Showing posts with label stephen harper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stephen harper. Show all posts
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Public Inquiry - Demanding Truth to Power - The SNC Lavalin Affair
PART I Public Inquiries
Marginal note:Inquiry
2 The Governor in Council may, whenever the Governor in Council deems it expedient, cause inquiry to be made into and concerning any matter connected with the good government of Canada or the conduct of any part of the public business thereof.
R.S., c. I-13, s. 2.
Marginal note:Appointment of commissioners
3 Where an inquiry as described in section 2 is not regulated by any special law, the Governor in Council may, by a commission, appoint persons as commissioners by whom the inquiry shall be conducted.
R.S., c. I-13, s. 3.
Marginal note:Powers of commissioners concerning evidence
4 The commissioners have the power of summoning before them any witnesses, and of requiring them to
(a) give evidence, orally or in writing, and on oath or, if they are persons entitled to affirm in civil matters on solemn affirmation; and
(b) produce such documents and things as the commissioners deem requisite to the full investigation of the matters into which they are appointed to examine.
R.S., c. I-13, s. 4.
Marginal note:Idem, enforcement
5 The commissioners have the same power to enforce the attendance of witnesses and to compel them to give evidence as is vested in any court of record in civil cases.
__________________________________________________________________________________
It is important to reiterate: "cause inquiry to be made into and concerning any matter connected with the good government of Canada or the conduct of any part of the public business thereof.."
There is no doubt - regardless of any partisan viewpoint - that an Inquiry regarding the SNC debacle is a matter of "the good government of Canada".
Canadians - despite their political stripe are very concerned about the system of Justice in our country. They need to be reassured or otherwise advised that good government is what exists in Canada right now.
There is also a need for Canadians and in fact many parliamentarians to understand fully what our justice system looks like.
From an education perspective - an Inquiry could provide information through testimony written or oral to Canadians and many parliamentarians about the role of the Attorney General and the role of Minister of Justice. This piece alone would allow Canadians and our lawmakers a good foundation in order to review the roles and the benefits of having the roles separated.
This is evidenced by the ignorant remarks of many politicians, pundits, some journalists, and the Twitterati. Many are struggling to understand the difference in the two positions.
If the objective is to have a more engaged and participatory electorate - which all Parties say they are interested in achieving - an Inquiry on this affair would be very helpful.
Yesterday, when listening to the testimony by Jody Wilson-Raybould (hereinafter referred to as JWR) and the questions from some committee members I have no choice but to conclude they (some committee members) do not understand the roles of the AG and Minister of Justice. If I don't find they are ignorant - I must find they are playing partisan games with an extremely important issue for Canadians.
Subsequent to the testimony of JWR - I observed further juvenile attempts at making the former Attorney General appear as a rigid person with no sympathy for jobs and a Canadian company. Why not join with and cooperate with her colleagues in Cabinet? The fact that she cannot do that as the Attorney General does not seem to faze them. That represents an extreme disrespect for the Justice system and must not be tolerated - particularly by lawmakers.
Let's run it through this way. As Minister of Justice JWR would sit in the Cabinet room and participate in making decisions about changing laws - and referencing the SNC affair the change to the Criminal Code making Remediation agreements a "tool" for the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider and then perhaps offered to a company facing corporate corruption charges.
As the Attorney General - JWR's role was not that of Cabinet solidarity and reasoned consensus among equals.
The fact that the two roles are being used in a politically expedient way to justify twisting the story to Canadians is not acceptable. When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to answer all questions with "we are interested in protecting good jobs in Canada" - he is deliberately confusing the reality of what occurs during the process of Justice.
From JWR's testimony last evening, I got the distinct impression that she as Minister of Justice may not have agreed with her Cabinet colleagues in making the change to the Criminal Code - when they did. JWR may have taken exception to the haste in which the legislation was occurring - the manner in which it was presented (under a Budget Bill) and further the promise by her own party that the report on DPA's or RA's would be reviewed and time would be given under "Next Steps" for people to comment on the findings of the report. Instead the report was made public for Canadians to see and just five days later a law was drafted and presented in a Budget Bill. This is another example of Justin Trudeau's leadership and the desire to satisfy SNC instead of satisfying the need for good laws and how and when to utilize an RA. Hence why we might be hearing she was too rigid. If what I stated above is the case - JWR once again, made a good decision to slow down the process of changing the Criminal Code simply to satisfy one corporate entity.
I did find it remarkable that while JWR did support the Budget Omnibus Bill as a consolidated member of Cabinet - she was not out extolling the benefits of such a change.
It would be instructive for Canadians to hear what process was used to push through a change in the Criminal Code for potentiially corrupt corporations to escape prosecution. It would be instructive to know why the government reneged on its promise to review the consultation report on RA's DPA's and allow Canadians to comment further on the findings. This certainly leads one to believe that SNC Lavalin was getting preferred treatment even before the law was passed.
An Inquiry would also be very constructive with respect to Canada's global participation and agreement with conventions to deal with Corporate Crime worldwide - particularly in third world nations with emerging economies. There is a reason the World Bank has guidelines for companies - such as SNC Lavalin - for bidding on projects they are financing. There is a reason SNC Lavalin is under debarment by the World Bank. Further having been found in violation of these rules for procurement - SNC would be of concern to emerging economies and the safety of people living in them.
It is important for Canadians to know exactly what has gone on with SNC globally (where the majority of their "employees" work) and why the debarment occurred. It is equally important for Canadians to know why that matters to them and to the commitments made on behalf of our citizens by our government. An Inquiry could achieve this.
Then there are the outlying situations that should be reviewed by an independent body such as an Inquiry. They can call witnesses and it would be beneficial to Canadians if such were to occur.
Upon trying unsuccessfully many times to influence a decision of the Attorney General regarding SNC Lavalin - the government set upon finding another way to change the mind of the Attorney General. The government can and probably will change procurement policy to allow SNC the ability to bid on federal projects regardless of conviction or not. The bigger worry to SNC Lavalin and the majority of its work in the global marketplace is the debarment by the World Bank. In that regard SNC needed to keep its nose clean and if they were convicted by the courts in Canada of corporate crimes - additional penalties may apply.
An Inquiry would be able to examine and call witnesses regarding the miraculous event of Scott Brison retiring from politics thereby allowing a shuffle under less suspicious events. Even today the Prime Minister states that if Scott Brison had not resigned JWR would still be the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. In other words, it would not look so obvious that she was being removed for saying NO as the Attorney General. A quick note on Trudeau's insistance that JWR would still hold the portfolio - it does not jive with the smear campaign that she was rigid, incompetent, and difficult to deal with etc. Let's see what possibly could have happened to make this miraculous opportunity occur. Brison was clearly offered a prestigious position with BMO.
Please read the following:
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.
Kevin earned his BA from Mount Allison University, a Masters in Economics from the University of Manchester and a doctorate in Economics from McMaster University. He was made a Member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada in 2009, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2011, has received 11 honorary doctorates from Canadian Universities, and was awarded the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals for public service.
This CV alone can draw questions as to why an offer to Scott Brison ever occurred and particularly when it occurred.
Interestingly most media outlets and politicians will not delve into this side of things. After all the bankers hold a little bit of influence over them all.
An Inquiry could be very useful in vetting this occurrence and any role it may have played in the miraculous opportunity to shuffle Cabinet. It could sniff out any improper or potentially illegal interference by SNC in the governance of our country. Certainly, the past operations of SNC would lend credit to such interference being possible. They have proven the lengths they will go to get a desired result either in law or for a contract - both inside and outside Canada.
An Inquiry could review the lobbying efforts of a company while under criminal charges and look at real measures to ensure this type of activity is regulated to benefit the best interests of Canadians not SNC Lavalin or any other company in the same position.
Canadians are concerned about transparency and ethical behaviors in government. They are concerned about undue influence by powerful corporations and the people employed by them. They are concerned about the system of Justice and whether our system has the necessary protections to avoid negating the independence of Justice.
The fact that our country has been tied up by this messy SNC Lavalin for this long certainly adds to the need for a Public Inquiry and the clarity it could bring to the broader issues of law and independence of it.
With respect to the Ethics Commissioner and an investigation into these matters - it is limited in scope. It will not - because it cannot - look at the broad implications of interference. By all means carry on looking at ethics and potential conflicts of interest of parliamentarians and some staff - however this must be augmented by an Inquiry to fully review what has taken place here.
An Inquiry into these matters may produce a Shawcross like document - which for Canada and Canadians would be positive and be very relevant to Canadian laws and interpretation. This must only be seen as a good benefit that could be achieved from a very questionable affair.
Positively - an Inquiry may teach a very important lesson to parliamentarians. This sad sorry state of affairs may well have been avoided completely if Trudeau and his government took the transparent approach to SNC Lavalin and its plight. Trudeau's real problem is he was in large part elected because he was not Stephen Harper. He was going to shed light on our system, be transparent, be socially advanced with women in Cabinet and bringing equality to our system. He and his government could have come out and made a public case for DPR's or RA's - particularly for SNC - instead of some backroom deal attempt with the Attorney General and guaranteeing her good op-eds if she would be onside. SNC was not served well by this approach and they clearly believed that Trudeau et al would only respond to the dark backroom of lobbying and potential interference. His commitment to women has been destroyed by this approach - he is willing to throw a woman of integrity under the bus for having integrity and taking her role seriously. Once again the irony exudes as Trudeau uses the words "we take seriously" in his spin lines of preference.
Finally - unless Trudeau removes the gag from JWR - allowing her to continue to provide Canadians the remaining information since her departure from Justice and AG - the Public Inquiry could get to the bottom of that relevant information.
All one has to do is to watch the concerns of Canadians on this matter - to agree there is a need for a Public Inquiry. The Prime Minister of Canada could make this happen and prove his commitment to transparency and the rule of law.
What could possibly be negative about a Public Inquiry unless - you know of course - the findings would be horrific. How about we demand truth to power.
Monday, September 25, 2017
How Trudeau may lose the next election?
There is a poll out today by Forum Poll that actually has the Conservative Party of Canada ahead of the Trudeau Liberals - this despite the unknown entity of Andrew Scheer as the CPC leader.
It shows many Canadians moving back to the Conservatives. After the Stephen Harper debacle - that's not a desirable prospect.
The Trudeau Liberals are defining themselves as ultra-tolerant socially while moving themselves to fiscal conservatives with policies regarding trade deals, pipelines, and big (foreign) corporations. They have also taken a page out of Harper's book - by ignoring their promise to end the First Past the Post system.
This combination will probably fail in the next election if not corrected - quickly.
Canadians on majority are a very tolerant lot and we do live in a multi-cultural country. But there are feelings of angst within the population - and feelings that we are being too tolerant.
Some of this is coming from the diametrically opposed positions of protecting human rights socially - while continuing to deal with Saudi Arabia and other religious states for business purposes.
In Canada our government is not run on a religious platform. In fact Trudeau comes from a perspective that religion is a personal choice and is a freedom.
The story regarding Saudi Arabia funding schools in Canada though presents a real problem. It is a foreign government which is run on the basis that Sunni-Islam is the state religion. Their laws are dictated by religion. When money from that country is being used to expand and run an Islamic private school in Ottawa - people begin to question what the outcome of that may be. Schools in Canada should be funded within Canada.
There are already disputes in Canada regarding the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the freedom of religious beliefs. For instance will Sharia Law be allowed in circumstances regarding that faith (marriage, divorce, ans infidelity as an example) and if that will replace in those circumstances Canadian Law. This is true of other religions as well.
Then there are situations like the one witnessed in Quebec where a woman was denied a day in court because she was wearing a Hijab. Although a Superior Court found the Judge erred - the Court would not grant that all cases would end up with the same result.
What of - equality for women? This becomes very complex even on the global level. In all cultures and most religions there is room for complaint regarding the inequality of women.
In Canada - Trudeau has made it a very public cause to ensure that women are equally represented in Parliament and all Canadian institutions - yet at the same time feeling very comfortable with religious leaders/heads of State who do not practice or believe in the same.
