Hansard: April 14, 2005 -- Dirty Money & Liberal Party -- Canadians' tax $$$ at work in Liberal Canada -- Sponsorship Scandal

Dirty money can be used in this campaign too

Hansard: April 14, 2005 -- This begins just above (1525) and runs to (1605) -- Opposition Motion--Sponsorship Program

Supply

Opposition Motion--Sponsorship Program

The House resumed consideration of the motion.


Mr. James Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I rise to participate in what is perhaps one of the most important debates in our country's history. Never before have there been such profound allegations of corruption against the party that is in power.

To quote the, until yesterday, Liberal member of Parliament from Edmonton--Mill Woods--Beaumont, “Here we are, a G7 country, acting like a northern banana republic. What country is seen as more politically corrupt than us at the moment?”

Sadly, many in other countries share his views. This Liberal scandal, is damaging our reputation right around the world. China's People's Daily reports, “Canada's ruling party badly hurt by scandal”. CNN calls this, “Canada's version of Watergate”. BBC World News reports, “Scandal anger mounts in Canada”. The New York Times headline reads, “Canadian Prime Minister Struggles to Keep Job”.
1525)

[Translation]

In France, the newspaper Le Monde said: “The Canadian Prime Minister is hanging on to power in spite of a corruption scandal affecting the Liberal Party”.
[English]

An article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune gets right to the heart of the matter. It states:

In what some say is Canada's version of Watergate, in terms of magnitude and potential damage, Liberal Party members are accused of having taken $818,000 from advertising agencies hired to promote federalism in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

This is truly a scandal without precedent, without equal in our history. Our country has reached a new and frightening low thanks to this Liberal Party.

In an April 12 Toronto Star op-ed entitled “Canada's Crisis of Responsibility”, Tom Axworthy, principal secretary to Pierre Trudeau from 1981 to 1984 and brother of former Liberal foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy writes:

One of the core problems the Gomery commission investigating the sponsorship scandal has revealed is the absence of any notion of responsibility from many of those in high positions. Neither in the 2003 auditor-general's report on sponsorship, nor in the Public Accounts Committee nor in the Gomery commission hearings have ex-ministers or public servants come forward to say, "Yes, managing this program was my responsibility, and I am accountable for what went wrong.”

Before I continue, Mr. Speaker, I want to let the House know that I will be splitting my time with my colleague from Nepean--Carleton.

The Parti Québécois is an example that the Liberal Party of Canada should follow with regard to the sponsorship scandal. When it was accused of having accepted $100,000 in illegal contributions from Groupaction Marketing Inc., it took steps to return the money. Three days later the PQ wrote to Justice John Gomery asking for the names of shareholders and employees of Groupaction from 1994.

[Translation]

That is an example that the Liberals must follow. In fact, on January 14, some Quebec papers said that while in Longueuil, the Minister of Transport promised that the Liberal Party of Canada would reimburse all money that could be linked to the sponsorship program.

In fact, English Canadian papers went further. They used a faulty translation which quoted the minister as saying:

[English]

The transport minister said he won't wait for reports from the Gomery Commission, an inquiry into the sponsorship scandal, and a lawyer appointed to study the matter.

Although the Canadian press later clarified the matter, the real reason English Canadian press included the erroneous information was because it seemed reasonable.

In September 2004, the Liberal Party had admitted that both of what the Liberal government now calls audits concluded that the party had received $1.5 million in donations from companies named in the Auditor General's report on sponsorship and advertising abuses. It then stated that it would only reimburse donations from companies whose directors were convicted of crimes.

So when in January the transport minister stated in Longueuil, Quebec that the federal Liberals would reimburse all donations received from groups involved in the sponsorship program, the translator made the fundamental mistake of believing that the transport minister was sincere and that the Liberal Party of Canada would essentially follow a path similar to that which was being taken by the Parti Québécois. What a foolish mistake to trust a Liberal.

[Translation]

There is a huge difference between the reaction of the Parti Québécois and that of the Liberal Party of Canada and it is attributable in part to the amounts of money involved. For the Parti Québécois, it is only $100,000, a relatively small sum, while it is a fortune for the Liberal Party of Canada.

The two external audits made in September 2004, which revealed that the Liberal Party of Canada had received $1.5 million from actors in the sponsorship scandal were not audits at all, but mere account reviews.

Simply put, both reviews showed that the Liberals received $1.5 million from people and firms involved in the sponsorship scandal. However, that does not include the money that Liberal ridings and candidates received. Moreover, the reviews were limited to four bank accounts and to the documents provided.
[English]

In other words, it is almost certain that the Liberal Party actually received substantially more than the $1.5 million it had publicly admitted; $1.5 million in dirty money.

Further, because of the way the money was hidden it is possible that a significant amount of money went to various leadership and riding campaigns, as well as to the 1997 and 2000 national campaigns of the Liberal Party, and we will not find out these amounts for quite some time.

Therefore, if the Liberal Party admits, after an incomplete review based on the balances of four bank accounts and missing documents, that it received $1.5 million in dirty money, one could assume that the real total could be double that, if not more.

If the amount of money that the Liberals will be allowed to spend nationally in the next campaign is roughly $18 million, and if they had received say $3 million from companies and individuals involved in the sponsorship scandal, that would mean roughly $1 out of every $6 that the Liberal Party of Canada will spend in the next election will be dirty money. That is right, $1 out of $6 TV ads alleging Liberal integrity will be paid for with dirty money and, quite possibly, produced by a tainted agency.

(1530) [. . . . ]

There is so much more -- a must read.

Canadians' tax $$$ at work in Liberal Canada.

Enbridge & PetroChina $2.5 BILLION-China National Offshore Oil Corp "I'm excited with our low-cost entry into oilsands"--"learn . . .exploit" in China

"Oilsands to flow to China -- Enbridge $2.5 B pact with PetroChina will supply hungry market with crude" -- $2.5 BILLION

That was in the Financial Post, the lead today.




A little background story . . .

Pipeline fight has complex ramifications -- Natural gas prices, economy and U.S. relations involved

Pipeline fight has complex ramifications -- Natural gas prices, economy and U.S. relations involved Claudia Cattaneo, Financial Post, April 11, 2005

Canadians may be tempted to brush off the fight between TransCanada Corp. and Enbridge Inc. over which company will build the US$20-billion Alaska natural gas pipeline. It would be a mistake to view it as a self-serving contest between giant energy companies.

[. . . . ] TransCanada, Canada's top pipeline company, says it should build the pipeline because its predecessor company won the rights after a lengthy public hearing three decades ago. With that decision in hand, TransCanada says it can build the line more quickly than anyone else.

On the other side is rival Enbridge Inc., which is aligned with Alaska's reserve holders ExxonMobil Corp., BP PLC and ConocoPhillips. They say the NPA is antiquated and open to legal challenges. They are proposing a new project, to be permitted under new rules that would better reflect current conditions. [. . . . ]

"Beijing-based CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corp.), the top Chinese offshore oil producer, becomes the second-largest shareholder in MEG"

CNOOC leads the way into Alberta oilsands -- Buys stake in MEG Energy Claudia Cattaneo, Calgary Bureau Chief, Financial Post, Apr. 13, 05

Does "closely held" (see next sentence) mean the ownership is not readily known?

CALGARY - CNOOC Ltd., China's third-largest oil producer, made that country's first investment in Alberta's oilsands yesterday, scooping up a 16.7% stake in closely held startup MEG Energy Corp. for $150-million.

[. . . . ] "I'm excited with our low-cost entry into oilsands," Yang Hua, chief financial officer of CNOOC, said in a statement.

CNOOC plans to learn about the advanced technology and expertise of oilsands development, added Fu Chengyu, chairman and chief executive of CNOOC. It hopes to use the skills it learns here to exploit oilsand and shale reserves in China, he said.

[. . . . ] CNOOC's investment is unlikely to be reviewed under Canada's foreign investment rules because it is not a controlling interest.

"plans to learn" here "to exploit" in China


Re-read that. To all those developing "business networks" in China, pay attention. Is anyone surprised?




This is even more background, in my estimation, Note the date, 2002.

[China's leading oil firm] PetroChina Said among Three Firms Considering Husky Assets Feb. 2002 --- Note the date.

What happens to Canada's oil if that were to happen in future? The future is now. Phillips Petroleum Co and an "independent Canadian company" (which?) also were thinking of buying Husky.

