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E-mails show deep concern for alleged tip-off

BRODIE FENLON

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 7:46 AM EST 17/06/08

Chief Electoral Officer troubled by allegations Elections Canada had tipped off media and Liberals to raid on Tory headquarters, internal documents reveal ...Read the full article

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  1. jack Bauer from Canada writes: this will be interesting...
  2. Lyndal M. from Canada writes:
    Dirty liberal scoundrels. Every dog gets his day.Blacked out e-mails to hide the truth.
  3. benjamin barr from cornwall, Canada writes: of course there was a tipoff. There is always one. There is no secrets.
  4. Michael Powers from Canada writes: It seems obvious that there was a leak from Elections Canada, otherwise how would the media and the Liberal Party accidentally be on the scene with cameras running, at exactly the right moment?

    Partisanship --- No way, these guys are professional. Yup, real professional.
  5. Joe D. S from Canada writes: Did you guys even READ the article?

    'But Mr. Mayrand makes clear in the April 18 e-mail exchange that he believed the allegations were unfounded.'

    The article talks about him worrying that the Conservatives thought this! Typical Con response....see/hear/read only what you want to for your own selfish purposes...
  6. Lyndal M. from Canada writes:
    Thanks globe and mail for letting us enlarge the Julie pic. Best part of the story. A pic is always a thousand words.
  7. D M from Canada writes: I´ll second Joe. Did you even READ the article?

    'The central fact is that media were there more than two hours after the operation started.'

    Think about it - the police/RCMP don´t have Star Trek transporters - they didn´t magically instantly appear there. They knew about it in advance - even up to 4 days ahead of time. Ever think that one of the cops, or the staff at the courthouse where they got the search warrant, or someone ELSE tipped the media? Maybe when they were strapping on their vests, one of the mounties made a little phone call to his cousin at the CBC? But it's convenient for the government to throw the scent a little by throwing mud at Elections Canada...
  8. Lyndal M. from Canada writes:
    Joe D. S from Canada writes: Did you guys even READ the article?
    ------
    Yep. What about you? Explain this?----Sections of the e-mail exchange between Mr. Mayrand and Ms. Vézina were blacked out. Why worry when there is nothing to worry about?

    and this----troubled Canada's Chief Electoral Officer that he sought ways to 'kill' the story, internal documents reveal.
    Why kill a story when there is nothing to worry about?

    You should take your own advice.
  9. bethany middleton from Vancouver, Canada writes: Lyndal M. Sections can be blacked out for a number of reasons; may also have to do with confidentiality and making sure that privacy acts, etc aren't breached.It may have nothing to do with anything else. If the media knew in advance, they would havebeen there at the beginning, not 2 hours in.
  10. Jay Rayner from Canada writes: The email conversation was purposely drafted as a future cover-up. These bureaucrats know about The Access of Information Act and they knew the Tories would fight back. There is no Gotcha moment here...either way.
  11. J Albert from Toronto, Canada writes: Time to send in the RCMP and the AG. Myarand should resign immediately. The trouble is that the federal civil service is stacked with LPC partisans.
  12. janfromthe bruce from Canada writes: The documents also show that Mr. Mayrand said an internal review by the agency found no indication of a leak.

    Good.
  13. evelyn robinson from Canada writes: Who cares
  14. Stude Ham from Outremont, Canada writes:

    Typical cLoWnservative attack strategy... did you expect anything else? they learned everything they know from Richard Nixon.

    We know enough about these con-porks to realize that yes.. when it comes to financing their partisan politicking they do anything... regardless of the rules. and if they get caught with their NT/ENRON style accounting... then they hit out with their typical disgusting public attacks against those who actually caught them in their wrong doings.

    The harper led cLoWns are a very sickening lot.

    DUMP HARPER!
  15. Don Adams, The Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: Evelyn Robinson. Best post here! :-)
  16. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault. Did I mention they lie constantly too?, Canada writes: Of course any leak should be investigated. Make it an independent third party investigation if that's what's needed. At the same time, this should not delay, ANY LONGER, the investigation into the widespread, systematic circumvention of the spending cap that was taking place under Harper's watch during the 2006 election. Determine if it was illegal, or if it was just a widespread, organized scheme to cheat the system by our 'Accountable' would-be PM.

    BTW, he's doing the same type of thing with these constant non-election ELECTION attack ads on Dion.

    Harper is a lot of things, but two things he is NOT: Accountable and Honest.
  17. Sask Langer from Canada writes: Typical G&M Right-Wing Bias!
  18. BiB AmomA from Canada writes: ..//

    Liberal corruption isn't confined to elected politicians. It lies also with political operatives who work in the miniseries.

