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Ad budget doubles under Harper

DANIEL LEBLANC

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 8:28 PM EST 28/07/08

More than $80-million in marketing spending marks first rise since the start of the sponsorship scandal in 2002, according to an unreleased federal report ...Read the full article

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  1. Klaus Gieger from Moffat, Ont, Canada writes: ...and I'm still not buying his B.S.

    This former Tory is now voting Green.
  2. james castle from Canada writes: The real question is what products all this advertising is trying to sell.
  3. Badges? We don't need no stinking badges from Canada writes: Money for nothing...
  4. Vote NDP in the next federal/provincial election from Toronto, Canada writes: I'm stunned that the Conservatives are not learning their lessons as they're using advertising for their own benefit.

    The best the Conservatives can do is promote advertising that is crucial and non-partisan for Canadians such as tips on how to protect the environment, fight off bear attacks, travel to foreign countries, eating right etc... and not make partisan advertisements such as tougher sentences, intensity-based targets, Liberal attacking ads etc...
  5. Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, writes: Yet again, for the umpteenth time the Con-Borgies are proven to complete & utter flaming hypocrites.
  6. Garrett Deyne from Canada writes: I would rather see a government spend its advertising money then steal it.
  7. nick oliver from halifax, ns, Canada writes: james castle from Canada writes: The real question is what products all this advertising is trying to sell.

    one of them is our new drug prevention strategy, for which the cash might as well have been used to buy custom golf balls to give away.

    meanwhile, my bill for the 'just say no to patronage, kids'campaign i've developed for the new conservatives comes to a mere $1 million.
  8. Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: The only way for the Conservatives to get their message out to citizens is through paid ads. The Eastern media only supports the Liberals and deliberately twists any stories regarding them in a positive way and for the elected Government a negative bias. What choice does Harper have??
  9. D. B. from Greater Sask., Canada writes: Double the advertising pleasure; perhaps and possibly and on the basis of pure allegation alone . . . double the income of CPC-friendly advertising firms.
  10. Stan L from Canada writes: Oh those halcyon days of empty conservative promsies hangng in the air....Yet ANOTHER promise broken...I can't for the life of me figure out why Harper made it....likely they didn't think about it...it was probably just a good thing to promise after Adscam and another way to get a good dig in....In the grand scheme of things it's not really that big of a deal, do why make any promises.....what a maroon......
  11. T O from Canada writes:
    Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: The only way for the Conservatives to get their message out to citizens is through paid ads. The Eastern media only supports the Liberals and deliberately twists any stories regarding them in a positive way and for the elected Government a negative bias. What choice does Harper have??
    ----------------------------------

    Very insightful and accurate point...
  12. S.L. S from Small Town, Canada writes: Stephane, Jack and Stephen are the greatest tools the Greenparty ever had. I'll bet the Greenparty see's a huge jump in the next election.
  13. Sandra L from Mississauga, Canada writes: Dictator Hypocrite Harper:
    Not much of a surprise, I love these stories. You are just reconfirming what most Canadians that pay any attention to your Government screw ups believe, you are worse than the Liberal Sponsorship Scandal. Every day it is something else. This morning it was confirmed that you interfered in the investigation of Brian Mulroney's role with the present day Tories and we all know what kind of a crook he is. A $500 Million deficit for the first time in 11 years, etc etc.
    You will not be gone soon enough and hopefully the rest of the country has learned once again to keep the Conservatives out of office as they did when Mulroney brought the country to it's knees. You will not even make opposition next election. I can hardly wait.
  14. Iain's Opinion from Canada writes: Uhm since when are the Libs experts on adscams?
  15. Stan L from Canada writes: Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: The only way for the Conservatives to get their message out to citizens is through paid ads. The Eastern media only supports the Liberals and deliberately twists any stories regarding them in a positive way and for the elected Government a negative bias. What choice does Harper have??

    Oh woe is the poor fate of the sitting Prime Minister of Canada...everyone is out to get him.....Gee do you think if the guy actually entertained a question or two from the press or say treated them with just a smidge less contempt he might get more press that he wants instead of reporters just filling in the blanks? And give it a rest, the sitting PM and current government always gets about 2 times more press than any opposition....what utter fantasy.
  16. Stan L from Canada writes: D. B. from Greater Sask., Canada writes: Double the advertising pleasure; perhaps and possibly and on the basis of pure allegation alone . . . double the income of CPC-friendly advertising firms.

