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Quebec Tories swapped ad expenses, Elections Canada alleges

TIM NAUMETZ

The Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 10:39 AM EST 22/07/08

Conservative Party shifted thousands of dollars in ad expenses during election from top candidates Bernier and Paradis to other candidates, agency asserts ...Read the full article

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  1. Titus Andronicus from Canada writes: Sleazy tories. I knew all their talk about honesty and accountability was just hot air. The amazing thing is that anybody beleives them, ever, about anything. Haven't we learn our lesson, Canada?
  2. Crusty Curmudgeon from Ottawa, Canada writes:

    Somebody expected an honest politician?????
  3. R G from Tampa, United States writes: If the Tories actually did play the shell game and re-distributed electoral funding from one campaign to another, they are no better than the Liberals with the sponsorship fiasco. The difference is that the Liberals called for an inquiry. I wonder if Harper would ever step up to the plate. Harper is just gross, and this situation is reflective of how crappy politics really is. Thankfully, at least the majority of the Canadian electorate understand the manipulation.
  4. Philip Yu from Toronto, Canada writes: This is the scandal that never ends...
    Yes, it goes on and on, my friends...
    The Tories started spinning it, but not knowing how bad it was...
    And they'll continue spinning this forever just because...
    (repeat ad nauseaum)

    Face facts, Canadians know this in-and-out thing is in the back of their minds like that old song is for me right now.
  5. mike sty - from Canada writes: The Sleazy Stevie Shift........................................................................... CRIMINAL CODE ,PART X FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS RELATING TO CONTRACTS AND TRADE , FRAUD 380. 1- Every one who, by deceit, falsehood or other fraudulent means, whether or not it is a false pretence within the meaning of this Act, defrauds the public or any person, whether ascertained or not, of any property, money or valuable security or any service, (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding fourteen years, where the subject-matter of the offence is a testamentary instrument or the value of the subject-matter of the offence exceeds five thousand dollars ------------------------- If found guilty'Conservative Party Fund Canada'of these 3 charges in a court of law, the court then has the power to de-register the Conservative Party and liquidate all its assets, and put its riding associations out of business. No wonder Stephen Harper is fighting hard to shut down committees looking into Conservative misdeeds, committing fraud and making false statements with-holding information and not cooperating with EC, in general Stephen Harper is doing everything that would be done in a undemocratic country. If what Harper is doing were happening in any other nation, we would call it a dictatorship or a banana republic. The Liberals stole money............ Harper stole an election........... Whats more important???Democracy or money?? Stop the cover-up Harper, come clean.
  6. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but excel at whining that it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault. Did I mention they lie constantly too?, Canada writes: C'mon.... wait for it... Here come the false cries of 'bbbbbut Everybody does it'!!

    Just remember folks... this was BEFORE our 'Accountable and Honest' NEW gov's was even elected!!
  7. D Le5 from Canada writes: Hilarious! A scandal involving Quebec...the shock.
    Libs do it... Cons do it... but it is the taxpayer that gets it in the end
  8. mike sty - from Canada writes:
    The CONservative In/Out/In Scandal...........the gift that just keeps on giving.
  9. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but excel at whining that it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault. Did I mention they lie constantly too?, Canada writes: only mikey from Canada writes: 'And the other parties haven't do the same? get real! '

    LOL! right on cue!! Translation - 'ALL parties are sleazy thieves, why should the Harper 'conservatives' be any different?'

    THAT'S the best lying excuse they can come up with?
  10. Ice Rider from Canada writes: So let's get the financial officer who worked during the election into court and find out what she knew about this million-dollar boondoggle. Since he's such a fan of Gitmo justice, maybe we could waterboard the PM and see what role he played in trying to steal $1.3 from Canadian taxpayers. Jsut an idea.
  11. Chris Halford from Ottawa, Canada writes: Boy, the tricks those Liberal appointees come up with to besmirch the reputation of Canada's new government who have brought honesty and transparency back into politics!

    There used to be a toilet cleaner in the UK called 'Harpic', I wonder if it would work on Harper and his buddies? Maybe they can beat the record of three seats or whatever it was when the electorate finally caught up with Mulroney (after he craftily did a Trudeau and gave up the job as the day of reckoning neared)?
  12. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but excel at whining that it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault. Did I mention they lie constantly too?, Canada writes: The funny thing is, if Harper had simply been 'Accountable' for this and had admitted to stretching the spirit of the Election spending rules when this story broke - it would have been out of the news and probably would have been seen as a forgivable 'mistake'. But because he dug in his heels, and chose to lie, deny, deflect and blame anything and anybody EXCEPT his own party - this keeps blowing up and won't go away.

