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Post by harper quotes on Apr 27, 2011 21:15:17 GMT -8
On why he quit politics in 1997: “The last thing that Parliament needs is to be filled with people who have never done anything but partisan politics.”
Sweet mother of Jesus.
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Post by harper quotes on Apr 27, 2011 21:16:02 GMT -8
On campaign nastiness: “You, like many Canadians, were probably very disturbed by the tone of that (2000) election campaign. Frankly, the personal attacks, unsubstantiated slanders and left-wing media fear-mongering reduced the exercise to the level of farce.”
Hm.
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Post by clone on Apr 27, 2011 21:20:15 GMT -8
Interesting - And it goes like this: Harper's key political troubleshooter and problem fixer gets lobbied for money for a new university think tank. He then leaves the Prime Minister's Office and becomes executive director of that same think tank: the Canada School of Energy and the Environment. It's mostly funded by a $15-million grant from the Harper government. The former senior advisor alters the school's mandate to permit government lobbying and policy development on the oil sands. thetyee.ca/News/2011/04/27/CarsonOilSands/
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Post by hoLEE fukk on Apr 27, 2011 21:24:14 GMT -8
There are hundreds of thousands of Canadians whose address is a box number and that is where wholesale rejection occurs: a box number is not acceptable. Among them are large numbers of rural residents and Aboriginals on reserves where street names don’t exist and everybody has a box number. (A scrutineer in a 2008 campaign in northern Saskatchewan that I managed reported that fifty aboriginal voters were turned away for this reason in one poll alone — with 180 odd polls in the riding and you can see how elections are lost and won through the denial of the vote.) Elections Canada does not keep track of rejected voters but had post-election surveys showing that almost 5% of registered voters, (which in 2008 was nearly 500,000 of 13,7 million) “said they did not vote because they lacked proper documentation.” www.pacificfreepress.com/news/1/8632-caging-the-canadian-vote-republican-election-tricks-migrate-north.html
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Post by clone on Apr 28, 2011 22:08:15 GMT -8
Dismissed Tory insider reportedly 'furious' after Sun debacle Published On Thu Apr 28 2011 OTTAWA—Facing charges of political sabotage by the powerful head of Sun Media Corporation, the Conservative Party has denied wrongdoing but cut ties with a key political strategist. The move was made to distance the Stephen Harper campaign from what Sun Media mogul Pierre Karl Peladeau claimed was a dirty trick — the leak of an incriminating photo and damaging information that said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff had aided U.S. military planners in the run-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion. The photo, forwarded to Sun Media vice-president Kory Teneycke — another former Harper aide — wasn’t of Ignatieff. www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/981291--conservative-operative-s-dismissal-raises-ire-within-party-ranks
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Post by clone on Apr 29, 2011 22:08:17 GMT -8
Canadian Wikileak sneak peek Fri, 2011-04-29 08:37 * canadian politics Wikileaks released 1800 cables about Canada yesterday, mostly sent from US consulates back to Washington. They give some idea of what the US is keeping tabs on. Here's a quick overview of some things you'll find. As far as social justice organizing in Canada: * The US has monitored the work of the Halifax Peace Coalition. * 18 "situation reports" on the 2010 Vancouver Olympics were sent, covering a number of actions, from the Heart Attack march, a Critical Mass bike ride, the Mother's Day march, and more. * The US worried about public outrage around the closing of a Wal-Mart in Jonquière, Quebec, after workers tried to unionize it. * Cables repeatedly mention the 2009 demonstrations of Tamils in Canada, as well as the human rights situation they're protesting in Sri Lanka, where the Sri Lankan government was, for example, cluster-bombing a hospital that was in an area designated as a non-conflict zone. The cables give the impression that it's assumed most Canadian Tamils are terrorists, and one cable mentions consultation with Canada about an IMF loan to Sri Lanka at the exact time of the atrocities, that seems to have been approved. * The US is tracking critical discussion of its human rights record in Canadian universities. * There was interest in uranium mining in eastern Canada, but fear that popular protest may make it infeasible. * There's a report on a Winnipeg "Stop Sex with Kids" event, that also dealt with the epidemic of missing & murdered aboriginal women. The US seemed concerned that " ome claimed that the problems of trafficking and prostitution are a result of the colonial legacy - one presenter referred to herself as an aboriginal woman living on occupied territory - as well as capitalism, poverty, and cultural oppression by mainstream society," and also that none of the blame was placed on "aboriginal leaders" or "aboriginal gangs," but still, they thought the event was "a good first start at getting the issue out." * The US is closely monitoring legal issues in CSIS's warrantless wiretapping, as well as preventive detention, and security certificates. * Following disputes in Akwesasne, the US is taking careful note of legalities around aboriginal title, self-government, and sovereignty. * They're also tracking the bio of at least one of the more progressive Members of Parliament, Megan Leslie, in Halifax.
