And here is a parody of the ad
Honest Scarecrow - watch more funny videos
Be aware of ads. Sometimes they don't tell you the whole story...
Be aware of ads. Sometimes they don't tell you the whole story...
10.07.2013
Honest Scarecrow
Very clever Chipotle Mexican grill. By now many of you have seen the scarecrow ad produced by Chipotle. It kinda makes you feel good right? You can eat at Chipotle and feel good about yourself. Think again. Here is the Scarecrow ad ...
And here is a parody of the ad
And here is a parody of the ad
Huronia Survivors shocked by Premier Wynne
Earlier today I posted on Premier Wynne's failure to respond to what was essentially an easy question by the NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo, someone not known for giving the Ontario Liberals a break. DiNovo asked the Premier to commit to making the apology to the Huronia Regional Centre Survivors. Some of the Huronia Survivors were in the Gallery.
Premier Wynne took this easy question and did what we have come to expect of all politicians. She side stepped, then her Attorney General added insult to injury, suggesting the case was resolved quickly. The problems are well documented and the Government of Ontario has been aware of them since 1945.
I'm simply shocked.
Below is a media release from the law firm that brought the class action suit against the Ontario Government.
---------------
Premier Wynne took this easy question and did what we have come to expect of all politicians. She side stepped, then her Attorney General added insult to injury, suggesting the case was resolved quickly. The problems are well documented and the Government of Ontario has been aware of them since 1945.
I'm simply shocked.
Below is a media release from the law firm that brought the class action suit against the Ontario Government.
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TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Huronia Regional Centre (HRC) survivors reacted with "surprise and disappointment" to statements made by Premier Kathleen Wynne and her Attorney General today in the Ontario Legislature. In particular, lawyers representing the plaintiffs were astonished that both the Premier and Attorney General John Gerretsen made such error-filled statements about the recently settled Huronia Regional Centre class action lawsuit.
During today's Question Period, the Premier and the Attorney General were flat-out wrong when they made the following statements:
| Premier Wynne: "The court is still determining, as I understand it—and I know that the Attorney General is going to want to comment on that—the nature of an appropriate apology." | ||
| Attorney General Gerretsen: "This may be no comfort to the residents at all, but the class action was settled in a very fast manner of less than three years, which is unusual for a class action." |
Kirk Baert, lead counsel in the successful action, said: "The Premier got it wrong. She said the courts are still considering the terms of the apology. In fact, the courts have absolutely nothing to do with the apology." Baert continued: "The AG also got it wrong. I was stunned when Minister Gerretsen stood up in the Legislature and said the case had been settled quickly. I can tell you that the case took half a decade, and relates to wrongdoing going back to 1945. By any standard that is hardly 'fast'."
Koskie Minsky lawyers fought to ensure HRC survivors would receive justice in this case, and will continue to do so. "The victims of Huronia have suffered long enough," said plaintiffs' lawyer Celeste Poltak. "They need closure, not political games."
The class action alleges residents of the HRC suffered inhumane treatment from 1945 until its closure in 2009, and that the province of Ontario failed to properly care for, and protect, those under its care.
Koskie Minsky LLP is representing the former HRC residents involved in the $2-billion class action lawsuit against the province of Ontario, as well as two other class action lawsuits currently underway: Southwestern Regional Centre and Rideau Regional Centre. These class actions are virtually identical to the one brought against the government by the Huronia survivors.
Another sad day handed to Huronia Survivors by Premier Wynne
You know, we all want governments to do what's right. Yet often we find them passing the buck, looking for cover. This is not leadership. Leadership is sometimes doing the unpopular, or doing what is right. Not many people in Ontario would disagree with the the statement, "The Ontario Government has failed the kids that have been sent to the Huronia Regional Centre and should apologize." See my blog and links on the tragic Huronia story here.
Today, the Premier for Ontario, Kathleen Wynne was asked in the Legislature if she would commit to this apology. The people behind the struggle were sitting in the public gallery. They were watching, they were hoping that just once in the struggle for recognition of the harms done them and thousands of others, someone would do the right thing.
Today Cheri DiNova, the most tenacious fighter for the underdog in Queen's Park, lobbed an easy question to Premier Wynne. "Will the Premier commit to apologizing to the Huronia Survivors on behalf of the government instead of handing it off to the Attorney General to apologize?" The Premier stood to say it was all a matter of negotiations and it's before a Judge.
It seems to me, the Premier could have easily said yes. I will apologize on behalf of the people of Ontario for the way these people at Huronia were treated. The case is settled. They are only talking details. When the Judge has finished his work on the agreed settlement, I will most certainly stand in the Legislature and issue an apology.
She didn't.
Question and Premier's answer in the House today.
 |
| Premier Kathleen Wynne |
 |
| Cheri DiNovo |
It seems to me, the Premier could have easily said yes. I will apologize on behalf of the people of Ontario for the way these people at Huronia were treated. The case is settled. They are only talking details. When the Judge has finished his work on the agreed settlement, I will most certainly stand in the Legislature and issue an apology.
