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What DID Harper Say?
The Conservative Leader's sound bite file on everything from taxes to Iraq, health care, gay marriage, nature, left-wingers and keeping flexible.
Stephen Harper once told an Alberta magazine that his motto is "don't listen to what politicians say, watch what they do."
With a national election about to be visited upon us, we'll rightly be hearing a lot about what Stephen Harper has said in the past. After all, he's never been afraid to express opinions that would be regarded as unconventional at best outside southern Alberta.
He's said parents should be able to pull their children from "union-run" public schools, he's argued that Canada should adopt a U.S. congressional-style system of government, and he's said Canadians are content to live in a "second-tier socialistic country." He's urged Alberta to build a "firewall" to preserve its values against a hostile federal government, he's alleged a federal government conspiracy to stack the courts in favour of gay marriage, and he's said human rights commissions amount to "totalitarianism" and an "attack on our fundamental freedoms and the basic existence of a democratic society."
It's those kinds of comments that have earned Harper an image in the media as an inflexible ideologue - a phrase that pops up in virtually every media portrait of the 45-year old Conservative leader.
If you look at what this politician has done, however, a different picture emerges. Despite the reputation for inflexibility, Harper was responsible for pulling together a badly divided Canadian Alliance party. He then united the right with a merger with the Progressive Conservative party.
The man who once said there were only two kinds of Tories - red ones and yellow ones - has welcomed red Tories into the new Conservative party. After running for the Alliance leadership as the moderate who would preserve the party from the moral crusaders clustered around Stockwell Day, Harper reached out to social conservatives and took a tough stance against gay marriage.
More recently, Harper has tried to stake out the middle ground in the health care debate, advancing a policy that not only mimics the Liberals' stance, but goes beyond the governing party's plans in terms of expanding the publicly funded system.
'Oldest young man'
"Stephen Harper is a consummate pragmatist," says University of Lethbridge political scientist Geoffrey Hale. Hale, who has known Harper for some time, describes the Opposition leader as "a pragmatic conservative. He views politics as the art of the possible."
Hale said that within the old Reform party - which did contain a number of ideologues - Harper always had the ability to draw a distinction between political theory and practical realities.
So what kind of policies might we see from a Stephen Harper government?
"I would think that would very much depend on the circumstances that he was dealing with," says Hale. "Mr. Harper is someone who likes to manage expectations and then exceed them." Harper's subdued, policy-wonk persona has helped him keep expectations low. Alberta political scientist David Taras once wrote that if Harper were a colour, he would be grey. "He seems perpetually burdened," Taras wrote. "There is nothing light or whimsical about him. In some ways, he is the oldest young man in Canada."
Harper has made this charisma shortfall the topic of a number of self-deprecating jokes. He says he became an economist because he didn't have the personality to become an accountant like his father and two brothers.
He met his wife, Laureen, at a Reform party convention in 1991 and he is supposed to have told friends that he was attracted to her in part because she read The Economist. They have two children, 4-year old Rachel and 7-year old Ben.
When he's not reading policy documents he likes to read mysteries, including Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. He loves the Beatles and, his staff insists, AC/DC. He has a flair for political impersonations and is said to do a wicked Jean Chretien and Joe Clark.
Manning's protégé
Born in Toronto in 1959, Harper grew up in the suburbs of Toronto and moved to Alberta in search of work straight out of high school. He ended up at the University of Calgary, where he took a BA and a master's degree in economics. He also got involved in politics, going to work as an executive assistant for Jim Hawkes, the Tory MP for Calgary West.
By the mid-1980s, Harper was disillusioned with the federal Tories, however. He gravitated to the nascent Reform party, catching the eye of party founder and leader Preston Manning. By 1987, at the age of 28, Harper was chief policy officer for Reform.
Harper ran against Hawkes in the free trade election of 1988 and lost; he ran against him five years later in the great Tory melt-down of 1993 and won.
In Ottawa, the bilingual and articulate Harper stood out in a Reform caucus that was often ridiculed for the unpolished and unconventional performances of some of its members. Harper and Manning, however, had been quarrelling for some time.
Those who know the two men have said that Harper's cerebral approach clashed with Manning's populism. The two had fallen out over the Charlottetown Accord; Harper's supporters in the party have said that Harper had to convince Manning to oppose the deal. Nor did Harper endear himself to Manning when he criticized the leader in 1994 for taking a $31,000 clothing allowance from the party.
In 1997, Harper quit the Commons to head up the National Citizens Coalition, a right-wing lobby group. He issued a press release saying that he had no intention of becoming a "career politician" and that he wanted to spend more time with his family. When Harper left Reform, one party insider predicted that the intellectual capacity of the party would drop by 25 per cent.
Harper re-entered federal politics in late 2001, challenging Stockwell Day for the leadership of the Alliance. Under Day, the party had virtually collapsed, with seven members of its caucus joining a coalition with the Tories. Harper wooed those dissidents back into the Alliance and set about rebuilding the party.
As Alliance leader, he helped bring about the merger with the Progressive Conservative party, then swept to the leadership of the new party in March of this year. Although the new Conservatives are stuck in the low- to mid-20 per cent range in national polls, voter discontent and the prospect of a Liberal minority government have made Harper a force to be taken seriously.
Harper's motto about actions speaking louder than words points up a fundamental truth about political rhetoric - there is often a low correlation between politicians' promises and their subsequent actions.
But words can be a clue to character, as well - especially when the words are as provocative as the ones Harper has written and spoken over the years. His buttoned-up demeanor belies a talent for tart rhetoric. Some samples:
Harper on Canada
In December, 2002, Harper wrote an article in the National Post that ran under the headline "Separation, Alberta-style: It is time to seek a new relationship with Canada." In it, Harper wrote:
"Alberta has opted for the best of Canada's heritage - a combination of American enterprise and individualism with the British traditions of order and co-operation. We have created an open, dynamic and prosperous society in spite of a continuously hostile federal government.
"Canada appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its second-rate status, led by a second-world strongman appropriately suited for the task."
On Alberta and "the Firewall"
In January, 2001, Harper co-signed a letter to the National Post that called upon the Alberta government to wall itself off from the rest of Canada and "build a society on Albertan values." A response to the inability of the Reform party to elect candidates east of the prairies, the letter was first known as the "Harper plan," although today it is usually referred to as the "firewall" letter.
The letter urged Alberta Premier Ralph Klein to "build firewalls around Alberta." This would allow Albertans, like Quebecers, to become "maitres chez nous," limiting the extent to which a "hostile federal government can encroach upon legitimate provincial jurisdiction."
The letter urged Klein to replace the Canada Pension Plan with an Alberta pension scheme; set up a provincial income tax system, rather than allow Ottawa to collect the tax on Alberta's behalf; replace the RCMP with an Alberta provincial police force; create a provincial health care plan; and "force Senate reform back onto the national agenda."
Harper has since said that the letter could have been more diplomatic, but has defended its content. As he told Canadian Press in March, 2002: "The premier chastised us for the tone, which he found too negative, and that's probably an accurate assessment. But it's interesting how little the ideas have been challenged."
Lately, though, Harper has been less willing to discuss the letter's ideas. In April of this year, CanWest News reported: "When asked whether he still supports his firewall plan Monday, Harper dodged the question saying it is not his responsibility, as leader of the federal Conservatives, to tell a province like Alberta how to run its affairs. In fact, he would not even say if his personal views are still supportive of his 2001 plan."
On Health Care
Although he's been de-emphasizing it recently, Harper is a long-time proponent of allowing more for-profit delivery of health care services - although he stresses that private delivery should occur within the public system.
He's made a number of comments on health care that the Liberals will use to attack him during the coming election campaign. Consider this statement, made in the Commons on Oct. 28, 2002: "A government monopoly is not the only way to deliver health care to Canadians. Monopolies in the public sector are just as objectionable as monopolies in the private sector."
In the next breath, however, Harper added: "It should not matter who delivers health care, whether it is private, profit, not-for-profit or public, as long as Canadians have access to those services through the public insurance system regardless of their financial needs.
"We are going to have to become a lot more innovative and flexible in how we deliver health care while holding fast to the principle of universal access regardless of ability to pay."
This is an idea - allowing private delivery within the publicly funded health care system - that the Liberals have tolerated, and the Conservatives have a long list of quotations on their Web site designed to show that Harper's stance is the same as the Liberals'. But just as Harper is de-emphasizing some of his past comments, the Liberals are also de-emphasizing their stand on private care within the public system, as we saw recently when Health Minister Pierre Pettigrew did a very public about-face on this very question.
Earlier this month, Harper promised an expansion of the publicly funded health care system, including a federal pharmacare system. He was not always so enthusiastic about the expansion of the public system, however - especially expansion of the federal government's role in that system. Some excerpts from his Oct. 28, 2002 Commons speech:
"Several provinces are involved in pushing for alternative private delivery, even on a profit basis. This is a natural development. In a properly functioning system, profit is the reward that businesses obtain for making substantial, long-term capital investments.…
"Our party, the Canadian Alliance, must tell the truth to Canadians and Quebeckers. Our health care system is experiencing serious long-term problems. We can inject more money into it. We advocate this, but money alone will not solve the problem. The federal government must recognize that the health care system is first and foremost a provincial responsibility, that it was the provinces that established the system, that run it, and that, in the end, must solve the problems that are plaguing it.…
"A number of provinces are currently trying to cope with the problem by attracting more private investment into publicly insured services. The federal government must support this initiative."
On Parliamentary Reform
Harper has promised to bring in fixed election dates, like those in B.C. He would also push for an elected Senate.
In a May 28, 2001 article in The Report magazine, Harper argued in favour of swapping Canada's parliamentary system for a congressional system with an unelected cabinet:
"[T]he superiority of Congress over Parliament pales beside a comparison of the executive branches in our systems. The difference between the calibre and experience of the Bush cabinet - or even the worst American cabinet in recent years - to any Canadian equivalent is embarrassing to us. The consistency with which the American executive system recruits top people compared to our 'fused' system, in which cabinet members are chosen from among MPs, is one reason why the United States has made the long climb from peripheral outpost to the world's sole superpower."
On Iraq
In April, 2003, Harper went on Fox News in the U.S. and attacked the Chretien government's failure to support the war in Iraq. At the time, CTV.ca reported his remarks this way: "Harper said he endorsed the war and said he was speaking 'for the silent majority' of Canadians. Only in Quebec, with its 'pacifist tradition,' are most people opposed to the war, Harper said. 'Outside of Quebec, I believe very strongly the silent majority of Canadians is strongly supportive,' the Canadian Alliance leader says."
He and the then-foreign affairs critic for the Alliance, Stockwell Day, also wrote The Wall Street Journal denouncing Canada's decision to "stay neutral" in the war.
The Province recently reported that "Harper now claims he 'did not advocate sending additional soldiers or equipment to Iraq,' but merely 'insisted we should morally support' Bush." However, on March 26, 2003, six days after the U.S.-led coalition began bombing Iraq, Harper told the House of Commons: "We should be there with our allies when it counts against Saddam Hussein."
In August, 2003, Harper told Maclean's that Canada's refusal to support the coalition meant that "Canada remains alienated from its allies, shut out of the reconstruction process to some degree, unable to influence events. There is no upside to the position Canada took."
On Taxes
Harper has said repeatedly that he wants to make Canadian tax rates lower than those in the U.S., and a key plank in the Conservative platform is Gordon Campbell-style income tax cuts aimed at middle-income earners.
Harper is also committed to what he calls a "legislated taxpayer protection plan" that would make deficits illegal.
On Federalism and the Regions
As a Reform MP, Harper pushed a "get-tough" stance with Quebec that was eventually adopted in the Liberals' "clarity" act.
In a 1994 speech to the NCC, at a time when Quebec separatism was a serious threat, Harper said the need for national unity was secondary to the need for small governments.
"Whether Canada ends up as one national government or two national governments or several national governments, or some other kind of arrangement is, quite frankly, secondary in my opinion," said Harper, who was at the time constitutional affairs critic for Reform. "What matters and should matter to politicians and people who believe in the kind of values that I believe the National Citizens' Coalition share and the Reform Party share is not whether the Canadian state prospers, but whether the Canadian people and the land we call Canada prosper."
Added Harper: "Whether Canada ends up with one national government or two governments or 10 governments, the Canadian people will require less government no matter what the constitutional status or arrangement of any future country may be."
Harper also holds the unique status of having been condemned by the Nova Scotia legislature because of comments he made about the Maritimes.
In 2002, Harper said the people of Atlantic Canada had a "defeatist" attitude due to a history of government handouts.
"It's the idea that we just have to go along, we can't change it, things won't change," he said. "I think that's a sad part, a sad reality the traditional parties have bred in parts of Atlantic Canada."
Harper has since said that the Maritimers who denounced him for the comments misinterpreted his remarks. He says he would replace subsidy programs such as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency with corporate tax cuts. On Social Conservatism
In an April, 2003, speech, Harper defined social conservatism as "respect for custom and traditions (religious traditions above all), voluntary association, and personal self-restraint reinforced by moral and legal sanctions on behaviour."
In the speech, which was later reprinted as an essay in the Citizens Centre Report magazine, Harper argued that to be successful, the Alliance must offer socially conservative policies in addition to fiscally conservative ones.
In 1994, the Calgary Herald ran a headline stating "Two Calgary Reformers Back Gay Rights." Harper, who was one of the Reformers named in the article, would later tell Western Report magazine: "I really got burned in the press on this one." Harper explained to the magazine that his true position on gay rights was "don't ask, don't tell."
Gays, he said, should be protected from discrimination in commercial or employment practices. He said he would accept the inclusion of "sexual orientation" in the Canadian Human Rights Act if it were "clearly defined, but not if it were used as a precedent for further benefits like marital status," the magazine stated.
Harper has opposed gay marriage - not unlike, he points out, some Liberal MPs. In 1994, he told the Commons: "I do not support the legal recognition of same-sex relationships." This year, however, he told CanWest News that his position on the issue has evolved. Harper now says he would accept the concept of same-sex civil unions under provincial laws but opposes requiring churches to confirm same-sex marriages.
In September, 2003, Harper said characterizing gay marriage as a civil-rights issue was "disgusting." Canadian Press reported that Harper said: "Regarding sexual orientation or, more accurately, what we are really talking about, sexual behaviour, the argument has been made … that this is analogous to race and ethnicity. (For) anyone in the Liberal party to equate the traditional definition of marriage with segregation and apartheid is vile and disgusting."
He also accused former prime minister Jean Chretien of conspiring to promote same-sex unions. After courts in B.C. and Ontario ruled that same-sex marriages should be recognized under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Harper charged the Liberals "wanted to introduce this through back channels.
"They didn't want to come to Parliament, they didn't want to go to the Canadian people and be honest that this is what they wanted. They had the courts do it for them; they put the judges in they wanted, then they failed to appeal, failed to fight the case in court."
Despite the fact that at least five of the judges involved in the two appeal court judgements were originally appointed to lower courts by Brian Mulroney's Conservative government, Harper insisted: "It was the government that decided to put the judges on the bench, the government that decided not to appeal, the government that decided to lose the case and the government that decided not to come back to Parliament. In fact, the government decided to do all this while Parliament wasn't sitting, so it wouldn't be debated."
On abortion, another key topic for social conservatives, Harper said while running against Day that the Alliance could not afford to focus on the issue.
Harper told Southam News in 2001 that he leaned toward a pro-life stance, and added that he supported the Alliance's policy of dealing with moral issues such as abortion and capital punishment through citizen-initiated referendums. While referendums were a cornerstone of Reform-Alliance policy, the mechanism has not been dealt with by the newly merged Conservative party.