    Gee you think? : )
  17. Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, writes: Free the west & TO from Canada - ah yes the old media bias horse - haven't you Con-Borgies flogged that one to death yet? Oh it's the Liberals fault, oh it's the media's fault. Whine whine snivel snivel & boo-frigging hoo.
  18. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Free the West - the same old tired 'media bias' defense?

    I expected better.

    On second thought, no I didn't.

    Con hack loser party will never get its majority - no matter how much propaganda it spreads.
  19. terry ludtke from red dog ab, writes: Gov't s need to get there message out......liberals didn't need to because there brothers and sisters at the globe and star spread there propoganda daily. 80 million is definatly a good chunk of change thought....at least it was done with full visability for the tax payer to see, i believe the liberals weren't quit so forthcoming ( adscam ).
  20. Bryan Vanderkruk from Canada writes: At least this report reveals that the money spent on ads actually gets spent on advertising government services; not being used to line the pockets of the PM's friends
  21. Grassroots are the wave of the future from Canada writes: Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: The only way for the Conservatives to get their message out to citizens is through paid ads. The Eastern media only supports the Liberals and deliberately twists any stories regarding them in a positive way and for the elected Government a negative bias. What choice does Harper have?? =======================================================What people need to do, is to get out and actually hear the people running during election time, opposed to watching an ad. During the provincial election, the conversative that ran in my area got booed and laughed at, because the words coming his mouth had nothing to do with the reality of the community. The liberal was just as bad. All the other smaller parties seemed to be more in tune with the people and got a more favorable response. To be honest, partisan politics is really old hat, I see more independents and some of the less recognized parties making headway, as the people are tired of the same old song and dance.
  22. Stan L from Canada writes: Bryan Vanderkruk from Canada writes: At least this report reveals that the money spent on ads actually gets spent on advertising government services; not being used to line the pockets of the PM's friends

    At least......that's what you expect? at least? He promised you to spend less, he promised he wouldn't spend like this....aren't you outraged? he promised more accountibility on advertising you got less......
  23. Philip McRae from Vancouver, Canada writes: Typically the left is trying to turn this into Conservative advertising rather than what it is is government advertising. There is no need other than misrepresentation to include the sponsorship scandal. One could easily imply that under the Chretien Liberals public opinion was immaterial to them and they couldn't have cared less.
  24. Stan L from Canada writes: Bryan Vanderkruk from Canada writes: At least this report reveals that the money spent on ads actually gets spent on advertising government services; not being used to line the pockets of the PM's friends

    I also might ad that this is simply a report from Public Works...Sheila Fraser hasn't had at it yet....stayed tuned part 2, this might be very interesting
  25. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes:
    A very misleading headline and misleading comments from my Liberal friends - these ads are to explain government policy and process - not partisan ads to promote the party.

    I guess if we were to contrast this to the former government - they went a step beyond partisan ads and actually funneled millions back into the party through an elaborate kick back scheme!

    Where is the $40 million owing, my Liberal friend$?!
  26. Bill G from Calgary, Canada writes: Oh please $80M is a drop in the bucket of the overall budget. Government advertising is required. Still better than all that Liberal advertising showing up in the credits of all those 'Canadian' made tv shows and movies.
  27. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes:
    It amazes me the outright LIES the left comes up with to manufacture scandals
  28. martha stewart from Canada writes: 'The spending quickly jumped as the government... launched advertising campaigns on issues such as health and military recruitment, and promoted the 2006 census.'

    I have noticed more military recruiting ads but if there have been 'health' ads I can't recall them (as my mind does for all nanny-state ads). And I guess they need to advertise a census.

    Other than that, I'm not sure why all the excitement over this story, and all the predictable Harper 'liar' attacks. Can anyone provide an example of what mike sty calls 'Tax-payer funded CONservative lies'?

    It says that 'Jean Chrétien Liberal government spent $111-million in 2002-2003.' What would that be in inflation adjusted numbers?

    Free the West's 7:32 post explained one very valid point.

    Wonder what the Sierra Club or Greenpeace or the Suzuki Foundation would have to actually pay for all the free advertising they get almost daily from the G & M?
  29. Bob from Montreal from Montreal, Canada writes: ONce again the Cons have proven them self to be the real CONS.
  30. Stan L from Canada writes: Bill G from Calgary, Canada writes: Oh please $80M is a drop in the bucket of the overall budget. Government advertising is required. Still better than all that Liberal advertising showing up in the credits of all those 'Canadian' made tv shows and movies.

