Have you heard the PC attack ad against Danielle Smith and the Wildrose yet?
BTW: It is the very first time in PCAA history that they have EVER named an opposition party or its leader in an ad. Take a listen:
Quite a piece of work isn't it. Pure fear mongering that not only is a total misrepresentation and fabrication of the Wildrose position on impaired driving (more on this later) but they also used a number that cannot be found in any research, study, academic work or from any government agency; 300.
"Since 1998 300 Albertans have been killed by drivers who blew 0.08 or less."
Putting aside for a moment the ludicrous wording that 300 deaths were caused by ANY driver who blew less than 0.08, including the vast majority who had absolutely NO measurable amount of alcohol in their system,which would make the number much higher, the 300 number it turns out is the work of one solitary journalist.
The ruling PC's who have the resources of an entire government at their disposal, as well as Transport Canada information and others, decided not to use any government statistics/research and instead decided to use those of a journalist who said of the 300 number "the estimate is my own". Yes, an estimate! Since I don't want to turn this into a dueling numbers thing I will just leave it by saying what should be obvious; the PCs didn't like what they found looking at their own governments data and went number shopping instead to find what they were looking for to fit their political motives, in this case the attack ad. If you want to look more at some numbers that actually came from a reliable source, Alberta Transport, take a look at this recent blog post from Rob Harvie at Searching for Liberty.
But the story doesn't get better for the PC's. Their campaign chair, Susan Elliot of deleting Facebook posts fame, did an interview the other day in which as Dave Rutherford described it; "Susan Elliot in fact was not telling the truth in the interview.Torquing the story, cranking it up. And she is now the spokesperson for the PC party." Dave was being kind. Speaking as the voice of the PCAA, Elliot flat out lied in order to mislead Albertans for political purposes and in defense of a bad law that was written to pander for votes after a tragedy on Alberta roads. And now these lies will taint every other claim that the PC's will make in the upcoming election because if they will lie about this, they will lie about anything and probably everything. WTG Campaign Chair!
You can listen to the interview here:
I don't know about yourself but I hate being lied to and we can see the PCs have already shown that they are more than happy to do just that so they can remain in power and have more time at the taxpayer funded trough.
This is going to backfire on the PC's big-time. A desperate attempt to mislead the very people that they claim to represent into again casting a ballot for their party made worse by the fact that they are treating us like idiots who can't see through the easily proven lies and spin.
It is like Redford and the PC's don't think we are worthy of the truth.
Enough is enough. Redford and the PCs have to go; Albertans deserve better than this.
h/t to Rob Breakenridge, Colby Cosh, Matt Solberg.
Related: This is not the first time that the PC's have lied about Bill 26.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Alison Redford "Real life Leadership" or not...
It is painted on the side of the PC Campaign bus in big letters along side a picture of Alison Redford and reads "Real life Leadership". It is the campaign slogan with which the PCAA are going to run on in the upcoming Alberta provincial election.
But what does it mean, and more importantly has Alison Redford's leadership decisions lived up to her lofty sounding slogan so far? The first answer to the first part is a bit difficult. The answer to the second part though is not. Not even close.
Like most campaign slogans 'real life leadership' sounds meaningful but it's just vague enough that applying any solid definition to it is nearly impossible. It has the buzzword 'leadership' in it which sounds good to the ear and it has 'real life' in it as well, which is also sounds good because that is where we all happen to be at the moment, but it also becomes meaningless fluff for that same reason as there is no other alternative to 'real life'. Zombies and the afterlife excluded. I guess it is better than the laughable 'change from within' that I still see added to twitter hashtags now and again but it in the end it remains just as meaningless. But lets leave out the fluff for a minute and concentrate more on the slogan buzz word, the one that is supposed to make us feel comfortable when ever we hear it, leadership.
Alison Redford has been our premier now for exactly 6 months / 5 days and has had to make many decisions in that role and her role for 4 yrs previous as a cabinet minister under Ed Stelmach. But so far I have not seen much in the way of what I would consider to be real leadership from Redford on many issues and on others her record clearly shows the opposite, a distinct lack of leadership.
During the Stelmach period it is clear that she was just another nodding head at the cabinet table, agreeing with everything her boss proposed, be it royalty reviews, power lines, property rights, as well as the mess that was made in healthcare. I won't dwell on this period as Redford was not the one who made the final call but now that she has decided to revisit many of these Stelmach decisions it is clear that she did not agree or had some doubts with them, and it is worth noting that she showed little leadership by not speaking out at the time while in her role at the cabinet table.
Redford's leadership record also has not been stellar during her short time in the big office as premier, and on some rather important issues a troubling trend has emerged as she seems to want to pass off the difficult decisions that she is expected to make onto others. Be it her decision to hold a limited inquiry into healthcare, that was promised would deeper into the systems problems rather than just limiting focus specifically on queue jumping, or MLA pay where she promised to accept the judges recommendations (including if a pay raise is recommended) rather than just making the call herself. There seems to be a pattern of passing the buck and now it seems Redford is going to be doing the same on committee pay.
I think that most people are aware about the situation with the 'standing committee on privileges and elections' which has not met since 2008 and where 21 government and opposition MLAs have been paid $1,000 a month to attend non existent meetings. It is a joke and it has upset a lot of Albertans who are tired of politicians at the trough forcing Redford to speak out on it in an effort at damage control.
Redford: “This, to me, is a ridiculous situation. It isn’t the way Albertans want politicians to be paid." she said; "It is not right" Adding that she was unaware of the situation with the standing committee on privileges and elections, "I did not know," she said Thursday, calling it "disappointing".
Sounded like she was going to step up doesn't it? Caught unaware of what was going on she came out and expressed her displeasure at the situation, but there is one small problem with that.
Redford herself was on that committee and collected that $1000/month for not doing anything at all.
Yes, the same committee that she claimed she had not known about on Thursday, was in fact a committee the Alison Redford was sitting on from Oct. 28, 2009 until February 2010!
Unbelievable is one word for it and I can think of a few other choice words as well, but I will tell you what does not come to mind after hearing Redford talk about this, and that is "leadership". Sorry Alison but we expect our premier to be able to make not only the tough decisions but also the no-brainers as with this committee and we don't elect people to punt to others when the responsibility is their own and they have the ability and opportunity to do the correct thing now.
That is not leadership. Real life or otherwise.
------------------------
Some other questionable Redford leadership: Loading up her cabinet with failed PC leadership contenders, questionable appointments to party positions and to the Alberta Asia Trade office, to name a few.
Photo: AMBER BRACKEN/EDMONTON SUN/QMI AGENCY
But what does it mean, and more importantly has Alison Redford's leadership decisions lived up to her lofty sounding slogan so far? The first answer to the first part is a bit difficult. The answer to the second part though is not. Not even close.
Like most campaign slogans 'real life leadership' sounds meaningful but it's just vague enough that applying any solid definition to it is nearly impossible. It has the buzzword 'leadership' in it which sounds good to the ear and it has 'real life' in it as well, which is also sounds good because that is where we all happen to be at the moment, but it also becomes meaningless fluff for that same reason as there is no other alternative to 'real life'. Zombies and the afterlife excluded. I guess it is better than the laughable 'change from within' that I still see added to twitter hashtags now and again but it in the end it remains just as meaningless. But lets leave out the fluff for a minute and concentrate more on the slogan buzz word, the one that is supposed to make us feel comfortable when ever we hear it, leadership.
Alison Redford has been our premier now for exactly 6 months / 5 days and has had to make many decisions in that role and her role for 4 yrs previous as a cabinet minister under Ed Stelmach. But so far I have not seen much in the way of what I would consider to be real leadership from Redford on many issues and on others her record clearly shows the opposite, a distinct lack of leadership.
During the Stelmach period it is clear that she was just another nodding head at the cabinet table, agreeing with everything her boss proposed, be it royalty reviews, power lines, property rights, as well as the mess that was made in healthcare. I won't dwell on this period as Redford was not the one who made the final call but now that she has decided to revisit many of these Stelmach decisions it is clear that she did not agree or had some doubts with them, and it is worth noting that she showed little leadership by not speaking out at the time while in her role at the cabinet table.
Redford's leadership record also has not been stellar during her short time in the big office as premier, and on some rather important issues a troubling trend has emerged as she seems to want to pass off the difficult decisions that she is expected to make onto others. Be it her decision to hold a limited inquiry into healthcare, that was promised would deeper into the systems problems rather than just limiting focus specifically on queue jumping, or MLA pay where she promised to accept the judges recommendations (including if a pay raise is recommended) rather than just making the call herself. There seems to be a pattern of passing the buck and now it seems Redford is going to be doing the same on committee pay.
I think that most people are aware about the situation with the 'standing committee on privileges and elections' which has not met since 2008 and where 21 government and opposition MLAs have been paid $1,000 a month to attend non existent meetings. It is a joke and it has upset a lot of Albertans who are tired of politicians at the trough forcing Redford to speak out on it in an effort at damage control.
Redford: “This, to me, is a ridiculous situation. It isn’t the way Albertans want politicians to be paid." she said; "It is not right" Adding that she was unaware of the situation with the standing committee on privileges and elections, "I did not know," she said Thursday, calling it "disappointing".
Sounded like she was going to step up doesn't it? Caught unaware of what was going on she came out and expressed her displeasure at the situation, but there is one small problem with that.
Redford herself was on that committee and collected that $1000/month for not doing anything at all.
Yes, the same committee that she claimed she had not known about on Thursday, was in fact a committee the Alison Redford was sitting on from Oct. 28, 2009 until February 2010!
Unbelievable is one word for it and I can think of a few other choice words as well, but I will tell you what does not come to mind after hearing Redford talk about this, and that is "leadership". Sorry Alison but we expect our premier to be able to make not only the tough decisions but also the no-brainers as with this committee and we don't elect people to punt to others when the responsibility is their own and they have the ability and opportunity to do the correct thing now.
That is not leadership. Real life or otherwise.
------------------------
Some other questionable Redford leadership: Loading up her cabinet with failed PC leadership contenders, questionable appointments to party positions and to the Alberta Asia Trade office, to name a few.
Thursday, March 08, 2012
The Alberta PC campaign is running scared and after yesterday it is clear why.
Former Ralph Klein COS Rod Love wrote in a blog posting titled "Three weeks of hell":
I haven’t been in government for a while, but I sure know a bad few weeks when I see it.
And the question a lot of provincial Tories are asking themselves is: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN EDMONTON??? (Be sure to read the entire post. It is an eye opener and a good primer on what is wrong with the PCs)
I wonder what Mr. Love has to say about the disaster that Wednesday was?
A recap:
First up we found out that their has been a government committee where 21 members have been receiving $1,000/month to sit on a committee that has not met since 2008. The money spent has cost Alberta taxpayers $261,000 over the past year alone.That is bad enough but to make matters worse PC Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Genia Leskiw sounded almost foolish when she answered questions, or tried to, on the matter. You seriously have to listen to this nonsense.
Next up we learned that patronage is still alive and well within the PCAA as already failed candidate for Calgary-Hawkwood and money man for Redford's leadership campaign, Farouk Adatia was appointed as the PC candidate for Calgary-Shaw. With the recent shenanigans in Calgary-West with former AHS superboard head and Redford pal Ken Hughes, I am surprised that they would be so blatant with this appointment, but when it comes to arrogance the PCs are second to none.
And finally we have what has to be topper of the day and confirmation that the PC's are running scared as news broke of the PC ad campaign, which as Don Braid noted "The Tories haven’t done anything like this before – not ever, not once in the long period since they were elected on Aug. 30 1971" directed squarely at the Wildrose where they purposely misrepresent the Wildrose position on Bill 26 and fear monger purely for votes. And all of this after PC Campaign Manager Susan Elliot claimed that they would not run attack ads.
The PC spin on this is unbelievable. They want us to think that they are so concerned about impaired driving that they decided to run political ads on it but yet DO NOT plan on implementing the law until September. The fact that Premier Redford promised that the law would be in place by Christmas of 2011 has of course been completely forgotten in their attempt to again use this as a political wedge to their advantage.
The PC for the first time in 40 yrs are running scared and judging by their failed record on health, electricity, the budget, along with Redford's many broken promises, and mishandled communications (this in spite of recently doubling the communications staff in the Premiers office) it is easy to see why. They are in trouble and they know it. As I noted last week, we can expect them to lash out even more and the nastiness to increase as the reality of their situation becomes more apparent . Which probably means tomorrow because no one is buying their BS anymore.
A bit on Bill 26. It is flawed legislation for a number of reasons:
The legal limit in the criminal code is 0.08.
Police become the judge and jury and can take your license and seize your vehicle without appeal or due process at the roadside.
It does nothing to improve enforcement of existing law and in fact may do the opposite as limited police resources will now be tied up dealing with people who are not doing anything illegal.
If existing law, including losing your license for 1yr, heavy fines and insurance increases, are not deterring drunk driving, how can one expect that another piece of paper will manage to do so?
Put simply it is bad law written to make the Redford government appear that they are doing something about a serious issue. Having them delay it until September (so they have something to use against the Wildrose?) puts all of their spin about it being a safety issue into the BS pile.