    Liberals are truly disgusting creatures. PURGE!!!!

    ..//
  19. jack Bauer from Canada writes: heads will role mark my words
  20. prospector from blackfly country from Canada writes: Methinks M. Mayrand is worried about his job. He doesn't want to end up like Linda Keen, so he had better orchestrate a very positive PR campaign. As for the lack of evidence indicating a leak, these people are intelligent enough not to put anything down on paper, leave no electronic trail, and don't make traceable phone calls.

    However - if it walks like a duck, or quacks like a duck.............................

    The issue will be if someone breaks ranks and admits wrongdoing; otherwise, there will only be suspicion and accusations.
  21. 4Cryin Outloud from Canada writes: Who would know more about what the Harper Party was up to and planning better than a MOLE? The Harper Party has moles.
  22. 4Cryin Outloud from Canada writes: Oh yes, the Harper Party has moles, and I forgot to mention they're leaking.
  23. Nick Wright from Halifax, Canada writes: This article illuminates perfectly how governments can intimidate public officials who are carrying out their duties in good faith.

    The message: If you know that the government, with all its power, will mount a fulll, bad-faith attack on you in the House of Commons and in the media, just for doing your job, you will be less likely to do anything that displeases the government.

    The Conservative government's record so far is one of slandering and firing public officials for performing their sworn duties. Thanks to the Globe & Mail for providing this glimpse of the dirty reality behind the promises of openness and accountability.
  24. John Connor from Canada writes: Was there a leak?
    Probably.

    Will the culprit be unmasked?
    Doubtful.

    Has the reputation of Elections Canada been sullied?
    Yes, but not permanently.

    Are the Liberals and their cronies responsible.
    The party - not sure. Their stooges in the halls of power - FOR SURE!

    Will anything come of this besides a cost in real dollars to the country?
    Nope.

    I second Don Adams suggestion that Evelyn Robinson has made the best post so far.
  25. Luke Morrow from Canada writes: If the media and Libs were alerted before the raid what does that matter. Would this story have been buried? The focus should be on how the Cons who claimed to be honest and righteous tried to get away with overspending on their election limit. Thus, again unlawfully dipping into tax payer’s money. (expense claims) Used car salesmen are more trustworthy then these Cons.
  26. Vern McPherson from writes:
    Don you don't care about fraud by the COns against Canadian taxpayers ???

    You sure have feasted here for three years like a fly on a turd over lies about alledged liberal party fraud ????? You and all the COns right up to the oracle/emperor hisself ..

    As if adscam was as widespread in the liberal party as this COns beauty is. The COns set out to defraud taxpayers and conspired over a long period of time to do so. didn't they donnie ..........

    Yea, brower ,,,,, heads will roll alright...............
  27. Vern McPherson from writes:
    John Connor from Canada writes: Was there a leak?
    Probably.

    --------------------------------------------------

    JC, the press leaked it to the press .......... the press have police scanners jc, ..... the lib headquarters are 2 blocks from the COns headquarters. Tow truck drivers have police scanners John .......

    There is no evidence there was a leak from EC. is there ?

    Why dream ............
  28. Vern McPherson from writes:
    Nick Wright from Halifax, Canada writes

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

    Now there is an accurate picture. Thanks Nick

    Don adams, read Nick's post. It even fits the COns pattern wouldn't you say ?
  29. Rachel .. commenting from Hollywood North, Canada writes: Jay Rayner from Canada writes: The email conversation was purposely drafted as a future cover-up. These bureaucrats know about The Access of Information Act and they knew the Tories would fight back. There is no Gotcha moment here...either way.
    =================

    Agree with Jay on this. The article also states there were only 3 emails on this topic during the 4 days leading up to it. ONLY 3 ? On such a major operation? They know better than to commit their thoughts on a paper trail.
  30. Ontario Man from Canada writes: 'Our internal review indicates no reasonable ground to believe there was a leak,'

    Oh please, what did they do ask every employee if they were the ones who leaked the information?

    Let's face it Elections Canada is not competent to do this kind of investigation and they should not try to pretend they are. It only makes them look worse and more complicit.

    After all, all it takes for a leak is a private cell call, or a conversation during a summer BBQ.
  31. Rachel .. commenting from Hollywood North, Canada writes: Ontario Man from Canada writes: 'Our internal review indicates no reasonable ground to believe there was a leak,'

    Oh please, what did they do ask every employee if they were the ones who leaked the information?

