Gomery Inquiry: Liberal Party as Victim & Publication Ban, Petrobank $ Grant, Innu-Drugs? NWT New Powers? & More

Gomery: The Latest Spin -- the Liberal Party as Victim

I heard it on CTV; I think Paul Martin tried to give this impression. A hoot!

* It might be "a small pool" in the Lib party in Quebec
* Chretien -- sending the final poisoned apple to Paul Martin

Naturally, CBC reported this victimization with, figuratively, a straight face.




Colby Cosh, on his blog, mentions Warren Kinsella's very negative views about the Gomery Inquiry -- "He's spent the last few months doing everything he can to undermine its credibility". . . . "But I'm sure it has nothing to do with damning allegations about the government he served, no sir."

Colby Cosh's blog -- Colby Cosh is excellent on the publication ban. Do not miss.




The above is via Daimnation: Blogs 'n bans

"The Gomery Inquiry is considering contempt-of-court charges against an "all-news Canadian website" for linking to an American blog post allegedly containing details of damning testimony covered by a publication ban:"

Angry in the Great White North and Did I need to do this?

Why write in the face of a publication ban? Gutsy guy.



Start My Car For Me, Eh?

The real question is, is there any level of criminality that will finally spur Canadians to do away with their government?

AdScam leak on web -- U.S. BLOGGER BREACHES PUBLICATION BAN April 4, 2005, Stephanie Rubec, Senior Political Reporter

AdScam inquiry spokesman Francois Perreault expressed shock at the publication ban breach, and said commission co-counsel Bernard Roy and Justice John Gomery will decide today whether to charge the Canadian website owner with contempt of court. [. . . . ]

Bloggers, read this!

Colby Cosh: Can Americans take a hint?

There has been no shortage of sharp practice regarding judicial publication bans in recent Canadian history. And it seems to me as though matters have only gotten worse in the past two decades, even though the Charter of Rights and Freedoms explicitly wiped out the common law on the subject and put free expression on a supposedly "fundamental" footing in this country. . . .

[. . . . ] Any action taken against a webmaster who posted the content of Brault's testimony, or linked to it, or linked to a page that linked to it, would presumably be subject to a later judicial review with an unforeseeable outcome. I believe that this entry complies with the ban--but does it? [. . . . ]

He writes much more.

Search: if our foreign cousins were to be aggressive about



Gomery testimony has Ottawa on edge -- 'Potentially devastating' Mark Kennedy, CanWest News Service

Already, U.S.-based Web sites have begun reporting details of what Justice John Gomery was allegedly told last week, and the political rumour mill on Parliament Hill was filled with speculation yesterday that a major American newspaper might do likewise in its editions today.

Last night, the CBC reported the Liberal party would seek standing at the Gomery inquiry. [Not only did the Liberal Party . . . . but now taxpayers will have to pay to protect them? Their reputation? Ha! Nothing here about money? Naif! NJC]

[. . . . ] "There is a real sense that this is going to impact on the Liberal party's fortunes. It's starting to seep into the province of Ontario and elsewhere around the country. But we know that Quebec right now is the hot spot and they're feeling as if they were being patronized, taken for granted, and really used in an irresponsible way with this sponsorship program. They tried to buy their support." [. . . . ]

Will ban be lifted? -- ADSCAM INFO COULD FRY GRITS Stephanie Rubec, Senior Political Reporter, April 3, 2005




Innu -- "They don’t want to see us get well. They make money from us.”

PARLIAMENT-HILL CHEAP February 09, 2005, John Lofranco

. . . hundreds of millions of tax dollars gone to waste. . . . the “healing strategy,” a government program to fix social problems in a Labrador Innu community. . . . move 700 Innu from Davis Inlet to the new, entirely government-built town of Natuashish, in an effort to stem rampant alcohol and drug abuse? Two years later, those problems still exist, and the massive government spending has produced few obvious results. Record keeping by the feds is so poor . . . not getting much of a return on the government’s investment: [. . . . ]

So where is the money going? The report noted that the band council was not immune to the community’s problems, showing evidence that Innu leaders were involved in the drug trade.

Finding truth? Like, whatever -- CANUCKS INCENSED BY SCANDAL TUNE OUT ONCE THE INQUIRIES BEGIN, GARY DUNFORD FINDS April 3, 2005, Gary Dunford, Toronto Sun

HUSH, BABIES: What not-for-publication testimony at the AdScam inquiry could be so "devastating" it might bring down a government? We pay $100 million for dinner but get no dessert? I'm feeling a little short-changed. You too? What's so bad we can't be told? Tantalizing secret testimony and genteel winkery. How long must we wait to learn what our political masters already know? Why are election drums supposedly thumping?

Are you telling me Quebec's biggest ad agencies didn't -- all on their own -- just decide individually one morning to start skimming the cream off million-dollar billings? That unlike other clients, their most profitable federal sucker was oblivious to results or billings? How come?

I know. You are already bored with AdScam. They are counting on it. [. . . . ]

Search: Need I even remind you of, The Three Bears Commission, THE GOAT TRAGEDY

If you link, it is funny -- and yet. . . . .




Petrobank gets $9M Technology Partnerships Canada grant -- Boost oilsands recovery Jon Harding, Financial Post, Apr. 4, 05

[. . . . ] Petrobank Energy and Resources Ltd., a publicly traded oil and natural gas explorer and producer with operations in the West as well as Colombia said it will use the grant at its $44.7-million Whitesands test project in northeastern Alberta's booming Athabasca oilsands region. [. . . . ]

N.W.T. on verge of new powers April 2, 2005, CP

EDMONTON -- A landmark deal that would give the Northwest Territories province-like powers over natural resources remains hung up over who should control the spending of hundreds of millions of dollars that would flow to the North. That power should remain largely in the hands of the N.W.T. -- at least until agreements are signed with native groups.

"Whatever money comes North has to be for government purposes, for programs and services," N.W.T. Premier Joe Handley said yesterday. [. . . . ]