Canadian cities rethink removal of fluoride from tap water

January 24, 2019, 5:34 pm

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‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

Methinks people wanna see a circus so ya give them a circus Looks like CBC is a success in that regard N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/canadian-cities-rethink-removal-of.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/fluoride-tap-water1901124-1.4990257

Canadian cities rethink removal of fluoride from tap water

1182 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

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drew Currah
Flouride is the principal ingredient in Prozac. The idea of adding flouride to drinking water was began by the Nazis. I don't want flouride added to my water, that's for sure. https://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2014/dec/08/jesse-ventura/jesse-ventura-says-nazis-pioneered-use-fluoridated/

William Weston

Content disabled.
William Weston
@drew Currah
I am uncertain which side of the debate that comment is intended to serve.

David R. Amos

Content disabled.
David R. Amos
@William Weston Methinks people wanna see a circus so ya give them a circus Looks like CBC is a success in that regard N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

Methinks folks should talk to my buddy the dentist Roger Richard about his debate over fluoridation N'esy Pas?

Roger Richard

A good article to place issues in perspective: https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1104912
"Developmental Fluoride Neurotoxicity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" Environmental Health Perspectives volume120 number10 October2012 page1362-1368. http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1104912/ In the article it is stated: "…The average loss was seven IQ points for commonly used IQ scores with a standard deviation of 15." The lead author further concludes: "These results do not allow us to make any judgment regarding possible levels of risk at levels of exposure typical for water fluoridation in the U. S. On the other hand, neither can it be concluded that no risk is present.

Bart Roberts

@Roger Richard

So, there's a study that nothing can be concluded from?

Why even mention it? At all?

Why call it good?

Steven Slott

@Roger Richard

Here’s the “perspective” on the long-since discredited studies in that meta-analysis:

The "reduced IQ studies" are a reference to a 2011 review of 27 Chinese studies dug out of obscure Chinese journals by researchers Phillippe Grandjean and Anna Choi. These studies were of the effects of high levels of fluoride (as high as 11.5 ppm) in the well-water of various Chinese, Mongolian, and Iranian villages.
By the admission of Grandjean and Choi, themselves, these studies had key information missing, inadequate control for confounders, and questionable methodologies. These 27 studies were so seriously flawed that Grandjean and Choi were led to issue a public statement in March, 2012 that the studies should not be used to judge water fluoridation in the US. This obviously has not stopped antifluoridationists from doing so anyway.

"These results do not allow us to make any judgment regarding possible levels of risk at levels of exposure typical for water fluoridation in the U.S. On the other hand, neither can it be concluded that no risk is present. We therefore recommend further research to clarify what role fluoride exposure levels may play in possible adverse effects on brain development, so that future risk assessments can properly take into regard this possible hazard."

--Anna Choi, research scientist in the Department of Environmental Health at HSPH, lead author, and Philippe Grandjean, adjunct professor of environmental health at HSPH, senior author.
https://cdn1.sph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2012/07/Media-Statement_Fluoride-9-12-12-Revised2.pdf

Steven D. Slott, DDS

Todd Saskiw

@Steven Slott Ignorance is bad enough, but I find it oh-so convenient how the OP left out the final, heavily qualifier-laden, sentence of the study's conclusion: "We therefore recommend further research to clarify what role fluoride exposure levels may play in possible adverse effects on brain development, so that future risk assessments can properly take into regard this possible hazard."

David R. Amos

@Bart Roberts "So, there's a study that nothing can be concluded from? "

Methinks the scientists may have partaken of too much fluoride hence they are confused N'esy Pas?

Randy Ellis

@Roger Richard

If that is the same meta-analysis as the Harvard study it has been debunked completely and almost comically. One of the funnier parts was the fact that not a single one of the studies involved tap water that had flouride added to it.

Roger Richard

Taking in consideration the accumulation of fluoride in the various tissues over time, who among us would prescribe fluoridated water to our children and risking to interfere with their brain development: brainy child or toothy child?

Charles Knowlton

@Roger Richard

There is no proof to what you say. None. Fluoride does not interfere with brain development. Except in the world of Facebook hysteria.

Roger Richard

@Charles Knowlton Try: "Effects of fluoride on microtubule ultrastructure and expression of Tuba1a and Tubb2a in mouse hippocampus." Chemosphere 139 (2015) 422–427
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653515007316 .

Hans Johnsen

@Roger Richard Again, this is for very large concentrations of Fluoride. The concern is with untreated water that naturally has very high Fluoride levels. Its a problem in rural china. There is no evidence of adverse effects in low concentrations. And this does not talk about accumulation effects, so I'm not sure where you are getting that.

https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/fluoridation/en/l-3/2.htm

Bart Roberts

@Roger Richard look up 'epidemiology'.

Now look up 'fluorosis epidemiology'.

Anyone with a sufficiently powerful microscope can engineer concern about any chemical if they look through cellular microstructures long enough. It's just plain bad science.

There's no demonstrated health effect of modern fluoridation of water lacking in natural fluoride, after seven decades of study.

Steven Slott

@Roger Richard

If fluoridated water required prescription, which it does not, I most certainly would prescribe it to our children. There is no risk “to interfere with their brain development”, or any of any other adverse effect from optimally fluoridated water. There is only benefit in the form of reduced incidence of very dangerous bacterial infection occurring in close proximity to the brain with a direct pathway to the rest of the body via a common bloodstream.

Lifetimes of extreme pain, debilitation, black discoloration and loss of teeth, development of serious medical conditions, and life-threatening infections.....or.....prevention of such?

Steven D. Slott, DDS

Steven Slott

@Roger Richard

The study to which you provide a link is of the effects on mice from fluoride at the concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mg/liter. Water is fluoridated at 0.7 mg/liter.

Your study hardly seems relevant now, does it?

Steven D. Slott, DDS

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Roger Richard Methinks it is pretty clear that anyone who speaks against fluoride is much attacked or their comment threads are deleted. It appears you have struck a nerve N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Roger Richard Methinks the worst flack is when you are over the target N'esy Pas?

Randy Ellis

@Roger Richard

Weird, the link to the study describing the "accumulation of fluoride in the various tissues over time" you referred to must have gotten cut off.

Care to try again? Surely you weren't just making stuff up, right?

Roger Richard

From the British Dental Journal 216, E3 (2014):
Fluoride intake of infants living in non-fluoridated and fluoridated areas. F.
V. Zohoori1, G. Whaley1, P. J. Moynihan2,3,4 & A. Maguire2 http://

www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v216/n2/full/sj.bdj.2014.35.html .

This one concludes that "Infants living in fluoridated areas may receive a
fluoride intake, from diet only, of more than the suggested optimal range for TDFI
(total daily fluoride intake). This emphasizes the importance of estimating TDFI
at an individual level when recommendations for fluoride use are being
considered."

Roger Richard

For many years now, fluoride has been identified to be very toxic to the environment. Some types of mining industries are producing this fluoride as a waste by-product. Those industries have difficulty to dispose it because of environment laws. They found that by selling the fluoride to municipalities it is easier to do: less rigorous process…

Randy Ellis

@Roger Richard

Did you get that from Alex Jones conspiracy website or was it some other conspiracy website?

Roger Richard

@Randy Ellis Take time to read the fluoride history.

Roger Richard

March 2014 a peer revue medical journal "The Lancet Neurology" publish the following article "Neurobehavioral effects of developmental toxicity":
http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/laneur/PIIS1474-4422(13)70278-3.pdf . The article identifies eleven industrial chemicals as developmental neurotoxicants. Fluoride made the list. The article explain what developmental neurotoxicant means among other important information. It essentially means that fluoride affect the normal development of the brain.

Beth Andrews

@Roger Richard
Claim: A new study published in the Lancet has officially declared that fluoride is a neurotoxin.

Snopes says false.

Details and evidence here:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/new-study-officially-declare-fluoride-neurotoxin/

Will Eves

@Roger Richard

My parents always told me that if I ate the tooth paste it would make me simple.

Randy Ellis

@Will Eves

Apparently they were correct but you ate it anyway.

Flag

Beth Andrews

5 hours ago

Flag

Will Eves

@Roger Richard

My parents always told me that if I ate the tooth paste it would make me simple.

5 hours ago

Flag

Randy Ellis

@Will Eves

Apparently they were correct but you ate it anyway.

5 hours ago

Theodora Cervantes

@Beth Andrews

I think I'll trust the Lancet over Snopes. One's a peer-reviewed journal, the other a random website.

Roger Richard

@Beth Andrews Knowing this controversy, would you prescribe fluoride supplement to your children if you do not reside in a fluoridated community?

Bryan Atkinson

I grew up on fluoridated water. I had 4 cavities in 69 years. My parents were fluoride free in their youth. They both had cavity filled mouths.

I'm too old now to be affected by the misinformation in circulation. It's today's youth who will pay for the mistakes of those spreading fear.

Show 22 older replies

Harry Henderson

@david mccaig

You sure love your conspiracy theories.........

david mccaig

@Harry Henderson

Fluoride is a highly toxic substance. Consider, for example, the poison warning that the FDA now requires on all fluoride toothpastes sold in the U.S. or the tens of millions of people throughout China and India who now suffer serious crippling bone diseases from drinking water with elevated levels of fluoride.

david mccaig

@Harry Henderson

In terms of acute toxicity (i.e., the dose that can cause immediate toxic consequences), fluoride is more toxic than lead, but slightly less toxic than arsenic. This is why fluoride has long been used in rodenticides and pesticides to kill pests like rats and insects. It is also why accidents involving over-ingestion of fluoridated dental products–including fluoride gels, fluoride supplements, and fluoridated water–can cause serious poisoning incidents, including death.

Tim Hopper

@Bryan Atkinson

Agreed, and most disturbing is that they only *pretend* to believe that flouride's harmful, in order to get attention, the same as the flat-earthers, even if it means harming the community.

Julia James

@Bryan Atkinson Vaccinations work, fluoride in the water works. Problem is some people think there smarter than everyone else every generation thinking there the first to discover how bad things are with vacs and fluoride. been answered over and over, same as climate change. Believe the science or the hoax. WHO says anti vaxxers are putting humanity at risk bringing back and spreading all the old diseases. Was the polio vax a fraud, measles, mumps, aids etc...wake up. If they were frauds everyone would be dieing, just you people get sicker more and spread more diseases. Now want spread cavitys everywhere. lol

Bryan Atkinson

@david mccaig

Where are your studies detailing higher than normal cancer rates in communities who fluoridate their water?

Surely there must be some by now. If not, maybe your fear is irrational.

Janice Vian

@david mccaig
I don’t care if industry benefits from selling fluoride as a water additive. I care that cavity rates go down with that water additive. Calgary’s cavity rates have gone up since fluoride was removed.

Roger Richard

@Bryan Atkinson From the British Dental Journal 216, E3 (2014):
Fluoride intake of infants living in non-fluoridated and fluoridated areas. F.
V. Zohoori1, G. Whaley1, P. J. Moynihan2,3,4 & A. Maguire2 http://

www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v216/n2/full/sj.bdj.2014.35.html .

This one concludes that "Infants living in fluoridated areas may receive a
fluoride intake, from diet only, of more than the suggested optimal range for TDFI
(total daily fluoride intake). This emphasizes the importance of estimating TDFI
at an individual level when recommendations for fluoride use are being
considered."

Bryan Atkinson

@Roger Richard

Windsor is experiencing high levels of tooth decay among children since they stopped fluoridating their water supply.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/windsor-tooth-decay-fluoride-1.3546919

They even cite before and after examples of different children within the same family.

Andreas Burnett

@Bryan Atkinson

Buy some fluoridated toothpaste, a toothbrush and leave the rest of us alone. Government gets kickbacks from the waste disposal industry for pushing this nonsense. Can you tell?

Roger Richard

@Bryan Atkinson Knowing this controversy, would you prescribe fluoride supplement to your children if you do not reside in a fluoridated community?

Andrew Stephenson

@Andreas Burnett

Fluorosilicate doen't generate free radicals; it is not an oxidizing agent.

The balance of anions is trivial - it's fully dissociated in water and there's far more variability on local geography than anything added during processing (our slightly brackish groundwater has a thousand times more natural sodium than the circa 1ppm added by fluoridation).

Chris Van Ihinger

I thank Hogtown for fluoridated water. My teeth thank Hogtown for fluoridated water. Everyone who enjoys looking at my smile thank Hogtown for fluoridated water.

Andreas Burnett

@Chris Van Ihinger

Your oncologist and cardiologist might also thank you for using fluoride. Did you know it is carcinogenic and implicated in hardening arteries? Did you know it is a highly toxic byproduct of aluminum smelting? Is this really about helping our health or helping big business make an extra buck?

Brush your teeth, stop eating so much sugar. Stay healthy.

Don Smith

@Andreas Burnett

Believe in Chemtrails & poisonous Vaccination's too

Andreas Burnett

@Don Smith

Check the studies yourself. You may find that there has been ongoing debate between industry and health advocates in this area for a long time -for good reason.

Andreas Burnett

@Don Smith

And you believe that glyphosate and GMOs are good for you too right? Lead in garden hoses and brass plumbing fittings are also totally safe right? Asbestos, lead paint, no problem, we can trust the government to mass medicate us right?

Yves Marchand

@Andreas Burnett Guilt by association is hardly good science or public policy. You have the right to have misinformed views, or to have irrational fears, but that is hardly the basis for good public policy.

William Weston

@Chris Van Ihinger
I thank great dentistry in Toronto for the state of my teeth.

John Oaktree

@William Weston

And fluoride in your water...

If you hadn't had fluoride in your water, you'd have lots of fillings and cavities regardless of how good your dentist is...

William Weston

@John Oaktree
We brought our drinking water from the well on our property in Haliburton. It tasted so much better even the cats preferred it.

david mccaig

@Chris Van Ihinger

The “research science” done to support water fluoridation was underwritten by these massive companies:

Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA)
Aluminum Company of Canada
American Petroleum Institute
Dupont
Kaiser Aluminum
Reynolds Steel
US Steel
National Institute of Dental Research

Convincing the general public that we need to add fluoride to our water supply was one of the most sophisticated cons of all time. It created a multi-billion dollar industry and enabled manufacturers to sell this worthless toxic byproduct of aluminum to local municipalities for a profit.

david mccaig

@Chris Van Ihinger

Although fluoride advocates have claimed for years that the safety of fluoride in dentistry is exhaustively documented and “beyond debate,” the Chairman of the National Research Council’s (NRC) comprehensive fluoride review, Dr. John Doull, recently stated that: “when we looked at the studies that have been done, we found that many of these questions are unsettled and we have much less information than we should, considering how long this [fluoridation] has been going on. I think that’s why fluoridation is still being challenged so many years after it began.”

Chris Van Ihinger

Commenter Andreas Burnett is correct about eating less sugar. We are not so sure about his other claims, and if so how they impact the health benefits of flouridated water.

Perhaps if commenter Burnett would provide links to his source material?

Chris Van Ihinger

COmenter david mccaig makes reference to what may be very interesting material here; in particular to the information attributed to the Chairman of our NRC.

We checked the NRC website (www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca) and found no mention of Dr. John Doull.

Perhaps if commenter McCaig would provide links to his source material?

Ernest Patrick

@david mccaig This report was studying an amount of fluoride concentration of 4mg/L, the maximum amount allowed by the EPA. The recommended range of fluoride in drinking water by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was 0.7-1.2mg/L from 1962 to 2007 and is now 0.7mg/L. Also note that this review didn't say that water fluoridation is bad it just recommended the EPA lower the maximum concentration allowed in drinking water.

So yes when studying an extremely high dosage of fluoride that about 1% of the US population was exposed to there is some debate.

Andreas Burnett

@Chris Van Ihinger

Knock yourself out with all the fluoridated toothpaste you can dream of. Why do you have to bother the rest of us? Oh yeah, government employees getting a kickback from waste removal services. Thanks Hogtown, now buy yourself some Colgate.

Roger Richard @Chris Van Hinger
From the British Dental Journal 216, E3 (2014):
Fluoride intake of infants living in non-fluoridated and fluoridated areas. F.
V. Zohoori1, G. Whaley1, P. J. Moynihan2,3,4 & A. Maguire2 http://

www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v216/n2/full/sj.bdj.2014.35.html .

This one concludes that "Infants living in fluoridated areas may receive a
fluoride intake, from diet only, of more than the suggested optimal range for TDFI
(total daily fluoride intake). This emphasizes the importance of estimating TDFI
at an individual level when recommendations for fluoride use are being
considered.

Chris Van Ihinger

Commenter Roger Richard raises an interesting point here.

But wait - there's more! He offers a link to a high quality study that was originally published in the British Dental Journal and is available on the Nature website.

A quick read of the Abstract indicates that measurements taken of the participating test subjects indicated that both the tested and control infants contained similar amounts of fluoride in their systems, all of it obtained from the foods they were consuming.

Given the short period that CBC keeps its comments open, it was worth thanking Mr. Richard for bringing this study to our attention, prior to reading beyond the Abstract. We will continue reading the whole article and recommend all who have an interest in the fluoridation issue should review the complete study.

Andrew Stephenson

@david mccaig

Smelters work on a closed cycle. They recycle the fluorine compounds into new cryolite. Diversion of products out of this loop for other uses actually costs that money, because they need to introduce the lost fluorine back into the electrolysis pits somehow.

POOF

Notification - Comment on cbc.ca

New comments have been made at "cbc.ca" in the conversation Canadian cities rethink removal of fluoride from tap water | CBC News

drew Currah said:

"Flouride is the principal ingredient in Prozac. The idea of adding flouride to drinking water was began by the Nazis. I don't want flouride added to my water, that's for sure. https://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2014/dec/08/jesse-ventura/jesse-ventura-says-nazis-pioneered-use-fluoridated/”

Canadian cities rethink removal of fluoride from tap water

As some city councils vote against fluoridation, one mayor asks for health ministries to take over

CBC News· Posted: Jan 24, 2019 4:00 AM ET |

Despite the benefits, adding fluoride to tap water will always be contentious, a chemistry professor says. (Craig Chivers/CBC)

It shouldn't be up to cities to decide to add fluoride to drinking water, but provincial officials, a Canadian mayor says.

Windsor, Ont., is bucking a national trend and looking at lifting its ban on adding fluoride to drinking water after seeing an increase in cavities among children.

Community water fluoridation is recommended by public health, medical and dental groups, including the Canadian and American Dental Associations, Canada's Chief Dental Officer and the World Health Organization. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called its contribution to the decline in cavities one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.

Fluoride is a mineral that binds to the enamel of teeth, strengthening them to prevent bacterial decay.
But ever since Canadian communities first introduced fluoridation in 1945, some cities have gritted their teeth at the contentious addition, and the debate continues. Some Windsor city council members initially argued that fluoride could be obtained cheaply from toothpaste and other critics have presented general fears over adding chemicals to water supplies.

A 2018 review by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health evaluated dozens of studies on the health effects associated with fluoridation. "The evidence in this review supports the protective role of community water fluoridation in reducing dental caries [cavities] in children and adults," the authors concluded.

Decisions left to people with 'no science background'

Last month, the city council in Windsor, Ont., voted to put fluoride back into its water supply after voting to remove it in 2013.

While Windsor's mayor Drew Dilkens is opposed to fluoridation, he doesn't think it should be up to municipalities to decide.

"If there is truly a health benefit of fluoride in the water system that is legitimate and real, it should be decided and mandated for all water systems across the province of Ontario and across Canada. That is not the case. They leave the decision up to people like me with no science background," said Dilkens.

"You have got to make the decision you think is right for your community and I think that mass medicating the entire water supply for the benefit of very few is not the right thing to do. But council voted otherwise. I respect that decision. We will add fluoride back to the water if another municipality agrees with council's decision."

Studies show fluoridation is effective for the broad population, said Dr. Alexandria Meriano, a pediatric dentist in Windsor.

Like Windsor residents, almost two-thirds of Canadians no longer have fluoride added to their municipal water. In British Columbia, Yukon, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador for instance, less than three per cent of the population has fluoride added to their municipal water. In comparison, it's 74 per cent in the U.S. and the CDC aims to increase that to 80 per cent by 2020.

CBC Radio's The Current | Tooth decay up in Calgary kids after fluoride removed from drinking water: study

Yemmi Calito's children are patients of Dr. Meriano. The two oldest kids were raised on fluoridated water in Windsor and both have healthy teeth. Her two youngest weren't, and they've had to be treated for serious tooth decay. Calito said their oral hygiene habits are the same.

"The younger two I feel they have more cavities," Calito said. "My little one, my three-year-old, actually had to go have general anesthesia … [about] four weeks ago to get his teeth fixed. They were in pretty bad shape."

Tooth decay rates rising in Windsor, say health officials

Meriano said she's noticed a difference in her patients before and after fluoridation. "What I am seeing is more cavities at a younger age and more severe cavities at a younger age."

Dr. Alexandria Meriano supports re-introducing fluoride in Windsor's tap water. (Turgut Yeter/CBC)

The advantage of community water fluoridation is it reaches everyone, not just those seeking dental care, Meriano said.

Like Windsor, Calgary is also seeing a spike in kids' cavities after removing fluoride. One city councillor in Calgary is convinced of its health benefits and thinks the city should vote on putting it back.

The opposition to fluoride is driven in part by "a fear of 'chemicals,' which unfortunately have been synonymous with toxin or poison," said chemistry Prof. Joe Schwarcz. "I think a lot of it comes back to just a lack of scientific knowledge, scientific literacy and fear mongering."

In affluent areas where there's access to dental care, and people receive advice from dentists on how to counsel their kids to use fluoride toothpaste without swallowing it, then there might be an argument against fluoridation, he said.

Almost two-thirds of Canadians no longer have fluoride added to their municipal water. (Craig Chivers/CBC)

"But in communities which are poorer, where there is no access to dental care and where children are not regularly examined in terms of their dental health, the overwhelming evidence is that you can reduce cavities by putting fluoride into the water," said Schwarcz, who heads the McGill Office for Science and Society.

Schwarcz said the debate over fluoridation will never end.

Many pregnant women don't think cannabis is harmful, UBC study finds

"There will always be people who are convinced that some sort of intervention is going to do them harm. We've seen this over the years not only with fluoride. We've seen them with pasteurization, we've seen it with microwave ovens, with cellphones. Any new technology is initially opposed and then eventually of course when its merit is proven the opposition slowly abates," he said.

"But it never completely goes away."

With files from CBC's Vik Adhopia

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

Minister struggles with sermon that asks, 'Is there a place for Donald Trump?'

January 25, 2019, 4:40 am

≫ Next: Higgs thinks Francophonie Games are doomed as province, Ottawa reach impasse

≪ Previous: Canadian cities rethink removal of fluoride from tap water

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

Methinks the preacher should Google the following then finally call me back or respond to my emails N'esy Pas? RE FATCA, NAFTA & TPP etc ATTN President Donald J. Trump

http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2017/02/re-fatca-nafta-tpp-etc-attn-president.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/steve-berube-art-robson-donald-trump-united-church-moncton-1.4990815

Minister struggles with sermon that asks, 'Is there a place for Donald Trump?'

2 Comments

David R. Amos

Methinks Mr Berubes hould Google the following then finally call me back or respond to my old emails N'esy Pas?

RE FATCA, NAFTA & TPP etc ATTN President Donald J. Trump

David Peters

Lot's of name calling and accusations. Nothing here but fake news propaganda.

Minister struggles with sermon that asks, 'Is there a place for Donald Trump?'

When Steve Berube agreed to preach on any topic as an auction prize, he didn't expect such a challenge

Vanessa Blanch· CBC News· Posted: Jan 25, 2019 7:00 AM AT

St. Paul's United Church minister Steve Berube isn't sure what he is going to say when he steps up to the pulpit in Riverview on Sunday morning. Berube believes U.S. President Donald Trump stands for everything his inclusive church doesn't. (Vanessa Blanch/CBC)

Rev. Steve Berube, a minister at St. Paul's United Church in Riverview, is struggling with this week's sermon.

It all started a few months ago, when he agreed to preach on any topic as a prize in a silent auction fundraiser.

Berube might not have made that promise had he known the highest bidder, a member of his congregation, would choose, "Is there a place for Donald Trump at St. Paul's United Church?" as the topic.

"Am I struggling? Of course I'm struggling," Berube said. "I believe in things this man is totally opposed to so how do we deal with that? How do we welcome somebody like this in?"

Parishioner says topic relevant to congregation

Art Robson joined forces with a few other anonymous members of the congregation to come up with the $60 bid that won Berube's silent auction offering.

He said the group made a "significant bid," so no one else would get the prize.

Parishioner Art Robson suggested the topic, 'Is there a place for Donald Trump at St. Paul's United Church,' for Sunday's sermon. He sees it as a way to test whether there are limits to the congregation's belief in inclusiveness. (Vanessa Blanch/CBC)

"We're bidding on an opportunity to pick a sermon topic … that will provide [Berube] with a challenge to deal with the subject matter and enhance his knowledge of a subject that is relevant to the church and relevant to the congregation."

Robson, who isn't a Trump supporter, is clear the challenge isn't just whether the congregation could "pass the time of day," with the U.S. president but whether members could "warmly accept" him.

He's normalized bullying, he's normalized sexual harassment, he's normalized racism ... it's somebody who wields power and authority on society, so that becomes the rub. - Steve Berube, St. Paul's United Church

"I took at look at the history of St. Paul's and the trends that we've been focused on recently, and I thought maybe the subject of inclusiveness and of making room for anybody and everybody in our church might be something that would be au courant," Robson said.

Berube jokes he wasn't aware of "the conspiratorial nature" of the bid, but he will hold up his end of the bargain.

He still hasn't decided on which side of the question he will land.

What would Jesus do?

Berube is, as you might expect, taking a biblical approach — asking himself what John the Baptist, Paul the Apostle and even Jesus would do.

"If I was John the Baptist, it would be really easy. It's your 'brood of vipers.' Really that's an easy one — we'd just get rid of him."

In the Bible, John the Baptist condemns the Pharisees, who were corrupt religious leaders at the time, as wicked and dangerous.

"On the other side, we have Paul the Apostle, who wants to welcome everyone in. Then we have Jesus.

"There are a bunch of different messages."

Trump delivers remarks on border security and the partial shutdown of the U.S. government from the White House last Saturday. (Yuri Gripas/Reuters)

Berube believes inclusiveness is at the core of the United Church, but on the other hand, describes Trump as a liar, a narcissist and a megalomaniac.

"He's normalized bullying, he's normalized sexual harassment, he's normalized racism … it's not somebody who is on the margins, who is disaffected from society — it's somebody who wields power and authority on society, so that becomes the rub."

'We ultimately have to include Donald Trump'

While Robson and Berube joked throughout the interview about the upcoming sermon, Robson said he doesn't feel bad that his challenge is forcing his pastor to struggle.

He points to a song that parishioners sing at Sunday services.

"It includes the lyrics, 'There is room for all,'" Robson said. "Do we really mean that?

"So the challenge is there, and I think if we're singing that song and we mean it, then we ultimately have to include Donald Trump."

Berube still has a couple of days to write the sermon he will deliver on Sunday, which also happens to fall on his birthday.

Berube is asking himself whether Donald Trump should be welcomed by the members of St. Paul's United Church and he still isn't sure what his answer will be. (Vanessa Blanch/CBC)

"What I have to straighten out for Sunday morning is whether Jesus would invite Donald Trump in … or whether he would treat him like some of the religious leaders of his day and call him a bunch of snakes."

In between deep sighs and laughs, Berube said the fact that Robson is willing to ask a difficult question, and the fact that he is willing to struggle with that question, shows that answers aren't always easy, and sometimes there isn't just one.

About the Author

Vanessa Blanch

Reporter

Vanessa Blanch is a reporter based in Moncton. She has worked across the country for CBC for nearly 20 years. If you have story ideas to share please e-mail: vanessa.blanch@cbc.ca

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↧

Higgs thinks Francophonie Games are doomed as province, Ottawa reach impasse

January 25, 2019, 5:30 am

≫ Next: Paramedic ruling's impact on language rights debated in court

≪ Previous: Minister struggles with sermon that asks, 'Is there a place for Donald Trump?'

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

Surprise Surprise Surprise

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/higgs-thinks-francophonie-games-are.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/francophonie-games-higgs-trudeau-1.4991677

Higgs thinks Francophonie Games are doomed as province, Ottawa reach impasse

86 Comments

David R. Amos

Surprise Surprise Surprise

Lou Bell

Liberals have painted themselves into a huge corner with this . Attempting to add Mr. Vickers as their new leader is a desperate attempt to retain the departing Anglophone votes they're losing by the minute. The " Forum on Bilingualism they held in Moncton at U de M with input from 8 selected Francophones and no Anglophones and wondering why no Anglos showed up is so transparent. Looks like Mr. Savoie and the Liberal backers need to go back to the drawing board. The smoke and mirrors event didn't work . The tail is losing it's wag

Marc Martin

@Lou Bell

*is a desperate attempt to retain the departing Anglophone votes*

What are you talking about ???

*The " Forum on Bilingualism they held in Moncton at U de M with input from 8 selected Francophones and no Anglophones *

Awwww please don't cry............

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Methinks your Francophone buddies were the ones doing the crying about being bullied etc N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/anti-bilingualism-forum-moncton-1.4987827

"In a news release after the discussion, panellist and co-organizer Christophe Traisnel said francophones need to make themselves heard and "to fight against being bullied as a community."

Shawn McShane

@Marc Martin Mr. Vickers...Sergeant at Arms in Ottawa who shot the attacker on parliament hill is being wooed by the Liberals in NB. Vickers is an Anglo from NB to be used to garner Anglophone votes.

Won't work, desperate move.

Chuck Michaels

The question is... could this lead to a certain Shediac area M.P. looking for another job this Fall...?

Paul Olet

@Chuck Michaels Who, the King of Acadia?

David R. Amos

@Chuck Michaels Dream on

eddy watts

When is the investigation starting re: Brian Gallant and cronies (committee members). When the decision was made to increase the spending by the Francophone Games committee, Gallant said he recused himself from the committee, as he was too"close" to committee members to be totally impartial. THERE IS NO RECORD OF BRIAN GALLANT RECUSING HIMSELF....what is just as worrisome (for the people/province) is that the present Premier (Blaine Higgs) knows this, and has done nothing.........This province has no hope of ever getting ahead, so long as the people are willing to look the other way when successive Liberal/Conservatives, steal from them.

David R. Amos

@eddy watts YUP

Matt Steele

@eddy watts ....Brian Gallant and the Liberal Party should be forced to pay for any penalty out of their own pockets . How incompetent and corrupt can a govt. be to okay these games without even having a business plan in place . Apparently Brian Gallant was just going to rubber stamp any costs associated with these games , regardless of how high they were .

David R. Amos

@Matt Steele Cry me a river will ya?

Paul Bourgoin

With such a weak Political majority sealed in backroom Party bargaining maybe Premier Blaine Higgs mandate might not survive up to the 2021 Francophonie Games.

David R. Amos

@Paul Bourgoin Methinks many think that is a distinct possibility N'esy Pas?

Marc LeBlanc

Just pay the penalty and move on

David R. Amos

@Marc LeBlanc I Wholeheartedly Agree Sir

Mario Doucet

Every penny spent by Trudeau is borrowed, he has accumulated mountains of debt, money borrowed from his elite friends.

David R. Amos

@Mario Doucet Methinks our beloved banker Frank McKenna knows more about that fact than we will ever now N'esy Pas?

Matt Steele

@Mario Doucet ....Tax and spend ; that is how Trudeau operates....meanwhile the federal debt spins out of control . Maybe Trudeau can find another $4.5 BILLION defunct pipeline to buy with the taxpayers cash .

David R. Amos

@Mario Doucet Methinks that Franky Boy won't mind some folks enjoying a little Deja Vu N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/td-business-services-centre-moncton-jobs-1.4129427

"The TD Bank expects to create up to 575 full-time jobs in Moncton over a six-year period when it opens a business services centre in 2019 with up to $9 million in help from the provincial government."

Arliss Wilson

@Matt Steele That is how every government operates. Funding at all levels comes from taxes of one form or another. It is not a Liberal, Conservative or any other party method.

Mark Murphy

let the cities of Moncton and Dieppe cover any costs that are associated. those are the one responsible for this fiasco. The rest of New Brunswicker's had nothing to do with this

David R. Amos

@Mark Murphy Methinks they are nervous campers as well because they were mushroomed too N'esy Pas?

Higgs thinks Francophonie Games are doomed as province, Ottawa reach impasse

During New Brunswick visit, prime minister refuses to budge on funding for troubled games

CBC News· Posted: Jan 24, 2019 5:28 PM AT

Premier Blaine Higgs says if Ottawa doesn't change its mind, the 2021 Francophonie Games are dead. (Radio-Canada)

The provincial government's deadline to find a solution to save the 2021 Francophonie Games is less than a week away, but in the eyes of the New Brunswick premier the outcome is clear: the event will be cancelled.

Premier Blaine Higgs voiced his conclusion Thursday afternoon after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa isn't budging from its funding commitment. Higgs has repeatedly said Fredericton isn't spending another nickel to cover the inflated costs.

"Given what he said … given what I'm saying, it seems like the outcome is obvious," Higgs told reporters.

On Jan. 15, deputy premier Robert Gauvin announced a deadline of Jan. 30 for the federal government and the province to "develop funding options" after weeks of uncertainty over who is going to cover the increased price tag for the Moncton-Dieppe Games.

University says Francophonie Games group sought infrastructure 'wish list'

Sherbrooke's bid to host Francophonie Games ranked higher than New Brunswick's

The cost ballooned to $130 million last year from the $17-million figure used in the original 2016 bid. Gauvin said this month a revised estimate puts the potential cost at $80 million.

The Higgs government said it wouldn't be contributing more than its initial $10 million commitment, and the premier has called on the feds to cover the balance.

Ottawa remains unmoving

However, federal cabinet ministers, including Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, say Ottawa has a "long-standing policy" to match provincial funding "dollar-for-dollar."

Obviously, the Francophonie Games are deeply important to me. Defence of official languages, minorities right across this country, is a huge priority of this government.- Justin Trudeau

Trudeau reiterated that point Thursday when making a stop in Quispamsis, near Saint John.

"We are going to be there to match dollar for dollar the provincial investments, as we have for a broad range of sporting events across the country," Trudeau told reporters.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood firm in his government's stance that it will match 'dollar for dollar' any provincial funding for the 2021 games. (Radio-Canada)

"Obviously, the Francophonie Games are deeply important to me. Defence of official languages, minorities right across this country is a huge priority of this government. So we're going to continue to be there to partner with the province."

The games, open to New Brunswickers and Canadians regardless of the language they speak, would see about 3,000 participants take part in sport and cultural events in Moncton and Dieppe.

The prime minister said New Brunswick needs to put forward a formal proposal to keep the games alive.

Province pulls funding to Francophonie Games committee

Province's 'last payment' for Francophonie Games just final instalment of 2018-19 funding

"I'm disappointed," Higgs said after learning about Trudeau's comments. "I feel that these [games] really need to be nationally supported.

"Certainly a province our size … the province can't afford do this on our own, or at a 50 per cent split."

Once Jan. 30 arrives, the province is expected to begin the process to cancel the games.

Higgs said if Trudeau's mind doesn't change, the games in New Brunswick are toast, and he isn't optimistic.

"No, I'm not actually. I don't think [the games] will move forward."

New Brunswick was selected in 2016 to host the ninth edition of the games, which would take place in Moncton and Dieppe. (CBC)

The province could be on the hook to cover some costs if the games are cancelled, and Higgs appeared fine with that outcome. He said he isn't sure the exact figure the government would have to pay, but "it doesn't compare to $10 million."

New Brunswick was selected in 2016 to host the ninth edition of the Francophonie Games, which take place under the auspices of La Francophonie, an international organization of 58 governments with connections to the French language.

New Brunswick, Quebec and Canada have "participating government" status within the organization.

With files from Radio-Canada and Jacques Poitras

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

Paramedic ruling's impact on language rights debated in court

January 25, 2019, 7:13 pm

≫ Next: Fate of 1820s stone building in Fredericton causes worry

≪ Previous: Higgs thinks Francophonie Games are doomed as province, Ottawa reach impasse

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

Methinks folks should ask the obvious who owns Ambulance NB and where was their lawyer today N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/paramedic-rulings-impact-on-language.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/arbitration-ruling-bilingual-paramedics-mcevoy-ruling-1.4991605

Paramedic ruling's impact on language rights debated in court

85 Comments

Commenting is now closed for this story.

David R. Amos

Methinks folks should ask the obvious who owns Ambulance NB and where was their lawyer today N'esy Pas?

Robert Cunningham

Seems like a case of English Paramedics can have the jobs until a French Paramedic come along. Poor fix if you ask me. If these people are willing to work there, either offer language training, or accept the fact that most people don't care what language someone is speaking when they save your life..... i'm sure this comment will not go over well.

daryl doucette

@Robert Cunningham the really critical patients are unconscious. Think about that.

Marc Martin

@Robert Cunningham

*offer language training*

That will be the case, training is always offered.

*accept the fact that most people don't care what language someone is speaking when they save your life*

Cant save you life if no one can communicate.

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Cry me a river

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

Did you find another Marc Martin across Canada to harass Davis ?

Dan Lee

@Marc Martin
i would say he is stalking you.......hmmm

Matt Steele

Seems like a waste of time as everyone knows what the outcome will be . An Anglophone paramedic can have the job until a Francophone wants it ; then the Anglophone will be fired . Govt. workers in N.B. are no longer hired based on merit or qualification , it is based on language . Welcome to N.B. , Canada's " ONLY " officially bilingual Province.....a failed Province . At least this has shown other Provinces how destructive forced frenchification is ; so no other province will ever adopt official bilingualism after seeing how destructive it has been in N.B.

David R. Amos

@Matt Steele So you say

Habs Killa

The revised agreement with the addition of float teams will *IMPROVE* care for *all* of us.

Float team members not currently assigned to a paramedic ambulance will be assigned patient movement requests. This is the cause of delayed call response; paramedic ambulances not available because they tied up moving patients from point A to point B.

David R. Amos

@Habs Killa Whats your point?

daryl doucette

This whole process is laughable. What a crock it is. The " Anglophone Rights Association" of NB was denied " intervener" status in this proceeding by a francophone judge, she stated that " The Anglophone Rights Association" only has " one" linguistic group ( the English) that it is focusing on in this issue, unlike the " Office of the Language Commissioner of New Brunswick" whom focus on advancing both linguistic communities". What utter nonsense! The Language Commissioners office is blatently pro francophone. Period. Any person, English, French or other with a half a functioning brain can see this. Simply look at the Language Commissioner, Mr. Carrier, and the SANB's attempt back in 2012 to have the " Language of Work" policy implemented into the " Official Languages Act" of New Brunswick, when it came up for its " 10 year review"...if that policy had been allowed to be inserted into the OLA it would have spelled the end of any UNILINGUAL person to get a job with government any where in New Brunswick.

Fred Brewer

@daryl doucette
100% correct. Just try to file an anglophone complaint with the Language Commissioner and you will quickly find out how biased that office is against anglophones.

Mack Leigh

@daryl doucette

Bang on brother !!

Marc Martin

@daryl doucette

*The " Anglophone Rights Association" of NB was denied " intervener" status in this proceeding by a francophone judge*

Why would the judge allow an hate group to promote bigotry ?

Marc Martin

@Fred Brewer

That's because your complaints are not valid..please show me one that is ?? English first on signs because the English are a majority is not a valid complaint...

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Methinks that you are being ignored N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

Why are you responding to my posts then Davis ?

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin My lawsuit

daryl doucette

@Marc Martin There you go again with the name calling. Now they are a " hate" group? You people are a broken record.....any one whom DARES question forced bilingualism is attacked. Old tactic, get a new one. And the REAL reason they were denied " intervener" status...they would have asked questions that people would not want to answer.

Jane Sherrard

Do most New Brunswickers not see a problem when thousands and thousands of Anglophone sector students give up their right to an education in their first language each year, in the spirit of becoming bilingual, but inevitably, fewer than 10% qualify for public sector jobs that require bilingualism? We have a major problem with the English education system and it's past time politicians take their heads out of the sand and take responsibility for the messes their predecessors have created. There is not a person in the world who would consider designing such convoluted and experimental second language programming that is inflicted on the Anglophone districts. The moral degradation of promoting division in English schools between English and French immersion classes, creating have and have not classes, funding French immersion children more than English program children, should be an outrage to every Canadian.

Mack Leigh

@Jane Sherrard

Well said !! It is too bad that we don't have a law firm or constitutional lawyer willing to take this mess on... Oh, wait only the " Distinct " francophones receive millions of taxpayers money annually with which they pay for all of their divisive court cases... The majority receives....nothing.....

Stephanie Haslam

@Mack Leigh, agreed. If we had access to a constitutional lawyer, we too might have a chance at getting favourable decisions based on broad interpretations of the OLA and the Charter. It's all about interpretation.

Stephanie Haslam

@Mack Leigh, I'm just going to leave this here. It is from the 2018 New Brunswick Public Accounts. I believe that a lawyer who is engaged to act as counsel for the language commissioner gets paid from the public purse. Doucet, Michel cr/Q.C., LL.B., Ll.M 26,183. That's twenty-six thousand dollars. https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/tb-ct/pdf/OC/PA18Sup.pdf

Mack Leigh

@Stephanie Haslam

Absolutely disgusting !! Forced Official Bilingualism = Largest Make Work Project for Francophones ..

Mack Leigh

@Stephanie Haslam

Guess that is how Doucet supplements his retirement income.... on the backs of the taxpayers of New Brunswick..

Marc Martin

@Jane Sherrard

*fewer than 10% qualify for public sector jobs that require bilingualism? *

Then why are 46% of the provincial jobs unilingual English ? Stats don't lie...

Marc Martin

@Mack Leigh

*Distinct " francophones receive millions of taxpayers money annually with which they pay for all of their divisive court cases*

They do ? Stats ? Facts ? Links ?

David R. Amos

@Mack Leigh "Well said !! It is too bad that we don't have a law firm or constitutional lawyer willing to take this mess on"

Methinks you must know that a lot of politicians know that I already did in a Pro Se fashion in Federal Court in 2015 N'esy Pas?

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Jane Sherrard Methinsk you and you friends are wise not to feed the Troll N'esy Pas?

Jane Sherrard
@Marc Martin After all the time, money and sacrifice the Anglophone sector spends delivering curriculum that teaches some students to speak French,, most do not graduate with a French speaking ability at a satisfactory level because it’s not “equal quality,” Francophone lobbyists and politicians have created a climate where iintolerance for English speakers is growning with each law passed. What happened to the right to an education in the child’s protected language? What kind of future is here for unilingual speakers? You say 46% of provincial jobs require English only, so that leaves 54% that the majority of people in NB don’t qualify for. More than 90% of French immersion students won’t qualify for either. Marc, there is a solution to our language mess here in NB. If all children were included in the second language goals, and if politicians allowed teachers and students of both sectors to work and learn together within their protected schools, in a few short years, everyone will be able to speak both official languages. If we ended the expensive and duplicate administrative costs of duality, then some of the savings could be used to fund our children’s education equally. The negative consequences of costly experimental French immersion programming needs to be scrutinised and it is past time for politicians to act. Solidarity and segregation are not bringing us together. Our children will unite us if politicians allow them to integrate on buses, in drama productions, sports teams, music, art, technology, assembly and showcasing events, etc. We can bilingualize all children in bilingual schools. so no one has to be.

Habs Killa

Christopher Beliveau

Its to bad people wasted their votes on the conservatives and liberals, because if the people's alliance were leading the province right now. They would have found a way out of this language quagmire, by first eliminating the pro francophone language commissioner, and ending the biggest money waster duality. Remember this the next time we head to the polls, because another 50yrs of bilingualism will bury this province permanently.

Mack Leigh

@Christopher Beliveau

We don't have another 50 years in my opinion.... Ultimately this has little to do with language.... Power and Control is the goal with language just being the Francophone Elite's weapon of choice..... Language over Life , here in NB>.

Marc Martin

@Christopher Beliveau

Of course they would, they would probably try to eliminate everything French and would face numerous lawsuits and backlash from Ottawa also, be glad they are not in power they don't even have a platform except to eliminate everything French...

Marc Martin

@Mack Leigh

*Francophone Elite's *

Who are these elites ??

*Language over Life *

Who died because of language ?

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Methinks even you must have lost count on how many times you asked the same questions and were answered N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

None of them where answered...

Christopher Beliveau @Marc Martin Ending duality is not ending everything french. The way it used to be is predominantly french areas would be basically everything in french. They're town hall meeting's, signage, schooling, and so on. An for the areas predominantly english the same thing. But now we are wasting money bilingualism, which hasn't worked in the 50+ years its been in place. Now we are at each other's throats, if anything bilingualism has divided us. It used to be you were hired because of experience, now if the only language you speak is french your hired even if you have zero experience. That's not right, and not fair.

Wendy Staples

The judge is not fooling anyone, her mind is made up and it certainly won't be for the benefit of the majority of New Brunswickers…...farce.

Matt Steele

@Wendy Staples ....Very true ; the decision was already made before the hearing even started....just a total waste of time and money . Luckily New Brunswicker's are starting to wake up ; so maybe after a few more ONE TERM govt. , maybe politicians will get the message than N.B.ers are fed up .

Marc Martin

@Wendy Staples

*and it certainly won't be for the benefit of the majority of New Brunswickers*

Why wont it benefit you ? You know the definition of bilingual right ?

David R. Amos

@Wendy Staples I agree

Nathan Simpson

You have to wonder just how bad things would have to get before we start seriously considering making changes as a province. More deaths than births, young people leaving, high unemployment, massive debt, etc, etc.

Now we have people dying because ambulances are unable to be staffed. Does language trump peoples lives and safety?

If you say yes then I pray your love ones never need an ambulance that is not available.

Marc Martin

@Nathan Simpson

*Now we have people dying because ambulances are unable to be staffed*

Who died because of language ? You wont find any...Try again.

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Methinks you are rather redundant N'esy Pas?

Christopher Beliveau

@Marc Martin Actually a gentleman in Northern NB died last year, because the ambulance sub-station was not manned. An it wasn't manned because they were unable to find two bilingual paramedics for that area. An area which is predominantly English, but because of some stupid duality law, a man died.

Mack Leigh

Sadly not one person was there to represent the non-francophones of New Brunswick...... Once more the push is on for the forced frenchification of our province at the expense of the majority..... " Bilingual where numbers warrant " is what the people of NB signed up for and agreed to...... not the warped version that now is in play with changes being made to the OLA that benefit one minority only..

daryl doucette

@Mack Leigh They are ' sneaky" when it comes to these so called " public" forums re discussing bilingualism. What these French groups do is insert a teeny weeny notice in some obscure back page of the English newspapers notifying the " public" that they are " invited" to one of their so called " forums" re bilingualism. why do I know this? Seen one way back in 2012. Crashed their meeting at U de M and asked some tough questions... they refused to answer.....got a lot of blank stares....and the guest speaker at that one was the " Commissioner of Official Languages" Michel Carrier...these people are some thing else i'll tell ya...

Mack Leigh

@daryl doucette

Would have loved to have been there when you asked the questions ... Would have had a few questions for them myself......

Marc Martin

@Mack Leigh

* Bilingual where numbers warrant " is what the people of NB signed up for and agreed to*

You didn't sign on anything.

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Methinks you know as well as I that I signed the lawsuit that you make fun of N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

Are you sure your talking to the right Marc Martin Davis?

Seamus O'hern

"Welcome to the Jungle"

David R. Amos

@Seamus O'hern "Welcome to the Jungle"

I disagree I say Welcome to the Circus

Methinks everybody knows they brought to jungle animals to Fat Fred City N'esy Pas?

Mack Leigh

Welcome to NB, the province of apartheid governing..

David R. Amos

@Mack Leigh Methinks it ain't over til the fat lady sings and there will always be another election N'esy Pas?

Mack Leigh

Is government still paying for Francophones to take the paramedic course ?? You know, the course that is being given at Francophone Community Colleges only..... All non-francophones must pay for their own course...thanks to the set-up by Gallant and his cronies..... Has Higgs changed this yet ??

David R. Amos

@Mack Leigh Methinks its hard telling not knowing for sure N'esy Pas?

Harold Benson

I think they should go back to sand and salt for the roads, and forget about the beet juice and mollasses. That grit gives some nice traction.

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson Methinks Mr Higgs should appropriate the brand new potash mine in Sussex that just shut down permanently and start selling salt N'esy Pas?

Alex Butt

Hard to believe that New Brunswick ever left the stone age! If I was a paramedic I would leave this province so fast it would make heads spin. The clowns in charge waste more effort and money on this bilingualism bovine feces than the health of it's residents. What a farce!

David R. Amos

@Alex Butt Oh So True but methinks the clowns make up for the malicious nonsense by providing us with quite a comical Circus N'esy Pas?

Harold Benson

I'd sue.

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson I did

Colin Seeley

I detest being called a “ phone “.

Keep the phone to yourself.

I am English.

David R. Amos

@Colin Seeley Methinks it beats being called a phonie like the French lingo spells it N'esy Pas?

Mack Leigh

Are there no non-francophone judges or lawyers left in NB that have any.....any authority or political sway ?? We are truly a captured province with the tail wagging the dog...

Marc Martin

@Mack Leigh

Don't call yourself that name....

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin FYI I refer to myself as a dog all the time Methinks it beats being a phonie N'esy Pas?

Mario Doucet

Stop funding SANB.

David R. Amos

@Mario Doucet I agree

Marc Martin

@Mario Doucet

That would mean to stop funding every non for profit organism across the province....

John O'Brien

@Marc Martin If that is what it takes. I really resent that some of my tax money goes to fund Michel Doucet because he is NOT working in the best interest of the majority of NBers.

Natalie Pugh

"Michel Doucet, a lawyer for the province's official languages commissioner, quoted a 1999 Supreme Court of Canada decision that said language cases must "in all cases" be interpreted broadly, in line with the law's goal of linguistic equality"

This is what they don't get. There never will be "linguistic equality" in NB simply because of the low numbers of francophones compared to the number of anglophones. So stop trying to force this failed experiment upon English speaking NB's. WE don't want it and don't deserve it.

David R. Amos

@Natalie Pugh Methinks we need a referendum just like the Quebeckers got years ago N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

So you want to separate from Canada Davis ?

Mack Leigh

@Natalie Pugh T

This is not about bilingualism... This is not about equality.... This is not about language... This is all.......all about Power and Control.... Language is just the Francophone Elites' such as Doucet , Carrier, SANB et al , weapon of choice.... Time to take back our province from those who wish to conquer and control it..

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Who is Davis?

Jake Newman

I need a paramedic who speaks Klingon.

David R. Amos

@Jake Newman Methinks your shrink may know one N'esy Pas?

Paramedic ruling's impact on language rights debated in court

Previous government sent McEvoy ruling on hiring for a judicial review because of bilingual service concerns

Jacques Poitras· CBC News· Posted: Jan 24, 2019 4:51 PM AT

A judicial review was scheduled Thursday to determine if McEvoy's ruling violated the language law and Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees of bilingual government services in New Brunswick. (Radio-Canada/Guy R. LeBlanc)

Lawyers argued Thursday over whether a controversial arbitration ruling on bilingual paramedics has sweeping constitutional implication for language rights — or is a narrow labour decision that ought to be upheld.

The case is central to the ongoing debate about how Ambulance New Brunswick should meet its legal obligations to provide bilingual service while respecting the seniority rights of its employees.

Government lawyer Keith Mullin told the judicial review hearing in the Court of Queen's Bench that the 2018 ruling by labour arbitrator John McEvoy would "wipe away" language rights protected by the charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Official Languages Act.

"These are things we all have to follow," he said, asking the judge to quash the McEvoy ruling. "This is the law of the land."

Government wants ruling in Ambulance New Brunswick language case reviewed

How a former PC premier helped forge the Higgs government's ambulance compromise

Michel Doucet, a lawyer for the province's official languages commissioner, quoted a 1999 Supreme Court of Canada decision that said language cases must "in all cases" be interpreted broadly, in line with the law's goal of linguistic equality.

But Glen Gallant, a lawyer for the union representing paramedics, Local 4848 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, argued that McEvoy's ruling is a narrow decision that affects only the employer and the workers.

"It's a labour relations case," he said. "It's not a charter case. It's not a pure language-rights case. … This is a private matter and the decision doesn't go any farther than that."

Michel Doucet, a lawyer for the province's official languages commissioner, quoted the Supreme Court's 1999 Beaulac case, which said language rights must be interpreted broadly. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Justice Denise LeBlanc appeared skeptical of that. "We are talking about services that are offered to the general public," she said.

Gallant answered that McEvoy "was only deciding the rights of the two parties before him."

McEvoy's decision last year gave hope to unilingual paramedics who have not been able to get full-time permanent jobs with Ambulance New Brunswick. At the same time, many positions designated as bilingual have gone unfilled.

McEvoy said this violated the union contract because paramedics with higher second-language abilities were getting positions over unilingual candidates with more seniority.

McEvoy's ruling

In the ruling, McEvoy said the province could forgo hiring bilingual paramedics in areas of the province where there is less demand for second-language service. He suggested crews use a "language line" that would let a patient talk to a bilingual staffer over a radio system.

The previous Liberal government sent the ruling for a judicial review.

But in December, the new Progressive Conservative government directed Ambulance New Brunswick to implement the decision, a move denounced by acting language commissioner Michel Carrier as violating the law.

Glen Gallant, lawyer for Local 4848 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, said arbitrator John McEvoy was not deciding a broader issue of constitutional law when he made his ruling. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

New Brunswick's language law requires equal service in both languages in all areas of the province.
Last week, Health Minister Ted Flemming backtracked and abandoned the December order in favour of a new directive that he says respects bilingualism requirements.

It will see unilingual paramedics hired onto "float teams" that will temporarily fill vacant bilingual-designated positions.

Even so, Thursday's hearing went ahead to establish whether the McEvoy ruling complies with the language law and with charter rights.

Every ambulance must provide service in both official languages, says health minister

Mullin and Doucet both quoted the Supreme Court's 1999 Beaulac case, which said language rights must be interpreted broadly.

The ruling said both languages must be treated equally and governments can't implement policies that treat one language as the primary language and the other as a secondary language that is "accommodated."

Designating regions of the province where ambulance services would not be offered equally in both languages "is exactly what the court said not to do," Mullin argued. He said McEvoy's ruling would "alter" that right.

Bilingual service

Doucet quoted a section of the charter that says New Brunswickers have the right to be served equally in English and French.

He pointed out that section was passed by elected members of the legislature.
"It's not up to an arbitrator to disavow or ignore that choice."

Doucet also pointed out that the Official Languages Act allows for a "reasonable delay" in bilingual service from police officers and said if legislators had wanted a similar exception for ambulances, they'd have written it into the law.

Both lawyers argued that because McEvoy's ruling touched on constitutional rights, it has a higher standard of review: it has to be legally correct.

Doesn't touch the charter

But Gallant, the union's lawyer, argued McEvoy "was not deciding a broader issue of constitutional law" so the judge only has to find his ruling "reasonable," not strictly correct.

LeBlanc didn't appear persuaded by that, telling Gallant she felt the case had to be interpreted "in accordance with decisions handed down by the Supreme Court and the [New Brunswick] Court of Appeal."

Gallant also argued McEvoy was only being realistic about the difficulties of providing bilingual service everywhere.

Language commissioner wins right to intervene in paramedic hiring case

He said weakening the hiring requirements in favour of a "language line" was "not an accommodation but a necessary response to the realities we have in New Brunswick."

He also said it would be "more equal" for a patient to talk to a fully bilingual staffer over a radio line than to deal with a paramedic with only a mediocre ability to speak their language.

LeBlanc, who was appointed a Court of Queen's Bench justice last June, did not give a timeline for when she expects to rule in the case.

"It was not an easy case to argue and I can assure you it's not going to be an easy case to decide," she told the lawyers.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

Fate of 1820s stone building in Fredericton causes worry

January 26, 2019, 11:48 am

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https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others
Oh My My Methinks you should ask yourself why my reply to you was blocked N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/fate-of-1820s-stone-building-in.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/risteen-heritage-fredericton-1.4993884

Fate of 1820s stone building in Fredericton causes worry

79 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

David R. Amos

Cheer up Carl the Fat Lady ain't sung yet

Shawn McShane

Developers are learning that heritage buildings can be money-makers. 80 per cent of millennials “would rather spend money at businesses supporting efforts to preserve and protect buildings, architecture and neighbourhoods over those that don’t. They also choose to shop and eat in “historic downtowns . . . and places with historic appeal . . . over malls and planned commercial districts or recently constructed places.”

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane Methinks everybody knows why that I would not bet the farm on your opinions N'esy Pas?

Shawn McShane

@David R. Amos Not my opinion. A U.S. study commissioned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Edge Research and the American Express Foundation.

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane Methinks you know what I think of Yankee opinions However I bet you didn't know that my wife was one of the top travel agents working American Express years ago N'esy Pas?

Johnny Horton

That’s Gabriel’s style. No respect for his tenants, or history,

He has a bad habit of letting leases expiring and then telling you to get out, a kids any calls or visits to his office she discuss your lease.

Johnny Horton

@Johnny Horton

** avoids (not a kids)

David R. Amos

@Johnny Horton Too Funny

Ken Stephens

If someone owns a property and wants to tear down a very old building like this it's his decision to make, not ours. Perhaps these people who are upset by this can all chip in and buy it from him. The way these things work is that something is there for a while but eventually becomes too old and it gets replaced, and we end up with more value out of the deal as well.

Johnny Horton

@Ken Stephens

Yep value. That’s all that matters. Gotta Aximize that tax base!

yep money, that’s all that matters. Gotta own every property!

David R. Amos

@Ken Stephens Yea Right

Marcus Kingston

@Ken Stephens - It's clear that some people in Fredericton seem to care very little about the built heritage that surrounds us, and makes our city unique. However, there are equally those who do care. The issue shouldn't always come down to how much tax revenue can be gained from a new building. We have a moral obligation to retain certain structures for the enjoyment of future generations. I'm not against all new builds, it can be a part of growing a strong and vibrant city I agree. So too is maintaining what's already here. Perhaps we should tear down Christ Church Cathedral and put the new Starbucks there instead of in Kings Place? It could draw more people to that area of the city.

Respectfully

MK

David R. Amos

@Marcus Kingston Hmmm

Mack Leigh

One thing I greatly admire about many European countries, Great Britain and New England, USA is that they preserve their historical buildings, statues, trees, etc. ..... Way to quick now to tear down, cut down or remove important pieces of our history.... Hopefully they will be able to save this landmark..

Johnny Horton

@Mack Leigh

Gabriel is buying up and taking all the land in the area. Not much chance he’ll save it, or sell it t a preservation group.

David R. Amos

@Johnny Horton So you say

Mack Leigh

We have become a ...throw a way ..... society ....... No thought to the preservation of anything..

David R. Amos

@Mack Leigh YUP

Alex Butt

@Mack Leigh Yes we have become a disposable society, but we have to face facts that New Brunswick is broke and unfortunately there are bigger issues that require funding!

Mack Leigh

@Alex Butt

There are ways to preserve our historical buildings and turn them into money makers.... Erasing our historical buildings is a sad statement as to what society has become and the direction it is headed..

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David R. Amos

@Mack Leigh YUP

Shawn McShane

@Alex Butt Historical places bring in tourists and locals. To be honest I am sick of beautiful old buildings full of character being torn down and replaced with cheap looking construction with a 40 yr life. Why not turn the building into apartments? Sell them. Sell a piece of history.

Louie Youssef

@Mack Leigh What's sad about it? It's sad to move forward? I don't think anyone who puts up a building thinks it will be around forever.

Shawn McShane

@Louie Youssef Obviously the Pharisees did, those pyramids are still around.

Jim Cyr

@Louie Youssef But Mack's point is valid: we absolutely have become a throwaway society. In fact, the expectation now for any building put up by a government entity is that it will last 40 years. (It's right in the specs/contracts). 40 years!! That number used to be at least 75 years when I was a kid.

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane Methinks you meant the Pharaohs N'esy Pas?

Shawn McShane

@David R. Amos Lols Yes Pharaohs

Alex Butt

@Shawn McShane I agree but we have to face the fact that NB is broke, and not that many people travel to Fredericton to see the old buildings. Unless someone with lots of cash is willing to buy it, then we shouldn't complain that someone wants the land to build something and make money.

David R. Amos

@Alex Butt Methinks you are a bit redundant N'esy Pas?

Alex Butt

I love the heritage idea, and everyone is all for keeping such buildings, yet no one is willing to face the hard facts that it will cost lots of money and very few are willing to put their money where their mouth is. Perfect example was the Fredericton train station. Everyone cried to keep the falling apart eye sore, and who ended up paying for it? The tax payers did. Time to wake up and realize that NB is broke and falling apart and need to set real priorities!

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David R. Amos

@Alex Butt "Time to wake up and realize that NB is broke and falling apart"

Methinks we got the governments we deserve because we overslept N'esy Pas?

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David R. Amos

@Alex Butt Oh My My Methinks you should ask yourself why my reply to you was blocked N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Alex Butt "Perfect example was the Fredericton train station. Everyone cried to keep the falling apart eye sore, and who ended up paying for it? The tax payers did."

Methinks the Irving Clan didn't cry N'esy Pas?

Grant Buote

@David R. Amos - quick question: why do you keep say "N'esy Pas"? What, exactly , are you trying to say?

Ian Scott

@Alex Butt And now its a booze store. At our expense.

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David R. Amos

@Grant Buote Its Chiac

Now Go Figure Who is crazy and who is not

http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/lockwood_anthony_8E.html

However, the political crisis following Lieutenant Governor Smyth’s death on 27 March provided the occasion, if not the inducement, for Lockwood’s spectacular descent into madness.

An interim president of the Council being required, George Leonard*, the octogenarian senior member, was first offered the position, which he declined on the grounds of age. Despite a challenge by supporters of Christopher Billopp, Ward Chipman* assumed the post of administrator on 1 April. The challenges continued however. Lockwood attended the Council meetings on 30 April and on 1 May. Thereafter he absented himself and for the next few weeks his whereabouts are uncertain. By 24 May he had persuaded Leonard to assert his right to the presidency “in the hope that it would produce tranquillity in the province.” Ostensibly to assist in that purpose, Lockwood appointed himself as Leonard’s civil aide-de-camp and inspecting field officer, as well as acting secretary. On 25 May he attempted to disseminate Leonard’s proclamation in Saint John – while at the same time writing a letter to Chipman offering terms for his, Lockwood’s, support. From 25 to 30 May Lockwood behaved with erratic violence in Saint John: issuing threats, brawling, taking up residence in Government House, and gathering an appreciative mob. Dr Paddock attended him with scant success. By the time he returned to Fredericton on 30 May, Lockwood was approaching collapse; on the steamboat General Smyth he scribbled a desperate note to Chipman requesting release from his present public offices since his “ailment” was “subject to increase from confinement.”

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David R. Amos
@Grant Buote continued

The Council considered Lockwood’s state of mind at their meeting on 31 May, hearing depositions from the doctors who had treated him and from the mayor of Saint John. The following day Lockwood set up a table in Fredericton square, at which he drank coffee, issued proclamations, and reacted pugnaciously to the crowd, before taking horse and riding about the streets firing pistols and declaring himself called to assume the government of the province. By nightfall Lockwood had been arrested and placed in the Fredericton jail. The Council received further evidence from the sheriff of York County on 2 June and were “fully satisfied” of Lockwood’s derangement. Chipman appointed a commission de lunatico inquirendo that day and by 5 June it had determined that Lockwood was legally mad, and had been since 19 May. On 7 June his wife and son petitioned for a committee of custody over his person and estate, which was immediately granted.

