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TOsteve
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Joined: 08 Dec 2004
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Location: Out for a run
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 Posted: 04/21/05 - 08:30 Post subject: Sponsorship Scandal
Does the US media make much mention of what's going on in Canadian federal politics right now? Basically, our government is on the verge of collapsing over criminal fraud allegations. If you want to have a quick refresher on what's going on check out this article and some of its links:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/groupaction/
In a nutshell, the Liberal government under former PM Jean Chretien is being accused of shelling out over $100 million dollars in tax money to pay off corporate backers. This was all done under the guise of an a federal advertising campaign that was supposed to be promoting national unity with Quebec after the 1995 referendum (mainly french speaking province of Quebec voted 51% to 49% to remain a part of Canada). The federal finance minister at that time was current PM Paul Martin.
There's a media publication ban in effect so we don't know the details of what all the evidence is but all the rumours say it indicts our current government of fraudulent activities.
Paul Martin is addressing the nation this evening, which in Canada is a much bigger deal than the States. This has only happened three times in the last 30 years and is usually reserved for national emergencies. Most of the public sentiment here is that Prime Minister Martin is abusing his power to have a national stage to defend, what is in essence, a Liberal party problem - not a national emergency.
I'm glad this is coming to light. I'm fully convinced that this kind of fraud and misuse of public money goes on in all governments. Its good for the nation to get a glimpse of what their government is actually doing and in such a public way that even the mainstream media can't ignore it.
I'm sure we'll be having another election up here pretty soon. It would be nice to think that the Canadian people will wake up and realize that the mainstream political parties are all up to their armpits in corruption. Unfortunately, its more likely that the Conservative party will take power. The Bush administration will like that.
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TriBob
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Posted: 04/21/05 - 09:20 Post subject:
Yep, you can see the DeLay thread for ethics scandal in the US. And, I'm sure that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Why would you spend millions of dollars to get a $200,000 job? It must be that new math. 
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Sahara
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Posted: 04/21/05 - 16:29 Post subject: Re: Sponsorship Scandal
| TOsteve wrote: | Does the US media make much mention of what's going on in Canadian federal politics right now?
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I tend to read two Pittsburgh newspapers for news. I haven't seen mention of this. At all. Sorry to be the ugly American, but I had heard something about it on CNN in months passed but it didn't make an impact to remember. | Quote: | | There's a media publication ban in effect so we don't know the details of what all the evidence is but all the rumours say it indicts our current government of fraudulent activities. |
Isn't there info to be found online? Are other countries' media able to get any info or is it a total lock down?
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TOsteve
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Posted: 05/10/05 - 19:47 Post subject: Re: Sponsorship Scandal
| Sahara wrote: | | Isn't there info to be found online? Are other countries' media able to get any info or is it a total lock down? |
There have been some internet bloggers who claim they have the facts - but all the specifics of the evidence presented in the inquiry is under wraps until the inquiry is finished - which should be sometime in September.
The official opposition teamed up and passed a motion in Parliament today that many believe should have forced Paul Martin and his Liberal party to call for a confidence vote. This could have toppled the government however the Liberal's refused to call for the confidence vote based on their interpretation of constitutional law. The Liberal's claim that their are some legitimate confidence issues slated to come before parliament at the end of the month and that the Conservatives will have their chance to force an election then.
I'm pretty sure we'll be going to the polls this summer. Martin has been pretty slippery thus far - I don't know how long he can hold out.
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
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Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 05/11/05 - 18:12 Post subject:
One of my favorites on my computers at home and is the CBC site (I never figgered why, but I listen to the live feed from N & L). I'm aware of this scandal and the investigation by Judge Gomery.
In yesterday's development, what's the take up there in the no confidence/no-non-confidence vote? Is the apparent strategy of the Liberals (to not consider the vote as a no-confidence motion) going to come back to haunt them when the actual no-con vote is taken later this month (the betting money that it will work, and hence new national elections, for those not familiar with the Parliamentary system)?
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TOsteve
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Posted: 05/12/05 - 08:11 Post subject:
| gretriever wrote: | One of my favorites on my computers at home and is the CBC site (I never figgered why, but I listen to the live feed from N & L). I'm aware of this scandal and the investigation by Judge Gomery.
In yesterday's development, what's the take up there in the no confidence/no-non-confidence vote? Is the apparent strategy of the Liberals (to not consider the vote as a no-confidence motion) going to come back to haunt them when the actual no-con vote is taken later this month (the betting money that it will work, and hence new national elections, for those not familiar with the Parliamentary system)? |
Both sides are clearly trying to interpret and influence public opinion. An election is inevitable, either this summer or in the fall. Martin's strategy is to postpone as long as possible so that his PR team can try to put out as many fires as possible. Harper and the Conservatives, of course, want to capitalize on the scandal before the Liberals have a chance to do much damage control. Most polls show that Canadians do not want an election until things have been made public, so on the surface it looks like the Liberal strategy is more sound.
As usual, public opinion does not really show a populace that, as a whole, understands what is best for them. We are getting a clear image of a democratic system where the government (both the GOP and opposition) is more concerned with their political future than with the needs of the people. But when people are polled - the Liberals and Conservatives are both neck in neck to be handed the responsibility of governing after the next election.
I really think we need to have an election as soon as possible and I don't think that either the Liberals or Conservatives deserve to be in power. This could be an opportunity to see a party like the NDP have a chance to make some clear changes for this country. I am convinced that the NDP are not the ultimate solution, but handing them the government would at least be a step in the right direction. As far as I'm concerned, any step away from Paul Martin and Stephen Harper has to be a step in the right direction. Most Canadians disagree with me and the ones I've talked to, don't really know why they disagree. 
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