For as far back as history takes us - women defined by religions - have not been equal. The cause of equality for women has been and continues to be a struggle. The same is not true of men. Men are not fighting backwards all the time - religion always places them ahead of women in some way or another.
It used to be that Canada had ongoing debates on equalization, transfer payments to provinces, universal healthcare, democratic reform, debts and deficits, indigenous peoples, and the woes of Confederation. Nowadays much of parliament is tied up with the rights of one religious group or another, immigration from Muslim countries, the Hijab, freedom of speech versus what is hate, and how to balance the rights of women versus the cultural rights of women.
On the fiscal side - all is wide open. If it's good for Canadian business - we will deal, trade, and cooperate with countries that continue to execute based on sexual preference, countries that continue to treat women as property, countries that restrict freedom of speech and the press, countries that have and do fund terrorist organizations, and countries that continue to run under a dictatorship.
This is causing Canadians to rethink - this is driving Canadians back to an extreme on the social far-right.
We have just witnessed an insurgence of support for the extreme-right party in Germany and we all know what happened in the USA.
When Capitalist countries are attracted to wealth - and a dictatorship offers them an ability to increase wealth - potential social consequences may not be that attractive.
Canada is a tolerant nation - but now our people are worried that it might become intolerant if religious views and practices of other religious states become too influential in our society.
Pierre Trudeau once said:
‘There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation’
likewise
Religious states have no place in the Parliament of Canada.
The younger Trudeau must deal with this sooner rather than later. If not the next election may already be lost.
The younger Trudeau must focus on real democratic reform, a balanced economic agenda, equalization, healthcare for an aging population, federal/provincial relations, problems with trade deals that put corporations ahead of people, the environment, employment and manufacturing, and in Newfoundland and Labrador, Muskrat Falls, the fishery, Search and Rescue, and Federal jobs and establishing a Crown Corporation in our province.
Democracy is about what people want - what they want their country to be - priorities regarding social programs and economic development - advancing human rights - and positively reinforcing democratic principles and enhancing them. It is not about the promotion of any religion, the contortions required to being seen as tolerant (we are tolerant), the hypocritical business dealings with countries that are not democratic and do not protect basic human rights, the attraction of bloodsucking multinational companies at all costs and not about the personal agendas of politicians.
The fact that any scientific poll puts Andrew Scheer and the CPC close - let alone ahead of the Liberals is something that should open some Parliamentarian eyes. Please reflect and do not place us right back with Stephen Harper and his buddies.
It shows many Canadians moving back to the Conservatives. After the Stephen Harper debacle - that's not a desirable prospect.
The Trudeau Liberals are defining themselves as ultra-tolerant socially while moving themselves to fiscal conservatives with policies regarding trade deals, pipelines, and big (foreign) corporations. They have also taken a page out of Harper's book - by ignoring their promise to end the First Past the Post system.
This combination will probably fail in the next election if not corrected - quickly.
Canadians on majority are a very tolerant lot and we do live in a multi-cultural country. But there are feelings of angst within the population - and feelings that we are being too tolerant.
Some of this is coming from the diametrically opposed positions of protecting human rights socially - while continuing to deal with Saudi Arabia and other religious states for business purposes.
In Canada our government is not run on a religious platform. In fact Trudeau comes from a perspective that religion is a personal choice and is a freedom.
The story regarding Saudi Arabia funding schools in Canada though presents a real problem. It is a foreign government which is run on the basis that Sunni-Islam is the state religion. Their laws are dictated by religion. When money from that country is being used to expand and run an Islamic private school in Ottawa - people begin to question what the outcome of that may be. Schools in Canada should be funded within Canada.
There are already disputes in Canada regarding the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the freedom of religious beliefs. For instance will Sharia Law be allowed in circumstances regarding that faith (marriage, divorce, ans infidelity as an example) and if that will replace in those circumstances Canadian Law. This is true of other religions as well.
Then there are situations like the one witnessed in Quebec where a woman was denied a day in court because she was wearing a Hijab. Although a Superior Court found the Judge erred - the Court would not grant that all cases would end up with the same result.
What of - equality for women? This becomes very complex even on the global level. In all cultures and most religions there is room for complaint regarding the inequality of women.
In Canada - Trudeau has made it a very public cause to ensure that women are equally represented in Parliament and all Canadian institutions - yet at the same time feeling very comfortable with religious leaders/heads of State who do not practice or believe in the same.
For as far back as history takes us - women defined by religions - have not been equal. The cause of equality for women has been and continues to be a struggle. The same is not true of men. Men are not fighting backwards all the time - religion always places them ahead of women in some way or another.
It used to be that Canada had ongoing debates on equalization, transfer payments to provinces, universal healthcare, democratic reform, debts and deficits, indigenous peoples, and the woes of Confederation. Nowadays much of parliament is tied up with the rights of one religious group or another, immigration from Muslim countries, the Hijab, freedom of speech versus what is hate, and how to balance the rights of women versus the cultural rights of women.
On the fiscal side - all is wide open. If it's good for Canadian business - we will deal, trade, and cooperate with countries that continue to execute based on sexual preference, countries that continue to treat women as property, countries that restrict freedom of speech and the press, countries that have and do fund terrorist organizations, and countries that continue to run under a dictatorship.
This is causing Canadians to rethink - this is driving Canadians back to an extreme on the social far-right.
We have just witnessed an insurgence of support for the extreme-right party in Germany and we all know what happened in the USA.
When Capitalist countries are attracted to wealth - and a dictatorship offers them an ability to increase wealth - potential social consequences may not be that attractive.
Canada is a tolerant nation - but now our people are worried that it might become intolerant if religious views and practices of other religious states become too influential in our society.
Pierre Trudeau once said:
‘There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation’
likewise
Religious states have no place in the Parliament of Canada.
The younger Trudeau must deal with this sooner rather than later. If not the next election may already be lost.
The younger Trudeau must focus on real democratic reform, a balanced economic agenda, equalization, healthcare for an aging population, federal/provincial relations, problems with trade deals that put corporations ahead of people, the environment, employment and manufacturing, and in Newfoundland and Labrador, Muskrat Falls, the fishery, Search and Rescue, and Federal jobs and establishing a Crown Corporation in our province.
Democracy is about what people want - what they want their country to be - priorities regarding social programs and economic development - advancing human rights - and positively reinforcing democratic principles and enhancing them. It is not about the promotion of any religion, the contortions required to being seen as tolerant (we are tolerant), the hypocritical business dealings with countries that are not democratic and do not protect basic human rights, the attraction of bloodsucking multinational companies at all costs and not about the personal agendas of politicians.
The fact that any scientific poll puts Andrew Scheer and the CPC close - let alone ahead of the Liberals is something that should open some Parliamentarian eyes. Please reflect and do not place us right back with Stephen Harper and his buddies.
Friday, November 06, 2015
1st days of PM Trudeau reveals one critical weakness
On September 27th 2012 - Sue's Blog predicted that Justin Trudeau would be the next Prime Minister.
There were 20 reasons given for this call - some of which dealt directly with who I thought Trudeau was and where he came from.
What that post did not deal with were possible weaknesses. I believe the stated strengths noted in the 2012 post are proving to have merit and now we need to look at what weaknesses are there and how Trudeau can rise to strengthen them.
As a public figure - I like the way he carries himself and that will reflect on Canada and her people as a whole. I do not know him personally and perhaps never will. Some federal Liberal Party stalwarts remain and they will not find memories of my criticisms in the past pleasant. Be that as it may - Trudeau is a new leader and a new Prime Minister - I can neither judge him by his colleagues nor of ever-present partisans who reside in all parties.
I am a Canadian citizen and I like to participate - usually causing politicians to avoid rather than engage. This unfortunately dismisses real and valid points and policy suggestions that I and others like me have. Trudeau will be faced with many people like me and it will be instructional to see how he and his Cabinet respond. I hold out hope that this leader will draw from society - will seek to listen with non-partisan ears - and truly unite Canadians.
The election win was a combination of people wanting to get rid of Harper and of choosing the alternative that provided the most potential.
There is no doubt that when Tom Mulcair listened to or participated in the decision to attack Trudeau versus choosing to raise his profile from Opposition leader to the nations Prime Minister - he and the NDP lost. Conversely when Trudeau and his team chose to take the road of answering critics head on by offering reasoned, calm, and modern thinking - he lead the party to victory.
The media - in their usual - deer in headlights response to an unexpected result - chattered and giggled about how the Niqab killed the NDP. Not only was that wrong - it was illogical. Trudeau took the same position on the Niqab as Mulcair - yet took ownership of Quebec.
Journalists on the Hill had bought into the "just not ready" theatrics which helped in their defence of propaganda coverage dictated by Stephen Harper. The five questions - no follow up rule was juvenile and mainstream media sucked it up in an equally juvenile and unprofessional manner. Andrew Coyne's very public sulking at the end of the campaign - added fuel to the fire that they all had bosses to listen to. Then in a very apparent/non-transparent way - we were all left to pity them.
Now the media floodgates are open - they are all over Trudeau and his Cabinet. Tripping and giggling at their regained power. The very same day - they failed to scrum Harper and let Rona Ambrose control the number of questions permitted.
Canada is a geographically large and culturally diverse nation. Our confederation continues to be challenged by obvious problems that politicians have yet to address - let alone improve. If and when a leader has the courage to deal with these problems - our confederation may permanently remove the threat to separate by any province.
On Wednesday I watched the Cabinet unfold with millions of other Canadians. For the most part I believe Trudeau ticked most of the important boxes and as he said "it is 2015". Gender equality in Parliament is important and there was no reason based on qualifications - that it should not have been achieved. There was also a great representation of age and experience. New ideas versus tried and true policy will provide great debate at the Cabinet table.
In all the newness that is Justin Trudeau - in all the forward looking that is Justin Trudeau there remains an antiquated view of regional representation in Cabinet. It is the final bastion of Upper and Lower Canada. It can be argued that we got Harper because the West (primarily the prairies) wanted in and they seen the Reform/Alliance as the way to get there.
If there is any such thing as "Old Stock Canadian" thinking it is geographic not racist and it is most assuredly the position that Ontario and Quebec are the most important pieces of geography in the country and also the most needy people when it comes to Cabinet placements.
We are a confederation of provinces - joined to form a Country based on common interests. All MP's are concerned with homelessness, affordable housing, health care, education, justice, transportation, taxation, security, and sovereignty - therefore all are representatives of these fundamentals. Cabinet should be utilized to deal with regional issues. This should not be based on population but rather on geography, assets, and particular needs.
If Ontario's focus is on the auto sector, banking, transit, manufacturing, and immigration - surely five competent MP's placed into Cabinet should be able to represent this. Likewise with all provinces and the North. A combination of population, geography, industrial sectors and cultural issues should be at the forefront of Cabinet appointments.
If we cannot have an equal, elected, and effective Senate - we must certainly strive to level the Cabinet playing field.
If Ontario has 11 Cabinet members to represent its interests there is no doubt that policy direction will favour that province. Quebec holding 6 posts and the Prime Minister means it has plenty of people to speak. 18 of 31 Ministers held by Upper and Lower Canada means that economic growth, population growth, and social growth will be dominated by these provinces. The fact that mainstream media - more often that not - refers to Atlantic Canada, Western Canada, Territories, Ontario and Quebec when describing our country demonstrates the real problem in identity and regional preferences in our country.
By reducing Ontario and Quebec's representation in Cabinet to 10 from 18 - would allow all provinces and the Territories to at least have 2 Cabinet posts. This better reflects Canada and its confederation.
This is a weakness in Trudeau. He needs to look outside the population box to unite the provinces and territories in a real partnership. It is outdated, regressive, and divisive - it must be corrected. If 8 provinces and 3 Territories feel a Cabinet direction is favouring the growth of Quebec and Ontario at the cost of the other 11 then real action could be taken.
The real and obnoxious attention to Quebec and Ontario was most recently witnessed in the election. All leaders with the exception of Elizabeth May (who concentrated efforts in BC) doted on the neediness of Upper and Lower Canada. It is time for real leadership on this most troubling and chronic problem.