When George Shore, Lockwood’s replacement, examined the surveyor general’s office, he found confusion, mutilated documents, and disarray which would take “two extra employees five years to straighten out.” Furthermore, the discrepancy between Lockwood’s receipts as receiver general and the office’s bank deposit amounted to more than £2,000. Although he was moved from the jail to what was, in effect, house-arrest in September, Lockwood and his family had to suffer the public sale of his real and personal estate as the custodial committee sought to recover the missing public monies.

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David R. Amos

@Alex Butt "Time to wake up and realize that NB is broke and falling apart and need to set real priorities!"

Methinks history can repeat itself The province has seized control of the Lockwood house before N'esy Pas?

http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/lockwood_anthony_8E.html

The following day Lockwood set up a table in Fredericton square, at which he drank coffee, issued proclamations, and reacted pugnaciously to the crowd, before taking horse and riding about the streets firing pistols and declaring himself called to assume the government of the province. By nightfall Lockwood had been arrested and placed in the Fredericton jail. The Council received further evidence from the sheriff of York County on 2 June and were “fully satisfied” of Lockwood’s derangement. Chipman appointed a commission de lunatico inquirendo that day and by 5 June it had determined that Lockwood was legally mad, and had been since 19 May. On 7 June his wife and son petitioned for a committee of custody over his person and estate, which was immediately granted.

When George Shore, Lockwood’s replacement, examined the surveyor general’s office, he found confusion, mutilated documents, and disarray which would take “two extra employees five years to straighten out.” Furthermore, the discrepancy between Lockwood’s receipts as receiver general and the office’s bank deposit amounted to more than £2,000. Although he was moved from the jail to what was, in effect, house-arrest in September, Lockwood and his family had to suffer the public sale of his real and personal estate as the custodial committee sought to recover the missing public monies.

David R. Amos

@Grant Buote Methinks you should ask Fat Fred City's infamous blogger or his buddy the Mayor to explain my Chiac to you N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Grant Buote Methinksin return I should ask an Urban Planning Technologist if he recalls why I ran in Fat Fred City for a seat in the 39th Parliament Trust that Chucky and Mikey know N'esy Pas?

Emilien Forest

He owns it, he should be able to do with the way he wants. The Fredericton elite wanna be's should learn to respect that. Enjoy your herbal tea now...

David R. Amos

@Emilien Forest How do you spell R.E.S.P.E.C.T ??? Methinks you and your foes the Fredericton elite wanna be's have no clue as to what I am up to N'esy Pas?

Marc LeBlanc

@Emilien Forest There should be some kind of prize for this post!!!
Finally someone with my sense of humor...now watch we'll get bumped

David R. Amos

@Marc LeBlanc I have already been bumped twice

Louie Youssef

Those properties were listed, and for sale for a very long time. Anyone who wanted to save them, or do anything else with them, could have bought them. Just because something is old, it doesn't mean it should stay around forever.

Why should anyone have the right to dictate what all future generations do with private property? There are people around who just love to have a cause to champion, and that's fair. But when someone spends their time, money and energy taking a risk on something, it's not right to try and change the rules of the game, mid game. If tearing down old, inefficient, obsolete buildings was prevented, New York city would never have been built.

It's called progress. Getting rid of something to build something better, that will provide badly needed housing, shouldn't be discouraged.

Emilien Forest

@Louie Youssef

Well said!

Jason jeandron

@Louie Youssef It's that attitude that saw corporations dump hazardous waste into watercourses, destroy wetlands and pollute the atmosphere a few decades ago. Heritage is a community asset which provides well documented advantages when preserved. Improved community, increased economic benefits from taxes, tourism and jobs creation. And while they fail to follow it, the City has committed to conserving our heritage in their Municipal Plan. As you'll be aware, the City/Province/Nation often has a say in how development occurs, to prevent the loss of life, environment and increasingly heritage. Allowing developers to destroy iur heritage, that others have helped to survive for nearly 2 centuries in this case, is short-sighted. There are other places that developers can build in that will not destroy our non-renewable heritage resources.

Marcus Kingston

@Louie Youssef@Louie Youssef I respect your response, however I also respectfully disagree with your response. This building is old yes, but it has extreme heritage value to the city and the province. People come to Fredericton to see these structures and admire their craftsmanship and design. The New York City that you speak of actually 'landmarks' many of their historic structures as the realize their importance to the history and culture of their city.

If city planners in Fredericton had had their way in the 1960's/70's then the entirety of Queen Street including City Hall would have been demolished. How would this have benefited Fredericton in the long run? Are you aware of how many tour busses stop outside of City Hall on any given day in the summer months?

Last summer we lost two 'beautiful' yellow homes on Regent Street, heritage homes that could have easily been saved, when there was an open lot just up the street on the corner of Charlotte and Regent. Tourists will be less and less inclined to visit Fredericton if we keep erasing it's past. I'm all for 'progress ' as you say, however progress isn't always 'moving forward'. I welcome new builds, many of us do, but why can they not be built on existing lots that are already vacant? Or put in places that do not already have historic structures.

Heritage should belong to us all, not simply those who can afford to own it.

If I had had $7,000,000 then I would have purchased all of these properties and saved them. However only a few people can afford to do such things. I'm sure no one jumped on these purchases because no one would have assumed that a buyer would demolish them. St. Dunstan's was turned into apartments as was York House, restoration is possible, you can mix old and new.

Respectfully,

MK

Louie Youssef

@Marcus Kingston You're making an awful lot of assumptions. Two homes were destroyed, you have no idea what condition they were in, or what was needed to make them efficient. I do, because I owned them.
Now 16 families will be able to live where previously 3 could. You take a very simplistic view of development. It's not up to just one person to say "oh, there's some vacant property, I think I'll have it and build something". That's not how it works. Not everything can be saved, for both practical and financial reasons.

Cities are growing, and everyone has a right to live in them. Just because a few people think something is pretty, it doesn't mean that saving that house, and denying many others the right to live in a city is the best thing to do. It's not right to target a specific development that doesn't have any restrictions of demolition on it after the fact. That's a policy that needs to be in place before investment is made.

I'm against it, but I respect what the majority says. That's how a democratic society works.

Shawn McShane

@Louie Youssef New York City held onto a significant number of structures that date all the way back to the middle of the 17th century.

Louie Youssef

@Jason jeandron What is heritage exactly? Is it any house that's old? Isn't a house just something made of sticks and stones? I would say that what makes a home important are the memories that are made inside of it.

Those memories are important to the people who made them. Beauty is subjective. Some people may like old architecture, some people may like contemporary. There is no right or wrong. To me, people should be able to do what they like with private property, while respecting the laws that are in place.

As far as pollution, wetlands, etc, I'm not sure why that's part of this commentary. But that's your right.

Shawn McShane

@Louie Youssef Do all the neighbors appreciate having 16 families, the noise and traffic? Did it make their own property value go down?

Dundonald Street area property owners say they have enough apartments on their street and they don't want another...Elzayat said he will make two-bedroom units to entice families. "A single family home or an apartment, they're family dwellings. Maybe you should change your thinking on that." - May 20th, 2010

Jim Cyr

@Louie Youssef Louie, your point is valid. However, the building is not 100 years old. It's not even 150 years old. It's 200 years old. And we are not Europe; we have very few old buildings.

Jim Cyr

@Jim Cyr Oh, and Louie, one more thing: functional apartments can literally be built almost anywhere. That's just a fact of life.

David R. Amos

@Emilien Forest Nope

David R. Amos

@Marcus Kingston Methinks that you have lots of time to type but not to talk N'esy Pas?

Roy Nicholl
@Louie Youssef wrote

"It's called progress. Getting rid of something to build something better, that will provide badly needed housing, shouldn't be discouraged.:

The problem is that what we are building may be newer, but is not always better. Nor is it even significantly more efficient. Very few of the apartment buildings erected in the City in the past 25 years will see a 100th birthday let alone 200.

With respect to the Risteen Building (Significance of the original portion of the building being it was the first cut stone building in the City (perhaps province) and was the home of New Brunswick's first Surveyor General), I understand Gabriel's conundrum. I had looked at this building (and the surrounding properties) a year or two earlier with the intention of incorporating the Lockwood house into a Passivhaus mixed-use complex, but, in the end, could not reduce the risk sufficiently to move forward.

Shawn McShane

Colin Seeley

Too bad. Gallant and the money tree is gone.

David R. Amos

@Colin Seeley Nope

Here is the problem with all of the comments on this article: People are posting their opinions about the fate of a property, and trying to cast the owner in a bad light, when in reality he is not doing anything wrong.
To the people who are calling this building a “heritage building” – if that is so, why does it not have a designation? Shouldn’t that be your avenue, trying to get a designation, rather than badmouthing law-abiding property owners?
To those who object to building higher density housing, shouldn’t your avenue be to change the zoning bylaws if you want to prevent more apartments in the city, not bashing property owners who are not breaking any rules?
And finally, what makes any of you authorities on what has value and what doesn’t? Your own opinion? Because it doesn’t seem like it is backed by any democratic process.

Jim Cyr

@ It's a tourism thing. Tear down enough of these old buildings, to put up bland apartment blocks, and pretty soon people like me stop wanting to visit Fredericton. 1,000 people per year who didn't spend that $1,000 in Fredericton equals a loss per year of one million dollars . Ten million dollars over ten years. It's all about the money: does Fredericton want that ten million dollars, or not?? (If it had no competition, then of course the question would be moot. However, it DOES have competition in the "semi-quaint old cities in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia" category.....Saint John, Moncton and Halifax.)

Shawn McShane

@ Anonymous City councils change zoning by-laws to ALLOW higher density in order to collect more money and to collect on NEW building permits. The property owner/developer goes to the the same councils, the developer hears the public complaints and doesn't care as long has he gets approval from the council. He gives not one whit about the public and neither does the council. Follow the money.

David R. Amos

@ Methinks we all should who are you N'esy Pas?

Jim Cyr

Let me just as you: what kind of city tears down a 200 year-old, perfectly functional building to put up APARTMENTS?? A city that has tons of 200 year-old buildings, I guess.......

Shawn McShane

@Jim Cyr Same kind of city that tears town beautiful mature trees at at Officer’s Square against the wishes of the public?

David R. Amos

@Jim Cyr Methinks that thou doth jest too much N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane And methinks that thou doth protest too much N'esy Pas?

John Young

Fredericton is turning into pressboard paradise. Structurally sound old buildings systemically torn down for profit and greed. Officer’s Square is being converted to Coney Island, while Main St. looks like Las Vegas Strip. Our city is losing its historical identity and beauty.

David R. Amos

@John Young YUP

David R. Amos

Methinks some folks may enjoy knowing a bit of my conversation that I just had with my friend Carl Risteen N'esy Pas?

In a nutshell Carl said that his home is considered a heritage home and he can't change the colour of even a shingle with Fat Fred City's permission and that the reports of people trying to buy it are pure BS. I told him that he should register with CBC and tell the folks himself Carl said he can't be bothered and was going for a walk and gave me his permission to state this.

Shawn McShane

@David R. Amos Carl Risteen lives in the house that his great-grandfather built adjacent to the building and it is heritage but the 200 year old Risteen building itself is not heritage?

Something smells

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane YUP

Ray Bungay

Very simple to per like Heritage enthusiast Mr. Marcus Kingston, is to find out the value of that property now, plus what the value is now, plus the value of the property after the new construction is complete minus the demolition and then make an offer to buy it. I not then leave the owner alone to do what he/they want to do with it. We see this almost yearly here in Saint John most recently the old falling apart Jelly Bean homes and old Sydney Street Court House. Public monies should no be used to save old buildings rather private money should if it can be raised and a specific time frame to fix up or in the end tearing it down. Anyone in Fredericton with very deep pockets? No one showed up in Saint John for the Jelly Bean homes and no private developer has come forth for the court house.

David R. Amos

@Ray Bungay Methinks folks should follow the money right now not after the fact N'esy Pas?

Bob Smith

For those crying and moaning about this, put your money where talk is directed. Want to save the "historic buildings" in Fredericton and St. John? Buy them or allow developers to fix the properties up without red tape and complaints when a single brick is moved or replaced. Media always finds folks like Kingston to interview about this but these same individuals seem to have only words and no money..

David R. Amos

@Bob Smith Methinks Mr Higgs and his Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture
Robert Gauvin as Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture should step up to the plate and classify it a "historic building" It is located in the Capital District N'esy Pas?

Roy Nicholl

@Bob Smith
Some of us are doing just that.

Trevis L. Kingston

North America has no "old" buildings.
1492...was the starting date of 4 sided structures as we know them on this continent.
A 200 year old structure here is socially as valuable as a 2000 year old Italian Cathedral.
Canadians travel to the four corners of the world to see what?....old buildings !
But we will never have any for tourists to see if we tear them all down.
People pay good money to see Kings Landing and the Acadian Village. (1783 plus.)
Fredericton...the City of Stately...apartment buildings?

Harold Benson

@Trevis L. Kingston I'll trade ya

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson "Fredericton...the City of Stately...apartment buildings?"

Methinks Mayor Mikey and his cohorts no doubt like the sound of that Perhaps they will change Fat Fred City's slogan N'esy Pas?

Shawn McShane

That building is a brick schitt house. Solid. So replace it with another particle board apartment? There was a developer in Moncton who did the opposite...Heritage Developments Ltd?.

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane Methinks the latest Minister of Heritage Mr Gauvin is no doubt very proud of Moncton's efforts to preserve it history N'esy Pas?

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David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane Methinks the folks should checkout the history swirling around the Lockwood House N'esy Pas?

http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/lockwood_anthony_8E.html

Harold Benson

Git them Gagetown boys up here with one of them newfangled tanks. Problem solved, training to boot.

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson Methinks Sam does not agree with such nonsense N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

Carl Risteen told me to checkout the history swirling around Anthony Lockwood. Methinks because the Receiver General was such a comical scallywag the cornerstone of Queen Street should certainly be preserved and our history become better known N'esy Pas?

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David R. Amos

The Fat Lady is about to sing Carl I trust that you cheered up and got a chuckle out of the comments

---------- Original message ----------
From: "Gallant, Brian (LEG)"<Brian.Gallant@gnb.ca>
Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 16:29:24 +0000
Subject: RE: YO Marcus Kingston I just called but you were too busy having coffee
to talk to me about your concerns about the Risteen building
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>

Thank you for writing to the Leader of the Official Opposition of New
Brunswick. Please be assured that your e-mail will be reviewed.

If this is a media request, please forward your e-mail to
ashley.beaudin@gnb.camedia-medias@gnb.ca
>. Thank you!

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Nous vous remercions d’avoir communiqué avec le chef de l’opposition
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sera examiné.

Si ceci est une demande médiatique, prière de la transmettre à
ashley.beaudin@gnb.camedia-medias@gnb.ca>. Merci!

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From: Newsroom <newsroom@globeandmail.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 16:29:26 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: YO Marcus Kingston I just called but you were too busy having coffee to talk to me about your concerns about the Risteen building
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---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 12:29:19 -0400
Subject: YO Marcus Kingston I just called but you were too busy having coffee
to talk to me about your concerns about the Risteen building
To: marcus.kingston@gnb.ca, mike.obrien@fredericton.ca,
blaine.higgs@gnb.ca, oldmaison@yahoo.com, andre@jafaust.com,
jbosnitch@gmail.com, David.Coon@gnb.ca, kris.austin@gnb.ca,
brian.gallant@gnb.ca, robert.gauvin@gnb.ca, premier@gnb.ca,
Matt.DeCourcey.c1@parl.gc.ca, bruce@downtownfredericton.ca,
dfi@downtownfredericton.ca, markandcaroline@gmail.com,
martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca,
Larry.Tremblay@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,
Stephen.Chase@fredericton.ca, info@bellaproperties.ca
Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca,
steve.murphy@ctv.ca, Newsroom@globeandmail.com

However I did tell what I was up to Correct?

Perhaps Chucky Lebalnc and his cohorts will take up your battles with
Fat Fred City with his buddy Premier Blaine Higgs and Hon. Robert
Gauvin in particular N'esy Pas?

https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/thc/heritage/content/historic_places/designations.html

Heritage Designations in New Brunswick
Through the Heritage Conservation Act, the province is involved in a
number of procedures that can result in different types of heritage
designations. Depending on the level and nature of significance,
places in New Brunswick may be eligible for recognition under the
following types of designations:

•Provincial Heritage Place Designation
•Municipal Heritage Conservation Area
•Local Historic Place Designation
Provincial Heritage Places and Local Historic Places are listed on the
New Brunswick Register of Historic Places and on the Canadian Register
of Historic Places. Information on the Canadian Register of Historic
Places is available at www.HistoricPlaces.ca. For National Historic
Sites and related information, contact Parks Canada Agency web site,
click here.

Hon. Robert Gauvin

Deputy Premier
Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture
Minister responsible for La Francophonie

https://oldmaison.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/north-start-bar-sold-to-gabriel-el-zayat-for-400000-plans-more-than-66-apartment-units/

North Start bar sold to Gabriel El-Zayat for $400,000. Plans more than 66 apartment units!!!!

13Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by oldmaison in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

thought on “North Start bar sold to Gabriel El-Zayat for $400,000. Plans more than 66 apartment units!!!!”

Triumph26said:
December 14, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Isn't it great that this Smart City we live in sold this club for $125,000 less than they paid to a known slum landlord. There were several other solutions to this issue.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/risteen-heritage-fredericton-1.4993884

Fate of 1820s stone building in Fredericton causes worry

Owner wants to put up new apartments on property in downtown Fredericton

CBC News· Posted: Jan 26, 2019 8:00 AM AT

The Risteen Sash and Door factory was established in the 1870s in one of the first stone cut buildings in New Brunswick. (Provincial Archives)

Concern is growing for an old stone building in downtown Fredericton, once the home of a thriving woodworking factory and now possibly headed for demolition.

The Risteen building at the corner of Queen and Smythe streets, the first cut stone building in New Brunswick, could be torn down to make way for a new development.

Gabriel Elzayat says he wants to put apartments on the property.

The prospect saddens Carl Risteen, great-grandson of Joseph Risteen, who took the building over in the 1870s.

"This building here is the cornerstone basically of Queen Street, so it's the first house in Queen Street," Risteen said.

He still lives in the house that his great-grandfather built adjacent to the building.

The Risteen building was erected in the 1820s but Joseph Risteen turned it into a woodworking plant toward the end of the 19th century. (Jon Collicotte CBC News)

"It would be a shame to see it gone," he said.

It was built in the 1820s by Anthony Lockwood, surveyor general of New Brunswick. When Joseph Ristine took it over, he created the Risteen Sash and Door factory.

"My great-grandfather bought the burned-out shell in about 1870 or thereabouts and fixed up the interior and built the big extension on the back — the big wooden part on the back — for his woodworking factory," Risteen said.

The products of that factory can still be found in the finishings and doorways of the New Brunswick Legislature, said Risteen.

Carl Risteen's great-grandfather created the Risteen Sash and Door factory. (Jon Collicott CBC News)

But the building itself may not last much longer. It's one of several buildings developer Elzayat has acquired on the block.

He said he's not sure whether the building will be torn down or salvaged, but he's open to ideas about incorporating it into his new development.

The city said it hasn't received an application for development yet, but tenants are already on the move.
Ross Davidson, whose kitchen supply shop has been in the building for decades, has been told to vacate by the end of February.

"We got a notice from our landlord that the property was going to be redeveloped and that was it," Davidson said.

Marcus Kingston wants to find a way to save the Risteen building in Fredericton. (Jon Collicott CBC News)

Some are worried about what the loss of the building will mean for the city's heritage.
Heritage enthusiast Marcus Kingston wants to find a way to save it.

"It's been sitting on the spot for … nearly 200 years and it deserves to stay," he said.

Despite its history, there's no heritage designation to protect the Risteen building, which means developers are free to do whatever they want with it.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

https://downtownfredericton.ca/about-us/

Downtown Fredericton Inc. (DFI) is a non-profit Business Improvement
Area (BIA) organization dedicated to sustaining and encouraging growth
and development in the Central Business District of Fredericton, New
Brunswick. Programs designed to revitalize, promote and enhance the
commercial viability of the downtown are administered on behalf of its
members in cooperation with private and public sector partners. Our
goal is to create a downtown full of energy for you to enjoy!

DFI has 3 full time staff members and a volunteer Board of Directors.

Our office is located at 349 King St., Fredericton, NB E3B 1E4

Contact information: (506) 458-8922 / dfi@downtownfredericton.ca

Bruce McCormack, General Manager

Bruce has been at the helm of DFI for over 25 years now. In addition
to managing the overall administration of our activities and programs,
Bruce leads our discussions on economic development; acts as our
municipal, provincial and federal government liason; and spearheads
our business recruitment efforts.

Contact: bruce@downtownfredericton.ca

Vicki Stickles, Office Manager

Vicki has been keeping all of us in line and all of our bills paid up
for over 18 years! She packs a double punch managing not only our
finances but our day to day administration tasks as well. She pretty
much runs the show.

Contact: Vicki@downtownfredericton.ca

Krista Rae, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Krista is the newest member of the DFI team, bringing with her lots of
great ideas, a tourism background and a desire to promote Downtown
Fredericton as a must-see destination for both Frederictonians and out
of town visitors where experiences are around every corner.

Contact: krista@downtownfredericton.ca

Board of Directors, 2018-2019

Executive
Matt Savage (President) Savage’s Bicycle Center
Mike Davis (Vice President) The Radical Edge
Shane Sutherland (Secretary/Treasurer) S/S Tire

Directors
Mike Babineau Cora, Rustico.
Barry Morrison Morrison Holdings
Adam Clawson The Ciderhouse
Chelsey Daley Sequoia
Heather Libbey ONB
Vanessa Gray Cox and Palmer
Gabriel El Zayat Property Owner
Jim Allain Representing Andal Corporation
Stephen Chase City of Fredericton

https://bellaproperties.ca/index.php/location/

Gabriel El-Zayat,
Bella Properties,
343 Argyle Street,
Fredericton, NB

Contact Us
506-454-0179
506-260-6300
126 Queen st, Fredericton, NB

Gabriel Elzayat
Harvey Station NB
506 366-9005

http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/lockwood_anthony_8E.html

LOCKWOOD, ANTHONY, naval officer, hydrographer, surveyor, office holder, and politician; b. c. 1775 in England; he had one son, also named Anthony, who was born in 1804; m. 11 May 1819 Mrs Harriet Lee of Saint John, N.B.; buried 25 Jan. 1855 in Stepney (London), England.

Anthony Lockwood joined the Royal Navy in 1791, holding the ranks of midshipman and master’s mate before being made a master of the Jason, on which he served from 20 May 1797 to 25 Feb. 1799. He was master of the Crescent between 25 April 1799 and 26 July 1801, during which time he surveyed Curaçao and part of the Spanish Main. Illness then interrupted his naval career until July 1804, but over the next two years he conducted surveys of Cap Ferrat, France, La Coruña, Spain, and Falmouth harbour, England, as well as making an incomplete survey of the Channel Islands.

On 1 July 1807 Lockwood was appointed acting master attendant at the naval yard in Bridgetown, Barbados, by Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Forrester Inglis Cochrane. He retained this position until the beginning of 1814, when he commenced surveys on the coasts of British North America. During the next four years, sailing the sloop Examiner and based near Halifax, Lockwood made extensive marine surveys of Nova Scotia and Grand Manan Island, N.B., in addition to producing a chart of the Saint John harbour. His last Admiralty chart was certified at the Hydrographic Office in London on 25 March 1818.

Seeking post-war preferment, in 1818 Lockwood published in London, at his own expense, A brief description of Nova Scotia, with plates of the principal harbors, which contained fulsome dedications to the lieutenant governor of the colony, Lord Dalhousie [Ramsay*], and officers of its government, especially Surveyor General Charles Morris*, who had already employed Lockwood as a map-maker.

On 25 Feb. 1819, with the written support of Commander Charles Bullen, Lockwood petitioned the colonial secretary, Lord Bathurst, for the position of surveyor general of New Brunswick. Seven weeks earlier, however, Lieutenant Governor George Stracey Smyth* had recommended George Shore, then acting surveyor general, for the appointment. Receiving no reply, Smyth confirmed his recommendation by letter to Bathurst dated 25 March. This, too, Bathurst ignored, appointing Lockwood on 23 April 1819 – a fact unknown to Smyth until Lockwood presented himself in Fredericton that July.

While passing through Saint John en route, Lockwood had encountered a shipload of Welsh emigrants from the snow Albion, for whom he issued location tickets on his arrival in the capital. This action, taken even before he had introduced himself to Smyth and his Council, proved to be a significant initiative in forming settlement policy in New Brunswick. By August, Lockwood had assisted in founding the Cardigan Society, to aid the Welsh settlement of that name; it was in turn quickly absorbed by the Fredericton Emigrant Society of which he became secretary.

Lockwood’s exertions during his first months in New Brunswick were impressive. Before taking his oath for the Council, which he automatically joined as surveyor general, he had written to Bathurst advising that the province be surveyed into sections. He took his place on the Council on 13 October, and found time that same fall to conduct the first survey of a canal route through the Chignecto Isthmus, which evidently won him valuable support among the Saint John merchants. On 16 December he proposed to the Council that he run a new survey of the boundaries of Kings, Queens, and Westmorland counties. During 1820 he surveyed 84 lots for emigrants on Cape Tormentine and built them a road to the Gaspereau River, as well as surveying another road between the Nerepis and Oromocto rivers. On 22 July of that year the Council heard Lockwood’s report on a land grant to the Micmac band on the Richibucto River. He submitted recommendations for further emigrant lots in Shepody Road at the Council meeting on 5 October.

After such a vigorous introduction, Lockwood apparently withdrew into the routine conduct of his office, though by June 1822, it appears, he was appointed receiver general of casual revenues in addition to the post he already held. Perhaps his periods of frantic activity followed by ones of relative inactivity were ominous. In the early fall of 1822 Lockwood first consulted Dr Thomas Emerson* of Fredericton and then received treatment from Dr Thomas Paddock of Saint John for mental illness of some sort. He had recovered sufficiently, nevertheless, to attend nine meetings of the Council between 18 Jan. and 13 March 1823, on the latter occasion presenting a plan of the Richibucto River, which displayed town reserves, and another for the Buctouche River. However, the political crisis following Lieutenant Governor Smyth’s death on 27 March provided the occasion, if not the inducement, for Lockwood’s spectacular descent into madness.

An interim president of the Council being required, George Leonard*, the octogenarian senior member, was first offered the position, which he declined on the grounds of age. Despite a challenge by supporters of Christopher Billopp, Ward Chipman* assumed the post of administrator on 1 April. The challenges continued however. Lockwood attended the Council meetings on 30 April and on 1 May. Thereafter he absented himself and for the next few weeks his whereabouts are uncertain. By 24 May he had persuaded Leonard to assert his right to the presidency “in the hope that it would produce tranquillity in the province.” Ostensibly to assist in that purpose, Lockwood appointed himself as Leonard’s civil aide-de-camp and inspecting field officer, as well as acting secretary. On 25 May he attempted to disseminate Leonard’s proclamation in Saint John – while at the same time writing a letter to Chipman offering terms for his, Lockwood’s, support. From 25 to 30 May Lockwood behaved with erratic violence in Saint John: issuing threats, brawling, taking up residence in Government House, and gathering an appreciative mob. Dr Paddock attended him with scant success. By the time he returned to Fredericton on 30 May, Lockwood was approaching collapse; on the steamboat General Smyth he scribbled a desperate note to Chipman requesting release from his present public offices since his “ailment” was “subject to increase from confinement.”

The Council considered Lockwood’s state of mind at their meeting on 31 May, hearing depositions from the doctors who had treated him and from the mayor of Saint John. The following day Lockwood set up a table in Fredericton square, at which he drank coffee, issued proclamations, and reacted pugnaciously to the crowd, before taking horse and riding about the streets firing pistols and declaring himself called to assume the government of the province. By nightfall Lockwood had been arrested and placed in the Fredericton jail. The Council received further evidence from the sheriff of York County on 2 June and were “fully satisfied” of Lockwood’s derangement. Chipman appointed a commission de lunatico inquirendo that day and by 5 June it had determined that Lockwood was legally mad, and had been since 19 May. On 7 June his wife and son petitioned for a committee of custody over his person and estate, which was immediately granted.

When George Shore, Lockwood’s replacement, examined the surveyor general’s office, he found confusion, mutilated documents, and disarray which would take “two extra employees five years to straighten out.” Furthermore, the discrepancy between Lockwood’s receipts as receiver general and the office’s bank deposit amounted to more than £2,000. Although he was moved from the jail to what was, in effect, house-arrest in September, Lockwood and his family had to suffer the public sale of his real and personal estate as the custodial committee sought to recover the missing public monies.

Throughout his confinement Lockwood petitioned for his liberty. But it was not until 10 Nov. 1825 that a further commission of inquiry, appointed by Lieutenant Governor Sir Howard Douglas*, declared him “restored to his understanding.” Soon after his release he returned with his wife to England, where he continued to receive a £150 annual pension from the government of’ New Brunswick until his death. Anthony Lockwood’s respite from suffering was only brief. “At times subject to fits of insanity” until 1836, he probably spent some of the last years of his life in the Bethnal Green Lunatic Asylum in London.

Peter Thomas

Anthony Lockwood prepared A brief description of Nova Scotia, with plates of the principal harbors; including a particular account of the island of Grand Manan (London, 1818). His chart of Saint John harbour was published under the title Mouth of the River St. John ([London], 1818; a copy is available in the British Library (London), Dept. of Printed Books); a photograph of this chart is in the PANB’s map collection, H2-203.29-1818.

N.B. Museum, W. F. Ganong, “New Brunswick biography,” 133; W. F. Ganong coll., box 12, packet 3; H. T. Hazen coll.: Ward Chipman papers, corr., George Leonard to Chipman, [27 or 28 May 1823]; Anthony Lockwood to Chipman, 25 May 1823; Lockwood to Thomas Wetmore, 10 Sept. 1823; George Shore to Chipman, 14 June 1823; Ward Chipman papers, deposition of R. C. Minette, city surveyor, Saint John; memorandum, Bank of New Brunswick, 7 Oct. 1823; Reg. of marriages for the city and county of Saint John, book A (1810–28); SB 42: 72 (L. [M. B.] Maxwell, “History of central New Brunswick,” column in Daily Gleaner (Fredericton), 1933). Old Loyalist Graveyard (Fredericton), Tombstone of Anthony Lockwood Jr. PANB, “N. B. political biog.” (J. C. and H. B. Graves); RG 2, RS6, A2, 2 Oct., 16 Dec. 1819; 22 July, 5 Oct., 23 Dec. 1820; A3, 13 March, 30 April, 2 June 1823; RS8, Estates, 2/1, administration of Anthony Lockwood. PANS, RG 20A, 68, 1817. PRO, ADM 1/4822, Pro L, nos.224–25; 1/4824, Pro L, no.248; 1/4826, Pro L, no.261; 1/4849, Pro L, no.74; ADM 11/4, 11/6; ADM 36/14409; ADM 106/1560, 27 Oct. 1806; 106/1693, 31 Jan. 1814 (enclosure in 31 Jan. 1818), 25 March 1818; 106/2248: 398; 106/3517, 1 April 1822; CO 188/25, Lockwood to Lord Bathurst, 25 Feb. 1819; Smyth to Bathurst, 4 Jan., 15 March 1819. N.S., House of Assembly, Journal and proc., 1820: 158. New-Brunswick Royal Gazette, 22 June, 6, 9 July, 7 Dec. 1819. Nova-Scotia Royal Gazette, 30 June 1819. Acadian Recorder, 12 Dec. 1896, supp.

↧

Flood threat ends in Sussex, recovery mode begins

January 26, 2019, 12:43 pm

≫ Next: Why this key line from Roger Stone's indictment could shine a bright light on Trump

≪ Previous: Fate of 1820s stone building in Fredericton causes worry

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/flash-flooding-evacuations-sussex-1.4992523

Flood threat ends in Sussex, recovery mode begins

Water levels peaked at 19.75 metres above sea level Friday, forcing 38 people from their homes

CBC News· Posted: Jan 25, 2019 9:09 AM AT

This part of Riverview Drive in Sussex collapsed and is closed off. (Michèle Brideau/Radio-Canada)

The flood threat in Sussex has ended and recovery efforts have begun, after a powerful rainstorm overnight Thursday caused flash flooding, washing out roads and forcing at least 38 people from their homes.

Water levels, which peaked at 19.75 metres above sea level at 2:40 a.m., are receding and the weather forecast poses no issues "for the foreseeable future," the town said in a statement late Friday afternoon.

Most of the people displaced when dozens of houses along the riverfront were evacuated around 1 a.m. have been allowed to return home to assess damage and begin cleanup and repairs.

The Canadian Red Cross said it will continue to support at least 13 people from eight residences with emergency lodging, meals and other basics throughout the weekend.

Creek Road near Sussex has been washed out, but road closures have dropped to just two — Mills Lane and a nearby section of MacLean Street.

The New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization has two inspection teams in the southern town, inspecting impacted properties, the town said.

A decision on whether the provincial government will offer a Disaster Financial Assistance program for flood damage related to the heavy rainfall will be made once a damage assessment is complete, said the Department of Public Safety.

Affected residents have until Feb. 8 to report any damage by calling 1-888-298-8555, or registering online.

Residents are urged to contact their insurance company, take photos of the damage to their homes or properties and keep receipts for any repairs and replacement purchases for any uninsurable losses.

They should also log the hours they or their helpers put into cleaning up, the department said.

Flooding puts New Brunswick communities on high alert, thousands without power

New
Storm Centre: Get the latest closures, outages and travel details

Rainfall ended shortly after midnight. As of 1:30 p.m., water levels had dropped to 18.26 metres above sea level and were "continuing to trend downwards," the town said.

Several roads were still blocked off in Sussex Friday morning. (Michèle Brideau‏/Radio-Canada)

Sussex Mayor Marc Thorne said town firefighters had to return to get some people on Thursday night because those residents did not leave earlier when they had the opportunity.

"It does make it difficult when people think they should stay in their home and then make a decision that they have to leave," Thorne said.

Creek Road near Sussex has been completely washed out. (Facebook/Mary Ann Coleman)

The town's emergency control group opened a shelter at Kingswood University on Thursday night. The shelter was closed on Friday morning.

Thorne is asking people to respect the street barricades.

Sussex Mayor Marc Thorne says about eight roads are still closed on Friday. (CBC)

Thorne said driving on a flooded street creates wakes that can cause further damage to homes and property, and it affects how much water gets into a home.

"I was amazed [at 2 a.m. on Friday] the amount of traffic we had on the streets," Thorne said.

My whole street was completely a river, right up to my doorstep.- Patti Hay, Sussex resident

Thorne said clogged gutters contributed to pooling in low-lying areas, even though crews have been working the past 24 hours to clear as many as they could.

"Just like most places In the Maritimes and New Brunswick, we were absolutely saturated with water," he said.

Thorne said he was happy with the work of the town's emergency control group and community partners who assisted with evacuations and cleanup throughout the night.

Sussex resident Patti Hay said the water came almost to her doorstep, but didn't flood her house. (Submitted by Patti Hay)

"We have a lot of great people working hard and I'm grateful for that."

Atlantic Canadian Red Cross spokesperson Dan Bedell said a team was being deployed to Sussex to assist affected residents.

Sussex resident Patti Hay stayed in her home with three of her four children during the flood.
Hay lives about 7.5 metres from Trout Creek and watched the water rise all night. Luckily, she said, no water got into her home.

"My whole street was completely a river, right up to my doorstep," Hay said.

Sussex resident Andrew Chrysostom says there is about two feet of water in his basement. (Shane Fowler/CBC)

Some houses on the streets behind hers have hoses hanging out of windows to drain basements, she said.

Hay said the town's updates on social media over the course of the flooding kept "everybody informed and [helped] everyone feel safe."

"I don't think they could have done any better in the circumstances."

Krystal McCourt also decided to stay in her house, which sits up on slight hill. Because of that, she has only a few inches of water in her basement, while some of her neighbours have several feet.

"It was up to the vehicles here and up to the deck in the back and it was right up into these peoples windows," McCourt said.

McCourt said the water moved huge chunks of ice down her street and into people's driveways.

Ruth Parlee of Midland said her driveway was a big skating rink Friday morning. (Submitted by Ruth Parlee)

Andrew Chrysostom stayed in his home too, but said that Thursday night "wasn't his first rodeo."

He said by the time the firefighters came to his house the water was too high for them to get out in their small cars, so they hunkered down.

"We got a one-and-a-half-year-old sleeping and you don't wake a sleeping baby," Chrysostom said.
His vehicles suffered water damage and there are a couple of feet of water in his basement.
Despite those challenges, Chrysostom said he wasn't too worried.

"The house wasn't going to float away, the cars didn't float away last time, didn't float away this time," he said.

In Midland, an outlying community of Sussex, water and ice chunks are covering some roads.

Chunks of ice floated down flooded Sussex roads and landed in driveways. (Michele Brideau/Radio-Canada)

Ruth Parlee, a resident of the small community, said her house is surrounded by "a huge skating rink."
Parlee's house is on top of a hill, and her long steep driveway was covered with slick ice Friday morning.

Her husband attempted to go down the driveway in the morning and almost slid into the road.

"He ran into the cedar garbage can so that kind of stopped him, which is probably a little bit of a good thing because when there's traffic coming, we kind of live on a little bit of a curb and you can't see," Parlee said.

While schools were closed Friday in Sussex, her daughter's school was open, and she had an exam.
"At the time I couldn't confirm that there wouldn't be consequences if she missed her exam," Parlee said.

Luckily, a friend was able to pick up her daughter at the bottom of the driveway and drop her off.
Parlee said she only lives eight minutes from the school, but said there were at least two flooded spots between her house and the school that were closed off Thursday night and opened early Friday morning.

"Even though you can get through you have no idea what the structure of the road might be like underneath," she said.

The New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization's involvement has been minimal, said spokesperson Geoffrey Downey.

"It's all being handled at the municipal level, which is a good sign. It means they're prepared, their training is kicking in, they know what to do," he said.

In Moncton, eight people were forced to flee an apartment building after powerful winds tore away part of the roof. The Canadian Red Cross has provided emergency lodging and meals for several days.

There were no injuries reported from the roof damage.

With files from Jennifer Sweet, Shane Fowler, Information Morning Saint John, Moncton

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

1 Comments

Commenting is now closed for this story.

David R. Amos

Wow

↧

Why this key line from Roger Stone's indictment could shine a bright light on Trump

January 27, 2019, 4:40 am

≫ Next: UNB issues warning after faculty emails compromised in massive data dump

≪ Previous: Flood threat ends in Sussex, recovery mode begins

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

Methinks Mr. Mueller's friends and foes should check out pages 2 and 4 of this old file CBC and everybody else knows that Julian Assange has had it for years N'esy Pas?
https://www.scribd.com/document/2619437/CROSS-BORDER

#nbpoli#cdnpoli#Trump#Trudeau#FBI#RCMP

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/episode-419-pot-jobs-in-alberta-p-is-for-pterodactyl-the-impeach-o-meter-crispr-for-good-and-more-1.4934721/how-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-fits-into-the-ever-deepening-mueller-investigation-1.4934811

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

Methinks Mr. Mueller's friends and foes should review the documents I sent him and his lawyers over 15 years ago N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/why-this-key-line-from-roger-stones.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli#Trump#Trudeau#FBI#RCMP

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/roger-stone-mueller-trump-role-two-words-was-directed-1.4993952

Why this key line from Roger Stone's indictment could shine a bright light on Trump

3676 Comments

Commenting is now closed for this story.

Jeffrey Wayne

Is there anyone on the Trump team “not” linked to Russia?

Keep up the good work Mr. Mueller.

John Dirlik @Jeffrey Wayne

While I’d be the first to rejoice in Trump’s fall, this hoopla over Russia is a storm in a samovar.

It was not a handful of Moscow trolls or clandestine ad campaigns that convinced Americans how to vote.

Not that this shouldn’t be pursued. But at least as worthy of scrutiny is the influence of another country, vividly demonstrated every election by the odd spectacle of candidates jostling to prove who is more loyal to it.

When Fox News (Tucker Carlson) asked a Republican congressman how “regime change” in Syria serves US national interest, he replied: “If you care about Israel...”

John Dirlik

@Tom Barry @George Lewis

In other words, you can’t craft a convincing rebuttal.

David R. Amos

@John Dirlik Methinks it makes no sense to spoil the circus with fruitless arguments about how crazy the clowns are N'esy Pas?

Staś Tarkowski

@Jeffrey Wayne

Looks like parallel realities do exist as Geordie Rose of D-Wave Systems asserted in his quantum computing lecture...In one of those realities Mueller actually found a smoking gun for whatever they see as a "link".

John Dirlik

@George Lewis I

Readers can easily recognize what country is being protected by which apologist, to your chagrin.

Nav Saloojee

@Jeffrey Wayne

On deck... Don Jr

Page is closed to commenting.
David R. Amos
@Jeffrey Wayne Methinks Mr. Mueller's friends and foes should review the documents I sent him and his lawyers over 15 years ago N'esy Pas?

Checkout pages 2 and 4 of this old file

https://www.scribd.com/document/2619437/CROSS-BORDER

Why this key line from Roger Stone's indictment could shine a bright light on Trump

2 words in Mueller's new court filing offer a clue pointing at president's role, experts say

Matt Kwong· CBC News· Posted: Jan 26, 2019 4:00 AM ET

U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign adviser Roger Stone, right, was arrested and indicted by a grand jury on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller on Friday. The indictment alleges Stone co-ordinated with WikiLeaks to seek emails stolen in a hack that would be damaging to Trump's Democratic opponent in the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton. (Yuri Gripas, Joe Skipper/Reuters)

If Donald Trump ordered his 2016 campaign team to solicit WikiLeaks for damaging information that would help him win the U.S. presidential election, special counsel Robert Mueller already knows it.

At least so say legal experts, pointing to an unusually crafted phrase in the indictment of Trump's longtime friend and adviser.

The line in question comes from the 24-page filing on Roger Stone, a Trump confidant who surrendered to FBI agents on Friday in a dawn raid of his Florida home. That same morning, a grand jury empanelled by Mueller's office charged Stone with seven counts, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering.

The charges stem from Stone's connection to WikiLeaks, the organization that released stolen Democratic emails taken by Russian hackers to meddle in the 2016 presidential election. Stone, a self-described political dirty trickster who once boasted about having a direct line to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, now denies he contacted Assange.

Seeking to distance Trump from the arrest on Friday, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders told CNN: "This has nothing to do with the president."

To legal analysts parsing Stone's indictment on Friday, it appears harder to make that case. The Stone filing is the most direct link yet between WikiLeaks and the Trump campaign, bringing Mueller's Russian collusion investigation closer to the president, said former federal prosecutor Harry Sandick.

"It's like in the Wizard of Oz. Ignore the man behind the curtain," he said. "But we all see you there."

Stone walks out triumphantly at a federal building in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., following a brief appearance in court on Friday. Stone was arrested in the U.S. special counsel's Russia investigation and indicted on seven counts. (Lynne Sladky/Associated Press)

Several experts noted the same odd sentence construction on the fourth page of Stone's charging document as a signal pointing to either Trump or his family members. In a paragraph describing the July 2016 leak of stolen emails from the Democratic National Committee, the indictment states:

"[A] senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information Organization 1 [WikiLeaks] had regarding the Clinton Campaign."

Sandick recited the passage again, landing on the curious wording.

"A senior Trump campaign official," he said, "was directed?"

"That's artful drafting," he said.

Sandick noted the conspicuous use of passive voice — saying someone "was directed" to do something, versus using the active voice by saying someone directed someone else to perform the task — as a big no-no in legal writing, due to its lack of specificity.

Lawyers tend to avoid that kind of weasel-worded construction. Unless, Sandick said, there's a particular reason to fudge the grammar.

"The idea is they're trying to shield some person's identity. And so that makes us wonder, whose identity are they shielding?"

(CBC)

The list of possibilities isn't long. Outside of the president himself or members of his family, not many people in candidate Trump's circle would have had the authority to direct a "senior Trump campaign official" to do anything.

"So it appears likely that it was Trump," said Harry Litman, a former U.S. attorney and deputy assistant attorney general with the Department of Justice. "If it wasn't, it's quite a tease — and I don't think Mueller is the teasing sort."

Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, agreed that Mueller could have easily described the person as a campaign official or used another identifier, instead of avoiding a description at all.

Trump ally Roger Stone vows to contest charges from special counsel probe

The National Today
Who is Roger Stone? Fascinating facts about man arrested in U.S. election tampering case

"That tells me either that it's someone whose identity would be easy to decipher, and whose identity they want to protect, such as 'the candidate,'" she said.

Mark Osler, a former federal prosecutor and criminal-law scholar at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, praised the Stone indictment as a "masterwork" of careful wording.

"The reason there's passive voice there is to obscure something. Someone 'was directed.' But who's doing the directing? They didn't even say 'Person 3' or anything like that."

Roger Stone raid caught by CNN camera:

Roger Stone raid caught by CNN camera

00:0000:51

CNN was in the area of Roger Stone's home in Fort Lauderdale early Friday when the FBI arrived. 0:51

Mueller didn't even have to reveal that a senior Trump official "was directed" by anyone to contact Stone at all. He could have merely said a senior Trump official contacted Stone, skipping over the idea that a person issued a direction.

"So they're putting the breadcrumb in there that the senior Trump official wasn't at the top of the chain in that action."

Analyzing the sharply drafted indictments by Mueller's team is as much an exercise in studying what it discloses as noticing what it omits.

One theory is that Mueller deliberately withheld saying who Stone spoke with to hide what his team knows.

Independent journalist Marcy Wheeler, who writes an influential national security blog, also suggested that the Stone indictment would have been approved by acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, who reportedly drew the president's ire the last time he allowed prosecutors to identify Trump as "Individual 1."

EXTERNAL LINK: U.S. v. Roger Stone

How WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange fits into the ever-deepening Mueller investigation

Stone says he will plead not guilty to the charges. He claims the investigation is a political hoax and reiterated on Friday that he would never testify against the president.

Stone is shown on Sept. 26, 2017, leaving a House intelligence committee hearing in Washington. The indictment alleges that Stone lied to the committee, among other charges. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Although Stone has not been charged with conspiracy, Mueller can still charge him in succession.
Stone's indictment cites a trove of text messages and emails that seem to indicate strategic co-ordination on core campaign messaging between Stone and WikiLeaks. In an Aug. 2, 2016
exchange outlined in the document, a contact from the outlet suggests spreading stories about Hillary Clinton's health, using her initials "HRC."

"Would not hurt to start suggesting HRC old, memory bad, has stroke," the contact writes. In the days soon after, conspiracy claims began to spread about Clinton's poor health.

On Oct. 7, 2016, the day the Washington Post broke the story about Trump bragging about groping women on the Access Hollywood tape, WikiLeaks released a batch of stolen emails from Clinton's campaign chairman. The data dump came within an hour of the story, raising suspicions about whether it was timed to overshadow Trump's negative press.

According to the indictment, Stone received a text message shortly after.

"Well done," it read.

About the Author

Matt Kwong

Reporter

Matt Kwong is a Washington-based correspondent for CBC News. He previously reported for CBC News as an online journalist in New York and Toronto. You can follow him on Twitter at: @matt_kwong

@matt_kwong

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

UNB issues warning after faculty emails compromised in massive data dump

January 28, 2019, 2:15 am

≫ Next: Speaker Regan's 'naming and shaming' approach to hecklers isn't working

≪ Previous: Why this key line from Roger Stone's indictment could shine a bright light on Trump

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

Methinks its strange that David Shipley CEO of Beauceron Security thinks NB Power and smart meters are great yet warns us about smart speakers N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/unb-issues-warning-after-faculty-emails.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli#Trump#Trudeau#FBI#RCMP

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/cyber-security-unb-collection-one-1.4993914

UNB issues warning after faculty emails compromised in massive data dump

15 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

David R. Amos

Methinks it would make no difference anyway because the snobby professors supported by our tax funds don't bother to read and or answer their emails anyway N'esy Pas?

Emery Hyslop-Margison

Two factor sign-in authentication should be mandatory for institutional emails. UNB is lagging behind on managing security threats and should review its policies in the area. This is a major breach with huge implications for those affected.

David R. Amos

@Emery Hyslop-Margison "This is a major breach with huge implications for those affected."

Dream on

Emilien Forest

So U.N.B. creates the problem, advertises that the problem is solved then eventually will come looking for taxpayer dollars so that the problem is not repeated.

David R. Amos

@Emilien Forest YUP

Chris McNee

You might think they’d seek advice from a computer scientist or something? Oh wait that’s right they offer that program there :) sort of how mechanics seem to have crappy cars :)

David R. Amos

@Chris McNee "sort of how mechanics seem to have crappy cars :)"

Methinks many would say that I resemble that remark N'esy Pas?

Chris McNee

@David R. Amos my dads a mechanic, well a retired one and all of his fellow mechanic friend also had crappy cars :) Yes Pas

David R. Amos

@Chris McNee Methinks your Father understands the game as well as this old dude N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Chris McNee "You might think they’d seek advice from a computer scientist or something?"

Methinks you should Google the following to see why the geeks at UNB can't fool one old Maritimer N'esy Pas?

David Amos Assange

Ray Bungay

If students for example start receiving emails from unknown contacts direct them unopened to your spam bin, Mark them as spam then delete. Never open any emails from unknown sources, that is my golden rule.

David R. Amos

@Ray Bungay Methinks that stuff is not rocket science so its odd that the politicians thought it wise to sink 30 million we ain't got into Fredericton's Knowledge Park N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/knowledge-park-cybersecurity-building-1.4789261

Shawn McShane

"breaches from thousands of sources, collected over the years and posted to cloud services...

We were all warned...now lets trust smart meters and all the stuff that can control your home... Just to see what can happen...fools

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane Methinks you should ask Roger Richard about Smart Meters and NB Power before you finance the installation of one on the side of your home N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane Methinks folks may find it as strange as I did that David Shipley CEO of Beauceron Security thinks NB Power and smart meters are great

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-cyber-safe-smart-power-grid-shipley-1.4262676

Yet warns us about smart speakers made by Amazon or Google N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/cybersecurity-privacy-alexa-google-home-1.4963862

Roger Richard

Too much faith is place in « smart » technology.

UNB issues warning after faculty emails compromised in massive data dump

'Collection #1' breach saw millions of email addresses and passwords posted online this month

Hadeel Ibrahim· CBC News· Posted: Jan 27, 2019 8:00 AM AT

Collection #1 includes millions of email addresses and passwords and was posted to a cloud service last week. (CBC)

The University of New Brunswick is telling faculty and staff to be on the alert after some email addresses were detected in a massive data dump published online earlier this month.

The "Collection #1" breach includes millions of email addresses and passwords. It's believed to be an aggregate of data breaches from thousands of sources, collected over the years and posted to a cloud service last week.

Erik Denis, senior cybersecurity officer at UNB, said only 40 per cent of the 4,500 UNB email addresses detected in the collection are active.

"It's good for us to let people know to be safe because once you're compromised in some fashion, it gives the impression to the hacker that all these people may be more susceptible or less aware of what's going on out there," he said. "So they sometimes become more of a target."

Denis said 4,500 UNB email addresses were detected in the breach, but only 40 per cent are active. (Submitted)

What to do?

Denis said once an email address has been exposed, there's no way to erase it. However, people can always be more cybersecure in their everyday life.

One of the biggest "don'ts" in the business is using the same password for different accounts.

"If a hacker hacked into one of your accounts and has the password, you have to assume that all your other accounts are compromised as well," Denis said.

$37-million 'Cyber Park' building will house cybersecurity firms

Turning on two-factor authentication is important, because it adds one extra step to your sign-in process and makes it more difficult to hack.

"If you have two-factor authentication there is another step … and sometimes that's even harder to find than the password itself," said Denis.

Getting a password manager can be helpful, as it allows people to create and maintain multiple, difficult passwords without having to remember them all.

"It kind of makes the user experience much more complicated but unfortunately that's the world we have to live in right now," Denis said.

Delete the data: Fredericton cybersecurity expert warns against smart speakers

Deleting accounts you don't use anymore, like that hotmail email that you haven't signed on to in five years, can help minimize your "cyber circle," Denis said.

He said if people are more secure online, it'll help them be less scared off by stories about large breaches.

"It'll take some work on the front end … but in the long run it's much easier to manage and you can read the news with more of an open mind or a better perspective," he said.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

Speaker Regan's 'naming and shaming' approach to hecklers isn't working

January 28, 2019, 9:25 am

≫ Next: Susan Holt, Wayne Long bow out of Liberal leadership race

≪ Previous: UNB issues warning after faculty emails compromised in massive data dump

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

Methinks folks should checkout the podcast of Maritime Noon today to listen what the preacher says about President Trump and the Trolls within the CBC online comment sections N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/speaker-regans-naming-and-shaming.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli#Trump#Trudeau

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/grenier-hecklers-new-house-1.4993133

Speaker Regan's 'naming and shaming' approach to hecklers isn't working

1611 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

Arlond Lynds

At least Regan is trying. Conservative speaker Scheer was the most ineffectual house speaker ever, so they made him party leader. Because he did what he was told, Harper likes that in a puppet.

Barry Odonnell

@Arlond Lynds I suggest you watch the nodding and clapping seals sitting behind Trudeau in question period. He could say the earth is flat and they would nod and clap.

Art Rowe

@Barry Odonnell
Bobble heads.

Lon Chaney

@Barry Odonnell
nodding and clapping is not disrespectful.......get it!

Lawrence Vickers

@Barry Odonnell That's because most of his MP's can't think for themselves!

David Allan

@Barry Odonnell
" I suggest you watch the nodding and clapping seals sitting behind Trudeau in question period."

The people behind Trudeau in QP aren't Speaker of the House.
Turn the camera around, you'll see the same behavior behind the leader of any party. If you don't, they're not a very popular leader. Likely only got 43% of the popular vote for their leader ship race, like Scheer. Leader of 43% of the CPC.

Welcome to Canada.
Learn how your government is.

David Sampson

@Arlond Lynds

Scheer, as speaker, ruled that the PM ( Harper ) didn’t actually have to provide answers to questions during Question Period!

Hence his moniker, Sheer Nonsense!

David Allan

@Lawrence Vickers
"That's because most of his MP's can't think for themselves!"

Most of Scheer's MPs didn't vote for him as leader.
True story.
43% Scheer
42% Bernier
15% neither, not even with a 10-line-ballot.

David R. Amos

@Arlond Lynds Methinks Scheer and everybody else knows why Geoff Regan sent me a letter after I met the second judge in Federal Court 3 years ago. Its because I have been naming and shaming MPs since 2004 N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@David Allan Methinks you know that Kevin Vickers, Mr Scheer's former Sgt At Arms is well aware of why I sued the Crown in 2015 while Harper was the Prime Minister N'esy Pas?

Karen King

@Arlond Lynds

I certainly hope folks pay attention come the next election, this is not a time to simply vote against the leading party, Sheer would put us Canadians in a very vulnerable position.

David R. Amos

@Karen King Methinks much to your chagrin some folks may enjoy a little Deja Vu from the last time I ran in Fundy Royal N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fundy-royal-riding-profile-1.3274276

Keith Burton

@David Allan
Less than 40% voted for the Liberals but they got a majority.

Rick Wier

@Arlond Lynds no surprise that the conservatives, who have no plans, are the loudmouth hecklers, at least Albertans are seeing some signs of life from a few Alberta conservative MP's, other then heckling we would not even know they were on the job.

Carson Brook

@Arlond Lynds wrote "At least Regan is trying" which sounds nice

But he's getting paid big bucks to run the tone and civility in HOC - so 'trying' is nice, but let's put the spotlight on 'effective, democratic, civil, fair, and mature' instead.
He has the nice sort of hapless smile down pat - but that's not what the position calls for. So give up the hapless smile - and go for effective leadership in Speaker's Chair

David Allan

@Keith Burton
"Less than 40% voted for the Liberals but they got a majority."

That's one way to declare you don't know what you're talking about.

1 - Leadership races aren't federal elections.
2 - Multi-party democracies with FPTP typically experience this exact situation.
3 - The Libs are in favour of better voting systems, but the Cons are against allowing Canadians to use the same better voting system the Cons use internally.

Welcome to life with a clue.

david mccaig

@Arlond Lynds

Lets admit it, the todays right wing are anarchists .

david mccaig

@Arlond Lynds

Conservatives LOST the last election and now they're going do their best to make our country ungovernable.

david mccaig

@Arlond Lynds

Quote "Scheer was the most ineffectual house speaker ever, so they made him party leader. Because he did what he was told, Harper likes that in a puppet."
And he's still a puppet of the rich establishment.

David R. Amos

@David Allan "Welcome to life with a clue."

Methinks I gave you dudes lots of clues since 2002 N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@david mccaig "Lets admit it, the todays right wing are anarchists ."

Methinks everybody knows that the socialists you support are no better N'esy Pas?

Troy Mann

@Arlond Lynds

Hecklers should be tossed out for 1 day based on first offense with penalty increasing every offense later.

Time for conservatives to act like grown ups.

Jack Birmingham

@Arlond Lynds ...He still is Harper's puppet.

David R. Amos

@Troy Mann "Time for conservatives to act like grown ups."

Methinks the same could be said about all the MPs and the RCMP N'esy Pas?

Alex Matheson

@David R. Amos
Why do you end every comment with N'esy Pas? A simple period works very well.

Carson Brook

@Alex Matheson as others have suggested:
google @David R. Amos in NB

John VanHaverbeke

@Arlond Lynds Scheer gets his puppet strings cut this coming election and when he crashes to the floor another candidate will be strung together for the 2023 retry.

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David R. Amos

@Carson Brook google @David R. Amos in NB

@Alex Matheson Please do Here is a good spot to start

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fundy-royal-riding-profile-1.3274276

FYI I ran in Fundy Royal in 2004 and again in 2015

Methinks Minister Dominic Leblanc many folks in the Bay of Fundy area understand why I employ Chiac in my comments N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Carson Brook @Carson Brook google @David R. Amos in NB

@Alex Matheson Please do Here is a good spot to start

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fundy-royal-riding-profile-1.3274276

FYI I ran in Fundy Royal in 2004 and again in 2015

Methinks Minister Dominic Leblanc many folks in the Bay of Fundy area understand why I employ Chiac in my comments N'esy Pas?

Richard Sharp

The buck stops with Mr. Scheer. He’s the “leader” and he obviously condones the disgusting behaviour of his MPs.

Arlond Lynds

@Richard Sharp
As speaker he allowed Calandra to make a mockery of the house.

Richard Sharp

@Arlond Lynds

As per this piece, Scheer and the rest of the Cons are “shameless.”

Ron Brady

@Richard Sharp They're trying to hold the government to account Richard.

Barry Odonnell

@Richard Sharp Ohhh puhlease!! This has been going on forever. This is not a conservative thing. Keep drinking the cbc taxpayer funded koolaid though

Lawrence Vickers

@Richard Sharp Come on Richard they are both the same maybe it's time we get someone new in there but there is no one!

David Allan

@Ron Brady
"They're trying to hold the government to account Richard."

How?
They have no moral authority to do so after electing Scheer as their leader.
Scheer said, "It's question period, not answer period," while sitting in the Speaker's chair.

Conservatives
Do As We Say, Not As We Do

David Allan

@Barry Odonnell
"Ohhh puhlease!! This has been going on forever."

The "boys will be boys" defence.

Some are trying to aspire to a higher standard.
YMMV

David Allan

@Lawrence Vickers

"Come on Richard they are both the same "

The article you didn't read proves you wrong.
The top 15 offenders are all Conservatives.

James Murray

@Richard Sharp
I remember Trudeau elbowing people or giving the finger...that's OKay right Richard?

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David R. Amos

@Richard Sharp Methinks you seem bitter N'esy Pas?

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David R. Amos

@James Murray Methinks Trudeau The Elder lied about saying fuddle duddle anyone can just watch his lips to this very day N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@David Allan Methinks folks should enjoy the podcast of Maritime Noon today if only to hear what the preacher says about President Trump and CBC online comment sections N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/steve-berube-art-robson-donald-trump-united-church-moncton-1.4990815

Karen King

@Richard Sharp

He let it happen when he was the speaker, basically Sheer is gutless, I have not seen him take a stand on anything.

Content disabled.
Karen King

@David R. Amos

me thinks you should be muted

Content disabled.
David R. Amos

@Karen King "me thinks you should be muted"

Methinks you know that it happens all the time In fact I was blocked twice in this thread alone for the benefit of Mr Sharp and his liberal cohorts N'esy Pas?

David Allan

@David R. Amos

https://encyclopediadramatica.rs/David_Raymond_Amos

Carson Brook

about @David R. Amos there are some commenters who suggest that more people google this poster - @David R. Amos in NB, including blogs and issues in court. CBC makes a point of guidelines about thoughtful, respectful - even facts - and having real names (which this is) but there's something about sometimes doing the background check especially when the poster makes that so easy to do. Then @Karen King you may have a better way of making a better point

david mccaig

@Richard Sharp

The conservatives job in government as laid out by the rich establishment who back them, is throw political grenades and disrupt as much as possible, make Canada ungovernable.

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@David Allan Methinks you and the Crown should study every word N'esy Pas?

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Carson Brook Methinks you should scroll up and read real slow N'esy Pas?

Carson Brook

@ James Murray wrote @Richard Sharp
"I remember Trudeau elbowing people or giving the finger...that's OKay right Richard?"

Ah - 'finger' belonged to Pierre decades ago -. Either way, your umbrage: noted. About the 'elbowing' - there's lots to say about that. The night before, the James Travers very nicely imbibing sort of cheerful dinner where Ruth Ellen Brousseau stood up and declared at length and with the force people in the middle of a big party can get [hello - this is available in CPAC archives] - that heckling, disruption, obstruction are honourable goals for MPs in the HOC. She is now NDP house leader.

Next day was she who dashed into Trudeau and created 'elbow-gate' while she/they [opposition] were in middle of their organized 'disruption in HOC. My theory about Ms Brosseau's dash - having watched her night before - was she may have been seeking a remedy for the night before. Either way - facts in both video and witness accounts say that Trudeau did not do 'elbow' but was run into. MP Brosseau said she kept on running out the door out of distress at Trudeau's attack on her.... but the evidence of the night before, her declarations of intent to disrupt, and the party nature of the party [as declared at the microphone as well btw] suggest that Trudeau was set up. And, darn, if ever there was a time for a guy to swear, he sure let tabloids down on that front. All they got was his foolishly running out of his estemed chair to extricate someone from a seeming mob without getting it that this was a set up - as spoken about the night before. Trudeau is maybe a bit wiser about how low the other side can get. So are we

Richard Sharp

@Carson Brook

I didn’t know that. Thanks. Saved.

Carson Brook

@Richard Sharp

Andrew Scheer does not 'condone' the behaviour, his behaviour shows how much he relishes it. Watch him - he never looks so alive as he does when he's hurling insults, slander, and mindless venom at Justin Trudeau. Being loudly nasty seems to arouse his inner spirit. There - he's not 'condoning', he's modelling what he wants. Put that into any context you like.

Bort Smith

@Richard Sharp
What disgusting behaviour? The PM and Cabinet are not owed respect or deference in our system.

He is not a head of state or even the "Leader of the Nation." The PM is accountable to the House. The House is not responsible or accountable to his leadership.

David R. Amos

@Richard Sharp Methinks you should save the link to my lawsuit as well N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@David Allan Did you read it?

David R. Amos

@Carson Brook "there's something about sometimes doing the background check especially when the poster makes that so easy to do."

How many times did I run for public office?

David R. Amos

@Karen King "me thinks you should be muted"

Methinks you know that it happens all the time In fact you have been muted at least twice in this thread alone N'esy Pas?

