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Minister to face grilling by Commons over judgment

SHAWN MCCARTHY

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 12:09 AM EDT 12/05/08

Opposition MPs continue to challenge Mr. Bernier – and government's security screening – over woman who once had ties to Hells Angels ...Read the full article

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  1. smelter rat from Canada writes: Bye bye, Maxime.
  2. D. Patrick from Gonzoville, Canada writes: I can't find any real content to this scandal, if it is one. Whether one likes this government or not, by any standard of decency Bernier and his choice of girlfriend is no one's business but his own. Was she a high level biker? No, and the association ended ages ago in any case.

    Should Michael Ignatief account to the House for every romantic association he's ever had, and should the house delve into the suitability of these partners, or should other MPs across the political divide be called on to do so? No, they should not. By the same token Bernier should be left alone. The phrase the 'state has no role in the bedroom' comes to mind.
  3. runner danchuk from Saskatoon, Canada writes: What! Stockwell day believes that a security check on Members of the New Government is excessive and overkill?

    I'm confused? What happened to tough on crime or is it that no conservative would commit a crime? I just read that Chuk Guite, Jean Brault, and Paul Coffin (Sposonship Scanal Affair), these guys are actually conservatives. What am I missing? I thought this was a Liberal Sponsorship Scandal?

    What's up with this? So, then, the Cons plotted (Tom Flanagan, comes to mind) a scandal that the Cons promoted in the names of the Liberals.

    Well, I am not a thief, liar, or traitor. So, I must be Liberal?

    I was heartbroken when I heard the Sponsorship Scandal was a Liberal event. I was heartbroken when I heard that Ralph Goodale was up on criminal charges with the Income Trust Fund thing.

    What do we need to do to let the truth be known.

    I'll bet Maxine Bernier will be sick tomorrow...or he'll be taking an early leave of absense due to family problems.

    Does Maxine Bernier have any children?

    National Security Man...I've watched some espionage movies.

    This Maxine Bernier, the sexiest guy on Parliament Hill, is scary.
  4. True North from Canada writes: As the representative of Canada abroad, very bad judgment and reflects poorly on Canadians Mr. Bernier. You can already hear the third Harper cabinet shuffle coming.
  5. scott thomas from Canada writes: Uh, he's the minister of foreign affairs and he took a multiple associate of an organized crime syndicate (one that controls many of Canada's ports) on political junkets? Put your eyes back in your head, Bernie. And to think that he's on the front row of Harpo's cabinet bench. The rest must shore be maroons.
  6. M Warren from Ottawa, Canada writes: This is the test: Can the Cons take what they dish out?
  7. mike sty - from Canada writes:
    Poor Bernier

    No more hiding behind, its none of your business

    Bernier, You can run, but you just can't hide.
  8. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: Apart from demonstrated incompetence (or lack of interest in his portfolio--same outcome), the claim that we shouldn't care about his association with someone who may retain ties to bikers is ridiculous. Apparently, though, Stockwell Day feels it's nobody's business but the politician involved if they decide to hook up with Russian or Chinese spies. We should, however, be looking into the personal affairs of everyone who has ever entered a mosque.
  9. Free The West from Free the West, BC, Canada writes: If any of the above posters were refering to a Liberal member it would be nothing but howls of outrage over the press interfering with the Liberal's personal life. Of course had it been a Liberal this wouldn't even be a story in the G&M!
    All the usual Leftie suspects ......
  10. Allan b from Haliburton, Canada writes: Our government is very corupt and has been for some time. Mr Day is suppose to be getting real tough on crime I wonder what happened to charges against former education minister Snoblen. He was charged with haveing an unregistered 22 cal handgun and unsafe storage of the said hand gun. He was to be sentanced I think on the 23d of April I have not heard if he is now a criminal or if some how he slithered out of a law that is suppose to be the law for everyone????
  11. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: Free the West, a former member of CSIS discussed on Mike Duffy Live last week how this was a VERY BIG deal. If a civil servant was identified to have such a relationship, it would prevent them from serving in any sensitive positions. He also pointed out that motorcycle gangs are involved in infiltrating all levels of government. It isn't about the relationship. The only questions that need to be answered are: 1) does she maintain any contact with known criminals? and 2) if 1 is yes, then did she have access to sensitive information? Ideally, this type of screening would take place before there was any possibility of accessing such information. As for Bernier's private life, nobody cares if he purchases the services of prostitutes, is a closet homosexual, or prefers animals to people.
  12. David Griffith from Canada writes: Yawn. The public is tiring very quickly of the current trend of Liberal National Inquirer politics. Devoid of leadership. Devoid of policy. All they have left is American-style mudslinging. Libs, THIS is what you voted for. You asked for a party...you got a tabloid. Good luck with that.
  13. Fake Name from Canada writes: Opposition needs to get a life. The con's have gotten away with a few things that really should have stuck to them worse in the polls lately, but this is just silly. Unless they have reason to believe she was passing government information to bikers (and I rather doubt the hell's angels are concerned with the intricacies of our foreign affairs policy anyway), there's no call for this sort of witch-hunt.
  14. Free The West from Free the West, BC, Canada writes: Hey 'Harper Approved ...' HUH????

    My opinion on this would be the same whether it was a Liberal or Conservative member. Does that address whatever point it was you were trying to get across?
  15. Nick Wright from Halifax, Canada writes: M. Bernier is well known to be a dim bulb, too self absorbed to be interested in his post in one of the country's most important portfolios.