    What are you talking about? Are you saying the Liberals spent Canadian taxpayers dollars for Brand placement in TV shows and movies? Or are you just lipping off about tax credits that all governemtns have been giving film and TV makers for a while now....in the first case you will need to provide proof or explaint he medication you are on...and if the second..has nothing to do with advertising.
  31. jack sprat from Canada writes: '80 million is a drop in the bucket' - maybe to you it is but thats a lot of money. Besides their ads are largely bent towards their party and not really marketing pieces at all.

    And army recruitment up because of ads? C'mon, with all the jjobs being lost you would expect people to join the military.

    The very notable point here is the broken promise....again. The Cons have raised spending by 14% with their budget and have put Canada in a deficit. Steve said he would never have an increase in spending greater than the growth in GDP. Well he's tracking at about 5 to 10 times that now.

    These guys cannot manage their way out of a wet paper bag, never mind the economy.
  32. Comments closed, censored, deleted or made to disappear from Mini Bushland, Canada writes: The more inept they get, the more they need to spend on image... Lack of substance. What you see is what you get: virtual reality, images, emptiness, the void.
  33. Bill G from Calgary, Canada writes: Stan L, the latter.
  34. mike sty - from Canada writes: I guess after Harper and Canada's New Minority stole 35 BILLION dollars from Canadian seniors, 80 million for lies and cover-ups is a drop in the bucket.
  35. Gavin Neil from Canada writes: T O from Canada writes:
    'Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: The only way for the Conservatives to get their message out to citizens is through paid ads. The Eastern media only supports the Liberals and deliberately twists any stories regarding them in a positive way and for the elected Government a negative bias. What choice does Harper have??
    ----------------------------------

    Very insightful and accurate point...'

    Really? You thought so? since the 1960's conservatives (here) and republicans (there) have been on the offensive against the 'liberal media'. Of course, such a media doesn't exist, all media is biased but there is no permanent bias structure against conservatives and there are plenty of healthy conservative newspapers even in Eastern Canada.

    So:
    A) it's not insightful, because it's a repackaging of the same lies the republicans have been making successfully since th 70's even on their own pet TV station Fox news; and
    B) it's not at all accurate.

    To this of course I will add:
    C) Even if it were accurate, it would still make them a bunch of hypocrites who waste your money.

    Now that's insightful and accurate, my friends.
  36. North Star from Canada writes: Your tax dollar @ work under Harper.

    Harper cannot be trusted.
  37. Stan L from Canada writes: martha stewart from Canada writes: 'The spending quickly jumped as the government... launched advertising campaigns on issues such as health and military recruitment, and promoted the 2006 census.'

    I have noticed more military recruiting ads but if there have been 'health' ads I can't recall them (as my mind does for all nanny-state ads). And I guess they need to advertise a census.

    I think that's the thing martha...I live in toronto which is a pretty rich media envrionment and I have noticed the same......what are we getting for 80 million which marks a significant increase becuase I haven't seen a thing.......here is my partisan guess. 80 Million as you may or may not know, marks the media spend of the budget only (the production is separate)...two things come to mind....the 80 million is badly spent, mismanaged, illegal, incompetant use..whatever.....OR, the 80 million was spent in government advertising in Conservative rich areas or where there is a probability of conservative support to enforce the notion that the conservatives are doing something....since I live in TO and the areas is considered a dead zone for conservative support...I do not get the advertising.......if that is the case, there have been some MAJOR rules brokien with respects to advertising protocols and the government.
  38. bob london from Canada writes: Cons cheaper than Cretin.
  39. martha stewart from Canada writes: Ricky for a Centrist Canada - How do you say 'con hack loser' in French?

    Maybe you could try using that just for variety? Otherwise your posts may become boring and predictable.
  40. I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: Hypocrite.
  41. Chris Halford from Ottawa, Canada writes: The raw advertising number isn't that useful, one needs to see the breakdown of where it went. It would be interesting to know if it's all properly accounted for, maybe Sheila Fraser can check that out for us?

    Free The West from Free the West:

    I believe those Liberal lapdogs, the Aspers are from Winnipeg. Guess that isn't far enough West to reach Alberta, that chalice of truth? And you certainly wouldn't want to get on the West coast where they don't necessarily toe Stephen's line.
  42. Bill G from Calgary, Canada writes: Mike Sty, the governemtn never stole 35B from Seniors. If they panicked (as they could in any market conditions) and sold they lost. If they stuck with it, they've done just fine.
  43. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes:
    Vern - your point on income trusts is also a LIE - trusts are up dramatically since the announcement (30 %) while the rest of the market is down.