James Holden

The Tantrums R Us party used to be called Conservatives.

Len Evans

@James Holden
They are still following Harper's handbook for opposition on how to disrupt a sitting governments work.

David R. Amos

@James Holden I Wholeheartedly Agree Sir

Carson Brook

@Len Evans wrote "They are still following Harper's handbook for opposition on how to disrupt a sitting governments work."

No fair. You underestimate them. They are not Harper - they are doublilng down on that...... and it's not 'disrupt' that they do - it's interfere, obstruct, insult, smear, and slander all under the archaic rule of 'privilege' enabled by the pallid conduct of the current Speaker

David R. Amos

@Len Evans "They are still following Harper's handbook for opposition"

YUP

David R. Amos

@Carson Brook "it's interfere, obstruct, insult, smear, and slander all under the archaic rule of 'privilege' enabled by the pallid conduct of the current Speaker"

Methinks whereas you don't understand that the liberals are clever enough to allow the Conservatives to make fools of themselves its easy to understand why you would attack me and do the same N'esy Pas?

Harry Hibbs

One surveillance camera per M.P. filming their every move. Anyone heckling gets a one day suspension without pay. Second offense, you get suspended for a week without pay. Hit them where it hurts, the wallet.

Carl Shulgin

@Harry Hibbs Why are they paid at all? Let their bosses pay them.

Banksters, international corps, monarchies, why should we foot the bill?

Harry Hibbs

@William Knot
the topic is heckling.......you might want to look at the definition.
Nothing to do with criticizing a government.

Harry Hibbs

@Carl Shulgin
huh???? u in a different zip code...

James Murray

@Harry Hibbs
and double the fine if the speaker determines that they question was not answered properly or at all. No more fluff and scripted answers. I could see the Libs running up another Billion is debt if this was the case.

Tony Hill

@Harry Hibbs

Re: "One surveillance camera per M.P. filming their every move. Anyone heckling gets a one day suspension without pay."

So basically you want our governing party to face few questions and be allowed to ignore any questions that are posed?

For better or for worse heckling in Question Period is one of the only means by which opposition parties can hold a Canadian government to account, particularly in a majority government. They can't vote against bills and they have almost no control of the debate in normal House Meetings. They have minority positions in legislative committees so the government can shut down all questions there.

Question Period is the ONLY "free" time that opposition MPs have to question the government. They heckle the government members when those members dodge questions or provide non-answers. This is nothing new for current government, it has been like that since 1867.

Gorden Feist

@Harry Hibbs "a one day suspension without pay.":

Hit them in the pocketbook and even conservatives will be acting like adults.

David R. Amos

@Harry Hibbs Methinks the Sgt at Arms should do his job when the MPs do not follow the Speaker's orders N'esy Pas?

Rick Wier

@Tony Hill the house is a place for intelligent debate, not moronic shouting

Ewan Cameron

@Harry Hibbs That direction isn't without merit, but they will not a miss a day's pay for being an MP.

Carson Brook

@Harry Hibbs
yes, the one publicly available surveillance camera per MP long overdue; add in one recording device per each as well. They are in HOC - they are at work, for the public.

Carson Brook

@Rick Wier wrote " the house is a place for intelligent debate, not moronic shouting"
and the first people to view that clicked against it. wow just wow - what kinds of people?

Brian Sexsmith

@Harry Hibbs

That might actually work as many of the offenders would be unemployed if they weren't at the public trough.

Tony Hill

@Rick Wier

Re: "the house is a place for intelligent debate, not moronic shouting"

With regards to the Question Period portion of the House of Commons at least, I would tend to disagree with that.

Legislative committees are a place for intelligent debate, albeit with the governing party free to ignore such debate if they have a majority. Individual MPs, hopefully, are providing intelligent insight and representation for their constituents which can be brought up in either committees or in regular House sitting sessions, though again with the caveat that the governing party can ignore such debate.

Question Period though? That's another story. The government controls all other aspects of the House, but Question Period is meant to be the free-for-all. It has NEVER been a place for "intelligent debate", and if it were such a place than the governing party would end up controlling it and it would further consolidate power and give less opportunity for opposition parties to have their voices heard.

If you want Question Period to be more "civilized" than you need to change it to a forum where the Opposition MPs are in control and where the government is obligated to provide legitimate answers. Since that isn't going to happen, heckling in order to get in the newspapers and on TV is what we've got left.

Consider one thing for a moment: How often do you see the newspapers or evening TV news reporting on the proceedings of a legislative committee vs. reporting on a soundbite from Question Period?

Dustin Carey

@Carl Shulgin

Do you want a House made up only of those rich enough to forego a salary?

Richard Sharp

These astounding numbers proving the bullying tactics of the Cons don’t even count the behaviours of attack dogs like Poilievre and Rempel.

Arlond Lynds

@Richard Sharp
Pollievre and Alexandra were the very worst of the Harper lap dogs, they would stand and say whatever they were told regardless of how ridiculous. Obedience over aptitude every time with Harper.

Keith Laughton

@Arlond Lynds

Much like the responses given by the current group of Liberal Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and House Leader who stand and say whatever they were told regardless of how ridiculous.

The Conservatives are heckling more often because they are in opposition and the Government is not answering.

Switch the government and you would switch the hecklers.

Regards

David Allan

@Richard Sharp

When facts conflict with your perception, accept the facts, fix your perception.

When was the last time Aboultaif was in the media? Had you ever heard of him before?

Richard Sharp

@David Allan

Huh?

James Murray

@Richard Sharp
Bullying? wow, so sensitive, but then look at all your comments and you have the nerve to say bullying? Liberals are such hypocrites

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David R. Amos

@Richard Sharp Methinks you forgot the fact that the liberals had me falsely imprisoned N'esy Pas?

Rick Wier

@Richard Sharp conservatives sure like to shout but if the liberals give any lip back they all turn into snowflakes and Rempel goes off on a how dare you tirade, what a party of spoiled children

David Allan

@Richard Sharp
"Huh?"

The facts prove your perception of Poilievre and Rempel to be incorrect when compared against the overall behavior in the HoC.

Again, what do you know about Aboultaif? One of the worst hecklers. Or did you not read the article?

Carson Brook

@Richard Sharp
You are a bit unfair - you left out uber bully Scheer, and Harder, Albas, Kent - then there's the shameful same conduct in HOC committee meetings

Richard Sharp

@David Allan

I didn’t understand your question. I know nothing about him. Why do you ask?

Bort Smith

@Richard Sharp
The Speaker is a Liberal Party member...

David R. Amos

@Bort Smith Methinks even Mr Sharp would know that N'esy Pas?

Rob Unrau

This government deserves to be heckled. But of course Justin swearing in parliament was OK by the liberal supporters here.

Art Rowe

@Rob Unrau
Infants, toddlers and other assorted types of children simply do not respond well to shaming. heckling is their way of trying to look important and grown up.

Eileen Kinley

@Rob Unrau

Peter Kent's taunting of the NDP were ok by conservative supporters here. Remember that he derided the NDP for not being at the conference but had refused to include them in the Canadian delegation.

Richard Sharp

@Eileen Kinley

Mr. Kent was the recipient of Trudeau’s epithet. He was just practicing for when he became PM:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-apologizes-for-swearing-at-kent-1.995992

David R. Amos

@Richard Sharp Methinks many folks would agree that all the MPs deserve each other's heckles N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Rob Unrau "This government deserves to be heckled."

Methinks its rather obvious I agree but to be fair the Conservatives, the Bloc, the NDP, Madame May and the Independents should be heckled too N'esy Pas?

Rick Wier

@Rob Unrau the con response, but but Justin....

Carson Brook

@Rob Unrau wrote - with false facts btw "This government deserves to be heckled. But of course Justin swearing in parliament was OK by the liberal supporters here."

Yes, I think it's accurate that Justin Trudeau got a bit edgy twice in the last three years
Swearing? Do you remember he said what? Or when?

but you can go onto CPAC and watch all the Question Periods and check that. While you're at it - watch and listen to the vile fomenting and barrages of drowning out shouting coming from team Scheer... and take that same time to pay attention to the maturity and civility of the government members. And be inspired by the government and be disgusted by the others who aren't there on their own dime...it's our taxpayer money they get to act in ways which would get them thrown out of kindergarten in any public school in Canada.

Carson Brook

@Rob Unrau

how did the word get to be 'heckled' Oh - dictionary has that
"interrupt (a public speaker) with derisive or aggressive comments or abuse"

There. bullying. derisive, aggressive, and abuse = bullying That's what they do.
And you're promoting bullying as an acceptable form of conduct for taxpayer representatives in our national parliament? Really? hello land of Trump and Stone

Richard Sharp

@Carson Brook

I answered that question but was censored, including my link to the CBC story on it.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-apologizes-for-swearing-at-kent-1.995992

Carson Brook

@Richard Sharp

wrote you a really nice thank you - but my comment was disappeared. Was it my noting that this was in 2011; or noting that it was Trudeau to Peter Kent - who was, according to the CBC article, in the middle of slandering another MP for something Peter Kent had actually set up himself. According to the cbc article. Trudeau hot under the collar from the backbenches... not even a microphone open - and the MP Trudeau was standing up for was in the NDP - a woman - not even a Liberal. Trudeau doesn't like men of power treating anyone like that... especially women. Trudeau should not have outburst - but there's something heartwarming that he did.... however worthy of chiding was his language. Oh and he apologized for swearing. Kent did not apologize for what he said about the NDP MP. All that is according to the cbc article - so this is a reply which should be left in good standing, eh

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David R. Amos

@Carson Brook "wrote you a really nice thank you - but my comment was disappeared. "

Methinks its too bad so sad that you did not get to read my replies to you N'esy Pas?

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David R. Amos

@Richard Sharp "I answered that question but was censored"

@Carson Brook "wrote you a really nice thank you - but my comment was disappeared. "

Too Too Funny Indeed

Arlond Lynds

At least this speaker is trying to control the foolishness, unlike Sheer who made a mockery of the house with Calandra.

David R. Amos

@Arlond Lynds YUP

Carson Brook

@Arlond Lynds

was nice enough to refer earlier to Speaker Regan as 'at least trying' A comment which begs for a like reply:

but he's paid a very high salary, has a very grand office and staff of his own, not to mention for elegant formal attire - to run the tone and civility in HOC - so 'trying' is nice, but let's put the spotlight on 'effective, democratic, civil, fair, and mature' instead.
He has the nice sort of hapless smile down pat - but that's not what the position calls for. So give up the hapless smile - and go for effective leadership in Speaker's Chair

Arlond Lynds

@Carson Brook
Good lord, you must have hated Scheer then, he did nothing to maintain order and whatever else Harper told him.

Carson Brook

@Arlond Lynds

hi I can't be bothered hating anyone...why give some mean inept low life any part of your energy for even a minute. Not worth it. I do confess to being riveted with astonishment that Harper put Scheer in to replace Milliken. Quite a testament to Harper's character too. But take time to pity poor Scheer - who may be feeling baffled and displaced when all he's ever done with his life is as political operative... and it was so easy in those halcyon early days as Speaker - no one demanded anything of him. And now he's getting badgered on all sides - trying to find comfort and inner confidence in fact that Harper and Gerstein have made sure there's lotsa dough in the war chest. Truly - sometimes I almost feel sorry for Scheer then he saves me by doing his next self fulfillment in attack mode.

David R. Amos

@Arlond Lynds "he did nothing to maintain order and whatever else Harper told him."

Oh So True

Bill Coffin

There would be no heckling if our elected representatives would just answer the question posed to them instead of spouting the same old tired party line drivel. Just answer the darn question.

Jim Clark

@Bill Coffin true

Patrick Kennedy

@Bill Coffin Party whips demand backbenchers heckle. No?

Jim LaPalmier

@Bill Coffin

Excellent point !

Jenna Collins

@Bill Coffin
BINGO!

David Allan

@Bill Coffin
"There would be no heckling if our elected representatives would just answer the question posed to them instead of spouting the same old tired party line drivel. Just answer the darn question."

Elect a Loyal Opposition with the moral authority to expect their questions be answered.

Scheer doesn't believe in QP. He doesn't believe you deserve answers. He said so, explicitly.

Rick Bailey

@Bill Coffin

And heckling has helped how?

David R. Amos

@David Allan "Scheer doesn't believe in QP. He doesn't believe you deserve answers. He said so, explicitly"

Methinks you should be fair and admit that nobody has ever seen Trudeau The Younger answer a tough question N'esy Pas?

Robert Green

@David R. Amos He's answered plenty of tough questions just not to the reformacons.

Rick Wier

@Bill Coffin an intelligent debater could get a minister to give a proper response, too bad there are no intelligent folks in the conservative party, just shouting boors

Ewan Cameron

@Bill Coffin MPs heckle anyone speaking for any reason. Heckling doesn't go away when anyone is evading a straight answer.

Carson Brook

@Bill Coffin wrote "There would be no heckling if our elected representatives would just answer the question posed to them instead of spouting the same old tired party line drivel. Just answer the darn question."

Try watching the reality - on CPAC. Then demand that the questions be asked without the drivel, smear, insults - and simply, with facts instead of insults, slander, and fakery. Back to - watch CPAC. Then at least you'll get away from the old drivel about the spouting - because the Liberals so answer the questions... and if you don't like the answer then ask a better question using real facts. Upgrade discussion.

David R. Amos

@Robert Green "He's answered plenty of tough questions just not to the reformacons."

Why not?

Robert Green

@David R. Amos Did you see how he was treated by these people under the Harper government? What goes around comes around.Typically I would like to see nothing but respect in our parliament but I'm not willing to just forget how Harper and the reformacons acted and treated everyone that did'n't agree with them.They deserve what they get and if it's just non answers their fortunate IMO.Hopefully they get kicked further down the line after this next election.

David R. Amos

@Robert Green Are you aware of how they all treated me?

David Conway

Most, if not all, conservative comments during question period are disorientated expressions @ negative (sick) mind games.

David R. Amos

@David Conway Not all

Robert Green

@David R. Amos Ok 99.8 are useless.

David R. Amos

@Robert Green Yea Right

Robert Green

@David R. Amos Can you give me an example of a reformacon question posed to Trudeau that he didn't answer that was of importance?

John VanHaverbeke

@David Conway The glass half empty party will be less than half by the election with Scheer as leader, he's just not ready!....Nice dimples though!

David R. Amos

@Robert Green Yes I asked it myself several times during my debates in the election of the 42nd Parliament. Basically it was "Are you aware of my lawsuit against the Crown?" I have received many answers in writing since Trudeau was sworn in as PM but one of the most egregious came from none other than the Speaker Mr Regan in January of 2016.

Garry Bilton

Perhaps the Speaker should direct MP's and PM to actually directly ANSWER questions.
Certainly this would eliminate much of the frustration and reduce heckling.

David R. Amos

@Garry Bilton "Perhaps the Speaker should direct MP's and PM to actually directly ANSWER questions."

Methinks we would experience the" true change" that they all promise in every election if that were to happen N'esy Pas?

Speaker Regan's 'naming and shaming' approach to hecklers isn't working

The Speaker's efforts to rein in the House have increased - but the heckling continues

Éric Grenier· CBC News· Posted: Jan 28, 2019 4:00 AM ET

Speaker of the House of Commons Geoff Regan called individual MPs to order for heckling 318 times since taking the chair in 2015. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Parliamentarians will take their seats in the new House of Commons for the first time on Monday. But while the setting will be new, the soundtrack will be the same — angry, unruly and just plain loud.

Since becoming the Speaker of the House of Commons after the 2015 federal election, Geoff Regan has tried to curb the worst aspects of question period. Whenever the heckling and jeering has gotten out of hand, Regan has taken the unusual step of calling out offending MPs by name.

It's something his predecessors were reluctant to do — but Regan has been doing it more often lately.

Centre Block, where parliamentarians have gathered since the 1920s (after the original building burned to the ground in 1916), is undergoing significant renovations that will last at least a decade. Until those renovations are completed, MPs will gather in the new House located in what used to be the inner courtyard of the West Block on Parliament Hill.

Analysis
Speaker Geoff Regan more vocal than predecessors in search of House civility

Analysis
Naming and shaming hecklers in the House of Commons

The new House of Commons was already facing some acoustic challenges. It is a cavernous space topped with a glass ceiling, surrounded by corridors from which sound can reverberate off the courtyard's old stone walls and into the House chamber.

The acoustics are about to get worse once the main players take the stage.

There has been no noticeable decrease in heckling in the House, despite Regan's efforts — which have increased as this current session of Parliament has dragged on.

Over the last weeks of 2015 and throughout 2016, Regan called individual MPs to order 54 times during question period. In 2017, Regan's interventions nearly doubled to 101. And in 2018, the number of times individual MPs were named by the Speaker jumped again to 163.

That makes a grand total of 318 occasions when Regan took an MP to task for heckling in the House — almost one 'naming and shaming' for every sitting day. In all, 80 different MPs have been scolded by Regan.

'Check his water'

Despite the increase in Regan's efforts, hecklers still largely go unadmonished as virtually no exchange in the House goes uninterrupted.

"I do not usually call out members for heckling," Regan told the House in June 2017, "unless they have been persistently doing it."

Heckles are also rarely captured by Hansard, the official record of debates in the House of Commons. Every so often, however, a heckle is recorded for posterity.

"The cabinet spot is not going to be yours with that kind of answer," Conservative MP Peter Van Loan (who has since resigned his seat) said in May 2017 to Andrew Leslie — who indeed remains a parliamentary secretary for the Liberals.

"Check his water," quipped Conservative MP Todd Doherty after failing to be impressed by answers offered by Liberal cabinet minister Jim Carr.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the MP who has been heckled the most in the House of Commons — in part because he has answered every opposition question on Wednesdays. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

Most of the time, however, heckles are only recorded in Hansard with the generic interjection, "Oh, oh!" — a practice that goes back to the first sittings of the House of Commons in 1867.

Conservative MPs have been the ones named by Regan most often — 266 times out of 318, or 84 per cent of the total — with New Democrats getting a tongue-lashing from the Speaker just 27 times and Liberals only 24 times. While Regan was elected as a Liberal and the New Democrats sit at the far end of the House, furthest away from the Speaker's chair, any observation of question period confirms that Regan's ire has been targeted at the noisiest cohort of the House.

Not surprisingly, the Liberals are those who are heckled the most; they are, after all, the MPs getting up and providing answers that either do not address the questions posed or do not meet with the approval of opposition members. A Liberal MP was last to speak 93 per cent of the time when Regan has named a heckler.

The Commons' top hecklers

So which MPs get scolded most often? The top 15 are all Conservatives, with three in particular being the most frequent targets of Regan's disappointment.

Western Canadian MPs Ed Fast, Kevin Sorenson and Michael Cooper were each named on 17 occasions.
Not far behind these three were Blake Richards and Erin O'Toole with 15 each, David Anderson with 13, Chris Warkentin with 12, and Alberta MPs Ron Liepert and Ziad Aboultaif with 11 each.

Ed Fast is one of three Conservative MPs who have been called out for heckling the most by Speaker Geoff Regan, along with Kevin Sorenson and Michael Cooper. (Canadian Press)

The Liberal MP called out most often by Regan was Rodger Cuzner, a fellow Nova Scotian, who was named seven times. Two New Democrats were named five times: Peter Julian and Pierre Nantel.

The top of the list is dominated by male MPs, with Conservatives Candice Bergen and Sylvie Boucher coming in at 12th with eight reprimands apiece. Indeed, 29 of the 32 MPs Regan has called out at least three times are men.

Trudeau the top target

The target of most of the heckling in the House of Commons was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the person who had the floor in 69 cases when Regan stepped in. That's to be expected, since Trudeau has gotten into the habit of answering all opposition questions on Wednesdays. Before he began this practice, Trudeau had been heckled about as often as other important members of his cabinet.

Following Trudeau on the heckled list was Finance Minister Bill Morneau (26 times), Environment Minister Catherine McKenna (22 times) and Government House Leader Bardish Chagger (13 times).

Analysis
Trudeau, Scheer spar for what might be the last time in Parliament's Centre Block

Heckling of the opposition itself was far less frequent. But Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer was the opposition member heckled the most (five times), while the top NDP recipient of heckles was former leader Tom Mulcair (twice).

It seems unlikely that Regan will be successful in reducing the cacophony that makes the daily theatre of question period so difficult to follow (not without the technical assistance of microphones, at any rate). In the last four days of sittings before the holiday break alone, Regan stood up 13 times to single out an unruly heckler (including the prime minister himself).

But in naming these MPs, Regan is at least putting the unruliest of them on the record for all time.

That's the 'naming' part of his strategy. He's still waiting for the 'shaming' to take effect.

About the Author

Éric Grenier

Politics and polls

Éric Grenier is a senior writer and the CBC's polls analyst. He was the founder of ThreeHundredEight.com and has written for The Globe and Mail, Huffington Post Canada, The Hill Times, Le Devoir, and L’actualité.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

Susan Holt, Wayne Long bow out of Liberal leadership race

January 28, 2019, 11:06 am

≫ Next: New Brunswick cancels plan to host 2021 Francophonie Games

≪ Previous: Speaker Regan's 'naming and shaming' approach to hecklers isn't working

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

Surprise Surprise Surprise

Methinks the next leader has already been chosen On June 22nd we will just have another circus to watch N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/susan-holt-wayne-long-bow-out-of.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/liberal-party-leadership-new-brunswick-1.4995527

Susan Holt, Wayne Long bow out of Liberal leadership race

85 Comments

David R. Amos

Surprise Surprise Surprise

Methinks the next leader has already been chosen On June 22nd wee will just have another circus to watch N'esy Pas?

Aaron Allison

@David R. Amos I agree

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Matt Steele

Given the financial mess and corruption that Brian Gallant created with his ONE TERM in office , it is understandable why no one would want to run for the Leadership of the party . Add in the fact that the SANB has nearly total control over the Liberal party makes it very difficult to recruit and retain Anglophones party members/voters as well. Sometimes you reap what you sow ; and the Liberals have lost a lot of Anglophone support .

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David R. Amos

@Matt Steele Cry me a river

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Dan Armitage

@Matt Steele Hopefully The one they choose took Mathematics the last two liberal leaders that were Premiers sure as heck didn't

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Marc Martin

@Matt Steele

You fail to mention the CoRservatives with Higgs as finance minister did worst with a one term before Gallant was in power.

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David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Methinks you SANB dudes are like moths to the flame N'esy Pas?

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Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

Are you sure your talking to the right Marc Martin ?

Emilien Forest

Holt mentioned she was in it only for the money. I wonder if Long has the same excuse.

Susan Holt

@Emilien Forest That's incorrect, I was not, and never have been in politics only for the money. I just can't make the compensation work with out current configuration of kids, bills, mortgages, loans, etc. But I was absolutely willing to take a pay cut to advance the ideas I believe will benefit NB - which is why I gave up my job in the civil service and ran. I don't believe anyone who goes into politics, with all the insults, attacks, 24x7 world it brings, does it for money.

David R. Amos

@Susan Holt Remeber me?

Susan Holt

@David R. Amos Sure do. Although the weather was nicer last time we were face to face. I have to say I disagree with you - the next leader has not yet been chosen. Don't underestimate the diversity of views and segments of the Liberal Party.

John O'Brien

@Susan Holt How many impoverished former or retired politicians do you know. If you politicians are not in it for the money, why are so many politicians who supposedly earn a couple of hundred grand a year for their terms retire as millionaires. Sorry but the only politician I would believe that of is Higgs.

David R. Amos

@Susan Holt Methinks Mr Vickers has the job if he wants it

That said you and many folks should checkout the podcast of Maritime Noon today to listen what the preacher says about President Trump and the Trolls within the CBC online comment sections Even though we disagree about nearly everything at least we are real people who put out names on ballots N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

@Susan Holt

Well said Ms. Holt.

Marc Martin

@Susan Holt

And Davis put in his place....

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Who is Davis?

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin "Well said Ms. Holt."

Methinks SANB spin doctors really should read before they write but I don't mind Everybody knows its never over until the fat lady who loves hockey sings a tune or two N'esy Pas?

Mike Morton

@Emilien Forest

Have to disagree with you there Emilien. If the money were better, we would have better candidates to choose from.

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

Funny you should ask Davis...

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

Again making no sense....

Toby Tolly

@Emilien Forest
She set you in your place....

Emilien Forest

@Susan Holt

"can't make the compensation work"...what I said. The compensation worked when you ran for an MLA seat and lost.

Emilien Forest

@Mike Morton

Money does not make a candidate any better than a previous one.

Emilien Forest

@Toby Tolly

Yes , she repeated what I said, only it in for the money.

David R. Amos
@Susan Holt "I just can't make the compensation work with out current configuration of kids, bills, mortgages, loans, etc. But I was absolutely willing to take a pay cut to advance the ideas I believe will benefit NB - which is why I gave up my job in the civil service and ran."

Methinks many folks had questions about your jobs months before we met face to face last August just before the writ was dropped You must have noticed how disgusted I was with David **** and his BS that I was considering running against him N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/opposition-maternity-loop-hole-1.4559462

Susan Holt

@John O'Brien I'd be interested to see what the data shows for the economic status of former politicians. Some serve only 1 term, or only in opposition (and no politicians in NB earn $200k+). I can't make it work right now. Maybe if I save up over the next 5-10 years.

Susan Holt

@Emilien Forest The compensation for an elected official (in opposition or in govt) is different from a non-elected party leader. I was willing to (and did) give up a job that paid better than any elected position in NB for the possibility of becoming a legislator and serving my neighbours and my province. Those circumstances have changed.

Marguerite Deschamps

I've said it many times; you couldn't pay me enough to be a politician.

Jake Devries

@Susan Holt when anyone says "it's NOT about the money", it IS about the money, 100%

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin "Again making no sense...."

Methinks the fat lady is singing now N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin "You fail to mention the CoRservatives with Higgs as finance minister did worst with a one term before Gallant was in power."

Methinks some folks must have noticed that some of your malicious nonsense went "Poof" as usual N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps Sing me another tune

David R. Amos

@Jake Devries Methinks you must have heard the old adage "Everything politcial is always about the money" N'esy Pas?

Marguerite Deschamps

@David R. Amos, no one does anything anytime unless there is something in it for him/her.

David R. Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps Methinks your latest tune is not true as per your MO. I would lay odds that many folks can name numerous Mothers and Fathers who would do anything and give everything in support of their children's well-being N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps Why the long delay whenever I reply to you?

Marguerite Deschamps

@David R. Amos, I have a much more interesting life than wasting most of my time to comment on these topics, more so replying to your baloney.

David R. Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps "I have a much more interesting life"

Yea Right

Methinks you know as well as I that I was replying to your BS directed at me late in the evening and was wondering why it was taking so long to be posted So I posted the question and bingo my reply finally appeared N'esy Pas?

Frank Hood

Not easy being a politician! Your past and your life all get looked at! Imagine being the leader of a party! ouch!!!

David R. Amos

@Frank Hood Yea right

Lou Bell

No surprise. Suspect SANB / Liberal caucus already has candidate in place. Perhaps their " smoke and mirrors " nominee Mr. Vickers ,although it appears he has no interest. All they're looking for is a puppet to control anyway.

David R. Amos

@Lou Bell Methinks I already said that N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Lou Bell "Kevin Vickers, a retired RCMP officer and former sergeant-at-arms of the House of Commons who became famous after helping stop a terrorist attack on Parliament in 2014, is considering running."

Methinks with the update of this article they are merely teasing us in order to retain interest the upcoming circus N'esy Pas?

Fred Dee

Sadly, though that those we need to run and help the people of NB will not run!! They understand that it is not about doing what is right, it is about doing what the PARTY wants. Sadly the PARTY's do not really care about the PEOPLE of NB, just those segments that they think they can convince to vote for them.

NB is in sad shape and I truly do not know how it can be corrected. Tough changes must be made, and with those changes, re-election 4 years later would not happen, thus NOTHING will change till the BANKS take over. Then it will be very hard for those who have chosen to stay in this messed up province!

David R. Amos

@Fred Dee Methinks everybody knows the banks don't care as long as we keep paying their usury fees N'esy Pas?

Rod McLeod

Smart moves; keep your credibility. Unfortunately, the next leader will likely be another 'quick we need someone' decision from a shallow pool of options.

David R. Amos

@Rod McLeod YUP

michael levesque

Holt would have been a bad choice she surrounds herself with people that think wasting taxpayers money is funny.

Matt Steele

@michael levesque ......Probably not totally her fault . She drank the Kool-Aid that ONE TERM Premier Brian Gallant was handing out with his wild out of control spending , and poor decision making....no doubt she regrets drinking that Kool-Aid now , as do many other Liberals .

David R. Amos

@Matt Steele Methinks many would agree that Madame Holt is far more clever than you think At least she is ethical enough to acknowledge that I exist which is more than you have ever done N'esy Pas?

Matt Steele

At this point , the Liberal Party of N.B. is totally controlled by the SANB , and has lost most of its Anglophone support . The Liberals reap what they sow , and they have lost all of Southern N.B. ; and it will be a long time before they get that Anglophone support back . Any leader that is chosen now will be a SANB puppet . It is what it is .

Marc Martin

@Matt Steele

*and has lost most of its Anglophone support . The Liberals reap what they sow , and they have lost all of Southern N.B*

Says a CoRservative supporter.....

David R. Amos

@Matt Steele Methinks many folks would agree that you and Mr Martin deserve each other N'esy Pas?

Dale Chapman

I honestly don't care who is the leader of any of the political parties in NB. What I really want is someone who will LEAD this province and I will vote for, campaign for and work my tail off to get them elected if I really believe that they will do what is necessary.
1 - slap down and ignore the whining of all of the special interest groups: including, but not limited to SANB, senior citizens, the remnants of the COR party, the provincial unions and the Irving group of companies.
2 - create a framework under which decisions would be made that prioritizes doing the right thing fiscally, socially and environmentally.
3 - take control of our finances and put us on a path where we are not reliant on federal equalization transfer payments
4 - quit screwing around with the education system and emphasize STEM with a higher performance expectation of our children - there is no reason that we cannot be the top province educationally and be as good as any European or Asian country.

Doing these 4 things will be painful as heck, but the outcome on the other side will be the envy of the rest of Canada. All it would take is a leader who can lead and a province of people who will work to get us there. My two concerns are that there is no one who will lead like this and that more people in this province want to be taken care of instead of taking care of the province.

David R. Amos

@Dale Chapman Good luck in your quest

Paul Bourgoin

What New Brunswick needs is a Government by the people, for the People!
Not a government funded by rich interests who with their political donations set the future directions.
A new Brunswick where everybody pays their share, invests in NB, as residents not Royalty.
Liberals? Conservative? Alliance ? Green Party? or Political Party Managers ?

David R. Amos

@Paul Bourgoin YUP

Lou Bell

Liberals/ SANB have created a wildfire and appear to be using water pistols in an attempt to extinguish it. Appears 3 candidates already are seeing the writing on the wall and have no interest in Captaining a sinking ship. Hence, Mr. Vickers would be their " ringer " . The sacrificial lamb , with no experience ,and no leadership background .

David R. Amos

@Lou Bell YUP

Joseph Vacher

SANB will be busy recruiting new members

David R. Amos

@Joseph Vacher Methinks they have been already at it for months N'esy Pas?

SarahRose Werner

"He said in an interview that some 'old boys' in the party have tried to discourage him from running." - The voters are tired of the old boys in the party - in any party.

David R. Amos

@SarahRose Werner "The voters are tired of the old boys in the party - in any party."

Methinks everybody knows why I sincerely hope that proves to be true in the upcoming elections N'esy Pas?

Harold Benson

Probably tired of Mckenna sticking his nose in where in where was already booted out of.

Harold Benson

@Harold Benson edit function please.

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson Methinks Sam should keep a better watch over you N'esy Pas?

Jim Cyr

It doesn't matter WHO is chosen. NBers have a religious devotion to the Liberal Party. Every now and then they give the Tories a brief try to straighten things out (after things have become desperate). And then they go right back to their core obsession: liberalism. You can argue this all you want, but the history proves it. In 2018, when any other province would have thrown the Liberal "leader" Gallant out on his ear, Higgs was only BARELY given a very temporary seat at the top. No matter HOW successful he turns out to be, NB has a mindless devotion to the Libs. And Higgs will be given the boot.........no matter WHO the Liberal leader is.

David R. Amos

@Jim Cyr "NBers have a religious devotion to the Liberal Party."

Methinks far too many Maritimers still believe that they are "Canada's Natural Governing Party" N'esy Pas?

Harold Benson

@Jim Cyr I disagree. we keep booting the doughheads out. problem is not much choice here.

SarahRose Werner

@Jim Cyr - They do? I've lived in NB since the summer of 1998, so 20 years. For 11 of these years, the province has been under PC leadership - Lord for 7, Alward for 4. The province has been under Liberal leadership for only 9 years - I caught the last year of Theriault, then Graham and Gallant at 4 each. I'm not seeing any "religious devotion."

JJ Carrier

@SarahRose Werner Cons were in for 17 years before that lol...Most Cyrs like him I know, the majority of which never vote it seems, hang at Tim's spewing this foolishness, especially at the Bathurst and Campbellton locations...How do I know this? I was once criticized by two Cyr brothers for a Sunday night call-in show I was on for Rogers because, get this, they had no idea I worked for The Tribune and were angry "I was doing both..." Ahh, mental hernias...

David Peters

@Jim Cyr

Ppl are hypnotized into thinking big gov't and monopolies running 90% of the economy is a good thing...even after decades of failure and shrinking population.

David R. Amos

@JJ Carrier "Ahh, mental hernias..."

Methinks you know what I think of journalists Lets just say many hernias are familiar with them as well N'esy Pas?

Rosco holt

@Jim Cyr
Right out of the gate, Higgs pushes for pipeline and fracking, he even put out the idea of refusing transfer payments if resources aren't developed (basic blackmail).

Who would benefit from these the most from these?

Higgs isn't there for NBers or won the PC leadership because he was popular, allot of PC supporters have quit the party, when Higgs was crown party leader.

David R. Amos

@Rosco holt "allot of PC supporters have quit the party, when Higgs was crown party leader."

I heard that too and that Cardy and Lamrock made matters worse

michael levesque

I was hoping roger melanson would be interm leader for a few years so we could all have a good laugh

Harold Benson

@michael levesque It hasn't been very funny , the last 25 years when you think about the " progress " we've made.

David R. Amos

@michael levesque Methinks many would agree that Horsman the former Deputy Premier and local ex cop would be the most comical in a proper circus in Fat Fred City N'esy Pas?

Joe Gallant

@David R. Amos
What's with the Methinks and N'esy Pas saying? You've watched way to many episodes of Seinfeld "David thinks he smart""David likes to speak like an alien"David funny" You must have voted for the green party.

David R. Amos

@Joe Gallant Methinks you clearly have no clue as to what I am up to if you think I am a Green Meanie N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Joe Gallant Methinks your last name indicates that you may be related to the former premier who is hiding under a rock since he embarrassed his beloved political party by supporting the Green Meanies and their nonsense to no avail N'esy Pas?

Richard Dunn

Is it possible that Gallant has done so much damage to the party that nobody wants the keys to the bus?
I find it very funny that the news is even reporting that the backroom bosses are still trying to steer the ship and call the shots. Seems that "Dominic the Clam Man" still wants to be boss.

Harold Benson

@Richard Dunn Or the trailer park guy from dieppe.

David R. Amos

@Richard Dunn Methinks many would agree that he is the boss N'esy Pas?

Michael Hunt

Par for the course for the Liberal party. All three candidates with english last names step aside and a francophone from France stays in. After the contempt Gallant's Liberals showed towards english New Brunswickers I would say he is perfect to pick the the torch (and pitchfork). Be in this place (unless you are english)

David R. Amos

@Michael Hunt Methinks Mr Vickers will save the day in June N'esy Pas?

Bob Smith

Clearing a path for Cathy Rogers or Dawn Arnold to run...

David R. Amos

@Bob Smith Methinks that would make for a wonderful circus N'esy Pas?

Susan Holt, Wayne Long bow out of Liberal leadership race

Liberals will elect their new leader June 22 after former premier Brian Gallant announced he would leave

Jacques Poitras· CBC News· Posted: Jan 28, 2019 12:21 PM AT

Susan Holt, who ran unsuccessfully in Fredericton South in September, and Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long won't run for Liberal leadership. (CBC)

With a date set for the New Brunswick Liberals to choose a new leader, two high-profile party members have officially taken themselves out of the race.

Defeated candidate Susan Holt and Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long both say they will not be candidates when party members vote for a new leader June 22.

"I'm out," Long declared.

Meanwhile, Holt said Monday that "life at this point in time" makes it impossible for her to run.
"All the pieces don't fit together."

A new leader for the New Brunswick Liberal Party will be chosen seven months after former premier Brian Gallant announced he was stepping aside.

The Liberal party's board of directors voted on the weekend to set June 22 as the date for the vote. A convention will be held at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre, though in the last race party members were able to vote around the province.

Former premier Brian Gallant announced after his government was defeated in a confidence vote last fall that he would resign as leader.

At first, Gallant said he would stay on until a new leader was chosen. But in late December, he said he would quit earlier and let the party's MLAs choose an interim leader in February.

More to come

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2019 17:07:29 -0400
Subject: Attn René Ephestion I just called and promised this email Now
you know some of what the other dudes know N'esy Pas?
To: directiongenerale@maisonnazareth.com, blaine.higgs@gnb.ca,
brian.gallant@gnb.ca, David.Coon@gnb.ca, kris.austin@gnb.ca,
David.Akin@globalnews.ca, Susan.Holt@gnb.ca, Wayne.Long@parl.gc.ca,
Brian.kenny@gnb.ca, exec.dir.gen@nbliberal.ca, Tim.RICHARDSON@gnb.ca,
dan.bussieres@gnb.ca, Gilles.Cote@gnb.ca,
Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,
martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca, Leanne.Fitch@fredericton.ca
Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca,
steve.murphy@ctv.ca, oldmaison@yahoo.com, Newsroom@globeandmail.com,
news@kingscorecord.com, news919@rogers.com, news@dailygleaner.com

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/liberal-party-leadership-new-brunswick-1.4995527

René Ephestion, the executive director of Moncton’s Nazareth House,
said he will run for Liberal leadership. (Radio-Canada)

René Ephestion, General Director,
House Of Nazareth;
Phone: 506-858-5702;
directiongenerale@maisonnazareth.com

https://www.telegraphjournal.com/times-transcript/story/100775704/rene-ephestion-leader-liberal

Business owner, newcomer to run for Liberal leader

TOM BATEMAN TIMES & TRANSCRIPT

November 21, 2018

Business owner, newcomer to run for Liberal leader

TOM BATEMAN TIMES & TRANSCRIPT

November 21, 2018

A Metro Moncton newcomer said his leadership is the shakeup the New Brunswick Liberal Association needs following this fall's election.

René Ephestion, executive director of Nazareth House homeless shelter, said this week he'll put his name forward to replace Brian Gallant as leader of the provincial party.

Party executive director Keiller Zed said in a statement a steering committee for the leadership contest will be appointed at a Dec. 1 board of directors meeting and the committee will discuss the parameters of the race, including the candidate application process.

Ephestion, 39, was born on the Caribbean island of Martinique and later moved to France with his single mother "for better opportunity."

There, he earned degrees in economic management, commercial development and human resources. The father of two moved to New Brunswick in 2015 with his wife.

Before Nazareth, he worked for TD Bank and Vitalite Health Department and has volunteered in leadership roles with francophone resettlement agency Le CAFi and is president of the New Brunswick Public Libraries Board.

He's been a member of the Liberal party for about a year and leads the New Brunswick Liberal Multicultural Inclusion Commission.

In France, Ephestion volunteered for French president Emmanuel Macron's social-liberal party. He also owns his own business with his wife.

"We had a huge leader with Brian Gallant, a progressive leader who made a lot of change in New Brunswick and I want to follow this work. I want to be progressive and reformative," he said.

But Ephestion said the fall election didn't include enough discussion about poverty and immigration.

"It's important for me during this run to talk about things that political members don't talk about," he said. "[In] the last election, New Brunswickers sent us a big message: you have to do politics different.
It's important to have a new voice, a new face. Francophone, anglophone, LGBT, First Nations, immigrants.... We have to have diversity."

Ephestion cited anti-immigration sentiment from Quebec's new premier François Legault, U.S. President Donald Trump and governments in Brazil, Italy, Austria, Finland and Bulgaria as stark warnings for New Brunswick.

The Liberals have "the moral duty of reconciling New Brunswickers with their political leaders and not allowing the seed of division in our province to germinate," he said.

Ephestion said he knows he's an outsider to the party, and he's hoping to find volunteers and supporters as his campaign develops.

"I don't think that you will see another immigrant candidate run for this," he said.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-shelter-nazareth-funding-1.4783205

After serving 700 people last year, Moncton shelter asks for more money

House of Nazareth looking for $90,000 for urgent renovations

CBC News· Posted: Aug 13, 2018 1:25 PM AT

The House of Nazareth emergency shelter in Moncton needs $90,000 for urgent repairs, says its new executive director, Rene Ephestion. (Maison Nazareth-House of Nazareth/Facebook)

A Moncton emergency shelter is looking for more funding from the provincial government.

The House of Nazareth is in urgent need of renovations, according to its new executive director Rene Ephestion.

The shelter housed more than 700 people in the past year, Ephestion said, putting them up for a total of more than 5,000 nights.

With that degree of use, it doesn't take long for damage to take place, he said.

Ephestion said the dormitories and bathrooms need work and the shelter could use two heat pumps, which would also serve as air conditioners.

Ephestion declined to say how much funding the shelter now receives from governments.

But according to the Canada Revenue Agency's list of registered charities, Maison Nazareth Inc. received $7,487 from the federal government in 2016-17 and $94,063 from provincial governments.

The two largest portions of its revenue, about $200,000 each, came from donations and the sale of goods and services.

The shelter spent $408,032 to do its work, including $375,336 to pay 10 full-time employees and seven part-time employees.

Ephestion said the estimate for the heat pumps and dorm repairs is $90,000.

And another $60,000 worth of work is on a list of less urgent repairs.

The executive director said the shelter is providing an important service to the public and deserves more public money.

"When poverty hits you in the face, the first place that you go is an emergency shelter," said Ephestion.

Ephestion said he has spoken with local MLAs Monique LeBlanc and Cathy Rogers but has not received any funding commitments.

"I will find the funding," he said.

"I will knock at all the doors, but I will find the funding. It's a necessity."

Information Morning - Moncton

The House of Nazareth in Moncton needs money for major renovations

00:0007:09

Rene Ephestion, executive director of the House of Nazareth in Moncton says the province should step up and help out. 7:09

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

On 12/12/18, David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> wrote:

> https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-latest-public-safety-minister-carl.html
>
> Wednesday, 12 December 2018
>
> The latest Public Safety Minister Carl Urquhart yesterday the RCMP and
> many lawyers know Fat Fred City and the province are about to get sued
> BIGTIME
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Gallant, Brian (LEG)"<Brian.Gallant@gnb.ca>
> Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2018 17:48:50 +0000
> Subject: RE: YO Deputy Premier Robert Gauvin Enjoy
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> Thank you for writing to the Leader of the Official Opposition of New
> Brunswick. Please be assured that your e-mail will be reviewed.
>
> If this is a media request, please forward your e-mail to
> ashley.beaudin@gnb.camedia-medias@gnb.ca
>. Thank you!
>
> ---
>
> Nous vous remercions d’avoir communiqué avec le chef de l’opposition
> officielle du Nouveau-Brunswick. Soyez assuré(e) que votre courriel
> sera examiné.
>
> Si ceci est une demande médiatique, prière de la transmettre à
> ashley.beaudin@gnb.camedia-medias@gnb.ca>. Merci!
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario
> <Premier@ontario.ca>
> Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2018 17:48:28 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: YO Deputy Premier Robert Gauvin Enjoy
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly
> valued.
>
> You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read,
> reviewed and taken into consideration.
>
> There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
> need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
> correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
> response may take several business days.
>
> Thanks again for your email.
> ______
>
> Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de
> nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
>
> Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
> considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
>
> Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
> responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
> la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
> ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.
>
> Merci encore pour votre courriel.
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Gauvin, Serge (SNB)"<Serge.Gauvin@snb.ca>
> Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2018 17:48:49 +0000
> Subject: Réponse automatique : YO Deputy Premier Robert Gauvin Enjoy
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> I am out of the office. Please contact Patrick Windle at
> patrick.windle@snb.caPatrick.windle@snb.ca>
>
> Je suis absent du bureau. Veuillez contacter Patrick Windle à
> patrick.windle@snb.caPatrick.windle@snb.ca>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Cormier, Donna (JAG/JPG)"<donna.cormier@gnb.ca>
> Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2018 20:15:11 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: Yp John Logan I just called
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> I'm away from the office until December 12, 2018. Should your matter
> require immediate attention, please contact Susan Butler at (506)
> 453-6309.
>
> Je suis à l'extérieur du bureau jusqu'au 12 décembre 2018. Si votre
> matière est urgente, veuillez communiquer avec Susan Butler au (506)
> 453-6309.
>
> Merci / Thank you
> Donna Cormier
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
> Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2018 15:49:18 -0400
> Subject: Yp John Logan I just called
> To: donna.cormier@gnb.ca, John.Logan@gnb.ca
> Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
> Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2018 02:04:52 -0400
> Subject: So Much for the Strong Ethics of the Strong Organization
> commonnly knows as the RCMP/GRC N'esy Pas?
> To: Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, "Jody.Wilson-Raybould"
> <Jody.Wilson-Raybould@parl.gc.ca>, "Holland, Mike (LEG)"
> <mike.holland@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)"<megan.mitton@gnb.ca>,
> "carl.urquhart"<carl.urquhart@gnb.ca>, "Stephane.vaillancourt"
> <Stephane.vaillancourt@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "steve.murphy"
> <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, news <news@kingscorecord.com>, "Gilles.Blinn"
> <Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Michelle.Boutin"
> <Michelle.Boutin@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "michelle.conroy"
> <michelle.conroy@gnb.ca>, "michael.comeau"<michael.comeau@gnb.ca>,
> "Norman.Sabourin"<Norman.Sabourin@cjc-ccm.gc.ca