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

    May be that parliamentary committee investigating Bernier, can swing over to subpoena Elections Canada, RCMP, CBC, and the Liberal camera man on who contacted whom.

    I think Julie is the leak, she seems to have a hand in most political stories on G&M.
  32. Luke Morrow from Canada writes: Ontario Man from Canada writes: 'Our internal review indicates no reasonable ground to believe there was a leak,'

    Don’t like internal reviews? I guess you’re not happy with the internal review Harper did regarding the million dollar insurance bribe or the Naftagate.
  33. Vern McPherson from writes:
    Ontario Man from Canada writes: 'Our internal review indicates no reasonable ground to believe there was a leak,'
    Oh please, what did they do ask every employee if they were the ones who leaked the information?
    Let's face it Elections Canada is not competent to do this kind of investigation and they should not try to pretend they are. It only makes them look worse and more complicit.

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

    EC has an investigative branch staffed with highly competant folks.

    That's their job dufus ....... to enforce the law and investigate breaches ......

    LOL !!!!
  34. Just Visiting from Ottawa, Canada writes: If the Electoral Officer had any integrity, and cared about his office, he would resign his position and expose the commitment of the Harperites to partisanship over democracy. At least that much would be clear. And whoever repalced him would either have to continue the case against the CPC, or be totally discredited.

    By hanging in and suffering through the partisan attacks of the Cons, he comes across as a pathetic figure, more commited to his job and his pension than to standing up for democracy.

    - JV
  35. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: Mr Maynard sounds like someone who is conscientious and attempts to try his best to illuminate Elections Canada at its highest level.
    Counter that with the Harper gov't, who is willing to besmirch the good name of our institutions, at will, to cover up their dirty secrets.
  36. Vern McPherson from writes:
    Just Visiting from Ottawa, Canada writes: If the Electoral Officer had any integrity, and cared about his office, he would resign his position and expose the commitment of the Harperites to partisanship over democracy. At least that much would be clear. And whoever repalced him would either have to continue the case against the CPC, or be totally discredited.
    By hanging in and suffering through the partisan attacks of the Cons, he comes across as a pathetic figure, more commited to his job and his pension than to standing up for democracy.
    - JV
    Posted 17/06/08 at 7:35 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment

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

    That would not be wise. That's something a coward would do and Mr. Maynard is not one of those.
  37. Nick Wright from Halifax, Canada writes: I omitted something from my earlier post; it should have read:

    'The Conservative government's record so far is one of slandering and firing public officials for performing their sworn duties, and of using them as scapegoats for the government's blunders and dirty dealings; for example, the disgraceful Clerk of the Privy Council whitewash of the PMO's anti-Obama attack, which attempted to divert all the heat (unsuccessfully) onto Foreign Affairs staff.'
  38. JP Kingsman from Quebec City, Canada writes: 'If we can dispel this story [the leak], we will have only positive media coverage,' replied Ms. Vézina,

    Hardly! The leak was only the symptom, bias is endemic. The raid broke EC's own policy. The timing was clearly a reaction- or rather, a preemptive strike- to the impending discovery examination of EC officials in the civil case set for the next day.

    This was a set-up, just as the Bernier & Cadman affairs will be shown to have been set-ups. All have been orchestrated to distract eyes from the slew of Sponsorship corruption and fraud cases queued and cued up.

    There's a perfect storm awaiting the Liberals. The captain is drunk, the ship is leaking, and the most articulate voice onboard says ' caw... brass tacks, not carbon tax, you effin' idiot.'
  39. Steve D from St. John's, Canada writes: 'The remaining documents show Elections Canada kept a close eye on media coverage of the raid and its political fallout. Summaries of blogs, websites and broadcasts were compiled.'

    Its all about politics at elections canada. Word of advice, do the right thing and screw the optics.

    I think it bears a closer look.
  40. runner danchuk from Saskatoon, Canada writes: Wow, I think the cons will put their 'foot in their mouth' one time too many. This seems like the case of troubled bullies not getting their way. Van Loan is a good liar that's for sure.

    God, this makes me so mad. Taxpayers are being screwed and we're hurting.
  41. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: JP Kingsman: What leak? Perhaps from the PMO?
  42. The choices we make decide our place in life from Canada writes: D M from Canada writes: I´ll second Joe. Did you even READ the article?

    'The central fact is that media were there more than two hours after the operation started.'

