Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Canada's Aboriginals: Another Idea

Killing natives with good intentions editorial, Feb. 27, 2004

On Tuesday, bureaucrats announced $10-billion in additional federal spending. Among the increases: $800-million for aboriginal programs, bringing the total native allocation to $8-billion.

Given that almost all of this money is earmarked for the 400,000 aboriginals living on Canada's reserves, that is an astounding figure. It works out to $80,000 per reserve-resident household. Put another way, about 4.3% of the $186-billion federal budget will be going to 1.3% of Canadians. As we have argued in this space before, this country's natives are arguably the most lavishly subsidized ethnic constituency in the entire Western world.

[. . . .]The problem, it must be emphasized, is not an issue of resource ownership. For years, it has been argued that giving Indian bands control of wealth-generating assets such as mines and forests would spur an aboriginal economic boom. It hasn't -- because most reserve-resident aboriginals don't have the education and skills necessary to run large-scale entrepreneurial operations. (And the few who do are the ones who flee to the cities.) Thus, the real economic work of engineering, management and resource extraction is done by whites brought in on contract. Royalties are paid to the bands, which then distribute them to members. But from the recipients' point of view, it is just another species of handout.

For another view on natives and Canada's North, link to This Really Gets My Blood Boiling - My Commentary!, a previous post on a Canadian chief, one out of the North, Kakfwi a rough diamond, by Peter Foster

Canadians must face the truth: A policy that encourages natives to remain on reserves is misguided and unsustainable. In every society in modern human history, from Industrial Age Britain to Communist China, people have become wealthy by fleeing their farms and villages for the economic opportunities of the cities. But where natives are concerned, Canadians eschew this policy for fear it will break the cultural eggshell that keeps what remains of aboriginal culture protected from Western civilization. It is a recipe for poverty: If natives are ever to have the economic and health outcomes they deserve, we must bring them to our urban job centres and universities, and integrate them into Canadian society.

We believe most politicians in Ottawa secretly know this -- but refuse to admit as much lest they be accused of advocating "cultural genocide" or the like. [. . . .] This country desperately needs a leader with the courage to champion a bold policy to assimilate reserve-resident natives into urban Canadian society. Until then, our native communities are destined to remain disgraceful testaments to this nation's collective cowardice.

My Commentary:

The National Post continues to be a voice of reason in many areas and to present ideas for discussion. The Aspers who support the Liberal Party and presumably, the government of Paul Martin, are to be praised for allowing such as the editorial writer a voice -- for adding to the discussion with the articles from other writers and researchers. They are contributing to debate and to democracy in Canada.; I just hope political correctness doesn't get to them as it has certain other media outlets -- particularly the one we are all forced to support through taxation -- the one which sneers at all but Liberal/Red Tory/NDP ideas.

Some links to other posts on Canada's natives and native issues follow:

1. Just Say No to Race-based Tax Exemptions Feb. 24, 04

2. May I have a word with you? -- First Nations Feb. 24, 04

3. Victimology 101 Feb. 21, 04

4. This System is Not Working: What is the Solution? Feb. 14, 04

There are probably others in the archives if you care to look. NJC

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Did Jean Chretien Know? Does a Bear **** in the Woods?

Chretien approved funds to Via Rail, Quebec projects: Treasury Board papers Louise Elliott, CP, Feb. 25, 04

OTTAWA (CP) - Former prime minister Jean Chretien personally approved sponsorship funds to Via Rail and several Quebec projects according to cabinet documents that until this week remained secret.

Chretien signed off on a 1997 Treasury Board request for nearly $19 million sponsorship funding with an attached list of projects that included a dubious magazine proposal from Via Rail.

The magazine was sharply criticized by Auditor General Sheila Fraser [. . . .]

But Treasury Board President Reg Alcock said Chretien's intervention was unusual, adding he has never seen a prime minister sign off on a Treasury Board request.

[. . . .] Chretien signed a November 1997 request from Public Works through Treasury Board for $18.8 million in additional funds for "communications priorities." The program's budget later grew to $40 million a year.

A background document accompanying the form signed by Chretien delineates projects including $1.3 million for a "cultural exchange" project at Via Rail and a $500,000 grant for Via Magazine. The list also includes $800,000 for the Montreal Canadiens, $200,000 for the Carnaval de Quebec, $500,000 for "promotional items" and $5.6 million for the Nagano Olympic Project. The Nagano money later went to Groupaction, a Quebec ad firm at the centre of the scandal, although the company's name is not mentioned on the list.

Yes, a bear does live in the woods.

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Slush Fund for the Election? Was it Paul Martin who wrote the recipe for Jean Chretien's Pork Supreme?

Liberals to spend record $186B -- Critics call $10B in new spending electioneering Eric Beauchesne, CanWest, Feb. 25, 04

OTTAWA - Bureaucrats in the Privy Council Office, aboriginal programs and regional development agencies are among the largest beneficiaries of more than $10-billion in additional federal spending announced yesterday.

The record $186.1-billion Ottawa expects to spend in the next fiscal year is almost 6% more than it initially estimated it would spend this fiscal year and more than double the rate of inflation over the past year.

MP Monte Solberg, the Conservative finance critic, . . . much of the record spending total "will be geared to things that the Liberals think will get them re-elected."

[. . . . ] "The fact is we've seen spending go up by 40% in the last six years," Mr. Solberg said.

The spending estimates for the 2004-05 fiscal year starting on April 1, the government cautioned, will be later revised to cover expenditures announced in a March 23 budget that were not known when the current estimates were prepared.

Among the estimated increases announced yesterday were:

- A 20% rise in funding to the Privy Council Office, the public service branch of the Prime Minister's Office. The $27.4-million boost brings the PCO's budget to $141.8-million. Paul Martin campaigned for the Liberal leadership with a promise to decentralize power in the PMO.

