David Akin’s On The Hill

Just out from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade:

CANADA EXPELS SUDANESE DIPLOMAT
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada has decided to expel a diplomat from the Embassy of Sudan in Ottawa in response to the Government of Sudan’s unwarranted expulsion of Canada’s chargé d’affaires:

“Canada considers the expulsion of our chargé d’affaires to be entirely unjustified. Wherever they are posted, Canada’s diplomats will continue to work to uphold Canadian values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”

Earlier this month, Sudan had kicked out Canada’s top diplomat in that country.

 

In the U.S. — and to a degree here in Canada — there is a growing public policy debate about “network neutrality”, the idea that the Internet and data networks generally ought to be open and based on international standards. Open or neutral networks, the thinking goes, allows for greater innovation, reliability and, not insignificantly, greater customer choice.
With that in mind, The Washington Post reports today that the U.S. — where networks are arguably more “closed” than elsewhere is being left in the dust when it comes to bandwidth available to customers and to Internet-based applications:

Japan's Warp-Speed Ride to Internet Future
TOKYO — Americans invented the Internet, but the Japanese are running away with it.
Broadband service here is eight to 30 times as fast as in the United States — and considerably cheaper. Japan has the world's fastest Internet connections, delivering more data at a lower cost than anywhere else, recent studies show.
Accelerating broadband speed in this country — as well as in South Korea and much of Europe — is pushing open doors to Internet innovation that are likely to remain closed for years to come in much of the United States…

This just out from the Department of National Defence:

Master-Corporal Christian Duchesne, a member of the 5th Field Ambulance stationed in Valcartier, passed away in Afghanistan on 22 August 2007. To honour is memory, his spouse, Gina Bourque, and his three “little princesses” Camille, 9 years old, Ariane, 5 years old, Justine, 3 years old and his parents Danielle and André Duchesne, would like to release a public statement:

Christian was on Afghan ground for a little over a month when his light armoured vehicle struck a land mine. We remember very well our phone conversations during the preceding days and weeks. Christian mentioned how much he loved his work as a medical technician. His desire was to lend a helping hand to a nation tormented by war and to support his brothers in arms.

He passionately described his expeditions in villages near Kandahar to care for the locals. Watching the afghan children, he couldn't help but think of his three “poupounes” (little darlings), which he missed dearly. Before leaving, he gave his three daughters, Moka, a kitten, which was an additional presence to fill the house. Today, the arrival of Moka takes a whole new meaning. His eldest daughter, Camille, even said that the kitten had become her “replacement daddy”.    

Christian grew up in Boucherville surrounded by his family and friends. In his youth, he was a sports lover and practiced swimming, kung fu, weightlifting and excelled especially in baseball. He studied at De Mortagne high school and wished for a career as a psycho educator. At the age of 19, he preferred a military career.

Behind his shy grin and buried underneath his somewhat introverted personality, one could see a burning passion for his trade. Thirsty for adventure, travel and knowledge, he discovered a life filled with challenges. For over twelve years, he met each and every one of these challenges with his spouse Gina by his side. “Christian was a good guy, nice, mild mannered, affectionate, an exceptionally present father, capable of infinite love and who always wanted to do more”. These are the best words to describe the husband, son and father that was Christian. He dreamed of becoming a medical assistant or a search and rescue technician to broaden his knowledge, but more than anything, he wanted happiness for the ones he cherished.

Despite the tremendous pain we feel, Christian remains for us a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in a just cause: helping others. We want people to remember Christian's sacrifice. We encourage Canadians and Quebecers to continue supporting our soldiers, if only by putting a “Support our troops”
sticker on their vehicles. In our eyes, the best way to honour Christian's memory is to continue the mission with confidence and determination. Christian would have celebrated his 35th anniversary on September 24th.

“We will miss you.”

And here’s something that was new to me: Canada.com offers a “Guest Book” service. Many have signed MCpl Duchesne’s guest book.

Tonight on CTV National News, I’ll be reporting on an initiative to get a section of Highway 401 in Ontairo between Trenton and Toronto renamed the “Highway of Heroes”.

A grassroots honour guard has been manning every overpass on this 170–km stretch of highway to honour Canadian soldiers who have fallen in Afghanistan.

