Given the events of Friday, I was particularly interested to read what the 28-year-old PIerre Elliott Trudeau had to say about our Senate in a presentation he gave in Paris, France in 1947:
“Our Senate is an odd mixture of the U.S. Senate and the British House of Lords, and, as it lacks the justification of either of these Chambers, it is perfectly useless. Continue reading Trudeau at 28: The Senate is "perfectly useless" filled with "doddering old monks"
From the Office of Liberal Leader Bob Rae on the passing of Reg Alcock:
I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn this morning of the sudden passing of Reg Alcock.
Reg was a distinguished politician and public servant. He began his political career in the Manitoba legislature and later moved to federal politics, serving the people of Winnipeg South for more than a decade. He served as a cabinet minister in the Martin government and took his experience and dedication to the University of Manitoba when his career in politics came to an end. He also served as a member of the Harvard Policy Group.
Reg's booming voice, extraordinary energy and great enthusiasm for everything he did was his great hallmark. He befriended and mentored me in the ways of public policy and I shall miss his irrepressibly candid advice.
Reg’s passing is a loss to all of us. Manitoba and Canada have lost a man who was dedicated to the public good.
On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary Caucus, I wish to express our deepest condolences to Reg’s family and many friends.
Members of the federal Liberal party will gather in Ottawa in January and one of their tasks will be to elect a new party president. Former cabinet minister (and one-time deputy prime minister) Sheila Copps said today, she wants that job. Here's her release:
The Hon. Sheila Copps today officially announced that she is seeking the presidency of the Liberal Party of Canada. She made the announcement during a guest appearance on the popular Radio Canada television program, “Les Lionnes”.
“I am pleased to announce that I am running for President of the Liberal Party of Canada. There is much work to be done, but I am excited to join my fellow Liberals as we listen, learn and build for the future”, she said. Sheila, the first female Deputy Prime Minister and a former Minister of Environment and of Heritage, represented the riding of Hamilton East for twenty years.
Before her career in federal politics, Sheila served in the Ontario legislature. After active politics, she worked as a journalist, political commentator and author, while helping to support Liberal candidates and causes across the country. She speaks four languages, English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Sheila made the decision to return to active politics after speaking to all former Liberal leaders and consulting Canadians from coast to coast to coast. “I care deeply about the shape and nature of Canada, a country that embraces compromise and respects differences. Throughout our country's history, the Liberal Party has been at the centre of our collective identity, pragmatically finding a common path to ensure that we didn’t tear ourselves apart on ideological grounds,” says Sheila. “That bridge-building is now at risk. From a prime minister who openly boasts about his wish to destroy the Liberal Party and a newly-invigorated social democratic party that seeks to occupy the left of the political spectrum, the Liberal party must thrive again to ensure the centrist policies that have kept our country balanced and strong.”
A bit of a busy morning on Parliament Hill with a few things to note:
What a privilege it is for all us Members of Parliament to have such a role in building this magnificent country, our Canada. Remember always these things about our country: Its history is greater than our individual achievements. Its future is more promising than our political careers. It is the land of ancient Aboriginal societies. It is the enduring partnership of Macdonald, Cartier and their colleagues. It is the place where people of all cultures come from the world over to live in freedom, democracy and justice together.
Let the memory of our first day as Members of Parliament continue to inspire us all. Even more, let it keep us humble in the service of our country.
Millions of Canadians were not born in this country and hundreds of thousands (maybe millions) have likely cast a ballot in an election in another country. Nothing wrong with that. But the Ignatieff campaign had two different answers when asked if the Liberal leader — a born-in-Canada Canadian citizen — had voted in another country.
On Sunday, my colleague Brian Lilley asked the Ignatieff campaign if he had voted in an election in another country.
Ignatieff spokesman Michel Liboiron replied: “Mr. Ignatieff is and always has been a Canadian citizen, period. He has never held any other citizenship and as such, has never voted in a foreign election.”
Lilly asked because:
Apparently Liboiron misspoke because on Monday, Ignatieff himself said:
Q: You say you’ve never voted in a foreign election. But you said something different in 1998 and 2004. So which one is true?
