Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader, wants in on the debates during the next election. She's even willing to take legal action to make it happen. I, for one, wouldn't mind if she was in them.
From an article by Abbas Rana in The Hill Times:
"If the consortium of TV networks doesn't include Green Party Leader Elizabeth May in the highly-publicized TV leaders' debates in the next election campaign, she says she will call on Canadians to put help reverse the move and is also threatening legal action.
"Well, I think I'll have to ask Canadians to do what they did last time and deluge media with the demand that I be included. Court action was possible last time, I suppose it would be possible again," Ms. May told The Hill Times last week."
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Another One Gone
"Private Patrick Lormand, 21 of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment was killed and four others were injured in a roadside IED blast approximately 13 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city."
That brings the death total to 130. It's time our soldiers came home.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Harper proposes job-killing permanent tax on everything
From this commentary by Robert Silver in the G&M.
"Embedded in the forecast for EI premiums in the government’s Update is an assumed increase in the EI premium rate in 2012."'
Ding, ding, ding. "Increase in the EI premium rate"...that sounds an awful lot like a payroll tax increase to me. What does Orr have to say about that?
"Mr. Flaherty pledged to return to balanced budgets without a tax increase. Isn’t an increase in EI premiums a tax increase?"
To repeat, isn't an increase in EI premiums a tax increase?
The answer? Yes, yes it is."
So for all the rhetoric of not raising taxes, to reduce the debt, by Harper, Flaherty & whatever other Con gets a microphone in their face it isn't true - no matter what they say. And they must think we Canadians are too dumb to see that obscure little amendment?
I, for one, would much prefer to see the GST raised back to where it was before Harper lowered it by 2 cents. It's a much easier & less painful way to begin debt recovery than raising payroll taxes.
Conservative Govt. - always hiding the truth.
Good post on this by Impolitical. Go read.
"Embedded in the forecast for EI premiums in the government’s Update is an assumed increase in the EI premium rate in 2012."'
Ding, ding, ding. "Increase in the EI premium rate"...that sounds an awful lot like a payroll tax increase to me. What does Orr have to say about that?
"Mr. Flaherty pledged to return to balanced budgets without a tax increase. Isn’t an increase in EI premiums a tax increase?"
To repeat, isn't an increase in EI premiums a tax increase?
The answer? Yes, yes it is."
So for all the rhetoric of not raising taxes, to reduce the debt, by Harper, Flaherty & whatever other Con gets a microphone in their face it isn't true - no matter what they say. And they must think we Canadians are too dumb to see that obscure little amendment?
I, for one, would much prefer to see the GST raised back to where it was before Harper lowered it by 2 cents. It's a much easier & less painful way to begin debt recovery than raising payroll taxes.
Conservative Govt. - always hiding the truth.
Good post on this by Impolitical. Go read.
Monday, September 7, 2009
2 More Canadian Soldiers Dead in Afghanistan
This brings the total number of our soldiers killed to 129.
"Killed in the explosion were 36-year-old Maj. Yannick Pepin and Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin, 21 who were killed by an the IED explosion around noon local time in the Dand district, southwest of Kandahar city on Sunday."
Both men were members of the 5 Combat Engineer Regiment and were stationed in Valcartier, Que.
For all the information go to CTV here.
"Killed in the explosion were 36-year-old Maj. Yannick Pepin and Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin, 21 who were killed by an the IED explosion around noon local time in the Dand district, southwest of Kandahar city on Sunday."
Both men were members of the 5 Combat Engineer Regiment and were stationed in Valcartier, Que.
For all the information go to CTV here.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Supreme Court & Khadr
From The Gazette:
Supreme Court moves quickly, will rule on Khadr on Friday
"Omar Khadr, a young Canadian man being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, could learn his fate on Friday after Canada's top court announced yesterday it would rule on an appeal by the Conservative government to stay a repatriation order.
The Federal Court of Appeal recently upheld an earlier court ruling that Khadr, 22, an accused terrorist, be repatriated from the discredited U.S. military prison in Cuba. But the Canadian government announced on Aug. 25 that it would appeal the case to the Supreme Court of Canada and filed a motion to stay the repatriation order. It is unusual for the Supreme Court to issue a judgment on a case so quickly."
I hope the SC refuses to hear the appeal that Harper has filed. All he ever does is run to the Courts for anything he doesn't like, for anything that doesn't favour him & his sick Conservative Party with it's sick ideology. Enough already.
