s Rideau Hall Foundation and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Previously, Kevin served on the boards of the Ditchley Foundation of Canada (Chair), the Accounting Standards Oversight Council (ASOC), the Ontario Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee, the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, the Gairdner Foundation, the Perimeter Institute, the Bank of Canada, Empire (Sobeys), Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC), the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), BMO China and the Cape Breton Development Corporation.
Come on now.... Really? Yes Canada they really do believe we are stupid.... but they also underestimated Jody Wilson-Raybould...
After watching and reading many different news stories, commentaries/opinions, social media discourse, legal filings, banking information, global conventions, and documents of the World Bank - I am prepared to put together a maybe.
The following represents my thoughts, speculations, and opinions based on what really seems plausible to me.
Please note that not all the statements below are facts - rather a group of facts and hypothesis based on what we know and don't.
SNC Lavalin is experiencing difficulties primarily do to their self-made legal troubles. I do not believe losing the Canadian marketplace is where they are most worried (easy for government to get around that).
The companies urgent concerns are anywhere where the World Bank is backing developments wherein SNC is likely and able to bid for work.
I believe it's possible that JWR - the former Justice Minister was chosen by Trudeau and strategists for that Cabinet post for 2 reasons. The first is to enhance and display their branding - indigenous woman holding a top portfolio - the second they estimated that JWR was malleable to execute a saving agreement for SNC Lavalin. I find the first reason insulting as I do not believe it was sincere - just part of a large scale marketing plan and the second was one of the the greatest miscalculations of a person and their integrity, intelligence, and backbone I have ever seen.
SNC Lavalin knew what they needed long ago. They pegged the Liberals for delivery and worked their back-room magic for insurance.
They "lobbied" that is to say they prettied up influence to make an attempt at a legal process to direct their reward.
They did not want - they needed - very desperately for the bribery and fraud allegations and charges to disappear.
They could not suffer an additional blow to their already trashed reputation at the World Bank.
The Liberals did the first thing that was necessary and that was to change the Criminal Code. They did so under a Budget Bill. That was more due to urgency than it was anything else. If it had gone through a proper process - a process expected when one proposes to change the Criminal Code it would likely have been too late for SNC Lavalin.
Once the Budget Bill passed - the rush was on to get SNC Lavalin the fix they needed.
They needed a Remediation Agreement (RA) applied to the company.
No doubt SNC Lavalin went through the motions of "lobbying" while who knows what other methods of communication to get this process moving.
The prosecutor was not budging - so the deed was passed to JWR.
One can guess that this whole compromise deal was raised in Cabinet and probably the majority of Cabinet agreed to the proposed fix for the company. Unlike other Cabinet Posts the Department of Justice and the Attorney General must be independent. It's only proper. It was then no doubt that JWR started to feel the pressure. It may have come from a combined effort applied by Cabinet colleagues and the PMO.
It may have been at this point that JWR started to put it all together and began to wonder what was truly her "role" in the Trudeau administration.
She started to smell a rat and felt that she must do what was expected or she would end up under a political bus.
At that time she probably did want reassurance from the man who had praised her so highly and made a very compelling public case for equality in the Cabinet. Surely this man - who had embraced her and praised her skills and intelligence would provide some assurance that making - what she felt was the right decision - would be welcome by this Prime Minister.
Whatever happened at the meeting and the tone of which words were spoken will only be known when JWR speaks.
Trudeau however had his answer and it was not what he or SNC wanted to hear. No deal!
It could have been real tidy, a Minister that played her role - for the sake of saving Quebec enterprise. Gazetted by Minister JWR and in the event of a backlash (spin did not work on the SNC file) she could have been sacrificed while the rest stayed "clean". No deal!
That presented a unique and difficult situation for the Liberals and their buddies. Now what?
Well if he hauled her out of the portfolio it may very well be seen as pandering to SNC and firing her for not doing what they expected she would.
BMO and other banks and their investment divisions certainly are affected by the potential outcomes of a potential SNC Lavalin failure or takeover.
This part is a bit trickier because I have mixed thoughts on whether Scott Brison knew or not - regarding a needed Cabinet Shuffle. BMO might have offered him what is a very lucrative and prestigious position at a time when Brison may have wanted a change for more than one reason. They all might have played him like a fiddle or he might have taken one for the larger corporate/political team (so to speak) as the cushion he landed on was quite soft.
Trudeau said it perfectly today - if Brison had not resigned JWR would have remained and still be the Minister of Justice and AG. Reread above - yes we can assume that just throwing her out on her own without another reason for a shuffle would have been too obvious.
Regardless of why Brison took the leap - he did and this gave the PM an opportunity to shuffle. The shuffle was ridiculous and clearly a demotion for JWR. That is part of the Liberal's incompetent attempt at covering.
The PM then appointed a person who could certainly be seen to enjoy towing the line and getting done what JWR would not.
The new Minister and AG did a poor job of playing it coy and generally delivered an amateur attempt at being a master "politician" - at a time when the Liberals needed one most.
JWR stayed in Cabinet and probably learned that SNC would be taken care of - so to speak.
Between that and the mixed, confused, and inconsistent messaging attempts of Trudeau and his overrated cast of cohorts - JWR decided it was time to pull out.
One thing remains if Trudeau can be taken at his word - being she would have remained as Minister of Justice had Brison not resigned - then certainly we can assume that the decisions she made re: SNC would be continued and would have been acceptable (not). This is what makes the whole thing ridiculous, unbelievable, and and likely the reason the Liberals may be defeated.
Then again - I am of the belief that SNC will be saved at the cost of losing government if necessary. All those who deliver would certainly expect to land as softly as let's say Scott Brison.
As Trudeau likes to say we are working for the middle class and those trying to join the middle class - just like his loyal backbench is working hard to join the Cabinet.
They might just want to pause and really think about what their actual role is.
Everything you have read above makes coincidence unlikely but political/corporate collusion more than likely.
One last note - remember this:
On December 17, 1997, Canada signed the Convention on Combating Bribery in International Business Transactions of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD Convention). In 1998 Parliament passed the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA) to implement Canada’s obligations under the OECD Convention into Canadian law.
The OECD Convention aims to stop the flow of bribes and to remove bribery as a non-tariff barrier to trade, producing a level playing field in international business. The OECD Convention came into force on February 15, 1999, following Canada’s ratification. To date, 44 states have ratified the OECD Convention, including the 36 member states of the OECD and eight non-member states: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Russia and South Africa.
In June 2013 Parliament amended the CFPOA to increase the maximum penalty for convicted individuals, to create a new books and records offence and to expand jurisdiction based on nationality. In addition, the 2013 amendment stated that at a later date the Government would eliminate the exception for facilitation payments. Facilitation payments are those made to foreign public officials to secure or expedite the performance of acts of a routine nature that are within the scope of the official's duties. The repeal came into force on October 31, 2017 and such payments are now included under the foreign bribery offences listed in the CFPOA.
and now in 2018 The Trudeau government did this:
In September 2018, a Remediation Agreement (RA) regime came into force through the creation of a new Part (Part XXII.1) of the Criminal Code. An RA is a new tool available for use by prosecutorial authorities – at their discretion, in the public interest and in appropriate circumstances – to address corporate criminal wrongdoing. It is an agreement, between an organization accused of committing a listed offence and a prosecutor, to stay any proceedings related to that offence, if the organization complies with the terms of the agreement.
Perhaps it's time the World Bank amended its position to ignore such weakening of commitment to cleaning up the global market by not recognizing such RA's.
and there is this last little bit: (emphasis added for easier read)
The Honourable Kevin G. Lynch, P.C., O.C., PH. D, LL.D
Vice-Chair, BMO Financial Group
The Honourable Kevin Lynch has been Vice Chairman of BMO Financial Group since 2010. Prior to that, he was a distinguished former public servant with 33 years of service with the Government of Canada, serving as Clerk of the Privy Council, Secretary to the Cabinet, Deputy Minister of Finance, Deputy Minister of Industry, as well as Executive Director for Canada at the International Monetary Fund.
Kevin is Chancellor of the University of King’s College, a senior Fellow of Massey College and the past Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Waterloo. He chairs the Board of SNC Lavalin and is a director of CN Railway and CNOOC Ltd (China National Overseas Oil Company). As well, Kevin is a Trustee of the Killam Trusts and a Director of Communitech, the Governor General’s Rideau Hall Foundation and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Previously, Kevin served on the boards of the Ditchley Foundation of Canada (Chair), the Accounting Standards Oversight Council (ASOC), the Ontario Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee, the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, the Gairdner Foundation, the Perimeter Institute, the Bank of Canada, Empire (Sobeys), Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC), the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), BMO China and the Cape Breton Development Corporation.
