---------- Original message ---------- From: "Fine, Sean"<SFine@globeandmail.com> Date: Sun, 2 Jun 2019 23:55:10 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Faisal Khan Suri would not listen to me so perhaps his political friends or the cops can explain my concerns To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
?I am in a place far removed from reality, from June 1 to June 8. On my return, I promise to be kinder.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Fine, Sean"<SFine@globeandmail.com> Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2017 15:39:12 -0400 Subject: Out of Office: Yo Loik Amis So much for the Integrity of your friends and associates in the legal business N'esy Pas? To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Back in August . . . zzzz...
http://lawjournal.mcgill.ca/en/text/96
The Politics of Judicial Appointments, part I Posted on Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:00:00 +0000
The federal government has been criticized for allegedly picking judges based on political considerations and in a non-transparent manner. In the first part of a two-part episode on the federal judicial appointment process, we look into the scope of the government’s discretion in naming judges and the role that ideology or partisanship might play in the process. We speak with Sean Fine, justice reporter at the Globe and Mail; Professor Robert Leckey of McGill’s Faculty of Law; and David Gourdeau, a former commissioner for federal judicial affairs.
The Politics of Judicial Appointments, part II Posted on Wed, 04 Nov 2015 12:30:00 +0000
The former federal government has been criticized for allegedly picking judges based on political considerations and in a non-transparent manner. In the second part of a two-part episode on the federal judicial appointment process, we look into whether the current process needs to be reformed and, if it does, how. We speak with Leonid Sirota, J.S.D. Candidate at the New York University School of Law and Professor Rosemary Cairns Way from the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law.
Tracey K. Deware has been appointed as the first female Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench in New Brunswick. She was a Court of Queen's Bench judge in Moncton. (CBC)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed New Brunswick's first female Chief Justice to the Court of Queen's Bench.
Tracey K. DeWare was a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick for seven years and practised law in Moncton for 18 years.
Her appointment as chief justice comes after the retirement of Justice David Smith in March.
DeWare is fluently bilingual and during her time as a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench, she spent two years in Woodstock providing bilingual judicial services to the jurisdictions of Woodstock and Fredericton. In July 2016, DeWare was transferred to the jurisdiction of Moncton.
Federal Justice Minister David Lametti also appointed three people as judges of New Brunswick's Court of Queen's Bench.
Christa Bourque, a partner at McInnes Cooper in Moncton, will fill the vacancy in Moncton created by DeWare's appointment. She will serve in the family division.
Arthur T. Doyle, a partner at Cox & Palmer in Saint John, will replace Justice W.T. Grant, who had elected to become a supernumerary judge in October 2018. He will serve in the trial division.
Robert M. Dysart, a partner at Stewart McKelvey in Moncton, will replace Justice S. McNally, who retired in April. He will also serve in the trial division.
Liberals reshape judicial bench with appointments of women
Sean Fine
Justice Writer
The Liberal government is reshaping the bench, appointing a substantial majority of women, even though they make up a minority of applicants. The approach is winning praise from some in the legal community, while sparking concern about "quotas" from others.
A year and a half after taking office, the government has appointed 56 judges, of whom 33 are women – 59 per cent. Yet women make up only 42 per cent of the 795 people who have applied to be judges since the Liberals put in place a new appointment process in October.
Making federal institutions more reflective of Canadian diversity has been a theme of the Liberal government. Its cabinet has an equal number of men and women, and it announced a plan last week to ensure more women and minorities are named to federally funded research chair positions at universities.
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould says a more diverse bench will build the public's confidence in the judiciary. "We are beginning to demonstrate how it is possible to have a bench that truly reflects the country we live in," she said in an e-mail to The Globe and Mail.
But some in the legal community question the government's commitment to the merit principle in appointing judges to federally appointed courts, which includes the superior courts of provinces, the Federal Court and Tax Court.
"I'm not really in favour of a quota system – those are alarming discrepancies," Brenda Noble, a veteran family lawyer in Saint John, said in an interview, referring to the gap between female appointees and applicants. "You want to have the best people in the job."
Ian Holloway, the University of Calgary's law dean, said it is hard to fault the government for increasing the proportion of women judges. Even so, he said he worries the government is putting too much emphasis on gender.
"In the old days, it was offensive that people got judgeships just because they were Liberals or Tories. That helped breed contempt for the judiciary. What we don't want to do is replicate that in a different form."
But others say the government is doing the right thing.
Brenda Hildebrandt, a Saskatoon lawyer and governing member of the Saskatchewan Law Society, was pleased. "Do I think it's a good thing women are more represented on the bench? Yes, I do, and I would hope that those are qualified candidates and that the fact that they're women is just one consideration, albeit important."
Rosemary Cairns Way, a University of Ottawa law professor who has studied diversity on federally appointed courts, supports the government's move as a way of achieving gender parity. "When there is no shortage of meritorious candidates, it seems to me the government can legitimately choose judges who, in addition to being independently qualified, will fulfill other institutional goals such as a more diverse and gender-balanced bench."
When the Liberals took office, 35 per cent of the federal judiciary (full-time and semi-retired) were women, according to the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs. Given a similar time frame to the Conservatives – a decade in office – the Liberals would ultimately put women in the majority among the full-time federal judiciary if they maintain the current ratio of appointments. The previous government appointed more than 600 full-time federal judges, 30 per cent of them women; women also made up 30 per cent of applicants during the Conservatives' years in office.
The government's emphasis on creating a bench more reflective of Canada's diversity does not extend quite as much to racial minorities as it does to women. However, there are at least seven visible minorities among the new appointees – two of Indigenous ancestry, three of South Asian background, one Japanese-Canadian and one Chinese-Canadian.
The Liberals have authorized the judicial-affairs commissioner to collect, for the first time, data on race, Indigenous status, gender identity, sexual orientation and physical disability of applicants and appointees. But the office would not release those numbers to The Globe and Mail for this story, saying it is still preparing the data and it intends to publish them soon.
The Globe asked Ms. Wilson-Raybould whether she has a numerical target for the appointment of women to the federal judiciary. She replied that the government appoints judges based on merit and the needs of the court. "In assessing merit, I do not discriminate against applicants based on their gender, ethnic or cultural background," she said in an e-mail.
She acknowledged that the pace of racial-minority appointments is lagging and suggested the problem is a lack of minorities in the legal profession.
"We know that more needs to be done to increase the number of visible minorities in our law schools. As that happens, the face of the profession will change and evolve to better reflect the rest of the population."
Rob Nicholson, a former Conservative justice minister, and the party's current justice critic, said his chief concern is that qualified people be appointed. "If it's 55-per-cent women and 45-per-cent men, as long as we get qualified people for this," he said.
David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 47 others YO @SeanFineGlobe Do ya read CBC? Methinks we should call this Round 2 of a long battle In the "Mean" time the Green Meanies should ask their MLA and MP why I run for public office in the Sussex area N'esy Pas?
Mi'kmaq chiefs 'blindsided' by PC plan to allow shale gas development in Sussex area
76 Comments
David Amos Methinks everybody knows how much I love a circus N'esy Pas?
David Amos Methinks I must be fair to all even my corrupt foes or I would be a bad as they are. The public record of CBC and the newrags owned by the Irving Clan clearly shows that nobody was blindsided. It an irrefutable fact tat Higgs and Northrup were yapping up a storm about firing up fracking in the Sussex area months before the writ was dropped for the last election. Everybody knew it and have been whining about it ever since. This is just more Fake News as the Yankee wacko named Trump loves to say N'esy Pas?
Daryl Doucette It is too bad our vast shale gas resources could not be developed safely and with New Brunswick coffers receiving the billions of dollars it would produce. But sadly, we here in Canada give away most of our natural resources to huge corporations and the government gets a mere pittance in royalties. Norway has it right. They keep up to 90 % of revenues from their gas/oil reserves.
Irv Millar
Reply to @daryl doucette: Well said. FN come first. They are the holders of the treaty.
David Amos
Reply to @daryl doucette: Methinks we should call this Round Two of a long battle In the "Mean" time the Green Meanies should ask their MLA and MP why I run for public office in the Sussex area N'esy Pas?
These are quotes from the Kings County Record in June of 2004
Raising a Little Hell- Lively Debate Provokes Crowd By Erin Hatfield
"If you don't like what you got, why don't you change it? If your world is all screwed up, rearrange it."
The 1979 Trooper song Raise a Little Hell blared on the speakers at the 8th Hussars Sports Center Friday evening as people filed in to watch the Fundy candidates debate the issues. It was an accurate, if unofficial, theme song for the debate.
The crowd of over 200 spectators was dwarfed by the huge arena, but as they chose their seats, it was clear the battle lines were drawn. Supporters of Conservative candidate Rob Moore naturally took the blue chairs on the right of the rink floor while John Herron's Liberalswent left. There were splashes of orange, supporters of NDP Pat Hanratty, mixed throughout. Perhaps the loudest applause came from a row towards the back, where supporters of independent candidate David Amos sat."
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: Continued
"Amos has no intention of actively campaigning.
"I didn’t appreciate it when they (politicians) pounded on my door interrupting my dinner," he said. "If people are interested, they can call me. I’m not going to drive my opinions down their throats."
And he has no campaign budget, nor does he want one.
"I won’t take any donations," he said. "Just try to give me some. It’s not about money. It goes against what I’m fighting about."
What he’s fighting for is the discussion of issues – tainted blood, the exploitation of the Maritimes’ gas and oil reserves and NAFTA, to name a few.
"The political issues in the Maritimes involve the three Fs – fishing, farming and forestry, but they forget foreign issues," he said. "I’m death on NAFTA, the back room deals and free trade. I say chuck it (NAFTA) out the window.
NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement which allows an easier flow of goods between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Amos disagrees with the idea that a vote for him is a wasted vote.
"There are no wasted votes," he said. "I want people like me, especially young people, to pay attention and exercise their right. Don’t necessarily vote for me, but vote."
Although…if you’re going to vote anyway, Amos would be happy to have your X by his name.
"I want people to go into that voting booth, see my name, laugh and say, ‘what the hell.’"
Johnny Horton I’m not really pro fracking, but I am certainly anti-NIMBY and anti hypocrisy of crying over oil and environment while showing up at protests in 4x4 monster trucks.
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Johnny Horton: that is so true. Îf you want to talk the talk, you must also walk the talk.
David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks you should stand by your own words instead of merely using words i have employed recently N'esy Pas?
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: never read these from you. And you never invented this adage either.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks you know as well as I that I never said I did but I did use those words in 2004 and again a couple of days ago. Justin Trudeau or his lawyer buddies Ralph Goodale and Frank McKenna or anyone else can review page 20 of this old file N'esy Pas?
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks it would have been more ethical of you to admit that you suffered from a Freudian slip but now you are too late N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks you know why my first reply was "Content disabled" so I will blog it for you.to review N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell Guess people will have to quit notchin' them Maple trees looking for birds eye Maple and killing them and go back to protestin'
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Lou Bell: better the First Nations get the bird's eye maples than the big corporations. I've been shown in many areas of the provinces tons and tons of wood rotting in piles left there by big corporations.
David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: OH MY MY Methinks you just gave me a clue as to who you are N'esy Pas?
David Amos Methinks the nine Mi'kmaq chiefs should ask Judge Richard Bell, or many lawyers such as Graydon Nicholas, Anne McLellan, Ralph Goodale, Frank McKenna, William Amos, Don Amos, David McGuinty, Dominic Leblanc, Brian Gallant, Lenny Hoyt, Mike Murphy, Brian Murphy, Bob Rae, Paul Martin, TJ Burke and Kelly Lamrock to name but a few why I ran against their fellow liberal Andy Scott for his seat in the 39th Parliament N'esy Pas?
Shawn McShane
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks some Mi'kmaq chiefs need to sell their Cadillac Escalades then have something to say.
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks you should tell us how many votes you got ! I got almost as many as you every time you ran , and i didn't even run !!! You're a legend in your own mind , and NO ONE ELSES !!!
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Nobody has heard of Lou Bell Who are you really?
Johnny Horton
Reply to @David Amos:
Me thinks we aren’t all egomaniacs thst need the public spotlight and traipse our names around everywhere.
David Amos
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Methinks the real reason you people are anonymous in cyberspace is because you don't wish to be held accountable for your libel in the real world N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Methinks the lawyers I have named above know I mean what I say and say what I mean if they don't like it they may feel free to sue me about anything they think is untrue because unlike you I stand by my words with my true name N'esy Pas?
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: got to give the devil his dues!
Jake Newman hopefully Higgs opens up the whole prov for this.
David Amos
Reply to @Jake Newman: Yea right Methinks you are just having fun picking a fight N'esy Pas?
Marguerite Deschamps The Supreme Court of Canada was clear that First Nations must be consulted before projects like these are undertaken. Like Harper and most other CONservatives, the elusive Higgs Bozon has nothing but contempt for the highest court in the land. They act like outlaws.
David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks you have been talking to the mindless SANB lawyers again N'esy Pas?
Daryl Doucette
Reply to @David Amos: And the SANB has nothing but contempt for unilingual New Brunswickers.
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @daryl doucette: I don't know about the SANB, am no part of it. As for me, I have nothing but pity for unilingual New Brunswickers, be they Anplophones or Francophones.
Marguerite Deschamps
You are quite handicapped in this world if you can only speak one language and that is the case for most North American Anglophones.. It's so easy to blow your own horn over the internet that you speak Mandarin, Spanish, German or whatnot. I sure would like to hear how these languages come out of their mouth!
David Amos Content disabled Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks you are very handicapped in the real world if you cannot afford to use your real name as you spew your BS in cyberspace on behalf of SANB in whatever language comes out of your mouth N'esy Pas?
Paul Bourgoin Trumpism reaches New Brunswick Politics!
Jake Newman
Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: oh good lord---talk about a lame comment
David Amos
Reply to @Jake Newman: Methinks you have nothing to brag about N'esy Pas?
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Jake Newman: talk about a great comment!
Paul Bourgoin
Who does Higgs represent? Who will benefit from such a secret and crafty move? Higgs, with his three Party Conservatives, can’t force such a move on the New Brunswick public that He does not represent.
David Amos
Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: "Who does Higgs represent?"
Us
Irv Millar Vote them out.
David Amos
Reply to @Irv Millar: YUP but who do you vote in then?
Shawn McShane
Reply to @David Amos: Merlin and King Arthur
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: not you, that's for sure!
Michel Jones Nothing in the article says why shale gas production shouldn't be allowed!! Aren't we open to fair questions about prosperity or the real dangers, not percieved ones of shale gas development? Does anybody against shale gas development ever considered how we got to have comfortable homes that are kept warm in the winter, schools, clinics, hospitals.. Consultations are often a nice way to say it ain't gonna get done.
Irv Millar
Reply to @Michel Jones: Yes. Let us fracture the earth to allow gases to escape. Never mind the flames coming out of your water taps. It'll keep us warm in winter. Absolutely disgusting and tone deaf.
Michel Jones
Reply to @Irv Millar: What's tone deaf about having a debate about fair questions and real or peceived dangers?
Irv Millar
Reply to @Michel Jones: That is your greatest concern. Quibbling over words while the disrespect has been lit anew?
Bob Smith
Reply to @Irv Millar: Ahh, the rhetoric of the anti-gas crowd...bringing up discredited imagery and talk to cower the uninformed locals. Funny, though...how is it that our neighbor to the south, the US, has managed to extensively frack for resources without your doomsday visions coming to pass?
David Amos
Reply to @Michel Jones: "Nothing in the article says why shale gas production shouldn't be allowed!!"
Methins Mr Higgs and hi cohorts know that I have been saying for years that we should leave the shale gas alone until the price goes up and we are offered a decent royalty for it N'esy Pas?
Daryl Doucette
Reply to @David Amos: That mindset is the problem with us. We should not be " offered" anything. WE should be TELLING them here is what you get, this is what WE get. Have a nice day.
Fred Brewer
Reply to @Michel Jones: The debate is over except in the minds of fracking proponents who continue to play smoke and mirrors and make hush payments to those who have been harmed by fracking.
PCs give shale gas development quiet go-ahead in Sussex area
154 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos
How many times was my name on a ballot in the Sussex area while CBC ignored me and most folks just laughed at me? Methinks he who laughs last laughs best N'esy Pas?
These are some of my word quoted by the Kings County Record in 2004
"Amos has no intention of actively campaigning.
What he’s fighting for is the discussion of issues – tainted blood, the exploitation of the Maritimes’ gas and oil reserves and NAFTA, to name a few.
"The political issues in the Maritimes involve the three Fs – fishing, farming and forestry, but they forget foreign issues," he said. "I’m death on NAFTA, the back room deals and free trade. I say chuck it (NAFTA) out the window."
David Amos Methinks Mr Higgs and his buddies Chunky Leblanc, Dominic Cardy, Mikey Holland. the Irving Clan, Corridor Resources and many Green Meanies know how many times I ran against Rob Moore, Bruce Northrup and Ed Doherty N'esy Pas?
Fred Brewer The Irving Agenda is never far from the Premier's mind.
Brad Little
Reply to @Fred Brewer: What does this have to do with Irving?
David Amos
Reply to @Fred Brewer: Oh so true
Lou Bell Nice to see we're back in the resource based business and not the protesting business. How much money do those protests produce again ? Oh . sorry, they drive job seekers to other provinces to do the same jobs we could have here if we quit cowtowing to SMALL the vocal minorities!
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Cry me a river
Lou Bell
Getting the job done the Liberal /SANB's couldn't !! Great job !! Next , Sisson Brook ! Another job the Liberals COULDN'T FINISH !!! But they were gonna WASTE 110 million on the phonie games !!!
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Yea Right
Mario Doucet
These jobs are not bilingual civil service, can't be true.
Al Clark
Reply to @Mario Doucet: Yeah, like 95+% of jobs in NB. Shhhh don't tell COR!
Lou Bell
Reply to @Mario Doucet: Actually , they're jobs that require people for WHAT THEY KNOW , and not just 2nd rate bilingual ones .
David Amos
Reply to @Al Clark: Methinks many a true word is said in jest N'esy Pas?
Marian Langhus
And, where is the water coming from for the high volume fracks? It takes 20,000 cubic meters to frack wells like they are proposing.
David Amos
Reply to @Marian Langhus: Methinks folks should ask where are they going to get rid of their waste water after the fracking is done N'esy Pas?
Marian Langhus
What solution did they come up with for the waste water?
Al Clark
Reply to @Marian Langhus: Put it in a pond in Debert and hope a heavy rain bursts it's wall.....
Al Clark
Reply to @Al Clark: Actually NS put the kibosh on importing frack waste so maybe they'll just dump it in a brook.
David Amos
Reply to @Al Clark: Methinks the Green Meanies will be watching them closely to make certain that isn't dome N'esy Pas?
McKenzie King
About time someone decided to make some progressive moves for the province.
David Amos
Reply to @McKenzie King: Dream on the Irving Clan wants the cheap gas tis all.
Marc Martin
A lot of posters here are hilarious !!! thinking this will create 10 000 / 200 000$ jobs rofl. if the research is successful it will provide a few 100 jobs for a few years and royalties. We all saw how CoRservatives negociated royalties regarding the forests....
Rob Franklin
Reply to @Marc Martin: If they create 10 000/ 200 000$ , in a town of a population of around 4,000 people total, it should be interesting to watch the mess unfold.
Rob Franklin
Reply to @Rob Franklin: sorry maybe I misunderstood the 10 000. I assume you meant 10 000 jobs.......
Marc Martin
Reply to @Rob Franklin: 10 000 jobs with a salary of 200 000$ ...I was just pointing what some people think will happen with Shale Gaz.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Marc Martin: You and Maggie are the only 2 who seem to think it'll create that many jobs ! Keep spinning though ! You make your statements less believable every day ! Now you're down to zero !
Lou Bell
Reply to @Marc Martin: Show us ONE EXAMPLE !!!!!
Lou Bell
Reply to @Marc Martin: The only one being laughed at are you and Maggie with all your false figures . Trumpers do the same !!
David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks you don't have the first clue about whats going on in Sussex but you sure yap a lot like you know it all N'esy Pas?
Joe Campbell
This so sad, he is not doing things in a transparent way. Than again should I be shocked! Really what government ever did anything to better the province? If I was a resident of Sussex I would be so upset. I am New Brunswicker that does not live near Sussex and I am PO!
Lou Bell:
Reply to @Joe Campbell: People of Sussex voted in a person who supported this ! Perhaps you should have run and seen how that worked out !
Robert Buck
Reply to @Lou Bell: Yes a candidate that could not answer any questions at the debate because he did not have the information because he "was not in Government". Typical politician avoid the question at all costs
David Amos
Reply to @Joe Campbell: Methinks you should ask your MLA and you MP why I run for public office in the Sussex area N'esy Pas?
These are quotes from the Kings County Record in June of 2004
Raising a Little Hell- Lively Debate Provokes Crowd By Erin Hatfield
"If you don't like what you got, why don't you change it? If your world is all screwed up, rearrange it."
The 1979 Trooper song Raise a Little Hell blared on the speakers at the 8th Hussars Sports Center Friday evening as people filed in to watch the Fundy candidates debate the issues. It was an accurate, if unofficial, theme song for the debate.
The crowd of over 200 spectators was dwarfed by the huge arena, but as they chose their seats, it was clear the battle lines were drawn. Supporters of Conservative candidate Rob Moore naturally took the blue chairs on the right of the rink floor while John Herron's Liberalswent left. There were splashes of orange, supporters of NDP Pat Hanratty, mixed throughout. Perhaps the loudest applause came from a row towards the back, where supporters of independent candidate David Amos sat."
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: Continued
"Amos has no intention of actively campaigning.
"I didn’t appreciate it when they (politicians) pounded on my door interrupting my dinner," he said. "If people are interested, they can call me. I’m not going to drive my opinions down their throats."
And he has no campaign budget, nor does he want one.
"I won’t take any donations," he said. "Just try to give me some. It’s not about money. It goes against what I’m fighting about."
What he’s fighting for is the discussion of issues – tainted blood, the exploitation of the Maritimes’ gas and oil reserves and NAFTA, to name a few.
"The political issues in the Maritimes involve the three Fs – fishing, farming and forestry, but they forget foreign issues," he said. "I’m death on NAFTA, the back room deals and free trade. I say chuck it (NAFTA) out the window.
NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement which allows an easier flow of goods between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Amos disagrees with the idea that a vote for him is a wasted vote.
"There are no wasted votes," he said. "I want people like me, especially young people, to pay attention and exercise their right. Don’t necessarily vote for me, but vote."
Although…if you’re going to vote anyway, Amos would be happy to have your X by his name.
"I want people to go into that voting booth, see my name, laugh and say, ‘what the hell.’"
Buddy Best
Reply to @Joe Campbell: If they can do it in Sussex you could be next!!!
Joe Campbell
Reply to @Buddy Best: I am fully aware that our community could be next.
Buddy Best
Reply to @Lou Bell: That is our problem in a nut shell. "Well you voted for them" And that gives them the blank check to do what ever they so please for their term in power. Is that really the way a democracy is suppose to work. For the people by the people? We shirk our responsibility by allowing this to happen. Bad with any good!!! How about what is good for the majority not just the well off funders.
Joe Campbell
Reply to @David Amos: I love reading your post.
David Amos
Reply to @Joe Campbell: Thanks
Mi'kmaq chiefs 'blindsided' by PC plan to allow shale gas development in Sussex area
'This is not an issue that's going to come down to a Yes or No answer,' says energy minister
Chief George Ginnish of Natoaganeg First Nation says Mi'kmaq chiefs in the province were 'blindsided' by the decision. (Hadeel Ibrahim, CBC)
Anti-shale gas activists and Mi'kmaq chiefs are warning the Higgs government to prepare for another fight over fracking, now that a moratorium on the practice is being lifted in one part of the province.
The Progressive Conservative government is also facing questions about whether it has fulfilled its legal obligation to consult First Nations communities, who oppose the practice.
"As the rest of the world is moving one way, New Brunswick is moving the other," said Jim Emberger of the New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance.
"On that basis if nothing else, there are many reason to suspect that this could be challenged in many ways," he said, pointing out the group took the Alward government to court on the issue and has kept in touch with its lawyers.
Jim Emberger of the New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance says Higgs's plan to allow shale gas development will be challenged. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
"Watch this space. …The possibilities are there for sure."
'Duty to consult'
Meanwhile, nine Mi'kmaq chiefs said in a written statement they had been "blindsided" by the news. They pointed out a commission on fracking recommended in 2016 that the province "rebuild its relationship" with First Nations before lifting the moratorium.