Supreme Court moves quickly, will rule on Khadr on Friday
"Omar Khadr, a young Canadian man being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, could learn his fate on Friday after Canada's top court announced yesterday it would rule on an appeal by the Conservative government to stay a repatriation order.
The Federal Court of Appeal recently upheld an earlier court ruling that Khadr, 22, an accused terrorist, be repatriated from the discredited U.S. military prison in Cuba. But the Canadian government announced on Aug. 25 that it would appeal the case to the Supreme Court of Canada and filed a motion to stay the repatriation order. It is unusual for the Supreme Court to issue a judgment on a case so quickly."
I hope the SC refuses to hear the appeal that Harper has filed. All he ever does is run to the Courts for anything he doesn't like, for anything that doesn't favour him & his sick Conservative Party with it's sick ideology. Enough already.
Pay More, See Less
This totally infuriates me & rather than just link I have chosen to cut & paste the following article:
TV networks free to air unlimited ads
Old limits of 15 minutes per hour no longer apply
By Sarah Schmidt, Canwest News ServiceSeptember 2, 2009 4:03 AM
Television viewers in Canada now get to pay a little bit more and might have to view more advertising courtesy of new cable and broadcasting rules that came into effect Tuesday.
Conventional television broadcasters are free as of Tuesday to air as many advertisements as they wish, up from a maximum of 15 minutes per hour under the old system that died on Aug. 31. And beginning on their September bills, cable customers will start to see a new line on their monthly invoice amounting to a 1.5 per cent increase.
For Bell TV customers, this translates into about $1. The hike for Rogers customers will vary depending on their cable package, but will come in at less than $1.
The additional cash will go into the Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF), created by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and funded by cable and satellite companies. The CRTC initially set the contribution at one per cent of their gross broadcasting revenues, but increased it recently by a half percentage point for the new broadcasting year.
These new charges passed on to consumers could be a prelude to even higher monthly bills. Hearings begin later this year over a system of payments known as fee-for-carriage, which would allow the country's largest TV networks to charge cable and satellite companies for signals.
In the meantime, Canada's conventional television networks -- CBC, CTV and Global -- have a new stream of revenue open to them. After increasing the number of minutes the country's big broadcasters could air in an hour from 12 in 2006 to 15 in 2008, the CRTC lifted the cap altogether beginning on Sept. 1, 2009.
Mirko Bibic, Bell Canada's head of regulatory and government affairs, said he has no doubt the broadcasters will come out the winners now that restrictions on advertising time limits have been removed.
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
TV networks free to air unlimited ads
Old limits of 15 minutes per hour no longer apply
By Sarah Schmidt, Canwest News ServiceSeptember 2, 2009 4:03 AM
Television viewers in Canada now get to pay a little bit more and might have to view more advertising courtesy of new cable and broadcasting rules that came into effect Tuesday.
Conventional television broadcasters are free as of Tuesday to air as many advertisements as they wish, up from a maximum of 15 minutes per hour under the old system that died on Aug. 31. And beginning on their September bills, cable customers will start to see a new line on their monthly invoice amounting to a 1.5 per cent increase.
For Bell TV customers, this translates into about $1. The hike for Rogers customers will vary depending on their cable package, but will come in at less than $1.
The additional cash will go into the Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF), created by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and funded by cable and satellite companies. The CRTC initially set the contribution at one per cent of their gross broadcasting revenues, but increased it recently by a half percentage point for the new broadcasting year.
These new charges passed on to consumers could be a prelude to even higher monthly bills. Hearings begin later this year over a system of payments known as fee-for-carriage, which would allow the country's largest TV networks to charge cable and satellite companies for signals.
In the meantime, Canada's conventional television networks -- CBC, CTV and Global -- have a new stream of revenue open to them. After increasing the number of minutes the country's big broadcasters could air in an hour from 12 in 2006 to 15 in 2008, the CRTC lifted the cap altogether beginning on Sept. 1, 2009.
Mirko Bibic, Bell Canada's head of regulatory and government affairs, said he has no doubt the broadcasters will come out the winners now that restrictions on advertising time limits have been removed.
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Michael Bryant Arrested
Former Ontario Attorney General, Michael Bryant, arrested in hit & run with a cyclist. Some very interesting eyewitness accounts in this article from The Star.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
H1N1 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION STALLED!!
Well isn't this just ducky. All the assurances from our dear Health Minister, Leona Aglukkaq, that all is well & on track with a possible flu pandemic outbreak starting THIS Fall is once again untrue. There's a shortage of vials in which to put the vaccine so it won't be available to Canadians until Christmas, although there will be shipments leaving Canada for parts unknown at this time.