Ignatieff: I’m a Canadian citizen. I’ve never been the citizen of another country. I’ve never voted – can’t vote in the United States. But I’m a Commonwealth citizen, so I have voted in a British election. But you know, I’m also someone who didn’t go to a foreign audience and call this country a second call failed socialist state in front of a Republican audience. You know, I’m a proud Canadian. I’m a proud Canadian. And I’ve lived overseas – ya. And wherever I’ve been, I’ve always supported progressive policies. So, you know, in 2004, I thought that John Kerry was a better idea than George W. Bush. And only a Conservative would think that George W. Bush was a better choice for the United States. But I can’t vote in the United States. Never did.
Q: How many Canadian elections did you vote in when you were living overseas.
Ignatieff: I voted in a couple. Can’t remember, happy to tell you. But I voted in Canadian elections since I was able to vote.
For the second day in a row, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff had to deal with a candidate problem. On Wednesday, he fired Andre Forbes, the Liberal candidate in the northern Quebec riding of Manicouagan, after the NDP revealed that Forbes had once referred to aboriginals as “Featherheads” and said they were lazy.
Today, the Conservative war room pushed around the transcript of a radio interview that Liberal candidate John Reilly did on March 31 with the Dave Rutherford Show. Reilly quit his job as an Alberta provincial court judge to run as the Liberal candidate in the riding of Wild Rose (Conservative Blake Richards is the incumbent). On the Rutherford show, the discussion turned to law-and-order issues:
Reilly: : I mean, this is one of my problems with the criminal justice system the way it is, is that I say we put too much emphasis on the offence and not enough emphasis on the offender. If you’re looking at what the Conservative government wants to do is say if this is the offence, you go to jail. And that's going to put people in jail that don't need to be there.
Host: But what kind of offences though?
John Reilly: Sexual assault.
Host: You shouldn’t go to jail for a sex assault?
John Reilly: Well, you know, there are sexual assaults and there are sexual assaults.
Ignatieff said he would not fire Reilly as his Wildrose candidate and noted that Reilly issued a statement in which he “unreservedly apologize[d]” for “the clumsy example” he used to talk about problems with the justice system. Ignatieff told reporters: “He has served the community with a long record of distinguished public service. He made one remark that he's going to regret for the rest of his life. He's offered an unreserved apology. I've accepted it.”
Reilly has had his sentences overturned at least three times by the Alberta Court of Appeal and was criticized by the high court in at least two.
But in one case, the Alberta Court of Appeals said Reilly's sentence was too harsh. In June, 2009, Reilly sentenced a “spiritual healer” who molested a client's two teenage daughters to five-and-a-half years in prison. The appeals court thought that was too harsh and gave the man four-and-a-half years in jail.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff this morning said he ordered an immediate investigation after he learned of comments attributed to Andre Forbes, the Liberal candidate in the northern Quebec riding of Manicouagan. Ignatieff said that, if he learns that what Forbes said is true, he will not be a Liberal candidate.
UPDATEDSee below: Ignatieff has, in fact, fired Forbes.