    Canadians cannot be blamed for wondering if his self absorption has not made him vulnerable to a 'honey trap' strategy by very sophisticated Quebec-based biker gangs. These people are international criminals--no doubt with interests in the country (Afghanistan) that produces 90% of the world's heroin. What has Canada's Foreign Minister whispered on the pillow to the highly dubious Ms Couillard in his pathetic delusion that she was actually interested in him?
  16. David Griffith from Canada writes: I R: Careful what you say there. You know...that Liberal tendency to say things that get themselves in deep poop, from a legal perspective?
  17. Jack Rip from Vancouver, Canada writes: Talk about double standards ... if you are a brown-skinned Muslim, guilt by association is a forgone conclusion (and reasonable cause for detention). If you are Maxim Bernier, its 'nobody's business', according to Steven Harper.
  18. Di Janze from Canada writes: If I hear another conservative supporter utter the word 'Careful ...watch out for legal poop!' I will definitely scream!! Again nothing has changed in this conservative mind set, legal law suit will solve all criticism. Smell the coffee, people are tired of your antics. This is not a private matter to be swept under the rug as suggested by Harper! This involves international crime and maybe the Conservatives are so adamant NOT to see facts and how global crime syndicate had infiltrated all levels of governments. Maybe Harper's team had already been infiltrated by criminals in business suits that really it's hard to see any difference. National security is at stake whenever anyone who had been associated with the biker's gang and if this government had any back bone, they would investigate to the fullest and under no circumstances are politicians exempt from such investigations and that includes families and especially spouses!! Most security lapses occur during 'pillow talk' unless Harper and his gang prefer to close their eyes and see no evil and hear no evil.
    Harper and his right wing twisted mind is just so busy blaming everyone who is not a right wing conservative as a communist lefty that he left a big gap for the criminal elements of society to use the age old tactic of female bait to seek information under false pretence. This is a woman who had TWO not just one previous relation with biker gang and now she had suddenly found her man in one of the top government post??? I find that too much of a coincident! Wake up before the whole country got sucked into a river of blood that cannot be washed off.
  19. Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: Bernier is a complete dumba$$ for getting involved with this woman. While I would expect Harper, or ANY PM, for political purposes, to dismiss the questioning as gossip, privately, Harper should kick Bernier's a$$ and tell him to grow up or sit in the back benches. And I don't care how big her t!ts are.
  20. joseph Cheng from Toronto, Canada writes: Considering some segments of Quebec population's fascination with the Angels in addition to well-known Quebec personalities' association with this alleged criminal group, it wouldn't be too far fetched that the Angels might soon in the future contest a seat in the Quebec National Assembly or a seat in the House of Commons. I would not be the least surprised if a candidate from the Angels would be able to garner more than quite a few thousand votes, become a factor to decide which main-stream party candidate be elected or even get elected.
  21. Vern McPherson from writes:
    berner has to go ............... no 2 ways about it. He's an embarassment.

    He's the Fredo of the godfather oracle's family ...........
  22. Omar Khayyem from Canada writes: Gee, I wonder if Barbara Streisand was checked out when she was allegedly romantically involved with Pierre Trudeau? After all she was an American and therefore a threat to Canada, at least accordingly to all the Libby Lefts who see a threat in anything American. Why don't the Libbies try to put together a platform that makes some sense rather than mud-racking? Of course they still do have one great platform - Kyoto and its carbon credits. Of course that is to enrich some firms in Quebec and Paris. Oops I forgot, Al Gore and Murray Strong too. God it must be frustrating to be on the outside looking in after all those years at the public trough. I gather that most of the Harper-haters are out of their old jobs since they seem to have all this time to vent their spleens on non-stories. Do you really think that this woman is a threat to the security in Canada rather than the 41 000 illegal aliens running around? How stupid are you? Please don't respond. I want to speculate.
  23. Action Jackson from Canada writes: Fake Name @ 12:28: '... and I rather doubt the hell's angels are concerned with the intricacies of our foreign affairs policy anyway ...'

    What planet are you from, Fake?
  24. jer greene from montreal, Canada writes: 'Bond, James Bond.' My, my, how we forget espionage! The government is so jejune not to imagine any plants among them? Is CSIS on this, or are they their usual cast of incompetents?
  25. David Elliott from Canada writes: . . . not clear how much leeway MPs will have to question . . .
    --------------------

    Why won't the MPs have a leeway to question? Is it because Peter
    VanLoan and Harper himself want to dictate terms?

    This government (!) likes to dictate terms rather than work with the
    traditions of parliament and custom of democracy.

    It's amazing it's lasted this long. But that's because of the spinelessness of Dion.

    A little more courage and the conservatives will come tumbling down because they have so much baggage in their corner, it's beginning to look like the last days of Mulroney!
  26. Bert Russell Paradox, BC from Canada writes:
    Come to think of it another Quebecor Pierre Trudeau made some questionable choices with female companions as well. Is this a cultural thing ... another Gerda Munsinger (Liberal baggage) Who says Liberal power didn't corrupt.
    I really think backgound checks on Politicians, Spouses and connections with criminals and terrorists should be mandatory.
  27. Boy Tigas from Mississauga, ON, Canada writes: This is just unbelievable!!! Our MPs are paid to do a 'Jerry Springer-type' grilling. And this is approved by Dion??? What's next, EH?
  28. Fred Draper from Kingston, Canada writes: At first I thought: what's Maxime Bernier doing dating a biker chick? I'm imagining the leather jacket, tatoos and dangling cigarette.

    Then I saw the biker chick in question: what a super-hottie!

    No question: this scandal has been great for Bernier's image in Quebec. Good work!
  29. loraine lamontagne from Canada writes: TO BERT RUSSELL - who wrote :' another Gerda Munsinger (Liberal baggage) Who says Liberal power didn't corrupt.'

