Harper's Abuses of Power continued, 61-70

On August 11th we published the first part of this article from the Tyee.  

Tyee staff and contributors have compiled a list of 70 government assaults on democracy and the law.  As a list of 70 is pretty difficult for anyone to verify all at once we have been posting a few at a time.  To read the entire list at once go to this link.

Harper's Office Deploys Interns for Dirty Tricks

In one instance that brought on allegations of Nixonian tactics, junior PMO staffers in the guise of normal citizens were sent out to disrupt a Justin Trudeau speech.

Citizens Ejected from Conservative Rallies

Tory operatives hauled out citizens from a Harper rally in the 2011 campaign because they had marginal ties to other parties. A spokesperson for the PM was compelled to apologize. Problem fixed this time around: Only fully vetted Harper supporters will be allowed, by invite only, to attend the PM's campaign stops. If they have a ticket.

Conservatives Make Campaign Event Attendees Sign Gag Order

Not only have Harper's campaign handlers made his campaign events by invite only, they were forcing anyone let in to sign an agreement not to transmit any description of the event or any images from it -- but dropped the gag orders after news stories made them an issue.

Conservatives Unfix Their Own Fixed Date Election Law

In 2008, Harper pulled the plug on his own government, violating his own new law, which stipulated elections every four years.

Guilty Plea on In and Out Affair

The Conservative Party and its fundraising arm pled guilty to some Elections Act charges stemming from their exceeding spending limits in the 2006 campaign. The investigation cost taxpayers over $2 million.

Cons' Elections Bill Strips Power from Elections Canada

The Fair Elections Act also makes it harder for Canadians to vote as more ID is required. Nationwide protests in which more than 400 academics took part forced Pierre Poilievre to withdraw some measures in the bill because of their alleged anti-democratic bent.

Harper Minister Smears Head of Elections Canada

In a bid to impugn his integrity, Democratic Reform Minister Pierre Poilievre accused the Elections Canada CEO Marc Mayrand of being a power monger and wearing a team jersey.

Copyright Grab for Attack Ads

CTV News found out Conservatives aimed to rewrite copyright law to let political parties grab any media content and use it for free in their ads. The impact, warned CTV's Don Martin, "will be to cast a chill on every broadcast appearance" by MPs, commentators and reporters, who "must now be aware their views could end up featured in a political attack ad." By asserting "unlimited access to the airwaves for propaganda purposes," Martin said, the Harper government "could be seen as flirting with fascism."

Conservatives Use Terrorists' Propaganda in Attack Ad

Harper's party created a political ad incorporating music and horrifying images of doomed captives pulled straight from the Islamic State's own promotional video. The target: Justin Trudeau, whose views on the risks and rewards of bombing ISIS differ from Harper's.

Record Use of Personal Attack Ads

Under Harper's leadership, Conservatives became the first to routinely use personal attacks ads outside an election writ period. Their ads often used quotes deliberately taken out of context. Incidence of attack ads by Harper Conservatives was heavier than by any other government.

Read more: Politics, Federal Politics, Election 2015,

Harper's Abuses of Power continued, 51 -60

On August 11th we published the first part of this article from the Tyee.  

Tyee staff and contributors have compiled a list of 70 government assaults on democracy and the law.  As a list of 70 is pretty difficult for anyone to verify all at once we have been posting a few at a time.  To read the entire list at once go to this link.

Conservatives Use Unheard of Tactic to Force through Anti-Union Bill

Conservative senators went to the unprecedented extent of overruling their own Speaker. What could be so important to break Senate rules? A bill pushed by Harper that is almost certainly unconstitutional for its privacy invading measures forced onto unions, unlike other groups. Latest in a steady stream of Conservative attacks on organized labour in Canada.