    Why are the Liberal$ so full of LIES?
  44. rick from river city from Canada writes: “Especially at a time when jobs are being lost and the economy is in difficulties, the idea that the government should go out and double its advertising budget to prove to Canadians it's doing a good job is about the lowest priority you could imagine,” said Liberal MP John McCallum.

    Earth to nit-wit McCallum. Canadian job rate is at an all time high and the national economy is humming along. I know that is confusing for a tired old liberal hack who doesnt see the need to see or address issues beyond the Ontario border.
  45. terry ludtke from red dog ab, writes: ricky please change your name ...to ' buzz's buddy', your left of him for god sakes....and please put forth a debatable point, your ' cons sucks ' crap is gettin old, how quickly our left wing friends forget there sins ( adscam). This is a gov't doing what is supposed to do in getting its message out, and it is doing it with full visability to the tax payer to see, unlike your hero Jean who used his Quebec wing to support his 'supporters'....you liberals, always ' entilted to your entitlements '
  46. martha stewart from Canada writes: Stan L - A mystery. We've got a satellite dish out here in the boonies so we catch stations from all across Canada but we seem to have missed this advertising, other than those military recruiting ads.

    And the census.

    So what exactly did they spend how much on?

    As usual, the G & M is short on useful details.
  47. Stan L from Canada writes: Chris Halford from Ottawa, Canada writes: The raw advertising number isn't that useful, one needs to see the breakdown of where it went. It would be interesting to know if it's all properly accounted for, maybe Sheila Fraser can check that out for us?

    I would love to see that. The fact is that government advertising needs to follow some guidelines about where it plays, the languages it plays in, the availability and etc......for 80 million we shoudl be seeing ads pretty frequently...it represents a big budget for Canadian advertising.
  48. John Smith from Canada writes: 'The Liberals said the increased spending on advertising shows the Conservative government is misguided in its priorities, and should stop using advertising to improve its image in the eyes of Canadians.'

    I guess the flip side of this comment is that when Chretien spend $111M five years ago that money was spent for the betterment of Canada, if not mankind in general. Maybe if the LPC showed up to vote in the HoC they might not look so hypocritical in their denunciation of the CPC's spending.
  49. garlick toast from Canada writes: I wonder if 80 million includes the money spent by DND to fund a 'think tank'?
  50. James P from Spruce Grove, Canada writes: Try as I do, I cannot find a story on when the liberals spent $111 million in 2002-2003. Hmmm, just another Globe story to rile up the masses against their(your) enemy? It causes foaming at the mouth for their target audience, so I guess its good reporting.
  51. Dennis sinneD from Calgary, Canada writes:

    This scars me... the number of people here who can't distinguish between honest advertising by a government

    and

    a Liberal Adscam where $millions of tax payer dollars are stolen.

    It's downright nutty in here...
  52. Mrs. Whiggins from Canada writes: I agree with martha stewart!!! This G&M article is short on details. Will have to look at Public Works website and see if it lists the ad campaigns and companies, or wait for Sheila Fraser to have a look. Someone mentioned waiting for Ms. Fraser and Part II which could get interesting.

    I have a question: If there is an advertising campaign for 'Where is Stephen Harper's personality?' (sort of a MISSING poster I imagine) would that be government spending or party spending? Just curious.
  53. earl pearl from Canada writes: By my taxpayer eye, the most puzzling of the federal spending on advertising has to be those Pardons Canada TD ads. I wonder how the taxpayer benefits from TD ads that encourages convicts to apply to have their criminal records pardoned. I mean seems like Canada lived nicely without these ads for what, 141 years.