Would that be an independent company owned by one of Canada's immigrants from Hong Kong or China?

CALGARY, Alberta - Husky Inc. [. . . . ] majority owned by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, confirmed in a brief statement that it was in talks with state-controlled PetroChina and other parties about "potential transactions."

[. . . . ] Analysts put Husky's proven and probable crude reserves in Canada at roughly 930 million barrels, with natural gas at 2.2 trillion cubic feet (tcf). At the end of 2000, PetroChina had proven oil reserves of 11 billion barrels and gas reserves of 32.5 tcf. [. . . . ]

Keep reading for more information, relevant or otherwise. Are you starting to get an inkling as to why it is so necessary to buy off the provinces?

I suppose it will keep everybody happy; nothing and no-one will stop business, any business, even monkey business.

China, Taiwan, Japan, US -- Weapons and Trade

"Chinese trade is going to be a lightning rod in Congress in the coming months"

U.S. flooded by imports from China Patrice Hill, Apr. 13, 05, Washington Times

The trade deficit surged to a record $61 billion in February on the escalating cost of imported oil and a flood of Chinese clothing imports, the Commerce Department reported yesterday.

With the deficit already threatening to beat by one-third last year's astronomical $666 billion total, the possibility of political retaliation on Capitol Hill — especially over China's currency manipulation to gain a competitive advantage — is growing.

The Senate last week overwhelmingly approved an amendment to impose stiff trade sanctions on China unless it stops keeping its currency artificially low. The legislation was withdrawn after sponsors won agreement to bring it up for a separate vote by the end of July. [. . . . ]

The same has happened in Canada; imports from China are away up. Canadians blithely buy more imported stuff -- until one by one, they likely will lose their jobs -- and can't afford to buy much any more.





Asia Times: The real 'China threat' Chalmers Johnson, Mar 19, 2005, Asia Times -- from Japan Policy Research Institute: The real 'China threat' by Chalmers Johnson, president of the Japan Policy Research Institute.

[. . . . ] The truly significant trade development of 2004 was the EU's emergence as China's biggest economic partner, suggesting the possibility of a Sino-European cooperative bloc confronting a less vital Japanese-American one. As the Financial Times observed, "Three years after its entry into the World Trade Organization [in 2001], China's influence in global commerce is no longer merely significant. It is crucial." For example, most Dell computers sold in the US are made in China, as are the digital-video-disc players of Japan's Funai Electric Co. Funai annually exports some 10 million DVD players and television sets from China to the United States, where they are sold primarily in Wal-Mart stores. China's trade with Europe in 2004 was worth $177.2 billion, with the United States $169.6 billion, and with Japan $167.8 billion.

China's growing economic weight in the world is widely recognized and applauded, but it is China's growth rates and their effect on the future global balance of power that the US and Japan, rightly or wrongly, fear. [. . . . ] Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs reports that the number of men in Japan already declined [. . . . ]

[. . . . ] Japan still possesses the world's largest foreign-exchange reserves, which at the end of January stood at around $841 billion. But China sits on a $609.9 billion pile of dollars (as of the end of 2004), earned from its trade surpluses with the US.[. . . . ]

A "breakaway" province? Was Taiwan ever formally a part of China? A fiefdom? A democracy now -- but Hong Kong thought it was, too.




The following is relevant at this point.

BBC: China's anti-Japan rallies spread Apr. 10, 05, via Jack's Newswatch


China's Military Goal Is to Stop U.S. Defense of Taiwan Edward Cody, Washington Post, April 12, 2005 -- from NewsMax.com

BEIJING -- A top-to-bottom modernization is transforming the Chinese military, raising the stakes for U.S. forces long dominant in the Pacific.

Several programs to improve China's armed forces could soon produce a stronger nuclear deterrent against the United States, soldiers better trained to use high-technology weapons, and more effective cruise and anti-ship missiles for use in the waters around Taiwan, according to foreign specialists and U.S. officials. In the past several weeks, President Bush and his senior aides, including Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Director of Central Intelligence Porter J. Goss, have expressed concern over the recent pace of China's military progress and its effect on the regional balance of power.

[. . . . ] U.S. and Taiwanese military officials pointed in particular to China's rapid development of cruise and other anti-ship missiles designed to pierce the electronic defenses of U.S. vessels that might be dispatched to the Taiwan Strait in case of conflict.

The Chinese navy has taken delivery of two Russian-built Sovremenny-class guided missile destroyers and has six more on order, equipped with Sunburn missiles able to skim 4 1/2 feet above the water at a speed of Mach 2.5 to evade radar. In addition, it has contracted with Russia to buy eight Kilo-class diesel submarines that carry Club anti-ship missiles with a range of 145 miles.

[. . . . ] The Nuclear Deterrent

Strategically, China's military is also close to achieving an improved nuclear deterrent against the United States, according to foreign officials and specialists.

[. . . . ] Projecting Force to Taiwan

[. . . . ] High-Tech Emphasis

A little-discussed but key facet of China's military modernization has been a reduction in personnel and an intensive effort to better train and equip the soldiers who remain, particularly those who operate high-technology weapons. Dennis J. Blasko, a former U.S. military attache in Beijing who is writing a book on the People's Liberation Army, said that forming a core of skilled commissioned and noncommissioned officers and other specialists who can make the military run in a high-tech environment may be just as important in the long run as buying sophisticated weapons.

[. . . . ] Air Superiority

There are related articles: China/Taiwan on WND

China & Macau -- The gaming jackpot: Gambling stocks are hot, Macau may trump Vegas, Canadian immigrant Stanley Ho's 40-year monopoly on gambling &

There has been a series of articles lately on China in the National Post, articles by Peter Goodspeed on Macau, Shanghai, and more. They are of interest, I think.



The gaming jackpot: Gambling stocks are hot -- and things are getting even better



Macau may trump Vegas Catherine Armitage, March 28, 2005

Over the next few years, more than $US17 billion ($22 billion) is poised to plunge into this tiny former Portuguese enclave, sparking a building frenzy of hotels, casinos, resorts and shopping malls that will transform the territory for its 440,000 people.

Already Macau ranks among the fastest growing places in greater China with economic growth of 25 per cent last year and 47 per cent growth in private investment. It is set to blitz Las Vegas in gambling revenues this year and Australian companies have a front seat at the tables.

Packer's Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd is teaming up with Lawrence Ho, son of Macau gambling mogul Stanley Ho, to build a $HK1.5 billion ($250 million), six-star hotel and casino complex due to open next year. Meanwhile, poker machine maker Aristocrat Leisure is setting up in Macau after soaring sales in the territory helped it become the best performing large stock on the Australian stock market last year. [. . . . ]

Search:

Kerry Packer and Steve Wynn
Edmund Ho
Stanley Ho's 40-year monopoly on gambling in the territory
lost 30 per cent of the Macau gambling take
the partnership between his company Melco and PBL
Michael Swing, Ho's nephew and regional operations manager of SJM.
Vietnam, Japan and Thailand
Singapore
send winnings to Hong Kong for gamblers in false names
casino bombings and street warfare between triads
Lawrence Ho
"unsuitable" to hold a NSW gaming licence
crackdown on the illegal outflow of mainland funds
North Korea, Burma, Vietnam and Russia.


This is a lengthy article, of current interest, since Macau is synonymous with gambling and Stanley Ho, one of the 'businessmen' who immigrated to Canada.

Around the world, as well as in Canada, gambling as a legitimate business appears to be growing. When the Financial Post reports on the 'gaming industry' stocks (April 14, 05, I think), as part of its business coverage, it is time to explore the topic further.

There has been very little media attention to gambling in Canada, particularly the very negative effects, along with all the ramifications. Governments, addicted to the revenue, compound the problem by hiding the problems -- cloaking information behind 'privacy' concerns -- not collecting the statistics on the results of gambling on the citizenry.

There is more on gambling in Gambling and Assorted Connections of Potential Interest, News Junkie Canada, June 24, 2004


Your $$$ at work. . . . .

Internet Filtering in China in 2004-2005: A Country Study

Internet Filtering in China in 2004-2005: A Country Study

"1 The OpenNet Initiative is a collaborative partnership between three leading academic institutions: the Citizen Lab at the Munk Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto, Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School, and the Advanced Network Research Group at the Cambridge Security Programme (Centre for International Studies) at the University of Cambridge. As with all OpenNet Initiative work, these reports represent a large team effort. The work of principal investigators Jonathan L. Zittrain and John G. Palfrey, Jr. on this research report was made possible by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Research and Writing Grants Program of the Program on Global Security and Sustainability. ONI thanks Che Dong, Alana Maurushat, Rebecca Vaughn, and a number of anonymous volunteers for contributing key research to this study."