If Canada continues to govern itself based on the preservation, growth, and dominance of 2 provinces we will cease to be a real confederation.
British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the North are the sea borders of our country and are bountiful in natural ocean resources. These resources being owned and managed by the federal government is absolutely wrong and patently unfair. More than this - Cabinets dominated by central Canadian MP's have either neglected or mismanaged these resources at a unfathomable loss to the affected populations.
The fishery, oil and gas, and search and rescue assets have been crucified by Cabinets dominated by people who have no clue about them or real interest in the fall-out of critical errors. The House of Commons - dictated to by population representation - can kill a small province with one vote.
For all the modern and youthful thinking of the new Prime Minister - Justin Trudeau demonstrated significant weakness in the area of Cabinet representation. Ironically 5 of the 36 seats held by the Liberals were from Newfoundland and Labrador. We represented 1/7th of what they had. What are we now?
If somebody does not deal with the inequalities in Cabinet representation and provinces continue to suffer losses in population growth, economics, and industry - there will come a time when people want out not in.
I wait to see if our new Prime Minister recognizes and then attempts to deal with this.
There were 20 reasons given for this call - some of which dealt directly with who I thought Trudeau was and where he came from.
What that post did not deal with were possible weaknesses. I believe the stated strengths noted in the 2012 post are proving to have merit and now we need to look at what weaknesses are there and how Trudeau can rise to strengthen them.
As a public figure - I like the way he carries himself and that will reflect on Canada and her people as a whole. I do not know him personally and perhaps never will. Some federal Liberal Party stalwarts remain and they will not find memories of my criticisms in the past pleasant. Be that as it may - Trudeau is a new leader and a new Prime Minister - I can neither judge him by his colleagues nor of ever-present partisans who reside in all parties.
I am a Canadian citizen and I like to participate - usually causing politicians to avoid rather than engage. This unfortunately dismisses real and valid points and policy suggestions that I and others like me have. Trudeau will be faced with many people like me and it will be instructional to see how he and his Cabinet respond. I hold out hope that this leader will draw from society - will seek to listen with non-partisan ears - and truly unite Canadians.
The election win was a combination of people wanting to get rid of Harper and of choosing the alternative that provided the most potential.
There is no doubt that when Tom Mulcair listened to or participated in the decision to attack Trudeau versus choosing to raise his profile from Opposition leader to the nations Prime Minister - he and the NDP lost. Conversely when Trudeau and his team chose to take the road of answering critics head on by offering reasoned, calm, and modern thinking - he lead the party to victory.
The media - in their usual - deer in headlights response to an unexpected result - chattered and giggled about how the Niqab killed the NDP. Not only was that wrong - it was illogical. Trudeau took the same position on the Niqab as Mulcair - yet took ownership of Quebec.
Journalists on the Hill had bought into the "just not ready" theatrics which helped in their defence of propaganda coverage dictated by Stephen Harper. The five questions - no follow up rule was juvenile and mainstream media sucked it up in an equally juvenile and unprofessional manner. Andrew Coyne's very public sulking at the end of the campaign - added fuel to the fire that they all had bosses to listen to. Then in a very apparent/non-transparent way - we were all left to pity them.
Now the media floodgates are open - they are all over Trudeau and his Cabinet. Tripping and giggling at their regained power. The very same day - they failed to scrum Harper and let Rona Ambrose control the number of questions permitted.
Canada is a geographically large and culturally diverse nation. Our confederation continues to be challenged by obvious problems that politicians have yet to address - let alone improve. If and when a leader has the courage to deal with these problems - our confederation may permanently remove the threat to separate by any province.
On Wednesday I watched the Cabinet unfold with millions of other Canadians. For the most part I believe Trudeau ticked most of the important boxes and as he said "it is 2015". Gender equality in Parliament is important and there was no reason based on qualifications - that it should not have been achieved. There was also a great representation of age and experience. New ideas versus tried and true policy will provide great debate at the Cabinet table.
In all the newness that is Justin Trudeau - in all the forward looking that is Justin Trudeau there remains an antiquated view of regional representation in Cabinet. It is the final bastion of Upper and Lower Canada. It can be argued that we got Harper because the West (primarily the prairies) wanted in and they seen the Reform/Alliance as the way to get there.
If there is any such thing as "Old Stock Canadian" thinking it is geographic not racist and it is most assuredly the position that Ontario and Quebec are the most important pieces of geography in the country and also the most needy people when it comes to Cabinet placements.
We are a confederation of provinces - joined to form a Country based on common interests. All MP's are concerned with homelessness, affordable housing, health care, education, justice, transportation, taxation, security, and sovereignty - therefore all are representatives of these fundamentals. Cabinet should be utilized to deal with regional issues. This should not be based on population but rather on geography, assets, and particular needs.
If Ontario's focus is on the auto sector, banking, transit, manufacturing, and immigration - surely five competent MP's placed into Cabinet should be able to represent this. Likewise with all provinces and the North. A combination of population, geography, industrial sectors and cultural issues should be at the forefront of Cabinet appointments.
If we cannot have an equal, elected, and effective Senate - we must certainly strive to level the Cabinet playing field.
If Ontario has 11 Cabinet members to represent its interests there is no doubt that policy direction will favour that province. Quebec holding 6 posts and the Prime Minister means it has plenty of people to speak. 18 of 31 Ministers held by Upper and Lower Canada means that economic growth, population growth, and social growth will be dominated by these provinces. The fact that mainstream media - more often that not - refers to Atlantic Canada, Western Canada, Territories, Ontario and Quebec when describing our country demonstrates the real problem in identity and regional preferences in our country.
By reducing Ontario and Quebec's representation in Cabinet to 10 from 18 - would allow all provinces and the Territories to at least have 2 Cabinet posts. This better reflects Canada and its confederation.
This is a weakness in Trudeau. He needs to look outside the population box to unite the provinces and territories in a real partnership. It is outdated, regressive, and divisive - it must be corrected. If 8 provinces and 3 Territories feel a Cabinet direction is favouring the growth of Quebec and Ontario at the cost of the other 11 then real action could be taken.
The real and obnoxious attention to Quebec and Ontario was most recently witnessed in the election. All leaders with the exception of Elizabeth May (who concentrated efforts in BC) doted on the neediness of Upper and Lower Canada. It is time for real leadership on this most troubling and chronic problem.
If Canada continues to govern itself based on the preservation, growth, and dominance of 2 provinces we will cease to be a real confederation.
British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the North are the sea borders of our country and are bountiful in natural ocean resources. These resources being owned and managed by the federal government is absolutely wrong and patently unfair. More than this - Cabinets dominated by central Canadian MP's have either neglected or mismanaged these resources at a unfathomable loss to the affected populations.
The fishery, oil and gas, and search and rescue assets have been crucified by Cabinets dominated by people who have no clue about them or real interest in the fall-out of critical errors. The House of Commons - dictated to by population representation - can kill a small province with one vote.
For all the modern and youthful thinking of the new Prime Minister - Justin Trudeau demonstrated significant weakness in the area of Cabinet representation. Ironically 5 of the 36 seats held by the Liberals were from Newfoundland and Labrador. We represented 1/7th of what they had. What are we now?
If somebody does not deal with the inequalities in Cabinet representation and provinces continue to suffer losses in population growth, economics, and industry - there will come a time when people want out not in.
I wait to see if our new Prime Minister recognizes and then attempts to deal with this.
Harper hands off to MacKay
As a political junkie and an active citizen - I always like to review the term/s of any Prime Minister or Premier.
Usually there are good and bad policies in all governments regardless of stripe. Then again - usually in Canada the mainstream parties Progressive Conservative, Liberal, or New Democrat are just left or right of center. They are not right or left wing zealots attempting to change the very soul of the Country.
Then came Stephen Harper - one half of a deceitful duo - with Peter MacKay. These two politicians were supposed to "unite the right". In truth - it was the Reforms effort to mask itself enough and form government and for Peter MacKay it was a lazy and selfish way to bring his Progressive Conservatives back from near extinction.
For PC's like David Orchard and Joe Clark the merger represented the greatest act of treachery in the party's history.
The right wing extremist Harper and the self-centered MacKay had no problem moving on - each with their own agenda. Harper is not a stupid man and understood immediately that he was smarter than the lazy selfish MacKay. As long as Harper kept MacKay happy - Harper could keep the ideologically fractured caucus in check.
Satisfying Peter meant just that - satisfying Peter. He could have the portfolios he desired, the travel he desired, and the prominence he desired. Little by little Harper changed our Country - right under the nose of MacKay who give in little by little on ideology if it meant progressive improvement for himself.
MacKay did not care if the Country was being stripped of democratic principles, stripped of judicial values, stripped of its Constitution as long as he - Peter MacKay - was upwardly mobile. Mackay became more and more arrogant - more and more aloof - more and more deceitful.
The Harper era was - I believe - based on an agreement. That is to say - he and his political partner - set rules for each other and more importantly time-frames. I have no doubt that the merger of the parties came with an opportunity for both to lead it.
The red-carpet send off for MacKay by the Prime Minister was unprecedented and quite unusual. The political love-in was scripted by both and in my opinion written a decade earlier. All of this was pulled off because an ever weakening media answered the call. Sure MacKay leaving was a story - but that news was not important enough for live coverage of every word.
Shifting away from the extreme right will be the reason to elect MacKay sometime in late 2016 or early 2017 - it will be determined as "necessary" to lure the public back with moderate social policy.
Peter in the meanwhile will be a free agent - but very accessible to an adoring press. He's already begun playing them like a fiddle.
Harper did considerable damage to the "free" press - they became the propaganda delivery team - trained like a circus animal - through continued punish and learn exercises. The odd journalist that delivered news had to do so very carefully or with the blessing of a boss through commentary.
There were media rules and deals that we the public did not see during the election - we seen the result but not backroom agreements.
Have you ever watched a flock of hungry starlings upon the discovery of food? If not - all you had to do was watch our national media question the hours old Cabinet - to envision what the starlings are like.
As many of you know - I - as one citizen - insist on freedom of the press. I am unforgiving as a voter to a leader or MP who demands full control of media. I did not expect or need particulars about what the Ministers were going to do in their new portfolios on day one. I would expect them to tell me their priorities and any urgent and immediate changes within a week or two. The "Hill" reporters were savages on Wednesday - they even giggled - (watch the video) if there is one. Justin Trudeau said they were important and should be able to ask tough questions - and as if Trudeau was Pavlov - he rang a bell.
For the past five years at least - they were obedient - if they complained it must have been at a virtual kitchen table - we never heard it.
They have become so irrelevant that when Trudeau opened the access and advised them they were important again - they fed like piranha.
Let me be clear dear media - before you increase your dislike of me - you demonstrated it again in spades when you "interviewed" Ms. Ambrose. You were respectful of the rules Harper put in place for you.
Without considerable determination of journalists - the next couple of years will be high-energy focus on keeping Trudeau "accountable" while allowing MacKay and Ambrose to play by Harper media rules. Peter will become the heir apparent and will demand of the media - respect and boundaries that will be set by him.
The media continues to let Harper off the accountability hook and unless this changes - Trudeau's commitment to revitalize the CBC will only mean a license for journalists to investigate and report on Liberals - while letting MacKay and the CPC go unchecked into the next election.
Ready - set - go....
Usually there are good and bad policies in all governments regardless of stripe. Then again - usually in Canada the mainstream parties Progressive Conservative, Liberal, or New Democrat are just left or right of center. They are not right or left wing zealots attempting to change the very soul of the Country.
Then came Stephen Harper - one half of a deceitful duo - with Peter MacKay. These two politicians were supposed to "unite the right". In truth - it was the Reforms effort to mask itself enough and form government and for Peter MacKay it was a lazy and selfish way to bring his Progressive Conservatives back from near extinction.
For PC's like David Orchard and Joe Clark the merger represented the greatest act of treachery in the party's history.
The right wing extremist Harper and the self-centered MacKay had no problem moving on - each with their own agenda. Harper is not a stupid man and understood immediately that he was smarter than the lazy selfish MacKay. As long as Harper kept MacKay happy - Harper could keep the ideologically fractured caucus in check.