Come on now.... Really? Yes Canada they really do believe we are stupid.... but they also underestimated Jody Wilson-Raybould...
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
The EXperts - Muskrat Falls
Since 2006 Sue's Blog has been warning through posts about the disastrous Muskrat Falls project.
Bits and pieces of the Inquiry refer to critics of the project - not being experts.
Let's take that at face value and reflect upon the experts.
Clearly the highly paid experts were wrong in many areas of assessment. Clearly they failed initially to project and overcome engineering and design difficulties regarding the site. Clearly the project is a failure on every measurable level.
Miraculously the non-experts were right in many areas of assessment. Miraculously the non-experts did not miss the peculiarities of the site engineering. Miraculously they were successful in assessing the Muskrat Falls deal was horrific.
Now the other non-experts (politicians) were clearly incapable of understanding what the experts were concluding. They were clearly unable to see the massive flaws in the deal and the engineering. They were clearly non-experts listening to paid experts -most of whom will not likely suffer from this boondoggle.
For what use is an expert - if the person acting on an "experts" advice would not be independently be able to see the potential flaws? What's worse - the politicians refused to listen to critics - ignored or worse subjected the non-experts to terms such as partisans, naysayers, and conspiracy theorists.
There were opportunities to engage the citizenry but they were not afforded.
Citizen groups should have been provided funding throughout the processes from conception to sanction. This funding could have provided the non-expert politicians with real concerns, real hazards, and real findings from the non-expert citizenry.
Further this size of a deal should have gone through a referendum process where - the citizen non-experts were given the opportunity to promote and educate regarding their points of view and real concerns.
You see if the non-expert politicians felt expert enough to make the legislative commitment - they should have allowed the non-expert citizenry a real opportunity to be heard.
None of the politicians did this. No political party did this.
Declining population, increasing efficiencies in housing and appliances, closure of two mills, numerous fish plants, schools, clinics etc are examples of reasonable considerations to determine future power supply requirements.
Muskrat Falls versus the entire Lower Churchill or even Gull Island begged the question why choose Muskrat.
Emera owning ANY part of our domestic distribution system is illogical and not to our benefit. It will increase prices.
Dealing with Emera - a company that could be the subject of a hostile or welcome takeover - particularly when Hydro-Quebec is the touted enemy - and could easily consume Emera minus Nova Scotia Power - was a poor choice.
The critical removal of alternate energy sources into the future was naive at best and corrupt at worst.
The engineering challenges - poorly thought out, considered, or even dealt with was another red flag for a layman.
The power needs of Labrador - routinely and as is usual dismissed including but not limited to plugging an industry of substance into the new supply - another red flag.
The continued interference with the Public Utilities Board - when they are the stop gap for consumers - yet another red flag.
Budgets that were routinely over - became the norm - raising another red flag.
The lack of knowledge of many MHA's regarding the history of the hydro-potentials in Labrador was and continues to be a very disturbing situation.
The obvious angst of indigenous peoples despite the approval by some of their leaders should have been addressed.
This is but a short list of how a citizen could have been and some citizens were very concerned about this failed project.
The decision by Dwight Ball and the Liberal government to push through the remainder of the project without thorough analysis and public input into other options - just continued the madness that is Muskrat.
The Inquiry is a political decision to thwart anger of consumers and taxpayers away from the current government and will do nothing to demonstrate the mess that occurred after they took office.
The EXperts they say? Funny how the naysayers, conspiracy theorists, partisan hacks, and all other names given to critics of the project - were miraculously right.
As I write today the folly continues and we are made to look more the fools than we already are.
Bits and pieces of the Inquiry refer to critics of the project - not being experts.
Let's take that at face value and reflect upon the experts.
Clearly the highly paid experts were wrong in many areas of assessment. Clearly they failed initially to project and overcome engineering and design difficulties regarding the site. Clearly the project is a failure on every measurable level.
Miraculously the non-experts were right in many areas of assessment. Miraculously the non-experts did not miss the peculiarities of the site engineering. Miraculously they were successful in assessing the Muskrat Falls deal was horrific.
Now the other non-experts (politicians) were clearly incapable of understanding what the experts were concluding. They were clearly unable to see the massive flaws in the deal and the engineering. They were clearly non-experts listening to paid experts -most of whom will not likely suffer from this boondoggle.
For what use is an expert - if the person acting on an "experts" advice would not be independently be able to see the potential flaws? What's worse - the politicians refused to listen to critics - ignored or worse subjected the non-experts to terms such as partisans, naysayers, and conspiracy theorists.
There were opportunities to engage the citizenry but they were not afforded.
Citizen groups should have been provided funding throughout the processes from conception to sanction. This funding could have provided the non-expert politicians with real concerns, real hazards, and real findings from the non-expert citizenry.
Further this size of a deal should have gone through a referendum process where - the citizen non-experts were given the opportunity to promote and educate regarding their points of view and real concerns.
You see if the non-expert politicians felt expert enough to make the legislative commitment - they should have allowed the non-expert citizenry a real opportunity to be heard.
None of the politicians did this. No political party did this.
Declining population, increasing efficiencies in housing and appliances, closure of two mills, numerous fish plants, schools, clinics etc are examples of reasonable considerations to determine future power supply requirements.
Muskrat Falls versus the entire Lower Churchill or even Gull Island begged the question why choose Muskrat.
Emera owning ANY part of our domestic distribution system is illogical and not to our benefit. It will increase prices.
Dealing with Emera - a company that could be the subject of a hostile or welcome takeover - particularly when Hydro-Quebec is the touted enemy - and could easily consume Emera minus Nova Scotia Power - was a poor choice.
The critical removal of alternate energy sources into the future was naive at best and corrupt at worst.
The engineering challenges - poorly thought out, considered, or even dealt with was another red flag for a layman.
The power needs of Labrador - routinely and as is usual dismissed including but not limited to plugging an industry of substance into the new supply - another red flag.
The continued interference with the Public Utilities Board - when they are the stop gap for consumers - yet another red flag.
Budgets that were routinely over - became the norm - raising another red flag.
The lack of knowledge of many MHA's regarding the history of the hydro-potentials in Labrador was and continues to be a very disturbing situation.
The obvious angst of indigenous peoples despite the approval by some of their leaders should have been addressed.
This is but a short list of how a citizen could have been and some citizens were very concerned about this failed project.
The decision by Dwight Ball and the Liberal government to push through the remainder of the project without thorough analysis and public input into other options - just continued the madness that is Muskrat.
The Inquiry is a political decision to thwart anger of consumers and taxpayers away from the current government and will do nothing to demonstrate the mess that occurred after they took office.
The EXperts they say? Funny how the naysayers, conspiracy theorists, partisan hacks, and all other names given to critics of the project - were miraculously right.
As I write today the folly continues and we are made to look more the fools than we already are.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
More Breaking News
Puerto Rico as you have all probably heard by now - is essentially bankrupt - on fiscal life support - in need of massive bailout. It is considered impoverished.
Newfoundland and Labrador on the other hand is designated as a "have province". That puts us ahead of the provinces collecting equalization.
In the 2017-2018 year, the following provinces will receive equalization payments:
Outstanding debt: 70 billion
Population: 3.4 million
$20,588 per person
Unemployment 10%
Newfoundland and Labrador
Outstanding debt: 13 billion
Population: 528,000
$24,621 per person
Unemployment 15%
This does not include the 13 billion dollar boondoggle Muskrat.
Both Puerto Rico and Newfoundland and Labrador see migration to the continental parts of their countries - both permanently and for temporary work.
Puerto Rico and Newfoundland and Labrador are losing population.
Puerto Rico's aging demographics are much healthier than Newfoundland and Labrador's
We must also consider that Newfoundland and Labrador receives as all provinces do - transfer payments for programs such as health and education not so much for Puerto Rico.
There is a three-pronged problem here.
The first is the understanding or lack thereof of the Equalization program. I have discussed this briefly in a previous post.
The second is that even the reasonable or equitable (to some degree) parts of equalization - leaves us essentially bankrupt because although we have the resources to generate tax, royalties, revenues - we have mismanaged the resources so badly that what equalization considers we should generate from resources - we don't actually generate from them. (oil revenues unfair part)
The third problem is the absolute ignorance deliberate or otherwise of our politicians - refusing to actually understand the mess we are in.
And these same people continue to permit spending on Muskrat Falls.
The people of Puerto Rico just like the people of Newfoundland and Labrador love where they live and want to stay. However both jurisdictions are likely to see significant migration to their respective "mainlands" simply to survive and thrive.
Note to Labradorians - my use of the word "mainland" does not refer to you. I recognize the difference.
Newfoundland and Labrador on the other hand is designated as a "have province". That puts us ahead of the provinces collecting equalization.