Here’s a note posted to a bulletin board for those interested in military affairs written by a member of the Forces. His or her name was removed:

By LCol XXXXXX, Cdn Forces Military Police
 

            I had the honour of recently attending the Repatriation Ceremony for our fallen heroes last night at 8 Wing Trenton, and, although words cannot possibly do justice to this heart-wrenching experience, I thought it important to describe the overwhelming–and I mean overwhelming–support provided by law enforcement, fire services, ambulance services and, indeed, the public at large for this very solemn occasion. The procession included over twenty vehicles and had to be at least one km in length.  Cpl XXXX, SLt XXXXXX, and I were in the rear escort Military Police vehicle. I could not believe my eyes as we made the solemn journey from 8 Wing to the Coroner's Office in Toronto.

We were escorted by at least six or seven OPP cars and two motorcycles until we arrived in Toronto, and then Durham Regional Police, and then Toronto Police Services picked up the escort/traffic control duties.  Every overpass along the almost 200 kms of Hwy 401 had emergency services vehicles with lights flashing, members saluting, and citizens waving Canadian flags.  Every on ramp had a police vehicle blocking traffic, with members standing by the vehicles saluting.  Entire police detachments stood along the route, saluting in front of their vehicles.  Firehalls had their trucks out, with their members in full dress uniform out front paying respects to our comrades.  People stopped their cars along the side of the road, got out and saluted or held their hands over their hearts.  As we neared downtown, the streets were lined with crowds waving Canadian flags and paying their respects.  The outpouring of support for our fallen heroes and their families was beyond belief; never before have I been as proud to wear this uniform.

Finally, this would not have been possible without the OUTSTANDING support of our fellow police officers from the OPP and Toronto Police Services.  All of the police officers who supported this solemn occasion–and I would put a very conservative estimate at over 500–did so on their own time.  They were volunteers.  The Ontario Provincial Police (in particular Quinte West Det and Whitby Detachments), Durham Regional Police, and Toronto Metro Police–theyall deserve special mention for their outstanding efforts and their amazing show of support.

This experience will remain with me for the rest of my life.  I truly hope I never get the opportunity again; however, should such a tragedy once again befall our brave soldiers, sailors and airmen/women, it is comforting to know that Canada's quiet patriotism is very much alive and well–the torch burns bright and strong. 

If you’re interested, read the whole thread at Army.ca, where this was originally posted.

 

A new poll done for The Associated Press reports on the bookreading habits of Americans. I fear a poll of Canadians might produce a similarly dismal result:

A quarter of US adults say they read no books at all in the past year, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll. The typical person claimed to have read four books in the last year and, excluding those who had not read any books at all, the usual number of books read was seven.
Of those who did read, women and pensioners were most avid readers, and religious works and popular fiction were the top choices.

Attention politics junkies: This just in from CTV’s public affairs department:

Triumph & Treachery: The Brian Mulroney Story,  A Landmark Political Special and CTV Exclusive Premiering September 9

Toronto, ON (August 21, 2007) – Leading Canadian broadcaster CTV announced a landmark political special, with the exclusive English television broadcast of Triumph & Treachery: The Brian Mulroney Story. The 90-minute timely special will make its television premiere Sunday, September 9, 2007 at 7 p.m. (check local listings) on CTV, just one day before the hotly anticipated book launch of Brian Mulroney: Memoirs, landing September 10 in stores across Canada.

The CTV exclusive production follows an innovative partnership between CTV and publisher McClelland & Stewart. French-language TVA will air the special in conjunction with Quebecor’s Les Éditions de l'Homme. It’s the first time The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney has granted such a comprehensive interview since leaving office in 1993. And helming the interview and guiding viewers through the special is CTV Chief Anchor and Editor Lloyd Robertson. Triumph & Treachery: The Brian Mulroney Story will be broadcast in HD (High Definition) television, the first time a prime ministerial documentary program has been presented in this format.

“This is a Brian Mulroney Canadians have never seen before,” said Robertson. “He opens up and shares intimate details about world leaders such as Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela. He also lashes out at his political opponents and deals with the controversies that have followed him through the years.”

In both his 1,100-page memoirs, which spans the years from 1939 to 1993, and his interviews with Robertson, Mr. Mulroney talks frankly about his political career – sharing, often for the first time, his personal views on the momentous events that transpired during his tenure as prime minister. He reflects on his great political triumphs such as leading the Progressive Conservatives to back-to-back majority governments, guiding the country through a recession and leading the global opposition to apartheid in South Africa. He also openly discusses the emotional failure of the Meech Lake Accord, the rise of the Bloc Québécois and shares his personal opinions on some of the people who openly betrayed him throughout his political career.

Outside of politics, Mr. Mulroney shares intimate stories about his triumphs in early life – including his personal struggles with alcohol and growing up as one of six children in the working-class community of Baie-Comeau, on Quebec’s North Shore.