Satisfying Peter meant just that - satisfying Peter. He could have the portfolios he desired, the travel he desired, and the prominence he desired. Little by little Harper changed our Country - right under the nose of MacKay who give in little by little on ideology if it meant progressive improvement for himself.
MacKay did not care if the Country was being stripped of democratic principles, stripped of judicial values, stripped of its Constitution as long as he - Peter MacKay - was upwardly mobile. Mackay became more and more arrogant - more and more aloof - more and more deceitful.
The Harper era was - I believe - based on an agreement. That is to say - he and his political partner - set rules for each other and more importantly time-frames. I have no doubt that the merger of the parties came with an opportunity for both to lead it.
The red-carpet send off for MacKay by the Prime Minister was unprecedented and quite unusual. The political love-in was scripted by both and in my opinion written a decade earlier. All of this was pulled off because an ever weakening media answered the call. Sure MacKay leaving was a story - but that news was not important enough for live coverage of every word.
Shifting away from the extreme right will be the reason to elect MacKay sometime in late 2016 or early 2017 - it will be determined as "necessary" to lure the public back with moderate social policy.
Peter in the meanwhile will be a free agent - but very accessible to an adoring press. He's already begun playing them like a fiddle.
Harper did considerable damage to the "free" press - they became the propaganda delivery team - trained like a circus animal - through continued punish and learn exercises. The odd journalist that delivered news had to do so very carefully or with the blessing of a boss through commentary.
There were media rules and deals that we the public did not see during the election - we seen the result but not backroom agreements.
Have you ever watched a flock of hungry starlings upon the discovery of food? If not - all you had to do was watch our national media question the hours old Cabinet - to envision what the starlings are like.
As many of you know - I - as one citizen - insist on freedom of the press. I am unforgiving as a voter to a leader or MP who demands full control of media. I did not expect or need particulars about what the Ministers were going to do in their new portfolios on day one. I would expect them to tell me their priorities and any urgent and immediate changes within a week or two. The "Hill" reporters were savages on Wednesday - they even giggled - (watch the video) if there is one. Justin Trudeau said they were important and should be able to ask tough questions - and as if Trudeau was Pavlov - he rang a bell.
For the past five years at least - they were obedient - if they complained it must have been at a virtual kitchen table - we never heard it.
They have become so irrelevant that when Trudeau opened the access and advised them they were important again - they fed like piranha.
Let me be clear dear media - before you increase your dislike of me - you demonstrated it again in spades when you "interviewed" Ms. Ambrose. You were respectful of the rules Harper put in place for you.
Without considerable determination of journalists - the next couple of years will be high-energy focus on keeping Trudeau "accountable" while allowing MacKay and Ambrose to play by Harper media rules. Peter will become the heir apparent and will demand of the media - respect and boundaries that will be set by him.
The media continues to let Harper off the accountability hook and unless this changes - Trudeau's commitment to revitalize the CBC will only mean a license for journalists to investigate and report on Liberals - while letting MacKay and the CPC go unchecked into the next election.
Ready - set - go....
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Saturday, July 25, 2015
The Governor General should do his job
Let me preface this post by declaring my disgust with the Senate and my support for a full public federal/provincial process to discuss reformation or abolition.
Yesterday - Prime Minister Stephen Harper - demonstrated again his disdain for Canada and the Constitution.
We could argue at this point that Stephen Harper is an element causing disruption to the economy and affairs in Canada.
I ask again - is the Prime Minister under investigation by the RCMP or CSIS?
Many Canadians are sick of the Senate - we have lost confidence in the Upper Chamber as a result of unethical and perhaps criminal behavior of some Senators.
Many Canadians want reform - many want abolition - many want continuity with significant oversight.
Regardless of what we want - there is a process to change the Constitution of our country and it must be followed. I do not care what Harper, Mulcair, Trudeau, and May want - I care that they follow process.
Right now there are 22 vacancies in our Senate. These seats should be filled. They should have already been filled. The fact that Harper refuses to fill them is in direct opposition to our Constitution. The PM is once again snubbing the laws and Constitution of Canada.
The leaders of all political parties can muse about what the Senate should look like, operate like, or even whether or not it should exist - but they cannot pretend to be the decision makers on this issue.
This is paramount to saying the publicized evidence of an individual charged with a crime should be all it takes to find that party guilty. We do not need the courts or criminal justice system - we only need a hand full of people to declare somebody is guilty.
A Vancouver lawyer is in the process of challenging Harper's refusal to appoint Senators - via a court challenge.
I want to know where Governor General David Johnston is. The GG should be filling those seats. He should be taking his duties seriously. The policy of a PM providing advice to the GG on Senate appointments is just that - policy - NOT law.
David Johnston appears to have no problem making the ceremonial events or representing Canada in his capacity - he should have no problem doing his constitutional job.
Until the Constitution of Canada is changed - the Senate exists.
The following clause is not a thought it is law. "When a Vacancy happens in the Senate by Resignation, Death, or otherwise, the Governor General shall by Summons to a fit and qualified Person fill the Vacancy." See HERE
Arguing that there are no set time frames is ridiculous - it is frivolous - it is disingenuous.
The time frame is now - the word is "shall" and the responsibility falls on the Governor General.
Three men and one woman (Harper, Mulcair, Trudeau, May) do not possess the power to thwart the Constitution because they do not like it. They have the power - under process to start a process of change or amendment to the Constitution.
All Opposition parties should be screaming from the rooftops when the Constitution is being violated. Not doing so for political opportunism makes them no better than Harper - the man and party they want defeated.
Amending or changing the actual function of the Parliament is very serious and should be treated as such. This is not a political football to be tossed back and forth like children on a playground.
If these men and one woman want the respect of the electorate - respect our constitution.
As for Governor General David Johnston - he is a disgrace. Until he takes his real duties seriously - I cannot support him.
As for the media - once again they demonstrated how easily they fall into Harper's manipulation of the press. Harper proclaimed yesterday - under very weird circumstances - that:
1. He will not appoint Senators and
2. He wants the Senate abolished
Where's the scrum? Where's the oversight?
The man said that his refusal to appoint Senators will force the provinces to come up with a plan for reform. So our Prime Minister states that he will deliberately break the law until others decide to change it. This protest must potentially contravene C-51 - so where is the RCMP? where is CSIS?
Yes Canadians want change - but we want it done lawfully - particularly when it's the legislators who are ignoring it.
We as Canadians cannot jump all over Harper when he breaks some laws but not when he breaks this law.
In this particular case - Harper should be forced to follow law - Mulcair should knock off playing with it - Trudeau needs to explain better - and May - I'm not sure (not enough media coverage)
Governor General Johnston needs to appoint 22 Senators - now.
I'm not sure abolition is best or a Triple E is best. I do know that ignoring the law in an effort to change it - is NOT the role of elected representatives.
Yesterday - Prime Minister Stephen Harper - demonstrated again his disdain for Canada and the Constitution.
We could argue at this point that Stephen Harper is an element causing disruption to the economy and affairs in Canada.
I ask again - is the Prime Minister under investigation by the RCMP or CSIS?
Many Canadians are sick of the Senate - we have lost confidence in the Upper Chamber as a result of unethical and perhaps criminal behavior of some Senators.
Many Canadians want reform - many want abolition - many want continuity with significant oversight.
Regardless of what we want - there is a process to change the Constitution of our country and it must be followed. I do not care what Harper, Mulcair, Trudeau, and May want - I care that they follow process.
Right now there are 22 vacancies in our Senate. These seats should be filled. They should have already been filled. The fact that Harper refuses to fill them is in direct opposition to our Constitution. The PM is once again snubbing the laws and Constitution of Canada.
The leaders of all political parties can muse about what the Senate should look like, operate like, or even whether or not it should exist - but they cannot pretend to be the decision makers on this issue.
This is paramount to saying the publicized evidence of an individual charged with a crime should be all it takes to find that party guilty. We do not need the courts or criminal justice system - we only need a hand full of people to declare somebody is guilty.
A Vancouver lawyer is in the process of challenging Harper's refusal to appoint Senators - via a court challenge.
I want to know where Governor General David Johnston is. The GG should be filling those seats. He should be taking his duties seriously. The policy of a PM providing advice to the GG on Senate appointments is just that - policy - NOT law.
David Johnston appears to have no problem making the ceremonial events or representing Canada in his capacity - he should have no problem doing his constitutional job.
Until the Constitution of Canada is changed - the Senate exists.
The following clause is not a thought it is law. "When a Vacancy happens in the Senate by Resignation, Death, or otherwise, the Governor General shall by Summons to a fit and qualified Person fill the Vacancy." See HERE
Arguing that there are no set time frames is ridiculous - it is frivolous - it is disingenuous.
The time frame is now - the word is "shall" and the responsibility falls on the Governor General.
Three men and one woman (Harper, Mulcair, Trudeau, May) do not possess the power to thwart the Constitution because they do not like it. They have the power - under process to start a process of change or amendment to the Constitution.
All Opposition parties should be screaming from the rooftops when the Constitution is being violated. Not doing so for political opportunism makes them no better than Harper - the man and party they want defeated.
Amending or changing the actual function of the Parliament is very serious and should be treated as such. This is not a political football to be tossed back and forth like children on a playground.
If these men and one woman want the respect of the electorate - respect our constitution.
As for Governor General David Johnston - he is a disgrace. Until he takes his real duties seriously - I cannot support him.
As for the media - once again they demonstrated how easily they fall into Harper's manipulation of the press. Harper proclaimed yesterday - under very weird circumstances - that:
1. He will not appoint Senators and
2. He wants the Senate abolished
Where's the scrum? Where's the oversight?
The man said that his refusal to appoint Senators will force the provinces to come up with a plan for reform. So our Prime Minister states that he will deliberately break the law until others decide to change it. This protest must potentially contravene C-51 - so where is the RCMP? where is CSIS?
Yes Canadians want change - but we want it done lawfully - particularly when it's the legislators who are ignoring it.
We as Canadians cannot jump all over Harper when he breaks some laws but not when he breaks this law.
In this particular case - Harper should be forced to follow law - Mulcair should knock off playing with it - Trudeau needs to explain better - and May - I'm not sure (not enough media coverage)
Governor General Johnston needs to appoint 22 Senators - now.
I'm not sure abolition is best or a Triple E is best. I do know that ignoring the law in an effort to change it - is NOT the role of elected representatives.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
De Grasse - victim of Harper PR
As we head into a fall federal election - Canadians are probably facing the most important election ever. The very structure and design of our confederation and democracy is at risk.
The past couple of days have sent red flags flying everywhere.
Stephen Harper is a cunning and manipulative zealot of extreme ideology not suited to Canada. He is also a liar.
What we know as fact:
Harper is not a good judge of character - he has appointed crooks, cons, liars, and extremists,
Harper has inserted Canada in global war games not usual for our country,
Harper is consumed with oil economics and the corporate culture attached to it,
Harper is a liar,
Harper does not believe in our constitution,
Harper has damaged our economic health as a nation,
Harper does not hold First Minister's Conferences,
Harper does not believe in free press,
Harper continually abuses taxpayer dollars by mixing government policy with party promotion,
Harper is a fan of controlled populations,
Harper is an enemy of science and as such puts our country at risk.
This is a short list and does not include one point that I will address now.
Yesterday during the Pan Am Games - Harper and PR cronies did something that can only be seen as disgraceful.
Harper - as we know - likes photo-ops but does not like scrums. His manipulation of the national press is legendary and has been for the most part been successful. There are exceptions as some journalists fight back. This thankfully is picking up as the election looms.
I have watched some of the games - online - and have enjoyed the medal ceremonies where Canadian athletes accept the adoration and accolades of their fellow citizens.
During these ceremonies two people are assigned to do the presentations. One is from the Pan Am association and the other would be local politicians or first nations representatives. One of the two would present the medal and the other present a stuffed mascot.
Arguably the most watched event at any summer games (Olympics, Commonwealth, Pan Am, Nationals and Worlds) is the men's 100 metre sprint. This interest usually translates into mass media coverage and hype.