Check the Table of Contents. What follows are an excerpt from the Executive Summary and one excerpt on Google Cache Testing (58). Link and download the .pdf for the whole report. Very informative.

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

China’s Internet filtering regime is the most sophisticated effort of its kind in the world. Compared to similar efforts in other states, China’s filtering regime is pervasive, sophisticated, and effective. It comprises multiple levels of legal regulation and technical control. It involves numerous state agencies and thousands of public and private personnel. It censors content transmitted through multiple methods, including Web pages, Web logs, on-line discussion forums, university bulletin board systems, and e-mail messages. Our testing found efforts to prevent access to a wide range of sensitive materials, from pornography to religious material to political dissent. ONI sought to determine the degree to which China filters sites on topics that the Chinese government finds sensitive, and found that the state does so extensively. Chinese citizens seeking access to Web sites containing content related to Taiwanese and Tibetan independence, Falun Gong, the Dalai Lama, the Tiananmen Square incident, opposition political parties, or a variety of anti-Communist movements will frequently find themselves blocked. [. . . . ]

Unlike the filtering systems in many other countries, China’s filtering regime appears to be carried out at various control points and also to be dynamic, changing along a variety of axes over time. . . . Cybercafés, which provide an important source of access to the Internet for many Chinese, are required by law to track Internet usage by customers and to keep correlated information on file for 60 days. As a further indication of the complexity of China’s filtering regime, we found several instances where particular URLs were blocked but the top-level domain of these URLs was accessible, despite the fact that the source of content appeared consistent across the domain – suggesting that filtering may be conducted at a finer level in China than in the other countries that we have studied closely. Moreover, China’s Internet filtering appears to have grown more refined, sophisticated, and targeted during the years of ONI’s testing.

[. . . . ] China operates the most extensive, technologically sophisticated, and broad-reaching system of Internet filtering in the world. The implications of this distorted on-line information environment for China’s users are profound, and disturbing.

Another excerpt:

[. . . . ] H. Google Cache Testing

Google is one of the most popular search engines for users worldwide. Google’s cache function, though, allows users to access (at least intermittently) filtered content, because the request for that material goes to Google’s servers, not to the blocked source’s servers.169 Concerned by this circumvention method, China temporarily blocked access to Google in September 2002170; requests for Google’s site were redirected to Chinese search engines.171 According to the company, Google negotiated with Chinese officials, and eventually access was restored.172

However, we found that while Google’s site is accessible to Chinese users,173 the Google cache174 and certain keyword searches are blocked.

Download the whole report and read it. Extensively documented

Bob MacDonald: Political history lesson -- "Does Harper wait as Martin pleads -- or take early, decisive action?"

Political history lesson April 14, 2005, Bob MacDonald, Toronto Sun

MacDonald mentions Stanfield, 1968, and Pearson's "scandal-plagued regime" which ended with the rise of the guy with the rose and his leftist leanings -- and all the rest, about which some of us rail.

[. . . . ] Oh, and how did Trudeau get to Ottawa?

Why, it was the result of yet another Liberal scandal. A federal inquiry in 1965 -- the Dorion inquiry -- revealed how Pearson cabinet ministers from Quebec and aides had helped dope-dealing criminal gangs from La Belle Province beat the system. The corruption extended into the offices of Justice Minister Guy Favreau and Immigration Minister Rene Tremblay. Another minister, Maurice Lamontagne, was also entangled.

The scandal was even found to extend to Pearson's own parliamentary assistant.

The key result: Favreau, Tremblay and Lamontagne had to resign. Their replacements in cabinet came from Quebec -- Jean Marchand, Gerard Pelletier and an obscure leftist professor named Trudeau.

[. . . . ] Stephen Harper, a smart, able leader of the Conservative opposition, should consider that history while deciding. Does he wait as Martin pleads -- or take early, decisive action? Many urge him to go for it -- give Canadians the chance to put the boots to this tired, money-grabbing gang of Liberals.

This is one of the writers for the Toronto Sun, note, the news outlet that a private school and a university have suggested is not an acceptable source for students to use for reference. With people like Bob MacDonald and a stable of good journalists who keep us informed, I wonder what their beef was or is. Maybe they are Liberal leaning?

Inflluence Peddling: A Review of Department of Justice "Improper Use of Office" Information

Improper Use of Public Office: Inflluence Peddling Aline Baroud and Andrew Gibbs

Influence peddling is another example of improper use of office. Unlike bribery, which is aimed at buying a decision directly from the decision maker, the concept of influence peddling involves paying a third party to exert influence on the decision maker. In this situation, the buyer hopes that the influence of the person being paid will be sufficient to convince the decision maker to decide a matter in his or her favour.

The Criminal Code prohibits officials from demanding, accepting or offering or agreeing to accept a loan, reward, advantage or benefit of any kind for cooperation, assistance or exercise of influence in connection with any matter of business relating to the government. [. . . . ]

It is noteworthy that when a public official accepts a benefit in exchange for the exercise of his or her influence, it is not necessary that the official possess a corrupt state of mind. The test applied by the courts is : whether or not the individual is aware that he or she is an official ; whether or not the official intentionally demands or accepts the benefit in question, for himself or herself, or for another person ; and whether or not the official knows that the reward is in consideration for his or her influence in connection with the transaction of business with the government. [. . . . ]

Martin's hypocrisy on the healthcare front -- Who is his personal physician?

MPs cry foul; Paul Martin's doctor runs private clinics 07 May 2004, CBC

OTTAWA - Opposition politicians are calling Paul Martin a hypocrite after finding out that his personal physician heads a private health care clinic in Montreal.

Dr. Sheldon Elman is the founder and CEO of the Medisys Health Group. He has been Martin's doctor for 23 years.

Martin says he's never used private health care. In recent months, he has been touting the Liberals as the protectors of medicare while painting the Conservatives as the party that wants to privatize services.

"The hypocrisy of these guys is absolutely breathtaking," said Conservative leader Stephen Harper. [. . . . ]

Ressam fingered 100 terror suspects & A Refresher: Ahmed Ressam was Caught by an Alert Customs Agent, Not a Computer

None here?

U.S. court filing says Ahmed Ressam fingered 100 terror suspects Apr. 13, 05, CNEWS

SEATTLE (AP) - An Algerian convicted of plotting to bomb Los Angeles International Airport on the eve of the millennium later provided information about more than 100 potential terrorists, his lawyers said.

Ahmed Ressam, an Algerian national who lived in Montreal, was caught driving into Washington state after crossing on a ferry from Victoria with bomb-making materials in the trunk of his rented car in December 1999.

[. . . . ] Facing up to 130 years in prison, he cut a deal with the U.S. Justice Department and began co-operating with authorities in exchange for a promised 27-year sentence.

[. . . . ] From May 2001 to April 2003, Ressam spent more than 200 hours speaking with authorities about terrorist networks and people with potential connections to them. He also spent 65 hours testifying during depositions or trials, his lawyers wrote.

Among the topics Ressam is reported to have covered were training camps in Afghanistan, terrorist recruitment, training, cell locations, the use of safe houses and general targets. [. . . . ]

Search:

terrorist conspiracy
filed under seal.
Algerian national
startlingly helpful
Mokhtar Haouari
Haydar Abu Doha
Haydar Abu Doha
a Moroccan
Mounir el Motassadeq




In quiet Port Angeles, local folks tackle a terrorist - and nothing has been quite the same since

Note, it was the intuition of an alert human being that counted. It was a woman, incidentally, who caught Ressam at the border. Do read her story. This is an article from 2001, still informative and, considering the current talk of Canada's insecure border with the US, extremely relevant.

Paula Bock is a Pacific Northwest magazine staff writer. Benjamin Benschneider is a magazine staff photographer.

EVER SINCE terrorist Ahmed Ressam drove off the ferry from Victoria, B.C., with 135 pounds of bomb ingredients hidden in his trunk, the folks at U.S. Customs — who caught and chased him on foot through the streets of Port Angeles — have wondered many things.

Was the Los Angeles airport really his only target?

[. . . . ] Instead of a spare tire, the wheel well of Ressam's rental car held . . . .