>, "andrew.scheer"
> <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>, "maxime.bernier"
> <maxime.bernier@parl.gc.ca>, "Gilles.Moreau"
> <Gilles.Moreau@forces.gc.ca>, "Gilles.Cote"<Gilles.Cote@gnb.ca>,
> "gerry.lowe"<gerry.lowe@gnb.ca>, "Gerald.Butts"
> <Gerald.Butts@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, "Michael.Wernick"
> <Michael.Wernick@pco-bcp.gc.ca>, "Dale.Morgan"
> <Dale.Morgan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "dale.drummond"
> <dale.drummond@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, DDrummond <DDrummond@google.com>,
> ddale <ddale@thestar.ca>, sfine <sfine@globeandmail.com>
> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: ethics-ethique ethics-ethique <ethics-ethique@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
> Date: Mon, 03 Dec 2018 00:22:30 -0500
> Subject: Re: Re My many calls to the Calgary Police Dept about their
> client Partick Doran and his many cohorts
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> This will confirm that we have received your enquiry and it has been
> placed in a priority sequence.
> ***********************************
> La présente confirme que nous avons bien reçu votre requête et qu'elle
> a été placée en ordre de priorité de réception.
>
> Thank you/Merci
>
> Professional Ethics Office / Bureau de l'éthique professionelle
> Royal Canadian Mounted Police / Gendarmerie royale du Canada
> 73 Leikin Dr., M5-3-101
> RCMP Mailstop #58/
> GRC Arrêt Postal #58
> Ottawa, Ontario
> K1A 0R2
>
> 1-866-206-0195 (off/bur)
>
> ethics-ethique@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
>
> "Strong Ethics, Strong Organization"
> « Une éthique solide pour une organisation solide »
>
> This document is the property of the Government of Canada. It is
> loaned, in confidence, to your agency only and is not to be
> reclassified or further disseminated without the consent of the
> originator."
>
> « Ce document appartient au gouvernement du Canada. Il n'est transmis
> en confidence qu'à votre organisme et il ne doit pas être reclassifié
> ou transmis à d'autres sans le consentement de l'expéditeur. »
>
>
>
>
>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
>> Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2017 09:32:09 -0400
>> Subject: Attn Integrity Commissioner Alexandre Deschênes, Q.C.,
>> To: coi@gnb.ca
>> Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com
>>
>> Good Day Sir
>>
>> After I heard you speak on CBC I called your office again and managed
>> to speak to one of your staff for the first time
>>
>> Please find attached the documents I promised to send to the lady who
>> answered the phone this morning. Please notice that not after the Sgt
>> at Arms took the documents destined to your office his pal Tanker
>> Malley barred me in writing with an "English" only document.
>>
>> These are the hearings and the dockets in Federal Court that I
>> suggested that you study closely.
>>
>> This is the docket in Federal Court
>>
>> http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.gc.ca/IndexingQueries/infp_RE_info_e.php?court_no=T-1557-15&select_court=T
>>
>> These are digital recordings of the last three hearings
>>
>> Dec 14th https://archive.org/details/BahHumbug
>>
>> January 11th, 2016 https://archive.org/details/Jan11th2015
>>
>> April 3rd, 2017
>>
>> https://archive.org/details/April32017JusticeLeblancHearing
>>
>>
>> This is the docket in the Federal Court of Appeal
>>
>> http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.gc.ca/IndexingQueries/infp_RE_info_e.php?court_no=A-48-16&select_court=All
>>
>>
>> The only hearing thus far
>>
>> May 24th, 2017
>>
>> https://archive.org/details/May24thHoedown
>>
>>
>> This Judge understnds the meaning of the word Integrity
>>
>> Date: 20151223
>>
>> Docket: T-1557-15
>>
>> Fredericton, New Brunswick, December 23, 2015
>>
>> PRESENT: The Honourable Mr. Justice Bell
>>
>> BETWEEN:
>>
>> DAVID RAYMOND AMOS
>>
>> Plaintiff
>>
>> and
>>
>> HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
>>
>> Defendant
>>
>> ORDER
>>
>> (Delivered orally from the Bench in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on
>> December 14, 2015)
>>
>> The Plaintiff seeks an appeal de novo, by way of motion pursuant to
>> the Federal Courts Rules (SOR/98-106), from an Order made on November
>> 12, 2015, in which Prothonotary Morneau struck the Statement of Claim
>> in its entirety.
>>
>> At the outset of the hearing, the Plaintiff brought to my attention a
>> letter dated September 10, 2004, which he sent to me, in my then
>> capacity as Past President of the New Brunswick Branch of the Canadian
>> Bar Association, and the then President of the Branch, Kathleen Quigg,
>> (now a Justice of the New Brunswick Court of Appeal). In that letter
>> he stated:
>>
>> As for your past President, Mr. Bell, may I suggest that you check the
>> work of Frank McKenna before I sue your entire law firm including you.
>> You are your brother’s keeper.
>>
>> Frank McKenna is the former Premier of New Brunswick and a former
>> colleague of mine at the law firm of McInnes Cooper. In addition to
>> expressing an intention to sue me, the Plaintiff refers to a number of
>> people in his Motion Record who he appears to contend may be witnesses
>> or potential parties to be added. Those individuals who are known to
>> me personally, include, but are not limited to the former Prime
>> Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper; former
>> Attorney General of Canada and now a Justice of the Manitoba Court of
>> Queen’s Bench, Vic Toews; former member of Parliament Rob Moore;
>> former Director of Policing Services, the late Grant Garneau; former
>> Chief of the Fredericton Police Force, Barry McKnight; former Staff
>> Sergeant Danny Copp; my former colleagues on the New Brunswick Court
>> of Appeal, Justices Bradley V. Green and Kathleen Quigg, and, retired
>> Assistant Commissioner Wayne Lang of the Royal Canadian Mounted
>> Police.
>>
>> In the circumstances, given the threat in 2004 to sue me in my
>> personal capacity and my past and present relationship with many
>> potential witnesses and/or potential parties to the litigation, I am
>> of the view there would be a reasonable apprehension of bias should I
>> hear this motion. See Justice de Grandpré’s dissenting judgment in
>> Committee for Justice and Liberty et al v National Energy Board et al,
>> [1978] 1 SCR 369 at p 394 for the applicable test regarding
>> allegations of bias. In the circumstances, although neither party has
>> requested I recuse myself, I consider it appropriate that I do so.
>>
>>
>> AS A RESULT OF MY RECUSAL, THIS COURT ORDERS that the Administrator of
>> the Court schedule another date for the hearing of the motion. There
>> is no order as to costs.
>>
>> “B. Richard Bell”
>> Judge
>>
>>
>> Below after the CBC article about your concerns (I made one comment
>> already) you will find the text of just two of many emails I had sent
>> to your office over the years since I first visited it in 2006.
>>
>> I noticed that on July 30, 2009, he was appointed to the the Court
>> Martial Appeal Court of Canada Perhaps you should scroll to the
>> bottom of this email ASAP and read the entire Paragraph 83 of my
>> lawsuit now before the Federal Court of Canada?
>>
>> "FYI This is the text of the lawsuit that should interest Trudeau the
>> most
>>
>>
>> ---------- Original message ----------
>> From: justin.trudeau.a1@parl.gc.ca
>> Date: Thu, Oct 22, 2015 at 8:18 PM
>> Subject: Réponse automatique : RE My complaint against the CROWN in
>> Federal Court Attn David Hansen and Peter MacKay If you planning to
>> submit a motion for a publication ban on my complaint trust that you
>> dudes are way past too late
>> To: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com
>>
>> Veuillez noter que j'ai changé de courriel. Vous pouvez me rejoindre à
>> lalanthier@hotmail.com
>>
>> Pour rejoindre le bureau de M. Trudeau veuillez envoyer un courriel à
>> tommy.desfosses@parl.gc.ca
>>
>> Please note that I changed email address, you can reach me at
>> lalanthier@hotmail.com
>>
>> To reach the office of Mr. Trudeau please send an email to
>> tommy.desfosses@parl.gc.ca
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Merci ,
>>
>>
>> http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2015/09/v-behaviorurldefaultvmlo.html
>>
>>
>> 83. The Plaintiff states that now that Canada is involved in more war
>> in Iraq again it did not serve Canadian interests and reputation to
>> allow Barry Winters to publish the following words three times over
>> five years after he began his bragging:
>>
>> January 13, 2015
>> This Is Just AS Relevant Now As When I wrote It During The Debate
>>
>> December 8, 2014
>> Why Canada Stood Tall!
>>
>> Friday, October 3, 2014
>> Little David Amos’ “True History Of War” Canadian Airstrikes And
>> Stupid Justin Trudeau
>>
>> Canada’s and Canadians free ride is over. Canada can no longer hide
>> behind Amerka’s and NATO’s skirts.
>>
>> When I was still in Canadian Forces then Prime Minister Jean Chretien
>> actually committed the Canadian Army to deploy in the second campaign
>> in Iraq, the Coalition of the Willing. This was against or contrary to
>> the wisdom or advice of those of us Canadian officers that were
>> involved in the initial planning phases of that operation. There were
>> significant concern in our planning cell, and NDHQ about of the dearth
>> of concern for operational guidance, direction, and forces for
>> operations after the initial occupation of Iraq. At the “last minute”
>> Prime Minister Chretien and the Liberal government changed its mind.
>> The Canadian government told our amerkan cousins that we would not
>> deploy combat troops for the Iraq campaign, but would deploy a
>> Canadian Battle Group to Afghanistan, enabling our amerkan cousins to
>> redeploy troops from there to Iraq. The PMO’s thinking that it was
>> less costly to deploy Canadian Forces to Afghanistan than Iraq. But
>> alas no one seems to remind the Liberals of Prime Minister Chretien’s
>> then grossly incorrect assumption. Notwithstanding Jean Chretien’s
>> incompetence and stupidity, the Canadian Army was heroic,
>> professional, punched well above it’s weight, and the PPCLI Battle
>> Group, is credited with “saving Afghanistan” during the Panjway
>> campaign of 2006.
>>
>> What Justin Trudeau and the Liberals don’t tell you now, is that then
>> Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chretien committed, and deployed the
>> Canadian army to Canada’s longest “war” without the advice, consent,
>> support, or vote of the Canadian Parliament.
>>
>> What David Amos and the rest of the ignorant, uneducated, and babbling
>> chattering classes are too addled to understand is the deployment of
>> less than 75 special operations troops, and what is known by planners
>> as a “six pac cell” of fighter aircraft is NOT the same as a
>> deployment of a Battle Group, nor a “war” make.
>>
>> The Canadian Government or The Crown unlike our amerkan cousins have
>> the “constitutional authority” to commit the Canadian nation to war.
>> That has been recently clearly articulated to the Canadian public by
>> constitutional scholar Phillippe Legasse. What Parliament can do is
>> remove “confidence” in The Crown’s Government in a “vote of
>> non-confidence.” That could not happen to the Chretien Government
>> regarding deployment to Afghanistan, and it won’t happen in this
>> instance with the conservative majority in The Commons regarding a
>> limited Canadian deployment to the Middle East.
>>
>> President George Bush was quite correct after 911 and the terror
>> attacks in New York; that the Taliban “occupied” and “failed state”
>> Afghanistan was the source of logistical support, command and control,
>> and training for the Al Quaeda war of terror against the world. The
>> initial defeat, and removal from control of Afghanistan was vital and
>>
>> P.S. Whereas this CBC article is about your opinion of the actions of
>> the latest Minister Of Health trust that Mr Boudreau and the CBC have
>> had my files for many years and the last thing they are is ethical.
>> Ask his friends Mr Murphy and the RCMP if you don't believe me.
>>
>> Subject:
>> Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 12:02:35 -0400
>> From: "Murphy, Michael B. $DH/MS$"MichaelB.Murphy@gnb.ca
>> To: motomaniac_02186@yahoo.com
>>
>> January 30, 2007
>>
>> WITHOUT PREJUDICE
>>
>> Mr. David Amos
>>
>> Dear Mr. Amos:
>>
>> This will acknowledge receipt of a copy of your e-mail of December 29,
>> 2006 to Corporal Warren McBeath of the RCMP.
>>
>> Because of the nature of the allegations made in your message, I have
>> taken the measure of forwarding a copy to Assistant Commissioner Steve
>> Graham of the RCMP “J” Division in Fredericton.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Honourable Michael B. Murphy
>> Minister of Health
>>
>> CM/cb
>>
>>
>> Warren McBeath warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca wrote:
>>
>> Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 17:34:53 -0500
>> From: "Warren McBeath"warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
>> To: kilgoursite@ca.inter.net, MichaelB.Murphy@gnb.ca,
>> nada.sarkis@gnb.ca, wally.stiles@gnb.ca, dwatch@web.net,
>> motomaniac_02186@yahoo.com
>> CC: ottawa@chuckstrahl.com, riding@chuckstrahl.com,John.Foran@gnb.ca,
>> Oda.B@parl.gc.ca,"Bev BUSSON"bev.busson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,
>> "Paul Dube"PAUL.DUBE@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
>> Subject: Re: Remember me Kilgour? Landslide Annie McLellan has
>> forgotten me but the crooks within the RCMP have not
>>
>> Dear Mr. Amos,
>>
>> Thank you for your follow up e-mail to me today. I was on days off
>> over the holidays and returned to work this evening. Rest assured I
>> was not ignoring or procrastinating to respond to your concerns.
>>
>> As your attachment sent today refers from Premier Graham, our position
>> is clear on your dead calf issue: Our forensic labs do not process
>> testing on animals in cases such as yours, they are referred to the
>> Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown who can provide these
>> services. If you do not choose to utilize their expertise in this
>> instance, then that is your decision and nothing more can be done.
>>
>> As for your other concerns regarding the US Government, false
>> imprisonment and Federal Court Dates in the US, etc... it is clear
>> that Federal authorities are aware of your concerns both in Canada
>> the US. These issues do not fall into the purvue of Detachment
>> and policing in Petitcodiac, NB.
>>
>> It was indeed an interesting and informative conversation we had on
>> December 23rd, and I wish you well in all of your future endeavors.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Warren McBeath, Cpl.
>> GRC Caledonia RCMP
>> Traffic Services NCO
>> Ph: (506) 387-2222
>> Fax: (506) 387-4622
>> E-mail warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
>>
>>
>>
>> Alexandre Deschênes, Q.C.,
>> Office of the Integrity Commissioner
>> Edgecombe House, 736 King Street
>> Fredericton, N.B. CANADA E3B 5H1
>> tel.: 506-457-7890
>> fax: 506-444-5224
>> e-mail:coi@gnb.ca
>>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Justice Website <JUSTWEB@novascotia.ca>
> Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2017 14:21:11 +0000
> Subject: Emails to Department of Justice and Province of Nova Scotia
> To: "motomaniac333@gmail.com"<motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> Mr. Amos,
> We acknowledge receipt of your recent emails to the Deputy Minister of
> Justice and lawyers within the Legal Services Division of the
> Department of Justice respecting a possible claim against the Province
> of Nova Scotia. Service of any documents respecting a legal claim
> against the Province of Nova Scotia may be served on the Attorney
> General at 1690 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS. Please note that we will
> not be responding to further emails on this matter.
>
> Department of Justice
>
> On 8/3/17, David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> If want something very serious to download and laugh at as well Please
>> Enjoy and share real wiretap tapes of the mob
>>
>> http://thedavidamosrant.blogspot.ca/2013/10/re-glen-greenwald-and-braz
>> ilian.html
>>
>>> http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/06/09/nsa-leak-guardian.html
>>>
>>> As the CBC etc yap about Yankee wiretaps and whistleblowers I must
>>> ask them the obvious question AIN'T THEY FORGETTING SOMETHING????
>>>
>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vugUalUO8YY
>>>
>>> What the hell does the media think my Yankee lawyer served upon the
>>> USDOJ right after I ran for and seat in the 39th Parliament baseball
>>> cards?
>>>
>>> http://archive.org/details/ITriedToExplainItToAllMaritimersInEarly200
>>> 6
>>>
>>> http://davidamos.blogspot.ca/2006/05/wiretap-tapes-impeach-bush.html
>>>
>>> http://www.archive.org/details/PoliceSurveilanceWiretapTape139
>>>
>>> http://archive.org/details/Part1WiretapTape143
>>>
>>> FEDERAL EXPRES February 7, 2006
>>> Senator Arlen Specter
>>> United States Senate
>>> Committee on the Judiciary
>>> 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building
>>> Washington, DC 20510
>>>
>>> Dear Mr. Specter:
>>>
>>> I have been asked to forward the enclosed tapes to you from a man
>>> named, David Amos, a Canadian citizen, in connection with the matters
>>> raised in the attached letter.
>>>
>>> Mr. Amos has represented to me that these are illegal FBI wire tap
>>> tapes.
>>>
>>> I believe Mr. Amos has been in contact with you about this previously.
>>>
>>> Very truly yours,
>>> Barry A. Bachrach
>>> Direct telephone: (508) 926-3403
>>> Direct facsimile: (508) 929-3003
>>> Email: bbachrach@bowditch.com
>>>
>>
>
> http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2017/11/federal-court-of-appeal-finally-makes.html
>
>
> Sunday, 19 November 2017
> Federal Court of Appeal Finally Makes The BIG Decision And Publishes
> It Now The Crooks Cannot Take Back Ticket To Try Put My Matter Before
> The Supreme Court
>
> https://decisions.fct-cf.gc.ca/fca-caf/decisions/en/item/236679/index.do
>
>
> Federal Court of Appeal Decisions
>
> Amos v. Canada
> Court (s) Database
>
> Federal Court of Appeal Decisions
> Date
>
> 2017-10-30
> Neutral citation
>
> 2017 FCA 213
> File numbers
>
> A-48-16
> Date: 20171030
>
> Docket: A-48-16
> Citation: 2017 FCA 213
> CORAM:
>
> WEBB J.A.
> NEAR J.A.
> GLEASON J.A.
>
>
> BETWEEN:
> DAVID RAYMOND AMOS
> Respondent on the cross-appeal
> (and formally Appellant)
> and
> HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
> Appellant on the cross-appeal
> (and formerly Respondent)
> Heard at Fredericton, New Brunswick, on May 24, 2017.
> Judgment delivered at Ottawa, Ontario, on October 30, 2017.
> REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY:
>
> THE COURT
>
>
>
> Date: 20171030
>
> Docket: A-48-16
> Citation: 2017 FCA 213
> CORAM:
>
> WEBB J.A.
> NEAR J.A.
> GLEASON J.A.
>
>
> BETWEEN:
> DAVID RAYMOND AMOS
> Respondent on the cross-appeal
> (and formally Appellant)
> and
> HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
> Appellant on the cross-appeal
> (and formerly Respondent)
> REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY THE COURT
>
> I. Introduction
>
> [1] On September 16, 2015, David Raymond Amos (Mr. Amos)
> filed a 53-page Statement of Claim (the Claim) in Federal Court
> against Her Majesty the Queen (the Crown). Mr. Amos claims $11 million
> in damages and a public apology from the Prime Minister and Provincial
> Premiers for being illegally barred from accessing parliamentary
> properties and seeks a declaration from the Minister of Public Safety
> that the Canadian Government will no longer allow the Royal Canadian
> Mounted Police (RCMP) and Canadian Forces to harass him and his clan
> (Claim at para. 96).
>
> [2] On November 12, 2015 (Docket T-1557-15), by way of a
> motion brought by the Crown, a prothonotary of the Federal Court (the
> Prothonotary) struck the Claim in its entirety, without leave to
> amend, on the basis that it was plain and obvious that the Claim
> disclosed no reasonable claim, the Claim was fundamentally vexatious,
> and the Claim could not be salvaged by way of further amendment (the
> Prothontary’s Order).
>
>
> [3] On January 25, 2016 (2016 FC 93), by way of Mr.
> Amos’ appeal from the Prothonotary’s Order, a judge of the Federal
> Court (the Judge), reviewing the matter de novo, struck all of Mr.
> Amos’ claims for relief with the exception of the claim for damages
> for being barred by the RCMP from the New Brunswick legislature in
> 2004 (the Federal Court Judgment).
>
>
> [4] Mr. Amos appealed and the Crown cross-appealed the
> Federal Court Judgment. Further to the issuance of a Notice of Status
> Review, Mr. Amos’ appeal was dismissed for delay on December 19, 2016.
> As such, the only matter before this Court is the Crown’s
> cross-appeal.
>
>
> II. Preliminary Matter
>
> [5] Mr. Amos, in his memorandum of fact and law in
> relation to the cross-appeal that was filed with this Court on March
> 6, 2017, indicated that several judges of this Court, including two of
> the judges of this panel, had a conflict of interest in this appeal.
> This was the first time that he identified the judges whom he believed
> had a conflict of interest in a document that was filed with this
> Court. In his notice of appeal he had alluded to a conflict with
> several judges but did not name those judges.
>
> [6] Mr. Amos was of the view that he did not have to
> identify the judges in any document filed with this Court because he
> had identified the judges in various documents that had been filed
> with the Federal Court. In his view the Federal Court and the Federal
> Court of Appeal are the same court and therefore any document filed in
> the Federal Court would be filed in this Court. This view is based on
> subsections 5(4) and 5.1(4) of the Federal Courts Act, R.S.C., 1985,
> c. F-7:
>
>
> 5(4) Every judge of the Federal Court is, by virtue of his or her
> office, a judge of the Federal Court of Appeal and has all the
> jurisdiction, power and authority of a judge of the Federal Court of
> Appeal.
> […]
>
> 5(4) Les juges de la Cour fédérale sont d’office juges de la Cour
> d’appel fédérale et ont la même compétence et les mêmes pouvoirs que
> les juges de la Cour d’appel fédérale.
> […]
> 5.1(4) Every judge of the Federal Court of Appeal is, by virtue of
> that office, a judge of the Federal Court and has all the
> jurisdiction, power and authority of a judge of the Federal Court.
>
> 5.1(4) Les juges de la Cour d’appel fédérale sont d’office juges de la
> Cour fédérale et ont la même compétence et les mêmes pouvoirs que les
> juges de la Cour fédérale.
>
>
> [7] However, these subsections only provide that the
> judges of the Federal Court are also judges of this Court (and vice
> versa). It does not mean that there is only one court. If the Federal
> Court and this Court were one Court, there would be no need for this
> section.
> [8] Sections 3 and 4 of the Federal Courts Act provide that:
> 3 The division of the Federal Court of Canada called the Federal Court
> — Appeal Division is continued under the name “Federal Court of
> Appeal” in English and “Cour d’appel fédérale” in French. It is
> continued as an additional court of law, equity and admiralty in and
> for Canada, for the better administration of the laws of Canada and as
> a superior court of record having civil and criminal jurisdiction.
>
> 3 La Section d’appel, aussi appelée la Cour d’appel ou la Cour d’appel
> fédérale, est maintenue et dénommée « Cour d’appel fédérale » en
> français et « Federal Court of Appeal » en anglais. Elle est maintenue
> à titre de tribunal additionnel de droit, d’equity et d’amirauté du
> Canada, propre à améliorer l’application du droit canadien, et
> continue d’être une cour supérieure d’archives ayant compétence en
> matière civile et pénale.
> 4 The division of the Federal Court of Canada called the Federal Court
> — Trial Division is continued under the name “Federal Court” in
> English and “Cour fédérale” in French. It is continued as an
> additional court of law, equity and admiralty in and for Canada, for
> the better administration of the laws of Canada and as a superior
> court of record having civil and criminal jurisdiction.
>
> 4 La section de la Cour fédérale du Canada, appelée la Section de
> première instance de la Cour fédérale, est maintenue et dénommée «
> Cour fédérale » en français et « Federal Court » en anglais. Elle est
> maintenue à titre de tribunal additionnel de droit, d’equity et
> d’amirauté du Canada, propre à améliorer l’application du droit
> canadien, et continue d’être une cour supérieure d’archives ayant
> compétence en matière civile et pénale.
>
>
> [9] Sections 3 and 4 of the Federal Courts Act create
> two separate courts – this Court (section 3) and the Federal Court
> (section 4). If, as Mr. Amos suggests, documents filed in the Federal
> Court were automatically also filed in this Court, then there would no
> need for the parties to prepare and file appeal books as required by
> Rules 343 to 345 of the Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106 in relation
> to any appeal from a decision of the Federal Court. The requirement to
> file an appeal book with this Court in relation to an appeal from a
> decision of the Federal Court makes it clear that the only documents
> that will be before this Court are the documents that are part of that
> appeal book.
>
>
> [10] Therefore, the memorandum of fact and law filed on
> March 6, 2017 is the first document, filed with this Court, in which
> Mr. Amos identified the particular judges that he submits have a
> conflict in any matter related to him.
>
>
> [11] On April 3, 2017, Mr. Amos attempted to bring a motion
> before the Federal Court seeking an order “affirming or denying the
> conflict of interest he has” with a number of judges of the Federal
> Court. A judge of the Federal Court issued a direction noting that if
> Mr. Amos was seeking this order in relation to judges of the Federal
> Court of Appeal, it was beyond the jurisdiction of the Federal Court.
> Mr. Amos raised the Federal Court motion at the hearing of this
> cross-appeal. The Federal Court motion is not a motion before this
> Court and, as such, the submissions filed before the Federal Court
> will not be entertained. As well, since this was a motion brought
> before the Federal Court (and not this Court), any documents filed in
> relation to that motion are not part of the record of this Court.
>
>
> [12] During the hearing of the appeal Mr. Amos alleged that
> the third member of this panel also had a conflict of interest and
> submitted some documents that, in his view, supported his claim of a
> conflict. Mr. Amos, following the hearing of his appeal, was also
> afforded the opportunity to provide a brief summary of the conflict
> that he was alleging and to file additional documents that, in his
> view, supported his allegations. Mr. Amos submitted several pages of
> documents in relation to the alleged conflicts. He organized the
> documents by submitting a copy of the biography of the particular
> judge and then, immediately following that biography, by including
> copies of the documents that, in his view, supported his claim that
> such judge had a conflict.
>
>
> [13] The nature of the alleged conflict of Justice Webb is
> that before he was appointed as a Judge of the Tax Court of Canada in
> 2006, he was a partner with the law firm Patterson Law, and before
> that with Patterson Palmer in Nova Scotia. Mr. Amos submitted that he
> had a number of disputes with Patterson Palmer and Patterson Law and
> therefore Justice Webb has a conflict simply because he was a partner
> of these firms. Mr. Amos is not alleging that Justice Webb was
> personally involved in or had any knowledge of any matter in which Mr.
> Amos was involved with Justice Webb’s former law firm – only that he
> was a member of such firm.
>
>
> [14] During his oral submissions at the hearing of his
> appeal Mr. Amos, in relation to the alleged conflict for Justice Webb,
> focused on dealings between himself and a particular lawyer at
> Patterson Law. However, none of the documents submitted by Mr. Amos at
> the hearing or subsequently related to any dealings with this
> particular lawyer nor is it clear when Mr. Amos was dealing with this
> lawyer. In particular, it is far from clear whether such dealings were
> after the time that Justice Webb was appointed as a Judge of the Tax
> Court of Canada over 10 years ago.
>
>
> [15] The documents that he submitted in relation to the
> alleged conflict for Justice Webb largely relate to dealings between
> Byron Prior and the St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador office of
> Patterson Palmer, which is not in the same province where Justice Webb
> practiced law. The only document that indicates any dealing between
> Mr. Amos and Patterson Palmer is a copy of an affidavit of Stephen May
> who was a partner in the St. John’s NL office of Patterson Palmer. The
> affidavit is dated January 24, 2005 and refers to a number of e-mails
> that were sent by Mr. Amos to Stephen May. Mr. Amos also included a
> letter that is addressed to four individuals, one of whom is John
> Crosbie who was counsel to the St. John’s NL office of Patterson
> Palmer. The letter is dated September 2, 2004 and is addressed to
> “John Crosbie, c/o Greg G. Byrne, Suite 502, 570 Queen Street,
> Fredericton, NB E3B 5E3”. In this letter Mr. Amos alludes to a
> possible lawsuit against Patterson Palmer.
> [16] Mr. Amos’ position is that simply because Justice Webb
> was a lawyer with Patterson Palmer, he now has a conflict. In Wewaykum
> Indian Band v. Her Majesty the Queen, 2003 SCC 45, [2003] 2 S.C.R.
> 259, the Supreme Court of Canada noted that disqualification of a
> judge is to be determined based on whether there is a reasonable
> apprehension of bias:
> 60 In Canadian law, one standard has now emerged as the
> criterion for disqualification. The criterion, as expressed by de
> Grandpré J. in Committee for Justice and Liberty v. National Energy
> Board, …[[1978] 1 S.C.R. 369, 68 D.L.R. (3d) 716], at p. 394, is the
> reasonable apprehension of bias:
> … the apprehension of bias must be a reasonable one, held by
> reasonable and right minded persons, applying themselves to the
> question and obtaining thereon the required information. In the words
> of the Court of Appeal, that test is "what would an informed person,
> viewing the matter realistically and practically -- and having thought
> the matter through -- conclude. Would he think that it is more likely
> than not that [the decision-maker], whether consciously or
> unconsciously, would not decide fairly."
>
> [17] The issue to be determined is whether an informed
> person, viewing the matter realistically and practically, and having
> thought the matter through, would conclude that Mr. Amos’ allegations
> give rise to a reasonable apprehension of bias. As this Court has
> previously remarked, “there is a strong presumption that judges will
> administer justice impartially” and this presumption will not be
> rebutted in the absence of “convincing evidence” of bias (Collins v.
> Canada, 2011 FCA 140 at para. 7, [2011] 4 C.T.C. 157 [Collins]. See
> also R. v. S. (R.D.), [1997] 3 S.C.R. 484 at para. 32, 151 D.L.R.
> (4th) 193).
>
> [18] The Ontario Court of Appeal in Rando Drugs Ltd. v.
> Scott, 2007 ONCA 553, 86 O.R. (3d) 653 (leave to appeal to the Supreme
> Court of Canada refused, 32285 (August 1, 2007)), addressed the
> particular issue of whether a judge is disqualified from hearing a
> case simply because he had been a member of a law firm that was
> involved in the litigation that was now before that judge. The Ontario
> Court of Appeal determined that the judge was not disqualified if the
> judge had no involvement with the person or the matter when he was a
> lawyer. The Ontario Court of Appeal also explained that the rules for
> determining whether a judge is disqualified are different from the
> rules to determine whether a lawyer has a conflict:
> 27 Thus, disqualification is not the natural corollary to a
> finding that a trial judge has had some involvement in a case over
> which he or she is now presiding. Where the judge had no involvement,
> as here, it cannot be said that the judge is disqualified.
>
>
> 28 The point can rightly be made that had Mr. Patterson been
> asked to represent the appellant as counsel before his appointment to
> the bench, the conflict rules would likely have prevented him from
> taking the case because his firm had formerly represented one of the
> defendants in the case. Thus, it is argued how is it that as a trial
> judge Patterson J. can hear the case? This issue was considered by the
> Court of Appeal (Civil Division) in Locabail (U.K.) Ltd. v. Bayfield
> Properties Ltd., [2000] Q.B. 451. The court held, at para. 58, that
> there is no inflexible rule governing the disqualification of a judge
> and that, "[e]verything depends on the circumstances."
>
>
> 29 It seems to me that what appears at first sight to be an
> inconsistency in application of rules can be explained by the
> different contexts and in particular, the strong presumption of
> judicial impartiality that applies in the context of disqualification
> of a judge. There is no such presumption in cases of allegations of
> conflict of interest against a lawyer because of a firm's previous
> involvement in the case. To the contrary, as explained by Sopinka J.
> in MacDonald Estate v. Martin (1990), 77 D.L.R. (4th) 249 (S.C.C.),
> for sound policy reasons there is a presumption of a disqualifying
> interest that can rarely be overcome. In particular, a conclusory
> statement from the lawyer that he or she had no confidential
> information about the case will never be sufficient. The case is the
> opposite where the allegation of bias is made against a trial judge.
> His or her statement that he or she knew nothing about the case and
> had no involvement in it will ordinarily be accepted at face value
> unless there is good reason to doubt it: see Locabail, at para. 19.
>
>
> 30 That brings me then to consider the particular circumstances
> of this case and whether there are serious grounds to find a
> disqualifying conflict of interest in this case. In my view, there are
> two significant factors that justify the trial judge's decision not to
> recuse himself. The first is his statement, which all parties accept,
> that he knew nothing of the case when it was in his former firm and
> that he had nothing to do with it. The second is the long passage of
> time. As was said in Wewaykum, at para. 85:
> To us, one significant factor stands out, and must inform
> the perspective of the reasonable person assessing the impact of this
> involvement on Binnie J.'s impartiality in the appeals. That factor is
> the passage of time. Most arguments for disqualification rest on
> circumstances that are either contemporaneous to the decision-making,
> or that occurred within a short time prior to the decision-making.
> 31 There are other factors that inform the issue. The Wilson
> Walker firm no longer acted for any of the parties by the time of
> trial. More importantly, at the time of the motion, Patterson J. had
> been a judge for six years and thus had not had a relationship with
> his former firm for a considerable period of time.
>
>
> 32 In my view, a reasonable person, viewing the matter
> realistically would conclude that the trial judge could deal fairly
> and impartially with this case. I take this view principally because
> of the long passage of time and the trial judge's lack of involvement
> in or knowledge of the case when the Wilson Walker firm had carriage.
> In these circumstances it cannot be reasonably contended that the
> trial judge could not remain impartial in the case. The mere fact that
> his name appears on the letterhead of some correspondence from over a
> decade ago would not lead a reasonable person to believe that he would
> either consciously or unconsciously favour his former firm's former
> client. It is simply not realistic to think that a judge would throw
> off his mantle of impartiality, ignore his oath of office and favour a
> client - about whom he knew nothing - of a firm that he left six years
> earlier and that no longer acts for the client, in a case involving
> events from over a decade ago.
> (emphasis added)
>
> [19] Justice Webb had no involvement with any matter
> involving Mr. Amos while he was a member of Patterson Palmer or
> Patterson Law, nor does Mr. Amos suggest that he did. Mr. Amos made it
> clear during the hearing of this matter that the only reason for the
> alleged conflict for Justice Webb was that he was a member of
> Patterson Law and Patterson Palmer. This is simply not enough for
> Justice Webb to be disqualified. Any involvement of Mr. Amos with
> Patterson Law while Justice Webb was a member of that firm would have
> had to occur over 10 years ago and even longer for the time when he
> was a member of Patterson Palmer. In addition to the lack of any
> involvement on his part with any matter or dispute that Mr. Amos had
> with Patterson Law or Patterson Palmer (which in and of itself is
> sufficient to dispose of this matter), the length of time since
> Justice Webb was a member of Patterson Law or Patterson Palmer would
> also result in the same finding – that there is no conflict in Justice
> Webb hearing this appeal.
>
> [20] Similarly in R. v. Bagot, 2000 MBCA 30, 145 Man. R.
> (2d) 260, the Manitoba Court of Appeal found that there was no
> reasonable apprehension of bias when a judge, who had been a member of
> the law firm that had been retained by the accused, had no involvement
> with the accused while he was a lawyer with that firm.
>
> [21] In Del Zotto v. Minister of National Revenue, [2000] 4
> F.C. 321, 257 N.R. 96, this court did find that there would be a
> reasonable apprehension of bias where a judge, who while he was a
> lawyer, had recorded time on a matter involving the same person who
> was before that judge. However, this case can be distinguished as
> Justice Webb did not have any time recorded on any files involving Mr.
> Amos while he was a lawyer with Patterson Palmer or Patterson Law.
>
> [22] Mr. Amos also included with his submissions a CD. He
> stated in his affidavit dated June 26, 2017 that there is a “true copy
> of an American police surveillance wiretap entitled 139” on this CD.
> He has also indicated that he has “provided a true copy of the CD
> entitled 139 to many American and Canadian law enforcement authorities
> and not one of the police forces or officers of the court are willing
> to investigate it”. Since he has indicated that this is an “American
> police surveillance wiretap”, this is a matter for the American law
> enforcement authorities and cannot create, as Mr. Amos suggests, a
> conflict of interest for any judge to whom he provides a copy.
>
> [23] As a result, there is no conflict or reasonable
> apprehension of bias for Justice Webb and therefore, no reason for him
> to recuse himself.
>
> [24] Mr. Amos alleged that Justice Near’s past professional
> experience with the government created a “quasi-conflict” in deciding
> the cross-appeal. Mr. Amos provided no details and Justice Near
> confirmed that he had no prior knowledge of the matters alleged in the
> Claim. Justice Near sees no reason to recuse himself.
>
> [25] Insofar as it is possible to glean the basis for Mr.
> Amos’ allegations against Justice Gleason, it appears that he alleges
> that she is incapable of hearing this appeal because he says he wrote
> a letter to Brian Mulroney and Jean Chrétien in 2004. At that time,
> both Justice Gleason and Mr. Mulroney were partners in the law firm
> Ogilvy Renault, LLP. The letter in question, which is rude and angry,
> begins with “Hey you two Evil Old Smiling Bastards” and “Re: me suing
> you and your little dogs too”. There is no indication that the letter
> was ever responded to or that a law suit was ever commenced by Mr.
> Amos against Mr. Mulroney. In the circumstances, there is no reason
> for Justice Gleason to recuse herself as the letter in question does
> not give rise to a reasonable apprehension of bias.
>
>
> III. Issue
>
> [26] The issue on the cross-appeal is as follows: Did the
> Judge err in setting aside the Prothonotary’s Order striking the Claim
> in its entirety without leave to amend and in determining that Mr.
> Amos’ allegation that the RCMP barred him from the New Brunswick
> legislature in 2004 was capable of supporting a cause of action?
>
> IV. Analysis
>
> A. Standard of Review
>
> [27] Following the Judge’s decision to set aside the
> Prothonotary’s Order, this Court revisited the standard of review to
> be applied to discretionary decisions of prothonotaries and decisions
> made by judges on appeals of prothonotaries’ decisions in Hospira
> Healthcare Corp. v. Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, 2016 FCA 215,
> 402 D.L.R. (4th) 497 [Hospira]. In Hospira, a five-member panel of
> this Court replaced the Aqua-Gem standard of review with that
> articulated in Housen v. Nikolaisen, 2002 SCC 33, [2002] 2 S.C.R. 235
> [Housen]. As a result, it is no longer appropriate for the Federal
> Court to conduct a de novo review of a discretionary order made by a
> prothonotary in regard to questions vital to the final issue of the
> case. Rather, a Federal Court judge can only intervene on appeal if
> the prothonotary made an error of law or a palpable and overriding
> error in determining a question of fact or question of mixed fact and
> law (Hospira at para. 79). Further, this Court can only interfere with
> a Federal Court judge’s review of a prothonotary’s discretionary order
> if the judge made an error of law or palpable and overriding error in
> determining a question of fact or question of mixed fact and law
> (Hospira at paras. 82-83).
>
> [28] In the case at bar, the Judge substituted his own
> assessment of Mr. Amos’ Claim for that of the Prothonotary. This Court
> must look to the Prothonotary’s Order to determine whether the Judge
> erred in law or made a palpable and overriding error in choosing to
> interfere.
>
>
> B. Did the Judge err in interfering with the
> Prothonotary’s Order?
>
> [29] The Prothontoary’s Order accepted the following
> paragraphs from the Crown’s submissions as the basis for striking the
> Claim in its entirety without leave to amend:
>
> 17. Within the 96 paragraph Statement of Claim, the Plaintiff
> addresses his complaint in paragraphs 14-24, inclusive. All but four
> of those paragraphs are dedicated to an incident that occurred in 2006
> in and around the legislature in New Brunswick. The jurisdiction of
> the Federal Court does not extend to Her Majesty the Queen in right of
> the Provinces. In any event, the Plaintiff hasn’t named the Province
> or provincial actors as parties to this action. The incident alleged
> does not give rise to a justiciable cause of action in this Court.
> (…)
>
>
> 21. The few paragraphs that directly address the Defendant
> provide no details as to the individuals involved or the location of
> the alleged incidents or other details sufficient to allow the
> Defendant to respond. As a result, it is difficult or impossible to
> determine the causes of action the Plaintiff is attempting to advance.
> A generous reading of the Statement of Claim allows the Defendant to
> only speculate as to the true and/or intended cause of action. At
> best, the Plaintiff’s action may possibly be summarized as: he
> suspects he is barred from the House of Commons.
> [footnotes omitted].
>
>
> [30] The Judge determined that he could not strike the Claim
> on the same jurisdictional basis as the Prothonotary. The Judge noted
> that the Federal Court has jurisdiction over claims based on the
> liability of Federal Crown servants like the RCMP and that the actors
> who barred Mr. Amos from the New Brunswick legislature in 2004
> included the RCMP (Federal Court Judgment at para. 23). In considering
> the viability of these allegations de novo, the Judge identified
> paragraph 14 of the Claim as containing “some precision” as it
> identifies the date of the event and a RCMP officer acting as
> Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor (Federal Court Judgment at
> para. 27).
>
>
> [31] The Judge noted that the 2004 event could support a
> cause of action in the tort of misfeasance in public office and
> identified the elements of the tort as excerpted from Meigs v. Canada,
> 2013 FC 389, 431 F.T.R. 111:
>
>
> [13] As in both the cases of Odhavji Estate v Woodhouse, 2003 SCC
> 69 [Odhavji] and Lewis v Canada, 2012 FC 1514 [Lewis], I must
> determine whether the plaintiffs’ statement of claim pleads each
> element of the alleged tort of misfeasance in public office:
>
> a) The public officer must have engaged in deliberate and unlawful
> conduct in his or her capacity as public officer;
>
> b) The public officer must have been aware both that his or her
> conduct was unlawful and that it was likely to harm the plaintiff; and
>
> c) There must be an element of bad faith or dishonesty by the public
> officer and knowledge of harm alone is insufficient to conclude that a
> public officer acted in bad faith or dishonestly.
> Odhavji, above, at paras 23, 24 and 28
> (Federal Court Judgment at para. 28).
>
> [32] The Judge determined that Mr. Amos disclosed sufficient
> material facts to meet the elements of the tort of misfeasance in
> public office because the actors, who barred him from the New
> Brunswick legislature in 2004, including the RCMP, did so for
> “political reasons” (Federal Court Judgment at para. 29).
>
> [33] This Court’s discussion of the sufficiency of pleadings
> in Merchant Law Group v. Canada (Revenue Agency), 2010 FCA 184, 321
> D.L.R (4th) 301 is particularly apt:
>
> …When pleading bad faith or abuse of power, it is not enough to
> assert, baldly, conclusory phrases such as “deliberately or
> negligently,” “callous disregard,” or “by fraud and theft did steal”.
> “The bare assertion of a conclusion upon which the court is called
> upon to pronounce is not an allegation of material fact”. Making bald,
> conclusory allegations without any evidentiary foundation is an abuse
> of process…
>
> To this, I would add that the tort of misfeasance in public office
> requires a particular state of mind of a public officer in carrying
> out the impunged action, i.e., deliberate conduct which the public
> officer knows to be inconsistent with the obligations of his or her
> office. For this tort, particularization of the allegations is
> mandatory. Rule 181 specifically requires particularization of
> allegations of “breach of trust,” “wilful default,” “state of mind of
> a person,” “malice” or “fraudulent intention.”
> (at paras. 34-35, citations omitted).
>
> [34] Applying the Housen standard of review to the
> Prothonotary’s Order, we are of the view that the Judge interfered
> absent a legal or palpable and overriding error.
>
> [35] The Prothonotary determined that Mr. Amos’ Claim
> disclosed no reasonable claim and was fundamentally vexatious on the
> basis of jurisdictional concerns and the absence of material facts to
> ground a cause of action. Paragraph 14 of the Claim, which addresses
> the 2004 event, pleads no material facts as to how the RCMP officer
> engaged in deliberate and unlawful conduct, knew that his or her
> conduct was unlawful and likely to harm Mr. Amos, and acted in bad
> faith. While the Claim alleges elsewhere that Mr. Amos was barred from
> the New Brunswick legislature for political and/or malicious reasons,
> these allegations are not particularized and are directed against
> non-federal actors, such as the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Legislative
> Assembly of New Brunswick and the Fredericton Police Force. As such,
> the Judge erred in determining that Mr. Amos’ allegation that the RCMP
> barred him from the New Brunswick legislature in 2004 was capable of
> supporting a cause of action.
>
> [36] In our view, the Claim is made up entirely of bare
> allegations, devoid of any detail, such that it discloses no
> reasonable cause of action within the jurisdiction of the Federal
> Courts. Therefore, the Judge erred in interfering to set aside the
> Prothonotary’s Order striking the claim in its entirety. Further, we
> find that the Prothonotary made no error in denying leave to amend.
> The deficiencies in Mr. Amos’ pleadings are so extensive such that
> amendment could not cure them (see Collins at para. 26).
>
> V. Conclusion
> [37] For the foregoing reasons, we would allow the Crown’s
> cross-appeal, with costs, setting aside the Federal Court Judgment,
> dated January 25, 2016 and restoring the Prothonotary’s Order, dated
> November 12, 2015, which struck Mr. Amos’ Claim in its entirety
> without leave to amend.
> "Wyman W. Webb"
> J.A.
> "David G. Near"
> J.A.
> "Mary J.L. Gleason"
> J.A.
>
>
>
> FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL
> NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD
>
> A CROSS-APPEAL FROM AN ORDER OF THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE SOUTHCOTT DATED
> JANUARY 25, 2016; DOCKET NUMBER T-1557-15.
> DOCKET:
>
> A-48-16
>
>
>
> STYLE OF CAUSE:
>
> DAVID RAYMOND AMOS v. HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
>
>
>
> PLACE OF HEARING:
>
> Fredericton,
> New Brunswick
>
> DATE OF HEARING:
>
> May 24, 2017
>
> REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT BY:
>
> WEBB J.A.
> NEAR J.A.
> GLEASON J.A.
>
> DATED:
>
> October 30, 2017
>
> APPEARANCES:
> David Raymond Amos
>
>
> For The Appellant / respondent on cross-appeal
> (on his own behalf)
>
> Jan Jensen
>
>
> For The Respondent / appELLANT ON CROSS-APPEAL
>
> SOLICITORS OF RECORD:
> Nathalie G. Drouin
> Deputy Attorney General of Canada
>
> For The Respondent / APPELLANT ON CROSS-APPEAL
>
>>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: "Kulik, John"<john.kulik@mcinnescooper.com>
>> Date: Thu, 18 May 2017 17:37:49 +0000
>> Subject: McInnes Cooper
>> To: "motomaniac333@gmail.com"<motomaniac333@gmail.com>,
>> "david.raymond.amos@gmail.com"<david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
>>
>> Dear Mr. Amos:
>>
>> I am General Counsel for McInnes Cooper. If you need to communicate
>> with our firm, please do so through me.
>>
>> Thank you.
>>
>> John Kulik
>> [McInnes Cooper]<http://www.mcinnescooper.com/>
>>
>> John Kulik Q.C.
>> Partner & General Counsel
>> McInnes Cooper
>>
>> tel +1 (902) 444 8571 | fax +1 (902) 425 6350
>>
>> 1969 Upper Water Street
>> Suite 1300
>> Purdy's Wharf Tower II Halifax, NS, B3J 2V1
>>
>> asst Cathy Ohlhausen | +1 (902) 455 8215
>>
>>
>>
>> Notice This communication, including any attachments, is confidential
>> and may be protected by solicitor/client privilege. It is intended
>> only for the person or persons to whom it is addressed. If you have
>> received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by e-mail or
>> telephone at McInnes Cooper's expense. Avis Les informations contenues
>> dans ce courriel, y compris toute(s) pièce(s) jointe(s), sont
>> confidentielles et peuvent faire l'objet d'un privilège avocat-client.
>> Les informations sont dirigées au(x) destinataire(s) seulement. Si
>> vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur, veuillez en aviser l'expéditeur
>> par courriel ou par téléphone, aux frais de McInnes Cooper.
>>
>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
>> Date: Wed, Sep 23, 2015 at 10:35 AM
>> Subject: RE My complaint against the CROWN in Federal Court Attn David
>> Hansen and Peter MacKay If you planning to submit a motion for a
>> publication ban on my complaint trust that you dudes are way past too
>> late
>> To: David.Hansen@justice.gc.ca, peter.mackay@justice.gc.ca
>> peacock.kurt@telegraphjournal.com, mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com,
>> david.akin@sunmedia.ca, robert.frater@justice.gc.ca,
>> paul.riley@ppsc-sppc.gc.ca,
>> greg@gregdelbigio.com, joyce.dewitt-vanoosten@gov.bc.ca,
>> joan.barrett@ontario.ca, jean-vincent.lacroix@gouv.qc.ca,
>> peter.rogers@mcinnescooper.com, mfeder@mccarthy.ca, mjamal@osler.com
>> Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, gopublic@cbc.ca,
>> Whistleblower@ctv.ca
>>
>> https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/14439/index.do
>>
>> http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/WebDocuments-DocumentsWeb/35072/FM030_Respondent_Attorney-General-of-Canada-on-Behalf-of-the-United-States-of-America.pdf
>>
>> http://thedavidamosrant.blogspot.ca/2013/10/re-glen-greenwald-and-brazilian.html
>>
>> I repeat what the Hell do I do with the Yankee wiretapes taps sell
>> them on Ebay or listen to them and argue them with you dudes in
>> Feferal Court?
>>
>> Petey Baby loses all parliamentary privelges in less than a month but
>> he still supposed to be an ethical officer of the Court CORRECT?
>>
>> Veritas Vincit
>> David Raymond Amos
>> 902 800 0369
>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
>> Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:10:14 -0400
>> Subject: Yo Mr Bauer say hey to your client Obama and his buddies in
>> the USDOJ for me will ya?
>> To: RBauer@perkinscoie.com, sshimshak@paulweiss.com,
>> cspada@lswlaw.com, msmith@svlaw.com, bginsberg@pattonboggs.com,
>> gregory.craig@skadden.com, pm@pm.gc.ca, bob.paulson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,
>> bob.rae@rogers.blackberry.net, MulcaT@parl.gc.ca, leader@greenparty.ca
>> Cc: alevine@cooley.com, david.raymond.amos@gmail.com,
>> michael.rothfeld@wsj.com, remery@ecbalaw.com
>>
>> QSLS Politics
>> By Location Visit Detail
>> Visit 29,419
>> Domain Name usdoj.gov ? (U.S. Government)
>> IP Address 149.101.1.# (US Dept of Justice)
>> ISP US Dept of Justice
>> Location Continent : North America
>> Country : United States (Facts)
>> State : District of Columbia
>> City : Washington
>> Lat/Long : 38.9097, -77.0231 (Map)
>> Language English (U.S.) en-us
>> Operating System Microsoft WinXP
>> Browser Internet Explorer 8.0
>> Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; .NET
>> CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; InfoPath.2;
>> DI60SP1001)
>> Javascript version 1.3
>> Monitor Resolution : 1024 x 768
>> Color Depth : 32 bits
>> Time of Visit Nov 17 2012 6:33:08 pm
>> Last Page View Nov 17 2012 6:33:08 pm
>> Visit Length 0 seconds
>> Page Views 1
>> Referring URL http://www.google.co...wwWJrm94lCEqRmovPXJg
>> Search Engine google.com
>> Search Words david amos bernie madoff
>> Visit Entry Page http://qslspolitics....-wendy-olsen-on.html
>> Visit Exit Page http://qslspolitics....-wendy-olsen-on.html
>> Out Click
>> Time Zone UTC-5:00
>> Visitor's Time Nov 17 2012 12:33:08 pm
>> Visit Number 29,419
>>
>> http://qslspolitics.blogspot.com/2009/03/david-amos-to-wendy-olsen-on.html
>>
>>
>> Could ya tell I am investigating your pension plan bigtime? Its
>> because no member of the RCMP I have ever encountered has earned it yet
>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
>> Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:36:04 -0400
>> Subject: This is a brief as I can make my concerns Randy
>> To: randyedmunds@gov.nl.ca
>> Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com
>>
>> In a nutshell my concerns about the actions of the Investment Industry
>> affect the interests of every person in every district of every
>> country not just the USA and Canada. I was offering to help you with
>> Emera because my work with them and Danny Williams is well known and
>> some of it is over eight years old and in the PUBLIC Record.
>>
>> All you have to do is stand in the Legislature and ask the MInister of
>> Justice why I have been invited to sue Newfoundland by the
>> Conservatives
>>
>>
>> Obviously I am the guy the USDOJ and the SEC would not name who is the
>> link to Madoff and Putnam Investments
>>
>> Here is why
>>
>> http://banking.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=90f8e691-9065-4f8c-a465-72722b47e7f2
>>
>> Notice the transcripts and webcasts of the hearing of the US Senate
>> Banking Commitee are still missing? Mr Emory should at least notice
>> Eliot Spitzer and the Dates around November 20th, 2003 in the
>> following file
>>
>> http://www.checktheevidence.com/pdf/2526023-DAMOSIntegrity-yea-right.-txt.pdf
>>
>> http://occupywallst.org/users/DavidRaymondAmos/
>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: "Hansen, David"David.Hansen@justice.gc.ca
>> Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2013 19:28:44 +0000
>> Subject: RE: I just called again Mr Hansen
>> To: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
>>
>> Hello Mr. Amos,
>>
>> I manage the Justice Canada civil litigation section in the Atlantic
>> region. We are only responsible for litigating existing civil
>> litigation files in which the Attorney General of Canada is a named
>> defendant or plaintiff. If you are a plaintiff or defendant in an
>> existing civil litigation matter in the Atlantic region in which
>> Attorney General of Canada is a named defendant or plaintiff please
>> provide the court file number, the names of the parties in the action
>> and your question. I am not the appropriate contact for other
>> matters.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> David A. Hansen
>> Regional Director | Directeur régional
>> General Counsel |Avocat général
>> Civil Litigation and Advisory | Contentieux des affaires civiles et
>> services de consultation
>> Department of Justice | Ministère de la Justice
>> Suite 1400 – Duke Tower | Pièce 1400 – Tour Duke
>> 5251 Duke Street | 5251 rue Duke
>> Halifax, Nova Scotia | Halifax, Nouvelle- Écosse
>> B3J 1P3
>> david.hansen@justice.gc.ca
>> Telephone | Téléphone (902) 426-3261 / Facsimile | Télécopieur (902)
>> 426-2329
>> This e-mail is confidential and may be protected by solicitor-client
>> privilege. Unauthorized distribution or disclosure is prohibited. If
>> you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us and delete
>> this entire e-mail.
>> Before printing think about the Environment
>> Thinking Green, please do not print this e-mail unless necessary.
>> Pensez vert, svp imprimez que si nécessaire.
>>
>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
>>> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 02:23:24 -0300
>>> Subject: ATTN FBI Special Agent Richard Deslauriers Have you talked to
>>> your buddies Fred Wyshak and Brian Kelly about the wiretap tapes YET?
>>> To: boston@ic.fbi.gov, washington.field@ic.fbi.gov,
>>> bob.paulson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,
>>> Brian.Kelly@usdoj.gov, us.marshals@usdoj.gov, Fred.Wyshak@usdoj.gov,
>>> jcarney@carneybassil.com, bbachrach@bachrachlaw.net
>>> Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, birgittaj@althingi.is,
>>> shmurphy@globe.com, redicecreations@gmail.com
>>>
>>> FBI Boston
>>> One Center Plaza
>>> Suite 600
>>> Boston, MA 02108
>>> Phone: (617) 742-5533
>>> Fax: (617) 223-6327
>>> E-mail: Boston@ic.fbi.gov
>>>
>>> Hours
>>> Although we operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, our normal
>>> "walk-in" business hours are from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday
>>> through Friday. If you need to speak with a FBI representative at any
>>> time other than during normal business hours, please telephone our
>>> office at (617) 742-5533.
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
>>> Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 01:20:20 -0300
>>> Subject: Yo Fred Wyshak and Brian Kelly your buddy Whitey's trial is
>>> finally underway now correct? What the hell do I do with the wiretap
>>> tapes Sell them on Ebay?
>>> To: Brian.Kelly@usdoj.gov, us.marshals@usdoj.gov,
>>> Fred.Wyshak@usdoj.gov, jcarney@carneybassil.com,
>>> bbachrach@bachrachlaw.net, wolfheartlodge@live.com, shmurphy@globe.com,
>>> >> jonathan.albano@bingham.com, mvalencia@globe.com
>>> Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, oldmaison@yahoo.com,
>>> PATRICK.MURPHY@dhs.gov, rounappletree@aol.com
>>>
>>> http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/06/05/james-whitey-bulger-jury-selection-process-enters-second-day/KjS80ofyMMM5IkByK74bkK/story.html
>>>
>>> http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/06/09/nsa-leak-guardian.html
>>>
>>> As the CBC etc yap about Yankee wiretaps and whistleblowers I must ask
>>> them the obvious question AIN'T THEY FORGETTING SOMETHING????
>>>
>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vugUalUO8YY
>>>
>>> What the hell does the media think my Yankee lawyer served upon the
>>> USDOJ right after I ran for and seat in the 39th Parliament baseball
>>> cards?
>>>
>>> http://www.archive.org/details/FedsUsTreasuryDeptRcmpEtc
>>>
>>> http://archive.org/details/ITriedToExplainItToAllMaritimersInEarly2006
>>>
>>> http://davidamos.blogspot.ca/2006/05/wiretap-tapes-impeach-bush.html
>>>
>>> http://www.archive.org/details/PoliceSurveilanceWiretapTape139
>>>
>>> http://archive.org/details/Part1WiretapTape143
>>>
>>> FEDERAL EXPRES February 7, 2006
>>> Senator Arlen Specter
>>> United States Senate
>>> Committee on the Judiciary
>>> 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building
>>> Washington, DC 20510
>>>
>>> Dear Mr. Specter:
>>>
>>> I have been asked to forward the enclosed tapes to you from a man
>>> named, David Amos, a Canadian citizen, in connection with the matters
>>> raised in the attached letter.
>>>
>>> Mr. Amos has represented to me that these are illegal FBI wire tap
>>> tapes.
>>>
>>> I believe Mr. Amos has been in contact with you about this previously.
>>>
>>> Very truly yours,
>>> Barry A. Bachrach
>>> Direct telephone: (508) 926-3403
>>> Direct facsimile: (508) 929-3003
>>> Email: bbachrach@bowditch.com
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "David Amos"david.raymond.amos@gmail.com
>>> To: "Rob Talach"rtalach@ledroitbeckett.com
>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:59 PM
>>> Subject: Re: Attn Robert Talach and I should talk ASAP about my suing
>>> the Catholic Church Trust that Bastarache knows why
>>>
>>> The date stamp on about page 134 of this old file of mine should mean
>>> a lot to you
>>>
>>> http://www.checktheevidence.com/pdf/2619437-CROSS-BORDER-txt-.pdf
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
>>> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:37:08 -0400
>>> Subject: To Hell with the KILLER COP Gilles Moreau What say you NOW
>>> Bernadine Chapman??
>>> To: Gilles.Moreau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, phil.giles@statcan.ca,
>>> maritme_malaise@yahoo.ca, Jennifer.Nixon@ps-sp.gc.ca,
>>> bartman.heidi@psic-ispc.gc.ca, Yves.J.Marineau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,
>>> david.paradiso@erc-cee.gc.ca, desaulniea@smtp.gc.ca,
>>> denise.brennan@tbs-sct.gc.ca, anne.murtha@vac-acc.gc.ca,
>>> webo@xplornet.com, julie.dickson@osfi-bsif.gc.ca,
>>> rod.giles@osfi-bsif.gc.ca, flaherty.j@parl.gc.ca, toewsv1@parl.gc.ca,
>>> Nycole.Turmel@parl.gc.ca,Clemet1@parl.gc.ca, maritime_malaise@yahoo.ca,
>>> >> oig@sec.gov, whistleblower@finra.org, whistle@fsa.gov.uk,
>>> david@fairwhistleblower.ca
>>> Cc: j.kroes@interpol.int, david.raymond.amos@gmail.com,
>>> bernadine.chapman@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, justin.trudeau.a1@parl.gc.ca,
>>> Juanita.Peddle@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, oldmaison@yahoo.com,
>>> Wayne.Lang@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Robert.Trevors@gnb.ca,
>>> ian.fahie@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
>>>
>>> http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/nb/news-nouvelles/media-medias-eng.htm
>>>
>>> http://nb.rcmpvet.ca/Newsletters/VetsReview/nlnov06.pdf
>>>
>>> From: Gilles Moreau Gilles.Moreau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
>>> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 08:03:22 -0500
>>> Subject: Re: Lets ee if the really nasty Newfy Lawyer Danny Boy
>>> Millions will explain this email to you or your boss Vic Toews EH
>>> Constable Peddle???
>>> To: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
>>>
>>> Please cease and desist from using my name in your emails.
>>>
>>> Gilles Moreau, Chief Superintendent, CHRP and ACC
>>> Director General
>>> HR Transformation
>>> 73 Leikin Drive, M5-2-502
>>> Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R2
>>>
>>> Tel 613-843-6039
>>> Cel 613-818-6947
>>>
>>> Gilles Moreau, surintendant principal, CRHA et ACC
>>> Directeur général de la Transformation des ressources humaines
>>> 73 Leikin, pièce M5-2-502
>>> Ottawa, ON K1A 0R2
>>>
>>> tél 613-843-6039
>>> cel 613-818-6947
>>> gilles.moreau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
>>>
>>
>> First things first have a Look at the 3 documents hereto attached (Not
>> a big read)
>>
>> Listen to these old voicemails from interesting FEDS at about the
>> same point in time (Won't take long)
>>
>> http://www.archive.org/details/FedsUsTreasuryDeptRcmpEtc
>>
>> then ask youselves or the lawyers Senator Shelby or Spizter or Cutler
>> or Bernie madoff's old buddy Robert Glauber where the webcast and
>> transcript went for a very important hearing held in late 2003 by the
>> United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
>>
>> http://www.banking.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=90F8E691-9065-4F8C-A465-72722B47E7F2
>>
>> Review of Current Investigations and Regulatory Actions Regarding the
>> Mutual Fund Industry
>>
>> November 20, 2003 02:00 PM
>> The Committee will meet in OPEN SESSION to conduct the second in a
>> series of hearings on the “Review of Current Investigations and
>> Regulatory Actions Regarding the Mutual Fund Industry.”
>>
>> Archived Webcast
>>
>> Witness Panel 1
>>
>> Mr. Stephen M. Cutler
>> Director - Division of Enforcement
>> Securities and Exchange Commission
>> cutler.pdf (175.5 KBs)
>>
>> Mr. Robert Glauber
>> Chairman and CEO
>> National Association of Securities Dealers
>> glauber.pdf (171.1 KBs)
>>
>> Eliot Spitzer
>> Attorney General
>> State of New York
>> spitzer.pdf (68.2 KBs)
>>
>> Permalink:
>> http://www.banking.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2003/11/review-of-current-investigations-and-regulatory-actions-regarding-the-mutual-fund-industry
>>
>>
>> Trust that the evil women and men that PM Trudeau "The Younger"
>> appointed to to his cabinet will continue to play dumb because of
>> their oath to The Privy Council. However it does not follow that
>> everybody who works for them are dumb and they have no such oath to
>> uphold N'esy Pas?.
>>
>> Veritas Vincit
>> David Raymond Amos
>> 902 800 0369
>>
>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: Lisa Porteous <lporteous@kleinlyons.com>
>> Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 14:46:22 +0000
>> Subject: RCMP
>> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>>
>> David,
>>
>> Thank you for your email inquiring about our class action against the
>> RCMP. As you may know, the Notice of Claim was filed in the British
>> Columbia Supreme Court on March 27, 2012. The lawsuit has been
>> brought by former RCMP constable Janet Merlo on behalf of female RCMP
>> members. Unfortunately, we cannot assist you with your claim.
>>
>> We recommend that you contact Mr. Barry Carter of Mair Jensen Blair
>> LLP to discuss any claim you may have against the RCMP for harassment.
>> His contact information is as follows:
>>
>> Mr. Barry Carter
>> Mair Jensen Blair LLP
>> 1380-885 W. Georgia Street
>> Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8
>> Phone: 604-682-6299
>> Fax 1-604-374-6992
>>
>> This is not intended to be an opinion concerning the merits of your
>> case. In declining to represent you, we are not expressing an opinion
>> as to whether you should take further action in this matter.
>>
>> You should be aware that there may be strict time limitations within
>> which you must act in order to protect your rights. Failure to begin
>> your lawsuit by filing an action within the required time may mean
>> that you could be barred forever from pursuing a claim. Therefore, you
>> should immediately contact another lawyer ( as indicated above) to
>> obtain legal advice/representation.
>>
>> Thank you again for considering our firm.
>>
>> Yours truly,
>>
>> Lisa Porteous
>> Case Manager/Paralegal
>>
>> lporteous@kleinlyons.com
>> www.kleinlyons.com
>>
>> KLEIN ∙ LYONS
>> Suite 400-1385 West 8th Avenue
>> Vancouver BC V6H 3V9 Canada
>> Office 604.874.7171
>> Fax 604.874.7180
>> Direct 604.714.6533
>>
>> This email is confidential and may be protected by solicitor-client
>> privilege. It is intended only for the use of the person to whom it is
>> addressed. Any distribution, copying or other use by anyone else is
>> strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please
>> telephone us immediately and destroy this e-mail.
>>
>> Please consider the environment before printing this email.
>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/liberal-party-leadership-new-brunswick-1.4995527

3 Liberal party members bow out of leadership race

Liberals will elect their new leader June 22 after former premier Brian Gallant announced he would leave

Jacques Poitras· CBC News· Posted: Jan 28, 2019 12:21 PM AT

Brian Kenny, Susan Holt and Wayne Long say they will not be running for the Liberal leadership. (CBC)

With a date set for the New Brunswick Liberals to choose a new leader, three high-profile party members have officially taken themselves out of the race.

Bathurst MLA Brian Kenny, defeated candidate Susan Holt and Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long all say they will not be candidates when party members vote for a new leader on June 22.

"I'm out," Long declared.

Meanwhile, Holt said Monday that "life at this point in time" makes it impossible for her to run.
"All the pieces don't fit together."

Kenny, the MLA for Bathurst West-Beresford, said that at age 50, he was leery of committing to what could be another 12 years in politics.

"I've made my decision that I'm not going to be going ahead."

A new leader for the New Brunswick Liberal Party will be chosen seven months after former premier Brian Gallant announced he was stepping aside.

The Liberal Party's board of directors voted on the weekend to set June 22 as the date for the vote. A convention will be held at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre, though in the last race, party members were able to vote around the province.

Former premier Brian Gallant announced after his government was defeated in a confidence vote last fall that he would resign as leader.

At first, Gallant said he would stay on until a new leader was chosen. But in late December, he said he would quit earlier and let the party's MLAs choose an interim leader in February.

Analysis
Gallant's regrets turn to successes in 'jaded' Liberal leader's farewell

Only one candidate has said for sure he will run: René Ephestion, the executive director of Moncton's Nazareth House and a member of the party executive.

Ephestion says he's running to encourage "a deep debate within my political family" about how Liberals should take on populist politicians whom he says are "playing with fire" on issues such as bilingualism.

Kevin Vickers, a retired RCMP officer and former sergeant-at-arms of the House of Commons who became famous after helping stop a terrorist attack on Parliament in 2014, is considering running.

René Ephestion, the executive director of Moncton’s Nazareth House, said he will run for Liberal leadership. (Radio-Canada)

Vickers declined an interview request Monday by email.

The leadership vote will happen quickly compared to past races in which both the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives chose new leaders two years or more after election defeats.

University of New Brunswick political scientist J.P. Lewis says the fast turnaround this time is due to "the tenuous nature of a minority government" led by PC Premier Blaine Higgs.

A quick replacement

While the People's Alliance has promised to vote with the PCs on budgets and confidence issues until the spring of 2020, Lewis said the Liberals likely want a leader in place quickly just in case things change.

He also said the short race will benefit higher-profile candidates.

"Logic would suggest that shorter time frames are better for people with a track record within the party or people with a bigger name," he said.

Brian Gallant moves up departure from helm of Liberal Party

Former Moncton Liberal MP Brian Murphy said Vickers's potential candidacy is gathering steam.

"He's got a lot of support behind him across the province: north, south, east and west, and linguistically. It looks very good for him."

But Lewis said no one should assume Vickers can cruise to victory until they've seen how he handles the requirements of the campaign.

"We'll have to wait to see his first press conference," Lewis said. "We've seen this before, where you'll have a name, and then as soon as they start to open their mouths on political ideas, some of the shine comes off."

Advice from 'old boys'

Ephestion, a recent immigrant from France, said he wants to see the Liberals tackle issues such as poverty and the transition to a green economy.

He said in an interview that some "old boys" in the party have tried to discourage him from running.

"I'm an atypical candidate," he said. "They've never seen that before. I am young, I am black, I am francophone, I am an immigrant, and I bring new ideas and new vision. Maybe it's too much for them.

But these kinds of comments energize me."

N.B. Liberals to pick new leader in June

Holt, who ran and lost in Fredericton South in last fall's election, said the demands of family life were an obstacle to running.

But part of her decision was based on the Liberal party's inability to tell her what salary she'd earn as a party leader without a seat in the legislature, she said.

"The way it was suggested to me is that the new leader decides," she said.

Holt said she remains a Liberal supporter and will be looking to support a candidate who shares her views on making politics more open and transparent.

"If I can find a candidate who shares those views … I'm totally prepared to get behind them and support them," she said.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-pc-liberals-allow-civil-servant-election-1.4558204

PCs question Liberals' move to allow civil servant to run for election

Susan Holt's job was moved from a civil service role to political staff role

Jacques Poitras· CBC News· Posted: Mar 01, 2018 8:18 PM AT

Susan Holt, the Liberal candidate in Fredericton South, says she supports the existing policies that lets non-partisan civil servants move into partisan political jobs so they can become election candidates. (Joe McDonald/CBC)

A Liberal candidate running on a slogan of change says she's not pushing to change a political practice that exempts her from civil-service rules and lets her run for office.

Susan Holt says she supports existing policies that let non-partisan civil servants move into partisan political jobs so they can become election candidates — then move back to a non-partisan role later if they lose.

"We're moving from policy to policy and assessing what rules apply, and abiding by those rules that are appropriate to the circumstances," said Holt, the Liberal candidate in Fredericton South.

Previous governments have allowed their appointees to do the same thing, and while Holt's slogan is "Add women, change politics," she says the change she'll push is to make politics more transparent and civil — not get rid of the practice.

"I believe the role of unrestricted staffers is an appropriate one … because of the nature of their work. I understand that to be an appropriate position for a select group of folks. So I wasn't planning on eliminating all politically unrestricted positions."

PCs question job transfer

Holt's status, including the fact she's on maternity leave from her job, became an issue Wednesday when Progressive Conservative MLA Brian Macdonald asked about her running for office while she's on paid leave.

Macdonald said in a committee session Holt was "campaigning full-time" and receiving "the full salary" while on leave from her position as chief of business relationships with the Gallant government's Jobs Board. The salary is between $150,000 and $175,000 per year.

But after Premier Brian Gallant said she was on maternity leave and Macdonald was "setting back" the attempt to get more women running for office, the Tory MLA said he was not interested in the maternity-leave angle.

"I am no longer concerned that she has taken any leave at all," Macdonald said. "Whether she took leave or not no longer bothers me."

He said the real issue was Gallant shifting Holt from the civil service into a political staff role so she could run for office without having to resign.

Until last fall, Holt's Jobs Board role was a politically restricted civil service position, meaning, like most civil servants, she was not allowed to take part in partisan politics.

But in late September, about two weeks before she gave birth and began her leave, Gallant quietly transferred her job into his office, which redefined it as non-restricted, Holt confirmed Thursday.
"It's the same role that I've had. It's just been moved."

More women in politics

Gallant said it's important to make it easier for women to get into politics.

Holt says changing her status means she can run as long as she takes an unpaid leave beginning 20 days before election day, when she becomes an official candidate.

Susan Holt is on maternity leave from her position as chief of business relationships with the Jobs Board. She is also the Liberal candidate in Fredericton South for the upcoming election. (Joe McDonald/CBC)

And she says the rules also allow her to eventually return to a non-partisan civil service job.

If she loses in Fredericton South on Sept. 24 but Gallant's Liberals are re-elected, "then I will return to the premier's office in a politically unrestricted capacity," she said. She could return to a civil role later "if that's where the clerk and the premier's office want to put me."

Gallant defended his decision to shift Holt's position during Wednesday's legislative committee hearing by pointing out Dallas McCready, a PC-appointed deputy minister in the Alward government, was moved in the same way.

That allowed him to take unpaid leave so he could help run the Tory campaign, Gallant said. "That was okay because he was a man and he was still working?" he asked Macdonald.

Macdonald said Thursday the distinction is Holt is running as a candidate. "That's a special category. The premier should not be using public funds to recruit Liberal candidates."

Not a gender issue

Several women used social media Thursday to accuse Macdonald of discouraging women from running for office.

"Anyone still wondering why there are still so few women in politics?" tweeted Fredericton businesswoman Andrea Feunekes. "I thought we had made headway in the last several years. Apparently not."

But other women weren't convinced. "I don't think it's a gender issue," said Becky Matchett, who lives in the Fredericton South riding where Holt is running.

"I don't think it needed to be spun as a gender issue, and that's frustrating. It was just a question of, 'was she moved from this position to this position.' Yes, she was. … She just happens to be on maternity leave."

Gallant said Wednesday that Macdonald's allegation Holt is campaigning "full-time" shows a lack of awareness. "Is he insinuating there's no real work when someone's on maternity leave?" Gallant asked.

Holt said she's doing about 20 hours of campaigning a week so far while also caring for her newborn daughter and her two other children.

Not on full salary

She also said she's not receiving her full salary from the province. Maternity leave benefits come from the federal government, and the province has a policy of topping up that amount to 75 per cent of an employee's salary.

Once Holt goes on unpaid leave for the campaign, she'll lose the provincial top-up but will still collect the maternity leave benefits from Ottawa, she said.

The province's rules on political activity by public employees are silent on how to account for someone on maternity leave. "It's an opportunity for us, maybe, to modernize," Holt said.

The restrictions on political activity by civil servants are designed to preserve "the public trust" people have in government, according to a government policy document.

"Members of the public must be assured their political affiliation is not a consideration in any dealings they may have with public servants," it says.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/opposition-maternity-loop-hole-1.4559462

Opposition questions Liberal candidate's leave loophole

PCs question chain of events that allowed Fredericton-South Liberal candidate to run while on maternity leave

Jacques Poitras· CBC News· Posted: Mar 03, 2018 7:00 AM AT

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives are casting doubt on an interpretation of rules that allow former civil servant Susan Holt to run as a Liberal candidate in the upcoming election — and to keep collecting provincial tax dollars until the campaign starts.

They say Holt's switch to a political staff job in Premier Brian Gallant's office is not an opportunity that's available to any bureaucrat who'd like to run.

"Does what applies in this case — is it now a general practice? That's clearly not the case," said PC MLA Brian Macdonald. "If anyone wanted to do what this person has done in the civil service, could they do it today? The answer is no. They couldn't."

PCs question Liberals' move to allow civil servant to run for election

Work begins now to elect more women to legislature in 2018

New program aims to open political doors for young women

Macdonald also questions whether guidelines really allow Holt to continue to receive provincial top-up payments to her maternity leave ahead of the official election period in August.

That's the interpretation both Holt and a senior human-resources official put forward Thursday
.

PC MLA rejects interpretation

Progressive Conservative MLA Brian MacDonald rejects the Liberal interpretation of the government's human resources policy on political activity by civil servants. (Pat Richard/CBC)

"I reject it completely," Macdonald said in an interview, brandishing a copy of a seven-page government human resources policy on political activity by civil servants. "It is clearly not the case."

As a civil servant until last September, Holt would not have been able to run as a Liberal without resigning her officially non-partisan position.

But Gallant moved her into a politically unrestricted job in his office last September, a role for which the rules allow more flexibility. Macdonald says that's an opportunity clearly not available to all government employees.

On top of that, the province's policy AD-2192 says a non-restricted employee such as Holt "shall … obtain a leave of absence" from the head of their organization "before publicly announcing an intention to run."

But the policy also says the leave of absence "shall commence no later than the day on which the employee files the nomination papers with the returning officer." That deadline is 20 days before election day, during the official campaign period.

Fred Finn, the assistant deputy minister for human resources at the provincial Treasury Board, said that means Holt would have "obtained" the leave before winning the Liberal nomination in January, but the date for the leave to start would be the official filing day.

Holt is on maternity leave and is receiving the federal benefits that go with that. The province is also "topping up" that amount to the equivalent of 75 per cent of her regular salary, a policy that applies to all provincial employees on maternity leave.

"When the policy says my candidate leave applies, that's when the unpaid portion kicks in, so we're following Elections NB's policy on that," she said on Thursday.

Macdonald points out the policy also says a civil servant "may" get a leave of absence while "seeking nomination as a candidate."

It also lays out how a civil servant can return from their leave of absence if they don't win the nomination, so it clearly contemplates a leave of absence earlier than the campaign period.

"'Seeking nomination as a candidate.' That's what it says in black and white, right there," Macdonald said. "I don't see how there could be any other interpretation. … Okay, it doesn't say it starts immediately. I think that's pretty obvious."

Liberals stand by interpretation

Treasury Board minister Roger Melanson believes the Liberal government has interpreted the policy on civil servant political activity correctly. (CBC News)

Treasury Board minister Roger Melanson insisted on Friday that the government has interpreted the policy correctly. "The period of the [election] writ is when she needs to pull back," he said. "Definitely, based on the unrestricted position she's in now, she can run for office."

During a lengthy exchange at a legislative committee session Wednesday, Gallant told Macdonald that the arrangement was made because it's important that women are accommodated when they want to run for office.

Melanson repeated that argument Friday, pointing to Holt's private-sector and government experience and the need to get more women elected.

"We want to attract women of her calibre," he said. "Outside of the opposition, the Conservative party, people would recognize what she's got to offer."

But the PC MLA says Holt's arrangement goes against the principle of the policy on political activity by civil servants, which says it is designed to preserve "the public trust" people have in government.

"Members of the public must be assured their political affiliation is not a consideration in any dealings they may have with public servants," the document says.

"The intent of these policies is to prevent people from politicizing the civil service. And that is exactly what has happened in this case," Macdonald says.

"This is about nothing but the premier's manipulation of the rules to benefit his own political aims.

That's what it's about."

About the Author

Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. Raised in Moncton, he also produces the CBC political podcast Spin Reduxit.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

New Brunswick cancels plan to host 2021 Francophonie Games

January 30, 2019, 7:02 am

≫ Next: Simply Divorce not so simple: People lose money on discount service

≪ Previous: Susan Holt, Wayne Long bow out of Liberal leadership race

---------- Original message ----------
From: "Gallant, Brian (LEG)"<Brian.Gallant@gnb.ca>
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2019 16:52:31 +0000
Subject: RE: RE New Brunswick cancels plan to host 2021 Francophonie
Games as CBC continues to play games with me
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>

Thank you for writing to the Leader of the Official Opposition of New
Brunswick. Please be assured that your e-mail will be reviewed.

If this is a media request, please forward your e-mail to
ashley.beaudin@gnb.camedia-medias@gnb.ca
>. Thank you!

---

Nous vous remercions d’avoir communiqué avec le chef de l’opposition
officielle du Nouveau-Brunswick. Soyez assuré(e) que votre courriel
sera examiné.

Si ceci est une demande médiatique, prière de la transmettre à
ashley.beaudin@gnb.camedia-medias@gnb.ca>. Merci!

---------- Original message ----------
From: Newsroom <newsroom@globeandmail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2019 16:52:32 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: RE New Brunswick cancels plan to host 2021
Francophonie Games as CBC continues to play games with me
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>

Thank you for contacting The Globe and Mail.

If your matter pertains to newspaper delivery or you require technical
support, please contact our Customer Service department at
1-800-387-5400 or send an email to customerservice@globeandmail.com

If you are reporting a factual error please forward your email to
publiceditor@globeandmail.com<

mailto:publiceditor@globeandmail.com>

Letters to the Editor can be sent to letters@globeandmail.com

This is the correct email address for requests for news coverage and
press releases.

---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2019 12:52:26 -0400
Subject: RE New Brunswick cancels plan to host 2021 Francophonie Games
as CBC continues to play games with me
To: robert.gauvin@gnb.ca, Kevin.A.Arseneau@gnb.ca, president@unb.ca,
blaine.higgs@gnb.ca, brian.gallant@gnb.ca, David.Coon@gnb.ca, kris.austin@gnb.ca, Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca, steve.murphy@ctv.ca, David.Akin@globalnews.ca,
Newsroom@globeandmail.com, news919@rogers.com, news@dailygleaner.com,
bruce.northrup@gnb.ca, megan.mitton@gnb.ca, michelle.conroy@gnb.ca,
rick.desaulniers@gnb.ca, Michel.Carrier@gnb.ca, bruce.fitch@gnb.ca,
Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca
Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, darrow.macintyre@cbc.ca,
Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc@canada.ca, Matt.DeCourcey.c1@parl.gc.ca,
Don.Allen@unb.ca, marc.martin@snb.ca, Marc.Martin@nserc-crsng.gc.ca,
Catherine.Tait@cbc.ca, sylvie.gadoury@radio-canada.ca,
Chuck.Thompson@cbc.ca, martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca,
andre@jafaust.com, oldmaison@yahoo.com, jbosnitch@gmail.com,
tglynn@stu.ca

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/new-brunswick-cancels-plan-to-host-2021.html

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

Methinks it wasn't a "wise decision" but merely common sense to cancel a questionable entertainment contract that we cannot afford N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/new-brunswick-cancels-plan-to-host-2021.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/francophonie-games-province-blaine-higgs-1.4997694

New Brunswick cancels plan to host 2021 Francophonie Games

422 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

Content disabled.
David R. Amos
Methinks that not everyone is Happy Happy Happy in light of the fact that some of my comments still cannot stand the test of time N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

Methinks folks should tune into CBC Info Morning in Fat Fred City right now N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos Did anyone hear Minister Joly's sad lament?