From an article by Gloria Galloway at the G&M:
"Canadians will wait for vaccinations against pandemic H1N1 influenza even as bulk vaccine shipments are exported to other countries because GlaxoSmithKline can produce more vaccine at its Quebec plant than it can put into vials."
=snip=
"In Canada, the Ste-Foy facility will begin producing vaccine in November, or possibly late October, and it will be Christmas before every Canadian who wants a shot can get one.
It takes two weeks for the vaccine to be considered fully effective. And many people will require more than one shot. Which means it will be February or even March before the vaccine is protecting all of the Canadians who are inoculated. That is well after the traditional flu season begins in December."
So, if this flu hits us in the Fall as has been predicted the vaccine will arrive too late to help the majority of the Canadian population. This on top of non-answers from the Govt. on very important issues as to who, what, when & where the 1st vaccines will go to, like first responders? the elderly? the young? those with compromised immune systems & serious health issues? & the lack of coordination with a plan across the country does not bode well.
Just another example of how little Harper & our Conservative Govt. cares for Canada & its peoples.
From an article by Gloria Galloway at the G&M:
"Canadians will wait for vaccinations against pandemic H1N1 influenza even as bulk vaccine shipments are exported to other countries because GlaxoSmithKline can produce more vaccine at its Quebec plant than it can put into vials."
=snip=
"In Canada, the Ste-Foy facility will begin producing vaccine in November, or possibly late October, and it will be Christmas before every Canadian who wants a shot can get one.
It takes two weeks for the vaccine to be considered fully effective. And many people will require more than one shot. Which means it will be February or even March before the vaccine is protecting all of the Canadians who are inoculated. That is well after the traditional flu season begins in December."
So, if this flu hits us in the Fall as has been predicted the vaccine will arrive too late to help the majority of the Canadian population. This on top of non-answers from the Govt. on very important issues as to who, what, when & where the 1st vaccines will go to, like first responders? the elderly? the young? those with compromised immune systems & serious health issues? & the lack of coordination with a plan across the country does not bode well.
Just another example of how little Harper & our Conservative Govt. cares for Canada & its peoples.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Busy...
Just to let those who are interested know that I've been in the process of moving, all moved in now since Fri., & that is why there haven't been any posts. It may continue to be that way for a little while longer as I get sorted & unpacked. I'm getting way too old for this moving thing!!! ;)
Monday, June 15, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Alberta Tories angry with Harper Conservatives
From Brian Laghi at the G&M:
"The Harper Conservatives are being taken to task by their provincial Alberta cousins, who say Ottawa is failing to inform them of key government policies, treats the unemployed unfairly and falls short in boosting the oil sands."
"The document is the most recent example of Prime Minister Stephen Harper finding himself on the defensive from his own partisans. Last winter, Conservatives criticized a federal stimulus spending package that has increased the projected deficit to $50-billion."
It will be interesting to watch how this develops & if Harper makes concessions to the Alberta Govt. If not this may lead to the Liberals making inroads into Alberta. Sure would be nice if that were to happen!
Read more on it here.
"The Harper Conservatives are being taken to task by their provincial Alberta cousins, who say Ottawa is failing to inform them of key government policies, treats the unemployed unfairly and falls short in boosting the oil sands."
"The document is the most recent example of Prime Minister Stephen Harper finding himself on the defensive from his own partisans. Last winter, Conservatives criticized a federal stimulus spending package that has increased the projected deficit to $50-billion."
It will be interesting to watch how this develops & if Harper makes concessions to the Alberta Govt. If not this may lead to the Liberals making inroads into Alberta. Sure would be nice if that were to happen!
Read more on it here.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Politics Show Staying!!!
From Harris MacLeod at the Hill Times:
"CBC Newsworld's supper-hour political news program Politics will not be cancelled, says CBC spokesperson Jeff Keay."
"But Mr. Keay said that though the show will undergo substantial changes between when it goes off the air for the summer break, and when a revamped version appears in the fall, the CBC would still have a political show at 5 p.m."
Well that's a tremendous relief as I was concerned that the only political program come the Fall would be CTV's 5 p.m. show.
"CBC Newsworld's supper-hour political news program Politics will not be cancelled, says CBC spokesperson Jeff Keay."
"But Mr. Keay said that though the show will undergo substantial changes between when it goes off the air for the summer break, and when a revamped version appears in the fall, the CBC would still have a political show at 5 p.m."