All the other passengers were "regular, normal people," Dean recalls. Ressam's rental car is the only one she remembers. Did he pick her line, she wonders now, "maybe, because I'm a woman?"

It was the last vehicle off the boat, a dark green Chrysler 300M with B.C. plates, a luxury sedan usually favored by the older set. The driver was small and wore long sideburns and a too-big camelhair coat. He looked to be in his early 30s. He rolled down the window. . . .

This is a lengthy detailed account of what transpired, and background for the post above.

Paul Martin Just Fooling O’Brien? Tories Challenge PM to Come Through on C-38 Promise. Will the Committee travel across Canada to hear from citizens?

Same Sex Marriage, Bill C-38, Liberal MP Pat O'Brien, Paul Martin and Special Legislative Committees


Opposed to the people being heard?

OTTAWA – In reaction to Liberal MP Pat O'Brien’s statement today that the Prime Minister has agreed that the legislative committee studying Bill C-38 should have an expanded mandate, Conservative Vic Toews is challenging Prime Minister Martin to follow through with his commitments to hear Canadians’ views on this matter. O’Brien, who had appeared to be on the verge of leaving the Liberal caucus, announced today that he would remain a Liberal MP, his decision partly based on these commitments from the Prime Minister.

“What specific assurances can the Prime Minister give when there is no authority for the committee to hear anything but technical evidence, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, Paul Macklin, has indicated that there will be no travel across Canada?” asked Toews. “It appears to me that Paul Martin is just fooling with O’Brien in a desperate attempt to keep him in the Liberal caucus.”

According to the Standing Orders of the House of Commons, special legislative committees can hear witnesses only on “technical matters,” and as such, the committee itself has no jurisdiction to change its mandate. Toews pointed out that the Liberal decision to refer bill C-38 to such a committee is part of a broader Liberal pattern to ignore Canadians’ views on this legislation, referring to the previous committee that studied same-sex marriage in 2003 which was shut down before it had a chance to report.

“To date, no member of the committee, other than Conservatives, has indicated support for Canadians having their say on this issue. The Liberals, the Bloc Quebecois, and the NDP are all opposed to people being heard on a fundamental matter of social policy,” said Toews. The Tory Justice Critic has vowed to keep alive the debate on C-38 until the Liberal government agrees not to limit the powers of the committee studying this bill.

“Paul Martin must spell out what specific initiatives he and the justice minister are taking to allow this committee to hear from Canadians in every part of the country,” said Toews. “Until he does so, he is holding out false hope to Mr. O'Brien and to the Canadian people who want to be heard on this matter.”

For more information, please contact: Vic Toews, MP for Provencher
Ottawa: (613) 992-3128
Steinbach: (204) 326-9889

Email addresses & snail mail addresses -- 38th Parliament Members of the House of Commons, Alphabetical Listing by province

An acquaintance provided the press release from Vic Toews, MP, Provencher, Official Opposition Justice Critic, 14 April, 2005.

Bud Talkinghorn: Hold on to your wallet, redux

Paul Martin told his caucus that he is going to make national unity his central election issue. Does this mean that millions more will be stolen from the taxpayers to woo Quebec? Does he not understand that the sponsorship scandal has fattened the electoral hopes of his separatist opponents? To have watched Martin in yesterday's Question Period is to have watched a man who is in full panic mode. His dodging of Harper's question about Martin talking to witness Claude Boulay of Groupe Everest about a sponsorship deal was never answered. Instead, Martin started to accuse Harper of a hidden health agenda. After three attempts to get an answer, Harper simply read out the testimony of Alain Renaud, who said he overheard Martin talking to Claude Boulay about an Attractions Canada deal. Boulay, who Martin claims not to know well, actually worked for Martin during a campaign. I watched as Martin wallowed and then fled before question period ended.

Perhaps Ed Broadbent's comment about Paul Martin's performance was too much. Broadbent said,

"When the Leader of the Opposition asks [repeatedly] a question about corruption and he [Martin] replies with a question to the Leader of the Opposition about health care, he completely undermines the office of the Prime Minister."

I distinctly remember Broadbent also saying that Martin's 'answer' makes a mockery of Parliament."

Then there was the perfect sound bite from Harper later, when he pointed out Martin's hypocrisy over private health care: "Unlike myself, he goes to a private health clinic."

On top of Martin's sorry performance, the litany of Liberal corruption went on apace at the Gomery Inquiry. It was revealed by witness Luc Lemay that Chretien crony Jacques Corriveau had done practically nothing for the $5.8 million he received in sponsorship money. Lemay admitted that he never checked to see if Corriveau's Pluery Design (Pleuri?) actually did any work for his commissions. He also said that two events totalling $834,000 in pre-paid goverment money never took place and that when he tried to return the money, the Chuck Guite and his replacement Pierre Tremblay said "never mind, its too much bother. Keep it." That is a comment that could headline the entire scam. In a moment of tragi-comedy. Lemay could only shrug when asked why invoices were presented for work at "the Olympic stadiums in Sherbrooke, Chicoutimi, Ste. Foy, Rimouski and Trois Riviere." All had identical amounts of $9,432.95. Nor could Lemay explain why he paid more for sponsorship contracts than the legitimate cost of them. So, we get the testimony of arch-influence peddler, Jacques Corriveau, April 14.

Let the games continue, would be my advice to Stephen Harper. It is fun to watch the SS Steamship Liberal founder. A few more torpedo witnesses and we can see it sink beneath the waves.

© Bud Talkinghorn -- Oh yes, I forgot. Gagliano's lawyers have racked up $355,000 so far. That is not the total sum, as his lawyers will be back in court again. The taxpayers will be footing the entire cost, of course.

Jacques Corriveau: "often visited 24 Sussex to 'rearrange' exhibit spaces at Olympic stadiums"

Gomery told millions paid to Chretien friend Apr. 14, 05, CTV.ca News Staff

Lemay said he hired former prime minister >Jean Chretien's friend [Jacques] Corriveau, who often visited 24 Sussex Drive, to "rearrange" exhibit spaces at Olympic stadiums. [. . . . ]

Search:

raked in close to $7 million
Luc Lemay, the owner of Groupe Polygone
17.5 per cent, totalling $6.7 million
$41 million
for working at the Olympic Stadiums in
no Olympic stadiums in

This article confirms there was mention of Rimouski, Chicoutimi, Sherbrooke and the Quebec City suburb St. Foy -- and that there were no Olympic stadia there. (After hearing something on TV, I had posted on that previously today, but without a link.)

I suppose the ex-PM, Jean Chretien, was not at home when Corriveau visited.


VIDEO: CTV CTV News: Rosemary Thompson reports in Montreal 2:01

The Hon. Scott Brison, PC, and the PWSGC

Update:

Sponsorship Scandal: Gomery Inquiry

Corriveau's testimony is explosive -- There is mention of receipts? cheques? with the words Olympic Stadium -- which happens to be in Montreal -- the one with the retractible roof that won't retract, I think. The one mentioned is one of Trois Rivieres, Chicoutimi, Rimouski, Ste Foy, or Sherbrooke Olympic Stadium; check for the name used. It's a phantom stadium, anyway.

Would Diane Francis call it the Little Guy from Shenanigan Olympic Stadium

There is noise of explosive testimony from the talking heads.





On the government PWGSC website, why is Scott Brison listed as PC?

Could it be so history will not record whatever might be discovered that shouldn't be happening in this department as a product of the Liberal government? Of course not; it must be just -- a mistake? an oversight? the Liberals' fondest wish? To bring back that remnant of the PC's who were Liberals and masquerading as PC's? -- Is it a political party rising like the phoenix from the ashes?

If I were Scott Brison, I would be concerned. History might record any shenanigans unearthed in the PWGSC as happening under his authorization, on his watch and the product of a defunct party, the PC's. Rewriting history?





Signed: Honourable Scott Brison -- PC




PWGSC:

If they squandered--or s****--$100 million for the sponsorship, what was going on with the really big stuff?

What is the appropriate word for what has been going on--misappropriated? stole? greased the party pig?--while the electorate was too cowed by Liberal-created mainstream media-reported fear of what would happen if the electorate turfed the corrupt ones out?