    What a brilliant strategist!!
  13. mike sty - from Canada writes: A list of the 67 Harper CONservative candidates whose campaigns Election Canada alleges in an affidavit were recipients of funds that have come under scrutiny as part of the Conservative party's in-and-out scandal: ...... QUEBEC . Suzanne Courville Argenteuil-Papineau-Mirabel ....... Marie-Eve Helie-Lambert Bas-Richelieu-Nicolet-Becancour ........ Maxime Bernier Beauce ........ Sylvie Boucher Beauport-Limoilou ...... Daniel Petit Charlesbourg-Haute-Saint-Charles ...... Gary Caldwell Compton-Stanstead ...... Jean-Marie Pineault Drummond ..... Patrick Robert Gatineau ...... Gilles Poirier Hull-Aylmer ....... Andrea Paine Lac-Saint-Louis ...... Jean-Serge Beauregard Laurentides-Labelle ..... Steven Blaney Levis-Bellechasse ..... Jacques Gourde Lotbiniere-Chutes-de-la-Chaudiere .... Luc Harvey Louis-Hebert .... Josee Verner Louis-Saint-Laurent ....... Christian Paradis Megantic-L'Erable .......... Yves Laberge Montmorency-Charlevoix-Haute Cote Nord ........ Neil Martin Drabkin Mount Royal ...... Allen Mackenzie Notre-Dame-de-Grace-Lachine ..... Don Rae Pierrefonds-Dollard .... Lawrence Cannon Pontiac .... Howard Brule Portneuf-Jacques Cartier .... Frederik Boisvert Quebec .... Jean Landry Richmond-Arthabaska .... Ishrat Alam Saint-Laurent-Cartierville .... Jean Lambert Shefford .... Marc Nadeau Sherbrooke .... ONTARIO .... Ian West Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing .... Theresa Rodrigues Davenport .... Steven Cage Kitchener Centre .... Dan Mailer London-Fanshawe .... Jurij Klufas Parkdale-High Park .... Pat Davidson Sarnia-Lambton .... Roxanne James Scarborough Centre .... David Leskowski Thunder Bay-Rainy River .... Ken Graham Timmins-James Bay .... Kren Clausen Toronto-Danforth ..... Sam Goldstein Trinity-Spadina .... Richard Majkot Vaughn .... Al Teshuba Windsor West .... Steve Halicki York South-Weston
  14. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but excel at whining that it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault. Did I mention they lie constantly too?, Canada writes: Henry Wysmulek from Winnipeg, writes: 'Interesting how a B.C. liberal was told he did nothing wrong when breaking Election laws, yet the same agency is going out of it's way to conduct a witch-hunt against the P.C's, no bias here. '

    No - he wasn't told he 'did nothing wrong'. He admitted his mistake and accepted responsibility - something Harper might want to try one of these days. BTW - this guy is not a 'BC liberal', since he was turfed when the allegations surfaced.
  15. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Henry Wysmulek from Winnipeg, writes: 'Interesting how a B.C. liberal was told he did nothing wrong when breaking Election laws, yet the same agency is going out of it's way to conduct a witch-hunt against the P.C's, no bias here. '

    Curious interpretation Henry!

    If you are referring to Mr. Wilson, then no such thing occurred. He was found by Election Canada to be in violation on 3 counts. He agreed and made amends with E.C.. E.C. dropped the other allegations because of insufficient evidence.

    I find it ironic that the same thing (ads) that brought down the Liberals is poised to bring down the Conservatives (if E.C. proves its allegations in court).
  16. mike sty - from Canada writes:

    cont:

    BRITISH COLUMBIA
    ....
    George Drazenovic Burnaby-Douglas
    ....
    Marc Dalton Burnaby-New Westminster
    ....
    Dick Harris Cariboo-Prince George
    ....
    Troy DeSouza Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca
    ....
    Ron Cannan Kelowna-Lake Country
    ....
    Jim Abbott Kootenay-Columbia
    ....
    Norm Sowden Nanaimo-Cowichan
    ....
    Colin Mayes Okanagan-Shuswap
    ....
    Stockwell Day Okanagan-Coquihalla
    ....
    Jay Hill Prince George-Peace River
    ....
    Elizabeth Pagtakhan Vancouver East
    ....
    Kanman Wong Vancouver Kingsway
    ....
    NEWFOUNDLAND
    ....
    Aaron Hynes Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor
    ....
    Cyril Pelley Humber-Ste-Barbe-Baie Verte
    ....
    Joe Goudie Labrador
    ....
    Cynthia Downey Random-Burin-St. George's
    ....
    NOVA SCOTIA
    ....
    Robert Campbell Dartmouth-Cole Harbour
    ....
    Andrew House Halifax
    ....
    Rakesh Khosla Halifax West
    ....
    MANITOBA
    ....
    Helen Sterzer Winnipeg Centre
    ....
    Gareth McDonald Winnipeg North
    ....
    NEW BRUNSWICK
    ....
    Omer Leger Beausejour
    ....
    Charles Doucet Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe
    ....
    SASKATCHEWAN
    ....
    David Anderson Cypress Hills-Grasslands
    ....
    Jeremy Harrison Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River
    ....
    PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
    ....
    George Noble Malpeque
  17. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: I. C. from Brunei Darussalam writes: 'Whatever. Still small beer compared to the sleaze, corruption and arrogance of the Liberals. Even the Harper Tories, warts and all, are preferable to a return of the Entitlement and Graft party.'

    I.C. - the Harper Tories may look good from afar, but they are far from good up close.