    Pierre Sevigny, the minister involved with Munsinger, was a Conservative. So what you meant to say is that Conservative power corrupts.
  30. wayne ouellette from Canada writes: I guess we are stuck with the liberal press, the liberal whiners and the liberal party being satisfied to sling mud, dig in wastebaskets and spend their time doing nothing about issues. Lets go to the polls and see what Canadians think. It won't happen. Why. Well, liberals know the end result. Keep on chirping boys and girls. The
    country is in good hands. You can keep sitting on yours.
  31. loraine lamontagne from Canada writes: To A Better Canada: Your comment is odd in light of the facts. Duceppe is the one pushing the attack against Bernier. Comments in the French press are overwhelmingly against Bernier. Funny world we live in: if you have been a political aide, by law you have a cooling period of five years before you can lobby the government because your experience is deemed a 'danger' of some kind. To receive a permit to open a daycare in your home you must give a full account on all of your family members, including any criminal offence whether recent or twenty years past. I know that they dug in thirty years in my past when I applied for my job in the investment business.

    It is difficult for me to imagine that after her partner was gunned down by some bikers' gang Madame Couillard stumbled by chance on another one whom she married. She obviously knew that milieu. But this government doesn't regard this situation as a potential risk. Their message is clear: this government is open to this kind of business.
  32. Bill M from Canada writes: If this is the reaction to a politician dating a woman with biker association from a decade ago, I think every single MP in Ottawa should divulge everything about their spouses and / or companions immediately. Let's have everything going back 20 years just to be on the safe side.
  33. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: Bernier 'in.' Bernier 'out.'
  34. Danny Williams makes have economy Stevie Harper makes have not economy from Canada writes: Fake Name from Canada writes: Opposition needs to get a life. The con's have gotten away with a few things that really should have stuck to them worse in the polls lately, but this is just silly. Unless they have reason to believe she was passing government information to bikers (and I rather doubt the hell's angels are concerned with the intricacies of our foreign affairs policy anyway), there's no call for this sort of witch-hunt.
    Posted 12/05/08 at 12:28 AM EDT |

    Of all the Countries in the Americas why a free trade deal with Columbia ? According to reports she not only sat in on Foreign Affairs meetings , she took part in the discussions ?
  35. Kenneth Yurchuk from Toronto, Canada writes: Let's see.... The Hell's Angels have more than a passing interest in drugs..... Heroin is a drug.... there's lots of heroin being producesd in A'stan....As Foreign minister, Mr. Bernier has some clout in A'stan....

    Hmmmmmm
  36. Bert Russell Paradox, BC from Canada writes:
    loraine lamontange: got my time lines mixed ... should have referred to the Spencer case with Pearson Govt. later that prompted the fuss for Govt - almost brought the Liberal down.
    I remember now it was George Hess and Sevigny plus the black book of other 'names' which never saw the light of day.
    Back in the day when Kruschev pounded his shoe on the table.
  37. Liberals Steal from Canada writes: I know a party that had a CabMin who had 'ties to' the Mafia. They never did anything about it. What hypocrites!!
  38. Kenneth Yurchuk from Toronto, Canada writes: Morning LS; Trotting out the old 'Liberals did it too' defence are we? But weren't the cons going to change all that? But then I suppose Mr. Bernier is entitled to his ...er....entitlements, n'est pas?
  39. daver d from toronto, Canada writes: nice guns
  40. Gerry Pankhurst from westport ontario, Canada writes: Prime Minister Harper has demonstrated over and over again that he is a leader, not a follower, much to the chagrin of the media and those who take delight in trashing him and his government. I pray that he seizes the opportunity to do it again right now. There is no scandal or even a hint of one. Mr. Bernier has a life style of his own and the right to choose his girl friends. It’s easy to hoot and holler that this poses a security risk but I defy anyone to give any reasonable evidence of that risk or, better still, that it happened this time or any other. As to alleged incompetence: Show me. His so called attempt to direct Afghanistan how to run their government if a lot of crap. I am quite sure he will be welcomed when he decides to revisit. The same applies to anything else he has done that has been warped out of shape. It is all media spun hog wash. It is one more example of opposition desperation to manufacture a scandal where none exists, that is fueled by the media obsession with making headlines to sell the news and continue their declared war between Mr. Harper and the coveted press gallery. The only place where Canada does not get credit for good international relations is in the Canadian media and the the scandal addicted opposition. We are highly respected on a world wide basis. Why else would we have such a long list of aspiring immigrants and short list of emigrants? I daresay I have worked, lived and traveled in more places in the world than the average contributor to this forum and I have always been greeted with friendliness and heard nothing but good about our country. I'm a fiercely proud Canadian and as the Merl Hggard song goes: 'When you're running down my country, you're running on the the fighting side of me' Hang in there Mr. Harper and continue to lead and make your own decisions. If they don’t like it, let them force an election. I dare them.
  41. Harold Uhlman from Lunenburg, NS, writes: The beat goes on. Of course, Mr. Bernier should be free to date whomever he wants. That truly is his business. However, if there is the hint of a possible security risk, then it becomes the nation's business. Was there a security risk in this case? I seriously doubt it. Was she a plant by organized crime, perhaps, but I even more seriously doubt that. It just seems to me that Mr. Harper makes these situations into issues by his mishandling of them. He keeps them in the news. His tendency to be so insecure he can't admit a mistake, and to turn everything into an attack on the opposition parties, public servants, media, judges, etc. fans the flame that otherwise would soon go out. Why not just say things could have and should have been handled differently, as they should have? Why not admit that a check should have been made, acknowledge the lapse in judgement, indicate more diligence in the future, and kill it? As much as he wants his government to be perfect, he surely must realize by now they have lowered the perfection bar must lower than he could ever have dreamed. He really underestimates the Canadian people. .He insults our intelligence when he thinks so firmly we won't accept statements of honest mistakes, human failing, that we never forgive. The larger question is Mr. Bernier making a false claim about his acquaintance being his wife. If true, that is not a mistake.
  42. Liberals Steal from Canada writes: I was surprised to find out he was straight. It's unusual in Ottawa.
    And that he could pull such a hottie.

