"This group is for politically Active Trans People & their supporters, our goal is to bring together, people from the community & open minded people from all walks of life, together united with goal of starting a world wide movement for Trans/human Rights. i want the world to know, We mean business!"
1.30.2010
Trans/Human Rights blog
Looking for politically active Trans folks? Check out Trans/Human Rights blog. looks like the beginning of something exciting...
SIN tax on American Gays
For all my American friends, consdier this advice from Michael Mahler, Editor of the Erie Gay News out of Erie PA.
Now wouldn't it be great if some of you in the USA tried this. Good luck!
"...With the upcoming tax season, I urge all those who support the LGBT movement who are members of a same-sex marriage to follow inGandhi’s example of nonviolent non-cooperation. Do not file your tax return separately when you know that you are married! File a joint return! Claim those exemptions due you! In all things respecting your marriage, assert that you are married, whether local, state, or federal! On all levels or no levels is your marriage valid. ..." - see full article at Gay Media
Now wouldn't it be great if some of you in the USA tried this. Good luck!
1.29.2010
CBS Bans Gay ads
CBS, the Christian BUTT Straight network has again said no to gay content in Super Bowl ads.
First is the ManCrunch ad...
And Go Daddy ad here
tweet them here... CBS rejects gay ads for Superbowl #CBSfail
First is the ManCrunch ad...
And Go Daddy ad here
tweet them here... CBS rejects gay ads for Superbowl #CBSfail
Queer Ontario
Come out to the launch of the new Queer Ontario group!
Official launch party of Queer Ontario, a provincial activist group in the tradition of the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO). A network composed of individuals and groups, Queer Ontario assumes its predecessor’s mission of challenging and reforming the social and political laws that affect gay and lesbian people in Ontario.
See Xtra.ca for more info...
CLGRO Farewell/ Queer Ontario Launch Party
Sat, Jan 30, 6–9pm. Free.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre,
12 Alexander St,
926.9135.
Sat, Jan 30, 6–9pm. Free. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre,
12 Alexander St,
926.9135.
Official launch party of Queer Ontario, a provincial activist group in the tradition of the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO). A network composed of individuals and groups, Queer Ontario assumes its predecessor’s mission of challenging and reforming the social and political laws that affect gay and lesbian people in Ontario.
See Xtra.ca for more info...
1.28.2010
Liberal Glen Murray runs from the Camera
Sometimes you just have to watch to understand what is going on. TVO thought it would be good for people to have the candidates in the Toronto Centre provincial by-election debate the issues.
Unfortunately they had to pull the plug when Glen Murray, the Liberal candidate refused to participate. This was puzzling to TVO Journalist Steve Paikin who had this to say about the curiously now quiet Murray...
Murray was expected to win Toronto Centre in a cake walk over the NDP.
What was unexpected w
as the NDP nominating its own star candidate, Cathy Crowe. Crowe must have Murray on the run if he can't take a telvised debate.
The Liberal's biggest advantage at the moment is the lack of media coverage for the race. Too much light might lead to a closer race than they thought possible. Even at that. it may be too late for the Liberals in Toronto Centre.
Unfortunately they had to pull the plug when Glen Murray, the Liberal candidate refused to participate. This was puzzling to TVO Journalist Steve Paikin who had this to say about the curiously now quiet Murray...
"We found this particularly ironic since Murray, in his previous life as head of the Canadian Urban Institute, loved appearing on our program, and frequently pitched our producers on coming on to the program to discuss his interests. And when he did come on, (let me say this diplomatically) he almost never stopped talking."
Murray was expected to win Toronto Centre in a cake walk over the NDP.
What was unexpected w
as the NDP nominating its own star candidate, Cathy Crowe. Crowe must have Murray on the run if he can't take a telvised debate. The Liberal's biggest advantage at the moment is the lack of media coverage for the race. Too much light might lead to a closer race than they thought possible. Even at that. it may be too late for the Liberals in Toronto Centre.
Adam Giambrone says, "I'm Ready!"
Well it looks like I can get excited about the race for mayor of Toronto.
No not George or Rossi. For me I am hoping Adam Giambrone is announcing his run on Monday!
No not George or Rossi. For me I am hoping Adam Giambrone is announcing his run on Monday!
Jack Layton was ahead of the Pack
“A comprehensive peace process has to bring all the combatants to the table.”
Jack Layton, NDP Leader
Sept. 1, 2006.
The rest of the world has caught up. Histeria ruled the day in 2006. When New Democrats stood against sending more troops, a bigger combat role in Afghanistan in 2006, they did so recoginizing that we would never win with weapons... today
Afghanistan’s president declared Thursday that reaching out to the Taliban’s leaders should be a centerpiece of efforts to end the eight-year-old war there, setting in motion a delicate diplomatic process that will carry great risks for both Afghanistan and the United States … In her remarks to the conference, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton preferred to focus on the less divisive issue of reintegration: luring lower- and mid-level Taliban fighters back into society with offers of jobs, money, and protection from Taliban reprisal … Japan announced it would contribute $50 million to a trust fund to support reintegration. The United States and Britain will also supporting the effort, though the Obama administration must obtain a license from the Treasury Department, since it would involve channeling money to members of the Taliban, a group blacklisted by the United States.
Too bad you were ahead of the pack Jack, now of course, who will remember your call on this...
see Everyone agrees with Taliban Jack now
Phallus In Wonderland
CBC Ideas this evening, looks at the the male attachment to the Penis. Beginning tonight is the first part of Phallus In Wonderland. Part two tomorrow.
Its on CBC Radio One, 9pm. If you are outside Canada try Satellite radio or CBC.ca on the web.
"For thousands of years, “phallocentric” myths have celebrated the omnipotence of the penis. The Egyptian god Min was so powerful, he fathered himself. In ancient Rome a boy’s first ejaculation was part of a state holiday. Throughout history, the pursuit of the perfect penis has fuI am sure it will be interesting... Perhaps hard to misselled the search for cures for impotence. In the eleventh century a recipe involved sparrows and Billy-goats. Today men pop Viagra. IDEAS producer Mary O’Connell takes us inside this male wonderland."
Its on CBC Radio One, 9pm. If you are outside Canada try Satellite radio or CBC.ca on the web.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell to die soon
The Senate Armed Services committee in Washington will meet next Tuesday. They are set to hear from Defense Secretary Gates who will make a major announcement, all expectations are an announcement to rescind Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in the Military services of the United States.
1.25.2010
Bush folksy - Obama Uppity?
The good folks over at Fox are trying hard to show concern about proper decorum in the Oval Office. To that end they posted a picture of President Obama with his feet up on the desk. Those Democrats just can't behave the way a President ought too it seems.
Here is the picture Fox posted...
That clearly is President Obama with his big feet on the Oval Office Desk. What kind of message is the president conveying to the American public?
I suppose one might say he is a little too comfortable behind that desk. Luckily Clinton didn't have a camera in the room when he got a little too comfortable.
So if Obama is taking the Oval Office a little too comfortably, his predecessor President Bush di
d as well.
Trust Media Matters to find this picture of then President Bush with you guessed it, his feet on the Oval Office desk.
Perhaps its the number of people in the room that makes the difference, or just who the people are? Maybe its where you put your feet? And then maybe when Bush did it he was being folksy and when Obama did it he was being uppity...
Here is the picture Fox posted...That clearly is President Obama with his big feet on the Oval Office Desk. What kind of message is the president conveying to the American public?
I suppose one might say he is a little too comfortable behind that desk. Luckily Clinton didn't have a camera in the room when he got a little too comfortable.
So if Obama is taking the Oval Office a little too comfortably, his predecessor President Bush di
d as well. Trust Media Matters to find this picture of then President Bush with you guessed it, his feet on the Oval Office desk.
Perhaps its the number of people in the room that makes the difference, or just who the people are? Maybe its where you put your feet? And then maybe when Bush did it he was being folksy and when Obama did it he was being uppity...
1.23.2010
Raise a little Hell Canada!
Okay Canada, lets show people that we do care about our country and democracy. Stephen Harper has closed Parliament so he can avoid nasty questions about the economy, Afghanistan and his stacking of the Senate. Today we're going to raise a little hell, and I intend to be one of the little troopers doing so...
Go to a rally
info here at Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament
and Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament-Rally
Go to a rally
info here at Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament
and Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament-Rally
1.20.2010
Never again, without a Vote
Finally, someone has a plan to end the long abused practice of prorogation. Prorogation of Parliament has become much more of a problem over the last 13 months. Prime Minister Harper has avoided serious votes in Parliament by prorouging Parliament.
Today, the NDP have p
roposed legislation be enacted requiring a Prime Minister seeking prorougation, to have the consent off the house of commons.
There may well be some legal hurdles to climb over to bring this law into place, lets find them and go.
see the Globe and Mail also: Jack Layton drafts anti-prorogation bill
Today, the NDP have p
roposed legislation be enacted requiring a Prime Minister seeking prorougation, to have the consent off the house of commons.There may well be some legal hurdles to climb over to bring this law into place, lets find them and go.
see the Globe and Mail also: Jack Layton drafts anti-prorogation bill
tick tock Mr. President
tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock,
Not much more to say Mr. President, we're waiting....
Not much more to say Mr. President, we're waiting....1.19.2010
haiku you Harper
The leader was called Harper
He turned out to be a hoaxer
When he prorogued our house
Thinking we wouldn't grouse
He couldn't have been dumber
check out Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament
He turned out to be a hoaxer
When he prorogued our house
Thinking we wouldn't grouse
He couldn't have been dumber
check out Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament
1.15.2010
Something to Crowe about
in the Toronto Centre By-election
“For decades, Cathy Crowe has been the compassionate heart of this city, putting her body on the line again and again for the city’s disadvantaged. That someone of such stunning integrity would be willing to run for political office is something close to a miracle.” -
Before Harper appoints more Senators...
Stephen Harper says...
Here is Stephen Harper's view of the Senate from one of his legendary speeches. This speech was delivered in 1997 in Canada. The speech was to the June 1997 Montreal meeting of the Council for National Policy, a right-wing U.S. think tank. Harper at the time was Vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition.
a link to the whole speech here. Now Harper will be appointing at least five Senators to top up the eighteen or so he has appointed already and perhaps another eight Senators available in the event a Prime Minister feels he needs to appoint some more.
The Council for National Policy is a secretive organization with the support of some of the most conservative people in the USA. Read more here.
Here is Stephen Harper's view of the Senate from one of his legendary speeches. This speech was delivered in 1997 in Canada. The speech was to the June 1997 Montreal meeting of the Council for National Policy, a right-wing U.S. think tank. Harper at the time was Vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition.