Well that's a tremendous relief as I was concerned that the only political program come the Fall would be CTV's 5 p.m. show.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
NO PROTECTION: Outside of Country
It seems that we, as Canadians, no longer have any protection if we leave the country. This according to our Conservative Govt.
From Janice Tibbetts at The Gazette:
"Canada's legal duty to protect its citizens, even children, ends at the border and there is nothing in domestic or international law that obliges the government to seek Omar Khadr's repatriation, say federal arguments filed in court."
"States do not have a duty to protect citizens held by foreign countries," said the factum, noting that there is no decision worldwide ordering a government to seek repatriation."
This is in reference to the Harper Govt.'s appeal against a ruling, recently, by Federal Court Justice James O'Reilly ordering the Govt. to repatriate Omar Khadr.
But this doesn't just apply to Khadr. This applies to each & every one of us who leaves the country. So, how do you like this NEW take on our safety & well-being from Mr. "Law & Order" Stephen Harper? I, for one, no longer feel secure about leaving the boundaries of our Canada.
From Janice Tibbetts at The Gazette:
"Canada's legal duty to protect its citizens, even children, ends at the border and there is nothing in domestic or international law that obliges the government to seek Omar Khadr's repatriation, say federal arguments filed in court."
"States do not have a duty to protect citizens held by foreign countries," said the factum, noting that there is no decision worldwide ordering a government to seek repatriation."
This is in reference to the Harper Govt.'s appeal against a ruling, recently, by Federal Court Justice James O'Reilly ordering the Govt. to repatriate Omar Khadr.
But this doesn't just apply to Khadr. This applies to each & every one of us who leaves the country. So, how do you like this NEW take on our safety & well-being from Mr. "Law & Order" Stephen Harper? I, for one, no longer feel secure about leaving the boundaries of our Canada.
DEBT in 5 years: $630B!!!
This is unbelievable. From CBC News another report from TD Bank:
"Canada's total debt will jump more than 30 per cent by 2013-14 under current economic conditions, the Toronto-Dominion Bank said Tuesday in a new forecast.
The bank said Ottawa's auto bailout package, as well as a lagging economy, will add $167 billion in new public borrowing over the next five years.
That means government debt, estimated at $462.9 billion at the end of fiscal 2008-09, will rise by 36 per cent during the period to almost $630 billion, according to Don Drummond, TD's chief economist, and Derek Burleton, the bank's director of economic analysis."
What the heck is going on? And why are Stephen Harper & Jim Flaherty still in power? Time to throw these fools out!!!!
"Canada's total debt will jump more than 30 per cent by 2013-14 under current economic conditions, the Toronto-Dominion Bank said Tuesday in a new forecast.
The bank said Ottawa's auto bailout package, as well as a lagging economy, will add $167 billion in new public borrowing over the next five years.
That means government debt, estimated at $462.9 billion at the end of fiscal 2008-09, will rise by 36 per cent during the period to almost $630 billion, according to Don Drummond, TD's chief economist, and Derek Burleton, the bank's director of economic analysis."
What the heck is going on? And why are Stephen Harper & Jim Flaherty still in power? Time to throw these fools out!!!!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Chalk River to be shutdown for at least a year
From Greg Weston at The Sun:
"Canada's only medical isotope reactor will be out of service for the rest of the year and possibly forever, leaving thousands of desperate cancer and heart patients across the country with a shortage of nuclear scans and treatments, Sun Media has learned."
And now Harper wants to sell Chalk River?
From the G&M:
"The federal government will announce today a plan to seek buyers for Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.'s nuclear reactor business, and bring in private-sector management for AECL's problem-plagued Chalk River facility.
After a two-year review of Ottawa's flagship nuclear company, Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt will launch a sale process with the aim of finding a major international partner for AECL to help boost global sales of its Candu reactors."
Now that it's out of commission what a great time to sell it. Sure going to get a lot for the govt. coffers on this one. It's too old & has needed major repairs for a very long time.
And as an interesting aside there's this by Steve Rennie from the Canadian Press, dated May 20th:
"Clinics are paying two to three times more for medical isotopes after a supplier abruptly hiked its prices this month - just before the Chalk River reactor shut down and caused an isotope shortage."
"Lantheus Medical Imaging, a Massachusetts-based company that supplies clinics with 'generators' used in medical imaging, notified its customers last week of the price increase."
"Lantheus's supplier buys raw isotopes from Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. The supplier then sells those Mo-99 isotopes to Lantheus, which makes the lead-lined generators that hospitals receive.