    Then how is that the media were there when the RCMP knocked on the door? I remember the story on the evening news back in April. The cameras were there with the RCMP and members of the Liberal party when the RCMP knocked on the Conservative party HQ door and presented the warrant. That does not seem like 2 hours later to me.

    When our electoral officers are picking sides out political system crumbles.
  43. muriel z from Toronto, Canada writes:
    This whole episode smells of Van Loan.

    Attack!! Spread a rumour; and make statements to dirty up the other guy. Who cares if the statements are true.

    In this case Elections Canada and the Liberals.

    It will all die down eventually but hopefully some of statements will be remembered and people will assumed they were true.
  44. Al Bore from Ottawa, Canada writes: Elections Canada in cahoots with the Liberal Party of Canada?? Quelle Surprise!
  45. The choices we make decide our place in life from Canada writes: Sask Langer from Canada writes: Typical G&M Right-Wing Bias!

    ???????????????????

    Since when is the G&M right-wing?
  46. Expert Eel from PettaOttaOshawawawawa and Wawa, Canada writes: police raids, biker chicks, in and out schemes, income trusts, Flaherty, coverups, transparency
  47. Pedro Woodhalipus from Toronto, Canada writes:

    It's Canada
    And the living is easy
    Socialists country
    Taxing the strong

    And the Liberals
    Are our socilaist party
    They never lead us
    They'll just leave us alone
  48. Vivaldo Latoche from Ottawa, Canada writes: It is sad to think that Elections Canada would have behaved like a developing country's elections institution. But then again, how come that CBC and the Liberal Party knew about the Conservative Party's headquarters raid?

    Is Elections Canada different than the Zimbabwean National Elections Office? I hope so.
  49. Ryan Ginger from Canada writes: Of course the theocon Harperites think there was a tipoff. They probably think the election was rigged. Yes, the little green men at Elections Canada are Liberal appointees, who are trying to thwart the CPC, just like Linda Keen, Arthur Carty, and so on...

    Please. Peter Van Loan should step down from his job because of his unjustified remarks against Elections Canada is rigged. Boy, the Con party likes to bash Canadian institutions at every turn, don't they? Talk about biting off your nose to spite your face.
  50. Luke Morrow from Canada writes: If the Cons co-operated with Election Canada in the first place and given them all Election Canada requested then the raid would not have occurred. Then again if the Cons didn’t over spend on their national spending limits and tried to claim reimbursable expenses.

    Why would Election Canada tip off anybody about a raid and risk jeopardizing Tory party HQ of finding out and allowing them to destroy or misplace evidence.
  51. summom bonum from Canada writes: There is not a single part of Canadian life that is not infested by Liberals. Anything is possible when you get between a Liberal and power. It will take years to remove the Liberal rot in our Public Service, our Courts and anywhere else a Liberal can make an easy tax dollar.
  52. Vern McPherson from writes:
    JP Kingsman from Quebec City, Canada writes: 'If we can dispel this story [the leak], we will have only positive media coverage,' replied Ms. Vézina,
    Hardly! The leak was only the symptom, bias is endemic. The raid broke EC's own policy.

    ------------------------------------------------------

    Don't lie about it. Show us the policy you say EC broke .........

    Is it not EC's function to investigate and ensure the law is enforced on behalf of Canadians ?

    While the avowed purpose of the CPC is to circumvent the law --- all the while lying about their 'law and order ' CRAP ??????

    Didn't the CPC conspire to circumvent the law ? Was it not a national effort to defraud taxpayers of refunds ? Were not CPC candidates enticed into the conspiracy after being promised rebates of taxpayer money ?

    All these facts and there you are lying and feeling paranoid and put upon -- - just like the numskull oracle ........
  53. Ontario Man from Canada writes: The facts speak for themselves. The liberal camera crew was there during the raid.

    - so who tipped them off? - The probability that it was someone from Elections Canada is very high.
  54. Jane Doe from Canada writes: HA HA HA !!! Dumpster diving after an upscale dining experience??? (remember that gem, anyone) The Siamese twins just dropping by Elections Canada Headquarters???? Virginia there really is a Santa Clause. HA HA HA!!!
  55. Expert Eel from PettaOttaOshawawawawa and Wawa, Canada writes: Green Milos from Canada writes: Looks like this government still has a lot of work to do in cleaning out the partisan Liberal scum from the public service.

    Your right Green.

    We gave these crappy cons a chance and after more than 2 years this government still hasn't cleaned out the partisan Liberal scum from the public service.

    Maybe it's time to give the NDP or Green Party a chance to clean out the partisan Liberal scum from the public service.
  56. Old blue from Canada writes: Obviously, someone in Elections Canada tipped off the Libtards. The way that they did it doesn't matter.