"Of our two legislative houses, the Senate, our upper house, is appointed, also by the Prime Minister, where he puts buddies, fundraisers and the like. So the Senate also is not very important in our political system."
a link to the whole speech here. Now Harper will be appointing at least five Senators to top up the eighteen or so he has appointed already and perhaps another eight Senators available in the event a Prime Minister feels he needs to appoint some more.
The Council for National Policy is a secretive organization with the support of some of the most conservative people in the USA. Read more here.
1.14.2010
How Harper has hurt our Democracy
This is from
Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament, the largest Canadian Facebook group ever. It is from the discussion topic
The Harper Attack on Canadian Democracy Documented
as posted by Defend Parliament:
MUZZLING CABINET MINISTERS, MPs, JUDGES, ETC
How Harper controls the spin
Zeal to manage message sees journalists shunned, bureaucrats, cabinet ministers routinely muzzled. Public appearances by cabinet ministers – whether it's a speech or an interview – are carefully staged, starting with a "message event proposal" vetted by the Privy Council Office, the bureaucratic wing of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/429906
PM slaps muzzle on military brass
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/National/2006/04/15/1535119-sun.html
Hillier, Sr.Officials Muzzled by PMO
http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php/topic,42247.0.html
Mum’s the word: Harper tells MPs to keep mouths shut
http://www.carleton.ca/ctown/archiv/mar3106/Insite2.htm
Tories tighten muzzle on PS [Public Service] for campaign
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=93e98b5c-593a-4eac-b835-a4359e80babd
Former chief justice of Canada accuses PM of trying to "muzzle" the judiciary
http://www.anticorruption.ca/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4792&sid=44cad6d7756e9bd7010d182cb62e00da
'Muzzle' Placed On Federal Scientists
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=47bf0fba-b98f-43fb-89fb-58b6464a7b24&k=65248
Tories muzzle environmental scientist
http://www.hour.ca/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=8942
Minister stops book talk by Environment Canada scientist
http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2006/04/13/ambrose-climate.html
Mum's the word till message vetted
No federal cabinet minister speaks to a journalist, gives a speech or makes a policy announcement until a "message event proposal" has been vetted by a wing of the Prime Minister's Office.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/429903
Harper lawsuit smacks of authoritarian state: prof
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/08/07/harper-lawsuit.html
Holland shocked by Conservative comments on media
http://www.markholland.ca/news/2006/060331harpermedia.htm
Harper government whips Tories into line with secret handbook
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/columnists/story.html?id=b8122d51-95e8-4b29-b99b-34217406425d
Information Commissioner Robert Marleau told The Hill Times recently that the Harper government has been quietly drafting about 25 government policies that impact on the rights of officers of Parliament, and that it has been happening without their knowledge or input.
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/members/login.php?fail=2&destination=/html/cover_index.php?display=story&full_path=/2008/may/12/spindoctors/
Conservative headquarters scripting calls to radio shows
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080325.wtorytalk0325/BNStory/National/home
Feds keep lid on Atomic Energy Canada sale report
http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Feds+keep+Atomic+Energy+Canada+sale+report/2121029/story.html
Huge loss expected in any AECL sale, MPs concede
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Huge+loss+expected+AECL+sale+concede/2129653/story.html
Is he sitting on it?
Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan still has not tabled the 2008 report from the Commissioner of Firearms. Knowing the report will likely be favourable to the existing gun registry, many have questioned whether Van Loan is suppressing the report until after tonight's vote on scrapping the long gun registry.
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/insidepolitics/2009/11/is-he-sitting-on-it.html
Canada slips in 'press freedom' rankings
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/712978--canada-slips-in-press-freedom-rankings
Torture probe delayed; Tories deny gagging witness
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/704155
Lawyers seek to gag witnesses in Afghan prisoner inquiry
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090929/taliban_prisoners_090929/20090929?hub=Canada
Has Canada entered a 'Bush-like vortex'?
Richard Colvin's torture allegations suggest civil servants aren't writing down what the government doesn't want recorded
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/has-canada-entered-a-bush-like-vortex/article1404311/
PMO issued instructions on denying abuse in '07
Former NATO official says response to reports was 'scripted' in Ottawa
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/729157--pmo-issued-instructions-on-denying-abuse-in-07
Tories attack credibility of diplomat who blew whistle on torture
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tories-attack-credibility-of-diplomat-who-blew-whistle-on-torture/article1369993/
Attack on senior diplomat signals demise of independent public service: experts
"If we don’t have a public service that speaks truth to power we might as well have everything run out of the Prime Minister’s Office.”
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Attack+Colvin+signals+demise+independent+public+service/2283460/story.html
Diplomats told to keep quiet on torture allegations, sources say
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/diplomats-told-to-keep-quiet-on-torture-allegations-sources-say/article1367390/
Former ambassadors condemn Ottawa's attack on diplomat
Response to Colvin's detainee testimony discourages honest reports, letter says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/former-ambassadors-condemn-ottawas-attack-on-diplomat/article1392248/
Public service in crisis over Colvin
The Harper government's attack on a senior diplomat could be the final blow in the unravelling of Canada's once-sacred tradition of an independent, non-partisan public service, warn experts
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Public+service+crisis+over+Colvin/2285239/story.html
Afghan detainee watchdog warns of Tory ‘chilling effect'
Departing military commission chief's [BECAUSE HE WAS REFUSED REAPPOINTMENT BY THE TORIES] comments come as Harper government digs in its heels in face of parliamentary order to turn over confidential files
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/afghan-detainee-watchdog-warns-of-tory-chilling-effect/article1397570/
Detainee watchdog post remains unfilled
Military police commission set to meet in March, but Ottawa's delays in appointing new chairman could prompt delay
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/detainee-watchdog-post-remains-unfilled/article1428874/
Feds refuse legal funding to whistleblower diplomat
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091027/whistleblower_legal_091027/20091027?hub=Canada
Ottawa's stance on whistleblower's legal costs called 'unethical'
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/716489--ottawa-s-stance-on-whistleblower-s-legal-costs-called-unethical
Feds tried to order nuclear regulator to bend rules
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071218/reactor_order_071218/20071218?hub=Politics
Ottawa fires nuclear safety commission head [nuclear regulator]
http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourview/2008/01/ottawa_fires_nuclear_safety_co.html
Ousted regulator just doing her job
http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/294886
Tories drop RCMP complaints commissioner
Paul Kennedy sparred with government over office's powers, budget
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/731775--tories-drop-rcmp-complaints-commissioner
Clement slams CMA doctors for supporting drug-injection site
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=732204
Scientific data backs Insite
http://www.straight.com/scientific-data-backs-insite
Budget officer [Kevin Page] questions projected federal surplus
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/canada/Budget+officer+questions+projected+surplus/1054174/story.html
If the object of the exercise was “truth in budgeting”, that’s what Kevin’s office provided. But that realism, whether in regard to rosy but flawed government fiscal forecasts or the true cost of the war in Afghanistan, has been a bit too much truth for this government. Mr. [Kevin] Page’s office has had its budget cut by one million dollars.
http://informedvote.ca/2009/11/07/our-parliamentary-budget-officer-kevin-page-%E2%80%93-a-canadian-hero/
Conservatives stop funding for learning organization
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-stop-funding-for-learning-organization/article1423912/
Ottawa is cutting off public input into climate-change policy
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/Ottawa+cutting+public+input+into+climate+change+policy/2126254/story.html
Tory candidate dumped for frank TV comments: Mused riding wouldn't get infrastructure cash because it's Liberal-held
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/702396
Tory candidates avoiding debates [Election Campaign, 2008]
Campaign official says 'there's no policy' forbidding participation in certain all-candidates' meetings
http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/510147
Gov't program wants job applicants' views on Tory budget
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091104/interns_federal_091104/20091104?hub=QPeriod
Insults, discourtesy and disrespect mark Harper team's behaviour: Targets have included AIDS activists, Nobel Prize winners and Road to Avonlea star
http://www.harperindex.ca/ViewArticle.cfm?Ref=00145
PM Never Too Busy For a Photo OP
summoning hordes of photographers to document your every move following a massive humanitarian disaster, and then not letting reporters ask questions seems very disingenuous, and a little ridiculous. The intent is obviously to make Mr. Harper look Prime Ministerial, but I think if the public knew the context behind the images they were seeing they would feel exactly the opposite.
http://www.hilltimes.com/blog/?p=247
THE CULTURE OF SECRECY
Watchdog blasts Tories for secrecy obsession: Information chief challenges Ottawa to ease 'stranglehold'
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/593921
Watchdog alarmed by Harper's information clampdown
Canada's information watchdog says the public knows less than ever about what its government is doing – a stark contrast to Barack Obama's push for openness in the United States.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/575765
Government secrecy ‘grim,' watchdog says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090226.wPOLinformation0226/BNStory/politics/home
Ottawa nixes bid to expand transparency
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-nixes-bid-to-expand-transparency/article1325061/
Watchdog slams lack of transparency in stimulus spending
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091009/watchdog_stimulus_091009/20091009?hub=TopStoriesV2
Can't say if federal stimulus is working: watchdog
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/12/11/stimulus-funding-watchdog011.html
Tory stimulus boast tough to verify
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091203/stimulus_cash_091203/20091203?hub=Canada
Tories blasted for secrecy on stimulus cash
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/stimulus/article/718466--tories-blasted-for-secrecy-on-stimulus-cash
Stimulus spending watchdogs stymied by lack of data
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091004/stimulus_data_091004/20091004?hub=Canada
Tories not so open now
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/712110--tories-not-so-open-now
Ottawa seeks secrecy in Tamil migrant case
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ottawa-seeks-secrecy-in-tamil-migrant-case/article1406347/
CENTRALIZING POWER IN STEPHEN HARPER’S HANDS
Siddiqui: Harper acting like an elected dictator
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/740829?bn=1
Gomery slams Harper for ignoring him
The man who investigated the sponsorship scandal says Prime Minister Stephen Harper seems to have abandoned any commitment he once had to transparent government in favour of a top-down style that centralizes power in his own hands.
http://www.marketingmag.ca/english/news/agency/article.jsp?content=20080131_777333_2206
Gomery slams increasing power of PM's office
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/345503
Failure to decentralize PMO power poses danger to democracy: Gomery
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/03/13/gomery-committee.html
CONTEMPT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
Ottawa moves to block detainee-transfer hearings [2008]
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/article722656.ece
Redactions hamper Afghan detainee probe [2009]
Unreadable documents make meaningful inquiry ‘almost impossible’ and reflect government efforts to keep record a secret
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/redactions-hamper-afghan-detainee-probe/article1383375/
Ottawa won't release Afghan documents
Harper government says it will not comply with Opposition motion passed by Parliament, setting stage for legal battle
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/737634--ottawa-won-t-release-afghan-documents
Tories to ignore vote on releasing prisoner reports
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091211/afghanistan_motion_091211/20091211?hub=TopStoriesV2
Parliament in showdown with Harper government over Afghan documents
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091211/n1211113A.html
Tories refuse to release uncensored documents on Afghan detainees
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Tories+refuse+release+uncensored+documents+Afghan+detainees/2330193/story.html
Tories force shutdown of hearing on torture [2009]
Opposition blasts boycott as whistleblower readies rebuttal to Ottawa today
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/739427
Tories dodging detainee debate to slurp eggnog?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/tories-dodging-detainee-debate-to-slurp-eggnog/article1409101/
Ritz avoids listeria joke questions at agriculture debate
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/article713835.ece
Promised listeriosis probe still lacks investigator
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090104.wlisteriosisprobe0104/BNStory/politics/home
Harper government withholds listeriosis notes
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090222.wfoilisteriosis0222/BNStory/politics/home
Did lag in releasing listeriosis notes break law?