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos Go Figure

The Government of Canada is seeking independent appointments that are based on merit

GATINEAU, QC, June 20, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to open and transparent processes for selecting appointees, to help strengthen trust in Canada's democracy and ensure the integrity of its public institutions. Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced the creation of an advisory committee for appointments to the CBC/Radio-Canada Board of Directors.

This independent advisory committee will have a mandate to lead the selection process for the CBC/Radio-Canada Board of Directors. It will present its recommendations for qualified candidates to the Minister.

This independent, non-partisan committee is made up of experts in broadcasting and digital technology, and representatives of cultural sectors from across Canada. Indigenous Peoples, official-language communities and youth are also represented.

The committee will be chaired by Tom Clark from Ontario. Mr. Clark has worked in Canadian television news for the past 45 years.

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos Please notice Éric Larocque was appointed

The following people are also appointed to the committee:

Prem Gill (British Columbia) started her career in the television and broadcasting industry. She has more than 20 years' experience in digital media, content creation and entertainment.
Carolyn Warren (Alberta) is a leader in the Canadian cultural sector and has experience with art and broadcasting institutions.
Janelle Wookey (Manitoba), is a Francophone Métis woman from the Prairies and an award-winning artist who works as an independent director and producer in Winnipeg.
Colm Feore, O.C. (Ontario) is a well-known theatre, film and television actor.
Marc Beaudet (Quebec) is a pioneer in the digital content industry in Quebec. He is president and CEO of Turbulent, a company that develops broadcasting platforms.
Monique Savoie (Quebec) is a digital visionary. In 1996, she created the Société des arts technologiques, a creative Montréal space dedicated to technological development.
Alanis Obomsawin, O.C., G.O.Q., C.A.L.Q. (Quebec) is a member of the Abenaki Nation and one of the most distinguished documentary filmmakers in Canada. For more than 40 years, she has been producing films at the National Film Board of Canada that tell about the lives and concerns of First Nations and deal with issues that are important to everyone.
Éric Larocque (New Brunswick) is active in projects related to Acadia and to his community, particularly those that deal with youth. He is director of the organizing committee for the 2021 Games of La Francophonie.

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos continued

The advisory committee will provide the Minister with the names of qualified candidates for each vacant position, as well as supplementary qualified candidates to create a pool to fill posts in the future.

As the digital shift brings many changes in its wake, the public broadcaster continues to play a crucial role in providing us with information and entertainment, as well as helping guide the next generation. As a Crown corporation in the Canadian Heritage portfolio, CBC/Radio‑Canada is an organization that is independent from the government and responsible for its own day-to-day activities.

Quotes

"Our government firmly believes in the importance of our national public broadcaster, CBC/Radio‑Canada. I am pleased to establish this independent advisory committee composed of experts in broadcasting, digital technology and culture, who reflect Canada's diversity. This new committee will recommend qualified candidates for a selection process that is open, transparent and based on merit."

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Quick Facts

Under the Broadcasting Act, CBC/Radio‑Canada's Board of Directors is composed of 12 directors, including a chair and a president/CEO, appointed by the Governor in Council during good behavior for a maximum period of five years.

The selection processes for the positions of chair, president/CEO, and part-time directors are posted on the Governor in Council's website.

In 2016, the Government of Canada adopted a new approach that requires a selection process be initiated for full-time and part-time positions. Those interested can apply online.

David R. Amos

David R. Amos
Methinks Mr Higgs may enjoy a little Deja Vu and find it as interesting as I that Sequin just quoted what the former PANB dude Randall Leavitt had to say about this topic within his Twitter account N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/people-s-alliance-welcome-unhappy-progressive-conservative-member-1.4131613

"Randall Leavitt
liberals and conservatives have taken us to $14billion financial cliffs, both practice patronage appointments, have had numerous scandals, love corporate handouts and mismanagement. Those who continue to vote for them are getting something majority of NBers are not. The People Alliance had an intensive platform last election and have laid some pretty major planks already for the next. Those who blindly give their votes will continue to do so to get same old results. The People's Alliance is an option for any, especially for those who don't vote to finally be heard and take part in a Democratic Party."

Marguerite Deschamps

Over 300 comments and counting... llol!

Harold Benson

@Marguerite Deschamps Keyboard is worn out.

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson Methinks Sam would agree that the tally of disabled comments is not one bit funny N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps Methinks these are the comments that counted N'esy Pas?

"People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin, wheose party is supporting the PC minority government in the legislature, said Higgs made the right decision.

Austin also said that, as a federal taxpayer, he was glad Ottawa opted not to bail out the event.

"I'd much rather see federal money going to things that are needed in New Brunswick and I don't see Games as one of them."

Despite the polarized reactions, Higgs said he didn't think his decision would contribute to linguistic divisions."

Mack Leigh

Thank you to all involved in making this wise decision !!

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David R. Amos

@Mack Leigh Methinks it wasn't a "wise decision" but merely common sense to cancel a questionable entertainment contract that we cannot afford N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

Surprise Surprise Surprise

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos Now everybody is Happy Happy Happy

Mack Leigh

@David R. Amos

No, but it is a great start toward sound fiscal management...

David R. Amos

The Former SANB President Kevin Arseneau said the Tories could have increase their commitment "a little bit" to demonstrate a willingness to save the Games. "The message that Higgs just gave New Brunswickers is that we're too small to do big things here,"

Methinks some folks may not like that I say nobody should care what the former wannabe liberal candidate has to say about anything N'esy Pas?

Survey Say

Joe campbell

@David R. Amos got a free trip to France https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/jeux/multimedia/mmrenderer.2013.09.2013-09-09_2.jpg.html

David R. Amos

@Joe campbell Nope not me

Joe campbell

@David R. Amos Kevin the story teler, went after he worked for US shale company

David R. Amos

@Joe campbell Oh My My ain't that special? Methinks my friend Roger Richard would have loved to have known that when he ran against Arseneau in Kent North N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos
@Joe campbell Hey Joe Thanks

Games of La Francophonie

Healthy and Inclusive Communities, September 9, 2013 - Nice, France
Story-teller Kevin Arseneau goes before the jury, public at la Francophonie Games
Kevin Arseneau, originally from Robertville and living in Cocagne, captured the interest of the public and the jury members today during the story-telling competitions at the VIIth Jeux de la Francophonie, held at the Théâtre national de Nice in France. Arseneau told a story relating to Acadian history that describes the relationship between a small boy and a tree. The naming of the finalists should come on Sept. 11 with the final presentation on the evening of Sept. 12.

Bernard McIntyre

Ian Scott

Sad it got this far to begin with. It was still a crap bid from a committee that never did its due diligence to begin with. Still will cost province millions to back out of , a complete waste of taxpayer money, except for committee people that got paid. They should not be able to touch a single project again without oversight.
These events are far above what small provinces can afford given security issues, housing, infrastructure etc. Even the Olympics are becoming questionable in current form. At the national level we are running deficits, despite relatively good working and banking times , a harbinger of some very tough tax days ahead to pay it off.( Libs will never do that of course, leave it for Cons to pay back)

Matt Steele

@Ian Scott ......Very true . Plus there has been about 2.5 MILLION of the taxpayers money spent on these Francophonie games already ; not to mention all of the people who had personal connections to Brian Gallant and the Liberal party who have been drawing a salary from the games.....quite the SCAM !

Bernard McIntyre

@Ian Scott well maybe the province should make these people pay back the money they received for making such a stupid bid to the government but then again the people of the liberal government who knew of this new amount without telling the people of N.B before the election should also be charged with misleading the people of N.B.

David R. Amos

@Bernard McIntyre Dream on

Bernard McIntyre

@David R. Amos yes I know.

David R. Amos

@Mack Leigh Methinks you should begin an investigation by asking yourself why my reply to you went "Poof" N'esy Pas?

John Valcourt

This was the governments best decision to date.

David R. Amos

@John Valcourt Methinks that should make you question its competence N'esy Pas?

Craig Nettles

Maybe they should host the Anglophone games......... Wonder if we tried that how that would go over.

David R. Amos

@Craig Nettles Methinks the Circus we are financing inside the legislative building is enough entertainment for now N'esy Pas?

Jake Quinlan

Interesting decision. This citizen supports it. I confess I didn't examine the "economic spinoff" argument side of hosting the games but suspect the estimates were too high.

Mack Leigh

@Jake Quinlan

Based on the original bid of 17 million , the committee showed there would be a 25 million spin off.... I believe those are the figures that were reported..

David R. Amos

@Mack Leigh Methinks it was all Pure D BS N'esy Pas?

Marc LeBlanc

A classic "no brainer"

David R. Amos

@Marc LeBlanc YUP

Jackie Barrett

As a result of New Brunswick pulling out of the 2021 La Jeux Francophonie, the games will end up being awarded to Sherbrooke, Quebec as they were the runner up.

This is not a first time that an awarded host city pulled out of their event.

In fact, right after Sarajevo were awarded the right to host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, the Bosnian city cancelled their hosting rights, forcing Special Olympics International to find another host city, with the games eventually awarded to Boise.

The same thing also happened with the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games as three host nation finalists, notably Australia, South Africa, and Germany, withdrew their bids for this event. Abu Dhabi was eventually awarded these games.

Its shameful when host city crises are not only happening with the Olympics/Paralympics, but also the Special Olympics World Games (which uses existing athletic venues) , Special Olympics Canada Games (notably the funding dispute with Halifax which cost them a right to host the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games which were awarded to Antigonish), Canada Games (with Newfoundland and Labrador withdrawing the 2021 hosting rights), and now the La Jeux Francophonie.

Doug Leblanc

@Jackie Barrett
According to CBC, they had the highest score after the international games committee visited and reviewed their bid. NB only scored higher in the budget category as they copied the example budget. You raise an excellent point. Perhaps the bid process needs to be evaluated... why was a city chosen that scored lower.

Dave Peters

@Jackie Barrett This should tell you something Jackie with respect. More & more jurisdictionshttps://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2464308071878322421#editor/target=post;postID=8686958584400552295;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=link are cancelling international sporting events for different reasons. Perhaps it's time to look at another funding model, i.e corporate sponsorship, cost sharing, membership fees. Many different ways to circumvent the cancellations you just mentioned.

David Peters

@Dave Peters

I think perception is reality here. It's simply a $100 Million free for all on the taxpayer's dime.

David R. Amos

@David Peters Methinks perception definitely is reality here as Mr Peters confers with Mr Peters while they both ignore my comments, phone calls and emails etc N'esy Pas?

Jackie Barrett

The statement said the committee will await "next steps" from Ottawa "and will work with them to assess any possible options to keep the games in Canada."

Sherbrooke, Quebec will likely get the 2021 La Jeux Francophonie as they were the runner up.

Shawn McShane

@Jackie Barrett They pulled out and that left only NB.

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane Methinks if the Quebeckers are wiseguys they will take a wide berth of the 2021 La Jeux Francophonie now N'esy Pas?

Shawn McShane

@David R. Amos They should, they got snubbed. A confidential document obtained by Radio-Canada reveals an assessment of the bids to host the 2021 Francophonie Games gave top points to Sherbrooke, Que. who withdrew after learning the international committee wanted New Brunswick. OIF said the document was confidential and refused all comment. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/sherbrooke-candidacy-scored-higher-francophonie-games-1.4956301

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane I already checked out your tip

Jackie Barrett

@Shawn McShane Sherbrooke lost to Moncton.

David R. Amos

@Jackie Barrett Methinks you should read the article Mr McSjane provides in the link N'esy Pas?

Shawn McShane

@Jackie Barrett Moncton lost to Sherbrooke but got the games anyway

Bob Smith

A common sense move. If Gallant had won the election as the pollsters predicted, he would have stood before a dais surrounded by Melanson, Rogers et al pronouncing this as a great cultural event and treated any opposition to the costs as being bitter, anti-French bigots. In the end, the only truly unhappy by the cancelling are the developers Gallant was going to line their pockets with games money at taxpayer expense.

David R. Amos

@Bob Smith "In the end, the only truly unhappy by the cancelling are the developers"

Methinks they have been crying for quite sometime N'esy Pas?

Axel Roosevelt

Too bad that Green party goof Kevin Arseneaule can't be cancelled.

David R. Amos

@Axel Roosevelt I wholeheartedly agree

Sylvius Salvarian

These big international sporting events are usually a waste of resources.

But, NB had agreed to host this one. There is value in honouring your agreements. I fear this will have a chilling effect on investment in NB where the business requires the participation or approval of the government.

This isn't like Calgary choosing not the launch a bid for the Olympics. NB already won the bid to host these games. These games are already scheduled.

I question the wisdom of backing out now, just as I question the wisdom of bidding in the first place.

Ross Piercey

@Sylvius Salvarian it was a go until the cost went from 10m to 150m, doesn’t take much questioning to figure out why.

Shawn McShane

@Sylvius Salvarian NB never "won" the bid. The document, titled "technical evaluation report of the candidacies," prepared by the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF) after officials visited host cities said Sherbrooke came in first.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/sherbrooke-candidacy-scored-higher-francophonie-games-1.4956301

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane Hmmm

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos Methinks folks should read CBC's revelations closer N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/sherbrooke-candidacy-scored-higher-francophonie-games-1.4956301

"The assessment looked at criteria that included the host cities' vision for the games, their infrastructure and financing. It ranked the candidates out of a score of 1,000.

Sherbrooke ended up with 946 points, Moncton-Dieppe with 938 and Guadeloupe with 813.

New Brunswick scored higher than Sherbrooke in only three categories, including budget and financing."

Jim Cyr

@Sylvius Salvarian : Sylvius, with all due respect, some people DESERVE to be offended.
In this case, Higgs is offending all the right people.

Mike LeBlanc

I just love how articles like this makes the bilingualism opposers freak out.

David R. Amos

@Mike LeBlanc Me Too However Methinks it is for different reasons than you enjoy N'esy Pas?

daryl doucette

@Mike LeBlanc I don't see any one here " freaking out". Maybe a bit giddy that some one has the sense to cancel this colossal waste of money. The only ones " freaking out" will be that bunch at the SANB and the Atconites whom now will not be filling their pockets on this issue.

Grace Morris

Waiting to hear what pulling out will cost. On top of what was already spent, I might add. NB should put the $10 million they earmarked for the games into physical education in our schools.

David R. Amos

@Grace Morris Welcome back to the Circus

Neville Crabbe

I'm glad this is done and over with. Too much time and acrimony spent on something completely superfluous and extremely fishy to begin with. Good decision.

David R. Amos

@Neville Crabbe "Too much time and acrimony spent on something completely superfluous and extremely fishy to begin with."

Methinks that is always the way things go in the Maritimes when it comes to politics and money N'esy Pas?

David Stairs

now the Acadie can figure out how to pay for their mistakes because the taxpayer is not responsible for your incompetence and arrogance...and making promises that you could not keep...you alone are responsible for the "Pulling Out Costs"..you and Brian Gallant..and I am so glad the liberals lost the election because the people of New Brunswick would have had to swallow another blunder entitlement..

David R. Amos

@David Stairs Methinks we could save some taxpayers some grief by stopping the funding SANB and their self serving nonsense N'esy Pas?

Mack Leigh

@David R. Amos

Totally agree !!

Bill Smith

Now how about a complete forensic audit done by the RCMP to see how much money was wasted by the organizing committee! The taxpayers deserve to know how much money and where it was spent!

David R. Amos

@Bill Smith Methinks we should do a complete forensic audit of the RCMP first N'esy Pas?

Barb Flewwelling

At the very least we deserve to know how they were able to make such a huge mistake regarding the cost of the games! If these were the same people who were tasked with running the games then obviously they were not qualified for the job. And we prudently avoided a disaster on many levels. Stick to your guns Mr. Premier Higgs and don’t pay any heed to the unhelpful petty politics of the federal liberals.

daryl doucette

@Barb Flewwelling Don't be naïve barb. There was no " mistake "....it was deliberately low balled so the taxpayers would accept it. Then the Atconites would swoop in for the prize!

Bill Smith

@David R. Amos good point la!

Roy Kirk

With the current political climate it is too bad they had to cancel these games, but they had to do it to make it clear that low-ball bids followed by steep price hikes will not be tolerated by government. It would be nice if the same message was delivered to all those who seek to draw on the public purse.

David R. Amos

@Roy Kirk "With the current political climate it is too bad they had to cancel these games"

Methinks thou doth jest too much N'esy Pas?

david kirby

I am no financial genius but I am sure I could do better than the original budget estimate for these games. Thus the issue is just what 'expert' did the estimate. Similarly with the Nfld fiasco Muskrat Falls, and the Feds buying fighter jets.

David R. Amos

@david kirby "I am no financial genius"

Nor I However methinks Mr Higgs cannot deny that I am a rather well known whistle-blower against financial crimes N'esy Pas?

Lou Bell

When you need to designate " provinces " on equal billing as countries , it's obvious this is just a watered down group of countries , trying to buy their way into relevancy as some type of Commonwealth .

David R. Amos

@Lou Bell Methinks you must know that the "provinces" etc are all corporations For instance many Canadian entities file with the Yankee SEC including the Corporation known as Canada N'esy Pas?

Shawn McShane

@Lou Bell When Ottawa hosted the Francophonie games Canadian immigration officials said it was highly unusual to receive so many refugee claims from a single sporting event.

Lou Bell

Did this Liberal appointed committee have any kind of mandate when the Liberal Government gave them the go ahead to apply for the games , or were they just told to " WING IT !!" ?

David R. Amos

@Lou Bell Methinks they all flew over the Coocoo's nest first in order to qualify for the committee and have been winging it ever since N'esy Pas?

June Arnott

It is interesting how the dollar amounts can change so much. Just like the Olympics or World Cup Soccer there are people lining their pockets.

I am glad and sad it was canceled. We need to focus our money on healthcare, education, seniors care and so much more.

David R. Amos

@June Arnott Methinks it was very interesting that the committee could cut the costs in half overnight N'esy Pas?

Chuck Michaels

@David R. Amos - As could the deckhands the chairs on the Titanic when they realized that was the only way to stay afloat.

Pierre LaRoches

@June Arnott yes Gallants friends, wife and Liberal supporters all in line.

Don Hulsman

A New Brunswick Provincial Government has ended the folly of financial excess which has plagued the province for decades. Thank you Mr Higgs for staying the course and keeping tax payers safe from another poorly thought out government sponsored boondoggle. The citizens of Calgary said no to the Olympics because they learned from experience that these huge events always take on a life of their own and the taxpayers are always left on the hook. Any politician no matter their stripe should be encouraged to manage the public purse responsively. Thank you again. It’s refreshing to see real leadership for a change.

David R. Amos

@Don Hulsman "A New Brunswick Provincial Government has ended the folly of financial excess which has plagued the province for decades."

Methinks many would agree that it would not be wise to bet the farm on your opinion of Mr Higgs N'esy Pas?

Chuck Michaels

@David R. Amos - Can't afford a farm anymore because of Federal policies - but you are right. I believe ACTIONS - not words. This was a good action. Let's see what tomorrow brings - d'accord?

David R. Amos

@Chuck Michaels "I believe ACTIONS - not words."

Are you aware of my lawsuit against the Crown?

John Harris

strange how it only came to light after the election and removal of a Liberal Government, that the true cost of the games was evident. All along before that, the costs were estimated to be 17 million, all of a sudden 17 became 130 million, now the same committee says they can cut to 69 million ( still over 4 times the amount the Liberals were floating out there. Imagine if they were elected with a majority, the games would be trudging along and it wouldn't be until after they were over that we would learn even a smidgen of the truth of the cost. Shame on Dominic Leblanc for insinuating that the Conservatives were planning to scrap the games all along as an anti french move. The federal liberals were ready to support the provincial liberals with huge hand outs for the games, but went silent after the election and now are saying they would only match the provincial amount dollar for dollar, knowing the conservatives were going to commit 10 million max and so with the federal 10 million, it would not be anywhere enough. Good move to cancel something that we already spent several million on so some liberal hacks could traipse around looking important. I wonder where all the initial "study" etc monies has gone.

David R. Amos

@John Harris "strange how it only came to light after the election and removal of a Liberal Government, that the true cost of the games was evident. "

Methinks all the party leaders knew about the issue long before the writ was dropped but failed to mention it because they were all courting the French vote N'esy Pas?

Rob Mason

@David R. Amos with all due respect it is hard to read your comments when everything starts with "me thinks" and ends with the Chiac phrase. If you want people to take you seriously speak a little more coherently.

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David R. Amos

@Rob Mason Methinks you are fooling nobody Your comment easily proves that you have no respect for me whatsoever N'esy Pas?

Bill Carruthers

@Rob Mason I agree. Please Mr. Amos, drop the Elizabethan English ( Shakespearean English) and the Chiac ending to what might have been an otherwise interesting point, although I don't always agree with you. I hope you hadn't planned on speaking like that if you had of got elected.

Matt Steele

These over priced Francophonie games was just another mess created by Brian Gallant and Dominic BeBlanc that Higgs had to clean up.....Gallant did a lot of damage to N.B. with his out of control spending and never ending tax hikes .

David R. Amos

@Matt Steele Methinks everybody knows the PC Party was well aware of the nonsense out of the gate and nobody said nothing the writ was dropped N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/government-spent-thousands-bid-event-1.3529841

"New Brunswick provincial and municipal governments spent more than $286,000 on wine, gifts and travel to secure the right to host the 2021 Francophonie Games, documents obtained by CBC News reveal.

The receipts show how local officials wined and dined jury members in November during a visit to Moncton and Dieppe, which ultimately won the right to host the event.

Thousands of dollars more were spent sending a delegation of New Brunswickers to West Africa as part of the bidding process.

But officials say the spending — which adds up to $286,686.66 so far and doesn't include the cost of actually putting on the games five years from now — is worth the financial rewards they believe the event will deliver."

"There has to be a discipline involved'

Interim Progressive Conservative Opposition Leader Bruce Fitch has criticized the Liberals in the past for spending thousands on a networking dinner aimed at encouraging New Brunswickers to return home.

But Fitch says he sees a clearer return on investment in spending to win the right to host the Francophonie Games.

"The taxpayers, they'll deal with the respective politicians when it comes time to vote on whether they think that's a good investment or not," Fitch said."

Chuck Michaels

Archie Levesque

So if the Liberals want these games so badly you would think they would be falling all over themselves to pull out the magic wallet and fund them. But instead they are just using the opportunity to bash the provincial government. If the previous gov't had kept control of this and didn't allow it to balloon out of control something could have been done.

stephen blunston

@Archie Levesque I AGREE ANYONE WITH COMMON SENSE SHOULD HAVE KNOW THERE WAS NO WAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE FOR 17 MILLION

David R. Amos

@Archie Levesque Relax its just politicking

Chuck Michaels

Thank you Mr. Higgs. Merci.

David R. Amos

@Chuck Michaels Methinks you should ask Mr Higgs about our spit and chew in front of many witnesses in October of 2015 while I was running in the election of the 42nd Parliament and he was supporting his lawyer buddy Rob Moore N'esy Pas?

stephen blunston

good for mr higgs it is about time we stopped throwing away money we don't have , it would have been nice to have these games but we cant afford it we are far enough in debt and to go further would be a dumb move, this is how we are in such bad shape previous governments of both stripe just spent spent spent on nothing beneficial, I am sorry but feel good events should never be concidr4ed until we at least get a surplus budget and can start paying down our ballooning debt

David R. Amos

@stephen blunston Methinks you are absolutely right but you should back away from Mr Higgs and his blue koolaid and think for yourself N'esy Pas?

elmer tate

Ahh Who cares.....Quebec can save money by not using Petroleum to travel or watch the Games on TV using precious Energy

daryl doucette

@elmer tate Quebec gets billions in free money each year from Churchill Falls and their outrageous transfer payments from alberta. If Trudeau and Dominique are so hell bent on being seen in public for a one week francophone sporting shin dig, pre election photo op and party, let them have it in Quebec and let Quebec pay for it.

David R. Amos

@daryl doucette I agree

elmer tate

Im not from New Brunswick....But Good...

David R. Amos

@elmer tate Why?

Toby Tolly

@elmer tate
yeah
why are you not from NB

Joe campbell

Take some of the money saved and give it to the auditor general and do a good look at New Brunswick's books.

David R. Amos

@Joe campbell I concur

Pierre LaRoches

@Joe campbell budget will have more money for AG. It’s coming.

brad stang

celebrate the Francophonie, doesn't sound too "inclusive" to me Mr JT.

David R. Amos

@brad stang Good Point Sir

Toby Tolly

I see Jacques has added his name to this article now
he even added a french tweeter...
so appropriate

David R. Amos

@Toby Tolly Ain't that special?

Greg Miller

Thank you Premier Higgs.

David R. Amos

@Greg Miller Methinks you tell that to all the Conservatives guys N'esy Pas?

Ken Parker

Good decision. These games are a joke and should not be funded to any extent by the taxpayer.

David R. Amos

@Ken Parker "These games are a joke "

True

Norm Mohamid

Well two things - no problem with provinces picking up billions in deficits for Olympic games (Vancouver)- definitely a problem; Francophone games - stop the waste. Why does stopping the waste make sense for one and not for the other? Franco-Canadians know the answer to that one.

David R. Amos

@Norm Mohamid "Franco-Canadians know the answer to that one."

We all do

John Brown

Good decision.

David R. Amos

@John Brown Methinks many would agree that it was Just a very predictable decision because Kris Austin would have it go no other way N'esy Pas?

Steve Maclean

Good for them. They knew what would happen. Over budget and misappropriation of funds same as always with anything the government touches.

David R. Amos

@Steve Maclean "They knew what would happen."

Its not rocket science

Lucas Williams

Premier Blaine Higgs displayed sound commonsense in announcing the province's decision to refuse to place unneeded economic hardships on New Brunswick, citizens unlike the Trudeau government that time and time again arrogantly throws away Canadians' tax dollars on foreigners that should have been spent on social infrastructure for all Canadians.

David R. Amos

@Lucas Williams Methinks Higgss merely canceled one of the Gallant government's schemes but everybody knows Gallant was following Trudeau's pied piper Mr Leblanc N'esy Pas?

Terrance Thomasen

Holy crap. was that fiscal responsibility being demonstrated. Way to go Mr Premier. Keep fixing the Liberal mistakes.

David R. Amos

@Terrance Thomasen Methinks many would agree that it is just one act within a rather entertaining circus N'esy Pas?

Steve Maclean

Probably a violation of human rights anyway. Imagine having English speaking games. No protest over that.

David R. Amos

@Steve Maclean Mais Oui

Dan Lee

@Steve Maclean
If you had bothered to read and not yap before looking you would have seen that theses games were not only for the french but for any body good enough.......you should have tried.......your probably good at making a fool of yourself

linda stoddard

@Steve Maclean - what do you call the "common wealth" games????

David R. Amos

@linda stoddard Touche

Marc Martin

@Steve Maclean

* Imagine having English speaking games. No protest over that.*

Exactly...

Steve Maclean

@linda stoddard do you know what the common wealth games are?????

Steve Maclean

@Dan Lee you so funny. You laught at you own jokes????

michael levesque

once again common sense prevails. sad to see the Kevin Arseneau (liberal with a green tie) not offer a plan on how to save the games and super shame on the Liberals for making it a language issue. another reason to never vote liberal again.

David R. Amos

@michael levesque "once again common sense prevails."

Nope Kris Austin prevailed

Marguerite Deschamps

"The message that Higgs just gave New Brunswickers is that we're too small to do big things here."
That"s an understatement.
New Brunswick: - "Petit peuple, mangeurs de hotdogs!"

David R. Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps Methinks that is not the first tune about Mr Higgs that you will sing this evening N'esy Pas?

Doug Leblanc

@Marguerite Deschamps
No the message is that Brian Gallant got his friends well paying jobs and hid the true cost from tax payers. The true extent of the scandal was only realized when he lost the election and failed to maintain power. Hopefully the RCMP investigate and if there only conclusion is that NB is too small to do big things, then we can agree.

John Conrad

From $17 to $130 to a "conciliatory" $62 million?
Better to spend 10% of the lower figure on remedial math for the "bright sparks" who put this package together.
And now what is the cancellation penalty claimed to be owed?
"Under the Francophonie's rules, a host government that pulls out is responsible for "any financial claims" related to commitments the international organization made for the games."

So then who's on the hook for all the preparatory wining and dining that probably involved, and where did this take place?
This whole thing stinks like a barrel of lobster bait on a hot day, and maybe the N.B. auditor general ought to look into it..

David R. Amos

@John Conrad Methinks the fancy Francophonie dudes will have a hard time collecting their penalty fees from a province that is nearly bankrupt and with guys such as I just chomping at the bit to intervene in a lawsuit about the matter N'esy Pas?

Matt Steele

@John Conrad .......It is the taxpayers who are on the hook for all the preparatory wining and dining as event organizers have already spent around 2.5 MILLION of the taxpayers cash on the event ; not to mention the fact that these paid organizers were personal friends of Brian Gallant and the Liberal party....a massive scam , and waste of hard earned taxpayer dollars .

George Smith

@ Marguerite Deschamps
"The message that Higgs just gave New Brunswickers is that we're too small to do big things here."
That"s an understatement.

Not the message at all. The message is we can't afford to waste millions on a party for a few participants and a few fans. And I guarantee the majority of N.B. residents just like the majority here are on board with Higgs.

David R. Amos

@George Smith Methinks everybody know why I won't hold my breath waiting for for you to get an ethical reply from the SANB minion N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

*ethical reply from the SANB minion *

For you every French people who disagree with you are SANB minions..

George Smith

George Smith @Jackie Barrett

A "We can't afford to pay for games when our infrastructure and social programs are having a hard time being financed. "
B " It will do more long term harm on New Brunswick as nobody will want to host big sporting events in that province anymore, lost tax revenue and tourism spinoffs,"
Comment against games 44 for 1 against Comment for games 1 for 39 against. N.B. says no.

Claude DeRoche

@George Smith
More like the COR party Boy saying no! LOL!

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche Methinks you SANB dudes are the only ones finding this nonsense funny N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

*you SANB dudes *

Do people still say dude in 2019 ?

daryl doucette

@Marc Martin Hey pal! Ja'i wonderin ou et tu been? Ca va?

Daryl McMurphy

Jeez, does that mean Quebecer's will have to pay for this second tier athletic event. Again.

David R. Amos

@Daryl McMurphy Nope

linda stoddard

If Higgs made this decision based on finances only fine- However, if he made the decision on anti-French pressure from Austin it will cause a bigger riff in the province. Let's hope it's the former and not the latter reason.

David R. Amos

@linda stoddard Methinks nobody cares about the reason as long as we are off the hook for the nonsense N'esy Pas?

Dianne MacPherson

@linda stoddard
Better do your 'homework' on Mr. Higgs.....
you clearly have not been watching him
these last few months !!!!

linda stoddard

@David R. Amos - I care - financial reasons- O.K.
- bigotry promoted by Austin- NOT O.K.

Emery Hyslop-Margison

@linda stoddard The province is hopelessly in debt with a declining tax base. The cost of these games jumped from 17 million to 130 million. Cancelling the fiasco is a no brainer.

Richard Dunn

Very disappointed to read the comments by Part Time Moncton East MLA Monique LeBlanc. She is doing nothing but trying to create a further divide in this province. I guess she was well trained by her BFF Brian Gallant.

It is a shame that she was even re-elected. She does not live in her riding, she maintains a full time practice as a Physiotherapist while living off the taxpayers as she collects a MLA salary.

I am glad to see her being called out in the media today for her use of the word "deplorable."

David R. Amos

@Richard Dunn "She is doing nothing but trying to create a further divide in this province"

Methinks that is what she has been ordered to do N'esy Pas?

Michel Martin

@Richard Dunn and Higgs lol lol

Fred Brewer

Bravo Mr. Higgs! And don't pay a penny of cancellation fees. Let them try to sue for it and drag it out in the courts for years. They will soon realize its not worth it.

David R. Amos @Fred Brewer "don't pay a penny of cancellation fees. Let them try to sue for it and drag it out in the courts for years."

Claude DeRoche

The COR party Boy cancelled highway 11 and now the Francophonie games!

He is not very fond of Acadians!

Kevin Vickers will send the Irving boy packing to the Bermudas!

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche "Kevin Vickers will send the Irving boy packing to the Bermudas!"

Methinks if he throws his hat in the ring I should consider running against Mr Vickers for some very obvious reasons N'esy Pas?

Claude DeRoche

@David R. Amos
Acadians will never trust the CORservative party in 100 years.

Dianne MacPherson

@Claude DeRoche
NBers who think like you couldn't
care less about this Province !!!!
We don't need you !!!!!

Marc Martin

@Claude DeRoche

I agree.

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

We all know your jealous they didnt ask you to run for Liberals Davis.

Marc Martin

@Dianne MacPherson

Maybe he does not need you ?

daryl doucette

@Claude DeRoche The ones on da " Nort Shore" trusted Mr. Gauvin.....and he and his party just saved NB 65 million dollars? Stop with the hatred!

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Who is Davis?

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche "Acadians will never trust the CORservative party in 100 years."

Methinks you forgot that I always run as an Independent N'esy Pas?

Jim Cyr

@Claude DeRoche I am ashamed of being an Acadian when they engage in such utter corruption and stupidity as the Francophonie Games fiasco. (Comments such as yours only add to the shame....)

Dan Lee

@Jim Cyr
Yea and i was a roman emperor in my other life

Seamus O'hern

@Claude DeRoche ...."he is not very fond of acadians".....who is?

Claude DeRoche

What else to expect from Higgs who is blackmailing his own citizens,
that if they refuse to allow fracking he will send back to Ottawa NB's equalization transfers!

COR party, Crown Prince of Bermuda

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche Oh My My

Marc Martin

@Claude DeRoche

Exactly.

Jonathan Berry

In a province grappling with immense debts and an aging tax revenue base endeavors like these are not wise and should be taken off the table. There is an old expression "don't live beyond your means" people in this province would do well to heed this advise and you can do it in both official languages.

David R. Amos

@Jonathan Berry "you can do it in both official languages."

Methinks that has not worked out too well thus far N'esy Pas?

Roland Godin

@Jonathan Berry
Retail cost of 49 mla give or take 25,000,000$, no résumé needed to apply and no job performance evalution...et voilà.

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

It did not ? It created over 10 000 jobs currently here in NB.

Michel Martin

@Jonathan Berry So New Brunswick should not unnovate or grow towards a better future by attracting young people? You have no idea of the demographics, economic strategies or benefits in New Brunswick from having both official languages. Our largest industries are based upon it. It helps our growth in multiple countries/market.

I find your opinion short sighted and with no facts to support them.

Nicolas Krinis

@Michel Martin As much as it may hurt some francophones (I am fully bilingual btw), French, for the exception of Quebec, is a dying language. Sad but true. Stop with the segregation. Same schools, buses etc.. Separating the 2 does not promote harmony.

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin "It created over 10 000 jobs currently here in NB."

Methinks the only folks that got those jobs were bilingual such as yourself N'esy Pas?

daryl doucette

The SANB and other francophone groups are unusually quiet so far today re this wonderful decision by Premier Higgs to cancel the colossal waste of tax payers money, the " Francophonie Games". .. probably gathered in the " War Room" at the U de M pondering the right way to sue the government of New Brunswick again over some imaginary perceived " injustice" against the french minority here in New Brunswick......wait and see!

David R. Amos

@daryl doucette Scroll down

Roland Godin

@daryl doucette
Whatever the cost your discours seems stalled on whatever is in one of the langue officielle, the majority and in both official languages are concerned, comme moi, about the cost...et voilà.

daryl doucette

@Roland Godin HUH?

Marc Martin

@daryl doucette

Higgs should have renamed it the Anglo Games then we would have heard crickets....

Emery Hyslop-Margison

@Marc Martin Not true Marc. As much as some federal politicians would like to make this a language issue it's not - it's a fiscal issue.

Seamus O'hern

@Marc Martin ....sad little fella aren't ya?

Claude DeRoche

The Irving Boy hates federal money first highway 11 and then this.

Moncton got a "real" airport built with the Congrès Mondial Acadien.

Next he will return $3 Billion in equalization transfers to Ottawa
if New Brunswickers refuse fracking!

That's called blackmail!

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche You appear to be bitter about something

Bob Smith

@Claude DeRoche So are we supposed to cut services in health, education and other services in the entire province for a two week athletic festival? Gallant and the Liberals knew this event was going to balloon cost wise after winning on a lowball bid. They hid the facts until after the election and try to pretend to be innocent on the fiasco. It's called a quagmire and cancelling it was the only thing Higgs could do.

Cleve Gallant

@Claude DeRoche The anglos has been blackmailed by the SANB for years now ,So how does it feel to be on the receiving end for once Besides what you stated about Higgs isn’t true, He is only doing what he thinks is best for our province which is more what i can say for Gallant and his cronies!!!

Marc Martin

@Claude DeRoche

*Next he will return $3 Billion in equalization transfers to Ottawa
if New Brunswickers refuse fracking! *

And this is why he was a bad minister of finance when he was 4 years, same old same old...

Seamus O'hern

@Marc Martin .....truth hurts huh?

Karl Dore

As much as I would like to see this international event hosted in NB, we simply cannot afford it. Period.

David R. Amos

@Karl Dore Methinks nobody with argue you N'esy Pas?

Eric Plexe

“Auditor general remains concerned about New Brunswick’s net debt and other financial matters” - https://www.agnb-vgnb.ca/content/agnb-vgnb/en/media/releases/renderer.2019.01.0015.html

Chantal LeBouthi

@Eric Plexe

Been like that for the past 20 years

Albert Wade

@Chantal LeBouthi that's a lie. The debt had grown exponentially.

David R. Amos

@Eric Plexe We all are

Emery Hyslop-Margison

Congratulations Blaine! It's so refreshing to see a premier in NB make decisions based on reason and fiscal responsibility rather than politics. Keep making these type of decisions and your support among both linguistic communities will only increase. This decision points the judgement arrow toward your political integrity.

David R. Amos

@Emery Hyslop-Margison "This decision points the judgement arrow toward your political integrity."

I strongly disagree

Chantal LeBouthi

The sad part of this fiasco is if the committee would have done their jobs correctly and send a real plan in the first place when they did the biting process. We wouldn’t be in this mess

Bob Smith

@Chantal LeBouthi If they submitted a real bid, they never would have been awarded the games in the first place. They knew it, played games with the numbers (probably aided by Gallant telling them that any increases afterwards will be no big deal) and won the day. People want Higgs to take the fall on this but this is all on Gallant and the Liberals...

David R. Amos

@Chantal LeBouthi True

Chantal LeBouthi

NB is a poor province and for the past 20 years each consecutive government have put NB more in the hole. In NB politic fiascos is what we get.
Bernard lord Conservative fiasco
Sham Graham liberals fiasco
David Alward Conservative fiasco
Brian Gallant liberals fiasco
Stay tune the next fiasco will be coming soon

James Reed

@Chantal LeBouthi

Keep in mind Lord ran a surplus in 5 of his 7 years in office... after his first budget our net debt was 6.91 billion and 7 years later it was 6.68 billion, after 4 years of Graham it was 9.48.

David R. Amos

@Chantal LeBouthi "Stay tune the next fiasco will be coming soon"

Methinks now is the winter of our discontent N'esy Pas?

Nicolas Krinis

@James Reed Common theme. The libs put us in deep debt and the conservatives mop up the mess. Will we ever learn pour l'amour...

Luke Armstrong

Good move Premier Higgs.

David R. Amos

@Luke Armstrong It was his only move

Marc Martin

Take these games and rename them the *Commonwealth games* and 99% of the people on these forum are against it...Sad but true.

Albert Wade

@Marc Martin Canada as a country pays for those games why didn't Trudeau pay more. The reason being he wants to destabilize the present NB gov to help put liberals back in power.

Bill Harrison

@Albert Wade Trudeau will also use the cancellation of the Games to claim Conservatives are anti- francophone!

David R. Amos

@Albert Wade "The reason being he wants to destabilize the present NB gov to help put liberals back in power."

Methinks that is the nature of the wicked games they play with our taxpayer funds N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Bill Harrison Mais Oui

Jim Reid

@Marc Martin wrong

Seamus O'hern

@Marc Martin .....You are Sad......so true.

Marguerite Deschamps

Over 300 comments and counting... llol!

Harold Benson

@Marguerite Deschamps Keyboard is worn out.

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson Methinks Sam would agree that the tally of disabled comments is not one bit funny N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps Methinks these are the comments that counted N'esy Pas?

Harold Benson

Okay, so now that that is cancelled, Foire Brayonne is going to take a kick at the funding can. Obviously there is 17 million sitting somewhere waiting to be pilfered.

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson YUP

Mark Thibodeau

@Harold Benson Foire Brayonne is probably the best, most vibrant, most fun and culturally relevant festival in all of NB, regardless of language. It's been held since 1979 to great success. What's your problem with it?

Lyle Craver

Costs have risen 10-fold in the last 3 games. With no firm cap on costs as a political leader I'd be nervous too.

David R. Amos

@Lyle Craver Methinks somebody is nervous in light of the fact that they budgeted 10 million dollars for security N'esy Pas?

Greg Windsor

A Premier who is finally standing for what is right .... saving ALL N. B. taxpayers millions of dollars, thank-you Premier Higgs I am truly saddened that Dominic LeBlanc and Justin Trudeau are turning this into a language issue ... dividing our province even more than it is now ....shame on them

David R. Amos

@Greg Windsor "Dominic LeBlanc and Justin Trudeau are turning this into a language issue ... dividing our province even more than it is now ....shame on them"

YUP

Edward Katz

It's good to see New Brunswick is following Calgary's Olympics rejection action because this is precisely what should be done whenever these types of events can't control costs. These games are strictly minor league and can't justify any extravagances, and if there's such a demand for them, let's see how fast some other members of the Francophonie pick them up, especially when they contemplate the price tag. The reality is that unless costs for these events can be strictly kept reasonable they, along with the Olympics, Pan-Am Games, and the like, should be terminated entirely.

David R. Amos

@Edward Katz I agree

André Bérubé

Prime Minister Trudeau calls this decision a 'shame for Francophone communities'. What on earth is he talking about? New Brunswick cannot afford the huge costs of hosting these games. Mr. Trudeau should also realize that several members of the Francophonie do not even have French as a national or official language: Egpt, Lebanon, Armenia, Vietnam, Tunisia, Laos, Cyprus, Ghana, Mauritania, Greece and the list goes on and on. Francophone countries? Give me a break! As far as I am concerned, New Brunswick should also get out of the Francophonie because we don't share the language and the values of too many of the countries that belong to that organization. As a francophone from New Brunswick, I fully support Premier HIggs decision.

David R. Amos

@André Bérubé "Prime Minister Trudeau calls this decision a 'shame for Francophone communities'. What on earth is he talking about?"

Methinks even he does not know what he is talking about most of the time N'esy Pas?

Brian Hughes

Premier Higgs absolutely made the right decision. Besides the actual games, another kind of game is played in ridiculously low balling the costs in order to get public support and then trying to extort governments into paying the vastly inflated actual costs. Higgs rightfully slew this serpent. The federal Liberals have soiled themselves in trying to suggest that Higgs made the wrong decision and have revealed hypocrisy and fiscal stupidity in their sordid political gaming.

David R. Amos

@Brian Hughes Welcome to the Circus

Marguerite Deschamps

@David R. Amos; and you're the centre of attraction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVpWU0t8cGc

David R. Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps YUP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cFOKT6TlSE

Chris McNee

This is the first common sense decision by a NB premier since? Good on you Mr Higgs, I’m all for bilingualism, but not rediculous debt. A few people are commenting that this will hurt NB business? Maybe it will also show that this province isn’t making poor financial decisions, as they have done in the past

David R. Amos

@Chris McNee Nope my favourite "common sense decision" was stopping the refurbishment of the Centennial Building in Fat Fred City for the benefit of greedy lawyers and judges

Glen Cosby

N.B. voted in the same crap that Ontario did,,,, the conservatives do not care about French

Dan Armitage

@Glen Cosby pathetic really pathetic

David R. Amos

@Dan Armitage Who is pathetic?

Lou Bell

Common sense prevails , although we know what the phrase means to Mr. Arseneau and his heroes from the past .

David R. Amos

@Lou Bell Methinks Mr. Arseneau claimed to not know what common sense was N'esy Pas?

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Lou Bell Methinks I should ask if you were I how you would reply to such comments? Need I say Mr Higgs knows that I am never surprised to see my responses blocked N'esy Pas?

Rob Mason said

If you want people to take you seriously speak a little more coherently.

Bill Carruthers said

"I hope you hadn't planned on speaking like that if you had of got elected."

Marc Martin said

"We all know your jealous they didnt ask you to run for Liberals Davis."

"For you every French people who disagree with you are SANB minions"

Michael durant

The blame is with the organizing committee and their attempt to pull a fast one.

David R. Amos

@Michael durant Methinks many would agree that the buck stops with Trudeau and Gallant N'esy Pas?

Dan Armitage

Heres an idea why not have all entries pay their share so that whoever is elected to host the games actually benefits from hosting the games. You can be guaranteed they'd never have happened in New Brunswick if that was the case. They refused the Olympics in Calgary (smart move by the way) and for what reason MONEY same as why we will not be holding these way over inflated games here. Well done Higgs keep up the good work not wasting money we don't have!

David R. Amos

@Dan Armitage Methinks Higgs had no choice if he didn't do it his mandate would crumble without the PANB support. Now he runs the risk of losing his French Lieutenant Mr Gauvin if too many SANB people are indignant N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

Methinks folks should tune into CBC Info Morning in Fat Fred City right now N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos Did anyone hear Minister Joly's sad lament?

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos continued

The advisory committee will provide the Minister with the names of qualified candidates for each vacant position, as well as supplementary qualified candidates to create a pool to fill posts in the future.

As the digital shift brings many changes in its wake, the public broadcaster continues to play a crucial role in providing us with information and entertainment, as well as helping guide the next generation. As a Crown corporation in the Canadian Heritage portfolio, CBC/Radio‑Canada is an organization that is independent from the government and responsible for its own day-to-day activities.

Quotes

"Our government firmly believes in the importance of our national public broadcaster, CBC/Radio‑Canada. I am pleased to establish this independent advisory committee composed of experts in broadcasting, digital technology and culture, who reflect Canada's diversity. This new committee will recommend qualified candidates for a selection process that is open, transparent and based on merit."

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Quick Facts

Under the Broadcasting Act, CBC/Radio‑Canada's Board of Directors is composed of 12 directors, including a chair and a president/CEO, appointed by the Governor in Council during good behavior for a maximum period of five years.

The selection processes for the positions of chair, president/CEO, and part-time directors are posted on the Governor in Council's website.

In 2016, the Government of Canada adopted a new approach that requires a selection process be initiated for full-time and part-time positions. Those interested can apply online.

Roger Richard

@David R. Amos Oh!

David R. Amos

@Roger Richard Interesting N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Roger Richard Methinks a lot of folks should wonder who they were gonna hire for security that came with a 10 million price tag when we already pay the RCMP far too much money to do such things ala Fracking protests in Kent County N'esy Pas?

Roger Richard

@David R. Amos It is crazy out there. Lots of snobbish people...

Roger Richard

@David R. Amos ... and overplayed.

Roger Richard

@David R. Amos sorry... overpaid.

David R. Amos

@Roger Richard YUP

David R. Amos

@Roger Richard "It is crazy out there. Lots of snobbish people.and overplayed."

Methinks that is the Nature of a Proper Circus N'esy Pas?

Roger Richard

@David R. Amos Maybe the word « overplayed » was better.

Nicolas Krinis

Good decision. I still cannot understand how games of this size, with hardly any construction and infrastructure, can cost close to $200M.

David R. Amos

@Nicolas Krinis Methinks CBC just reported that the latest rendition was 62 million N'esy Pas?

"The organizing committee said in a letter earlier this week that it had reduced the cost to $62 million and called on the province to continue discussing how to rescue the Games."

Nicolas Krinis

@David R. Amos Even $5M would have been too much money for a province in the fiscal shape NB finds itself in.

David R. Amos

@Nicolas Krinis Methinks the 10 million allotted for security alone was insanely greedy N'esy Pas?

Roger Richard

We have so much problems in NB. We do not need these games.

David R. Amos

@Roger Richard Oh So True I truly hope that you run against Mr Arseneau again

"Green Party MLA Kevin Arseneau said the Tories could have increase their commitment "a little bit" to demonstrate a willingness to save the Games.

"The message that Higgs just gave New Brunswickers is that we're too small to do big things here," Arseneau said."

Roger Richard

@David R. Amos I think our mayor in St-Louis is being courted by the Liberal Party. So I will not need to do it again.

David R. Amos

@Roger Richard Methinks you should not care that a different liberal may be running next time They run in every riding in every election and they all follow the same party line N'esy Pas?

Roger Richard

@David R. Amos You are right. An independent candidate would be a better choice. Maybe she would consider that.

David R. Amos

@Roger Richard So should you

David R. Amos

Methinks its rather interesting to hear Mr Sequin defend the French Lieutenant Gauvin to Professor Mario Levesque without Gauvin even bothering to speak to CBC about this topic N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

Methinks Minister Duncan is a wonderful actor for this wicked circus N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos Methinks we should all be wondering why Dominic Leblanc is not talking on CBC today N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos Oh My My Methinks that nobody of any import pertaining to this topic wanted to talk to Seguin this morning N'esy Pas?

Seamus O'hern

@David R. Amos ....sic em Dave....you're my favorite N.B.er.....somebody that gives a hoot.

Harold Benson

In the key of G on this one.

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson Methinks that Sam would agree that Mr Higgs just proved the Golden Rule once again. "He with the Gold Makes the Rules" N'esy Pas?

Robert Morrell

I listened to the CBC interview with Federal Sports Minister Kristy Duncan this morning pertaining to New Brunswick's Premier Blaine Higgs' cancellation of the Francophone Games. Her comments totally lacked common sense and focused on avoiding reality. Her calling in life is not politics, maybe an anchor for a ship or a BC Pine would be more to her intelligence level.

New Brunswick cancels plan to host 2021 Francophonie Games

'None of these decisions were easy,' says New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs

CBC News· Posted: Jan 30, 2019 8:30 AM AT

Premier Blaine Higgs says if Ottawa doesn't change its mind, the 2021 Francophonie Games are dead. (Radio-Canada)

After weeks of sorting through ballooning costs anticipated for the 2021 Francophonie Games, New Brunswick's Progressive Conservative government has decided to cancel its plan to host the international event.

"We understand this is a very difficult decision for the individuals who wanted the games to move forward," Premier Blaine Higgs said.

Higgs announced the fate of the 2021 Francophonie Games at a news conference in Fredericton on Wednesday morning, describing the costs of the sports event a "very steep climb."

"None of these decisions were easy."

Higgs said the high cost of the Games makes it impossible when the provincial government is making tough spending decisions. The premier said his government will name a representative to begin the cancellation process.

He said there will be associated costs with cancelling the event. So far, the province has spent $2.65 million on the event.

Jacques Poitras@poitrasCBC

HIGGS: NB withdrawing from Francophonie Games

9:17 AM - Jan 30, 2019

Deputy Premier Robert Gauvin previously set a Jan. 30 deadline for the federal government and the province to "develop funding options" to save the troubled event.

It appeared, however, an impasse had been reached with neither side budging from their initial funding commitments to cover the soaring price tag.

But on the day before the deadline, there were signs the Games had not been lost.

Changing tones and costs

As of late, the outlook for the Games has been grim.

The cost of hosting the Games ballooned last year to $130 million from the $17-million figure used in the original 2016 bid. A revised estimate put the potential cost at $80 million.

Premier Blaine Higgs repeatedly said the province would not pay more than its initial $10-million commitment and called on Ottawa to cover the balance. Federal cabinet ministers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau maintained Ottawa would not shift from its policy to match provincial investment dollar for dollar.

"There has to be a model that works financially," Higgs said.

Last week, Higgs suggested the fate of the Games was essentially sealed.

Higgs said the provincial government will name a representative to the organizing committee to begin the cancellation process for the 2021 Francophonie Games. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

"Given what [Trudeau] said … given what I'm saying, it seems like the outcome is obvious," Higgs told reporters last Thursday.

But hours before the province's deadline, Radio-Canada reported the organizing committee for the Moncton-Dieppe Games submitted a new potential cost estimate of $62 million.

Also Tuesday, Federal Sports Minister Kirsty Duncan struck an upbeat tone on the state of talks with the province. In a statement, Duncan said provincial officials had "finally come to the table to work collaboratively with us to find solutions that reduce the cost of hosting the games and include in-kind contributions."

Dieppe Mayor Yvon Lapierre also announced the city would increase its contribution, if the money would be directed to legacy projects for the municipality.

New Brunswick was selected to host the ninth edition of the Francophonie Games in 2016. The games are organized by La Francophonie, an international organization of 58 governments with connections to the French language.

With files from Elizabeth Fraser and Jacques Poitras

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

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January 30, 2019, 1:52 pm

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‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

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Simply Divorce not so simple: People lose money on discount service

At least 46 Comments Then a lot were deleted
Commenting is now closed for this story.

Shaun Smith
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Jim Johnston

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Brandon Smith

This whole mess, is the direct result of an ongoing family dispute with Keith Smith. My son was the 1st line of succession as determined by the Federal Government and it caused division in the family. He is instigating all of this. He is inciting violence against us. He is encouraging people to lie.

Emery Bourgeois

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AdamandChelsie Gauvin

@Brandon Smith this has nothing to do with keith

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Brandon Smith
I know for a fact, because I have been told so, that there are numerous fake calls made to Tori. People pretending to be customers. I hope you have vetted each person. Chelsie and Tina are giving you misinformation. Take a look at the Facebook Site, you will see the involvement of Keith Smith. He is inciting violence against us, he is instigating. He has had people call CBC that are not customers. I am in the private group with some of them, they do not know it is me. You are running a story based on information that is being put together by Keith.

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AdamandChelsie Gauvin

@Brandon Smith all the Info Has been FACTS and nothing came from keith not a single thing

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Brandon Smith
2. Chelsie claims I did not send her divorce paperwork. I did. I sent proof to Tori, and she dismissed it after speaking with Chelsie. As I told you in an earlier email, I sent Chelsie a refund of $100, did her divorce papers and through in a free Will. We agreed that I would give her an additional $100 to make things right. The cost of that service is $175. She paid $100. She told Tori last night that I was suppose to register her divorce and service. We did not have that conversation and I did not agree to such a thing after all the threats by her and her family, death threats, why would I agree to such a thing. I just wanted to fulfill my obligation to her, as per her agreement with Emery, and have her out of our lives. I only asked her to take down the FB Simply Divorce Scam, she never had any intention to, which she never did. I asked her to sign a confidentiality agreement, she refused and demanded money from Emery or she was going to CBC and would get back as us. Emery asked her how to rectified the issue, she said “Money” a $100 each week until she is satisfied. (her daughter’s birthday was that week and she needed money” She is scamming Social Assistance, I have proof, her application. She is saying she is not.

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AdamandChelsie Gauvin

@Brandon Smith you mean After Emery Threated to go Dexter times ten on us and murder my kids? I have it on tape so.. And Also the "will" had 0 info in it becuase u dont know me or anything about ne and we never even talked about it. The emailed papers were still incorrect as well. And not valid also these guys lawyers found out your a fraud so Just go

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Brandon Smith

If want more information regarding the truth behind this story, do a search on Facebook for Keith Smith Jones, Keith Jones "Smith" or Chelsie Maclennan

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Brandon Smith

I sent this to Darrow MacIntrye at CBC and to Tori Weldon...No response from either

Darrow

I expected a call from Tori today at 10 am. I confirmed my number with her, but no call. She told Emery she tried to call, we where here all morning. I had a recent change of address. I also told her she could contact me by email. I heard nothing.

The company is owned by EMERY BOURGEOIS. Tori has copies of the Website Ad that lists Emery Bourgeois as owner. Employees, myself, Chelsie Lynn MacLennan and Marc Smith. When the story is run, please be sure to use ONLY Emery Bourgeois, as the rest of us are employees. If you put my name into the article, be sure that it is know that CHELSIE was an employee, worked for the company, and was very much involved. She had access to my website, email accounts for the business, and credit card information. She changed the password, address, verification password and ID information for my Vista Print account and email so I could not get access to my information, causing me to loose my website and company email information and contacts. Our lawyer said that this is grounds for a suit if my name is involved as I am not the owner. We have sent out EVERY single divorce paper to our customers. The issue is they could not get ahold of me for a period of time as Chelsie shut down my email. My obligation was to prepare the documents based on an application. I have on the application, on the website and I tell every customer that we are not lawyers, we can not give legal advice, that we only prepare the documents to get a Legal Divorce in the province the customer resides in. The two ladies primarily involved both got there divorce papers. Chelsie got them by email as I sent to Tori

\

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David R. Amos

@Brandon Smith Methinks many would agree that you won't have much luck dealing with Darrow MacIntrye N'esy Pas?

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Brandon Smith

@Brandon Smith
2. Chelsie claims I did not send her divorce paperwork. I did. I sent proof to Tori, and she dismissed it after speaking with Chelsie. As I told you in an earlier email, I sent Chelsie a refund of $100, did her divorce papers and through in a free Will. We agreed that I would give her an additional $100 to make things right. The cost of that service is $175. She paid $100. She told Tori last night that I was suppose to register her divorce and service. We did not have that conversation and I did not agree to such a thing after all the threats by her and her family, death threats, why would I agree to such a thing. I just wanted to fulfill my obligation to her, as per her agreement with Emery, and have her out of our lives. I only asked her to take down the FB Simply Divorce Scam, she never had any intention to, which she never did. I asked her to sign a confidentiality agreement, she refused and demanded money from Emery or she was going to CBC and would get back as us. Emery asked her how to rectified the issue, she said “Money” a $100 each week until she is satisfied. (her daughter’s birthday was that week and she needed money” She is scamming Social Assistance, I have proof, her application. She is saying she is not.

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Brandon Smith

@David R. Amos
Nope. We have tried to do an interview but Tori kept telling me she could not reach me by phone, I gave her the new number, she did not keep our appointment. Darrow never responded to any message, and Tori did not even to bother to contact me by email. They said nothing about the positive calls they got regarding our service, CBC is very bias and has reported only one side.

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David R. Amos

@Brandon Smith Do you know who I am?

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Brandon Smith

@David R. Amos
no

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Brandon Smith

@David R. Amos
I do now

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David R. Amos

@Brandon Smith Exactly

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David R. Amos

@Brandon Smith Did I run for public office 6 times or did I not?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fundy-royal-riding-profile-1.3274276

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Brandon Smith

@David R. Amos
Yes, I know who you are

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David R. Amos

@Brandon Smith Say Hey to Darrow MacIntrye for me will ya?

Chuck Stewart

She's met someone new and wants a second chance at matrimonial happiness.
"I would love to be remarried. I would love to marry my best friend."
Does not learn from past experience does she.

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AdamandChelsie Gauvin

@Chuck Stewart The Situation was out of my control :) life happens.

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Brandon Smith

@AdamandChelsie Gauvin
Do a search for Keith Jones Smith or Chelsie Maclennan on facebook

Darrow

I expected a call from Tori today at 10 am. I confirmed my number with her, but no call. She told Emery she tried to call, we where here all morning. I had a recent change of address. I also told her she could contact me by email. I heard nothing.

The company is owned by EMERY BOURGEOIS. Tori has copies of the Website Ad that lists Emery Bourgeois as owner. Employees, myself, Chelsie Lynn MacLennan and Marc Smith. When the story is run, please be sure to use ONLY Emery Bourgeois, as the rest of us are employees. If you put my name into the article, be sure that it is know that CHELSIE was an employee, worked for the company, and was very much involved. She had access to my website, email accounts for the business, and credit card information. She changed the password, address, verification password and ID information for my Vista Print account and email so I could not get access to my information, causing me to loose my website and company email information and contacts. Our lawyer said that this is grounds for a suit if my name is involved as I am not the owner. We have sent out EVERY single divorce paper to our customers. The issue is they could not get ahold of me for a period of time as Chelsie shut down my email. My obligation was to prepare the documents based on an application. I have on the application, on the website and I tell every customer that we are not lawyers, we can not give legal advice, that we only prepare the documents to get a Legal Divorce in the province the customer resides in. The two ladies primarily involved both got there divorce papers. Chelsie got them by email as I sent to Tori

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David R. Amos

@Brandon Smith Hmmm Methinks the plot thickens rather nicely N'esy Pas?

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AdamandChelsie Gauvin

@Brandon Smith YOUR BEING CHARGED FOR NAME SLANDER BECUASE OF THAT PAGE

SarahRose Werner

"Chisholm said the guide is only useful in uncontested divorces." - A lot of people think they're getting uncontested divorces until they actually sit down with their ex to talk about it.

David R. Amos

@SarahRose Werner Oh So True

Marc Martin

Easy fix, stop getting married....

Marc Bourque

@Marc Martin you got it right!! But even then you need a cohabitation agreement...

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David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Methinks many folks wonder if your wife reads your comments and if so how long will she stick with you N'esy Pas?

Shaun Smith

@Marc Bourque Agreed...Anyone going into any kind of serious relationship needs to have some sort of agreement in place. Although I'm not too sure of the legal standing of these agreements?

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Sandra Brown

I got my divorce! Twila and Emery prepared my draft with one error, and the rest of the forms were perfect. My divorce was finalized and I got my divorce finalized last month. I would highly recommend this service.

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David R. Amos

@Sandra Brown Hmmm

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AdamandChelsie Gauvin

@Sandra Brown this is thr same lady (twila) everyone had to block on fb.. Poser..

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Brandon Smith

@AdamandChelsie Gauvin
The person you blocked was Shaendra Brown......Get the facts straight

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Shawn Tabor

Simply Devore, I can FULLY understand how it’s screwed up, from hiring a lawyer or lawyers, misrepresentation to down right fraud, perpetratored by lawyers, its no wonder that these women are having trouble or getting greased. 17 years and I think they want me to take it to appeals court, going by the letter that I received from the court clerk, ( imagine a court clerk advising me ) she no lawyer. Even made a complaint to the Law Society, about the actions of these folks. Still before the courts I am told. 17 years and my oldest has made me a grandfather and this stuff is still not settled. Maybe someday, I am not going to hold my breath. Guaranteed that CBC will never write about it. Make a good article though.

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David R. Amos

@Shawn Tabor What my friend Shawn says is true and the Law Society should be VERY ashamed of itself

Stephen White

My question is, if you can pick up errors in your paperwork, why couldn't you fill them out to begin with?

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AdamandChelsie Gauvin

@Stephen White I am Chelsie Day and my biggest problem as the article says was serving my estranged Husband :)

David R. Amos

@AdamandChelsie Gauvin You can hire somebody to do that without much expense.