Canada's Andre De Grasse was the victor in last night's final and also became a casualty of the Harper PR machine.
Instead of the two person presentation team - this event had three. The normal reps and then there was the third wheel. Bal Gosal Minister of State for Sport who was introduced and then presented the mascot to De Grasse only.
It cheapened and politicized the event and attempted to upstage the amazing performance of De Grasse who may well end up being our greatest male sprinter.
It was a typical Harperization - do not miss capitalizing on the success of anybody. Do not miss a prime time photo-op. The only surprising element of this typical Harper PR was that Gosal was not wearing a Conservative Party of Canada shirt or that the gold medal did not have the CPC logo imprinted on it.
It was odd - uncomfortable - clumsy - and manipulative. It was Harper.
The past couple of days have sent red flags flying everywhere.
Stephen Harper is a cunning and manipulative zealot of extreme ideology not suited to Canada. He is also a liar.
What we know as fact:
Harper is not a good judge of character - he has appointed crooks, cons, liars, and extremists,
Harper has inserted Canada in global war games not usual for our country,
Harper is consumed with oil economics and the corporate culture attached to it,
Harper is a liar,
Harper does not believe in our constitution,
Harper has damaged our economic health as a nation,
Harper does not hold First Minister's Conferences,
Harper does not believe in free press,
Harper continually abuses taxpayer dollars by mixing government policy with party promotion,
Harper is a fan of controlled populations,
Harper is an enemy of science and as such puts our country at risk.
This is a short list and does not include one point that I will address now.
Yesterday during the Pan Am Games - Harper and PR cronies did something that can only be seen as disgraceful.
Harper - as we know - likes photo-ops but does not like scrums. His manipulation of the national press is legendary and has been for the most part been successful. There are exceptions as some journalists fight back. This thankfully is picking up as the election looms.
I have watched some of the games - online - and have enjoyed the medal ceremonies where Canadian athletes accept the adoration and accolades of their fellow citizens.
During these ceremonies two people are assigned to do the presentations. One is from the Pan Am association and the other would be local politicians or first nations representatives. One of the two would present the medal and the other present a stuffed mascot.
Arguably the most watched event at any summer games (Olympics, Commonwealth, Pan Am, Nationals and Worlds) is the men's 100 metre sprint. This interest usually translates into mass media coverage and hype.
Canada's Andre De Grasse was the victor in last night's final and also became a casualty of the Harper PR machine.
Instead of the two person presentation team - this event had three. The normal reps and then there was the third wheel. Bal Gosal Minister of State for Sport who was introduced and then presented the mascot to De Grasse only.
It cheapened and politicized the event and attempted to upstage the amazing performance of De Grasse who may well end up being our greatest male sprinter.
It was a typical Harperization - do not miss capitalizing on the success of anybody. Do not miss a prime time photo-op. The only surprising element of this typical Harper PR was that Gosal was not wearing a Conservative Party of Canada shirt or that the gold medal did not have the CPC logo imprinted on it.
It was odd - uncomfortable - clumsy - and manipulative. It was Harper.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
STOP before you spend the Universal Child Care Benefit
The Universal Child Care Benefit, blatantly used as political material by the Conservative Party of Canada - may actually have a silver lining.
Before you spend the retroactive cheque - consider how what you spend it on may best benefit your children.
If you use $400 of it to make a political contribution you will get a $300 tax credit. If you donate it to any party other than the CPC - you may very well be making the best investment for your child's future.
If you believe as I do that the CPC is corrupt, deceitful, ethically bankrupt, and a danger to the future of Canada as we used to know it - then that $400 contribution might be the best money you ever spend for the benefit of your children.
Middle class families who find it difficult to find money to help a candidate or party defeat Harper and his cronies - have a unique opportunity to use this CPC taxpayer funded slush fund to do just that.
Just imagine the CPC being inundated with Green Party, NDP, and Liberal ads being funded by the Tories own abuse of taxpayer money.
Imagine getting a T-Shirt saying I used Poilievre's UCCB to defeat the CPC.
You see the $300 tax credit for a $400 contribution may be worth more to you than spending that $400 that you will be taxed on to buy a service or product that you have to pay GST on.
For all those Canadians who believe that Harper must go - consider the above as a real option to create a better future for your child in Canada.
Think before you spend - consider supporting something other than the Conservative Party of Canada.
Before you spend the retroactive cheque - consider how what you spend it on may best benefit your children.
If you use $400 of it to make a political contribution you will get a $300 tax credit. If you donate it to any party other than the CPC - you may very well be making the best investment for your child's future.
If you believe as I do that the CPC is corrupt, deceitful, ethically bankrupt, and a danger to the future of Canada as we used to know it - then that $400 contribution might be the best money you ever spend for the benefit of your children.
Middle class families who find it difficult to find money to help a candidate or party defeat Harper and his cronies - have a unique opportunity to use this CPC taxpayer funded slush fund to do just that.
Just imagine the CPC being inundated with Green Party, NDP, and Liberal ads being funded by the Tories own abuse of taxpayer money.
Imagine getting a T-Shirt saying I used Poilievre's UCCB to defeat the CPC.
You see the $300 tax credit for a $400 contribution may be worth more to you than spending that $400 that you will be taxed on to buy a service or product that you have to pay GST on.
For all those Canadians who believe that Harper must go - consider the above as a real option to create a better future for your child in Canada.
Think before you spend - consider supporting something other than the Conservative Party of Canada.
Is Pierre Poilievre being monitored?
The most obvious example of how blatantly corrupt the Harper government is was on full social media display the past few days.
The Universal Child Care benefit - touted as everything short of the savior of mankind (which it is not) - is being used by the Harper government as a major election plank.
Pierre Poilievre Harper's choice for Minister of Employment and Social Development has taken propaganda, deception, and unethical to a whole new level.
This born again Harperite preaches from the Conservative Party Pulpit wearing a CPC Cassock and expects that thinking Canadians will accept his version of the Harper bible.
In a completely abused Twitter account Poilievre spams the Canadian Twitter-sphere with garbage like: "One more sleep until Christmas in July for Moms and Dads!"
This Minister should be removed from his portfolio and made to apologize to Canadians for ignoring/breaking Treasury Board rules. This extremist should be monitored to insure this zealot is not dangerous to the social well being of Canada. He is knowingly and deliberately ignoring established guidelines and is a Minister of the Crown.
I have no idea - as a Canadian - how far this fellow will go to promote the CPC doctrine - which in and of itself is concerning.
The fellow who once said - "But I can’t accept a union representing public servants working for the government of Canada which forcefully takes money out of the pockets of Canada’s public servants to support parties that want to break up the country. How can it be in the interests of public servants to support the breakup of Canada? - has no problem using government money (our tax dollars) to support a political party.
The fellow who used the term "tar baby" and used foul language in a committee meeting and made unparliamentary gestures - continues to believe he is not out of control.
The fellow who despite his vocal concern on national security did not believe rules applied to him and "got impatient waiting at a Parliament Hill checkpoint and pressed a button to open the security gate and drove his car through without being identified and without having his vehicle inspected."
The fellow who suggested that aboriginals need to learn the value of hard work more than they need financial compensation - should probably apply that thought to himself.
The fellow who when talking about the Fair Elections Act (a complete fiasco) claimed the Chief Electoral Officer wanted "more power, a bigger budget and less accountability." - when Marc Mayrand dared criticize the Act.
It is time that Canadians from coast to coast to coast removed from office - through the election process - this Minister and many more of the CPC zealots.
On another note - the NDP and LPC should remember that the majority of Canadians do not want Harper or the Conservatives re-elected - therefore they should do everything to insure that does not happen. Focusing on their own political lot versus focusing on defeating the CPC is self-serving - not nation-serving.
The Conservatives believe that the collective intelligence of the Canadian public can be mitigated by sending out this Minister who acts like the head cheerleader of a dictator. Listening to him - one wonders if there will be only one name on ballots this fall.
Lastly - while the national media made an attempt to counter the propaganda of the CPC on the Universal Child Care benefit bribe - they continue to fall short on holding Stephen Harper to account. The PM continues to successfully manipulate journalists by avoiding scrums and open interviews.
The national media continues to be a source for parliamentary secretaries to chant CPC propaganda - while hoping to convince Canadians that such rubbish is news.
Is this Minister being monitored?
The Universal Child Care benefit - touted as everything short of the savior of mankind (which it is not) - is being used by the Harper government as a major election plank.
Pierre Poilievre Harper's choice for Minister of Employment and Social Development has taken propaganda, deception, and unethical to a whole new level.
This born again Harperite preaches from the Conservative Party Pulpit wearing a CPC Cassock and expects that thinking Canadians will accept his version of the Harper bible.
In a completely abused Twitter account Poilievre spams the Canadian Twitter-sphere with garbage like: "One more sleep until Christmas in July for Moms and Dads!"
This Minister should be removed from his portfolio and made to apologize to Canadians for ignoring/breaking Treasury Board rules. This extremist should be monitored to insure this zealot is not dangerous to the social well being of Canada. He is knowingly and deliberately ignoring established guidelines and is a Minister of the Crown.
I have no idea - as a Canadian - how far this fellow will go to promote the CPC doctrine - which in and of itself is concerning.
The fellow who once said - "But I can’t accept a union representing public servants working for the government of Canada which forcefully takes money out of the pockets of Canada’s public servants to support parties that want to break up the country. How can it be in the interests of public servants to support the breakup of Canada? - has no problem using government money (our tax dollars) to support a political party.
The fellow who used the term "tar baby" and used foul language in a committee meeting and made unparliamentary gestures - continues to believe he is not out of control.
The fellow who despite his vocal concern on national security did not believe rules applied to him and "got impatient waiting at a Parliament Hill checkpoint and pressed a button to open the security gate and drove his car through without being identified and without having his vehicle inspected."
The fellow who suggested that aboriginals need to learn the value of hard work more than they need financial compensation - should probably apply that thought to himself.
The fellow who when talking about the Fair Elections Act (a complete fiasco) claimed the Chief Electoral Officer wanted "more power, a bigger budget and less accountability." - when Marc Mayrand dared criticize the Act.
It is time that Canadians from coast to coast to coast removed from office - through the election process - this Minister and many more of the CPC zealots.
On another note - the NDP and LPC should remember that the majority of Canadians do not want Harper or the Conservatives re-elected - therefore they should do everything to insure that does not happen. Focusing on their own political lot versus focusing on defeating the CPC is self-serving - not nation-serving.
The Conservatives believe that the collective intelligence of the Canadian public can be mitigated by sending out this Minister who acts like the head cheerleader of a dictator. Listening to him - one wonders if there will be only one name on ballots this fall.
Lastly - while the national media made an attempt to counter the propaganda of the CPC on the Universal Child Care benefit bribe - they continue to fall short on holding Stephen Harper to account. The PM continues to successfully manipulate journalists by avoiding scrums and open interviews.
The national media continues to be a source for parliamentary secretaries to chant CPC propaganda - while hoping to convince Canadians that such rubbish is news.
Is this Minister being monitored?
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Stephen Harper and Seamus O'Regan
The latest gutless action by our Prime Minister and his party comes in the form of an anti-Seamus O'Regan ad. This is an extension of the Trudeau ads attacking perceived lack of experience.
The Not Ready ad uses a clip from an open interview with an NTV reporter who was covering a political event of O'Regan's.
Harper and the CPC continue to utilize clips of open arena (scrum like) comments or replies to questions by Trudeau and now O'Regan.
This is juvenile - misleading - and therefore just like Stephen Harper.
You see Harper will not do scrums - he hides. Harper will not face an open media on our soil - he hides. Harper will do the photo-op but runs from media questions after - he hides.
Harper's message to Canadians is: I won't be caught making mistakes or even lying - because I know how to hide and I won't scrum. Harper is informing us that he's ready because he will not be scrutinized by the media. Harper is ready because his appearances are produced, choreographed, staged, and restrictive. Harper is ready because he lines up visible minorities behind his photo-op's but will not be scrummed on important issues such as immigration and multiculturalism.