    methinks there are better areas to spend ad dollars.
  54. John Smith from Canada writes: mike sty - from Canada - You are delusional if you think 'Canada's New Minority' stole $35B from seniors. But, for argument sake, lets take your delusion as f
  55. James the second from Halifax, Canada writes: What a frickin' low life 2 faced piece of crap politician this Harper is....
    These guys are the lowest forms of life on the planet....
    Too bad good good people don't gravitate towards politics. But then
    good people can't stomach the machinations and immorality that come with the territory.
  56. James P from Spruce Grove, Canada writes: I laugh at you people when you respond to these stories, like its
    another nail in the CPC coffin for you. It isn't. Its what it is, more than last year but less than before. The CPC never has spent a dime(of federal $) on promoting the CPC but rabid haters above seem to miss that point. I'm sure their are some that are ignorant enough to think that any political party in power can spend federal $ on party ads but, hey most of the thinking voters are used to that. What many were mad at before under the liberals is that they did it fact 'kick back' these funds to give directly to the liberal party. Big difference, yet to some it seems it was nothing at all. Just a mistake that has been forgiven.
  57. Timothy Philips from Toronto, Canada writes: Looks like the Conservatives have their very own sponsorship scandal.
  58. John Smith from Canada writes: mike sty - from Canada - You are delusional if you think 'Canada's New Minority' stole $35B from seniors. But, for arguments sake, lets take your delusion as fact. The question you should be asking is did the LPC, as the Official Oppostion, not protect Canada's seniors? Is that not the role of the Official Opposition?
  59. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes:
    Mike Sty - where is the money?

    Why are you lying about Income Trusts?
  60. More CO2 Gas from Canada writes: In a democracy the only marketing that is fair and honest is done by individual mailings to all Canadian citizens. The current forms of newspaper, TV and radio advertising is nothing more then welfare to the various media companies.
  61. Shawn W from Toronto, Canada writes: All that money and the majority of the country still isn't buying it. What a shame. Have a nice summer, Dear Leader.
  62. James P from Spruce Grove, Canada writes: Read Timothy Philips post. How I love being right!
  63. sally stink from edmonton, Canada writes: --i note that this advertising figure also includes the notices
    for tenders, public input meetings etc. ---these advertisments
    are many and expensive, but how else would canadians find
    out the information they need to know????
    --as well, there is so much 'media management' going on
    these days (read political interference with media information)
    that the only way for ottawa to make sure all canadians are
    given correct information they need it is through advertisments.
    --i say this advertising money is money well-spent.
  64. James P from Spruce Grove, Canada writes: Now if we were to have an honest discussion about the cash spent and if it was spent effectively, I'd be all ears on how the CPC misspent the dollars. I'd love to call the feds to task over spending my money. But since this story is short on that a props up speculation and has no real auguement other than dollars spent vs last year I have to think that the dollars must have been spent at least quasi-effectively since I know the globe would be happy to let you all know if the CPC f'ud up somehow.
  65. Jesse Winger from Calgary AB, Canada writes: Klaus Gieger from Moffat, Ont, Canada writes: ' ...and I'm still not buying his B.S.

    This former Tory is now voting Green.'

    Good post. The Cons have NOTHING I'm interested in.
  66. Dennis sinneD from Calgary, Canada writes:

    tom johnson from MISSISSAUGA, Canada writes: 'So much for Hilter, i mean harper....lets go on with electing a new government: ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT WILL BE BETTER THAN THIS HACK CON GANG OF THIEVES AND LIARS WE HAVE AS A SO-CALLED GOVERNMENT NOW.
    harper should be shot and pi$$ed on! '

    ...

    Was that meant to be a direct threat against the Prime Minister of Canada?
  67. Hairy Wrangellian from Saltspring Island, Canada writes: I do resent ads I've seen telling me that I've been given a tax break - that really is a waste of money, and actually should be considered part of the Conservatives election campaign spending, because that's its real purpose.
  68. Anthony B from Maritimes, Canada writes: 'Advertising budget doubles under Harper'

    Harper's credibility among Canadians, stagnant.

    The irony of it all ....Priceless!
  69. P Jones from NB, Canada writes: Typical liberal/leftist blather I see. Nothing new here.
  70. James P from Spruce Grove, Canada writes: tom johnson from MISSISSAUGA, Canada writes: So much for Hilter, i mean harper....lets go on with electing a new government: ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT WILL BE BETTER THAN THIS HACK CON GANG OF THIEVES AND LIARS WE HAVE AS A SO-CALLED GOVERNMENT NOW.
    harper should be shot and pi$$ed on!