    Reminds me of an old Frantics skit:

    'That damn Trudeau! He dates beautiful women, drives a fancy sports car, and travels the world! He has no idea what the average Canadian dreams of!'

    he he he. It was funny then, it's funny now.

    'Imagine! Giving us the finger after we drove all that way just to throw eggs at his train!!'

    Now what PM reminds you a little bit of Trudeau?
    Why do Canadinas prefer leaders who are a like that rather than boneheads like Clark, Martin, Turner, Dion and Campbell?
  43. Kenneth Yurchuk from Toronto, Canada writes: Pankhurst Writes: Mr. Bernier has a life style of his own and the right to choose his girl friends. It’s easy to hoot and holler that this poses a security risk but I defy anyone to give any reasonable evidence of that risk.

    _______________________________________________________

    True enough GP, but as I wrote at 7:08 AM, the Angels interest in drugs, and Berniers position of influence in the Narco state of A'stan, there has got to be a legitimate concern about the potential of influence that a 'former' associate of a major drug trafficing ring might have on the Minister. Mr. Bernier was clearly thinking with his 'little' head.
  44. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    OK! So what do we have here: 2 seperate issues: 1) Competence
    2) Security

    1) With all due respect to Mr. Bernier, he is clearly out of his element and expertise-that being finance and intergovernmental affairs. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand this appointment was all about Quebec optics and nothing more.

    The decision has proved to be a wrong one with the several gaffs caused by in-experience. I can also understand Harper's dilemna as there is really no one with any kind of international experience in his caucus.

    Therefore, PM Harper should admit his mistake and either go into the private sector, appoint the person as Senator, and get someone who knows something about Foreugn Affairs, or induce IGGY to cross the floor and take the portfolio.

    2) Security. I am unaware of the protocol for either Minister or MP's in general, yet there should be vetting of all.

    Government and Opposition MP's sit on sensitive committees (banking, trade, commerce, ethics,) and they could be targets of influence and corruption. Their spouces and children over 18 should also be vetted. Underworld characters have been known to target family members.....
    .
  45. Liberals Steal from Canada writes: Kenneth Yurchuk from Toronto, Canada writes: Morning LS; Trotting out the old 'Liberals did it too' defence are we? But weren't the cons going to change all that?

    Yurch you lefty genius. NO wonder your party is in such decline
    wiht that kind of logic.

    Gagliano was IN THE MAFIA.
    This guy Bernier was not in organized crime. If HE was a biker then you have some equivalence.

    This is the same as if Gagliano slept with a person who knew people in the Mafia, which we can be 100% sure he did.
  46. Danny Williams makes have economy Stevie Harper makes have not economy from Canada writes: Harold Uhlman from Lunenburg, NS, writes: The beat goes on. Of course, Mr. Bernier should be free to date whomever he wants. That truly is his business. However, if there is the hint of a possible security risk, then it becomes the nation's business. Was there a security risk in this case? I seriously doubt it. Was she a plant by organized crime, perhaps, but I even more seriously doubt that. Posted 12/05/08 at 7:27 AM EDT

    4/11/2008 7:09:00 AM
    Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: Columbia Trade, Farm Bill, NCBA, South Korea Talks

    Once fully implemented, the Colombian market has potential to equal roughly $10-$20 million a year for the U.S. beef industry.
    Colombia's coffee farmers - or 'cafeteleros' - grow Arabica coffee beans, some of the best quality coffee in the world. Most of the country's 560,000 cafeteleros have small farms. Yet coffee farmers worldwide face a crisis - in Colombia, more than 200,000 cafeteleros have already given up.

    I appologize as harper appears to be solving Canada's red meat crisis and ensuring high quality low cost beans for timmies ?
  47. r b from Calgary, Canada writes: This is the single most important issue in the nation since Harper coldly shook his son's hand at school rather than smooching him in front of the boy's classmates!

    We must have an election!

    If only there was some way Dion could force one. Let me think, let me think....
  48. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: With an election on the horizon, Harper's team is hoping Bernier's strengths as poster boy for Quebec Conservatives outweigh his weaknesses as an accident waiting to happen in Foreign Affairs.
    Accidents are happening. Bernier is past his 'best before' date.
  49. Kenneth Yurchuk from Toronto, Canada writes: LS, I know there were rumours of Mafia connection with Mr. Gagliano. I also know that Mr. Berniers connections with HA are of a 'softer' variety. Nevertheless, security considerations exist and Bernier showed poor judgement, not for the first time.
  50. Gerry Pankhurst from westport ontario, Canada writes: In the 1960's, when I was between wives, I had a reasonably serious affair with a card carring member of the FLQ. I found out about it when I saw some literature in her apartment. She was a foreign born well placed professional, divorced from an even more highly placed professional. When I confronted her about her affiliation, she made no apologies. The relationship ended and I subsequently saw her picture and name in the press on more than one occasion during the infamous 'October crisis' I'm not proud of that association, nor am I ashamed. Just one of those things with which a single man gets involved. I had 'secret' security clearance before during and since that interlude. So what?
  51. Dick Dead-Eye from Fiji writes:

    This type of story indicates how petty our opposition parties have become. I suppose it's more important to belittle, pass judgment, demonstrate prejudice, and bully a lady who has a past and her minister friend, rather than to focus on the sad state of the Ontario economy, or the quality of life for our indigenous peoples, or our parasitic relationship we're having on our environment.
  52. S Boatright from Canada writes: Omar Khayyem from Canada writes: 'Gee, I wonder if Barbara Streisand was checked out when she was allegedly romantically involved with Pierre Trudeau? After all she was an American and therefore a threat to Canada, at least accordingly to all the Libby Lefts who see a threat in anything American. Why don't the Libbies try to put together a platform that makes some sense rather than mud-racking? '

    Good point. I don't recall this kind of furor when Chretien's son was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in the early 90's either (he got 3 years for that). (FYI - in 2003 he was charged again for sexual assault - but acquitted.)