Public Works and Government Services Canada: Key Facts

* Accommodates almost 210,000 public servants across Canada and manages over 6.6 million square metres of space in some 1,840 locations;

* Purchases over $10 billion in goods and services on behalf of government and manages 60,000 contractual documents;

* Administers compensation for 292,000 government pay accounts and 322,000 pensioner accounts;

* Handles $1.3 trillion in Receiver General cash flow and makes 226 million payments annually; and

* Provides colleague departments and agencies with around $230 million in linguistic services, $130 million in telecommunications and informatics services, and $100 million in consulting and audit services.




Note what is in the Table of Contents and then, scroll down through the tables, for example, Table 16: Details on Project Spending 1 New Information Technology Projects National Capital Region (Ontario/Quebec) -- (in millions of dollars) -- That is

$1,037-MILLION -- or $1,037,000,000
That is over a BILLION Canadian taxpayers' dollars.

For this government to play with?

Check the Table of Contents, scroll down, check the $$$ involved and don't miss the list of Related Internet sites at the bottom.

Election Pork about to Fall like Manna from Heaven -- PM will need votes -- your $$$

Quid pro Quo

MP Pat O'Brien is staying with the Liberals; he reports that Paul Martin has said he would revisit same sex marriage; the "legislative committee will hold public meetings" -- for whatever Paul Martin's promises mean.

I just heard that Paul Martin makes a fine distinction between:

"whether he ever had lunch with Claude Boulay"

and

"whether he had lunch with Claude Boulay to discuss contracts"

It all depends upon what the definition of . . . . . . is, as Bill Clinton so memorably put it.



Canada forms links with India Financial Post, April 7, 2005

Canada and India have signed a declaration regarding science and technology, just as a federal trade delegation ends a five-day mission to the world's second-biggest market. Jim Peterson, the International Trade Minister, said the pact, or declaration, will set the groundwork to further negotiate details that would extend science and technology linkages between the two countries in academia, government and the private sector.

[. . . . A] Canada-India CEO round table will be held in Canada later this year.

What is coming? Or should I ask what taxpayer $$$ are going where?




Canada, India to begin talks on open skies -- Move comes as Ottawa seeks to expand ties Chris Sorensen, Financial Post, April 08, 2005

[. . . . ] Canada's trade with India jumped 12% last year to $2.5-billion, despite the fact that Canadian businesses have been relatively slow to establish a presence in the world's second-largest market behind China.

[. . . . ] Last year, Air Canada became the first North American airline to offer non-stop service to India with daily flights, five days a week, between Toronto and New Delhi.

[. . . . ] The former Indian flag carrier had suspended its service to Canada after the 1985 Air India disaster, which killed 329 people off the coast of Ireland.

Union Muscle vs efficiency-generating contracting out provisions / public private partnerships -- When the PM needs votes, what stands in the way?

Certainly not the left-leaning Toronto city council!

Howard Moscoe is chair of the Toronto Transit Commission and Paul Martin will use any of your money necessary to win . . .

Down the tube Terence Corcoran, Financial Post, April 09, 2005

Attention federal taxpayers. Want a close-up look at where all the New Deal for Cities and Communities billions are going to end up? Keep an eye on the city of Toronto's negotiations with its transit union. In the wake of a strike announcement yesterday by union leaders, the city's top politicians caved in on the one and only hope for public transit financial sanity, contracting out.

Howard Moscoe, chair of the Toronto Transit Commission, issued the death notice: "The TTC has no plans to contract anything out, we have not had any plans to contract anything out, there has been no change in the language to contracting out in the TTC and we contract out less than any other transit system on this continent, so I do not understand that comment."

[. . . . ] There goes a big whack of the cash John Godfrey, federal minister of state for infrastructure and local buyoffs, plans to shower on Toronto over the next few years.

[. . . . ] By promising to transfer more money to Mr. Miller and similarly rigid city and provincial power brokers across Canada, the federal government is not only pandering to local politicians and buying votes, it is reinforcing an economic model that is draining the economy. Mr. Godfrey and his Liberal cronies are rewarding local inefficiency, waste, stagnation, and extravagance at a time when the Canadian economy needs exactly the opposite.

Search:
padding and protecting
private-public partnerships
John Godfrey, federal minister of state for infrastructure and local buyoffs

Sponsorship: Is Paul Martin running scared? He refuses to answer the question that might reveal his involvement? Why?

At least one media outlet actually used the dreaded P word in explaining why PM would not answer -- the P as in P****** word.

Paul Martin is trying to divert Canadians' attention from his connections--if any--to the the sponsorship scandal being investigated by the Gomery Inquiry by using scare tactics, about what will happen if Canadians do not keep the country together with the Liberals' proven formula:

* scare tactics: Kyoto climate treaty, childcare and the Atlantic offshore revenue deals -- which, actually, any positive aspects of which a Conservative government could implement, particularly, the Atlantic Accord which was a Conservative initiative. (Look for more on the Atlantic Accord later. Also, see Martin Plays Games With Newfoundland's Future -- "Liberal MPs Deny Consent to Implement Atlantic Accord" Sunday, April 10, 2005; scroll down Jack's Notes for this post.)

* payoffs: to Liberal friends who slush the money to the Liberal Party -- and any change of government might end it -- horrors! What province(s) would be most negatively affected by this? What province(s) would be most positively affected by an end to the Liberal methods of remaining in power?

The Liberal / Jean Chretien / Paul Martin system has worked for years and Canadians must vote for more of it!

Again, start with the Western Standard, small dead animals and Kate MacMillan who pointed to Andrew Coyne, who linked to the Globe and Mail and thence to CTV -- and the video of what Paul Martin refused to answer

Lunch with Claude (Boulay, the president of Groupe Everest) April 13, 2005

Globe and Mail excerpt: PM won't answer

In just one such exchange, Mr. Harper asked whether Mr. Martin had had lunch with a specific person related to sponsorship spending and Mr. Martin responded by accusing the Tory Leader of mistreating health care.

Election themes emerge in rowdy question period CTV.ca News Staff

[. . . . ] Conservative Leader Stephen Harper asked if Martin ever had lunch with Montreal ad executive Claude Boulay, a figure in the sponsorship scandal.

"I will fight the Conservatives tooth and nail and we will protect the Canada Health Act," Martin answered in Parliament on Wednesday.

Harper repeated the question several times, but Martin continually answered with attacks on the Conservatives' "hidden agenda" on health care. [. . . . ]

[When] Conservative MP Diane Ablonczy repeated the question . . . .

CTV News

The Video:

Question Period: Conservative MP Diane Ablonczy asks Martin if he had lunch with Claude Boulay 2:32 -- the VIDEO -- evidence of what some media would like us not to know -- CBC, may I suggest your employees watch it?

Martin on defensive, Harper hits weaknesses CTV.ca News Staff

[. . . . ] Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, speaking shortly after the prime minister, questioned the "moral authority" of the Liberals to govern, picking up on comments made by Martin earlier this week.

Harper also criticized Martin and the Liberals for not doing enough during their time in power, picking up on the reputation that the PM has gotten as a "Mr. Dithers."

"This government has been in office a year and a half.

They have achieved very little," Harper said.

"And I would be confident in saying that I think Canadians could select another government that would actually have an agenda and get on with doing it," Harper said.

He also rejected suggestions that forcing an election in the spring would have a detrimental impact on legislation currently on the books. That includes the budget bill, which has provisions on the Kyoto climate treaty, childcare and the Atlantic offshore revenue deals.

[. . . . ] Liberal MP Pat O'Brien, meanwhile, says he's putting off a decision on whether to leave the party until he completes his work as chairman of the Commons defence committee.

Border Insecurity: Hansard April 12, 2005 -- There's that $9 billion figure again -- out of thin air

Watch government figures; the amount changes and may inflate or deflate, depending upon circumstances. This figure has gone from $8 to $9 to $10 BILLION, the last figure from Frank McKenna, Ambassador to the US.

What is the true figure? -- once it has passed through the sticky fingers of . . . ?

Besides the Hansard excerpt below, in the last few days, there have been several stories on the insecurity of our border in the National Post.

Hansard, April 12, 05 -- Border Security

[The first comment comes on the heels of Paul Martin's refusal to answer a question on whether he met with Claude Boulay.]

Mr. Peter MacKay (Central Nova, CPC): Mr. Speaker, the record will show the Prime Minister did not answer the question or who picked up the tab.

U.S. Congressman Mark Souder, a senior member of the homeland security committee, says that Canada risks becoming a junior rather than a joint partner in North American border security. One of his chief concerns is the same as voiced by Canadian border authorities: inadequate and incomplete watch lists and no computers available to provide accurate and updated information.