"The premier must remember the Crown has a duty to consult, and to seek our consent to development in our territory," Chief George Ginnish of Natoaganeg First Nation said in the statement. He added that Mi'kmaq should have been consulted when the government "was just considering"lifting the moratorium.
The fierce reaction led PC Energy and Resource Development Minister Mike Holland to call for calm.
Energy Minister Mike Holland has called for calm over reaction to the PC government's plan to allow shale gas development in the Sussex area. (CBC)
He portrayed the regulatory change as just one of "a number of steps" in the process, including Indigenous consultation he is promising to do.
"Let's just let the temperature down here," he told reporters. "This is a long-term project. Nobody's doing anything knee-jerk."
Holland said $70 million in new investment is possible in the area, but that no development is likely before 2021.
Document not public yet
Premier Blaine Higgs revealed Tuesday his government had quietly passed regulatory changes in May that will allow shale gas development to resume in the Sussex area. (CBC)
Higgs revealed the regulatory change in a scrum with reporters Tuesday. He said the order-in-council exempting an area near Sussex from the fracking moratorium had been approved by the cabinet sometime in May.
The order-in-council, normally a public document, wasn't available on the government's website Wednesday.
"There remain a few procedural aspects that need to be completed," said spokesperson Tyler Campbell in a statement. "Once those are completed, we'll be able to release them publicly."
The previous Liberal government established the moratorium province-wide after winning the 2014 election.
Last fall, Higgs's minority government won a vote on its throne speech endorsing a limited lifting of the moratorium in the area near Sussex, where Corridor Resources has been extracting natural gas since 1999.
Corridor halted fracking new wells when the moratorium was put in place.
Area included in Aboriginal title discussions
Holland said Wednesday the area covered by the exemption is limited to around Penobsquis and Picadilly, and it does not extend as far as Turtle Creek and Albert County near Moncton, as the Liberals warned it would.
Even so, it falls within the one-third of the province now the subject of Aboriginal title discussions between the federal government and Elsipogtog First Nation.
Holland said he's hoping for "a very interactive exchange of information" with Mi'kmaq leaders and believes he can accommodate them.
"This is not an issue that's going to come down to a yes or no answer," he said.
Corridor Resources has a number of gas wells in the Sussex area. (Pierre Fournier/CBC)
But Green Leader David Coon said the cabinet decision shows why the Higgs government should be part of the Aboriginal title negotiations.
"If they were at the table, they would clearly realize they couldn't just drop this decision without actual consultation with First Nations, with the Mi'kmaq in this case," he said.
The Liberals criticized Higgs for not being transparent about the cabinet decision last month, but the premier said in question period that with a public vote in the legislature last fall and his promise to implement it by the end of May, "this is no surprise."
"Now I know it is a shock to the opposition that we are actually following up on what we said we would do," he said. "We are actually doing what we said we would do, when we said we would do it."
Liberals considering second reading for bill
After last fall's PC throne speech vote, then-Liberal leader Brian Gallant introduced a bill to codify the moratorium in legislation. Because the moratorium exists only as a regulation, it is easily amended by cabinet order, without a vote in the legislature.
Gallant's bill would have changed that, but the Liberals haven't used their allotment of opposition days in the legislature to bring it back for second reading.
"It's in the cards," Liberal MLA Benoit Bourque said Wednesday. "We're certainly considering it."
Premier Blaine Higgs confirmed that his government will allow shale gas development to resume in the Sussex area. (Radio-Canada)
Premier Blaine Higgs has confirmed that his Progressive Conservative government quietly passed regulatory changes last month that will allow shale gas development to resume in the Sussex area. Higgs told reporters that his cabinet approved an order-in-council carving out an exception to a province-wide moratorium.
"We've done the modifications necessary on the current regulation," he said during a scrum on economic development issues. "My goal is to be able to tell Corridor [Resources] within a month's timeframe that we are open for business."
Corridor Resources started extracting gas in the Sussex area since 1999 but halted new frackingafter the Liberal government of Brian Gallant imposed its moratorium after the 2014 election.
Higgs said he'd been planning to make the announcement publicly in Sussex sometime in the next month.
"We want to make that announcement so officially they can go out and look for investors," he said.
Consultation promised
He also vowed that before any project goes ahead, his government will consult with Indigenous people in the hopes of avoiding the kind of confrontations between protestors and police that took place near Rexton in 2013.
"We want to do this right. We want to do this right through the whole First Nations engagement and through what potential may exist, and make sure everyone understands it's a very regional approach," Higgs said.
"We don't want this to turn into an issue like happened four or five years ago. We want it to be one element of that area that can move forward in a productive way, and not get stopped and started because of people not getting informed properly."
Corridor Resources started extracting gas in the Sussex area since 1999, but halted new fracking after the Liberal government of Brian Gallant imposed its moratorium after the 2014 election. (Pierre Fournier/CBC)
Higgs said, however, that he's not sure yet which First Nations he would need to consult. "Do I have someone that I need to speak to, right today, about it? No, I don't know who that is."
The federal government recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Elsipogtog First Nation to begin talks on Aboriginal title to about one-third of the province, including the area around Sussex.
Secret decision
The Opposition Liberals immediately condemned what they called a secretive decision by Higgs and his cabinet.
"He didn't consult with New Brunswickers," said Dieppe Liberal MLA Roger Melanson. "They made a decision behind closed doors, in cabinet. … The premier of this province thinks he's running a majority government, and he's not."
But Higgs did win majority support in the legislature for the move last December when three People's Alliance MLAs voted with the PCs on his throne speech motion. The motion had been amended to endorse excluding the Sussex area from the moratorium.
Premier Blaine Higgs said his government will consult with Indigenous people in the hopes of avoiding confrontations. (CBC)
The Liberals responded by introducing a bill to write the province-wide moratorium into law, something they didn't do when they were in government. That would make it impossible to approve exemptions by cabinet order.
But so far the Liberals have not used their allotment of opposition days in the legislature to bring the bill forward for second reading.
Green Party Leader David Coon called on them to do that this week in light of Higgs's comments.
David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 48 others The interesting part to me is why are Meng's lawyers ignoring my calls and emails. Methinks they are enjoying the ride on the gravy train while two Canadians are in jeopardy in China N'esy Pas?
RCMP and CBSA say Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's phones never examined as claimed
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Commenting is now closed for this story.
Rex Yuan Honestly, would anyone believe RCMP and CBSA confiscated Meng's phones and did nothing about them ? So what's the purpose of confiscating her phones ? Meng never asked for a lawyer ? If we are arrested by a cop, we would get a standard reminder that we are entitled to a lawyer. Why didn't RCMP and CBSA made such offer, particularly for a foreigner ? This case is not just about Huawei or Meng, it is about our very own law enforcement agencies. A sad day.
Bob Kindle
Reply to @Rex Yuan:
Yes, they knew who she was...
David Amos
Reply to @Bob Kindle: I wholeheartedly agree sir Perhaps you should check Federal Court File No T-1557-15.
The interesting part to me is why are Meng's lawyers ignoring my calls and emails. Methinks they are enjoying the ride on the gravy train while two Canadians are in jeopardy in China N'esy Pas?
Solomon Kane
Reply to @David Amos: In all seriousness I think you need some help. I see no reason at all that you should be communicating with her lawyers as a private Canadian citizen.
Woodie Guy Security guards around her need to go to Tims for doughnuts while she slips out of the country solving Canada's problems with China. Trump can do his own dirty work.
David Amos
Reply to @woodie guy: I concur
Zapata Rigoreto I'm sure Ms Meng has been treated with great care and in a perfectly legal manner. The same cannot be said for the two Canadian diplomats currently in some Chinese prison.
Bob Kindle
Reply to @Zapata Rigoreto: Amen! China's response to this is alarming. Plus, what if she is guilty? That makes China guilty! Which makes there response terrifying! Is this how China reacts to being caught breaking international law?
and people on this board are claiming we should give her back for more "trade" with China! Scary... Money over anything, eh?
Eva Beeley
Reply to @Zapata Rigoreto:
'Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, working for the CIA front, International Crisis Group, and Michael Spavor, a man who has managed to insert himself into the inner circle of the government of the DPRK by arranging trips to the DPRK, often a cover for western espionage, both accused of endangering Chinese national security.'
Christopher Black, international criminal lawyer of high-profile war crimes cases ~ December 14, 2018
Joe Kaufman
Reply to @Zapata Rigoreto: Kidnapping a Chinese citizen for political reasons is a very serious crime. One that has already costed Canadians billions. And for what, six months later and she's still here waiting for actual evidence to be supplied by the US government! This is a farce that has given Canada a black eye in the eyes of the international community.
David Amos
Reply to @Joe Kaufman: "This is a farce that has given Canada a black eye in the eyes of the international community"
I agree but I doubt that all of the farmers or the fellas the Chinese are prosecuting find anything funny about this.
Bob DeJohn
Reply to @Zapata Rigoreto: "perfectly legal" Riiiight. Detaining a foreign national for half a year without a trial is super legal here. Making her pay for her own security is also super normal. I don't understand why people are surprised when there is backlash for us doing the dirty deeds for the US.
Onager Smith "Bob DeJohn" - nice Canadian-sounding name there, China...
Mike Murphy
Reply to @Bob DeJohn: Ms Meng offered to pay her own security so she could be freed on bail, any Canadians free on bail in China?
RCMP and CBSA say Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's phones never examined as claimed
Authorities deny breaching Huawei executive's rights during December arrest at Vancouver airport
Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou is facing possible extradition to the United States. The RCMP and CBSA claim her Charter rights were never violated. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Lawyers for the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency claim agents have never examined electronic devices belonging to Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou.
Both agencies filed a joint response in B.C. Supreme Court Monday to Meng's civil suit claiming that her Charter rights were violated when she was detained and arrested at Vancouver International Airport on Dec. 1, 2018.
The court documents name two border services officers who searched Meng's luggage and seized her phones after she disembarked a flight from Hong Kong.
But they claim that while one officer wrote down the phone numbers and passwords, he didn't examine the contents of the electronic devices. And nor — allegedly — did police.
"The RCMP did not receive any information that the CBSA obtained in the course of the immigration and customs examinations of the plaintiff other than the piece of paper containing the phone numbers and passwords for the phones," the response to the civil claim reads.
"At no time has any RCMP officer examined the contents of the electronic devices or the phones."
Charges of conspiracy, fraud, obstruction
Meng was arrested at YVR at the behest of the United States, where prosecutors want her to stand trial for allegedly violating sanctions against Iran.
The 47-year-old is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei.
She is charged, along with the company, with 13 counts of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction related to an alleged scheme to circumvent sanctions against Iran through a shadow company in Tehran that prosecutors say was actually controlled by Huawei.
Meng Wanzhou has two homes in Vancouver, including this $15 million mansion in Shaughnessy where she is currently living. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
Meng, who was released on $10 million bail in December, is currently guarded around the clock. She pays the security bill and recently moved from her home in Dunbar to a second house in Shaughnessy where she is living while she awaits an extradition hearing.
She filed a civil suit against the CBSA and the RCMP in March, claiming her Charter rights were violated.
She claims the two agencies colluded with American officials to have her detained for three hours and examined her phones without informing her of the reason for her detention, before she was officially arrested.
'She intended to visit her house'
But in their response, the RCMP and the CBSA claim they did everything by the book, flagging Meng for secondary inspection and then searching her luggage while asking her about the purpose of her visit to Canada.
Meng's trip to Vancouver has previously been described as a brief layover on her way to Mexico City, but according to the response, she intended to clear customs.
The RCMP and CBSA claim Meng's electronic devices were seized but not searched on her detention at Vancouver's airport in December, 2018. (Alexander Bibik/Reuters)
"The plaintiff indicated that she was in transit to Mexico but that during her layover, she intended to visit her house in Vancouver to drop off some belongings," the response reads.
"Since the plaintiff was intending to visit her house in Vancouver, the plaintiff proceeded to the customs hall to claim her luggage."
The agencies claim that Meng never asked to speak with a lawyer during the time in CBSA custody before she was arrested. They also claim that the three hour wait was not unusual to clear secondary inspection on a Saturday.
'So that data could not be remotely deleted'
The response to the civil suit also claims neither the RCMP nor the U.S. Department of Justice requested or suggested that the CBSA officers take any course of action or line of questioning during Meng's detention.
But they claim they did ask the CBSA to "protect any mobile phones that the plaintiff might have by placing them in bags, which the RCMP supplied to the CBSA, so that any data could not be remotely deleted."
Meng's legal team are set to make a brief appearance in B.C. Supreme Court this Thursday in preparation for a longer set of procedures in September aimed at arguing for more disclosure around her detention and arrest.
Her lawyers have indicated that they plan to ask a judge to dismiss the entire proceedings as a result of alleged breaches of her rights. They also plan to argue that she is the victim of political interference by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Meng is not expected to attend the hearing this week.
In response to her civil claim, the RCMP and the CBSA say Meng's allegations against them are without merit. They are asking for her civil suit to be dismissed with costs.
Jason Proctor is a reporter in British Columbia for CBC News and has covered the B.C. courts and mental health issues in the justice system extensively.
David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks while all the nurses were protesting in Fat Fred City they should have pulled docket no T-1557-15 in Federal Court and looked for something about them within one of my briefs N'esy Pas?
Nurses union wants to see more security guards in hospitals
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Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos Methinks while all the nurses were in Fat Fred City on their big convention they should have pulled docket no T-1557-15 in Federal Court and looked for something about the DECH and the RCMP filed within one of my briefs N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell There'll be an unemployed one in the legislature in 1 to 3 years .
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks spin doctors who live in glass houses should not throw stones N'esy Pas?
David Amos Methinks the nurses have a little problem about their actions against me in 2008 N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: I asked them that . They hadn't a clue who you were . Neither do I !
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: methinks everybody knows who I am Paula Doucet cannot deny that she acknowledged one of my emails last summer However we all have our doubts about who you are N'esy Pas?
Shawn McShane The nurses seem mean. They are not Florence Nightingale anymore. It comes as a shock. My observation.
David Amos
Reply to @Shawn McShane: I have experienced how just how mean they can be personally.
Michel Jones A nursing degree used to be 24 months of studying and practical and as of the year 2000, students wanting to be nurses were required to get a 4 year bachelor degree, was that really necessary? Many medical courses including LPN and patient Attendants followed suit and now we are reaping the benefits of those bad decisions..
Lou Bell
Reply to @Michel Jones: As long as I recall , Nursing was a 4 year course. My Aunt took nursing in the early 70's and it was 4 years . Bettewr check you r SPIN !!!
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks your Aunt knows my Sister very well N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell I know of one who'll be unemployed in 1 to 3 years . Right after the next election .
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Oh My My Aren't you well protected by the Powers That Be in the CBC ?
David Amos
Content disabled
Methinks Paula Doucet, president of the New Brunswick Nurses Union knows all about 3 RCMP members and two security guards assaulting me in July of 2008 in the DECH I filed the proof of it in Federal Court a long time ago N'ey Pas?
Nurses union wants to see more security guards in hospitals
There have been more than 2,000 code whites in the last year to assist a staff member under attack
The New Brunswick Nurses Union wants to see more security guards in hospitals across the province. (John Panella/Shutterstock)
The New Brunswick Nurses Union is calling for more security guards to protect nursing staff in hospitals across the province.
Paula Doucet, president of the union, said that's one of the main things needed to protect health-care workers from a growing number of aggressive patients and visitors.
"I think it is a whole societal shift that we have to do. And some education to the public that it's not OK to assault a nurse or any health-care worker, for that matter," she said.
She said many hospitals have just two security guards at night or throughout the day, which isn't enough. And unlike public schools, hospitals don't have lockdown protocols.
Staffing shortages also play a factor in workplace violence, which could mean it takes longer for a patient to be seen or get treated, Doucet said.
If nurses aren't safe, patients aren't safe.- Paula Doucet, New Brunswick Nurses Union
"Everybody wants everything done quickly and done yesterday,'" she said.
"And when there are less staff to carry out those duties, of course the frustration levels get quite high. And what happens is they get upset with the person right in front of them. That person could happen to be a nurse."
Doucet said the workplace "isn't great right now."
And over the years, she said the number of assaults against nurses has increased.
Documents released by the New Brunswick Nurses Union reveal there were more than 2,000 "code-whites" at New Brunswick hospitals last year. A code white is when a health-care worker is under attack and all available security is called to that unit.
The numbers of attacks have almost doubled in the past five years.
More education needed
She says government needs to set aside funding to make facilities safer for health-care professionals in New Brunswick.
"You can walk through any facility right now pretty much unquestioned," she said.
Paula Doucet, president of the New Brunswick Nurses Union, says most hospitals have two security guards at night or throughout the day, which isn't enough. (CBC)
Doucet said funding is also needed to provide more education to employees and the public that it's not OK to abuse nurses, whether it be physical, verbal or emotional.
"It seems like nobody's listening," she said.
For security reasons, Horizon Health Network said doors at St. Joseph's Hospital in Saint John will be locked after 5 p.m. Patients will only be able to access the facility using the Urgent Care Centre entrance.
The change will take effect on June 10.
"We believe by limiting the number of access points to our facility we are better able to ensure the quality and safe care provided at Horizon's St. Joseph's Hospital for our patients and their families," the health authority said in a news release issued Wednesday.
Horizon Health will continue to welcome family and friends to visit patients 24 hours a day.
Patients need to be safe
The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions is holding its biennial convention in Fredericton this week.
Nurses in both Fredericton and Moncton have been rallying this week for more to be done to prevent violence against them.
They're also calling for the federal government to pass a private member's bill to make attacking a health-care worker a criminal offence.
CBC News
Nurses gather in solidarity outside Moncton courthouse
00:0000:58
Norma Melanson, mother of the nurse who was allegedly attacked at the Dr.-Georges-L-Dumont University Hospital Centre in March, said the presence of colleagues marching to denounce workplace violence is a "great support." 0:58
Meanwhile, a 69-year-old man was charged Tuesday in Moncton court for allegedly attacking a nurse at the Dr.-Georges-L-Dumont University Hospital Centre in March.
The alleged attack happened in the nurse's office behind closed doors before security arrived on March 11. The attack allegedly went on for about 11 minutes, leaving the nurse with a brain contusion and a broken nose.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 19:40:33 +0000 Subject: Réponse automatique : Methinks David Coon Mark Darcy and their spouses must have discussed my emails to them earlier when we crossed paths last night N'esy Pas? To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
? -English Follows-
Bonjour, Nous vous remercions d'avoir contacté le bureau de l'honorable Mélanie Joly. Par le présent courriel, nous confirmons la bonne réception de votre correspondance. ?Votre demande sera traitée dans les meilleurs délais. Veuillez prendre note que si votre demande est destinée à l'honorable Mélanie Joly dans ses fonctions de ministre fédérale du Tourisme, des langues officielles et de la Francophonie, nous vous demandons de bien vouloir écrire à l'adresse suivante: hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca<
Je vous prie d'agréer, l'expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.
Bureau de l'honorable Mélanie Joly, Députée d'Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Thank you for contacting the office of Honourable Mélanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville. This e-mail acknowledges receipt of your correspondence, which will be processed as soon as possible. Please note, if your request is intended for the Honourable Mélanie Joly in her capacity as Minister of Tourism, Official languages and La Francophonie, kindly forward your e-mail to the following address: hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca<mailto:hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca> I trust that this information will be of assistance to you. The Honourable Mélanie Joly Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville
---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 15:40:25 -0400 Subject: Methinks David Coon Mark Darcy and their spouses must have discussed
David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks David Coon Mark Darcy and their spouses must have discussed my emails to them earlier when we crossed paths going to the movies in Fat Fred City last night Trust that I did so with my friends N'esy Pas?
Province announces reduction of herbicide spraying in New Brunswick
26 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos Surprise Surprise Surprise
Methinks it like half closing the barn door after the horse ran off just in case he didn't die and may come back for another dose of glyphosate N'esy Pas?
Buddy Best "Glyphosate is considered "absolutely necessary" by NB Power as they use it to kill plants underneath transmission lines throughout the province. (Shane Fowler/CBC)" Multi B$ law suits won against Bayer/Monsanto for cancer causing agent Glyphosate. I can hardly wait until it hits Irving, NB Power and the province. As they kill plants they also kill every living thing around them over time. This is not a speeding bullet but a low moving train on the down hill. But as long as it helps profits who are we to care.
David Amos Content disabled
Reply to @Buddy Best: "Multi B$ law suits won against Bayer/Monsanto for cancer causing agent Glyphosate"
Methinks a lot of people know about Bayer and I anyone cane checkout page 26 of this old file. Truat that NB Poer and Mr Prime Minister Trudeau The Younger and his Justice Dept knows that it has been in the docket of Federal Court in Fredericton for years N'esy Pas?
Shawn McShane So is Irving going to reduce spraying? Are they going to make the flood victims whole? Is HIggs even bothered? How about the Liberals? Where is the People Alliance?
Harold Benson
Reply to @Shawn McShane: Better yet, where are the greens.
David Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: Methinks they are lost in the ozone now that they have 3 seats they don't want to lose N'esy Pas?
Harold Benson it's time for a class action lawsuit against the spraying of that carcinogen, this one against the NB gov't.
David Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: Methinks Sam would agree that its better to sue one by one That way we all can't lose with one stroke of the pen N'esy Pas?
Paul Bourgoin “Silence Spreads In New Brunswick Forests” A story in the Globe and Mail, June 13, 1992, warns of Thousands of songbirds killed every year by Forestry spraying in New Brunswick”. As many as 175,000 birds die annually to avoid potential outbreaks of spruce budworm epidemic and also hard wood suppression. Today we know that pesticides also impacts on humans lives yet government tolerates as NB residents are exposed to herbicides and pesticides sprayed from the air for the last 30 years plus. The impact on Humans, the consequences versus forestry profits and habitat destruction, Human Lives should be the primary priority for New Brunswick Residents not Forestry profits. Where is the Political Conscience towards Human Life?
David Amos
Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: “Silence Spreads In New Brunswick Forests” A story in the Globe and Mail, June 13, 1992, warns of Thousands of songbirds killed every year by Forestry spraying in New Brunswick”.
Methinks we can trust that the dudes working in the Globe and Mail don't care about what Mr Higgs and his cohorts are up to New Brunswick when they have the likes of Doug Ford and Justin Trudeau to deal with N'esy Pas?
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Carr, Jeff Hon. (ELG/EGL)"<Jeff.Carr@gnb.ca> Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2019 15:28:20 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Yo Mikey Holland the file I mentioned within the latest article about you and NB Power is on file in the EUB records at least twice thus far 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. If your issue is Constituency related, please contact Roseann at my Constituency office in Fredericton Junction at roseann.smith@gnb.ca or 368-2938. 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. Si votre courriel est lié à une issue de circonscription, veuillez contacter Roseann à mon bureau de circonscription à Fredericton Junction à roseann.smith@gnb.ca ou 368-2938. Merci encore pour votre courriel.
Study reveals Monsanto manipulated glyphosate approval process Written by Dallas McQuarrie on August 13, 2018
in Environment, Health, New Brunswick, Rural - No comments
David Coon, MLA for Fredericton South and New Brunswick Green Party Leader, accepting another batch of petitions against spraying the forest in 2016. Photo by Nick Hawkins.
A new study details how Monsanto, a company that manufactures glyphosate-based products, used deceit and manipulation to have the chemical herbicide declared safe.
The scientific article, published in the August 2018 edition of the Journal of Public Health Policy, documents how Monsanto attempted to manipulate scientific evidence for its own business interests.
The study, by Dr. Sheldon Krimsky and Carey Gilliam, uses documents from 3,500 lawsuits against Monsanto and information obtained through the American Freedom of Information Act. Krimsky and Gilliam show that Monsanto engaged in the “ghost writing” of scientific articles, interfered in the reporting of test data by a scientific journal, prepared presentations for supposedly “independent” scientists, and exercised “undue influence on [the American] regulatory agency” that approved the use of glyphosate.
New Brunswick government and forest industry spokespersons, despite compelling evidence to the contrary, continue to say that glyphosate is no threat to public health.
The best-known glyphosate product is the herbicide, Roundup, which is used in agriculture. VisionMax, Forza and Weedmaster are glyphosate-based products used in forestry.
Roundup is also the central issue in the 3,500 lawsuits against Monsanto. Krimsky and Gilliam note that, in every case, the individuals suing Monsanto say that “she or he, or their loved ones, developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma due to Roundup exposure. Moreover, the plaintiffs allege that Monsanto had long covered up the risks of the glyphosate-based herbicide.”