- An $800-million increase in the federal budget for aboriginals, bringing it to more than $8-billion a year. The figures include a near doubling of the budget for the office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution, which is under fire this week for spending more money on administration than it does on settlements.

- An extra $108.3-million to the four principal federal economic development agencies -- in Quebec, Northern Ontario, and Western and Atlantic Canada -- for disbursements as grants and contributions. Opposition politicians have often referred to regional development programs as slush funds.

Actually, Maritimers can tell that when ACOA grants are floating around and the road crews start working, it's Jean Chretien's Pork Supreme on our plates. We'll have to rename it for Paul. Paul's Poutine? What an obvious--and obnoxious--election ploy -- paying people to vote for the Liberals; otherwise, they might not. NJC

- An additional $153-million for programs to support Canadian culture, such as television programming, plus $60-million for the CBC to strengthen English and French radio and television programming.

CBC/Pravda will be paid for everything negative it says about Conservatives, and particularly that Westerner, Stephen Harper -- anything to keep him from being elected leader of the Conservative Party of Canada or Prime Minister. Trust me on this. Then watch for the shivs in his back -- in fact anywhere -- done in CBCs very obvious manner. If you've read my previous posts on CBC methods, you'll be ready for them. Just leftist/liberal/Liberal mouthpieces doing their jobs as the claque. NJC

Judy Wasylycia-Leis, the NDP finance critic, questioned whether the government was merely creating a "slush fund for the election."

"How do we know all this money will ... not [be] siphoned off as commissions or booking fees or to line someone's pocket?" she said. [Bang on, Judy! NJC]

[. . . . ] Peter MacKay, a Tory MP, noted the Prime Minister has taken the unusual step of tabling the main estimates earlier than expected and is not allowing MPs enough time to review the details of the $186-billion in projected spending for 2004-2005.

Mr. MacKay said the Commons rules give committees only one month to study the estimates, yet the House of Commons is not scheduled to sit for two of the next four weeks.
[. . . . ] The government said a detailed explanation of how the new money will be spent within departments will not be released for several months.

However, additional current spending increases include:

- $1-billion for defence to support peacekeeping and purchase equipment;

- $759-million for agriculture, including more for food inspection and $70-million to assist farmers hurt by the mad cow crisis;

- $574-million in foreign aid; [Would that be Chretien's African aid legacy? NJC]

- $564-million to cover public servants' job benefits; [Note this vs. what will go to the military along with the judges and RCMP. NJC]

- $446-million to support health research;

- $406-million to support highway improvements at the border;

- $330-million to boost salaries of judges, who are seeking a 20% increase, and the salaries of Mounties and the military;

- $251-million for veterans;

- $186-million to support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet Canada's Kyoto commitments, $63-million to improve air quality, including negotiations with the United States, and $54-million to protect the environment in national parks;

- $170-million to help the homeless, and another $128-million to improve housing for low-income families;

- $127-million to spruce up the Toronto waterfront, and $96- million for enhanced development in Western Canada. [Note that's more for one project in one city than for 3-4 Western provinces. NJC]

There were relatively few spending cuts announced in a summary of the estimates.

Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Charles Adler Wants Input From Readers -- re Politics

Is anyone buying the Belinda-bot? Charles Adler, Winnipeg Sun, Feb. 24, 2004

Read all of Charles' questions, a few of which follow; then write your comments to: cadler@cjob.com

4) When is [Belinda Stronach] going to shut up about having run a company with more than 70,000 employees?

5) Who on Earth believes that she ran that company or any company?

[. . . . ] 10) Since the grassroots in Western Canada simply cannot take the Belinda bot seriously as a Conservative leader, what would prevent them from wanting to pull the pin and march down the road of western separatism?

If Paul "Porky" Martin is the same old, same old eastern twaddle, and if the Conservatives are being led by a handful of Ontario whoremasters with a chequebook that doesn't quit, why wouldn't hundreds of thousands of conservatives opt for quitting Confederation?

[. . . . ] Do you think that Paul "Porky" Martin is handing the Conservatives an opportunity with his handling of the sponsorship scandal?

Do you think Conservatives would be blowing that opportunity by trying to market to Canadians a Belinda-bot?

He's definitely direct. Write to him. NJC

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Dock Needed in BC -- not by Quebec nor by Separatists -- Guess what happened.

Why we're alienated -- a small but telling tale Barbara Yaffe, Feb. 25, 04

It took two months for a reply to arrive -- from Canada's new fisheries minister Geoff Regan, from Nova Scotia.

The minister informed Sen. Carney: "Unfortunately all program funding this year is fully committed to other priority projects, and tendering of this project must await additional funding availability." [Would payouts to one of the Quebec companies involved in the Liberal Sponsorship/Slush Fund Scandal have been one of the priorities? NJC]

[. . . .] Because to refuse to rebuild the island's only dock, which also serves as an entrance to the national park, is to expose Ottawa as a useless barnacle on the nation's body politic.

Why do British Columbians send tax dollars to Ottawa if not for federal services, especially essential ones like a dock?

Would Mr. Regan have written such a letter if the dock served a Liberal riding in Quebec? Or for that matter, a riding held by the Bloc?

What more need be said? NJC

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High School Graduate Shakes Baby to Death and Evades Real Punishment

Mother walks free after shaking her baby to death Christie Blatchford, Feb. 25, 04

TORONTO -- [. . . . Elizabeth Cao ] was given a conditional sentence of two years less a day, plus three years of probation, meaning no jail time.