The series of advertisements should be a reminder to us all - the people the CPC are mocking - are only guilty of being accessible. Open appearances allow the voter to see the candidate good and bad. No open appearances mean they are afraid - unwilling to be open and accountable - and essentially undemocratic.
Any one of us could produce an ad which shows a police line-up of Harper appointees. Then perhaps we could segue to a court setting where Minister MacKay is complaining to judges - then finally fade to a debt and deficit chart of Conservative economics.
I am surprised that national media are not asking the Prime Minister for a scrum on his ads.
These ads should serve to do nothing more than remind Canadians that Harper will not answer to the people through open media access.
As for making fun of things done and said in the past - Harper should be the last one seeking to revisit history.
The Not Ready ad uses a clip from an open interview with an NTV reporter who was covering a political event of O'Regan's.
Harper and the CPC continue to utilize clips of open arena (scrum like) comments or replies to questions by Trudeau and now O'Regan.
This is juvenile - misleading - and therefore just like Stephen Harper.
You see Harper will not do scrums - he hides. Harper will not face an open media on our soil - he hides. Harper will do the photo-op but runs from media questions after - he hides.
Harper's message to Canadians is: I won't be caught making mistakes or even lying - because I know how to hide and I won't scrum. Harper is informing us that he's ready because he will not be scrutinized by the media. Harper is ready because his appearances are produced, choreographed, staged, and restrictive. Harper is ready because he lines up visible minorities behind his photo-op's but will not be scrummed on important issues such as immigration and multiculturalism.
The series of advertisements should be a reminder to us all - the people the CPC are mocking - are only guilty of being accessible. Open appearances allow the voter to see the candidate good and bad. No open appearances mean they are afraid - unwilling to be open and accountable - and essentially undemocratic.
Any one of us could produce an ad which shows a police line-up of Harper appointees. Then perhaps we could segue to a court setting where Minister MacKay is complaining to judges - then finally fade to a debt and deficit chart of Conservative economics.
I am surprised that national media are not asking the Prime Minister for a scrum on his ads.
These ads should serve to do nothing more than remind Canadians that Harper will not answer to the people through open media access.
As for making fun of things done and said in the past - Harper should be the last one seeking to revisit history.
Wednesday, June 03, 2015
Gutless - Cold - Unbecoming his office
The Truth and Reconciliation Report was released today.
I am sickened - heartbroken - and disgusted with the truth.
It may be midnight - but I have to write - I have to say something.
Let me start with this: The picture below says it all.
Yes Mr. Mulcair - your expression is perfect. Disgust!
Bernard Valcourt remained sitting while Justice Murray Sinclair announced the recommendation that an inquiry be held on missing and murdered indigenous women.
The gutless gesture says a great deal about Valcourt - but then again his judgement in the past has been the same.
Is he appropriate to be the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs? No - and I believe he should resign.
How any human being could sit and witness a truth as was presented today by the Commission and not be deeply moved and anxious to find reconciliation - is not fathomable.
The Government of Canada under the leadership of Stephen Harper should recognize there is no way to deflect from the word genocide. This was genocide.
Stephen Harper avoided that acknowledgement today and therefore I believe he is gutless - cold - and displays behavior unbecoming his office.
Children were systematically removed from their families and placed in deplorable conditions existing in the residential schools.
Children died and families were unaware of how and where they were buried.
Children were raped, beaten, and abused in a deliberate attempt to separate them from their culture.
This is inarguable.
Have we become so desensitized under the Harper government - that we can turn our heads and not look this genocide in the eye?
I believe an olive branch was offered by the Commission to the Government of Canada and through them the people of Canada. Stephen Harper today rejected that offer and instead talked about budgetary commitments.
Please Canada reject the Conservative Party of Canada this fall. Please Canada let reconciliation begin. Please Canada recognize that people like Harper and Valcourt have no place in our Parliament. Look at gentlemen like Paul Martin and Joe Clark who despite their political differences - stand tall and accept the truth.
Canada has never been the same since Stephen Harper was elected and today emphasized the chasm between the citizens of Canada and their Prime Minister.
Take a copy of the picture above in your purse or wallet when you go to the ballot box - and look at it just before you mark your X.
I am sickened - heartbroken - and disgusted with the truth.
It may be midnight - but I have to write - I have to say something.
Let me start with this: The picture below says it all.
Yes Mr. Mulcair - your expression is perfect. Disgust!
Bernard Valcourt remained sitting while Justice Murray Sinclair announced the recommendation that an inquiry be held on missing and murdered indigenous women.
The gutless gesture says a great deal about Valcourt - but then again his judgement in the past has been the same.
Is he appropriate to be the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs? No - and I believe he should resign.
How any human being could sit and witness a truth as was presented today by the Commission and not be deeply moved and anxious to find reconciliation - is not fathomable.
The Government of Canada under the leadership of Stephen Harper should recognize there is no way to deflect from the word genocide. This was genocide.
Stephen Harper avoided that acknowledgement today and therefore I believe he is gutless - cold - and displays behavior unbecoming his office.
Children were systematically removed from their families and placed in deplorable conditions existing in the residential schools.
Children died and families were unaware of how and where they were buried.
Children were raped, beaten, and abused in a deliberate attempt to separate them from their culture.
This is inarguable.
Have we become so desensitized under the Harper government - that we can turn our heads and not look this genocide in the eye?
I believe an olive branch was offered by the Commission to the Government of Canada and through them the people of Canada. Stephen Harper today rejected that offer and instead talked about budgetary commitments.
Please Canada reject the Conservative Party of Canada this fall. Please Canada let reconciliation begin. Please Canada recognize that people like Harper and Valcourt have no place in our Parliament. Look at gentlemen like Paul Martin and Joe Clark who despite their political differences - stand tall and accept the truth.
Canada has never been the same since Stephen Harper was elected and today emphasized the chasm between the citizens of Canada and their Prime Minister.
Take a copy of the picture above in your purse or wallet when you go to the ballot box - and look at it just before you mark your X.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Canada's National Media - News or Propaganda?
I would like to scrum the national media. I would like to ask
questions about their coverage of "news" and of their editorial
decisions. I would like to grill the assignment editors and get reasons
for their choices.
Yesterday I watched a Harper orchestrated media fest and watched our Prime Minister do what he does best - direct our national media outlets as he sees fit. The fact that our media complies is another issue and one that should concern all Canadians.
The federal election is in October and the Conservative Party Script is unfolding.
Yesterday morning many of us were alerted - on Twitter - that Peter MacKay was "resigning". This set the stage for the all-day puppy like behavior of our national "journalists".
Next we were told that the RCMP had released the remainder (18 seconds) of the video left by the deceased Parliament Hill shooter. This too began a Pavlovian like fear conditioning of the voting public. The timing of the release begs questions that were not forthcoming.
Today Canada's media stopped being journalistic and became part of the Conservative Party of Canada narrative.
The media - for a brief second - mused that the 18 second video release was not much more than what had already been released. Regardless of that assessment - the media then spent half the nation's daily media time to talk about ISIS, terror, war, and national defence.
With regard to the MacKay story - Canada's national media spent an entire day predicting, chasing, and musing on the announcement that the CPC co-founder and PC defector was not going to run again. This of course became frenzied once it was determined that the Prime Minister was going to attend the "announcement".
Oh good I thought - finally the media would trap the Prime Minister in Nova Scotia and scrum him. That hope was quickly dashed when I recognized the choreography unfolding. Harper spoke first - then MacKay - then a tea - and finally Peter MacKay gave a scrum. Prime Minister Harper - once again - used the media for free campaign advertising. You see the PM began and ended with CPC talking points on the government's "accomplishments" - without one second for the media to question him on those statements. That is not news. That is propaganda.
Peter MacKay is not running again because he "loves his family more". As a senior Cabinet Minister and long time MP a News Release was warranted and could be noted by the media. What we got however was a soap opera of the entire MacKay family - probably best kept for a thank-you party for his dedicated volunteers - in private.
We are without a fully functioning fourth estate - making the fifth estate more important now than ever before.
It is now suggested by noted academics that bloggers, social media, and non-mainstream forums are the fifth estate. READ MORE HERE
It is time that our national media refuse to cover photo-ops and prepared self-serving events of the Prime Minister until he opens himself up to proper media scrutiny. It is time that we challenged our mainstream national media. We have the social media tools and technology and we must use these to protect our democracy.
We must have the courage to challenge our media and hold them to account as we would our politicians. There is no doubt there are some in the mainstream media that can be as vindictive and petty as the worst of our hyper-partisan elected officials. Some spend more time attacking the general public on social media than they spend keeping our MP's honest. There are journalists in our country who maintain professional standards and understand the important role they play in our society. Ironically - many of them have turned to blogs and use of social media to free themselves of outside or inside (management/executive) influence.
Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs all enable the citizens of Canada to communicate with one another and share opinions, information, and ideas - with relative ease. We can now utilize more resources to get the news of the day and different spins of it.
With these relatively new communications tools - people are seeing the mainstream media in a new light. The national news broadcasters, national papers, and news magazines are seen as one source of news not the only source. Breaking news often comes from citizen reporter and often provides evidence in the case of criminal activity.
Political events have changed as live tweeting occurs during the affair. What a politician says one day can be replayed at a moments notice. Budget documents - legislation - the Hansard and talk shows - all easily accessible.
Some journalists have embraced this new communications era. They supplement and improve their own material with information from social media. Sadly others dismiss bloggers, tweeters and citizen reporters. They actually spend work time attempting to marginalize people - ironically the same people they want to support their work.
So yesterday was a banner day for mainstream media. Mackay's announcement that he was not going to seek election again was given coverage usually reserved for a second coming. Just to pump the CPC a little more - they threw in 18 seconds of video that added nothing substantial to what we citizens have already seen regarding the Parliament Hill shooting.
Yesterday was Stephen Harper's day - orchestrated and directed. We were subjected to hours of propaganda and free CPC advertising.
Paid political pundits and "journalists" going on about Peter MacKay and his love of family. I would hope that all our politicians have such love and that all politicians do not find it necessary to bail on public service when they have a family.
When my children were young - I spent a period of time working full-time - raising two wonderful children (now wonderful adults) and on the side spending 30-40 hours a week for 2 years trying to stop the privatization of hydro. I am not alone - there are parents out there doing the same thing everyday - some having to work three jobs to support their families. We have thousands of volunteers giving of themselves while raising children and earning income.
The media should know that a cardiologist putting in 80 hour weeks so others may live to be with their families - retire without a word - let alone a Prime Ministerial visit and speaking engagement.
As for Peter's body of work - well after they dispensed with his political pedigree (the history of Elmer) they spoke ad nauseam about his portfolios and importance in the political history of Canada. The fathers of Confederation had nothing on Steve and Pete. MacKay's body of work has for the most part been a failure. I cannot speak to the benefits received directly by his district - but looking at his national contribution he has been a failure.
1. The first order of his business was to be slimy - how did he win the PC leadership? What did he swear not to do?
2. Pesky helicopters.
3. Questionable comments about women - (judges, lawyers, past girlfriend).
4. Extreme right-wing "family" values. Marriage, Right to die, or how about a woman's right to choose which political party she'd like to support?
5. Complete dismissal or ignorance of our Constitution.
6. “far-fetched hypothetical scenario” he says while condemning the Supreme Court of Canada (arrogant much?)
7. "life cycles" of F-35's fiasco.
8. Harper's lieutenant (wow) there's a plus
The mainstream media did a complete disservice to the public yesterday and once again showed how fearful or supportive they are of Harper. The Prime Minister who ducks debates, ducks scrums, ducks first Minister's conferences, and ducks real democracy - pulled the strings of our national media yet again.
Yesterday I watched a Harper orchestrated media fest and watched our Prime Minister do what he does best - direct our national media outlets as he sees fit. The fact that our media complies is another issue and one that should concern all Canadians.
The federal election is in October and the Conservative Party Script is unfolding.
Yesterday morning many of us were alerted - on Twitter - that Peter MacKay was "resigning". This set the stage for the all-day puppy like behavior of our national "journalists".