...a government document obtained by The Canadian Press shows Ottawa-based MDS Nordion was - until Wednesday - Lantheus' sole supplier of Mo-99 isotopes.
Earlier Wednesday, a spokesman for AECL also confirmed that MDS Nordion is Lantheus's only supplier of isotopes. "That would be MDS," Dale Coffin said.
Coffin also confirmed that AECL has not raised the price of the isotopes it supplies to MDS Nordion."
Hmmm - so MDS Nordion was doing some gouging before the leak happened? Interesting.
"Canada's only medical isotope reactor will be out of service for the rest of the year and possibly forever, leaving thousands of desperate cancer and heart patients across the country with a shortage of nuclear scans and treatments, Sun Media has learned."
And now Harper wants to sell Chalk River?
From the G&M:
"The federal government will announce today a plan to seek buyers for Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.'s nuclear reactor business, and bring in private-sector management for AECL's problem-plagued Chalk River facility.
After a two-year review of Ottawa's flagship nuclear company, Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt will launch a sale process with the aim of finding a major international partner for AECL to help boost global sales of its Candu reactors."
Now that it's out of commission what a great time to sell it. Sure going to get a lot for the govt. coffers on this one. It's too old & has needed major repairs for a very long time.
And as an interesting aside there's this by Steve Rennie from the Canadian Press, dated May 20th:
"Clinics are paying two to three times more for medical isotopes after a supplier abruptly hiked its prices this month - just before the Chalk River reactor shut down and caused an isotope shortage."
"Lantheus Medical Imaging, a Massachusetts-based company that supplies clinics with 'generators' used in medical imaging, notified its customers last week of the price increase."
"Lantheus's supplier buys raw isotopes from Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. The supplier then sells those Mo-99 isotopes to Lantheus, which makes the lead-lined generators that hospitals receive.
...a government document obtained by The Canadian Press shows Ottawa-based MDS Nordion was - until Wednesday - Lantheus' sole supplier of Mo-99 isotopes.
Earlier Wednesday, a spokesman for AECL also confirmed that MDS Nordion is Lantheus's only supplier of isotopes. "That would be MDS," Dale Coffin said.
Coffin also confirmed that AECL has not raised the price of the isotopes it supplies to MDS Nordion."
Hmmm - so MDS Nordion was doing some gouging before the leak happened? Interesting.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Breaking: Arrests...
As just reported on CBC Newsworld 2 people have been arrested in the disappearance of Tori Stafford. A male & a female have been arrested - neither one is a parent of Tori. No other details at this time.
UPDATE: There is to be a joint news conference sometime today with the OPP & the Woodstock Police. I heard possibly 2 p.m. but that is not confirmed.
UPDATE: 10:50 a.m. The 2 arrested have been charged with murder, kidnapping, & aiding & abetting. This means Tori is dead. News conference at 3 p.m.
UPDATE: There is to be a joint news conference sometime today with the OPP & the Woodstock Police. I heard possibly 2 p.m. but that is not confirmed.
UPDATE: 10:50 a.m. The 2 arrested have been charged with murder, kidnapping, & aiding & abetting. This means Tori is dead. News conference at 3 p.m.
Monday, May 18, 2009
MacKay:Afghan mission may extend past 2011
Gee, what a surpise. Knew it all along. Harper & the Cons, if they get their way, will extend the mission in Afhganistan. These people have no morals, no ethics, no integrity & lie about everything. They cannot be trusted to do the right thing nor to do the will of the people nor the will of Parliament. It's time to throw these thugs out. Don't believe what he says about the mission changing to more of an aide one - it will, in increments, but I believe they still want to do the raid, attack, & killing part.
From an article by Colin Freeze in the G&M:
"Canada may well stay in Afghanistan beyond its 2011 military mandate, said Defence Minister Peter MacKay today, as he left a NATO base in Afghanistan where Ottawa is planning to buy up hundreds more beds for next year."
From an article by Colin Freeze in the G&M:
"Canada may well stay in Afghanistan beyond its 2011 military mandate, said Defence Minister Peter MacKay today, as he left a NATO base in Afghanistan where Ottawa is planning to buy up hundreds more beds for next year."
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Canada: A Police State
Two interesting stories in the news today. One on legislation tabled by Harper's Justice Minister Rob Nicholson & the other on an event involving police in Montreal.
Nicholson's legislation would allow police to fingerprint & photograph anyone who's been arrested but not yet charged.