    Bad judgment on Bernier's part in his choice of companions, but hardly the scandal that the opposition is trying to make it - in particular since the woman's romantic encounters were more than 10 years old at the time.

    If we didn't have so many other valid issues to look at, perhaps it could be forgivable, but as things stand the Liberal Party looks pretty pathetic as an opposition party at the moment. Maybe they should start focussing on how in the world they're going to sell Dion's carbon tax to the average taxpayer.
  53. pole cat from Canada writes: Anyone remember denis corrdeire marching with the hezbolah.lmao.
  54. Vern McPherson from writes:
    yahoos ..............

    If you suspect gagliano and if you accuse Cordierre what is bernier ?

    COns = yahoo liars .......
  55. Chris Eaton from Fredericton, writes: It seems to me that if the best the opposition can come up with to slam the government is 'the ex of the ex of the Minister was involved with some criminals', the government can't be doing that bad of a job.

    Either that or they're now going for the National Enquirer vote. I mean seriously, why is the Globe wasting ink on this garbage?
  56. Vern McPherson from writes:
    Gotta love the pic at the head of the story. Berner says:

    ' Look Ma !! See what I got '
  57. pole cat from Canada writes: Lol berneir has a good looking woman to be with vernny.whats the big deal
  58. Liberals Steal from Canada writes: S Boatright
    'Gee, I wonder if Barbara Streisand was checked out when she was allegedly romantically involved with Pierre Trudeau? After all she was an American and therefore a threat to Canada, at least accordingly to all the Libby Lefts who see a threat in anything American.'

    Not just that, but in the entertainment industry with it's notorious historic connections to ethnic OC, I bet you could draw straight line from Barbara to Meyer Lansky. OOoooooooh!!!!
  59. Danny Williams makes have economy Stevie Harper makes have not economy from Canada writes: Dick Dead-Eye from Fiji writes: This type of story indicates how petty our opposition parties have become. I suppose it's more important to belittle, pass judgment, demonstrate prejudice, and bully a lady who has a past and her minister friend, rather than to focus on the sad state of the Ontario economy, or the quality of life for our indigenous peoples, or our parasitic relationship we're having on our environment. Posted 12/05/08 at 7:46 AM EDT | JIM BRONSKILL AND SUE BAILEY THE CANADIAN PRESS May 11, 2008 at 6:24 PM EDT OTTAWA — The RCMP call it Occurrence No. 2007-34748. JIM BROWN The Canadian Press May 11, 2008 at 10:06 PM EDT OTTAWA — Six months after Prime Minister Stephen Harper first promised a public inquiry into the Brian Mulroney-Karlheinz Schreiber affair, For the generals, referendum trumps relief Junta shows entrenching its dominance is more important than saving its citizens ( Elections Canada ?) GEOFFREY YORK From Monday's Globe and Mail May 12, 2008 at 3:21 AM EDT Rules urged for spies in Afghanistan War zone work commendable despite lack of guidance, inspector-general says COLIN FREEZE Globe and Mail May 9, 2008 Sorry Dick but no harper bashing leftie stories today on Indian School mess , lack of daycare country wide or National Power Grid to help electrical costs or supply ? Alberta paying $ 10 billion for a $ 4 billion reactor isn't bashing harper ?
  60. Derek Holtom from Swan River, Canada writes: pole cat from Canada writes: Anyone remember denis corrdeire marching with the hezbolah

    i do. and by some people's logic on here, he shouldn't have been in cabinet either.
    of course, after he claimed he saw a UFO, he likely should have been look at closer before he was made a cabinet minister...

    unless there is PROOF the man did something wrong, I'm not sure what the problem is here. do an investigation if it makes you all sleep better at night. I'm sure you could trace her phone calls with little effort
  61. George BrownIII from Christmas Island writes: Never mind the politics of the moment, the dude had a hot chick! Nice cup! Wonder if bernie knew what all to do! The liberals are just jealous.
  62. Gerry Pankhurst from westport ontario, Canada writes: Will someone please list the gaffs committed by Mr. Bernier and the damages incurred as a consequence? I don't mean perceived consequences. I mean the real thing.
    Bob Rae, the closet separatist is set up as master of foreign affairs expert of the Liberl party. Why?
    Stephane Dion who refuses to resolve his semi-Canadian citizenship knows nothing about foreign affairs. Where is there any indication that he does?
    Jack Layton, a dedicated Canadian smear monger who thinks he could sit down and reason with the Taliban is little more than a joke on the Canadian political scene.
    Nothing needs to be said about Duceppe. His intentions are well known.
    Bernier is not incompetent. He is simply the latest media/opposition target. Who is next remains to be seen.
  63. 4Cryin Outloud from Canada writes: It really doesn't matter how incompetent Bernier is, or Lunn, or Oda, or Baird, or Day, or MacKay, or Clement, or Ambrose, or Findley, or Flaherty, or Strahl, or any of the elected Harpers because the common denominator is Harper. All things go through Harper and he has proven over and over again he isn't fit to sit in the PMO.

    I don't agree with making a scandal out of who slept with who but with all the security checks being done on the RCMP and their families and friends for instance, it makes scence to have the same security for our MPs. Even though, as we can see this still results in bad cops, bad CSIS, and innocent people in jails abroad being tortured because they were seen takling with so and so.

    And, then there's the possibility that Julia was working undercover and Bernier a suspect?