    It's no wonder that Harper wants to purge the civil service of these partisan hacks who miss their former very generous masters.
  57. Durward Saar from Canada writes: Why can we find no record of employment by Elections Canada of the person who signed the writ, why go to a judge in Toronto when there were judges just down the street in Ottawa?

    Elections Canada should have the full faith of all the political parties and the people of Canada or they need to be changed out for people who do have our full faith....Fire Maynard and all his co-conspirators, Democracy and free politics demands it.
  58. Well, I'll Be A West Virginian Albino Mexican from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes:

    Why do you kiss their a.. like you do here every day ? linedial

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

    ...and the difference between this and you kissing the LPC's a.. everyday is?
  59. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: It's the Conservatives that seem to have the knack for exposing confidential material by being reckless. Let's put the blame, where the weakness is revealed.
  60. J. R. from Northern Ontario, Canada writes: I disagree with Evelyn. Some of us do care. We care that the Harper government has our federal civil servants living in fear. We care that our current government is attacking anyone who disagrees with them. We care that our democracy is paralyzed by this minority government. This article tells me that Elections Canada was concerned about the Conservative spin that would be placed on the warrant and rightly so. And true to form the Conservatives went on the attack, calling it a 'raid'. Serving a warrant is part of our legal system - period. The media showed up because they monitor other outlets, police scanners etc. The liberal media heard that info from those scans. Media outlets share info with each other freely. If I were two blocks away and got a juicy piece of information like that form a fellow reporter I'd be grabbing my cameraman and running out the door. If they were tipped off before the warrant was served why did it take two hours to go 2 blocks? It's a sad day when any government body has to worry about law suits, libel chill and bullying for doing their job. The attack against them was inevitable only because the Conservatives are guilty in the eyes of many Canadians. Their actions speak louder than words. If the CPC are not guilty then why go on the offensive? Let the investigation takes it's course. For the hyperpartisan individuals out there - not everyone is partisan. Some of us like to work elections for that reason. It's better than the bull that goes on in a campaign office. As for being liberal, PC, green or NDP - I don't care. I do care that we have an honest and open government. Right now that is not the case.
  61. David Beentheredonethat from Canada writes: Imagine. No written documentation at all from a department that the rest of the article shows is obsessed with blogs, emails, memos, plans, counter plans, responses, rebuttals etc, etc. Mayrand is either dirty (lying) or an incompetent liberal partisan hack (and I believe he happens to be both)...lokk at his smiling visage...does that look like the kind of person you'd let look after your dog.? Another sterling example of those we pay top dollar, to look after our interests... silly servants. GIGO
  62. JP Kingsman from Quebec City, Canada writes: Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: JP Kingsman: What leak? Perhaps from the PMO?

    I see you and Jim Travers are mowing the same knoll today. Interesting, but unbalanced.

    Cui bono? Clinton. Who co-ordinated Bill Clinton's appearance at the Kyoto conference in Montreal? Liberal... foreign affair... Cherchez la femme. Hint: It's not Julie Couillard.
  63. I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: I wonder if it was the Conservatives who tipped off the media...
  64. Green Milos from Canada writes: summom bonum from Canada writes: Eel:

    That's real funny. Almost as funny as picturing you spending your high school days running from your personality. You must enjoy the Internet. People actually talk to you now. Well, Liberals are almost people.

    _________________
    OUCH! Nicely done.
  65. Vern McPherson from writes:

    Little Doug Finley has pulled out all the stops this morning ...........

    the oracle must be on the warpath..........

    harper appointed the head of Elections Canada, Mr Mayrand, after he ran the last official there out of office.............

    So if Mayrand is a liberal hack as you numskulls say ........

    it's the oracle's fault.

    WOW !!! How stupid are these COns ??????
  66. Al Bore from Ottawa, Canada writes: The Liberal stench is all over the federal public service. It will take years of a Conservative majority to get things balanced and rid the Public Service of this biased Liberal stench! Oh Canada
  67. Derek Holtom from swan river (only cowards attack others using fake names), Canada writes: i would note 'internal reviews' never seem to be enough for some posters on here.
    I would ask those posters if this internal review - and a blacked out email - is enough right now?
    Just asking. I'm interested in what some vocal posters on here have to say.
  68. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: And an article yesterday about the Harper Conservatives neatly tucking their own party activities to include a token government appearance and the taxpayer is left on the hook to pay.
    No wonder the Conservatives are awash in money. They are bending, breaking rules to benefit themselves. Those entitlements!
  69. John Connor from Canada writes: J.R. from Northern Ontario: That was the lengthiest diatribe I have read yet, and the bottom line is that most of it is complete crap! Next time please spare us the verbal run on, and just get to the point. Better yet, don't bother. Thanks!
  70. Vern McPherson from writes:
    Oh what a tangled web they weave when first they practice to decieve .......... even school children learn that - real early.