“Politics aside, Mr. Mulroney’s rise from poverty to the highest office in Canada is an incredible story of drive and determination,” said Doug Gibson, the editor of Mr. Mulroney’s Memoirs at McClelland & Stewart.

The CTV special features rare photos and archive footage of Mr. Mulroney as a child and private family videos during his time in office. CTV captures his emotional return to the streets of Baie Comeau where he visits the house he grew up in for the first time in 50 years. The former prime minister also travels to Parliament Hill – and returns to the floor of the House of Commons for the first time since he retired from politics in 1993.

If you’re in Western Canada, watch out, Liberal MP Garth Turner is bringing his “Lost Tory” tour near you.

Now, when Turner was a Conservative, many of his caucus colleagues resented it when he’d show up in their Western riding. They thought he was grand-standing (and stealing their thunder). For many Conservative MPs,  Garth’s forays into other ridings contributed to their decision to kick him out of that caucus.

But the Liberals have a different view.

“Turner will be contributing to the Party and the Leaders' narrative on broken promises and policy missteps by the Conservatives and explaining the rationale for his decision to leave the Conservatives and join the Liberals,” wrote Nicolas Ruszkowski, Director of Communications for the Opposition Leader’s Office, in an e-mail reply to a query I had. “He's also helping by spending a significant portion of time in unheld ridings, and we welcome the initiative.”

Here’s the release from Turner’s office:

The lost Tory tour

Despite a cabinet shuffle and promises of new ideas, legions of Canadians who supported the notion of a new Conservative government are very disappointed.

Income taxes were raised. Income trusts taxed. Government spending bloated. Interest rates raised. Inflation rekindled. This is not what taxpayers expected of a Tory administration. It’s not what Garth Tuner expected. The former life-long Progressive Conservative, twice-elected Conservative MP and former minister and leadership candidate was summarily tossed out of Stephen Harper’s caucus almost a year ago. The career financial author and broadcaster is now a member of the federal Liberal caucus. His daily blog (garth.ca) has become a lightening rod of opinion for those Conservative voters who, like him, think Mr. Harper has lost his way.

In response to a flood of invitations, Garth Turner will be holding a series of public, Town Hall meetings across Western Canada next month. He will be speaking on ‘What every Investor and Homeowner needs to know.’

 Town Halls will be held in the following sequence:

• Tuesday Sept 4            LaBroquiere, Manitoba
• Tuesday Sept 4            Winnipeg 
• Wednesday Sept 5       Regina (2)
• Thursday Sept 6           Duncan, BC 
• Thursday Sept 6           Victoria
• Saturday Sept 8            Vancouver
• Sunday Sept 9              Abbotsford
• Monday Sept 10          Kelowna (2)
• Tuesday Sept 11          Edmonton (2)
• Wednesday Sept 12     Red Deer
• Wednesday Sept 12     Calgary
• Thursday Sept 13         Lethbridge

“Conservative voters who expected Mr. Harper to govern without raising taxes, increasing spending or making life harder for investors, retired people or families are asking to be heard,” Turner says. “In each of the communities I am visiting, grassroots organizers have come together to stage these meetings. I’m eager to hear the people, and bring their voices to Ottawa, where they’ve been all but lost.”

As Ottawa gets set to welcome U.S. President George Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calderon, security is, understandably, highly visible and omnipresent. But it can get a bit absurd. I’ve just returned from the U.S. Embassy on Sussex Drive in downtown Ottawa. It’s a highly visible building just down the street from Canada’s National Art Gallery. Today, with the leaders in town, there are lots of fences and barricades surrounding the building with many police officers standing behind those barricades.

But, at 11 a.m. this morning, there was no sign of protests and both pedestrian and vehicular traffic was lighter than usual.

Nonetheless, we set up our news cameras on the sidewalk near the Embassy just to take some pictures of the scene at the time.

A private sector security guard was quickly upon us.

“No pictures of the building,” the young man said sternly from behind his dark sunglasses.

“We can’t take a picture of the building?,” I asked. “That seems odd. Why is that?”

“Security reasons.”

I neglected to inform that we had already taken pictures of the U.S. Embassy before he had arrived and — I don’t think I’m spilling any secrets when I say this — we have plenty of “file pictures” of the U.S. Embassy back here in our bureau.

We packed up our camera gear and hustled back to our studio with these new top-secret pictures of one of Ottawa’s most visible buildings. Keep watching CTV Newsnet — we might try to sneak them on air!