Judge David Fairgrieve waved off the "usual house arrest and community service provisions," deciding Ms. Cao had been punished enough by the 22 days she cruelly had been forced to serve between her arrest and release on bail.

[. . . .] The nature of Ms. Cao's loss is that in the fall of 2001, fed up with her five-week-old daughter Sara's crying, Ms. Cao shook her to death.

[. . . .] Noting that "a segment of the community would no doubt take the view that any offence involving the death of a helpless infant at the hands of her inadequate and violent mother should result in substantial imprisonment," Judge Fairgrieve praised the prosecutors "for having made a more reasonable and enlightened assessment of the public interest."

[. . . . The] lawyers would place the blame for Sara's death upon the [Children's Aid Society].

[. . . .] At autopsy, the little girl was discovered to have at least 10 rib fractures, some of them in the early stages of healing, suggesting that she had not been hurt only on the night in question, but also at some prior time.
[. . . . The] psychologist reported that [the mother] "had managed to scrape through Grade 12."

In court yesterday were Toronto Police Detective-Constables Andy Gibson and Shawna Coxon, the investigating officers.

[. . . .] Det.-Constable Gibson was both near-apoplectic and near tears when he said, "I feel like there's no justice for this five-week-old baby. This is the last day of 21/2 years. No one will remember her now."

The officers are clearly part of the . . . what did the judge call it? . . . less-enlightened segment of the population who believe that the death of a helpless infant should call for some significant jail time. [. . . .]

Blatch tells it as it is. This is ridiculous! NJC

Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Ontario: Hydro One

Crack down hard on pork-barrelling Toronto Star, Feb. 25, 04 via Jack's Newswatch, Feb. 25, 04

[McGuinty] should order Hydro One to divulge the details of its controversial contracts without delay.

If there was any doubt that new rules are needed it was dispelled by Hydro One's first reaction to the publicity about the contracts. It refused to divulge details, saying such information could compromise important commercial secrets or sensitive advice to the government.

What nonsense. How would details of a training program for which Hydro One paid a Gourley-related firm $8,500 per head for each of its 400 managers to attend a one-day leadership session compromise anything?

[. . . .] In addition, McGuinty must insist Hydro One, Ontario Power Generation and every other provincial Crown corporation and ministry not contract out work to consultants that can be carried out by in-house staff. Where there is, however, work for which there is not adequate in-house expertise, McGuinty should rewrite the rules to require the tendering of every contract over a certain, nominal amount.

Further, McGuinty should require every ministry and Crown corporation to publish on its Web site a list of all outside contracts, their costs, and the individual or firm that won the bid.

This $5.6 million revelation should spur reform.

When Canadians entrust politicians with the power to spend taxes, they should be able to expect that the politicians will use that power not to enrich their friends, but to serve the public.

As we've seen, that's not the case in Ottawa, or at Queen's Park. There's a crying need for change.

Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Media Tricks to Stop Harper: The Media Support Whoever Will Maintain the Status Quo

Already, CBC is telling us that the East does not support Stephen -- by interviewing only those who support Belinda. This article is instructive.
There's only one way that Conservatives can win Peter White, Feb. 25, 04, Globe and Mail via Jack's Newswatch, Feb. 25, 04

Now that there is suddenly a real possibility that the Conservative Party of Canada will win more seats than the Liberals in the next election, we can expect the Liberals to begin fighting like cornered rats.

I know from first-hand experience in the 2000 election campaign what they will do. Using surrogates and the media, the Liberals -- and also the NDP and the Bloc Québécois -- will attempt to portray the Conservative Party as extremist, scary, intolerant, racist, anti-Quebec, anti-French, anti-immigrant, anti-Atlantic, anti-gay and inimical to minority rights, as well as to the vital interests of Ontario. Not to mention, in the case of whoever emerges as the new leader, inexperienced, incompetent, too young and concealing a hidden agenda.

[. . . .] In a nutshell, the next election must be about integrity and character. That definitely would be the issue, if the election were held today. How can Conservatives ensure that this remains the central issue over the coming months?

The answer is simple. It is by not playing into the hands of the Liberal character assassins or smear squads. It is by demonstrating, through actions and words, that the Conservative Party is moderate, reassuring, tolerant, inclusive, pro-Quebec, pro-French, pro-immigration, etc., etc. It is by taking the utmost care to ensure that no member of the party -- the leader first and foremost -- can plausibly be accused of any of the Liberals' shrill charges, and by immediately expelling any Conservative who transgresses that rule. .

[. . . . .] He must explain that he is not in favour of Alberta withdrawing from its full role as a province of Canada [. . . . .]

I would check this out this statement just to see what Stephen actually said, given the media bias. NJC

He must also make it clear that he supports the basic principles of the Official Languages Act and of the duality of our federal institutions, while avoiding discrimination against qualified public servants who are not fluent in French.

Just how is one to accomplish that when a unilingual civil servant cannot get past the first requirement to work for the federal civil service -- bilingualism? NJC

[. . . . ] He must clarify his position with regard to transfer payments to the Atlantic region, emphasizing, as many studies have shown, that if a culture of dependency or entitlement has developed anywhere in the region it is the fault of misguided, politically motivated, incentive-destroying government programs, and in no way a reflection on the character, initiative or abilities of any Atlantic Canadians.

The media misreported what Stephen said -- though he might have phrased it more carefully today -- but he blamed government handouts, not Maritimers. The Liberals and the media have worked together to discredit him and the advice given here should be taken with a grain of salt. NJC

He must appeal directly to gays, lesbians and transgendered people, for example by asking to meet with their representatives, and listening to their grievances and requests with an open mind. [. . . .]