At least 62 border crossings do not have 24/7 real time live access to CBSA computers. Instead officials have to sift through reams of paper to determine if the person crossing the border is a terrorist. When are these glaring gaps at the border--

The Speaker: The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

Hon. Roy Cullen (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, we are not going to get involved in the context of the comments from customs officers in the middle of labour negotiations. However, all the customs offices at our borders have all the information at their disposal. In fact, the department and the Canada Border Services Agency is investing $433 million over the next five years to enhance our capacity. A good part of that will be devoted to information technology and to improve the links between our border operations and the head office database.

Mr. Peter MacKay (Central Nova, CPC): Mr. Speaker, it was a U.S. congressman who said this.

In addition to having little information about terrorists or dangerous offenders, our unarmed border officials have to contend with inadequate backup from police. Over 50 border crossings, many with a single agent, are at least 25 kilometres from a police station. Internal RCMP documents show that on some weekends at Quebec crossings there is little or no police coverage. What is the government's response? Close more detachments and leave the border agents to fend for themselves.

Again, when will the government beef up border security and expand RCMP support for these entry points?

Hon. Roy Cullen (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, last year alone more than 71 million people crossed at Canada's borders at the land points of entry. The government has invested in the Canada Border Services Agency $433 million over the next five years. We are building capacity. Since 9/11, the government has invested more than $9 billion to enhance the public security environment in Canada. We will continue to do that. Our smart borders is a number one priority for the government and we are working very closely with the U.S. to implement that.

Paul Martin's Refusal to Answer -- If the Media Don't Report it, Did it Happen? In the House, Karl Rove, Homulka: No Charge in Sister's Death

Is Paul Martin Losing It?

Paul Martin may have a problem concentrating on matters at hand in an election. This afternoon he was asked repeatedly a question about his meeting with an individual related to the sponsorship inquiry. Paul Martin never once answered the question asked. PM kept babbling on about how he would protect Canadians' health care.

Is Paul Martin losing it -- afraid to answer yes or no in relation to that particular question -- or what?

Mainstream media (CBC or CTV?) dutifully reported Martin's comments on health care outside the House--Martin had fled the House early, cowed by a barrage of questions about his part in the scandal. A media rep just happened to be waiting. The questions in the House on Martin's part in the sponsorship which required a 'yes' or 'no' answer were not reported -- but his huff and puff non answers using 'health care' as his topic were repeated, ad nauseam.

There was reporting on Kyoto which the government Liberals are pushing -- while the questions which Stephen Harper had asked and which Paul Martin did not dare answer, apparently, did not happen.

If the media don't report it, did it happen?

Media help the government and try to save it in Canada -- by omitting what they don't want us to know.




CBC guts PR staff Gayle MacDonald, Globe and Mail. Apr. 12, 05

CBC's communications group handed redundancy notices to 35 employees yesterday -- mostly publicists -- as part of a bid to shave $1.7-million from that department's annual budget.v

Too bad CBC wouldn't address the real problem -- pro Liberal, pro left bias.




Borderless blogs vs. Canada press ban Rondi Adamson, a Canadian writer, April 13, 05

TORONTO - A Canadian publication ban and an American blogger clashed last week. The court-ordered ban did not survive the impact. The blogger was overwhelmed with visitors.

And what had been Canada's own private scandal - so private Canadians had been prevented from hearing about it in full - fast traveled the borderless blogosphere. [. . . . ]

Gomery said he lifted the ban because "it is in the public interest that this evidence with few exceptions be made available to the public." But it is hard to believe the blogosphere didn't play a powerful role in bringing about his epiphany.

The Internet has perhaps rendered publication bans futile. Whether that is a good thing can be debated. Freedom should not be mistaken for license. But given the level of alleged corruption exposed by the secret testimony, first at Captain's Quarters, and now all over mainstream Canadian media, it is difficult to argue that Canadians shouldn't be grateful for this clash of the blog and the ban. [. . . . ]

Conservatives look at forcing June election as Liberals drop in polls Martin O'Hanlon and Terry Pedwell MARTIN O’HANLON AND TERRY PEDWELL

OTTAWA (CP) - Get ready for another June election.

[. . . . ] "Justice Gomery has to make decisions about potential prosecutions, about criminality. Frankly, the standards of the electorate are a lot higher than that."

Harper has said he wants to take the next few weeks to talk to voters to see whether they want an election. He's also sure to be eyeing the polls. [. . . . ]

Karl Rove -- winning election techniques

PBS: Karl Rove -- the Architect and here -- Very good. Check for it online soon; you may watch it.




Homolka won't face charges in sister's death CTV.ca News Staff, Apr. 12, 05

Convicted killer Karla Homolka won't face new charges in the drug-rape death of her sister when she is released from prison in July, Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant said Tuesday. [. . . . ]

Is it because she got a "deal" because she was an abused woman? Because her evil husband made her do it?

GG & JC Houses, Jonas: "Stagnant corruption is constipation", Ahenakew & Another Chief, Palestinian 'Honour' Killing, Islam & Women

Fit for a queen -- G-G CLARKSON, HUBBY RALSTON SAUL DROP $2.74M FOR HOME IN THE ANNEX April 13, 2005, Linda Leatherdale, Business Editor, Toronto Sun

Oobviously, from working for CBC to GG, Adrienne Clarkson has cultivated "champagne taste on a taxpayer budget", in Leatherdale's words.

Jean Chretien has bought a new and expensive place; I think I heard that it was bought in his wife and someone else's names. Her sister? Check. I may be wrong.




George Jonas on Sponsorship 'Bombshell'

A bombshell? Hardly George Jonas, National Post, April 11, 2005

[. . . . ] In my vocabulary, "bombshell" denotes something unexpected: not merely explosive, but surprising. What was surprising about Mr. Brault's allegations and admissions? Very little. They confirmed suspicions about corruption in the Liberal party -- the very suspicions that caused the Gomery inquiry to be set up in the first place.[. . . . ]

I'll switch metaphors. All nutrition ends up as waste, but a healthy body politic, like a healthy body, requires cycles to function. Stagnant corruption is constipation; circulating corruption is relief. Elections may be as unglamorous as going to the bathroom, but they're just as necessary. At one point, eliminating incumbents becomes a matter of personal hygiene.

Bank thieves take 75 computers, no cash in 30 Quebec break-ins -- It makes sense to get the credit card information, I suppose. The bank(s) said that, once removed from the bank, the computers would be useless. So, why were they stolen?




House adopts motion for Air India inquiry CTV.ca News Staff

Parliament has voted in favour of a Conservative Party motion calling for an inquiry into the Air India disaster, an inquiry Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan says may or may not happen.

The motion was approved in a 172-124 vote. [. . . . ]

April 12, I caught on CTV late night news, an item concerning natives and a massive drug scandal involving prescriptions. Check.




An embarrassment to Roseau River -- the chief
-- Another native chief & Ahenakew

Pay Attention, Dave by Kate MacMillan

Further to the Ahenekew hate speech trial; to Time For A Showdown In Palestine

This horrifying story is from the Jerusalem Post, via Little Green Footballs:

Hamas has begun operating a "vice and virtue commando" in the Gaza Strip to safeguard Islamic values, Palestinian security officials and residents told The Jerusalem Post.

The new force, called the Anti-Corruption Unit, is believed to be behind the gruesome murder over the weekend of Yusra al-Azzami, a 22-year-old university student from the northern Gaza Strip.

Her "crime" was that she was seen in public with her fiance.

[. . . . ] To their credit, PA policemen have arrested two suspects. "This does not represent Islam," a student said. But he didn't dare give his name, and [. . . . ]

Arab Feminists on Women's Rights: Cats and Dogs in the Developed World Have More Rights than Women in the Arab and Muslim World Special Dispatch Series - No. 890, April 12, 05, MEMRI

Marking Valentine's Day and International Women's Day, the Arabic press published numerous articles dealing with the status of women in the Arab and Muslim world and the denial of their rights, on the part of both governments and public in general. The progressive websites www.metransparent.com and www.elaph.com published articles by feminist authors harshly critical of the state of women's rights in these countries.