Here's what the NDP war room put out today after digging up some old quotes attributed to Forbes:
IN HIS OWN WORDS: Liberal Candidate André Forbes
André Forbes is the Liberal candidate in Manicouagan. He is also the founder and former spokesperson for l’Association des Droits des Blancs (the Association for the Rights of Whites) in Sept-Iles, Quebec and is spokesperson for Métis Côte-Nord. Does Michael Ignatieff think André Forbes is an acceptable candidate? Some of the comments:
On the work ethic of Innu :
“We all know that the aboriginals will not keep their job… I have worked for many years for Gulf Paper of Clarke City, which closed in 1968. Many Montagnais worked there. I only remember one who did a good job. There must have been other hard-working amongst them but I don’t recall one name”, said the person who is circulating a petition to corner stores of the area denouncing “secret negotiations between the governments and the Innu.” (Le Soleil, March 2, 2002)
On his opposition to land negotiations :
Yesterday, Mr. Forbes said that governments recognized Aboriginal rights over those of white people. “This is heinous politics which brings social tensions, which leads to what is happening in Israel.” (Le Soleil, May 2, 2002)
On the “high cost” of respecting First Nations :
“Do you know how much a featherhead costs?” That’s the brutal question I was asked by André Forbes, president of the Association for the Rights of Whites of Sept-Îles, in September of 2002, at the height of the controversy surrounding the agreement in principle with the Innu community. Forbes was referring to how much it costs for the State to fulfill its responsibilities towards aboriginals. Of course, he had the answer. “For you, it’s 25 grand; for a prisoner, 50 grand; for an Indian; 100 grand.”(L’actualite, October 15, 2004)
On the threat posed to “white rights”:
“In Sept-Iles, André Forbes warns the newly-recognized Innu rights will one day trump his own. He represents an association he says is for the protection of white rights.”The Innu are telling us now we're the cowboys and you're the Indians,” (The National, November 8, 2010)
Forbes is now an active member of Métis Côte-Nord, an organization that recently denounced “special treatment” for Muslims, gays and lesbians. In a letter concerning hydro development in Northern Québéc, for which Forbes is the contact, the Métis Côte-Nord wrote:
”If our Métis Community was made of Muslims, homosexuals or of an association of old ladies making moccasins out of caribou skin, would Hydro-Québéc consult with us? Yes.” (Letter, January 5, 2009)
Last week, Liberals denounced a Bloc Québécois candidate for lack of respect to Aboriginal citizens. Does Michael Ignatieff think André Forbes is an acceptable candidate?
Just before 3 p.m. this afternoon, the Liberals issued the following release:
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the following statement today:
“As soon as I was apprised of past comments made by the Liberal candidate in Manicouagan, André Forbes, I immediately asked my staff to inquire about their validity. As a result, Mr. Forbes has been informed that he is no longer a candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada. Mr. Forbes’ comments have no place within the Liberal Party of Canada.
“The Liberal Party of Canada has always stood for equality among all citizens, including First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and non-Aboriginal Canadians. We categorically condemn any comments that seek to divide Canadians on the basis of their culture or ethnicity.
Liberal Leader MIchael Ignatieff just left; Conservative leader Stephen Harper is there as I write this, and, tomorrow, NDP Leader Jack Layton will be in the Forest City, also known as London, Ont.
The most volatile riding is likely London West where Conservative Ed Holder is a first-time MP who knocked off in 2008 a five-time winner in Liberal Sue Barnes. Liberal Glen Pearson is a likely incumbent favourite in London North Centre (he succeeded former Liberal cabinet minister Joe Fontana who is now London's mayor). Similarly, Conservative Joe Preston looks to be in good shape in Elgin-Middlesex-London (Harper's and Layton's rallies, incidentally, are both at the same hotel in Preston's riding). And in London-Fanshawe, the NDP want Irene Mathyssen to hold that seat. She succeeded Pat O'Brien, who finished his parliamentary career as an Independent after leaving the Liberal caucus over the same-sex marriage issue.
For Londoners, one of the big campaign issues this year is federal help for a local aircraft manufacturer, Diamond Aircraft. The airplane maker needs a $30 million federal loan without which it could end up laying off up to 200 workers. Ignatieff backed the loan program during his visit last week.
So far, the Conservative government has resisted Diamond's request.
Reporters from the London Free Press, one of the Sun Media titles I write for, were keen to ask Harper about this issue during his visit there to day although Harper tends to take no questions at his afternoon events in cities he visits. Read their set-up piece for today's visit.
In the meantime, the Liberal war room is trying to stir the pot by suggesting that the old job of Harper's chief of staff, Nigel Wright, may be getting in the way of a decision. Here's what the war room has:
Is this why the Conservatives won’t commit to giving Diamond Aircraft its loan?
- Until last fall, Nigel Wright sat on the Board of Directors at Hawker Beechcraft and will likely return there once his stint as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister comes to an end.
- Hawker Beechcraft is a competitor of companies like the London-based Diamond Aircraft.