In the 2017-2018 year, the following provinces will receive equalization payments:
- Quebec ($11.081 billion) (please note this amount) program designed to suit them.
- Manitoba ($1.820 billion)
- Nova Scotia ($1.779 billion)
- New Brunswick ($1.760 billion)
- Ontario ($1.424 billion)
- Prince Edward Island ($390 million)
Outstanding debt: 70 billion
Population: 3.4 million
$20,588 per person
Unemployment 10%
Newfoundland and Labrador
Outstanding debt: 13 billion
Population: 528,000
$24,621 per person
Unemployment 15%
This does not include the 13 billion dollar boondoggle Muskrat.
Both Puerto Rico and Newfoundland and Labrador see migration to the continental parts of their countries - both permanently and for temporary work.
Puerto Rico and Newfoundland and Labrador are losing population.
Puerto Rico's aging demographics are much healthier than Newfoundland and Labrador's
We must also consider that Newfoundland and Labrador receives as all provinces do - transfer payments for programs such as health and education not so much for Puerto Rico.
There is a three-pronged problem here.
The first is the understanding or lack thereof of the Equalization program. I have discussed this briefly in a previous post.
The second is that even the reasonable or equitable (to some degree) parts of equalization - leaves us essentially bankrupt because although we have the resources to generate tax, royalties, revenues - we have mismanaged the resources so badly that what equalization considers we should generate from resources - we don't actually generate from them. (oil revenues unfair part)
The third problem is the absolute ignorance deliberate or otherwise of our politicians - refusing to actually understand the mess we are in.
And these same people continue to permit spending on Muskrat Falls.
The people of Puerto Rico just like the people of Newfoundland and Labrador love where they live and want to stay. However both jurisdictions are likely to see significant migration to their respective "mainlands" simply to survive and thrive.
Note to Labradorians - my use of the word "mainland" does not refer to you. I recognize the difference.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Real BREAKING NEWS
Yesterday Sue's Blog focused on the journalistic style of James McLeod in his story headlined "Nalcor audit won’t be done before retirement: AG".
Today let's look at some of the other information we can take from this interview.
The AG Terry Paddon is retiring at months end. He leaves behind an unfinished audit of specific operations of Nalcor.
The story does not tell us some important things.
How far along is the audit?
When did Paddon expect to finish it when it began?
Did he run into unforeseen difficulties in attaining the information he needed?
Was it Paddon's intent to finish the audit before he retired?
What does Paddon think the cost will be to finish it?
Is it more costly under a new Auditor General than if he completed it before he retired?
Did he find anything worth noting now?
Terry Paddon is one of those nice people. Not much - I've ever seen in his personality that would put people off. He is a professional by designation and as best I could tell - took his role seriously.
Paddon - however - missed a couple of key areas in his tenure with the Department of Finance and as Auditor General. He missed some real activity regarding the Federal - Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act (Equalization) - despite being alerted to it.
Equalization - as the program is normally referred to - primarily has been to the benefit of Quebec. The program which Stephen Harper promised he would change but then did not - I assume was kept whole for Quebec.
Harper's promise to remove royalties from non-renewable resources from the formula - would have meant that our oil revenues could have served to improve the lives of future generations so much more. That was a digression. (still angry at CPC for deliberately conning Newfoundland and Labrador and "Seantor" Manning's standing at Harper's side as he did it)
BREAKING NEWS
Many people may not have noticed - but Hydro-Quebec does a significant amount of public program spending. They have been doing that for decades. Why is the question....
ANSWER
Back in 2000 Stephane Dion then President of the Queen's Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs appeared on Bill Rowe's Open-Line. I asked questions the Minister could not answer on line - so he did as he promised - wrote me the answers to my questions.
Below is the response:
"On the question of the treatment of Churchill Falls under the Equalization program, it should be noted that an adjustment has been made in the calculation of Equalization payments since 1982 which takes into account how Churchill Falls hydro is priced. Equalization payments are based on the relative ability of each province to raise taxes; and the Churchill Falls adjustment shifts some capacity to tax hydro sites from Newfoundland to Quebec. The net effect is to reduce Quebec's annual Equalization payments while raising Newfoundland's. Furthermore, to the extent that profits from Churchill Falls translate into profits to Hydro Quebec that are remitted to the Quebec government, these too have the effect of lowering Quebec's Equalization."
Right from the get-go we were being further penalized on the Upper Churchill - while Quebec reaped even more benefits. Then the formula was changed to reflect the real contract (albeit not enough in my opinion).
Were we ever compensated for the past - NO.
The real kicker though was found accidentally in the last sentence of Dion's response. "Furthermore, to the extent that profits from Churchill Falls translate into profits to Hydro Quebec that are remitted to the Quebec government, these too have the effect of lowering Quebec's Equalization."
That little remark was an eye opener for anybody watching Hydro-Quebec - as I certainly was.
The hundreds of News Releases coming out of Hydro-Quebec in those years were phenomenal. Now it made sense. Before profit - expenses come out. If Hydro-Quebec delivered or helped to deliver public programming on behalf of the Government of Quebec - they lowered their profits - while the province of Quebec saved equalization money - which gave the province even more to spend on public programs.
In short - Hydro-Quebec making billions off our resource - reduced their profits - lowered remitances to the government - in some years almost to zero - to avoid the loss of equalization. This in turn exponentially increased the value from Labrador resources for Quebec.
At the time Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro was making money and was remitting profits to Newfoundland and Labrador. At the time we could have taken advantage of the same. Today Nalcor is not "profitable" - only by force of the PUB, our laws, and oil activity. Nalcor never did do the investment and development that Hydro-Quebec has successfully.
Terry Paddon was aware of this and we did nothing. We sat on our hands and did nothing.
The political and media spin in Newfoundland and Labrador became we MUST become a "have" province. The romantic - naive - irrelevant title of "have". The "have being based on a formula that could see a financially destitute province be "have" while a thriving growing super power province be "have not".
Let me be more clear: Quebec has an unemployment rate of 6% Newfoundland and Labrador is at almost 15%. The population in NL was 530,854 in 1971 and 528,817 in 2017 meanwhile the population in Quebec was 6,137,305 in 1971 and 8,394,034 in 2017. Provincial debt NL is $23,052 per person while in Quebec it is $22,104. This does not include the albatross of 13 Billion for Muskrat Falls. Then we take into account that Nalcor is not financing all it's own obligations - we put in a fair chunk and it is only barely profitable because of oil operations. When compared to Hydro-Quebec which has hundreds of millions in profits - without oil revenues.
Paddon failed by not describing what equalization truly is and how the system works. It's not all his fault - but political masters should not have had that much say.
The media - should really get its collective act together and do some real reporting. It should make itself knowledgeable about important issues and policies before it puts out fluff - this denying the people of balanced information on which they can make a decision.
It is no longer acceptable to have zero leadership in politics and zero accountability of the news media.
We are broke. We continue to repeat mistakes. We continue to dream without doing anything that remotely will help us achieve our dream of prosperous future.
By the way - are there any MHA's willing to wade in to this discussion or members of our "press corps"?
Today let's look at some of the other information we can take from this interview.
The AG Terry Paddon is retiring at months end. He leaves behind an unfinished audit of specific operations of Nalcor.
The story does not tell us some important things.
How far along is the audit?
When did Paddon expect to finish it when it began?
Did he run into unforeseen difficulties in attaining the information he needed?
Was it Paddon's intent to finish the audit before he retired?
What does Paddon think the cost will be to finish it?
Is it more costly under a new Auditor General than if he completed it before he retired?
Did he find anything worth noting now?
Terry Paddon is one of those nice people. Not much - I've ever seen in his personality that would put people off. He is a professional by designation and as best I could tell - took his role seriously.
Paddon - however - missed a couple of key areas in his tenure with the Department of Finance and as Auditor General. He missed some real activity regarding the Federal - Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act (Equalization) - despite being alerted to it.
Equalization - as the program is normally referred to - primarily has been to the benefit of Quebec. The program which Stephen Harper promised he would change but then did not - I assume was kept whole for Quebec.
Harper's promise to remove royalties from non-renewable resources from the formula - would have meant that our oil revenues could have served to improve the lives of future generations so much more. That was a digression. (still angry at CPC for deliberately conning Newfoundland and Labrador and "Seantor" Manning's standing at Harper's side as he did it)
BREAKING NEWS
Many people may not have noticed - but Hydro-Quebec does a significant amount of public program spending. They have been doing that for decades. Why is the question....
ANSWER
Back in 2000 Stephane Dion then President of the Queen's Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs appeared on Bill Rowe's Open-Line. I asked questions the Minister could not answer on line - so he did as he promised - wrote me the answers to my questions.