On Left-wingers
In the speech that urged the Alliance to embrace social conservatives, Harper also said that left-wing Canadians stand for "radical, responsibility-free individualism" and "tribalism in the form of group rights." Such thinking will lead to "the actual banning of conservative views, which some legislators and 'rights' commissions openly contemplate," he warned.
On Education
Harper supported the Mike Harris Tory government in Ontario when it proposed an unpopular plan to give tax credits to parents whose children attended private schools. In 2001, the Hill Times wrote that Harper argued that "pulling their children from 'union-run' schools should be a viable option for all parents."
On the Environment
Harper would withdraw from the Kyoto Accord, which he calls a "boondoggle." He has pledged to redirect the money currently earmarked for Kyoto to provide "clean air, clean water and clean land."
On Being Flexible
"I don't think I'm incapable of changing my views if the facts change," Harper once told Canadian Press. "Being principled doesn't mean you adhere only to your own inner voice at the expense of the important views of your supporters and who you claim to be speaking on behalf of."
Veteran political reporter Tom Barrett is a frequent contributor to The Tyee. ![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
- The Gem of Canadian Science that Harper Killed
- Who Mowed Down the Premier?
- Canada's Economy, Deconstructed (by a 12 year-old)
- Death in Remand: a Tyee Inquiry
- Now Is the Time to Talk up Big Ideas
- Sexism Tinges Criticism of Teachers' Job Action
- Bill C-38: the Environmental Destruction Act
- Death In Remand: 'A Gut Feeling'
- Bias in BC's Pesticide Decision? Follow the Bouncing Verbs
- The Ethics of Addiction Studies
- The Gem of Canadian Science that Harper Killed
- Sexism Tinges Criticism of Teachers' Job Action
- Now Is the Time to Talk up Big Ideas
- The Ethics of Addiction Studies
- Bill C-38: the Environmental Destruction Act
- Alberta Fills Pipes with Corrosive Denial
- Bias in BC's Pesticide Decision? Follow the Bouncing Verbs
- How Our Immune Systems Exaggerate Fear
- BC biotech company seeks approval for GM apple
- What's Behind BC's Doors?
- The Ethics of Addiction Studies
- What's Behind BC's Doors?
- The Gem of Canadian Science that Harper Killed
- Sexism Tinges Criticism of Teachers' Job Action
- Should You Run from that Medical Test?
- 'The Dictator'
- Death in Remand: Stacked Deck
- 'Moonrise Kingdom'
- From Financial Advisor to Occupier
- Seven Goals to Build the Conservative 'Dream'
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fhb (not verified)
8 years ago
I like this recent one; 'We have got to get money out of the federal government to make the federal government more effective at delivering services.' Huh? This would be hilarious if it didn't sound like yet another drunken Hayek wannabee pulling the "bankrupt the government, then sell off its services" line. Of course, you could always substitute "the citizens of Canada" for the words "federal government", but I'm sure he didn't mean *that*...
Harper Valley PTA (not verified)
8 years ago
I don't like the strategy of smearing a politican by yesterday's words at all. I mean, imagine what you could do to Jack Layton, or Paul Martin, for that matter as well. To hold Harper to his comments from years ago is to insist that he hasn't evolved as a leader. If Harper runs on a fiscal - NOT SOCIAL - conservative platform, and comes out and admits that the Iraq war was a stupid idea, and that he was wrong in endorsing it, then I will vote for the man. It's too bad Harper is an Albertan. From any other province, he would win the election. But because he's from a province that has values that are more in synch with Alabama than Prince George or Timmins or Halifax, he doesn't stand a chance. I still don't mind the guy, though.
Dana Owen Still (not verified)
8 years ago
Thanks for the article. It deserves to be widely read. As to neglecting to recall the past utterances of politicians - that's their history. We can learn from history or not. As someone once said, refusing to learn from history is like planting cut flowers and expecting them to grow.
james (not verified)
8 years ago
If you like what Bush has done for America, you'll love what Harper can do for Canada. The "Conservative" Party (yet another misnomer) are made up of copycat Republicans and have a copycat Republican agenda - hardly a single original idea. Furthermore, you can tell from what Harper says that he hates Canada, and loves America; he should do us all a favor and emigrate.
james (not verified)
8 years ago
It was such a great comment I felt the need to submit it twice. Well, not really. Sorry for the double-post.
Gordon Cambull (not verified)
8 years ago
I enjoyed reading your post both times, James.
james (not verified)
8 years ago
Haha.. Are you drunk again, Gordon?
Jack Layton and Paul Martin (not verified)
8 years ago
Stephen Harper eats puppies. He's bad.
Paul Martin (not verified)
8 years ago
Puppy safety is a key priority for Canadians. Kitten safety too. Establishing priorities will be a key priority for my government.
Paul Martin (not verified)
8 years ago
I like priorities.
Paul Martin (not verified)
8 years ago
I will do everything in my power to rectify the puppy safety deficit in this country...
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Wasn't Harper the jerk who coined the phrase "embarrassed to be Canadian"?
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
I always used to think of myself as middle-of-the-road as far as political concerns were concerned. WHen I saw the rise of the first incarnation of the Reform and the way it became entrenched in western canada--hence synonymous with western alienation, I was bothered and kind of moved toward the short-lived National Party with Mel Hertig.
Aside from the reformer (in ANY of its versions) stand on environment (it's money and opportunity), and health-care (it's money and opportunity too), and reproductive choice, and, business (it's all about money and opportunity for people who have it) and so on and so forth, why, I'd probably BE one of them.
FMaxwell (not verified)
8 years ago
I didn't get past the "oldest young man in Canada" comment...great, just what we need. Then I thought I would give it another try and when I got to the bit about his views on gay marriage I totally gave up.
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
Ohgod, what I was trying to say was that slick thumpers are even more dangerous than their not-so-slick cousins (Stickwell Day).
Gordon Cambull (not verified)
8 years ago
It doesn`t matter what Harper says. Out here in BC we found out that it doesn`t matter what is said, because things like "I will not sell BC Rail", actually means " I will sell BC Rail ", and so on, and so forth. What are we to do?
vick (not verified)
8 years ago
Too bad more voters in B.C. hadn't paid a little more attention to the convicted drunk drivers past comments and actions.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Hey Gordon C. We can always vote them out and then implement some very punitive taxes on foriegn railways.
Bart Simpson (not verified)
8 years ago
Lots of good ironic comments on this article!
There are so many news pieces claiming that Harper is not another Stockwell "Doris" Day. They usually say he is some sort of big threat to the Liberal Party. We already know what he stands for. Wow, he is an educated Reformer. He is one of the brighter dim bulbs. He is a policy wonk like Preston Manning, but younger and more vigorous.
He is often given most of the credit for uniting with the Progressive Conservatives. Does he deserve this?
I am pleased to see the new Conservative Party is not so popular in BC.
nononsense (not verified)
8 years ago
For some good information on Steven Harper go to the Toronto Star (thestar.com) Home page and on left hand column click on Editorial Board for a letter from the Board on why they wouldn't vote for Harper also try Editorials for further info.
nononsense (not verified)
8 years ago
After reading The National Citizens Coalition Loves You - Ha Ha in a Google Search of the Nation Citizens Coalition, it sounds just like something the Campbell brothers and their henchmen in the secretive BC Pentagon belong too. Dear Michael always says Diane Francis is his favorite columnist in the Post . It figures that she has won the prize twice.UGH!
Chris (not verified)
8 years ago
About the funny apologist remarks re: not judging people from their past remarks - and about "evolving" politically (or as a "leader" of a "party")...now that makes complete sense around this topic.This cast of political sociopaths even exceed Gordon's liars as far as "opposite" meanings to what was said is concerned. Now how's that? Do the words: "Not worth the paper its written on" (on camera) ring a bell?..Just ask David Orchard.Don't they call that something in court?But then again...court..shmort..this guy then says "The Supreme Court is wrong on limiting lobby groups" too. Yes, there needs to be evolution, but not into fundamentalism. Thank you for the article.
Lisa Simpson (not verified)
8 years ago
Yeah. Harper the Sharper, but "Bushy" nonetheless. I am really concerned about the persistent move to the far far right in this province. If you listen to Mike the Moron (Brother Campbell), which I can only do for about 5 minutes at a time, lest he moves me from passive venter to civil disobedience, you'd have believe that Harper is a shoo-in on the federal front.
THe thing that worries me most is the level of non-critical acceptance among general public who call in, and the--I don't know what to call it--non-awareness? narrow understanding? one side understanding? (oddly reflective of shit you read in mainstream media and see on gag Global aka Reader's Digest-style news) that they spew THINKING they are well-informed.
I guess the problem is that the media is the ONLY source of information for most people and that is a huge concern. A return to the Dark Ages indeed, and when you have a religion of money, glossed by some kind of fundamentalist invokation of "god" and "christ" (get a load of that nutbar from Kamloops in the legislature--even Gordo had to ask him to quit praying during sessions)....the stage is set. Harper is no different in spite of his slick.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Lisa... you make a good point about talk radio, or redneck radio as I call it. The way I see it; the reason Mikey C and the rest of the cast of hosts don't recieve much negative feedback during thier shows is because the peope who can think for themselves actually take the time to turn the dial somewhere else. In other words... he's preaching to the converted and the people are so tired of the constant anti-government bashing that these people are peddaling. CANADA ROCKS!!!
nononsense (not verified)
8 years ago
I an very concerned too - the NCC (National Citizens Coalition has a very organized and methodical organization that writes letters to papers all over Canada with their propaganda villainizing Martin and extolling the virtues of Harper also loading up phone lines to talk show. Not to mention she hosts are mostly rightwing nutbars. Norman Specter has been lobbying hard for Harper with all his clever spin. He is a neocon that supports Bush only because Bush supports Israel and Harper is of exactly the same ilk. You are right about the traitorous way Harper and Mackay brought this party together by betraying and breaking a written and signed promise and pledge on national TV. So it started on a lie and broken promise and thats what any government he has control of would be . All the hoopdedoo about the block voting in Surrey is nothing compared to the block voting for Harper will be He wrote to 20,000 church groups to get support for his opposition to same sex marriage. Of course he will have the support of the Jewish organiztions as well . The is a good editorial in the Toronto Star expaining the wisdom of the gag law that Harper would like to get rid of so that special interest groups would be free to give him unlimited money for campaigning like George Bush has in the U.S Go to the www.thestar.com left column click editorials and look for editorial called A VICTORY FOR DEMOCRACY, for a good explanation of what this law could mean for Canada. I find the Tor star is the only national paper where I can get an opinion that isn't right wing off the wall BS. Anyone who care about CANADA should really challenge these guys before they take over our country. Can you imajine our whole country run like B.C only worse with tons of tax dollars spent on a big military to fight for Israel. They would probably Carlysle group all organized as well I can just see them drooling over bottom lines.
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
Bill Goode is just as bad, and he used to be somewhat moderate. I thought his regular Friday morning spot with the Global Canwest sychophants (the Victoria reporters) was particularly bad this morning.
WHy, they talked about the to-them-non-issue of coroporate ownership of the media--THEY don't call it that of course--and in their little circle jerk this morning they reassured the public that their journalistic ideals are LEFT INTACT with their wonderful non-directive editorial bosses. What the hell, I guess we're just STUPID.
Paul Martin (not verified)
8 years ago
What do you mean Ujjal Dosanjh ran the most unsuccessful campaign in BC election history? He's a star candidate!
Paul Martin (not verified)
8 years ago
I hope to capitalize on the success of the BC Liberal label in the upcoming campaign.
Stephen Harper (not verified)
8 years ago
Hey Paul Martin... I can say even more risible things than you can. So if you insist on a moronic debate I am your man. My rednecks are ready to heckle you in a moments notice and I don't give a damn about your precious constitution. It's all about me and my buddies so get out of the way. Long live Brian!
Anonymous
8 years ago
hey kids, are you finished? No? try a chat site.
sonic931 (not verified)
8 years ago
“radical, responsibility-free individualism†-actually this more accurately describes right-wingers like Harper as far as I'm concerned. Ayn Rand springs readily to mind. They demand the right to pursue limitless personal gain unhindered by taxation and free of the guilt that a social conscience might inspire. The freedom to under pay workers and over charge tenants.To tear up contracts and bash unions. To privatize and deregulate all in the name of the all mighty buck.Talk about "responsibility free individualism".
comment (not verified)
8 years ago
Not bad humour but it hard to laugh at the fact that this man and his political party are now leading in British Columbia and may very well grab the overwhelming majority of seats in the next federal election. Thanks for the great story. I have to wonder what's happening when a Canadian leader announces a 25 percent tax cut after we've seen the mess of Ontario, British Columbia and the entire United States to name a few. This tax cut scam is being run again and the right wing thinks they can sell it one more time. Can this really be happening?
Karl (not verified)
8 years ago
As for the above comment re tax cuts, I say: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. We live in one of the richest, safest, most comfortable, most prosperous countries on earth, and people are constantly whining about taxes and money.
nononsense (not verified)
8 years ago
I agree and can't believe so many people will go for Harper just for the sake of change without really researching what he is all about. You are so right about the tax cuts. You'd think the way Campbell and Harris devastated their provinces with cutbacks would be a lesson . Many Americans including moderate Republicans are pretty fed up with Bush and his tax cuts which he is trying to make permanent. When your friends are making huge profits such as 58 Billion worth of untendered contracts for Halliburton they wouldn;t want to pay taxes on the profits they are making from the war. Its sickening! The whole world is in such discord since those racketeers got into the Pentagon and so much unnecessary suffering.
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
And Harper would have Canada right in there with the Americans, who to many (including many Americans), are the global idiots, not just the global bullies. How else to explain electing--and poised to do it again, I'm afraid--a flight-suit clad moron who lands (reminiscent of Stock Day's Jet ski onto the Penticton beach, attired in complete wetsuit) on an aircraft carrier with his dick (aka weapon of mass destruction) in his hand for all the world to see! If fot no other reason, Harper's stand on the Iraq war should get his ass kicked. But if you listen to radio talk show call-ins, we are in for some super conservative vote casting in June, and again next May.
Frankly, the whole thing--listening to these people TALK and hearing how vehement they are, yet how prey they have been to ideology DISGUISED as democratic rights etc etc, well, this really scares me. Besides thinking to myself: Ohmigod what would I do if I ran INTO someone who actually SAID these kinds of things to me--things like, Harper (or Campbell) is all about doing good things; it's time we has HONESTY in power, "socialism has ruined our country [yeah, heard a nutbar say that one exactly], and blah blah blah--I think I'd snap. These are, of course, the same freaking people who will complain because THEY can't get some kind of service etc etc once it's been either axed by their precious Honest Man or given away--thank you WTO and your life-sucking princes of the GLobe.....
Ohmigod, it's 4:00 in the morning and I am ranting about politics.
And I haven't even mentioned what triggered me. It was Nononsense's comment about Halliburton--and untendered contracts. Yeah, just wait and see what gets dug up in the next while about all that, and we are heading the same way.
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
Well, since I'm ranting. And has anyone caught The Moron, Brother Campbull, waxing on about the "gag law." Yesterday he did an editorial that turned me into the raving haridan you see before you now. WHy, he is TELLING people--and they BUY it because they are not capable of CRITICAL THOUGHT, I guess--that this is tantamount to slyly eroding THEIR hard-won democratic right of FREE SPEECH.
ANd he adds (this bit he says frequently--somebody ought to check out his credentials as I swear they are fake), he adds this: because he is a "RESEARCH ORIENTED kind of guy" he looks for the errrrr RESEARCH and that there is NO RESEARCH supporting contentions about money driving political will--there is no link between he-who-has-it and their chances of election or re-election. Democracy Watch is a bunch of out of touch lefties....and rich people do NOT get their own political way (to back this up, he had on whatshisname from the VANCOUVER PUN!! Way ta research Mikey, ya putz).....