A comment made on this blog a while back sums it up nicely: The PC's argument for Bill 26 seems to be that we are not currently catching enough impaired drivers so lets lower the limit and create even more.
Think about it.
And think about it again when you are at the ballot box.
Update: Some related reading.
Searching for Liberty has a interesting look at the real numbers.< good job with this one.
It's our money.
The PC's are a well oiled machine.
I haven’t been in government for a while, but I sure know a bad few weeks when I see it.
And the question a lot of provincial Tories are asking themselves is: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN EDMONTON??? (Be sure to read the entire post. It is an eye opener and a good primer on what is wrong with the PCs)
I wonder what Mr. Love has to say about the disaster that Wednesday was?
A recap:
First up we found out that their has been a government committee where 21 members have been receiving $1,000/month to sit on a committee that has not met since 2008. The money spent has cost Alberta taxpayers $261,000 over the past year alone.That is bad enough but to make matters worse PC Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Genia Leskiw sounded almost foolish when she answered questions, or tried to, on the matter. You seriously have to listen to this nonsense.
Next up we learned that patronage is still alive and well within the PCAA as already failed candidate for Calgary-Hawkwood and money man for Redford's leadership campaign, Farouk Adatia was appointed as the PC candidate for Calgary-Shaw. With the recent shenanigans in Calgary-West with former AHS superboard head and Redford pal Ken Hughes, I am surprised that they would be so blatant with this appointment, but when it comes to arrogance the PCs are second to none.
And finally we have what has to be topper of the day and confirmation that the PC's are running scared as news broke of the PC ad campaign, which as Don Braid noted "The Tories haven’t done anything like this before – not ever, not once in the long period since they were elected on Aug. 30 1971" directed squarely at the Wildrose where they purposely misrepresent the Wildrose position on Bill 26 and fear monger purely for votes. And all of this after PC Campaign Manager Susan Elliot claimed that they would not run attack ads.
The PC spin on this is unbelievable. They want us to think that they are so concerned about impaired driving that they decided to run political ads on it but yet DO NOT plan on implementing the law until September. The fact that Premier Redford promised that the law would be in place by Christmas of 2011 has of course been completely forgotten in their attempt to again use this as a political wedge to their advantage.
The PC for the first time in 40 yrs are running scared and judging by their failed record on health, electricity, the budget, along with Redford's many broken promises, and mishandled communications (this in spite of recently doubling the communications staff in the Premiers office) it is easy to see why. They are in trouble and they know it. As I noted last week, we can expect them to lash out even more and the nastiness to increase as the reality of their situation becomes more apparent . Which probably means tomorrow because no one is buying their BS anymore.
A bit on Bill 26. It is flawed legislation for a number of reasons:
The legal limit in the criminal code is 0.08.
Police become the judge and jury and can take your license and seize your vehicle without appeal or due process at the roadside.
It does nothing to improve enforcement of existing law and in fact may do the opposite as limited police resources will now be tied up dealing with people who are not doing anything illegal.
If existing law, including losing your license for 1yr, heavy fines and insurance increases, are not deterring drunk driving, how can one expect that another piece of paper will manage to do so?
Put simply it is bad law written to make the Redford government appear that they are doing something about a serious issue. Having them delay it until September (so they have something to use against the Wildrose?) puts all of their spin about it being a safety issue into the BS pile.
A comment made on this blog a while back sums it up nicely: The PC's argument for Bill 26 seems to be that we are not currently catching enough impaired drivers so lets lower the limit and create even more.
Think about it.
And think about it again when you are at the ballot box.
-----------------------------
Update: Some related reading.
Searching for Liberty has a interesting look at the real numbers.< good job with this one.
It's our money.
The PC's are a well oiled machine.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Is the Redford government in breach of the legislature with budget ads?
Right now on almost every radio station in the province ads are playing touting what 'Budget 2012' WILL do for Albertans.You probably have heard them yourself, and with the amount of tax dollars they are spending for saturation, you have probably heard them more than once. ( Herald story on 425K spent on budget ads)
But the thing is that budget 2012 is not yet passed into law and although it probably will pass there are NO guarantees that it will and as far as everything that I know about our parliamentary system assuming future actions of any parliament/legislature is in itself a breach.
I am not sure if 'breach of legislature' is the correct wording but terminology aside I think a case can be made that Redford's government has breached the privilege of the Alberta Legislature and its members by running advertisements on a budget that has NOT yet passed into law or received royal assent. (Does the fact that the budget may not pass, slim but indeed a possibility, elevate these ads to possibly be misleading advertising?)
A recent example from Ottawa illustrates this nicely. Back in December the CPC put up a web site entitled "scrappedtheregistry.com" (notice the past tense) and put out ads saying that the gun registry was "almost gone". It should be noted that these were from a political party and NOT the government, as is the case with Redford/PC budget ads, and the issue was brought up as being a breach of privilege.
"“The government, and that includes the Conservative Party, cannot misinform the public that a bill has passed when in fact it’s not passed,” said Mr. Bryant. “And it’s contemptuous of Parliament because it presumes a parliamentary result before there’s been a vote.”
Here is Kady O'Malley from the CBC wrote on the subject. Of note is a ruling the Speaker made back in 1989 when the government of the day ran ads on the GST before it was passed into law. Fraser warned that he would "not be so generous" if such a controversy presented itself in future.
While I doubt that Speaker Kowalski would actually find the PC's to be in breach over this obvious attempt to use tax payer dollars to campaign on something that is not even law, it does speak to a problem we in Alberta have with regards to advertising and political games so close to an election. Something the now Premier spoke out herself against back when she was running for PC leader.
"It is about playing politics and whether it's a real advantage or not there are many people who perceive it to be an advantage," Redford said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
"It's the way that politics used to be done, and nothing in our campaign has been about the way that politics used to be done.
"Redford said she would commit to calling an election in March 2012 and every four years from that date. She said Albertans are supportive of the idea and that several other provinces already use the same model.
"They understand the issues that are coming. They don't believe any political party should have even if it is a theoretical upper hand in managing the political agenda and then picking the date accordingly," she added."
But now that she is won the job we can see that nothing at all has changed and her party continues to play games and use taxpayer money to promote the PC party.
This is not doing politics differently, this is doing it exactly the same as it has been done for 40 years under PC rule and to make matters worse we still don't know the "fixed election date"yet!
Quick Update: I asked Kady O'Malley if there was a follow-up to her piece linked to above.
AA: @kady Off topic but was there ever a follow up to this: bit.ly/vTMQ3M FYI Happening right now in AB: bit.ly/x4VSyM
Kady: @Albertaardvark I've been following that - seems to me at the very least could be a point of privilege in your leg. (Is it sitting atm?)
AA: @kady Yes it is currently sitting.
Kady: @Albertaardvark The relevant precedent for your speaker would seem to be Fraser's ruling re: GST ads placed by the Mulroney govt.
AA: @kady That is what I too was also thinking. Now the question is, will it be brought up in the #ableg? Thanks.
But the thing is that budget 2012 is not yet passed into law and although it probably will pass there are NO guarantees that it will and as far as everything that I know about our parliamentary system assuming future actions of any parliament/legislature is in itself a breach.
I am not sure if 'breach of legislature' is the correct wording but terminology aside I think a case can be made that Redford's government has breached the privilege of the Alberta Legislature and its members by running advertisements on a budget that has NOT yet passed into law or received royal assent. (Does the fact that the budget may not pass, slim but indeed a possibility, elevate these ads to possibly be misleading advertising?)
A recent example from Ottawa illustrates this nicely. Back in December the CPC put up a web site entitled "scrappedtheregistry.com" (notice the past tense) and put out ads saying that the gun registry was "almost gone". It should be noted that these were from a political party and NOT the government, as is the case with Redford/PC budget ads, and the issue was brought up as being a breach of privilege.
"“The government, and that includes the Conservative Party, cannot misinform the public that a bill has passed when in fact it’s not passed,” said Mr. Bryant. “And it’s contemptuous of Parliament because it presumes a parliamentary result before there’s been a vote.”
Here is Kady O'Malley from the CBC wrote on the subject. Of note is a ruling the Speaker made back in 1989 when the government of the day ran ads on the GST before it was passed into law. Fraser warned that he would "not be so generous" if such a controversy presented itself in future.
While I doubt that Speaker Kowalski would actually find the PC's to be in breach over this obvious attempt to use tax payer dollars to campaign on something that is not even law, it does speak to a problem we in Alberta have with regards to advertising and political games so close to an election. Something the now Premier spoke out herself against back when she was running for PC leader.
"It is about playing politics and whether it's a real advantage or not there are many people who perceive it to be an advantage," Redford said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
"It's the way that politics used to be done, and nothing in our campaign has been about the way that politics used to be done.
"Redford said she would commit to calling an election in March 2012 and every four years from that date. She said Albertans are supportive of the idea and that several other provinces already use the same model.
"They understand the issues that are coming. They don't believe any political party should have even if it is a theoretical upper hand in managing the political agenda and then picking the date accordingly," she added."
But now that she is won the job we can see that nothing at all has changed and her party continues to play games and use taxpayer money to promote the PC party.
This is not doing politics differently, this is doing it exactly the same as it has been done for 40 years under PC rule and to make matters worse we still don't know the "fixed election date"yet!
Quick Update: I asked Kady O'Malley if there was a follow-up to her piece linked to above.
AA: @kady Off topic but was there ever a follow up to this: bit.ly/vTMQ3M FYI Happening right now in AB: bit.ly/x4VSyM
Kady: @Albertaardvark I've been following that - seems to me at the very least could be a point of privilege in your leg. (Is it sitting atm?)
AA: @kady Yes it is currently sitting.
Kady: @Albertaardvark The relevant precedent for your speaker would seem to be Fraser's ruling re: GST ads placed by the Mulroney govt.
AA: @kady That is what I too was also thinking. Now the question is, will it be brought up in the #ableg? Thanks.
Friday, March 02, 2012
31,000 contacts to Election's Canada on Robo Calls. I think I, and the NDP, might know why.
It was all over the media this morning. Reports of 31,000 complaints* to Elections Canada on Robo Calls. (*While it was clarified that it was 31,000 contacts and not complaints, the media ran with it often repeating the "complaints" line rather than the fact that they were contacts and not complaints)
What you didn't hear about from our ever vigilant media is just where those 'contacts' may have came from.
Take a look at this page from leadnow.ca and take a good look at the number of "messages sent" to Elections Canada. See something interesting?
8 hrs after the 31,000 number appears it now reads upward of 36,000. ALL of which have been sent to Elections Canada and if you read the wording of the email that will be sent when you click, it is definitely not a complaint of robo calling.
Oh and while you are there be sure to look at their about page. It looks like what you might find on a list for an NDP strategy meeting.
Tuesday Mar 06 Update:
Ezra Levant comments on the numbers. Note the Elections Canada quote where they use "contacts" and how many media outlets used the word "complaints". Even my local radio station used 'complaints'. But why? Where did this meme start and why didn't anyone bother to check the rather short Elections Canada statement against the copy?
Brian Lilley same subject but digs deeper into the ties.
Google search for: '31,000 "complaints" to elections..." yields 31,430,000 results! ALL of them factually wrong!
What you didn't hear about from our ever vigilant media is just where those 'contacts' may have came from.
Take a look at this page from leadnow.ca and take a good look at the number of "messages sent" to Elections Canada. See something interesting?
8 hrs after the 31,000 number appears it now reads upward of 36,000. ALL of which have been sent to Elections Canada and if you read the wording of the email that will be sent when you click, it is definitely not a complaint of robo calling.
Oh and while you are there be sure to look at their about page. It looks like what you might find on a list for an NDP strategy meeting.
Tuesday Mar 06 Update:
Ezra Levant comments on the numbers. Note the Elections Canada quote where they use "contacts" and how many media outlets used the word "complaints". Even my local radio station used 'complaints'. But why? Where did this meme start and why didn't anyone bother to check the rather short Elections Canada statement against the copy?
Brian Lilley same subject but digs deeper into the ties.
Google search for: '31,000 "complaints" to elections..." yields 31,430,000 results! ALL of them factually wrong!
More intimidation/threats from Redford's PC's
There will be consequences if you dare criticize the Redford government.
From the Edmonton Journal:
“In order for your community to have the opportunity to receive a new school, you and your school board will have to be very diplomatic from here on out.”
In the Feb. 9 letter, Goudreau warns Betty Turpin, superintendent for the Holy Family Catholic School Division, that criticism of the government could imperil her district’s chances of funding for a new school.
“I advise you to be cautious as to how you approach future communications as your comments could be upsetting to some individuals. This could delay the decision on a new school,” states the letter from the Dunvegan-Central Peace MLA. He does not say who “some individuals.” might be.
Read the letter yourself:
Turpin Letter
From the Edmonton Journal:
“In order for your community to have the opportunity to receive a new school, you and your school board will have to be very diplomatic from here on out.”