    It's the story of the COns lives. and the oracle's life.

    All those lies he was told in the dark closet by the older men at the U of Clagary when he was an impressionable youngster in the mail room at Imperial oil and he believed -

    .............are now coming home to roost.
  71. D N M from Canada writes:
    IF this is true :

    'Elections Canada alleges the Conservative Party funnelled more than $1-million for television and radio advertising to 67 local candidates then took it back to buy national ads in an 'in-and-out' scheme that circumvented national spending limits. Most of the candidates claimed the amounts as reimbursable expenses.'

    As a taxpayer, I am glad there was a tip off. I don't care which party is in government or opposition, if something illegal is going on or my tax dollars are being misused (like the sponshorship scandal or the airbus affair), I want, and have a right, to know about it. That way I can make my opinion about their dealings and actions clearly known through the ballot box.
  72. JP Kingsman from Quebec City, Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes:
    JP Kingsman from Quebec City, Canada writes: 'If we can dispel this story [the leak], we will have only positive media coverage,' replied Ms. Vézina,
    Hardly! The leak was only the symptom, bias is endemic. The raid broke EC's own policy.

    ------------------------------------------------------

    Don't lie about it. Show us the policy you say EC broke .........

    _______________

    EC's policy is to exhaust all avenues relating to the production of documents BEFORE executing a search warrant. This was clearly an attempt to embarass the Conservatives. It's also clearly actionable: bad faith in the administration of the law, a la Roncarelli v. Duplessis.
  73. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault. Did I mention they lie constantly too?, Canada writes: Why are all the Harper supporters on these blogs such paranoid, brainwashed psych jobs?

    Harper's been in power two years, has thwarted the investigation into his election spending abuses enough and for so long that he appointed the current head of EC (who is now a liberal hack). At what point are you and the gov't going to grow up, wipe your noses and stop whining?
  74. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: Thank goodness that we don't have to listen to Pierre Poilevre deflect Harper's responsibility to this scam anymore. He has been benched. Keeping the PM distanced from all of these scandals is beginning to weaken an already thin bench, on the gov't side.
  75. JP Kingsman from Quebec City, Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes:

    Little Doug Finley has pulled out all the stops this morning ...........

    the oracle must be on the warpath..........

    harper appointed the head of Elections Canada, Mr Mayrand, after he ran the last official there out of office.............

    So if Mayrand is a liberal hack as you numskulls say ........

    it's the oracle's fault.

    WOW !!! How stupid are these COns ??????

    ______________

    The fact that Harper rubber-stamped an appointment is not proof that the appointment is not a Liberal hack.

    He fired the cook. Do you reckon he was a Liberal?
  76. gerhard beck from Canada writes: Open and transparent government ala Harpercrite, LOL!
  77. Well, I'll Be A West Virginian Albino Mexican from Canada writes: Lyndal M. from Canada writes:
    Vern McPherson always thinks someone is getting paid or directed
    Reminds me of the homo who yells out against being a homo but is actually one himself. You are the paid hacker.

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

    Correction - Vern, Wilkie, etc are volunteer hackers - the LPC cannot afford to pay them.

    Of course Wilkie seems to be getting her talking points from LPC hq out faster - -they must have a had a bbq/bottle drive and raised enough $ to go from dial-up to high-speed Internet.
  78. Lyndal M. from Canada writes: Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's

    Harper's been in power two years, has thwarted the investigation into his election spending abuses enough and for so long that he appointed the current head of EC (who is now a liberal hack). At what point are you and the gov't going to grow up, wipe your noses and stop whining?
    -------
    lets talk about shawinigate
  79. D. B. from Greater Sask., Canada writes: It is a bit worrisome to see that EC indicated it was concerned about its reputation in all this. EC's reputation was always solid and beyond reproach. But why worry about their reputation?? Now I am worried.
  80. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: Why the concern re paid bloggers? The only party paying bloggers, in fact, is the Conservative party.
    But, the Conservatives find measures to circumvent rules. As in their fundraising events, campaign ads, negative ads, travel expenses, psychic/make-up mavens.....
  81. MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: These poor people are so frightened of steve harper's anger that they spend their days trying to overcome bad optics for him! What wimps, and what a bully!