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090223/listeriosis_notes_090223/20090223?hub=Canada
Tories opened patronage doors before election: CP
Harper, who railed against Liberal patronage in the 2006 election, later failed to deliver on a campaign pledge to put an independent commission in charge of vetting cabinet appointments. He angrily shelved the idea after opposition MPs refused to ratify his nomination of Gwyn Morgan, a Calgary oil baron who is also a friend of the prime minister, as the commission chair.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080929/election2008_patronage_080930/20080929?s_name=election2008
Harper makes history by naming 18 senators in one day
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/081222/n122280A.html
Stalled investigation
In April of last year Elections Canada asked the RCMP to help raid Conservative headquarters in Ottawa to search for evidence. Investigators seized dozens of boxes of documents and copied millions of files from the party's computers. But according to an affidavit filed in court, the Conservatives' lawyer claimed virtually all the documents were subject to solicitor-client privilege. Meaning everything had to be sealed.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/politicalbytes/2009/01/stalled_investigation.html
'NAFTAgate' began with PM's chief of staff
http://news.therecord.com/article/318895
Harper says Obama leak might have been illegal
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says leaks from his government that rocked Barack Obama's U.S. presidential campaign were "blatantly unfair" - and may have been illegal.
http://www.thewesternstar.com/index.cfm?sid=114599&sc=505
Not investigating 'NAFTAgate' leak: Conservatives
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/309381
Prentice defends use of government jet
An analysis of federal air travel by a French-language television network found that 15 ministers had used the private plane 72 times after four years in office, including 31 trips that did not appear to meet government criteria for use of the plane.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Prentice+defends+government/2421858/story.html
Tories stall on Liberal request for jet passengers
The Harper government says it is unable to provide the names of passengers who have flown on its fleet of Challenger executive jets since 2006 because it would take longer than a month-and-a-half to assemble the list.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Tories+stall+Liberal+request+passengers/2240281/story.html
CONTEMPT FOR ETHICS
People don't care about Afghan detainee issue: Harper
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/746448--people-don-t-care-about-afghan-detainee-issue-harper?bn=1
PM's former adviser accused of peddling access to corridors of power
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081212.wbrodie12/BNStory/Front
Bureaucrats objected to gov't ad campaign: sources
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091008/govt_advertising_091008/20091008?hub=Politics
PM ignores fixed-election date law
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/CanadaVotes/News/2008/09/07/6690346-cp.html
Conservatives confusing public on 'in and out' financing says Prof. MacIvor
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=2008/april/21/legislation/&c=2
RCMP raids Tory party headquarters
The Conservatives insist the transactions were legal but Elections Canada disagrees and rival parties have labeled the scheme outright fraud
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/414652
Tories overspent on election by $1M: warrant
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/04/20/rcmp-torieswarrant.html
Tory dissenters 'idiots, turds'
Workers on the campaign of a Conservative MP who declined to participate in the in-and-out advertising scheme in the 2006 election were denounced as "idiots" and a "bunch of turds"
by senior party officials, who wanted to "put the fear of God" into them for not taking part in the contentious TV and radio purchases.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/decisioncanada/story.html?id=060d55a6-71be-4426-9188-f67987e472f9
Tory MP admits he broke elections law
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090401.wPOLelxn0401/BNStory/politics/home
Tory MP derides jobless as 'no-good bastards'
MPs' comments on unemployed, abortion show party's 'meanness,' opposition critics say
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/730478--tory-mp-derides-jobless-as-no-good-bastards
Finley under fire for 'lucrative' jobless comment
Conservative government has no interest in increasing Employment Insurance payments and making it “lucrative” for jobless workers to sit around the house
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Finley+under+fire+lucrative+jobless+comment/1245571/story.html
“In terms of the unemployed... don't feel particularly bad for many of these people. They don't feel bad about it themselves, as long as they're receiving generous social assistance and unemployment insurance.”
Stephen Harper, Speech to the [American] Council for National Policy, June 1997
Full text of Stephen Harper's 1997 speech
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051213/elxn_harper_speech_text_051214/20051214/
PM's Jewish pitch hits a new low, critics say Tory flyer suggests Liberals are anti-Semitic
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/727885--pm-s-jewish-pitch-hits-a-new-low-critics-say
Speaker slaps Tory wrists over hyper-partisan flyers
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091119/n1119147A.html
Speaker rules flyers may have damaged MP's reputation
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Speaker+rules+flyers+have+damaged+reputation/2273061/story.html
“… new book made the claim that former Conservative MP Chuck Cadman was essentially offered financial inducements [ a $1 million life insurance policy] by Conservative party officials to vote down the Liberal government's 2005 budget …. Chuck Cadman's widow [a current Conservative MP] has said her late husband told her about the offer. Two other family members say Cadman told them the same thing ….”
Quoted from “Dion, Harper clash over Cadman allegations”, http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080303/harper_lawsuit_080303/20080303
PM's cutback plan: Choke rival parties
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/544388
NDP considers legal action after Tories tape private meeting
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/article725170.ece
Recreational stimulus favours Tory ridings
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/recreational-stimulus-favours-tory-ridings/article1332609/
Tory ridings get more stimulus money
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/10/22/stimulus-spending.html
Stimulus funds forget high jobless areas
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091111/n111141A.html
Lobbying czar probes firm with ties to Tories
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/lobbying-czar-probes-firm-with-ties-to-tories/article1339588/
Raitt accused of expense abuse: She improperly approved her London trip, Port Authority's former chair says
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/721434--raitt-accused-of-expense-abuse?bn=1
Why were port authority board minutes altered?
Documents approved in December 2008 differ greatly from those rewritten and approved six months later, Star examination finds
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/722028--why-were-port-authority-board-minutes-altered
Raitt under fire for calling cancer, isotope crisis 'sexy
http://www.canada.com/news/Raitt+refuses+apologize+calling+cancer+radiation+sexy/1678638/story.html
Tories overstate cost of Liberal EI plan: budget office
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/09/11/employment-insurance.html
Tory attack on carbon tax is dishonest: economist
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080610/tory_ads_080610?s_name=&no_ads=
Harper won't rule out carbon tax
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/741961--harper-won-t-rule-out-carbon-tax
Tories outspent Liberals on consultants
The Conservative government spent almost $1 billion on consultants in its first two years in office – nearly double what the Liberals spent in a similar time period, a Toronto Star investigation shows
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/550044
PM's pal gets government job
Appointment to board of directors is geologist's third posting to be criticized for favouritism
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/624802
Conservative spending on polls hits $31-million, DOUBLES Liberals [under the previous gov’t] http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=142342
Tory MP who led anti-drug campaign charged with cocaine possession
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/090916/n0916139A.html
Tories spend 5 times more on ads than H1N1 prevention
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/698415
Harper so far unscathed by HST blowback
Federal support key to tax harmonization that has been poorly received by Canadians
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-so-far-unscathed-by-hst-blowback/article1308907/
Tories reject fast-tracking of sentencing bill
Conservatives rejected a bid Thursday to expedite a key piece of their tough-on-crime agenda, even as they continued to bash Liberal senators for holding up the legislation
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091009/nicholson_legislation_091009/20091009?hub=Canada
Canada quietly asks EPA to weaken anti-pollution measures
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canada-quietly-asks-epa-to-weaken-anti-pollution-measures/article1327805/
Ethics czar to investigate Tory logos on cheques
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091020/cheque_probe_091020/20091020?hub=TopStoriesV2
Taxpayers on hook for $1.7-million as PMO rolls out video
Extra funding requested to help bolster Stephen Harper's communications support services
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/taxpayers-on-hook-for-17-million-as-pmo-rolls-out-video/article1393248/
Tories spend $108,000 on 1-hour event
The Conservative government spent more than $100,000 staging a one-hour event in June to provide an update on its economic recovery program
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/712078--tories-spend-108-000-on-1-hour-event
John Baird won't let truth blunt a good barb
For second consecutive day, Transport Minister misquotes Liberal defence critic in fending off criticism on Afghan detainee torture allegations
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/john-baird-wont-let-truth-blunt-a-good-barb/article1384665/
Climate walkout `certainly happened'
Despite minister's denial, email confirms incident
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/744092--climate-walkout-certainly-happened
Flaherty's deficit plan: Take an axe and cut deep
'I've done it before,' in Harris-era Ontario
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/742220--flaherty-s-deficit-plan-take-an-axe-and-cut-deep?bn=1
Tory prison policy 'wedge politics': study
Critics say Harper's blueprint for revamping corrections policy disregards studied evidence
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tory-corrections-policy-just-wedge-politics-study/article1300457/
Tory suspended for comments about dead soldier's father is back on job
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/10/21/sparrow-tories.html
Harper was in on the ground floor of coalition building
Ironically, it was Stephen Harper who first brought the option of vaulting to power from the benches of the official Opposition to the fore in the early days of Paul Martin's 2004 minority regime.Even before the presentation of Martin's Speech from the Throne, Harper had sought out his two opposition rivals to lay the groundwork of an alliance to unseat the Liberals.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/712078--tories-spend-108-000-on-1-hour-event
Bloc part of secret coalition plot in 2000 with Canadian Alliance
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/article725469.ece
Tory aide tried to scuttle Hanukkah event: organizer
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081224/Hanukah_Flap_081224/20081224?hub=Canada
Payroll taxes to wipe out income tax cuts in 2009: watchdog group
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/12/30/taxes.html
Harper zigzags on economy
For the past three months, the only thing consistent about Prime Minister Stephen Harper's position on the economy has been its inconsistency
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/554978
CONTEMPT FOR CANADA AND CANADIANS
“Canada appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its second-rate status….”