In the Feb. 9 letter, Goudreau warns Betty Turpin, superintendent for the Holy Family Catholic School Division, that criticism of the government could imperil her district’s chances of funding for a new school.
“I advise you to be cautious as to how you approach future communications as your comments could be upsetting to some individuals. This could delay the decision on a new school,” states the letter from the Dunvegan-Central Peace MLA. He does not say who “some individuals.” might be.
Read the letter yourself:
Turpin Letter
From doctors advocating for patients, Linda Sloan and AUMA, and even school boards doing their jobs, intimidation and threats seem to be the PC way.
Let's fix that come election time.
Let's fix that come election time.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Dangerous words: Redford changes her tune on electricity after days of saying there is no problem.
Electricity prices have skyrocketed in Alberta over the last 2 months and it has not gone unnoticed. In the Alberta legislature Premier Redford has been asked for days if her government would do something and for days she has repeated her standard answer: That Alberta has some of the lowest rates in the country, which is not at all true, and that there is no problem because consumers can just sign up to one of the many fixed rate programs offered.
Some quotes from Redford's answers: (highlighting mine)
"What we know is that, as the Minister of Energy has
said, with a deregulated market we are able to provide some of the
lowest cost electricity in the country, Mr. Speaker."
"Mr. Speaker. What we know is that while there are a number
of companies that provide options, the customers only have to
make one call, and that's to the Utilities Consumer Advocate, to
get the information that they need."
These same talking points were also repeated by Ted Morton, Minister of Energy.
"Mr. Speaker, we're quite proud of the fact that we
give residential consumers this choice. It's not very complicated.
Albertans every day make a choice when they go to borrow
money for a mortgage. Do they want a fixed rate, do they want a
variable rate, or do they want some combination? It's exactly the
same situation with respect to electricity, and Albertans appreciate
that choice."
"I will say this very, very slowly for the benefit of the
Leader of the Opposition. There are 11 different providers, all of
them having a contract at 8 to 9 cents which can be cancelled in a
30- to 45-day period if you don't like it."
So there is NO problem. All is well and in fact they said that having the government involved would not be a good thing.
Redford: "Mr. Speaker, dangerous words were government
involvement. Dangerous words were presuming that the solution
to this is for government to fix the problem."
Morton: "Mr. Speaker, the members opposite always seem to
think the solution is more government involvement; we don't
think so. The facts speak for themselves."
But yesterday this non problem has seemed to turn into a problem, at least in terms of this being an election issue, and now it demands that the government do something.
"The Premier has ordered that an independent panel review the regulated variable rate option to consider the ability to reduce volatility and costs. The Premier will also direct the Utilities Consumer Advocate to represent consumers' interests to the independent panel. The advocate's mandate in this process is to ensure the costs associated with electricity are just and reasonable for consumers."
So some action may be required after all in spite of what both the Premier and Morton have been saying for days on the issue and even odder that it will include those dangerous words of government involvement.
But before anyone gets their hopes up I have to remind you that like that "discussion on taxes" or the judicial, or maybe not judicial, inquiry into healthcare, that will be taking place after the election when it will be a matter us accepting whatever it is the government intends to do with no recourse.
So why are they doing it now? Simple, they are scared and are trying to defuse a potentially damaging election issue by pretending to do something now when they really are not doing anything and hope to ride it out hoping the usual PC smoke and mirrors again fool Albertans into voting for them.
Forming a task force to study, what they said was not a problem, is not action, it is pure fluff to appease the masses. To borrow the words of Ted Morton, the facts speak for themselves.
Related (how well our PC government looks after the consumer) Trans Alta fined $370,000 for manipulating power market. BTW: Trans Alta made an estimated $5.5 million from gaming the system.
Can someone explain to me how a $5 million dollar profit (after paying the pittance of a fine) deters them or anyone else from doing it again, and again, and....?
.
Some quotes from Redford's answers: (highlighting mine)
"What we know is that, as the Minister of Energy has
said, with a deregulated market we are able to provide some of the
lowest cost electricity in the country, Mr. Speaker."
"Mr. Speaker. What we know is that while there are a number
of companies that provide options, the customers only have to
make one call, and that's to the Utilities Consumer Advocate, to
get the information that they need."
These same talking points were also repeated by Ted Morton, Minister of Energy.
"Mr. Speaker, we're quite proud of the fact that we
give residential consumers this choice. It's not very complicated.
Albertans every day make a choice when they go to borrow
money for a mortgage. Do they want a fixed rate, do they want a
variable rate, or do they want some combination? It's exactly the
same situation with respect to electricity, and Albertans appreciate
that choice."
"I will say this very, very slowly for the benefit of the
Leader of the Opposition. There are 11 different providers, all of
them having a contract at 8 to 9 cents which can be cancelled in a
30- to 45-day period if you don't like it."
So there is NO problem. All is well and in fact they said that having the government involved would not be a good thing.
Redford: "Mr. Speaker, dangerous words were government
involvement. Dangerous words were presuming that the solution
to this is for government to fix the problem."
Morton: "Mr. Speaker, the members opposite always seem to
think the solution is more government involvement; we don't
think so. The facts speak for themselves."
But yesterday this non problem has seemed to turn into a problem, at least in terms of this being an election issue, and now it demands that the government do something.
"The Premier has ordered that an independent panel review the regulated variable rate option to consider the ability to reduce volatility and costs. The Premier will also direct the Utilities Consumer Advocate to represent consumers' interests to the independent panel. The advocate's mandate in this process is to ensure the costs associated with electricity are just and reasonable for consumers."
So some action may be required after all in spite of what both the Premier and Morton have been saying for days on the issue and even odder that it will include those dangerous words of government involvement.
But before anyone gets their hopes up I have to remind you that like that "discussion on taxes" or the judicial, or maybe not judicial, inquiry into healthcare, that will be taking place after the election when it will be a matter us accepting whatever it is the government intends to do with no recourse.
So why are they doing it now? Simple, they are scared and are trying to defuse a potentially damaging election issue by pretending to do something now when they really are not doing anything and hope to ride it out hoping the usual PC smoke and mirrors again fool Albertans into voting for them.
Forming a task force to study, what they said was not a problem, is not action, it is pure fluff to appease the masses. To borrow the words of Ted Morton, the facts speak for themselves.
Related (how well our PC government looks after the consumer) Trans Alta fined $370,000 for manipulating power market. BTW: Trans Alta made an estimated $5.5 million from gaming the system.
Can someone explain to me how a $5 million dollar profit (after paying the pittance of a fine) deters them or anyone else from doing it again, and again, and....?
.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Score one for the Ottawa Citizen!
Some great reporting from the Ottawa Citizen as they tracked the IP address responsible for posting details of Vic Toews divorce on twitter, the one Justin Trudeau was so fond of promoting, to a computer in the House of Commons!
OTTAWA — An IP address connected to what is known as the Vikileaks30 Twitter account originates within the House of Commons.
In a bid to determine the origin of the account, which details personal information about Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, The Citizen undertook an investigation on Thursday
Someone is busted big time. Stay tuned.
Previous post on improper use of government computers for political reasons.
OTTAWA — An IP address connected to what is known as the Vikileaks30 Twitter account originates within the House of Commons.
In a bid to determine the origin of the account, which details personal information about Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, The Citizen undertook an investigation on Thursday
Someone is busted big time. Stay tuned.
Previous post on improper use of government computers for political reasons.
Nasitness from the Alberta PC's and why we can expect much more in the days to come.
Like a cornered animal lashing out attacking anything that comes near them, the Alberta PC's seem to have taken the same approach towards anyone who dare criticizes them. And they are doing so for exactly the same reason, fear.
The AUMA kerfuffle, which you can read about here, is probably the most famous recent example of lashing out at criticism and detractors. First the Minister sends off a letter to Linda Sloan, which he cc'ed to all government members, all AUMA Board members, and all AUMA member municipalities, saying that because of the criticisms Sloan made of the government that no member of Cabinet or the PC caucus would attend the AUMA breakfast. Making the matter much worse however was the Premiers Chief of Staff, Stephen Carter's tweet: "Let's be clear, Linda Sloan didn't just criticize the budget, she lied. Maliciously. #ableg #AUMA" where he not only called Sloan a liar but that she did so 'maliciously'. The tweet was happily re-tweeted by many and others took to twitter to also say that Sloan should apologize. The premier has since had Carter apologize to Sloan and made Minister Griffiths play nice and go to the AUMA breakfast meeting, even though she has stated: "I firmly stand behind the minister’s comments," the pattern is clear.
While the most famous example, it certainly is not the only one that we have seen this week from the Government, staffers, or closely tied PC supporters.
From just this morning Jessica Jacobs-Mino, a "communications officer", felt the need to attack Calgary Herald columnist Don Braid for his latest column highlighting political games in municipal funding. Here is some of what she tweeted (on taxpayer time?) : "@DonBraid should do his research. There's much more to the Isley story, and lots of history there." and "@DonBraid you're the almighty, all-knowing pundit. Do your job, expert-on-all-things-Alberta." and this gem "@DonBraid lol. cute. Taking the high road, I see. Guess you know a thing or 2 about bullying after all...."
Note: I would provide links to the above tweets but they were deleted shortly after being posted and later the entire account was deleted. But having seen this game before, from the PC campaign manager, I took a screenshot just in case.
Don't like the latest poll numbers, then claim the poll is: "questionable push poll printed as legit in a major daily" without of course any proof whatsoever
There are many more examples but I think think you get the idea. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that, as far as I am aware, everyone of those tweets that I quoted came from someone who recently attended the PCAA "campaign college" where as we can see they appear to have taken full advantage of the social media seminars that took place. (sarc off)
I suspect that this is only the beginning and that as PC poll numbers go down and people start paying attention to the mess the PC's and their government actually are, that these types of attacks will only intensify as they feel pushed more and more into a corner. Not a good thing for a party whose favorite spin consists of calling people who criticize the government as being "angry", but than again understanding irony has never been much a PC strong suit. They are scared and we can expect to see much more of this in the coming weeks.
The AUMA kerfuffle, which you can read about here, is probably the most famous recent example of lashing out at criticism and detractors. First the Minister sends off a letter to Linda Sloan, which he cc'ed to all government members, all AUMA Board members, and all AUMA member municipalities, saying that because of the criticisms Sloan made of the government that no member of Cabinet or the PC caucus would attend the AUMA breakfast. Making the matter much worse however was the Premiers Chief of Staff, Stephen Carter's tweet: "Let's be clear, Linda Sloan didn't just criticize the budget, she lied. Maliciously. #ableg #AUMA" where he not only called Sloan a liar but that she did so 'maliciously'. The tweet was happily re-tweeted by many and others took to twitter to also say that Sloan should apologize. The premier has since had Carter apologize to Sloan and made Minister Griffiths play nice and go to the AUMA breakfast meeting, even though she has stated: "I firmly stand behind the minister’s comments," the pattern is clear.
While the most famous example, it certainly is not the only one that we have seen this week from the Government, staffers, or closely tied PC supporters.
Alberta Liberal leader Raj Sherman criticized for doing shifts as a medical doctor in the emergency department: "While we're talking about top ups, aren't you topping up your own salary by moonlighting in the ER?" and accused of being on twitter while he should be looking after patients: "... he was thinking about me while dealing w people's medical emergencies? or was someone else tweeting 4 him? #ableg #insafehands"
From just this morning Jessica Jacobs-Mino, a "communications officer", felt the need to attack Calgary Herald columnist Don Braid for his latest column highlighting political games in municipal funding. Here is some of what she tweeted (on taxpayer time?) : "
Note: I would provide links to the above tweets but they were deleted shortly after being posted and later the entire account was deleted. But having seen this game before, from the PC campaign manager, I took a screenshot just in case.
Don't like the latest poll numbers, then claim the poll is: "questionable push poll printed as legit in a major daily" without of course any proof whatsoever
There are many more examples but I think think you get the idea. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that, as far as I am aware, everyone of those tweets that I quoted came from someone who recently attended the PCAA "campaign college" where as we can see they appear to have taken full advantage of the social media seminars that took place. (sarc off)
I suspect that this is only the beginning and that as PC poll numbers go down and people start paying attention to the mess the PC's and their government actually are, that these types of attacks will only intensify as they feel pushed more and more into a corner. Not a good thing for a party whose favorite spin consists of calling people who criticize the government as being "angry", but than again understanding irony has never been much a PC strong suit. They are scared and we can expect to see much more of this in the coming weeks.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Threats and intimidation: It's the Alberta PC way.
Minister of Municipal Affairs Doug Griffith in a letter to Linda Sloan, President of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association: (From Global News)
"Please be advised that as a result of your comments in the media, neither I nor any of my Cabinet or Caucus colleagues, will be attending the AUMA breakfast on February 16th, 2012."
"You have chosen to make false accusations in the newspaper while claiming you want to work together. This situation can be remedied if you publicly apologize and retract your erroneous statement."
Griffiths Letter to Sloan Pg1
Griffiths to Sloan Pg2
Wow, and on the same day that they announce that there will be an anti-bullying week in Alberta.
Note how the letter is cc'ed to all AUMA members and ALL municipalities. Talk about trying to send a message.