Harper Smears Liberal Sikh MP, Insinuating Tie to Terrorism

When Liberals opposed a 2007 Conservative plan to extend anti-terror legislation, Stephen Harper singled out Grit MP Navdeep Bains, seeming to suggest that Bains' party was motivated by a desire to protect Bains' father-in-law, Darshan Singh Saini. A recent news story had claimed Singh Saini was on a list of witnesses sought by the RCMP for its Air India investigation, but provided no proof he was involved. In the House, Liberals erupted with outrage and Bains asked, in vain, that Harper apologize.

Veterans' Advocates Smeared

Medical files of Sean Bruyea, a strong advocate for veterans' rights, were leaked in a case that privacy commissioner Jennifer Stoddart described as "alarming." Veterans Affairs Canada ombudsman Pat Stogran was dumped after criticizing the government.

SECTION III: ELECTION ABUSES: SCAMS, SLIMES, STINGS AND CROOKED SPENDING

Stephen Harper's Conservatives have made federal elections a gladiators' arena where anything goes -- unless and until you are caught, that is. Here are 17 times his team violated election laws or ethics.

Conservatives Run Undercover Sting Operations

Conservatives secretly recorded political opponents and also used agent provocateur techniques to try and entrap them. A sting operation against Marlo Raynolds, a Liberal candidate in Alberta, was backed by then employment minister Jason Kenney.

Conservative Convicted on Robocalls Scam

Tory operative Michael Sona was given jail time for his role in the robocalls scam. The judge indicated more than one person was likely involved. In another court judgment in a case brought by the Council of Canadians, the ruling said the robocalls operation was widespread, not just limited to the Guelph riding. Donald Segretti who did dirty tricks for the Nixon White House told a Canadian reporter his skullduggery didn't go so low as to run schemes sending voters to the wrong polling stations
.

Harper's Ex-Parliamentary Secretary Jailed for Breaking Election Law

Dean Del Maestro was one of Harper's favourites. As his parliamentary secretary, the PM frequently used him as an attack dog to allege misdeeds by opposition members. Del Maestro was given a jail sentence in June for his own election spending violations.

Dean Del Mastro received a jail sentence for election overspending.

'Reprehensible' Dirty Tricks Campaign against Irwin Cotler

Conservative Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer ruled his party's own tactics in running a surreptitious misinformation campaign in the riding of the highly respected MP were "reprehensible."

Conservatives Bar Crosbie Candidacy

In a clear-cut case of the party hierarchy's undercutting of democratic rights, Ches Crosbie, son of former Tory cabinet minister John Crosbie, was barred from running for the party in Newfoundland.

Election Violations Prompt Resignation of Cabinet Member

Peter Penashue, another Harper Conservative was compelled to step down over election spending violations.

Conservatives Attempt Election Campaign Frame-up

In an attempted smear in the last week of the 2011 election campaign, a senior Harper strategist planted a false story in Sun Media that Michael Ignatieff was an Iraq war planner. (Neither Conservative operatives nor Sun Media opted to make hay with the true story that Stephen Harper had, while leader of the Canadian Alliance in 2003, published a letter in The Wall Street Journal itching to get Canada into that disastrous war and slamming then PM Jean Chretien for saying no.) 

Cultural War Must End

For those who do not leave the boundaries of this valley very often, it might possibly be more difficult to relate to this topic.  Despite the varied heritage that has come to this part of the world over the last one hundred years, little Cranbrook remains pretty much isolated from the more visible mosaics in larger centres and many parts of the globe.  If it is to progress, there must be change.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/10/10/Cultural-War-Muslim-Women-Must-End/

Harry Smith: Harper's Cultural War on Muslim Women Must End

Excerpts from...

Our history proves why racial and religious division is dangerous.

By Harry Leslie Smith, 10 Oct 2015, TheTyee.ca

It was autumn like today when I first saw Canada's coastline from the deck of the Empress of Australia in November 1953. I was a new immigrant who had come to this land from England with my wife to put down roots in a country that promised both economic opportunity and fair play.