    Pathetic.
  82. Stan L from Canada writes: If I had to choose between the truthfulness of Mr. Mayrand versus the truthfulness of the Conservative party....I would choose Mr. Mayrand every time. The fact is that the Conservative party has a well established pattern of 'floating' allegations out there hoping that they stick...the sad thing is their war chest and minions of supporters with access to well scripted talking points ensures that this happens to a greater or lesser degree quite frequently......ALSO Stephen Harper has a well known bias against elections Canada which is longstanding and also well documented. If Mr. Mayrand did an internal investigation and concluded there was no leak....then I believe him, not just becuase of the Conservative slant, but becuase Elections Canada has a long-standing well established reputation for being a stellar example of a well run, arms-length international body. My other reason for the support of Elections Canada is also anchored in the pattern that the Conservatives have demonstrated in their two years in office which is to attack all 'arms-length' regulatory type bodies in government, we have seen several examples of this where attack and change were not warranted and where the 'change' resulted in more governmental control and less 'arms-length'.... The need for the raid is well known, the conservatives had spent the better part of a year obstructing access to documentation, so having exhausted all other means, they executed a raid, which is well within their rights to do so.....we should be supporting Elections Canada in their efforts not buying into the Conservative mythology that every government body is a partisan tool of the opposition.
  83. J Law from Canada writes: Geez, the people who post here, except for Michael Sharp -- for humour and R. Carriere -- for insighful comments, are boring.
  84. Counterspinner tells the truth from Canada writes: Is the deep concern for their optics or deep concern they got caught? Once again the liberal public service shows their true colors... and what ugly colors they are. No wonder canadians don't have any faith in government agencies.
  85. JP Kingsman from Quebec City, Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes:

    Jim Travers certainly and quickly de-buked the oracle's 'internal investigation' of the NAFTA leak didn't he queensmin ??

    He found out -and confirmed - the leak came from the PMO and was faxed off to a right wing Republican Senator's son and thence to the Associated Press.

    So the 'internal investigation' by the oracle was a sham from minute one and has been proven so ........

    COns = liars ...................
    ________________________

    In my opinion, Conservatives would be more leery of having the Clintons back in office than anyone else. For one thing, Bill Clinton can articulate the positive side of the green economy better than Dion. He'd be a natural ally. And if you believe the other side of the Liberal mouth that Harper has been trying to orchestrate an election as soon as possible, what would Harper care about long-term events? The Republican connection is pure opportunism on the part of those sneaky Liberals who are always looking for a narrative.

    Travers' column makes for interesting reading, but so does a John le Carré novel.

  86. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: 'No wonder canadians don't have any faith in government agencies.'
    How untrue. It's the governing party, the Harper Conservatives, that mistrust Canadian government.
    Apparently, to Harper, if it ain't blue, it ain't true.
    How small.
  87. Jake The Snake from Canada writes: Oh what seems to be troubling all the little con hacks today? A benign article that reports on what happens in a government office when Harper is looking for a scapegoat. Everything: all reactions and comments from Harper to EC and now the blogging minions is exactly what you would expect. You don't even need a program to sort this stuff out and see what's coming in the next act anymore. Remove template apply to latest 'situation'.
  88. John Connor from Canada writes: J Law from Canada writes: Geez, the people who post here, except for Michael Sharp -- for humour and R. Carriere -- for insighful comments, are boring.

    I suppose it doesn't take much to amuse your small mind now, does it?
    It never stopped you from reading or posting, and the choice is yours.
    Sanctimonious oaf.
  89. kelly moss from winnipeg, Canada writes: perhaps the footage of the mountie knocking on the door was not the original entry , could have been a returning mountie

    j law is right - we need a way to prune the posters .. 1 in 10 offer an interesting comment - if a post gets 20 vote alerts its gone

    i must admit i dont even read the ones that say' non de plume writes'
  90. Greg Van Zandt from Canada writes: Why did Elections Canada not follow their own rules?

    'chapter 7 of the Elections Canada Investigators' Manual. Subsection 7.5, “Right to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure&8221;, refers readers to look at subsection 6.4 of chapter 8, which reads as follows:

    It is the suspect's prerogative to refuse to produce or remit documents. In such cases, Investigators must advise the suspect that they accept the decision and record the matter accordingly in the statement report. They should also advise the suspect that the matter will be reported to the Commissioner who may consider requesting a court order...'