The Premiers Chief of Staff comments: "Let's be clear, Linda Sloan didn't just criticize the budget, she lied. Maliciously. #ableg #AUMA"
Media: Miffed Tories play guess who is not coming to breakfast.
Don Braid's on the subject.
No bacon, eggs and ham for PC's.
"Please be advised that as a result of your comments in the media, neither I nor any of my Cabinet or Caucus colleagues, will be attending the AUMA breakfast on February 16th, 2012."
"You have chosen to make false accusations in the newspaper while claiming you want to work together. This situation can be remedied if you publicly apologize and retract your erroneous statement."
Griffiths Letter to Sloan Pg1
Griffiths to Sloan Pg2
Wow, and on the same day that they announce that there will be an anti-bullying week in Alberta.
Note how the letter is cc'ed to all AUMA members and ALL municipalities. Talk about trying to send a message.
The Premiers Chief of Staff comments: "Let's be clear, Linda Sloan didn't just criticize the budget, she lied. Maliciously. #ableg #AUMA"
Media: Miffed Tories play guess who is not coming to breakfast.
Don Braid's on the subject.
No bacon, eggs and ham for PC's.
Redford plan is beyond words.
The Redford Government has plans to repeal the requirements that all bedrooms have a window large enough to escape from in the event of fire.
"Alberta's Minimum Housing and Health Standards have been in place since 1999, and they set clear rules about emergency escape routes in rental bedrooms. The current law says: "Each bedroom shall have at least one outside window which may be opened from the inside without the use of tools or special knowledge."
It requires the window be at least 3.8 square feet or big enough to climb out if a house catches fire. The only exception is if the bedroom has a door leading directly outside or if there is a sprinkler system installed.
The proposed new regulation, called the Rental Housing Premises and Shelter Standards, was drafted in July and is much less specific.
"Each room or area used as a bedroom must provide a reasonable means of egress," it reads. There is no mention of windows or doors and it is up to landlords to decide what "reasonable" means." Read the rest at the Calgary Herald. The political donation angle is worth taking a look at.
This is a political disaster. The idea is so stupid that it is beyond words and if the documents were not real we would have heard about it hours ago as the PC spin machine never sleeps, but so far it has been silence from the PC's. My prediction is a total bail and flip flop on the changes and try to spin it as only a 'preliminary' doc.
As for the optics of the donations, well that is something else entirely.
"Alberta's Minimum Housing and Health Standards have been in place since 1999, and they set clear rules about emergency escape routes in rental bedrooms. The current law says: "Each bedroom shall have at least one outside window which may be opened from the inside without the use of tools or special knowledge."
It requires the window be at least 3.8 square feet or big enough to climb out if a house catches fire. The only exception is if the bedroom has a door leading directly outside or if there is a sprinkler system installed.
The proposed new regulation, called the Rental Housing Premises and Shelter Standards, was drafted in July and is much less specific.
"Each room or area used as a bedroom must provide a reasonable means of egress," it reads. There is no mention of windows or doors and it is up to landlords to decide what "reasonable" means." Read the rest at the Calgary Herald. The political donation angle is worth taking a look at.
This is a political disaster. The idea is so stupid that it is beyond words and if the documents were not real we would have heard about it hours ago as the PC spin machine never sleeps, but so far it has been silence from the PC's. My prediction is a total bail and flip flop on the changes and try to spin it as only a 'preliminary' doc.
As for the optics of the donations, well that is something else entirely.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Make that 51.
(see update below, it seems the liberals jumped the gun as did I)
Seems that the illegal donation scandal plaguing the Alberta Progressive Conservatives has no end in sight.
Today my friends* in the Alberta Liberal Party released another example of illegal donations received by the PC party, this time from the Town of Penhold: "At a council meeting held on September 26, 2011, Penhold’s councillors reviewed items of payment, including a cheque for $609 issued to the Innisfail PC association. Municipal governments are prohibited from donating to political parties.
The minutes of the Sept 26, 2011 meeting of the Town of Penhold Council which clearly show a payment was made to the Innisfail PC Association for the sum of $609.00 can be seen here.
Another in an already long list, which appears now to be greater than 50 instances, of donations received by the Alberta PCs which are against Alberta election laws including those from the Calgary Zoo, the University of Lethbridge, Alberta Health Services, school boards and others.
But will the almost endless examples of illegal donations to the PC's sway Albertans to vote someone other than the PC's? Only time will tell if they buy the PC spin of trying to blame those that made the donations rather than the party that cashed the cheques and kept the cash works.
Quick update: "In a news release, the Alberta Liberal Caucus is accusing Penhold Town Council of making a donation to the provincial Tories, which is prohibited. Penhold Mayor Dennis Cooper says the $600 payment to the Innisfail PC Association was a refund, when the group overpaid a pre-booked meeting space at the multiplex."
The MSM finds the story hours later: Penhold peeved by Liberal news release.
Oh well, I guess only 50 instances is better than 51. Not.
*I use the term friends because in the past few weeks I have had many of my tweets re-tweeted by Alberta liberals of all shapes and sizes at least as many times as the current known number of suspect PCs donations. Politics does indeed make strange bed fellows but it isn't about that, it is about doing right for Alberta and in that regard I agree 100% with my liberal friends in that the PCs have to go. We just have a different idea on who should be replacing them.
Seems that the illegal donation scandal plaguing the Alberta Progressive Conservatives has no end in sight.
Today my friends* in the Alberta Liberal Party released another example of illegal donations received by the PC party, this time from the Town of Penhold: "At a council meeting held on September 26, 2011, Penhold’s councillors reviewed items of payment, including a cheque for $609 issued to the Innisfail PC association. Municipal governments are prohibited from donating to political parties.
The minutes of the Sept 26, 2011 meeting of the Town of Penhold Council which clearly show a payment was made to the Innisfail PC Association for the sum of $609.00 can be seen here.
Another in an already long list, which appears now to be greater than 50 instances, of donations received by the Alberta PCs which are against Alberta election laws including those from the Calgary Zoo, the University of Lethbridge, Alberta Health Services, school boards and others.
But will the almost endless examples of illegal donations to the PC's sway Albertans to vote someone other than the PC's? Only time will tell if they buy the PC spin of trying to blame those that made the donations rather than the party that cashed the cheques and kept the cash works.
Quick update: "In a news release, the Alberta Liberal Caucus is accusing Penhold Town Council of making a donation to the provincial Tories, which is prohibited. Penhold Mayor Dennis Cooper says the $600 payment to the Innisfail PC Association was a refund, when the group overpaid a pre-booked meeting space at the multiplex."
The MSM finds the story hours later: Penhold peeved by Liberal news release.
Oh well, I guess only 50 instances is better than 51. Not.
*I use the term friends because in the past few weeks I have had many of my tweets re-tweeted by Alberta liberals of all shapes and sizes at least as many times as the current known number of suspect PCs donations. Politics does indeed make strange bed fellows but it isn't about that, it is about doing right for Alberta and in that regard I agree 100% with my liberal friends in that the PCs have to go. We just have a different idea on who should be replacing them.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The PC's big lie about the Alberta 2012 budget.
There is no other way to put it other than saying that Premier Redford and the PC's have flat out lied about the 2012 Alberta budget when they said that it would contain no tax increases. It does and the worst part is not the lies but rather that they will probably get away with it.
From the budget speech delivered by Finance Minister Ron Liepert: "I will point out, Mr. Speaker, that these higher tax revenues are a result of Albertans and Alberta corporations doing better and thus having higher
taxable incomes, and not because of any tax rate increases by the province." (highlighting mine)
From the document itself: "Budget 2012 introduces no new taxes, or tax rate increases." (underlined by PC's)
Premier Alison Redford: "Budget 2012 is about investing in Albertans with no new taxes or tax increases"
Clear enough or did you want to see about 1 million more examples? (more on this Google search later)
But none of that is the truth as taxes are going up, at least the education portion of your property taxes.
From the Calgary Herald: Although the Redford government boasts about no tax increases or new levies in the budget, it hikes the province's 2012 education property tax take by more than at any time in the last two decades.
Alberta taxpayers will shell out $1.8 billion in education property taxes to the province, an increase of more than $107 million over the 2011 total.
From The Edmonton Journal: 'A jump in the amount Alberta takes from education property taxes means the levy on a typical Edmonton home could go up at the highest rate in three years.'
'The province intends to collect an extra $120 million from education taxes this year, including an additional $38 million — or 10.8 per cent — from Edmonton ratepayers,'
'it means the total average Edmonton property tax hike could hit 7.2 per cent in 2012'
There is no way around it, this is a tax increase, but it gets worse. Not only did they lie about it but this arrogant bunch has the audacity to take it one step farther by trying to pass off the blame and heat onto our municipalities who are the ones that have to collect it. You will see this tax hike show up on your property tax bill, which will get mailed out in Edmonton on May 18 probably AFTER the election) and by then your vote will have already been counted.
As I eluded to earlier the lying and the arrogance are not the worst part of this. They will, or perhaps it would be better stated as, they have already gotten away with it. How could they have gotten away with it since I am obviously reading about it here and in those article linked above you ask? That is easy because the word has already gotten out that the Alberta 2012 budget contain no tax increases and that has already been in every newspaper, on every radio talk-show, and on every television news broadcast both here in Alberta and from beyond when they reported on the 2012 budget. (see Google search linked above) This is what Albertans first heard and even though it is not true it is what most will remember hearing about the budget, that it did not raise taxes. All the PC's have to do now is just continue to repeat the lie and the deception will live on.
It really is brilliant, in a totally underhanded way mind you, but you have to give the PC's credit because after being in power for 40 years they do know all of the tricks on how to hose us without most of us even realizing it until it is too late.
Get the word out. Don't let this deception stand. I fear for what may be in store for us if the PC's do get elected to a majority again since we already know that they don't tell the truth and refuse to give straight answers to direct questions on the subject of taxes.
Real life leadership my ass.
Previous blog on budget 2012
Bonus: I asked Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk a simple question on Saturday night.
AA: " Speaking of facts, how is this NOT a tax increase? http://bit.ly/y5Dwae" (link to Journal story)
His answers, or rather his lack of a straight answer and his sad attempt to spin me (maybe he should have taken one of those social media seminars at PC campaign college this weekend because trying to spin a political blogger is not a bright thing to do) shows that he knows the truth that there are tax increases in the budget, but will do anything he can not to admit it.
TL: "It is all in the Budget. Open and transparent. Read it. How is that a hidden agenda?"
AA: "Those weren't my words. So about my question: How is this http://bit.ly/y5Dwae not a tax increase?"
TL: "That is investing in world class education for our children. Would you cut#abed budget?"
AA: "Didn't ask what it was for, mention cuts, or why I won't 'think of the children'. Your refusal to answer says it all.#ableg"
(No reply)
You can read the twitter thread yourself here
From the budget speech delivered by Finance Minister Ron Liepert: "I will point out, Mr. Speaker, that these higher tax revenues are a result of Albertans and Alberta corporations doing better and thus having higher
taxable incomes, and not because of any tax rate increases by the province." (highlighting mine)
From the document itself: "Budget 2012 introduces no new taxes, or tax rate increases." (underlined by PC's)
Premier Alison Redford: "Budget 2012 is about investing in Albertans with no new taxes or tax increases"
Clear enough or did you want to see about 1 million more examples? (more on this Google search later)
But none of that is the truth as taxes are going up, at least the education portion of your property taxes.
From the Calgary Herald: Although the Redford government boasts about no tax increases or new levies in the budget, it hikes the province's 2012 education property tax take by more than at any time in the last two decades.
Alberta taxpayers will shell out $1.8 billion in education property taxes to the province, an increase of more than $107 million over the 2011 total.
From The Edmonton Journal: 'A jump in the amount Alberta takes from education property taxes means the levy on a typical Edmonton home could go up at the highest rate in three years.'
'The province intends to collect an extra $120 million from education taxes this year, including an additional $38 million — or 10.8 per cent — from Edmonton ratepayers,'
'it means the total average Edmonton property tax hike could hit 7.2 per cent in 2012'
There is no way around it, this is a tax increase, but it gets worse. Not only did they lie about it but this arrogant bunch has the audacity to take it one step farther by trying to pass off the blame and heat onto our municipalities who are the ones that have to collect it. You will see this tax hike show up on your property tax bill, which will get mailed out in Edmonton on May 18 probably AFTER the election) and by then your vote will have already been counted.
As I eluded to earlier the lying and the arrogance are not the worst part of this. They will, or perhaps it would be better stated as, they have already gotten away with it. How could they have gotten away with it since I am obviously reading about it here and in those article linked above you ask? That is easy because the word has already gotten out that the Alberta 2012 budget contain no tax increases and that has already been in every newspaper, on every radio talk-show, and on every television news broadcast both here in Alberta and from beyond when they reported on the 2012 budget. (see Google search linked above) This is what Albertans first heard and even though it is not true it is what most will remember hearing about the budget, that it did not raise taxes. All the PC's have to do now is just continue to repeat the lie and the deception will live on.