The glyphosate scandal erupted in March 2015 when the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined that glyphosate was a probable cause of cancer and reported “strong” evidence that glyphosate caused DNA and chromosomal damage in human cells.
The glyphosate-cancer link was brought to the attention of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly by Green Party leader David Coon. Coon’s opposition to dangerous herbicides and defoliants dates back to the mid-1980s when he was opposing the provincial government’s use of the cancer-causing Agent Orange.
Monsanto feared the IARC would link glyphosate to cancer, even before the IARC report was published. Krimsky and Gilliam note a February 2015 internal email by Monsanto scientist William Heydens that “discussed with colleagues various papers the company wanted to see published to counter what the company expected the IARC to find.”
The fact that Monsanto was clearly convinced well ahead of time that the IARC would find glyphosate to be a cause of cancer raises questions about what internal data Monsanto had, and whether it knew that the chemical caused cancer.
In his e-mail, Monsanto’s Heydens suggests that they “ghostwrite” sections of a scientific paper that was being prepared by other researchers, and adds, “we would be keeping the cost down by us doing the writing and they would just edit and sign their names.” That deception worked, and Krimsky and Gilliam note that this Monsanto-ghostwritten paper “has been cited hundreds of times” and was “referenced by the [American] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its finding… that glyphosate was ‘not likely’ carcinogenic.”
As well, in an internal memo by Monsanto scientist David Saltmiras, he admits that he “ghost wrote cancer review paper Greim et al. (2015),” a document also cited by the EPA in its 2016 decision that glyphosate was safe for human use.
In 2016, Monsanto hired the firm Intertek Scientific & Regulatory Consultancy to write articles discrediting the World Health Organization’s research linking glyphosate to cancer. Intertek initially denied contact by Monsanto, but court documents cited by Krimsky and Gilliam show those denials were lies. In fact, as Krimsky and Gilliam note, “the documents demonstrate Monsanto was engaged in organizing, reviewing, and editing the drafts, even arguing with one of the authors and overruling him about language in the manuscript.”
The Krimsky-Gilliam article cites “internal Monsanto documents [that] show that Monsanto officials directed and organized a campaign to pressure” another journal into withdrawing a peer-reviewed paper showing harmful effects to animals exposed to Roundup.
Monsanto also gave Wallace Hayes, the editor-in-chief 0f scientific journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, a secret $400 an hour consulting contract. Hayes never declared the conflict of interest.
The Krimsky-Gilliam article details how “Monsanto officials developed presentations for academic scientists to deliver at seminars and other public forums,” despite the fact that “scientists who present their findings at scientific meetings are generally expected to disclose any conflicts of interest, as well as any collaborators.” Monsanto did this “in multiple instances involving multiple professors.”
Not content with using tame scientists, Monsanto also worked closely with at least three EPA officials in the United States “to derail a review of glyphosate by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) that was underway in 2015.” Monsanto’s fear was that ATSDR review “would find carcinogenecity concerns with glyphosate just as IARC had.”
“Coon has been fighting glyphosate spraying for many years”: Glyphosate opponent
Cocagne resident and long-time anti-glyphosate activist Serge Robichaud, said Coon “was the only party leader seriously opposed to it during the last provincial election in 2014, and he has shown his commitment to banning glyphosate during his time in office.”
In December 2016, Coon proposed legislation to amend the Crown Lands and Forests Act. Coon proposed to replace clear-cutting and glyphosate spraying with ecological sustainability, fairness for private woodlot owners and independent sawmill operators, and acknowledgment of Aboriginal rights. The Liberals and Conservatives did not support the bill.
Robichaud notes that “Coon has been fighting glyphosate spraying for many years,” and adds he doesn’t trust the other parties to support a glyphosate ban. He said, “What is needed now to stop the use of glyphosate is a class action lawsuit against the federal government based on the very flawed Canadian approval process.”
Rod Cumberland is a wildlife biologist concerned about the presence of glyphosate in food. He is not satisfied with the provincial government’s approach to the potential dangers of a chemical the World Health Organization says probably causes cancer.
“The people of New Brunswick … should care enough about their health and welfare that they demand the New Brunswick government–specifically the Office of Chief Medical Officer of Health–begin to test for glyphosate residues in our foods, as well as test for its presence in the wildlife we consume and the farm products and meats sold to [New Brunswickers] as healthy products, rather than” allowing them “to take a ‘wait and see’ approach,” Cumberland said.
“The health and safety of New Brunswick residents should be important enough that we are offered a proactive, rather than a reactive, approach by our elected officials,” Cumberland added. Dallas McQuarrie covers the environment from Mi’kmaq territory in Kent County.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Harrison, Wanda"<WHarrison@nbpower.com> Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2019 15:28:19 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: EXT - Yo Mikey Holland the file I mentioned within the latest article about you and NB Power is on file in the EUB records at least twice thus far To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
I will be out of the office until Monday, June 10. I will be periodically checking emails.
Please contact Joanne Regan at jregan@nbpower.com or 458-3711 for any issues.
Thank you
________________________________ This e-mail communication (including any or all attachments) is intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, any use, review, retransmission, distribution, dissemination, copying, printing, or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this e-mail, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender and delete the original and any copy of this e-mail and any printout thereof, immediately. Your co-operation is appreciated. Le pr?sent courriel (y compris toute pi?ce jointe) s'adresse uniquement ? son destinataire, qu'il soit une personne ou un organisme, et pourrait comporter des renseignements privil?gi?s ou confidentiels. Si vous n'?tes pas le destinataire du courriel, il est interdit d'utiliser, de revoir, de retransmettre, de distribuer, de diss?miner, de copier ou d'imprimer ce courriel, d'agir en vous y fiant ou de vous en servir de toute autre fa?on. Si vous avez re?u le pr?sent courriel par erreur, pri?re de communiquer avec l'exp?diteur et d'?liminer l'original du courriel, ainsi que toute copie ?lectronique ou imprim?e de celui-ci, imm?diatement. Nous sommes reconnaissants de votre collaboration.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2019 15:28:17 +0000 Subject: Réponse automatique : Yo Mikey Holland the file I mentioned within the latest article about you and NB Power is on file in the EUB records at least twice thus far To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
? -English Follows-
Bonjour, Nous vous remercions d'avoir contacté le bureau de l'honorable Mélanie Joly. Par le présent courriel, nous confirmons la bonne réception de votre correspondance. ?Votre demande sera traitée dans les meilleurs délais. Veuillez prendre note que si votre demande est destinée à l'honorable Mélanie Joly dans ses fonctions de ministre fédérale du Tourisme, des langues officielles et de la Francophonie, nous vous demandons de bien vouloir écrire à l'adresse suivante: hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca<mailto:hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca>
Je vous prie d'agréer, l'expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.
Bureau de l'honorable Mélanie Joly, Députée d'Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Thank you for contacting the office of Honourable Mélanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville. This e-mail acknowledges receipt of your correspondence, which will be processed as soon as possible. Please note, if your request is intended for the Honourable Mélanie Joly in her capacity as Minister of Tourism, Official languages and La Francophonie, kindly forward your e-mail to the following address: hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca<mailto:hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca> I trust that this information will be of assistance to you. The Honourable Mélanie Joly Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville
---------- Original message ---------- From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario <Premier@ontario.ca> Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2019 15:40:02 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Yo Mikey Holland the file I mentioned within the latest article about you and NB Power is on file in the EUB records at least twice thus far 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.
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Province announces reduction of herbicide spraying in New Brunswick
A reduction of 30 per cent along NB Power transmission lines and a promise of future regulations Shane Fowler · CBC News · Posted: Jun 07, 2019 6:18 PM AT
22 Comments
Paul Bourgoin “Silence Spreads In New Brunswick Forests” A story in the Globe and Mail, June 13, 1992, warns of Thousands of songbirds killed every year by Forestry spraying in New Brunswick”. As many as 175,000 birds die annually to avoid potential outbreaks of spruce budworm epidemic and also hard wood suppression. Today we know that pesticides also impacts on humans lives yet government tolerates as NB residents are exposed to herbicides and pesticides sprayed from the air for the last 30 years plus. The impact on Humans, the consequences versus forestry profits and habitat destruction, Human Lives should be the primary priority for New Brunswick Residents not Forestry profits. Where is the Political Conscience towards Human Life?
David Amos Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: “Silence Spreads In New Brunswick Forests” A story in the Globe and Mail, June 13, 1992, warns of Thousands of songbirds killed every year by Forestry spraying in New Brunswick”.
Methinks we can trust that the dudes working in the Globe and Mail don't care about what Mr Higgs and his cohorts are up to New Brunswick when they have the likes of Doug Ford and Justin Trudeau to deal with N'esy Pas?
David Amos Surprise Surprise Surprise Methinks it like half closing the barn door after the horse ran off just in case he didn't die and may come back for another dose of glyphosate N'esy Pas?
Buddy Best "Glyphosate is considered "absolutely necessary" by NB Power as they use it to kill plants underneath transmission lines throughout the province. (Shane Fowler/CBC)" Multi B$ law suits won against Bayer/Monsanto for cancer causing agent Glyphosate. I can hardly wait until it hits Irving, NB Power and the province. As they kill plants they also kill every living thing around them over time. This is not a speeding bullet but a low moving train on the down hill. But as long as it helps profits who are we to care
David Amos Content disabled Reply to @Buddy Best: "Multi B$ law suits won against Bayer/Monsanto for cancer causing agent Glyphosate"
Methinks a lot of people know about Bayer and I anyone cane checkout page 26 of this old file. Truat that NB Poer and Mr Prime Minister Trudeau The Younger and his Justice Dept knows that it has been in the docket of Federal Court in Fredericton for years N'esy Pas?
J.D. Irving Ltd. uses glyphosate-based herbicides extensively in New Brunswick. (CBC)
The province announced Friday it will be reducing the use of herbicidal spray this year.
Two government departments announced the controversial spraying of glyphosate would be reduced in their respective areas. Critics are saying it's a step in the right direction, but they are still calling for an outright ban on spraying.
Licences to spray glyphosate are approved by the provincial government each year for widespread use by the forestry industry as well as NB Power to stem plant growth or encourage selective growth for certain tree species.
"We are announcing a reduction of 30 per cent in the spraying of NB Power's power lines this year," said Mike Holland, the minister of energy and resource development, during question period in the provincial legislature.
Environment Minister Jeff Carr says the province will be reducing its reliance on glyphosate in protected wetland and watershed areas, with a promise of more regulations in the future. (CBC)
Jeff Carr, the minister of environment and local government, also announced the reduction of the herbicide elsewhere, but he did not state by how much.
"Through consultation with my honourable member here and with industry and by talking with NB Power and with woodlot owners, we are also going to reduce spraying in protected watershed areas on Crown lands this year," said Carr.
"We will start to create more regulations for a future time."
Energy Minister Mike Holland says the decision to reduce glyphosate use came from a combination of environmental concerns and a reduced need for the herbicide this year. (CBC)
When asked if the decision was in response to environmental concerns or if there was just less need for the herbicide, Holland said, "It's both."
"Every year it will be reviewed annually," he said.
Holland said his interest into the use of the herbicide comes from a love of the outdoors. He described himself as an avid outdoorsman and hunter.
"My focus was very much particular on how it affects animals," said Holland. "When you look at something that is very effective at killing vegetation, that vegetation is food for the animals that live in the woods.
"When I review herbicide spraying or herbicide application of any kind, I'm looking at merging it into a system that allows … industry to continue at a profitable rate," he continued, "while at the same time allowing me to put more food back in the fridge for wildlife by being pretty deliberate about finding areas where we can increase that naturally regrowing habitat."
A first step
A reduction in spraying may be a step in the right direction for those who oppose it — but only the first step.
"We asked the minister not to sign the permits so there would be no spraying of glyphosate," said David Coon, leader of the Green Party. "Of course, less is better, but what we want to see is no spraying."
"The minister announced today that they were going to end the spraying, prohibit spraying, in legally protected drinking water watersheds, like the Turtle Creek reservoir," Coon continued.
"They never should have been spraying there in the first place."
Caroline Lubbe-D'Arcy said the announcement is "better than what we were probably expecting." Lubbe-D'Arcy chairs the Stop Spraying New Brunswick group that campaigns and protests against the continued use of the herbicide in the province.
"It's a small step in the direction that we're hoping to go towards," she said. "We're still of course asking for a ban on the spraying by NB Power and on public land."
Caroline Lubbe-D'Arcy, the lead organizer of the group Stop Spraying New Brunswick says Friday's announcement is a step in the right direction, but it's still not the outright ban her group has been advocating for. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
Lubbe-D'Arcy said she and another member of the group had recently met with Holland to discuss glyphosate use, but she was in the dark about the specifics of Friday's announcement.
She said in regards to plans for future reductions, as referenced by Carr, she doubts government has a plan.
Glyphosate is considered "absolutely necessary" by NB Power as they use it to kill plants underneath transmission lines throughout the province. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
"I don't know if they know yet," said Lubbe-D'Arcy.
She said the Department of Energy and Resource Development told her group it was planning to reduce spraying on what she believes is all Crown land normally sprayed each year from 25 per cent to 20 per cent.
"But we're not sure if that's good news," said Lubbe-D'Arcy. "Because in five years that would mean you've still sprayed it. You've just spread it out over a bunch of years."
Both Lubbe-D'Arcy and Coon referred to Friday's announcement as prohibiting spraying in protected wetlands and watersheds, while Carr detailed it as a "reduction."
CBC News has reached out to the Department of Environment and Local government for clarification but has not yet received a response.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Fine, Sean"<SFine@globeandmail.com> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 21:15:58 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: YO Mikey Holland at least your boss Mr Higgs, your many minions in NB Power and many others cannot deny that I kept you all duly informed while you all just laughed me N'esy Pas Chuckky Leblanc? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
?I am in a place far removed from reality, from June 1 to June 8. On my return, I promise to be kinder.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 21:15:56 +0000 Subject: Réponse automatique : YO Mikey Holland at least your boss Mr Higgs, your many minions in NB Power and many others cannot deny that I kept you all duly informed while you all just laughed me N'esy Pas Chuckky Leblanc? To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
? -English Follows-
Bonjour, Nous vous remercions d'avoir contacté le bureau de l'honorable Mélanie Joly. Par le présent courriel, nous confirmons la bonne réception de votre correspondance. ?Votre demande sera traitée dans les meilleurs délais. Veuillez prendre note que si votre demande est destinée à l'honorable Mélanie Joly dans ses fonctions de ministre fédérale du Tourisme, des langues officielles et de la Francophonie, nous vous demandons de bien vouloir écrire à l'adresse suivante: hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca<
Je vous prie d'agréer, l'expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.
Bureau de l'honorable Mélanie Joly, Députée d'Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Thank you for contacting the office of Honourable Mélanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville. This e-mail acknowledges receipt of your correspondence, which will be processed as soon as possible. Please note, if your request is intended for the Honourable Mélanie Joly in her capacity as Minister of Tourism, Official languages and La Francophonie, kindly forward your e-mail to the following address: hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca<mailto:hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca> I trust that this information will be of assistance to you. The Honourable Mélanie Joly Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)"<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 20:47:05 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter No. 357 - NB Power 2017 Rate Design / Instance Nº 357 - Énergie NB - Établissement des tarifs pour 2017 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
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Au nom du premier ministre Blaine Higgs, j’accuse réception de votre courriel.
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---------- Original message ---------- From: "Harrison, Wanda"<WHarrison@nbpower.com> Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2019 15:28:19 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: EXT - Yo Mikey Holland the file I mentioned within the latest article about you and NB Power is on file in the EUB records at least twice thus far To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
I will be out of the office until Monday, June 10. I will be periodically checking emails.
Please contact Joanne Regan at jregan@nbpower.com or 458-3711 for any issues.
Thank you
________________________________ This e-mail communication (including any or all attachments) is intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, any use, review, retransmission, distribution, dissemination, copying, printing, or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this e-mail, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender and delete the original and any copy of this e-mail and any printout thereof, immediately. Your co-operation is appreciated. Le pr?sent courriel (y compris toute pi?ce jointe) s'adresse uniquement ? son destinataire, qu'il soit une personne ou un organisme, et pourrait comporter des renseignements privil?gi?s ou confidentiels. Si vous n'?tes pas le destinataire du courriel, il est interdit d'utiliser, de revoir, de retransmettre, de distribuer, de diss?miner, de copier ou d'imprimer ce courriel, d'agir en vous y fiant ou de vous en servir de toute autre fa?on. Si vous avez re?u le pr?sent courriel par erreur, pri?re de communiquer avec l'exp?diteur et d'?liminer l'original du courriel, ainsi que toute copie ?lectronique ou imprim?e de celui-ci, imm?diatement. Nous sommes reconnaissants de votre collaboration.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Carr, Jeff Hon. (ELG/EGL)"<Jeff.Carr@gnb.ca> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 20:47:09 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter No. 357 - NB Power 2017 Rate Design / Instance Nº 357 - Énergie NB - Établissement des tarifs pour 2017 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@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. If your issue is Constituency related, please contact Roseann at my Constituency office in Fredericton Junction at roseann.smith@gnb.ca or 368-2938. 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. Si votre courriel est lié à une issue de circonscription, veuillez contacter Roseann à mon bureau de circonscription à Fredericton Junction à roseann.smith@gnb.ca ou 368-2938. Merci encore pour votre courriel.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Wetmore, Ross Hon. (DAAF/MAAP)"<Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 20:47:05 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter No. 357 - NB Power 2017 Rate Design / Instance Nº 357 - Énergie NB - Établissement des tarifs pour 2017 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@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.
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Thanks again for your email! Ross Wetmore Minister MLA, Gagetown-Petitcodiac ....................................................................................................................
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.
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---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Karen.Ludwig@parl.gc.ca Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 20:47:19 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter No. 357 - NB Power 2017 Rate Design / Instance Nº 357 - Énergie NB - Établissement des tarifs pour 2017 To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
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---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario <Premier@ontario.ca> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 20:47:56 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter No. 357 - NB Power 2017 Rate Design / Instance Nº 357 - Énergie NB - Établissement des tarifs pour 2017 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
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Public Health Implications of exposure to RadioFrequency Radiation
Anthony B Miller, MD.Professor Emeritus, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada.
We have to be extremely cautious about increasing the population’s exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR). The telecom industry ignores the fact that the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization categorized in 2011 all RFR, including that emitted by cell phones and wifi from cell towers smart meters and routers as in some schools and many homes, as a possible (Class 2B) carcinogen, a grouping that also includes lead and DDT (IARC 2011).Since then new science has emerged, both human and animal, confirming that RFR causes cancer.
The human evidence comprises three important sets of case-control (human) studies of mobile phone use and brain cancer:
•The multi-country Interphone studywhich found a 2-fold increased risk of glioma after 10+ years of regular use of cell phones, with a dose response relationship (Interphone Study Group, 2010)
•Several studies by Hardell and his colleagues in Sweden (one of the first countries to introduce cell phones) showing 2-5 fold increased risk of glioma after prolonged use, especially when exposure began early in life (Hardell and Carlberg, 2015)
•A large study in France (Cerenat), which found a 5-fold increased risk of glioma after 5+ years use (Coureau et al, 2014)
These studies all show that the lower the exposure, the less the risk.Although an increased risk of glioma was not reported from a cohort study in the UK (with some misclassification of exposure) there was a doubling of risk of acoustic neuroma (vestibular Schwannoma) with ten or more years of mobile phone use (Benson et al, 2013), as was also found in a case-control study by Hardell et al, 2013, though not by Moon et al, 2014 from Korea.However, a case-control study of brain tumors in adolescents using operator recordsfor exposure in Nordic countries found more than a doubling of risk after 2.8 years since initial subscription for mobile phone use (Aydin et al. 2011).
RFR is probably also an avoidable cause of Breast Cancer, based upon 7 unusual clinical case reports of women who kept cell phones in their bras, supported by exposure modelingand toxicology (West et al, 2013).
The incidence of parotid or salivary gland tumors has tripled in Israel:1 in 5 under age 20 (Czerninski et al, 2011), and a rise in the incidence of glioblastoma in the temporal and frontal regions of the brain has been reported from the UK (Philips et al 2018), while the incidence of neuro-epithelial brain cancers has significantly increased in children, adolescents, and young adults from birth to 24 years in the United States(Gittleman et al, 2015; Ostrom et al 2016).
Tumor promotion by exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields below exposure limits for humans in RF-EMF exposed mice were first reported in 2010.Lerchl et al (2015) replicated this finding with higher numbers of mice per group. They could fully confirm the previous results. No clear dose–response relationship was evident. Lerchl et al (2015) hypothesized that metabolic changes are responsible for the effects observed. Critical evidence of carcinogenicity of RFR in animals was reported by the National Toxicology Program (US). In male Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD rats, exposed to GSM-modulated cell phone RFR at 900 MHz there was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity based on incidence of malignant schwannoma in the heart and some evidence of carcinogenic activity based on incidence of malignant glioma in the brain. In male Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD rats, exposed to CDMA-modulated cell phone RFR at 900 MHz there was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity based on incidence of malignant schwannoma in the heart and some evidence of carcinogenic activity based on incidence of malignant glioma in the brain. Multiple organs (e.g., brain, heart) also had evidence of DNA damage.These findings were supported by a Life-span Carcinogenic Study from the Ramazzini Institute, in which 2448 male and female Sprague-Dawley rats had whole-body exposure for 19 h/day to a 1.8 GHz GSM far field of 0, 5, 25, 50 V/m from prenatal life until natural death.This reproduced the environmental exposure to RFR generated by 1.8 GHz GSM antenna of radio base stations of mobile phones. The findings were a statistically significant increase in the incidence of heart Schwannomas in treated male rats at 50 V/m, a non-significant increase in the incidence of heart Schwann cell hyperplasiain treated male and female rats at 50 V/m and anon-significant increase in the incidence of malignant glial tumors in treated female rats at 50 V/m.(Falcioni et al, 2018).
My colleague Paul Heroux, of McGill University,has suggested that 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) is a Trojan horse, with millions of mini-cell towers soon to be installed every 150 m. in our neighbourhoods which will invade the privacy of every home. Optical fibre is safer, healthier and faster. With optical fibre, everyone could enjoy a communication speed ultimately 10,000 times faster than wireless, less vulnerable to hacking and harmless to the health of humans and other species.
An IARC advisory committee recently recommended that RFR should be re-reviewed with high priority.An extensive literary search will be conducted for relevant peer-reviewed publications, members (and chair) of a Working Group will be selected by the IARC Director and the head of the Monographs program, and the members of the working group will be given specific tasks, and then will meet for 8 days in Lyon, to reach a conclusion on the carcinogenicity of RFR.
I and many other scientists now believe that RFR should be categorized as a Class 1 Human Carcinogen, in the same category as cigarette smoking, asbestos exposure, and X-Rays. Government standards must be changed to reflect this. RFR is now ubiquitous, and those who use cell phones or are otherwise exposed to RFR are increasing the risk of cancer in their bodies, especially after prolonged exposure or exposure beginning in childhood.
Even if the risk per individual is low, it is widely distributed and could become a major public health problem, especially if the planned introduction of 5G proceeds. If 5G is rolled out we can expect to see an increase in all of these conditions.A moratorium on the roll-out of 5G is essential.
References
Aydin, D., et al. Mobile phone use and brain tumors in children and adolescents: a multicenter case-control study.J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 2011; 103: 1264-76.
Benson, V.S., et al. for the Million Women Study Collaborators. Mobile phone use and risk of brain neoplasms and other cancers: prospective study.Int. J. Epidemiol 2013; 42:792-802.
Coureau, G., et al. Mobile phone use and brain tumours in the CERENAT case-control study.Occup. Environ. Med 2014; 71: 514-22.
Czerninski R, Zini A, Sgan-Cohen HD. Risk of parotid malignant tumors in Israel (1970-2006).Epidemiology 2011: 22:130-1. doi: 10.1097/EDE.0b013e3181feb9f0.
Falcioni, L., Bua, L., Tibaldi, E., et al. Report of final results regarding brain and heart tumors in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed from prenatal life until natural death to mobile phone radiofrequency field representative of a 1.8 GHz GSM base station environmental emission. Environmental Research 2018;17(1):50.
Gittleman, H.R., et al. Trends in central nervous system tumor incidence relative to other common cancers in adults, adolescents, and children in the United States, 2000 to 2010.Cancer, vol. 121, no. 1, 2015, pp. 102-12.