It has just occurred to me that we have right here in Canada, in Vancouver, our very own Rush Limbaugh. LImbaugh is generally considered to be an idiot except by the idiots who like him. But considering where his idiocy led--right to his pharmaceutical-loving medicine cabinet--one can only hope that some enterprising reporter takes a look in Mikey's (though I suspect he uses suppositories).
Gord Leslie (not verified)
8 years ago
Paul Martin and Stephen Harper have one thing in common anyway: Like the chickenhawks down south, they are perfectly willing to send Canada's soldiers out to be killed. This when neither of them did a day of military service. I don't like conservatives dressed like liberals, and I don't like religious nuts dressed up as moderates.
Dana Owen Still (not verified)
8 years ago
It's official. PM the PM is visiting AC the GG tomorrow and the writ will hit the floor. Keep up the pressure on all your Harper inclined acquaintances please. Work for an NDP controlled Liberal minority. Virtually all of the policies we Canadians hold most dear and the ones that the UN cites in every review are policies that have reuslted from NDP controlled Liberal minority governments. Let's have another.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Effle.. if you feel as strong as I do about the shabby reporting on CKNW, I ask that you email all the hosts with your concerns as well as management. The proof is in the pudding. Bill Good recently did a call in poll on 'who you gonna vote for' because one of the papers did a Can-West poll suggesting a Tory sweep in BC with 40 percent of committed vote. However, Bill Good's segment had 100 percent of callers supporting Harper. I suggest to you that the audience has gone somewhere else. And because you, yourself, do not take them seriously, many of us agree. If red-neck radio is to be highjacked by the extreme right agenda then who is going to sponser the station? The latest ad I heard on CKNW was some kind of Family Values group that only want us to think about the family. Can anyone say 'dinasaur'.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Another rant on CKNW; another advertiser on the station is a group who are looking for unhappy Canadians to invest in the UK. It would appear that advertisers have made the same observations as I. The observation being that independent thinkers are not tuned in. One group is telling us what to think with their family values and the other is suggesting the UK is heaven compared to Canada.
lewis swift (not verified)
8 years ago
A list of similarities between stephen harper and gordon campbell: both grey colorless policy wonks, both in love with and disgustingly subservient to american interests and both enthusiasts of 25% taxcuts with no assurance whatsoever that resulting shortfalls will not be used to eventually totally gut all social programs, both parties built by betrayal and outright highjacking, (campbell mass phone in setup pulled on gordon wilson, harper -mckay's disgusting backstabbing of david orchard) both unwilling to discuss the real impact of their agenda before being elected, both no doubt willing to beat the poor and other vulnerable groups to death with their so-called mandate which each is more than willing to raise to the level of outright fascism if necesary....this list could undoubtedly go on much longer. Remember that gordung scambull insisted "we're not the same party as the federal liberals" (except mark marrisen and christy clark, presumably.) Perhaps this is because campbell is much closer ideologically to harper than paul martin, although all three parties seem to have a virtually inexhautable enthusiasm for ballot box stuffing whether with the help of deluded and coerced ethnic minorities or sheeplike christian evangelicals and fundamentalists. The Province's giant heading "HARPER SET TO SWEEP BC" raises the gag reflex to supernova levels.... So remember, stephen harper, he harps on this, he harps on that, but like gordon picton he will sell you and your children out to his owners for nickels and dimes...Let's do our damndest to throw enough votes to jack layton and the ndp to limit both harper's and martin's agenda. For inspiration, imagine a war measure's act as designed by stephen harper and the fraser institute...
Dana Owen Still (not verified)
8 years ago
Stephen Harper is an anagram for "Preen the Sharp". Conservative is an anagram for "Voters Cave In".
Paul O. (not verified)
8 years ago
I'm quite interested to hear what the Alliance-Conservatives have to say about Bush's "moral crusade" in Iraq NOW. Has Harper become dehumanized to the point that he can talk about Republican morality (Enron, Halliburton, Iraq, Cuban regime change, violent porn videos made in military prisons) with a straight face? I'd like to hear some media type (Enright?) pose a question to Harper about his thoughts around the issue of morality in the current White House Administration. Let's see him squirm!
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
Eddy, I wondered about the possibility of a letter of protest (disgust) to CKNW. THey just piss me off so much--like you, I assume that most listeners with brains have gone elsewhere, but I FEAR the worst. That is, I fear that it is the media--and it's corporate ownership--who shape public opinion to such an extent that NO ONE (and certainly NO MEDIA PERSON including Tyee types) will admit, etc etc. And I know about media--I mean, I know about it theoretically and it's impact on culture cuz it's the suject of a project I'm working on. A big project with losta research, Mike Cambull! No, these people are frightening and I think the situation is far more advanced than any of us wants to think. SOrry to sound so pessimisic. Blame it on the 4:00 am start to the day.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
effle, about two weeks ago I informed CKNW on the sale of St. Marys Hospital. The reporter emailed back saying he wouldn't pursue the story. I emailed him back suggesting he thought it was ok to wait until the CEO of St. Marys saw fit to tell us all we've been ripped off. Today, my local paper reports that Nat Bosa bought that excellent piece of real estate. Another secret backroom deal and it's the Sister's of Providence who make 4.5 million on tax free property, Bosa who faced no compitition getting it, and the province is down one hospital. The story has yet to break on CKNW. That is what I call shabby reporting on CKNW. Too busy scaring us with crystal meth stories, I guess.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
The CEO of St Marys is still being paid an hansome salary. There is no hospital, only an empty building. I guess he'll get a bonus payment for keeping a lid on the sale. His contract runs out next year and due to double standards in the government it cannot be broken.
MA (not verified)
8 years ago
Boy, there's a lot of rabid hatred in a couple particularly kooky lefties up there... And who said that the Conservatives tax cuts would be of the Campbell (up front as an excuse to then cut spending) variety rather than the Klein (cut spending, and later reduce surpluses) variety?
effe (not verified)
8 years ago
MA, it doesn't matter if it is either a Campbell or a Klien styled taxcut because the whole plan is to make government a shell anyway--all it will do is police and miliary. IT IS really about BUSINESS running the society. WHen you cut taxes and reduce legislative efforts to regulate, and when you've gutted the social programs, and when you STARVE government and make it impossible for it to DO ANYTHING, provide anything, LEGISLATE ANYTHING, REGULATE ANYTHING, when you make it IMPOSSIBLE for it to GOVERN, the way is clear for big business.
Hence,it doesn't matter whether you got Campbull or Klein or Bush or Wacker, you have the same AGENDA at work. DON'T TAX ME. (I'll fuck YOU over, but don't tax ME).
And I'm not in RL considered a "kookie leftie" by anyone, including my reform-inkleined associates.
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
And Eddy, I think we ought to make this bit on St Mary's an issue. This would, or should, have legs. It's blatant.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Effle... I don't know how to make it an issue. It is obvious the chicanery of the Simon Fraser health Authority is downright criminal. A couple of years ago they purchased about a dozen heritage homes and bulldozed them down to built an unused parking lot, supossedly on behalf of Royal Columbian. It cost several million dollars. They not only found the money, but the profits go towards Impark and the profits are few because the fees are uncompetitive and the only people who do park there are the expanded administration staff who recieve free parking as a condition of employment. St. Marys vs parking for administrators, now that's a "tough decision". To really rub it in, the hospital insisted we build a skytrain station at the Royal Columbian so that people would not need to use thier cars to get there.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Hey Ma. What are you suggesting? It is very telling that the righties can't debate us lefties without calling us names. Just go into any right-winger forumn and write Martin Rules and watch the vitriol fly. You did it yourself with that slang expression "kookie" And then your own leader refers to all the Liberals in the country as "rats". That was a pretty effective matephor for Hitler when he was anialating the Jews. And then you expect us to take Harper seriously? BTW... from what I gather from other Albertans, they really feel they are overtaxed. They pay the least tax in the country. Why the discrepancy? They have the least services in any province in the country so the tax they do pay never makes it back to the citizenry. Klien then Blames Ottawa, how convenient.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Effle... regarding your 5/22/2004 5:23:01 PM post, their biggest fear is that we just quit buying things. Face it, all those newpapers do is sell you avertising. The same goes for TV and radio. The storys are lame and hardly reflect anyone's reality. The better news has been cherry picked from Europe and local reporting is non-existant. All that is left is advertising. The popularity of a entity like Art Bell is the epitomy of it all. People are getting fed lies and garbage with mainstream media so why not pay $5 a month for lies that you do like?
whatthehay (not verified)
8 years ago
Eddy and effle...get a hotel room. So let me get this straight What Stephen Harper says is scary but all politicians are liars ..... I guess if the latter is true we shouldn't worry
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
I never said all politicians are liars, but I did say that Harper is scary. So is his ilk, which, errrrr, you are among.
As as for your cheeseball remark about effle and eddy, well, two things: one, getting a room, yeah, better than wanking off like yerself, there eh whatthehay? and two: I think it's important for people to recognize that there are other like minded folks out there, and this because being ridiculed and oppressed buy the likes of you makes alot of us feel kinda, yeah, ridiculed and oppressed.
Besides, the first steps in organization can only happen because like minded find like minded. It's not always about hotel rooms, ya perv.
whatthehay (not verified)
8 years ago
Effle, Okay so it is fine for you to be "like minded folks" but if they are from the right the are a gang of nazis. I think oppressed is a bit strong, you apparently were not oppressed enough to stop you from attending some university (you use big words). It is great to live in a country where even the "oppressed" can learn. ps..I don't need to wank off I have a charming beautiful wife who is still amourous. (politically however she is more like you ARRRGGGHH)
Bart Simpson (not verified)
8 years ago
Why did they close those hospitals when they are planning to build another billion dollar St Pauls Hospital? Never mind that St Pauls build a new building only ten years ago. Why not just keep St Marys and St Vincents open and not spend the billion dollars. These people are nuts.
Why are there so many people willing to support he federal Conservatives when they are exactly the same as the BC Liberals. By the way, Klein and Harris and Gorden Campbell are all exactly the same. Klein just has oil revenues and is the biggest bozo of them all.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Uh oh, looks like I got told off by whatthehay.
vick (not verified)
8 years ago
This would suggest your wife smarter then you eh?
lewis swift (not verified)
8 years ago
Once upon a time there was a kind right wing government, but it was in a far off land, in another dimension, where elves and pixies danced, but it only lasted 2 weeks, and then it was overthrown by a fundametalist dwarf....what the hay, whatthehay, maybe you could pen us a trenchant minieditorial on the humanitarian virtues of the right. Though many, especially, the national post,and yourself neglect to mentionit, adolph h. b. muusolini and many other lumunaries were indeed from the right, not to mention numerous south american dictators...it was their habit of liquidating inconvenient subject populations that have led many of us to regard the right with chagrin, and suspicion...and while stephen harper is not benito there is an ominous looming UNDERCURRENT in the neocon economic fascism so treasured by he and his ilk, which we see in its early blooming terrible flower of the iraq war and its economic looting of the economy of iraq by chairman dick cheney, where iraquis can't even get jobs picking up garbage in their own country....since harper's er, um, "POSITION" towards the americans is generally, to mix a few metaphors, simultaneously open-mouthed, well-lubed, and upon his knees some us leftwing types fear the mcdonaldization of canuckada, under his ideological mania, we sort of see harper as getting elected with a hidden agenda and ruining canada even as campbell has done to bc, I await your burning insights and crisp dialogue... Oh yes and then there's Enron using the WTO and the world bank as a salad fork to pry open the oyster of the argentine economy, where last I heard the middleclass are still bangin' pots and pans in the street -see respected bbc journalist greg palast's The Best Democracy Money Can Buy, ah when I consider the joy the right has brought to humanity, I weep...
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Lewis... I don't think we have much to worru about. Harper and his team are very unorganized. I imagine they will spend a lot of campaign time re-defining what the Harper says. I recieved three different phone calls from the Torys and each one claimed to be representing a different candidate for my riding. On the third call, I asked what was up and was informed that she was in Ontario. I joked with her and asked if there were really Torys in Ontario. She said there were a few but they were not very popular and she was not going to vote for them herself. When you get away from Alberta, the road is a little steeper for dem dere Tory Trash.
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
I wish that were so. Have ya listened to the glib Global kerrrap, oh, did I say CRAP? I meant "news". Harper is THe Man in BC, according to them. And I can't wait to purge this afternoon when Brother Mike pounds the pulpit. Though he does make my otherwise perfect blood pressue rise to unbearable heights. Just like my ego, eh Whattheyhey???
Bart Simpson (not verified)
8 years ago
Effle, complaints to the CRTC can be made. I made one against Mike Campbell this year just asking if it was right to have the brother of the Premier of BC "reporting" on provincial political topics. More later.
The federal polls in BC have shown each of the three parties in the lead. The last Compas Poll was trumpeted by the Canwest headlines as a "Sweep of BC By Harper". What is the point of printing such inane headlines? All of these polls just show that the Conservatives are going to lose seats in BC, so it would be a surprise to me to see the Conservatives win much more than half the seats.
whatthehay (not verified)
8 years ago
I just woke up to find the literary buffet from Lewis et al. The cleverness of putting Harper in with the likes of other slightly righties like Mussolini, Hitler and the South American beauties. And of course Harper is well on his way to liquidatng people. I guess it is fair game to put our midly left in line with Stalin, Castro and other lefts who also have made people disappear. I think the right does some kind things, like ask people to perform their duties that are designed to safe lives. I do find Mr. Campbell a bit distasteful but more because he is just a liar not because he is from the right. I am sure even youse people could make the English language dance in a description of some of the wonderful atrocities from the left. I just find it interesting how extreme your reactions are to a slightly right person. I am not an economic expert but I do seem to recall Lefty Clark not exactly spurring on the BC economy. It should also be noted that Enron, WTO and the other Global gluttons did not just appear with Bush/Cheney but I think they were around with that master of the right Clinton. I really think you guys don't get it. These groups and organization love it with the constant bickering between the left and right at the front line. It takes the heat off of what they are doing. If the extreme comments were left off the table and we stayed on topic, we slightly left and slight right could sit at the table and achieve something. Case in point. I defy anybody (other than you intellects) to tell me three points discussed at Vancouver, Quebec or Italy. My guess is all you rememebr is Sgt. Pepper, The teddy bear tossing Albino and somebody getting killed. The demonstrations which are taken over by the extreme and encouraged as free speech actually takes away all focus on what is being talked about I am a a fairly simple person (no laughing or cheering) that just tries to work to support my family. I share many of your concerns but differ slightly on how to best deal with them. I do know that as long as you continue to equate all people right of center with AH, BM and the others you will receive little in way of credibiiity or cooperation with us. EFFLE stay away from the late night coffee (worrying about Harper), not good for the blood pressure
lewis swift (not verified)
8 years ago
A much more articulate response than I had expected whatthehey, I was wondering whether you would pull the litany of leftist evils out of the bag, and yes they are many, although I would argue still not nearly as many as those on the right, and most of the leftist tyrants (among which I am not sure castro deserves to be included) arose in DEVELOPING third world countries like cambodia, the balkans etc, not firstworld, supposedly advanced countries like germany and italy. And in some ways I agree that the middle is missing, BUT, campbell ran as a moderate, harper is striving to present himself as a moderate (just like campbell until he got elected) the right in fact almost always presents itself as moderate until elected. What if a moderate leftist government campaigned in the middle, doubled the minimum wage, removed every right wing piece of legislation, demanded and aggressively pursued unionization of every nonunion company of the province and then tried to break every corporation that did not comply -the howls from canwest would be audible from jupiter, yet when campbell (and harper) do the right wing version of the preceding its all "necesary sacrifice," for the improvement of the economy, even as the economy tanks -in brief, the extreme bias of mainstream media makes it very difficult for lefties to be centrist and I would also argue that the right polarized the debate (polarization is always in the interest of those with the heaviest artillery, namely, the right.) I am glad that you are intelligent to see through clinton's (and tony blair's?) "thirdway" posturing, ie. mouth as many progressive platitudes as possible, while aggresively turning governments into cash and carry quickie marts for the rich -another favorite rightwing trick, highjack a once moderately centrist party like the federal liberals, party with bono, drop a few million on aids, and then gut the social contract, like haper only more gradually...unless a left controlled minority government is elected...In light of the cogent piercing and irrefutable arguments I have presented, whatthehay, I imagine you will be now voting ndp federally...