She didn't.
Question and Premier's answer in the House today.
9.16.2013
No Group Hug from Premier Wynne for Huronia Survivors
UPDATE Sept 17/13: I called it right yesterday. The delay in the court case was because the government came to their senses and a deal was struck. Kudos to Premier Wynne for finally stepping up to the plate. It's just too bad she had to be forced to do so.
The Government has settled the suit offering $35 million to a fund for the survivors and will issue an apology.
The court case for the Huronia Regional Centre victims has been delayed until tomorrow.
This delay could be for any number of reasons. Yet this case has been headed to court for sometime, the legal teams should be ready. It would take something unusual for delay to be granted. Further its unlikely the delay was because those bring the case forward wanted it, its more likely it was the Government's lawyers that made the request.
Now I am a former political staffer in a past government, from another province. I know what I would have been thinking if a case like the Huronia kids case were happening on my watch. I would want to know how it got this far? Why have 'we' not found a way to settle this? What could we do to resolve the situation? Does this have to be a court case now? What's the right thing to do?
Kathleen Wynne, during the Ontario leadership race, met with some of those involved in this case, some ten or so months ago. According to reports she listened and was empathetic. For the first time in years these folks felt someone in government was listening. They dared believe a settlement could be had, especially now that Wynne was now Premier Wynne.
As Premier, Wynne has been giving out group hugs to anyone within reach, and she has a great reach. Sadly some of the people most in need of the Premier's attention are being forced into what could be a lengthy and costly legal battle. Many of the people involved in this case are in their 80's, many have died waiting for someone in government to acknowledge what they went through, to say we're sorry.
Let's hope today's delay is the result of someone in government coming to their senses.
some links
Toronto Star: Ontario allowed decades of child abuse: Goar
The Government has settled the suit offering $35 million to a fund for the survivors and will issue an apology.
CBC: Huronia Regional Centre lawsuit ends in $35M settlement
The court case for the Huronia Regional Centre victims has been delayed until tomorrow.
This case has received sporadic coverage as its worked its way to court. Fortunately in the last few days the issue has gained much more attention and that may be why the case was delayed in court today. Let's hope so.Kirk Baert, a lawyer bringing the class action case to court said today on the adjournment; "The parties have agreed to adjourn the start of the trial for one day. Because this matter is before the court it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
This delay could be for any number of reasons. Yet this case has been headed to court for sometime, the legal teams should be ready. It would take something unusual for delay to be granted. Further its unlikely the delay was because those bring the case forward wanted it, its more likely it was the Government's lawyers that made the request.
Now I am a former political staffer in a past government, from another province. I know what I would have been thinking if a case like the Huronia kids case were happening on my watch. I would want to know how it got this far? Why have 'we' not found a way to settle this? What could we do to resolve the situation? Does this have to be a court case now? What's the right thing to do?
Kathleen Wynne, during the Ontario leadership race, met with some of those involved in this case, some ten or so months ago. According to reports she listened and was empathetic. For the first time in years these folks felt someone in government was listening. They dared believe a settlement could be had, especially now that Wynne was now Premier Wynne.
Let's hope today's delay is the result of someone in government coming to their senses.
some links
Toronto Star: Ontario allowed decades of child abuse: Goar
Toronto Star: Huronia Regional Centre: Class-action lawsuit set to begin over alleged abuse
Institutional Survivors - Background
The Orillia Packet HRC lawsuit to begin Monday
9.13.2013
Little Angels and Tiny Toddlers... Ontario's shame, our collective shame
The dormitory and hallways stank of excrement, children went to the toilet and showered in the open, exposed to everyone, once showered they were given clothes by a staff person from a locked room. These children had nothing, not the clothes on their backs nor underwear they wore each day.
The Ontario Government is forcing these people to court to settle their claims against the institution and the government. There is little dispute the harm was done, little dispute people were beaten, abused, humiliated and confined in conditions considered inhumane. Sexually abused, forced to beat up other children.
The case goes to court September 16th. Carol Goar of the Toronto Star has called the trial “a day of reckoning”.
You can find out more below, follow the links. I'm hopefull all three Ontario political parties can agree to an apology and settlement. Or must these people relive the horrors in court. Challenged all the way by the Government of Ontario, Our Government.
From Ontario Newswatch:
Closed after 133 years in 2009, developmentally handicapped children were housed over the years in what some former residents allege were horrific, Dickensian prison-like conditions.
Thousands are suing the Ontario government in a massive class action suit that alleges they were systematically sexually, physically and emotionally abused while the Ontario government was exclusively in charge from 1945 to 2004. -
In 2011 CBC covered the story;
The lawyerKirk Baert: 'How far do you think the government would have gotten in the '50s, '60s and '70s if they had held people convicted of murder by the ankles and dunked them into bathwater full of ice cubes or forced them to scrub floors with toothbrushes or kicked them or punched them.