Moreover, because so many Canadians of my generation had come from nations fraught with religious and ethnic tension, we tried to create a more tolerant society that crossed political beliefs. Inclusion and acceptance became a watchword that no political party could own because every Canadian shared the concept that human rights were universal. That's why even in the 1980s it was Brian Mulroney, a staunch conservative prime minister, who showed the world Canada's moral courage when we fought against the advice of our allies for sanctions against the racist, cruel and evil South African apartheid regime and also demanded with inviolable determination that Nelson Mandela be set free from his imprisonment on Robben Island.

Not since the since the early 20th century has a prime minister demeaned himself, his party and his humanity by employing racial and religious fear to castigate a specific group of Canadians as the enemy within to win an election. It is not only shameful, it's dangerous. Yet Stephen Harper persists like a modern-day Joseph McCarthy in creating a sweltering climate of fear against Canadian Muslims by employing dog whistle politics that equates an honourable religion with terrorism and radicalism.

In this election we must remember Canada's ugly and racist history that waged cultural genocide against First Nations and enslaved early Asian, Indian, Muslim and Caribbean immigrants to a lifetime of servitude. We must understand that the politics of fear and politics of greed are viruses that destroy society if left unchecked.

Voters must be mindful Canada could be transformed from a tolerant, forward-thinking nation to a regressive country -- where bigotry darkens the landscape like an uncontrollable forest fire. All it takes is an electorate that embraces, from either indifference or fear, the politics of racial and religious division. 

Go to the link above to read the entire article.

Distraction

"Hello Canada," by Gerry Warner

A little ditty with apologies to George Orwell

Perceptions by Gerry Warner

“Hello, hello. Is anyone there? This is an emergency! Have I got the RCMP Barbaric Cultural Practices tip line? I do! Oh, thank God. I thought I’d never make it through.”

“Yes, I’d like to report someone engaging in an un--Canadian, barbaric, cultural practices and doing it everywhere across the country. It’s so brazen and unbelievable it could damage Canada’s reputation around the world. It goes against all our Canadian values. We’d never be able to hold our heads up proudly again. I, I, I’d be afraid to leave the house  . . . even to go to Tim Hortons. Or a hockey game. How un-Canadian is that?”

“Now slow down sir. Relax. Get a grip on yourself. Surely you’re making a great mistake here. How can anything as diabolical as you’re talking about be occurring anywhere, little alone across the country? This is Canada you’re talking about. Peace, order and good government.”

“No, no. I swear I’m telling the truth. Don’t you remember last June. I think it was June 18 when our illustrious Senate gave Royal Assent to the Barbaric Cultural Practices Act. So it must be true. No one in the Senate would tell a lie.”
“Well, I guess you’ve got a point there sir. Have you got any more information about this heinous Act?”

“Sure. You bet. Google it for yourself and you’ll see all the un-Canadian things it lists. It’s horrific!”

“Now come, come, sir. It can’t be as bad as all that. Aren’t we talking about the Canadian Senate, the sober chamber of second thought. Mike Duffy is a senator. Surely it can do no wrong.” 

“Sheesh! Don’t you know Mike Duffy is on trial now for bribery, fraud and breach of trust? Where have you been the last six months? Under a rock?”

“Now, now, sir. There’s no reason to get personal. I’m only doing my job. And what’s this babble about barbaric cultural practices anyway?”

“It’s right in the Act. I’ll  read it to you. “We will not accept the practice of cultural traditions that deprive individuals of their human rights.”

“Well, that sounds pretty good to me Sir. Who said That? It must be one of our most skilled politicians.”

“You’re darn right. It was Chris Alexander, our Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. He’s one of our most loyal Canadians. And you know what else he said in a letter to his constituents. ”

“No, but I bet it was patriotic.”

“You’re darn tooting. It’s called Protecting Canadians and here’s what it says:

“Becoming a Canadian means having all the rights and privileges that Canadians enjoy . . . violent cultural practices found elsewhere in the world will not be tolerated in Canada.”

“That sounds wonderful, sir, but who is it you wish to report for committing a barbarous cultural practice?”

