Peter Penashue provides Proof PM Lies

Stephen Harper is a liar. The question therefore is how often does he lie?

Second Stephen Harper is a poor judge of character. The question therefore is how many other rogue partisans have been appointed?

Lastly Stephen Harper is either corrupt or incompetent. The question therefore is how much will Canada lose and Canadians suffer before we determine which it is?

Newfoundland and Labrador just completed a Federal byelection. The election was precipitated by the resignation of Federal Cabinet Minister, Peter Penashue. He resigned due to significant election financing irregularities. These irregularities violated the law. They were serious infractions and had the potential of skewing voting results.

Mr. Harper addressing his caucus today said - in part:

Our Federal Accountability Act, the toughest accountability legislation in the history of this country, forever changed the way business is done in Ottawa. We have strengthened the powers of the Auditor General, toughened the office of the Ethics Commissioner, reformed political party financing, dramatically tightened lobbying rules and beefed up auditing and accountability within government departments.

Canada now has one of the most accountable and transparent systems of governance in the entire world and this is something Canadians are rightly proud of.

It is also something, colleagues, that we can never take for granted because, as I said, in fact as I said in the room across the Hall in the fall of 2005 when we first pledged to bring in the Federal Accountability Act, I said this: “No government will be perfect because none of us are perfect. We cannot dream a system so perfect that no one will have to be good.”

Therefore, just as we continue to toughen rules, we must also uphold a culture of accountability. And I know that the people in this room have. We have reduced our budgets and travel as a government. We are the caucus that finally bit the bullet and reformed the MP pension plan so that we will pay our fair share.

And I know that, like me and my family, you are scrupulous about paying expenses of a personal nature yourselves.

But, that said, let me repeat something else I said in that same speech in 2005 — and let me be very blunt about it.

Anyone – anyone who wants to use public office for their own benefit should make other plans or, better yet, leave this room. (emphasis added)

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He had every opportunity to do that with disgraced Cabinet Minister Peter Penashue. Peter Penashue was handily defeated by Liberal Opponent - now MP - Yvonne Jones. After Penashue resigned, Harper continued to hold Penashue out as "the best MP that Labrador has ever had". Minister Peter MacKay visited the riding and informed voters that Peter Penashue was guaranteed a Cabinet post if he was re-elected.

Making the above all the more disgusting was Penashue's comments after his loss: "In my view Labrador lost".

So just a month has passed and Harper wants us to believe that he is disgusted with some members of the Senate and people in his own office.

Proof positive - Stephen Harper is a liar.

The Prime Minister wants Canadians and his caucus to forget all this and get back to more important business. After refusing to take questions from the media (accountability) - he dashed to catch a flight to Peru. Before boarding the place - he turned - smiled - and waved.

And Peter - well he has unknowingly provided proof that the Prime Minister lies. Either he was lying about Penashue or he was lying about his commitment to Canadians. 

Has SNC Lavalin got Muskrat by the Tail?

On the heels of more bribery and corruption allegations against SNC-Lavalin and particularly as related to design and management of "mega projects" - it is unconscionable and frankly stupid not to get complete information on the Muskrat Falls project.

I no longer care about "proprietary information" - I care as a shareholder and as a ratepayer.

The project should be stopped - and each and every component of the deal between Emera and Nalcor needs to be examined. Further SNC Lavalin's role in the project should be audited completely.

We need to know if the code "PCC" or "CC" exist as it relates to the Muskrat deal.

This Quebec company - is rotting from the outside in - and we do not need additional history of rot in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Kathy Dunderdale and Co. have shown they can be inept in matters of law and contracts and we must not let another 3 generations of our people suffer the consequences of either corruption or incompetence.

I need to know that public officials cannot and have not been bribed. I need to know who specifically is becoming rich on this project. I need to know who is driving it.

As yet another set of polls (the British Columbia election) goes up in smoke - nothing has convinced me that people in our province want or believe in this project.

Has the ambidextrous octopus swallowed the Cabinet?

Blue Glare and Cover-ups

The Confederation building is presenting itself these days as a reflection of the current government.

There's the blue glare from the new glass - precisely the look one gets when one criticizes the government. What's not a blue glare is shrouded, covered up, or tarped. Certainly a reflection of Bill 29 and the rest of the information you and I can't see as the taxpayers and citizens of the province.