It really is brilliant, in a totally underhanded way mind you, but you have to give the PC's credit because after being in power for 40 years they do know all of the tricks on how to hose us without most of us even realizing it until it is too late.
Get the word out. Don't let this deception stand. I fear for what may be in store for us if the PC's do get elected to a majority again since we already know that they don't tell the truth and refuse to give straight answers to direct questions on the subject of taxes.
Real life leadership my ass.
Previous blog on budget 2012
Bonus: I asked Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk a simple question on Saturday night.
AA: " Speaking of facts, how is this NOT a tax increase? http://bit.ly/y5Dwae" (link to Journal story)
His answers, or rather his lack of a straight answer and his sad attempt to spin me (maybe he should have taken one of those social media seminars at PC campaign college this weekend because trying to spin a political blogger is not a bright thing to do) shows that he knows the truth that there are tax increases in the budget, but will do anything he can not to admit it.
TL: "It is all in the Budget. Open and transparent. Read it. How is that a hidden agenda?"
AA: "Those weren't my words. So about my question: How is this http://bit.ly/y5Dwae not a tax increase?"
TL: "That is investing in world class education for our children. Would you cut
AA: "Didn't ask what it was for, mention cuts, or why I won't 'think of the children'. Your refusal to answer says it all.
(No reply)
You can read the twitter thread yourself here
Friday, February 10, 2012
Redford's Budget: Smoke, mirrors, broken promises and prayer.
The 2012 Alberta budget was released yesterday and when I heard Finance Minister Ron Liepert come out and comment on US trillion dollar deficits in one breath while trying to paint the rosiest of pictures on Alberta's economic future the next, as if he had no idea how or why the recession started or why it has taken so long to recover, I knew that we were in trouble. While the budget may sound good or at least sound better than it has been the last few years, and you can be sure that the PCs spent many hours trying to come up with buzz words and feel good phrases to make it appear that way, it is little more than smoke, mirrors, broken promises and prayer.
Revenue is up to $40.3 billion but unfortunately spending is also going up to $41.1 billion creating a deficit of $886 million. The 5th straight deficit budget in a row from the Progressive Conservatives and one that right off the bat would be $1 billion higher if not for the Harper governments recent decision on health transfer payments that return 1 billion dollars to the Alberta Treasury.That and the PC's have elected NOT to borrow the $1.8 billion this year that they said they would in the 2011 budget. (2.8 billion off the deficit between these 2 things alone!)
Now here is where the smoke and mirrors along with a little prayer comes in. The numbers are all totally based on government projections on the future price of bitumen, oil and natural gas in the highly unpredictable energy market. ( A great but dry blog here from Andrew Leach, second last paragraph a must read) If their crystal ball like numbers are off even a little bit the deficit will climb, and looking at the numbers they are using for natural gas which the US suddenly has a glut of, they are indeed going to be off their estimates. The same can be said for the bitumen estimates while their oil estimates seem more realistic. No one knows for sure just what future prices or economic conditions will be but with the entire budget and their credibility riding on it you can bet that Redford and the PC's are praying that their estimates hold out.
A couple more things on the deficit this year. Why are they running one at all? No, I am not talking about why they are not making cuts to spending, which is entirely a valid point and worthy of discussion, but does it really make sense to you for Redford to increase spending by $1.3 when they could have just increased it $500 million and wiped out the deficit right here and now? I don't have an answer but I have a few ideas why they may have done so. First off if something goes wrong in the short term during the election and Redford is running on a no deficit budget it would be devastating and possibly an election loser for the PCs; better to go into it with a small deficit and promises of surpluses to follow to reduce expectations. Secondly Redford is trying the tried and true old PC trick of being all things to all people and the only way to do that is not make cuts and increase spending and then they can paint the other parties, or at least the one they are worried about, as the bad guy who wants to make cuts. Lastly, and in my mind the best explanation, is that they are worried that Albertans may wonder how the PC's managed to do it. IMHO the last thing that the PCs want to do is have Albertans take a real good look at how they have been managing the deficit and playing with the numbers by way of going dipping into the sustainability fund.
Which brings me to my next point, broken promises.
Heard that there are no tax increases in Redford's 2012 budget? After all it is what the PC have been telling isn't it? Well think again. Alberta taxpayers will shell out $1.8 billion in education property taxes to the province, an increase of more than $107 million over the 2011 total. Interesting number that $107 million; where have I heard it before? Sure a weird coincidence and even weirder is the promise that the $107 would come out of savings from other departments?
But perhaps the biggest broken promise is the one that most people have already forgotten about and by the looks of it so has Redford. Here is what Alison Redford said: "Reducing our dependence on non-renewable resource revenue will be one of my major goals. The first $6 billion we amass from resources annually will go to cover government operating costs in areas like public services. I will split any additional revenues up to $4 billion between the Sustainability Fund and the Heritage Trust Fund."
A promise which is now impossible to achieve because there is not exactly an extra $4 billion dollars lying around and there won't be until 2014-2015 and that is only if the PC's crystal ball on energy revenue is accurate and the prediction of a $5 billion dollar surplus actually materializes. The fact that they are predicting a surplus in 14-15 shows that there is NO way that they are planning to put $4 billion dollars into the Sustainability Fund because if they were it would have to be a predicted $1 billion surplus rather than 5. Either that or the surplus is really going to be over $9 billion and the money for the fund has been figured in but if you believe that I have a bridge for sale with your name on it. The truth is that Redford has totally abandoned one of her major promises from the leadership campaign. Not the first time either.
And speaking of the Sustainability fund that will not get the above mentioned promised 4 billion:
In 2009 The Sustainability Fund was worth 17 billion dollars and four years and four consecutive deficit PC budgets later it now sits at $3.7 billion. That is 13 billion dollars gone in less than 3 yrs to cover deficit spending by the PCs.
I can't remember where I read it but someone asked a great question about the Sustainability Fund: What happens if the budget is wrong and the sustainability fund hits zero? Not at all out of the range of possibilities and if the PC record is anything to go by it may be even probable. Something to think about.
Remember, this is the very same group of PC MLAs who promised that by yesterday, budget day 2012, Alberta would be "back in the black" and the government would be running surpluses.
Soon the PCs will be asking Albertans to vote for them and again they will be promising that this time, unlike all of the other times, that it is going to be different. But honestly, why should we trust them again?
As they say fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
I know I am not going to let them fool me again. How about you?
Updated: 2 National Post articles on the budget
As Ontario sinks, Alberta picks up the baton of bad government.
Alberta's first NDP budget.
November 2012 Update: Looks like everyone but Redford was right. Alberta to go back into debt.
Revenue is up to $40.3 billion but unfortunately spending is also going up to $41.1 billion creating a deficit of $886 million. The 5th straight deficit budget in a row from the Progressive Conservatives and one that right off the bat would be $1 billion higher if not for the Harper governments recent decision on health transfer payments that return 1 billion dollars to the Alberta Treasury.That and the PC's have elected NOT to borrow the $1.8 billion this year that they said they would in the 2011 budget. (2.8 billion off the deficit between these 2 things alone!)
Now here is where the smoke and mirrors along with a little prayer comes in. The numbers are all totally based on government projections on the future price of bitumen, oil and natural gas in the highly unpredictable energy market. ( A great but dry blog here from Andrew Leach, second last paragraph a must read) If their crystal ball like numbers are off even a little bit the deficit will climb, and looking at the numbers they are using for natural gas which the US suddenly has a glut of, they are indeed going to be off their estimates. The same can be said for the bitumen estimates while their oil estimates seem more realistic. No one knows for sure just what future prices or economic conditions will be but with the entire budget and their credibility riding on it you can bet that Redford and the PC's are praying that their estimates hold out.
A couple more things on the deficit this year. Why are they running one at all? No, I am not talking about why they are not making cuts to spending, which is entirely a valid point and worthy of discussion, but does it really make sense to you for Redford to increase spending by $1.3 when they could have just increased it $500 million and wiped out the deficit right here and now? I don't have an answer but I have a few ideas why they may have done so. First off if something goes wrong in the short term during the election and Redford is running on a no deficit budget it would be devastating and possibly an election loser for the PCs; better to go into it with a small deficit and promises of surpluses to follow to reduce expectations. Secondly Redford is trying the tried and true old PC trick of being all things to all people and the only way to do that is not make cuts and increase spending and then they can paint the other parties, or at least the one they are worried about, as the bad guy who wants to make cuts. Lastly, and in my mind the best explanation, is that they are worried that Albertans may wonder how the PC's managed to do it. IMHO the last thing that the PCs want to do is have Albertans take a real good look at how they have been managing the deficit and playing with the numbers by way of going dipping into the sustainability fund.
Which brings me to my next point, broken promises.
Heard that there are no tax increases in Redford's 2012 budget? After all it is what the PC have been telling isn't it? Well think again. Alberta taxpayers will shell out $1.8 billion in education property taxes to the province, an increase of more than $107 million over the 2011 total. Interesting number that $107 million; where have I heard it before? Sure a weird coincidence and even weirder is the promise that the $107 would come out of savings from other departments?
But perhaps the biggest broken promise is the one that most people have already forgotten about and by the looks of it so has Redford. Here is what Alison Redford said: "Reducing our dependence on non-renewable resource revenue will be one of my major goals. The first $6 billion we amass from resources annually will go to cover government operating costs in areas like public services. I will split any additional revenues up to $4 billion between the Sustainability Fund and the Heritage Trust Fund."
A promise which is now impossible to achieve because there is not exactly an extra $4 billion dollars lying around and there won't be until 2014-2015 and that is only if the PC's crystal ball on energy revenue is accurate and the prediction of a $5 billion dollar surplus actually materializes. The fact that they are predicting a surplus in 14-15 shows that there is NO way that they are planning to put $4 billion dollars into the Sustainability Fund because if they were it would have to be a predicted $1 billion surplus rather than 5. Either that or the surplus is really going to be over $9 billion and the money for the fund has been figured in but if you believe that I have a bridge for sale with your name on it. The truth is that Redford has totally abandoned one of her major promises from the leadership campaign. Not the first time either.
And speaking of the Sustainability fund that will not get the above mentioned promised 4 billion:
In 2009 The Sustainability Fund was worth 17 billion dollars and four years and four consecutive deficit PC budgets later it now sits at $3.7 billion. That is 13 billion dollars gone in less than 3 yrs to cover deficit spending by the PCs.
I can't remember where I read it but someone asked a great question about the Sustainability Fund: What happens if the budget is wrong and the sustainability fund hits zero? Not at all out of the range of possibilities and if the PC record is anything to go by it may be even probable. Something to think about.
Remember, this is the very same group of PC MLAs who promised that by yesterday, budget day 2012, Alberta would be "back in the black" and the government would be running surpluses.
Soon the PCs will be asking Albertans to vote for them and again they will be promising that this time, unlike all of the other times, that it is going to be different. But honestly, why should we trust them again?
As they say fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
I know I am not going to let them fool me again. How about you?
Updated: 2 National Post articles on the budget
As Ontario sinks, Alberta picks up the baton of bad government.
Alberta's first NDP budget.
November 2012 Update: Looks like everyone but Redford was right. Alberta to go back into debt.
Thursday, February 09, 2012
James Ford to run (again!) as an independent.
Sherwood Park resident James Ford has announced that he will be running as an Independent in the upcoming elections for the Sherwood Park MLA constituency in the upcoming Alberta provincial election.
Here is hoping he has the same luck he had the last 2 times he tried this, and judging by his idiotic comments here I think that is pretty much a sure thing.
Previous entry on James Ford here. See if you can spot a similiar pattern in Mr. Ford's words.
Yup.
And the man wonders why he loses elections.
Here is hoping he has the same luck he had the last 2 times he tried this, and judging by his idiotic comments here I think that is pretty much a sure thing.
Previous entry on James Ford here. See if you can spot a similiar pattern in Mr. Ford's words.
Yup.
And the man wonders why he loses elections.
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
A strange thing happened in Alberta on the way to that Conservative majority in Ottawa.
I started blogging about politics back during the 2006 election when I became fed up watching the arrogance and antics of the then governing Liberals. Revelations on Adscam became daily breaking news, Paul Martin was trying to be all things to all people by making everything his number 1 priority and was again trying to scare Canadians with the campaign of fear against the CPC. That was a long time as well as a few elections ago and today the Liberals have been reduced to third party status and we have a strong stable conservative majority government in Ottawa; things are looking good.
But while many of us in Alberta were working hard in any we we could trying to get that majority in Ottawa, a funny thing happened. We let our guard down and ignored what was happening in our own backyard as the party that most of us have supported for up to 40 years, the PCAA, became something other than what I would call conservative.
They started passing more nanny state laws, making government bigger, harming the economy by tinkering with electricity, land rights, royalties, spending more money than we have, going as far as to abolish law that their own party passed saying that they would not run deficits, and as we have seen of late have been involved in multiple (50+) shady dealings regarding donations and the soliciting of donations.
It is like I am back in 2006 but only this time it isn't the Liberals, it is the so called Progressive Conservative Party of my own province that are the culprits.