    I predict organized crime is only going to become more organized and more criminal and their members will and are sitting in our governments right now. There will be a revolution, peaceful or bloody is our decision.
  64. Liberals Steal from Canada writes: Instead of focusing on the hot chicks that some conservatives have slept with (and let's face it, this substantially improves the image of the Tories!) The Liberals should concentrate on how on earth they will convince Canadians to allow them to massively increase our taxes through some ill-conceived 'Carbon' tax. You've got enough to worry about. Now that is dumb policy AND electoral suicide all at once!
  65. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Not a great scandal but one has to question Berneir's thought process on this....but given his performance to date I think it is safe to say that Maxime Bernier is not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

    ...and what is his girlfriend wearing? I mean, is it appropriate to wear what she is wearing to an official swearing in ceremony. Her boobs are falling out of her top...normally I am all for that but not at a formal ceremony such as this.
  66. Jimmy K from Toronto, Canada writes: Seriously is this a big deal?
    I mean, honestly, I don't get it. I see 77 posts here of indignation, I see Parliament up in arms, I see a story about this EVERY DAY, and I still don't get it. You're all weird.

    WHO CARES WHO HE IS DATING? Has this bikerchick been given access to the Privy Counsil? Does she sit at the cabinet table? is she being given state secrets? No? No? No? THEN WHO CARES?

    Seriously, I don't get you people. I don't get the media, I don't get MP's, and I don't get people who think this is actually something to be concerned about. I say good for you Maxime, at least he's getting some, a happy industry minister is a productive industry minister ;)
  67. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: The simple test of this latest Harper Cabinet adventure is simple. If Bernier is enjoying the benefits of 'privilege' than his behaviour and choices are not his alone. Or, his choice would be to remain a representative of his constituency, alone. That would be their decision, as to his competence or lack of it.
    But, as a Minister representing the Crown, he has made a decision to represent Canada. His actions should represent that. This is not about his personal rights.
  68. Gerry Pankhurst from westport ontario, Canada writes: Do I detect a trend toward contributors seeing this affair for what it really is? A load of crap, calculated to create a controversy where no controversy exists. Good on you folks. Maybe some real news will follow and this will go into the trash bin along with the Martin woman.
  69. m m from Mississauga, Canada writes: .

    WHAT A SHAME, G&M!!!

    Article 'Big Banks want Carney to have more power' has disappeared from the first page after a few hours of night exposure, whereas junky stuff can hang there forever.

    Of course who slept with who is a way much more important issue then possibility of funnelling taxpayer's money directly into 'private' banking industry?
  70. Vern McPherson from writes:
    If anyone wants to hear COns lies tune in to CBC Newsworld ans listen ot flaherty's speech in Toronto. He is truly full of it .........
  71. M M from West Coast, Canada writes: The only scandal here is that the opposition obviously has more time on their hands since this is all that they can focus on. Clearly their role in the House of Commons has been sidelined, they don't seem to have any policies that are worth discussing - so all they can come up with is some rumour that a cabinet minister is dating a member of the Hell's Angels. No proof that she is, no proof that the cabinet minister shared anything remotely sensitive with her - I suspec that they just had fun together (yes, wink, wink, nudge, nudge). Who would have thought that the straightlaced Conservatives might be having a good time!! That is what galls the opposition!
  72. David Simon from Canada writes: First Sarko and now Bernier. Apparently no hot chick wants to have anything to do with lefty politicians anymore.
  73. D Le5 from Canada writes: Seems to me that this would, and should, be an issue BUT back when he was actually dating the woman. I think he could have been raked through the coals for dating someone linked to the Hell's Angels (imagine if this were a Liberal?? Oh the uproar that would take place from the 'Right')

    But he is no longer dating the woman and so it is a little late. Still it shows that this MP might not understand the importance of his role given that he seems to feel that there was no issue dating someone with such connections while sitting as an MP.

    I do hope that those CPC members stating that an MPs personal life is no ones business remember this when they start in on their moral stances on issues like gay marriages.
  74. Huey Lewis Has The News from Canada writes:
    CD W from Canada writes: Amazing all of the liberal pig shaggers who have no idea what it is to have a serious babe on their arms will get a chance to explain why they are mad that they can only attract flies and a bucket of sh*t. Isnt it nice that a guy in parliament is actually dating a hot babe?
    -------------------------------------------------
    Wrong! Wasnt Scot Brison dating a hot babe.HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
    -------------------------------------------------
  75. Balboa R. from Toronto, Canada writes: This is the same situation that Barak Obama is in. Poor judgement. Both have associated with questionable characters.
  76. Vern McPherson from writes:
    Listen to the cheap and cheapening COns yahoos ...............

    Canada is a brothel, a strip club, a whore house ........... spyer thinks reputations of politicians are enhanced the more chicks they sleep with ........

    Bikers are just a bunch of motorcycle entheusiasts.

    'the Martin woman'

    Law and order government ???

    ROTFLMAO !!!!
  77. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: The Canadian gov't has an ad campaign that is intended to educate our young about the street-language used with illegal drugs.
    Apparently, now they can offer Minister Bernier's life-style to educate our society about the biker gang world. And he is Minister of Defence? The Harper gov't has lost their over-use of their law and order agenda pedestal.
  78. Joan Forsey from Toronto, Canada writes: MPs continue to use Question Period to focus on what they consider scandals (Mulroney, Schrieber, the Cadman issue, Bernier) instead of the many issues that are of real concern to Canadians (health care, the economy, etc.) affecting Canadians' daily lives. And the media goes along with it. This has been going on for months. Most people tuned out long ago. Surely the House of Commons or its committees must be doing something else beside scandal-mongering. Too bad it's not reported.
  79. Vern McPherson from writes:
    Bernier can run on his record. THE ORACLE CAN RUN ON HIS RECORD ...

    It's a long trek from Charles McVeety and secret church basement meetings with pentecostals ---- and biker chicks riding to secret places with the Foreign Affairs minister -

    ON THE TAXPAYER'S DIME ......
  80. jimmie rabbit from toronto, Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes:
    If anyone wants to hear COns lies tune in to CBC Newsworld ans listen ot flaherty's speech in Toronto. He is truly full of it .........

    why would i want to listen to 'conservative' lies?

    o'flannery is graduate of Princeton University
    GWB is a graduate of Yale
    Iggy was a professor at Harvard

    makes you wonder, doesn't it
  81. runner danchuk from Saskatoon, Canada writes: Bernier reminds me of France President, Sakowzky; Sakowszky at least admitted that he was so in love that he didn't attend meetings, couldn't remember important Stately events, never attended community activities etc. Love is in the air for President Sakowzsky.