Stephen Harper,
National Post editorial, 2000
“It may not be true, but it's legendary that if you're like all Americans, you know almost nothing except for your own country, which makes you probably knowledgeable about one more country than most Canadians.”
Stephen Harper, Speech to the [American] Council for National Policy, June 1997
Full text of Stephen Harper's 1997 speech
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051213/elxn_harper_speech_text_051214/20051214/
“Canada is a Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it.”
Stephen Harper, Speech to the [American] Council for National Policy, June 1997
Full text of Stephen Harper's 1997 speech
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051213/elxn_harper_speech_text_051214/20051214/
Flaherty calls Ontario 'last place' to invest
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/03/01/flaherty-budget.html
Economists warn against Flaherty's attacks on Ontario
http://www.nationalpost.com/related/topics/story.html?id=360520
Conservative government seems to be picking on Ontario
http://www.navdeepbains.ca/.%5Cupfiles%5CBram%20Guard.pdf
"Whether Canada ends up as one national government or two national governments or several national governments, or some other kind of arrangement is, quite frankly, secondary in my opinion ….”
Stephen Harper,
Speech to the Colin Brown Memorial Dinner, National Citizens Coalition, 1994
“If Ottawa giveth, then Ottawa can taketh away… This is one more reason why Westerners, but Albertans in particular, need to think hard about their future in this country. After sober reflection, Albertans should decide that it is time to seek a new relationship with Canada …Having hit a wall, the next logical step is not to bang our heads against it. It is to take the bricks and begin building another home – a stronger and much more autonomous Alberta. It is time to look at Quebec and to learn. What Albertans should take from this example is to become “maitres chez nous”.
Stephen Harper
National Post, December 8, 2000
“You’ve got to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society."
Stephen Harper,
The Report newsmagazine, January 22, 2001
"I think in Atlantic Canada … there is a culture of defeat that we have to overcome. …Atlantic Canada's culture of defeat will be hard to overcome as long as Atlantic Canada is actually physically trailing the rest of the country.”
Stephen Harper,
New Brunswick Telegraph Journal, May 29, 2002
CONTEMPT FOR PARLIAMENT
WAR WITH ELECTIONS CANADA
RCMP raids Tory party headquarters
The Conservatives insist the transactions were legal but Elections Canada disagrees and rival parties have labeled the scheme outright fraud
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/414652
Tories oppose Bloc motion supporting Elections Canada
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/04/29/elections-motion.html
Legal fees mount in Tory case against Elections Canada
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/article729554.ece
PARLIAMENT DIMINISHED
PM's 'bizarre' report card under attack
Critics charge that not only are his claims that he and the Conservatives saved the economy meaningless, his pattern of disdain for Parliament reached new levels when he upstaged his finance minister and delivered the [economic] update while overseas.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/733969
PROLOGUE: THE FIRST LIES ABOUT DETAINEE TORTURE EXPOSED
April 27, 2007
Reports confirm Canada’s complicity in Afghan state torture
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=5501
Nov.15, 2007
'Credible' case of torture found in Afghanistan
http://www.thestar.com/article/276691
Transfer of detainees is complicity in torture
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/276161
THE FIRST WAR ON PARLIAMENT: LOCKING OUT PARLIAMENT TO SAVE STEPHEN HARPER’S JOB
Opposition parties won't support Tory economic update
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/27/question-period.html
Harper's reckless game of chicken could lead to election
http://www.montrealgazette.com/harper+reckless+game+chicken+could+lead+election/1013467/story.html
Conservatives 'fume' about blunder
Their blades remain sheathed but astonished Conservatives are quietly fuming about the tactical blunder they fear could toss them into opposition. And the blame seems to be landing on the prime minister's doorstep.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/546661
Harper to blame for political crisis
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/546179
Fighting for his career, Harper will use all weapons at his disposal
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081202.wcosimp03/BNStory/politics
Tories may dodge confidence vote
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Tories+dodge+confidence+vote/1025030/story.html
PM hangs on as Parliament shut down for seven weeks
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/548382#video
Canadian Leader Shuts Parliament
Canada’s parliamentary opposition reacted with outrage on Thursday after Prime Minister Stephen Harper shut down the legislature until Jan. 26, seeking to forestall a no-confidence vote that he was sure to lose and, possibly, provoking a constitutional crisis.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/world/americas/05canada.html?_r=2&hp
THE SECOND WAR ON PARLIAMENT
ACT I: ESCAPING THE COPENHAGEN FIASCO
Canada contradicts climate change consensus at Commonwealth
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Canada+contradicts+climate+change+consensus/2275617/story.html
Canada falling behind U.S. in clean-energy efforts: experts
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Canada+lags+behind+clean+energy+experts/2382672/story.html
No faith in Harper on climate
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/no-faith-in-harper-on-climate/article1394595/
Harper lies low in Copenhagen
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-lies-low-in-copenhagen/article1404101/
With the world watching, Canada draws line in the oil sands
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/climate-change/with-the-world-watching-canada-draws-line-in-the-oil-sands/article1401901/
Prentice hints there may be 'special breaks' for tarsands
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/739078--prentice-hints-there-may-be-special-breaks-for-tarsands?bn=1
Ontario and Quebec slam Ottawa on climate
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/738264--ontario-and-quebec-slam-ottawa-on-climate
Prentice delivers Canada's unpopular position
Harper leaves it to his Environment Minister to present plenary session
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/climate-change/prentice-delivers-canadas-unpopular-position/article1404676/
Harper lays low, Prentice addresses UN in Copenhagen
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/740177--harper-lays-low-prentice-addresses-un-in-copenhagen
Groups declare Canada world's biggest environmental offender at climate talks
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091218/n121867A.html
Canada's a joke at climate talks
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/739272--canada-s-a-joke-at-climate-talks
Quebec premier tears into Harper government's performance on environment
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091222/n122287A.html
Charest rips into Harper government over environment
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091222/charest_harper_091222/20091222?hub=TopStoriesV2
Canadians cool to Harper's climate change stand
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Canadians+cool+Harper+climate+change+stand/2371025/story.html
Canadians, Conservatives differ on climate: poll
Petition, protest keep pressure on Harper government, as key U.S. agency moves on greenhouse gas emissions
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/735389
PM suspends Parliament
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/744175--pm-suspends-parliament?bn=1
ACT II: WAS THE HARPER GOVERNMENT COMPLICIT IN WAR CRIMES?
Scene I: THE ACCUSATION
Canada handed over innocent Afghans to torture: diplomat
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-handed-over-innocent-afghans-to-torture-diplomat/article1368631/
Scene II: THE VILLAIN’S ROLE IS MISCAST
Tories attack credibility of diplomat who blew whistle on torture
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tories-attack-credibility-of-diplomat-who-blew-whistle-on-torture/article1369993/
Canada generals deny ignoring Afghan abuse warnings
Generals say crucial reports did not mention torture
"Ludicrous" to say most detainees abused – general
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN25361220
Scene III: THE SUPPORTING CAST REVEALED
PMO issued instructions on denying abuse in '07
Former NATO official says response to reports was 'scripted' in Ottawa
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/729157--pmo-issued-instructions-on-denying-abuse-in-07
Diplomats told to keep quiet on torture allegations, sources say
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/diplomats-told-to-keep-quiet-on-torture-allegations-sources-say/article1367390/
Many detainees were just farmers, Afghan official says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/many-detainees-were-just-farmers-afghan-official-says/article1372428/
Detainee ties to insurgency could not always be established: Afghan agency
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Detainee+ties+insurgency+could+always+established+Afghan+agency/2285358/story.html
Canadians warned early that Afghan detainees faced torture
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/canadians-warned-early-that-afghan-detainees-faced-torture/article1323231/
EU diplomat backs claims on torture
Canadian's warnings on Afghan detainees reflected common view, says his European colleague
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/728958--eu-diplomat-backs-claims-on-torture
Dutch raised concerns over conditions in 2006: Netherlands suggested a separate facility
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/731044--dutch-raised-concerns-over-conditions-in-2006
Coalition allies faulted Canada over handling of detainees
Complaint was lodged over secretive approach on captures as early as summer of 2006
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/coalition-allies-faulted-canada-over-handling-of-detainees/article1400522/
Red Cross warned Canada of Afghan prison abuse
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091202/red_cross_091202/20091202?hub=TopStoriesV2
Afghans rejected Canadian-captured prisoners for 'insufficient evidence'
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/734238--afghans-rejected-canadian-captured-prisoners-for-insufficient-evidence
Hillier accused of 'trivializing' torture at detainees hearing
http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Hillier+accused+trivializing+torture+detainees+hearing/2371954/story.html
The record and the falsehoods: The government's insistence it knew nothing about the torture of Afghan detainees becomes more and more tenuous
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/the-record-and-the-falsehoods/article1392183/
Canada defended Afghan 'human-rights abuser,' memos allege
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/738292--canada-defended-afghan-human-rights-abuser-memos-allege
Canada kept feared Afghan governor in power despite rep as 'human-rights abuser'
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091213/n121375A.html
Scene IV: PETER MACKAY, CANADA’S VERSION OF SARGEANT “I KNOW NOTHING” SCHULTZ, DELIVERS HIS SOLILOQUY
Government denies liability in torture cases despite report
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/697974
Tories reject call for Afghan torture inquiry
No proof detainees were tortured, defence minister says
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/11/19/afghanistan-torture-colvin-inquiry.html
Scene V: NEMESIS, THOU ART A BITCH!
Proof of detainee abuse exists, despite MacKay's denials
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/subscribe.jsp?art=1390782
Ex-ambassadors condemn gov't on detainee issue
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091208/afghan_ambassador_0911208/20091208?hub=TopStoriesV2
Warnings on detainees were e-mailed to MacKay's office
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/warnings-on-detainees-were-e-mailed-to-mackays-office/article1377821/
MacKay's office got Red Cross warnings about Afghan treatment
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/731056--mackay-s-office-got-red-cross-warnings-about-afghan-treatment
Documents confirm whistleblower's emails were sent to then-Foreign Affairs minister Peter MacKay's office
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/733623--heavily-censored-afghan-abuse-memos-released?bn=1
Why was Harper so blind to abuse?
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/736829--why-was-harper-so-blind-to-abuse
Scene VI: HARPO, I HAVE A FEELING THAT WE’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE!