Brandon Smith

@AdamandChelsie Gauvin
If want more information regarding the truth behind this story, do a search on Facebook for Keith Smith Jones, Keith Jones "Smith" or Chelsie Maclennan

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AdamandChelsie Gauvin

@David R. Amos If you know someone send them my way lol

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AdamandChelsie Gauvin

@Brandon Smith with rcmp now charging you for name slander.. Look up some laws... The page yiuve just made is highly ILLIGEAL

David R. Amos

@AdamandChelsie Gauvin "If you know someone send them my way lol"

Trust that I am not laughing nor should the RCMP whom you claim to have contacted Correct?

I believe you mean libel not slander and the law you both should look up is Section 300 of the Criminal Code

The RCMP are well aware of how familiar I am with that Section. Just so ya know it is not slander or libel if the statements are true.

Simply Divorce not so simple: People lose money on discount service

'Again, it's me that lost in the end because I had to pay this $175 and I got nothing,' customer says

Tori Weldon· CBC News· Posted: Jan 30, 2019 5:00 AM AT

Chelsie Day said the paperwork she received from Simply Divorce was full of mistakes. Despite promises from the company, she has never received corrected documents, she says. (CBC)

Getting a divorce can be expensive, even when both sides agree the marriage is over. With the costs of a lawyer, an uncontested divorce can still run between several hundred dollars and $1,000.

The hefty price has led some people to forgo a lawyer and turn to a divorce service instead, but that proved to be a money-losing choice for some people using Simply Divorce, a company that operated in Moncton last year.

Simply Divorce was run by husband and wife team Emery and Twila Bourgeois and offered a low-cost alternative to preparing divorce papers, while making it clear no lawyers were on staff.

The company's discounted prices ranged from $175 to $300.

Simply Divorce was registered with, but not rated by, the Better Business Bureau in June 2018.

Simply Divorce asked clients to fill out a questionnaire. The information was used to fill out necessary paperwork, which would either be filed at a courthouse by the client or, with the premium package, filed by Simply Divorce.

Some clients say the more expensive package also included the cost of serving an estranged spouse divorce papers.

But Chelsie Day of St. Stephen said she paid $200 to Simply Divorce and wound up with more hassle than help. Day started looking at her options for obtaining a divorce in September.

"I tried lawyers, I've gotten many different estimates, different prices, it's anywhere between $800 and $1,200 from what I found in the area."

Twila Bourgeois ran Simply Divorce out of an office in Moncton until November. (simplydivorce.ca)

Those fees were too steep for Day. She considered filing her own divorce papers but found the process confusing and didn't want to deliver the papers to her estranged husband herself.

She looked online and came across what seemed a cheaper and easier way to get her uncontested divorce.

"I found it on the Saint John Buy and Sell [Facebook group], an add for Simply Divorce Canada and they were claiming to give divorces for only $300."

The 23-year-old mother of two was initially leery of the posting but searched the company online and called the Moncton office. Day said she spoke with Twila Bourgeois by phone a number of times over a few weeks.

"They seemed legit, they had a real website, they had a real Google page with an address listed, with an office area they were listing."

Day wanted the $300 package and had only $200 in the bank, but she said Bourgeois told her to pay the remaining money later. Day sent her information to Bourgeois and two days later received her paperwork riddled with errors.

Tina Robichaud, who works two jobs, says losing $175 to Simply Divorce was a blow. And she was no closer to ending her marriage. (Tori Weldon/CBC)

"The papers have 36 errors between misspelling of names wrong locations, wrong addresses, things like that, just totally incorrect information," Day said.

"I confronted them about this and they said, 'Well, don't worry about the other $100 you were going to send.'"

Day said Bourgeois also told her, 'You have a real keen eye for detail, you should start correcting paperwork for us."

Although she had no experience doing legal work or proofreading, Day agreed to work on a per-document basis. She said she worked a couple of hours for Simply Divorce making ads for social media sites and was never paid.

While this was going on, Day waited for her corrected paperwork to come in the mail.

"Then they disappeared completely. Their website disappeared, their Facebook disappeared, their phones got turned off. I couldn't reach anybody."

Day eventually received her papers, and Simply Divorce returned her $100. She said the papers still contained errors and the papers were never filed with the court or her partner.

Day said she went to the Codiac RCMP and took to Facebook, hoping to warn others.

'I just want my divorce'

Tina Robichaud of Cap-Pelé desperately wanted a divorce but knew she couldn't afford a lawyer. Instead, she called Simply Divorce after seeing an ad online.

"I ignored it for two months, and finally I went for it. Then everything went to pieces."

Emery Bourgeois was listed as, "the go-to-guy when dealing with more difficult issues" on Simply Divorce's website. (simplydivorce.ca)

Robichaud went to meet Twila Bourgeois at the Simply Divorce office on Main Street on Oct. 24. She said she gave all the necessary information to Bourgeois and paid for the basic package.

But when Robichaud received a draft of her paperwork, she said, she found mistakes so she sent it back.

Two weeks later, Robichaud was still asking for a revised copy.

"I never got no reply."

Robichaud works two jobs and said losing that money was a blow. But worse than that, Robichaud was no closer to leaving her marriage.

"I kept on telling Twila that my main concern was I just want my divorce. I want to forget that memory, I just didn't want nothing else to do with anything except to just get my divorce."

Robichaud said she had a difficult marriage, and it was frustrating to take steps to make her situation better only to find herself back at the beginning of the divorce process.

"Because again, it's me that lost in the end because I had to pay this $175 and I got nothing," she said. "They basically need to be stopped."

Robichaud also reported Twila and Emery Bourgeois to the RCMP, but she doesn't know if anything is being done.

RCMP would not confirm to CBC News if they're investigating the complaints.

'I can understand why people are upset'

The CBC contacted the couple, but Twila Bourgeois was the only one who would speak on the phone.

She admitted she took money from customers and was unable to get them completed divorce papers in a timely manner.

Personal problems led her to close her business in November, she said.

"I can understand why people are upset."

Amber Chisholm is the family law information co-ordinator at Public Legal and Information Service of New Brunswick. She says people often can't afford lawyers. (Submitted)

Bourgeois denied that anyone asked for a refund. On Nov. 26, she said all her customers would receive their completed papers but two months later, she said, that has not happened yet.

Bourgeois said Chelsie Day got her money's worth.

Bourgeois said she is not a lawyer, and she was always up front with customers about this. She said she is trained as a paralegal and has studied psychology.

A new divorce service called Divorce 180 was listed online in December. Twila Bourgeois said she was behind the company but has since closed it down.

Neither Simply Divorce nor Divorce 180 were registered companies in New Brunswick.

Information Morning - Moncton

Simply Divorce not so simple

00:0008:07

Customers of Simply Divorce, a divorce service in Moncton, say the company took their money but didn't bring them any closed to divorce. Reporter Tori Weldon brings us the story. 8:07

A question of legality

Amber Chisholm, family law information co-ordinator at Public Legal and information Service of New Brunswick, or PLEIS NB, said she often hears from people who can't afford a lawyer but want a divorce.

"I would say it's a really common problem in New Brunswick."

But there are questions about the legality of divorce services that don't use lawyers, she said.

"Only a person can fill out their own legal forms themselves and represent their own information to the best of their ability and represent themselves in court, or a lawyer can do it for them."

Twila Bourgeois created Divorce 180 after closing Simply Divorce. She said it is no longer operational.

PLEIS NB offers a do-your-own-divorce guide, which is online, in most public libraries and available to buy at most courthouses.

A few years ago, it was discovered some people were selling the information meant to be available for free online or for $10 for a hard copy, a fee meant to cover photocopying costs.

"They would use the information in our guides or even sell people copies of our guides for their own profit and claim to be able to do divorces on their behalf and do the filing on their behalf. No one in the province of New Brunswick can do that without a licence to practise law."

Chisholm said the guide is only useful in uncontested divorces.

"Which means that there's no property still to be divided, all of the custody issues have already been settled or there are no children to be settled, the child support has already been settled, that kind of thing. Nobody is arguing over anything."

She said once issues arise, it's time to hire a lawyer.

And Chisholm admitted the options are limited for people who need legal advice and can't afford it.

Divorce in New Brunswick

According to numbers from the Department of Justice, 674 divorces were granted in the province in 2018. Of those, only 10 saw both parties represented by a lawyer, and there were 11 where it is unknown if a lawyer was involved.

Similar to 2017, when more than 1,000 couples divorced, only 56 cases saw both parties represented by lawyers, in 12 cases it is unknown if lawyers were involved.

Chelsie Day said she is now saving up to hire a lawyer. She and her husband married in 2014 for about $600 and weren't together long.

She joked that getting out of her marriage will cost more than it cost to get in, but she is willing to do what it takes. She's met someone new and wants a second chance at matrimonial happiness.

"I would love to be remarried. I would love to marry my best friend."

About the Author

Tori Weldon

Reporter

Tori Weldon is a reporter based in Moncton. She's been working for the CBC since 2008.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

Cancelling Games in Moncton, Dieppe triggers worry over hosting future events

January 31, 2019, 9:36 am

≫ Next: Methinks Mr Higgs and Mr Gauvin the new Minister from Shippagan and his cohorts should not forget the Caisses Populaire de Shippagan nonsense N'esy Pas?

≪ Previous: Simply Divorce not so simple: People lose money on discount service

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/dieppe-moncton-francophonie-games-reaction-1.4998457

Cancelling Games in Moncton, Dieppe triggers worry over hosting future events

117 Comments

David R. Amos

Methinks folks should have tuned into the circus on CBC in Fredericton this morning while they were commenting in here N'esy Pas?

Here is a little Deja Vu for some of you to enjoy

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/francophonie-games-province-blaine-higgs-1.4997694

Seamus O'hern

@David R. Amos ....hahaha...sic em David.

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

* tuned into the circus on CBC *

I am still looking for that circus...Are you in it ?

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Methinks you are a wannabe star of the show N'esy Pas?

Jake Devries

@David R. Amos any bets Marc was part of the Acadian Chosen Few who would have made out like other Lib bandits ??

David R. Amos

@Jake Devries Methinks he is just a minor minion making brownie points with the "Power That Be" within the civil service in Fat Fred City Clearly he ain't very clever N'esy Pas?

Colin Seeley

MSM at its worst.

Anything to put down things that are not Liberal .

Even Sherbrooke has announced it no longer wants to host the games. Too $$$$.

What a barf article.

David R. Amos

@Colin Seeley Methinks you are correct now and then just like busted watch N'esy Pas?

Marty Forsythe

The question has to be asked how does a bid for 17 million on the tender jump to 130 million. Of course the government of any political stripe would say no to this. Time for the truth of the bid and where they were going to spend 130 million comes out. There is much needed infrastructure improvements around the Province that needs the money than hosting a games for 130 million, 17 or 20 million yes for sure

David R. Amos

@Marty Forsythe "The question has to be asked how does a bid for 17 million on the tender jump to 130 million."

Mais Oui

Troy Murray

Flogging a dead horse.

David R. Amos

@Troy Murray YUP

Ernesto Rafael

This will assuredly upset the culture crowd as they are accustom to receiving money where there is not.

David R. Amos

@Ernesto Rafael I would feel empathy for them but I am not fond of wealthy snobs

John Pokiok

Oh you should not worry at all just next time plan the games that you can afford with your own money and you might have them. Leave the taxpayers money alone voila.

David R. Amos

@John Pokiok Mais Oui

Joe Gallant

This by far has been the best decision that any past or current gov't has made. There is enough of our tax dollars going down the toilet and you know people are going to turn it into something that not and say that our Premier is against the French Acadians and that the People Alliance leader did not support it. I am French Acadian and was not raised by my parents to assume every decision is based on either race, religion or language you speak rather because it's the right one to make. Can't please everyone which is why politicians need thick skin.
Keep warm and smile at a stranger as you may just make their day.

Ernesto Rafael

@Joe Gallant - If only the SANB shared the same ideology.

Seamus O'hern

@Joe Gallant ....YOU are my kind of CANADIAN Joe....have a great day!.

Joe Gallant

@Seamus O'hern
Thanks and right back at ya

Yves Savoie

@Joe Gallant I'm french also and I second your post....we are not all stupid!!!

David R. Amos

@Joe Gallant "There is enough of our tax dollars going down the toilet"

Methinks everything political is always about the money Hence I follow the money for obvious reasons N'esy Pas?

Toby Tolly

blame this one on Brian and Dominic

David R. Amos

@Toby Tolly and Justin

Tim Raworth

Its interesting how the people in favor will spin how much money and benefit it will bring to the area. They must have taken math lessens from the original organizers.

David R. Amos

@Tim Raworth YUP

Gil Murray

Beware people who want you to provide them with $10 today in exchange for something tomorrow and refuse to clearly explain how they will accomplish it. It usually means they want to use $10 of your money to increase their personal wealth and never speak to you again.

David R. Amos

@Gil Murray Methinks George said best in his tune "Beware of Darkness" N'esy Pas?

"Watch out now, take care
Beware of greedy leaders
They take you where you should not go"

Mack Leigh

Very thankful to Premier Higgs and all of those involved in making the right decision to cancel the games... We cannot afford them...period... Lay this fiasco squarely at the feet of B. Gallant and his cronies along with Dominic LeBlanc..... There now needs to be a full investigation as this whole thing smells of corruption, collusion and quite possibly fraud, in my opinion....

Colin Seeley

@Mack Leigh

A full investigation will cost millions. Let it go.

We know who to blame.

Natalie Pugh

@Colin Seeley
There should be an investigation. You never know what else may be uncovered!

Marc Martin

@Mack Leigh

If the PM would have been an English one we would have heard crickets in here...Gallant is too French for your crowd.

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Cry me a river

Seamus O'hern

@Marc Martin "Gallant is too French for your crowd"...do you mean N.B. or Canada?...please explain.

Marc Martin

@Seamus O'hern

I didn't know Gallant was in Federal politics...

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

Are you sure your talking to the right Marc Martin Davis?

Jim Reid

@Marc Martin aka Dominic

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Who is Davis?

Wally E. Bamberger

If an organization wishes to host an event with taxpayers' money, then they should publish in a news release a pro-forma statement of income and expenses and sign a contract that if expenses grow they will cover them without requesting additional taxpayer money. If the solicited governments are carrying a significant debt load then the applicants should suggest a list of other programs that the government could cut in order to redirect the funds without increasing the governments' debt load.

Methinks applications and the governments' debt load would fall dramatically.

David R. Amos

@Wally E. Bamberger "Methinks applications and the governments' debt load would fall dramatically."

Me Too

Craig O'Donnell

Unless Moncton and Dieppe promised to ante up more money than what they had proposed in order to keep the games, I think their councillors and mayors should keep their mouths shut on the issue. Expecting the rest of the province to pay out vast amounts of taxpayers' money for something that doesn't benefit the majority (increase in economy? Yeah, right.... only those 2 towns!) and is basically just paying for a cultural entity is wasteful in the extreme considering the state of the province.

David R. Amos

@Craig O'Donnell I agree

Dale Chapman

The people complaining about Moncton no longer hosting the games have to explain to the taxpayers who were going to foot the bill "How did the costs balloon from $17 M to $130 M?"
Almost all projects come in over budget. I was personally expecting the cost of the games to go from $17 M to about $25 M and I was OK with putting that kind of money into it. However, to go to a budget of $130 M means the real costs were going to come in around $160 M. That, as a taxpayer, I am not OK with.

David R. Amos

@Dale Chapman "I am not OK with"

Nor were most folks

Methinks it was not a language issue like SANB wants it to be It was and is a financial issue that really should be investigated N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

Its totally a language issue. If the game would have been the Anglo games we would have heard crickets...

Douglas James

Indeed, we should all be worried when organizers of such games turn a $17 million budget into a $130 million budget, seemingly without a thought for anyone but themselves.

Fred Knox

@Douglas James If the libs wouldn't have lost the election they would've lined their pockets off of this one.

Gary Journeay

@Douglas James well said AND THEN said "We could do it for 62 million?? LOL... moving targets !pathetic

David R. Amos

@Douglas James Methinks you forgot that Kevin Arseneau of your beloved Green Party is all for hosting the games N'esy Pas?

Jim Reid

@Jim Reid guess I am not permitted by CBC to say the Green Party leaders name

David R. Amos

@Jim Reid Thats a big No-No

Mark (Junkman) George

You should be worried, very worried............
It hopefully looks like the days of the blank (but signed) provincial cheque is over.

David R. Amos

@Mark (Junkman) George Dream on

Matthew Smith

if by being even moderately responsible lends itself a black eye to being a destination, y'all don't need those friends...

David R. Amos

@Matthew Smith Methinks politicians don't have friends just acquaintances The doings between Julius Caesar and his buddy Brutus The Younger taught them that N'esy Pas?

Stephen Long

God, CBC is so predictable. It's not until you have lived in a democracy where debate takes place between people who hold different views that you realise how one sided CBC is. Why don't we hear from someone who actually thinks this is a good thing.

David R. Amos

@Stephen Long Methinks you know the answer to that as well as I N'esy Pas?

Stephen Long

I listened to the interview this morning and had to chuckle when Lamonde noted that he hadn't estimated what the return might have been. Why was that Lamonde? Not enough time? Did you forget? I thought business people were doing this sort of planning all the time. Or was it because you thought the answer would not be appreciated by the people paying the bill.

David R. Amos

@Stephen Long Methinks he no idea whatsoever N'esy Pas?

Natalie Pugh

I would like to see an investigation into those who "organized" this fiasco explaining a breakdown of just what and where the $130 000 000 or our tax dollars was going to. I do not want this swept under the rug. Someone has some explaining to do!!

David R. Amos

@Natalie Pugh "I would like to see an investigation into those who "organized" this fiasco"

Good Luck getting one

McKenzie King

I certainly hope it hurts our chances to host things like this. We need to stop wasting millions of dollars on these things, especially when we are beyond broke, and where the orgsanizing committee is either incompetent or deceitful. If the Chamber of Commerce wants these things to go ahead, let them pay of it.

Grant Lyon

@McKenzie King Gallant never understood budgets. He thought the NB taxpayer was his personal cash cow. Most inept, secretive, corrupt government.

David R. Amos

@McKenzie King ?where the orgsanizing committee is either incompetent or deceitful"

Methinks many would agree that the organizing committee was incompetent and deceitful and possibly worse N'esy Pas?

Jake Quinlan

"It's quite a shame," Boudreau said. "It will definitely hurt the province in the long run and it will be very hard to attract international events of that type."

C'mon man, any event looking at NB in the future and does due diligence will understand this cancellation at this time. It's a one off situation basically. Context matters.

David R. Amos

@Jake Quinlan YUP

Matt Steele

It is about time that people start to look at the financial situation that N.B. is in . N.B. is one of the smallest and poorest Provinces in Canada with one of the oldest populations in the country . The prov. debt is well over 14 BILLION , and close to 18 BILLION if you add in the N.B. Power debt . The prov. is paying close to 2 MILLION PER DAY just in interest payments . Brian Gallant , with the encouragement of Trudeau's Liberals , went on a wild out of control spending spree for 4 years , and pushed taxes to the MAX . N.B. is a rapidly dying province with a very low birth rate , and high unemployment . N.B IS BROKE ; and going into debt further to play some games is ludicrous !!!

Jackie Barrett

@Matt Steele Most of it is the New Brunswick Government's fault as a result of not fighting hard enough to expand the Irving Oil Refinery or get the Energy East Pipeline project in Saint John as opposed to import oil from the Saudi Arabians, and lack of effort to attract or retain high quality jobs including the closure of the Nutrien/Potash Corporation mine in Sussex.

Marc Martin

@Matt Steele

they had no choice to push the taxes to the max the previous CoRservative governement was running us in the red for 4 years.

Tim Raworth

@Jackie Barrett You have no idea what you are talking about. A lot of factors come in to play when we are talking about resource development, most of which is beyond the control of NB government. They cant control the world market price for potash for example.

Tim Raworth

@Marc Martin our debit has doubled in the last 10 years. Cant blame that all on the Cons

David R. Amos

@Tim Raworth True

Marc Martin

@Tim Raworth

It douvled because we didnt sell NP Power who was against selling NB Power ? The Cons and the Anglophones...Your right the Cons are not the only ones responsible....

Tim Raworth

@Marc Martin We have talked about the downfalls of selling NB power lots before. Just shows you only read and understand what you want to hear.

Michael Hunt

Now if Mr. Higgs would cut the funding to SANB and U of M

David R. Amos

@Michael Hunt We can hope but don't bet on it Methinks Mr Higgs needs to keep on the good side Mr Gauvin or his budget won't fly N'esy Pas?

Les Cooper

Thank good this nonsense is over.
What is next??

David R. Amos

@Les Cooper The budget

George Smith

Moncton and N.B. taxpayers have covered the losses at many of these events. If the business community can't invest the money for these events then they shouldn't go ahead. The City should not be risking tax monies on these events that only businesses make money on. The taxpayers are the only losers on these expensive parties.

David R. Amos

@George Smith "The taxpayers are the only losers on these expensive parties."

YUP

Thomas Imber

Dominic Leblanc is coming across as tone deaf on this issue.

His divisive attempt to make it a language issue shows once again that he and the federal Liberals put their own partisan interests ahead of everything else.

Andrew Clarkson

@Thomas Imber

Every time I hear the word Dominic I start to hum and sing that old Lou Monte smash Christmas single Dominic the DONKEY! Or is it that other word for a donkey!

David R. Amos

@Andrew Clarkson When I hear the name Dominic methinks of a different dude and wonder how his wife in Kathmandu is doing N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/ndp-gets-help-from-democracy-expert-1.629834

"After election day, Dominic Cardy is flying back home to his wife in Kathmandu, Nepal"

George Smith

So now the Feds and the Province are playing the blame game. Why can't they just step up and admit the games weren't in the best interests of the taxpayers of N.B. and Canada? The only shame here is the bickering between the governments. I believe the vast majority of taxpayers are relieved. They'd both get more political benefit by admitting it was the wrong event at the wrong price and wrong timing.

Matt Steele

@George Smith .....This is a Federal Election year ; and Dominic LeBlanc along with Justin Trudeau , wanted to use these games to show case what a great job LeBlanc has been doing for N.B. ; normally Justin Trudeau couldn't care less about N.B. . It is all just political theater with Trudeau trying to buy our votes with our own tax money . Brian Gallant tried the same tactic.....and FAILED !!!

daryl doucette

@George Smith politicians will NEVER admit they were wrong.

David R. Amos

@daryl doucette Methinks everybody knows I dabble in politicking and freely admit whenever I am wrong For instance I figured that either Harper or Mulcair were gonna win a minority government in the last election Was I ever wrong about that N'esy Pas?

Tim Raworth

@David R. Amos just shows how gullible people are eh. Sunny ways, sunny ways.

Cancelling Games in Moncton, Dieppe triggers worry over hosting future events

Chamber of commerce CEO says city has shown it can draw big events

Shane Magee· CBC News· Posted: Jan 31, 2019 6:00 AM AT

Pierre Boudreau, a Moncton city councillor, says he's worried the province's decision to withdraw from hosting the 2021 Francophonie Games in Dieppe and Moncton will hurt the region's ability to host other large events. (Shane Magee/CBC)

The president of Athletics New Brunswick says the province's decision to pull out of holding the 2021 Francophonie Games is a "black eye" that could hurt the chance of hosting similar events in the future.

"It certainly makes it very difficult for a small region to contemplate hosting such games or championships," Marc Lalonde said in an interview with Information Morning Moncton.
Pierre Boudreau, a Moncton city councillor, echoed that view.

"It's quite a shame," Boudreau said. "It will definitely hurt the province in the long run and it will be very hard to attract international events of that type."

New Brunswick cancels plan to host 2021 Francophonie Games

Higgs thinks Francophonie Games are doomed as province, Ottawa reach impasse

If the Francophonie Games are cancelled, New Brunswick could still have to pay

Hosting the Francophonie Games was pitched as a way to showcase New Brunswick to a global audience which could help lure tourists and immigrants. About 3,000 participants from more than 50 countries were expected to take part in the 10-day international arts, culture and sport event.

The mayors of Moncton and Dieppe did not provide interviews about the province's decision.

Premier Blaine Higgs said Wednesday the province was withdrawing from hosting because of the escalating cost since the former Liberal government submitted the bid in 2015.

Premier Blaine Higgs announced the province wouldn't go ahead with hosting the event due to the escalating cost. (CBC)

The cost had climbed from about $17 million to an estimated $130 million, though the organizing committee told the province recently it could bring the cost down to $62 million.

John Wishart, CEO of the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce, said the loss of the event is a blow to the region's businesses, from hotels to retailers and various suppliers.

The economic impact of not hosting isn't clear — in part because the cost of the event kept shifting.

Eric Mathieu Doucet said the event would generate more than $100 million in economic spinoffs in the province before he resigned as president of the organizing committee last month amid controversy about the cost of the games. (Shane Magee/CBC)

Organizers had estimated spending $130 million would result in $148 million in economic spinoffs in the province and $17 million elsewhere in Canada, though economists questioned the figures.

"It's also a loss in terms of showcasing what Greater Moncton can do," Wishart said. He added it is a lost opportunity to entice immigration to the region from francophone countries that would have participated.

Latest event lost

It's the latest major event that's failed to materialize.

Moncton sought unsuccessfully to host the 2019 Memorial Cup, the national major junior hockey championship, and the 2019 and 2020 Brier, Canada's men's curling championship.

Wishart said the region has successfully hosted events like the 2010 IAAF track and field competition, 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup matches and the 1999 Francophonie Summit.

"I think the pluses far outweigh this disappointment and that's what we need to think about going ahead," Wishart said.

Paulette Thériault, a Moncton councillor, says the news isn't all doom and gloom. (CBC)

Moncton Coun. Paulette Thériault said she doesn't think it should be viewed with doom and gloom.
"I think this is just a new challenge for us to pick up our boots and find a way to move this forward in the future," Thériault said.

A statement from the City of Moncton on Wednesday said hosting major events remains a priority for the municipality to generate economic spinoffs and "enrich our city in many ways."

About the Author

Shane Magee

Reporter

Shane Magee is a Moncton-based reporter for CBC.

With files from Information Morning Moncton

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

Methinks Mr Higgs and Mr Gauvin the new Minister from Shippagan and his cohorts should not forget the Caisses Populaire de Shippagan nonsense N'esy Pas?

February 1, 2019, 7:21 am

≫ Next: I have often wondered if Higgs and the others read the comment sections Survey Says?

≪ Previous: Cancelling Games in Moncton, Dieppe triggers worry over hosting future events

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

Methinks Mr Higgs and Mr Gauvin the new Minister from Shippagan and his cohorts should not forget the Caisses Populaire de Shippagan nonsense N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/02/methinks-mr-higgs-and-mr-gauvin-new.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/francophonie-games-kris-austin-kevin-arseneault-1.5000507

Green Party, People's Alliance want investigation into botched Francophonie Games bid

98 Comments

David R. Amos

Surprise Surprise Surprise

Joseph Vacher

Something Something Atcon ..

David R. Amos

@Joseph Vacher Methinks Mr Higgs and Mr Gauvin the new Minister from Shippagan and his cohorts should not forget the Caisses Populaire de Shippagan nonsense N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/up-to-60m-to-go-to-shippagan-s-credit-union-1.641566

"Boudreau wouldn't say how much of that $60 million will be injected into Shippagan's credit union or whether it's a grant, a loan or a loan guarantee. However, he has said the credit union's future depends on it.

John Williamson from the Canadian Taxpayer Federation said New Brunswickers should pay close attention to the $60 million set aside, because it's roughly the same amount they'll be paying in tax increases in 2007.

"I'd want to know why taxes are going up to pay for bailouts, as opposed to having governments spend money in priority areas," Williamson said Thursday.

"Governing is all about making choices and prioritizing spending. In this case, we have a government which has obviously decided that saving a credit union is worthwhile, despite the fact that no one from the province seems able to explain why it's in the province's interest, or why it's in the taxpayer's interest, to be spending this kind of money."

Opposition critic Bruce Fitch said he wants details now on how the province plans to save the credit union. "Sixty million dollars is a substantial amount of money and I'd like to know exactly what it is going to be used for," he said."

Claude DeRoche

Cleve Gallant

@Claude DeRoche Didn’t you just say the same thing on another post?

Tim Raworth

@Cleve Gallant a fools rant

Marc Martin

@Claude DeRoche

Exactly...

Marc Martin

@Cleve Gallant

And ? Not only are you against everything French you now want to remove his right of free speech ?

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin "you now want to remove his right of free speech"

Methinks thats your forte N'esy Pas?

Cleve Gallant

Just wondering why SANB wouldn’t use130 millon dollars to train bilingual paramedics instead of ten days of games,Oh I.forgot they expect the English to pay as usual !!!!!

Marguerite Deschamps

@Cleve Gallant, no one pays for the French to become bilingual. But we pay for the English to become bilingual who rarely ever do. It's been an epic failure. That's the truth.

Cleve Gallant

@Marguerite Deschamps Just don’t like things shoved down my throat,Oh let me guess you don’t understand English but yet here you are on an English forum,Kind of reminds me of the guy who told me he couldn’t understand English but yet he was at a English theatre,Have a good day anyways

Natalie Pugh

@Marguerite Deschamps
"no one pays for the French to become bilingual" No one has to. everyone is submersed in an English speaking world. One would have to be completely isolated to be exposed to only French speaking people or French only media. I do however agree with you on one point. Bilingualism has been an epic failure and will never work!!!

Tim Raworth

@Marguerite Deschamps We all pay for bilingualism and it is a epic failure for sure. So lets not keep throwing more money at the problem.

Tim Raworth

@Marguerite Deschamps We though you left the country.

Travis Thériault

@Cleve Gallant If French was being shoved down your throat, you'd be bilingual by now and so would most other anglophones in this province. If one of the two linguistic groups has the opposite language being shoved down their throats, it's technically the francophones. Anglophones are encouraged to learn French, however unilingual francophones have FAR more disadvantages in this province than unilingual anglophones.

David R. Amos

@Tim Raworth "We though you left the country."

Methinks SANB minions are drawn to this issue like moths to a flame particularly when their former President Kevin Arseneau thinks it's important for political culture N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

@Cleve Gallant

*Oh I.forgot they expect the English to pay as usual !!!!!*

I am pretty sure I paid more taxes then you ever did in your lifetime buddy.

Marc Martin

@Travis Thériault

Well said sir !!!

Marc Martin

@David R. Amos

Are you still bitter the Liberals wont let you run for them Davis?

John O'Brien

@Travis Thériault Cry me a river. No Anglophone is gonna shed a tear for you . The day you and your kind tried to tell NB that Peoples Alliance votes don't count and the other parties can't associate with them in the Legislature is the day French credibility died in this province. In a generation the OLA will be repealed- tossed to the curb like the garbage it is.

daryl doucette

@Travis Thériault "Unilingual francophone".....never met one.

Marc Martin

@John O'Brien

* tried to tell NB that Peoples Alliance votes don't count *

you obviously have a problem reading your own language, where did he say that ?

Cleve Gallant

@Marc Martin ye buddy prove it, As if I’m supposed to believe you,How can anyone pay all them taxes when they spend all their time here on these forms spreading fake news !!! But try to have a good day anyways

Jake Quinlan

@Marguerite Deschamps --

""no one pays for the French to become bilingual""

Can you explain the mechanism on how a francophone in NB becomes bilingual?

Fred Brewer

@Marguerite Deschamps
" no one pays for the French to become bilingual"

Marg, you are correct. Thanks to 2/3 of NB being anglo, you get free anglo immersion 24/7/365. You are welcome.

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin "Are you still bitter the Liberals wont let you run for them Davis"

I have no clue who the dude Davis is However methinks you know as well as I why I would never belong to any political party particularly after the liberal denied my right to vote and assisted in my false imprisonment N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

*and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin are both in favour of an investigation. *

Of course he is the committee was French. The anti-French party leader at work !!!

Rejean Comeau

@Marc Martin Are you saying green MLA Kevin Arseneau is also anti-french...

Ralph Green

@Rejean Comeau your wasting your time he doesn't know what he is talking about most of the time.

Shawn McShane

@Marc Martin Green MLA Kevin Arseneau and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin are both in favour of an investigation.

Seamus O'hern

@Ralph Green ....so true....that is truly a waste of time.

Marc Martin

@Rejean Comeau

Where do you see I mention K. Arseneau in my comment ? You do know how to read right ?

Marc Martin

@Ralph Green

Then why read and reply to my comments ?

Fred Brewer

@Marc Martin
"Where do you see I mention K. Arseneau in my comment ? "

It's true you did not mention Arseneau in your comment. But it is obvious that you omitted Arseneau because it totally destroyed the point you were trying to make. I think Rejean was just correcting your omission.

David R. Amos

@Fred Brewer Methinks the SANB does not know when it is wise to clam up N'esy Pas?

Les Cooper

Why waste money with investigation?
No one will be held accountable at the end of day

Tom Simmons

@Les Cooper don't be so pessimistic, let the truth come out. Even if no one is "held accountable" by the laws, the people will know what happened and who was involved.

David R. Amos

@Les Cooper "No one will be held accountable at the end of day"

Methinks if a proper investigation were to provide proof of fraud then any taxpayer could sue the perpetrators on his own behalf N'esy Pas?

stephen blunston

it was out right plain lying and deceiving by mr gallants buddys , if it wasn't they would have let us know in 2018 when they found out it went gfrom 17m to 130 m and tried to hide it from the nb people

David R. Amos

@stephen blunston YUP

wayne guitard

No need for an expensive inquiry. The organizers low balled the bid to get the games, wrongly assuming the Liberals were going to win the election, and that they would be willing to shrug their shoulders at cost overruns and not dare cross the Francophonie. And there you have it.

David R. Amos

@wayne guitard Methinks we should ask what we are paying the RCMP to do other than issue traffic tickets N'esy Pas?

wayne guitard

Higgs just took a sledge hammer to the belief Moncton elites have who thought it would still be the status quo.

David R. Amos

@wayne guitard Please enjoy a little Deja Vu that was in the news long before Mr Higgs ever won a seat in the Legislature. Methinks a former Auditor Genera informed us that the "Moncton elites" covered for the Progressive Conservative in the past. The ex cop Carl Urquhart did say the people who were responsible for that are still responsible yet nothing ever came of it N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/shippagan-caisse-bailout-could-have-been-avoided-ag-1.941042

"New Brunswick's auditor-general has issued a damning report on the taxpayer-funded bailout of the Caisse populaire de Shippagan, blaming the former Progressive Conservative government for failing to properly regulate the northern financial institution.

Auditor General Mike Ferguson released the 53-page report on Tuesday that also said a handful of senior managers at the caisse populaire covered up financial problems.

The Liberal government bailed out the northern caisse populaire in 2007 with a $37-million grant and another $16.5-million in guarantees.

The influx of government funds were to offset massive losses at the caisse populaire.

The report said it all could have been avoided."

"PC MLA Carl Urquhart played down the former Conservative government's failures when speaking on Tuesday.

"The fact that things were going on that was wrong. The people who were responsible for that are still responsible for that, whether it was stopped sometime along the way," Urquart said."

Green Party, People's Alliance want investigation into botched Francophonie Games bid

Two main parties don't see point of probing into how $17-million estimate was so inaccurate

Jacques Poitras· CBC News· Posted: Jan 31, 2019 5:10 PM AT

Third-party MLAs think a probe into the botched Francophonie Games bid is needed to find out what went wrong. Green MLA Kevin Arseneau, left, and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin are both in favour of an investigation. (CBC)

The two upstart political parties in the New Brunswick legislature both say they'd like to see a committee of MLAs study what happened behind the scenes with the province's botched bid to host the Francophonie Games.

MLAs from the Green Party and the People's Alliance say they want members to investigate how the projected cost of the Games soared to $130 million, only to drop back to $62 million as organizers tried to stave off cancellation.

"We should be able to ask a lot more questions to a lot more people and ask what went wrong," said Green MLA Kevin Arseneau.

"If New Brunswick wants to ever host games like this again or any kind of event, what would be a normal process? What's the transparency New Brunswickers are asking for? I think there's a lot of good information that could come out of questioning this."

Sport minister 'disappointed' by cancellation of Francophonie Games

New Brunswick cancels plan to host 2021 Francophonie Games

Cancelling Games in Moncton, Dieppe triggers worry over hosting future events

But the two traditional mainstream parties, the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals, say they don't see much point to a probe into how a $17-million estimate in 2016 was so wildly inaccurate.

"No, I don't," PC Premier Blaine Higgs said Wednesday when he announced the cancellation of New Brunswick's plan to host the Games.

Premier Blaine Higgs announced the province wouldn't go ahead with hosting the event due to the escalating cost. (CBC)

Meanwhile, Moncton East Liberal MLA Monique LeBlanc said anything gleaned from an investigation would have no practical effect because the Games were a one-time event, not an ongoing government program that would benefit from improvements.

"Since this is such an isolated and exceptional thing … I don't see any interest in either spending money or time on this," she said.

LeBlanc made the comments on the CBC New Brunswick Political Panel podcast. She refused to do an interview on the issue afterward because she said her comments represented her personal opinion, not her party's position.

New Brunswick was selected in 2016 to host the ninth edition of the Francophonie Games. (AFP/Issouf Sanogo)

People's Alliance MLA Rick DeSaulniers, also on the panel, said LeBlanc was against an investigation because "she knows the investigation would involve her former leader and their party."

The previous Liberal government of Brian Gallant knew in April 2018 that the cost estimate for the 2021 Games, which would have taken place in Moncton and Dieppe, had soared to $130 million. That figure was concealed from the public until after the provincial election.

Gallant acknowledged in December that several people involved with the Games organizing committee were personal friends. He said he had recused himself from dealing with the event while still premier.

Francophonie Games marketing contract went to firm led by committee member's partner

Government knew of rising Francophonie Games costs in October 2017

CBC News also revealed that a company run by a marketing consultant who is the partner of one of those friends won a contract to promote the Games.

Arseneau said he would like to see the legislature's public accounts committee hold a hearing into the matter. The committee hears every year from government departments on how they spend money and run programs.

Alliance Leader Kris Austin said he'd favour a committee investigation as long as it didn't become too expensive.

Beyond "the number one question" of the soaring cost, "there seems to be some connections to the premier with people on the board, and I think those are legitimate questions," Austin said.

CBC News

The Francophonie Games mess, explained

The games have been cancelled. But what's the story behind the mess? 2:31

Arseneau said the committee could also look at the rhetorical battle between the Higgs government and Ottawa.

Higgs said the province would not spend more than its original commitment of $10 million, while the Trudeau Liberals said they'd only provide more federal funds to match an increase from New Brunswick.

"There was some political maneuvering in it, and if that comes out too [in an investigation], I think it's important for political culture," Arseneau said.

While Higgs ruled out an investigation Wednesday, his deputy premier Robert Gauvin told Radio-Canada he was "more and more" in favour of a probe that could cut through the "little political games" and establish the facts.

About the Author

Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. Raised in Moncton, he also produces the CBC political podcast Spin Reduxit.

With files from Information Morning Fredericton

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/shippagan-caisse-bailout-could-have-been-avoided-ag-1.941042

Shippagan caisse bailout could have been avoided: AG

CBC News· Posted: Jan 19, 2010 1:24 PM AT |

New Brunswick's auditor-general has issued a damning report on the taxpayer-funded bailout of the Caisse populaire de Shippagan, blaming the former Progressive Conservative government for failing to properly regulate the northern financial institution.

Auditor General Mike Ferguson released the 53-page report on Tuesday that also said a handful of senior managers at the caisse populaire covered up financial problems.

The Liberal government bailed out the northern caisse populaire in 2007 with a $37-million grant and another $16.5-million in guarantees.

The influx of government funds were to offset massive losses at the caisse populaire.

The report said it all could have been avoided.

Ferguson said Belonie Mallet, the institution's general manager, committed "irregularities" that covered up losses at the caisse populaire while he personally benefited.

"We believe that some of the actions of the former general manager, Mr. Belonie Mallet, caused financial harm to [caisse populaire] while at the same time appearing to be to his personal benefit," Mallet said

The report also indicates that the institution's board failed to provide proper oversight until it was too late.

Government regulation failed

But Ferguson also blames the former Bernard Lord government for failing to properly regulate the caisse populaire.

"Ultimately the government's regulation of [caisse populaire] failed. It failed as early as 1981 with the decision to allow [caisse populaire] to move to Credit Union Central; it failed to properly interpret the symptoms of serious trouble that it had before it in the late 1990s and early 2000s; and it failed to take appropriate action even when the organization responsible for inspections realized the gravity of the situation," the report said.

The report indicated the province's superintendent of credit unions, an employee in the Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs, took months and in some cases years to make decisions based on problems that should have been obvious.

The auditor general's report indicated those problems were partly the provincial government's fault because the superintendent was working part-time and had been ordered to focus on issues other than the caisse.

Ferguson said if the superintendent had acted between 2001 and 2003, when the Conservatives were in office, much of the losses might have been prevented.

"Had the superintendent taken action when [Credit Union Stabilization Fund and Risk Management Agency] recommended it, the total loss to New Brunswick taxpayers would probably have been about half of what it eventually was," the report said

PC MLA Carl Urquhart played down the former Conservative government's failures when speaking on Tuesday.

"The fact that things were going on that was wrong. The people who were responsible for that are still responsible for that, whether it was stopped sometime along the way," Urquart said.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/up-to-60m-to-go-to-shippagan-s-credit-union-1.641566

Up to $60M to go to Shippagan's credit union

CBC News· Posted: Mar 16, 2007 12:02 PM AT

The New Brunswick government has set aside up to $60 million to save Shippagan's financially strapped credit union but a taxpayer advocacy group suggests the Liberals should be spending the money "in priority areas."

The Caisses Populaire de Shippagan, which has been in financial trouble for the past three years, was placed under the control of the Central Credit Union of New Brunswick's risk management board in 2004 after a series of commercial loans were not repaid.

Last week, the Liberal government announced its plan to return the caisse to the security of the Fédération des caisses populaires acadiennes, more than 20 years after the two separated and the caisse joined the anglophone Central Credit Union of New Brunswick. However, the government didn't give financial details.

Boudreau wouldn't say how much of that $60 million will be injected into Shippagan's credit union or whether it's a grant, a loan or a loan guarantee. However, he has said the credit union's future depends on it.

Canadian Taxpayer Federation said New Brunswickers should pay close attention to the $60 million set aside, because it's roughly the same amount they'll be paying in tax increases in 2007.

"I'd want to know why taxes are going up to pay for bailouts, as opposed to having governments spend money in priority areas," Williamson said Thursday.

"Governing is all about making choices and prioritizing spending. In this case, we have a government which has obviously decided that saving a credit union is worthwhile, despite the fact that no one from the province seems able to explain why it's in the province's interest, or why it's in the taxpayer's interest, to be spending this kind of money."

Opposition critic Bruce Fitch said he wants details now on how the province plans to save the credit union. "Sixty million dollars is a substantial amount of money and I'd like to know exactly what it is going to be used for," he said.

The province will release exact dollar amounts at a meeting with the Caisse de Shippagan on March 26.
Camille Theriault of the Fédération des caisses populaires acadiennes said that ignoring the struggling credit union was not really an option for government.

"What would happen is that the government would have to liquidate the Caisse Populaire de Shippagan and my impression is that that would be a lot more expensive than looking at the funds that would be involved in the rehabilitation of the Caisse Populaire de Shippagan," Theriault said.

The Shippagan caisse split with its Acadian counterparts in 1982 over a difference of opinion. It joined forces with the anglophone Central Credit Union of New Brunswick.

The Caisse de Shippagan is set to rejoin the federation in June.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/31-5m-caisse-bailout-cheaper-than-failure-burke-says-1.647574

$31.5M caisse bailout cheaper than failure, Burke says

CBC News· Posted: Mar 27, 2007 11:07 AM AT

Consumer Affairs Minister T.J. Burke is defending his government's $31.5 million bailout of a struggling credit union, saying it would be more expensive for New Brunswick if the financial institution folded.

"Had we not intervened, the Caisse Populaire de Shippagan may have had to face the possibility of liquidation, which could potentially have cost the taxpayers of New Brunswick in excess of $85 million," he said Monday.

The Liberal government's first budget, which came down this month, earmarked a possible $60 million to help stabilize New Brunswick's Credit Union system, and a maximum amount to stabilize the troubled Shippagan institution, which has lost $60 million over the past four years.

New Brunswick's superintendent of credit unions, Robert Penney, broke down the details of the funding Monday.

He said the governmentwill grant $31.5 million to the New Brunswick Credit Union DepositInsurance Corp., which will give the money to the stabilization board ofthe Fédération des caisse populaires acadiennes. The stabilization board will in turn grant it to the caisse.

Penneyalso said the province will grant another $18.5 million to the deposit insurance corporation, as a kind of life insurance for the credit union system.

Burke said the bailout was needed because legislation enacted under the previous Conservative government holds the province responsible for 100 per cent of all deposits if a credit union goes under.

The Liberals plan to introduce new legislation to change that, he said.

The Caisse Populaire in Shippagan will receive the government money June 1, when it will move from the anglophone Credit Union Central of New Brunswick federation back to the francophone federation, which it left after a dispute in the early 1980s.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

I have often wondered if Higgs and the others read the comment sections Survey Says?

February 1, 2019, 4:12 pm

≫ Next: Kevin Vickers says he is retiring as ambassador to Ireland, will return to N.B.

≪ Previous: Methinks Mr Higgs and Mr Gauvin the new Minister from Shippagan and his cohorts should not forget the Caisses Populaire de Shippagan nonsense N'esy Pas?

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

FYI I have crossed paths with every character mentioned in this article particularly its author. Nothing they say surprises me anymore and everybody knows I consider their words less than worthless N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/02/i-have-often-wondered-if-higgs-and.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/higgs-deficit-balanced-budget-1.5002524

PCs promise balanced books, but harsh realities may bring out red ink again

58 Comments

David R. Amos

What a difference a day makes EH?

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

Surprise Surprise Surprise

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David R. Amos

FYI I have crossed paths with every character mentioned in the article particularly its author. Nothing they say surprises me anymore and everybody knows I consider their words less than worthless. Hell even Catherine Tait the new boss of CBC had to eat her words today and still I was not surprised.

Matt Steele

Higgs certainly has his work cut out for himself in trying to clean up Brian Gallant's mess ; but at least Higgs did save the taxpayers a 130 MILLION on the the Francophonie Games scam ; so maybe there is still hope that Higgs can turn N.B. around . No doubt the SANB controlled Liberal Party will fight him every inch of the way as special interest groups hate to lose their place at the taxpayer funded trough .

Paul Bourgoin

@Matt Steele
You know I read your comment and Man you are way out in left field. As a province we should stand as one but there are those who divide and pocket the money during the fabricated discord. It is about those who benefit, pocket the money not those who pay. At the end of the day our children are in-debt and our resources are gone and they still are playing the same game.!

David R. Amos

@Paul Bourgoin I Wholeheartedly Agree Sir

Douglas James

The Liberals underestimated it because they were too focused on spend, spend, spend. On the wrong things. Its natural that Higgs would focus on the province's dire financial straits as this is his comfort zone and he will likely only be willing to stray out of it when and if he gets a majority. Then, it'll likely be back to same old, same old. Lots of spending...on the wrong things.

eddy watts

@Douglas James Higgs was in Office before (Alward)....Stats are easy to find for this period......economic growth? minus jobs created minus..........Grad students leaving the province was 2X that of N.S. over the same time period. Don't hold your breath waiting for positive growth. CUTS now that's another story, but that didn't out very work the last time Higgs was in government, but IT IS ALL THE CONS KNOW.

David R. Amos

@eddy watts YUP

Lou Bell

Wondering why the Liberal forecast was so low ? They had 130 million dollars they had to salt away
for their Games ! Outta sight , outta mind !

David R. Amos

@Lou Bell You may be correct

Errol Willis

Would love to see the tuition deduction returned to us after the Liberals stole it away.

Harold Benson

@Errol Willis Lets go one better and have no tuition at all.

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson I disagree

Harold Benson

smoke and mirrors. keep your eyes off his hands.

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson YUP

Jake Quinlan

""With the first wave of the large baby boom generation reaching the age of 73 this year, "we're barely seeing the tip of the iceberg in terms of aging-related spending on health," he said.""

This is going to define the economy in the next 15 years. Should be an interesting ride.

David R. Amos

@Jake Quinlan Welcome to the Circus

Jim Cyr

Every time New Brunswickers get a taste of financial sanity, they rush back into the arms of the Liberals.
Expect the same to happen this time........

eddy watts

@Jim Cyr Financial sanity....under the prior Conservative Alward (Higgs) government??? Are there any FACTS to support this. Not talking about cutting services either,as this is all the Cons seem to accomplish. Show some data from the Canadian Council of Business (or other) demonstrating economic growth during Alward-Higgs time. Try to get back to me before 2050.

David Peters

@eddy watts

What services are worth destroying the entire economy for? Healthcare and education? Public transit? A free market system with real competition would do these things faster, better and cheaper...not to mention freedom of choice.

David R. Amos

@Jim Cyr Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose N'esy Pas?

Colin Seeley

If health care is going to become Canada’s financial “ Waterloo” due to aging and it’s costs for Chronic Cares there are other places and models worth consideration.

NZ for exanple spends 40% less per capita on health care including Medicare. Imagine paying 40 % less personal tax to NB Govt for your health care in NB.

Their Medicare system covers Pharmacare and Dental for children and Physio.

Treatments for auto accidents are fully covered and because of that no lawsuits are permitted. There is a tax to pay for this.

How can this be possible one might say ?

1- there is a Co- Pay at the Family Doctor office of $25 . Waived for lower incomes and a yearly cap applies.
All charges for specialists and hospitals and diagnostic testing are fully covered just as in Canada.

2- Private insurance is permitted and accepted . Yes private goes faster.
But the waiting times for public and private are both better than Canada.

There is sometime to be said for accountability and common sense.

David Peters

@Colin Seeley

Great comment!

"Treatments for auto accidents are fully covered and because of that no lawsuits are permitted."

Imo, lawsuits, with the crazy high awards and settlements, in the US, were done to over-whelm their private sector healthcare, so that gov't could take over that sector.

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Colin Seeley "There is sometime to be said for accountability and common sense."

Methinks you should tell it to your buddy Mr Higgs in person because I doubt he reads the comment sections and you definitely didn't vote for me N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@David Peters "Great comment! "

If so then why am I not permitted to reply to it?

Al Bekirkey

@David R. Amos wrongthink david your social credit score has just lost another point

David R. Amos

@Al Bekirkey I am no socialist so why would I care?

Al Bekirkey

@David R. Amos the comment that showed the satire was removed they dont want the people to know the real world applications of a social credit score and thank goodness nb showed the ndp the door

David R. Amos

@Al Bekirkey I was not joking

Al Bekirkey

@David R. Amos al because you dont believe in the things that go bump in the night does not mean they are not their and pressing the day

Al Bekirkey

@Al Bekirkey well cbc wont allow discourse arguing against collectivism and authoritarianism so we really cant have a real conversation so bless you in your travels

David R. Amos

@Al Bekirkey FYI I am traveling to Saint John next week with my friend Roger Richard (Who ran in the last election against Kevin Arseneau) we will attend a EUB hearing as Interveners about NB Power rates We don't care about the things the things that go bump in the night We deal with what is on the table today. Its public hearing Perhaps you should consider attending or downloading the transcript later?

Al Bekirkey

@David R. Amos perhaps i will good luck

Roger Richard

@Al Bekirkey It will be a pleasure to meet you.

David R. Amos

@Al Bekirkey Roger and I

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/eub-hearings-nb-power-smart-meters-1.4529640

eddy watts

(Politicians!!!!!!) He obviously knew that he couldn't fulfill those promises he made....but made them anyway. No different than Gallant or the government (Alward-Conservatives) he was a part of . Say anything, do anything to get elected.....I'm still waiting to see all those companies (jobs) that located to Saint John during Higgs (Alward) time in office......NONE!. Maybe all that is going to change....yea like this year's promises!!

David R. Amos

@eddy watts YUP

David Peters

They tax income AND spending to the point where ppl pay half their paychecks to taxes. Property taxes and fuel taxes are astronomical in many places.

How is it that gov't isn't awash in money?

David R. Amos

@David Peters Methinks taxation passed the halfway mark for many folks long ago N'esy Pas?

ByronMcLean

Economics is a game of guessing - too influenced by people's/governments' reactions to events, etc, to be a true science. Not sure where they got this guy but IAC, according to economics 101; you don't improve your financial situation by continuing to spend more than you bring in.

David R. Amos

@ByronMcLean I agree

Paul Bourgoin

Premier Blaine Higgs is in an awkward political position with a less than a majority government I believe he is well intentioned but one must remember that the road to Hxxx is paved with good intentions.

David R. Amos

@Paul Bourgoin I disagree

Methinks many would agree with me in that Mr Higgs is playing a wicked game for the benefit of the Irving Clan N'esy Pas?

Paul Bourgoin

@David R. Amos
So you believe he follows given instructions from those who never have enough?

David R. Amos

@Paul Bourgoin YUP

Al Bekirkey

if we were able to borrow from the bank of canada at straight interest instead of private banks we could flip our debt from compound interest to straight interest and then be able to satisfy the debt and guess who gets the interest payments well the people of canada with the current system debt will continue to grow and cannot be satisfied ever pierre trudeau set this system up and no one has changed it since a couple of presidents tried to change it in the states lincoln got shot jackson got shot at and well jfk met his demise some time after he did the same its serious business and big bankers play for keeps look at crete and greece were they started buying up islands check paul hillier plan and comer vs bank of canada also a good ref is rbc and scotiabank vs bank of canada i think that ruled you cannot satisfy the a debt with a promisary note

David R. Amos

@Al Bekirkey I agree but I have better idea than that My plan would get us out of debt immediately and provide security for many worried New Brunswickers. I explained t during a debate in the last election and on TV as well and to date nobody will argue the simple solution particularly Mr Higgs

Buford Wilson

Blaine wasted no time in slaying the deficit.

Watch for explosive economic growth to result in higher government revenue.

We may see the premier reduce tax rates next year.

David R. Amos

@Buford Wilson Methinks Mr Higgs just picked up where the liberals left off and a few cuts to win support N'esy Pas?

herbie derbie

Mr higgs is taking credit for a balanced budget that he had no control over, last year there was a 67 million surplus and the deficit for the 2018 fiscal year was projected at 133 million but wait revenue was up and mr higgs then cancelled every project in new Brunswick except for a few in his held ridings.. Yes we will keep a balance budget this year as there will be no amount of new spending only patching around our province then in 2020 to 2021 he will have so much pressure from his caucus he will have to spend no wait who am I kidding the pastor will make sure hes gone before then...

David R. Amos

@herbie derbie "Mr higgs is taking credit for a balanced budget that he had no control over"

True

Al Bekirkey

type in oh canada our bought and sold out land and teh crime of teh canadian banking system and meet your strawman in the terminal everyone has to access teh libraries of alexandria educate yourself

Al Bekirkey

@Al Bekirkey endgame is another great vid to watch

David R. Amos

@Al Bekirkey Methinks you make no point for presenting such things.

Mr Higgs and his cohorts don't care the "Golden Rule" to them is "He With the Gold Makes The Rules" N'esy Pas?

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others

I have often wondered if Higgs and the others read the comment sections

Survey Says?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/02/i-have-often-wondered-if-higgs-and.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/state-of-the-province-balanced-budget-1.5001073

Higgs proclaims New Brunswick deficit-free in first State of the Province address

83 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

Content disabled.
David R. Amos

I have often wondered if Higgs and the others read the comment sections

Survey Says?

David R. Amos

Methinks Mr Higgs is popular today because everything political is always about the money. Hence his talk of balanced budgets sounded wondrous. However when the wine runs out and reality sets in it will be back to the same old same old. I doubt Higgs and his cohorts will win the next mandate in an election that can't come soon enough for a lot of folks if Vickers steps up to the plate N'esy Pas?

Emilien Forest

As I look at one of the picture I noticed four empty bottles of wine for eight people. I wonder how many people drove home impaired after the event?

Toby Tolly

@Emilien Forest
have your eyes checked

Marguerite Deschamps

@Toby Tolly, why? I see four bottles too. At least three out of the four are already empty.

Lou Bell

@Emilien Forest Probably Liberals drowning their sorrows .

Steve Gordon

@Marguerite Deschamps And there are 5 people at the table and at least 2 empty seats which could be people who are now standing around socializing.

Emilien Forest

@Toby Tolly

Counting is something even children can do. Can you? The tables they are sitting at holds eight people and there are four bottles of wine at the table.

David R. Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps Methinks Higgs and his cohorts may as well eat and drink and be merry before they lose their French Lieutenant and/or the support of the PANB and their minority mandate dies N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Emilien Forest Methinks Mr Urquhart's old buddies in the Fat Fred City Finest will never bite the hand that feeds. Their fancy part time jobs as Aide de Campe help pump up their pension plan bigtime N'esy Pas?

Albert Wade

If this actually happens then Koodo to Mr Higgs and parties that supported him. Now bring the toll back on the highway to start reducing the debt.

David Peters

@Albert Wade

Tolling ferries and roads is a good idea, only after all the hidden fuel taxes are removed.

Tim Locke

@Albert Wade

On the borders at a minimum.

Bob Stanley

@Tim Locke @Albert Wade

I have always said that since we are a pass through province we should put up tolls on the PEI, Nova Scotia, US, and Quebec borders charging non residents coming into New Brunswick that use our roads, and anyone from New Brunswick would be exempt from paying tolls.

Albert Wade

@Bob Stanley Removing the toll cost us $1 billion in debt plus interest.

Marc Martin

@Albert Wade

Its actually Bernard Lord a Conservative who removed it by the way...

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Methinks you don't know the history of the government your work for N'esy Pas? All the other liberals know that the toll never went away Bernie Lord made it a shadow poll which is paid by all the taxpayers instead of the people who use the road

Mack Leigh

Now Sir show true integrity and do an investigation into the Francophonie Games Fiasco.... It stinks to high heavens and the best way to avoid fiasco's like this in the future is to find out how, when, why and who is responsible for this..... and if necessary to hold them accountable...Otherwise the gong show in this province will just continue...

Colin Seeley

@Mack Leigh

It’s simple. It was about to be another Atcon by a few Greedy Liberals who were connected to Dom and Gallantism.

Let it go.

Have a feeling though flogging this into language and culture is likely your MO in a Cain attempt to favour the clans.

David R. Amos

@Mack Leigh Otherwise the gong show in this province will just continue...

Methinks the circus will continue I suspect that you have no doubts about it either N'esy Pas?

eddy watts

Reading a lot about how we'll now be able to attract new business and keep our grads here because of all the new jobs coming our way: This is Blaine Higgs....(have you forgotten already...I guess so). HE WAS THE PREMIER NOT VERY LONG AGO!!!!: Can anyone name some of the big companies he attracted previously. And please don't bother trying to explain why the exodus of university students was double in NB compared to NS......When will people stop believing in fairytales? I guess this is part of the reason N.B. ranks almost dead last in economic prospects (Canadian Business Council)

Tara Siobhan

@eddy watts Blaine Higgs was never premier before.

Colin Seeley

@eddy watts

You are confused perhaps.

It wasn’t that long ago that we had a fellow who proclaimed and promised 10,000 new jobs by 2018.

It was that guy. Gallantism.

Blaine is the real deal.

Freebies will be over though.

Mike Irvine

@eddy watts No, its that Liberal attitude that you have on display

Marc Martin

@eddy watts

Wow Eddie you've got strong CoRservative supporters at your back !! they are all like that by the way they drink the blue kool aid and they are painted blue right trough their panties !!!

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin Cry me a river

Buford Wilson

I knew he could do it.

Blaine is setting the table for a prosperous future in New/Nouveau-Brunswick.

Be in this place.

Andre Paquin

@Buford Wilson
As a former NBer, I am pleased that your Provence's electorate made the right choice and put the adults in charge. We can only hope that Canada will do the same and punt the Libs out in October .

Harold Benson

@Buford Wilson You're serious, aren't you..

David R. Amos

@Buford Wilson Yea Right

Tim Raworth

I am not a PC fan but I will give him a little credit for now. Lets see if he will do something to make our other leaders [Irving clan] pay more taxes. I am not holding my breath.

David Peters

@Tim Raworth

How about we all pay far less tax instead...then banning monopolies and breaking up the ones that exist. There are anti competition laws on the books already.

Tim Raworth

@David Peters I dont mind paying my fair share of taxes. My moon cratered road will need a major make over this spring and it has to be paid for some how. I do have a problem with things like the news story some time ago where the Tim Hortons in SJ is paying more property tax than the Irving rail yard directly across the street.

Shawn McShane

@David Peters Saint John Regional Hospital is assessed at $256.2 million but the 300,000-barrel per day Irving Oil refinery is assessed at $98.6 million...

David R. Amos

@David Peters Dream on

Chantal LeBouthi

Are you going to clean and put salt on NB road before someone died Mr. Higgs or what

Seamus O'hern

@Chantal LeBouthi ....is that a question?....oh dear....or what?

Shawn McShane

@Seamus O'hern Some of the Hwys and roads are very bad. People are scared. They are calling them Highways from hell.

Les Cooper

@Chantal LeBouthi it's to cold for salt to be effective at moment

Harold Benson

@Chantal LeBouthi You didn't hear? Molasses and beet juice works better than salt and sand, another "improvement ", didn't you notice....(loling)

Harold Benson

@Les Cooper Untrue

David R. Amos

@Chantal LeBouthi Methinks Mr Higgs should take my suggestion and expropriate the brand new potash mine in Sussex that just got written off and put New Brunswick back in the business of producing salt N'esy Pas?

Pat Chambers-Dalpe

Wow , I have swamp land in Florida for all you believers .. The Conservatives only know how to cut everything we value ,, Healthcare, Education , Infrastructure , .. Can't wait till March to see how screwed we really are..

Darren J Taylor

@Pat Chambers-Dalpe contrary to liberal belief, you cannot tax and spend a province into prosperity.

David R. Amos

@Pat Chambers-Dalpe "Can't wait till March to see how screwed we really are"

Me Too

Joseph Vacher

Sucks to be Roland godin or Marc Martin right about now

Cleve Gallant

@Joseph Vacher They’re on the phone right now talking to Brian Gallant and Victor Boudreau, But I’m sure they’ll be back spreading fake news again,

David R. Amos

@Joseph Vacher YUP

Harold Benson

N.B., the only place in the world where they get worried about debt....and how are we making out, being so obsessed with it ?

David R. Amos

@Harold Benson Methinks Sam is gonna be upset with you writing that N'esy Pas?

Steve Murray

Blah...blah..blah...austerity budget big deal!...smoke screen for dirty oil and fracking agenda to appease his Irving overlords.

David R. Amos

@Steve Murray YUP

PCs promise balanced books, but harsh realities may bring out red ink again

Economist questions long-term sustainability of balanced budgets

Jacques Poitras· CBC News· Posted: Feb 01, 2019 7:00 PM AT

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs delivered the State of the Province address in Fredericton on Thursday. (Stephen MacGillivray/Canadian Press)

New Brunswick is back in the black, but the province's new deficit-free status may not be here to stay.

Premier Blaine Higgs announced Thursday that the Progressive Conservative government will have a balanced budget this year and another one next year.

With a small Liberal surplus of $67 million last fiscal year, that will mean three straight years of black ink.

But Higgs was cagey on whether his government will stay out of deficit in the long term.

"We're balancing," he said. "I just don't know how long I'm going to be there. I can't hold someone else accountable, but I can hold myself accountable."

Higgs proclaims New Brunswick deficit-free in first State of the Province address

New Brunswick business community surprised by Higgs's deficit-free promise

That may have been a nod to Higgs being at the head of a minority government, but it's also a wise caveat that recognizes troubling long-term fiscal trends, according to economist Richard Saillant.

Saillant said the factors creating this year's balanced budget are temporary, and deficits could easily return unless there are difficult cuts in the future.

"It's kind of logical the books would be balanced for this year," he said.