    -------------------
    Really? You want the PM to be assassinated and then urinated on..Ok I guess no matter what I say you are still going to vote liberal Mr. Dion. Foaming at the mouth I see. Good job MSM!
  71. terry ludtke from red dog ab, writes: wow if tom johnson ...brutally idiotic comment doesnt show the liberal leanings of this ' rag ' i don't kniow what will.......if anybody had posted that about Cretian , Martin or Dion and it would have been pulled instantly , especially on an semi moderated forum...shame...and tom, your real tough guy sittin in your mom's basement typin this crap up......anytime biatch.
  72. James P from Spruce Grove, Canada writes: Hairy Wrangellian from Saltspring Island, Canada writes: I do resent ads I've seen telling me that I've been given a tax break - that really is a waste of money, and actually should be considered part of the Conservatives election campaign spending, because that's its real purpose.

    ---------------
    I can agree there. But, for those dumb enough not to know of the tax breaks, they might have needed an ad to let them know what those tax cuts were and so request them when doing taxes. Otherwise I see your valid and sane point.
  73. Hendrick Larose from Canada writes: tom johnson from MISSISSAUGA, Canada writes: 'So much for Hilter, i mean harper....lets go on with electing a new government: ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT WILL BE BETTER THAN THIS HACK CON GANG OF THIEVES AND LIARS WE HAVE AS A SO-CALLED GOVERNMENT NOW.
    harper should be shot and pi$$ed on! '
    ============================================

    The above is an amazingly offensive comment yet I am glad it was posted because it exposes the hatred that the left wing folks bring to the political spectrum. This was more representative of Hitler's socialist agenda than anything any right of centre leader has done in Canada. Whoever you are sir, you are a huge detriment to the party you support but thanks for showing us what life is like with left wing thinking.
  74. I don't think... therefore I vote conservative! (common sense is back) from Canada writes: .

    Just when things couldn't get worse for the conservatives...

    Adscam now refers to the Conservatives...

    Wasting taxpayer money to prop up their saviour...
  75. Counterspinner tells the truth from Canada writes: Liberal hypocrites dislike conservative spending..... no news here...... where is that election canada story about preferential liberal treatment?
  76. Luke Morrow from Canada writes: Bill Thompson from Calgary, Canada writes: So where is the story about the sweet-heart deals the Liberals got on their illegal loans?

    “Scores of Conservative candidates missed campaign debt deadline
    By Joan Bryden , THE CANADIAN PRESS

    OTTAWA - Conservative election candidates have regularly missed deadlines for repaying campaign debts, indulging in the same supposedly illegal conduct for which the Tories are now denouncing Liberal Leader Stephane Dion
    The law governing political loans to election candidates is almost identical to that which applies to leadership contenders. The only difference is that election candidates have only four months in which to pay off their debts while leadership candidates have 18 months.
    In both cases, candidates are legally entitled to seek extensions.
    According to a chart compiled by Elections Canada, 426 candidates - including 121 Conservatives - sought extensions to pay off loans after the 2004 election.
    As well, 401 candidates - including 125 Conservatives - sought extensions to clear unpaid bills”.

    Looks like the Cons forgot they received special treatment for their loans from Election Canada.
    I wonder who paid off Peter MacKay’s loan. Perhaps a German?
  77. Philip McRae from Vancouver, Canada writes: Stan L, loved your condensed version of the liberal view. ' I don't have a clue but it's probably something illegal because we liberals stole the country blind and the conservatives must be doing the same.' LOL.
  78. rick from river city from Canada writes: tom johnson from MISSISSAUGA, Canada writes: 'So much for Hilter, i mean harper....lets go on with electing a new government: ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT WILL BE BETTER THAN THIS HACK CON GANG OF THIEVES AND LIARS WE HAVE AS A SO-CALLED GOVERNMENT NOW.
    harper should be shot and pi$$ed on! '

    more reasoned debate from a GTA liberal... tom, any relation to Vern
  79. James P from Spruce Grove, Canada writes: I don't think...

    You keep proving the first 3 words of your handle over and over I see. Just once I`d like to see you add substance to your blather. Vern(who some peoploe seem to think you are) at least tries to give a reason. I think you and Mike Sty are the same because you give crud each and ever time you post. There are many intelligent liberals, you just are not one of them.
  80. I don't think... therefore I vote conservative! (common sense is back) from Canada writes: Don Adams, The Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: Ah you leftist goof balls! Harper hasn't spent anywhere near the 111 million the Cretin spent... and he had the MSM supporting him!

    The Cons have only spent 80 odd million, and the MSM has been actively knocking the Cons!

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

    Chretin had 11 years to do so... Harper has been in power for less than 2.5 years...