Natynczyk makes major reversal on detainee story
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091209/mackay_oconnor_091209/20091209?hub=TopStoriesV2
Scene VI: TWAS BUT A DREAM AND THE BLACKED OUT MEMOS ARE STILL A BIT FUZZY
Harper government changes tune on Afghan prisoner issue
MacKay says Tories were aware of concerns and began to act shortly after taking office
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/harper-government-changes-tune-on-afghan-prisoner-issue/article1381187/
Heavily-censored Afghan abuse memos released
Documents confirm whistleblower's emails were sent to then-Foreign Affairs minister Peter MacKay's office
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/733623--heavily-censored-afghan-abuse-memos-released?bn=1
Scene VII: FRAILTY, THY NAME IS PARLIAMENT!
Parliament in showdown with Harper government over Afghan documents
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091211/n1211113A.html
Ottawa won't release Afghan documents
Harper government says it will not comply with Opposition motion passed by Parliament, setting stage for legal battle
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/737634--ottawa-won-t-release-afghan-documents
Tories to ignore vote on releasing prisoner reports
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091211/afghanistan_motion_091211/20091211?hub=TopStoriesV2
Tories refuse to release uncensored documents on Afghan detainees
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Tories+refuse+release+uncensored+documents+Afghan+detainees/2330193/story.html
Conservative boycott shuts down Afghan detainee hearing
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservative-boycott-shuts-down-afghan-detainee-hearing/article1401524/
Tories force shutdown of hearing on torture
Opposition blasts boycott as whistleblower readies rebuttal to Ottawa today
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/739427
Tories dodging detainee debate to slurp eggnog?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/tories-dodging-detainee-debate-to-slurp-eggnog/article1409101/
ACT III
Scene I: THE DEMOCRACY DEATH SCENE?
PM suspends Parliament
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/744175--pm-suspends-parliament?bn=1
EPILOGUE: AT HOME AND ABROAD
Democracy diminished, accountability avoided
By suspending Parliament, Stephen Harper allows the governing party to elude the detainee issue, a move that undermines the democratic rights of the people
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/democracy-diminished-accountability-avoided/article1415461/
Prorogation redux: Harper in contempt of Parliament
His request to shut down the House again undermines Canada's democratic institutions
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/745949
The Economist vents spleen on PM's decision to prorogue
“His officials faced grilling by parliamentary committees over whether they misled the House of Commons in denying knowledge that detainees handed over to the local authorities by Canadian troops in Afghanistan were being tortured. The government would also have come under fire for its lack of policies to curb Canada’s abundant carbon emissions.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/the-economist-vents-spleen-on-pms-decision-to-prorogue/article1422507/
'Harper goes prorogue,' The Economist laments
"Never mind what his spin doctors say: Mr. Harper's move looks like naked self-interest," says the editorial. The editorial likens Canadian ministers to hapless former U.S. president Gerald Ford, "who could not walk and chew gum at the same time."
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/01/07/harper-economist.html
Canadian Leader Shuts Parliament
Canada’s parliamentary opposition reacted with outrage on Thursday after Prime Minister Stephen Harper shut down the legislature until Jan. 26, seeking to forestall a no-confidence vote that he was sure to lose and, possibly, provoking a constitutional crisis.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/world/americas/05canada.html?_r=2&hp
Afghans violating detainee-transfer agreement
A number of insurgents handed over to Afghan police can't be accounted for, despite Ottawa's assertion transfer
http://www.A.com/news/politics/afghans-violating-detainee-transfer-agreement/article1399050/
And, a final word from Defend Parliament:
Reply to all. I've been saving these links for a few years and finally found a forum to paste them. I've organized them in a logical way, which I hope shows a persistent pattern of attack on Canada's democratic institutions, of which the latest prorogation is only the latest example. The scale of this attack is truly frightening! As you can see from the sheer volume of HEADLINES and LINKS alone (with very little content) that fear for our democracy should not be limited to a few paranoid types or to anyone of a particular political persuasion but to anyone that cares about living in a free society.
Sorry that I can't reply to all of you individually (that are posting right now) but I've been at this project for several days and need to get some sleep.
Enjoy these links. It would be great if the members of the site could send some of this stuff in an e-mail to 2 or three of their friends, get them to join the page and then send the content to 2 or 3 of THEIR friends, etc. We could easily hit 1,000,000 members if people knew what our autocratic government was actually doing.
Good night and hopefully the fight to make Canadians aware has begun in earnest!
ADDENDUM
"The first principle of a democracy is that the Prime Minister is supposed to be able to face this House of Commons any day on a vote. This government now has the deliberate policy of avoiding a vote. This is a violation of the most fundamental constitutional principle of our democracy." - Stephen Har...per as Leader of the Opposition attacking the Martin government, May 3rd 2005
"When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent is frankly when it's rapidly losing its moral authority to govern " Stephen Harper Canadian Press, April 18, 2005"
Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament, the largest Canadian Facebook group ever. It is from the discussion topic
The Harper Attack on Canadian Democracy Documented
as posted by Defend Parliament:
--------------------------------
I found this on driving the porcelain bus blog, my thanks for his posting.
This is stomach turning. You will find links to everything that is referred too. It is a very long list. I am posting it here to ensure in my mind, it remains available to as many people as possible..
MUZZLING CABINET MINISTERS, MPs, JUDGES, ETC
How Harper controls the spin
Zeal to manage message sees journalists shunned, bureaucrats, cabinet ministers routinely muzzled. Public appearances by cabinet ministers – whether it's a speech or an interview – are carefully staged, starting with a "message event proposal" vetted by the Privy Council Office, the bureaucratic wing of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/429906
PM slaps muzzle on military brass
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/National/2006/04/15/1535119-sun.html
Hillier, Sr.Officials Muzzled by PMO
http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php/topic,42247.0.html
Mum’s the word: Harper tells MPs to keep mouths shut
http://www.carleton.ca/ctown/archiv/mar3106/Insite2.htm
Tories tighten muzzle on PS [Public Service] for campaign
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=93e98b5c-593a-4eac-b835-a4359e80babd
Former chief justice of Canada accuses PM of trying to "muzzle" the judiciary
http://www.anticorruption.ca/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4792&sid=44cad6d7756e9bd7010d182cb62e00da
'Muzzle' Placed On Federal Scientists
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=47bf0fba-b98f-43fb-89fb-58b6464a7b24&k=65248
Tories muzzle environmental scientist
http://www.hour.ca/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=8942
Minister stops book talk by Environment Canada scientist
http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2006/04/13/ambrose-climate.html
Mum's the word till message vetted
No federal cabinet minister speaks to a journalist, gives a speech or makes a policy announcement until a "message event proposal" has been vetted by a wing of the Prime Minister's Office.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/429903
Harper lawsuit smacks of authoritarian state: prof
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/08/07/harper-lawsuit.html
Holland shocked by Conservative comments on media
http://www.markholland.ca/news/2006/060331harpermedia.htm
Harper government whips Tories into line with secret handbook
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/columnists/story.html?id=b8122d51-95e8-4b29-b99b-34217406425d
Information Commissioner Robert Marleau told The Hill Times recently that the Harper government has been quietly drafting about 25 government policies that impact on the rights of officers of Parliament, and that it has been happening without their knowledge or input.
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/members/login.php?fail=2&destination=/html/cover_index.php?display=story&full_path=/2008/may/12/spindoctors/
Conservative headquarters scripting calls to radio shows
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080325.wtorytalk0325/BNStory/National/home
Feds keep lid on Atomic Energy Canada sale report
http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Feds+keep+Atomic+Energy+Canada+sale+report/2121029/story.html
Huge loss expected in any AECL sale, MPs concede
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Huge+loss+expected+AECL+sale+concede/2129653/story.html
Is he sitting on it?
Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan still has not tabled the 2008 report from the Commissioner of Firearms. Knowing the report will likely be favourable to the existing gun registry, many have questioned whether Van Loan is suppressing the report until after tonight's vote on scrapping the long gun registry.
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/insidepolitics/2009/11/is-he-sitting-on-it.html
Canada slips in 'press freedom' rankings
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/712978--canada-slips-in-press-freedom-rankings
Torture probe delayed; Tories deny gagging witness
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/704155
Lawyers seek to gag witnesses in Afghan prisoner inquiry
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090929/taliban_prisoners_090929/20090929?hub=Canada
Has Canada entered a 'Bush-like vortex'?
Richard Colvin's torture allegations suggest civil servants aren't writing down what the government doesn't want recorded
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/has-canada-entered-a-bush-like-vortex/article1404311/
PMO issued instructions on denying abuse in '07
Former NATO official says response to reports was 'scripted' in Ottawa
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/729157--pmo-issued-instructions-on-denying-abuse-in-07
Tories attack credibility of diplomat who blew whistle on torture
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tories-attack-credibility-of-diplomat-who-blew-whistle-on-torture/article1369993/
Attack on senior diplomat signals demise of independent public service: experts
"If we don’t have a public service that speaks truth to power we might as well have everything run out of the Prime Minister’s Office.”
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Attack+Colvin+signals+demise+independent+public+service/2283460/story.html
Diplomats told to keep quiet on torture allegations, sources say
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/diplomats-told-to-keep-quiet-on-torture-allegations-sources-say/article1367390/
Former ambassadors condemn Ottawa's attack on diplomat
Response to Colvin's detainee testimony discourages honest reports, letter says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/former-ambassadors-condemn-ottawas-attack-on-diplomat/article1392248/
Public service in crisis over Colvin
The Harper government's attack on a senior diplomat could be the final blow in the unravelling of Canada's once-sacred tradition of an independent, non-partisan public service, warn experts
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Public+service+crisis+over+Colvin/2285239/story.html
Afghan detainee watchdog warns of Tory ‘chilling effect'
Departing military commission chief's [BECAUSE HE WAS REFUSED REAPPOINTMENT BY THE TORIES] comments come as Harper government digs in its heels in face of parliamentary order to turn over confidential files
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/afghan-detainee-watchdog-warns-of-tory-chilling-effect/article1397570/
Detainee watchdog post remains unfilled
Military police commission set to meet in March, but Ottawa's delays in appointing new chairman could prompt delay
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/detainee-watchdog-post-remains-unfilled/article1428874/
Feds refuse legal funding to whistleblower diplomat
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091027/whistleblower_legal_091027/20091027?hub=Canada
Ottawa's stance on whistleblower's legal costs called 'unethical'
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/716489--ottawa-s-stance-on-whistleblower-s-legal-costs-called-unethical
Feds tried to order nuclear regulator to bend rules
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071218/reactor_order_071218/20071218?hub=Politics
Ottawa fires nuclear safety commission head [nuclear regulator]
http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourview/2008/01/ottawa_fires_nuclear_safety_co.html
Ousted regulator just doing her job
http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/294886
Tories drop RCMP complaints commissioner
Paul Kennedy sparred with government over office's powers, budget
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/731775--tories-drop-rcmp-complaints-commissioner
Clement slams CMA doctors for supporting drug-injection site
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=732204
Scientific data backs Insite
http://www.straight.com/scientific-data-backs-insite
Budget officer [Kevin Page] questions projected federal surplus
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/canada/Budget+officer+questions+projected+surplus/1054174/story.html
If the object of the exercise was “truth in budgeting”, that’s what Kevin’s office provided. But that realism, whether in regard to rosy but flawed government fiscal forecasts or the true cost of the war in Afghanistan, has been a bit too much truth for this government. Mr. [Kevin] Page’s office has had its budget cut by one million dollars.