Hardell, L. and Carlberg M. Mobile phone and cordless phone use and the risk for glioma - Analysis of pooled case-control studies in Sweden, 1997-2003 and 2007-2009.Pathophysiology 2015; 22:1-13.
Hardell, L., M. Carlberg, F. Söderqvist and Kjell H. Mild. Pooled analysis of case-control studies on acoustic neuroma diagnosed 1997-2003 and 2007-2009 and use of mobile and cordless phones.Int. J. Oncol. 2013; 43: 1036-44.
IARC Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Non-ionizing radiation, Part 2: Radiofrequency Electromagnetic fields. Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer, vol. 102, 2013.
INTERPHONE Study Group. Brain tumour risk in relation to mobile telephone use: results of the INTERPHONE international case-control study. Int. J. Epidemiol. 2010; 39: 675-94.
Lerchl A, Klose M, Grote K et al. Tumor promotion by exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields below exposure limits for humans.Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 459(4):585-90.
Moon, I.S., et al. Association between vestibular schwannomas and mobile phone use.Tumor Biol. 2014; 35: 581-7.
National Toxicology Program (2018a). NTP Technical Report on the Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies in Hsd:Sprague-Dawley SD Rats Exposed to Whole-Body Radio Frequency Radiation at a Frequency (900 MHz) and Modulations (GSM and CDMA) Used by Cell Phones. NTP TR 595. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/about_ntp/trpanel/2018/march/tr595peerdraft.pdf.
National Toxicology Program (2018b). NTP Technical Report on the Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies in B6C3F1/N Mice Exposed to Whole-Body Radio Frequency Radiation at a Frequency (1800 MHz) and Modulations (GSM and CDMA) Used by Cell Phones. NTP TR 596. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/about_ntp/trpanel/2018/march/tr596peerdraft.pdf.
Philips A, Henshaw DL, Lamburn G, O’Carroll MJ. Brain Tumours: Rise in Glioblastoma Multiforme Incidence in England 1995-2015 Suggests an Adverse Environmental or Lifestyle Factor.J Environ Public Health 2018; 7910754. doi: 10.1155/2018/7910754.
Ostrom, Q.T., Gittleman, H., de Blank, P.M. et al. Adolescent and Young Adult Primary Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2008-2012. Neuro-Oncology 2016; 18, suppl. 1: 1–50.
West, J.G., et al. Multifocal Breast Cancer in Young Women with Prolonged Contact between Their Breasts and Their Cellular Phones. Case Rep Med. 2013, no. 354682.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Karen.McCrimmon@parl.gc.ca Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2019 14:18:27 +0000 Subject: RE: YO Chucky O'Donnell We just talked Chucky trust that Chief Fitch and her minions know that anyone can Google your name and mine to review the email below that was uploaded in a UK website long ago Remember me now ? To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
Un message français suit.
This reply has been automatically generated to acknowledge successful receipt of your email.
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David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks Vice-Chairperson Leanne Fitch who retires today as Chief of the Fat Fred City Finest Force should have a talk with her replacement Roger Brown a former boss of the RCMP in "The Place to Be" N'esy Pas?
FRANCIS DOYLE It is long overdue that this Civilian Advisory Board is in place to hopefully once and for all put a stop to all the horrible acts that have taken place within this once highly regarded RCMP. Let's also hope that charges will be pending once this board has a chance to investigate such acts.
David Amos
Reply to @FRANCIS DOYLE: Welcome to the Circus
Richard Sharp The Libs have repeatedly provided for greater independent oversight and other reforms of federal police and security agencies, covering everything from national security to repealing bad laws and court actions to labour relations. The opposition parties are having a hard time fining fault.
David Amos
Reply to @Richard Sharp: Methinks nobody should be surprised to see you and I offering out two bits worth N'esy Pas?
Ben Smith
Carefully selected as Liberals supporters
David Amos
Reply to @Ben Smith: Methinks they were vetted bigtime N'esy Pas?
Johnny Wilkes
Reply to @Ben Smith: Typical assumptions and no research
Richard Sharp
Reply to @Ben Smith:
Baseless claim, intended to undermine an obviously laudable measure to bring in much-needed civilian oversight.
Phil Mein
Reply to @Richard Sharp: Baseless in your eyes always Ricky, you're not and never have been seen as somebody with a nonpartisan view of anything. Amazing how this wasn't in place shortly after taking office , but NOW, in the wake of being proven as the most ethically, morally deprived government in Canadian history they seem to like the diversion and the optics of this.
Darren MacDonald
Reply to @Ben Smith: Similar to "PMO vets potential judges with private Liberal database"?
Richard Sharp
Reply to @Phil Mein:
My name isn't "Ricky" and, btw, the Trudeau government is BY FAR the most moral and ethical government we've ever had. By far.
David Amos
Reply to @Richard Sharp: YO Richy Methinks tis time for you to back away from the pipe for a bit N'esy Pas?
Gordon Kent
Reply to @Richard Sharp: Yeah yeah, if only those evil opposition parties, internal dissidents and corporate media would stop being so mean and just accept the Liberals’ divine right to rule, everything would be just perfect. Well, perfect once Justin replaces Freeland with somebody anti-American and pro-Russian, right?
Hugh MacDonald
"carefully selected, based on their experience, knowledge, expertise and background"... "Background": Liberal supporters no doubt.
David Amos
Reply to @Hugh MacDonald: I agree
Richard Sharp
Reply to @Hugh MacDonald:
No government in history has done more to clean up federal appointment processes, from the Senate and Supreme Court to other federal appointments of all kinds.
Hugh MacDonald
Reply to @Richard Sharp: See my more current comment on the appointment of Maureen Kempston Darkes.
Darren MacDonald
Reply to @Hugh MacDonald: Agreed 100%
David Amos
Reply to @Richard Sharp: Yea Right
Mac Lester
all chosen have made generous donations to the liberal party
David Amos
Reply to @Mac Lester: Of that I have no doubt
Russel Teagan
Who are they working for????How many are really Qualified????Who is Paying their Salaries???? This reminds me of My DVA Claim....My supposed DVA Lawyer and three Judges arriving from the same Plane and in the same Hotel from Vancouver to Saskatoon. 5 Minutes with my supposed Lawyer then in an empty Room, in an Empty floor, in a Saskatoon skyrise sitting across the Judges....One asks me, how can you hurt your Knee when you sit in an Office...I say back to the Civilian Judge....Mam, I'm a Combat Engineer, our role is harder and more Dangerous and physically demanding than your Infanteer. They had no clue..
Casey Jones
Reply to @russel Teagan: Concur.
David Amos
Reply to @Casey Jones: Me Too
Casey Jones Good start but a couple issues jump to my mind. Only one psych educated type and not a practising clinical expert but an academic type. Wally and his less than stellar behaviour in regards to the dtes crisis. But have at and best of luck.
David Amos Content disabled
Reply to @Casey Jones: Methinks byway of the other comments many would agree that luck has nothing to do with this when the liberals have loaded the dice N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Casey Jones: Methinks somebody did not like my reply to you N'esy Pas?
Casey Jones
Reply to @David Amos: Lol, stuff happens.
David Amos
Reply to @Casey Jones: Cui bono?
Keith Lansdown Long long over due, the only down part and I may have missed it was there a term imposed for the board members?
David Amos
Reply to @Keith Lansdown: Methinks they will keep their jobs until at least October N'esy Pas?
Keith Lansdown
Reply to @David Amos: exactly, it would be truly hard to be impartial when appointed by and report to are the same person
Rhea Montgomery I like it! The list looks good! Definitely a group of educated individuals and some strong women. Considering one of the main issues within the RCMP is sexism, this should surely help. Long overdue.
David Amos
Reply to @Rhea Montgomery: Yea Right
Mike Carrol
I am hoping this group will hold RCMP accountable. Report to Brenda Lucki included.
David Amos
Reply to @Mike Carroll: Dream on
Vee Robillard Millions more in salaries no doubt? Why not make the Commissioner a Civilian (not from the officer ranks), and accountable to Parliament, just like every other Crown Corportation?
David Amos
Reply to @Vee Robillard: Methinks that would be to easy N'esy Pas?
Long-anticipated RCMP civilian advisory board named
Members include Fredericton chief of police, CFL commissioner
Two reports — one from former auditor general Sheila Fraser and the other from the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission — called for greater civilian oversight in the management of the Mounties and independent external adjudication of harassment and sexual abuse situations. (Nic Amaya/CBC)
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police finally have their long-awaited civilian watchdog body — at least for the time being.
Following years of mounting calls for civilian oversight, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced plans earlier this year to set up an external board of advisers to strengthen oversight of RCMP management and improve how the force handles harassment and bullying.
Today, his office announced the names of the 13 members who will sit on the interim board:
Chairperson Richard Dicerni, a former federal and provincial deputy minister who served in a number of social and economic portfolios. He is currently a board member at Alberta Health Services and an executive in residence at the Richard Ivey School of Business. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2017.
Vice-Chairperson Leanne Fitch, the soon-to-be retired chief of police for the Fredericton Police Force. Fitch, named officer of the year by the Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement and the International Association of Women, will join the board after June 10.
Randy Ambrosie, a former professional football player and the current commissioner of the Canadian Football League.
Elaine Bernard, a senior research associate and former executive director of the Labour and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School. She is also a facilitator for the Canadian Police Association Executive Leadership Program with the Telfer School of Management.
Angela Campbell, the associate provost (policies, procedures and equity) for McGill University.
John Domm, former chief of police for the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service and former chief of police for the Rama Police Service. Domm has also been an active member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, and the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association.
Dr. Ghayda Hassan, a clinical psychologist and professor of clinical psychology at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Hassan is also the co-chair of the National Expert Committee on Countering Radicalization to Violence.
Maureen Kempston Darkes, a lawyer and business executive. Kempston Darkes was formly the president and general manager of General Motors of Canada.
Douglas Moen, is the executive director of the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. He is also a former deputy minister of justice and deputy attorney general in Saskatchewan.
Wally Oppal, a former politician and attorney general for British Colombia. He was the commissioner of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry in B.C. and is the chair of the Canadian Firearms Advisory Committee.
Kevin Patterson, a senior executive vice-president at CIBC.
Keith Peterson, a former member of the Legislative Assembly for Nunavut who served as finance and justice minister.
Emőke Szathmáry, a former president of the University of Manitoba.
Plans to make the board permanent were included in Liberals' budget implementation act, which is winding its way through Parliament.
"This is the biggest, single innovation in the management of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 145 years," said Goodale Wednesday.
Power and Politics
RCMP civilian oversight committee 'a major change' in how the force is managed | Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale discusses ISIS fighters and the new RCMP civilian oversight body. 8:02
The interim panel was supposed to be in place by April 1, but was delayed.
The board's mandate includes looking at RCMP resources, human resources and labour relations. The public safety minister will have the power to issue directives based on the board's input.
'Power of persuasion'
"If I feel, as minister, that their advice is not being sought or not being headed then I have the authority to issue directives, but I quite frankly I don't feel like that will be necessary," said Goodale. "They have the power of persuasion."
The board won't be involved in any matters relating to law enforcement investigations or operations.
"I'm confident that they will help us achieve our goal: a more modern, effective, healthy and inclusive national police organization, trusted by Canadians for our policing excellence," said Lucki in her own statement.
"I know the board will continue to help guide us on our journey."
The idea for the outside advisory panel came out of two critical reports which called for more outside input to shake up the RCMP's outdated and protective culture.
The reports — one from former auditor general Sheila Fraser and the other from the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission — called for greater civilian oversight in the management of the Mounties and independent external adjudication of harassment and sexual abuse situations.
The government accepted all the recommendations in both reports and says the interim board will start to look at how to implement them.
Their first meeting will be scheduled in the coming months.
Fredericton police Chief Leanne Fitch is set to retire on Monday. (Maria Jose Burgos/CBC)
With the help of her parents, Fredericton police Chief Leanne Fitch grew up with the mindset she could do anything.
"It's important to be a role model for the young women coming up behind me," said Fitch. "You can do anything."
On Monday, Fredericton's first female and openly gay female police chief will retire after 34 years working in the police force.
Since 2012, she's spent two terms in the force's top job.
"I'm thankful that the City of Fredericton chose to put their faith and confidence in me to lead the police force," she said during an interview with Information Morning Fredericton.
Information Morning - Fredericton
Fredericton's top cop retiring
00:0017:05
Fredericton police chief Leanne Fitch is retiring from the force on Monday. She looks back at the last 7 years full of challenges and firsts. She says she's been "exceptionally proud to lead the Fredericton police force." 17:05
"It's been a true honour and a privilege. I think it means a lot to women."
Some of her favourite moments are when she's at an ATM or the grocery store and seniors come up and talk about her profession.
"They've just kind of been like, 'You go girl,'" she said.
A small memorial to the Fredericton Police Force and the two slain officers was set up at the police station in the city's downtown following the Aug. 10, 2018, shootings. (Julia Wright/CBC)
Fitch was a well-known figure even before her time as chief. But in Fredericton, she was thrown into the national spotlight after the Aug. 10 shootings left four people dead, a day that remains vivid in her memory.
Constables Robb Costello, 45, and Sara Burns, 43, were killed when they answered a call about shots being fired on the north side of Fredericton on Aug. 10. (Submitted)
"It was a difficult day," she said. "I wish the day hadn't happened at all."
She applauded her staff for their handling of the shooting and the days that followed. She was also comforted by her senior staff, who leaned on one another for support.
Fitch said she was also grateful for the support from family, friends and the city.
"We really felt the embrace of the city and the citizens of this community and of the province and of the country," she said.
Hundreds of residents from across the city are gathered to show support to the Fredericton Police Force during a regimental funeral last August. (María José Burgos/CBC)
Although officers are returning to work after the shooting and new recruits are coming in, she doesn't expect the force to ever be the same after the shooting.
"Our reality has changed."
Police force faces controversy
Fitch's time as chief also came with some controversy for the force.
Under her leadership, a number of Fredericton police officers were outed for alleged improprieties. Const. Michael Cook pleaded guilty to defrauding the New Brunswick Police Association of more than $5,000.
Former officer Cherie Campbell was fired after allegedly attempting to shoplift $20 of makeup from a department store in Houlton, Maine.
Harry Forestell spoke with Leanne Fitch about some of the challenges she and her officers faced during her tenure. 5:41
But Fitch said she's still proud of the officers who responded and stood up during those challenging times and "did the right thing."
"I think our community really has to give credit to the officers who did the right thing when it was difficult to do," she said.
"That wasn't Leanne Fitch going out and kind of rattling the bushes to see what fell out. Our officers were out there doing their job, answering their calls, didn't look the other way, made arrests when they had to make arrests. And they did the right thing."
With files from Information Morning Fredericton and Jordan Gill
7 Comments Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos Methinks she should find my old Harley before she goes N'esy Pas?
Josef Blow: Reply to @David Amos: Undoubtedly priority one to find an old Fisher-Price ...
David Amos Content disabled Reply to @Josef Blow: Methinks you ain't man enough to ride a Panhead N'esy Pas?
David Amos Reply to @Josef Blow: Clearly you are not man enough to have a real name EH TJ?
David Amos Reply to @David Amos: Methinks your blogging buddy is quite upset about Chief Fitch retiring the day before your buddies haul him into court N'esy Pas?
David Amos "RCMP's former commanding officer named Fredericton's next police chief"
Methinks the next Chief is looking forward to taking me on again N'esy Pas?
David Amos Methinks everybody knows why i enjoyed reading this news in CBC Nesy Pas?
?Long-anticipated RCMP civilian advisory board named Members include Fredericton chief of police"
David Amos Methinsk the RCMP, and Chief Fitch should recall my response to this news in CBC N'esy Pas?
Kevin Vickers declared Liberal leader, effective April 24 Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Apr 17, 2019 10:37
---------- Original message ---------- From: Karen.McCrimmon@parl.gc.ca Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2019 14:18:27 +0000 Subject: RE: YO Chucky O'Donnell We just talked Chucky trust that Chief Fitch and her minions know that anyone can Google your name and mine to review the email below that was uploaded in a UK website long ago Remember me now ? To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
Un message français suit.
This reply has been automatically generated to acknowledge successful receipt of your email.
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Thank you for your inquiry.
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S'il vous plaît notez que notre bureau accorde la priorité aux messages provenant des commettants de Kanata-Carleton. Notre bureau ne répond pas aux messages adressés à d'autres individus ou organisations, aux envois massifs et aux messages contenant de langage vulgaire ou choquant.
Merci pour votre message.
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Retiring Fredericton police chief credits force for handling of August shooting
Fredericton's first female police chief will retire next week Elizabeth Fraser · CBC News · Posted: Jun 08, 2019 8:30 AM AT
7 Comments
David Amos Methinks she should find my old Harley before she goes N'esy Pas?
1 day ago
Josef Blow: Reply to @David Amos: Undoubtedly priority one to find an old Fisher-Price ...
1 day ago
David Amos Content disabled Reply to @Josef Blow: Methinks you ain't man enough to ride a Panhead N'esy Pas?
1 day ago
David Amos Reply to @Josef Blow: Clearly you are not man enough to have a real name EH TJ?
1 day ago
David Amos Reply to @David Amos: Methinks your blogging buddy is quite upset about Chief Fitch retiring the day before your buddies haul him into court N'esy Pas?
1 day ago
David Amos "RCMP's former commanding officer named Fredericton's next police chief"
Methinks the next Chief is looking forward to taking me on again N'esy Pas?
1 day ago
David Amos
Methinks everybody knows why i enjoyed reading this news in CBC Nesy Pas?
?Long-anticipated RCMP civilian advisory board named Members include Fredericton chief of police"
1 day ago
David Amos Methinsk the RCMP, and Chief Fitch should recall my response to this news in CBC N'esy Pas?
Kevin Vickers declared Liberal leader, effective April 24 Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Apr 17, 2019 10:37
----- Original Message ----- From: MacKenzie, Lloyd (SNB) To: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com Cc: Bastarache, Donald J.(SNB) ; Morrison, Bill (SNB) ; Levesque-Finn, Sylvie (SNB) ; Pleadwell, Derek (SNB) Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 2:01 PM Subject: Telephone Conversation re: 1965 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle
Mr. Amos:
Upon your request I will inform Mr. Derek Pleadwell[(506) 444-2897], Chairperson SNB Board of Directors, of our extended conversation regarding the issues surrounding the 1965 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he visits my office at approximately 3:30 P.M. today.
Also, as requested, I’ve copied in Ms. Sylvie Levesque-Finn[(506) 453-3879], SNB President.
Lloyd D. MacKenzie, AACI, P. App, CAE Regional Manager of Assessment - Beauséjour Region/Responsable régional de l'évaluation - region Beauséjour Assessment/ de l'évaluation Service New Brunswick/ Service Nouveau-Brunswick 633 rue Main St. 4th floor/4ième étage Moncton, NB E1C 8R3 Tel/Tél: (506) 856-3910 Fax/Téléc: (506) 856-2519
From: "Levesque-Finn, Sylvie (SNB)"<Sylvie.Levesque-Finn@snb.ca> Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:37:13 -0300 Subject: Out of Office: RE Telephone Conversation re: 1965 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, the RCMP and an interesting challenge from the lawyer Claude Poirier EH? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
Je serai absente du bureau jusqu'au 3 août. Je vais répondre à votre courriel, si nécessaire, à mon retour. Pour de l'assistance immédiate, veuillez communiquer avec Stéphanie Guignard au 444-2897. Merci
I will be away from the office until August 3rd. I will reply to your e-mail, if required, upon my return. For immediate attention, please contact Stéphanie Guignard at 444-2897. Thank you.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <myson333@yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2011 12:04:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Ed Here is your ticket to keep you out of hot water Just send this to Hugh Grant and he can raise hell for you To: ed.pilkington@guardian.co.uk Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com
Byway of the US FTC the Feds in many countries can never deny that they did not know the truth long ago
Cell: 646 704 1264 Please consider the environment before printing this email. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Visit guardian.co.uk - newspaper of the year www.guardian.co.ukwww.observer.co.uk
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---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: OIG <OIG@ftc.gov> Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:29:48 -0400 Subject: RE: I just called again and tried to speak with John Seeba and Cynthia Hogue of the FTC To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
Mr Amos. I just talked to you. Our office only has jurisdiction over internal matters like if an FTC employee is involved in fraud. We also report to congress to notify them how the FTC utilizes funds.
What can we do for you?
Thanks. Zisa Walton
-----Original Message----- From: David Amos [mailto:david.raymond.amos@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 4:23 PM To: OIG; maritime_malaise Cc: Fred. Pretorius; Fred.Wyshak Subject: I just called again and tried to speak with John Seeba and Cynthia Hogue of the FTC
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Grant.McCool@thomsonreuters.com Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:23:36 -0400 Subject: Out of Office AutoReply: RE BSkyB and News Corp Hey Jac Nasser Howcome or the trusted lawyers Arty Siskind and Lony Jacobs did not tell the Murdochs I was still alive and kicking like hell? To: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com
I am out of the office until Monday, August 8. I will not be reading email until then. Regards
This email was sent to you by Thomson Reuters, the global news and information company. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifically states them to be the views of Thomson Reuters.
Interesting quandary you bskyb dudes have. Seems it just got worse EH Jac?
Clearly you and I crossed paths bigtime before TWO IMPORTANT elections in Canada last year and obviously News Corp and Bloomberg's pal Joel Klein's old buddies in the US Justice Dept and the SEC etc pissed me off way back in 2002 EH?
Need I say iIdid not like it when and heard of corrupt cops in seven cars pounced on my son and I at 2;30 in the morning about two weeks after i received this email from you with the attached letter. Small wonder Stevey Boy Harper stopped the BHP take over bid of Potash when he could not get th RCMP to shut me up EH?
BTW the pdf file hereto attached that should refresh Siskind's and Jacobs memories can be found here as well the letter you sent to me last September
Altough my contempt towards greedy publicly held companies is well known my desire to expose corrupt law enfocement people is far higher on my list of offensive things. If old Rupert were wise and his son is clever perhaps they should have somebody finally call me back ASAP. Perhap Ruper Murdoch can figure how to deal with an honest man ethically for the benefit of many shareholders and the chagrin of the SEC and Barack Obama EH?
News Corp has the media and I have the evidence. Why not pretend I am Monte Hall and lets make a deal for the benefit of all. Try leaving the dark side and ignoring your crooked lawyers for a change. What say you Rupert? Dickens wrote books about such things.
Veritas Vincit David Raymond Amos 902 800 0369
The links to newsrags etc at the bottom of this email prove that obviously I have been reading many things lately. Your lawyers should study some of my work within this one email alone As you well know i will be forwarding this email to many people in short order.
Jane McAloon (Group Company Secretary) BEc (Hons), LLB, GDipGov, FCIS Term of office: Jane McAloon was appointed Group Company Secretary in July 2007 and joined the BHP Billiton Group in September 2006 as Company Secretary for BHP Billiton Limited. Skills and experience: Prior to joining BHP Billiton, Jane McAloon held the position of Company Secretary and Group Manager External and Regulatory Services in the Australian Gas Light Company. She previously held various State and Commonwealth government positions, including Director General of the NSW Ministry of Energy and Utilities and Deputy Director General for the NSW Cabinet Office, as well as working in private legal practice. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries.
This message and any attached files may contain information that is confidential and/or subject of legal privilege intended only for use by the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this message in error and that any dissemination, copying or use of this message or attachment is strictly forbidden, as is the disclosure of the information therein. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender immediately and delete the message.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:05:02 -0300 Subject: Mr Lee I just called you from 902 800 0369 after listening to you on CAPAC last night perhaps we should talk ASAP To: ian_lee@carleton.ca Cc: maritime_malaise <maritime_malaise@yahoo.ca>
First and foremost do you see Eliot Spitzer testified on the very day he thanked me for the info? I ask again where did the transcripts and webcasts go not long after I made the congressman Ron Paul and legions of others well aware of their existence as he bitched about such things whle running for the GOP endorcement to run for president in 2007? For the PUBLIC Record the records of the hearings were deleted in late fall 2007 just as all the subprime morigages began to smell bad.
From: magicJack <voicemail@notify.magicjack.com> Subject: New VM (16) - 0:47 minutes in your magicJack mailbox from 7097728272 To: "DAVID AMOS" Date: Monday, July 4, 2011, 6:16 AM
Dear magicJack User:
You received a new 0:47 minutes voicemail message, on Monday, July 04, 2011 at 09:16:24 AM in mailbox 902 800 0369 from 709 772 8272.