The PC's have gone off the rails conservatively, fiscally, ethically and after 40 yrs have run out of ideas on how to govern other than by increasing government size and power while claiming (how I enjoy it when my gov't lies to me) that it is either for our own good or that it is what 'Albertans have asked' them to do. They have lost sight of the line that exists between party and government and are treating Alberta as some type of fiefdom where they can spend our money at will and where party cronies are appointed to almost every board, agency, committee and position out there.(Mar, Hughes,and Charlebois being prominent examples)
Even the arrogance has reached a level that rivals that of the Liberals of '06.
The PC's rarely if ever admit that they are wrong; when confronted with details of illegal donations they are quick to blame those that gave the money rather than look to themselves, when promises of fixed election dates and judicial health inquiries get morphed into something not even close to the original promises they smile and say that they have 'fulfilled' those promises and paint anyone who suggests otherwise as angry. They go on a cross province taxpayer funded cabinet tours one week and then to Jasper the next meeting up with unelected PC candidates treating us as fools when they say that it is not campaigning or partisan. Even Thursdays budget is going to contain the whopper that our budget will be balanced in 2013, though I have yet to meet a single person who actually believes this to be true, the PC's will maintain that they're speaking the truth and because of their belief that they are the natural governing party of Alberta will also assume that Albertans will ignore their record/promises and will once again be sheep returning the PC's to power they feel that they are somehow entitled to hold.
Well sorry PCAA but it is not going to be that easy this time around. People are starting to pay attention and they don't like what they have been seeing. It is going to take more than some vague vacuous promises in a throne speech to get them to again vote PC in the hope that this time a PC government will somehow be different.
We in Alberta do not change governments often, but when we do, we do so in spectacular fashion. Lets hope that in election 2012 that we can do so again and reclaim our government back from a PC party that can't manage to balance a budget with $100 oil and takes its citizens for granted by ignoring them and treating them as idiots with their political games and ridiculous spin. This is no longer the party of Lougheed or even Klein and for the first time that I can remember people are openly speaking of change and after 40 yrs of one party rule the time for change may have again arrived.
So to my readers who come here looking for something related to federal politics I would like to apologize in advance for the lack of posts on the federal scene as something happened in Alberta on the way to getting that Conservative majority in Ottawa and I have to turn my attention to Alberta for the next few months and try to change what I and many others here have ignored for far too long. Our own government.
Comments are always welcome but as I have been attracting plenty of attention lately from PC staffers and party hacks (they don't like it when their fiefdom gets challenged and their BS gets called out) comment moderation will be turned on. Sad really because even during the last 3 federal elections the left wing trolls didn't post half as many vulgar comments as these so called conservatives have.
But while many of us in Alberta were working hard in any we we could trying to get that majority in Ottawa, a funny thing happened. We let our guard down and ignored what was happening in our own backyard as the party that most of us have supported for up to 40 years, the PCAA, became something other than what I would call conservative.
They started passing more nanny state laws, making government bigger, harming the economy by tinkering with electricity, land rights, royalties, spending more money than we have, going as far as to abolish law that their own party passed saying that they would not run deficits, and as we have seen of late have been involved in multiple (50+) shady dealings regarding donations and the soliciting of donations.
It is like I am back in 2006 but only this time it isn't the Liberals, it is the so called Progressive Conservative Party of my own province that are the culprits.
The PC's have gone off the rails conservatively, fiscally, ethically and after 40 yrs have run out of ideas on how to govern other than by increasing government size and power while claiming (how I enjoy it when my gov't lies to me) that it is either for our own good or that it is what 'Albertans have asked' them to do. They have lost sight of the line that exists between party and government and are treating Alberta as some type of fiefdom where they can spend our money at will and where party cronies are appointed to almost every board, agency, committee and position out there.(Mar, Hughes,and Charlebois being prominent examples)
Even the arrogance has reached a level that rivals that of the Liberals of '06.
The PC's rarely if ever admit that they are wrong; when confronted with details of illegal donations they are quick to blame those that gave the money rather than look to themselves, when promises of fixed election dates and judicial health inquiries get morphed into something not even close to the original promises they smile and say that they have 'fulfilled' those promises and paint anyone who suggests otherwise as angry. They go on a cross province taxpayer funded cabinet tours one week and then to Jasper the next meeting up with unelected PC candidates treating us as fools when they say that it is not campaigning or partisan. Even Thursdays budget is going to contain the whopper that our budget will be balanced in 2013, though I have yet to meet a single person who actually believes this to be true, the PC's will maintain that they're speaking the truth and because of their belief that they are the natural governing party of Alberta will also assume that Albertans will ignore their record/promises and will once again be sheep returning the PC's to power they feel that they are somehow entitled to hold.
Well sorry PCAA but it is not going to be that easy this time around. People are starting to pay attention and they don't like what they have been seeing. It is going to take more than some vague vacuous promises in a throne speech to get them to again vote PC in the hope that this time a PC government will somehow be different.
We in Alberta do not change governments often, but when we do, we do so in spectacular fashion. Lets hope that in election 2012 that we can do so again and reclaim our government back from a PC party that can't manage to balance a budget with $100 oil and takes its citizens for granted by ignoring them and treating them as idiots with their political games and ridiculous spin. This is no longer the party of Lougheed or even Klein and for the first time that I can remember people are openly speaking of change and after 40 yrs of one party rule the time for change may have again arrived.
So to my readers who come here looking for something related to federal politics I would like to apologize in advance for the lack of posts on the federal scene as something happened in Alberta on the way to getting that Conservative majority in Ottawa and I have to turn my attention to Alberta for the next few months and try to change what I and many others here have ignored for far too long. Our own government.
Comments are always welcome but as I have been attracting plenty of attention lately from PC staffers and party hacks (they don't like it when their fiefdom gets challenged and their BS gets called out) comment moderation will be turned on. Sad really because even during the last 3 federal elections the left wing trolls didn't post half as many vulgar comments as these so called conservatives have.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Friday, February 03, 2012
Don Braid: Hubris of Tory spending on Jasper caucus retreat is breathtaking.
Don Braid from the Calgary Herald nails it with his most recent column:
The hubris of spending that kind of dough for a caucus retreat, with a deficit budget and an election looming, is breathtaking even for our durable Tory regime.
The $70,000 comes from caucus funding, which technically means it’s legislature money rather than government cash. But every last buck still derives from the public trough.
The PCs do not appear to care.
And he's right, the PCs don't care. After 40 yrs in power they seem to have forgotten the difference between government and party and it is costing every one of us money.
BTW: Has anyone else noticed that not single PC candidate has tweeted about being in Jasper? (There are over 20 of them there) I wonder why that is; I mean if the PC's really believed their own spin that the Jasper trip is no big deal and will not hurt them in the polls, why the twitter silence from a group who tweet enough about themselves for it to be almost considered spam?
The hubris of spending that kind of dough for a caucus retreat, with a deficit budget and an election looming, is breathtaking even for our durable Tory regime.
The $70,000 comes from caucus funding, which technically means it’s legislature money rather than government cash. But every last buck still derives from the public trough.
The PCs do not appear to care.
And he's right, the PCs don't care. After 40 yrs in power they seem to have forgotten the difference between government and party and it is costing every one of us money.
BTW: Has anyone else noticed that not single PC candidate has tweeted about being in Jasper? (There are over 20 of them there) I wonder why that is; I mean if the PC's really believed their own spin that the Jasper trip is no big deal and will not hurt them in the polls, why the twitter silence from a group who tweet enough about themselves for it to be almost considered spam?
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Hours after touting their upcoming budget, Alberta PCs go on taxpayer funded trip to Jasper
Alberta Treasury Board President Doug Horner: "Bill 1 will be about getting better value for taxpayer's dollars, doing things better, smarter," "Certainly we are going to be frugal."
But just a few short hours later: the Tory caucus was in Jasper for a three day, two night retreat – at a cost of $70,000, funded by taxpayers, days before another deficit budget is set for release.
This all after last weeks 4 day taxpayer funded (although they refuse to reveal the costs * ) 'cabinet tour' which one PC MLA called nothing but "a photo-op for the pre-election".
No, nothing partisan going on around here. No siree: Many newly nominated Progressive Conservative candidates and party organizers will also travel to Jasper this week for a concurrent party meeting.
This party has become so damn arrogant that they aren't even pretending anymore.It is time to give the PCs the boot.
PC campaign err 'cabinet tour' ended up costing taxpayers $100,000 (seems low considering 77K in flights alone over the course of 4days vs $70,000 for 3 days in Jasper with few if any flights involved.)
But who are you going to believe? Your own tired eyes or the Treasury Board President of the tired PC party when he said earlier today: "Certainly we are going to be frugal.".
But just a few short hours later: the Tory caucus was in Jasper for a three day, two night retreat – at a cost of $70,000, funded by taxpayers, days before another deficit budget is set for release.
This all after last weeks 4 day taxpayer funded (although they refuse to reveal the costs * ) 'cabinet tour' which one PC MLA called nothing but "a photo-op for the pre-election".
No, nothing partisan going on around here. No siree: Many newly nominated Progressive Conservative candidates and party organizers will also travel to Jasper this week for a concurrent party meeting.
This party has become so damn arrogant that they aren't even pretending anymore.It is time to give the PCs the boot.
-----------------------
* update: The But who are you going to believe? Your own tired eyes or the Treasury Board President of the tired PC party when he said earlier today: "Certainly we are going to be frugal.".
Suspect donations to PC's hit 50 and Ron Liepert loses it.
Just a couple of tabs open currently on my browser.
This appears to be illegal donation to the PC party number 50. Yes, 50!
Related: About those donations to the PCs from the Calgary Zoo
Corruption and arrogance, a wicked combination. Someone questions the sorry record of the PCs and Minister Ron Liepert loses it.
How the PC's are ignoring our seniors: Video. They didn't listen at all.
I'll pay a 370k fine everyday of the week if I can make 5.5 million in the process.
Remember how Bill 26 was such a high priority. It was all about safety doncha know.
The PCs are a mess. I just hope Albertans care enough to notice and give them the boot they deserve.
This appears to be illegal donation to the PC party number 50. Yes, 50!
Related: About those donations to the PCs from the Calgary Zoo
Corruption and arrogance, a wicked combination. Someone questions the sorry record of the PCs and Minister Ron Liepert loses it.
How the PC's are ignoring our seniors: Video. They didn't listen at all.
I'll pay a 370k fine everyday of the week if I can make 5.5 million in the process.
Remember how Bill 26 was such a high priority. It was all about safety doncha know.
The PCs are a mess. I just hope Albertans care enough to notice and give them the boot they deserve.
Friday, January 27, 2012
About those donations to the PCs from the Calgary Zoo
I was going to blog about the illegal donations to the PCs from the Calgary Zoo story the other day when the story originally broke but decided against it as illegal donation stories to the Alberta Progressive Conservatives seem to be all I have been blogging about lately. But here we go again, but this time with a twist.
The original story was broken by the Wildrose on Wednesday with details that the "Calgary Zoo Inc" was issued 2 tax receipts from the Banff-Cochrane Progressive Conservative Association for a total of $725.00. This of course appears to be another in the long line of illegal donations that the PCAA has received over the last few year as "The Calgary Zoo is wholly owned by the City of Calgary and as such under the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosures Act [Section 1 (l)] it is prohibited from contributing to political parties."
Seems pretty clear cut; another in the latest of a long line of illegal donation stories had come to surface but early Thursday came a response from the Calgary Zoo who in full spin mode were trying to explain the donations. From The Calgary Herald: But a spokesperson, Laurie Skene, said the zoo is not wholly owned by the City of Calgary and broke no law when it made a contribution to a golf fundraiser event for Banff-Cochrane MLA Janis Tarchuk.
It looks like the Zoo is trying to parse words here in an effort to defend themselves but it doesn't really matter if the City of Calgary 'wholly' owns the zoo, owns 1% or owns 99% because the issue is a total red herring.
Let me explain.
First off the Wildrose claim that the Calgary Zoo is wholly owned by the City of Calgary is not 100% accurate, but that is no fault of the Wildrose as that exact wording appears on the zoo website: The Calgary Zoo is owned by the City of Calgary, which has entered into an operating agreement with the Calgary Zoological Society to manage the facility on behalf of the citizens of this city.
So what is the truth? From their financials it appears that the City of Calgary does indeed own the zoo; that is it owns the land and the buildings (not sure on the animals but that doesn't really matter), and provides the zoo with taxpayer dollars to operate. Calgary though does not run the zoo, that is done by the Calgary Zoological Society who have a contract with the city to run it until 2015 and this seems to be what the zoo spokesperson was using to cloud the issue of who exactly owns the zoo, and of course whether they are allowed to contribute to a political party. But as I noted earlier it does not matter in the least because even if the city owned 1% of the zoo and the Zoological Society the other 99% (here is that twist I mentioned earlier)
The Calgary Zoological Society is a "not-for-profit organization and is a registered charity under the Income Tax Act of Canada" and cannot by law make any donations to any political party or candidate at any level of government.