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
It's totally funny that whatthehay still believes that the NDP ruined the BC economy. I guess if you want one that is totally dominated with big biz gleefullness, then Gordo is your man. We will all be so better served once big biz does it all for us. My brother in law built a backyard mill during Clark's reign. He is a millionaire now, but his profits have dropped since Gordo. He will soon buy his trees, that are scrap to big biz, on the open world market and thus lose his edge. I, myself was wooed by Klein and his Alberta team with promises of free rent for my store and some other incentives like letting the Alberta taxpayer pick up my tax tab for a year or two. I guess we should blame Klein on Clark too.
whatthehay (not verified)
8 years ago
Eddy, please tell me what the NDP did that was so good. You should know that Campbell was even to stinky for me to vote for him. But for you to claim that NDP were good for the province is downright silly. I in no way believe in big biz but I do believe that government really does not create lasting jobs. They should make laws and let private investment fill the needs. I think the only province where the NDP ever succeeded was in Saskatchewan. I stll like Klein. Lewis, thank you for the compliment, despite that fact my family thinks I am right of Atilla the Hun I really do want what is best for my family and Canada as a whole. I will agree with your comment of where most of the lefties are. As for your comments about a "moderate left ......" I think Harcourt and Clark tried to do just that. The automatice reaction of course is to look for some balance (Campbell) but get unbalance. Now we get to swing back. There really is no place for someone like myself to go unless I start my own party. We will see. PS The first time I voted I did indeed vote nationally for NDP (strong CCF/NDP parents you see) BUT saw the light!!!!!!
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Whatthehay... rather than let a bunch of right-wing economists tell me what is going on, I look out the window and see for myself. Yaletown and Coal Harbour are two very exclusive neighbourhoods that were built during the NDP. When Mayor Smith from Edmonton was wooing me to Alberta, he remarked about all the new buildings in New West and made the comment that economic activity certainly must be taking place. My brother in law made millions selling in niche market wood that used to be useless to big biz but now that they can sell on the open market, who knows how he will get wood that grows on the mountains near his home. Yes the NDP may have paid too much for a couple of ferry boats, but they were and still are needed. Your taxes were not that high compared to the rest of the country under the NDP but now the poor and sick are paying the brunt. My tax cut has been more than clawed back and my brother (not in-law) is a high earner family that is going bankrupt over the tuition fees his three kids are racking up. As far as I am concerned, BIG BIZ sabotoged the NDP at every turn because they do not want you to be independant of the captive markets they create and dominate.
Bart Simpson (not verified)
8 years ago
Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagon, Ralph Klein, Mike Harris and Gordon Campbell were all examples of what the federal Conservatives want to do. They create very large deficits because their privatisations create record deficits. Mike Harcourt inherited a $1.8 Billion deficit from the BC Social Credit party and worked successfully toward a balanced budget. Gordon Campbell took over and has created record deficits. This is what we will see from the federal Conservatives since they have the same drastic tax cutting agenda.
whatthehay, I also came from an NDP family and I liked Ronald Reagon. He had the appeal of a kindly grandfather. I probably would have voted for him if I was in the USA. But now 24 years later, I can see that the NDP is what makes Canada a much better place to live than the USA. Trudeau was the great leader who gave us the the "Just Society". If I was to just worry about an extra few dollar in my pocket and vote for Stephen Harper, I would be voting for a much poorer Canada in which the weakest will be discarded.
The NDP has always been a better manager of your tax paying dollars. Take a look at how Gordon Campbell is awarding big contracts and salaries to all of his friends and relatives. This dwarfs any similar corruption that you would see in the NDP. A neighbor helping Glen Clark with a few hours of labour building a deck compared to giving your relative a $500,000 contract and other debts forgiven?
Voting for the federal Conservatives is the same as voting for Gordon Campbell. It is the same ideology and you are currently being lied to in the same way.
Frank (not verified)
8 years ago
Effle : You're not alone in wondering how CKNW gets away with all their hosts and backup hosts and backups of backups being right wing. I've come to the conclusion that if the BC Liberal numbers keep falling, all right-wingers will eventually work at CKNW. They aren't going to change. They would rather ignore 60% of the voting population than give Stirling Fox and Mr Joe 6-pack their walking papers.
Michael Barkusky (not verified)
8 years ago
I was looking forward to finding out what his views on environmental issues were. Apart from "dissing" Kyoto, it seems, he hasn't much to say. I am waiting too, to hear what David Emerson, the Liberal candidate in my riding has to say. He better say something sensible, and say it soon, or I will be voting Green once again. I have felt for some time that Paul Martin has the right instincts on the environment, and his fiscal conservatism is not a huge problem for me, but voting for a candidate who doesn't realize (or won't admit) that the problems of human impact on the natural environment are one of the biggest and most serious problems we face - well, I draw the line at that.
marlene (not verified)
8 years ago
A most thorough and researched article - which shows Stephen Harper in a most credible light. Except for supporting Bush morally. Our limited military has been in Bosnia for 12 years and Afganistan forever and with the oldest of equipment - which Harper knew. From a 26 to a 46 year old, he is now well seasoned - honest and honourable with common sense; not the rhetoric being spouted. A Martin win means 12-14 years of liberal rule. He cut the transpfer payments healthcare/social/educational to the provinces 34 percent on the backs of the people - while Ottawa spent billions foolishly. Yes, we can afford lower taxes;more money in peoples pockets means more spending and the world goes round. We need a leader - a young one for a change; with common sense and respect for other Canadians.
Dr.Nick (not verified)
8 years ago
Hello everybody! lets all get along and remember to vote for the NDP on June 28th.
Mr Canada (not verified)
8 years ago
harper and cabel are pushing such dramatic tax cuts because they know it will gut the governments ability to fund social programs. Then viola! Out of nowhere will come private corporations to the rescue! This scheme has not worked in the US and it will not work here, yet the right are slow to learn. From 1939 until 1974 Canada was the premier middle power then the righties took over and its been straight downhill ever since. And yes the Liberals are as right as the Conservatives. Vote Canadian Action. No baggage - no scandals - only female leader - and real world solutions that dont include selling us to the United States corporate machine.
Kevin (not verified)
8 years ago
Harper is just someone who instead of just moving out of Canada cause of his dislikes of this country, he decided to stay here and cause havoc and hopefully change Canada to his liking. Canadians will not let him play out his plans. Kevin
Anonymous
8 years ago
marlene, try moving to the United States or at least just go visit and talk a walk up the streets. See thousands of street people, all of who have no homes to live in. This is what Stephen Harper is going to do to Canada. Canadian crime rates will go up as people become more desparate under a Conservative government.
Leonard (not verified)
8 years ago
Stephen Harper, a smart George W. Bush?
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Stephen Harper.... another MORON!
lewis swift (not verified)
8 years ago
Stephen harper the trojan horse of the exreme corporate right in canada? Although I have to admit the horse had better features...
Lenny (not verified)
8 years ago
Harper and the other Christian fundamentalists that make up the Conservatives are slavering at the thought of ramming their morals down the throats of Canadians. They are subordinating their true beliefs at the moment, convinced that Canadians will buy the sudden transformation to a group of moderates. Wot a laugh. Like Bush in the US, if elected the Conservatives will reward their base of right-wing extremists. http://canadianelection2004.blogspot.com
Kit (not verified)
8 years ago
The pollyanna comment by Marlene is proof to me about why there is ever new evidence of compulsive gambling..some will bet anything - even their house, or their country - dreamily calling every crop of fascist dealers 'mature' and 'credible' amid their fast and filthy promises to the gullible.
bvc (not verified)
8 years ago
Conserative party just another name for bc liberal party?? Led by brian harper? brian mulroney? stephen harper? Will the REAL leader please step up and confess. No matter what party they name themselves it is always the same... just more tax cuts for the corporate and rich.
Nick (not verified)
8 years ago
Gawd I hope people don't fall for this nonsense. A decade of hard right policies, then a sudden shift, and all the pundits are waxing about how 'moderate' they suddenly are. Balderdash, and anyone with a modicum of sense can see it.
judyblue (not verified)
8 years ago
Yes, but has Stephen Harper ever worked in business? Has he ever been responsible for the bottom line? I'm concerned that all he is is a policy geek with no real life experience - all talk, politics and schmoozing. It's one thing to talk about life, it's another to live it. I don't sense wisdom or compassion in the man.
RG (not verified)
8 years ago
I guess the part of the article that really stuck in my craw was the statement about a 'key plank in the Conservative-style platform is Gordon Campbell-style income tax cuts aimed at middle income earners." Call me puzzled. A percentage tax cut (Campbell-style) increases your benefits the wealthier you are. Tax cuts combined with massive increases in 'user fees' (Gordon says we can't call these taxes)slams everyone but the wealthy. 'Conservatism' these days seems to mean providing for the rich. Parties who espouse these kinds of policies garner huge amounts of money and endless free pomotion in mainstream media outlets who are all owned by the rich. The obvious commitment of many politicians is to say whatever they have to in order to get elected. They then implement regressive policies with lightning speed. The great lesson we draw from Campbell is how much devastation one group can do in a single term. Stephen Harper, like Campbell before, will sound more moderate the closer he gets to winning more votes. Harper said to forget the rhetoric and watch the actions. Thanks, but I think I'd rather avoid watching him in power all together.
Anonymous
8 years ago
Do you want to hear scary? David Frum was on CPAC last night telling Ottawa's Mike Duffy how excited he and Richard Perle are about Steven Harper and the Conservatives possibility fo take power. Frum now a U.S. citizen (born in Canada I'm ashamed to say ) was the Bush speech writer who coined the infamous phrase "AXIS OF EVIL' and Perle known as "the prince of darkness" collaborated to write the horrible book "An End toEvil" which was an updated version of The Project for the New American Century. A recipe for American and Israeli world domination and perpetual wars by the U.S to achieve it . This included the need for a catastrophic event the equal of Pearl Harbor to convince the American people to be so fearful that they would back pre-emptive strikes against any country they chose. (www.pnac.info)
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
This whole election is scary. Well, the spin being put on it by Asper-ass kissing bunch at CKNW is scary and if--I know that it is a big IF (though not if you have to listen to even 5 minutes of their blather)--you believe what they want you to believe.
I'm so pissed off I want to write a letter of complaint and get something going. I mean, is it OKAY to call an editorial NEWS--in such a way as to suggest FACT--which, again, I think many people--certainly those who listen to that crap day in and day out--bolstered by their reading of the NEWSPAPERS--cannot discern the difference between fact and editorialing?
There was just a news bit on Layton's latest talk about raising 61 billion through taxation of high income canadians. The reporter who was covering this for the NEWS says that this represents typical garden variety NDP-speak. THe money, according to Layton, would go toward those typical NDP (nothing new there, she says) goodies like childcare etc. And she adds that no one is really listening too critically to Layton as he is, after all, NDP and they'll never make up a government. And more, if either of the 2 others [by which she meant Harpie and Marty]were to talk about 61 bil, it would be the end of their campaign as people would be all over them. In other words, we have our politcal party clowns, that's the NDP, and their just a joke so no one really critiques their platform--actually she said that.
And guess what else this "reporter" "reported"--YEAH--LIKE, she says, "as if Canadians making 200 to 300 thousand a year aren't already paying enough taxes..." Hell-fucking-OOOO. Who can afford to NOT pay taxes, tell me? SOmeone somewhere should have the stats on the number of canadians with before tax incomes in the 6 figures who pay more than 12$ a year in taxes once their well-paid accountants get to work on those deductions. THey must think we are all a bunch of fucking idiots. And this is NEWS! What does this DO to public opinion, I ask? It shapes it. Can't something be DONE about this? WHy are there only a handful of people that see this as a PROBLEM?????? I am seething, but will be fine after I make one more observation about Brother Mike. Here it is. So did you get this one? Mike Campbell is a 'research guy' and this is what he says frequently. Anyway, he tells his kids to be like that too. For instance, he gets them to read the newspaper! He's so dumb, one has to wonder about his credentials.
But what the hey, eh?
kaybertoss (not verified)
8 years ago
Oh the similarities between the Rod Love directed, Fraser Institute clan types such as Klein, Campbell, Harris and Harper are very obvious to us here leaving comments. With corporate media concentration at a ridiculous level in Canada (actually on both sides of the border) I wonder if people are getting all of the facts? I just hope all those un-informed Canadians realize what Harper truly represents when they cast their vote in a month or so. Also, I just have to say, I’m by no means anti-American but rather anti-Republican (Reagan-Bush). So the rhetoric used by the right that the “left†is anti-American is just that; Rhetoric. I’m just getting so sick of hearing this bleat by the right. Yeah, thanks for the compliment. I guess I’m one of those more intelligent people (well really I’m just a truck driver) out there who have tuned away from CKNW as well. From Bill Good’s biases to Sterling Faux’s political infomercials for the (Reform/Alliance) Conservative party, to the least intelligent and most insulting of them all Mike Campbell. Although, nothing insults my intelligence more over at CKNW than their own adds claiming that they are holding “Victoria’s feet to the fire.†While Mike Campbull (actually he just ignores provincial issues), Bill Good, Keith Baldry and to a lesser extent Vaughn Palmer dumb down and try to make excuses for Gordo’s Fiberals in that spirit of “we don’t want to help elect those dam pesky NDPers now would weâ€. Yes CKNW has gone down hill ever since Chorus Entertainment took over. Yeah, LOL….. give me a break! Fazil Mihlar (A Vancouver scum editor and right wing ideologue) and Mike Campbull patting each other on the back for an hour is very disgusting to say the least. How would people react eight years ago if it was say…Glen Clark’s brother (if he had one) as a radio host and Jim Sinclair as his guest for a full hour? The move to the corporate right at CKNW is very apparent. Again, due to that heaven forbid the NDP get back in mentality. The intensity of this occurrence seems to be increasing more and more now that Gordo and his Fiberal sheep are dropping in the polls regularly. Coincidence? Not likely. I would suggest an outright boycott of CKNW until they removed Mike Campbull and added a wider variety of opinions. At least have opposing views in regards to their guests. I would also suggest that complaining to CKNW hosts or management won’t work. I think there is a deliberate move to push radio listeners to the left or the right like they have done so in the States. Preach to the converted and sell them your useless ideas and junk. Writing Chorus management by email won’t work either, Chorus entertainment has no email address the last time I Checked. Only snail mail if you have the time.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Effle... CKNW is not the only game in town. I would listen to silence before I ever tuned into that bunch of tory trash.