    Are you really that pathetically dense that you can't figure this one out Don?
  81. John - from BC Interior, Canada writes: Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: 'The only way for the Conservatives to get their message out to citizens is through paid ads. The Eastern media only supports the Liberals and deliberately twists any stories regarding them in a positive way and for the elected Government a negative bias. What choice does Harper have??'

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

    I keep getting propaganda leaflets in my mailbox from Conservative MP's who don't even live in British Columbia. Those leaflets are just a waste of money, especially the ones that end up in my mailbox. I certainly don't like our tax dollars being spent on propaganda telling me how great our current government is.
  82. Scare Crow from Canada writes: The question is if this is money is spirited away then its bad, otherwise its not even news. Where there any suspicion of irregularities? Or are these straight forward mass media ads? I'd like to know if ads spending is part of the budget and if the tories are going over the limit, then there is a reason for some concern. But the article itself does not do this and simply compare spending on a yearly basis. There was no breakdown either so we know which dept; is the biggest spender. Gov'ts of all stripes and in other countries do this often in order to inform the populace of their programs. It should not be an issue if all the news will really report it without any bias and full of opinions mingled in the same news. Sometimes the so called expert critics are even given full prominence compared to the news itself. And of course the G&M is one of them who is guilty of this. Just like the national post who I suspect will headline tommorow the inability of M.Dion to pay all his election debt; plus the unseemingly generosity of Elections Canada in giving them extension after extention to the Liberal candidate to settle their loans/debts. Compare that side by side with the treatment they put on the other parties. Geez, I wish news reporting should go back to the basics and just report facts without any slant
  83. Hendrick Larose from Canada writes: I don't think... therefore I vote conservative! (common sense is back) from Canada writes: tom johnson from MISSISSAUGA, Canada writes: So much for Hilter, i mean harper....lets go on with electing a new government: ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT WILL BE BETTER THAN THIS HACK CON GANG OF THIEVES AND LIARS WE HAVE AS A SO-CALLED GOVERNMENT NOW.
    harper should be shot and pi$$ed on!

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

    Well said. More and more Canadians are coming to this conclusion.

    What makes the conservatives worse than their predecessors is that they campaigned on the idea that they would actually be different. In the end, they're actually worse... much worse... then they go and say 'well the liberals did this 8 years ago, so it's okay!'.

    Hypocrites. No wonder the cons are bleeding support.
    =========================================

    Anyone civilized would condemn this comment not support it. I am shocked that anybody would make such a comment yet support it. Have you guys lost your minds? Do you have no concerns that you may have stepped over the line?
  84. James P from Spruce Grove, Canada writes: Scare Crow..Well said!
  85. Justin Ted from Toronto, Canada writes: New haircut!
  86. Shades of Grey from Whitehorse, Canada writes: 'It's not our fault! We're not as bad as the Chretian Liberals.'
  87. I don't think... therefore I vote conservative! (common sense is back) from Canada writes: .

    More tax-dollars stolen and wasted by your conservative government.

    The funniest part are the con hacks saying this is 'okay' since Chretien spent a lot of money as well 7 years ago...

    But MOMMY.... Jean did it, so why can't I... BOOO HOOOO
  88. I don't think... therefore I vote conservative! (common sense is back) from Canada writes: .

    Another Day, another Tory scandal....
  89. Percy from NL from Canada writes: And you know, there are Conservatives out there who still think that their party is the more fiscally responsible party. Then come those damn facts to screw everything up.
  90. James P from Spruce Grove, Canada writes: I don't think... oh my, oh my. I pity you.
  91. John athamilton from Hamilton, Canada writes: All you CON hacks ... I can't believe what I hear! The CPC espoused accountability and transparency... now that those things are disappearing you compare to the liberals.... guess what guys? We ditched the Libs... and just because the CPC is relatively better but going down the same path we should excuse them? Pardon moi? (pardon me for those in Calgary and TO from Toronto). What we all want is peace order and good government. We're still not getting much of any of that and to say that the governments job is to create jobs by spending... oh my God... (eyeball rolling in their sockets) is that the NDP speaking... I cannot believe that comming from the mouth of a true conservative... you guys ARE pathetic. Unprincipled, selfish, arrogant AND incompetent. Go back to conservative school. The REAL one... not the neo-con school of thought control. You have failed the conservative test. Shame on you. I really would have hoped for better but instead you'd rather lick your leaders boots than stand like proud Canadians....
    why do I make an effort...
  92. rick from river city from Canada writes: I guess when a government actually does things then the ministries need to advertise.
  93. I don't think... therefore I vote conservative! (common sense is back) from Canada writes: .