In international treaties,
* The US was scared that Canada might stop supporting its efforts to wipe the term "harm reduction" off of any UN General Assembly action plan or political statement in 2009. They complained the EU was on a "crusade" for harm reduction, but were confident in Colombia, Russia, and Japan's backing. The cable flatly states that "[t]he USG cannot accept including the specific term 'harm reduction' in any part of the action plan" and suggests actions to be taken to make that a reality. * The US said in 2007 that Canada shared its view that the OAS Indigenous Rights Declaration was "ill-conceived and is headed for a 'train-wreck.'" The implication being that Canada and the US would not accept any compromise and the declaration would fail.
On the world stage,
* In 2008 Petro-Canada signed a 30 year oil deal with Libya. The "new deal elevates Libya to a priority area of operations for the company." The following year Qaddafi turned out to not be a dependable client, causing Petro-Canada serious alarm. * a 2006 cable details a strike at a Canadian gold mine in Suriname. The mine was owned by a subsidiary of Montreal-based Cambior Incorporated, who later that year merged with Toronto-based Iamgold Corporation. * "Alberta energy sector leaders support US goals in Iraq." * "Canada shares the U.S. belief that the [2009] Goldstone Report is deeply flawed" and the US hoped Canada would parrot "U.S. talking points" at the UN. * In 2009, "a new Canadian democracy promotion agency focused on political party strengthening" was being considered.
Many cables deal with Haiti, where Canada participated in a 2004 coup against a popular Haitian government.
* In 2004 at the Montreal Conference with the Haiti Diaspora Canada was "upset with a band of persistent pro-Aristide supporters protesting outside the conference venue." * Who was represented at a 2005 Montreal conference on Haiti? The coup government, including the Haitian National Police, MINUSTAH, as well as "[t]he OAS, World Bank, IMF, [and] IDB." Generally it was felt that police forces needed to grow, and there was "a call for a better public information campaign... to bolster support for MINUSTAH." "[T]he police largely crumbled in February 2004, with many fleeing the force and taking their weapons with them. The current HNP has basically started from scratch to rebuild the force." As for Pierre Pettigrew, "a demonstrator attacked him with a red dye before he was pulled out by police.... The Pettigrew attacker was not a Haitian exile, but rather a failed student with a record of participation in violent demonstrations." * Quebec was still anxious to gain access to the spoils in 2005, beyond the policing and Hydro contracts it had already secured. Elections and other sectors were unavailable, since the Canadian federal government had won those. The US nixed Premier Charest's interest in visiting Haiti with Florida governor Jeb Bush. * In 2006, Canada imposed economic sanctions to restore democracy, "[f]rom a flawed election to the continued imprisonment of democratic supporters"... in Belarus. The approach in Haiti at the same time to the same conditions was quite a different story. * In 2007, Canada donated $20 million to to allow for an insurance policy "similar to business interruption insurance to provide immediate cash payments after a major earthquake or hurricane." * Canada was grateful to be allowed to attend the Haiti Key Players Meeting in New York, they sent Lawrence Cannon and Peter Kent. * It's noted that prior to the devastating 2010 earthquake that "some of the larger Canadian businesses operating there had been Gildan Activewear (textiles), Scotiabank and Desjardins Group (financial services), and Somine (mining)." * Earlier it was revealed that Canada's biggest fear at the time of the earthquake was popular democratic uprising, which may explain why their response was to send in the military. * Following the earthquake, "Canada's Joint Task Force Haiti was fully deployed with 2,046 soldiers, sailors, and air force personnel." * "As of February 11, [2010,] there were 1,979 [Canadian Forces] on the ground in Haiti."