    No, methinks the Harper Tories have eclipsed the Liberals by a wide margin (and in 2 short years!).
  18. mike sty - from Canada writes: Tories swap ad expenses..........
    Tories swap Julie.......
    Sleazy Stevie's CONservative Gang
  19. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but excel at whining that it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault. Did I mention they lie constantly too?, Canada writes: Harper's achilles heel is his refusal to accept responsibility. If he were man enough to admit to mistakes he might have proven to be the great PM that his supporters claim. But he's not.

    Every time he points a finger of blame his so called 'leadership' comes into question. Harper will eventually fall because of his inability to admit to or accept any responsibility for mistakes.
  20. Tour de France from Canada writes: There is a clear double standard by Con supporters. When the government - civil or judiciary - denounces Liberals, they are embraced as being accountable. When they are after Conservatives' wrong doings, they are now 'taking advantage of their position' and 'abusing their power'.

    Please. This insults the intelligence of Canadians.
  21. Jake Richardson from Kingston, Canada writes: The tories are corrupt in Quebec. What delicious irony.
  22. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Martyn Whitt from toronto, Canada writes: 'Elections Canada are a bunch of civil servants who are bullies and make arbitrary undemocratic decisions. This will come out in court. The elections canada are undemocratic and the top officials should be fired for not governing themselves properly and taking advantage of their position.'

    Sure Martyn. Which is why Elections Canada officials are used the world over to validate elections - because they are so undemocratic!

    Martyn, cutting & pasting CPC talking points is no substitution for informed opinion. Think for yourself.
  23. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: Believe me this is not just the Tories but these 'tricks', sleight of hand with elections, will be found to be practiced in one form or other by all the parties, at least those that run a large number of candidates and where would they learn them??? For those who have gone before......

    The shades are lifted, at least temporarily and those people who would never report an error made by Revenue Canada on their income tax refund or who might use some sleight of hand themselves (bartering for example) will scream bloody murder at the outrageous behaviour of others. (not that it makes it right but just exposes our hypocritical tendencies as human beings!)
  24. Stan L from Canada writes: Chris Halford from Ottawa, Canada writes: Boy, the tricks those Liberal appointees come up with to besmirch the reputation of Canada's new government who have brought honesty and transparency back into politics!

    Sorry to dissapoint but Marc Mayrand is a Conservative appointee...'Marc Mayrand’s appointment as Chief Electoral Officer of Canada was unanimously approved by the House of Commons on February 21, 2007'

    Once again the Conservatives have taken this molehill and turned it into a mountain simply with their beligerence for the rules and the institutions that they themselves promised to uphold.....sad.
  25. Michael B from Canada writes: Martyn Twit, what the hell are you talking about? Elections Canada are provided rules by the government that they are then supposed to enforce. Limiting campaign spending is not some big liberal plan, it's common sense. It helps level the playing field and keeps candidates from over-propagandizing the electorate. And the decisions are far from arbitrary, they're kinda governed by policies, procedures, parliament, etc. And elections canada re democractic because they represent an officer of parliament and were given their mandate by parliament. And they haven't taken advantage - Harper's idiots caused all this by suing them in the first place for not reimbursing their fraudulent expenses.
  26. Ice Rider from Canada writes: Elections Canada are a bunch of civil servants who are bullies and make arbitrary undemocratic decisions.
    -------------------------------------------
    Sorry Martyn, you and your fellow Reformers are deliberately missing the point.
    Elections Canada didn't break the law; the Harper Conservatives did, got caught, lied and cried.
    The Liberals didn't break the law; the Harper Conservatives did, got caught, lied and cried.
    Quebec didn't break the law; the Harper Conservatives did, got caught, lied and cried.
    The NDs didn't break the law . . .
    Now Martyn, are you starting to understand? I think that's clear enough for even you and your fellow Reformers to understand. If not, try this:
    Your party did it.
    It's your party's fault.
    Your party is to blame.
    This is all on your party.
    No one else.
    Just the Conservatives.
    OK? We clear? Good!
  27. mike sty - from Canada writes: Next stop on the CONservative Scandal Train..........CCB
  28. Jesu Pifco from Canada writes: Chris Halford,

    It was 2 seats. Elsie Wayne and one other Tory survived Kim Campbell's summer job.

    And speaking of seats: 'Harpic' is still a major toilet cleaner brand in 'the world's largest democracy' which itself so corrupt it makes Canadian politicians of any stain look bright and clean.
  29. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Don Adams, The Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: ' $ 1.3 million? Chicken Feed. Enough to get the lefties knickers in a twist, but just no big deal to NORMAL folks :-)...'

    Don, you didn't seem to think the $1.3 million that the LPC were judged to have missappropriated over AdScam was chicken feed!?

    Hypocrite much?
  30. Proud to Be Canadian from Toronto, Canada writes: Corrupt Conservatives , Million Dollar Bribes to sitting MPs and Money Laundering , They bully and smear elections Canada officials , police and judges . Conservatives are the poster party of corrupt politicians. The only thing the paid posters from their side have is But,,,but ..but Liberals!!!!!
    Steven harper and the Cons ( aptly named ) are a corrupt bunch of thieves that should be in jail .
  31. Stan L from Canada writes: R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: Believe me this is not just the Tories but these 'tricks', sleight of hand with elections, will be found to be practiced in one form or other by all the parties, at least those that run a large number of candidates and where would they learn them??? For those who have gone before......