    For Bernier, this could have been his problem.
  82. pole cat from Canada writes: Lol vern looks like you are getting all lathered up over this,i suspect there will be some cpc problems someday but not today.I do hear there is some chitt coming down though from adscam again.Maybe you can try and tie it to the cons lmao.
  83. Vern McPherson from writes:
    Pattern ? Here is a pattern for you COns. Canadians will understand this very clearly .......

    'Harper at 'war' with federal institutions: Dion'

    http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=c2a02d2c-5c07-4e1a-b5ea-a058010379d8

    In the meantime all the oh so Christian COns grind their teeth and support bernier's shortcommings because the oracle demanded it. LOL !!
  84. Tim London from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes:
    berner has to go ............... no 2 ways about it. He's an embarassment.

    He's the Fredo of the godfather oracle's family ...........

    Vern McPherson from writes:
    Gotta love the pic at the head of the story. Berner says:

    ' Look Ma !! See what I got '
    Posted 12/05/08 at 8:01 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment

    is this the best you can offer. Why even bother post?
  85. Vern McPherson from writes:
    Adscam is a dead issue poler. You and the COns will find that out in the election.

    Now have a nice day and lie to each other plenty. Doug Finley likes busy bloggerboys.
  86. D R from Canada writes: Harper is right that this is Bernier's personal business and nobody else's.

    However, Mr Harper and his party brought the escalated level of mudslinging that now stains our political landscape and if this was a Liberal minister in question we would be witnessing a witchhunt that would render the one that the libs and bloc are currently staging pale in comparision.

    He who lives by the sword...
  87. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: Hypocrisy is a word often used by Conservative posters here. Yet, reading their tepid support of Bernier, they practise hypocrisy on cue.
    Did Harper ever intend the 'open, transparent, accountble' governance that he campaigned on?
  88. pole cat from Canada writes: Yes we would find out in an election.But heres the problem,you leftys are to gdam scared to go to the poles lol. And your party has no platform to run on, hell your dear leader had to borrow a carbon tax from the bc liberals to talk about for cryin out loud.
  89. Vern McPherson from writes:
    flakerty ? A degree form Princeton ? Yes a BA Arts from Princeton. It might as well have been a degree in basket weaving from on-line U.

    He was an ambulance chaser lawyer before poitics. You know the ones with the big adds in the Yellow Pages ??? Fall in the plaza and sue the landlord ?
  90. Common sense is BACK! from Canada writes: .

    An unelected official in charge of a multi-billion dollar department and budget is dating someone with ties to the hell's angels.

    Yup - nothing to see here folks, move along.
  91. Liberals Steal from normal hardworking, Canada writes: Common 'An unelected official '

    Bernier was elected. If you can't keep basic facts like that straight, no wonder you are so confused about everything else.
  92. Spring of Discontent from Ottawa, Canada writes: Dion, Iggy, Bobby and co are about as transparent as mud. Just wait as the mud they are attempting to throw from their pigsty is about to boomerang back.

    Will Dion publicly admit he has dated and supported the FLQ?

    Will Iggy publicly admit that he wants the CF in Iraq still?

    Will Bobby publicy admit that he's a swinger and bought his way into the LPC through his brother's (POWER CORP CEO) connections?

    Will any of them admit they are only Big Business (the overwhelming majority of LPC financial backers are Bay Street) and NOT for average Canadians?
  93. garlick toast from Canada writes: how many angels can dance on a pinhead?apparently one is too many.
  94. Liberals Steal from normal hardworking, Canada writes: D R 'However, Mr Harper and his party brought the escalated level of mudslinging that now stains our political landscape'

    Remember the Rat Pack?
    Now that was the lowest point for mudslinging!
    Liberals have no equal when it comes to smearing (maybe the hillbilly Klinton Klan are Klose)
  95. bill johnson from Quebec, Canada writes: So Canada's award-winning and self-promoting newspaper has seen fit to allow comments on this issue. At last.

    To all those Trudeau Liberals and all those Svend-loving NDPers, remember what is at state here: does the state have any right to intrude on what you do in the bedroom? The fact Maxime is dating a tart who years ago was wedded to a biker is irrelevant to the state's business of today. This entire scam is a smear organized by an American academic (that would be Ignatieff) and promoted by a paper who's editor is asleep at the switch.
  96. Fred Draper from Kingston, Canada writes: If Maxime was dating a stereotypical biker chick, well then, the opposition would be right, he made a serious error in judgement.

    An uber-hottie like Ms. Couillard is indiciative of good mojo and the charm to match.

    Like I said, great scandal for Bernier. In Quebec his standing is definitely under review with positive implications.
  97. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Vern McPherson from writes:
    Adscam is a dead issue poler. You and the COns will find that out in the election.............

    Sinse YOU brought it up, ADSCAM is far from being a dead issue or perhaps that is what YOU want....but last time I looked, the RCMP is the real force in charge of criminal investigations in Canada.

    There s so much money involved and so many people involved that this takes time. There is a reported 42 more legal cases due to start in the fall concerning ADSCAM and rest assured there will be some who are 'singing' right now Once all is FINALLY exposed, this will be the biggest and worst scandal to have ever happened in Canada..Far from over!
  98. Steve Just Steve, That's All from Canada writes: pole cat from Canada writes: Lol berneir has a good looking woman to be with vernny.whats the big deal

    =======================================

    Vernie's jealous. He wonders what it would be like to date a real woman.
  99. Vern McPherson from writes:
    The cheap COns yahoos have been mudslinging and smearing Mr. Dion, a man of integrity and a patriot since day one. They do it on a daily basis in the HOC each and every day. But not a iota of Dion dating biker chicks is there ?