Below is the response:
"On the question of the treatment of Churchill Falls under the Equalization program, it should be noted that an adjustment has been made in the calculation of Equalization payments since 1982 which takes into account how Churchill Falls hydro is priced. Equalization payments are based on the relative ability of each province to raise taxes; and the Churchill Falls adjustment shifts some capacity to tax hydro sites from Newfoundland to Quebec. The net effect is to reduce Quebec's annual Equalization payments while raising Newfoundland's. Furthermore, to the extent that profits from Churchill Falls translate into profits to Hydro Quebec that are remitted to the Quebec government, these too have the effect of lowering Quebec's Equalization."
Right from the get-go we were being further penalized on the Upper Churchill - while Quebec reaped even more benefits. Then the formula was changed to reflect the real contract (albeit not enough in my opinion).
Were we ever compensated for the past - NO.
The real kicker though was found accidentally in the last sentence of Dion's response. "Furthermore, to the extent that profits from Churchill Falls translate into profits to Hydro Quebec that are remitted to the Quebec government, these too have the effect of lowering Quebec's Equalization."
That little remark was an eye opener for anybody watching Hydro-Quebec - as I certainly was.
The hundreds of News Releases coming out of Hydro-Quebec in those years were phenomenal. Now it made sense. Before profit - expenses come out. If Hydro-Quebec delivered or helped to deliver public programming on behalf of the Government of Quebec - they lowered their profits - while the province of Quebec saved equalization money - which gave the province even more to spend on public programs.
In short - Hydro-Quebec making billions off our resource - reduced their profits - lowered remitances to the government - in some years almost to zero - to avoid the loss of equalization. This in turn exponentially increased the value from Labrador resources for Quebec.
At the time Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro was making money and was remitting profits to Newfoundland and Labrador. At the time we could have taken advantage of the same. Today Nalcor is not "profitable" - only by force of the PUB, our laws, and oil activity. Nalcor never did do the investment and development that Hydro-Quebec has successfully.
Terry Paddon was aware of this and we did nothing. We sat on our hands and did nothing.
The political and media spin in Newfoundland and Labrador became we MUST become a "have" province. The romantic - naive - irrelevant title of "have". The "have being based on a formula that could see a financially destitute province be "have" while a thriving growing super power province be "have not".
Let me be more clear: Quebec has an unemployment rate of 6% Newfoundland and Labrador is at almost 15%. The population in NL was 530,854 in 1971 and 528,817 in 2017 meanwhile the population in Quebec was 6,137,305 in 1971 and 8,394,034 in 2017. Provincial debt NL is $23,052 per person while in Quebec it is $22,104. This does not include the albatross of 13 Billion for Muskrat Falls. Then we take into account that Nalcor is not financing all it's own obligations - we put in a fair chunk and it is only barely profitable because of oil operations. When compared to Hydro-Quebec which has hundreds of millions in profits - without oil revenues.
Paddon failed by not describing what equalization truly is and how the system works. It's not all his fault - but political masters should not have had that much say.
The media - should really get its collective act together and do some real reporting. It should make itself knowledgeable about important issues and policies before it puts out fluff - this denying the people of balanced information on which they can make a decision.
It is no longer acceptable to have zero leadership in politics and zero accountability of the news media.
We are broke. We continue to repeat mistakes. We continue to dream without doing anything that remotely will help us achieve our dream of prosperous future.
By the way - are there any MHA's willing to wade in to this discussion or members of our "press corps"?
Friday, September 29, 2017
Dwight's Muskrat Feast of deception
Last night was a spectacle to behold. Dwight Ball's Muskrat dinner was something to forget - if we could.
First let me thank some of the media for tweeting the latest Liberal Party function. Last night was a show of support for Dwight Ball by the party - thereby connecting themselves fully to his disastrous performance on the job.
From a media perspective - any journalist who is willing to portray that what the public (used to be naysayers, partisans, and conspiracy theorists) wants is an Inquiry is ignoring the so-called longstanding opposers to the project.
The indigenous people want the project to stop completely and they want specific material on the North Spur.
The longstanding opposers to the project want and are demanding a forensic audit now.
I believe most want the project to stop until an audit is complete so as the people can review all options for Muskrat Falls.
There is a strong belief that there is corruption, incompetence, straight up lies, hidden information, and incomplete data - regarding the project.
VOCM's question of the day - treats the public as if they got what they wanted with the announcement of an Inquiry. Then it encourages the public (based on that false assumption) to say what they want to find out from an Inquiry. Table #8 was Steele Hotels.
Then there is the permanent speaking note for Ball. "It's too late to stop it now". Then couched in - if I could I would tomorrow. Dwight Ball is just lying here. He uses Stan Marshall to back him up - so that he won't be responsible for that decision.
An Inquiry is going to review a project that will destroy us economically. An Inquiry is like reading a postmortem report. This is not what's going to get us out of this fiasco.
Next thing Ball's managers do is craft a little bit of we will get our way out of this through a new relationship with Quebec. In plain language - we are going cap in hand - completely vulnerable - to a savvy hydro giant to seek help. It means we are giving something else away.
Unbelievably but yet so - the amateur drafter of the speech must have been told that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are so gullible that if we throw in a Donald Trump reference - it will dissuade the discussion of looking at new political options. It must have taken Dwight's administrators some time to get him to understand how he could use the "specter" of "populism".
Finally let's look at the forum used to make such an announcement. Ball did not look to the media for live air-time to talk to the people and present factual data on why the project cannot be stopped or why an Inquiry is better than a forensic audit. He did not use a live appearance to explain why doing a forensic audit now and then being guided by those results to look at options - one being an Inquiry is not the right choice..
So Ball decided - or it was decided for him (he does not make decisions) that a Liberal Party fundraiser was to become a de facto branch of government that can be used when necessary to conduct government business. This is not an issue for the party - it is an issue for the province and her people. This was a disrespectful, idiotic, arrogant and despicable choice of forum.
As $500 a plate meals were served to those thriving off Muskrat - Ball thought he was talking to the people? No he was simply reassuring the corporate elite that despite what the people want - the project would continue and a forensic audit would be avoided right now.
All in all this was a kick in the face to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador - and Ball does not mind being used to do this.
Dwight Ball lied last night. Dwight Ball lies all the time.
After he takes his knocks for this - the Party will present an alternative to his leadership - so they can carry on.
As for Siobhon Coady - her absence from all these "decisions" is an attempt to preserve her for another term.
Why Dwight Ball is doing this? I'd have to really look at who he is indebted to and for what. I can assuredly and confidently tell you he is a liar.
First let me thank some of the media for tweeting the latest Liberal Party function. Last night was a show of support for Dwight Ball by the party - thereby connecting themselves fully to his disastrous performance on the job.
From a media perspective - any journalist who is willing to portray that what the public (used to be naysayers, partisans, and conspiracy theorists) wants is an Inquiry is ignoring the so-called longstanding opposers to the project.
The indigenous people want the project to stop completely and they want specific material on the North Spur.
The longstanding opposers to the project want and are demanding a forensic audit now.
I believe most want the project to stop until an audit is complete so as the people can review all options for Muskrat Falls.
There is a strong belief that there is corruption, incompetence, straight up lies, hidden information, and incomplete data - regarding the project.
VOCM's question of the day - treats the public as if they got what they wanted with the announcement of an Inquiry. Then it encourages the public (based on that false assumption) to say what they want to find out from an Inquiry. Table #8 was Steele Hotels.
Then there is the permanent speaking note for Ball. "It's too late to stop it now". Then couched in - if I could I would tomorrow. Dwight Ball is just lying here. He uses Stan Marshall to back him up - so that he won't be responsible for that decision.
An Inquiry is going to review a project that will destroy us economically. An Inquiry is like reading a postmortem report. This is not what's going to get us out of this fiasco.
Next thing Ball's managers do is craft a little bit of we will get our way out of this through a new relationship with Quebec. In plain language - we are going cap in hand - completely vulnerable - to a savvy hydro giant to seek help. It means we are giving something else away.
Unbelievably but yet so - the amateur drafter of the speech must have been told that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are so gullible that if we throw in a Donald Trump reference - it will dissuade the discussion of looking at new political options. It must have taken Dwight's administrators some time to get him to understand how he could use the "specter" of "populism".
Finally let's look at the forum used to make such an announcement. Ball did not look to the media for live air-time to talk to the people and present factual data on why the project cannot be stopped or why an Inquiry is better than a forensic audit. He did not use a live appearance to explain why doing a forensic audit now and then being guided by those results to look at options - one being an Inquiry is not the right choice..
So Ball decided - or it was decided for him (he does not make decisions) that a Liberal Party fundraiser was to become a de facto branch of government that can be used when necessary to conduct government business. This is not an issue for the party - it is an issue for the province and her people. This was a disrespectful, idiotic, arrogant and despicable choice of forum.