    In a vague kind of general way you may be right.....but as for the 2006 election specifically referenced here? Elections Canada is obligated to review and audit expenses of all candidates, they did for all parties......this scandal is born out of the audits and review that revealed the problems with the Conservative campaign, others parties did not ignore the oversight, did not refuse to cooperate and did not try and run away from their obligations and responsibilities.
  32. Martyn Whitt from toronto, Canada writes: Compos Mentis, Michelle B,

    making arbitrary decisions, being accountable to nobody is not inheritantly democratic. But democracy and freedom is not something that is of any use to you socialists or your masters in Pyongyang, as 'you just know what is best for the rest of us'.

    OK you have fun getting your knickers in a twist trying to make something out of nothing here posting away today, the court decision will be going the way of the CPC, and Elections Canada will have something to answer for. I am smuggly confident, armed cross, sly grin on my face, oh you lefties have no sense of humour, I love winding you up, but its really rather self indulgent due to the ease with which I can do it.
  33. Erik D. from Ottawa, Canada writes: To Philip Yu: I doubt Harper will call an inquiry, as well, we all know who runs everything in the Conservative party, I mean no one can let alone say anything without micro-manager Harper's go ahead. Martin called his inquiry, because he was an enemy of Chretien, and Ad-Scam was Chretien's baby.
  34. Jesse Winger from Calgary SW, Canada writes: Why do the Conservatives keep doing these slippery, sleazy things?

    They promised better. We got rot.
  35. Martyn Whitt from toronto, Canada writes: No Ice rider they didn't break a law, E.C. after the fact made a judgement about a grey area of a rule. Big difference, is that clear. Read my above post about how the court case will turn out, CPCs will win it easy peasy, and I love winding you lefties up, you have no sense of humour and you take yourselves way to seriously.
  36. Slippery Slope from Canada writes: Nice Spin on the Globe, to make the CONs look like it was isolated in Quebec, when the decisions were made in Ottawa, by Albertans to steal from all Canadian taxpayers.
  37. D. B. from Greater Sask., Canada writes: Martyn: If CPC wins this court case, the only consequence for Elections Canada will be ....dissolution! Seriously, though, why would CPC stand up for such a dubious principle which could only cost it dearly in Quebec? I hear that every barber and hairdresser in Quebec is now talking about this with their clients. And they'll tell 2 friends, and they'll tell 2 friends, and they'll tell 2 friends.
  38. Stan L from Canada writes: Don Adams, The Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: Proud To Be (NOT!) Canadian. And that's just why the Cons have so much money in their war chest bud.... all donated by REAL Proud Canadians :-) The LIEbbies? Bankrupt! Morally AND financialy!
    Most Modern Day LIEbbies = Dippers = Lefties = unrealistic, idealistic idiots.... usually CIDIOTS from Toronto or Vancouver :-)

    Oh so that's why the Conservatives played fast and loose with elections Canada rules.......wow so clear and so consise, thanks for the explanation. that makes a whole lot of sense..... : - )
  39. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Don Adams, The Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: 'Compos....read up on things before opening your mouth, taking 1 foot out, and putting the other one in :-) ...the LPC didn't misappropriate $ 1.3 million for Adscam....it was $40 million. THAT'S not chicken feed :-) '

    Don, you've become such a troll.

    I've read the Gomery Report. Nowhere does he accuse the LPC of stealing $40 million. Nowhere.

    Maybe YOU should read up on things?
  40. Don Adams, The Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: Martyn..... lefties are ALWAYS easy to wind up :-) Just the nature of the breed :-)

    Hey, without them posting here, it'd be pretty dull :-) And we both know it's quite fasinating seeing what most of them post, wondering which planets they come from :-)
  41. Rich fisher from Human Rights Detention Centre, Canada writes: Has Elections Canada ever looked into the Chretien /Martin liberals stealing millions from hard working over taxed Canadians and laundering it through ad companies in Quebec whilst funding 100% of their election?

    You'd have thought they would have heard about this by now.
    Oh well I guess Elections Canada has more important things on their hit list.
  42. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Martyn Whitt from toronto, Canada writes: 'Compos Mentis, Michelle B,

    making arbitrary decisions, being accountable to nobody is not inheritantly democratic. But democracy and freedom is not something that is of any use to you socialists or your masters in Pyongyang, as 'you just know what is best for the rest of us'. ...'