By playing word games trying to defend themselves from possible violations of Alberta elections law they have all but admitted to breaking federal law and risk losing their non profit charitable status. Well done Calgary Zoo, well done. Anyone from the CRA listening?
Quick AM update:
One last question: I know that the PC supporters are always trying to spin the multitude of illegal donations as simple mistakes or one offs, but I have to ask. How is it possible to issue 2 tax recipients to a group named "Calgary Zoo Inc" and not have any questions come up or alarm bells go off saying that something might not be right here? Remember; it is this very same party that we have entrusted with looking after all of Alberta's finances.
This donation scandal becomes a national embarrassment."If Albertans get angry enough to rid themselves of their one-party state, perhaps they will come to understand the best part of democracy: Our ability to kick the bastards out of office."
Alberta deserves better. Let's give the PCs the boot.
The original story was broken by the Wildrose on Wednesday with details that the "Calgary Zoo Inc" was issued 2 tax receipts from the Banff-Cochrane Progressive Conservative Association for a total of $725.00. This of course appears to be another in the long line of illegal donations that the PCAA has received over the last few year as "The Calgary Zoo is wholly owned by the City of Calgary and as such under the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosures Act [Section 1 (l)] it is prohibited from contributing to political parties."
Seems pretty clear cut; another in the latest of a long line of illegal donation stories had come to surface but early Thursday came a response from the Calgary Zoo who in full spin mode were trying to explain the donations. From The Calgary Herald: But a spokesperson, Laurie Skene, said the zoo is not wholly owned by the City of Calgary and broke no law when it made a contribution to a golf fundraiser event for Banff-Cochrane MLA Janis Tarchuk.
It looks like the Zoo is trying to parse words here in an effort to defend themselves but it doesn't really matter if the City of Calgary 'wholly' owns the zoo, owns 1% or owns 99% because the issue is a total red herring.
Let me explain.
First off the Wildrose claim that the Calgary Zoo is wholly owned by the City of Calgary is not 100% accurate, but that is no fault of the Wildrose as that exact wording appears on the zoo website: The Calgary Zoo is owned by the City of Calgary, which has entered into an operating agreement with the Calgary Zoological Society to manage the facility on behalf of the citizens of this city.
So what is the truth? From their financials it appears that the City of Calgary does indeed own the zoo; that is it owns the land and the buildings (not sure on the animals but that doesn't really matter), and provides the zoo with taxpayer dollars to operate. Calgary though does not run the zoo, that is done by the Calgary Zoological Society who have a contract with the city to run it until 2015 and this seems to be what the zoo spokesperson was using to cloud the issue of who exactly owns the zoo, and of course whether they are allowed to contribute to a political party. But as I noted earlier it does not matter in the least because even if the city owned 1% of the zoo and the Zoological Society the other 99% (here is that twist I mentioned earlier)
The Calgary Zoological Society is a "not-for-profit organization and is a registered charity under the Income Tax Act of Canada" and cannot by law make any donations to any political party or candidate at any level of government.
By playing word games trying to defend themselves from possible violations of Alberta elections law they have all but admitted to breaking federal law and risk losing their non profit charitable status. Well done Calgary Zoo, well done. Anyone from the CRA listening?
Quick AM update:
One last question: I know that the PC supporters are always trying to spin the multitude of illegal donations as simple mistakes or one offs, but I have to ask. How is it possible to issue 2 tax recipients to a group named "Calgary Zoo Inc" and not have any questions come up or alarm bells go off saying that something might not be right here? Remember; it is this very same party that we have entrusted with looking after all of Alberta's finances.
This donation scandal becomes a national embarrassment."If Albertans get angry enough to rid themselves of their one-party state, perhaps they will come to understand the best part of democracy: Our ability to kick the bastards out of office."
Alberta deserves better. Let's give the PCs the boot.
Monday, January 23, 2012
More illegal donations from AHS to the Alberta Progressive Conservative party...
You have to wait hours before even seeing a doctor in our emergency rooms and months to see a specialist. They think nothing of putting Granny on a stretcher and parking her as the third patient in room designed only to hold 2 patients after waiting a day in the emergency department.
But yet they have the time and extra money to donate to Redford's PC party.
Calgary Laboratory Services, which describes itself as a “wholly-owned subsidiary” of the Superboard, donated $3,000 to the PCs in 2004 and $850 in both 2009 and 2010, according to Elections Alberta disclosure statements.
CLS was incorporated in 1996 with the former Calgary Health Region (CHR) as the 49% owner and MDS Kasper Laboratories as the majority owner. Before 2006, MDS sold 25% of its share to CHR and on April 4, 2006 sold its remaining 25% to CHR – making the Alberta government through CHR the sole owner of Calgary Lab Services.
Update: Donations confirmed by Alberta Health Services Chief Financial Officer: Chris Mazurkewich, the Chief Financial Officer of AHS, admitted this morning that the donations took place, were wrong and AHS would begin an internal investigation immediately.
This is beyond believable that this type of thing can occur in Alberta, but after 40 yrs of 1 party rule it is inevitable.
We need a change of government now. It is the only thing that will stop the rot.
But yet they have the time and extra money to donate to Redford's PC party.
Calgary Laboratory Services, which describes itself as a “wholly-owned subsidiary” of the Superboard, donated $3,000 to the PCs in 2004 and $850 in both 2009 and 2010, according to Elections Alberta disclosure statements.
CLS was incorporated in 1996 with the former Calgary Health Region (CHR) as the 49% owner and MDS Kasper Laboratories as the majority owner. Before 2006, MDS sold 25% of its share to CHR and on April 4, 2006 sold its remaining 25% to CHR – making the Alberta government through CHR the sole owner of Calgary Lab Services.
Update: Donations confirmed by Alberta Health Services Chief Financial Officer: Chris Mazurkewich, the Chief Financial Officer of AHS, admitted this morning that the donations took place, were wrong and AHS would begin an internal investigation immediately.
This is beyond believable that this type of thing can occur in Alberta, but after 40 yrs of 1 party rule it is inevitable.
We need a change of government now. It is the only thing that will stop the rot.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
It makes it tough for Redford to blame the victim if the PCs are the ones doing the asking.
In what has become an almost daily occurrence in Alberta, new revelations come out about the Progressive Conservatives and illegal donations.
Since 2007, the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta has sent at least 16 explicit invites to their Premier’s Dinner fundraisers to groups prohibited by law from attending, the Wildrose Caucus revealed today. “Please join us in our evening of appreciation knowing that your support and the support of others will contribute to a strong provincial PC party,” reads a letter sent from PC Alberta to Thorhild County, inviting them to attend the Premier’s Dinner held on Aug. 24, 2011. Many more examples can be found at link.
According to Section 34(1)(2) of the Election Finances and Contributions Distribution Act, it is illegal for political parties to solicit money from groups such as municipalities, school districts and post-secondary schools.
So far the standard PC spin has been that it is not their fault and decided that blaming the victims rather than taking any responsibility was the way to deal with this mess. Essentially saying that municipalities and prohibited groups such as schools are the ones in error because they gave the PC's the money, no matter that the PCs happily cashed those cheques and have yet to return any of the money (using this money would also be against the law), but considering that the PCs have been actively soliciting municipalities and other prohibited groups makes their desperate attempts at spin all the more laughable.
Speaking of laughable:
Redford: "and we are going to have no part in any kind of practice or procedure that would suggest that that was acceptable." (remember that the newest of these allegations involve a dinner for Premier Redford)
The problem appears to be systemic:
http://thealbertaardvark.blogspot.com/2012/01/it-keeps-getting-worse-pcs-accepted-15k.html
http://thealbertaardvark.blogspot.com/2012/01/its-firday-time-for-another-illegal.html
And making matter worse is the fact that the PCs are not only blaming the victims but are hiding behind Alberta election laws (which they conveniently wrote) that keeps these investigations and findings private, out of the public view.
The PCAA has to go, Albertans deserve better than this.
Since 2007, the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta has sent at least 16 explicit invites to their Premier’s Dinner fundraisers to groups prohibited by law from attending, the Wildrose Caucus revealed today. “Please join us in our evening of appreciation knowing that your support and the support of others will contribute to a strong provincial PC party,” reads a letter sent from PC Alberta to Thorhild County, inviting them to attend the Premier’s Dinner held on Aug. 24, 2011. Many more examples can be found at link.
According to Section 34(1)(2) of the Election Finances and Contributions Distribution Act, it is illegal for political parties to solicit money from groups such as municipalities, school districts and post-secondary schools.
So far the standard PC spin has been that it is not their fault and decided that blaming the victims rather than taking any responsibility was the way to deal with this mess. Essentially saying that municipalities and prohibited groups such as schools are the ones in error because they gave the PC's the money, no matter that the PCs happily cashed those cheques and have yet to return any of the money (using this money would also be against the law), but considering that the PCs have been actively soliciting municipalities and other prohibited groups makes their desperate attempts at spin all the more laughable.
Speaking of laughable:
Redford: "and we are going to have no part in any kind of practice or procedure that would suggest that that was acceptable." (remember that the newest of these allegations involve a dinner for Premier Redford)
The problem appears to be systemic:
http://thealbertaardvark.blogspot.com/2012/01/it-keeps-getting-worse-pcs-accepted-15k.html
http://thealbertaardvark.blogspot.com/2012/01/its-firday-time-for-another-illegal.html
And making matter worse is the fact that the PCs are not only blaming the victims but are hiding behind Alberta election laws (which they conveniently wrote) that keeps these investigations and findings private, out of the public view.
The PCAA has to go, Albertans deserve better than this.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A question for Alberta PC supporters.
Actually this may turn out to be more than one question over the next little while but for today I would like to ask the PCAA supporters who read this blog a question. Of course others are also welcome to add their 2 cents as well.
What was the last thing that Alberta's PC government has done, legislation wise, that you would consider to be 'conservative'?
I have a long list of things that this government has done that nobody in their right mind would consider as being conservative but that will have to wait as now it is your turn to give examples of conservative legislation or policy from our government.
The comments are open.
What was the last thing that Alberta's PC government has done, legislation wise, that you would consider to be 'conservative'?
I have a long list of things that this government has done that nobody in their right mind would consider as being conservative but that will have to wait as now it is your turn to give examples of conservative legislation or policy from our government.
The comments are open.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The future under Alison Redford?
(coming soon to a local paper near you)
A family celebration took a strange twist yesterday for an Alberta Family:
A mother was fined yesterday for smoking while her 18 year old son present with her in the car.
She had just picked up her son, a private in the Canadian Armed Forces, after he had recently returned from duty in Afghanistan as part of Canada's ongoing training of the Afghan Army when police stopped her and issued the fine. The 2 were headed to a family gathering celebrating the sons return and the mother had just informed her son that he would not be able to drink any alcohol at the celebration due to recent changes to Alberta's drinking age brought in by Premier Alison Redford who maintains that "Albertans have asked us to do this" and added "Won't somebody please think of the children!"
To make matters worse the mother who during the incident had become distraught called her husband who was already at the celebration only minutes away, but when he arrived police seized his vehicle and took his licence after he had blown a 0.05 on a roadside device. Pleas to the officers that he had only had one drink and had finished it less that 5 minutes previous to blowing fell upon deaf ears as he watched his work vehicle being towed away.
When asked for comment the Son said "WTF, is this really Alberta?"
Think such a scenario is impossible? Think again.
Banning smoking in cars + Raising the legal drinking age to 19 = what you read above becoming a real possibility. As for Bill 26, we need not look beyond our neighbours in BC to see what kind of problems we can expect to see soon here in Alberta.
Is this really the Alberta we want? It is time for a change.
Monday update: Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security Jonathan DenisTweeted:
"No changes to Alberta's drinking age. http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/01/15/top-tories-cool-to-increasing-albertas-drinking-age-to-19 #ableg"
Good, but I have this nagging feeling that this was a trial balloon and that raising the drinking age was indeed on Redford's radar.
A family celebration took a strange twist yesterday for an Alberta Family:
A mother was fined yesterday for smoking while her 18 year old son present with her in the car.
She had just picked up her son, a private in the Canadian Armed Forces, after he had recently returned from duty in Afghanistan as part of Canada's ongoing training of the Afghan Army when police stopped her and issued the fine. The 2 were headed to a family gathering celebrating the sons return and the mother had just informed her son that he would not be able to drink any alcohol at the celebration due to recent changes to Alberta's drinking age brought in by Premier Alison Redford who maintains that "Albertans have asked us to do this" and added "Won't somebody please think of the children!"
To make matters worse the mother who during the incident had become distraught called her husband who was already at the celebration only minutes away, but when he arrived police seized his vehicle and took his licence after he had blown a 0.05 on a roadside device. Pleas to the officers that he had only had one drink and had finished it less that 5 minutes previous to blowing fell upon deaf ears as he watched his work vehicle being towed away.
When asked for comment the Son said "WTF, is this really Alberta?"
----------------------------
Think such a scenario is impossible? Think again.
Banning smoking in cars + Raising the legal drinking age to 19 = what you read above becoming a real possibility. As for Bill 26, we need not look beyond our neighbours in BC to see what kind of problems we can expect to see soon here in Alberta.