- Diamond Aircraft needs a loan to proceed with production of its D-Jet, a new Very Light Jet (VLJ) class plane. It has secured $20 million from the private sector and $30 million from the Government of Ontario, but they are both contingent on a $30-million loan commitment from the federal government.
- The federal government has refused to provide this commitment, even though there is very clearly a market for this plane – according to Thomas House, owner of YouJet, business executives are downsizing from corporate jets to planes like the D-Jet, and he hopes to purchase several D-Jets for his company. (London Free Press, April 1, 2011)
- The downsizing by business executives has impacted Hawker Beechcraft, which announced last fall that it was suspending production of its corporate jet, Light Jet (LJ) class 400XP, due to a plunge in demand. (The Wichita Eagle, Nov. 13, 2010)
- Is this why the Conservatives are refusing to help Diamond Aircraft? Has Nigel Wright had any influence on the Conservatives’ decision?
Well, you don't see this everyday: Last fall, Tony Genco was the Liberal candidate battling tooth-and-nail against former OPP commissioner and Conservative candidate Julian Fantino in a byelection in the federal riding of Vaughan. Fantino won — but it was certainly not a landslide. In fact, given Fantino's star power, the number of big hitters (including PM Harper and Don Cherry) who campaigned with him, and the financial resources of the Conservative Party, one might have thought that Fantino would have scored much bigger.
But that's all water under the bridge now. The Liberals turned away from Genco for this general election and to a new candidate, Mario Ferri. And now it appears that Genco has turned away from the Liberals. Here's an “open letter” Genco submitted to the Vaughan Citizen:
I feel I have a responsibility and moral duty to the people of the City of Vaughan, particularly those who voted for me in the November 2010 by election to share my thoughts and perspectives on the current campaign. After much thoughtful reflection and deliberation, I am pleased to announce that I will be supporting Julian Fantino as our Member of Parliament for Vaughan and the Conservative Party of Canada in this important general election. I have arrived at this decision after careful consideration and deliberation, recognizing that given my history and background, this will come as a surprise to many. No doubt that there will be many cynics who will view this in a variety of inaccurate ways. For this reason, I want to provide my own direct comments to ensure the facts are clear and my enthusiasm for my decision is understood.
Julian Fantino is a great Canadian. Even in the recent by-election when I ran against him, this was something I and many Liberals, including Michael Ignatieff himself had acknowledged when he approached him to run for the Liberal Party before me. He is a committed and proven public servant who has always excelled to the highest offices within his organizations and has been highly regarded and respected. His heart is always in the right place and his devotion to the community is unquestionable.
Julian Fantino has delivered for the people of Vaughan. He was recognized by Prime Minister Stephen Harper with an appointment to the Cabinet, almost immediately upon being elected. As Minister of State (Seniors) he not only has national responsibilities but he has an important portfolio that many Vaughan residents are in need of improved Government services within. Already we have seen significant accessibility to information on senior programs and initiatives thanks to his hard work. As well, a grant to a large senior’s organization in Vaughan has recently been provided because of his dedication. The improvements proposed by the Conservative Government in its recent budget with regards to seniors needs and concerns were Julian at his best- delivering results for the people of Vaughan and Canada.
In a very short time, Julian has been able to provide funding on a long lasting legacy project for Vaughan through a significant grant for the Vaughan Health Campus of Care. Frankly, I was extremely skeptical about his capacity to deliver any results in any period of time. However, I was even more astounded that Julian was able to make the case to the federal government so quickly to provide $10 million of funding for an important Vaughan complex that will ultimately be home to a hospital facility, a life-sciences cluster and many other much needed health services. I attended the announcement, and said then that this truly is good news for Vaughan’s people.
Julian has earned the right to continue to represent our community in Vaughan. I am honoured to have him serving us. Simply put Julian Fantino delivers… period! Julian decided to sacrifice his time, energy and talents and devoting it to further public service for the people of Canada and our community in Vaughan- something that he didn’t have to do but something he clearly wanted to do.