    Uh, yeah right Martyn. Sure. Whatever you say ( says Compos, as he slowly backs out of the cyber space inhabited by a clearly delusional Martyn Whitt).
  43. June from Western Canada from Canada writes: What is really the problem here? ever worked for a Candidate in an election? A cap on expenditures for every candidate is in place..the problem is a candidate in a city can reach their 110,000 constituents by walking door to door. Rural candidates have 600KM to travel (or more) so I don't see the problem with one sharing what they don't need and raise their funds more easily in concentrated areas with a candidate in a more difficult area (lack of even local TV). We all know that elections are Leader focused so what the Leader says, does, and will reflect on the local candidate. What is the problem using the national ads with Candidate advertising? That's what you people are voting on anyway. Funny, no mention of the Ethics Committee responses from Marc Maynard where he admitted changing the wording in the book, deleting 'parties' .... that he investigated himself on the 'leak' of info of the infamous 'raid' on headquarters... and more...but of course, that doesn't make the headlines. John Robson report 'Case of the Disappearing Scandal' Ottawa Citizen July 19. The word Scandal has been brandished very loosely by the Liberals....selective articles printed or not printed sway the public opinion of any given issue. What are we trying to elect anyway? the richest first past the post?
  44. only mikey from Canada writes: When Jane Stewart 'misplaced' a couple of million Mr. Chretien when asked about it said quote 'so whats a couple of million'.
  45. pierre lefebvre from Brossard, Canada writes: Honest voters of Quebec cannot vote for either Liberal or Conservative crooks in HoC. They have a choice still that no other Canadian has. Honest Quebec voters can put an X on Bloc candidate. We know they are committed to Quebecois and beyond tricks used by federalists of well known probity deviance.
  46. Brenton E. from Canada writes: ah, those dull minded right wing-nuts, more slime being turned up by more groups and in response the wing nuts suggest the group should go back in history and check an earlier administration. Remind me again, why was Little Steven and the Socreds elected?
  47. Jeff Kelly from Kitchener, Canada writes: Sorry, Rich, there was this whole INQUIRY thing? And it found that Chretien/Martin did nothing of the kind. Try reading before making random partisan accusations.

    Likewise Don Adams - Would you defend every action of the Alliance-Conservatives, no matter how despicable? Just wondering. You don't particularly care how much they steal, as long as they're sufficiently regressive in their social policies? (I'm just curious what particular price you put on your support)
  48. J. Kenneth Yurchuk from Toronto, Canada writes: Don (Dean of the Death Star) Adams: Hi Don. It's easy to figure what planet you are from Don, You 're always talking from Uranus.
  49. Martyn Whitt from toronto, Canada writes: Well DB no matter what the outcome of the court case is, precedent is set and we have clarity on the matter (ie a rule). E.C. should have asked courts or parliament for guidance going forward rather than just arbitrarily deciding to withhold funds from one party mid-stream. E.C is supposed to work for the overall good of the elections process in Canada and witholding funds after the fact and flexing their little muscles!

    There is something called due process in this country, and its afforded to allegeded rapists, murderers and paedophiles, E.C. if they really thought these actions were off side should have gone to court themselves to argue their case and go after the funds retroactively. As I said there is due process in this country afforded to EVERY criminal, E.C. seems to have forgotton about any sort of due process in regards to a campaign finance area. hmmmm, who exactly do they think they are? Above the law?
  50. jim kennely from Canada writes: rich fisher - what has chretien/martin got to do with this article?
    from beginning to end the article was about conservatives playing strange little games with elections canada.
    the liberals haven't been in power for over two years. how about the irish famine? could really get something going there and it's just as relevant.
    have a gooday.
  51. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: only mikey from Canada writes: 'When Jane Stewart 'misplaced' a couple of million Mr. Chretien when asked about it said quote 'so whats a couple of million'.'

    sorry mikey, but I call 'bullsh!t'.

    A little context. Jane Stewart ran the HRDC amd oversaw the Jobs Creation program which had a budget of $1 billion. The A-G found that controls over administration of the program were lacking - not that any monies were missing or missappropriated.

    Mr. Chretien, in response to Conservative calls of 'scandal', made that comment tongue-in-cheek.
  52. Martyn Whitt from toronto, Canada writes: Hey Don, yes it would be dull if we all agreed. I have to be in a good mood to deal with the intellectual inconsistencies though! ha!
  53. Rich fisher from Human Rights Detention Centre, Canada writes: (I'm just curious what particular price you put on your support)
    Posted 22/07/08 at 11:47 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment

    Thanks for asking Jeff
    My price is honesty.

    Now show me any proof of your Elections Canada's, 'whole INQUIREY thing' into Adscam and we'll be done with it .
  54. Sandra L from Mississauga, Canada writes: Elections Canada should be afraid, very afraid I can small a lawsuit coming their way by Dictator Harper.
    I still feel confident that this is only the tip of the iceberg with the Conservatives. They are making the sponsorship scandal look like peanuts.
    Attention all Liberals - get off your duffs and get this party out of office.
  55. Fake Name from Canada writes: Corrupion in Quebec: Not Just a Liberal Tradition Anymore.

    Have I found a new tourism slogan for La Belle Province? They could use it to advertise to all those shady Swiss bankers in the story last we about them coming to north america to help with tax evasion.
  56. Stan L from Canada writes: Don Adams......I really have to hand it to you. When all the signs of Conservative corruption are obvious....you just keep right at the attack regardless. It is hilarious to read, the desperation, the tinfoil hat theories, the deflections.....pretty entertaining, I know there is no way you are thinking that anyone is dumb enough to fall for any of this, so I can only conclude that you are having some fun.....at least I hope that's the case (if not please tell me you don't live anywhere near Ontario)
  57. jim kennely from Canada writes: lyn alg - the john birch society is alive and celebrating its 50th birthday this year. wunnerful, wunnerful. i thought they were long gone but the poison is still there.
  58. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: June from Western Canada from Canada writes: 'What is really the problem here?...'

    It's really simple June.

    The CPC is alleged to have perpetuated a party-wide election financing fraud.