http://informedvote.ca/2009/11/07/our-parliamentary-budget-officer-kevin-page-%E2%80%93-a-canadian-hero/
Conservatives stop funding for learning organization
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-stop-funding-for-learning-organization/article1423912/
Ottawa is cutting off public input into climate-change policy
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/Ottawa+cutting+public+input+into+climate+change+policy/2126254/story.html
Tory candidate dumped for frank TV comments: Mused riding wouldn't get infrastructure cash because it's Liberal-held
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/702396
Tory candidates avoiding debates [Election Campaign, 2008]
Campaign official says 'there's no policy' forbidding participation in certain all-candidates' meetings
http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/510147
Gov't program wants job applicants' views on Tory budget
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091104/interns_federal_091104/20091104?hub=QPeriod
Insults, discourtesy and disrespect mark Harper team's behaviour: Targets have included AIDS activists, Nobel Prize winners and Road to Avonlea star
http://www.harperindex.ca/ViewArticle.cfm?Ref=00145
PM Never Too Busy For a Photo OP
summoning hordes of photographers to document your every move following a massive humanitarian disaster, and then not letting reporters ask questions seems very disingenuous, and a little ridiculous. The intent is obviously to make Mr. Harper look Prime Ministerial, but I think if the public knew the context behind the images they were seeing they would feel exactly the opposite.
http://www.hilltimes.com/blog/?p=247
THE CULTURE OF SECRECY
Watchdog blasts Tories for secrecy obsession: Information chief challenges Ottawa to ease 'stranglehold'
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/593921
Watchdog alarmed by Harper's information clampdown
Canada's information watchdog says the public knows less than ever about what its government is doing – a stark contrast to Barack Obama's push for openness in the United States.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/575765
Government secrecy ‘grim,' watchdog says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090226.wPOLinformation0226/BNStory/politics/home
Ottawa nixes bid to expand transparency
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-nixes-bid-to-expand-transparency/article1325061/
Watchdog slams lack of transparency in stimulus spending
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091009/watchdog_stimulus_091009/20091009?hub=TopStoriesV2
Can't say if federal stimulus is working: watchdog
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/12/11/stimulus-funding-watchdog011.html
Tory stimulus boast tough to verify
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091203/stimulus_cash_091203/20091203?hub=Canada
Tories blasted for secrecy on stimulus cash
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/stimulus/article/718466--tories-blasted-for-secrecy-on-stimulus-cash
Stimulus spending watchdogs stymied by lack of data
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091004/stimulus_data_091004/20091004?hub=Canada
Tories not so open now
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/712110--tories-not-so-open-now
Ottawa seeks secrecy in Tamil migrant case
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ottawa-seeks-secrecy-in-tamil-migrant-case/article1406347/
CENTRALIZING POWER IN STEPHEN HARPER’S HANDS
Siddiqui: Harper acting like an elected dictator
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/740829?bn=1
Gomery slams Harper for ignoring him
The man who investigated the sponsorship scandal says Prime Minister Stephen Harper seems to have abandoned any commitment he once had to transparent government in favour of a top-down style that centralizes power in his own hands.
http://www.marketingmag.ca/english/news/agency/article.jsp?content=20080131_777333_2206
Gomery slams increasing power of PM's office
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/345503
Failure to decentralize PMO power poses danger to democracy: Gomery
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/03/13/gomery-committee.html
CONTEMPT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
Ottawa moves to block detainee-transfer hearings [2008]
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/article722656.ece
Redactions hamper Afghan detainee probe [2009]
Unreadable documents make meaningful inquiry ‘almost impossible’ and reflect government efforts to keep record a secret
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/redactions-hamper-afghan-detainee-probe/article1383375/
Ottawa won't release Afghan documents
Harper government says it will not comply with Opposition motion passed by Parliament, setting stage for legal battle
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/737634--ottawa-won-t-release-afghan-documents
Tories to ignore vote on releasing prisoner reports
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091211/afghanistan_motion_091211/20091211?hub=TopStoriesV2
Parliament in showdown with Harper government over Afghan documents
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091211/n1211113A.html
Tories refuse to release uncensored documents on Afghan detainees
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Tories+refuse+release+uncensored+documents+Afghan+detainees/2330193/story.html
Tories force shutdown of hearing on torture [2009]
Opposition blasts boycott as whistleblower readies rebuttal to Ottawa today
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/739427
Tories dodging detainee debate to slurp eggnog?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/tories-dodging-detainee-debate-to-slurp-eggnog/article1409101/
Ritz avoids listeria joke questions at agriculture debate
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/article713835.ece
Promised listeriosis probe still lacks investigator
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090104.wlisteriosisprobe0104/BNStory/politics/home
Harper government withholds listeriosis notes
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090222.wfoilisteriosis0222/BNStory/politics/home
Did lag in releasing listeriosis notes break law?
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090223/listeriosis_notes_090223/20090223?hub=Canada
Tories opened patronage doors before election: CP
Harper, who railed against Liberal patronage in the 2006 election, later failed to deliver on a campaign pledge to put an independent commission in charge of vetting cabinet appointments. He angrily shelved the idea after opposition MPs refused to ratify his nomination of Gwyn Morgan, a Calgary oil baron who is also a friend of the prime minister, as the commission chair.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080929/election2008_patronage_080930/20080929?s_name=election2008
Harper makes history by naming 18 senators in one day
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/081222/n122280A.html
Stalled investigation
In April of last year Elections Canada asked the RCMP to help raid Conservative headquarters in Ottawa to search for evidence. Investigators seized dozens of boxes of documents and copied millions of files from the party's computers. But according to an affidavit filed in court, the Conservatives' lawyer claimed virtually all the documents were subject to solicitor-client privilege. Meaning everything had to be sealed.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/politicalbytes/2009/01/stalled_investigation.html
'NAFTAgate' began with PM's chief of staff
http://news.therecord.com/article/318895
Harper says Obama leak might have been illegal
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says leaks from his government that rocked Barack Obama's U.S. presidential campaign were "blatantly unfair" - and may have been illegal.
http://www.thewesternstar.com/index.cfm?sid=114599&sc=505
Not investigating 'NAFTAgate' leak: Conservatives
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/309381
Prentice defends use of government jet
An analysis of federal air travel by a French-language television network found that 15 ministers had used the private plane 72 times after four years in office, including 31 trips that did not appear to meet government criteria for use of the plane.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Prentice+defends+government/2421858/story.html
Tories stall on Liberal request for jet passengers
The Harper government says it is unable to provide the names of passengers who have flown on its fleet of Challenger executive jets since 2006 because it would take longer than a month-and-a-half to assemble the list.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Tories+stall+Liberal+request+passengers/2240281/story.html
CONTEMPT FOR ETHICS
People don't care about Afghan detainee issue: Harper
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/746448--people-don-t-care-about-afghan-detainee-issue-harper?bn=1
PM's former adviser accused of peddling access to corridors of power
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081212.wbrodie12/BNStory/Front
Bureaucrats objected to gov't ad campaign: sources
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091008/govt_advertising_091008/20091008?hub=Politics
PM ignores fixed-election date law
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/CanadaVotes/News/2008/09/07/6690346-cp.html
Conservatives confusing public on 'in and out' financing says Prof. MacIvor
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=2008/april/21/legislation/&c=2
RCMP raids Tory party headquarters
The Conservatives insist the transactions were legal but Elections Canada disagrees and rival parties have labeled the scheme outright fraud
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/414652
Tories overspent on election by $1M: warrant
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/04/20/rcmp-torieswarrant.html
Tory dissenters 'idiots, turds'
Workers on the campaign of a Conservative MP who declined to participate in the in-and-out advertising scheme in the 2006 election were denounced as "idiots" and a "bunch of turds"
by senior party officials, who wanted to "put the fear of God" into them for not taking part in the contentious TV and radio purchases.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/decisioncanada/story.html?id=060d55a6-71be-4426-9188-f67987e472f9
Tory MP admits he broke elections law
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090401.wPOLelxn0401/BNStory/politics/home
Tory MP derides jobless as 'no-good bastards'
MPs' comments on unemployed, abortion show party's 'meanness,' opposition critics say
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/730478--tory-mp-derides-jobless-as-no-good-bastards
Finley under fire for 'lucrative' jobless comment
Conservative government has no interest in increasing Employment Insurance payments and making it “lucrative” for jobless workers to sit around the house
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Finley+under+fire+lucrative+jobless+comment/1245571/story.html
“In terms of the unemployed... don't feel particularly bad for many of these people. They don't feel bad about it themselves, as long as they're receiving generous social assistance and unemployment insurance.”
Stephen Harper, Speech to the [American] Council for National Policy, June 1997
Full text of Stephen Harper's 1997 speech
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051213/elxn_harper_speech_text_051214/20051214/
PM's Jewish pitch hits a new low, critics say Tory flyer suggests Liberals are anti-Semitic
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/727885--pm-s-jewish-pitch-hits-a-new-low-critics-say
Speaker slaps Tory wrists over hyper-partisan flyers
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091119/n1119147A.html
Speaker rules flyers may have damaged MP's reputation
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Speaker+rules+flyers+have+damaged+reputation/2273061/story.html
“… new book made the claim that former Conservative MP Chuck Cadman was essentially offered financial inducements [ a $1 million life insurance policy] by Conservative party officials to vote down the Liberal government's 2005 budget …. Chuck Cadman's widow [a current Conservative MP] has said her late husband told her about the offer. Two other family members say Cadman told them the same thing ….”
Quoted from “Dion, Harper clash over Cadman allegations”, http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080303/harper_lawsuit_080303/20080303
PM's cutback plan: Choke rival parties
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/544388
NDP considers legal action after Tories tape private meeting
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/article725170.ece
Recreational stimulus favours Tory ridings
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/recreational-stimulus-favours-tory-ridings/article1332609/
Tory ridings get more stimulus money
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/10/22/stimulus-spending.html
Stimulus funds forget high jobless areas
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091111/n111141A.html
Lobbying czar probes firm with ties to Tories
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/lobbying-czar-probes-firm-with-ties-to-tories/article1339588/
Raitt accused of expense abuse: She improperly approved her London trip, Port Authority's former chair says
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/721434--raitt-accused-of-expense-abuse?bn=1
Why were port authority board minutes altered?