Those of you, who supported me when I ran against the Conservative Party and Julian Fantino in the recent by election, may be shocked by my current perspective. But ultimately, I truly believe that this is what is right given the realities of what Julian has done for us since his election.
Up until very recently, I seriously considered running in this general election, but I have to say my heart wasn’t in it. I spoke to many residents who had encouraged me to run given the momentum that I had built thanks to the support of many Liberals in this riding. I now encourage, every Liberal in Vaughan to seriously reconsider their support for the Liberal Party and support the Conservative Party of Canada and Julian Fantino.
The Liberal Party that I joined over 20 years ago in university has disappeared. The ideas that I tried to represent of balance, diversity and nation building no longer exist in this version of the Liberal Party. It’s clear that the Liberal Party policies do not resonate with the majority of Canadians. The recent electoral results speak for themselves. The Liberal Party is adrift continuing to be nostalgic about its historic contributions and past glory’s, without having built from those successes of the past to renew its ideas to reflect the needs of the new modern Canada. I have only come to this realization recently. I therefore did not submit my papers to run for the party this time, because I simply felt betrayed by a party that took for granted its people. I am delighted with all that Julian has delivered for our community and that he has already made a real difference for all of us.
This election is unnecessary particularly in Vaughan where we have been in perpetual campaign mode over the past year. We are suffering from chronic election fatigue here. No Government is perfect but people like me are starting to realize this – the stability and focus of the Federal Government led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper will help ensure that the values of a modern Canada -those of responsibility, duty, balance, diversity and prosperity for all- will continue to evolve in a positive and optimistic fashion.
I hope that all citizens of Vaughan and all Canadians consider these issues as they reflect on their needs for the future and vote for the Conservative Party in this election. There is no other party in Canada that can form a majority government and we need one now more than ever, as people are vulnerable to a continuingly fragile economic recovery. I hope all citizens of Vaughan particularly those who have voted Liberal in the past send a strong message to Ottawa that we want a strong united government, which has Vaughan represented by Julian Fantino. I know that Julian Fantino given his track record will continue to represent us extremely well in the Conservative Government for many many many years to come!
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff opening campaign statement:
This election is not just an exercise in democracy, it’s about democracy. So as we begin the campaign, let’s be clear about the rules.
Whoever leads the party that wins the most seats on election day should be called on to form the government.
If that is the Liberal Party, then I will be required to rapidly seek the confidence of the newly-elected Parliament. If our government cannot win the support of the House, then Mr. Harper will be called on to form a government and face the same challenge. That is our Constitution. It is the law of the land.
If, as Leader of the Liberal Party, I am given the privilege of forming the government, these are the rules that will guide me:
We will face Parliament with exactly the same team, platform and agenda that we bring to Canadians during this election. What Canadians see in this campaign is what Canadians will get if we are asked to form government.
We will work with ALL parties to make Parliament work, and deliver sound policies – even the Conservative Party in opposition.
We will not enter a coalition with other federalist parties. In our system, coalitions are a legitimate constitutional option. However, I believe that issue-by-issue collaboration with other parties is the best way for minority Parliaments to function.
We categorically rule out a coalition or formal arrangement with the Bloc Quebecois.
If I am facing a minority Parliament, I will work like Liberal Prime Ministers Lester Pearson, Pierre Trudeau and Paul Martin did: to provide progressive government to our country, by building support issue-by-issue, and by tapping into the goodwill, generosity and common sense of Canadians across the political spectrum. These are the governments that gave Canada the Canadian Flag, Medicare, the Canada Pension Plan, the Kelowna Accord and a National Daycare Plan. With the right kind of leadership another minority Parliament could strive for such heights.
That is my position. Now I have a few questions for Mr. Harper:
Does he agree with how I have described the workings of our democratic system?
Why does he insist on fabricating lies about an impending coalition, something he knows is false?
Will he tell Canadians the truth about his secret hotel room meetings in 2004 with the Bloc Quebecois which resulted in a signed letter of agreement to the Governor General, proposing a Conservative-NDP-Bloc coalition?
Will he finally acknowledge the unprecedented finding of contempt against his government yesterday in the House of Commons?