    Oh, and they are attacking yet another Canadian institution.
  59. only mikey from Canada writes: Compos--you are wrong-there was misplaced money-period--
  60. Stan L from Canada writes: Mrtyn Whitt....due process? do you even know what that means for Elections Canada...it certainly isn't taking parties to court to get back taxpayer's funds.....give yourself a shake, this is our money the Conservatives were trying to scam us out of, not campaign coffers.
  61. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but excel at whining that it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault. Did I mention they lie constantly too?, Canada writes: LOL! Don Adams thinks anybody who criticizes our dear leader is a 'leftie'. I think your early retirement isn't sitting well with you Don - it's clouding your thinking (I'm being charitable here - assuming your thinking was clear previously). Here's an idea: Why don't you get a job as a course ranger at the local muni? You might get free range balls out of the deal and you'll get to criticize and push all the 'lefties' who are slowing down the course. It is 'lefties' that are causing rounds to be over 4.5 hours isn't it?

    BTW, you're 'normal' just like Jason Kenney is 'normal'. And you both like to shove your tongues up the same place!!
  62. Geiseric the Lame from Canada writes: Who would Retail Media have taken to court if one of the official agents decided to short their bankwire?
  63. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: only mikey from Canada writes: 'Compos--you are wrong-there was misplaced money-period-- '

    Then can you provide a link that refutes this?

    http://tinyurl.com/5dpnpf
  64. Erik D. from Ottawa, Canada writes: To Don Adams: As the Cons, Harper in particular, won't release who donates, it hard to say if it is ordinary Canadians, or Right wing groups from the States that are pumping in the money....
  65. Stan L from Canada writes: Geiseric the Lame from Canada writes: Who would Retail Media have taken to court if one of the official agents decided to short their bankwire?

    Why do you ask? The Conservatives would be taken to court....the conservatives contracted the company to purchase media on their behalf, the conservatives are on the hook to pay regardless of what Elections Canada says.....perhaps they could have hedged their bets and listened to the advice of their media company who warned them that what they were doing didn't seem to fall within the rules.......
  66. jake and pete from Canada writes: If you want to burry a story when is the best time of the year to do so? Last 2 weeks of July or first 2 weeks of August. Have to give the Tories this one.

    When the fall sesion starst up again lets bring this topic up.
  67. Michael B from Canada writes: Martyn, you're a laugh. You accuse us of having no sense of humour, not seeming to realize that the banality of your jingoism is not in any way funny. You see, Marty 'No-Wit' Whitt, your average educated Canadian is getting more and more alarmed at the number of brainless, self-centred, racist, hateful neo-cons crawling out of the woodwork, and at the sheer volume of sewage they manage to spread all over anything we once cherished. Therefore, things being as they are, little freaks like you attacking yet another important check & balance on government is not in any way funny.
  68. jim kennely from Canada writes: i don't think harper's got it quite right. like most conservatives he doesn't have a sense of humour, (unless it's somebody falling down a flight of stairs, things like that) and he is determined to outdo the liberals in all their past deeds.
    he is doing corruption extremely well so we'd better stop him before he self-destructs like the liberals.
    wait a minute..........
    carry on stevie, you're doin' a great job.
  69. Scrappy T from Canada writes: Have Elections Canada looked into the expenses of other political parties with a much zeal as they seem to try and always find something with the Conservative party?
    I have a feeling that Elections Canada is not an impartial entity and would love to know the political stripe of who makes up most of the higher ups.
  70. Geiseric the Lame from Canada writes: Stan L from Canada writes: 'Why do you ask?...'

    because that would define who incurred the cost.

    Paragraph 446 is there for a reason.
  71. Stan L from Canada writes: Geiseric the Lame from Canada writes: Stan L from Canada writes: 'Why do you ask?...'

    because that would define who incurred the cost.

    Paragraph 446 is there for a reason.

    Indeed I see what you are getting at....problem is that part of the allegations have to do with the fact that they are also accused of forging invoice from Retail Media as well to make local expenses look like federal ones....tricky buisness to sort, but I am assuming Retail Media is not going to take the fall for the party.
  72. Don Adams, The Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: 1 Michael B from Canada is one too many :-) A true disciple of Trudeau and other leftoids. BUT, slowly but surely, we're getting rid of you types, sending you back to where you tradionally resided, and where you belong...on the fringes of society :-)

    Hey Michael... 1 1 = 2...... not 1, or 3, or 4, or whatever your little leftie brains think up for that particular day :-)

    TOLD Y'all I'd be back :-)
  73. John Connor from Around Town, Canada writes: Gee, if it was illegal or wrong and the Tories knew it, then why did they leave a paper trail?

    At least the Liberals had the (in) decency to bury their dirty laundry in cash stuffed in brown envelopes.