Documents approved in December 2008 differ greatly from those rewritten and approved six months later, Star examination finds
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/722028--why-were-port-authority-board-minutes-altered
Raitt under fire for calling cancer, isotope crisis 'sexy
http://www.canada.com/news/Raitt+refuses+apologize+calling+cancer+radiation+sexy/1678638/story.html
Tories overstate cost of Liberal EI plan: budget office
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/09/11/employment-insurance.html
Tory attack on carbon tax is dishonest: economist
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080610/tory_ads_080610?s_name=&no_ads=
Harper won't rule out carbon tax
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/741961--harper-won-t-rule-out-carbon-tax
Tories outspent Liberals on consultants
The Conservative government spent almost $1 billion on consultants in its first two years in office – nearly double what the Liberals spent in a similar time period, a Toronto Star investigation shows
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/550044
PM's pal gets government job
Appointment to board of directors is geologist's third posting to be criticized for favouritism
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/624802
Conservative spending on polls hits $31-million, DOUBLES Liberals [under the previous gov’t] http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=142342
Tory MP who led anti-drug campaign charged with cocaine possession
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/090916/n0916139A.html
Tories spend 5 times more on ads than H1N1 prevention
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/698415
Harper so far unscathed by HST blowback
Federal support key to tax harmonization that has been poorly received by Canadians
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-so-far-unscathed-by-hst-blowback/article1308907/
Tories reject fast-tracking of sentencing bill
Conservatives rejected a bid Thursday to expedite a key piece of their tough-on-crime agenda, even as they continued to bash Liberal senators for holding up the legislation
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091009/nicholson_legislation_091009/20091009?hub=Canada
Canada quietly asks EPA to weaken anti-pollution measures
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canada-quietly-asks-epa-to-weaken-anti-pollution-measures/article1327805/
Ethics czar to investigate Tory logos on cheques
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091020/cheque_probe_091020/20091020?hub=TopStoriesV2
Taxpayers on hook for $1.7-million as PMO rolls out video
Extra funding requested to help bolster Stephen Harper's communications support services
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/taxpayers-on-hook-for-17-million-as-pmo-rolls-out-video/article1393248/
Tories spend $108,000 on 1-hour event
The Conservative government spent more than $100,000 staging a one-hour event in June to provide an update on its economic recovery program
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/712078--tories-spend-108-000-on-1-hour-event
John Baird won't let truth blunt a good barb
For second consecutive day, Transport Minister misquotes Liberal defence critic in fending off criticism on Afghan detainee torture allegations
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/john-baird-wont-let-truth-blunt-a-good-barb/article1384665/
Climate walkout `certainly happened'
Despite minister's denial, email confirms incident
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/744092--climate-walkout-certainly-happened
Flaherty's deficit plan: Take an axe and cut deep
'I've done it before,' in Harris-era Ontario
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/742220--flaherty-s-deficit-plan-take-an-axe-and-cut-deep?bn=1
Tory prison policy 'wedge politics': study
Critics say Harper's blueprint for revamping corrections policy disregards studied evidence
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tory-corrections-policy-just-wedge-politics-study/article1300457/
Tory suspended for comments about dead soldier's father is back on job
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/10/21/sparrow-tories.html
Harper was in on the ground floor of coalition building
Ironically, it was Stephen Harper who first brought the option of vaulting to power from the benches of the official Opposition to the fore in the early days of Paul Martin's 2004 minority regime.Even before the presentation of Martin's Speech from the Throne, Harper had sought out his two opposition rivals to lay the groundwork of an alliance to unseat the Liberals.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/712078--tories-spend-108-000-on-1-hour-event
Bloc part of secret coalition plot in 2000 with Canadian Alliance
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/article725469.ece
Tory aide tried to scuttle Hanukkah event: organizer
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081224/Hanukah_Flap_081224/20081224?hub=Canada
Payroll taxes to wipe out income tax cuts in 2009: watchdog group
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/12/30/taxes.html
Harper zigzags on economy
For the past three months, the only thing consistent about Prime Minister Stephen Harper's position on the economy has been its inconsistency
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/554978
CONTEMPT FOR CANADA AND CANADIANS
“Canada appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its second-rate status….”
Stephen Harper,
National Post editorial, 2000
“It may not be true, but it's legendary that if you're like all Americans, you know almost nothing except for your own country, which makes you probably knowledgeable about one more country than most Canadians.”
Stephen Harper, Speech to the [American] Council for National Policy, June 1997
Full text of Stephen Harper's 1997 speech
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051213/elxn_harper_speech_text_051214/20051214/
“Canada is a Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it.”
Stephen Harper, Speech to the [American] Council for National Policy, June 1997
Full text of Stephen Harper's 1997 speech
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051213/elxn_harper_speech_text_051214/20051214/
Flaherty calls Ontario 'last place' to invest
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/03/01/flaherty-budget.html
Economists warn against Flaherty's attacks on Ontario
http://www.nationalpost.com/related/topics/story.html?id=360520
Conservative government seems to be picking on Ontario
http://www.navdeepbains.ca/.%5Cupfiles%5CBram%20Guard.pdf
"Whether Canada ends up as one national government or two national governments or several national governments, or some other kind of arrangement is, quite frankly, secondary in my opinion ….”
Stephen Harper,
Speech to the Colin Brown Memorial Dinner, National Citizens Coalition, 1994
“If Ottawa giveth, then Ottawa can taketh away… This is one more reason why Westerners, but Albertans in particular, need to think hard about their future in this country. After sober reflection, Albertans should decide that it is time to seek a new relationship with Canada …Having hit a wall, the next logical step is not to bang our heads against it. It is to take the bricks and begin building another home – a stronger and much more autonomous Alberta. It is time to look at Quebec and to learn. What Albertans should take from this example is to become “maitres chez nous”.
Stephen Harper
National Post, December 8, 2000
“You’ve got to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society."
Stephen Harper,
The Report newsmagazine, January 22, 2001
"I think in Atlantic Canada … there is a culture of defeat that we have to overcome. …Atlantic Canada's culture of defeat will be hard to overcome as long as Atlantic Canada is actually physically trailing the rest of the country.”
Stephen Harper,
New Brunswick Telegraph Journal, May 29, 2002
CONTEMPT FOR PARLIAMENT
WAR WITH ELECTIONS CANADA
RCMP raids Tory party headquarters
The Conservatives insist the transactions were legal but Elections Canada disagrees and rival parties have labeled the scheme outright fraud
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/414652
Tories oppose Bloc motion supporting Elections Canada
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/04/29/elections-motion.html
Legal fees mount in Tory case against Elections Canada
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/article729554.ece
PARLIAMENT DIMINISHED
PM's 'bizarre' report card under attack
Critics charge that not only are his claims that he and the Conservatives saved the economy meaningless, his pattern of disdain for Parliament reached new levels when he upstaged his finance minister and delivered the [economic] update while overseas.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/733969
PROLOGUE: THE FIRST LIES ABOUT DETAINEE TORTURE EXPOSED
April 27, 2007
Reports confirm Canada’s complicity in Afghan state torture
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=5501
Nov.15, 2007
'Credible' case of torture found in Afghanistan
http://www.thestar.com/article/276691
Transfer of detainees is complicity in torture
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/276161
THE FIRST WAR ON PARLIAMENT: LOCKING OUT PARLIAMENT TO SAVE STEPHEN HARPER’S JOB
Opposition parties won't support Tory economic update
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/27/question-period.html
Harper's reckless game of chicken could lead to election
http://www.montrealgazette.com/harper+reckless+game+chicken+could+lead+election/1013467/story.html
Conservatives 'fume' about blunder
Their blades remain sheathed but astonished Conservatives are quietly fuming about the tactical blunder they fear could toss them into opposition. And the blame seems to be landing on the prime minister's doorstep.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/546661
Harper to blame for political crisis
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/546179
Fighting for his career, Harper will use all weapons at his disposal
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081202.wcosimp03/BNStory/politics
Tories may dodge confidence vote
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Tories+dodge+confidence+vote/1025030/story.html
PM hangs on as Parliament shut down for seven weeks
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/548382#video
Canadian Leader Shuts Parliament
Canada’s parliamentary opposition reacted with outrage on Thursday after Prime Minister Stephen Harper shut down the legislature until Jan. 26, seeking to forestall a no-confidence vote that he was sure to lose and, possibly, provoking a constitutional crisis.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/world/americas/05canada.html?_r=2&hp
THE SECOND WAR ON PARLIAMENT
ACT I: ESCAPING THE COPENHAGEN FIASCO
Canada contradicts climate change consensus at Commonwealth
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Canada+contradicts+climate+change+consensus/2275617/story.html
Canada falling behind U.S. in clean-energy efforts: experts
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Canada+lags+behind+clean+energy+experts/2382672/story.html
No faith in Harper on climate
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/no-faith-in-harper-on-climate/article1394595/
Harper lies low in Copenhagen
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-lies-low-in-copenhagen/article1404101/
With the world watching, Canada draws line in the oil sands
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/climate-change/with-the-world-watching-canada-draws-line-in-the-oil-sands/article1401901/
Prentice hints there may be 'special breaks' for tarsands
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/739078--prentice-hints-there-may-be-special-breaks-for-tarsands?bn=1
Ontario and Quebec slam Ottawa on climate
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/738264--ontario-and-quebec-slam-ottawa-on-climate
Prentice delivers Canada's unpopular position
Harper leaves it to his Environment Minister to present plenary session
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/climate-change/prentice-delivers-canadas-unpopular-position/article1404676/
Harper lays low, Prentice addresses UN in Copenhagen
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/740177--harper-lays-low-prentice-addresses-un-in-copenhagen
Groups declare Canada world's biggest environmental offender at climate talks
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091218/n121867A.html
Canada's a joke at climate talks
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/739272--canada-s-a-joke-at-climate-talks
Quebec premier tears into Harper government's performance on environment
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091222/n122287A.html
Charest rips into Harper government over environment
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091222/charest_harper_091222/20091222?hub=TopStoriesV2
Canadians cool to Harper's climate change stand
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Canadians+cool+Harper+climate+change+stand/2371025/story.html
Canadians, Conservatives differ on climate: poll
Petition, protest keep pressure on Harper government, as key U.S. agency moves on greenhouse gas emissions
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/735389
PM suspends Parliament
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/744175--pm-suspends-parliament?bn=1
ACT II: WAS THE HARPER GOVERNMENT COMPLICIT IN WAR CRIMES?