Since when did gay rights--by which the writer means allow gay marriage--become a conservative value? Stephen Harper has said he would allow free votes by MPs on divisive social issues. It cannot get more democratic than that. NJC

Mr. Harper must also be careful to ensure that he cannot be accused of wanting to change Canada's present legal regime concerning abortion.

Actually, Stephen Harper has suggested that MPs vote on highly contentious issues and, unlike our Liberal Prime Ministers, he would allow free votes. NJC

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Equal Opportunity: Achieve Equal Results -- or Else!

Clarke's class war on universities Janet Daley, Feb. 25, 04, Telegraph

This sounds familiar. The universities may not charge top-up fees -- yet must recruit for diversity from people who might not be able to afford top-up fees. Many universities, such as Oxbridge, have been doing this -- but the results have not been sufficient -- so coercion is imposed. Not only must we have EQUAL OPPORTUNITY; WE HAD BETTER ACHIEVE EQUAL RESULTS -- OR ELSE! Social engineering at its most chilling! Where do merit, ambition, enough desire on the part of the student to work for the money come in? You jest! Students from underrepresented social classes deserve to go to university!

[. . . . The Secretary of State for Education, says the Office for Fair Access or Offa ] is not to flinch from its obligation to enforce the recruitment of university students from groups now "under-represented" in higher education, nor to inflict the maximum penalty upon those institutions that fail to make sufficient efforts in this direction. We all know which groups he means but just in case Offa staff were in any doubt, here is a list: those from the three lower social classes, from state schools and colleges (but not highly rated grammar schools and sixth form colleges, which are to be stigmatised as if they were private), from "low participation neighbourhoods", from some ethnic minorities (presumably not those fiercely ambitious Asians who are already determined to be doctors and lawyers).

Also not to be forgotten in this effort to enlist students on any criteria except the relevant one of academic merit, are those with children or "elder care" responsibilities, and the disabled. And this official "guidance" is not, repeat not, to be regarded lightly.

[. . . . ] The greatest irony is that many of those disadvantaged young whom Mr Clarke wants to dragoon into university would be better off training as plumbers or train drivers.

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Hardly Positive

CIA chief predicts war with no end David Rennie, Feb. 25, 04, Telegraph

America's assault on al-Qa'eda has scattered its terrorist expertise across the globe, meaning that the United States will be menaced by Islamic extremism "for the foreseeable future", the CIA director, George Tenet, said yesterday.

He offered the Senate intelligence committee a bleak vision of a war on terrorism without end, in which even the destruction of al-Qa'eda would not make America safe.

[. . . .] But Osama bin Laden's destructive expertise had been broadly disseminated throughout the extremist branches of Sunni Islam.

He added that intelligence had uncovered "chilling" plots involving ships, aircraft and "special weapons".

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Sounds Like a Reward for Illegal Migrants

Amnesty for new EU migrants Nic Fleming, Feb. 25, 04, Telegraph

Tens of thousands of illegal migrants are to be offered an amnesty which gives them the right to stay in Britain, the Government said yesterday.

Those from countries joining the European Union in May and who have been working in the black economy will be allowed to remain if they sign up to a migrant workers' registration scheme.

The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, told Radio 4's Today programme that he wanted those from Poland, the Czech Republic and other eastern European countries about to join the EU to be part of the legitimate economy. "We want them to be open, paying taxes, paying national insurance," he said.

Asked whether such people could register without any penalty for past illegal working, Mr Blunkett said: "Yes they can, from the accession countries, because it is sensible to have them upfront, honestly working."

My Commentary:

I'm waiting to see whether this will apply to the gypsies -- since they do not get good press in Eastern Europe -- and for very good reasons, according to those who know, those who live among them or who have been the object of their larceny. I know; I know; I should not tar all of them with this -- but one can only report one's own experiences or those of others whom we know and trust. I am. When one friend from a very civilized EU country heard that only Canada would actually import this problem which has plagued several European countries for years, he just shook his head. Only in Canada would the government -- Liberally -- expose us to unnecessary problems under the guise of its misguided multicultural policy. Just let these guys have to live in the neighbourhood! NJC

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Culture Clash, Arranged Marriages and Muslim Honour Killing?

Honour Killing: 'We didn't kill our beautiful daughter'
Nigel Bunyan, Feb. 25, 04, Telegraph

The parents of Shafilea Ahmed, the murdered Asian teenager, upstaged detectives yesterday when they gatecrashed a televised police briefing to deny that they were guilty of a so-called "honour killing".

Senior officers had just given details of how their daughter's badly decomposed body was found concealed in undergrowth when Iftikhar Ahmed, 44, and his wife, Farzana, 41, arrived with their legal team.

[. . . . ] Det Chief Insp Geraint Jones, who is leading the investigation, looked surprised at their arrival and refused to allow them to sit at a table positioned in front of a Cheshire Police screen. A few minutes later, clearly embarrassed by the interruption, he and his team left the building.

Neither of the Ahmeds spoke during their protest. However, through their solicitor they insisted they were in no way involved in the death of their "beautiful and irreplaceable daughter".

They went on to accuse police of having become blinkered by a racial stereotype which dictated that as Asian parents they must have been involved in their daughter's murder. This was a course of action, they claimed, that was allowing "the real culprit" to remain at large.

Shafilea, 17, disappeared six months ago, shortly after returning from a trip to Pakistan where she had resisted the overtures of a distant cousin to take part in an arranged marriage.

While in Pakistan she became so distraught she swallowed a quantity of bleach. This burned her gullet so severely that she required hospital treatment both there and once she had returned to Britain. Shafilea spent most of Sept 11, 2003, at Priestley Sixth Form College and later went to a local call centre where she worked four nights a week.