Remember Izzy? (not verified)
8 years ago
Is Freedom of the Press Being Lost, One Newsroom at a Time? WE FORMER PUBLISHERS, EDITORS AND DIRECTORS OF SOUTHAM INC. INVITE YOU TO SAVE CANADA'S RICH DIVERSITY OF VOICES. What Was… The birth of printing added greatly to the diversity of voices that is democracy. Many newspapers sprang up; each was expected to advocate its owner's views. Time passed and newspapers grew larger, but fewer, until one-paper towns abounded and readers were often subject to a single owner's views. Elsewhere, press barons arose. Hearst used his chain of U.S. papers to instigate war with Spain in 1898. "Chain" became a troublesome word. But chains were not for the nation whose diverse voices gave birth to medicare and The Charter of Rights. In the century after Hearst, Southam Inc., Canada's largest group, believing the press to be a public trust, evolved the following policy: In the widely different environments in which we operate across this country, publishers and editors make their own editorial decisions. In our view publishers and editors who thoroughly understand the needs of their own communities are well placed to ensure many voices are heard throughout the land. On this foundation of freedom of the press, one newsroom at a time, Southam grew to 17 dailies and FP Publications increased to eight. Both treated press ownership as a public trust, and assembled groups rather than chains. So it was that many voices were heard throughout the land and Canada was the richer for it. What Is… CanWest now owns most of the Southam dailies. It also has many TV stations - a type of cross-media ownership once restricted by broadcast licensing. CRTC records show the company's combined newspapers and TV reach is a potential 97.6% of English-speaking Canadians. This Winnipeg conglomerate has brought us a new editorial policy; one that awakens us to the reality fewer voices are being heard across Canada: CanWest Global Communications requires its metro newspapers to publish editorials sent by head office. These newspapers are then forbidden to publish editorials contrary to the national editorials. Based on our years in the news and opinion business, the undersigned believe this new editorial policy limits freedom of the press in three significant ways: First, the gag order is ominous and the list of forbidden perspectives grows longer as time passes. Second, this change has already skewed editorials, commentary and news coverage about domestic and foreign issues. Third, we are deeply opposed to any trend that diminishes Canada's diversity of voices. CanWest has reawakened us to the daunting potential of concentration of newsroom ownership - particularly when a single firm owns other media. We can picture a time when one or two multi-channel media giants, each with a single national voice, will be telling us all what to think. One danger, of course, is a loss of diversity of voices - a diversity that is the essence of free speech, democracy and pluralism. The challenge is how to adjust the balance between "the right of owners" and "the public interest." What Next… While we respect the right of owners to behave as they choose within the law, and acknowledge CanWest is doing so, its present practices highlight a grave inadequacy in public policy. We invite you to think creatively about preserving freedom of the press, one newsroom at a time, in a manner fair to media owners and embraced by the public, that also prevents outside interference in Canada's newsrooms. In this spirit, as former publishers, editors and directors of Southam who continue to value a free press… We invite CanWest to review its new policy and return to one of full local editorial independence. We invite readers, listeners, viewers and advertisers to communicate with media owners and one another as to the value you place on diversity of opinion; and then to ask the media to present your diverse views. We invite our press councils, provincial and regional, to share publicly their valuable experience and perspectives concerning fair access to all media for all citizens. We invite our universities and colleges to help us better understand how free speech and freedom of the press compete with the rights of media owners in the public domain. And we invite our lawmakers to consider such strategies as tax incentives for media companies that meet objective criteria as to the independence of their/your newsrooms. Tax policies protect our culture from foreign ownership of Canadian media. Might they protect our diversity of voices from converging media companies? The caveat is the design of any such remedy must fully safeguard us all from government influence on the conduct of editorial freedom. --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- The Declaration and Signatories portions of this website appeared as an advertisement in The Globe and Mail, The Winnipeg Free Press and The Halifax Chronicle-Herald on Thursday, June 6, 2002. CanWest Declined To Run This Message In Its Present Form.
Kit (not verified)
8 years ago
Hello! Enough of the retread regurg right. Is there going to be some coverage of the other candidates?!
Frank (not verified)
8 years ago
Effle : How about setting up a "CKNW-watch" website :) Their unbalanced and silly comments could provide a lot of content on a daily basis, especially during the election campaign.
Corus/CKNW Email Addresses (not verified)
8 years ago
"Sandi Williams" "Tom Plasteras" , "Kathleen McNair" , "Jasmine Karimi" , "Lou Del Gobbo" , "John Hayes" http://www.cbsc.ca/ is the web site for the Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council.
lewis swift (not verified)
8 years ago
How about a new campaigning point for layton and the ndp this election: banning media monopolies like canwest and forcing them to sell off at least half their newspapers, especially in cities like vancouver where they control both papers...this would probably garner some votes as well as raising badly needed attention to this critical issue...
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
FRANK! What a great idea. I could set it up immediatedly (won't be fancy) and let people report on the quasi reporters. Might even see it for the papers too. Not that a public diss forum will change THEM, but it might do something to lower my blood pressure...
ANd it is true that they aren't the only game in town. I only listen because I like a little masochism in my life? Actually I don't listen for more than 5 minutes at a time usually. THe tub-thumper, Brother Mike, I can't even listen to for THAT long as he is just too stupid to tolerate and his self-aggrandizing makes me nauseous.
Last night I watched the CBC news just after watching some Glibal. Wow. Was it ever an illustration in rhetoric (in the classical sense of the word--which is to say deliberately, though not obviously, persuasive to their point of view). Glibal nearly blows Harper, while at the same time, blowing OFF Layton. No surprises, but it was so obvious--ESPECIALLY when you see the two broadcasts juxtaposed like that. Glibal did this thing whereby they made Layton's newly announced platform VISUALLY (!!!) look like a bunch of rabbits coming from a magician's hat, in that bullets SCROLLED by really fast and the commentary was all but saying "lordy, we can't keep up with this guy." When they put our Haaaaaper's points, they weren't MOVING bullets--rather they were stationary. That's the kind of thing that effects viewers at a level not immediately apparent.
The OTHER thing they did--and GET THIS PEOPLE--they did this supposedly sympathetic bit on the Greens. Oddly positioned to slice away at NDP support because,lemme tell you, based on the report they did on the Green Party, there would be an entire demo group who would now consider the Greens and they are the SAME people who were in the NDP camp. And NO this is not conspiracy theory, rather it is how these spinners (political consultants and party campaign "designers" WORK!) In the words of Philip Larkin (taken out of context and "politicans" inserted for "parents"), our politicians, they fuck us up.
ANd, yeah, the CBC is almost as guilty as Glibal, albeit they're not for Harpie. They did a Layton piece that might have been a campaign video. IT was however a much more informative piece--a counter, I suppose, to the glib crap that CKNW and the CanJest crew were doing.
Anonymous
8 years ago
THANK YOU THANK YOU to the former Editors and Publishers for your MOST IMPORTANT post on this site. The media is supposed to be the watchdog of democracy and this is sorley lacking in our Canadian papers. I remember when the esteemed Ottawa Citizen reporter quit because of Asper family trying to control the content of editorials and Rafe Mair went after the National Post when that happened and so many people stopped buying that disgusting excuse for a national paper . Some time later the old warhorse Rafe was fired for some silly mysterious reason after over 20 years of top ratings. Lots of mysterious things happen these days. Like the very successful head of CIBC being fired for no reason or explanation except leaving (but it leaves it open to privatization). Then the no reason or explantion for the firing of Brian Burke another great success story. If Burke leaves Vancouver I guess that would leave his wife Jennifer Mather's (on maternity leave) talk show host slot on CKNW open - you know the one Mikie Cambull is having a great time pushing the principles of the National Citizens Coalition for Harper on.
Anonymous
8 years ago
Sorry - I meant ICBC NOT CIBC.
nononsense (not verified)
8 years ago
BART SIMPSON: YOU ARE SO RIGHT ON IN YOUR REMARKS!
nononsense (not verified)
8 years ago
What did Harper say? He running on a platform of Liberal bashing and nothing much else. He accuses Martin of all the things the Conservatives did more than any other party in Canadian history. When we booted Mulroney out he has the title of "the most hated man in Canada" talk about corruption.greed, arrogance and mismanagement - they wrote the book. They are touting the fact that Harper united the party - not mentioning the lies and deception and backstabbing by him and Peter Mackay when they broke a written and signed promise not to merge before the ink was dry. Shades of Gordon Campbells lies and promises not to touch workers contracts. That is the first clue to hsi character , secondly he showed his vindictiveness when he was running for the nomination with Clement and Stronach.. Clements organizers suggested Stronach while possessing extensive finances, may have difficulty securing the nomination over Lois Brown in Newmarket-Aurora. And Harper was taken to task in a letter written by former Alliance MP John Cummins for his decision to endorse Ms Brown's candidacy. "Leaders and leadership candidates traditionally do not choose sides in nomination contests. That choice is usually left to the democratic process and wishes of party members in the riding." Mr Cummins wrote, "What does the decision to intervene say about your leadership style?" As soon as Harper secured the nomination John Cummins the absolute best man for the job was relagated to an obscure backbench and removed from his portfolio and Harpers first rule everybody in the party has to sign is "DO NOT CRITIZE THEIR LEADER' Another thing is Peter MacKay refused to account for who paid off Campaign Finances debt of $400,000.00. Sounds pretty sleazy to me. So far all I can see is lies. deception already and a platform of constant Martin and Liberal bashing. I guess he thinks if he can just keep the everybody angry at the Liberals long enough they won't get around to asking HIM any questions of substance Don't forget it was the Conservatives who brought in the GST and Free Trade which was part of the promise to David Orchard (to review the Free Trade Policy) There is lots of unfavorable bitching going on about Free Trade in the U.S. (watch Lou Dobbs on CNN . Orchard was right.
Bart Simpson (not verified)
8 years ago
John Cummins is a popular candidate in Richmond East/Delta. This is not intended to take anything from what nononsense is saying, but Cummins is against what he calls native "race-based" fisheries and Harper also did not agree with Cummin's position on salmon farms. Correct me if I am wrong, but Harper supports salmon fish farming. So Harper and Cummins do not agree on fisheries issues.
Koby (not verified)
8 years ago
Harper stated goal has been to lower Canadian taxes to such an extent that they lower than what they are in the US. At the same time, as mentioned above he promises to blance the budget. I will let you figure out where that leaves Canada's social programs. This all seems to be part of the plan. For Harper taxes cuts are a means of rolling back social programs. Indeed for 5 years Harper help head the National Citizens Coalition, three years as president and 2 years as VP. Founded in 1967 to fight public healthcare, the NCC raison d’ etat was succinctly put up in 1996 by then president David Somerville. “The fact of the matter is, we have stood since 1967 for more freedom through less government and we have promoted that philosophy in a number of different ways, through (public advocacy of) privatization, tax cuts, spending cuts and opposing gag laws. We’ve been consistent for almost 30 years.†If all this sounds familer, it is because the Heritage Foundation in the States is devoted to exactly the same end. Grover Norquist expressed the same idea in slightly different terms. He said that he wanted to so weaken the State by straving it of its life blood (i.e., tax revenue), that he could take it into a washroom and drown in in the bathtub. While I am at, it I might mention what a gem Ted White is and how puzzling it was that some people in the lead up to the 1997 election who did not like Kinsella digging up White's past. Why is this irksome? Kinsella pointed out that Ted White had a past relationship with Doug Christie. Doug Christie is not exactly a fine upstanding citizen and Kinsella was right to bring up that Ted White once belonged to Western separatist party that Christie heads, viz., the Western Canada Concept. For those who do not know, Doug Christie Victoria lawyer who has made a name for himself by defending Canada’s most notorious Neo Nazis and Holocaust deniers. Among others, Christie has defended Ernst Zundel, Terry Long, former leader of the Aryan Nations of Canada and James Keegstra. It not that he defends these people; it is that he sympathizes with them. In 1985, Vancouver broadcaster Gary Bannerman said "Doug Christie has aligned himself so many times with these perverted monsters that he has to be viewed as one himself." Christie sued Bannerman for libel and lost. He appealed the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada, and lost again. As for the Canadian Concept Party, under the guise of protecting Western Canadian cultural they have long held that "Asian" immigration should be stopped. There is a whole lot more that should be pointed out about Ted White. His outrageous claim he made in the house March 31 of last year comes to mind. "At least 40 per cent of all the Iranians living there (North Vancouver) are refugee claimantsâ€. "Most of them are bogus." Equally disturbing is that he one of two Alliance MPs that refused to condemn ex Alliance family issues critic Larry Spencer homophobic comments. Spencer said that homosexuality should be illegal and that there is secret homosexual conspiracy to bring children into their ranks. Oh well, what can you except for candidate whose leader said back in 2001 that "west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society.â€
Bart Simpson (not verified)
8 years ago
Despite the chastising and then resignation of his "bilingualism critic" Harper is openly talking about making changes to Francophone services. He is trying to say changes are needed and has indicated that he wants to reduce these services outside of Quebec. He probably wants to eliminate much if not most of these services in English Canada. Are they ever going to win a seat in Quebec when they make statements of this nature?
What is going to pop up next from the hidden agenda?
Kit (not verified)
8 years ago
Again, this is plainly about "not worth the paper any aggreement (remember Orchard RE: NAFTA) is written on. I'm quite impressed as to how Layton is carrying most is not all the new ideas: Martin and Harper are same old - same old - same Alliance Reform policy (but more plainly visible), same '93 Liberal retreads with no inovation, and greatr willingness to be American military bedfellows.Whatever there was left of a social Liberal went completely out the door with Sheila Copps - and she was ushered out in the crassest way by her own party through Martin. Copps at least pushed for Canadians (and for getting rid of the GST as the liberals "promised" - by resigning!! and was re-elected again, for her credibility)..and most importantly Canadian culture at every turn. Her treatment was a blatant corporate style boardroom political backstab of the worst form.
Robert (not verified)
8 years ago
Harper has spoken a lot of truths that some Canadians refuse to hear hasn't he? He's the most honest and intelligent politician we've got and deserves our support. We have a chance to make Canada a great country once again if we can reverse the damage the Liberals have caused, in order to do that Canadians must vote for Stephen Harper.
Bart Simpson (not verified)
8 years ago
Robert, Harper is NOT being honest at all right now. He is trying to tell us that he is a moderate and is not telling anyone that he is going to dismantle as many government services as possible. I can live with the Sponsorship program and its goal of keeping Quebec within Canada. Is everyone forgetting that Preston Manning and Stockwell Day were also trying to portray themselves as moderates? They like to use euphemisms instead of coming out and saying things like "let's keep the niggers and the pakkis out". Some of them are not capable of saying things in a nice way and it becomes a big story; it happens every election.
Cheryl (not verified)
8 years ago
If the Conservative Party forms the next government it will be a real threat to the sovereignty (worse than it is already) of this great country. I feel the Canadian Action Party has a real vision for a strong, independent and democratic country. A vision that encompasses the true values and identity of what Canadians (who truly love and care about this country) stand for. If you have not looked at their website and what they stand for, check it out. Be sure to read the two main headings under Election 2004 . I feel the CAP party is the real future of this country as they continue to expand their candidates across the country.
CMR (not verified)
8 years ago
I think you're all missing the point. As of today, you have a choice between A right wig twit like Harper and Martin ... a man who swears he didn't know about the sponsorship scandal and has promised that a $2 million dollar gun registry will only cost us $25 million a year. .... go Jack!
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
The Tory Party doesn't even know what they represent. That is because they haven't recieved thier marching orders from Washington DC. Until then, we will suffer the condescending, touchy feely good statements from the moron on the right that only try to redefine him as something he is not. Harper's been trash talking and hating Canada since Mulroney so it is no secret what he really thinks. Why didn't the Torys just pick a more moderate leader in the first place if that is what they want to pretend to be?
lewis swift (not verified)
8 years ago
Harper would be as big a disaster for Canada as gordon campbell has been for bc. And as many have pointed out in this thread balanced budgets, while they can be desirable, can also be used as a club to beat social programs into the ground, especially if you begin a term of office by giving a %25 taxcut to the rich, as stephen harper, like gordon campbell, would undoubtedly do shortly after being elected, on top of the already unaffordable %25 taxcut for the middle class...(especially if you pass laws stating the budget must be balanced.} This is simply a ready-made composting grinder to feed social programs like the canada pension plan, medicare and social transfers for the poor into and, it is, of course, exactly what campbell has done in bc, and harper will do to canada ...and for all you upper middle class twits who think this won't matter to you or your family, well...you'd be surprised at the number of upper middle class people I've known who were damned glad of that canada pension, who weren't as wealthy when they retired as they thought they'd be and used their pension cheques to pay the mortgage or the rent or for groceries and other neccessities...it only takes one error in finacial judgement, buying or selling a home at the wrong time, taking out a second mortgage, an enexpected financial crisis etc ...and private medical plans? -you'd be surprised at the loopholes in all but the best and most expensive medical plans as many americans have found out to their intense regret, it's not what your doctor thinks you need but what the companies lawyers and owners are willing to give you, in most cases, as little as possible... On another note, I was moved to near projectile vomiting by canwest media's touting of the return of that ancient, halfbright reactionary john crosbie, a newfoundland mulroney conservative as "proof" that that harper's reformatories are progressive in outlook, john crosbie was a neoconsevative before the word was even coined...I remember mostly his constant attacks on poor atlantic canadians and his endless poor bashing...