Next we were told that the RCMP had released the remainder (18 seconds) of the video left by the deceased Parliament Hill shooter. This too began a Pavlovian like fear conditioning of the voting public. The timing of the release begs questions that were not forthcoming.
Today Canada's media stopped being journalistic and became part of the Conservative Party of Canada narrative.
The media - for a brief second - mused that the 18 second video release was not much more than what had already been released. Regardless of that assessment - the media then spent half the nation's daily media time to talk about ISIS, terror, war, and national defence.
With regard to the MacKay story - Canada's national media spent an entire day predicting, chasing, and musing on the announcement that the CPC co-founder and PC defector was not going to run again. This of course became frenzied once it was determined that the Prime Minister was going to attend the "announcement".
Oh good I thought - finally the media would trap the Prime Minister in Nova Scotia and scrum him. That hope was quickly dashed when I recognized the choreography unfolding. Harper spoke first - then MacKay - then a tea - and finally Peter MacKay gave a scrum. Prime Minister Harper - once again - used the media for free campaign advertising. You see the PM began and ended with CPC talking points on the government's "accomplishments" - without one second for the media to question him on those statements. That is not news. That is propaganda.
Peter MacKay is not running again because he "loves his family more". As a senior Cabinet Minister and long time MP a News Release was warranted and could be noted by the media. What we got however was a soap opera of the entire MacKay family - probably best kept for a thank-you party for his dedicated volunteers - in private.
We are without a fully functioning fourth estate - making the fifth estate more important now than ever before.
It is now suggested by noted academics that bloggers, social media, and non-mainstream forums are the fifth estate. READ MORE HERE
It is time that our national media refuse to cover photo-ops and prepared self-serving events of the Prime Minister until he opens himself up to proper media scrutiny. It is time that we challenged our mainstream national media. We have the social media tools and technology and we must use these to protect our democracy.
We must have the courage to challenge our media and hold them to account as we would our politicians. There is no doubt there are some in the mainstream media that can be as vindictive and petty as the worst of our hyper-partisan elected officials. Some spend more time attacking the general public on social media than they spend keeping our MP's honest. There are journalists in our country who maintain professional standards and understand the important role they play in our society. Ironically - many of them have turned to blogs and use of social media to free themselves of outside or inside (management/executive) influence.
Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs all enable the citizens of Canada to communicate with one another and share opinions, information, and ideas - with relative ease. We can now utilize more resources to get the news of the day and different spins of it.
With these relatively new communications tools - people are seeing the mainstream media in a new light. The national news broadcasters, national papers, and news magazines are seen as one source of news not the only source. Breaking news often comes from citizen reporter and often provides evidence in the case of criminal activity.
Political events have changed as live tweeting occurs during the affair. What a politician says one day can be replayed at a moments notice. Budget documents - legislation - the Hansard and talk shows - all easily accessible.
Some journalists have embraced this new communications era. They supplement and improve their own material with information from social media. Sadly others dismiss bloggers, tweeters and citizen reporters. They actually spend work time attempting to marginalize people - ironically the same people they want to support their work.
So yesterday was a banner day for mainstream media. Mackay's announcement that he was not going to seek election again was given coverage usually reserved for a second coming. Just to pump the CPC a little more - they threw in 18 seconds of video that added nothing substantial to what we citizens have already seen regarding the Parliament Hill shooting.
Yesterday was Stephen Harper's day - orchestrated and directed. We were subjected to hours of propaganda and free CPC advertising.
Paid political pundits and "journalists" going on about Peter MacKay and his love of family. I would hope that all our politicians have such love and that all politicians do not find it necessary to bail on public service when they have a family.
When my children were young - I spent a period of time working full-time - raising two wonderful children (now wonderful adults) and on the side spending 30-40 hours a week for 2 years trying to stop the privatization of hydro. I am not alone - there are parents out there doing the same thing everyday - some having to work three jobs to support their families. We have thousands of volunteers giving of themselves while raising children and earning income.
The media should know that a cardiologist putting in 80 hour weeks so others may live to be with their families - retire without a word - let alone a Prime Ministerial visit and speaking engagement.
As for Peter's body of work - well after they dispensed with his political pedigree (the history of Elmer) they spoke ad nauseam about his portfolios and importance in the political history of Canada. The fathers of Confederation had nothing on Steve and Pete. MacKay's body of work has for the most part been a failure. I cannot speak to the benefits received directly by his district - but looking at his national contribution he has been a failure.
1. The first order of his business was to be slimy - how did he win the PC leadership? What did he swear not to do?
2. Pesky helicopters.
3. Questionable comments about women - (judges, lawyers, past girlfriend).
4. Extreme right-wing "family" values. Marriage, Right to die, or how about a woman's right to choose which political party she'd like to support?
5. Complete dismissal or ignorance of our Constitution.
6. “far-fetched hypothetical scenario” he says while condemning the Supreme Court of Canada (arrogant much?)
7. "life cycles" of F-35's fiasco.
8. Harper's lieutenant (wow) there's a plus
The mainstream media did a complete disservice to the public yesterday and once again showed how fearful or supportive they are of Harper. The Prime Minister who ducks debates, ducks scrums, ducks first Minister's conferences, and ducks real democracy - pulled the strings of our national media yet again.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
What does a 10 year old think?
Yesterday was budget day in Canada and the Speech from the Throne day in Newfoundland and Labrador.
As usual the media wants to know what the Boards of Trade think, what other politicians think, what unions think, ad what "big" cities think - but not any curiosity as to what a 10 year old would think.
The feds raided the contingency piggy bank and sold the GM shares to fictionalize a balanced budget. The upper middle class to upper class received more incentive to keep their money sheltered and anything whatsoever that could be considered middle class was put off for future governments to budget. Not much there for the 10 year old and many things to worry about as they enter into their post-secondary and career years.
The province provided a similar plan for destitution for the 10 year old - just slightly worse. We will now run deficits for 6 more years and borrow billions more - this is bad news for the 10 year old. We will be laying down chunks of cash year over year for the Williams/Dunderdale/Marshall/Davis legacy - supplying cheap power for Nova Scotia - this is bad news for the 10 year old.
So if I'm 10 - I can look forward to mounting debt - depleted non-renewable resources with no heritage cash, the payment of pensions 3 generations past, an aging population, a dwindling population, escalated health care costs, crumbling infrastructure and disappearing communities.
I can look forward to depleting oil - with no societal wealth, depleting minerals - shipped out unprocessed, a fishery that has been turned over to a few elite - no processing, a declining if not completely wiped out forestry industrial sector, and energy that I have to pay for regardless - so Nova Scotian young adults can rely on energy for growing industry.
Self-serving, underachieving, mentally lazy, and partisan zealots - have made my future real bright.
The 10 year old should start watching this:
The Newfoundland and Labrador debt clock PRESS HERE
The Canadian debt clock PRESS HERE
or for the other option - where politicians put the next generation ahead of personal or partisan interests - the Norwegian wealth clock PRESS HERE
I went to the Throne speech yesterday and watched the classless and clueless behavior of many government members. From the gallery - I could watch them check pictures on Facebook - or just simply click away on their cellphones while the Lieutenant Governor told us about our future and how important the people are.
Disgraceful. How do you sleep at night?
Our children are going to leave - they will have no other choice.
As usual the media wants to know what the Boards of Trade think, what other politicians think, what unions think, ad what "big" cities think - but not any curiosity as to what a 10 year old would think.
The feds raided the contingency piggy bank and sold the GM shares to fictionalize a balanced budget. The upper middle class to upper class received more incentive to keep their money sheltered and anything whatsoever that could be considered middle class was put off for future governments to budget. Not much there for the 10 year old and many things to worry about as they enter into their post-secondary and career years.
The province provided a similar plan for destitution for the 10 year old - just slightly worse. We will now run deficits for 6 more years and borrow billions more - this is bad news for the 10 year old. We will be laying down chunks of cash year over year for the Williams/Dunderdale/Marshall/Davis legacy - supplying cheap power for Nova Scotia - this is bad news for the 10 year old.
So if I'm 10 - I can look forward to mounting debt - depleted non-renewable resources with no heritage cash, the payment of pensions 3 generations past, an aging population, a dwindling population, escalated health care costs, crumbling infrastructure and disappearing communities.
I can look forward to depleting oil - with no societal wealth, depleting minerals - shipped out unprocessed, a fishery that has been turned over to a few elite - no processing, a declining if not completely wiped out forestry industrial sector, and energy that I have to pay for regardless - so Nova Scotian young adults can rely on energy for growing industry.
Self-serving, underachieving, mentally lazy, and partisan zealots - have made my future real bright.
The 10 year old should start watching this:
The Newfoundland and Labrador debt clock PRESS HERE
The Canadian debt clock PRESS HERE
or for the other option - where politicians put the next generation ahead of personal or partisan interests - the Norwegian wealth clock PRESS HERE
I went to the Throne speech yesterday and watched the classless and clueless behavior of many government members. From the gallery - I could watch them check pictures on Facebook - or just simply click away on their cellphones while the Lieutenant Governor told us about our future and how important the people are.
Disgraceful. How do you sleep at night?
Our children are going to leave - they will have no other choice.
Monday, October 27, 2014
RCMP - not enough resources?
Dear Royal Canadian Mounted Police
There really is no need to spend time on my blog. I am a political critic.
Resources could be better used elsewhere.
The CPC's disgraceful fundraising efforts are really not a police matter - but rather an ethical/moral matter that Canadians have to deal with in the next federal election.
There really is no need to spend time on my blog. I am a political critic.
Resources could be better used elsewhere.
The CPC's disgraceful fundraising efforts are really not a police matter - but rather an ethical/moral matter that Canadians have to deal with in the next federal election.
| Domain Name | (Unknown) | ||||||||||||||||
| IP Address | 199.212.150.5 ? (Royal Canadian Mounted | ||||||||||||||||
| ISP | Royal Canadian Mounted Police | ||||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| Language | English (U.S.) en-us | ||||||||||||||||
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| Time Zone | UTC-2:00 | ||||||||||||||||
| Visitor's Time | Oct 27 2014 9:38:44 am |
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Conservative Disgrace - Call display
Since posting "Conservative Disgrace" many of you have asked for a picture of my friends call display. Here is is:
Further information from my friend: He tells me he was a member of the CPC over a decade ago while supporting a local candidate. They actually asked him if he now wanted to renew his membership!
Please remember this was taking place while the nation mourned yesterday and our national networks were broadcasting all of it live.
This is a disgrace.
Further information from my friend: He tells me he was a member of the CPC over a decade ago while supporting a local candidate. They actually asked him if he now wanted to renew his membership!
Please remember this was taking place while the nation mourned yesterday and our national networks were broadcasting all of it live.
This is a disgrace.
Friday, October 24, 2014
Conservative disgrace!
I visited friends this evening and during the course of our discussion over tea - what they told me was unbelievable.
At approximately 2:30 pm today Newfoundland and Labrador time - they received a call from 709-702-8496. On the other end of the phone was a representative of the Conservative Party of Canada's "customer care" line looking for a political donation. First the caller asked if perhaps the person would like to donate $100 and then after a "no thank you" reply asked perhaps if $50 would be better - and after a further "no thank you" suggested $35 to which he received the same reply. He then asked my friends what they would like to contribute - they responded nothing - not interested.
What followed next was appalling - the Conservative representative then suggested that my friends should really reconsider - and why was that? Well imagine if Trudeau had been the Prime Minister in the week that we just had....and on it went.
So on the day that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was reopened and 2 new guards took their places - and on the day that the procession of Corporal Nathan Cirillo carried his body home from Ottawa to Hamilton - the Conservatives felt this was an ideal time to fund raise?
This is a disgrace.
So while Canadians were paying tribute to a fine young man - the Conservatives wanted some cash?
This is a disgrace.
At approximately 2:30 pm today Newfoundland and Labrador time - they received a call from 709-702-8496. On the other end of the phone was a representative of the Conservative Party of Canada's "customer care" line looking for a political donation. First the caller asked if perhaps the person would like to donate $100 and then after a "no thank you" reply asked perhaps if $50 would be better - and after a further "no thank you" suggested $35 to which he received the same reply. He then asked my friends what they would like to contribute - they responded nothing - not interested.