First of all the building could have been reno'd keeping the same style and colours but - no - that sense of importance has been wiped clean.

This business of companies cutting deals with government and crown corps like Nalcor - in a shroud of secrecy is unacceptable.

We are the shareholders, taxpayers, citizens - if you want to use our money then all information is on the table. Open and transparent! Stop allowing this "commercial sensitivity" excuse for not telling us the things we are entitled to know. Nobody is asking for their financial statements online - however a publicly traded company info is available. Do not confuse "commercial sensitivity" with "political sensitivity".

The hiding of this $90 million will not cut it. By the way backbenchers - who do you think you are? You think it's okay to keep information from the people who employ you?

It's time for MHA's to do what they are paid to do - represent the people. Don't tell us what we need or want - listen to what we need and want. Do not delude yourselves - like an overbearing adult - into thinking you know what's best for us. If that's your thought process then we need to do a more thorough screening before we vote.

How about like other corporate executive jobs which entail handling billions of dollars - do a drug test, submit to a polygraph and demonstrate your IQ.

It's time we put an end to the blue glare and cover-ups.

Loyola is Conflicted by the Conflict. Wanted - Unemployed Plant Workers

Is it possible for any of these people to remove themselves from the teat of taxpayer dollars or public resources?

Loyola does not believe he is in a conflict of interest - and - yep - I'm sure he doesn't. That's because he comes from a "fishing" family and community.

Come on people the Sullivan boys are only trying to keep themselves afloat. They are worried just like plant workers and fishers that they might not be able to pay the mortgage or help their children with college.

Come on people - remember all the good things Loyola accomplished as the most continuous sitting member on the Commission of Internal Economy. Look at the oversight. He sat there for years while our tax dollars were being fraudulently withdrawn by several of his colleagues - and he did not know or see a thing. In 2002 the Commission was offended by the Auditor General, Beth Marshall and a News Release in part stated,

The members of the Commission of Internal Economy are both surprised and disappointed by the report of the Auditor General with respect to her comments on the accountability of MHAs’ Constituency Allowances.
The Auditor General stated that she is unable to fulfill her responsibility under the Auditor General Act to complete the audit of payments made to members from public monies. The Auditor General has left the impression that the Auditor General Act and the Financial Administration Act have in some way been violated and that there is no accountability for members’district allowances. This is simply not true. An audit must take place. The Auditor General Act has not been violated.
 
Yes Loyola - and then you took a cushy position from Prime Minister Stephen the Liar - after just sitting in a provincial Cabinet under Danny Williams that deemed him untrustworthy and an enemy of Newfoundland and Labrador. But what the heck - right Loyola? A little lie here and there never hurt anybody. Reminds me about the time you were concerned that people would talk a little bit about your colleague Charlie Power - when he reneged on giving up one pension.

What is your thinking Loyola? Do the people owe you a living? Do they owe you natural resources to ship out as you please? You Loyola asking to ship out raw fish! You who turned purple in the face at the thought of one ounce of Voisey's Bay nickel leaving the province - unprocessed. Remember?

WANTED

A group of unemployed fisherman and plant workers to buy some fish quotas - real cheap - land at $300 dollars an acre - and to seek water rights on a few dozen rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador to dam off and produce power. Not hard to become a multi-millionaire if the deal is right. While we are waiting - let's pave a few kilometers over and over and over.

From the World's largest Democracy....

on a day when we continue to question whether there is political corruption in ours. Every now and then Sue's Blog hears from a unique visitor - who demonstrates the good the "age of the internet" has brought.

This wonderful ability to reach out globally and share ideas - culture - information - and good will.

It is therefore most timely that I received the following message yesterday.

We all know where the money went Sue- right into the pocket of the politicians of India. Corruption has become the norm in India now. That is why we have started www.purdafash.com to fight back. Please let me know in case you want to help us out

Regards,
Areeb


The money he is referring to is explained in a story covered by Sue's Blog in February called "SNC Lavalin and India caught up in corruption scandal"

When people from democracies speak up and work together - corporate and political corruption can be curtailed and sometimes even avoided. The company discussed in the India affair is SNC Lavelin - a company that may have future potential work on the Lower Churchill.

Why not visit Areeb at the purdafash blog or the purdafash site.