“That’s easy. It’s someone who comes from ‘old stock’ immigrant ancestors, but he’s trying to destroy our country by poisoning democracy, taking away our civil liberties, undermining our scientists, destroying our reputation as peace keepers, denying climate change and feeding prejudice against environmentalists, First Nations, gays, immigrants, refugees and anyone  he thinks is ‘different’ from him and doesn’t think Don Cherry is the finest Canadian in the land.”

“No, Sir, you surely can’t mean HIM?” He loves us and knows what’s best for us like a Big Brother. I’ll have to arrest you for engaging in a violent and barbaric cultural practice.”

“And what is that, I dare ask.”

“Telling the truth about Stephen Harper!”

This is Canada and How We Voted in 2011

Giving Thanks

The cyclical rituals of annual celebrations keep us grounded and bring into focus all that is good.  Thanksgiving crafts, the camaraderie and community of the Farmer's Market, the peace and beauty of our beautiful valley are but a few of those many things to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving

Taking Sides as an Elected Official

Mayors and Councillors are entitled, of course, to their personal political opinions but as an elected official of a community and supposedly representing the community as a whole, many would consider it inappropriate, distasteful and insulting to have an elected official use that position to endorse one political party, for as such they speak for their whole community. Mayors and their Councils must work with their Provincial and Federal representatives, from any party for the betterment of their communities and it might be considered very unwise to blatantly take sides.

Unfortunately Cranbrook’s Mayor Pratt chose to do just that by endorsing one political party in a paid political advertisement in the Thursday, October 8th edition of the Townsman.

“By taking a position you’re basically taking a position on behalf of the entire municipality,” said Welland Mayor Frank Campion. “I think it would be wrong and probably insulting to take a position on a particular party.”

Campion said that he recognizes it’s no secret he ran for the Conservatives in the last provincial election, and that people know where he’s coming from, but as mayor he won’t throw support behind any particular party or candidate.

He said his personal politics are cross-party, saying he agrees with certain aspects of each party’s platform.

http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2015/09/04/mayors-mum-on-endorsing-candidates

“But otherwise I will stay uninvolved in the campaign because I think I’m the mayor of all the people — I’m the mayor of Liberals, Conservatives, New Democrats, Greens, Rhinoceros Party, Marijuana Party people,” he said. “I’m the mayor of all the people and it is my job to get the best deal for Toronto and not to get involved in the campaign.” Toronto Mayor Tory

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/08/04/tory-refuses-to-endorse-a-federal-leader

What's Happening.....

Tuesday Oct 6 to October 30th

Cranbrook and District Arts Council
presents their first exhibit in the new location
Member's Fall Autumn Inspired Exhibit
1013, Baker St.
next to Sakura
(the old Hobby Shop)

Saturday October 10th

Cranbrook Thanksgiving Farmer's Market
Final Fall market
10:00am - 1:00pm
Tenth Avenue S.

East Kootenay Outdoor Club
Hike to Kootenay River
Michel, 250-581-0660

Sunday October 11th

'Chasing Fall Colours' Hike
250-427-7043

Key City Theatre Gallery

now 'til October 17th
The iconic photography of
Ethan Russell
Rolling Stones, the Who, the Beatles
and more

October 9th, 10th, 14,15,16,17,21,22,23,24
Cranbrook Community Theatre presents
'Making God Laugh'
8:00pm
Studio Stage Door
Tickets at Lotus Books and at the Door

How to pack the house....

The Key City Theatre was packed on Wednesday October 7th for Cranbrook's premier viewing of the 'Jumbo' movie/documentary.  There were no empty seats and the majority of attendees were young adults. On the other hand, there was a sprinkling of people, (maybe one hundred and fifty) at the All Candidates Forum the night before and the majority of attendees were more senior in years. Jumbo, the movie is receiving rave reviews and we were privileged to be able to watch this stunning production before it embarks on a world tour.

These numbers might illustrate many things but one is surely, what many young adults really care about.  Let's hope they also care enough to vote and make the changes they wish to see happen.

Forum

Jumbo, the movie