FYI After I called a lot of parliamentarians, the RCMP and the FBI I noticed this hit on a blog about me this morning. I have no doubt the following emails is what they were reading so I called Fred Wyshak and read him the riot act once again byway of his voicemail within the US Attorney's Office and then called the WBUR newsroom
QSLS Politics By Location Visit Detail Visit 21,300 Domain Name (Unknown) IP Address 98.27.50.# (Unknown Organization) ISP Unknown ISP Location Continent : Unknown Country : Unknown Lat/Long : unknown Language English (U.S.) en-us Operating System Macintosh MacOSX Browser Safari 1.3 Mozilla/5.0 (iPad; U; CPU OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5 Javascript version 1.5 Monitor Resolution : 768 x 1024 Color Depth : 32 bits Time of Visit Jun 26 2011 4:45:39 am Last Page View Jun 26 2011 4:45:39 am Visit Length 0 seconds Page Views 1 Referring URL http://www.google.co...1xsTVXbAU1_dhPR2fb0w Search Engine google.com Search Words fred wyshak Visit Entry Page http://qslspolitics....leblower-part-3.html Visit Exit Page http://qslspolitics....leblower-part-3.html Out Click Time Zone UTC-5:00 Visitor's Time Jun 25 2011 10:45:39 pm Visit Number 21,300
Some of the docments within this file are signed by your boss the US Attorney Michael Sullivan and it was me he was trying to argue about a great deal of money as he covered up for the actions of corrupt US Treasury Agents Correct?
And this is a true copy of one of many American Polce surveilance wiretap tapes that I have in my pssession many law enforcement authorities in Canada and the USA have received and acknowledged Correct?
Furthermore Didn't Connoly tell the bartender's daughter Whitey Bulger buried some of his victims just outsife Yarmouth in the crooked politician Robert Thibault's riding in Nova Scotia?
My concerns are far from confidential never mind what I know about BANKERS and the US Treasury Dept etc
MURDER is a capital crime CORRECT? Connoly the ex FBI Agent's long delayed trial started today and I am the guy with the wiretap tapes that he threw out long ago. Why the Hell do you think I took such a chance with the corrupt RCMP last week and recorded me serving a copy of one wiretap tape upon them in Youtube before your boss Stevey Boy Harper had his buddy the Governor General drop the writ?
Scroll down you will see that I am no liar. I posted this email there as well.
Veritas Vincit David Raymond Amos
Just Dave By Location *Visit Detail** Visit 5,486* Domain Name verizon.net IP Address 71.184.227.# (Verizon Internet Services) ISP Verizon Internet Services Location Continent : North America Country : United States State : Massachusetts City : Winchester Lat/Long : 42.4547, -71.1502 (Map) Language English (U.S.) en-us Operating System Microsoft WinNT Browser Internet Explorer 7.0 Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0; SLCC1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; Media Center PC 5.0; .NET CLR 3.0.04506) Javascript version 1.3 Monitor Resolution : 1152 x 864 Color Depth : 32 bits Time of Visit Sep 15 2008 3:06:40 pm Last Page View Sep 15 2008 3:06:40 pm Visit Length 0 seconds Page Views 1 Referring URL http://www.google.co...ess winchester%2C ma Search Engine google.com Search Words "john b. callahan" address winchester, ma Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo.../03/me-and-bush.html Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blo.../03/me-and-bush.html Out Click Time Zone UTC-5:00 Visitor's Time Sep 15 2008 2:06:40 pm Visit Number 5,486
FEDERAL EXPRESS 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
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David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks Mr Prime Minister Trudeau "The Younger" can cry us a river all summer He can't change the fact the Premiers were elected with a mandate to oppose his nonsense N'esy Pas?
Premiers 'threatening national unity' with their demands on federal environmental bills: Trudeau
5190 Comments
Buford Wilson This is the most divisive government in Canadian history. Our country won’t survive another justin term.
David Amos Reply to @Buford Wilson: Methinks Mr Prime Minister Trudeau "The Younger" can cry us a river all summer he can't change the fact the Premiers were elected with a mandate to oppose his nonsense N'esy Pas?
Mo Bennett Reply to @Buford Wilson: and we'll all be way worse off if y'all elect an ambulance chaser. just remember Steve.
David Amos
Reply to @mo bennett: YO MO Methinks ye may rest assured that anyone with two clues between their ears will never forget Stevey Boy sneaking out the back door of Trump's White House while they were hammering out another NAFTA ripoff N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @mo bennett: Deja Vu?
Stephen Harper spotted leaving the White House's West Wing Catharine Tunney · CBC News · Posted: Jul 02, 2018 3:23 PM ET
Edwardo Law Canadians made a mistake electing Trudeau. We can admit it. It is time for us to move on and start focusing on Canadians prosperity ...
David Amos Reply to @Edwardo Law: "It is time for us to move on"
I agree but with whom at the helm? Methinks NONE of the current party leaders are are any better or worse than Trudeau The Younger" Many would agree that they all have the same puppet masters N'esy Pas?
Christian de Cruce Justin keep talking until the election.
David Amos Reply to @Christian de Cruce: Methinks ye may rest assured that he will N'esy Pas?
Kasper Kane The fundamental job of any Canadian prime minister is to hold this country together,' PM says
Not doing a very good job of it. Unity is hanging by a thread.
David Amos Reply to @Kasper Kane: Methinks a lot of folks have noticed that too. It seems that selfies and legalizing dope can only go so far in securing a reelection Nesy Pas?
Mario Doucet Really sickening now to hear Trudeau speak.
David Amos Reply to @Mario Doucet: Methinks many would agree that its like listening to fingernails clawing on a chalkboard N'esy Pas?
Mario Doucet Quebec where Trudeau is from, is the single biggest obstacle to unity of the post national state. The billions of taxpayers money transferred to them every year is obscene.
David Amos Reply to @Mario Doucet: YUP
Bob Evans National unity? When have the Liberals been concerned about that? Maybe regarding Quebec.
David Mccaig
Reply to @Bob Evans: I dont believe for a minute all of these attacks on our government are real Canadians.
David Mccaig
Reply to @Bob Evans: These cons have been weaponizing polarization of Canadians in an attempt to bring our country under an authoritarian structure run by the right wing or destroy our country.
Darren MacDonald
Reply to @Bob Evans: They are in desperation mode.
Darren MacDonald
Reply to @Bob Evans: They have to re-re-re announce financial commitments just to try to shine some kind of positive on themselves.
Bob Evans
Reply to @david mccaig: believe it
David Amos
Reply to @Bob Evans: Methinks at least he knows I am a Proud Canadian Nesy Pas?
Anton Bohuslava Trudeau is the only threat to national unity.
David Amos
Reply to @Anton Bohuslava: NOPe Methinks he is not alone There are legions of sneaky politicians N'esy Pas?
Flip Anderson Last time Canada's unity was threatened like this was under Trudeau's fathers reign.
They're both good at giving "The Trudeau Salute" to Canada.
James Mckenna
Reply to @Flip Anderson: Justin will never get over the fact that so many hated his father. He can't get past that and that is his biggest fault. When you are the leader of a country, you have to brush that off and take care of business. Does he think people elected him to carry out a vengeance in the name of his father?
Eugene Peabody
Reply to @james Mckenna: Wow a new record not even a minute!!
David Mccaig
Reply to @Flip Anderson: Faceless blog accounts claiming they are Canadians , i dont believe it for one second
David Mccaig
Reply to @Flip Anderson: These western based cons have been threatening to break up Canada for years if they dont get their way, call their bluff, expose these subversives to Canadians.
Darren MacDonald
Reply to @Flip Anderson: Some take a walk in the snow, others should take a walk in the Tofino surf.
Darren MacDonald
Reply to @james Mckenna: Taking advantage of Canadians is not cool.
Alexander Graham
Reply to @Darren MacDonald: taking a walk in Tofino surf sounds cold
David Amos
Reply to @Alexander Graham: Methinks the ghost of my Father and his comrades in arms would disagree. Their aircraft crashed in the Tofino area in WWII (the war Trudeau's daddy dodged) My Father was the soul survivor of that crash or I would not be running against our surfer leader and his many cohorts and have done so since 2004 N'esy Pas?
Alex Reti Nice try, JT, but no cigar. The main one threatening national unity is you. Besides, after the October election this whole issue will not be your worry.
David Amos
Reply to @alex reti: Methinks when it comes to hard ball politicking here to October is an eternity Hence the fat lady ain't sung yet N'esy Pas?
Premiers 'threatening national unity' with their demands on federal environmental bills: Trudeau
'The fundamental job of any Canadian prime minister is to hold this country together,' PM says
"It's absolutely irresponsible for conservative premiers to be threatening our national unity if they don't get their way," Trudeau told reporters today.
"The fundamental job of any Canadian prime minister is to hold this country together, to gather us together and move forward in the right way. And anyone who wants to be prime minister, like Andrew Scheer, needs to condemn those attacks on national unity."
Trudeau made the remarks a day after the premiers of Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories wrote him to demand he make concessions on two key government bills.
The first piece of legislation is C-69, the Liberal government's attempt to rewrite the rules for approving major national resource projects in Canada. The second is C-48, the planned ban on oil tankers along B.C.'s northern coast.
"The federal government must recognize the exclusive role provinces and territories have over the management of our non-renewable natural resource development or risk creating a constitutional crisis," the letter says.
The premiers say in the letter that C-69 would make it "virtually impossible" to develop infrastructure projects for resource extraction and deprive the country of "much needed investment."
"Our five provinces and territory stand united and strongly urge the government to accept Bill C-69 as amended by the Senate, in order to minimize the damage to the Canadian economy," the letter says.
"We would encourage the government of Canada and all members of the House of Commons to accept the full slate of amendments to the bill."
Some amendments, but not all
On Tuesday in the House, questioned by Conservative MP Lisa Raitt, Trudeau said he would consider the amendments and would keep the ones that improved the legislation — but warned that not all would be accepted.
The premiers say that the proposed tanker ban on B.C.'s north coast threatens investor confidence and "discriminates against western Canadian crude products."
"We would urge the government to stop pressing for the passage of this bill which will have detrimental effects on national unity and for the Canadian economy as a whole," the letter says.
Asked to comment on the premiers' decision to invoke national unity regarding the bills, Raitt said she hopes that Trudeau takes the threat "very seriously."
"They've put forth their case and they've indicated that in their best interests, or in their best view, that this could lead to a constitutional issue," Raitt said.
"I think you have to take them seriously when they say things like that and it's up to the prime minister to make that response."
In an interview with CBC News Network's Power & Politics, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs said that Trudeau's claim that the premiers are threatening national unity was an overreaction, and he should listen to what the Senate says about C-69.
"They have all of these recommendations in place. To say that we are going to pick one or two and then walk away, I think, speaks for itself — that it was a disingenuous exercise," Higgs said.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said the premiers are giving Trudeau constructive advice on how to preserve national unity, not fracture it.
Trudeau has introduced "divisive policies that are impacting our ability to generate wealth in certain areas of this nation. And it's policy that we just won't stand for, and we've seen now six premiers that have stood up and said, 'These are flawed policies,'" Moe told Power & Politics host Vassy Kapelos.
Power and Politics
'If Trudeau isn't going to take the advice of the leadership of 59 per cent of the population, then at least take the advice of the Senate' | Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs discuss their letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Bill C-48 and Bill C-69. 8:50
David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks some of the Irving Clan came over on the same boat my Amos forefather did and Mary Keith claims not to be related to the Keith Clan in Fundy Royal who are also my relatives Small world N'esy Pas?
Early Irving in province deemed a 'poor squatter' in historic documents
11 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
Murray Brown "New Brunswick is home and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else," Irving said. "I am very proud of my New Brunswick roots."... He said from Bermuda... His official residence?
Al Clark Irving: Bumming off NB for 200 years!
SarahRose Werner Poor squatter indeed. They're still not paying their fair share of property taxes!
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Oh So True
Shawn Tabor They will have their chance, to be like their ancestors. Soon. Don’t forget to pay the ferryman... what a pathetic story.
David Amos
Reply to @Shawn Tabor: Methinks I told you that some of the Irving Clan came over on the same boat my Amos forefather did and that Mary Keith claims not to be related to the Keith Clan in Fundy Royal who are also my relatives Small world N'esy Pas?
June Arnott And still they get free discounted stuff from governments today! I wonder if their ancestors would care about how they have poisoned the lands here
David Amos
Reply to @June Arnott: "And still they get free discounted stuff from governments today!" YUP
"I wonder if their ancestors would care about how they have poisoned the lands here" NOPE
Ronald Parker And they are still asking today, why would they want to live anywhere else.
David Amos
Reply to @Ronald Parker: Methinks everybody knows the Irving Clan have been quite burden on their neighbours N'esy Pas?
Murray Brown
Reply to @Ronald Parker: ... Actually... Isn't their 'official' residence Bermuda? That's how they avoid taxes... Some people put their money in offshore accounts... The Irving's just moved off shore and took their accounts with them. Thus... No taxes whatsoever.
Early Irving in province deemed a 'poor squatter' in historic documents
Request for Crown land by an Irving ancestor marks start of rags-to-riches New Brunswick story
'Poor squatter' was written in pencil in this document related to George Irving's request to buy Crown land in 1835. (Submitted by Provincial Archives of New Brunswick)
Documents kept at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick detail the very first request for Crown land from a member of the now-rich Irving family.
A letter from Scottish immigrant George Irving sent to the province in 1835 gives an inside look at the foundations of what would eventually swell to a family of billionaires and one of the most powerful entities in Canadian history.
"In it they're asking for 100 acres," said Joshua Green, a photo archivist with the provincial archives.
"It's somewhat of a small grant request," said Green. "Lots of people would ask for a lot more than 100 acres, and sometimes would get it."
"It's seems to be they are a typical bunch of Scottish settlers," said Green.
Photo archivist Joshua Green, says the petition for 100 acres of land is the first request for Crown land by a member of the now-famous Irving family. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
Today, 184 years later, descendants of that "typical bunch of Scottish settlers" are some of the richest people in Canada.
George Irving's grandson, James D. Irving would own and operate a sawmill and a trio of farms.
His son K.C. Irving became the founder of many of the companies the family name is known for. His eldest son, J.K. Irving, has operated J. D. Irving Ltd., the family's massive forestry division, and his second son, Arthur, has run Irving Oil.
The family also owns shipbuilding operations and nearly every newspaper in New Brunswick, and has become one of the largest landowners in both Canada and the United States.
The letter, dated Nov 5, 1835, is a request from George Irving to the New Brunswick government of the day to purchase the land he had built a house on in Richibucto. (Submitted by the New Brunswick Provincial Archives)
This second half of the letter from George Irving completes his request for land. (Submitted by the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick)
And the Irving empire got its start, in part, with a letter addressed to Maj. Gen. Sir Archibald Campbell, lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick.
It's a petition from George Irving of Richibucto, which the writer says: "Humbly sheweth,
"That your petitioner is a British subject and desires to purchase one hundred acres of vacant Crown land on the north west side of the Mill Branch of Richibucto River, adjoining below the affiliation of Adam Armstrong. On which your petitioner has lived three years, and built a house, besides clearing about ten acres.
"Your petitioner lived in a part of the country where but little intercourse with the world exists, and he consequently did not hear of the notice requiring the entry of his application before the 1st November; but as he is prepared at present after great pains … to pay the first instalment, he most humbly prays that your Excellency will be graciously pleased to permit him to obtain the land at private sale, and at two shillings and six pence the acre."
Although it is unclear who penned the letter dated Nov. 5, 1835, it is undersigned by George Irving of Richibucto.
According to the archives, the two shillings and six pence he paid per acre would be the equivalent of $1,440.52 Cdn today.
'Poor squatter'
The government of the day followed up George Irving's petition with a series of assessments of the property, which included a detail about Irving's financial circumstances.
"On this one there are a number of different notes, and different hands on it, on the back of the document," said Green.
"And there is a little pencil note — everything else is written in different types of ink — but there is a strange pencil note that almost seems out of context that says "poor squatter."
The George Irving land petition includes the words 'poor squatter' to describe the Scottish immigrant. It is unknown who wrote those words. (Submitted by the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick)
Green said it's not known who wrote those words nearly two centuries ago.
"It could have been any clerk, or surveyor," said Green.
"It's unusual that there would be any sort of editorializing on these types of documents. They're usually pretty dry. They're government forms. And there was a standard way that government would respond."
George Irving's request to purchase the land was eventually approved. It would be followed by other requests and purchases of land by son Herbert in the same area.
Proud of roots
That area would essentially become ground zero for the Irving family and its eventual empire. CBC News requested an interview with someone from the Irving family.
Mary Keith, a spokesperson for J.D. Irving Ltd., responded with a statement from J.K. Irving, the 91-year-old great-great-great grandson of George.
"New Brunswick is home and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else," Irving said. "I am very proud of my New Brunswick roots."
David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks Gallant and Darling know Donald Sutherland was born in Saint John and that Sutherland and I have not been allowed to vote for many years but I bet they had no clue we share the same birthday N'esy Pas?
Gallant government's Saint John bailout represented 'excessive risk,' AG report says
66 Comments
Mack Leigh We, the people of New Brunswick , will be correcting and paying for the abysmal " mistakes " of the Gallant Liberal government for decades.... Worst ,,,,,,absolutely Worst Premier....ever..in my opinion.
David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Methinks you overlooked dudes such Robichaud, Hatfield, McKenna and Lord. In my humble opinion they make Graham, Alward, Gallant and Higgs look like amateurs when it comes to abusing the folks they purportedly worked for N'esy Pas?
Mack Leigh Just one more bailout by the Gallant Liberals in the hopes of buying more votes....
David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: YUP
Colin Seeley Thank goodness he is gone. But his flakey leftovers are still there especially Rogers .
David Amos
Reply to @Colin Seeley: Methinks many would agree that Mr Higgs and his minions are no better N'esy Pas?
Ronald Parker How about a certain family owned business pay fair taxes, that would help. Gallant keeps making Mr. Vickers job harder.
Fred Dee
Reply to @Ronald Parker: I feel almost sorry for Vickers!! They sucked him in!!
David Amos
Reply to @Fred Dee: I don't
Richard Dunn Gallant and Rogers look like Atcon all over again. Liberals once again prove they will stop at nothing to try and buy votes. Rules, and common sense, meant nothing to Gallant. We are so fortunate they have had the credit card taken away from them.
David Amos
Reply to @Richard Dunn: Methinks everybody knows they will be back N'esy Pas?
Shawn Tabor Another Bailout, on the backs of taxpayers. What’s this called,again corporate welfare. Been going on for many years by a a lot of families. And we have watched those families gets richer and richer. On the taxpayers dollar. Now it’s Fracking that’s certain families and investors are about to cash in on. When is this going to stop. A way of life here in New Brunswick. Open for anyone who wants to exploit for their own personal gain, of course the taxpayers will pick up the tab. No problem, we are used it. Let it pass and forgive the loan.Problem solved. Sounds like a Game ( Franco ) game.
David Amos
Reply to @Shawn Tabor: YUP
Harold Benson As Donald Sutherland said in Kellys Heroes......never heard of it.
David Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: Methinks Sam must have told you that Donald Sutherland was born in Saint John but I bet he hasn't heard that Don and I share the same birthday and that neither one us have been allowed to vote for many years N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks Daddy Donald should be proud of his son who played the Bay Boy N'esy Pas?
Auditor General Kim MacPherson delivered her latest report on Tuesday. (Michel Corriveau/Radio-Canada)
A $22.8-million bailout package by the Brian Gallant government for the City of Saint John represented "excessive risk" to provincial taxpayers and did not go through the normal approval process, according to New Brunswick's auditor general.
Kim MacPherson says the bailout agreement did not include targets and, as of this April, had "failed to effectively address the city's challenge" or reduce the financial risk to the province.
And by tying the funding to the city's deficit, the Gallant Liberals actually created "an inappropriate incentive" for the city to run larger deficits so it could collect the maximum amount of $22.8 million from the province, she says.
Her audit, released Tuesday morning at the legislature, also says the government may have committed obstruction, a violation of the Auditor General Act, by not providing all the documents her office asked for.
It's not clear whether that alleged obstruction took place under the previous Liberal government that signed the Saint John deal or the current Progressive Conservative government.
3-year package announced in 2017
Then-premier Brian Gallant committed to a three-year assistance package in September 2017, following pleas by Saint John Mayor Don Darling for a "new deal" to address what he called a municipal budget crisis. The city was forecasting a $6-million deficit at the time.
That commitment came the same month Gallant appointed himself as his government's regional minister for the Saint John area, despite representing the southeastern riding of Shediac Bay-Dieppe.
The Liberals were targeting the region in the 2018 provincial election, hoping to pick up seats in and around the city. Darling publicly mused about running for the party before deciding to remain as mayor.
MacPherson says the city was conscious of the timing of the provincial election and "leveraged" that timeline to push the province for the bailout.
While the Regional Development Corp. was given responsibility to negotiate the agreement, the audit says top staffers in Gallant's office "were intricately involved" in the work.
In December 2017, Gallant sent Darling a letter offering him "my guarantee" that the province would provide a financial bailout and promised to "begin making investments today" to ease the pressure on the city's 2018 budget.
MacPherson says there was "no evidence of documented approval by cabinet" for Gallant's promise until two months later. There was also no sign that the Department of Environment and Local Government — responsible for municipal funding — was consulted.
When documentation finally appeared in February 2018, it was "difficult to follow, lacked clarity and in our opinion did not include adequate analysis" to support cabinet approval for the funding.
Less stringent accounting standards
The city also pushed for — and Gallant agreed to — less stringent accounting standards for measuring Saint John's deficit, and for the removal of a clause requiring the legislature's approval for the payments.
MacPherson's audit also says there were repeated references to legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the bailout agreement, but when her staff asked for it, they were refused.
And it faults the premier's office for not making sure records were maintained during the transition from the Liberal to PC government for her review.
"We realize this was during a period of government transition but our expectation was that records would be retained to facilitate transparency, knowledge transfer and effective review of significant, ongoing files," MacPherson writes.
"We believe this is fundamental to effective governance."
Former premier Brian Gallant and Saint John Mayor Don Darling agreed to a bailout package for the city. (Rachel Cave/CBC)
Saint John council approved the agreement on Feb. 12, 2018, three days after the province announced it. The province paid out the first $1.2 million on Feb. 22, for a highway interchange project, despite Gallant not signing the agreement until March 15.
In comments incorporated into her report, the Higgs government says it will heed MacPherson's recommendations to ensure proper protocols are following in funding agreements and that they comply with provincial laws.
MacPherson's audit says tying provincial funding to the city's deficit encourages the city to continue running deficits and also creates a precedent for other municipalities looking for money.
"Providing funding to a municipality to address a projected, ongoing deficit could incite other communities to seek the same solution to financial issues," she writes.
"This precedent would represent additional increased risk for the province as it faces pressure to address municipal deficits with similar actions."
The funding also circumvents the Local Governance Act, which lays out how a municipality is supposed to deal with deficits, according to the auditor general.
Stop using my grandpa's name, actor Kiefer Sutherland tells Doug Ford
'You're lucky my mum's not active on Twitter,' actor tweets
CBC News·
Kiefer Sutherland, left, says he's offended by the Ontario Progressive Conservatives comparing their policies to those of former Saskatchewan NDP premier Tommy Douglas. (CBC/The Canadian Press)
Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland, the grandson of renowned former Saskatchewan premier Tommy Douglas, is asking Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Ottawa MPP Lisa MacLeod to stop using his grandfather's name for their own political ends.
MacLeod invoked the premier's memory in a May 31 Financial Post editorial, arguing that Douglas would have approved of Ontario Progressive Conservatives' moves toward fiscal discipline.
Mr Ford, Your tweet has recently come to my attention and I can only tell you that you are correct, my grandfather Tommy Douglas was fiscally responsible. In addition to balancing the budget of Saskatchewan, he also provided the province with paved roads, healthcare and electricity. He did it all within four years. Contrary to your argument, it was never at the expense of social and human services to those in need. I personally find your comparison of your policies to his offensive. So I can only ask, as the grandson of this man, for you to stop posting his picture and using his name as part of your political agenda. After all, I knew Tommy Douglas and you Sir, are no Tommy Douglas. P.S. You're lucky my mum's not active on Twitter. Sincerely, Kiefer Sutherland.
Sutherland's mother is Tommy Douglas's daughter, Shirley Douglas, also an actor.
MacLeod fired back on Twitter later Monday, posting a picture of a 2017 bus shelter advertisement for Designated Survivor, which stars Sutherland, and saying she "used to like" the TV show.