From Steven Chase at the G&M:
"The Harper government unveiled legislation yesterday that would change criminal law procedure so police can fingerprint and photograph people whom they've arrested but not yet charged – a measure that raises civil-rights concerns for opposition parties and defence lawyers.
The Identification of Criminals Act does not currently authorize police officers to fingerprint or photograph someone in custody until they are charged or convicted."
This will only give police, the RCMP, & Govt. Agencies, like CSIS, more information on anyone arrested even if innocent of any wrongdoing. A nice, convenient list where they can all keep tabs on Canadian citizens or anyone living here or even visiting.
The other story, out of Montreal, is of a woman arrested & fined for not holding onto an escalator handrail. What??!!??
From Les Perreaux, also in the G&M:
"Bela Kosoian, a 38-year-old mother of two, says when she didn't hold the handrail Wednesday she was cuffed, dragged into a small holding cell and fined."
"Ms. Kosoian, who studies at the Université du Québec à Montreal, was riding an escalator down to catch a 5:30 p.m. subway from the suburb of Laval to an evening class downtown when she started rifling through her backpack looking for a fare."
Under the proposed new legislation just tabled this woman would have had her fingerprints & photograph taken for not holding onto a handrail. This is insane. The events surrounding this incident are also insane - & dangerous. What is happening to Canada? Things under the Harper Conservatives appear to be devolving into a totalitarian state. One in which I, for one, do not want to live.
It's time to throw Harper & his thugs out & put in a Govt. that actually cares about it's people & their rights, & one that will clean up the messes in our police dept.'s the RCMP & CSIS & any other Canadian agency that has these powers, including the Govt. itself.
UPDATE: For more on this go read Impolitical.
Nicholson's legislation would allow police to fingerprint & photograph anyone who's been arrested but not yet charged.
From Steven Chase at the G&M:
"The Harper government unveiled legislation yesterday that would change criminal law procedure so police can fingerprint and photograph people whom they've arrested but not yet charged – a measure that raises civil-rights concerns for opposition parties and defence lawyers.
The Identification of Criminals Act does not currently authorize police officers to fingerprint or photograph someone in custody until they are charged or convicted."
This will only give police, the RCMP, & Govt. Agencies, like CSIS, more information on anyone arrested even if innocent of any wrongdoing. A nice, convenient list where they can all keep tabs on Canadian citizens or anyone living here or even visiting.
The other story, out of Montreal, is of a woman arrested & fined for not holding onto an escalator handrail. What??!!??
From Les Perreaux, also in the G&M:
"Bela Kosoian, a 38-year-old mother of two, says when she didn't hold the handrail Wednesday she was cuffed, dragged into a small holding cell and fined."
"Ms. Kosoian, who studies at the Université du Québec à Montreal, was riding an escalator down to catch a 5:30 p.m. subway from the suburb of Laval to an evening class downtown when she started rifling through her backpack looking for a fare."
Under the proposed new legislation just tabled this woman would have had her fingerprints & photograph taken for not holding onto a handrail. This is insane. The events surrounding this incident are also insane - & dangerous. What is happening to Canada? Things under the Harper Conservatives appear to be devolving into a totalitarian state. One in which I, for one, do not want to live.
It's time to throw Harper & his thugs out & put in a Govt. that actually cares about it's people & their rights, & one that will clean up the messes in our police dept.'s the RCMP & CSIS & any other Canadian agency that has these powers, including the Govt. itself.
UPDATE: For more on this go read Impolitical.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Less than 5 per cent of stimulus doled out so far
From an article by Paul Vieira in the Business section of The Ottawa Citizen:
"The federal government has spent just under five per cent of the $40 billion in fiscal stimulus it pledged to combat a recession that now appears to be easing, government documents indicate.
The documents, released Thursday, reveal the bulk of the nearly $2 billion spent has gone toward rebuilding or refurbishing facilities at Canadian colleges and universities."
The article also lists a few other places where the money has gone &, interestingly, there are a few Crown agencies in this list. It's not a complete rundown & I shall try to find out more.
"The federal government has spent just under five per cent of the $40 billion in fiscal stimulus it pledged to combat a recession that now appears to be easing, government documents indicate.
The documents, released Thursday, reveal the bulk of the nearly $2 billion spent has gone toward rebuilding or refurbishing facilities at Canadian colleges and universities."
The article also lists a few other places where the money has gone &, interestingly, there are a few Crown agencies in this list. It's not a complete rundown & I shall try to find out more.
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