Bart Simpson (not verified)
8 years ago
The reporters were calling John Crosbie a "RED" Tory and that his joining the Conservatives was a sign of the moderation of the party. Was he ever a red Tory or is this more propaganda that the Conservatives are feeding to the media?
muffinman (not verified)
8 years ago
Your'e all a bit silly,but id like to make two comments,three actually;all about REAL change. 1. The west always shoots itself in the foot at federal election time.We will always vote for the 'opposition', till there is a true democratic process in place. 2. The USA,Canada and Mexico need to remove the borders and do as the European community has. 3. Until the above two gems are attended to, we will be making the same comments in the future over and over and over, just as we have done in the past over and over.
Bart Simpson (not verified)
8 years ago
I would prefer that we move to make ourselves more like Europe. Removing borders to the USA is not going to happen; the Americans would not allow it. Canada would have to become much more American to be able to remove the border. Why do you think that this would create "true democracy"?
Fred warren (not verified)
8 years ago
I laugh when I read the anti Harris comments. Did any of you detractors live in Ontario during that terrible time when he ruled? Don't talk about things you know nothing about. I did and still do live in Toronto although originally from BC. Ontario is still a have province (unlike BC) and doing well, How did those softwood tarrifs feel? Mike made some tough decisions and Ontario did well because of it. Just because your Minister is an idiot don't assume Harris and Harper will be the same. The BC economy is hurting mostly because of your Socialist goverments in the past. And a anti-American attitude of the current federal government. I have lived in both provinces and was suprised how much waste existed in your government. Say what you want about Harris, he kept Ontario healthy.
Bart Simpson (not verified)
8 years ago
I have lived in Ontario for 33 years. Harris created the biggest deficits in Ontario history. Harper is exactly the same as Campbell and Harris. The NDP government inherited a $2 billion deficit from the Social Credit government and worked hard to make the cutbacks required to balance the budget. It took a couple of years to do it, but BC had balanced budgets in the last few years of the NDP government. Gordon Campbell comes in and immediately brings back the deficit spending. It is the Social Democrats who are the good managers of the budgets, not the right wingers. The same was true in Ontario and also with the Mulroney government. Who was it who said that not all conservatives are stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives?
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
I don't think Mr harper is an idiot at all Fred. I assume he is just another Moron(ey). Just like the shrub.
Kaybertoss (not verified)
8 years ago
Why won’t Stephen Harper look us Canadians in the eye while he is talking with the media? I’ve noticed that he is always looking down at his feet! Does his body language suggest that he is continually lying?????
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
we think someone's coached Harper how to look and move like JFK. Check out the haircut, yeah?
Koby (not verified)
8 years ago
Fred what does the soft wood lumber tariffs have to do with anything? If you think the Americans imposed this because of the Liberals, you are flat wrong. The ban was a political calculation by Bush people. It had nothing to do with wanting to punish the Liberals. The relationship between the two countries has developed well beyond play ground politics. As for the troubles of the BC economy, the issue is a lot more involved than the actions of a few "socialist" governments. Over the course of the last 17 years, BC has had some real bad governments, Social Credit, Liberal and NDP. To make matters worse, there are real problems with the BC economy and there is no magic formula for making things work. Both the NDP and Liberals deluded themselves into thinking that there was. Glen Clark thought the fast cats would revamp the ship building industry in BC. He was on crack for thinking this true. On the other side of things, despite the warnings incredulous critics Campbell fell under the same trap and implemented 2 Billion worth of tax cuts. If you look at the records of the various governments I think you will find Ujjal Dosanjh to have the best. Do not get me started on that cancer that was Mike Harris.
lewis swift (not verified)
8 years ago
Mike harris was a disaster and left a huge debt, incredibly enough after governing during a boom economy -the nineties, and fred warren, we all know who his decisions were tough ON: the poor, the old, the young, everyone but the wealthy and the very upper midleclass, although with the hole he left I guess a lot of them aren't doing too well these days, how do like your new hydro rates....the myth of rightwing fiscal responsibility is an utter crock as mike harris, ronald reagan,and brian mulroney have all proved and as stephen harper will prove should canadians be stupid, shortsighted and selfish enough to elect him...hoped you saved a lot of money for your kids or grandkids future from your taxcut, mike harris helped gut their education and healthcare in both quality and affordability....
Anonymous
8 years ago
Its ironic that Harper is talking honesty and integrity while he is hiding who he really is by doing nothing but attacking Martin and avoiding questions. r.
Anonymous
8 years ago
No Leonard - not a smart George W Bush ..... more like a good looking Paul Wolfowitz would be closer to the truth, I think.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
Actiually, if you get a photo of Harper, and if you pull Harper's bang down vectoring from his part to just above his right eye and then add an Adolf moustache the results are rather remarkable. It's a mirror image of the Austrian Corporal. It left me wondering about a new slogan for the moron. Stephen Harper...Another place...Another time.
Anonymous
8 years ago
and when he puts his hand out for the lord like that.....
Koby (not verified)
8 years ago
I think Tyee should do a whole article about what Alliance/Conservative members have said. Take the following gem from Ted White. He is anti-intellectual on steriods. "I cannot conceive of any way in which research in the fields of fine arts, classical studies, philosophy, anthropology, modern languages and literature, or medieval studies, which together accounted for over $5.3 million in grants from SSHRC in the last fiscal year, contributes to any ‘understanding of Canadian society of the challenges we face as we enter the 21st century.’ Research into such fields, as far as my constituents are concerned, constitutes a personal past-time, and has no benefit to Canadian taxpayers. As their representative, I cannot justify funding such activities with their tax dollars."
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
8 years ago
That's a great point Koby. Might I add that a tax cut will never make you free but the abillity to express your culture is what defines your freedom.
nononsense (not verified)
8 years ago
Didn't the Liberal Party do a website that listed the things Stephen Harper said.?
Lynn Smyth (not verified)
8 years ago
Koby: That is a great "gem" from Ted White. I guess the mere study of mankind is just trivial "stuff" to ponder, a waste of time and money, when you have more weighty subjects to contemplate in The Church Lady Digest. I agree with effle on the scary JFK haircut...brings back haunting memories of Doris's wetsuit attempt at image. By the way, I think we should have a contest: What will be this so-called "Conservative" party's next name to squirm under the radar with?
Dana Owen Still (not verified)
8 years ago
Stephen Harper is a fine example of a leopard changing it's spots and then convincing everyone that it was never really a leopard anyway so the old adage doesn't apply. My main question about him is this: Is he dissembling now that he's telling us he's moderated his views or was he dissembling before when he sounded like a right wing western isolationist Grover Norquist wacko? In either case he's a dissembler. But the Conservatives have already demonstrated a remarkable degree of comfort with dissembling. Lyin' Peter MacKay springs to mind. Harper and the Conservatives have probably been reading Leo Strauss who favoured the ability of ruling elites to utilize deception in order to rule. According to Shadia Drury, U. of Calgary, "...Strauss believed that "those who are fit to rule are those who realize there is no morality and that there is only one natural right – the right of the superior to rule over the inferior." This dichotomy requires "perpetual deception" between the rulers and the ruled, according to Drury. Robert Locke, another Strauss analyst says,"The people are told what they need to know and no more." While the elite few are capable of absorbing the absence of any moral truth, Strauss thought, the masses could not cope. If exposed to the absence of absolute truth, they would quickly fall into nihilism or anarchy, according to Drury, author of 'Leo Strauss and the American Right' (St. Martin's 1999)." Of course we Canadians have long practice at voting against our own interests as citizens and for the interests of the elites. So we aren't likely to notice any differences other than ones of degree. For a few years.
effle (not verified)
8 years ago
Koby, I'd like to write something to complain to the moron Ted White. Do ya have a time and date on that quote about SSHRC and the moron's take on study of humanities. What a freaking tard. I am so sick of these idiots....
Lynn Smyth (not verified)
8 years ago
I agree, Dana, there never was a leopard. I don't think even Harper knows who he is, other than he fits into the psychology of his party which is stringent, authoritarian, and centered around control. The triumph of the grey men; soul less and lacking in vision. What is so bloody disturbing is that so much of our country's time and media coverage have been monopolized by their antics - whether Preston will stay or go, how to get rid of "Doris", the MacKay two-step, the whole Reform - Alliance - Conservative-Alliance - Conservative once again sham. A sheer waste of time. Now I know why they say that the insects will eventually inherit the earth. It's the strength of the lowest common denominator.
nononsense (not verified)
7 years ago
Somebody better better start insisting Harper answer some questions - especially about what his foreign policy is going to be. He is still only attacking
ef (not verified)
7 years ago
Fred, earth to Fred. Hey there, you're not so unique as you seem to think--having lived in BC AND Ontario isn't really unusual among Canadians. WHy, I've done it myself. ANd during Harris' regime too. Silly of you to assume that others haven't done what you have.
nononsense (not verified)
7 years ago
I thought the meaning of a term I heard recently was so fitting for many pundits in particular Norman Spector and some of the CKNW talk show hosts that i have to repeat it....the word is ADHOMINEM - dictionary definition is: 1. Appealing to one's prejudices, selfish interests, etc rather than listen to reason. 1. Attacking one's opponent rather than dealing with the subject under discussion. Lots of adhominem attacks going on.
lisa simpson (not verified)
7 years ago
I too wish that some media type would live up the the "hold their feet to the fire" claim--get Harper answering questions about Iraq, and get him to answer to (horrors of horrors) what he intends to do to rescind what rights a woman has over her reproductive life.
Lynn Smyth (not verified)
7 years ago
Harper should be answering questions about Iraq. He's saying today that he's going to vastly increase miltary spending so what's left for medicare and social services? If we have this handy dandy military won't we just become a convenient additional force to supplement the U.S. "new century" war expansion agenda? eg. Blair and Britain. (No wonder David Frum is doing a jig over Harper) Call me a flake, but peacekeeping still seems an honourable badge for a country to wear. D. H Lawrence once said that he believed in an aristocracy of leadership that was not based on privilege of birth or wealth but on the leader's ability to promote life; whose robust vision contained ideas that fueled the soul, the body, the intellect, and the vitality of man. What prevails today is far from that.
Dana Owen Still (not verified)
7 years ago
A Harper government will have us in lockstep with US policy within a year of being elected. Not necessarily because of any particular action on a Harper government's part but rather because they will not have the wherewithal to say "no thankyou". In much the same way John Diefenbaker was unable to resist Kennedy's request to destroy the Avro Arrow program. Or Mulroney's caving in to the US on trade. The conservative political movement in Canada, by whatever name it has chosen over the years, has almost always placed itself at the disposal of the US government in ways that have more frequently than not turned out to be detrimental to Canada.
koby (not verified)
7 years ago
Someone asked me earlier where the Ted White quote came from. It was came from the McMaster University Facaulty Newspaper. Dec/Jan 2001 issue. They did not say were they got it from though. So,I am checking on that.
koby (not verified)
7 years ago
Dana Owen Still, Diefenbaker hated Kennedy with a passion. By the way, the success of the Avro Arrow is more a myth than fact. It is really a by product of George Grant types. There has been no love loss between many US presidents and Canadian PMs. Just before he was to meet with Lydon Johnson at Camp David, Person gave an anti-war speech in Philly. Johnson (6,3) grabbed Person (5 foot nothing) by his shirt collar and yelled "you pissed on my rug". Nixon called Trudeau a "Pompeous egg head" and an "asshol-". When one of Nixon's comments became public knowledge, Trudeau responded by saying "I have been called worse things by better people." On the flip side things Mulroney did get on well with both Reagan and Bush.
Koby (not verified)
7 years ago
Harper scares the crap out of me. He makes Mulroney look like a "pinko" by comparison. In order to really appreciate just how radical a platform he has, read what Paul Krugman has to say about Grover Norquist, Americans for Tax Reform and Heritage Foundation. What applies to them, also applies to Harper and the rest of the Alliance crew. The National Citizens Coalition and the Americans for Tax Reform are sister organization and yes, you guessed it, Norquist headed up one and Harper the other.
nononsense (not verified)
7 years ago
I caught a bit of Mikie Cambull's Limbaugh chatter today and there he was trying the same crap Bush and his Pentagon neo-cons pulled on the Americans talking about the threats from the terrorists on Canada and trying to work his listeners up to a feeling of fear . What he was really doing was preparing the public so that they would think Harpers idea that we need a big military was a good idea. I think most of his callers are his coherts from the NCC and of course they agree. Thats was most of the CKNW neocon talk show hosts do ..... introduce some topic that is going to be on the conservative menu and get the people falling all over themselves to agree - like a bunch of simple minded sheep. It's SCREAM time.
effle (not verified)
7 years ago
you are right nononsense. I caught just a bit of the local Limbaugh's crap and it was so stupidly an attempt to do exactly what you say that I turned it off. As I always say, the thing that scares me (besides Harper and his kind) is that there are people who call into CKNW who have completely bought into this culture of fear stuff they dissemiinate. I mean, yes, they are uninformed and unaware, but they are, I fear, the majority.