"Alas, it's more difficult to be a politician than pretend to be one on TV," she added.
In a statement to CBC, the premier's press secretary Ivana Yelich said the PCs are proud of their financial record.
"After 15 years of waste and mismanagement, Ontario was in precarious fiscal position," she said. "We're proud of our decision to balance the budget in a responsible manner, while showing compassion and protecting what matters most to real Ontarians."
Douglas, who also helped found the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, which became the New Democratic Party, is recognized as the father of universal health care in Canada.
Lobster, cocktails and lobbying: What N.B. did to secure the Francophonie Games
96 Comments
David Amos Methinks this is the liberal mantra in order secure governmental mandates as well N'esy Pas?
"It's our one chance to sell ourselves and touch the heart," read a note from Hawk Marketing, the firm hired by the province for the video. "Because persuasion is always more effective when it's emotional, not rational."
"We've managed a tour de force! Impeccable presentation. Touching, convincing to the highest point," wrote one government official afterwards.
David Amos Surprise Surprise Surprise
David Amos Reply to @David Amos: Methinks many folks are wondering who the SANB dude "Joe Blow" truly is N'esy Pas?
Matt Steele Finally the real truth is emerging about Brian Gallant and the SANB controlled Liberal party . As N.B.ers struggled with surging taxes and service fees , Gallant and his buddies were jet setting off to France , and living the high life while using the govt. credit card . Sadly , no one will ever be held accountable ; and it would not be surprising if Gallant was appointed as a Judge to the Court of Queens Bench , or maybe a Senator .It would be interesting to know just how involved that Dominic LeBlanc and Justin Trudeau were involved in this Francophonie SCAM !
Josef Blow
Reply to @Matt Steele: The “real” truth as opposed to the “fake” truth? So which truth is yours? Is yours “real”, “semi-real” or “fake”?
Greg Miller
Reply to @Matt Steele: I'm surprised Trudeau hasn't handed out a job to Gallant by now but maybe Trudeau has enough embarrassment on his plate!
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Greg Miller: Gallant is still busy , sitting as an MLA in NB Legislature, has his QC designation and is now partner in a Dieppe law firm.. Holding onto the MLA position ,making sure he receives his nice big pension thanks once again to taxpayers.
Josef Blow
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Copy and paste much in your writer’s circle?
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Josef Blow: For a CBC employee you certainly have a sense of humor , good for you..
Josef Blow
Reply to @Mack Leigh: oh, Mr. Amos thinks I’m TJ, whoever that is ... sorry to disappoint, CBC ain’t my thing.
Laurie Clark
Reply to @Josef Blow: Your name is fake and should be banned but someone at the contact centre is on the take!
Buford Wilson Thank God Blaine canceled it.
Josef Blow
Reply to @Buford Wilson: On a first name basis no less ...
David Amos
Reply to @Buford Wilson: Which God?
David Amos Content disabled
Reply to @Josef Blow: Methinks it far more than having no name at all N'esy Pas?
Buddy Best
Reply to @Buford Wilson:I can't remember ever seeing this many comments get such positive agreement. Even Mr. Wilson is getting up votes. LOL
Josef Blow
Reply to @Buddy Best: The positive agreement as opposed to the negative agreement? Are these your alternative realities?
Lobster, cocktails and lobbying: What N.B. did to secure the Francophonie Games
Internal documents obtained through access to information reveal how invested the province was to win the bid
Francine Landry, former minister responsible for La Francophonie, and former Premier Brian Gallant celebrating National Acadian Day a month after the province submitted its bid in 2015. (Brian Gallant/Facebook)
Information contained in thousands of pages of internal correspondence and documents obtained by CBC News under access to information details just how invested the former Liberal government was in obtaining the 2021 Francophonie Games.
Friday was the deadline for countries to submit their bid to host the Games after New Brunswick's withdrawal at the end of January. It is unclear whether anyone is still interested in taking on the Games, thought to be the largest sports and cultural event in the French-speaking world.
After he personally signed off on the bid in July 2015, former Premier Brian Gallant continued to be the face of New Brunswick's candidacy.
During a visit of an international delegation that November, Gallant showed off his tennis skills. He had planned to be on the court mid-match, wearing a custom-made New Brunswick 2021 polo shirt, just when officials would come tour the facilities.
He would then stop his game to greet them. Everything was planned out and detailed in staff emails days in advance.
Former Premier Brian Gallant playing tennis in November 2015 at Moncton's Centennial Park during a visit of Francophonie officials for the bid selection process. (Brian Gallant/Facebook)
He hosted a cocktail reception that evening, where he talked about the impact going to the Jeux de l'Acadie had on his life and how inspiring he believed the Francophonie Games would be for francophone youth.
"To support people who are in a minority situation, it's incredibly important," he told delegates. The next night, it was up to Francine Landry, former minister of post-secondary education, training and labour — and also the minister responsible for La Francophonie — to host a lobster and champagne dinner.
Francine Landry, former Francophonie minister, in Ivory Coast during the previous Games in 2017. (CBC)
"We're in 'operation seduction' mode all week," wrote a provincial protocol officer to ministers Donald Arseneault, Victor Boudreau, Bill Fraser and Roger Melanson, requesting their presence at the Shediac dinner and asking they attend as many events as possible that week.
Gallant would host another cocktail reception in Paris the next month, before shooting a promotional video talking about Acadian culture for a presentation in Ivory Coast in February 2016 — the final touch in New Brunswick's candidacy.
"It's our one chance to sell ourselves and touch the heart," read a note from Hawk Marketing, the firm hired by the province for the video. "Because persuasion is always more effective when it's emotional, not rational."
"We've managed a tour de force! Impeccable presentation. Touching, convincing to the highest point," wrote one government official afterwards.
Gallant is pictured with Francophonie officials after playing tennis in November 2015. (Brian Gallant/Facebook)
Efforts were made to beat out Sherbrooke, who also submitted a bid to host, including advising Gallant to lobby Justin Trudeau to support New Brunswick rather than Quebec.
The documents also cast doubt on whether Gallant was involved in some discussions as late as March 2018, despite saying he recused himself earlier because his close friends were the organizers.
At that time, public servants were preparing a note to send him regarding a debate over whether to add cycling as a discipline.
Didn't have experience
The people behind the original $17-million bid are referred to as a "group of citizens" in the documents.
At least two, Eric Larocque and Eddie Rutanga — who both went on to be part of the organizing committee — were close friends of Gallant.
After New Brunswick had won the bid in March 2016, one note read there wasn't "much trust" in the committee, but it wasn't clear why.
"There were some very good people involved in the bid process," wrote the province's director of sports and recreation in an email, after finding out the true cost of the Games in early 2018.
"However, it may be unfair/unrealistic to assume they had the experience, expertise, and capacity to fully appreciate the full magnitude of the resources required for Games of this level/calibre."
Eddie Rutanga, left, and Eric Larocque were two key members of the 2021 Francophonie Games bidding and organizing committees. Both men have close relationships with Gallant. (CBC)
Rationalizing the difference between the original bid and the $130-million budget was referred to as a "stumbling block" and a "hurdle."
"They didn't offer much explanation for this huge difference," wrote another tourism official. "Typically, the business plan is developed prior to applying for these types of events," he noted.
It was our Premier who wanted these Games.- Jeffrey LeBlanc, director of sports and recreation
Little is found in the documents in terms of explanation, except that the province couldn't benefit from Sports Canada experts because Ottawa did not want to show favouritism between the two competing bids.
"It resulted in a 'fend for ourselves' situation," one note said.
Even after the skyrocketing cost began casting a shadow on the success of the bid, Gallant's name was brought up again.
"It's also important to remember it was our Premier who wanted these Games," wrote a tourism official.
Public perception mattered
The documents also mention the decision to submit an initial low budget was a "more prudent approach from a public perception point of view."
In reviewing newspaper articles in January 2016, Eric Mathieu Doucet — another friend of Gallant's who went on to be on the Games organizing committee — noted Sherbrooke had come out with a proposed budget of $50 million.
"I think that's an advantageous argument for our candidacy," he wrote in an email to government.
The Francophonie Games are thought to be the largest sporting and cultural event in the French-speaking world. (Hussein Malla/Associated Press)
Even after organizers went to government with their budget ask, they suggested elected officials not make the dollar amount figure public until after it was signed off on.
"In order to favour these discussions go well, in a climate of discretion, it is strongly recommended not to make any public communication regarding the budget before the conclusion of the discussions," the committee's presentation read.
Treasury Board worried
But in early 2018, the Treasury Board was worried about the numbers and even wondered whether certain items on the budget were inflated.
"What makes this more reliable than the previous numbers?" asked one of its senior advisors, noting government had been presented with three sets of vastly different figures to date.
In April 2018, the Treasury Board decided to finance the organizing committee on a month-by-month basis, rather than yearly.
It had also created a committee of deputy ministers to try to find savings and get explanations from the organizing committee.
Banking on federal help
The documents reveal just how much New Brunswick was banking on the federal government upping its contribution toward the Francophonie Games, even long before the scandal broke out publicly. Canada has a long-standing policy of funding up to 50 per cent of the cost of big sporting events, but no more.
A note from March 2018 said the organizing committee wanted the province to convince Ottawa to contribute a much larger percentage.
In the following months, that idea was floated around quite a bit, with public servants calling the funding objectives 'unrealizable' for a place like New Brunswick.
The cost of the Moncton-Dieppe Games skyrocketed to $130 million, leading officials to begin questioning the price tag and feasibility of hosting the event. (AFP/Issouf Sanogo)
By mid-October, the cash requirement from the province was estimated at $60.5 million, and it had already reached out to Ottawa.
"Potential solutions may include tapping into other sources of federal funding, such as infrastructure funds," read one note.
In the end, the province spent close to $1.7 million on the scuttled Francophonie Games, and the federal government close to another million. The province told CBC News this week it was not expecting any additional cost.
Energy minister says 'responsible' fracking will help transition to green economy
20 Comments
David Amos Methinks these dudes wish to forget where I ran in 2004 and in the last two elections in particular N'esy Pas?
Energy minister says 'responsible' fracking will help transition to green economy
Political Panel discusses possibility of shale gas development in Sussex
CBC News·
CBC New Brunswick's Political Panel discusses the Higgs government's passing of regulatory changes that will allow shale gas development to resume in the Sussex area.
New Brunswick's minister of energy and resource development suggested the government's passing of regulatory changes that would allow a partial lifting of the moratorium on fracking is a "responsible" path toward facilitating a transition to a greener economy.
Mike Holland said the decision is not irresponsible "if it's going to be done in a way that gets us to where we need to go and it's part of an overall plan that is solid toward to the reduction of overall emissions."
The Higgs government quietly passed regulatory changes in May to allow shale gas development to resume in the Sussex area.
Holland said the government is putting steps in place to responsibly lift the moratorium in the area.
Mike Holland, New Brunswick’s minister of energy and resource development, said the government is putting steps in place to move forward with lifting the moratorium on shale gas development in a responsible way. (CBC)
"We're not going to walking into this blindly," Holland said. "They're going to follow some industry leading practices in order to get any kind of affirmation to move forward."
Holland said the government is committed to doing it in "the most responsible way."
But Green Party Leader David Coon said it's irresponsible to develop more fossil fuels. He said the transition to a more green economy depends on using green electricity, not fossil fuels. "Industry leading practices and the development of more fossil fuels is robbing our children of a decent future," Coon said.
"We already are in a position, because of the amount of damage that's been done to the atmosphere," he said. "Handing over a future that we would never really want to put in the hands of our children and this mentality is what's making it worse."
Green Party Leader David Coon said the transition to a more green economy depends on using green electricity, not fossil fuels. (CBC)
Coon said the world is facing a climate emergency, so now is not the time to develop brand new sources of fossil fuels like shale.
"That's like throwing gasoline onto a burning house," he said.
Liberal MLA Benoît Bourque agreed with Coon that the government should avoid using fossil fuels. Although Holland wanted to reiterate that the government has not lifted the moratorium yet, Bourque said he feels like it's been lifted.
Benoît Borque, Kent South Liberal MLA, said he feels like the government is lifting the moratorium on shale gas development, 'pure and simple.' (CBC)
"I find this has been politically motivated, has been botched and I understand where they want to go, but I feel the process is not right," Bourque said. "It's been rushed."
Several First Nations leaders across the province have said the Higgs government has made a serious mistake.
Leaders from St. Mary's, Woodstock, Madawaska, Oromocto, Tobique and Kingsclear have denounced the lifting of the moratorium, calling it "shocking, unacceptable, and unlawful."
"They need to restore the Moratorium immediately, and they need to have a serious dialogue with Indigenous peoples before taking any more steps in that direction," said Patricia Bernard, Chief of Madawaska First Nation.
Oil and gas companies are applauding the government's move to lift the moratorium. Ray Ritcey, CEO of the Maritimes Energy Association, said it's "a step in the right direction."
Information Morning - Fredericton
The Maritimes Energy Association weighs in on the reopened shale gas discussion in the province
00:0009:16
Premier Higgs has reopened the shale gas development conversation -- CEO of the Maritimes Energy Association, Ray Ritcey, says it's a step in the right direction, but may be too little for industry players. 9:16
"I think it's going to take time," Ritcey said. "I think it's going to take leadership of the government or governments to see that development occur. But, from my perspective, it would be a great opportunity and I think it should be pursued."
With files from Jacques Poitras, Information Morning and the CBC New Brunswick Political Podcast
David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks I was being fair to touch base with Jeff Hoyt of the Climate Change Secretariat particularly after the Conservation Council has ignored my concerns for 15 years N'esy Pas?
Province proposes carbon tax on tiny fraction of emissions from big industrial polluters
24 Comments
David Amos Methinks I was being fair to touch base with Jeff Hoyt of the Climate Change Secretariat particularly after the Conservation Council has ignored my concerns for 15 years N'esy Pas?
David Amos "But environmentalist Lois Corbett of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick said by excluding more than 99 per cent of industrial emissions, Carr's plan is too weak to have an effect.
"Is it fair that large polluters get to dump their crap for free?" she asked reporters."
Yawn
Methinks its time for a nap and allow the professional complainers do their thing N'esy Pas?
David Amos "Carr said large exporters that sell into the U.S. market, such as the Irving Oil refinery in Saint John and several large forestry mills, can't afford to pass on to customers the extra cost of a big carbon tax."
Cry me a river
Ray Bungay Reply to @David Amos: You must have worked for the Irving Group as you seemto think you know a lot about their operations
Cry me a River!
David Amos
Reply to @Ray Bungay: Now thats funny
David Amos "Carr and his officials say they're optimistic that it will win federal approval because it matches Ottawa's system in most respects."
Yea Right
David Amos "Carr said the province wants to give NB Power credit for emissions reductions it has already made."
Surprise Surprise Surprise
Province proposes carbon tax on tiny fraction of emissions from big industrial polluters
Environmentalist Lois Corbett says Jeff Carr's plan is too weak to have an effect
Environment Minister Jeff Carr said large exporters that sell into the U.S. market can’t afford to pass on to customers the extra cost of a big carbon tax. (CBC)
The Higgs government is proposing a carbon tax on heavy industry that would give NB Power ratepayers a break and would dramatically lighten the financial burden on emitters that export most of their products.
The system would tax only 0.84 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from the province's biggest emitters this year, far below the 20 per cent in the existing federal system.
Environment Minister Jeff Carr called the plan "a balanced one that takes into account where we are as a province right now, our economic factors right now."
"We're in a volatile position right now with our jobs."
Carr said large exporters that sell into the U.S. market, such as the Irving Oil refinery in Saint John and several large forestry mills, can't afford to pass on to customers the extra cost of a big carbon tax.
Even so, he said the provincial levy on industry would still provide those plants with a financial incentive to lower emissions.
"If they invest in their own facilities and start lowering their emissions, good behaviour is rewarded by not having to pay it," he said.
Is Carr's plan too weak?
But environmentalist Lois Corbett of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick said by excluding more than 99 per cent of industrial emissions, Carr's plan is too weak to have an effect.
"Is it fair that large polluters get to dump their crap for free?" she asked reporters. She acknowledged the share of emissions subject to the tax will increase to 10 per cent by 2030.
"It will ratchet up over time and that's a good thing, but at the beginning we're starting out very slow and very free," Corbett said.
Lois Corbett of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick asked if it's fair that large polluters get to 'dump their crap for free?' (CBC)
Emitters that go beyond the standard will have to pay, while those that stay below it can earn credits that can be sold to the high emitters.
The previous Gallant Liberal government opted to accept the federal plan for industrial emitters rather than develop its own.
But after taking office last November, the Progressive Conservatives committed to crafting their own system. It will go out for public input during the next month and must be finalized and submitted to Ottawa by July 31.
Carr and his officials say they're optimistic that it will win federal approval because it matches Ottawa's system in most respects.
It covers the same industrial sectors, applies to the same gases and applies the same price scale of $20 per tonne this year, rising to $50 per tonne in 2022.
Officials said the seemingly tiny fraction of emissions subject to the price this year is still more than Saskatchewan's model, which Ottawa approved.
"We feel as a whole that it checked off all the boxes," said Jeff Hoyt, executive director of the province's climate change secretariat.
The New Brunswick system also seeks to avoid hitting NB Power with big carbon-price costs that would lead to an additional six per cent hike on top of regular rate increases by 2022.
The environment minister proposed a carbon tax that would give NB Power ratepayers a break. (Michael Heenan/CBC)
The plan divides the utility's fuel sources for its generating stations into three different categories and applies the tax differently to each of them. The province calculates that will translate into an extra rate impact of only one per cent by 2022.
Carr said the province wants to give NB Power credit for emissions reductions it has already made. Hoyt acknowledged that the approach is "somewhat unique" and that no other province has seen such a system for electricity generation approved by Ottawa.
The province said the plan will reduce "emissions intensity"— the ratio of greenhouse gases relative to what the industrial plant producers — by 10 per cent by 2030. But the actual reduction in emissions will be smaller.
Even so, it would allow the province to reach the Paris climate goal of getting emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels. Emissions are already 28 per cent below those levels.
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.
David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others This file ain't missing yet Methinks the "Power That Be" know that I filed it in the dockets of too many courts etc for that to happen readily N'esy Pas?
Methinks the "Power That Be" know that I filed it in the dockets of too many courts etc for that to happen readily N'esy Pas?
Daniel Sutherland
What's there to hide? That P.E.T. was a communist sympathizer? This isn't news to anyone familiar with Canadian political history and I suspect his son has inherited daddy's views.
Adam Gajewski:
Reply to @Daniel Sutherland: Eh??? The records would not be obliterated if there was nothing to hide...
Donald Polk
Reply to @Daniel Sutherland: Why on earth would you think the PM is a communist sympathizer?
Jeff Bourns
Reply to @Donald Polk: Likely because he also sees dead people.
Marcus Garvey
Reply to @Daniel Sutherland: “Others were destroyed, including dossiers on prime ministers John Diefenbaker...”
I heard Dief was a Maoist.
Andreas Burnett
Reply to @Daniel Sutherland: What is there to hide? Rogue government elements operating without oversight, checks or balances? Absence of "law"? Foreign government interference? We can only speculate now as the documents are destroyed -illegally.
Andreas Burnett
Reply to @Daniel Sutherland:
Trudeau sold out the public central bank to private interests. A country run on credit is run by creditors -not the prime minister (he's only a temporary administrator for the creditors). That is a far more pertinent story than any of that "communist sympathizer" stuff.
Lenny Griever
Reply to @Donald Polk: How about his love for Castro, and admiration for the Chinese governmental system....HIS WORDS.
David Amos
Reply to @Lenny Griever: YUP
CSIS destroyed secret file on Pierre Trudeau, stunning historians
Documents fell short of the legal threshold for retention
Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, wearing a rose in his buttonhole, talks to the media on Oct. 23, 1974, in Paris. A dossier on Trudeau, compiled by the RCMP, was destroyed by CSIS. (AFP/Getty Images)
Canada's spy service destroyed a Cold War dossier on Pierre Trudeau in 1989 instead of turning it over to the national archives, The Canadian Press has learned.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service says the secret file on the former prime minister was scrapped because it fell short of the legal threshold for retention by either the service or the archives.
News of the decision to purge the file, which is coming to light only three decades later, has stunned and disappointed historians.
"It's just outrageous, there's no other word to describe it," said John English, who wrote an acclaimed biography of Trudeau. "It's a tragedy that this has happened, and I think the explanation is weak."
Steve Hewitt, who has spent years chronicling the country's security services, called the destruction "a crime against Canadian history."
"This wanton destruction cries out for parliamentary intervention to ensure that historically significant documents held by government agencies are preserved instead of being made to disappear down an Orwellian memory hole," said Hewitt, a senior lecturer at the University of Birmingham.
The Trudeau file was among hundreds of thousands CSIS inherited in the 1980s after the RCMP Security Service was dissolved following a series of scandals.
In a bid to uncover subversives out to disrupt the established order, RCMP spies had eyed a staggering variety of groups and individuals, from academics and unions to environmentalists, peace groups and even politicians.
In 1988, James Kelleher, the federal minister responsible for CSIS at the time, directed the spy service to sort through the resulting heap of files.
Some RCMP records — including voluminous files on Quebec premier René Lévesque and NDP leaders David Lewis and Tommy Douglas — were sent to Library and Archives Canada.
Others were destroyed, including dossiers on prime ministers John Diefenbaker and Lester Pearson. Still other files, judged to have current value at the time, went to CSIS's active intelligence holdings.
Security records on individuals become eligible for disclosure under the Access to Information Act only 20 years after a person's death. Until then, even the existence of a file is secret due to privacy considerations.
Rumours of a file on Trudeau, Canada's third-longest serving prime minister, have circulated for decades.
FBI involvement
A 1959 memo in the RCMP's Lévesque file indicates undercover officers duly noted Trudeau's attendance at a gathering hosted by a Montreal artist.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has long worked closely with the Mounties, kept watch on Trudeau for more than 30 years, charting his path from globetrotting public intellectual who visited the Soviet Union in the early 1950s through his time as a Liberal prime minister.
The bureau's heavily censored, 151-page dossier was released under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act just months after Trudeau's death in September 2000, in keeping with American disclosure practices.
The Canadian Press recently requested the former prime minister's RCMP file under the access law from Library and Archives Canada and CSIS prior to the 20th anniversary of his passing next year, given that it can take many months to process such applications.
The archives swiftly replied that it does not have a Trudeau dossier. CSIS said its records indicate the file was destroyed on Jan. 30, 1989.
In a written response to questions, the spy service said a 1988 analysis of the Trudeau file concluded it did not meet the threshold in the CSIS Act to justify being kept in service's active inventory. The file also fell short of criteria for preservation set out by the national archives and was therefore destroyed the following year, CSIS added.
"CSIS takes privacy considerations related to its work very seriously. We are committed to ensuring that the retention of information continues to be in compliance with all legislation and ministerial direction," the agency said.
In addition, guidelines and regulations set by the archives "are always followed when determining whether CSIS holdings contain archival value."
CSIS declined to elaborate on the rationale for purging the Trudeau file.
Threats may have been exaggerated
However, when destruction of the Pearson and Diefenbaker files came to light seven years ago, the spy service noted they were presumably compiled at the height of the Cold War with the Soviet Union.
"That was a time when, as some historians argue, the security community occasionally saw threats that — hindsight being 20-20 — might seem exaggerated to us today."
CSIS pointed out that such behaviour helped spur the federal government to divorce security-intelligence from law enforcement, leading to the creation of CSIS, a civilian agency.
Historians say that does not excuse erasing security files on former prime ministers from the national record.
It is the sort of practice "expected of an authoritarian state and not a proper democracy that values its history," said Hewitt, co-author of the recent Just Watch Us, which delves into RCMP surveillance of the women's movement.
University of Toronto historian Robert Bothwell said security files like the one on Trudeau tend to say more about the compilers than the subject of the surveillance. Nevertheless, important records should be kept.
"When it concerns a prime minister, it has historical value," he said. "That's a pretty clear standard."
David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks Mr Higgs and the CBC know that I published many emails about many issues that should have concerned he and his very corrupt cohorts immensely N'esy Pas?