I'm sure more detailed analyses will follow. I completely skipped a great number of cables on Afghanistan, the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), and many, many others. Michael Geist is already doing a tremendous job unpacking Canada's attempts to push through laws against internet freedom, especially around copyright and intellectual property.
macho.bike-dump.ca/content/canadian-wikileak-sneak-peek
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Post by captain kiss my on Apr 29, 2011 22:20:01 GMT -8
Ah, but did you kiss his big arse?
Kent also apologized to Conservative Leader Stephen Harper for embarrassing him during the campaign.
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Post by captain kiss my on May 1, 2011 13:05:45 GMT -8
Don't puke, puke. It's funny. Today's uni-Conservative MP: "focusing on jobs and economic growth, keeping taxes low, safer streets and a stronger Canada." It's a what's the left hand, what's the right hand, sort of thing. Magic. Yes, put it plainly, not clearly. “Let us put it plainly: An NDP government means higher gas prices, smaller paycheques and a weaker economy,” Harper told Every employer will cut your pay if Layton is elected. Sis-boom-ba.
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Post by md on May 8, 2011 7:32:48 GMT -8
Minister of Health He was criticized for continuing to hold a 25% stake in a pharmaceutical company (Prudential Chem Inc.) when appointed, a conflict of interest. Clement divested himself of these holdings in October 2006.[7]
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Post by gliders on May 12, 2011 23:30:13 GMT -8
Like, are there or aren't there engines included in these *untendered* over-budget very numerous aircraft. F-35 Selected Acquisition Report Disclosed May 12th, 2011 The latest annual report to Congress (pdf) on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program details the soaring costs and deferred production schedule associated with the program. The report, which has not been publicly released, outlines total program costs from last year as well as per-aircraft costs and planned annual spending rates. It’s “a useful primer on the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons program,” said one close observer of defense procurement. www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/2011/05/f-35_sar.html
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Post by moabiter on May 27, 2011 8:58:13 GMT -8
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Post by moabiter on May 27, 2011 9:18:19 GMT -8
From video ^^ very interesting. NORTH AMERICAN UNION: It's a plan devised by the Council on Foreign Relations supported by big business and government elites to integrate the economies of the United States, Mexico and Canada [and UK-LSE for USAUK] with of course no congressional or voter oversight or approval. There were no police to be seen anywhere.