    The nerve 'eh?
  74. mike sty - from Canada writes: Erik D. from Ottawa, Canada writes: Harper in particular, won't release who donates, it hard to say if it is ordinary Canadians, or Right wing groups from the States that are pumping in the money....
    ------------------

    Sleazy Stevie still hasn't come clean on whether the NRA funded his leadership bid...........
  75. Rhoddy Manyhandles from Oshawa, Canada writes: Many of the above posts are exactly what turns most Canadians off politics. The more rancorous and libelous the discourse, the fewer normal citizens remain involved. Hence the low turn out at the poles on election day. That is how elections are stolen by zealots to rule!
    So how can we mend the broken system short of an un Canadian revolution?
    We need a citizens constitutional conference to discuss how we elect our politicians and how we require them to govern us. The results would need to be ratified by a nationwide referendum.
    One of my recommendations is to adopt a Primary Voting System like the Americans have but more fairly designed. This would allow and foster more involvement from average citizens because they would then be choosing who is nominated, not having a party riding association dictate this is who you must vote for!
    As it is there will never be a party leader who will cede this kind of power to the people, since he would never be able to parachute his choice into any riding! So I will not hold my breathe in anticipation of any meaningful reforms.
  76. Michael B from Canada writes: Rich fisher from Human Rights Detention Centre, Canada writes: (I'm just curious what particular price you put on your support)
    Posted 22/07/08 at 11:47 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment

    Thanks for asking Jeff
    My price is honesty.

    Now show me any proof of your Elections Canada's, 'whole INQUIREY thing' into Adscam and we'll be done with it .
    ------------------------
    Hey, Rich, you realize that Elections Canada's job relates only to Elections, right? Adscam was a government program that had nothing to do with elections campaigns. So, you see, Elections Canada doesn't need to address Adscam, does it? I don't see why you'd want to go and spend a whole bunch more taxpayer dollars after the Gomer inquiry already dealt with Adscam.
  77. Stan L from Canada writes: Geiseric the Lame from Canada

    sorry ....the other way around, they are accused of forging invoices from Reatil media to make federal expenses look like local ones. In fact, they admitted that they changed the invoices, but claim that it was only to calrify which expenses go where......like I said I very much doubt Retail Media will take the hit for them.....
  78. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but excel at whining that it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault. Did I mention they lie constantly too?, Canada writes: Don Adams, 'TOLD Y'all I'd be back :-) '

    LOL - I don't think anybody believed you actually left Don! You're REALLY enjoying your retirement, aren't you?
  79. Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: Now you can see why the Liberals have not called an election; it would have wiped out all these terrible scandals the Conservatives have created to benefit themselves or cover up their misdeeds. So many of them outstanding that by the Liberals doing absolutely nothing, the Conservatives will just collapse from their own fraud and deceit. Unfortunately, it takes time. And in the interim, Canadians have been shortchanged with regard to Kelowna, Kyoto, Women's Resources the National Childcare programme, etc. etc. etc.

    Only unintelligent people would vote for Stephen Harper.
  80. Michael B from Canada writes: crappy T from Canada writes: Have Elections Canada looked into the expenses of other political parties with a much zeal as they seem to try and always find something with the Conservative party? I have a feeling that Elections Canada is not an impartial entity and would love to know the political stripe of who makes up most of the higher ups ------------------------------------- Actually Elections Canada looks just as closely at everyone. But, you see, the conservatives make it really easy when HUGE numbers of their MP's are involved in fraud. There were articles recently about how Elections Canada did in fact check the other parties and they came up clean. Why must you freaks always descend to the 'well, I bet everyone does it too' or 'the people who are trying to stop us from being criminals must be partisan' or 'the previous governments did it'??? WHY CAN'T YOU JUST NOT BE CORRUPT? Oh yea, because you're psychotic neo-cons out for the blood of all that is holy.
  81. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: And this is the reason why the Harper Conservatives 'mis-spoke' during the last federal campaign. They feigned indignation with the Liberals. While they were cheating.
  82. 100% Conservative from Victoria BC, Canada writes: There is so much non sense being reported on this issue and from what I have read so far being posted by all the usual crowd of anti-Conservatives - franky it is not worth the time or efffort to respond as the issue will be settled in court!
  83. Geiseric the Lame from Canada writes: Stan L from Canada writes: '...problem is that part of the allegations have to do with the fact that they are also accused of forging invoice from Retail Media...'

    That's a matter for the Commisioner, whose agents have only so far pointed out the discrepencies. However, who incurred the cost is central to the issues currently before the Federal Court.
  84. Jen Dobson from Canada writes: 'Scrappy T from Canada writes: Have Elections Canada looked into the expenses of other political parties with a much zeal as they seem to try and always find something with the Conservative party?
    I have a feeling that Elections Canada is not an impartial entity and would love to know the political stripe of who makes up most of the higher ups. '

    Harper apointed the head of Elections Canada, so you can't argue he is a Liberal.

    And for the last time - YES - they DID look into the books of all of the parties. Why do people keep asking this question? It's just that the cons are the only ones they found who were running this illegal scheme.

    This is really really bad for the cons. They look absolutely horrible from this.
  85. Jesse Winger from Calgary SW, Canada writes: Former PM Paul Martin had the balls to call an inquiry into 'adscam' (at great political expense to his party) that led to serious criminal charges against a few well-connected liberals. His courageous and principled stand cost him the PM's seat, no doubt. Justice was done.

    PM Harper won't call an inquiry into this devious in-and-out scam, however. The fact that he won't demonstrates to me that he's not the man Martin is.