---------- Original message ---------- From: Dale Morgan <dale.morgan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:11:42 -0400 Subject: Re: Methinks your buddy Mr Higgs and his lawyers can never claim that we didn't have issues Nesy Pas Chucky Leblanc? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
I am currently AOL returning June 24th. Please contact Sgt. James MACPHERSON (Sussex) or Staff Ben JOLETTE (Southeast District) in my absence. I am also on my cell.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Catherine.McKenna@parl.gc.ca Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2019 17:11:51 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks your buddy Mr Higgs and his lawyers can never claim that we didn't have issues Nesy Pas Chucky Leblanc? To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
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---------- Original message ---------- From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)"<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2019 00:39:09 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter 430 - NB Power 2019-2020 General Rate Application / Instance Nº 430 - Énergie NB Demande générale de tarifs pour 2019-2020 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
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On behalf of Premier Blaine Higgs, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your email.
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Au nom du premier ministre Blaine Higgs, j’accuse réception de votre courriel.
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---------- Original message ---------- From: "Anderson-Mason, Andrea Hon. (JAG/JPG)"<Andrea.AndersonMason@gnb.ca> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2019 00:39:09 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter 430 - NB Power 2019-2020 General Rate Application / Instance Nº 430 - Énergie NB Demande générale de tarifs pour 2019-2020 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@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. If your issue is Constituency related, please contact Lisa Bourque at my constituency office at Lisa.Bourque@gnb.caLisa.Bourque@gnb.ca
> or (506) 755-2810. Thank you.
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. Si c’est au sujet du bureau de circonscription, veuillez contacter Lisa Bourque à Lisa.Bourque@gnb.caLisa.Bourque@gnb.ca> ou (506)755-2810. Merci.
Andrea Anderson-Mason, Q.C. / c.r.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Carr, Jeff Hon. (ELG/EGL)"<Jeff.Carr@gnb.ca> Date: Mon, 13 May 2019 10:01:18 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Golly Gosh Batman CBC has just revealed one of the many reasons the EUB has barred me To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@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. If your issue is Constituency related, please contact Roseann at my Constituency office in Fredericton Junction at roseann.smith@gnb.ca or 368-2938. 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. Si votre courriel est lié à une issue de circonscription, veuillez contacter Roseann à mon bureau de circonscription à Fredericton Junction à roseann.smith@gnb.ca ou 368-2938. Merci encore pour votre courriel.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Gallant, Brian (LEG)"<Brian.Gallant@gnb.ca> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2019 00:39:09 +0000 Subject: RE: Matter 430 - NB Power 2019-2020 General Rate Application / Instance Nº 430 - Énergie NB Demande générale de tarifs pour 2019-2020 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
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---------- Original message ---------- From: "MinFinance / FinanceMin (FIN)"<fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2019 00:39:20 +0000 Subject: RE: Matter 430 - NB Power 2019-2020 General Rate Application / Instance Nº 430 - Énergie NB Demande générale de tarifs pour 2019-2020 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
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---------- Original message ---------- From: "Holland, Mike Hon. (ERD/DER)"<Mike.Holland@gnb.ca> Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2019 12:57:26 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Yo Dennis King and Lea-Jane Hayward I just called about the documents I sent the Binns Govenment and all the rest,in 2005 and the strange call I got yesterday from Ontario about District 15 Correct? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
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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.
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---------- Original message ---------- From: "Fine, Sean"<SFine@globeandmail.com> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 21:15:58 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: YO Mikey Holland at least your boss Mr Higgs, your many minions in NB Power and many others cannot deny that I kept you all duly informed while you all just laughed me N'esy Pas Chuckky Leblanc? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
?I am in a place far removed from reality, from June 1 to June 8. On my return, I promise to be kinder.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 21:15:56 +0000 Subject: Réponse automatique : YO Mikey Holland at least your boss Mr Higgs, your many minions in NB Power and many others cannot deny that I kept you all duly informed while you all just laughed me N'esy Pas Chuckky Leblanc? To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
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Thank you for contacting the office of Honourable Mélanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville. This e-mail acknowledges receipt of your correspondence, which will be processed as soon as possible. Please note, if your request is intended for the Honourable Mélanie Joly in her capacity as Minister of Tourism, Official languages and La Francophonie, kindly forward your e-mail to the following address: hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca<mailto:hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca> I trust that this information will be of assistance to you. The Honourable Mélanie Joly Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)"<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 20:47:05 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter No. 357 - NB Power 2017 Rate Design / Instance Nº 357 - Énergie NB - Établissement des tarifs pour 2017 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
[Le français suit.]
On behalf of Premier Blaine Higgs, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your email.
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Au nom du premier ministre Blaine Higgs, j’accuse réception de votre courriel.
Veuillez noter que votre demande sera traitée dans les plus brefs délais.
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S’il s’agit d’une demande des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le Cabinet du premier ministre au 506-453-2144.
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---------- Original message ---------- From: "Harrison, Wanda"<WHarrison@nbpower.com> Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2019 15:28:19 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: EXT - Yo Mikey Holland the file I mentioned within the latest article about you and NB Power is on file in the EUB records at least twice thus far To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
I will be out of the office until Monday, June 10. I will be periodically checking emails.
Please contact Joanne Regan at jregan@nbpower.com or 458-3711 for any issues.
Thank you
________________________________ This e-mail communication (including any or all attachments) is intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, any use, review, retransmission, distribution, dissemination, copying, printing, or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this e-mail, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender and delete the original and any copy of this e-mail and any printout thereof, immediately. Your co-operation is appreciated. Le pr?sent courriel (y compris toute pi?ce jointe) s'adresse uniquement ? son destinataire, qu'il soit une personne ou un organisme, et pourrait comporter des renseignements privil?gi?s ou confidentiels. Si vous n'?tes pas le destinataire du courriel, il est interdit d'utiliser, de revoir, de retransmettre, de distribuer, de diss?miner, de copier ou d'imprimer ce courriel, d'agir en vous y fiant ou de vous en servir de toute autre fa?on. Si vous avez re?u le pr?sent courriel par erreur, pri?re de communiquer avec l'exp?diteur et d'?liminer l'original du courriel, ainsi que toute copie ?lectronique ou imprim?e de celui-ci, imm?diatement. Nous sommes reconnaissants de votre collaboration.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Carr, Jeff Hon. (ELG/EGL)"<Jeff.Carr@gnb.ca> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 20:47:09 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter No. 357 - NB Power 2017 Rate Design / Instance Nº 357 - Énergie NB - Établissement des tarifs pour 2017 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@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. If your issue is Constituency related, please contact Roseann at my Constituency office in Fredericton Junction at roseann.smith@gnb.ca or 368-2938. 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. Si votre courriel est lié à une issue de circonscription, veuillez contacter Roseann à mon bureau de circonscription à Fredericton Junction à roseann.smith@gnb.ca ou 368-2938. Merci encore pour votre courriel.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Wetmore, Ross Hon. (DAAF/MAAP)"<Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 20:47:05 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter No. 357 - NB Power 2017 Rate Design / Instance Nº 357 - Énergie NB - Établissement des tarifs pour 2017 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@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.
Should your issue be consituency related, please contact Glenna Law at my constituency office in Gagetown at (506) 488-3577 or rosswetmore@bellaliant.com .
Thanks again for your email! Ross Wetmore Minister MLA, Gagetown-Petitcodiac ....................................................................................................................
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.
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---------- Original message ---------- From: Karen.Ludwig@parl.gc.ca Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 20:47:19 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter No. 357 - NB Power 2017 Rate Design / Instance Nº 357 - Énergie NB - Établissement des tarifs pour 2017 To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
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---------- Original message ---------- From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario <Premier@ontario.ca> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2019 20:47:56 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Matter No. 357 - NB Power 2017 Rate Design / Instance Nº 357 - Énergie NB - Établissement des tarifs pour 2017 To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly valued.
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Emails urged Higgs to cancel plans to host Francophonie Games
47 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos Methinks Mr Higgs and the CBC know that I published the emails I sent on this topic N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: Doubt it ! Other than for a good laugh , I doubt they remember much else about you .
Greg Miller Yes, and I was one of the respondents. Thanks again Premier Higgs, truly.
David Amos
Reply to @Greg Miller: Methinks everybody knows why Mr Higgs and his cohorts never answered my emails on this topic N'esy Pas?
Josef Blow
Reply to @David Amos: Yes, everyone is glued to his and her devices wondering what havoc hath wrought big Dave.
Greg Smith Any guess as to what Higgs' response will be if we email him directly to address the millions it's costing New Brunswickers by not correctly property taxing Irving's LNG Canaport, or levying a carbon tax on their business as well?
David Amos
Reply to @Greg Smith: Methinks everybody knows why Mr Higgs does not answer important emails N'esy Pas?
Josef Blow
Reply to @David Amos: Actually everyone does not likely know everything that you do, Dave. Feel free to share the wealth of your experience and acumen...
Matt Steele With the U de M and the CCNB refusing to provide information , it seems pretty obvious that they have something to hide . The Francophonie games was just a giant SCAM from day 1 so that Brian Gallant and his select SANB buddies , and personal friends , could fill their pockets with taxpayer cash . On one hand , Brian Gallant personally ordered that a scam property tax system be fast tracked , and the HST be raised , because the Province was in such bad financial shape , and needed more TAX MONEY ; yet he was more than willing to blow through 130 MILLION on some games that were only going to last 2 weeks . Sadly , N.Bers will end up paying Gallant a taxpayer funded pension that he CERTAINLY DOES NOT DESERVE !
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Matt Steele: Amen !!!
David Amos
Reply to @Matt Steele: YUP
Marilyn Carr Every thing is secret when it comes to french and their never ending call for more of NB tax payers money.
Josef Blow
Reply to @Marilyn Carr: And you can get away with posting this stuff? In writing "when it comes to french"… tell us what you really mean.
Cleve Gallant
Reply to @Josef Blow: Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what Marilyn is saying, But than again you don’t want to hear the truth,
David Amos
Reply to @Marilyn Carr: YUP
Josef Blow
Reply to @Cleve Gallant: Not everyone is a space man like you Cleve. Tell me the truth, I’m listening.
Mack Leigh Oh what a surprise !!! The University of Moncton refused to release any documents regarding this fiasco... Heaven forbid that the UduM be accountable for the millions received from the taxpayers...all of the taxpayers of this province both federally and provincially..
Bob Smith
Reply to @Mack Leigh: It's well known that the organizing committee approached the university for a wish list of improvements they'd like to have for hosting events. The trouble was there was no one to say anything was extravagant/not needed/unnecessary. The committee saw the games as a showcase for New Brunswick and costs weren't their problem.
Josef Blow
Reply to @Mack Leigh: FYI, all NB universities are recipients of millions from taxpayers. Francophone taxpayers pay the same taxes as anglophone taxpayers, and so on. I'm sure you get the picture.
Dale Chapman
Reply to @Josef Blow: As a taxpayer in this province, I am tired of hearing both sides of the Anglophone / Francophone debate whine and complain about how much money they pay in tax and how much money they receive. The real reality of the situation is that we are a "have-not" province, deeply indebted and are only able to keep our lifestyle courtesy of the transfer payments provided by Ottawa courtesy of the taxpayers who are west of the Quebec - Ontario border (let's remember that Quebec, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland are also net recipient of transfer payments, so are also in the same boat as us). The cancellation of the games was the right thing to do based on the ballooning costs. As a taxpayer, I want to have value for my tax dollar expenditures. Adding facilities to a university is generally good value, so I wouldn't have minded if UdeM would have benefited. That being said, if Bob Smith's comment was accurate, greed is one of the problems that doomed the games... greed on the part of the UdeM and other organizations in the Moncton area wanting more than what was needed for the games.
Greg Miller
Reply to @Josef Blow: Your right but I think what people are saying is that the Francophone taxpayers get a much better cost-benefit ratio for their taxes than do the Anglophones. Difficult to dispute.
Greg Miller
Reply to @Dale Chapman: Well said!
David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Surprise Surprise Surprise
Josef Blow
Reply to @Dale Chapman: I don’t know if greed was in fact a high motivator in this fiasco, but a fiasco it is! But I agree Dale that NB is not in any position to throw money around.
Josef Blow
Reply to @Greg Miller: I don’t know what the actual numbers would say with respect to your point.
Emails urged Higgs to cancel plans to host Francophonie Games
After cost of hosting Games ballooned by millions, some people vented to the premier directly
Some members of the public vented directly to Premier Blaine Higgs via email, after learning of ballooning costs associated with hosting the 2021 Francophonie Games. The government later cancelled plans to host the games. (CBC)
A few hours after the public learned that hosting the 2021 Francophonie Games could cost taxpayers seven times more than expected, emails from the public began to flow into Premier Blaine Higgs's email account.
Over the next week, he would receive more than 40 email messages from members of the public, according to hundreds of pages of records from the Premier's Office obtained by CBC News through access to information.
All of the emails had a similar tone: the writers either urged Higgs to cancel the province's plans to host the games or questioned government spending on the games to date.
It wasn't hard for them to find out how to contact the premier, whose email is listed on the government's website.
Friday was the deadline for another host to step up with a bid, but it's unclear whether anyone has showed serious interest.
Public feedback
After the government set a $10 million limit, one email writer from Moncton urged Higgs to "please stick to what's right for the people of NB as a whole."
"If scrapping the games altogether is what is best in the end, then it's what needs to be done," the person, whose name is redacted, wrote to Higgs.
The email writer told Higgs they are French Acadian but chose to write the email in English "in hopes [of] conveying that I'm not on any side of the division we have faced and still do due to language."
The last time the games were held in Canada was 2001. They cost Ottawa and Gatineau $32 million at the time. (Jim Young/Reuters)
Another writer, identified only as a French Immersion teacher originally from Edmundston, said they were initially excited to hear the games would be hosted in New Brunswick. But they changed their mind after hearing the price.
"For the past 21 years I've been working in the school system where our technology is outdated and have no funds to replace it," the person wrote on Dec. 14.
Some writers pointed to Calgary's decision last November to dump plans to bid on the 2026 Winter Olympics, encouraging Higgs to do the same. The abandoned Calgary bid still cost governments more than $17 million, according to a report earlier this week.
'This will be brought to the premier's attention'
Others reminded Higgs of the fiscally responsible promises he made during the 2018 election campaign.
"If you go ahead with allowing Moncton to host, then what you have been saying in your speeches about cutting back and getting NB to a balanced budget will no longer be true," said one email, dated Dec. 11.
With the government looking for places to find savings, cancelling the games fit "right in the Tories' wheelhouse," according to J.P. Lewis, a political scientist at the University of New Brunswick Saint John.
It's not surprising to hear the feedback Higgs received about the Francophonie Games, according to J.P. Lewis, a political scientist at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John. (Graham Thompson/CBC)
"Especially if [Higgs] had that anecdotal evidence from the public writing in to say that they wanted him to take this direction," Lewis said.
"To hear now that it was that type of response they got isn't really surprising, considering how it appeared to be playing out on the ground, especially as the expenses added up."
Most people who wrote the premier received a standard email response from a staff member that thanked them for writing.
"Please be assured this will be brought to the premier's attention," it says.
CBC News seeks more documents
CBC News obtained thousands of pages of records from provincial government departments about plans for Moncton and Dieppe to host the 2021 Francophonie Games, which have been described as the largest sporting and cultural event in the French-speaking world.
They reveal just how invested the former Liberal government, led by former Premier Brian Gallant, was in landing the games.
But finding records created by the games organizing committee wasn't easy. That's because the committee isn't subject to federal or provincial access to information legislation.
Documents reveal the extent of former Premier Brian Gallant's involvement in landing the 2021 Francophonie Games. (Photo: CBC)
Other public bodies that are subject to such legislation have refused access to records about the games.
Karissa Donkin is a journalist in CBC's Atlantic investigative unit. Do you have a story you want us to investigate? Send your tips to NBInvestigates@CBC.ca.
Liberals trying to shift focus from harsh audit to old election texts, Higgs says
69 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos Methinks folks should consider voting for an Independent if they are fortunate enough have one running in their riding in the next election N'esy Pas?
David Amos "A day after a scathing audit of their Saint John budget bailout, New Brunswick Liberals tried to change the subject in the legislature"
Surprise Surprise Surprise
Jake Devries
Reply to @David Amos: Libs: Corrupt everywhere
Al Clark
Reply to @David Amos: That the cons said they will abide by, unlike their "slowing down for bridges on the 4 lane" speech.
Matt Steele There should be an investigation into Gallant's 130 MILLION dollar Francophonie games that he was all set to approve ; and the couple of MILLION that was already spent by Gallant's personal friends on the Games before Higgs pulled the plug . Exactly who was on the organizing group for those games , and where did the money go that they was already spent ? No doubt Dominic LeBlanc and Trudeau had their fingers in the 130 MILLION dollar boondoggle as well . Maybe Kevin Vickers can enlighten us some ?
David Amos
Reply to @Matt Steele: Dream on
Marc Martin
Reply to @Matt Steele: I am pretty sure the deals the Cons did with the Fracking and Wood industry is costing a lot more to NBers, why don't you ask for an investigation on that ?
Lou Bell
Reply to @Matt Steele: Won't hear from Vickers . The SANB fab five haven't finished restringing their puppet yet .
Axel Roosevelt
Reply to @Matt Steele:
I don't think Vickers can enlighten anyone on much of anything.
Al Clark
Reply to @Axel Roosevelt: He can enlighten on "what to do when your 'leader' is wetting himself in a closet"
Harold Benson Come on Blaine, get some gonads and do something about the atcon affair.
David Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: Methinks he sold his gonads to the Irving Clan long ago N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell Appears the Liberals are following the Trump template . DEFLECT ! DEFLECT DEFLECT !! And with the help of Jacques as usual. 200 million in untendered contracts ! Methinks patronage was alive and well in the Liberal/ SANB domain ! Then another 40 or 50 million for infrastructure to their Moncton/ Dieppe/ U de M cohorts in their failed attempt to stick us for their phonie games ! Talk about back door politics ! Shameful !!!
Marc Martin
Reply to @Lou Bell: Just to educate you on the subject Trump is a Conservative.
David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Excellent research I thought you French bureaucrats didn't work
Marc Martin
Reply to @David Amos: I am not French I am Canadian, there is a difference....
Lou Bell
Reply to @Marc Martin: I don't care what affiliation Trump had , he was there for himself and his enablers, just like the Liberals . Get in , get elected , represent their minority , and fill all their pockets .
Lou Bell
Reply to @Marc Martin: I suppose " Marc uerite is the same then . Don't think so !!
Greg Smith
Reply to @Lou Bell: Are you seriously attempting at making a relationship between the alt-right leaning 1%er American president and the Liberal party in NB? The two couldn't be more dissimilar, but it wouldn't be a regular day here if you didn't show up making preposterous unsubstantiated statements in your relentless quest to set an all-time record for downvotes.
Marc Martin
Reply to @Lou Bell: You actually didn't know he was a conservative awwwwww
Jake Devries
Reply to @Marc Martin: then ACT LIKE IT...
Eric Plexe “The Graham government gave the Atcon group of companies a total of $63.4 million in loan guarantees in 2008 and 2009. Those decisions cost taxpayers more than $70 million following Atcon’s bankruptcy in 2010.”
“A $22.8-million bailout package by the Brian Gallant government for the City of Saint John represented "excessive risk" to provincial taxpayers and did not go through the normal approval process, according to New Brunswick's auditor general.” in 2018.
David Amos
Reply to @Eric Plexe: Methinks the Conservatives ignored the same issues N'esy Pas?
Roy Kirk Just once it'd be nice to get the sense that these partisans were somewhat contrite about their past acts and omissions.
David Amos
Reply to @Roy Kirk: Methinks you know as well as I that is never gonna happen N'esy Pas?
David Peters Follow the money, bc it's the big money that wins elections/sets policy.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @David Peters: Nope
Methinks everybody knows how broke the PCs were and how fat the liberal bank account was when the writ was dropped for the last election N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: Oh my seems the truth hurts
David Amos
Reply to @David Peters: Methinks everybody knows how broke the PCs were when the writ was dropped last year yet they won N'esy Pas?
David Amos YEA RIGHT One would be rather foolish to believe the words of a politician or a lawyer and very dumb indeed to believe a political lawyer
"The Modern Miracle Network's New Brunswick address is listed as in care of Nic Ouellette, a Saint John lawyer and former executive assistant to Higgs.
The Manning Foundation's address is listed as the law offices of Lawson Creamer, a Saint John firm where former PC leadership candidate Mel Norton works.
Higgs said no one from New Brunswick Proud was involved in his campaign, "certainly not directly with me in any way, shape or form." He also said he was not aware of any co-ordination between his campaign and Norton and Ouellette."
Methinks Mr Mckee should agree after all he is a political lawyer N'esy Pas?
But McKee said their involvement with New Brunswick Proud "raises a suspicion."
Marc Martin
Reply to @David Amos: This is impressive researche work, you did good.
Al Clark
Reply to @Marc Martin: 1111
Al Clark
Reply to @Al Clark: Tell Mel LOL!
JJ Carrier They were robocalling in N.B. on Monday and Tuesday, trying to hide behind whatever funding stream that brought them back after last year's smoke and mirrors...They had no real impact on the last election, because if they did CoR Lite would have gotten more seats in a campaign where they should have won more, but dropped the ball in the former key CoR regions by not campaigning fully until the last two weeks...The big losers were the PC's neo-CoR, as their followers may have caused Higgs to not win a majority by these old schoolers voting for the failed minister's candidates rather than established PCs.
David Amos
Reply to @JJ Carrier: Methinks you forgot that your SANB buddies lost the last election N'esy Pas?
JJ Carrier
Reply to @David Amos: To think I'm a PANB supporter is laughable...I have won more than 250 awards as the province's most decorated community reporter of the last four decades, which makes me famous in my circle - and I'm not that good...To quote my friend The Unknown Comic, you're not famous, are you Amos, for your cliche posts? And that's how the cookie crumbles...
JJ Carrier
Reply to @David Amos: And to quote The Bard, get thee to a nunnery...
David Amos
Reply to @JJ Carrier: "To think I'm a PANB supporter is laughable"
Methinks its strange that who claim to be a great writer in light of the obvious fact that you can't read N'esy Pas?
Marc Martin
Reply to @JJ Carrier: Well said sir.
David Amos
Reply to @JJ Carrier: You have mail
John Smith
Reply to @JJ Carrier: that is one of the worst interpretations of teh last election results i have ever seen even subtracting the lowbrow analogies its not even close to what happened
Al Clark
Reply to @john smith: ewe r such an awesome riter i cant understand why you aint got no award urself the speling an punktuatshun is awesome all day everyday have you ever written a novel i wood so reed it
Bob Smith Nice picture of McKee. Looks like he's trying to create a diversion with the political equivalent of "Squirrel!!". Fact is, the Liberals threw millions of taxpayer money into SJ coffers with no conditions on the money and when the deal expires next year, this shady deal will come up again...
Rosco Holt
Reply to @Bob Smith: What would conservatives have done in the liberals place? ……… The same bloody thing, they would have given money to SJ and you know it.
Bob Smith
Reply to @Rosco holt: Probably. Fact is, SJ finances are well and truly messed up and hard decisions are going to have to be made at some point, not "Kick the can down the road.." choices.
David Amos
Reply to @Bob Smith: Methinks he always looks like a deer caught in the headlights N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Rosco holt: "The same bloody thing, they would have given money to SJ and you know it.'
I concur
David Peters
Reply to @Bob Smith: ...but why are they messed up? Was it a sound decision to go ahead with mega projects like a new bus garage, court house and parking garage, when the cities financial situation was unhealthy to begin with?
On the federal level, we have the snc lavalin fiascos....might be time to start moveing away from these gov't backed mega projects.
Bob Smith
Reply to @David Peters: Why are they messed up? Start back in the eighties...when the Elsie Wayne councils chose to give pensions rather than raises when contract time came.."kick the can down the road" economics. Couple that with general incompetence and resistance to bringing in new businesses (the recent Reversing Falls restaurant fiasco typified council) and you have a council still not wanting to make tough budget choices.
Paul Bourgoin
Reply to @Bob Smith: Would Higgs be strongly connected in St. John, NB.?
Bob Smith
Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: Higgs has connections, yes, but given he's not throwing money around like Gallant did, doubt he'll extend the deal. At the most, Higgs might offer a loan but heavily contingent on Darling outlining a plan to fix things beyond shrugging his shoulders.
Liberals trying to shift focus from harsh audit to old election texts, Higgs says
MLA Rob McKee calls for investigation into anti-Liberal text machine New Brunswick Proud
Rob McKee said New Brunswick Proud appears to have spent money on the campaign before it officially registered last September, a potential violation of the law. (CBC)
A day after a scathing audit of their Saint John budget bailout, New Brunswick Liberals tried to change the subject in the legislature by suggesting a Conservative-friendly online group may have violated election laws.