    If Elections Canada cannot prove that it offered advice to the Conservative Party that it was in search of these documents, if it cannot prove that it had provided advance notice that it was going to report to the commissioner, who may consider requesting a court order, if Elections Canada cannot show that it has done those things, then it is in a very critical and very serious breach of its own rules.
  91. Erik D. from Ottawa, Canada writes: To Lyndal M.: You forget, blacking out parts of senstive documents is also a fine Conservative (as well as Liberal for that matter) tradition, given the number of times they've done it for similar documents in their last two years, so its somehow okay for the Conservatives to do it, but not others? Nah, the conservatives were upto their usual deflection tactics, a two hour time lag between when the raid started and the media showed up is about the time you'ld expect the rumour mill to get the info from someone passing by and seeing the raid, to getting a news team to the scene. If they knew about it ahead of time, they would have been there waiting for the RCMP to arrive...
  92. Fake Name from Canada writes: ''Our internal review indicates no reasonable ground to believe there was a leak,' he wrote.'

    Another government agency investigates itself and (surprise surprise) finds no misconduct. I'd say have the RCMP investigate, but they're not doing much better lately. Still, it's not overwhelmingly suspicious that the liberals noticed something afoot, considering their headquarters building is apparently quite near the CPC one ... they probably just saw the cops going in.
  93. M M from West Coast, Canada writes: Given that this is a G & M blog/comment forum it is to be expected the numbers of people who hate Harper. However these same people should step back and question how the LPC and the media knew about the RCMP knocking on the CPC door. Where there just 'hanging' around in the halls? Didn't make sense when it happened and doesn't make sense now. So then you start looking around about who would know about the raid - only two groups - Elections Canada (who requested it) and the RCMP who carried it out. So I think Elections Canada needs to do some explaining and then maybe the RCMP should follow.
  94. w sykora from Canada writes: John Connor from Canada writes: J.R., I really J.R. from Northern Ontario: That was the lengthiest diatribe I have read yet, and the bottom line is that most of it is complete crap...
    ____________________________________________________

    J.R., I really appreciated your thoughtful and coherent analysis. John Connor, you may disagree with J.R., but there is no call to be so potty-mouthed and denigrating. I too worry about Harper's attacks on our democracy, probably more than about any shady election spending.
  95. Stan L from Canada writes: Greg Van Zandt from Canada writes:
    If Elections Canada cannot prove that it offered advice to the Conservative Party that it was in search of these documents, if it cannot prove that it had provided advance notice that it was going to report to the commissioner, who may consider requesting a court order, if Elections Canada cannot show that it has done those things, then it is in a very critical and very serious breach of its own rules.

    Greg, it's a good point however, they did do these things, it is on record and well documented. The Conservatives were indeed given notice and the Conservative were indeed asked for the documents on several occasions, to which they stalled and evaded response. IF the condiditons were not met by Elections Canada, the court order requesting a search would never have been issued in the first place......
  96. Louis Riel from Canada writes: Air Canada is laying off 2000 workers, and this is top of the National page.
    This paper is good for washing windows. Sheesh what a joke.
  97. Mervin Hollingsworth from Saskatoon, Sk., Canada writes: Given the comments in the exchange of emails it is obvious that Elections Canada is playing politics as well. Worrying about their reputations, how to kill the story and counting the positve and negative stories about them in the media. Come on...if they are as pure as the driven snow why would they worry about such things? If they are truly upholding the law and doing their jobs why would they be interested in tracking media coverage? After all their job is to follow election financing laws and call it as they see it. Why the need to worry about spin?
    We all know why. They are concerned that in the court of public opinion they are not considered infallible and in fact they may not be too sure of their position on this particular issue. Time will tell. Mr. Mayrand and his cotrie of political operatives within EC may come to rue the day they took such drastic action as to 'visit' the headquarters of the government in power.
  98. gerhard beck from Canada writes: Lyndal, Shawinigate is passe and well known by now. The Harpercrites are not any better than the Libs of times past. When their 'open and transparent gouvernment' misdeeds are eventually known (for instance the Cadman affair) Shawinigate may just be minor.
  99. Fake Name from Canada writes: 'Lyndal M. from Canada writes: Explain this?----Sections of the e-mail exchange between Mr. Mayrand and Ms. Vézina were blacked out. Why worry when there is nothing to worry about?'

    Lyndal, if blacking out sections of Access to Information documents were evidence of guilt, Jim Flaherty would be in stockades by now. There have already been several Conservative documents released that consisted of 100% blacked-out text. Does that make them even more guilty than Elections Canada, by your logic?