As $500 a plate meals were served to those thriving off Muskrat - Ball thought he was talking to the people? No he was simply reassuring the corporate elite that despite what the people want - the project would continue and a forensic audit would be avoided right now.
All in all this was a kick in the face to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador - and Ball does not mind being used to do this.
Dwight Ball lied last night. Dwight Ball lies all the time.
After he takes his knocks for this - the Party will present an alternative to his leadership - so they can carry on.
As for Siobhon Coady - her absence from all these "decisions" is an attempt to preserve her for another term.
Why Dwight Ball is doing this? I'd have to really look at who he is indebted to and for what. I can assuredly and confidently tell you he is a liar.
Friday, September 22, 2017
We can't stop Muskrat now!
You know the old saying If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it.
We are the proverbial people spoken about.
Lie 1
We need the power
Lie 2
This is the cheapest alternative
Lie 3
We need to get around Quebec
Lie 4
Holyrood will be eliminated
Lie 5
It will cost 7-8 billion dollars
Lie 6
We need it for industry
Lie 7
We will own the transmission line to the Island
Lie 8
Ed Martin quit/retired
and now the biggest whopper of them all
Lie 9
We can't stop Muskrat now
For each and every lie above we had head-bobbing from ignorant MHA's and Ministers, we had a media in report but not research mode, and we had and have leaders who lead us down a garden path.
Each and every one of these lies was repeated, reported, repeated, reported, and repeated and reported.
Each and every one without a modicum of real and unfettered independent investigation.
The first big whopper - "we need the power" was one leader and the last big whopper "we can't stop Muskrat now" from our current leader.
Both of them have tried to back up the statements with "input" from experts. The current expert Stan Marshall - riddled with government exempt conflict - has proclaimed "this is a boondoggle" but "we can't stop it now".
The first part of his statement "this is a boondoggle" is something that should be used in the Captain Obvious Hotels.com commercials. The second part "we can't stop it now" is coming without real proof or true independent review - that should be demanded by the people.
We suspect there has been/is some form of corruption going on. We know for certain incompetence has been abound and continues. We know we were lied to. Any reasonably minded person would say - it is time to stop the boondoggle, forensically audit the boondoggle, review the results publicly, and then look at all options.
Not here though. Lie repeat. Lie repeat. Lie report repeat.
It is unfathomable.
We are the proverbial people spoken about.
Lie 1
We need the power
Lie 2
This is the cheapest alternative
Lie 3
We need to get around Quebec
Lie 4
Holyrood will be eliminated
Lie 5
It will cost 7-8 billion dollars
Lie 6
We need it for industry
Lie 7
We will own the transmission line to the Island
Lie 8
Ed Martin quit/retired
and now the biggest whopper of them all
Lie 9
We can't stop Muskrat now
For each and every lie above we had head-bobbing from ignorant MHA's and Ministers, we had a media in report but not research mode, and we had and have leaders who lead us down a garden path.
Each and every one of these lies was repeated, reported, repeated, reported, and repeated and reported.
Each and every one without a modicum of real and unfettered independent investigation.
The first big whopper - "we need the power" was one leader and the last big whopper "we can't stop Muskrat now" from our current leader.
Both of them have tried to back up the statements with "input" from experts. The current expert Stan Marshall - riddled with government exempt conflict - has proclaimed "this is a boondoggle" but "we can't stop it now".
The first part of his statement "this is a boondoggle" is something that should be used in the Captain Obvious Hotels.com commercials. The second part "we can't stop it now" is coming without real proof or true independent review - that should be demanded by the people.
We suspect there has been/is some form of corruption going on. We know for certain incompetence has been abound and continues. We know we were lied to. Any reasonably minded person would say - it is time to stop the boondoggle, forensically audit the boondoggle, review the results publicly, and then look at all options.
Not here though. Lie repeat. Lie repeat. Lie report repeat.
It is unfathomable.
A lie told often enough becomes the truth.
Vladimir Lenin
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/v/vladimirle132031.html
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/v/vladimirle132031.html
A lie told often enough becomes the truth.
Vladimir Lenin
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/v/vladimirle132031.html
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/v/vladimirle132031.html
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Warm and Fuzzy lobbies
Today the CBC ran a story titled
Why is this important?
Corporations are a person under the law - but like Permanent residents are not citizens therefore cannot vote or run for office.
Corporations have for years complained using the same arguments as a Permanent Resident - they reside in the municipality, contribute to the municipality and pay tax in the municipality. They too want the right to vote.
Once you take away the citizenship requirement for voting and standing for election - you open up significant issues and ones that will be challenged.
In the CBC story one such Permanent Resident - Philippa Jones - claims she is not a citizen of Canada but she lives in St. John's so therefore a citizen of St. John's. Patently false and wrong. She resides in St. John's. She is a resident not a citizen of St. John's. You are either a Canadian citizen or not. This does not break down to to a provincial or municipal level. It is one or the other.
I'd like to be a citizen of Newfoundland and Labrador - skip the Canada part - however this would take a referendum with defined boundaries and rules. That's the way it is.
Further - this lobby wants the right to vote but not the right to seek electoral office. This is absurd - and once again - open the can of worms and see what happens next.
As a Permanent Resident - there are numerous benefits and rights - but the right to vote and seek electoral office is reserved for citizens.
One pays tax because they are employed and they pay property tax because they own property. These are choices. If one wants to vote - however - they must be a citizen. If they want to have or achieve a high level security clearance they must be a citizen.
I can guarantee that corporations with the same claims of paying tax - residing in - contributing to a municipality will attempt again to get the right to vote.
If we change the status of a Permanent Resident to allow them to vote - all kinds of challenges to include other "persons" will begin.
The CBC should have been more thorough, Maggie Burton should have polled the citizens on their thoughts, and Permanent Residents should apply for citizenship - and in the event they already have wait until they take the Oath of Citizenship.
There are reasons for these rules and law - and we should not forget them for a warm and fuzzy lobby.
I have read Maggie Burton's campaign material - and she has some wonderful ideas for the City. As with all elected politicians and those seeking to be elected - the quick jump on the warm and fuzzy lobby demonstrates a little bit of naiveté - that should be kept in check. Or sometimes we end up with something we don't want - like Muskrat Falls.
They work, they own homes, they pay taxes, but permanent residents can't vote for city council
That story resulted in some twitter commentary, opposition and support - including Maggie Burton - a candidate for St. John's City Council.
Ms. Burton appears to favour a change that would allow non-citizens to vote.
I tweeted back and forth with Ms. Burton - and found that her agreement with allowing such a change to law was more wrapped up in the warm and fuzzy - not the law, the intent of citizenship, and without polling the citizens she wants support from.
One of her first responses to me is that other cities are looking at it - and referenced the CBC story.
Followed my "it's not fair"
Followed by "it's not a radical idea"
So I got down to it. I asked some questions, put out my own opinion and why I held that opinion - and outside an interlude with a Permanent Resident of Canada - living in Newfoundland and Labrador - the tweets back and forth between myself and Ms. Burton ran on.
The self-identified Permanent Resident attempted to depict me as somebody who was opposed to him having and voicing an opinion. A Permanent Resident in Canada is protected by the Charter and laws - they just can't vote or stand for election. He knew this when he signed up for that status.
The conversation with Ms. Burton raised some serious concerns for me as a citizen - regarding the ability of a warm and fuzzy lobby to make politicians jump on a bandwagon of ignorance. That is to say the implications of such a change were not examined thoroughly - and in spite of this - a person running for office was willing to go to battle for such a concept.
The CBC for their part should have broadened the story to get opinions and feelings of citizens who are opposed to such a change and outline their reasons for that stance.
Here's the real deal:
What permanent residents can do
As a permanent resident, you have the right to:- get most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage,
- live, work or study anywhere in Canada,
- apply for Canadian citizenship,
- protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
What permanent residents cannot do
You are not allowed to:- vote or run for political office,
- hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance.
Why is this important?
The act of incorporating creates a new legal entity called a corporation, commonly referred to as a “company”. Your corporation will have the same rights and obligations under Canadian law as a natural person.
Corporations are a person under the law - but like Permanent residents are not citizens therefore cannot vote or run for office.
Corporations have for years complained using the same arguments as a Permanent Resident - they reside in the municipality, contribute to the municipality and pay tax in the municipality. They too want the right to vote.
Once you take away the citizenship requirement for voting and standing for election - you open up significant issues and ones that will be challenged.
In the CBC story one such Permanent Resident - Philippa Jones - claims she is not a citizen of Canada but she lives in St. John's so therefore a citizen of St. John's. Patently false and wrong. She resides in St. John's. She is a resident not a citizen of St. John's. You are either a Canadian citizen or not. This does not break down to to a provincial or municipal level. It is one or the other.