    Harper is at war with the truth - and all tactics are a go.
  86. Stephen Green from North Saanich, BC, Canada writes: This issue is a non-issue. Why can't political parties use money as they see fit for advertising? If a marketing company identifies a weak market for a product, they re-allocate advertising funds to increase product exposure. This is no different.

    Secondly, what is wrong with nationally produced adverts, nothing.

    Quite frankly, the rules governing election spending are ridiculous.
  87. Stan L from Canada writes: Geiseric the Lame from Canada writes: That's a matter for the Commisioner, whose agents have only so far pointed out the discrepencies. However, who incurred the cost is central to the issues currently before the Federal Court.

    At the end of the day...it is indeed for the courts to decide, but based on the evidence that we have seen, this all looks pretty bad. The fact is that the forged invoices and the real invoices clearly mark a path that demonstrates federal expenses funnelled to look like local expenses paid for by local agents who were then reimbursed by the party......and that is just that singular allegation, there are other issues in all of this to consider.......but agreed it is for the courts and by extension, the inquiry to discover and decide on.
  88. Greg Van Zandt from Canada writes: Don't worry Mike, we will still get those Liberal crooks.... Sponsorship figure charged in fraud case Paul Cherry , Canwest News Service Published: Friday, April 18, 2008 Flanked by RCMP escorts on either side of him, Benoit Corbeil, the former head of the Quebec wing of the Liberal Party, appeared dazed Friday as he walked out of the courtroom where he was charged with fraud and using his influence to help a private company purchase federal land. It was part of a whirlwind day for Corbeil, 44, a central figure in the federal government sponsorship scandal that inflicted heavy damage to the Liberal Party's reputation. He was arrested at his apartment in Repentigny, near Montreal, Friday morning and informed he is suspected of taking a bribe from a businessman, who has now died. Hours later, Corbeil made his first appearance at the Montreal courthouse. After his brief appearance Corbeil was escorted out of the courtroom by RCMP officers and a small army of courthouse security guards. Corbeil received a substantial kickback for helping Carriere Bernier, a quarry and paving company purchase land previously owned by the federal government. Police say Corbeil allegedly received the money from the company's then owner Real Ouimet, who is now deceased. In 1997, Corbeil was regional director of the Liberal Party's Monteregie, a region near Montreal, office. He became head of the Quebec wing in 1998. The same company has received sizable contracts from the federal government in recent years. According to government records for the budget year 2004-2005, it received more than $280,000 to repave the St. Jean Garrison, a military training facility. It also received a contract to work on the St. Jean sur Richelieu regional airport in 2004. The work, repaving an airport runway, was paid through funding put forward through three levels of government, including Transport Canada.
  89. mike sty - from Canada writes:
    RCMP targeted alleged Tory spending scheme
    Mr. Finley and Mr. Lepsoe fled from the Sheraton down a back set of stairs
    But it does confirm that the RCMP search was not related to a lawsuit launched against Elections Canada by the Conservatives after the Elections Commissioner had begun an investigation of the scheme

    Thumbs up to the dedicated men and women of the RCMP for trying to rid the sleazy crooks and bookcookers of the Harper CONservative party.
  90. Jen Dobson from Canada writes: 'Stephen Green from North Saanich, BC, Canada writes: This issue is a non-issue. Why can't political parties use money as they see fit for advertising? If a marketing company identifies a weak market for a product, they re-allocate advertising funds to increase product exposure. This is no different.

    Secondly, what is wrong with nationally produced adverts, nothing.

    Quite frankly, the rules governing election spending are ridiculous. '

    Even if this is true - the fact is these are the rules. If the rules are bad let's change them. But until that happens, you must follow these rules.

    The reason they can't reallocate like this is precisely because of this very issue - it allows parties to overspend their limits, which is illegal.
  91. Stan L from Canada writes: Stephen Green from North Saanich, BC, Canada writes: This issue is a non-issue. Why can't political parties use money as they see fit for advertising? If a marketing company identifies a weak market for a product, they re-allocate advertising funds to increase product exposure. This is no different.

    The idea of a debate on how elections money is spent and the fact that the conservatives are accused of breaking the exisiting rules are two seperate issues......that we can debate the merits of the rules is just fine, but the merits of the rules don't change the fact that they are there and meant to be followed.
  92. Vern McPherson from writes:
    Donnie It's you who are losing it today pal. I haven't posted on this story yet. LOL !!!

    Until right now............ I just got back from getting my Sequoia serviced.

    Why have you been howling at me on this ????

    Are you feeling well ? Are you believing your own lies again ??
  93. June from Western Canada from Canada writes: Liberals out in full attack....after the Robson article got deep sixed re the Ethics Committee 'disclosure' by Marc Maynard.'Case of the Disappearing Scandal'...It's Ok...you guys keep throwing your dirt, allegations and BS. No one else in this country allowed an opinion, viewpoint or access to balanced reporting so enjoy your next decades of decadent dictatorship....your children will be taken care of from birth to death, except there won't be any freedoms to enjoy. What a dark, drab, dreary world you will create..no incentive, no innovation, no need for courts, just mindless one party rule...guess the Bloc is the only hope, they should run in all provinces, might give them a majority.
    • Posted 22/07/08 at 12:38 PM EST |