Her mother picked her up and drove her home. She went to bed, as she did every night, with her seven-year-old sister. When the household awoke she had gone. She was reported missing eight days later by her former teachers at Great Sankey High School.

My Commentary:

Reported missing EIGHT days later? My mother would have been out looking within the hour after my curfew -- but maybe they thought she had run off with a boy and the embarrassment would have been unbearable. Now, she is dead. Who would want her dead and why? What follows is background to this. NJC

Parents of missing 'culture clash' teenager are arrested Nigel Bunyan, Dec. 12, 03

[. . . .] A fortnight ago officers released excerpts from some of the songs Shafilea wrote in the weeks leading up to her disappearance.

The verses, found in her bedroom, have helped detectives build up a picture of a teenager torn between her family's traditions and the western culture she was seeking to embrace.

In one song, titled Happy Families, Shafilea referred to a clash of cultures and her family's preoccupation with "honour".

Shafilea, the oldest child, spoke Urdu at home and observed Muslim prayers with her three sisters and younger brother. But at the same time she idolised R&B singers, wore tight jeans and secretly stored the mobile phone numbers of male friends at college.

[. . . .] Earlier this year Shafilea's parents took her to Pakistan in the hope of arranging her marriage to a distant cousin. She refused. A short time later, distraught at the conflict in her life, she apparently tried to commit suicide by swallowing bleach.

The incident left her with a damaged oesophagus that required frequent medication to keep her alive. A nationwide sweep of hospitals and clinics has satisfied police that they cannot have issued her with further supplies.

[. . . .] Shafilea had twice run away; once last November and again in late January. The following month she joined her family on the trip to Pakistan.

Having taken the bleach, she spent a number of weeks in a local hospital. She flew back to England on May 27 where her treatment was resumed at a hospital in Warrington.

Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Something to Consider for the CBC

Why we would scrap the BBC licence fee and its governors David Elstein, Feb. 25, 04

[. . . . ] The BBC's Charter expires at the end of 2006. [. . . .]

[The Broadcasting Policy Group] report would replace the antiquated governance structure with a unified board of executive and non-executive directors, accountable to external regulators, Parliament and the BBC's viewers and listeners: no room for ministers there. This model already works for Channel 4, a successful public service broadcaster. There is no reason why it should not work for the BBC.

We would create a new body – a Public Broadcasting Authority – to look after public service content, which it would draw from a range of suppliers, in a way that would insulate any particular broadcaster from ministerial wrath and retribution. This would eliminate the unwieldy, uneconomic and unsatisfactory indirect mechanisms for delivering public service content that have been steadily failing for many years.

We would replace the licence fee progressively with subscription as the primary source of BBC funding. The problems with the licence fee are well known. It is inflexible, inefficient and inequitable – even iniquitous – in its impact on the poorest households. It provides no accountability on the part of the BBC, and delivers no useful information on the part of the audience.

[. . . . ] The author is chairman of the Broadcasting Policy Group, whose report is available free at www.beyondthecharter.com

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Replace BBC with CBC in this Article: What Do You Think?

UK: Media experts urge radical overhaul for 'failing' BBC Tom Leonard, Feb. 24, 04

The BBC is failing in its public service remit and should be radically overhauled, a panel of media experts will say today.

A report commissioned by the Conservative Party to consider the corporation's future has concluded that the over-reliance on the BBC to provide public service programmes is unhealthy for democracy.

It attacks the current system of a statutory licence fee and calls instead for rival broadcasters to compete with each other for money to make programmes on subjects such as the arts, education and current affairs.

[. . . .] It coincides with the publication of another paper, written by Barry Cox, the Government's digital television adviser, which also argues that the BBC should not have a monopoly on licence-fee money.

The BBC faces growing criticism of the scale of its ambitions, which have seen it moving aggressively into the internet, magazine publishing and merchandising.

[. . . .] The report does not advocate the immediate abolition of the licence fee on the grounds that this would be impractical.

However, it claims that policy makers should realise that the potential of an alternative subscription system will become increasingly clear when the country converts completely to digital television. When that happens, every household will have the means of paying electronically for the programme content it wants.

The report says that public service broadcasting is currently failing and, at every level, is both diluting and narrowing.

Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Update to an earlier post below:

Truth is No Excuse! Ads Target Liberals and Paul Martin, Not the Tax Haven

Tory ad rubs Caribbean community the wrong way Brian Laghi, Feb. 26, 04

The radio ad attacks Prime Minister Paul Martin for basing subsidiaries of his former company, Canada Steamship Lines, in Barbados to take advantage of lower tax rates there. . . .

"The tone of voice I thought was sort of mocking," said Basil Blackman, a past president of the National Council of Barbadian Associations of Canada. "I think if the Conservative Party has a problem, they should solve the problem within Canada rather than trying to bring in a third country that basically has nothing to do with the politics of Canada."

The ad is narrated by an individual with a deep Caribbean accent and includes the sound of steel drums in the background performing the song Yellow Bird. The man welcomes listeners to Barbados, "a carefree land of sun, sand and 2-per-cent corporate income tax" and refers to Paul Martin as "your Prime Minister, Mr. Paul."

Look, next time, use an Irish/Scottish/Newfie accent; we're used to it -- and we laugh. What's with these chip-on-their-shoulder types? Too touchy by half. NJC

[. . . . ] Liberals pounced on the ad, saying it was in the spirit of the old Reform party's infamous Quebec election commercials of 1997, when the faces of Quebec-based leaders had the letter X drawn through them.