I'd like to be a citizen of Newfoundland and Labrador - skip the Canada part - however this would take a referendum with defined boundaries and rules. That's the way it is.
Further - this lobby wants the right to vote but not the right to seek electoral office. This is absurd - and once again - open the can of worms and see what happens next.
As a Permanent Resident - there are numerous benefits and rights - but the right to vote and seek electoral office is reserved for citizens.
One pays tax because they are employed and they pay property tax because they own property. These are choices. If one wants to vote - however - they must be a citizen. If they want to have or achieve a high level security clearance they must be a citizen.
I can guarantee that corporations with the same claims of paying tax - residing in - contributing to a municipality will attempt again to get the right to vote.
If we change the status of a Permanent Resident to allow them to vote - all kinds of challenges to include other "persons" will begin.
The CBC should have been more thorough, Maggie Burton should have polled the citizens on their thoughts, and Permanent Residents should apply for citizenship - and in the event they already have wait until they take the Oath of Citizenship.
There are reasons for these rules and law - and we should not forget them for a warm and fuzzy lobby.
I have read Maggie Burton's campaign material - and she has some wonderful ideas for the City. As with all elected politicians and those seeking to be elected - the quick jump on the warm and fuzzy lobby demonstrates a little bit of naiveté - that should be kept in check. Or sometimes we end up with something we don't want - like Muskrat Falls.
Triple D - Danny's and Dwight's Dominoes
The title includes both Danny Williams and Dwight Ball - as Williams started the Muskrat mess and Ball seems determined to finish it.
The domino affect for Newfoundland and Labrador of this disastrous, ill-conceived, potentially corrupt project is astounding.
1. the astronomical debt burden on taxpayers and ratepayers
2. the questionable engineering to date on the project
3. the unquestionable loss of population that will occur
4. the unquestionable decimation of disposable income for a significant percentage of people
5. the unquestionable destruction of small/medium sized businesses relying on disposable income
6. the unquestionable increase in unemployment (already at third world levels)
7. the unquestionable reduction in essential services - as government seeks to find savings
8. the unquestionable increase in poverty - particularly seniors on fixed income and children
9. the unquestionable rise in taxation that will have to be introduced should energy subsidies occur
10. the unquestionable giveaway of more resources to try an offset 1-9 above
This project will be successful as the driving factor for out-migration and those remaining will have to shop at Costco or Walmart to survive - thereby eliminating and NL or even Canadian company existence.
Many of our abnormally high aging population will be left here as their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren move to more economically stable province, States or countries.
Rural Newfoundland and Labrador will be decimated at a greater pace.
Health care, education, and social safety nets will not be maintainable at today's level - let alone advance.
Crime, drug addictions, and suicides will - in my opinion - be on the rise.
Meanwhile the fat-cats will be enjoying the wealth attained through the destruction of our province.
The fat-cats don't care - for the most part that's why they're fat-cats.
More seniors homes and long-term care will be needed as they cannot live at home with assistance from their children (who are gone) - yet there is no money to do this.
As younger taxpayers/ratepayers leave Newfoundland and Labrador the taxation and revenue needed to fulfill debt obligations will be shared among fewer people.
This is the catastrophic position we are in.
Ball - for his part - will not stop Muskrat and conduct a forensic audit and truly examine all options. Muskrat has consumed him and many of his colleagues. Ball - instead - will hold out on making a decision - any decision - as is his norm. This will cost us - our province.
Williams is running around complaining about infrastructure St. John's is "unfairly" imposing on him - and taking potshots at Dobbin - another "leader" of the business community.
Ball's biggest concern about seeking leadership, winning leadership, seeking elected office as the Premier - is whether or not the Townie big corporate community would accept him and take him seriously. He is working extremely hard to win their approval.
In my opinion - Williams for his part is unwilling to accept criticism - of any type and will parade around like a litigation happy snapping turtle.
The current crop of MHA's and. Ministers are primarily incompetent as it relates to policy areas such as energy, education, and health - to name but a few.
The government backbenchers are as probing as our media was during the Muskrat cheer-leading days.
The Official Opposition is in free-fall having promoted and backed the Muskrat fiasco - including Kent who opportunistically found another source of grand public servant pay - as leadership hopes or return to Ministerial prominence was fading like the caplin stock. Leadership potential is about as good as chicken left on the counter for 2 days.
The NDP is nowhere in sight - as it finishes its dismantling to start anew. Now that the union workers have completed a fair chunk of the Muskrat fiasco - it might be okay now to throw out a few jabs.
The Danny dominoes were lined up when the Liberals took power - and the dominoes are now falling quickly after Dwight pushed the first one.
As I said in my last post - time is NOT on our side.
The domino affect for Newfoundland and Labrador of this disastrous, ill-conceived, potentially corrupt project is astounding.
1. the astronomical debt burden on taxpayers and ratepayers
2. the questionable engineering to date on the project
3. the unquestionable loss of population that will occur
4. the unquestionable decimation of disposable income for a significant percentage of people
5. the unquestionable destruction of small/medium sized businesses relying on disposable income
6. the unquestionable increase in unemployment (already at third world levels)
7. the unquestionable reduction in essential services - as government seeks to find savings
8. the unquestionable increase in poverty - particularly seniors on fixed income and children
9. the unquestionable rise in taxation that will have to be introduced should energy subsidies occur
10. the unquestionable giveaway of more resources to try an offset 1-9 above
This project will be successful as the driving factor for out-migration and those remaining will have to shop at Costco or Walmart to survive - thereby eliminating and NL or even Canadian company existence.
Many of our abnormally high aging population will be left here as their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren move to more economically stable province, States or countries.
Rural Newfoundland and Labrador will be decimated at a greater pace.
Health care, education, and social safety nets will not be maintainable at today's level - let alone advance.
Crime, drug addictions, and suicides will - in my opinion - be on the rise.
Meanwhile the fat-cats will be enjoying the wealth attained through the destruction of our province.
The fat-cats don't care - for the most part that's why they're fat-cats.
More seniors homes and long-term care will be needed as they cannot live at home with assistance from their children (who are gone) - yet there is no money to do this.
As younger taxpayers/ratepayers leave Newfoundland and Labrador the taxation and revenue needed to fulfill debt obligations will be shared among fewer people.
This is the catastrophic position we are in.
Ball - for his part - will not stop Muskrat and conduct a forensic audit and truly examine all options. Muskrat has consumed him and many of his colleagues. Ball - instead - will hold out on making a decision - any decision - as is his norm. This will cost us - our province.
Williams is running around complaining about infrastructure St. John's is "unfairly" imposing on him - and taking potshots at Dobbin - another "leader" of the business community.
Ball's biggest concern about seeking leadership, winning leadership, seeking elected office as the Premier - is whether or not the Townie big corporate community would accept him and take him seriously. He is working extremely hard to win their approval.
In my opinion - Williams for his part is unwilling to accept criticism - of any type and will parade around like a litigation happy snapping turtle.
The current crop of MHA's and. Ministers are primarily incompetent as it relates to policy areas such as energy, education, and health - to name but a few.
The government backbenchers are as probing as our media was during the Muskrat cheer-leading days.
The Official Opposition is in free-fall having promoted and backed the Muskrat fiasco - including Kent who opportunistically found another source of grand public servant pay - as leadership hopes or return to Ministerial prominence was fading like the caplin stock. Leadership potential is about as good as chicken left on the counter for 2 days.
The NDP is nowhere in sight - as it finishes its dismantling to start anew. Now that the union workers have completed a fair chunk of the Muskrat fiasco - it might be okay now to throw out a few jabs.
The Danny dominoes were lined up when the Liberals took power - and the dominoes are now falling quickly after Dwight pushed the first one.
As I said in my last post - time is NOT on our side.
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Dear Premier - do you see the red flags? Forensic Audit
A forensic audit is the process of reviewing a person's or company's
financial statements to determine if they are accurate and lawful.
Monday, August 28, 2017
Nalcor bonuses - reflective of arrogance
The latest round of Nalcor executive bonuses is reflective of the arrogance of our elected officials.
The province can stop these bonuses from occurring but have not.
This province is virtually bankrupt from the Muskrat Falls fiasco - and we the ratepayers, shareholders and taxpayers cannot afford these ludicrous insulting bonuses.
In my opinion - the Premier and the CEO of Nalcor are testing our resolve. They are testing the waters for what we will stand for and if we are willing to pull the plug on their stupidity and arrogance.
If we accept these bonuses - will we also sit like little lambs as the power bills soar?
Will we continue to demand a forensic audit?
There is not a truly reasonable consideration that would allow Gil Bennett and other executives to receive a reward for "performance".
Speak up now and be heard. What are you waiting for? The doubling of your power bill? The loss of another 40,000 people? The loss of your job?