What followed next was appalling - the Conservative representative then suggested that my friends should really reconsider - and why was that? Well imagine if Trudeau had been the Prime Minister in the week that we just had....and on it went.
So on the day that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was reopened and 2 new guards took their places - and on the day that the procession of Corporal Nathan Cirillo carried his body home from Ottawa to Hamilton - the Conservatives felt this was an ideal time to fund raise?
This is a disgrace.
So while Canadians were paying tribute to a fine young man - the Conservatives wanted some cash?
This is a disgrace.
Saturday, May 03, 2014
Harper and Coleman eerily similar
Continuing from my post yesterday - the Conservative edge of politics both here and in Ottawa has adopted an arrogant dictatorial sharpness that is cutting the electorate patience to the core.
Harper has amped his manliness up by intellectually going after our Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice - Beverly McLachlin; a frontal lobe competition our Prime Minister will soon regret.
But really the most concerning, revealing, and consistent trait of Harper is his refusal to communicate; at least in a way that is normal for a mature democracy.
At the basic core of this fellow is a stereo-typical troglodyte - a being so caught up in self-preservation that he appears paranoid. With his basic refusal to accept some science as real - he may easily believe that Mansbridge, Soloman, Martin or any Ottawa journalist are the dinosaurs waiting to pounce.
Sadly - as Canadians - we have failed by generally treating the PM's dismissal of unfettered scrums or appearances on national network political programs - as normal. Harper's protective communication goons have effectively removed their boss from open media access. The man has also annihilated the First Minister's conference. Why meet openly with Canada's real leaders - the Premiers of the federation.
The PMO has become a term that we have become too familiar with - as it's not Harper who is responsible for the bad deeds. The PMO said this and that. Media now reports regularly on what the PMO says - not what the PM says. In this regard the media is failing in its duty to the people of our country. The photo-ops carefully planned and executed are dutifully reported by the Hill's men and women - who have otherwise been trained to probe and ask questions in an open environment.
So what does all this have to do with Frank Coleman? You should seriously consider that question and look at what we've been handed by the chosen one to date. The training of our media here has already begun.
Harper has amped his manliness up by intellectually going after our Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice - Beverly McLachlin; a frontal lobe competition our Prime Minister will soon regret.
But really the most concerning, revealing, and consistent trait of Harper is his refusal to communicate; at least in a way that is normal for a mature democracy.
At the basic core of this fellow is a stereo-typical troglodyte - a being so caught up in self-preservation that he appears paranoid. With his basic refusal to accept some science as real - he may easily believe that Mansbridge, Soloman, Martin or any Ottawa journalist are the dinosaurs waiting to pounce.
Sadly - as Canadians - we have failed by generally treating the PM's dismissal of unfettered scrums or appearances on national network political programs - as normal. Harper's protective communication goons have effectively removed their boss from open media access. The man has also annihilated the First Minister's conference. Why meet openly with Canada's real leaders - the Premiers of the federation.
The PMO has become a term that we have become too familiar with - as it's not Harper who is responsible for the bad deeds. The PMO said this and that. Media now reports regularly on what the PMO says - not what the PM says. In this regard the media is failing in its duty to the people of our country. The photo-ops carefully planned and executed are dutifully reported by the Hill's men and women - who have otherwise been trained to probe and ask questions in an open environment.
So what does all this have to do with Frank Coleman? You should seriously consider that question and look at what we've been handed by the chosen one to date. The training of our media here has already begun.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Enough of the Bullshit
This week we heard our former Premier Danny Williams use the word bullshit to describe population projections for Newfoundland and Labrador by the Conference Board of Canada.
We also heard him dismiss Bill Barry completely for a run at the PC leadership.
Top that with a new legacy for his family announced with plenty of "Mile One" like fanfare.
What's bullshit is this:
I need a line here - and I need a line there. I need for you to be proud. I need a development on the lower churchill. You will be Premier - you will run - you will not run? We got it - we are have - we are cool, hip, and PROUD.
Grimes should shut-up - but I don't need to? Harper should shut-up - but I don't need to? The Conference Board of Canada - well that's bullshit - listen to my well researched statistics and projections instead?
Hydro-Quebec is good - Hydro-Quebec is bad - take em on - lace up the skates - go around em - through em.
I will fight with Abitibi - shag it if we lose two papermills? I will fight with Harper - shag it if we lose any number of things?
I will boot Fabian out (he supported his people)? I will remove Tom from Cabinet (for something he did not do)?
I will tell you when to be proud and tell you when it's over. I will tell what resources will be developed and when? I will avail of those resources myself - when I want and how I want?
The throne of God is diminished in his presence?
That's bullshit. It always was bullshit and remains bullshit.
I will tell the media when they can speak to me - what they can ask me - and dismiss them at my will - I will punish and sue and punish and threaten to sue - don't give a shit if it's valid?
Look at me - I'm Danny Williams - Look at me?
Bullshit.
We also heard him dismiss Bill Barry completely for a run at the PC leadership.
Top that with a new legacy for his family announced with plenty of "Mile One" like fanfare.
What's bullshit is this:
I need a line here - and I need a line there. I need for you to be proud. I need a development on the lower churchill. You will be Premier - you will run - you will not run? We got it - we are have - we are cool, hip, and PROUD.
Grimes should shut-up - but I don't need to? Harper should shut-up - but I don't need to? The Conference Board of Canada - well that's bullshit - listen to my well researched statistics and projections instead?
Hydro-Quebec is good - Hydro-Quebec is bad - take em on - lace up the skates - go around em - through em.
I will fight with Abitibi - shag it if we lose two papermills? I will fight with Harper - shag it if we lose any number of things?
I will boot Fabian out (he supported his people)? I will remove Tom from Cabinet (for something he did not do)?
I will tell you when to be proud and tell you when it's over. I will tell what resources will be developed and when? I will avail of those resources myself - when I want and how I want?
The throne of God is diminished in his presence?
That's bullshit. It always was bullshit and remains bullshit.
I will tell the media when they can speak to me - what they can ask me - and dismiss them at my will - I will punish and sue and punish and threaten to sue - don't give a shit if it's valid?
Look at me - I'm Danny Williams - Look at me?
Bullshit.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Emera Volume up almost 900%
Who got rich yesterday?
Look at the volume yesterday after Premier announced an announcement and POOF. Who did the trading?
Almost 900%
Almost 900%
Price History
Last:
29.65
Last Trade:
Dec 11, 2013
| Date | High | Low | Open | Close | Volume |
| Dec 11 | 29.85 | 29.45 | 29.78 | 29.65 | 365,092 |
| Dec 10 | 29.94 | 29.00 | 29.00 | 29.76 | 2,473,433 |
| Dec 9 | 29.30 | 29.13 | 29.20 | 29.18 | 280,280 |
| Dec 6 | 29.50 | 29.16 | 29.49 | 29.20 | 318,781 |
| Dec 5 | 29.36 | 29.15 | 29.34 | 29.34 | 163,094 |
| Dec 4 | 29.42 | 29.08 | 29.35 | 29.38 | 307,003 |
| Dec 3 | 29.38 | 29.08 | 29.25 | 29.34 | 216,965 |
| Dec 2 | 29.45 | 29.20 | 29.30 | 29.29 | 249,717 |
| Nov 29 | 29.41 | 29.15 | 29.31 | 29.32 | 282,249 |
| Nov 28 | 29.52 | 29.30 | 29.43 | 29.45 | 149,234 |
| Nov 27 | 29.71 | 29.35 | 29.71 | 29.50 | 232,207 |
| Nov 26 | 29.77 | 29.37 | 29.68 | 29.74 | 331,539 |
| Nov 25 | 29.88 | 29.59 | 29.88 | 29.68 | 207,574 |
| Nov 22 | 29.96 | 29.70 | 29.80 | 29.81 | 239,192 |
| Nov 21 | 29.88 | 29.68 | 29.68 | 29.74 | 173,946 |
| Nov 20 | 29.89 | 29.60 | 29.75 | 29.73 | 241,828 |
| Nov 19 | 29.97 | 29.54 | 29.92 | 29.71 | 227,198 |
| Nov 18 | 30.05 | 29.83 | 29.98 | 29.85 | 199,344 |
| Nov 15 | 30.00 | 29.50 | 29.60 | 29.87 | 460,071 |
| Nov 14 | 29.96 | 29.53 | 29.71 | 29.57 | 409,438 |
| Nov 13 | 29.92 | 29.51 | 29.60 | 29.52 | 361,419 |
| Nov 12 | 29.96 | 29.51 | 29.64 | 29.51 | 433,534 |
| Nov 11 | 30.11 | 29.43 | 30.11 | 29.56 | 395,537 |
| Nov 8 | 30.25 | 29.45 | 30.20 | 29.71 | 563,252 |
| Nov 7 | 30.50 | 30.02 | 30.49 | 30.20 | 310,945 |
Hill Journalists PR for PM
I have for some time been commenting on the National media and their coverage of Prime Minister Harper.
Clearly there are problems - the PM will not allow scrums, will not hold unfettered news conferences, and dictates who can ask a question and how many questions may be asked.
More recently the behavior of Harper has gotten worse as he ducks and hides from open media scrutiny of the whole Senate scandal - more particularly the Mike Duffy affair.
The highly paid and educated journalists on the Hill have been reduced to news interns chasing the PM around to photo-ops. When not doing that these otherwise skilled professionals are gathering groups of people together in panels to see if anybody else might know what Harper is thinking, doing, or involved in.
Yesterday took the cake - reaching new heights - (no pun intended) as the PM sat in the front of Canada's version of Air Force One - while the media was herded to the back. The Prime Minister was his usual self stating no questions were to be asked or answered - but allowed them a little visit to the front to see his guests, former Prime Ministers Mulroney and Chretien.
It was almost pathetic to watch the media scramble and excitement as the former PM's joined them in the back of the plane for some chit-chat.
What a disgrace - and what a pathetic sight. Journalists have allowed their integrity and professionalism to be damaged because Stephen Harper won't talk to them.
There is only one answer to this and that is that all media on the Hill STOP covering Harper. Ignore the News Releases from the PMO and do not attend his photo-ops. Cut him off and instead spend your time covering the Opposition parties, leaders, and MP's. Let the Opposition do all the speculation without an Harperionette inputting talking points.
And one more thing - when Stephen and Laureen stop at the top of the boarding stairs and wave - please show us a reverse angle so we can see who they are waving at.
Clearly there are problems - the PM will not allow scrums, will not hold unfettered news conferences, and dictates who can ask a question and how many questions may be asked.
More recently the behavior of Harper has gotten worse as he ducks and hides from open media scrutiny of the whole Senate scandal - more particularly the Mike Duffy affair.
The highly paid and educated journalists on the Hill have been reduced to news interns chasing the PM around to photo-ops. When not doing that these otherwise skilled professionals are gathering groups of people together in panels to see if anybody else might know what Harper is thinking, doing, or involved in.
Yesterday took the cake - reaching new heights - (no pun intended) as the PM sat in the front of Canada's version of Air Force One - while the media was herded to the back. The Prime Minister was his usual self stating no questions were to be asked or answered - but allowed them a little visit to the front to see his guests, former Prime Ministers Mulroney and Chretien.
It was almost pathetic to watch the media scramble and excitement as the former PM's joined them in the back of the plane for some chit-chat.
What a disgrace - and what a pathetic sight. Journalists have allowed their integrity and professionalism to be damaged because Stephen Harper won't talk to them.
There is only one answer to this and that is that all media on the Hill STOP covering Harper. Ignore the News Releases from the PMO and do not attend his photo-ops. Cut him off and instead spend your time covering the Opposition parties, leaders, and MP's. Let the Opposition do all the speculation without an Harperionette inputting talking points.
And one more thing - when Stephen and Laureen stop at the top of the boarding stairs and wave - please show us a reverse angle so we can see who they are waving at.
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