That was not "infamous"; that was expression of many Canadians' wish for change -- that the rest of the country should count. It presented a home truth about Canada's government for the last 30-40 years -- that Canadians have been ruled by Quebeckers, French Canadians. It is a statement of fact. Get over it. Stop trying to associate the Conservatives with an ad from Reform. On second thought, maybe it is time to run it again? NJC

Below is an earlier post:

Ads Highlighting PMs character, Lib culture of corruption, flip-flops, gun registry, and PMs corporate tax loopholes in Barbados

Biting ads slam Liberals -- `First salvo' in likely election -- Conservatives launch radio spots Feb. 25, 04, Tonda MacCharles

OTTAWA—Five scathing Conservative party pre-election "attack" ads are about to hit the radio airwaves [in March] slamming Paul Martin's Liberals as criminally corrupt, and the Prime Minister as a dithering flip-flop artist whose company skipped out on paying Canadian taxes.

[. . . .] One — entitled Scandal 2 — stars a man reciting two Criminal Code sections: "Theft over $5,000. Maximum penalty? 10 years ... Extortion. Maximum penalty? Life in prison."

Then a woman's voice adds: "The Liberal government ripped you off. Now they want another four years. Don't you think they deserve a different kind of term? Now is the time to consider the Conservative Party of Canada."

In a spot dubbed "Barbados," a man with a stereotypical Caribbean accent says in a cheery voice: "Welcome to Barbados. A carefree world of sun, sand and 2 per cent corporate income tax for our good friends from Canada. Your Prime Minister Mr. Paul figured it out a long time ago, man. That's why his shipping company down here. In Canada he pay up to 41 per cent. In Barbados, 2 per cent."

Then the woman interjects: "If Paul Martin is leading by example, what exactly is he trying to tell us? Now is the time to consider the Conservative Party of Canada."

My Commentary:

No wonder the media are so upset! These ads sound as though they hit the nail on the head. Bring them on! Playing the race card won't work. Would someone explain that it is a Barbadian government policy to provide low tax rates -- what amounts to a tax haven for shipping companies such as our PMs CSL -- and Paul Martin was Canada's Minister of Finance when this special relationship--loop-hole?--with Canada was allowed. Paul, you wily fella! It isn't the Barbadians that should be upset -- though it suits some leftists to yell racism. Paul, you'll have to assuage their wounded feelings with pre-election grants to the Barbadian cultural association or whatever association will vote Liberal -- compliments of the taxpayers of Canada, I suppose. NJC

Frost Hits the Rhubarb

The Tentacles Creep Closer to Jean Carle -- and Others

Dangerous twist to cleanup -- Suspensions cast more shadows on Chrétien's regime -- But latest move could be trouble for all Liberals Feb. 25, 04, Susan Delacourt, The Star, Ottawa

When Prime Minister Paul Martin's government reached into the ranks of the Business Development Bank of Canada to mete out punishment yesterday to crown corporation chiefs, it took a significant political step — one that casts yet more shadows on the regime of Jean Chrétien.

The move also threatens to focus more attention on the deep, dark politics of the controversy, which could have the effect of tarring all Liberals, whether of the Chrétien or Martin stripe.

[. . . . ] Jean Carle, a former director of operations for Chrétien, someone so close to the former prime minister that he once bunked in his basement, went to the BDC after he left government.

Once there, the court testimony showed, he made it his mission to get the institution working in the interests of the federal sponsorship program — or at least its goals of increasing the federal government's visibility in Quebec.

Carle also was instrumental in helping push Beaudoin out the door of the BDC.
In other words, the power and the objectives of the Chrétien PMO were making themselves felt in a crown corporation that is supposed to operate at arm's length from its political masters.

This, too, is the rap against Canada Post and VIA Rail in the sponsorship scandal, and why their top executives were disciplined yesterday.

[. . . .] But simply: The Auditor-General probed how Liberals treated their friends; the Beaudoin case exposed how Liberals treated their enemies. Neither painted a pretty picture of Liberal politics in Quebec during Chrétien's time in office.

[. . . .] Now, by linking the BDC affair to the sponsorship controversy, he has to also explain why a former finance minister didn't know of what was happening at a crown-owned bank.

Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Updates on the Liberal Sponsorship/Slush Fund Scandal

Since the article below was written, Quebec Olympic gold medalist Miriam (Myriam?) Bedard has come forward and stated to the media today that she had written to Prime Minister Paul Martin Feb. 13, 04 about losing her job at Via Rail because she questioned what Via Rail was getting for the sums that were being billed--or paid--to Groupaction. What she says has the ring of truth. The fact that certain principals involved--or was it only one?--from Via Rail tried to blacken her reputation makes what happened to her all the more despicable. This Liberal slush fund scandal is growing -- getting dirtier and people are lashing out in an effort to save themselves. NJC

Which brings me to Francois who sent this today.

Gagliano vows to defend his honour
Feb. 26, 2004

OTTAWA - Alfonso Gagliano promised Wednesday to fight for his reputation when he goes before a parliamentary committee looking into the sponsorship scandal. And in reference to his activities involving the Canada Lands Corp., Canadian Press reported Gagliano suggested that his actions were orchestrated from above. "He's the boss," Gagliano said of former prime minister Jean Chrétien. "I served the way he wanted me to serve."

Everyone down the ladder is gonna roll over on Chrétien. Like Mafiosos who rat out the boss for immunity, no one is gonna want to take the heat for this. Especially since "da boss" is now "da ex-boss". This comparison isn't too far off. Criminal charges are almost a sure thing. Will people who were acting on orders from the PMO be willing to risk doing jail time to protect Chrétien? I think not.

Looks like Chrétien will have his long sought legacy. It will rightfully be to go down in history as the worst PM we've ever had. Looks good on him.

The question was, what did Chrétien know? We all suspected that Chrétien knew all about it. If there was any lingering doubts, Gagliano's comments have removed them. Since a criminal trial is all but certain, the new question is: Will people do jail time and who will these people be?