Higher revenues

Saillant said Higgs caught a break with revenues far higher than what the previous Liberal government was projecting when it forecast a $188 million deficit for 2018-19.

"For reasons I still don't get fully, the [Liberal] revenue forecast was well below what was reasonable to expect," he said.

Premier Blaine Higgs announced New Brunswick is deficit-free. (Stephen MacGillivray/Canadian Press)

The Liberals projected $165 million in revenue growth this year, but federal transfer payments alone are increasing by $143 million, Ottawa announced in December.

With modest economic growth continuing to generate more income tax and sales tax on top of federal transfers, "this year and the next, [balanced budgets are] going to be easy without doing much," Saillant said.

After that, it's going to become more challenging.

Higgs promised during the election campaign to eliminate the deficit by his government's second budget, due in the spring of 2020.

But that may actually be when the PC premier's good luck starts to run out, Saillant said.

More spending to come

The growth in federal transfers comes mainly from Ontario's booming economy removing it from the equalization-payment pie, a shift that left larger slices of cash for the remaining have-not provinces.
Saillant said that's a one-time shift, so transfer growth will level off in a year or two — even as demands for more spending will continue to pile up.

Provincial heads 'in the sand' about spending and debt, economist says

With the first wave of the large baby boom generation reaching the age of 73 this year, "we're barely seeing the tip of the iceberg in terms of aging-related spending on health," he said.

"Whether they can remain on track in future years without future [restraint] initiatives, that's a much more debatable issue."

Economist Richard Saillant says the levelling out of federal transfers and increased health spending could spoil a string of balanced budgets. (CBC)

Dieppe Liberal MLA Roger Melanson defended the low revenue forecast in his party's last budget, saying it was "the best-educated forecast" at the time, taking into account uncertainty about trade agreements and softwood lumber exports.

"You can never do that 100 percent sure when you do the budget, because it's a very complicated formula. So you do an estimate, based on history," he said.

How does this affect our credit rating?

Travis Shaw, a vice-president at the Dominion Bond Rating Service — which warned last year that it might downgrade New Brunswick's credit rating — said a balanced budget this year is good news.

"On the surface, on the fiscal front, this is encouraging relative to what we had previously understood the situation to be," he said.

PCs' decision to curtail big projects can cut both ways, credit-rating agency says

Analysis
What happens if New Brunswick defaults on its debt?

But he also warned that the long-term picture is more important for the province's debt rating.

The federal transfers boosting the revenue this year are outside the provincial government's control, but spending is something it has the power to curtail.

"We'll want to see how well the province is adhering to their targets in that regard."

A credit downgrade could translate into the province paying higher interest rates on the money it borrows. The rating service warned last year that the province's fiscal trend was "negative" and said that could lead to an eventual downgrade.

Shaw said the agency will wait until after the March 19 budget to decide on New Brunswick's rating.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

Higgs proclaims New Brunswick deficit-free in first State of the Province address

Premier Blaine Higgs said the 2019-20 budget will also be balanced

Jacques Poitras· CBC News· Posted: Jan 31, 2019 8:36 PM AT

Premier Blaine Higgs at the State of the Province address Thursday night. (Gary Moore/CBC)

New Brunswick is deficit-free this year and will have balanced budgets in the next two fiscal years as well, Premier Blaine Higgs announced Thursday night.

The new Progressive Conservative premier used his first State of the Province speech to reveal that his government has managed to eliminate a projected $131-million deficit in the current 2018-19 fiscal year.

That's despite taking power Nov. 9, more than halfway through the year.

He said the 2019-20 budget, to be tabled in the legislature March 19, will also be balanced.

Higgs promises to balance budget by 2020, energize private sector

Projected provincial deficit drops by $57M

That means Higgs is hitting his deficit-elimination target two years early. In last year's provincial election campaign, he promised a balanced budget in 2020-21.

"We wanted to show we could solve the problem here in New Brunswick with the tremendous workforce that we have in the civil service working for us each and every day," Higgs said in his speech at a dinner hosted by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.

"If higher transfer payments do arrive, we will have the happy choice of lowering taxes, paying down debt,or improving our education system."

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs is hitting his deficit-elimination target two years early. (CBC)

In its November throne speech, the PC government promised to eliminate the small business tax and the so-called "double property tax" on secondary properties — but Higgs said that wouldn't happen until the deficit was gone.

The government's capital spending plan in December cancelled more than $200 million in planned infrastructure work in the coming year.

PCs dramatically cut infrastructure spending in capital budget

Ottawa should cut equalization to force provinces to develop resources, Higgs says

That included a planned new courthouse in Fredericton, a new New Brunswick Museum in Saint John and a new school in the west end of Moncton.

The previous Liberal government ran a $67-million surplus in 2017-18 but had projected a $188-million deficit for the current year, a projection that was updated to $131 million last fall.

Fears for credit rating

Higgs has said his top priority as premier is to eliminate the deficit as quickly as possible to avoid credit agencies downgrading the province's credit rating. A lower rating would force the province to pay higher interest rates on its accumulated debt, which is now above $14 billion.

"A downgrade in our credit overnight means that we spend hundreds of millions more to borrow money — and to service the debt we already have," he said in the speech.

The premier repeated his now familiar message that he'll avoid the temptation to spend tax dollars to make himself and his government more popular — though he didn't mention his cancellation this week of the Francophonie Games.

Higgs delivered his speech at a dinner hosted by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce. (Gary Moore/CBC)

"We have already avoided some of the typical political games," he said. "Usually a new government rushes all of its projects and spending into the first year, so they can run up a bigger deficit and blame it on the past government.

"We did not do that," he said. "We sent a clear message to credit rating agencies and investors by controlling spending in this fiscal year."

He contrasted that with the previous Liberal government, which he said increased spending by $1 billion over four years without any improvements in literacy scores, poverty rates or surgical wait times.

Not giving up on Energy East

Now, Higgs said, he is challenging New Brunswickers to embrace "a smaller and more responsive government" but also "a bigger sense of citizenship" that focuses on the province's long-term prosperity.

He also suggested he'll use New Brunswick's geographic position as leverage to persuade Quebec to support a revival of the cancelled Energy East oil pipeline.

Noting that Quebec is looking at new transmission lines that would let it sell its hydroelectricity into the United States, Higgs said allowing that electricity to pass through New Brunswick "won't be a one-way exchange."

"If provinces want access to our grids, or our territory, to move their stranded assets, I will expect equal concern from them for our economic future," he said.

Higgs's bid to revive Energy East 'virtually impossible,' says ex-pipeline exec

PC election promises would cost $188M over 4 years, says Blaine Higgs

Higgs also said the province will reform social assistance so the rules aren't too strict for people new to the system or "tolerant of those who have been in the system for years."

That could include the government helping to pay for the travel of people on welfare in outlying communities so they can get to workplaces where there are shortages of employees. It could also mean helping with child care or housing.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

Kevin Vickers says he is retiring as ambassador to Ireland, will return to N.B.

February 1, 2019, 6:33 pm

≫ Next: Liberals promise 4-year freeze on NB Power rates

≪ Previous: I have often wondered if Higgs and the others read the comment sections Survey Says?

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others
Methinks everybody knows Vickers and his RCMP pals made certain that I was illegally barred from all parliamentary properties in Canada and even falsely arrested me N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/02/kevin-vickers-says-he-is-retiring-as.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/kevin-vickers-retiring-1.5001882

Kevin Vickers says he is retiring as ambassador to Ireland, will return to N.B.

254 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

Craig Macneil

He would make a fine Premier for New Brunswick.

David Webb

@Craig Macneil How so?

Lou Bell

@Craig Macneil With what qualifications ? The last Liberal had none and it showed bigtime . This was " figure head " title only for the last guy , and certainly is all it would be for Vickers. I think you and he are getting Premier and Lieutenant Governor mixed up

David R. Amos

@David Webb Methinks he has proven that he can follow orders N'esy Pas?

herbie derbie

@Lou Bell What did Higgs have for experience a Yes man for the irvings then a failed finance minister for the province.. Yes a great resume now taking credit for something he had no hands in.. Yep I think you got it right lou hahahahahha

Douglas James

If I may be so bold as to give Mr. Vickers some advice. Come home. Relax. Enjoy retirement. You've earned it. Do you really want to spend your few remaining years playing in the cesspool of politics?

David R. Amos

@Douglas James Methinks its not fair to try to spoil the Circus for the benefit of the Watermelon Party N'esy Pas?

Claude DeRoche

@Douglas James
Ask Higgs?

Hugh MacDonald

@Douglas James
He was the "former House of Commons sergeant-at-arms".
If anyone knows anything about the "cesspool of politics", it would be him.
He played in the cesspool in Ottawa and maybe he feels he can play in the cesspool in New Brunswick.

Carson Brook

@Claude DeRoche wrote "ask Higgs"

Higgs wants a battle with everyone - he's redefining 'hubris' in NB. His latest low action in suddenly cancelling the Francofonie without even bothering to draft and submit a proposal - and language he used to defend his conduct... a back smack to all New Brunswickers. not a lot of the NB anglos even coming out to cheer him on about that

John Valcourt

I can't imagine what makes him think he would be a good premier or even leader of the liberal party. he was appointed as ambassador because of his actions in parliament.

David R. Amos

@John Valcourt Methinks you should ask the backroom boys who are hustling him N'esy Pas?

Claude DeRoche

@John Valcourt
Higgs got appointed because he is a Irving Boy?

Lou Bell

Poor soul . Giving up his day job for a failing attempt at Premier. Won't win and if he did would be a puppet to the SANB caucus. Most likely won't even win his seat , and certainly not the election. Liberals have big problems ahead and this patchwork attempt is so transparent.

David R. Amos

@Lou Bell Methinks you know why I would consider running against Vickers N'esy Pas?

herbie derbie

@Lou Bell He will be premier within 12 to 18 months.. Austin wont last backing Higgs and higgs has no caucus support after this upcoming budget... Get ready lou to eat crow.. but me thinks you have many times

Bernard McIntyre

@herbie derbie is this your real name? If so you have my apology. If not then are you a shame of using your real name.

herbie derbie

@Bernard McIntyre Parents gave me my name I can ask them if they had called you first!!

Bernard McIntyre

@herbie derbie I said if it was you have my apology and you do.

Al Stevenson

@David R. Amos Irrelevant David Amos considering a run at office again. Methinks you lose horribly just like 2015, N'esy pas?

Carson Brook

@Al Stevenson yes people should google David R Amos NB

David R. Amos

@Carson Brook Please do

Matt Steele

It has been a very long time since Mr. Vickers has been a resident of N.B. ; and it is very doubtful that he has any idea what a dire situation that N.B. is in . No doubt the SANB will wave some cash and promises in front of him , and he will become their puppet as the SANB pulls the strings.....just like the SANB did when Frank McKenna was their puppet boy . Same old game , exact same method .It is what it is .

Jack Dorcas

@Matt Steele :Frank McKenna a puppet? Agree or disagree with his approach he was no puppet of anyone. He continues to be a strong advocate for this province and appears willing to support good ideas from either party. We need more voices like his speaking up for NB. As to Mr. Vickers, lets judge him on his own merits if he presents himself as a candidate.

Matt Steele

@Jack Dorcas ......Frank McKenna did absolutely NOTHING without checking with the SANB first . It was the SANB who levery thing that Frank McKenna said or did , and it was the SANB who put McKenna in power atfer the COR party and the PC party split the Anglophone vote . SANB is planning to do the exact same thing with Vickers using the exact same divide and conquer method .

Matt Steele

@Matt Steele .....the SANB controlled everything that Frank McKenna said or did .......

Tim Raworth

@Jack Dorcas He was a SANB puppet. He sold out the English by putting language in the charter.

Marc Martin

@Tim Raworth

So by protecting the French population he sold out the *English* starting to show your true color there bud.

David R. Amos

@Matt Steele "the SANB pulls the strings.....just like the SANB did when Frank McKenna was their puppet boy . Same old game , exact same method"

YUP

David R. Amos

@Tim Raworth "He was a SANB puppet. He sold out the English by putting language in the charter."

Methinks Hatfield did that to secure his reelection N'esy Pas?

Roy Nicholl

@Matt Steele wrote
".Frank McKenna did absolutely NOTHING without checking with the SANB first . It was the SANB who levery thing that Frank McKenna said or did"

That's a load of poppycock

Matt Steele

@Roy Nicholl .....Frank McKenna was hand picked by the SANB to do their bidding ; they are picking Kevin Vickers for the same reason.....the SANB are looking for another Anglophone name that they can control .

Roy Nicholl

@Matt Steele
I think you may be spending far too much time on conspiracy sites.

Matt Steele

@Roy Nicholl ....and you are spending far to much time at SANB meetings .

Roy Nicholl

@Matt Steele
Never been to one, so that's highly unlikely.

Matt Steele

@Roy Nicholl .....You should join the SANB then , you would fit right in.....enjoy yourself .

Claude DeRoche

Wow! He will send the Irving COR party Boy packing for Bermuda!

Lou Bell

@Claude DeRoche You think with NO EXPERIENCE he has any chance of getting elected ? He is the puppet the SANB caucus is looking for who they think will help them retain the 13 % they have already lost since the last election . They have been found out bigtime and this is nothing but a bandaid attempt that is gonna fail BIGLY !! Pack yer bags, yer not gonna like it .

Marc Martin

@Lou Bell

*looking for who they think will help them retain the 13 % they have already lost since the last election *

I have no idea where your taking your numbers buddy, but with all the anti-French sentiment provided from the CoRservatives and PANB the Liberals are in better shape now then ever.

Claude DeRoche

@Lou Bell
Agree better off with a Irving Boy with no political experience.

Allen Quisnel

@Marc Martin Sources please. Facts...not more Liberal opinion...

David R. Amos

@Allen Quisnel Methinks the SANB dude is not capable of a proper argument N'esy Pas?

Bernard McIntyre

@Marc Martin There is only one anti person here. Look in a mirror.

Marc Martin

@Allen Quisnel

Check the news, social media, the cons only representative up north is about to get lynched..is that enough ?

David R. Amos

@Marc Martin "Check the news, social media, the cons only representative up north is about to get lynched..is that enough ?"

Oh My My Methinks somebody should call Mr Vickers old buddies in the RCMP ASAP N'esy Pas?

mike kennedy

" The Vickers train has left the station. "/NP
Mr Vickers will win if he chooses to run

Lou Bell

@mike kennedy You actually think Liberals have any chance after their latest fiasco ? NB'ers are smarter than that ! Electing an unqualified puppet is now passe' ! Shoulda kept his day job !

Tim Raworth

@Lou Bell Unfortunately NB'ers are not all that smart. After all the fiascos Gallant got his nose in, look how many people still voted for him.

Marc Martin

@Tim Raworth

Gallant did better then the previous government, do you criticize them too ? Oh no I know why Gallant is a Francophone right ?

David R. Amos

@mike kennedy Wanna bet???

herbie derbie

@Lou Bell Reading all of your comments are comical what status do you have in the tory party anyways

Roy Nicholl

@Lou Bell wrote:
"You actually think Liberals have any chance after their latest fiasco ? NB'ers are smarter than that ! Electing an unqualified puppet is now passe' ! Shoulda kept his day job !"

White cats, black cats, white cats, black cats ... an equal distribution of "fiascos" and still no evidence the electorate has learned.

@Marc Martin Gallants record speaks for itself. I know fellow Libs are quick to forget things.

Donna McArdle

Will sure make Liberal politics interesting!

David R. Amos

@Donna McArdle YUP

Mark (Junkman) George

@Donna McArdle

It would sure increase the DUH! factor.................

john fence

Kevin Vickers the cop, is old school, my way or highway, but you get what you elect.

Lou Bell

@john fence Yeah inexperienced and unqualified ! By the time they're done they'll need the SS Huckabee to answer their questions for them !

David R. Amos

@john fence Welcome to the Circus

john fence

@Lou Bell
Okay so maybe we should make him our new ambassador to China, with Kellyanne Conway look alike who can serves as counselor to Kevin.
What could go wrong.

john fence

@David R. Amos
I think we passed the Circus tent a long time ago.

David R. Amos

@john fence Nope its ongoing year after years the Ringmasters and certain Clowns come and go tis all

Lou Bell

Just what NB needs , another inexperienced , unqualified Liberal like the one we just booted out .

Marc Martin

@Lou Bell

People like you vote in failed pastors they have a ton of experience right ?

David R. Amos

@Lou Bell YUP

Eugene Peabody

@Lou Bell what you are saying is that if a person is not approved by the ruling family that runs NB they are no good to lead the province?

John Sellers

Wonder if the problems with Brexit contributed to his decision? The Northern Ireland - Eire border concerns are one of the major sticking points in the current negotiations.

David R. Amos

@John Sellers Methinks many would agree that Mr Vickers don't think that deep N'esy Pas?

Rod McLeod

Don't do it, Kevin. Keep your credibility.

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Rod McLeod Methinks RCMP Cpl. Curtis Barrett may have different take on that N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos Methinks RCMP Cpl. Curtis Barrett will not be impressed N'esy Pas?

Al Bekirkey

with any luck at all he will clean the dead wood from the lib party

Allen Quisnel

@Al Bekirkey ...."with any luck at all he will clean the dead wood from the lib party"... There wouldn't BE any Liberal party.

David R. Amos

@Al Bekirkey Dream on

Bernard McIntyre

@Al Bekirkey If he did that there would only be a few liberals left.

keat Grant

it seems that everyone is leaving the liberal party

Matt Steele

@keat Grant .....It certainly seems that all the Anglophones are leaving the SANB controlled Liberal Party ; Almost all of Southern N.B. is represented by PC and PA MLAs now ; while the Francophone ridings are Liberal . A divided province created by Frank McKenna and his forced frenchification of N.B. experiment .

David R. Amos

@keat Grant Methinks many would disagree with your observation N'esy Pas?

Scott Kane

New Brunswick like most Provinces could use some real leadership. But an over rated ex RCMP officer? I fear for N.B. Our politicians are becoming weaker and weaker in terms of scholastic and or any form of leadership and fiscal knowledge or responsibility.

Claude DeRoche

@Scott Kane
Agree better off with a Irving Boy with no political experience.

Marc Martin

@Scott Kane

So a failed Pastor is better ?

daryl doucette

@Scott Kane Oh so maybe another lawyer instead? How much WORSE of a job could Mr. Vickers do than the previous person? Mr. Vickers may actually bring some integrity to the position!

David R. Amos

@Scott Kane Methinks Mr Higgs knows why I could pick a better actor for the ongoing Circus in NB's Legislature N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@daryl doucette "Mr. Vickers may actually bring some integrity to the position!"

Methinks you should read my lawsuit N'esy Pas?

daryl doucette

@David R. Amos sure! I really do not know much about Mr. Vickers....have you had dealings with him?

David R. Amos

@daryl doucette "Mr. Vickers....have you had dealings with him?"

He is one of the main reasons I sued the Queen in 2015

Bernard McIntyre

@Marc Martin where are your facts that he is a failed pastor?

Marc Martin

@Bernard McIntyre

Is he a pastor right now ?

Dan Lee

@Scott Kane
At least he has balls................

daryl doucette

@David R. Amos I did not know that. What did he do?

Bernard McIntyre

@Marc Martin Cuoldn't say. Don't know this person.

David R. Amos

@daryl doucette Vickers and his RCMP pals made certain that I was illegally barred from all parliamentary properties in Canada and even falsely arrested me etc

John Johnsrud

Vickers, who? Oh yeah, the guy in a trench coat playing running tackle. Lose him!

Lou Bell

@John Johnsrud Unqualified / Inexperienced ! Yup , Liberal material all the way ! NB'ers are smart enough to see right through this fiasco ! An incision that would require 2 rolls of soucher and the Liberals come up with a Bandaid !

Rick Gibeault

@John Johnsrud He's the guy who saved Harper when the gunman got into Parliament. You should show him more respect.

Bernard McIntyre

@Rick Gibeault he never saved Harper. Harper was hiding in a closet And the gunman probably didn't know where Harper was anyway.

David R. Amos

@John Johnsrud "Lose him!"

Naw I hope they keep him

William Henry

@Rick Gibeault I do respect him......as a body guard. Thats not the position he's thinking of applying for.

Marc Martin

@Lou Bell

*Unqualified / Inexperienced ! Yup , Liberal material all the way *

What about your Pastor of PANB ?

Dan Lee

@Marc Martin
Or the closet man......is that what his experience was??

David R. Amos

@Bernard McIntyre True

Claude DeRoche

The beginning of the end of the COR party coalition.

Lou Bell

@Claude DeRoche Dream on . Poor boy, doesn't have a clue what he got himself into ! There's a reason 4 people already dropped out of competition. That 13 % drop in popularity spells it out BIGLY ! Why doesn't the Liberal Party go back to just running as the Partie Acadienne again ?

herbie derbie

@Lou Bell hahahah there is a reason they dropped out its because of kevin Vickers.. But its ok lou you will get a few more months before the end comes its a great day its a great day..

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche Methinks you are rather redundant N'esy Pas?

john Brown

Where Can I apply for thiss JOB or is this just a Liberal position .

Lou Bell

@john Brown Unqualified and inexperienced ? If not don't apply .

David R. Amos

@john Brown Methinks it kinda like the Masonic Lodge that Mr Vickers no doubt belongs to You have to be invited in N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

@Lou Bell

Why did your Pastor apply ?

Fred Brewer

Well, we know Vickers would make a good Sergeant-at-Arms but Premier? That's a stretch.

Claude DeRoche

@Fred Brewer
Maybe he should get a job with Irving first?

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche He worked for the Queen throughout his career remember? Methinks the Irving Clan can't hold a candle to her Clan N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin

@Fred Brewer

What about a Pastor ?

Dan Lee

@Marc Martin
Pastor???? like a priest??...don't be so foolish Marc..............

Albert Wade

Congrats Justhen and Dominica, you have the entire province polarized over language. Keep the debt growing as old liberal cronies feed at the trough.

David R. Amos

@Albert Wade Methinks thou doth jest too much N'esy Pas?

Elma Fayerrly

Could the clo set incident have anything to do with Mr Vickers contemplating at running for the leadership of the Liberal party in NB?

David R. Amos

@Elma Fayerrly Nope

William Henry

Mr.Vickers, I hear the LA Rams are looking for an offensive tackle for Sunday. Perhaps that's the job you are qualified for. I do not trust you with running the province, without lots more evidence.thats for sure.

David R. Amos

@William Henry Methinks you should be sure to vote in the next election N'esy Pas?

Claude DeRoche

The beginning of the end of the COR party.

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche Methinks you mean the SANB N'esy Pas?

Bernard McIntyre

@Claude DeRoche This is 2019 not 1991. Where have you been in the last 28 years?

Julien Lemieux

@Bernard McIntyre & David R. Amos

I bet he meant the CORservative party of NB.

Bernard McIntyre

@Julien Lemieux I haven't heard of that political party. What province do they come from.

Tim Raworth

@Bernard McIntyre A stupor I think.

Marc Martin

@Claude DeRoche

Exactly.

Tim Raworth

@Marc Martin Are you the same one who said just before the last election PANB would not be any influence?

Julien Lemieux

@Bernard McIntyre

I come from the province that only 6% of BC’s residents, 1% of Albertans, 2% of Saskatchewanians, 3% of Manitobans, 12% of Ontarians and 7% form the Maritimes are appreciating.

Bernard McIntyre

@Julien Lemieux What?

Julien Lemieux

@Bernard McIntyre

One of the last surveys from Angus Reid Institute reveals that 94% of BC’s residents, 99% of Albertans, 98% of Saskatchewanians, 97% of Manitobans, 88% of Ontarians and 93% from the Maritimes are thinking that Québec and Quebecers are unfriendly.

After they came en masse to beseech on one’s knees Quebecers not to leave in 1995, now Canadians outside Québec are showing their true feelings towards Québec and Quebecers.

David R. Amos

@Julien Lemieux "93% from the Maritimes are thinking that Québec and Quebecers are unfriendly."

Methinks that dudes such as Claude DeRoche, Marc Martin and you don't help matters much N'esyPas?

David R. Amos

@Julien Lemieux Methinks if your numbers are true then I imagine if the rest of Canada had a referendum on whether or not to give snobby Quebeckers the boot you would lose bigtime N'esy Pas?

Ted Dantoncal

Weird that there was no mention of this embarrassment: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/kevin-vickers-protester-dublin-1.3601127. Knocking down protesters might (? ! ?) be in the job description of security staff but is not the role of a diplomat.

herbie derbie

@Ted Dantoncal Yes you wouldn't want no order in this world... your so right ted let them do what they want.. unreal

David R. Amos

@Ted Dantoncal True

Wolf Engler

Brexit Damage Control: Looks like we are going to be needing real "Diplomacy" around Brexit and the Irish Backstop. Canada has a history of "cowboy diplomacy", where we reward cronies with plum appointments. Modern first world countries avoid political appointments, and instead hire career diplomats who are educated and experienced in international public affairs. Canada needs to join the modern first world.

Wolf Engler

For ages now, the American Foreign Service Association has been advocating for switching US appointments to career diplomats:
http://www.afsa.org/why-us-ambassadors-should-be-career-professionals

Roy Nicholl

@Wolf Engler
Yet that's not the practice on Pennsylvania Avenue

David R. Amos

@Roy Nicholl Methinks dudes such as John Bolton must be on a retainer then N'esy Pas?

Doug Leblanc

What he did to help end the 2014 attack at parliament is heroic, however, I am very disappointed that in all of his subsequent interviews, he never mentions the team of five RCMP officers who stormed the hallway, taking direct fire, one of which ultimately fired the kill shot into the back of the terrorists head. The RCMP report describes the shooting in detail; there were 31 shots fired by six people, each bullet is accounted for. Gallant cant remember when he recused himself, and Vicker's cant remember the other 5 brave officers. He will fit right in.

Jeff LeBlanc

@Doug Leblanc well said. My brother in law is military police and the "official" version is not the version I was told. More along the lines of what you just posted.

David R. Amos

@Doug Leblanc True

Claude DeRoche

New Brunswickers will have a clear choice next election between the Liberals, COR and Alliance.

Only Vickers can fix the linguistic divide.

Bernard McIntyre

@Claude DeRoche What province are you living in. It doesn't seem to be in N.B.

Claude DeRoche

@Bernard McIntyre
What you smokin ?

Bernard McIntyre

@Claude DeRoche Don't Smoke. What are you taking because you seem to live in an other world.

Tim Raworth

@Claude DeRoche You must be drinking!

Marc Martin

@Bernard McIntyre

Apparently you cant read your own language, that's sad....

Les McNalley

@Marc Martin Alright. All four of you pick a corner.

Bernard McIntyre

@Marc Martin Apparently you CAN"T spell.

David R. Amos

@Les McNalley Welcome to the Circus

Laurie Clark

No point in having an election for Liberal leader; just give it to Vickers as Irving runs the province, anyway!

David R. Amos

@Laurie Clark True

Daniel Rawlins

Yuuup just what the Liberal Party of N.B. needs a man of action, I can't help but wonder however if the man has the ability to tell the difference between a 'real threat' and a perceived threat. will his reaction to public criticism and peacefull protest against his policies (should he become premier) cause the same reaction from him we saw in Ireland?

Claude DeRoche

@Daniel Rawlins
"multi-lateral trade between Canada and Ireland grew 31 per cent last year alone, and there has been seven new direct flights announced between Canada and Ireland since his arrival."

Bernard McIntyre

@Claude DeRoche And you actually beleive he is responsible for this. He was an ambassador not a politician.

Daniel Rawlins

@Claude DeRoche
Well then, I guess a coincidental growth in Canada Ireland trade is all due to Vickers. I don't suppose England's exiting of the EU or the uncertainty of Trade with China would have anything to do with either Canada or Ireland seeking out new trading partners. Vickers seems to be very physical being who has no problem Getting his 'Irish Up' as they say...

David R. Amos

@Daniel Rawlins Methinks you are wasting your precious time with Mr Deroche N'esy Pas?

Matt Steele

It makes little difference if Kevin Vickers runs for political office or not . Most folks will realize that Vickers is being hand picked by the SANB to do their bidding ; just the same as Frank McKenna was hand picked , and controlled by the SANB . It is what it is.....people are becoming much more aware of these backroom deals .

Claude DeRoche

@Matt Steele
Just a because a politician is not a COR party supporter doesn't make him a SANB supporter!
We need to end the division created by the COR/Alliance party supporters.

Tim Raworth

@Claude DeRoche The division is being created by SANB

Marc Martin

@Claude DeRoche

Well said I agree.

Carson Brook

@Matt Steele
and you back up your low faker attack by adding in references or citations from where? Nowhere

David R. Amos

@Carson Brook Why did I sue the Queen in 2015?

Tim Raworth

Welcome to NB, where everyone is an expert. LOL

David R. Amos

@Tim Raworth I am no expert but at least you can't fool me because I am too stupid

Jim Cyr

NB will elect him.....NB loves itself some liberalism....

David R. Amos

@Jim Cyr YUP

Philip Lucas

Perhaps he used up all his lucky charms and has to return to the real world.

David R. Amos

@Philip Lucas Methinks many would agree that he is getting old and misses home N'esy Pas?

Claude DeRoche

NB has never been as divided like with the COR/Alliance coalition ,
Vickers a breath of fresh air.

Both Gallant and Higgs got rejected by voters,
one got the popular vote the other one seat extra.

Higgs nows wants a battle with Québec over power transmission in NB
do defend a pipeline from Alberta that Trans Canada cancelled for financial reasons.
"Irving Oil's president says it would keep Saudi imports even if Energy East goes ahead"
FP April 12, 2016

Carson Brook

@Claude DeRoche
\Higgs wants a battle with everyone - he's redefining 'hubris' in NB. His latest low action in suddenly cancelling the Frankenphonie without even bothering to draft and submit a proposal - and language he used to defend his conduct... a backsmack to all New Brunswickers. not a lot of the NB anglos even coming out to cheer him on about that

John Nelson

@Carson Brook I don't live in New Brunswick but I'm glad the feds pulled their funding for that farce of a sham.

daryl doucette

@Claude DeRoche And he should battle Quebec. If Quebec wants to use OUR transmission lines to sell their pilfered NFLD electricity from Churchill Falls to the USA they had better allow the oil pipeline from Alberta to go thru Quebec to Saint John NB. Good for you Mr. Higgs!

daryl doucette

@Carson Brook I disagree. Mr. Higgs did the right thing. " Low Action"??....what is that supposed to mean? and EVERY " Anglo New Brunswicker" totally supports his decision to cancel another waste of money by the SANB (Liberal Government) to " celebrate" every thing francophonie....irregardless of cost. Its getting old there people.....

daryl doucette

@daryl doucette And mant " reasonable" francophones as well!

David R. Amos

@daryl doucette Methinks Carson Brook and I disagree about many things as well N'esy Pas?

Stefan Couper

You Tube search type in Prime Minster Canada. Excellent long format interview with Maxime Bernier on Rubin Report. Tonight I am going to have a beer or a glass of red wine and watch it.

David R. Amos

@Stefan Couper Find Fundy Royal Debate in YouTube and say Hey to Maxime for me will ya?

elmer tate

Hey Stefan Couper who says

You Tube search type in Prime Minster Canada. Excellent long format interview with Maxime Bernier on Rubin Report. Tonight I am going to have a beer or a glass of red wine and watch it
============================================================================.
While you at it Utube Trudeau Body language with Trump or how has Trudeau Embarrassed Canada...

Stefan Couper

@elmer tate Will do Elmer is it funny ?

David R. Amos

@elmer tate Methinks fans of Kevin Vickers and his pals should Google YouTube Sussex RCMP N'esy Pas?

John Brown

Vickers is the only gun-toting-problem-solving liberal that I know of. I'm thinking he'd garner more than a few p.c. votes if he were to run.

Claude DeRoche

@John Brown
A red wave has hit the Miramichi!

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche Methinks it rather obvious the folks don't place much faith in your claims N'esy Pas?

Claude DeRoche

Love it the COR/Alliance are running scared for a good reason.
The beginning of the end of the CORservative dividing NB soon over!

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche Methinks everybody knows it was the SANB that played the language card in hopes of splitting the vote and it backfired bigtime N'esy Pas?

Elma Fayerrly

Beware Blaine Higgs. Soon Kevin Vickers, a BRAVE, reputable, and distinguished man will be the leader of the Liberal party in NB.

Buford Wilson

(He doesn’t stand a chance against Blaine, Elma).

David R. Amos

@Buford Wilson Oh yes he does

Marc Mcharmon

vickers eliminated bibeau by emptying the entire clip on him. good job

Jeff LeBlanc

@Marc Mcharmon that's the "official version"...I have sources in the military police who have told me otherwise.

Hugh MacDonald

@Jeff LeBlanc

Without details, it sounds like you have speculation and conjecture.

Matt Steele

@Hugh MacDonald ....Google RCMP Cpl. Curtis Barrett ; that should lead you to the information that you seek .

Hugh MacDonald

@Matt Steele

Aware of that, replied to your other comment.

Al Kennedy

@Hugh MacDonald
Here's the real story, I suggest you read it instead of arguing. https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadas-loneliest-hero-why-youve-never-heard-of-this-rcmp-officer-who-shot-the-parliament-hill-gunman

Hugh MacDonald

@Al Kennedy

Suggest you read that I acknowledged knowing the story to Matt three hours ago.

Thanks for coming out!

David R. Amos

@Hugh MacDonald Methinks things are getting very redundant FYI I mentioned this stuff out of the gate and was blocked Very strange N'esy Pas?

Buford Wilson

Justin may appoint Kevin to replace John in China

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Buford Wilson Yea Right

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos Oh Wow

Matt Steele

John McCallum , the Canadian Ambassador for China , was just fired by Trudeau a couple of days ago ; maybe Vickers thought he better find a new trough before he was fired as well .

David R. Amos

@Matt Steele Oh My Are you ever bitter However methinks McCallum and Vickers have acted far more egregiously against me than they ever did against you N'esy Pas?

Claude DeRoche

Vickers allegiances is NB and Canada, while Higgs it's Irving and Irving.

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche Methinks your allegiances are with Trudeau, Chretien, the Bronfmans and Power Corp N'esy Pas?

Paul Andrew Cerniuk

I'm kinda interested on his views on gun control. He's the living embodiment, writ large, of the conservative mantra that it always takes a good guy with a gun to stop a bad guy with a gun. He's going to have to tie some knots to get around the Liberal viewpoint on that.

David R. Amos

@Paul Andrew Cerniuk Methinks he will just walk and talk the party line N'esy Pas?

Jeff LeBlanc

"On Oct. 22, 2014, Vickers shot and helped take down a man armed with a .30-30 rifle"....that's open to debate. My brother in law is Military Police and that's not the version he told me.

Hugh MacDonald

@Jeff LeBlanc

Please elaborate, as I don’t think the Military Police had anything to do with what occurred inside the building.

Jeff LeBlanc

@Hugh MacDonald they did not partake in the incident itself but like any law enforcement they are privy to details of the investigation that took place in the aftermath. There were 31 shots fired by 6 different people. The shot that entered the back of Bibeau's skull ultimately killing him was confirmed to have been fired from an RCMP officer's gun. Vickers himself cannot recall how many shots were fired and never mentions the 5 RCMP officers who actually stormed the building. Long story short, there's no evidence he killed Bibeau yet he takes credit for it. Do some research if you don't believe me, I heard it from a MP but the official report is listed online.

Matt Steele

@Hugh MacDonald ....Just google RCMP Cpl. Curtis Barrett ; that should lead you to the information that you seek .

Hugh MacDonald

@Jeff LeBlanc

That info is pretty much common knowledge now, hence
“helped to take down...”.
You make it sound like you’ve got special inside info.
While there are great people in the MPs (better than there used to be), I’ve seen them drop the ball enough to take some stories with a grain of salt.

Hugh MacDonald

@Matt Steele

Don’t need to google it, read about it quite a while ago.
Hope he’s finally getting the help he deserves.

Jeff LeBlanc

@Hugh MacDonald no you interpreted it in your own way with the intent of picking a fight online with someone. Almost like you went out of your way to do so. There's no proof he "helped to take down" at all actually and more people should realize that. Boy he sure makes for a nice feel good neatly wrapped up little story though doesn't he?

Hugh MacDonald

@Jeff LeBlanc

Sure thing, you’re right and how dare I ever doubt you and your special “inside sources”!
I shall therefore defer to your “I heard it from someone who knows a guy” expertise.

David R. Amos

@Hugh MacDonald Methinks you should ask me what I know about the Military Police after you Google me and Kevin Vickers N'esy Pas?

Matt Steele

They should ask RCMP Officer Curtis Barrett what really happened during the Parliament Hill shooting ; folks would hear a lot different story than what Vickers has claimed.....maybe that is why he was sent to Ireland .

David R. Amos

@Matt Steele YUP

Claude DeRoche

The Crown Prince of Bermuda days are counted.!

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche Methinks you seem awful bitter about the liberals losing N'esy Pas?

Jack Wilson

Kevin Vickers fast waltz danced a protestor out in Ireland in 2016.

David R. Amos

@Jack Wilson Methinks the truth is he failed to do his job properly in Ireland N'esy Pas?

Tim Wolfe

Well JT needs all the help he can get and this will be the first real super hero in his gang of wannabes but like all the rest won't be able to help in the long run!

Claude DeRoche

@Tim Wolfe
Trudeau is preparing for the 2023 election,
2019 is a shoe in.

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche Too Funny

michael levesque

Clearly Mr Vickers is not aware of how much Brian Gallant has destroyed the Liberal pary of NB

David R. Amos

@michael levesque He knows

Claude DeRoche

Wish Higgs the best in his retirement with his fat government pension.

Lucky him there are no francophones in Bermuda!

Joc McTavish

@Claude DeRoche

They're all in Florida, pissing of the locals there.

Lou Bell

@Claude DeRoche Polls say otherwise ! SANB / Liberals desperation setting in when they have to nominate an unqualified, inexperienced security guard solely because he's English.Desperate moves in desperate times.

Lou Bell

@Claude DeRoche Naw , they've got their polluted beach in Shediac !

Lou Bell

@Lou Bell The Swamp !

David R. Amos

@Joc McTavish YUP

Demeter Khol

Please do GOD NOT get me started on this

Demeter Khol

@Demeter Khol
An open nerve again, mate?

David R. Amos

@Demeter Khol I have been on a roll for hours Why not join the circus?

JohnColford

What a career, thanks for your service and legacy. Well done Mr. Vickers, well done

David R. Amos

@JohnColford Nope

Claude DeRoche

Austin a baptist minister from Ontario and Higgs another baptist, both share their hate of Acadians

Joe Gallant

@Claude DeRoche
Not all Acadians live with the hate you have and for that I feel sorry for you. I hope you do not pass this on to your kids if you have any? Très mauvaise attitude.

Claude DeRoche

@Joe Gallant
Hating haters is not hating.
It's called love.

David R. Amos

@Joe Gallant Well Put

David R. Amos

@Claude DeRoche "It's called love."

Methinks you should back away from the pipe N'esy Pas?

Lou Bell

@Claude DeRoche Check out the latest polls ! Boy your SANB /Liberals have sure taken a nosedive ! But what are REAL facts , right ???

Jim Reid

@Claude DeRoche your fried

Robert Green

I'll never forget on Power and politics Eve Solamon's description of Vickers "matrix moment" of flying through the air while unloading his revolver the alleged intruder.Maybe in the movies.

Raymond Williams

@Robert Green
It was a 9mm semi-automatic, but point taken.

David R. Amos

@Raymond Williams Methinks folks should research what really happened N'esy Pas?

Clarence Slydell

@David R. Amos

Ha! Fat chance of that happening with the crowd of clowns that post unadulterated crap here.

chris bowdler

More pension paid by we taxpayers of Canada....

David R. Amos

@chris bowdler YUP

Craig Jones

Gross. Finding out he's a closet Liberal is as disappointing as finding out Ken Dryden was too.

Kenneth Hewer

Mr. Matrix reinvented as uber-Fib! There's obviously more gravy, someone get Vickers a bib!

Kevin Vickers says he is retiring as ambassador to Ireland, will return to N.B.

Former House of Commons sergeant-at-arms is a possible candidate in Liberal leadership race

The Canadian Press· Posted: Feb 01, 2019 10:59 AM AT

Former House of Commons sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers says he is retiring next month as Canada's ambassador to Ireland and returning to New Brunswick, where he has been talked about as a potential candidate for the Liberal Party leadership. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Former House of Commons sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers says he is retiring next month as Canada's ambassador to Ireland, and many New Brunswick Liberals say they're hoping Vickers is preparing for a bid to become the province's next Liberal leader.

Vickers, hailed as a hero for helping to end the 2014 attack on Parliament Hill, said in a bilingual Facebook post Friday he'll retire as envoy effective March 2 and return to his home in Trout Brook, Miramichi, N.B.

"To all my friends and to the people of Ireland I wanted to say a special thank you. You received me with open arms and the warmest of welcomes. I shall not ever forget your kindness, affection and grace," he wrote.

Vickers has been touted as a possible candidate for the leadership of the New Brunswick Liberal party to replace former premier Brian Gallant.

Kevin Vickers considering run for New Brunswick Liberal leadership

National hero Kevin Vickers an 'unknown political quantity' in home province

In December, Vickers indicated an interest in the job but at the time said he was a "long ways from making a decision."

Vickers did not immediately respond to requests for an interview Friday, but a number of Liberal sources in the province say they are confident Vickers will enter the race.

Lisa Harris, the Liberal MLA for the riding of Miramichi Bay-Neguac, said she's excited by the possibility.

"I hope that in early March he'll make another announcement that he'll go forward with the leadership bid for the Liberal party," she said, adding she believes he can unite the party and province.

"He's premier material."

'A steep learning curve'

The New Brunswick Liberals will choose a new leader on June 22 in Saint John.

Donald Wright, a political scientist at the University of New Brunswick, said if Vickers enters the race, he will have to be clear what he stands for.

"Kevin Vickers is going to have to say something — where he stands on some of the issues like the carbon price, like bilingualism, like duality. He's got a steep learning curve and you can only ride your name so long," Wright said.

"We have no idea where he stands on some of these issues. He's a complete outsider to New Brunswick politics."

Keiller Zed, executive director of the New Brunswick Liberal Association, said Friday that a committee of the party is still working on all the details of the race, including the registration package for candidates.

N.B. Liberals to pick new leader in June
3 Liberal party members bow out of leadership race

Rene Ephestion, who leads the New Brunswick Liberal Multicultural Inclusion Commission, has expressed an interest in running, while a number of others including Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long have bowed out.

Vickers, born and raised in Newcastle, N.B., has held the ambassador post since January 2015.

"Ireland is the home of my ancestors. Serving Canada as ambassador has been a special privilege. I have worked hard often working seven days a week for months at a time but not without results," he said on Facebook.

He said multi-lateral trade between Canada and Ireland grew 31 per cent last year alone, and there has been seven new direct flights announced between Canada and Ireland since his arrival.

Vickers has a long career of public service, including 29 years in the RCMP. He also served as aide-de-camp for the lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick. He served as sergeant-at-arms for the House of Commons between 2006 and 2015.

Election could come within 2 years

On Oct. 22, 2014, Vickers shot and helped take down a man armed with a .30-30 rifle. Michael Zihaf Bibeau had barged into Centre Block on Parliament Hill after killing honour guard reservist Cpl. Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial.

The Liberal party won just 21 seats in last fall's provincial election — one fewer than the Tories. The Liberals relinquished their hold on power in November after losing a confidence vote in the legislature.
Still, Wright said the party retains a position of strength.

"Remember they won the popular vote, however their vote is very inefficient. It's concentrated in the north. They've got to build inroads into the south of the province," he said.

Tory Premier Blaine Higgs' minority government is relying on support from a third party - the right-leaning People's Alliance, led by Kris Austin.

But that arrangement is set to expire in less than 18 months. That means an election could be less than two years away.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

Liberals promise 4-year freeze on NB Power rates

February 3, 2019, 8:06 pm

≫ Next: Sudden death of cryptocurrency leader sends Quadriga into tailspin, panicking clients

≪ Previous: Kevin Vickers says he is retiring as ambassador to Ireland, will return to N.B.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-power-rates-gallant-liberal-weather-1.4802946

Liberals promise 4-year freeze on NB Power rates for homeowners, small businesses

PC leader says one way or another, New Brunswickers will pay for a rate freeze

CBC News· Posted: Aug 29, 2018 10:51 AM AT

Liberal Leader Brian Gallant says NB Power has to do better. (Nicolas Steinbach/Radio-Canada)

A Liberal promise to freeze power rates for residential customers and small businesses drew sharp criticism from opposition parties Wednesday.

Liberal Brian Gallant said the party would introduce legislation to freeze rates for some customers over the next four years and force NB Power to cut jobs and spending.

"Many people's power bills are going up faster than their wages," Gallant said during a campaign announcement on the lawn of a private home in Moncton.

Election Day 7: Leaders make consumer, business, labour and health-related announcements

Vote Compass

New Brunswick Votes 2018 Poll Tracker

The legislation would force NB Power to find about $13 million in annual savings to make up for revenue it would have otherwise raised if it could increase the cost of electricity.

NB Power spokeswoman Sheila Lagacé said the utility won't be commenting "as this is an election campaign promise."

Leaders call move 'irresponsible'

David Coon, leader of the Green Party, and NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie both called the Liberal plan an "irresponsible" move.

"We have a regulatory process that's designed to ensure that any rate increase proposals are properly vetted and if they're not warranted, they're turned down," Coon said, referring to the Energy and Utilities Board.

McKenzie called it a "dangerous path" the Liberals have proposed and suggested a better approach would be focusing on developing renewable energy.

Blaine Higgs, the Progressive Conservative leader, said "putting a political hand-cuff" around the utility will make its financial situation less secure.

Liberals promise to freeze power rates

00:0000:56

Gallant promised to freeze NB Power rates if re-elected. He said "enough is enough." 0:56

"One way or another, the people of the province will pay for a rate freeze," Higgs said in Lamèque.
NB Power forecasts a two per cent rate increase each year as it seeks to pay down its $4.8 billion debt. The utility recorded a profit of $23 million in the last fiscal year.

People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin said in an emailed statement that the Liberal announcement "is an encouraging idea." But he said the financial strain of increasing power bills isn't new.

'A small relief'

"We question as to why only during an election cycle does the Gallant government offer a small relief, after four years of tax increases that have many at the breaking point," Austin said. "Seeing as this promise is coming from the Liberals, is this a promise the people can really trust?"

Annual increases of two per cent per year would cost residential and small businesses more than $13 million a year over the next four years, said Gallant.

The freeze would also apply for municipal utilities on electricity purchased from NB Power for either residential or small business customers.

Blaine Higgs, the Progressive Conservative leader, says the Liberal promise effectively means 'putting a political hand-cuff' around the utility that will make its financial situation less secure. (Radio-Canada)

The freeze would not apply for large industrial customers.

Asked what would happen if NB Power shifted the rate increase to industrial customers, Gallant said the utility would have to make up the $13 million difference through "efficiencies" in measures the party has proposed.

'Mandate' savings

"We will mandate them to find the $13 million and we will have a discussion with the measures we'll put in place, and we hope they'll come with their own ideas," Gallant said. "With the measures we put in place, we believe we can find the $13 million, but even more than that."

He said the legislation will include an "incentive" for NB Power to cut costs so rate increases aren't required.

"Call it a stick, if you will, but we're going to make it real clear that they're going to have to reduce power rates and that's going to be the case for four years," he said.

Robert Jones@cbcjones
· Aug 29, 2018
Liberals say there will be no freeze on wholesale power rates, but that government will "work with" municipal utilities to ensure residential and commercial business rate freeze extends to SJ and Edmundston. Haven't said whether that means subsidies or some other mechanism.

Liberal Party of NB | Parti Libéral du N.-B.@NBLA_ALNB

The freeze will apply for municipal utilities on the portion of power they purchase from NB Power that is for either residential or small business customers.

11:42 AM - Aug 29, 2018

No 'weather tax'

A Liberal government would also reduce the size of management at NB Power by 30 per cent and would require a review of senior salaries. It would also set a "cap" on administrative expenses as a percentage of overall expenses.

The Liberals would also prevent NB Power from introducing any kind of "weather tax" to help pay for extreme weather events, he said.

The 2017 ice storm cost NB Power about $30 million.
Voters head to the polls on Sept. 24.

With files from Shane Magee and Nicolas Steinbach

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/rate-freeze-liberals-estimate-1.4823117

NB Power rate freeze could cost more than Liberal calculation

The total cost of the freeze could be $27M more than the party's estimate

Robert Jones· CBC News· Posted: Sep 14, 2018 6:00 AM AT

Brian Gallant has said a re-elected Liberal government would introduce legislation to freeze power rates over the next four years for residential customers and small businesses. (Shane Magee/CBC)

Figures show the cost of a four-year rate freeze for residential and small business customers to NB Power will be as much as $27 million more than the New Brunswick Liberals have calculated.

But the party says it is not aware of any problems in its numbers and will not re-evaluate the potential effect on the utility's finances.

"We are confident in our estimate," said Jonathan Tower, a spokesperson with the Liberal party.

Liberals have made the promise to freeze power rates for some electricity customers a central feature of their campaign and leader Brian Gallant mentioned it multiple times during Wednesday's leaders debate, including in his closing remarks.

"We will freeze power rates for four years to help our families and small businesses," he said in one of several plugs.

Critics have raised concerns the freeze may worsen NB Power's long-term financial problems, but Gallant has argued there is enough inefficiency inside the organization to deal with less revenue through internal cost cutting.

"It is very possible for NB Power to be more efficient and save approximately $13 million per year," Gallant said while announcing the freeze two weeks ago.

More than estimate

The $13 million figure was Gallant's estimate of the value of the freeze in its first year.
But there is some evidence that estimate is well below the amount of money the freeze actually involves, a miscalculation that will widen as the freeze progresses.

According to documents on file with the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board and elsewhere, about $784 million in NB Power electricity sales will be subject to the freeze next year.

That's 55 per cent of NB Power's in-province sales.

Wage waffle: Competing Liberal claims on income growth undermine power freeze argument

Analysis
Saint John and Edmundston initially left out of power rate freeze

The figure includes $669 million in sales to NB Power's 329,000 residential customers and $45 million in sales to 18,000 of its small commercial customers who consume a maximum of 20 kW of electricity at any one time.

Banning NB Power from raising rates by two per cent on $784 million of its sales will save all of those customer groups — and cost the utility — about $15.7 million in the first year of the freeze, $2.7 million more than the $13 million Liberals announced.

Cost to grow

But that's just the first year.

The freeze on the $784 million in sales is compounded annually — costing four percent in year two, 6.1 per cent in year three and 8.2 per cent in year four.

That raises the total cost of the freeze to NB Power to $160 million over four years, about $27 million more than the total Liberal estimate.

On paper, the utility can absorb the reduction because it was projecting profits over those four years, before the freeze of $376 million. Still, those profits are considered critical in NB Power's long-range plan to reduce its elevated $4.8 billion debt load.

Liberals promise 4-year freeze on NB Power rates for homeowners, small businesses

Peter Hyslop, a long time NB Power critic and a former public intervenor at its rate hearings in front of the Energy and Utilities Board said he wouldn't mind seeing some belt tightening among top executive at the utility, but doubts there is enough fat to cut to keep profits up.

"NB Power has a significant debt and part of the two per cent increase each year was to deal with that debt," said Hyslop.

"Again it seems we've stepped in and said, 'Well look, we can gain politically here and the heck with our debt repayment plans.'"

About the Author

Robert Jones

Reporter

Robert Jones has been a reporter and producer with CBC New Brunswick since 1990. His investigative reports on petroleum pricing in New Brunswick won several regional and national awards and led to the adoption of price regulation in 2006.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

Sudden death of cryptocurrency leader sends Quadriga into tailspin, panicking clients

February 3, 2019, 8:55 pm

≫ Next: At least $2.55M spent on scuttled Francophonie Games

≪ Previous: Liberals promise 4-year freeze on NB Power rates

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others
Methinks the lady is being forthcoming Perhaps the courts should ask the lawyers working for CIBC some serious questions for the benefit of Quadriga's clients N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/02/sudden-death-of-cryptocurrency-leader.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli#bitcoin #Banksters #CIBC #BMO #TD

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/quadrigo-cryptocurrency-bitcoin-exchange-gerald-cotten-death-india-1.5002955

Sudden death of cryptocurrency leader sends Quadriga into tailspin, panicking clients

119 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

David R. Amos

Surprise Surprise Surprise

David R. Amos

Methinks folks are beginning to realize that cryptocurrency was just a flash in the pan N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos If folks are curious as to why I posted so many replies simply Google the following

"Harper and Bankers"

David R. Amos

"Robertson's affidavit says that assets tallied in those wallets show that Quadriga owes clients approximately $250-million as of Dec. 17, 2018."

Methinks the lady is being forthcoming Perhaps the courts should ask the lawyers working for CIBC some serious questions for the benefit of Quadriga's clients N'esy Pas?

Thomas Bruce

Bit-pay is right needs regulation. I lost money there also. It's hard to find exchanges in Canada that can convert cryptocurrency into other coins. Since the banks wont support cryptocurrency we are all in limbo.

David R. Amos

@Thomas Bruce Methinks you must have understood the game before playing it so there is no need to cry the blues when you lose N'esy Pas?

Stephen Prokopchuk

I'm sorry, but for $190 million, I'd just brute force it -- but I'd bet my last .0001 BTC a dictionary attack or rainbow table would get you in with little fuss.

@Stephen Prokopchuk I take it you've never heard of 2FA or MFA

David R. Amos

@Stephen Prokopchuk Good luck trying it

David R. Amos

@ Methinks we should all ask WHO ARE YOU??? N'esy Pas?

Ambrose de la Souse`

what a hoot, these people give a guy $250 million which he said his company would secure with blockchain passwords, now he's gone and no one at his company can get the passwords, biutiful

David R. Amos

@Ambrose de la Souse` Welcome to the Circus

Bob D

YouTube "Bitcoin Bubble Song" You'll see a goofy looking guy in some weird spacesuit.

David R. Amos

@Bob D Methinks I resemble that remark N'esy Pas?

Alan Smithee

Cryptocurrency = Beanie babies for Ayn Rand fanboys.

David R. Amos

@Alan Smithee Methinks whereas the former Federal Reserve chairman, Alan Greenspan worshiped Ayn Rand Hence the US Petrodollar = Pure D BS N'esy Pas?

Timmy Thompson

@David R. Amos

Yo! Mi Amigo Amos!

Que pasa with that
chronic "N'esy Pas" nonsense
again ??

Mollie Hemingway

Don't you love these commentators who know nothing about digital current they seem to be afraid of..

The actual scandal is being completely ignored. The big 5 banks are doing anything and everything they can do prevent Digital Currency (Bitcoin) from going mainstream as they know it threatens their very profitable control over the entire monetary system. Bitcoin = Freedom
This entire mess was ACTUALLY created by CIBC freezing cash belonging to hundreds of Canadians with accounts at QuadrigaCX.. CIBC knew exactly what they were doing!! They knew that freezing the Exchanges liquidity it would surely create a catastrophe, and it worked. CIBC are the criminals here!!
For the past 2 years the banks have been pulling all kinds of crap and the now the true victims ( not QCX owners) but the owners of the frozen funds are out their money due to ICBC and now Bank of Montreal's interference.. It will take forever to make everyone whole, and the banks could care less.. Point blank.

David R. Amos

@Mollie Hemingway Methinks many agree with you Perhaps folks should ask why I do N'esy Pas?

Spencer Michaels

Don't store your cryptocurrency in exchanges , use a cold wallet instead

Denis O'Brien

@Spencer Michaels I prefer actual currency in my warm wallet...

David R. Amos

@Denis O'Brien Me Too

Christopher Ball

The moral, don't use cryptocurrency. You have no protection.

David R. Amos

@Christopher Ball Methinks thats what the banksters want folks to think N'esy Pas?

Troy Murschell

The only things bitcoin and its brethren are useful for are drug deals and human trafficking. When you get involved in it, that’s who you’re dealing with so you probably shouldn’t be surprised when you’re scammed or your money gets stolen.

Spencer Michaels

@Troy Murschell really? Then why are major banks investing in the tech?

Vicki S Nemeth

@Spencer Michaels Troy isn't 100% correct, but there is too much functionality for dangerous stuff like that. Maybe if major banks (not in Russia or China) get involved, more security will, too.

David R. Amos

@Spencer Michaels Good quetion

Troy Murschell

@Spencer Michaels

Investment banks and hedge funds are always looking for investments that are uncorrelated to the general economy (they are nicknamed LGM investments for ‘little green men’ because what they want is a totally different economy - an alien economy would be perfect). They use these as ‘insurance’ against other transactions - two investments that are totally uncorrelated shouldn’t tank at the same time.

While such a perfectly uncorrelated investment doesn’t exist (witness the 2008 financial crisis), criminal economics (as I said, drugs and human trafficking) while not completely unrelated to the general economy, definitely marches to a different drummer.

That and of course, naked speculative greed, the ability to create and sell novel new products (that is after all what investment banks are at their core - salesmen) and the ability to directly influence the value just because of their size compared to the market size helps too.

Amma Wifi

@Troy Murschell As a big fan of scientific process, I really think talking in absolutes from a non-scientific standpoint is always destructive. Crypto is a new way of doing finance. It is currently still not as mature as it could be. As with all immature technologies, the first to adopt it are the sectors of society for whom the risk is worth it. In the case of crypto, this is tech enthusiasts, criminals and early-adopters (early adopters being the ones who do not do their due-diligence and foolishly go all in, then when it fails they go to the press and give crypto a bad name).

The technology really needs mass adoption for things to really lift but that is unlikely to happen with bitcoin itself as bitcoin has some insurmountable technological limitations. It is likely to come with new crypto coins that have overcome these limitations (an early contender seems to be BCHSV). But don't judge the whole crypto world as a massive failure, but rather something that needs a few extra features in its software before it can live up to the expectations of mass adoption.

Page is closed to commenting.
David R. Amos

@Troy Murschell "That and of course, naked speculative greed, the ability to create and sell novel new products (that is after all what investment banks are at their core - salesmen)"

I agree

Robert Dziobon

What about individuals who had cash at Quadriga waiting to be used for Bitcoin? That should not be lost, right? I hope. What do I do to get it back?

can jacksom

@Robert Dziobon it does when youre bankrupt. they take the rest no matter who it once belonged to

Francis Lee

@Robert Dziobon
It figures that a Leaf fan would be invested in a Ponzi scheme like this. I guess that's what happens when you are desperately hoping for a Stanley Cup for over 50 years - you will "hope" for anything . . .

David R. Amos

@Robert Dziobon "What do I do to get it back?"

Better call Saul

Thomas Bruce

@Francis Lee who won the last game leafs vs Canadians.

David R. Amos

@Thomas Bruce Who cares?

Francis Lee

Can you spell Ponzi?

David R. Amos

@Francis Lee Ponzi

Now can you Google the following?

David Amos Madoff

alex reti

Sad the guy died, of course. But it sort of makes for an easier decision on my part. Couldn't choose between buying a bridge from this guy I know, or buying Bitcoin. Better go with the bridge now, clearly.

David R. Amos

@alex Methinks I know of several bridges that may peak your interest Perhaps we should talk N'esy Pas?

Christiana Zimmerman

originally cryptocurrency was about only you knowing the password but as usual, people want convenience and simplicity so they turn over their passwords over to third-party companies to make transactions easier, might as well get a credit card or use cash

Robert Dziobon

@Christiana Zimmerman that's is not what happened. Users don't send their passwords to the exchange. They send the actual Bitcoin.

1. The users then exchange the Bitcoin for Canadian dollars. OR
2. The leave the Bitcoin at the exchange to trade for other crypto currency.

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Robert Dziobon "The users then exchange the Bitcoin for Canadian dollars"

Methinks therein lies the rub N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@David R. Amos "The users then exchange the Bitcoin for Canadian dollars"

Bingo

james fryday

One word:Greed.

David R. Amos

@james fryday YUP

Doug Edmunds

If your "money" can be lost by simply unplugging something, it's not looking like "sound" investing.

David R. Amos

@Doug Edmunds True

Erik Bosma

First mtGox and now Quadriga... I just can't get a break and am getting tired of donating money to crypto exchanges. Wanna get rich? Start a crypto exchange and then after a couple of years abscond with the currency. Only the blockchain knows.

can jacksom

@Erik Bosma your problem isnt the exchanges. its the crypto business. if you were lucky to cash out at the boom you are smart. any further loss is your fault entirely

can jacksom

@Erik Bosma always keep a hardware wallet....

David R. Amos

@can jacksom YUP

David Baker

The Government should NOT be involved in GREED! period! Why the hell is it the tax payers fault that people are greedy and do not want to do things the conventional way? GREED! lol looks good on them ! lol

Christiana Zimmerman

@David Baker people are greedy people are generous... both are true

David R. Amos

@David Baker Welcome to the Circus

David R. Amos

@Christiana Zimmerman True However methinks he with the gold makes the rules N'esy Pas?

Arthur Seamon

Having lost 90000 on a "Legitimate investment" nothing surprises me. Canadian regulators regulate nothing. The investment business is made for the investment companies and the banks. The poor Canadian invester is just a sucker to fill their pockets.

David R. Amos

@Arthur Seamon Oh So True

michael Wynne

if it seems to good to be true then stay away, Bitcoin is a fad with no real value except one people are told to believe is true. Good luck with getting any money back

David R. Amos

@michael Wynne Methinks I should ask is your opinion to Good to be True N'esy Pas?

James Barnsley

Not your keys, not your Bitcoin.

David R. Amos

@James Barnsley Methinks its not a coin if I can't flip it and see a head and a tail N'esy Pas?

Stanley Kerr

If you want to invest in very high risk investments such as this stuff be prepared to loose big time...Not too much sympathy will coming from the general public here...

David R. Amos

@Stanley Kerr I agree

John English

I am absolutely shocked that yet another Bitcoin company is embroiled in controversy.

David R. Amos

@John English Methinks thou doth jest too much N'esy Pas?

B Russell

This story has not even begun to be told. There are tools and many individuals looking at this including other exchanges that hold QCX former client wallets. If this is a scam, it wont be long before its confirmed. I hope that the many clients who have crypto on QCX can get squared with this mess.

Not good for the bitcoin industry in Canada but a lesson that has been repeated for years. Dont leave bitcoin on exchanges. Good luck to everyone.

David R. Amos

@B Russell YUP Methinks the fat lady has not sung yet N'esy Pas?

Ian Malcomson

Currencies that do not play by any transparent rules are rogue. Anyone playing in this world is really taking a risk.

David R. Amos

@Ian Malcomson YUP

Eric Levert

From a Reddit post; this is a confirmation that I was probably pretty close with my earlier comment...

This post identifies the litecoin cold wallets that Quadriga uses. Funds are being moved out... this means that the private keys are in fact not "lost" and we're being played. Gerald or someone else with the private keys are literally moving our money out as we speak.

Have a look at the timestamped movements in these wallets..........

Robert Dziobon

@Eric Levert can you show link to Reddit post? Has the online community identified the Quadriga ledgers on the blockchain? Or are there too many?

David R. Amos

@Robert Dziobon Try Googling "Harper and Bankers" sometime

Mark Sinclair

Gerald Cotten was a scam artist. He is in a good place now.

Erik Bosma

@Mark Sinclair
Yeah, in a mansion in India with a quarter of a billion.

David R. Amos

@Mark Sinclair @Erik Bosma Methinks his widow may disagree with your opinions N'esy Pas?