Wajiha Al-Huweidar: "Covert Animosity and Open Discrimination Against Women Prevail in Arab Countries"

Writing in Elaph.com on March 7, 2005 Saudi author Wajiha Al-Huweidar explained: "All of the Arab regimes are U.N. members and have ratified the 1948 Declaration of Human Rights, which clearly establishes justice and equality in the rights and obligations of all citizens. Despite this, women in our chauvinist countries are still considered the property of their relatives. All Arab countries, without exception, harbor covert animosity and open discrimination against women. To this day, all official bodies reject any scientific discussion of a solution to women's problems – while on the other hand the men, who benefit from women's oppression, continue to regurgitate [the mantra] that 'women are respected' [in Arab and Muslim societies]…

[. . . . ] Wajiha Al-Huweidar: "Discrimination Against Arab Women Begins in Utero"

[. . . . ] Dr. Iqbal Al-Gharbi: "Any Misogynist Can Find What He Seeks in a Partial Reading of Islam's Teachings"

[. . . . ] Dr. Munjiyah Al-Sawaihi: "I Look Beyond the Horizon and See Nothing but the Tightening of the Noose Around the (Arab) Woman"

[. . . . ] Dr. Raja bin Salama: "If You Look at a Woman Enveloped in the Hijab, You Will Read on it: No Courting. No Loving. No Looking. No Touching"

Read the details and see the documentation.




Is the Forcible Removal of Israelis from Gaza Unprecedented? or here Daniel Pipes, FrontPageMagazine.com, April 11, 2005

My column last week, "Ariel Sharon's Folly," noted the likelihood that more than 8,000 Israelis living in Gaza will soon be removed by their own government, with force, if necessary. I called this step historically unprecedented and then challenged the reader to name "another democracy that has forcibly removed thousands its own citizens from their lawful homes." [. . . . ]

De Gaulle let the French citizens in Algeria decide their own future, whether to stay or leave; this is a policy, incidentally, that I have recommended to the Israeli leadership for Israelis in Gaza.

The best analogy proposed was the razing of Africville, Nova Scotia. The authorities in 1965 bulldozed this, Canada's oldest and largest black settlement, to the ground, but it was done in the name of slum clearance, not relocation.

Reviewing these replies to my challenge confirms me in my view that what the Israeli authorities are about to do to their citizens in Gaza has no historical precedent.

Conservative Professors Hard To Find Daniel Pipes, New York Sun, April 12, 2005

[. . . . ] Conservative complaints about "liberal homogeneity in academia deserve to be taken seriously," the authors conclude. They also state that their findings "suggest strongly that a leftward shift has occurred on college campuses in recent years, to the extent that political conservatives have become an endangered species in some departments." [. . . . ]

It is rather like conservative, 'appointed' justices on the SCOC, I suppose.

Having 'appointees' available when government--or the one who appointed them--runs into problems such those that keep cropping up in the current sponsorship investigation could prove useful, too -- in my opinion.

UNSCAM-Frechette & PM: This Liberal government is keeping its promises to Canadian taxpayers . . . . That is why I am . . . so proud to be a Liberal.

UNSCAM: A Canadian Connection?

Increased Canadian content Kevin Steel, 18 April 2005

Ottawa’s clout on the world stage may be diminishing, but individual Canadians are world leaders when it comes to the movers and shakers behind the unfolding Oil-for-Food scandal. An investigation into what’s being called the largest case of corruption in history shows Louise Fréchette, a Canadian career diplomat, now UN deputy secretary general, may have participated in a cover-up of the scandal. Fréchette apparently blocked auditors from reporting incidences of mismanagement and questionable practices to UN members long before the U.S. invaded Iraq and put an end to the $63-billion Oil-for-Food program. [. . . . ]

Search:

Benon Sevan, head of the UN program
Office of Internal Oversight Services, Dileep Nair
Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Stephane Dujarric
around the same time that another Canadian, Maurice Strong
Reid Morden, is a former Canadian deputy minister of foreign affairs
Paul Volcker
Power Corp



Sponsorship inquiry hears evidence of secret cash donation to Grits Brian Daly, Apr. 12, 05

MONTREAL (CP) - A former Groupaction controller testified Tuesday he gave Jean Brault $15,000 in early 1997, the same time as his boss has said he gave an equal sum in a secret donation to the federal Liberals.

A cheque register and testimony by ex-controller Bernard Michaud at the federal sponsorship inquiry backed Brault's claim that he covertly funnelled secret cash payments to the party. Michaud told the inquiry he handed over $15,000 in cash to his boss in April 1997 - around the same period Brault has said he gave $15,000 in cash to a party official. [. . . . ]

Search:

Benoit Corbeil, who ran the party's Quebec wing in the late 1990s.
delivered in instalments
a tip that more sponsorship contracts were to come his way.
key witness Luc Lemay of Groupe Polygone
But until Tuesday, the documentary evidence

"this Liberal government is keeping its promises to Canadian taxpayers . . . . so proud to be a Liberal."
Paul Martin

At bottom is the "Text of Prime Minister Paul Martin's open letter to Liberals:". Don't miss.

[. . . . ] Canadians are looking for someone to step forward and to be accountable for cleaning up this mess and as prime minister and Liberal leader, I accept that responsibility.

In fact, as my first act in office, on Dec. 12, 2003, I cancelled the sponsorship program. I made sure that those implicated were removed from their positions as crown corporation executives. The government has also filed a lawsuit against 19 defendants, including several communications companies and their directors, to recover $41 million. And of course, it was this Liberal government that appointed Justice Gomery. With his conclusions in hand, I will act swiftly and surely to ensure those who did wrong face the full consequence of their actions. [. . . . ]

So let's stop all this now, eh? I've got it all under control. I'm the good guy.

Whistleblower & Ex-RCMP Cpl. Robert Read Seeking Reinstatement in Canada's Highest Court

RCMP whistle-blower appeals dismissal for revealing fraud Andy Blatchford, Apr. 13, 05

A Mountie fired by the RCMP in 1999 for breaking an oath of secrecy is seeking reinstatement in Canada's highest court. The appeal of Corporal Robert Read will be heard by the Federal Court of Canada on April 18. In 2003, an external review committee recommended that Cpl. Read be reinstated. But the RCMP has refused to let the 26-year veteran return to the force. . . . . The suspicion of a cover-up prompted Cpl. Read to blow the whistle. He revealed evidence of a cover-up to the media and the RCMP immediately suspended him with pay in September, 1999. A 2002 RCMP tribunal ruled he was guilty of professional misconduct, which led to his dismissal.

Search: Hong Kong, Asian triad members, bribes, evidence of the fraud


News Junkie Canada, March 1, 2004

Search: "Introduction" -- second paragraph, which follows:

For Canadians, there are questions still lingering concerning an investigation into visas for Canada missing from the Canadian Embassy in Hong Kong, "entrepreneur" and "investor" class immigration of Chinese with huge amounts of money, and the entry of Chinese triads to Canada. However, the investigation into the visa issue and immigration by the CSIS and the RCMP appears to have been ended by someone very influential and powerful in Canada -- although there were and are unanswered questions concerning serious security issues -- similar issues involving the same players which the US has been investigating, as well. Then, there was the dismissal of the whistleblower, RCMP Corporal Robert Read -- and there is much more [. . . . ]

There is more if you search: (Fired whistleblower, ex RCMP Corporal Read's site -- Robert Read Asian Triads: list of articles related to Sidewinder, Cpl. Read, the RCMP, Political Parties and Canada's security)


Prime Time Crime --several articles and links to information on Robert Read and related information

Scroll down for "Leo Knight on the Robert Read Asian triads Affair" -- There are links for all these.

Duo blow whistle on immigration scandal Sept. 1, 1999
RCMP action shameful in Cpl. Read affair Sept. 8, 1999
Finding friends in high places Sept. 22, 1999
Report raises concerns over gov?t, triad links Oct. 13, 1999
Undercover expose Nov. 3, 1999
Sidewinder spins huge security scandal May 3, 2000
Sidewinder-Echo scandal smoulders Sept. 6, 2000
China connection persists Sept. 27, 2000
Valuing Canada's sovereignty Oct. 11, 2000
Election call saves Liberals embarrassment Oct. 18, 2000
Election buries SIRC report Oct. 25, 2000
RCMP shamed by Read tribunal April 17, 2002
Senior RCMP used for political purposes March 31, 2004

Fired Mountie takes corruption fight to Federal Court

[. . . . ] In the course of his investigation he believed he’d uncovered evidence of the corruption and what appeared to him to be a massive cover-up of that evidence.