François

Thanks for that, Francois. Now, on to Chantal.

Chantal Hebert on the Endemic Corruption

An epidemic of amnesia -- None of the major players in the sponsorship scandal seems aware they were breaking nearly every accounting rule Chantal Hebert, The Star, Feb. 25, 04

There is ample evidence that the systemic roots of the problem run deeper than the surface of the management of Crown corporations.

They run so deep, in fact, that any future finding of specific bad behaviour by the inquiries that will look into the sponsorship scandal is unlikely to really get at them.

[. . . . ] A fortnight ago, the BDC chairman was savaged by Quebec Superior Court Judge André Denis for his role in the firing without compensation of former bank president François Beaudoin.

In short, the court found [Michel] Vennat to have had a hand in a vendetta against Beaudoin after the latter refused to extend more loans to a hotel in then-prime minister Jean Chrétien's riding.

[. . . .] Just last week, with the evidence of the court and the Auditor-General on the table, the bank's board gave Vennat a vote of confidence.

Having had the Prime Minister himself disavow their collective judgment, should the members of the BDC board not resign, too?

And if they do not, what does the episode say about their future capacity to act as watchdogs of the management of the bank rather than as cheerleaders of one of their own?

If and when Martin removes Chrétien appointees from the management and the boards of Crown corporations, the Prime Minister is bound to replace them.

Unless he is ready to undertake a dramatic overhaul of the Canadian patronage system, he will basically be exchanging his predecessor's cronies for his own.

[. . . . ] In the Beaudoin court case, Jean Carle — a Chrétien aide who landed an executive position at the bank — testified that, as part of his efforts to involve the BDC in the government's visibility campaign, he had held meetings with a host of Quebec ministers as well as with Chuck Guité, the civil servant who originally ran the sponsorship program for the government.

In the wake of news reports of Carle's testimony, former justice minister Martin Cauchon said he had no recollection of the meeting.

Industry Minister Lucienne Robillard went one further. She denied it had ever taken place and hinted Carle was lying.

[. . . . ] VIA Rail chairman Jean Pelletier escaped the wrath of the Prime Minister yesterday. That's because he was not running VIA when it was involved in dubious sponsorship transactions.

Instead, Pelletier was calling the shots for Chrétien at the Prime Minister's Office.
As chief of staff, he had primary responsibility for the government's Quebec strategy as well as for arbitrating whatever issues involved the Quebec wing of the Liberal party.

Well, that explains it. He would not have known -- nor would Paul Martin. I am so relieved! NJC

Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Despite Adrienne's "I am above politics", She is Not Quite that Far Above

She is falling back down and through the glass ceiling -- having flown too high.

Governor-General's spending to be probed -- Committee will examine budget, mandate -- Follows on public outrage over ballooning costs Mary Gordon, Feb. 25, 04

"Why do we have a Governor-General? What is the mandate? What benefit do we get? How much does it cost to have this?"

[. . . .] The committee will also review the budget and estimates of government departments that spend money in support of the Governor-General's office, such as foreign affairs.

[. . . . ] "If she wants to gather together the horsey set of Toronto and go for a trip somewhere, we'll decide what we want her to do and we'll decide how much we're willing to spend and that will happen in advance," the Winnipeg Centre MP said. "We won't find out about it after the fact, as has been the current practice."

The committee will examine the link between the Governor-General's office and the Canadian Constitution, and will likely push to allow MPs to have input into the appointment process, [NDP Pat] Martin said.

For more on our Commoner Queen and her grand tour, check out Canada's Court Circular -- and Other Posts which will lead to previous articles on Canada's own royal jelly and entourage: Update: Adrienne’s Junket based on some information gleaned from biographies of those accompanying the GG on her taxpayer-funded tour. You decide whether this was good use of public money -- or simply a grand tour for assorted members of the GGs circle. There is another article as well, Adrienne's junket

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Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Diet and Senility

Study links diet to senility -- Antioxidants effective in dogs -- Work raises hope for Alzheimer's Peter Calamai, The Star, Feb. 16, 04

SEATTLE—Scientists have devised a diet of vegetables, vitamins and nutritional supplements that delays and even reverses the effects of Alzheimer's-like senility — but only in beagles so far.

Research chief Carl Cotman said the improved mental agility of middle-aged beagles fed the anti-senility diet over three years "startled" his team at the Irvine campus of the University of California.

"The animals rejuvenated aspects of their brain function which they'd had when they were young but lost as they grew old," Cotman told reporters at a science conference here.

He said beagles were a good model for people because they develop a pre-Alzheimer's condition as they age, called mild cognitive impairment.

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Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Harper sails into storm with natives Brian Laghi, Feb. 27, 04, Globe and Mail

Ottawa — [. . . .Stephen Harper's] office sent greetings to a Canadian aboriginal organization on the occasion of Republic Day, which commemorates India's independence from Britain.

"As you partake in cultural festivities and events, which honour your ancestors and celebrate your heritage, I am pleased to pay tribute to the members of the Indian community in Canada," the Jan. 26 letter signed by Mr. Harper said.

A red-faced Mr. Harper issued an apology yesterday.

The gaffe prompted the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, which got the letter, to compare Mr. Harper to the Italian-born explorer.

"It is shameful, Mr. Harper, that you as a potential leader in this country choose such offhand forms of communication which make you guilty of possessing a poor briefing staff at best, and racist approaches to policy at worst," said a letter from the organization's president, Rick Lobzun. "This is 2004, Mr. Harper, not 1492 . . . the last time a man got lost looking for India."