    Nothing new about mudslinging is there ........

    A yahoo like the burner in that job is an international disgrace to Canada. Get rid of the disgrace and do it NOW !!!!!
  100. pole cat from Canada writes: Lol maybe we can all chip in and get vern a blow up look alike doll for the next election.
  101. Spring of Discontent from Ottawa, Canada writes: Tomorrow's headline:

    Dion, long standing supporter of French made Peugot, buys Harley Davidson to promote a tough guy image and pick up bikie chicks, while on a 'listening tour' of his electorate.
  102. The Oracle from Caiman Islands, Canada writes: Harper's complacency on Bernier shows incompetence
  103. Don Portz from Trochu AB, Canada writes: I think that the Govt should do a full investigation on Bernier along with a detailed investigation of each Member of Parliament. This would of course include Spouses, Children, Fiends and associates that they may have been in contact. This is quite reasonable as then it would ensure that any MP which might be considered for a cabinet position would be pre cleared. However I guess we would not have any Cabinet Ministers regardless of the party.
  104. J M from Realityville, Canada writes: Politicians should NOT be in leagure with biker gangs. Once a bike gang member, always a biker gang member. This should bring down Mr. Bernier immediately and an investigation should occur on what kind of influence these gangs have had on Conservative politics in Quebec. This is the very lowest that Harpers Cons have gone. What's next, Karla Homolka running for them in the next election.
  105. Vern McPherson from writes:

    The yahoo COns are grasping at straws. I gotta run. Have fun Yahoos. Lie to each other and feel better ----------just like they do in the caucus room ...........
  106. Spring of Discontent from Ottawa, Canada writes: pole cat - did you mean a doll of Dion?
  107. Gerry Pankhurst from westport ontario, Canada writes: Catharine Wilkie: I know you are out of touch with reality so I will type this slowly: B E R N I E R I S N O T ' M I N I S T E R O F
    D E F E N C E ' (Your 8:39 comment refers). Got it?
  108. Fred Draper from Kingston, Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes: But not a iota of Dion dating biker chicks is there ?
    ______________________________________

    Now THAT is what we Cons call MAKING A VIRTUE OF NECESSITY!

    Seriously, Vern. Please run MS Thought check before you post!
  109. No Name Formerly JTS from Canada writes: I guess the libs are tryin to see what sticks. The cons have plenty of years of opposition smears for the libs to make up for. Personally I would drop it. OK, have fun with it for a day, maybe two, but unless they have got a picture of her giving confidential envelopes to 'Mom' or can currently connect her to gangs then it has run its course. A playboy spread would be nice!
  110. pole cat from Canada writes: Lmao vern what kind of blowup would you like.
  111. Steve Just Steve, That's All from Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Vern McPherson from writes:
    Adscam is a dead issue poler. You and the COns will find that out in the election.............

    Sinse YOU brought it up, ADSCAM is far from being a dead issue or perhaps that is what YOU want....but last time I looked, the RCMP is the real force in charge of criminal investigations in Canada.

    There s so much money involved and so many people involved that this takes time. There is a reported 42 more legal cases due to start in the fall concerning ADSCAM and rest assured there will be some who are 'singing' right now Once all is FINALLY exposed, this will be the biggest and worst scandal to have ever happened in Canada..Far from over!

    ==========================================

    Got that right. Just 'cause they WISH it was over don't mean it's over.

    There are sitting Liberal MP's right at this moment that were elected using stolen money.

    In / Out financing? How about just plain ' Dirty Money / Brown Bag' financing.

    Squawk all you want Libby's, but this dog still hunts AND it's got a mouth fulla teeth!
  112. Tim London from Canada writes: J M from Realityville, Canada writes: What's next, Karla Homolka running for them in the next election.
    Posted 12/05/08 at 9:13 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment

    That's the funniest thing I have ever heard. Smear away. Don't stop at the reasonable let your mind free.
  113. The Oracle from Caiman Islands, Canada writes: Stockwell day had dinner with this woman and Bernier. How many Conservatives have had contact with her? What have they said? How much does she know? What the heck is going on here?
  114. Danny Williams makes have economy Stevie Harper makes have not economy from Canada writes: Liberals Steal from Canada writes: Instead of focusing on the hot chicks that some conservatives have slept with (and let's face it, this substantially improves the image of the Tories!)

    Please stay out of the gutter . Instead publish the minutes of the unimportant Foreign Affairs meeting she attended with bernier and took part in the discussion !

    Sure glad harper is running all investigations with his Arms Lenght Top RCMP Cop Eh ?
  115. Don Most from Happy Days, Canada writes: My issue is with Day's comments at the end of the article, saying that looking into the backgrounds of ministers' wives is too intrusive. CSIS does this with members of the foreign service and denies security clearance to those whose wives are considered to be of potential risk. For example, a Canadian foreign service employee who had married a Russian girl years earlier can be denied security clearance based on the fact that his wife is Russian. At the senior level of minister, it seems like it should be a requirement that ministers' are subject to thorough background checks.

    I would also like to add that the picture accompanying the article suggests the reason/nature of the relationship. I'm sure dozens of photos were taken of the couple, but the one that was selected for the article 'happens' to show cleavage!
  116. Steve Just Steve, That's All from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes:

    The yahoo COns are grasping at straws. I gotta run. Have fun Yahoos. Lie to each other and feel better ----------just like they do in the caucus room ...........

    ==============================================

    Watch...now one of Vernie's alter-egos will show up.

    I don't hate you Vern, I just really really pity you. Please, get help.
  117. pole cat from Canada writes: Isnt it fun to watch and play with these leftys over crap like this.Ilike it so much