Read’s investigation involved very rich and powerful members of the business community in Hong Kong, political connections in the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the government of then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, himself now the subject of other corruption allegations and being investigated in the Gomery Inquiry taking place in Ottawa and Montreal. [. . . . ]

There is much more.


RCMP Report Vindicates Whistleblower While Placing Dark Cloud Over Foreign Missions

Ottawa, September 18, 2003 Today Gurmant Grewal, member of Parliament for Surrey Central, expressed satisfaction upon learning that the RCMP External Review Committee has cleared the name of Corporal Robert Read. [. . . . ]

Link for more.

Firearms Registry -- Where did the money go?

Note thaat Compaq is mantioned. Hewlett Packard (H-P) bought Compaq. Remember the Champagnes and the DND? Read on.




Canada Firearms: Armed Robbery Mel Duvall, July 1, 2004, Baseline the project management center

But ongoing maintenance, development and support costs rocketed out of control. Between 1996 and 2001, about $688 million was spent on the program. Of that amount, $250 million went to the computer systems. Support, such as call centers, accounted for $300 million. The remaining $138 million went to advertising and public outreach programs to encourage compliance.

By 2001, annual maintenance costs had risen to about $75 million, or 55% of the $135 million in operating costs for that year. This figure is significantly higher than the industry norm of 10% to 20%, according to a review by Strategic Relationships Sourcing. Project managers blamed the system's complexities for that cost. [. . . . ]

RPP 2005-2006 Canada Firearms Centre

Section 3 – Supplementary Information

3.1 Management Representation Statement

We submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2005-2006 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) for the Canada Firearms Centre.

[. . . . ]Table 7: Details on Project Spending and Status Report on Major Crown Project

1. Project Description : [. . . . ]

2. Project Phase : [. . . . ]

3. Leading and Participating Departments :

Lead Department : Canada Firearms Centre

Contracting Authority : Public Works and Government Services Canada

Participating Departments :

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Canada Border Services Agency

Department of International Trade Department of Foreign Affairs

4. Prime and Major Sub-contractors :

Prime Contractors :

CGI Information Systems and Management Consultants Inc.
Resolve Corporation (formally BDP Business Data Services Ltd.)

Sub-Contractors :

Bell
NexInnovations
Aliant
Compaq

[. . . . ]

Table 10: Canadian Firearms Program: Federal Government Costs and Anticipated Planned Spending Requirements

Note: The following figures came from the above, but I have inserted the parts in [] and you may assume [. . . . ] after each. This information comes from a table.

Compare: Direct Costs Past Expenditure (1995-1996 to 2003-2004) ($ million) [or $xxx,xxx,xxx ]

Canada Firearms Centre $537.0 million [or $537,000,000]Canada Border Services Agency $17.2 [or $17,200,000]
Royal Canadian Mounted Police $110.4 [or $110,400,000]Human Resources Development Canada $32.7 [or $37,700,000]
Public Works and Government Services Canada $1.5 [or $1,500,000]
Department of Justice $0.8 [or $800,000]
Transfer payments to Provinces $167.2 [or $167,200,000]
Contribution payments to Aboriginal Communities, Other Communities $1.4 [or $1,400,000]

Total Direct Costs: $868.2 [or $868,200,000] [. . . . ]
Total Program Costs $934.4 [or $934,400,000]

Hewlett Packard (H-P) bought Compaq.

Who were involved in this? Note: Paul and Stephanie-Anne Champagne, were involved with the DND computers from Hewlett Packard /HP / H-P. Scroll down. Were they involved with the Firearms Registry? Providing computers?


Couple sued for stealing $107M Andrew McIntosh, National Post, August 11, 2004, on DND computers and a lawsuit against Paul and Stephanie-Anne Champagne

This was excerpted here News Junkie Canada, Aug. 13, 2004. The story came from The Leader-Post (Regina).

OTTAWA -- Computer giant Hewlett-Packard and the federal government have joined forces to sue a former Department of National Defence bureaucrat and his wife, alleging the couple stole at least $107 million in Canadian taxpayers' money using a phoney invoice scheme nobody detected for a decade.

Hewlett-Packard Canada Inc. and the Attorney-General of Canada made the allegation of theft in a lawsuit they have filed against Paul and Stephanie-Anne Champagne, who are now living in an oceanfront mansion in the Turks & Caicos.

In documents filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, H-P Canada and the federal government are suing to recover total losses exceeding $160 million, including the $107 million allegedly pocketed by the Champagnes and deposited into single and jointly controlled Bank of Nova Scotia accounts.

As well, the company and government are seeking $16 million in punitive damages from the couple, millions more to pay for the probe into the scheme and a court order to force the Champagnes to reveal how they spent the $107 million and help auditors trace assets they have bought since the scheme allegedly began in 1994. [. . . . ]

The court documents describe a phoney invoicing scheme allegedly overseen by Paul Champagne that involved military sub-contracts. The documents allege that from his position at National Defence, he approved millions in payments to companies for fictitious sub-contracts from which he secretly profited, cashing hundreds of cheques in the process.

Harper & Ablonczy Vindicated -- Scott Brison has to admit it was not an audit

Update: This is the link for a post from yesterday or the day before.

Ottawa gave Quebec ski resort $100M in grants over decade




Harper & Ablonczy Vindicated -- Scott Brison has to admit it was not an audit

This came from an acquaintance. Thanks, R.

Office of the Leader of the Opposition

April 11, 2005

The Ultimate Red Herring

“Audit” Defence Misses the Point of Adscam

OTTAWA – The Liberals pulled out their latest red herring yesterday, with Public Works Minister Scott Brison announcing that audits of his party’s books didn’t reveal any shady Sponsorship money.

We remind Mr. Brison and all the Liberal spin doctors of some important facts:

* An essential component of money laundering is the “laundering” part. By definition, money laundering means erasing paper trails so that crooked money doesn’t appear in the official books or, well, audits.

* Crooks don't write cheques. Gomery Inquiry testimony has revealed off-book cash transactions specifically designed to be untraceable. Bags of cash left in restaurants don't have file numbers attached to them… [. . . . ]

Comment: The next item was posted on this site previously, but it fits in here.

Aside from that, it was not a real audit that was done.
MK Braaten

[. . . . ] Deloitte was in charge of the Quebec wing and PWC conducted the engagement on the federal Liberal party's finances. In fact, these engagements are not audits but simply an analysis of parts of the Liberals finances that they asked the firm to analyze. [. . . . ]

Scott Brison has to admit it was not an audit.

Liberals carried out review, not audit -- 'Misleading Canadians' Anne Dawson, CanWest, Apr. 13, 05

OTTAWA - [. . . . ] Public Works Minister Scott Brison conceded yesterday a "forensic accounting review," not an audit, was carried out . . . .

[. . . . ] Alberta Conservative MP Diane Ablonczy hammered Prime Minister Paul Martin repeatedly during Question Period, accusing him of attempting to "mislead Canadians."

"Both audit firms complained about lack of proper documentation. Deloitte emphasized that only four bank accounts were reviewed. Nothing that went to Liberal ridings or candidates was reviewed, yet the Prime Minister, a former finance minister, had the nerve to pretend that this was a real audit," Ms. Ablonczy said. [. . . . ]

Search: Samson Belair/Deloitte & Touche

Find out Why MacKay wants Mounties off probe -- & -- Fed. Prov. Exchange Payment Gap

MacKay wants Mounties off probe Bill Rodgers, April 12, 2005

CANADA'S NATIONAL police force can't be trusted to conduct a wide-ranging investigation into new criminal allegations made at the AdScam inquiry, Conservative Deputy Leader Peter MacKay suggested yesterday. He points to RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli's "perceived" cozy relationship with . . . .

Zaccardelli, however, hinted yesterday the Mounties could broaden their investigation into AdScam. [. . . . ]

By the way, is effective Whistleblower Legislation planned yet?

Remember, there are many good RCMP officers who want the force to maintain the right, as it is intended to do -- the good guys.





Grit gap widens -- FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL PAIR DISAGREE ON PROGRESS April 12, 2005, Antonella Artuso and Maria McClintock, Toronto Sun

ONTARIO Finance Minister Greg Sorbara contradicted federal minister Joe Volpe yesterday, revealing the depth of the chasm between the once-close levels of government. Sorbara met with the federal immigration minister Sunday to discuss the province's exchange payment gap complaints but the two emerged with different tales. [. . . . ]

Search:
$23-billion gap
sudden election
Ontario Conservative Leader John Tory