That's what I think will happen too. I think Harper may get in with a majority, though I hope I'm wrong.
koby (not verified)
7 years ago
Conservatives said Stephen Harper MP: "When Mr. Harper rose to blast the Liberal government for "shameful" conduct and alluded to newspaper "mug shots" of four Liberal ministers. He remarked that the pictures could be posted "in most of the police stations in the country." When Mr. Robinson rose to complain about the unparliamentary language, Mr. Harper retorted: "Mr. Speaker, I am sure the picture of the honourable member of the NDP is posted in much more wonderful places than just police stations." Stockwell Day, MP: On how AIDS is God's punishment for gays: "I believe that everybody has the freedom to make their own choices on how they're going to live. My personal belief in scripture leads me to believe there are negative consequences incurred when we engage in activities the Bible warns us of our engaging in." Myron Thompson, MP: “I want the whole world to know that I do not condone homosexuals. I hate homosexuality.†Garry Breitkreuz, MP: "If this Bill passes, the institution of marriage will be the next casualty of gay and lesbian lobby groups and weak-kneed politicians. In the 1950s, buggery was a criminal offence, now it’s a requirement to receive benefits from the federal government.†John Williams, MP:“Going back to the dawn of history and even before, society has organized its way in solid, committed unions between men and women. That is the way in which every society in the world has organized itself. There must be something in it.†Lee Morrison, MP: “I frankly do not care how homosexuals choose to organize their lives, but to treat their unions as de facto marriages is downright silly. Not too many years ago, if anyone had suggested that homosexual couples living together under the same roof should be awarded the same social benefits as married people, they would have been laughed out of town. It would have been considered hilarious. Yet here we are. Is this progress? I doubt it.†Reed Elley, MP:“By the mid-1960s we were in the midst of a sexual revolution. The feminist movement started a strident campaign to bring women into the 20th century. They wanted vengeance and retribution. A gradual blurring of the sexes occurred that gave young men growing up in many female dominated, single parent homes an identity crisis. This led to a rise in militant homosexuality The things that had been considered improper went looking for a desperate legitimacy. In my view, no government can make legitimate any behaviour that has for centuries by tradition, custom, faith and the social contract been seen as destructive to family life If this bill passes without the amendments we have suggested, it will be a sad day for Canada and I, for one, would never want to be a part of that kind of country.†Robert Ringma MP: Said in May, 1996, he would fire a black or gay person or move them "to the back of the shop" if their presence offended bigoted customers. Mr. Ringma quit as Reform party whip. David Chatters MP: Echoed Mr. Ringma's remarks about gays and said a private religious college would be justified in firing an openly gay teacher. The Alberta MP was temporarily suspended from caucus. Grant Hill MP: Alberta doctor described homosexuality as an "unhealthy lifestyle" in making references to certain illnesses more common among gays. He has repeated the remarks, even while running for party leader five years after first making them in 1996. Cheryl Gallant MP: In April, 2002, the Ontario MP shouted "ask your boyfriend" at Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham in Question Period. Ms. Gallant denied making the comment, telling local reporters she was a victim of a "smear campaign" by the national media. She later apologized. Larry Spencer MP: Said homosexuality should be illegal and alleged that a conspiracy to promote it includes the infiltration of North America's judiciary, schools and governments. The Saskatchewan MP was suspended from caucus. Spencer's apology: "I wish to apologize completely and without reservation for the personal comments I made in an interview yesterday with Peter O'Neil of the Vancouver Sun. "I retract the statement I made indicating I would support a bill to criminalize homosexuality. I do not believe that homosexual behaviour should be criminalized or that homosexuals should be persecuted. "I apologize for linking the homosexual community with pedophilia. I was wrong to draw such an inference. "I apologize to my colleague Svend Robinson. I have the utmost respect for Mr. Robinson as both an individual and as a parliamentarian. "Lastly, I apologize to Stephen Harper, the Canadian Alliance Caucus and supporters of the soon-to-be formed Conservative Party of Canada. "I take full responsibility for my comments. "They do not, in any way, reflect the views of my leader nor my party. "This is why I volunteered to withdraw from the Canadian Alliance Caucus. "I will not be making any further public comments on this issue." Stockwell Day, MP: "On the links between abortion and child abuse: "The thinking is, if you can cut a child to pieces or burn them alive with salt solution while they're still in the womb, what's wrong with knocking them around a little when they're outside the womb?" Betty Granger, candidate: In November, 2000, Ms. Granger told University of Winnipeg students an "Asian invasion" was choking Canada's universities and influencing the West Coast economy. She resigned from the campaign. Brian Fitzpatrick: candidate: In the November, 2000, election theSaskatchewan MP said during a native-organized candidates debate: "You can't scalp me because I haven't got much hair on top of my head." He was elected. Ted White: MP ""At least 40 per cent of all the Iranians living there (North Vancouver) are refugee claimantsâ€. "Most of them are bogus." Ted White: MP "I cannot conceive of any way in which research in the fields of fine arts, classical studies, philosophy, anthropology, modern languages and literature, or medieval studies, which together accounted for over $5.3 million in grants from SSHRC in the last fiscal year, contributes to any ‘understanding of Canadian society of the challenges we face as we enter the 21st century.’ Research into such fields, as far as my constituents are concerned, constitutes a personal past-time, and has no benefit to Canadian taxpayers. As their representative, I cannot justify funding such activities with their tax dollars." Dr. Laura Moss, a professor of Canadian and World literature at the University of Manitoba, feels that White's attack on federally funded research itself undermines the mandate of the SSHRC. "The list of topics that MP Ted White finds questionable may be roughly broken into five categories: those based on gender norms and critiquing gender roles in Canadian society, those based on race, those based on youth culture, those based on studies of 'foreign' cultures, and those based on reassessing history," Moss explained. "Paradoxically, by calling into question the value of work that deals with gender, race, multiculturalism, culture, history, and generational differences, White is reinforcing the very necessity for such work as representing some of the challenges we, as Canadians, face as we enter the 21st century," Rob Anders MP: A former Republican who a Tulsa newspaper noted "personifies the bad taste, deception, right-wing extremism and mean sprit†called Nelson Mandela a “communist and terrorist†and noted that South African was better under Apartheid. Stephen Harper 2001: "West of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society.â€
lewis swift (not verified)
7 years ago
For what it's worth, I too am moved, like most poststers on this page to a state of fear and loathing at the thought of a stephen harper government, however I was somewhat heartened to see layton's performance, which even got on one of globals channel 8 newscasts, quoth layton, "If you like what gordon campbell did to bc, vote for paul martin, if you LOVED it, vote for stephen harper..." Layton also got off a few nifty remarks about "paul harper," and "stephen martin..." Those are good memes, or seductively repeatable populist catch phrases, let's spread them around, people...Layton also intends to return to bc at least once a week, knowing bc could be crucial to a minority government. And even if harper hasn't stumbled much yet, his rank and file are beginning to and will as ever, be unable to resist the occasional racist, sexist, classist, homophobic or that other reformatory favorite, stupidist, remarks....also another scenario, normally the block and ndp can't cooperate all that much but if either harper or martin slashed social transfers more, the ndp and the bloc (which often seems quite leftist, is it??) could cooperate with the justification of helping keep quebec in canada, after all, quebecers love social programs, probably even more than the average canadian...If people here want to mess harper up a little get on every centrist talk show and e-mail egress -cbc, 6 o'clock news, island vi, 6pm, right on sunday, 5pm and demand loudly, eloquently and repetively for harper or any conservative running for office to swear that harper won't do to canada what campbell did to bc, that there will be no massive uncampaigned on taxcuts for the rich, point out the illogics of his position, the holes in his rhetoric, phone in or email a rant to the westender...
effle (not verified)
7 years ago
And GET HARPER TALKING about IRAQ!!!! If only there was national-in-yer-face coverage of that aspect of Harper's harping, it would turn away alot of the people who are otherwise poised to cast a vote in his direction.
If anything brings Bush to his knees down south, it won't be their economy (which is troubled), but it will be the knowledge (in spite of the Pentagon censoring the images) of the body bags coming home with dead young men (I don't think many women have died over there yet), and The Handover which is sure to be rocky (not to mention a re-definition of what sovereignty means).
Harper wanted Canadians in there from the start, and his military platform suggests Canada, if he wins (and I think he will), will be there momentarily.
I can't figure out why Harper is getting off so light on this aspect of his political leaning. Well, I can actually--given who Canwest wants to see in the PMO.
And listening to his plank on reformation of the penal law just scares the shite outa me. He will turn Canada into antoher US. NOT that I think hardened criminals belong on the street, but to do what Harper wants will ensure that capital punishment is the next thing. ANd not only that--200 more RCMP? Can I please say again that the cut-taxes agenda (that seduces SO MANY) and the get-government-out-of-service-deliver motive OPENS the door for big business to run the country, with government so crippled by revenue decreases that it CANNOT provide shit to its citizens, and can and will ONLY be suppliers of POLICE and MILITARY.
My gosh, look at what Harper wants to do (and that's only what the snake tongued demon is admitting to!)and it is clear. He wants to take Canada in this direction and it is scary, scary, scary. I think his kind of extremism should be making us all quake in our boots. And if he makes up the next government, I think it might spell the unheard of (in Canada) insofar as civil disobedience is concerned. Kind of extreme of me, actually, but that is how much a Harper scares those of us with a working brain cell. Unite the Right? This sitution is so bad that there ought to be a unite the REST just as sheer defensive strategy. I'd rather even Martin than Harper.
Bart Simpson (not verified)
7 years ago
One of Gordon Campbell's responses to Layton: "The NDP hates business". The converse would be that the Conservatives (including Gordon Campbell) hate people.
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
7 years ago
Where is Harper going to get all the funds for all his fluffy feelgood promises? With his tax cuts and the law and order inititiative taking up about 40 billion it works out to almost 25 percent of the country's budget. He's still got to cater to Corporate Canada, Quebec, health care, natives and everything else imaginable, including pensioners, disabled, the unemployed, and fisheries allocations to name a few.
bvc (not verified)
7 years ago
Just heard Harper on CBC Vanc. noon news and guess what he said? Same old Corporate tax cuts and also some for small business tax cuts. He is even a bigger liar than Gordo Cambull who said all the same things and nobody elected him but next time he lied and many voted for him and the old "holy smoke" look what happened - pure arrogance and distain for the electorate. Haven't the Coporations had enough tax breaks over the years? They used to pay a rate of 30% give or take and now its 7 - 10% AND plus all the SUBSIDIES, WRITE-OFFS,GIVE -AWAYS and they still whine about not making enough $$ for Big Business and what about me and my neighbour who are kicking in the $$ that go to them and then more to pay more for our citizen rights. If I remember right there was a scare last Federal election of Conservatives (or whatever name handle they go by) winning and that is how the Liberals won last time. I do not want my country to be a mirror image of U.S. or global Corporations. It is a sad time for world citizens when most large world political parties give no fair electoral choices. I really only have one choice left to me and that is N.D.P. and I am even wary of them breaking promises.
nononsense (not verified)
7 years ago
Right on Effie. How do you separate your paragraphs on here? I seem to only be able to run everything into one lump of thing. Also what does a Country famous for our ability for peacekeeping mission and things of that nature need with gunship helicopters and tanks and two aircraft carriers. That sounds like aggressive warfare to me. Sounds like Israel.
effle (not verified)
7 years ago
Hi nononsense. Just use the tage < p > like that, but without the spaces. WHen the browsers read that sign, they leave a paragraph (you used to have to turn off the tag with < /p > like that, but I don't think you need to anymore. Just do the <> with the p in the middle and that will work.
Well, where oh where can I post my complaint to the CRTC about a certain talkshow radio host who, today, decided to be "frivolous" and ask his listeners to call in with their idea of "the most beautiful woman (and you can't say your wife, boys, wink wink, nudge nudge)". Not that it should matter, but this just after a bit on the Ramsey case in Prince George. Sensitive guy, our Rush Limbaugh. Buffoon. I shouldn't use the tyee as a sounding board, I guess, but, errr, if anyone had the misfortune to hear it, you might want to pen something to the CRTC.
effle (not verified)
7 years ago
I hope it's alright to say that here. I mean, it is the opinion of a reader (me) and not necessarily of the tyee editorship etc. Maybe I will put it under one of the canwest articles....
koby (not verified)
7 years ago
Stephen Harper MP: "When Mr. Harper rose to blast the Liberal government for "shameful" conduct and alluded to newspaper "mug shots" of four Liberal ministers. He remarked that the pictures could be posted "in most of the police stations in the country." When Mr. Robinson rose to complain about the unparliamentary language, Mr. Harper retorted: "Mr. Speaker, I am sure the picture of the honourable member of the NDP is posted in much more wonderful places than just police stations."
Stockwell Day, MP: On how AIDS is God's punishment for gays: "I believe that everybody has the freedom to make their own choices on how they're going to live. My personal belief in scripture leads me to believe there are negative consequences incurred when we engage in activities the Bible warns us of our engaging in."
Myron Thompson, MP: “I want the whole world to know that I do not condone homosexuals. I hate homosexuality.â€
Garry Breitkreuz, MP: "If this Bill passes, the institution of marriage will be the next casualty of gay and lesbian lobby groups and weak-kneed politicians. In the 1950s, buggery was a criminal offence, now it’s a requirement to receive benefits from the federal government.â€
John Williams, MP:“Going back to the dawn of history and even before, society has organized its way in solid, committed unions between men and women. That is the way in which every society in the world has organized itself. There must be something in it.â€
Lee Morrison, MP: “I frankly do not care how homosexuals choose to organize their lives, but to treat their unions as de facto marriages is downright silly. Not too many years ago, if anyone had suggested that homosexual couples living together under the same roof should be awarded the same social benefits as married people, they would have been laughed out of town. It would have been considered hilarious. Yet here we are. Is this progress? I doubt it.â€
Reed Elley, MP:“By the mid-1960s we were in the midst of a sexual revolution. The feminist movement started a strident campaign to bring women into the 20th century. They wanted vengeance and retribution. A gradual blurring of the sexes occurred that gave young men growing up in many female dominated, single parent homes an identity crisis. This led to a rise in militant homosexuality The things that had been considered improper went looking for a desperate legitimacy. In my view, no government can make legitimate any behaviour that has for centuries by tradition, custom, faith and the social contract been seen as destructive to family life If this bill passes without the amendments we have suggested, it will be a sad day for Canada and I, for one, would never want to be a part of that kind of country.â€
Robert Ringma MP: Said in May, 1996, he would fire a black or gay person or move them "to the back of the shop" if their presence offended bigoted customers. Mr. Ringma quit as Reform party whip.
David Chatters MP: Echoed Mr. Ringma's remarks about gays and said a private religious college would be justified in firing an openly gay teacher. The Alberta MP was temporarily suspended from caucus.
Grant Hill MP: Alberta doctor described homosexuality as an "unhealthy lifestyle" in making references to certain illnesses more common among gays. He has repeated the remarks, even while running for party leader five years after first making them in 1996.
Cheryl Gallant MP: In April, 2002, the Ontario MP shouted "ask your boyfriend" at Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham in Question Period. Ms. Gallant denied making the comment, telling local reporters she was a victim of a "smear campaign" by the national media. She later apologized.
Larry Spencer MP: Said homosexuality should be illegal and alleged that a conspiracy to promote it includes the infiltration of North America's judiciary, schools and governments. The Saskatchewan MP was suspended from caucus.
Spencer's apology: "I wish to apologize completely and without reservation for the personal comments I made in an interview yesterday with Peter O'Neil of the Vancouver Sun. "I retract the statement I made indicating I would support a bill to criminalize homosexuality. I do not believe that homosexual behaviour should be criminalized or that homosexuals should be persecuted. "I apologize for linking the homosexual community with pedophilia. I was wrong to draw such an inference. "I apologize to my colleague Svend Robinson. I have the utmost respect for Mr. Robinson as both an individual and as a parliamentarian. "Lastly, I apologize to Stephen Harper, the Canadian Alliance Caucus and supporters of the soon-to-be formed Conservative Party of Canada. "I take full responsibility for my comments. "They do not, in any way, reflect the views of my leader nor my party. "This is why I volunteered to withdraw from the Canadian Alliance Caucus. "I will not be making any further public comments on this issue."
Stockwell Day, MP: "On the links between abortion and child abuse: "The thinking is, if you can cut a child to pieces or burn them alive with salt solution while they're still in the womb, what's wrong with knocking them around a little when they're outside the womb?"
Betty Granger, candidate: In November, 2000, Ms. Granger told University of Winnipeg students an "Asian invasion" was choking Canada's universities and influencing the West Coast economy. She resigned from the campaign.
Brian Fitzpatrick: candidate: In the November, 2000, election theSaskatchewan MP said during a native-organized candidates debate: "You can't scalp me because I haven't got much hair on top of my head." He was elected.
Ted White: MP ""At least 40 per cent of all the Iranians living there (North Vancouver) are refugee claimantsâ€. "Most of them are bogus."
Ted White: MP "I cannot conceive of any way in which research in the fields of fine arts, classical studies, philosophy, anthropology, modern languages and literature, or medieval studies, which together accounted for over $5.3 million in grants from SSHRC in the last fiscal year, contributes to any ‘understanding of Canadian society of the challenges we face as we enter the 21st century.’ Research into such fields, as far as my constituents are concerned, constitutes a personal past-time, and has no benefit to Canadian taxpayers. As their representative, I cannot justify funding such activities with their tax dollars."
