CIDA-DART, ADSCAM-Aline's Watches, Enabling Liberal Corruption, Gomery's Limited Mandate, Martin and Manley

So, Canadian International Development Agency--Where's the money?

So, Canadian International Development Agency--Where's the money? Garth Pritchard, Canadafreepress.com, May 5, 2005

[. . . . ] On January 3, 2005 Prime Minister Paul Martin, using his propaganda machine--the Ottawa media--promised a "doubling up." Eighty million dollars, he said. Another arm of the government, CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency)--has been furiously putting out documents on who got what money. Great--but it hasn’t reached the people of Ampara. The tsunami occurred December 26--over four months ago. [. . . . ]

Search: Canadian DART (Disaster Assistance Relief Team) , We’ve seen this pattern with CIDA before.


Related: Scandal looming in promised $425 million for Sir Lanka tsunami victims that never arrived? Judi McLeod, Editor, April 20, 2005

Search: Maurice Strong . IDRC (International Development Research Center)




Chretien's wife picked souvenir watches to give away: Guite

Chretien's wife picked souvenir watches to give away: Guite Jim Brown, May 4, 2005, CP

[. . . . ] Once he was inside, said Guite, [Jean] Carle pointed to two watches, part of an array of promotional items he had been thinking of ordering.

Those are the two Madame likes, said Carle.

Guite didn't have to be told twice. He phoned his supplier and informed him: "Those are the two you are going to order." [. . . . ]

Enabling Liberal Corruption

The Toronto Star – happily enabling Liberal corruption Victor Salus, Editor, Canada Free Press Blog, April 30, 2005

In an editorial that is disgraceful and mendacious even by Toronto Star standards, that paper’s editorial board tells its readers to put away their moral compasses, shut their eyes and accept a few shiny trinkets from Paul Martin, Jack Layton and company. No deal is too grubby for the Star, as long as it keeps free spending liberals and leftists in control. Disgusting is too mild a word. [. . . . ]

Guite says Martin and Manley knew May 4, 2005, Brian Daly, CP. This is freely available for anyone to read.

MONTREAL -- Chuck Guite says he was told in 2000 that Paul Martin and John Manley backed an alleged plan to guarantee federal government business for a prominent Liberal-friendly ad firm. [. . . . ]

Search: Pierre Tremblay , Alfonso Gagliano , Mr. Manley , $65.7-million Tourism Canada , Vickers and Benson CEO John Hayter

Gomery Inquiry -- several items




Justice Gomery's Mandate

Gin and Tonic: What "waiting for Gomery" really means posted April 29, 2005, PM in Politics

This is a good source, though from the end of April.

I've been thinking a lot about what "waiting for Gomery" will really mean. It seems that when I talk to people who haven't been following the scandal very closely (i.e. most Canadians), they have an incredible amount of faith in Justice Gomery and his ability to "get to the bottom of the scandal", as Paul Martin promises. It's taken on the ring of a fairy story - "when Gomery reports, all will be well in CanadaLand". Will this really happen?

The first thing to do is look at Justice Gomery's mandate, which is actually quite limited. I will look at these, but the post is pretty long.

The commission's terms of reference are actually pretty specific:

[. . . . ] f) is an interesting one - it says he is "authorized to grant to any person who satisfies him that he or she has a substantial and direct interest in the subject-matter of the inquiry an opportunity during the inquiry to give evidence and to examine or cross-examine witnesses personally or by counsel on evidence relevant to the person's interest".

g), h), i) j) say he can conduct consultations, and pretty much set his own budget, fly people in to testify, rent any space he likes, and hire experts to assist him.

But k) is the kicker

k) the Commissioner be directed to perform his duties without expressing any conclusion or recommendation regarding the civil or criminal liability of any person or organization and to ensure that the conduct of the inquiry does not jeopardize any ongoing criminal investigation or criminal proceedings;

You read that right. The Gomery commission cannot recommend criminal charges, or civil liability. What can his report say? [. . . . ]

Gomery to get limited status at hearing

Gomery to get limited status at hearing April 29, 2005, CP

OTTAWA -- Justice John Gomery has won a victory of sorts in his attempt to fight a legal challenge by Jean Chretien.

Chretien wants the Federal Court to remove Gomery as head of the inquiry into the sponsorship scandal, alleging the judge is biased and unable to deliver an objective evaluation of the former prime minister's role in the affair.

Gomery sought permission to intervene in the challenge so that his counsel can defend his impartiality. A Federal Court judge ruled Friday that Gomery can intervene, but with limited status. [. . . . ]