    Adscam is now synonymous with the Conservatives.

    Adscam = Conservatives wasting tax-payer dollars from real Canadians to try and tell us using our own money how Harper is the saviour of the world.
  94. Shades of Grey from Whitehorse, Canada writes: Free the West: r.e. media bias, the article claims that it was the Globe that broke the adscam story in 2002. If this is true (and I have no reason to doubt it), can you tell me how this fits in with eastern media bias?
  95. Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: 'Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: The only way for the Conservatives to get their message out to citizens is through paid ads'

    HOW ABOUT IMPLEMENTING GOOD ECONOMIC POLICIES TO SHOW GOOD LEADERSHIP.

    AND to all those who keep referring back to the Liberals, I have to remind you that (1) Two wrongs do not make a right; and (2) Harper campaigned against such Liberal negatives. He has turned out, with the help of his campaign contributors (which are still SECRET) to be far more unethical and dishonourable than they, in my opinion.

    His policies have been a disaster for the economy, just to mention the GST cut, against the advice of financial experts, which has caused over 20 billion to be lost from revenue in the medium term, and the billions spent on the military to help to protect the American gas pipeline in Afghanistan, now out in the open -see the Globe&Mail.com
  96. Greg Atkin from Windsor, Canada writes: What difference doeas iyt make if Quebecois get money or somebody else.?
  97. I don't think... therefore I vote conservative! (common sense is back) from Canada writes: Shades of Grey from Whitehorse, Canada writes: Free the West: r.e. media bias, the article claims that it was the Globe that broke the adscam story in 2002. If this is true (and I have no reason to doubt it), can you tell me how this fits in with eastern media bias?

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

    Don't forget that the Globe also supported Harper for PM.

    But yes, whenever a factual story is printed about the conservatives, it's all some big eastern-media conspiracy...

    Free the west (chris jenkins) is just a disillusioned traitor who thinks everyone out west wants to seperate yet cannot deal with the truth (i.e. that only 18% of Albertans are treasonous like him, or that BC and Sask are actually the most patriotic places in Canada). It's all part of a big conspiracy.
  98. James P from Spruce Grove, Canada writes: Percy from NL. I`m curious of those facts you speak of. Is 2008 going to be a deficit? Do you know? DO you like $12 billion surpluses? Why, when after a week or two of work you are taxed extra to get that surplus? Some seem to think the government is a corp. and should be profitable. I don't. If the gov. makes a profit, they are taking it from me and you. But hey its like this story, play on peoples ignorance and it'll create backlash. Good job G&M!

    I'd be thinking the same if this was a story about the libs spending the same amount. I couldn't care until the(supposed) underhandedness would be revealed. That makes all the difference.
  99. rick from river city from Canada writes: hard for liberals to discern between government spending and government theivery. apparently liberals believe the federal government should not spend money advertising its services if the government is conservative. no conservative apologies necessary for transparent and accountable spending of advertisement budgets - here it is for all to see. as James P mentioned, this was all above board and the only argument is whether it was necessary.
  100. Percy from NL from Canada writes: Scare Crow from Canada, would it matter even if the PM was caught on tape admitting to irregularities in this spending? You may recall that kind of thing happened over another matter? The Conservatives block all parliamentary committee attempts to investigate them. Without that, how do you expect inquiries to be called and wrong-doing uncovered? Of course, the Conservatives are above parliamentary committees. According to them, these parliamentary committees are partisan and inquiries cost money. And, according to the Conservatives, that's a new thing. It's what Harper was talking about when he spoke of respect for parliament during the last election.
  101. martha stewart from Canada writes: Is Stephen Harper the best Toronto-born PM?

    If not then who was?

    Just asking.
  102. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: Politics like the 'great religions' depends on ads for its survival!
  103. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Bill Thompson from Calgary, Canada writes: 'So where is the story about the sweet-heart deals the Liberals got on their illegal loans? Interesting how there is yet no decision on the Liberal leader’s loans; Mr. Dion must be sweating bullets. Of course, because there is no decision yet we still do not know who he owes and how much. Who says elections Canada is fair and impartial? ...'

    Bill, there are no 'illegal' loans!? Why do you persist in such fabrications?

    Elections Canada gives debt repayment extensions to all politicians who bother to fill out the paperwork. And that includes sev