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Post by moabiter on May 27, 2011 9:59:20 GMT -8
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Post by terrorist on May 28, 2011 6:58:52 GMT -8
DND planning to cut over 2,000 jobs Thursday, May 26, 2011 That number doesn't include 1,710 full-time positions at the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC), the Canadian Forces Ombudsman's office and a search and rescue directorate, according to Donaldson's plan. Most of those jobs are at CSEC, the government's electronic spy agency located in Ottawa. MacLennan said at this point the union is expecting that 91 positions at CSEC will be transferred to the private sector. www.globalnews.ca/world/planning+over+jobs/4842566/story.html____________________________ Bill C-50 amends the Criminal Code (the Code) with respect to the interception of private communications,1 tracking devices and telephone number recorders. It aims to facilitate the use of electronic surveillance techniques by law enforcement agencies and make such use more transparent, to a certain extent. Its provisions should be read in conjunction with those of bills C-51 and C-52, which also deal with electronic surveillance. 1.2 Principal Amendments in the Bill The principal amendments in the bill: provide that if an authorization to intercept communications is given, a related warrant, such as a search warrant, may be issued at the same time (clauses 2, 4 and 6); require the government to report annually on the interceptions of private communications made without prior authorization and to notify individuals who have been the object of an interception (clauses 7 and 8); permit the use of a telephone number recorder without a warrant and extend the maximum period for the use of this electronic surveillance technique in investigations into organized crime or terrorism (clauses 9 and 11); and extend the maximum period for the use of tracking devices in investigations of terrorism or organized crime (clause 10). 1.3 Electronic Surveillance Under the Criminal Code Criminal Code provisions regarding the interception of communications date back to 1974. In the 1980s and 1990s, Code provisions regarding search and seizure were amended to expressly include computers. In 2005, a document published by the Department of Justice stated that Canadian legislation on electronic surveillance had not kept pace with the latest technologies.2 Law enforcement agencies believe such gaps allow criminals and terrorists to more easily operate undetected by police forces. www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/LegislativeSummaries/bills_ls.asp?ls=c50&source=library_prb&Parl=40&Ses=3&Language=E#a1_________________________________ Battle Brews Over FBI’s Warrantless GPS Tracking May 9, 2011 Rumors had been swirling among activists that the FBI might be using GPS to track them — two activists in Colorado discovered mysterious devices attached to their car bumpers in 2003 — so Thomas (a pseudonym) went out to the vehicle in a frenzy and ran her hands beneath the rear bumper. She was only half-surprised to find a small electronic device and foot-long battery wand secured to her metal fender with industrial-strength magnets. www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/05/gps/_____________________________ Congress To Vote On Declaration of Worldwide Perpetual War With No Borders And No Clear Enemies - May 15th, 2011 theintelhub.com/2011/05/15/congress-to-vote-on-declaration-of-worldwide-perpetual-war-with-no-borders-no-clear-enemies/_____________________________ Omnibus Crime Bill Raises Concerns About Privacy And Free Speech May 27, 2011 by Matt Lonsdale (IPilogue Editor) Matt Lonsdale is a JD candidate at Dalhousie University. When Parliament was dissolved on March 25, 2011, over a dozen criminal justice related bills died with it. During their subsequent election campaign, the Conservative party announced plans to bundle the unpassed bills into an omnibus crime bill, and pass it through Parliament within 100 days of returning to work on June 2. Now armed with a majority government, they stand poised to make good on their promise in what one criminal defence lawyer has called “the most comprehensive agenda for crime reform since the Criminal Code was introduced”. Stoking the fires of public concern is a legislative summary produced by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. www.iposgoode.ca/2011/05/omnibus-crime-bill-raises-concerns-about-privacy-and-free-speech/
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Post by clone on May 28, 2011 20:36:41 GMT -8
What pissy country doesn't manage its own census. An F-35 census. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? Statistics Canada has outsourced the Canada Census software and data processing equipment [BAD], under the Free Trade Deal [WORSE], to a subsidiary of US weapons maker Lockheed Martin [OUTRAGEOUS!!] www.countmeout.ca/Lockheed network hit by major disruption: sources Fri May 27, 2011 9:51am EDT WASHINGTON/BOSTON (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon's No. 1 supplier, is experiencing a major disruption to its computer systems that could be related to a problem with network security, a defense official and two sources familiar with the issue said on Thursday. Lockheed, the biggest provider of information technology to the U.S. government, is grappling with "major internal computer network problems," said one of the sources who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter. A second source, who also asked not to be identified, said the issue was "affecting a lot of people" at Lockheed, maker of the stealthy F-22 and F-35 fighter planes and other critical weapons systems. ca.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idCATRE74P7U320110527
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