If we were to implement the real costs of Muskrat on our bill now - would that make you stand up? I think Con O'Brien might be on to something when he says - put it on our bill now. In that way the following generations (if there are any left here) would not be paying for our mess. Perhaps if it was on our power bill now - you and everybody else would hit the streets in protest.
Right now - we should be demanding the retraction of these absurd bonuses - and force the government to take some action.
Call your MHA and say - no bonuses for Nalcor and demand a forensic audit immediately. Tell them your vote depends on what they do right now - today.
TO CONTACT YOUR MHA CLICK HERE
If we wait for Muskrat to be history - we won't be studying it in Newfoundland and Labrador - we won't exist.
The province can stop these bonuses from occurring but have not.
This province is virtually bankrupt from the Muskrat Falls fiasco - and we the ratepayers, shareholders and taxpayers cannot afford these ludicrous insulting bonuses.
In my opinion - the Premier and the CEO of Nalcor are testing our resolve. They are testing the waters for what we will stand for and if we are willing to pull the plug on their stupidity and arrogance.
If we accept these bonuses - will we also sit like little lambs as the power bills soar?
Will we continue to demand a forensic audit?
There is not a truly reasonable consideration that would allow Gil Bennett and other executives to receive a reward for "performance".
Speak up now and be heard. What are you waiting for? The doubling of your power bill? The loss of another 40,000 people? The loss of your job?
If we were to implement the real costs of Muskrat on our bill now - would that make you stand up? I think Con O'Brien might be on to something when he says - put it on our bill now. In that way the following generations (if there are any left here) would not be paying for our mess. Perhaps if it was on our power bill now - you and everybody else would hit the streets in protest.
Right now - we should be demanding the retraction of these absurd bonuses - and force the government to take some action.
Call your MHA and say - no bonuses for Nalcor and demand a forensic audit immediately. Tell them your vote depends on what they do right now - today.
TO CONTACT YOUR MHA CLICK HERE
If we wait for Muskrat to be history - we won't be studying it in Newfoundland and Labrador - we won't exist.
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Continuing to fail our children
At what point do we - as a society - say - enough?
The history of child abuse in Newfoundland and Labrador is horrific.
The cover-ups at Mount Cashel, the inordinate number of times we witnessed "systemic failure", and the constant stories of our children being battered, tortured, molested and traumatized by foster parents, parents, priests, relatives, and strangers.
These precious little people, innocent, without a voice, without protection from society.
Pedophiles in every position of power and authority - having their pick of victims.
Please have a look into the sweet faces of one of your children, grandchildren, your niece or nephew - and try to imagine a so-called human-being harming them.
These predators need to go to prison and go to prison for a long time. Yet many of them are walking among us - they are living life freely as they take a child and crush their trust, their innocence, their life.
The "system" designed to protect them has failed over and over again.
It is time to terminate the employment of adults who through negligence, incompetence, or reprehensible lack of caring, allow these atrocities to occur.
It is time to create a fail-safe system.
Clearly policies and legislation have failed.
The voices of adults speaking out against, racism, gender bias, and inequalities of all sorts are strong, united, and get the attention of media on a daily basis. Yet virtually the only time we hear the voice of a child who is a victim of abuse is after the crime has been committed - and usually it is after multiple occurances.
A 12 year old girl impregnated by her adult caregiver twice and twice having an abortion!
If we can't do something to prevent this - then we are not fit to be called an advanced society.
Grown men - pretending to be boys - stalking young girls on the internet for their twisted pleasure while the community and family want to add that otherwise they are good people?
Little children being murdered by a parent - to spite another parent? Yes people this is the type of garbage walking our streets.
So politicians and bureaucrats - get your collective act together - and make certain our children are protected.
Fish policy, energy policy, forestry policy, health policy, tourism policy, education policy can all be damned if we cannot first find a way to make our children safe.
We have had Inquiries, reviews, panels of experts, and promises.
Enough of that crap - protect the children of our province. If you can't step aside, quit, hide your head somewhere out of it.
If a child is failed by the system - fire the system.
It is rather difficult to focus on all the economic turmoil, corruption, and boondoggles of our province when 12 year olds are whisked into a room for impregnation by an adult caregiver.
Does this turn your guts? It should. Please join me and demand a resolve to this. Let no other child suffer like this again.
No more excuses.
The history of child abuse in Newfoundland and Labrador is horrific.
The cover-ups at Mount Cashel, the inordinate number of times we witnessed "systemic failure", and the constant stories of our children being battered, tortured, molested and traumatized by foster parents, parents, priests, relatives, and strangers.
These precious little people, innocent, without a voice, without protection from society.
Pedophiles in every position of power and authority - having their pick of victims.
Please have a look into the sweet faces of one of your children, grandchildren, your niece or nephew - and try to imagine a so-called human-being harming them.
These predators need to go to prison and go to prison for a long time. Yet many of them are walking among us - they are living life freely as they take a child and crush their trust, their innocence, their life.
The "system" designed to protect them has failed over and over again.
It is time to terminate the employment of adults who through negligence, incompetence, or reprehensible lack of caring, allow these atrocities to occur.
It is time to create a fail-safe system.
Clearly policies and legislation have failed.
The voices of adults speaking out against, racism, gender bias, and inequalities of all sorts are strong, united, and get the attention of media on a daily basis. Yet virtually the only time we hear the voice of a child who is a victim of abuse is after the crime has been committed - and usually it is after multiple occurances.
A 12 year old girl impregnated by her adult caregiver twice and twice having an abortion!
If we can't do something to prevent this - then we are not fit to be called an advanced society.
Grown men - pretending to be boys - stalking young girls on the internet for their twisted pleasure while the community and family want to add that otherwise they are good people?
Little children being murdered by a parent - to spite another parent? Yes people this is the type of garbage walking our streets.
So politicians and bureaucrats - get your collective act together - and make certain our children are protected.
Fish policy, energy policy, forestry policy, health policy, tourism policy, education policy can all be damned if we cannot first find a way to make our children safe.
We have had Inquiries, reviews, panels of experts, and promises.
Enough of that crap - protect the children of our province. If you can't step aside, quit, hide your head somewhere out of it.
If a child is failed by the system - fire the system.
It is rather difficult to focus on all the economic turmoil, corruption, and boondoggles of our province when 12 year olds are whisked into a room for impregnation by an adult caregiver.
Does this turn your guts? It should. Please join me and demand a resolve to this. Let no other child suffer like this again.
No more excuses.
Monday, August 07, 2017
Ches Crosbie takes himself out of contention
And with one sentence - Ches Crosbie removed himself from being a potential Premier.
The sentence is found at his blog Press Here
"If you agree that we need an immediate forensic audit of Muskrat Falls so that we can be smarter with how we spend our resources on the remainder of the project,.."
Before this audit - he calls for is even complete - he determines that the project will be finished (just a question of how we spend our money for the remainder of the project).
Yes people of Newfoundland and Labrador generally our politicians believe we are that naive - that ignorant.
Raised in a house of politics will allow you to gain the special skill of siding both ways.
Crosbie's message is - he will order an audit - but in the same breath he concludes regardless of the findings we will finish the project.
Message to labour, message to Tories, and most importantly a message to the corporate elite.
Unless that position is changed - Crosbie is the same old - same old.
The sentence is found at his blog Press Here
"If you agree that we need an immediate forensic audit of Muskrat Falls so that we can be smarter with how we spend our resources on the remainder of the project,.."
Before this audit - he calls for is even complete - he determines that the project will be finished (just a question of how we spend our money for the remainder of the project).
Yes people of Newfoundland and Labrador generally our politicians believe we are that naive - that ignorant.
Raised in a house of politics will allow you to gain the special skill of siding both ways.
Crosbie's message is - he will order an audit - but in the same breath he concludes regardless of the findings we will finish the project.
Message to labour, message to Tories, and most importantly a message to the corporate elite.
Unless that position is changed - Crosbie is the same old - same old.
Wednesday, August 02, 2017
Proof that Emera is in control
Below is an excerpt from Emera's response to the Massachusetts Clean Energy RFP July 2017.
"Hydro-Québec’s current contractual access to energy from the Churchill
Falls facility, through arrangements with Nalcor, expires in 2041. As
the end of that contract draws closer, having Atlantic Link as an
additional large-scale transmission path creates options for
Massachusetts and the New England electricity system to secure
cost-effective clean energy, including supply originating at Churchill
Falls. Massachusetts has a unique opportunity to position the New England
electricity system for future optionality by choosing Atlantic Link
infrastructure in the 2017 Clean Energy RFP process."
So good to know that Emera is going to take the reigns of the Upper Churchill for the next generation of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
I wonder - should we expect CFLco to have something to say about this?