Eric Levert

Who need Netflix with a story like this ? Did he buy a death certificate, then a new passport in India for 12,000$ to run with millions ? Did he get killed after being forced to give the cold wallet passwords ? How much is a company like this worth in 2019, in 2018, 2017 it was a fantastic corporation to own... And probably still have value if the reputation can be repaired ? The problem with crypto currency is not technical ....it s humain.....the good news is, I do not believe he died ? Maybe we will know more when Netflix sign him up for a 190 mil$ film about his life

Sheldon Irving

@Eric Levert Maybe they need to demand they ship back the body as proof?

David R. Amos

@Sheldon Irving Good question

Wendy taylor

Syphoning enough kWh to power a small city, the bitcoin has to die. Soon. Empty houses are stuffed to the rafters with servers that process bitcoin transactions and produce incredible amount of heat as waste. . There are entire islands of hardworking people may only get a couple of hours of electricity per day, to run construction equipment, to keep a business going and pay workers. WE are an incredibly wasteful nation, latching on to the easiest way to make a .. bitcoin. Which hopefully will become absolutely worthless.

B Russell

@Wendy taylor CIBC has 44,000 employees, RBC 81,000, Scotiabank 88,000. how much electricity do you think those banks use to maintain their computers for staff and and additional servers of all operations? Include the other top tier Canadian banks, the other institutuins, the US Banking industry, the rest of the world and youll see that bitcoin uses nothing in comparison. Hope that helps.

Jennifer McIsaac

@B Russell

But any wastage is wastage and we can certainly do without bit coin mining.

Robert Dziobon

@B Russell I see it more like this ...
If I go to the bank to get a draft cheque it takes 20 minutes for the teller to process it. I pay $7.50. Then I go to the bank across the street and wait 20 minutes in line to deposit it. Even after depositing it, the bank still puts a hold on the funds even though it's a draft.

I'm not saying Bitcoin is the solution. But this entire transaction should really take 10 seconds and cost $0.05. Blockchain can do this. We just have to figure out the best way.

Sheldon Irving

@Wendy taylor What about plastic water bottles. Do you realize hw much of the ocean is full of micro plastics? We have other environmental issues other then just bitcoin power usage.

Sheldon Irving

@Wendy taylor Any time a new technology comes out it can be wasteful, it takes a while before its more refined. A good way to curb mining power usage is stop giving miners discounts on electricity. THis will help curb energy usage.

David R. Amos

@Sheldon Irving "We have other environmental issues other then just bitcoin power usage."

Methinks this news should have made everyone sit up and pay attention Fish food is one very important thing but plankton also provide most of the world's oxygen N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/ocean-phytoplankton-zooplankton-food-web-1.4927884

Jim Redmond

I would never buy those kryco things anyway. It's like Los Vegas.

David R. Amos

@Jim Redmond I prefer Vegas

Robert Ross

Elvis Cavalic of Calgary said that he bought a few hundred dollars of bitcoin using Quadriga's platform.

When he tried to withdraw $15,000 in his account in October, he could not.

"This is a tough lesson learned. I would probably avoid [cryptocurrency] in the future," said Cavalic.

"I'm kind of preparing for the worst."

That wouldn't matter for any funds held, either in cash, in bonds, or in a bank. The whole system is questionable - history should have taught people that lesson.

I am not pro-bitcoin, or any crypto-currency advocate.

David R. Amos

@Robert Ross "That wouldn't matter for any funds held, either in cash, in bonds, or in a bank. The whole system is questionable - history should have taught people that lesson."

I Wholeheartedly Agree Sir

Jordan Anderson

Well said by the Bitbuy.ca guys

David R. Amos

@Jordan Anderson Why?

Henry Savage

You have to read other articles to get more of a clear understanding of this story.
Apparently only the deceased knew the passwords for the cold wallets that contain all the funds (if the funds actually still exist)
so that is a huge problem, perhaps unsolvable
The company actually won the court judgment and got the disputed funds returned to them
I notice a lot of CBC articles are missing really important information.
Sometimes it really skews how it reads, giving a much different impression

Friday Jones

@Henry Savage

That is a problem with CBC... their main source is often Twitter... and the replies which they treat as confirmation. It's hard to find real news...

David R. Amos

@Friday Jones YUP

Daniel Rawlins

Well then! I guess that's the difference between 'virtual money' and 'reality money'; thankfully I'm A realist.....

David R. Amos

@Daniel Rawlins Me Too

George Hancock

"...more than 115-thousand clients..."

Is it assumed that we are unable to understand 115,000?

lee smith

@George Hancock i agree with your comment, but unfortunately among the no thinking people, there are some who would not understand

Danny Chasko

@George Hancock ihave met people who are so called educated who cant understand what big numbers mean;like how many people in canada 35000000 needs commas but they cant do it

Matt Taylor

@Danny Chasko
The commas were dropped when we switched to the metric system and use a space instead.35,000,000 is written 35 000 000.

David R. Amos

@George Hancock YUP

David R. Amos

@Matt Taylor Methinks the Yankee Banksters playing this wicked game with the CIBC, the TD Bank and all the others don't care about the metric system or commas or spaces as long as the money stays green and is overseen by the Yankee Federal Reserve System and the Bank of International Settlements etc N'esy Pas?

Sudden death of cryptocurrency leader sends Quadriga into tailspin, panicking clients

‘They’ve left us completely in the dark. I’m kind of preparing for the worst’ says customer

Yvette Brend· CBC News· Posted: Feb 03, 2019 8:00 AM PT

According to court documents Gerald Cotten, chief executive officer of QuadrigaCX died Dec. 9 in India due to complications from Crohn's disease. Now the company he founded is embroiled in legal and financial struggles. (Gerry Cotten memorial/Facebook)

Canada's largest cryptocurrency exchange has filed for creditor protection in Nova Scotia, leaving thousands of fearful customers with frozen assets and scant information.

This comes in the wake of financial and legal troubles with the five-year-old B.C-based exchange platform — and news that its 30-year old founder, Gerald Cotten, died unexpectedly last December in India.

On Jan. 31, QuadrigaCX announced it had filed an application in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia for creditor protection, after months of transaction delays.

Bitcoin mining uses more energy than mining for real gold

Cryptocurrency leaders were shaken.

The volatile industry is already plagued by a lack of consumer confidence, said Dean Skurka, a vice president at Bitbuy.ca, a platform for buying virtual currency.

"This really highlights the need for the government to take action and regulate cryptocurrency exchanges," Skurka said in an interview from Toronto.

Digital currency experts say news of troubles at Canadian-cryptocurrency platform QuadrigaCX is shaking confidence in the emerging industry. (Gillian Flaccus/Associated Press)

Bitbuy.ca president Adam Goldman said he met Cotten, Quadriga's founder, years ago in Toronto at the launch of the first bitcoin ATM.

"He was a quiet, serious guy with big plans ...an honest guy," he said.

Skurka said he was saddened to hear the company had devolved into a tailspin, and then tragedy.

Frozen funds

Troubles began when CIBC took legal action and froze almost $26-million of Quadrigo's funds in early 2018.

According to court documents, the bank alleged that money from 465 deposits was held in accounts belonging to the exchange's payment processor, Costodian Inc., and owner Jose Reyes.

The bank alleged it was unable to determine who the money belonged to and began investigating.

Bitcoin mining could cancel out climate change efforts, scientists say

Then, early this year, a post appeared explaining that on Dec. 9, Cotten had died while working in an orphanage in India.

Global Affairs Canada confirmed that a Canadian had died in India and they had provided assistance to the family but, under the Privacy Act, could offer no more.

Encrypted laptop

In an affidavit filed in B.C. Supreme Court as part of probate proceedings on Jan. 31, Cotten's widow, Jennifer Robertson, described trying to cope with corporate issues after Cotten's death.

She described people posting inaccurate speculation on social media about "whether he is really dead."

The affidavit said Robertson was left searching the couple's Nova Scotia home and Cotten's encrypted laptop for business records and missing coins.

Digital currency like bitcoin and ethereum are not real coins. They only exist online and fears that $70-million worth of deposits might be inaccessible make Quadriga clients nervous. (Rick Bowmer/Associated Press)

She described hiring a security expert to help recover information about the Quadriga Fintech Solutions Corp. and several other associated companies Cotten had registered in B.C.

She said Cotten's companies had more than 115-thousand clients who had invested assets worth $70-million, which she estimates had grown to $250-million by December 2018.

B.C. executive accused of taking millions in cryptocurrency from former employer

As executor of Cotten's estate and owner of 43 per cent of the company's shares, Robertson filed a petition in civil court in B.C. on Jan. 22 describing a "rare and exceptional situation."

It said the company was left with no officers, directors or office space.

"Most of the business was being conducted by Gerry wherever he and his computer were located."
And then there were the locked digital wallets.

The wallets

Any user who wants to transfer bitcoin requires a wallet — located on a server.

So-called hot wallets are for live transactions — while so-called cold wallets are for storage to keep coins safe from hackers.

Robertson's affidavit says that assets tallied in those wallets show that Quadriga owes clients approximately $250-million as of Dec. 17, 2018.

But court documents say the company can only access "hot" wallets at this time.

Troubles blamed on banks

Nearly a year before Cotten died in December 2018, the company had legal trouble.
In January of that year, CIBC froze $26-million-worth of assets after finding irregularities with payment processing.

A 2018 Ontario Superior Court of Justice document says $67-million worth of transactions ended up improperly transferred into the personal account of Costodian Inc, the payment processor.

But Quadriga alleged the bank was wrong and only targeted the exchange because of mistrust of virtual currencies and called fears "that there must be shady dealings afoot" offensive and unsubstantiated.

Clients frustrated

All this caused delays.

Elvis Cavalic of Calgary said that he bought a few hundred dollars of bitcoin using Quadriga's platform.

When he tried to withdraw $15,000 in his account in October, he could not.

"This is a tough lesson learned. I would probably avoid [cryptocurrency] in the future," said Cavalic.
'"They've left us completely in the dark. I'm kind of preparing for the worst."

CBC reached out to lawyers for CIBC and Robertson for comment but did not receive a response by deadline.

Corrections

A previous version of this story said Dean Skurka met Gerald Cotten personally in Toronto. In fact, it was Bitbuy.ca president Adam Goldman who met Cotten.
Feb 03, 2019 12:36 PM PT

About the Author

Yvette Brend

Yvette Brend is a CBC Vancouver journalist. Yvette.Brend@CBC.ca @ybrend

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

https://outline.com/nVDP65

$190-million missing after crypto exchange Quadriga CEO dies

February 01, 2019

Canadian cryptocurrency exchange Quadriga CX is missing approximately $190-million in funds after the company reported the sudden death of its young founder in December, according to an application for creditor protection filed Thursday.

Quadriga Fintech Solutions Corp., which owns and operates the exchange, is facing a “liquidity crisis” and has only $375,000 in cash while owing the equivalent of more than $260-million to approximately 92,000 users, according to an application for relief under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) filed in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Quadriga is seeking to appoint Ernst & Young Inc. as a monitor.

The company has been unable to locate and access about $190-million worth of cryptocurrency, which includes bitcoin and Ethereum, since co-founder and sole director Gerald Cotten, 30, died on Dec. 9. Mr. Cotten was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 24 and passed away due to complications from the condition while travelling in India, according to court documents. According to a statement on Quadriga’s website posted more than a month after his death, Mr. Cotten was in the country to open an orphanage.

Quadriga, which launched in 2013, kept the majority of its cryptocurrency in what’s known as “cold wallets,” essentially an offline storage system that protects the funds from hacking and theft. Mr. Cotten had sole responsibility for handling the funds and held the digital security keys to access the wallets, which the company attempted to find after his death. “Quadriga was unable to access the cold wallets and/or discovered that the cold wallets contained minimal cryptocurrency units,” according to a report filed with the court by Ernst & Young.

Mr. Cotten mostly ran the business on his own from his laptop wherever he happened to be, which was typically in a house he shared with his wife in Nova Scotia. Mr. Cotten’s primary laptop is encrypted, according to an affidavit filed by his widow, Jennifer Robertson. “I do not know the password or recovery key,” she said in the affidavit. “Despite repeated and diligent searches, I have not been able to find them written down anywhere.”

She also searched their home and other properties for any company documents, but came up empty. Ms. Robertson hired an outside tech expert to attempt to “hack into Gerry’s computers” in addition to an encrypted USB key. The expert had some luck retrieving a few digital coins and some information from Mr. Cotten’s cellphones and another computer, but the effort has mostly been unsuccessful, the affidavit says.

Ernst & Young argued in its report that creditor protection is necessary to permit an investigation into the missing coins and determine the amounts owing to users, noting that Quadriga’s “accounting systems either do not exist or are not capable of recording and producing even the most basic of accounting summaries.” If approved as a monitor, the company will also determine if a sale of Quadriga is possible.

Operators of other Canadian cryptocurrency exchanges called it highly unusual for a single executive to be the only one with access to the company’s funds. That would have made Mr. Cotten - who was well known in the cryptocurrency community and an avid traveller - vulnerable to being kidnapped or extorted, said Michael Gokturk, CEO of Vancouver-based Einstein Exchange.

“It’s the equivalent of walking around with millions of dollars in cash on you at all times,” Mr. Gokturk said.

Mr. Cotten was diligent in other areas of his life. He signed a will on Nov. 27, less than two weeks before he died. He appointed Ms. Robertson as the executor of his estate and outlined the distribution of his assets, including an airplane, property in British Columbia and Nova Scotia, and two pet chihuahuas named Nitro and Gully, along with $100,000 for their care.

Another portion of Quadriga’s funds is tied up with third-party payment processors. The company had difficulty obtaining accounts with Canadian banks, and last year the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce froze approximately $25.7-million held in an account belonging to one of Quadriga’s payment processors. The funds were eventually paid by CIBC to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which transferred the money to the payment processor, Costodian Inc., in the form of bank drafts. Neither Costodian nor Quadriga has been able to find a bank to accept the drafts, however.
Users have been complaining over the course of the past year about difficulties withdrawing money from the exchange. The Globe has spoken to several of these clients, some of whom experienced months of delays trying to withdraw tens of thousands of dollars. None of them wished to be identified due to privacy concerns. The largest individual user account balance is valued at $70-million.

Quadriga continued accepting deposits for weeks after Mr. Cotten’s death. Ms. Robertson, as executor of his estate, filed for an application in B.C. to hold an emergency meeting on Jan. 25 to appoint board directors. Following the meeting, the board decided to take down Quadriga’s trading platform on Jan. 28.

Ms. Robertson’s affidavit notes there has been a significant amount of comment on Reddit and other forums about Quadriga, including speculation about whether Mr. Cotten is actually dead. (The CCAA filings contain a statement of death issued by J.A. Snow Funeral Home in Halifax.) “There have also been threats made against me,” she said. “Slanderous comments have been made against me and sent through Facebook messenger to my entire contact list.” Ms. Robertson is personally funding the costs of the CCAA proceedings, according to her affidavit.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 5.

Exchange operators say Quadriga’s inability to retrieve the funds points to a need for greater regulatory oversight of their industry. Although most exchanges claim to have security protocols in place to protect client funds, such measures are not mandated by any Canadian regulator.

“Exchanges have not really had to report to any regulator on the way in which they run their business,” said Cole Diamond, chief executive of Canadian cryptocurrency company Coinsquare.

“That’s why you’re seeing the problem that we’re seeing here today with Quadriga.”

↧

At least $2.55M spent on scuttled Francophonie Games

February 4, 2019, 7:14 am

≫ Next: Canada pledges $53M to help Venezuelan refugees

≪ Previous: Sudden death of cryptocurrency leader sends Quadriga into tailspin, panicking clients

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others
Methinks SANB people sure know how to win friends and influence people N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/02/at-least-255m-spent-on-scuttled.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/francophonie-games-quebec-sherbrook-host-1.5004889

Pressure grows on Quebec to host Francophonie Games

45 Comments

Content disabled.
Marguerite Deschamps

The comment starting a thread containing a French insult about hotdogs etc went "Poof" when I refreshed the page but the the replies were still available

David Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps Methinks you SANB people sure know how to win friends and influence people N'esy Pas?

@Marguerite Deschamps "something you never learned."

Marguerite Deschamps
@David Amossomething you never learned.

Marguerite Deschamps

Quebec will get the federal funds now. Happy?

daryl doucette

@Marguerite Deschamps No they wont. They wont touch it. No kick backs now, too much media.

Lewis Taylor

@daryl doucette
They will have very successful games with millions in spin-offs and we will again be the laughing stock of the planet.

Cleve Gallant

@Marguerite Deschamps yuppie I’m happy, And what makes you think that the poor excuse for a Prime Minister we got will fund these games, The last i heard Que, is still part of Canada and sock boy only gives our money to other countries !!!!!

Harold Benson

@Marguerite Deschamps Help thyselves.

Cleve Gallant

@Lewis Taylor The reason why we’re the laughing stock of the planet as you say is because we let a few minority’s like SANB getting away with their ridiculous demands!!!!!

David Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps "Quebec will get the federal funds now. Happy?"

Happy Happy Happy

Marguerite Deschamps

@David Amos, good for you given that it does not seem to be happening to you and your cohorts too often.

Ralph Carson

@David Amos me too. Could not be happier.

David Amos

@Marguerite Deschamps You insult folks freely but your words go "Poof" once you are bagged N'esy Pas?

@David Amos "Methinks you SANB people sure know how to win friends and influence people N'esy Pas?"

@Marguerite Deschamps "something you never learned."

Ken Parker

Someone should put this sham sporting event out of its misery and kill it. The world can get by fine without it.

Lewis Taylor

@Ken Parker
All games should go...including Commonwealth...Sports and culture are ridiculous waste of time and money....Bingo, poker and MMA those events are what we should focus on.

Harold Benson

@Lewis Taylor I was thinking that " Stoner games" would be something new to try now that pot is legal. Probably surprise you.

David Amos

@Harold Benson Methinks Sam should advise you to back away from the pipe for awhile N'esy Pas?

Dan Lee

Why do people care what they do....you are worse than nosey neighbors..........mind your bees wax.......

David Amos

@Dan Lee Methinks everybody loves the circus N'esy Pas?

David Amos

Surprise Surprise Surprise

"Opposition Liberal members of Quebec's National Assembly and at least one municipal councillor in Sherbrooke say the province should step in to ensure the games go ahead"

David Amos

@David Amos "Methinks Mayor Steve Lussier is wise N'esy Pas?"

"Sherbrooke, Que. also bid to host the event with a budget of $50 million. Steve Lussier, the city's mayor, told Radio-Canada the city has no interest in taking over hosting the event."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/francophonie-games-spending-cities-province-1.5000154

Pressure grows on Quebec to host Francophonie Games

Opposition politician, Sherbrooke councillor say Quebec should step in after New Brunswick pullout

CBC News· Posted: Feb 04, 2019 1:22 PM AT

The Francophonie Games are the largest sporting and cultural event in the French-speaking world. Moncton-Dieppe was supposed to be the host of the 2021 games, but New Brunswick withdrew its support. (AFP/Issouf Sanogo)

There's a growing push for Sherbrooke or another city in Quebec to host the 2021 Francophonie Games in the wake of New Brunswick cancelling its plans for the event.

Opposition Liberal members of Quebec's National Assembly and at least one municipal councillor in Sherbrooke say the province should step in to ensure the games go ahead.

"This is a chance for Quebec to show that its leadership in the Francophonie goes beyond business deals," said MNA Paule Robitaille.

The province's new Coalition avenir Québec government, meanwhile, is waiting to hear from the city and the federal government first.

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs axed the games last week. (Stephen MacGillivray/Canadian Press)

Coalition MNA Gilles Bélanger told Radio-Canada on Monday that the province would evaluate the idea only after the two other levels of government weigh in. He also said the government wants to avoid getting caught up in cost overruns.

In 2016 Sherbrooke lost out to the New Brunswick bid to host the games in Moncton and Dieppe.

At the time New Brunswick won the right to host, the province estimated the cost at $17 million. That had soared to $130 million last year, though the organizing committee said last week it had reduced the amount to $62 million.

CBC News

The Francophonie Games mess, explained

The games have been cancelled. But what's the story behind the mess? 2:31

Last week Premier Blaine Higgs said the ballooning cost of the games, and the federal government's refusal to shoulder more than half that expense, made it impossible to go ahead. He said the province would honour its original $10 million commitment but no more.

Sherbrooke's bid in 2016 was $52 million. Last week Christine St-Pierre, another Quebec Liberal MLA and the former cabinet minister who led the bid, said the city's submission was "perfect" and everything needed for the games was already in place.

Radio-Canada reported Sunday that the city lacks an artificial soccer field and a gymnasium, but city councillor Vincent Boutin said the games would be an opportunity to modernize local facilities.

At least $2.55M spent on scuttled Francophonie Games

Sport minister 'disappointed' by cancellation of Francophonie Games

The day Higgs cancelled the province's hosting, Sherbrooke Mayor Steve Lussier said he wasn't interested in trying to move the games to his city. He said the financial risk was too much for the new Quebec government to support.

But Boutin said Sherbrooke should not pass up the opportunity.

"This is a chance that won't come around a second time," he said.

He noted the Francophonie's international games committee is meeting Feb. 14 and 15 to decide what to do after New Brunswick's cancellation.

Green Party, People's Alliance want investigation into botched Francophonie Games bid

Federal International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, who represents a Sherbrooke-area riding, said Ottawa would consider a request to relocate the games to the city or another Quebec municipality but would wait to hear from the city first.

Sherbrooke's municipal council is to meet Monday to discuss the issue.

With files from Brigitte Marcoux

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others
Methinks Mr Higgs should call NB Power and tell them we ain't paying their power bill anymore. Perhaps the organizing committee will go home when it gets cold and dark N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/02/at-least-255m-spent-on-scuttled.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/francophonie-games-spending-cities-province-1.5000154

At least $2.55M spent on scuttled Francophonie Games

125 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

David R. Amos

Welcome back to the circus folks

David R. Amos

"Sherbrooke, Que. also bid to host the event with a budget of $50 million. Steve Lussier, the city's mayor, told Radio-Canada the city has no interest in taking over hosting the event."

Methinks Mayor Steve Lussier is wise N'esy Pas?

daryl doucette

@David R. Amos The mayor knows the gig is up, the expenses would be scrutinized if they took it, therefore no benefit for the politicians there so take a pass.

David R. Amos

@daryl doucette Methinks it has a lot to do with the upcoming federal election and who is the Premier of Quebec as well N'esy Pas?

Harold Benson

We wasted a ton more money than that on Atcon and NB power, and a myriad other back scratches.

David Barker

@Harold Benson Who benefitted financially?? Where was the money spent?

David R. Amos

@David Barker Exactly

George Smith

@David R. Amos
@George Smith Methinks the scam should be investigated by the RCMP before we are compelled to pay any fines N'esy Pas?
There has to be a crime committed to involve the RCMP. It was stopped in time and we don't need to spend more money on inquires. It's over and the taxpayers won.

David R. Amos

@George Smith Methinks there is a matter of 2.65 million loonies spent on the scam as they tried hard to help a former Governor General win a second term overseeing the Francophonie dudes while was being questioned about her expenses N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-monday-full-episode-1.4680886/micha%C3%ABlle-jean-under-fire-over-expenses-as-she-heads-into-francophonie-election-1.4680891

maude windsor

what a croc all of this is....new brunswick tax payers to both federal and provincial governments are in high percentage english only speakers......new brunswick is not quebec...francophones of quebec ilk have destroyed the acadian communities because of the chric charge........most of these francophonie games countries are dictotorships not democracies....NB would be better off actually supporting the NB athletes in their drive to the olympics......francophonie games are silly and only a way to pay for non democratic french speaking (or not) bureaucrats to find jobs.

Dan Lee

@maude windsor
Huh?

David R. Amos

@Dan Lee Methinks lots of folks understood Madame Windsor quite well N'esy Pas?

Roland Godin

@maude windsor
Would you agee, dans les deux langues officielles, voters have a preference electing the most likely to mismanage public policies, administration, resources and finances...EH!/Voilà.

Fred Brewer

@Roland Godin
I agree it is time to vote Purple or Green. No more Red or Blue.

David R. Amos

@Fred Brewer Methinks there are few Independents whom deserve a little consideration as well N'esy Pas?

Google "Fundy Royal Debate" if you truly care

Matt Steele

Another 2.5 MILLION funneled into the pockets of Brian Gallant and his back room buddies ; yet the SANB controlled Liberal Party remains tight lipped about it . The Liberal Party knew well in advance of the election that the costs had ballooned to 130 MILLION for the Francophonie Games , yet NOT A WORD was mentioned about it during the election.....I guess it must have slipped Brian Gallants mind . Meanwhile schools go begging in the community so children can have a little drink of milk , and a slice of toast in the morning before class . Welcome to N.B. ; Canada's " ONLY " officially bilingual province !

David R. Amos

@Matt Steele Cry me a river

Roland Godin

@Matt Steele
Would you agee, dans les deux langues officielles, voters have a preference electing the most likely to mismanage public policies, administration, resources and finances...EH!/Voilà.

David R. Amos

@Matt Steele "Welcome to N.B. ; Canada's " ONLY " officially bilingual province"

Methinks I should ask you the obvious question once again N'esy Pas?

Do you or anyone else have any idea why I sued Her Majesty the Queen in 2015 while running for a seat in the 42nd Parliament?

michael levesque

Ha Ha Rob McKees's expensive was more A TRUE LIBERAL

Fred Brewer

@michael levesque
This is not a sentence. Can you please clarify what you are trying to say?

David R. Amos

@Fred Brewer Methinks Mr Levesque finds it funny that the lawyer Mr Mckee spent more money on the same trip N'esy Pas?

Joe campbell

Let the public see the receipts for the 2.55 million. Gallant and his friends are acting like an ostrich , put your head in the.ground and hope the problem goes away.

David R. Amos

@Joe campbell I agree

Harold Fitzgerald

If French and English are equal in NB then NB has no business supporting games for the French only.

David R. Amos

@Harold Fitzgerald They claim everybody can play since we all had to pay

Mark (Junkman) George

@David R. Amos

Maybe so.......... but why would you?

Mark Deckard

Why wasn't Sherbrooke selected first to begin with? They had the highest bid.

David R. Amos

@Mark Deckard Methinks you should ask Dominic Leblanc and Brian Gallant N'esy Pas?

Mark Deckard

@David R. Amos

Maybe the RCMP should ask them instead?

David R. Amos

@Mark Deckard Scroll down and you will see that I agree

Graeme Scott

I would love to know the total annual cost to New Brunswick for maintaining a separate membership in this organization when Canada is already a member. I'm pretty sure we don't have our own memberships in the IOC, the Commonwealth Games committee , the Pan American Games committee etc etc. Why the Francophonie?

daryl doucette

@Graeme Scott 4 big letters can answer your question Mr. Scott...SANB. Just that simple.

David R. Amos

@daryl doucette YUP

Jim Cyr

With all due respect to the international body and its "possible consequences", it can go take a flying leap.
$3.5 million is a LOT less wasted money than $130 million (or even $60 million).
Higgs has guts.

David R. Amos

@Jim Cyr Methinks Mr Austin forced Mr Higgs keep his word much to the chagrin of his Heritage Minister Mr Gauvin N'esy Pas?

David Peters

Other typical liberal dealing are in the news today...

"The prosecution dropped 14 other charges, including forgery, conspiracy and fraud."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/snc-lavalin-contracts-angus-1.5003135

https://www.canadianconsultingengineer.com/engineering/consortium-wins-544-million-contract-for-trans-canada-highway-project-in-new-brunswick/1000037970/

David R. Amos

@David Peters Methinks its strange that New Brunswick continues to do business with the dudes from Quebec

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-winter-storm-continues-1.4986290

Particularly after bickering with them in the past N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/snc-lavalin-accuses-n-b-of-micro-managing-bridge-project-1.1287208

Heather Wilkins

In 2018, the Canadian federal government has given OIF (Organization International Francophonie) over $25 million. Not sure what the Province of New Brunswick has given them, but will definitely find out! I wonder what our return on investment is on the $25 million for 2018?

daryl doucette

@Heather Wilkins The same as the "Atcon" investment, zippy f'in cola.

Dan Lee

@Heather
Maybe the same as Ontario gave for 50 millions for gazeboes

David R. Amos

@Dan Lee Methinks we will never forget the gazebo that Mr Harper and Mr Clement built at our expense N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/politics/inside-politics-blog/2010/06/the-g8-g20-and-a-gazebo-worth-gazillions.html

Roland Godin

@Heather Wilkins
And to the monarch queen loving minority some 100$M plus...eh!/voilà.

daryl doucette

" Its not clear what is happening to the committee".....?? Well, OBVIOUSLY, if the " Games" are cancelled, the " Committee" is cancelled as well. Off to pogey land you go folks!! And as far as paying a penalty for extra expenses, I hope Mr. Higgs passes that bill over to the liberal party of New Brunswick, or whats " left" of it.....

David R. Amos

@daryl doucette Methinks they are hanging around and waiting for their golden handshakes N'esy Pas?

daryl doucette

@David R. Amos oh for sure. None of those " inner circle" people will ever be on the dole. They will simply move on to another posh appointment.

Pierre LaRoches

@daryl doucette These Liberals will fight tooth and nail to stay at the trough. They won't concede untilt he last penny is wrung from our pockets to theirs.

David R. Amos

@daryl doucette Of that I have no doubt

Shawn McShane

if we are lucky the "consequences" will be a 50 year suspension from ever hosting the games again, if we are really lucky we get a trifecta, the Olympics and Common Wealth Games won't touch us either.

David R. Amos

@Shawn McShane Heres hoping

John Valcourt

well any amount spent is peanuts to the amount they tried to screw the tax payers out of if the games would have went ahead. I think their needs to be an inquiry as to the amount and where it was going.

David R. Amos

@John Valcourt I concur

Bernard McIntyre

If the penalty of payment for cancelling the games are extravagant then maybe the Comite' international dex jeux de la Francophonie should be investigated as why they choose Moncton and Dieppe over Sherbrooke Que. since they had a superior bid.

David R. Amos

@Bernard McIntyre YUP

George Smith

2.5 million is peanuts to what was going to be spent. It's money well spent to end this fiasco. I doubt it will be the end figure, but as long as it's not too much more it'll be better than the money they tried to dupe the taxpayers out of.

David R. Amos

@George Smith Methinks the scam should be investigated by the RCMP before we are compelled to pay any fines N'esy Pas?

Alex Butt

"hat municipal spending includes $8,309.10 spent by Dieppe before the bid was accepted to wine, dine and lobby the international body. Moncton spent $5,196.21 during that period. " What a crock and waste of our hard earned tax dollars. Simply disgusting. Sounds just like the corrupt international olympics! Time to put an end to such corruption and hold them and the politicians that allow this accountable!

David R. Amos

@Alex Butt YUP

Aaron Allison

We need to have a Independent Investigation into this matter by the AG and give her full power and Money to get it done.

David R. Amos

@Aaron Allison Methinks it should be investigated by the RCMP rather than another politician N'esy Pas?

Paul Bourgoin

Premier Higgs,
The Handling of the “Games of La Francophonie", the Provinces positioning is evidence of what needs to be done to properly manage New- Brunswick Finances. Now that the Province is tightening the Economic Belt, another leaking account should be the handling and management of our Crown Lands Forest. The Province has practically taken all our law enforcement eyes out of our forest by laying-off most of our the Rangers and Biologists, closing most of all our DNR offices from where our forest management command posts were situated for the protection of our most valuable resources, our Forest, our Fish, Our Wildlife, Our Tourist Dollars which were generated by this natural New Brunswick wonder which by the way generates more money, jobs and tourists Dollars then Forestry does annually This once Labeled “Picture Province” should be managed to sustain what made New Brunswick a world sought-after treasure. As a Senior New Brunswick I would love to see New Brunswick Residents benefit from our Picture Province tourism aspect of Home and especially Knowing that it benefits all Residents not only a few Powerful Individuals.

David R. Amos

@Paul Bourgoin "As a Senior New Brunswick I would love to see New Brunswick Residents benefit from our Picture Province tourism aspect of Home"

Me Too

Roland Godin

The bigger picture, for whatever reason, electing the most likely to mismanage public policies, administration, resources and finances, for a couple of generations, is a prefered pass time...eh!/voilà.

David R. Amos

@Roland Godin Mais Oui

Emery Hyslop-Margison

There needs to be some kind of public inquiry into this debacle. Gallant admitted during a radio interview he was "friends" with members of the organizing committee, but this situation, he argued, was pure happenstance. Let's peel back the layers here and determine what actually took place. 2.5 million dollars of tax payer money wasted is far too much money to simply sweep under the carpet. I'm sure the RCMP would be willing to investigate to determine if there was illegal wrongdoing.

josephgallant

@Emery Hyslop-Margison

So was 50 million to Acon, but, they just won't stop it, and the big ??? is.....
WHO will?

David Peters

@Emery Hyslop-Margison

Breach of trust...it's written all over this thing.

David R. Amos

@josephgallant Methinsk we should not forget that the late Auditor General Mike Ferguson's investigation of the Caisses Populaire de Shippagan nonsense was ignored N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/shippagan-caisse-bailout-could-have-been-avoided-ag-1.941042

"Auditor General Mike Ferguson released the 53-page report on Tuesday that also said a handful of senior managers at the caisse populaire covered up financial problems.

The Liberal government bailed out the northern caisse populaire in 2007 with a $37-million grant and another $16.5-million in guarantees."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/up-to-60m-to-go-to-shippagan-s-credit-union-1.641566

"Boudreau wouldn't say how much of that $60 million will be injected into Shippagan's credit union or whether it's a grant, a loan or a loan guarantee.

John Williamson from the Canadian Taxpayer Federation said New Brunswickers should pay close attention to the $60 million set aside, because it's roughly the same amount they'll be paying in tax increases in 2007."

"I'd want to know why taxes are going up to pay for bailouts, as opposed to having governments spend money in priority areas," Williamson said Thursday.

"Governing is all about making choices and prioritizing spending. In this case, we have a government which has obviously decided that saving a credit union is worthwhile, despite the fact that no one from the province seems able to explain why it's in the province's interest, or why it's in the taxpayer's interest, to be spending this kind of money."

Opposition critic Bruce Fitch said he wants details now on how the province plans to save the credit union. "Sixty million dollars is a substantial amount of money and I'd like to know exactly what it is going to be used for,"

Rosco holt

@David R. Amos
The problem with the caisse populaire is the government body who was suppose to "police" banking institutions didn't do their job and uncover the frauds that the management of the caisse were doing until it was too late.

Many customers would have lost their life savings.

Mack Leigh

From everything that I am reading this is nothing more than one big party at the taxpayers expense... The organizing committee , Gallant and his cohorts, both mayors, and anyone else involved should be hanging their heads in shame... The total disregard for the financial state that our province is in and the fact that many everyday people are in dire straits is mind-boggling...

David R. Amos

@Mack Leigh YUP

Troy Murray

What a complete waste of money to line the pockets of a few. Improve our failed health care system.

David Peters

@Troy Murray

Some hair of the dog that bit us? Public run healthcare and education are a huge part of the problem.

David R. Amos

@David Peters Methinks we would not be wise to privatize and have somebody take control of our education and heath care like how Bernie Lord and Medavie oversee Ambulance NB N'esy Pas?

David Peters

@David R. Amos

Public/private monopolies are equally bad. Free market solutions with lots of real competition is the answer.

Shawn McShane

@David Peters Thats what they said in the USA, look at their healthcare..

David R. Amos

@David Peters Methinks perhaps education is cool (its already that way anyway) but definitely not health care The politicians know that I lived in Yankeedodland long enough to know the difference N'esy Pas?

David Peters

@Shawn McShane

Their healthcare costs became astronomical the more gov't got involved, if you look at it honestly. In fact, gov't made it easy to sue doctors and private insurance companies frivolously in order to bankrupt the private system...allowing for a gov't take over...which ended up being Obamacare.

Have you seen how Obamacare has affected healthcare costs in the US?

Rosco holt

@David Peters
Free Market doesn't exist and won't exist has long has the government gives subsidize and other sweet deals to their chosen friends/ backers.

David Peters

@Rosco holt

Free market absolutely exists all around us every day. It's simply the exchange of things of value between two or more parties.

Can you justify baseline ?budgeting, bc, it only exists in crooked, gov't monopolies or gov't backed monopolies. Notice how common sense and the consumer always take a back seat in these systems?

Why run cover for them? Expose them for what they are, then and only then, will it be possible to break the hypnotized addiction to them.

David R. Amos

@David Peters Methinks you can't always measure things with the same stick its depends on each individuals personal needs and situation N'esy Pas? FYI Obamacare was a manna from heaven for my Yankee daughter

Errol Willis

Why would a city bidding $50M lose out to a city bidding $17M? Did the organizers really believe that NB could pull off a better games than a city bidding three times the amount?

Fred Brewer

@Errol Willis
Excellent point! Another reason why we owe them nothing for cancellation fees.

David R. Amos

@Fred Brewer I agree

Mack Leigh

@Errol Willis

This whole fiasco stinks and their needs to be a full investigation...Both Liberals and Conservatives keep pulling these stunts with absolutely no accountability or repercussions ..

Rosco holt

@Mack Leigh
It will never happen both main parties(PC/ Libs) have too many skeletons in their closet to allow a full investigation in their political activities.

David R. Amos

@Mack Leigh Methinks they thinks have the right to do whatever they wish because we keep electing them N'esy Pas?

David Peters

This whole fiasco is a case study in liberal politics.

David R. Amos

@David Peters YUP

Mark (Junkman) George

@David Peters

Don't limit yourself. Red, or blue, they are all tarred with the same brush.

David Peters

@Mark (Junkman) George

There is a lot of uni party action going on, in terms of corporate welfare and fostering private and public monopolies...but the liberals seem to own these sporting events scams.

David R. Amos

@Mark (Junkman) George Oh So True

Paul Bourgoin

I wonder if Political generosity such as subsidies, electricity discounts, bargain property taxes, crown land forest, from elected officials toward their Political supporters are and will be in the future so strictly scrutinized as these Francophonie Games funding?

David R. Amos

@Paul Bourgoin Methinks you already know the answer N'esy Pas?

Marc Bourque

Time to stick needles in their voodoo dolls,and not pay them one darn cent.Let them sue if they want!

David R. Amos

@Marc Bourque I agree

Fred Brewer

Do we owe cancellation fees to OIF?

The OIF bid forms suggested $17m as an appropriate amount.
NB bid $17m and won.
The OIF visited the site and suddenly the cost jumped to $130M.

Most of the blame for the cost escalation falls on the shoulders of the OIF.

For them to suggest the games can be held for $17M was ludicrous to begin with. For them to arrive in NB post-bid and leave us with a long list of infrastructure improvements and new infrastructure requirements is crazy. The OIF should have examined infrastructure as part of their bid selection process.

So the answer to my question above is NO, we do not owe cancellation fees to the OIF.

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Fred Brewer I agree

David R. Amos

@Fred Brewer Hmmm

Michael G. L. Geraldson

You just know that somehow this fiasco will still probably cost us somewhere in the neighborhood of the original bid. And, if the games have been cancelled why do we still have an organizing committee drawing salaries and generating expenses?

David R. Amos

@Michael G. L. Geraldson Methinks Mr Higgs should call NB Power and tell them to throw the switch because we ain't paying their power bill anymore. Perhaps the organizing committee will go home when it gets cold and dark N'esy Pas?

Mark (Junkman) George

@David R. Amos

I guess they need a hint the party is over?

Johnny Horton

Nice salary and perks for Gallant’a friwnds while it lasted,

David R. Amos

@Johnny Horton Mais Oui

Shawn Hickey

Much cheaper than the projected $130m. NB cannot afford this.
I'm glad Higgs has scuttled this foolishness.
If the government had not changed hands would this gave come to light? Or gone ahead?
Gallant is stepping down, in part, to get as far away as possible from this.
We need an inquiry.

David R. Amos

@Shawn Hickey Methinks it would have gone ahead because Trudeau needed it to look good on the world stage instead of being embarrassed by Mr Higgs N'esy Pas?

Mike Decoste

Someone needs to explain how the costs went from $17 million to $130 million.

David R. Amos

@Mike Decoste Its not rocket science

Mark (Junkman) George

@Mike Decoste

Never mind the $17 mill to $130 mill escalation.
I'd be more than interested how, when caught with the hand in the cookie jar, $130 mill dialed back to $65 mill in less than a week.

At least $2.55M spent on scuttled Francophonie Games

Final cost to province remains unclear as international organizing body to consider 'consequences'

Shane Magee· CBC News· Posted: Feb 04, 2019 5:00 AM AT

New Brunswick decided last week it couldn't afford to support the 2021 Francophonie Games. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

The scuttled 2021 Francophonie Games have cost $2.55 million so far, according to figures from the host cities, federal and provincial governments.

The province and the federal government spent $2,525,916 between 2015 and the end of December 2018. It was spent on things such as the organizing committee's office space, salaries and travel.
The host cities of Dieppe and Moncton say they've paid $24,744, which doesn't include staff time helping plan the event.

Not all costs are known yet. Under the rules of the Games' governing body, a host government that cancels the event must cover any expenses incurred by the Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie. CBC asked the province for how much that could entail.

Francophonie officials came to tour the Moncton-Dieppe facilities in November 2015. At least $2.67 million has been spent to lure and plan the games since that year. (CBC)

Stéphanie Bilodeau, a spokesperson for the province, said in an email that figure is not yet known.
"This will be discussed in the next few weeks with the International Organization of La Francophonie," Bilodeau wrote.

New Brunswick cancels plan to host 2021 Francophonie Games

Green Party, People's Alliance want investigation into botched Francophonie Games bid

That municipal spending includes $8,309.10 spent by Dieppe before the bid was accepted to wine, dine and lobby the international body. Moncton spent $5,196.21 during that period.

Both cities also sent representatives to the Ivory Coast in 2017 when the Games were held there. Dieppe Mayor Yvon Lapierre's trip cost the city $4,600. Then-Moncton city councillor Rob McKee's trip cost $6,229.58.

Francine Landry, former Francophonie minister, in Ivory Coast during the last Games in 2017. Dieppe's mayor and a Moncton city councillor also attended the Games. (CBC)

Both cities split the $408.66 cost of a dinner with the Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie's delegation of Games' disciplines experts in September 2018.

Both cities had committed to pay $750,000 each toward the cost of the Games, which had ballooned from an original estimate of $17 million to $130 million.

Both say none of that money was paid out before the province cancelled the event last week.

Committee's fate unclear

Once the province was selected to host the Games, a local organizing committee was established. Its board of directors included representatives appointed by the host cities, province and federal government. The committee, which had paid employees, developed the controversial $130-million business plan.

It's not clear what is happening with the committee following the province's cancellation of the Games. Tracey Suley, a spokesperson for the committee, declined an interview.

Éric Larocque, executive director of the 2021 Francophonie Games, organizing committee. The committee hasn't said what happens to its employees. (Shane Magee/CBC)

"Our board of directors have not yet received formal notification in regards to the federal government's decision about the games," Suley said in an email. "Until we have the formal notification, we have nothing additional to add."

The committee's budget for 2018-19 was $1.7 million.

Francophonie Games' governing body seeks 'more realistic' approach to bid budgets

The province in December said $2.65 million had been spent on the Games — a figure revised down to $2.52 million last week after an error in the figures was corrected.

Between 2015 and December 2018, the province has spent a total of $927,292 on the Games, a figure that doesn't include staff time. Ottawa spent $1,598,624 over the same period.

The province made its final payment to the committee in December, funding that was to last through the end of March. Ottawa had budgeted about $1 million for the organizing committee this year and paid out $655,079 as of early January.

Officials from the International Committee of Games of La Francophonie with Moncton and Dieppe officials in 2015. (Jennifer Choi/CBC)

Suley did not answer questions about what happens to any funding it may still have on hand now that the event has been cancelled.

"We will need to evaluate the situation and develop a plan with the federal government as they were a funding partner," Bilodeau said in an email when asked about any remaining funding.

With New Brunswick out, it remains unclear where the Games may be held.

OIF confident Games will take place

The International Organization of the Francophonie, or OIF, has not provided an interview, though last week expressed confidence the event would still go ahead.

"Although the OIF regrets this decision, it is confident that the holding of this event promoting the vitality and creativity of all Francophone youth, will indeed take place in 2021," Thomas Gil, interim director of partnerships, marketing and communications for the Paris-based group.

Province's 'last payment' for Francophonie Games just final instalment of 2018-19 funding

The statement says the "consequences of [New Brunswick's] decision and the different options available" will be discussed at a Feb. 14 and 15 meeting in Paris.

Sherbrooke, Que. also bid to host the event with a budget of $50 million. Steve Lussier, the city's mayor, told Radio-Canada the city has no interest in taking over hosting the event.

About the Author

Shane Magee

Reporter

Shane Magee is a Moncton-based reporter for CBC.

With files from Jacques Poitras

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

Canada pledges $53M to help Venezuelan refugees

February 4, 2019, 9:57 am

≫ Next: NB Power behind on plan to pay down $1 billion in debt

≪ Previous: At least $2.55M spent on scuttled Francophonie Games

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others
Methinks many Canadians who have only the OAS to live off of would agree if they can afford a computer and internet services then read the CBC news and offer a comment that may be blocked anyway N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/02/canada-pledges-53m-to-help-venezuelan.html

#nbpoli#cdnpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/lima-group-ottawa-meeting-venezuela-1.5004086

Canada pledges $53M to help Venezuelan refugees

1730 Comments

Matthew Locke

Trudeau never even seems interested in helping his own country.

Roch Comeau

@Matthew Locke

Yeah, we are in such dire straits! Look at the world around you. We are doing among the best on the planet. We have neighbours and our neighbours have problems,. Helping them fix their problems is a lot cheaper than having many of them knock on our doors looking for help starving.

rick haars

@Matthew Locke In 2005, my despise of the Liberal govt helped me keep focused to stop smoking, after 38 years. To this, I am forever in debt to the Liberal Party. I still don't like them though.

Art Rowe

@Matthew Locke
17.66 million per refugee (53 000 000 / 3 000 000) and the funds going to "trusted" partners.
Seriously? Like the trusted people who absconded with all the aid sent to Haiti?
Most of this will disappear too.

Troy Mann

@Matthew Locke

Lowest unemployment rate in 40 years so you can help yourself, stop looking for a handout conservatives

Art Rowe

@Matthew Locke
So far no comment from the Cons Mr. Smiley Face. He will obviously disagree with this as he has with everything else the government does. (But without proposing any solution.)

tim silus

@Matthew Locke He's not interested in Canada

Hal Bursey

@Matthew Locke $15 Billion to the Saudi's for arms, but for the Vet's, "they are asking for more than we can give"

David R. Amos

@Matthew Locke Methinks Mr Prime Minister Trudeau The Younger needs to mind his own business first N'esy Pas?

Troy Mann

@Hal Bursey "$15 Billion to the Saudi's for arms"

Conservatives we know you have no education or common sense but this is beyond baffling...

Saudi is buying 15 billion dollars worth of LAV's from Canada. Not one single penny is being given to Saudi Arabia...

Do you people even understand how Commerce works?

Bill Mickey

@Troy Mann you mean like the Ontario free tuition thingy?

Louis Pelt

@Matthew Locke

Helping Canadians doesn't increase his chances of a future job at the UN.

David R. Amos

@Troy Mann "Do you people even understand how Commerce works?"

Methinks you know that I do N'esy Pas?

Bruce Nelson

@David R. Amos

The correct usage is, "n'est-ce pas" and is what you say if you are confirming the validity of a statement, and strengthens the contextual constuck and syntax of the English translation being, "is it not."

N'esy Pas, simply translates as "is not."

"Methinks you know that I do is not ? Makes absolutely no sense.

Jacob Hobart

@Matthew Locke Unemployed in AB and NL - well...those are just 'regions' to the current government.

Just moved 2200 jobs from AB to Ottawa with Cold lake base move. Utter insanity.

Matt Thuaii

@Bruce Nelson

Methinks yous has never encountered his specific brand of “commentary” previously has you?

Loch messy pats?

Matt Thuaii

@Matthew Locke

Canada spends between $100-200 thousand per year, per homeless man, woman and child to support them...subsidizes an ocean of businesses across the nation supporting tens of thousands of jobs...countless federal services...and when things flood or burn down, the government generally helps folks out...so...

...what exactly are you talking about?

harry richard

@Matt Thuaii ... bull

harry richard

@Troy Mann ... want fries with that

Jim Clark

@Troy Mann ya.all those part time jobs.Thats why 48% of Canadians are 200$ a month away from insolvency.check it out if you think it’s so rosy under junior’s regime.

Matt Thuaii

@harry richard

Nope. Facts. Don’t like ‘em?

Too bad.

Hal Bursey

@Jim Clark In a country as rich as Canada, that shouldn't be happening, but the powers that be, are in rose colored glasses and a different world than the insolvency Canadians.

David R. Amos

@Hal Bursey Oh So True

Robert Stringer

@Art Rowe yes, 53M / 3M = 17.66 .... dollars. that is it. $18 or about 6 starbucks coffees to help out 3,000,000 people in dire straights ...

put this in perspective. you and all the others.

David R. Amos

@Bruce Nelson "N'esy Pas, simply translates as "is not."

Methinks snobby English dudes do not have the first clue about Chiac N'esy Pas? Do tell have you even been down to visit the Bay Of Fundy?

If not Google "Fundy Royal Debate" Trust that I have lots of Acadian buddies who understand my Chiac very well

harry richard

@Matt Thuaii ... link me to the permanent full time jobs then. at least in the last three years. oh,nope and it is to bad

Matt Thuaii

@harry richard

It’s true. Permanent full time jobs are the only metric that matters when it comes to spending money on Canadians vs. Other countries (the original point of this “discussion”?).

The federal government should immediately cut all (literally all) expenditures aside from dumping all money into subsidizing full time jobs (which as I pointed out they’re already doing, although according to your standards, poorly).

Matt Thuaii

@Hal Bursey

It’s easy to complain. For example, I can complain about how for the past four decades, corporate interests with the help of right-wing governments have dismantled the self-sustaining, domestic commercial-industrial base in Canada in exchange for cheaply bought, less-than-ethical profits found offshore, converting us into an unstainable consumption-based economy, which succeeding governments are now powerless to break from lest they face the wrath of a poorly informed, consumption-addicted electorate...but that’s just a complaint...

...and without an accompanying solution, quite useless.

David R. Amos

@Hal Bursey Methinks whereas Matt Thuaii knows so much he would run for public office instead of making fun of people who do N'esy Pas?

Werin Johnson

How about Trudeau keeps his nose out of others business and start paying more attention to the 10's of thousands of illegals crossing the border costing Canadian taxpayers $100's of millions of dollars.....for NOTHING.

Catherine Haigh

@Werin Johnson
Venezuela is facing an economic and humanitarian crisis that has seen three million people flee the country....

Werin Johnson

@Catherine Haigh

Crisis that THEY created......we have problems of our own here....fix them first.....do for Canadians...first!

rick haars

@Werin Johnson Trudeau. An easy name to use when there's things going on nowadays. You can blame him for all sorts of things you don't like or agree with. He's trying to get us a seat on the security council. You can't do that if you don't get involve in world politics. Personally, I don't like the liberals past and present. No matter whose in govt, they're going to get pulled into world circumstances and will have to voice opinions. At times, expected to take action of some sort. Illegals are a domestic problem for us.

Bob Johnson

@Werin Johnson
Actually, the crisis we created.
The U.S. imposed sanctions for years have taken their toll, as intended

Mohamed Khan

@Bob Johnson the sanctions on venezuela's corrupt governing party members has nothing to do with Venezuela's economy which is sanction free.

Colin Rasmussen

@Werin Johnson

Tens of thousands?

rick haars

@Colin Rasmussen It's a future estimate only.

rick haars

@Colin Rasmussen Google Canadian city populations. Eg: places such as Brampton, Hamilton, Toronto, Vancouver. Diversity.

Dave Burns

@rick haars Those cities not white enough for you anymore?

Art Rowe

@Colin Rasmussen
Read the numbers.

Shane Christopher

@Werin Johnson You are SO uninformed, it's not even funny.

David R. Amos

@Werin Johnson Methinks that we should not forget that Mr Prime Minister Trudeau The Younger invited the thousands of illegals crossing the border to come to Canada and live off of the ever increasing national and provincial debts N'esy Pas?

Ron Brady

@rick haars If there is one thing Canada does not need it is a seat on the UN security council.

Don McKenna

@Werin Johnson A problem we created by putting sanctions on a left wing government with the largest oil supply on the planet. You know what isn't in public hands in Venezuela: Paper and Food...the two things they are complaining there are shortages of. The guy Trudeau is supporting went to the chicago school of business in the USA.

Venezuela said they would stop trading oil in US currency. And we wonder why this is happening. If anyone thinks this is not about oil they are wilfully blind or living in a hole for the last 70 years.

Matt Thuaii

@Werin Johnson

There isn’t enough space available here to explain everything wrong with all that, including the up count...I’ll try this instead:

I don’t believe you.

David R. Amos

@Matt Thuaii Methinks you broke even because appears that nobody believes you either N'esy Pas?

Matt Thuaii

@David R. Amos

As usual methinks your thinking is confused. Do you believe the “up/down” system here is manipulated by corporate interests, foreign actors and PR firms for the benefit of whomever pays their bills?

If the answer is “yes”, methinks you’re right, n’estle quick?

David R. Amos

@Matt Thuaii Methinks your constant insults are not worthy of a proper reply N'esy Pas?

Matt Thuaii

@David R. Amos

...and yet you tried anyway.

N’etty pot?

David R. Amos

@Matt Thuaii Methinks you know I did many times in the past but you always ignore the simple truth N'esy Pas?

James A Walke

Trudeau is bankrupting Canadians.

David R. Amos

@James A Walke YUP

Matt Thuaii

@James A Walke

Yes, every government previous were nothing but straight shooters. It’s Trudeau who’s rigged the system against us.

Probably part of some globalist conspiracy.

David R. Amos

@Matt Thuaii Methinks you should finally Google "David Amos Federal Court" find my lawsuit then scroll down to statement 83 N'esy Pas?

Eric Jeff

Trudeau should concentrate on looking after the citizens of Canada first.

David R. Amos

@Eric Jeff Methinks many folks agree with you N'esy Pas?

Bob Lashram

Canada has no right to inteferes in the domestic affairs of another Democratic nation...Justin and Freeland's attempt to garner international credibility at the expense of another nation is just shallow and irresponsible...

Brett Mclaughlan

@Bob Lashram as is borrowing more money future generations will have to pay back to virtue signal

Robert Morris

@Bob Lashram
Calling Venezuela a democratic nation at this point in its history is more than a bit of a stretch......hyperinflation has destroyed the economy and millions have fled to columbia, brazil and elsewhere......I wonder if you even noticed the pictures of the Venezuela's authoritarian leader surrounded by soldiers.....like most conservatives you don't try to understand the world around you.....instead you prefer to build walls.

Troy Mann

@Bob Lashram

Conservatives believe Venezuela is a democracy lol

JOHN CHUCKMAN

@Bob Lashram

Indeed.

This is so shameful I almost cannot believe it is happening.

Shane Christopher

@Bob Lashram No offense Bob but you seem really uninformed

David R. Amos

@Bob Lashram I agree

Don McKenna

@Robert Morris They were sited for free and fair elections. Can we say the same about the USA. The Maduro government welcomed elections inspectors while the opposition(the people we are supporting) said they didn't want outside observation. We know the DMC cheated to make sure Hilary would be the Democratic nominee and she BARELY beat Bernie.

Please watch some Jimmy Dore or Empire Files with Abby Martin for an on the ground look at what actually has happened there.

This is also the second coup attempt. The first was in 2002, it failed.

Don McKenna

@Shane Christopher I believe you are terribly misinformed if you think this isn't about Oil and that's it. There are places with much worse things happening, but we don't seem to care about them, do we.

David R. Amos

@Don McKenna Methinks Jimmy Dore and Abby Martin deserve a lot of credit for their efforts N'esy Pas?

Scott Kane

Here we go again, Justin giving away our money and future so he looks big on the world stage for that coveted U.N. seat

David R. Amos

@Scott Kane YUP

Smitty von Clawswitz

@Christina Robertson
That's actually pretty easy to find out. Canada's official development assistance (ODA) budget is in the order of $4.5 billion per year or 0.26% of Gross National Income (GNI). That's well below the 0.32% average among industrialized OECD countries and we also happen to have the lowest ODA within the G7. Under Stephen Harper in 2012, our ODA was about the same as it is now at $4.5 billion but back then that amounted to 0.31% of GNI so Harper was quite a bit more generous at spending our tax dollars abroad than Mr Trudeau.

Peter Boone

@Scott Kane Without Russia and China that dream has gone up in smoke, just like his weed.

David R. Amos

@Peter Boone True

Nathan Robar

Not to sound cold hearted, but where are these 53 million dollar donations when the provinces come calling because children don't have access to a doctor? That kind of money would go a long way in some provinces. Is that not a crisis?

David R. Amos

@Nathan Robar Methinks Mr Prime Minster Trudeau The Younger cares more about what his international cohorts think of him than what the folks he purportedly serves and protects think of his actions N'esy Pas?

Dan Shortt

To bad the Liberals can't find $53 million to help Canadians.

Shane Christopher

@Dan Shortt What kind of government handout are you looking for Dan?

David R. Amos

@Shane Christopher Methinks New Brunswick could use that money to repair a lot of bridges etc N'esy Pas?

Shirley Witt

The seniors in Canada, many who need help, were given $1.56 increase in the OAS, this extravagance to everyone except Canadians alone should spell defeat!

Content disabled.

David R. Amos

@Shirley Witt Methinks many Canadians such as I who have only the OAS to live off of would wholeheartedly agree if they can afford a computer and internet services then read the CBC news and offer a comment that may be blocked anyway N'esy Pas?

David R. Amos

@Shirley Witt I wholeheartedly agree

george hammish

Thanks goodness Justin is too busy solving the world's problems while his own citizens suffer in places like Cat Lake, Ontario.

David R. Amos

@george hammish Methinks thou doth jest too much N'esy Pas?

Canada pledges $53M to help Venezuelan refugees

Ottawa hosts Lima Group countries for emergency meeting on Venezuela today

CBC News· Posted: Feb 04, 2019 4:00 AM ET

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, bottom left, watch as Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaido makes brief remarks via video link at the opening session of the 10th ministerial meeting of the Lima Group in Ottawa on Monday. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

The federal Liberal government is promising $53 million to help Venezuelans caught in a burgeoning refugee crisis, as Canada plays host to its Lima Group allies in Ottawa Monday.

"Canada is stepping up and announcing $53 million to address the most pressing needs of Venezuelans on the ground, including the almost three million refugees," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during his opening remarks in Ottawa.

Canada has earmarked the new funds to help the three million Venezuelans who have fled to neighbouring countries in recent months due to an increasingly acute food shortage. The $53 million is in addition to the $2.2 million Canada has pledged already for similar efforts to help people grappling with the largest refugee crisis ever recorded in the Americas.

Trudeau said the money would be distributed to "trusted partners" in the region to "help them support Venezuela and Venezuelans."
The regime of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro has denied there is widespread food insecurity in Venezuela, and has instead blamed the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and smugglers for what the government describes as localized supply problems.

Independent observers blame the Maduro administration's socialist price control policies, its restrictions on foreign currencies (the U.S. dollar, mainly) and a dramatic drop in domestic food production for widespread hunger in Venezuela, once one of the richest nations in South America.

International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said Monday there are "huge issues with having access to basic supplies. So many people are leaving the country. I'm very concerned about that."

CBC News

Trudeau pledges money for Venezuela

Prime Minster Justin Trudeau pledges $53-million to aid Venezuela and the countries harboring Venezuelan refugees at today's Lima Group summit in Ottawa. 0:35

Foreign ministers from the Lima Group countries — Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Saint Lucia, along with a handful of representatives from other nations, such as the United Kingdom — have convened in Ottawa to discuss further support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido.

U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo is participating via video conference.

Trudeau also announced today he will formally recognize Guaido's chosen envoy, Orlando Viera Blanco, as the legitimate representative of Venezuela in Canada.

"For years now, we've witnessed the breakdown of democracy in Venezuela and a dictatorship willing to use force, fear and coercion to retain power," Trudeau said.

"The violation of human rights and the complete disregard for the rule of law shown by the regime has been both inexcusable and unacceptable."

CBC News

Guaido addresses Lima Group

Interim Venezuelan President Juan Guaido addresses the Lima Group meeting in Ottawa. 1:40

Protests have erupted across Venezuela since Maduro began his second term on Jan. 10. He was elected last year in a vote Canada, the U.S. and other nations deemed illegitimate.

Guaido has declared himself interim president. Canada has joined the United States, the European Parliament and several Latin American nations in recognizing Guaido's claim. Russia and China — which have invested heavily in oil-rich Venezuela — support Maduro, as does Turkey.
Notably missing from the Lima Group attendee list is Mexico. Its new left-leaning
president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has taken a stance different from that of his predecessor on Venezuela, going so far as to invite Maduro to his inauguration.

CBC IN VENEZUELA
As Lima Group meets in Canada, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro prepares for war

What to expect from Monday's emergency summit on Venezuela

Venezuela's opposition leader takes oath as interim president, endorsed by Canada, U.S.

According to the itinerary for the meeting, members of the Lima Group will discuss economic assistance and recovery, as well as the humanitarian and refugee situation.

Guaido addressed the conference via videolink Monday, praising Canada and the Lima Group for their support while asking partner countries to redouble their diplomatic efforts to help loosen Maduro's grip on power.

"We are very close to reaching freedom, and that is the result of the international support we've received and the recognition of this process of respecting the rule of law and having a non-violent approach," Guaido said in Spanish.

"Unfortunately we're still under a dictatorship in Venezuela. That's why it's time to increase pressure."

A small group of anti-Maduro protesters gathered outside the Lima Group meetings at the John G. Diefenbaker Building in Ottawa, Ont. Monday. (Sarah Sears/CBC News)

On Sunday, Trudeau's office said he spoke with Guaido about the need for countries to send a clear message about what the Prime Minister's Office calls "the illegitimacy of the Maduro regime."

Trudeau also brought up the Venezuelan constitution during a town hall in Milton, Ont., on Thursday.
"This all seems very complex and complicated, and it is, but it is all grounded in human rights, the rule of law and Venezuela's own constitution," he said.

Quiet Canadian diplomacy helped Guaido's anti-Maduro movement in Venezuela

Singh calls on Trudeau to part ways with U.S., Brazil on Venezuela crisis

"The international community recognized that there were not free and fair elections in Venezuela, and therefore Maduro is not the president of Venezuela in the eyes of the world and also in the eyes of Venezuelans. Article 233 actually provides for what happens when there is no president in Venezuela."

As authority supporting his claim to the presidency, Guaido cites Article 233 of the Venezuelan constitution, which gives temporary presidential power to the head of the National Assembly when the presidency is otherwise vacant.

Setting the expectations

But those looking for significant action following today's talks could be disappointed.

One of Canada's top former diplomats said the public shouldn't expect to see much more than a statement of principles coming out of the emergency meeting.

Amid fresh protests, Venezuela's opposition urges military to rise up against Maduro

Canada wants Lima Group meeting to keep pressure on Maduro to step down

"I would expect there would be a declaration asking for movement forward, asking for continued respect for human rights and really putting it on the line that this interim president [Juan Guaido], as per the Venezuelan constitution, should be the one to step up and call for elections," said Peter Boehm, a longtime senior diplomat with postings to Cuba, Costa Rica and the Organization of American States.

Trudeau recently appointed Boehm to the Senate.

Corrections

An earlier version of this story said Mexico would be attending Monday's Lima Group meeting in Ottawa. In fact, Mexico isn't on the attendee list.
Feb 04, 2019 8:25 AM ET

With files from the CBC's John Paul Tasker, Elise Von Scheel, Katharine Starr and Evan Dyer

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

↧

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