Scene I: THE ACCUSATION
Canada handed over innocent Afghans to torture: diplomat
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-handed-over-innocent-afghans-to-torture-diplomat/article1368631/
Scene II: THE VILLAIN’S ROLE IS MISCAST
Tories attack credibility of diplomat who blew whistle on torture
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tories-attack-credibility-of-diplomat-who-blew-whistle-on-torture/article1369993/
Canada generals deny ignoring Afghan abuse warnings
Generals say crucial reports did not mention torture
"Ludicrous" to say most detainees abused – general
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN25361220
Scene III: THE SUPPORTING CAST REVEALED
PMO issued instructions on denying abuse in '07
Former NATO official says response to reports was 'scripted' in Ottawa
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/729157--pmo-issued-instructions-on-denying-abuse-in-07
Diplomats told to keep quiet on torture allegations, sources say
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/diplomats-told-to-keep-quiet-on-torture-allegations-sources-say/article1367390/
Many detainees were just farmers, Afghan official says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/many-detainees-were-just-farmers-afghan-official-says/article1372428/
Detainee ties to insurgency could not always be established: Afghan agency
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Detainee+ties+insurgency+could+always+established+Afghan+agency/2285358/story.html
Canadians warned early that Afghan detainees faced torture
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/canadians-warned-early-that-afghan-detainees-faced-torture/article1323231/
EU diplomat backs claims on torture
Canadian's warnings on Afghan detainees reflected common view, says his European colleague
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/728958--eu-diplomat-backs-claims-on-torture
Dutch raised concerns over conditions in 2006: Netherlands suggested a separate facility
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/731044--dutch-raised-concerns-over-conditions-in-2006
Coalition allies faulted Canada over handling of detainees
Complaint was lodged over secretive approach on captures as early as summer of 2006
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/coalition-allies-faulted-canada-over-handling-of-detainees/article1400522/
Red Cross warned Canada of Afghan prison abuse
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091202/red_cross_091202/20091202?hub=TopStoriesV2
Afghans rejected Canadian-captured prisoners for 'insufficient evidence'
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/734238--afghans-rejected-canadian-captured-prisoners-for-insufficient-evidence
Hillier accused of 'trivializing' torture at detainees hearing
http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Hillier+accused+trivializing+torture+detainees+hearing/2371954/story.html
The record and the falsehoods: The government's insistence it knew nothing about the torture of Afghan detainees becomes more and more tenuous
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/the-record-and-the-falsehoods/article1392183/
Canada defended Afghan 'human-rights abuser,' memos allege
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/738292--canada-defended-afghan-human-rights-abuser-memos-allege
Canada kept feared Afghan governor in power despite rep as 'human-rights abuser'
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091213/n121375A.html
Scene IV: PETER MACKAY, CANADA’S VERSION OF SARGEANT “I KNOW NOTHING” SCHULTZ, DELIVERS HIS SOLILOQUY
Government denies liability in torture cases despite report
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/697974
Tories reject call for Afghan torture inquiry
No proof detainees were tortured, defence minister says
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/11/19/afghanistan-torture-colvin-inquiry.html
Scene V: NEMESIS, THOU ART A BITCH!
Proof of detainee abuse exists, despite MacKay's denials
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/subscribe.jsp?art=1390782
Ex-ambassadors condemn gov't on detainee issue
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091208/afghan_ambassador_0911208/20091208?hub=TopStoriesV2
Warnings on detainees were e-mailed to MacKay's office
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/warnings-on-detainees-were-e-mailed-to-mackays-office/article1377821/
MacKay's office got Red Cross warnings about Afghan treatment
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/731056--mackay-s-office-got-red-cross-warnings-about-afghan-treatment
Documents confirm whistleblower's emails were sent to then-Foreign Affairs minister Peter MacKay's office
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/733623--heavily-censored-afghan-abuse-memos-released?bn=1
Why was Harper so blind to abuse?
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/736829--why-was-harper-so-blind-to-abuse
Scene VI: HARPO, I HAVE A FEELING THAT WE’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE!
Natynczyk makes major reversal on detainee story
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091209/mackay_oconnor_091209/20091209?hub=TopStoriesV2
Scene VI: TWAS BUT A DREAM AND THE BLACKED OUT MEMOS ARE STILL A BIT FUZZY
Harper government changes tune on Afghan prisoner issue
MacKay says Tories were aware of concerns and began to act shortly after taking office
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/harper-government-changes-tune-on-afghan-prisoner-issue/article1381187/
Heavily-censored Afghan abuse memos released
Documents confirm whistleblower's emails were sent to then-Foreign Affairs minister Peter MacKay's office
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/733623--heavily-censored-afghan-abuse-memos-released?bn=1
Scene VII: FRAILTY, THY NAME IS PARLIAMENT!
Parliament in showdown with Harper government over Afghan documents
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/091211/n1211113A.html
Ottawa won't release Afghan documents
Harper government says it will not comply with Opposition motion passed by Parliament, setting stage for legal battle
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/737634--ottawa-won-t-release-afghan-documents
Tories to ignore vote on releasing prisoner reports
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091211/afghanistan_motion_091211/20091211?hub=TopStoriesV2
Tories refuse to release uncensored documents on Afghan detainees
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Tories+refuse+release+uncensored+documents+Afghan+detainees/2330193/story.html
Conservative boycott shuts down Afghan detainee hearing
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservative-boycott-shuts-down-afghan-detainee-hearing/article1401524/
Tories force shutdown of hearing on torture
Opposition blasts boycott as whistleblower readies rebuttal to Ottawa today
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/739427
Tories dodging detainee debate to slurp eggnog?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/tories-dodging-detainee-debate-to-slurp-eggnog/article1409101/
ACT III
Scene I: THE DEMOCRACY DEATH SCENE?
PM suspends Parliament
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/744175--pm-suspends-parliament?bn=1
EPILOGUE: AT HOME AND ABROAD
Democracy diminished, accountability avoided
By suspending Parliament, Stephen Harper allows the governing party to elude the detainee issue, a move that undermines the democratic rights of the people
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/democracy-diminished-accountability-avoided/article1415461/
Prorogation redux: Harper in contempt of Parliament
His request to shut down the House again undermines Canada's democratic institutions
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/745949
The Economist vents spleen on PM's decision to prorogue
“His officials faced grilling by parliamentary committees over whether they misled the House of Commons in denying knowledge that detainees handed over to the local authorities by Canadian troops in Afghanistan were being tortured. The government would also have come under fire for its lack of policies to curb Canada’s abundant carbon emissions.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/the-economist-vents-spleen-on-pms-decision-to-prorogue/article1422507/
'Harper goes prorogue,' The Economist laments
"Never mind what his spin doctors say: Mr. Harper's move looks like naked self-interest," says the editorial. The editorial likens Canadian ministers to hapless former U.S. president Gerald Ford, "who could not walk and chew gum at the same time."
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/01/07/harper-economist.html
Canadian Leader Shuts Parliament
Canada’s parliamentary opposition reacted with outrage on Thursday after Prime Minister Stephen Harper shut down the legislature until Jan. 26, seeking to forestall a no-confidence vote that he was sure to lose and, possibly, provoking a constitutional crisis.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/world/americas/05canada.html?_r=2&hp
Afghans violating detainee-transfer agreement
A number of insurgents handed over to Afghan police can't be accounted for, despite Ottawa's assertion transfer
http://www.A.com/news/politics/afghans-violating-detainee-transfer-agreement/article1399050/
And, a final word from Defend Parliament:
Reply to all. I've been saving these links for a few years and finally found a forum to paste them. I've organized them in a logical way, which I hope shows a persistent pattern of attack on Canada's democratic institutions, of which the latest prorogation is only the latest example. The scale of this attack is truly frightening! As you can see from the sheer volume of HEADLINES and LINKS alone (with very little content) that fear for our democracy should not be limited to a few paranoid types or to anyone of a particular political persuasion but to anyone that cares about living in a free society.
Sorry that I can't reply to all of you individually (that are posting right now) but I've been at this project for several days and need to get some sleep.
Enjoy these links. It would be great if the members of the site could send some of this stuff in an e-mail to 2 or three of their friends, get them to join the page and then send the content to 2 or 3 of THEIR friends, etc. We could easily hit 1,000,000 members if people knew what our autocratic government was actually doing.
Good night and hopefully the fight to make Canadians aware has begun in earnest!
ADDENDUM
If this is not mentioned above
www.youtube.com
Only days after filibustering several committees, a leaked document seems to prove the Conservative government has been deliberately wrecking havoc. The CBC's Susan Bonner gives the full report.
From the Spring of 2007: a Conservative manual to purposely and deliberately disrupt and make the government committees dysfunctional.
From the Spring of 2007: a Conservative manual to purposely and deliberately disrupt and make the government committees dysfunctional.
WHEN THEY TRY TO BLAME SOMEONE ELSE ...
Conservatives and supporters often try to blame the Liberals before them, or someone else.
The following (might as well keep all the links in one spot) are links to show that the Conservatives are the ones at fault (or the ones currently at fault for continuing on with obvious bad policy):
The Conservatives try to blame the Liberals for the Afghan Detainee scandal. But the it wasn't until the Conservative government was in power than problems began to surface (and it was the Conservatives who did nothing about the problems) Fact: General Rick Hillier, acting on his own or not as the case may be, signed a deeply flawed agreement to turn over detainees to the Afghan authorities in December, 2005, during an election campaign. The Conservatives were elected a month later. Instances of mistreatment were reported by Richard Colvin to his superiors, first in May 2006, and well into 2007.
Rebuttal to Conservatives who protest that proroguing of parliament is "routine"
Except it's not routine in a minority Parliament. It's not routine when you have dozens of bills on the table and work left undone. And it's not routine to do it two years in a row, and in both cases when you're under intense political pressure from the opposition.
TWO-TIER CITIZENSHIP
The Harper government has failed to help a number of Canadian citizens in trouble outside the country. This link contains a lot of information and coverage of the incidents and issues:
http://drdawgsblawg.blogspot.com/search?q=abdelrazik
THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY VS. THE WHEAT BOARD
The Harper government resorted to dirty tricks to try to dismantle the Canadian Wheat Board:
http://myblahg.com/?p=2015
VIDEOS
101 Reasons not to vote for the Conservative Party
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNJvWt7syfU
HYPOCRITICAL HARPER QUOTES
"The first principle of a democracy is that the Prime Minister is supposed to be able to face this House of Commons any day on a vote. This government now has the deliberate policy of avoiding a vote. This is a violation of the most fundamental constitutional principle of our democracy." - Stephen Har...per as Leader of the Opposition attacking the Martin government, May 3rd 2005
"When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent is frankly when it's rapidly losing its moral authority to govern " Stephen Harper Canadian Press, April 18, 2005"
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