Dr. Laura Moss, a professor of Canadian and World literature at the University of Manitoba, feels that White's attack on federally funded research itself undermines the mandate of the SSHRC. "The list of topics that MP Ted White finds questionable may be roughly broken into five categories: those based on gender norms and critiquing gender roles in Canadian society, those based on race, those based on youth culture, those based on studies of 'foreign' cultures, and those based on reassessing history," Moss explained.
Rob Anders MP: A former Republican who a Tulsa newspaper noted "personifies ... bad taste, deception, right-wing extremism and mean sprit†called Nelson Mandela a “communist and terrorist†and noted that South African was better under Apartheid.
Stephen Harper 2001: "West of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society.â€
Ringma was kicked out of the party for his comments, but David Chatters, who seconded Ringma's comments, was not and is running again. I guess he not draw enough press scurity. Larry Spencer was, of course kicked out. The two failed candidates are not running again, nor is Lee Morrison defending his seat. everyone else to my knowledge is still there
Anonymous
7 years ago
They say you know who you are by the people you associate with and there was David Frum on CPAC station at 5 pm again with Mike Duffey last night. If you want to read an interesting critique of the book Frum and Perle wrote go to www.amconmag.com - go to archives and March 01/04 - No End To War.
koby (not verified)
7 years ago
It is time people and the press start reading between the lines as well. A reporter yesterday asked Harper how he would respond if one of his MPs brought forward a private members' bill to cut funding for abortion. He responded by saying "I would oppose that. I think health-care money should go to the provinces for them to decide how to run a health care system.†The reporter did not think to ask the obvious follow up question. Namely, would he oppose a province (e.g. Alberta) that wanted to ban abortions?
Now, taken alone Merrifield’s comment does not mean all that much, but given Merrifield’s past it should be setting off all kinds of alarm bells. After all, as health critic, he seems well positioned to become health minister if the conservatives, god forbid, were to win. Indeed, just two weeks ago Merrifield said this about Ottawa's decision to make the morning after pill available without a prescription: "This drug is 50 times as potent as a birth control pill, and we're treating it like an aspirin.†An FDA panel looked into the how safe the drug was. All 28 members concluded that it posed no threat whatsoever to a women’s health. Subsequently, the panel voted 23-4 to make the drug available over the counter. The Bush administration overturned the panel’s decision. Soon after, two panel members were invited to speak on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer. One of the guests opposed making the drug available the other supported the decision. The proponent said that the drug was literally saver than Aspirin; her opponent conceded this.
Merrifield ludicrous attempt paint the drug as dangerous was particular funny for in that same interview he said that "They [The liberals] laid it out there knowing it's a volatile issue, and they wanted someone to fall into a trap and to say something controversial†Guess what Merrifield the trap worked and it was you that they got.
It should not surprise anyone that Merrifield is staunchly “pro lifeâ€. He had this to say about stem cell research. “We asked to be shown why stem cells were needed. We asked why as a nation we should go to the place where human life would be destroyed for the sake of others. The science is not there. Scientists said they were needed because stem cells from embryos are more elastic and therefore they might be capable of being triggered to grow into any organ of the body. I challenged them by asking them to show us in animal embryos where that was a possibility. If it is a possibility then maybe we should go there even though it would be difficult for many Canadians to destroy human life for the sake of others. Perhaps there would be some scientific validity to it if we want to change the ethic from where we protect human life from beginning to end, which has been a fundamental principle for Canadians for as long as Canada has been a nation. The legislation would change that ethic to “for the greater good of societyâ€, which would change the ethic from protecting human life regardless of the cost. We should do the math and see whether we should proceed or not, and if it is for the greater good rather than the negative, then perhaps the math will be the guiding principle. If this becomes just about math, then we are on a very slippery slope in this nation. Not only will we be destroying human embryos, but as health dollars become precious in the upcoming years, we will be going to the place where we will perhaps be making decisions as to whether or not grandma should have hip surgery or heart surgery, or whether we look after comatose patients or the physically and mentally challenged individuals in our society.â€
It is no use agreeing amongst your selves that Harper is a bad guy. You must convince other people. Email these quotes to people you know.
ipsio (not verified)
7 years ago
Is this the extent of The Tyee's coverage for the election after 2 weeks? Little is new here.
lisa simpson (not verified)
7 years ago
I agree with Koby in that to agree amongst yourselves does little to change anything, but it does make me feel more optimistic than I might otherwise. I think I will address the quote to Ted White and ask him to explain them. (Like that'll help anything. I haven't even seen a candidates' evening scheduled anywhere, no debates? Just impotent ads, on all sides? Sure you don't wnat to see campaigning as it goes in the US, but something more than 3 leaders saying, "we'll do this, and we'll do that..." Seems odd to me.)
Bart Simpson (not verified)
7 years ago
Serious problem here. JackFM is also CORUS. There was a fraudulent advertisement on JackFM yesterday at about 4pm in a woman's voice saying that the Conservatives under Stephen Harper will give a $2,000 tax deduction for each child in a family. It was NOT in the form of a joke and Harper does not have anything of this kind in his platform. Please tell me if this has changed.
They also said that people can take any "Jack" signs that they find on people's lawns. Are there Jack Layton signs available in every riding?
nononsense (not verified)
7 years ago
IRAQ: HARPER, HARPER; PANTS ON FIRE BY STEVE MARTIN IN THE GLOBE AND MAIL ON THE COMMENT PAGE A17. TODAY JUNE 3/04
The absolute best article I've seen in the papers so far I hope everybody reads it and it just scatches the surface of what 's really going on, Canadians are being deceived which denies them the ability to ask the right questions of HARPER .
nononsense (not verified)
7 years ago
Effle - thanks for the tip.
Bart Simpson (not verified)
7 years ago
It turns out the $2,000 per child tax credit is for real. Harper also took Jack Layton's tax cut idea of gradually raising the basic tax exemption. Harper has made a ridiculous number of expensive promises.
Anonymous
7 years ago
If you value the CBC as I do you should know there is a clearf threat to its existance by Steven Harper. Every country need its own broadcasting corp. , many countries have more than one e.g. Australia. Its vitally important that we have one true reference to go to. Otherwise we are completely at the mercy of conglomerates such as the Canwest view of the world.
This should be an election issue. The CBC funding has been cut back year after year and they do a wonderful job working on a shoestring which I think is disgraceful. If you want to know what Harper said here is a website www.friends.ca/election
Sue Clark (not verified)
7 years ago
This was the press release from Canadians for Equal Marriage:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jun 03, 2004
 ALTERCATION AT HARPER RALLY IN GUELPH - Is using the Notwithstanding Clause to deny Charter rights Compassionate?
Guelph, June 3, 2004. Stephen Harper needs to tell Canadians whether he still holds the same view as when he was leader of the Canadian Alliance Party – that it is acceptable for the Parliament of Canada to take away the Charter rights of lesbian and gay people. At a Harper rally in Guelph today, an attempt to ask that question resulted in an altercation. Mr. Harper refused to give a clear answer when asked by reporters both yesterday in Toronto and this morning in Hamilton.
“Mr. Harper seems determined to avoid answering the straightforward question of whether he would use the notwithstanding clause to take away the Charter rights of gay and lesbian Canadians,†said Laurie Arron, political coordinator of Canadians for Equal Marriage. Mr. Arron had tried to ask that question of Mr. Harper at a rally in Guelph, which he was attending with volunteer Bob Smyth. However, instead of receiving a answer, Mr. Arron was shouted down and physically removed from the building.
“Mr. Harper seems determined to avoid any contact with the public,†continued Mr. Arron. “And even when the public is invited to an event, there is no opportunity to ask questions. It seemed that the only way to be heard by Mr. Harper was to respond to his claim of compassion.â€
“Instead of an answer, we were met by anger at having dared to ask the notwithstanding question in a room full of Conservative supporters,†said Bob Smyth. “People started shouting ‘shut up, shut up, shut up, and then an few of them used their signs to hit him. When I tried to stop them one man punched me.â€
“The obvious question is – compassion for whom?†added Mr. Arron. “Mr. Harper may have compassion for those who are just like him, but what about Canadians who are different? Today it’s gay and lesbian Canadians. Who will it be tomorrow?â€
lewis swift (not verified)
7 years ago
How reminiscent of gordon campbell, sue clark...closed meetings open to supporters only. REsidents of Vancouver Burrard should demand of gary mitchell, running for the reformatories, how he as a gay man could possibly support harper, maybe he can collaborate with loren mayencourt, another gay man, who betrayed gays in his provincial vancouver center riding. I'm not even gay, and these two make me sick with their hypocrisy. Harper announced today he is all for promoting regressive social issues by private member's bills. Look for harper to gut the judicary as well if elected and load the courts with neoconservatives, if he gets elected, just as republicans have done in the states...a lot more socially progressive legislation arises out of the courts, than arises out of legislatures....
bvc (not verified)
7 years ago
I just can't help it. I just must comment here too as it fits in with corporate global businesses and that business is RBC (RoyalBankCaanada) and thier cheap apology for unreliable untested and whatever else may be happening with their COMPUTER UPGRADE which has so totally caused so much unproductivity throughout Canada to businesses, individuals, unimaginable disruption with this horrendous escalating humongous lapse. As a business RBC would have be in court immediately, suing to bankruptcy if this is had happened to them. What does that say? For me that says "CLASS ACTION" so this doesn't happen again. Do you ever feel like you are being experimented on??
georgio (not verified)
7 years ago
I haven't recieved my paycheck yet because of the RBC mess which would normally be in my account on Wednesday and is still to only likely be in my account tommorow ... luckily I'm not in dire need of it right away. What if I was? What if my entire mortgage hinged on this payment because I had been late in doing so in the past. And business, how about those daily multi million dollar wire transfers that keep operations afloat within multi national compannies ie. Energy Companies funds transfers. I'm sure the backlash from business' will be sufficient. We'll see. They can't get away with this.
koby (not verified)
7 years ago
I posted the following comment on another board. Ted White: "At least 40% of all the Iranians living there are refugee claimants. Most of them are bogus." Someone else described the White's comment as "racist" and said the Iranian community would not be voting for Ted White. This appeared on the board today. "Mr. Ted White has threatened legal action against Election Prediction Project for publishing submissions that asserted certain opinion on Mr. White’s comment on the Iranian Community. While we disagree with Mr. White’s (and his lawyer’s) point that those comment constitute defamation, as a volunteer-run project, we are in no position to fight a legal case. Thus, upon consideration, we hava decided to comply to Mr. White demand, and hereby APOLOGIZE, and remove all those submissions. We would state without reservation that Election Prediction Project does not have or care to have a position regarding whether Mr. White is a racist. We would like to publish the following excerpt from Hansard of the House of Commons. March 31, 2003 - Mr. Ted White (North Vancouver, Canadian Alliance): "My riding has the largest Iranian population in the country. At least 40% of all the Iranians living there are refugee claimants. Most of them are bogus." "They see all these, and I am sorry to use the word, scumbags who come in using our refugee laws and claiming refugee status just so they can be criminals here."
kaybertoss (not verified)
7 years ago
For those of you who are concerned with CKNW/Mike Campbell, I’ve added a new topic over at my forum. So if you would like to join in a CKNW/Mike Campbell watch you can go here
Kaybertoss (not verified)
7 years ago
Link: http://com1.runboard.com/bkaybertosssforum.fmichaelcambellwatch
Eddy Haskel (not verified)
7 years ago
For the record, there is no such thing as a "bogus refugee claimant". The term "bogus" or phoney claims is racist in itself because anyone can claim refugee status from any country for any reason they can think up. They may not be sucessful with the claim but that does not make it bogus because that is thier right under international law and our system closely mirrors that of our trading partners. The thought is racist because it leaves one with the impression that there are phoney foreigners out there who have criminal intentions.
Koby (not verified)
7 years ago
I found an old North Shore News article about the 1997 race. Ted White did not want his past discussed even back then. "Kinsella ... challenged White to a debate: "If he's (White) such a believer in free speech and free debate, why don't we have a debate about his involvement in a party that refers to people from the Third World as 'degenerates'. Reached at his campaign headquarters and told of Kinsella's debate challenge, White said that his involvement in the WCC was known to North Vancouver voters prior to the last federal election. 'The people of North Vancouver have already heard the debate and they've made it quite clear which side they're on,' White said. 'I'd see a debate as a complete waste of time.'"
koby (not verified)
7 years ago
From the Liberal Party website "Controversial Alliance Conservative MP has once again made national news for her irresponsible comments regarding Bill C-250 hate propaganda legislation: “The danger in having sexual orientation just listed, that encompasses for example pedophiles. I believe that the caucus as a whole would like to see it repealed.†(Cheryl Gallant, CTV News, June 5, 2004)
In a tax-payer funded brochure Gallant sent to her constituents shortly before the election campaign she also attacked Bill C-250 incredibly claiming under the law the Bible would “be outlawed by the Liberal government.â€
Gallant went way over the top in describing the firearms registry: "Are we going to go like lambs to the gas chamber as the Chretien Liberals strip away our rights?" (Cheryl Gallant, National Post, November 21, 2000)
The horse-racing industry was furious after Gallant accused the industry of links with organized crime during a speech in the House of Commons: “Unfortunately, the horse racing industry is often penetrated by organized crime.'' (Cheryl Gallant, Canadian Press, August 29, 2003)
She opposed Liberal government plans to extend parental leave to one year†“At first glance to women of pregnancy prone age, this proposal may seem to be one of the best things about Canada. However, even with the current six-month leave, a functioning uterus can be an impediment to getting a job in the first place. Were it not for the idiocy of the Liberals contemplating the extrapolation spousal benefits to roommates, it could be argued that parental leave discriminates against infertile couples -- but that may lead to the risks of extending parental leave payments to those who merely go through the motions!†(Cheryl Gallant, Fredericton Daily Gleaner, October 28, 1999)
"We are on a mission to save Canada. …Stockwell Day has proven himself a man who will not recant his beliefs even under the most extreme pressure." (Cheryl Gallant, Toronto Star, February 16, 2002)"
sonic931 (not verified)
7 years ago
check out the rant entitled "canadians believe canada will join the us in seven years" here:http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=8&id=29714 4 It left me wondering how anyone could harbour so much hatred for their own country and be so steeped in right wing ideology.Sick.
sonic931 (not verified)
7 years ago
Hmm..not sure that link works,lets try again. http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=8&id=297144
koby (not verified)
7 years ago
March 31, 2003 - Mr. Ted White (North Vancouver, Canadian Alliance): "My riding has the largest Iranian population in the country. At least 40% of all the Iranians living there are refugee claimants. Most of them are bogus. I just mentioned the lawyer who sent me an e-mail last Wednesday or Thursday. He actually put in his email that people in the Iranian community had told him the guy was a criminal in Iran and he is a criminal in Canada and they wanted to know why we had let him in. I cannot say how many times that comment has been made to me by the decent Iranian immigrants in my riding who came in using the proper system. They see all these, and I am sorry to use the word, scumbags who come in using our refugee laws and claiming refugee status just so they can be criminals here."
"I think Ted White will win based on name recognition and publicity alone. The Liberals will hopefully widely publicize the Hansard excerpt seen in the previous post (assuming it is correct) which I think may require an explanation from the Conservative Party and Harper but won't hurt White's chances in his riding. Unfortunate, but that is what will happen. If the quote in the Hansard comment is true, then White owes everyone an explanation as comments like that are not acceptable in Canada today." http://electionprediction.org/2004_fed/riding/59019-north-vancouv er.htm
Its true. If you feel as this person does, send a letter to the editor. That is what I will do. If you do, make sure to quote Ted White.
Stan (not verified)
7 years ago
How do you make paragraphs?
How do you make paragraphs?
How to make paragraphs (not verified)
7 years ago
Place a less than sign, then a P, then a greater than sign.
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