It also says: " Nalcor is currently constructing the 824 MW Muskrat Falls generating station (scheduled in-service date of 2020)."
Is this correct also?
Seems Emera has more information than the people of our province do.
Why not have a peek at what Emera has in store for us. It is Emera that is running our energy system. I think Emera may be running the whole works. Of course we can't stop Muskrat "Premier" Ball - Emera won't let you.
I plan to contact the Massachusetts Clean Energy group and give them our side of the story. What Emera is saying is simply inaccurate or WE the people don't have a clue as to what's going on.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Protect our children - Stop the predators
A story in the Telegram this week reminds us all - once again - that predators continue to threaten our children and that the current system of punishment fails to deter them.
In this particular case a former Tim Horton's franchisee was in court "for the first part of his sentencing hearing on charges of possession of child pornography and unlawfully luring a child (under 18) by means of a computer system."
The former District Governor for the Lions Club is hardly a model choice when the Lions Quest Program is to "Inform and Strengthen our Youth".
This "man" (deviant) plead guilty to possessing child pornography and luring a child under 18 - in this case an 11 year old girl.
He asked for and received sexually explicit photos of the child and sent pictures of an adult male penis to her. They also had online conversations with many sexual references.
The Crown lawyer asked for a sentence of 18-24 months that "his name be placed on the National Sex Offender Registry for life, that he be subject to a firearms prohibition for five years, be placed on probation for three years and a Section 161 order imposed that would place limits on him having contact with anyone under 16."
The lawyer for the child predator suggested a "lighter sentence" of 15 months, "a two-year period of probation and that a general no-contact order with youth is not needed. If it is ordered, he asked that it include an exception to allow contact with his grandchildren.He also disagreed with the firearms prohibition and the length of time on the sex offender designation."
Oral Clarke's (predator) actions apparently had "already cost him greatly". He lost his Tim Horton's relationship, was booted from the Lions and people are "treating him different". This his lawyer suggested would "help achieve the sentencing principles of deterrence and denunciation."
Let's look at this suggestion and determine the reality of the situation.
Oral Clarke was a successful business person with significant social standing in the community at large. Despite this Oral Clarke decided to lure an 11 year old girl via the internet. He decided his desire to see an 11 year old girl's vagina and breasts and his desire to show an 11 year old girl an adult male penis was okay.
Oral Clarke knew full well what he was doing was criminal and extremely harmful to a child, he knew his actions would be extremely harmful to his family, business, and social organizations he was involved in.
Oral Clarke knew if he was caught - his material world would take a hit and his family would also be victims. Oral Clarke knew he was deliberately and knowingly harming a child. His sick perverted desires outweighed all else. He satisfied his deviant need to violate an innocent child.
Clarke said he "realized the foolishness of his actions". The fact that he made such a statement demonstrates how trivial he finds his behavior. Foolishness is "lack of good sense or judgment; stupidity". We are reminded by the definition how all of us may have behaved foolishly in the past or in our youth. Clarke's behavior was not "foolishness" it was deviant, criminal, predatory, and beyond the comprehension of most human beings.
In order to protect our children - we must force ourselves to look seriously at how Oral Clarke and other child predators think. Despite the disgusting nature of the crime - we must force ourselves to talk about it and deal with our legislators with regard to punishment and deterrence.
If knowing you would lose your business, your social standing, and perhaps all of your family was not a deterrent for Oral Clarke - then 15-24 months in jail won't deter him.
The problem is that thinking about such crimes is so abhorrent - most of us try to erase the fact we've ever read it.
It is important to note that Clarke's lawyer also suggested "that a general no-contact order with youth is not needed. If it is ordered, he asked that it include an exception to allow contact with his grandchildren."
If the Court were to except the order as it relates to his grandchildren - it might be knowingly placing children in harms way. If the parents of the children were actually willing to give Oral Clarke access to them - they need to be protected from themselves and the court should ensure that.
Oral Clarke has no doubt victimized many people whom he claims to love and care about - but Oral Clarke was only ever interested in himself and satisfying his twisted need to sexually exploit a child.
The police did their work and now society (lawyers, judges, legislators, and citizens) need to do ours. We need to do whatever we must to truly punish and deter these predators. This means our MHA's and MP's must be guided to adjust sentencing to truly reflect the crime and to more assuredly deter the predator.
Think of it this way. One morning Oral Clarke woke up and decided what he needed was to lure an 11 year old girl to satisfy his deviant and criminal mind. He then proceeded to find one, lure one, and exploit one. Wrap your head around those thoughts - it's not possible. The children need to be permanently protected from Oral Clarke and other predators. Make sure the sentence protects children and has nothing to do with Oral Clarke's personal or business losses. If it were your child what would you want the sentence to be?
In this particular case a former Tim Horton's franchisee was in court "for the first part of his sentencing hearing on charges of possession of child pornography and unlawfully luring a child (under 18) by means of a computer system."
The former District Governor for the Lions Club is hardly a model choice when the Lions Quest Program is to "Inform and Strengthen our Youth".
This "man" (deviant) plead guilty to possessing child pornography and luring a child under 18 - in this case an 11 year old girl.
He asked for and received sexually explicit photos of the child and sent pictures of an adult male penis to her. They also had online conversations with many sexual references.
The Crown lawyer asked for a sentence of 18-24 months that "his name be placed on the National Sex Offender Registry for life, that he be subject to a firearms prohibition for five years, be placed on probation for three years and a Section 161 order imposed that would place limits on him having contact with anyone under 16."
The lawyer for the child predator suggested a "lighter sentence" of 15 months, "a two-year period of probation and that a general no-contact order with youth is not needed. If it is ordered, he asked that it include an exception to allow contact with his grandchildren.He also disagreed with the firearms prohibition and the length of time on the sex offender designation."
Oral Clarke's (predator) actions apparently had "already cost him greatly". He lost his Tim Horton's relationship, was booted from the Lions and people are "treating him different". This his lawyer suggested would "help achieve the sentencing principles of deterrence and denunciation."
Let's look at this suggestion and determine the reality of the situation.
Oral Clarke was a successful business person with significant social standing in the community at large. Despite this Oral Clarke decided to lure an 11 year old girl via the internet. He decided his desire to see an 11 year old girl's vagina and breasts and his desire to show an 11 year old girl an adult male penis was okay.
Oral Clarke knew full well what he was doing was criminal and extremely harmful to a child, he knew his actions would be extremely harmful to his family, business, and social organizations he was involved in.
Oral Clarke knew if he was caught - his material world would take a hit and his family would also be victims. Oral Clarke knew he was deliberately and knowingly harming a child. His sick perverted desires outweighed all else. He satisfied his deviant need to violate an innocent child.
Clarke said he "realized the foolishness of his actions". The fact that he made such a statement demonstrates how trivial he finds his behavior. Foolishness is "lack of good sense or judgment; stupidity". We are reminded by the definition how all of us may have behaved foolishly in the past or in our youth. Clarke's behavior was not "foolishness" it was deviant, criminal, predatory, and beyond the comprehension of most human beings.
In order to protect our children - we must force ourselves to look seriously at how Oral Clarke and other child predators think. Despite the disgusting nature of the crime - we must force ourselves to talk about it and deal with our legislators with regard to punishment and deterrence.
If knowing you would lose your business, your social standing, and perhaps all of your family was not a deterrent for Oral Clarke - then 15-24 months in jail won't deter him.
The problem is that thinking about such crimes is so abhorrent - most of us try to erase the fact we've ever read it.
It is important to note that Clarke's lawyer also suggested "that a general no-contact order with youth is not needed. If it is ordered, he asked that it include an exception to allow contact with his grandchildren."
If the Court were to except the order as it relates to his grandchildren - it might be knowingly placing children in harms way. If the parents of the children were actually willing to give Oral Clarke access to them - they need to be protected from themselves and the court should ensure that.
Oral Clarke has no doubt victimized many people whom he claims to love and care about - but Oral Clarke was only ever interested in himself and satisfying his twisted need to sexually exploit a child.
The police did their work and now society (lawyers, judges, legislators, and citizens) need to do ours. We need to do whatever we must to truly punish and deter these predators. This means our MHA's and MP's must be guided to adjust sentencing to truly reflect the crime and to more assuredly deter the predator.
Think of it this way. One morning Oral Clarke woke up and decided what he needed was to lure an 11 year old girl to satisfy his deviant and criminal mind. He then proceeded to find one, lure one, and exploit one. Wrap your head around those thoughts - it's not possible. The children need to be permanently protected from Oral Clarke and other predators. Make sure the sentence protects children and has nothing to do with Oral Clarke's personal or business losses. If it were your child what would you want the sentence to be?
 |
| This is Oral Clarke (Telegram Photo) |
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