'If you think about the hierarchy, about where these people stood on the totem pole, they were below convicted felons.'
See also
CBC Radio One documentary “The Gristle in the Stew”Listen now! Read about the documentary here and some of the incredible comments at the bottom of the article. - See more at: http://www.institutionalsurvivors.com/#sthash.nGPZMvR4.dpuf
6.05.2013
Canadian Senators - Retirement you can count on
It seems that when you suggest changing anything about the Senate in Canada, other than tinkering around the edges you are a simply "a group of ideologues that haven’t a clue about the constitutional or political reality of this country." Dale Smith - protector of the senate
Dale and I don't agree.
The NDP and before them, the CCF have advocated for abolishing the Senate. It remains a key part of democratic reform required in this country. We have listened to Conservatives and Liberals at various times call the Senate useless, loaded with party hacks, then promise to reform the body. It never happens.
The Senate was created to protect the moneyed people of Canada, from the potential damage members of parliament could inflict on the gentry, if left to their own devices.
Liberal and Conservative Prime Ministers load the body up with Liberals and Conservatives. Most often these people were party bagmen, fundraisers, corporate donors, or former MP's.
The Senate costs us somewhere north of 90 million dollars every year. That for about 100 people. They get paid $132,000 per year, staff, travel and even something called hospitality. They receive 64 return trips to Ottawa each year, they can use to fly anywhere in Canada.
The 64 trips can be to for any purpose. They can use them to fly from Ottawa to Calgary to host a Liberal or Conservative fundraiser. Hospitality money can entertain Liberal or Conservative party activists, potential corporate funders, or the Senators buddies.
More tomorrow on the money side and scandal. More in days ahead about abolishing the Senate.
Dale and I don't agree.
The NDP and before them, the CCF have advocated for abolishing the Senate. It remains a key part of democratic reform required in this country. We have listened to Conservatives and Liberals at various times call the Senate useless, loaded with party hacks, then promise to reform the body. It never happens.
The Senate was created to protect the moneyed people of Canada, from the potential damage members of parliament could inflict on the gentry, if left to their own devices.
Liberal and Conservative Prime Ministers load the body up with Liberals and Conservatives. Most often these people were party bagmen, fundraisers, corporate donors, or former MP's.
The Senate costs us somewhere north of 90 million dollars every year. That for about 100 people. They get paid $132,000 per year, staff, travel and even something called hospitality. They receive 64 return trips to Ottawa each year, they can use to fly anywhere in Canada.
The 64 trips can be to for any purpose. They can use them to fly from Ottawa to Calgary to host a Liberal or Conservative fundraiser. Hospitality money can entertain Liberal or Conservative party activists, potential corporate funders, or the Senators buddies.
More tomorrow on the money side and scandal. More in days ahead about abolishing the Senate.
5.23.2013
He Committed Fraud - Senator Nancy Ruth
Contrast these comments on Senate scandal...
Senator Nancy Greene Raine - It's okay to have the same people review Senator Duffy's expenses and its okay to do it behind closed doors.
Senator Nancy Ruth - "In my opinion (Senator Duffy) committed fraud."
Senator Lillian Dyck - Senators are abusing the system, while people are hungry, living on the streets.
See raw video on CBC here.
Bill C-377 has Alberta Senator Seething!
Last December (2012) the Harper Conservative government passed Bill C-377. The bill is nothing more than an attempt by non-union contractors to harass and create added costs on unions in their lifetime pursuit to eliminate unions.
From Rabble.ca
The bill had little debate and was rushed through the House of Commons. The Senate has been dealing with Bill C-377. In second reading Senator Elaine McCoy (last Progressive Conservative Senator left in the Senate) had to say ...
You can get more information here on the Bill, the votes and debate at Open Parliament
From Rabble.ca
Well, there we have it. The Conservative government has just rammed Bill C-377, legislation which will saddle unions with ridiculously detailed, costly financial reporting requirements, through the House of Commons. The bill was successfully voted in by MPs on Wednesday evening, by a margin of 147 to 135. - Conservative government rams through anti-union Bill C-377 December 13, 2012
The bill had little debate and was rushed through the House of Commons. The Senate has been dealing with Bill C-377. In second reading Senator Elaine McCoy (last Progressive Conservative Senator left in the Senate) had to say ...
Bill C-377 is so audacious, so mendacious, so outrageous, that I can really only think of one twosentence review, and in this I am paraphrasing Dorothy Parker, whom many honourable senators will know. She once said in her two-line book review: “This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.”This comment of hers is attributed to a book written by Mussolini called The Cardinal's Mistress. Let me paraphrase Dorothy Parker: This is not a bill to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force. - Senator Elaine McCoy, May 2, 2013, Excerpt of Debates of the Senate (Hansard)
You can get more information here on the Bill, the votes and debate at Open Parliament
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