[. . . . ] The term Indian was used almost exclusively to describe American aboriginal groups until the midpoint of the 20th century and is still used by many today, including some native bands themselves. Indeed, the federal department responsible for aboriginal groups continues to call itself Indian and Northern Affairs.

My Commentary: Response from the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres

Don't tell me the above was not an honest mistake made by someone -- perhaps a graduate of one of our high schools whose brush with history involved more touchy-feely stuff than rigorous training in reading carefully. Trying to equate a simple, honest mistake on the part of a campaign worker with the Liberal slush fund troubles won't work.

Now that the Liberals are deep in the sponsorship/slush fund scandal, this sounds almost as though a Liberal were trying to foment something negative about Stephen Harper. Was it written by the fellow who trucked so many people from reserves to the voting booth last election and told them how to vote? I heard one ask "Who do I vote for?" and "I've never voted before; what do I do? Where do I go?" I was there and saw the whole thing. One even grinned and said "I may be back", presumably to vote again. But I suppose this is how Liberals get votes. Don't tell me I'm a racist; it won't wash -- not with me.

Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Elinor Caplan waves goodbye

If you are concerned about the gaping holes in our immigration / refugee selection process, then this departure is excellent news. Nobody so symbolized the mindlessness of our current policies on the immigration / refugee front than Elinor Caplan. In shrill bombast at any criticism of her department's methods, she was a Hedy Fry wannabe. The Reform party was characterized by her as "holocaust deniers and blatant racists". Before the last election she mused that it would be a good thing to raise the immigration quota to half a million a year. "For a couple of years at least, and yes, most of them would come from the 'traditional' Third World countries." The fact that Toronto would be the recipient of over half of these new-comers, and their needs would be extremely costly, did not stop her from being elected in her wealthy Toronto riding. That fact is almost as scary as her suggestion. She represented the worst face of the lefty elites. When Toronto became a swamp of over-crowding, gridlock traffic, and crime-ridden ghettoes, she would simply depart--with her healthy pension -- to a friendlier area, say Saltspring Islands. Goodbye and good riddance, Elinor.

Bud

Commentary:

Good riddance to Elinor for all the reasons Bud stated; Canadians demand security -- and accepting undocumented aliens who lie through their teeth -- and then are given taxpayers' money to live amongst us has to END! I don't care what agreements Canada has made with the UN -- or anyone else on these characters. Enough, already! NJC

Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Inside media--CBC gazes at its navel

Yes I am back on the CBC. A couple of nights ago, Feb. 24, I believe, the CBC media progam made its feeble attempt to show that it is not biased. So what did they do but--as usual--stack the deck? Among four panalists there was one critic of the CBC. They don't even see the irony in this. Trina McQueen, an ex-CBC topgun, Tony Burman, head of CBC programming, and some other CBC woman, whose name I don't remember, tackled Andrew Coyne of The National Post. A classic CBC set-up. Burman baldly stated that in a survey that CBC took, the people said CBC was the leader in viewing--up to 90% satisfaction. To which Coyne laughed and said, "But this was your rather selective poll; most show you don't even garner 10% of prime time viewing. Burman didn't want to go there. He also did not want to entertain Coyne's suggestion that if the 90% was a true number, than why doesn't CBC go the PBS route and exist through subscription? Coyne also managed to slip in the endless reruns that CBC delivers, but that issue was not addressed by the CBC trio. They had their mantra down pat--CBC is the lifeline of Canadian culture -- period. The charge that CBC is home only to left-wing, anti-American rhetoric was pooh-poohed. No, they were balanced. The entire program showed how blind they are to their own biases.

Bud

Commentary:

I saw it too, Bud. It was so stacked -- so typical -- CBC bringing out its own to toot its own horn and to deny any bias. And they cut off any interesting avenues which Andrew Coyne brought up. Where do they get these moderators and favourite talk show guests -- all cut from the same slab, anyway -- as though CBC uses a cookie cutter to produce them? This group is much too inbred. Most CBC females are practically interchangeable -- as their individuality is sacrificed to the Mothercorp's idea of how a bright young leftist CBC announcer should present herself -- complete with biased tone and facial signals telling viewers what to think -- the politically correct viewer response. CBC, stop trying to change Carla Robinson into one of your brittle and sneering females -- leave Carla alone. She is the last one left with an ounce of sweetness in her face.

News Junkie Canada

Frost Hits the Rhubarb

Fences make good neighbours

That the Israelis and the Palestinians will will ever be good neighbours is highly problematic, but at least the wall will lessen the violence. The real concern of the Palestinians should be when the Israeli decide that no Palestinian will ever work again in their country. They are already working in that direction. It didn't miss my notice that one of the suicide attacks targetted the foriegn worker's area. Considering that the aid money that flows from the mis-guided European countries--the Holocaust wasn't sufficiently successful, I guess--is funneled into private bank accounts of top PLO officials, the average Palestinian has lots to worry about. They cannot voice their fears however, as the murderous Hamas and Al-aqsa elements would assassinate them as "traitors". Unless the average Palestinian is as nihilistic as the Muslim fanatic faction, there will come a time when getting bread on the table will surpass the desire to wipe the Jews off the map. Meanwhile, if the security wall stops any of the barbarous attacks on ordinary Israelis, then it is an investment that is necessary.

It would be interesting to see what the UN gang of anti-democratic thug states would say if the Israelis retaliated with bomb attacks on Palesinian cafes and buses in the West Bank. But of course we know the answer to that one, don't we? Just not kosher.

Bud -- Who really does believe that the Jews control Hollywood and The New York Times. Still, that is not an excuse for the anti-Semitic attitudes that are spreading throughout the world. Can't we support the only democracy in the Middle East?

PS: I suppose Palestinians bombing Jews would be considered halaal by the usual suspects at the UN.