Is this really the Alberta we want? It is time for a change.
Monday update: Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security Jonathan DenisTweeted:
"No changes to Alberta's drinking age. http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/01/15/top-tories-cool-to-increasing-albertas-drinking-age-to-19 #ableg"
Good, but I have this nagging feeling that this was a trial balloon and that raising the drinking age was indeed on Redford's radar.
Friday, January 13, 2012
It's Friday, time for another illegal Alberta PC donation.
Another day another revelation of Progressive Conservatives accepting illegal donations:
"The Medicine Hat Catholic School Board says it did improperly buy tickets to Premier Alison Redford’s leader’s dinner - and has likely been breaking provincial laws against making donations to political parties for the last seven years."
7 years! ( the provision making it illegal for schools to donate became law in 2004)
I feel sorry for my PCAA friends, it can't be easy making excuses for their support while turning a blind eye to almost daily revelations of illegal donations being accepted by the PC party.
Related:
School board officials say they have attended PC fundraisers for years for "networking"
Wildrose press release that started it all this AM.
An attempt to make it all go away: Tweet from Joey Oberhoffner:
@RAndersonMLA Unbelievable is right. As in: "Didn't happen." shar.es/W8Z #ableg
What the link in the tweet used to bring up: (Target has been edited to now go to story linked to at top which refers* to the following, now deleted?)
"The Wildrose Party’s latest blast at the Tories over improper donations appears to have fizzled.
* "This blog initially reported the comments of Peter Grad, chairman of the Catholic board, who had told the Herald in an interview that board members had purchased the tickets themselves and were not reimbursed by the school division. Leahy said Grad was mistaken."
From Yesterday: How the PCs are blaming the victims.
From Tuesday: It keeps getting worse: PC's accepted $15K in illegal donations...
"The Medicine Hat Catholic School Board says it did improperly buy tickets to Premier Alison Redford’s leader’s dinner - and has likely been breaking provincial laws against making donations to political parties for the last seven years."
7 years! ( the provision making it illegal for schools to donate became law in 2004)
I feel sorry for my PCAA friends, it can't be easy making excuses for their support while turning a blind eye to almost daily revelations of illegal donations being accepted by the PC party.
Related:
School board officials say they have attended PC fundraisers for years for "networking"
Wildrose press release that started it all this AM.
An attempt to make it all go away: Tweet from Joey Oberhoffner:
What the link in the tweet used to bring up: (Target has been edited to now go to story linked to at top which refers* to the following, now deleted?)
"The Wildrose Party’s latest blast at the Tories over improper donations appears to have fizzled.
Wildrose issued a news release Friday saying the Progressive Conservatives took illegal donations at Premier Alison Redford’s leaders dinner in Medicine Hat last fall.
It cites a report from the Medicine Hat Catholic School Board saying the board had purchased five tickets for the dinner. Under provincial election law, school divisions are “prohibited corporations” not allowed to make partisan political donations.
But Peter Grad, chairman of the Catholic board, said in an interview board members had purchased the tickets themselves and were not reimbursed by the school division.
He also said the party had not solicited the board to buy tickets to the Oct. 20 event.
The chief electoral officer is investigating 10 Tory constituency associations and a number of municipalities and organizations over alleged illegal contributions"* "This blog initially reported the comments of Peter Grad, chairman of the Catholic board, who had told the Herald in an interview that board members had purchased the tickets themselves and were not reimbursed by the school division. Leahy said Grad was mistaken."
From Yesterday: How the PCs are blaming the victims.
From Tuesday: It keeps getting worse: PC's accepted $15K in illegal donations...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
It keeps getting worse: PC's accepted $15K in illegal donations...
Hot on the heels of news that at least 10 Alberta Progressive Conservatives riding associations are being investigated for accepting or soliciting illegal donations comes news that the PC's accepted $15,000 in illegal donations from the University of Lethbridge.
"The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta collected more than $15,000 in illegal donations from the University of Lethbridge between 2004 and 2007, the Wildrose Caucus revealed today.
According to documents obtained under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (see chart below), the PC party collected $15,075 in contributions from the U of L for Premier’s Dinners, golf tournaments, “Meet the Minister” dinners, and party policy conferences.
Under the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act, political parties are prohibited from soliciting and accepting contributions from groups such as municipalities, post-secondary schools, and other public institutions."
I doubt that this is even close to being the end of it either.
After 40 years of the PC's holding majority power in Alberta this type of nonsense and entitlement thinking runs rampant through all levels of our government and bureaucracy; the only way to stop it is to replace those who after 40 years continue to believe that they are entitled to rule, make up the rules, and that they themselves are above those rules.
Alberta, it is time for a change. Lets put an end to PC cronyism, entitlement, and systemic intimidation before it is too late.
UPDATE: The University of Lethbridge response can be found here.
Of note are the following lines:
1. In the fall 2005, the University of Lethbridge was notified of changes to the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.
2. As soon as the University of Lethbridge was notified of changes to the Act, University Administration, the Board of Governors and the Board Finance and Audit Committee took immediate steps to ensure the University was in compliance with the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.
Small problem. It was unlawful for any school, including the U of Lethbridge, to donate money to political parties LONG before fall 2005 and whether they were aware or not of this fact does not change at all the truth that illegal donations that were made and were accepted by the PCAA.
This Editorial, published before the U of Lethbridge story was known, in The Calgary Herald nails the real problem.
"We needn't qualify this by using "alleged" illegal contributions because elected officials in Alberta municipalities have publicly admitted it's been going on for years. Four decades of Progressive Conservative rule is so inculcated in Alberta that elected representatives in some small municipalities thought it was standard operating procedure for them to financially support their local MLA"
Here is something that might surprise you:
"The problem is we'll never know. Under Alberta's legislation, the results of the investigation will not be made public."
Surprise! They make the rules and conveniently enough those rules will end up shielding the PC party so that we will never know.
We need a change now.
"The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta collected more than $15,000 in illegal donations from the University of Lethbridge between 2004 and 2007, the Wildrose Caucus revealed today.
According to documents obtained under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (see chart below), the PC party collected $15,075 in contributions from the U of L for Premier’s Dinners, golf tournaments, “Meet the Minister” dinners, and party policy conferences.
Under the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act, political parties are prohibited from soliciting and accepting contributions from groups such as municipalities, post-secondary schools, and other public institutions."
I doubt that this is even close to being the end of it either.
After 40 years of the PC's holding majority power in Alberta this type of nonsense and entitlement thinking runs rampant through all levels of our government and bureaucracy; the only way to stop it is to replace those who after 40 years continue to believe that they are entitled to rule, make up the rules, and that they themselves are above those rules.
Alberta, it is time for a change. Lets put an end to PC cronyism, entitlement, and systemic intimidation before it is too late.
UPDATE: The University of Lethbridge response can be found here.
Of note are the following lines:
1. In the fall 2005, the University of Lethbridge was notified of changes to the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.
2. As soon as the University of Lethbridge was notified of changes to the Act, University Administration, the Board of Governors and the Board Finance and Audit Committee took immediate steps to ensure the University was in compliance with the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.
Small problem. It was unlawful for any school, including the U of Lethbridge, to donate money to political parties LONG before fall 2005 and whether they were aware or not of this fact does not change at all the truth that illegal donations that were made and were accepted by the PCAA.
This Editorial, published before the U of Lethbridge story was known, in The Calgary Herald nails the real problem.
"We needn't qualify this by using "alleged" illegal contributions because elected officials in Alberta municipalities have publicly admitted it's been going on for years. Four decades of Progressive Conservative rule is so inculcated in Alberta that elected representatives in some small municipalities thought it was standard operating procedure for them to financially support their local MLA"
Here is something that might surprise you:
"The problem is we'll never know. Under Alberta's legislation, the results of the investigation will not be made public."
Surprise! They make the rules and conveniently enough those rules will end up shielding the PC party so that we will never know.
We need a change now.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Susan Elliot, campaign manager for Alberta PC's & Alison Redford, meet the internet.
The following is a now deleted Facebook posting made January 6th, 2012 by Susan Elliot "campaign manager 2012 for PC Alberta and Premier Alison Redford". (highlighting mine)
"Susan Elliot
is disappointed that PM Harper today appointed a Senator from Alberta, knowing full well that at least six people from two parties are actively campaigning for the job, with a vote to be held within a few months. While the list he chose from may be technically valid, it is 7 years old. It is disrespectful to urge provinces to hold a vote, and when they schedule one, to act in advance of it being held."
Welcome to the internet Susan. It never forgets.
Speaking of disrespectful:
The richness of a PC mouthpiece calling PM Harper disrespectful while ignoring the facts that it was her party, where Alison Redford was cabinet minister and cheerfully agreed with the policy that 'postponed' the last senate election scheduled in 2010 and arbitrarily extended the terms of those elected senators by 3 years until December 2013, (Thereasoning spin was that it was to save money, but the real reasons are well known.) is one thing, but deleting it from the internet in a brazen attempt to make it disappear in the name of partisan politics reeks of the arrogance that has overtaken the Alberta Progressive Conservatives and insults our intelligence.
This crap is pure political hackery. It really is time for a change in this province.
Bonus: More love from a PC supporter.
@Pjhwalsh tweeted:@PrairieStorm2 @brockwharrison @crockatteer @susan_elliott I'm not sure but I think that was the slogan for the SS
Yes. SS
In reply to PrairieStorm2:@BrockWHarrison @Crockatteer @Pjhwalsh @susan_elliott Good on you Brock. #pcaa can run but they can't hide from the scrutiny of #wrp.
"Susan Elliot
is disappointed that PM Harper today appointed a Senator from Alberta, knowing full well that at least six people from two parties are actively campaigning for the job, with a vote to be held within a few months. While the list he chose from may be technically valid, it is 7 years old. It is disrespectful to urge provinces to hold a vote, and when they schedule one, to act in advance of it being held."
Welcome to the internet Susan. It never forgets.
Speaking of disrespectful:
The richness of a PC mouthpiece calling PM Harper disrespectful while ignoring the facts that it was her party, where Alison Redford was cabinet minister and cheerfully agreed with the policy that 'postponed' the last senate election scheduled in 2010 and arbitrarily extended the terms of those elected senators by 3 years until December 2013, (The
This crap is pure political hackery. It really is time for a change in this province.
Bonus: More love from a PC supporter.
@Pjhwalsh tweeted:
Yes. SS
In reply to PrairieStorm2:
Friday, January 06, 2012
The CBC Ombudsman essentially finds police chief Blair to be a liar.
The title pretty much sums it up.
CBC Ombudsman report on Rob Ford's 911 call. (PDF)
"Resolution of such a dispute requires an impartial investigation. In view of the fact the Toronto Police Service depends on budget deliberations headed by the mayor, and in view of the fact this year’s police budget that averted layoffs was reached only in the week before this incident, I concluded CBC could not rest on Blair’s account. Not only were its sources adamant about their information, the chief was not a disinterested party."
"I did not find a violation of CBC Journalistic Standards"
Call me crazy but taking the word of an anonymous source(s), who may or may not have heard ANYTHING (because CBC refuses to tell us who they are) over the Chief of Police for the City of Toronto who we know has heard the tapes and has publicly said so, does not sound like high journalistic standards to me.
BC Blue has an update here: Police spokesperson Mark Pugash: “Chief Blair listened to the calls, the CBC did not. Chief Blair’s account is accurate and truthful, he stands by what he said, and Mr. LaPointe’s suggestion that the ongoing budget process makes the chief ‘not a disinterested party’ is completely wrong” Link.
The Toronto Sun has the story here.
late update: OPP commissioner listens to tapes, confirms Blair's account and further makes the CBC look incompetent for standing by the obviously wrong story.
If there was ever any doubt the CBC had its own agenda, this should remove those doubts.
CBC Ombudsman report on Rob Ford's 911 call. (PDF)
"Resolution of such a dispute requires an impartial investigation. In view of the fact the Toronto Police Service depends on budget deliberations headed by the mayor, and in view of the fact this year’s police budget that averted layoffs was reached only in the week before this incident, I concluded CBC could not rest on Blair’s account. Not only were its sources adamant about their information, the chief was not a disinterested party."
"I did not find a violation of CBC Journalistic Standards"
Call me crazy but taking the word of an anonymous source(s), who may or may not have heard ANYTHING (because CBC refuses to tell us who they are) over the Chief of Police for the City of Toronto who we know has heard the tapes and has publicly said so, does not sound like high journalistic standards to me.
BC Blue has an update here: Police spokesperson Mark Pugash: “Chief Blair listened to the calls, the CBC did not. Chief Blair’s account is accurate and truthful, he stands by what he said, and Mr. LaPointe’s suggestion that the ongoing budget process makes the chief ‘not a disinterested party’ is completely wrong” Link.
The Toronto Sun has the story here.
late update: OPP commissioner listens to tapes, confirms Blair's account and further makes the CBC look incompetent for standing by the obviously wrong story.
If there was ever any doubt the CBC had its own agenda, this should remove those doubts.
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