Liberal MLA Rob McKee called for an investigation into New Brunswick Proud, also known as Proudly New Brunswick, including whether it co-operated with the Progressive Conservative Party during last year's provincial election.
But Premier Blaine Higgs said the Liberals were trying to distract voters from Tuesday's report by Auditor General Kim MacPherson. It said a $22.8 million bailout by the Brian Gallant government circumvented provincial law.
"This was seven months or eight months ago, sort of an old item," Higgs said of the Liberal allegations, "but obviously the auditor-general's report is very current."
Even so, Higgs said he's willing to revive a proposal his party made when it was in opposition to ban or restrict campaign spending by outside groups.
"I do think we need to bring it back," he told reporters. "The idea is you can't have an open season. … That is not democracy."
Anti-Liberal texts during campaign
New Brunswick Proud sent out automated anti-Liberal text messages during and after last fall's provincial election campaign.
Outside-group or "third-party" advertising is allowed during provincial election campaigns, but the groups must register with Elections New Brunswick if they spend more than $500. They must also file returns listing their donors and expenses.
"I do think we need to bring it back," he told reporters. "The idea is you can't have an open season. … That is not democracy."
Many New Brunswickers received this text during last fall's election campaign. (CBC)
According to its return, New Brunswick Proud had only two donations above $100: $5,000 from the pro-oil group Modern Miracle Network, and $7,000 from the Manning Foundation, a conservative-leaning think-tank.
The Modern Miracle Network's New Brunswick address is listed as in care of Nic Ouellette, a Saint John lawyer and former executive assistant to Higgs.
The Manning Foundation's address is listed as the law offices of Lawson Creamer, a Saint John firm where former PC leadership candidate Mel Norton works.
Higgs said no one from New Brunswick Proud was involved in his campaign, "certainly not directly with me in any way, shape or form." He also said he was not aware of any co-ordination between his campaign and Norton and Ouellette.
But McKee said their involvement with New Brunswick Proud "raises a suspicion."
The law on political donations says third-party group and political parties cannot "collude" with each other "to circumvent or attempt to circumvent" the law.
McKee also said the group appears to have spent money on the campaign before it officially registered last September, a potential violation of the law.
"When you look at the big picture, it just makes it seem a little cozy in terms of the sophisticated planning that went behind it," he said.
Heidi McKillop, listed on the return as the chief financial officer for New Brunswick Proud, said via a text message Wednesday that she would not comment because she is no longer with New Brunswick Proud.
Ouellette did not respond either, and Norton's office said he was away until next week.
Higgs sees hypocrisy
Higgs said Wednesday if the Liberals want to push for transparency, they should give the auditor general access to documents from their government that would shed more light on the Saint John budget bailout.
MacPherson's audit flagged several problems with the bailout, including that then-premier Gallant guaranteed the city the money before cabinet had approved it, and that some money was handed over before Gallant signed the agreement.
Auditor General Kim MacPherson flagged several problems with the Saint John bailout, including that then-premier Brian Gallant guaranteed the city the money before cabinet approved it. (CBC)
The $22.8 million was meant to close Saint John's deficit gap over three years, giving municipal and provincial officials time to work out longer-term solutions to the city's fiscal problems. But Higgs said the money was intended to buy votes in the city.
MacPherson said in her audit that she "found evidence departments involved did not provide all documentation and communications requested," a potentially illegal obstruction of access under the Auditor General Act.
Higgs's comment suggests the Liberals still control access to documents from their time in power. But MacPherson's office refused Wednesday to clarify precisely which documents she was referring to in the audit, and which government — the Liberals or the PCs — refused to turn them over.
Her spokesperson Kevin Maillet acknowledged the wording of the passage is "ambiguous" and said it was written that way deliberately.
Premier Blaine Higgs said MacPherson can have access to any information on the bailout that he controls. (CBC)
Asked Wednesday whether his government had given MacPherson everything she asked for on the bailout, Higgs said he didn't know, but "if there's information that I can control that she wants to look at, she's got it."
The Liberals denied they timed their questions about New Brunswick Proud to shift the focus from the audit. McKee said they'd been researching the issue for months and wanted to raise it before the legislature adjourned for the summer.
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.
PC Leader Blaine Higgs addresses supporters on election night on Sept. 24, 2018, before he became premier. The Higgs government just wrapped up its first legislative session, with a mix of successes and setbacks. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
When the new Progressive Conservative minority government opened its first session of the legislature last November, it had one overriding priority: survival.
The session adjourned Friday for the summer, and the PCs have done more than just survive: they've implemented major parts of their agenda while gaining in popularity.
With only 22 of 49 seats and just 32 per cent of the popular vote in the Sept. 28 election, Premier Blaine Higgs has often joked that he can't count on being in office for long and can't make promises beyond next spring.
Yet his government has managed to repeal the Liberal carbon tax, reform WorkSafeNB and stand its ground in a dispute with unionized nursing home workers.
It also cancelled $200 million in planned infrastructure spending and passed a balanced budget that pays down debt for the first time in a decade.
Government house leader Glen Savoie said Friday it's the result of constant consultation with other parties.
"When a bill has to come forward, we want to make sure all of the other parties are aware of them, that they understand the intent of each bill, and make sure they have the opportunity to ask questions in a briefing," he said.
Glen Savoie, government house leader, said consultation with other parties has played a big role in some of the PC government's successes so far. (Radio-Canada)
"When they come into the legislature we have a sense of how the debate is going to go, to the benefit of New Brunswickers."
Voters seem to like the result. A series of polls have put the PCs above the 40 per cent mark, well ahead of the Liberal Opposition and in a position to win a majority in an early election.
Despite the successes, there have been setbacks. MLAs from the three other parties passed a symbolic motion calling for binding arbitration with the nursing home workers.
And the PCs had to withdraw a fiscal transparency bill because of objections from the three other parties.
Struggling with constitutional rights
The Tories have also struggled to navigate the terrain of constitutional rights.
They announced in December they would relax bilingual hiring requirements for paramedics in some areas of the province — a move that would violate both the Official Languages Act and the Charter of Rights.
They backtracked a month later, acknowledging the government's legal obligations. But Higgs seldom talks about why those obligations matter to francophones.
Instead he focuses on how French immersion has failed to produce anglophone graduates who can land bilingual jobs.
That may explain why a poll this week by Narrative Research shows the PCs still lagging behind the Liberals among francophone voters.
Higgs has also articulated his vision of Indigenous rights.
Jake Stewart, minister of Aboriginal affairs, acknowledged Aboriginal rights in the legislature, declaring 'we are all treaty people.' (CBC)
Indigenous leaders criticized the government for not consulting them before exempting the Sussex area from the provincial moratorium on shale gas development.
While Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jake Stewart has made a point of acknowledging aboriginal rights in the legislature, declaring "we are all treaty people," Higgs hasn't used the same kind of language. And he called the duty to consult on resource issues "vague" and "undefined."
The Tories' closest collaborators in the legislature, the People's Alliance, declared their first session of the legislature a success. The party elected its first three MLAs ever last September.
On Friday the Alliance released a list of their purported accomplishments, taking credit for helping the PCs pass their balanced budget and citing partial victories on small-scale pocketbook issues.
A bill introduced by Alliance Leader Kris Austin to require car inspections every two years, instead of every year, passed this week and received royal assent Friday. But he compromised and let the PCs remove a section to eliminate the need for annual registration renewals.
People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin has been able to pass pieces of his party's platforms under the Higgs government. (CBC)
"People think that because it's a minority situation that you're able to accomplish everything, and that's just not realistic," he said.
"It's like we have a nuclear button. There's no in-between. You either collapse government, or you work with government to get as much done as you can. And I feel we've accomplished that in our roles."
Austin revives language issue
Austin also pushed the Tories and Medavie to come up with a mechanism for hiring more unilingual paramedics for permanent, full-time jobs.
Still, in recent weeks Austin has revived complaints about the bilingual requirement for paramedics. He said he'll try to amend the Official Languages Act next session to eliminate it.
That coincides with polls showing the Alliance losing a lot of the support it won on election day.
Narrative's latest poll had the party at six per cent, less than half of what it received on election day. Austin said the polls don't worry him because the Alliance was at the same level six months before its election breakthrough.
Liberals struggling
The Liberals have also taken a tumble. Though they won the popular vote last Sept. 24, they've trailed the PCs in polling since then.
The party has taken a beating on some of its actions while it was in government, including a $22.8 million bailout for the City of Saint John and a bid to host the Francophonie Games that turned out to be far more expensive than predicted.
The Liberals have also struggled to articulate clear positions on some issues. On Friday, Moncton South MLA Cathy Rogers said she was against glyphosate spraying but said her party did not want to move too fast in calling for a ban.
'Mr. Vickers, where are you?'
The party has a new leader, Kevin Vickers, who has yet to appear at the legislature and is not giving any apparent direction to Liberal MLAs there.
"Mr. Vickers, where are you?" Alliance MLA Rick DeSaulniers asked in a tongue-in-cheek statement. "Come out of hiding."
Dieppe Liberal MLA Roger Melanson said Friday the party is operating on two parallel tracks, with MLAs opposing the government in the house while Vickers travels the province to listen to citizens.
Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers announced his vision for the province at a May rally in Miramichi. (Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC)
"In due course, when eventually there will be an election, we will have a platform that will represent New Brunswick's ideas and New Brunswick's aspirations," Melanson said.
Green surge
Polling suggests the Liberals have been losing support to the Green Party. The two parties are tied among anglophone respondents in Narrative's new poll, and overall the Greens were at 18 percent. Green Leader David Coon said both the Liberals and the PCs are nervous about "the surge of Greens" in the polls.
Green Party Leader David Coon has said the provincial election result shows a desire of the voters for collaboration among political parties, something Premier Blaine Higgs previously said as well. (CBC)
The PCs have called the Liberals and the Greens "the Red Green Show," lumping them together. But Coon said that despite the rhetoric — and despite his party's opposition to Higgs's position on oil pipelines and shale gas — his party is being listened to by the government.
"We've found cabinet ministers to be very open so we've had frequent meetings with ministers about issues that are important to New Brunswickers," he said.
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.
Methinks now that Mr Higgs and his many cohorts have left the building all we will hear is crickets all summer long just like in his blogging buddy's video last night N'esy Pas?
Paul Bourgoin
Higgs government survives 1st session of house with mix of successes and setbacks! Was Higgs Leadership what New Brunswick tax payers needed or did it benefit his political sponsor?
David Amos
Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: Methinks folks have all summer to consider the obvious N'esy Pas?
David Amos
"The PCs have called the Liberals and the Greens "the Red Green Show," lumping them together."
Methinks they are just like a certain sort of melon Green on the outside and red inside N'esy Pas?
Dan Lee
Reply to @David Amos: Should we ccall Higgs....Higgs or Irving 2
Danny Devo
Reply to @Dan Lee: A senile vandal?
David Amos
Reply to @Dan Lee: Methinks what would be appropriate in a court of law is for Mr Higgs to be known as a Sept of the Irving Clan N'esy Pas?
David Amos
"On Friday, Moncton South MLA Cathy Rogers said she was against glyphosate spraying but said her party did not want to move too fast in calling for a ban."
Methinks that was Pure D BS N'esy Pas?
Richard Dunn
Reply to @David Amos: Cathy Rogers had 4 years to speak up and chose to simply support Brian Gallant in wasting money and being involved in scandals. Time for Cathy, and Brian, to resign.
David Amos
Reply to @Richard Dunn: Methinks you must have heard of my encounter with one of Irving Clan's former General Counsels in Federal Court by now Everybody knows the lawyer Brian Gallant certainly has N'esy Pas?
David Amos
"Green Leader David **** said both the Liberals and the PCs are nervous about "the surge of Greens" in the polls."
Too Too Funny
Matthew Locke
Great job Premier Higgs! Awesome province NB.
David Amos
Reply to @Matthew Locke: Methinks Premier Higgs forgot to give three little devils their due N'esy Pas?
"The Tories' closest collaborators in the legislature, the People's Alliance, declared their first session of the legislature a success"
Danny Devo
Reply to @Matthew Locke: Are you out of your mind?
Brian Robertson
This is what responsible government looks like, especially when faced with a demographic that uniformly votes Liberal unless made an offer in the form of a giveaway they can't refuse. Such was the case with Richard Hatfield who was even more liberal than the Liberals. English New Brunswickers, for the sake of their childrens futures, simply must vote Tory, or we will be knee deep in lobster cocktails, champaign and superficial gestures for photo=ops.
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Brian Robertson: I have been told that the Elite had leverage against Hatfield and that he complied with their demands so that the " leverage " would not be made public...
David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Methinks everybody knew anyway N'esy Pas?
Mack Leigh
Reply to @David Amos: Ah, but some seem to have very, very short memories otherwise they would not keep voting Liberal..
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Brian Robertson: responsible govt?? saying no to everything and killing NB may get us to balanced budget quickly but there will nothing and nobody to stay around to move forward. NB will be home to the provincial bureaucrats and recipients of social support...professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators will be long gone. we can then put up a for sale sign. Great strategy!
Matt Steele
At least Higgs managed to cut spending , balance the budget , and pay down the debt some . Austin seems to have managed to get motor vehicle inspections moved to every two years instead of every year....so that should save the motoring public a few bucks . Quite an improvement over Brian Gallant wanting to spend 130 MILLION bucks on some Francophonie games that were only going to last TWO WEEKS !
Dianne MacPherson
Reply to @Matt Steele: Mr. Austin hasn't quite managed that two-year MVI; I just got mine and it expires 2020 !!!
David Amos
Reply to @Dianne MacPherson: Methinks if the PANB expires in 2020 the MVI will go back to the yearly scam it always was N'esy Pas?
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Dianne MacPherson: All of the government paperwork has not been completed yet.. Give it a month or two to be implemented.
Rosco Holt
Reply to @Matt Steele: You do realize some of the cuts were scheduled maintenance/ upgrades that will cost us more when completion will be done.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Rosco holt:
Only if the libs get back in and start them up again, most of the projects weren’t essential and don’t need done at all.
David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks many would agree paper voting is the only way to go That way we have Hard Copy that is not so easy to make go "Poof" like unpopular comments often do N'esy Pas?
An air of co-operation has suddenly blown through the New Brunswick legislature
124 Comments Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Peters Imo, with internet connectivity like it is, we could vote directly on the issues.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @David Peters: Methinks many would agree paper voting is the only way to go That way we have Hard Copy that is not so easy to make go "Poof" like unpopular comments often do N'esy Pas?
David Amos Methinks desperate politicians do desperate things N'esy Pas?
John Smith just last week i announced something i feel i have to eat crow ion said this was the best gov nb has had and the they went full on authoritarian it is crazy to think they are setting up to be able to mandate injections of whatever crazy concoction they have and it will be forced upon the populace with gov track records of abusing its people medically is a step beyond taxing and collecting debt forcing a serfdom its really quite alarming
David Amos
Reply to @john smith: Methinks the leader of the Green Party must want to eat his words about getting the governments we deserve now that he is sitting in the kingmaker seat N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell LIberals //SANB are coming to the realization that there comes a point where when one group dominates for their own good and that of no one else there will be repercussions. They saw it in the last election and it's not gonna get any better. A Language Commissioner to serve one group of people and one group only, have developed years of mistrust and rightfully so. When a member of the SANB suggests ALL immigrants should be French speaking and they could learn the language of the majority , then one comes to realize how radical this group can be. To suggest that with the addition of all the new immigrants coming in has affected only the Francophones and not Anglophones is absurd and suggests how far the sense of entitlement has gone since McKenna sold out all Anglophones in NB SOLELY FOR VOTES . When politicians develop enough backbone to acknowledge there are two groups of people entrenched in NB they were elected to represent and not just one , nothing will change. The threats and backdoor politics will continue.
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Lou Bell: Amen,,,Amen,,, Amen.
David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Methinks its kinda comical how much old Louie hates me N'esy Pas?
Joseph Vacher
Reply to @Lou Bell: well said
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: You have some good opinions when you stop making every one of them about you ! We really don't care about your battles with whomever over whatever. Your opinion does matter , just let the other stuff rest.
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Yea Right Tell me another one
Joseph Vacher great, now we can have a whole army of language commissionaires
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Joseph Vacher: Smoke and mirrors while in the background the Elite make more changes to the benefit of one minority and one minority only... Only in NB , where the Majority are marginalized and treated like second class citizens.
David Amos
Reply to @Joseph Vacher: "Everybody wants to see a circus so ya give them a circus"
Methinks old P.T. Barnum understood the wicked game N'esy Pas?
Mack Leigh What an absolute farce it is... Who in their right mind would even think that setting up a standing committee on language is going to solve anything ?? Especially if that committee is comprised completely of Francophone MLA's .. That is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house. That along with reviewing the annual reports from the extremely biased Official Language Commissioner is just further whitewashing of a severe issue with language in this province that must be dealt with.. Giving the perception of actually giving a damn and being willing to make the necessary changes that will benefit all of the people of this province and not....not just the chosen few , solves absolutely nothing.
David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: "What an absolute farce it is"
Methniks you must have noticed me welcome other folks to the circus N'esy Pas?
Michel Jones
Reply to @Mack Leigh: If an air of cooperation hangs in the air of the New Brunswick legislature why would anybody be against that?
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Michel Jones: This article was written by Jacques Poitras , a staunch Liberal and SANB supporter... Controlling the dialogue at every opportunity... Suggest that you look past this smoke and mirror tactic.
David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Methinks you must be aware of the agenda of Mr Jones the spelling of his first name should speak volumes N'esy Pas?
David Amos Methinks everybody knows why I have no respect for whatever Roger Ouellette and J.P. Lewis, have to say about anything N'esy Pas?
Michel Jones
Reply to @David Amos: Your humor devaluates you when you don't explain why you have no respect.
David Amos
Reply to @Michel Jones: Methinks you should Google Fundy Royal Debate in order to keep up the devaluation of me for the benefit of Mr Lewis and his fellow political scientists N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Michel Jones: Methinks Mr Higgs and his cohorts are well aware as to why I emailed Roger Ouellette and J.P. Lewis this statement that offends you immediately after I posted it N'esy Pas?
David Amos Methinks Minister Gauvin doesn't give two hoots about what a former preacher thinks about anything N'esy Pas?
"The PCs may be warming up to Green proposals for co-operation, but Alliance Leader Kris Austin told reporters he's not interested in the standing committee on bilingualism."
Les Cooper
Reply to @David Amos: bilingualism is like beating a dead horse.
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Les Cooper: No, it is beating a serious issue in this province that has never....never been addressed.
David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: I agree
David Amos "Green MLA Kevin Arseneau proposed a standing committee on the Official Languages Act"
Surprise Surprise Surprise
Mack Leigh
Reply to @David Amos: Arseneau is more than anxious to control the dialogue around the Official Languages Act.. especially since all...ALL changes made to date have been done so behind closed doors with input from francophone groups only.... Arseneau is only interested in furthering the Elite agenda of forced frenchification and the marginalization of all non-francophones, in my opinion.
David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Methinks we should not expect any different a former SANB Prez who was once barred from the old maison for yapping too much N'esy Pas?
Paul Bourgoin Language in NB has always been the dividing issue and used to split political support! New Brunswick is one Province, one government, and many sensitive dividing issues and is walking on the road of Bankruptcy. Why? Any elected NB government appears to be steered or directed by a Super Power outside government. They are the controlling power, of NB Politics, operating with a Powerful influencing leadership system.
David Amos
Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: YUP
Aaron AllisonLet's deal with the Language ( Bilingualism ) issue now, and Hold a Referendum or have the Question put on the next Ballot.
David Amos
Reply to @Aaron Allison: Good idea but good luck seeing it on any ballot
David Stairs we need people in government to make decisions based on the needs of New Brunswickers and not party politics...and we need to hold referendums on all these issues...but guess what...the people will never get a say until the proper party is elected...party politics has got to go...
Michel Jones
Reply to @David Stairs: Referendums are very divisive, be careful what you wish for.. We're better off with cooperation imo.
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Michel Jones: How about we allow a vote and actually allow the people of this province to have their voice.... How about we actually embrace true democracy rather than this apartheid-style of governing with one minority running the province..
David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: I agree
Methinks a referendum is way overdue on the language issue The liberal politicians already made it a very divisve issue during the last election in an attempt to split the vote on the right. Well they split the vote alright and lost their mandate in the process. The next ballot should ask the folks if the next mandate of provincial government should ask the Feds to reverse what the Conservative Premier Hatfield had inserted in the Charter in order to solicit the French vote and secure his reelection N'esy Pas?
Ian Scott What they need is a transportation minister to drive the main highway at Grandbay-Westfield and see what he thinks about paving it or at fixing the thousand 3 inch deep potholes.
David Amos
Reply to @Ian Scott: Dream on
Alexander Forbes Why I think we should always have a proportional representation. We would probably never have another majority government again.
John Smith
Reply to @Aaron Allison: what we need is recal legislation so we can fire these guys midstream when they start acting like an unreasonable despot
David Amos
Reply to @john smith: YUP
Ronald Parker Good to hear this instead of the circus that usually goes on. Hope they stop spraying poison.
David Amos
Reply to @Ronald Parker: Methinks I should happy that you agree that it is a circus N'esy Pas?
Harold Benson They must be getting ready to give themselves another even bigger raise.
David Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: Of that I have no doubt
Al Clark This air of co-operation appears every time the 2 month christmas vacation, 4 month summer vacation, or the chance to give themselves another big fat raise appears on the horizon. I have to laugh at krissy - doesn't want to talk about language yet every question he answered during campaign and since has been twisted around to language. But he's not COR, oh no, absolutely. LOL
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Al Clark: Let me help you Al... Kris Austin did not say that he does not want to talk about language.. What he said and I paraphrase is that this " Standing Committee " would be a waste of time and an exercise in futility... More pandering to the Elite while giving lip service and accomplishing nothing...... Austin wants to get to the heart of the matter.. Austin wants open, honest discussion that will result in changes in the OLA that will correct the one sided pandering that has been going on for decades to one minority and one minority ...only...Heh, we could even do the democratic thing and actually vote on this Forced Official Bilingualism...
Stephen Blunston
Reply to @Mack Leigh: that about says it all
Al Clark
Reply to @stephen blunston: ....for the 1% haters....
Marc Martin
Reply to @Al Clark: Exactly..Well said !
Dan Lee
Reply to @Mack Leigh Are we talking about the man who refuse to campain in french ridings?
David Amos
Reply to @Dan Lee: YUP
Roland Godin Pry on the lid of this well covered story you may find we prefer choosing politicians for their plumage flapping political colourful rhétorique, not necessarily legislators legislating with rationality, insight, foresight, discernment and accountability, an almost extinct species..et voilà.
David Amos
Reply to @Roland Godin: Methinks everybody loves a circus with the plumage of the turkeys flapping as they spout political colourful rhétorique N'esy Pas?
JJ Carrier As long as CoR Lite reps are in the house the only thing you will get from them is, well, only support for CoR Lite policies...The last paragraph says it all..Nine years ago Kris sold his soul for votes and I can say I was glad I never had to throw him some coverage on it...To see two CoR-style parties in my lifetime shows me how deep failed ministers can go to try to bring back N.B. to 60 years ago...
David Amos
Reply to @JJ Carrier: "I can say I was glad I never had to throw him some coverage on it."
Methinks you just said a mouthful about your journalistic integrity N'esy Pas?
Rod McLeod This is the beauty of a government that is this well balanced. I really hope the upcoming federal election produces the same result. Scrap the committee on language. It will just be a further waste of money on a current waste of money.
David Amos
Reply to @Rod McLeod: Methinks many folks heard this elsewhere today N'esy Pas?
'If Trudeau isn't going to take the advice of the leadership of 59 per cent of the population, then at least take the advice of the Senate"
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs discuss their letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Bill C-48 and Bill C-69. 8:50
Tom Simpson This is actually amazing! Hopefully this continues in the foreseeable future especially in regards to NB's healthcare.
David Amos
Reply to @Tom Simpson: Methinks many would agree that its High Time the "Powers That Be" in NB finally gives me a Health Care Card N'esy Pas?
Mack Leigh There is definitely an " air " of something however I sincerely doubt that it is lasting cooperation..
David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Methinks many would agree that it smells like BS N'esy Pas?
Dianne MacPherson What is this ??? Coming on the heels of the AG's audit/s.......... wouldn't be trying to 'change the subject' would they ?????
David Amos
Reply to @Dianne MacPherson: Methinks many would agree that you are wiser than your years N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell I would expect all members of the Committee would need to be bilingual. No single language Anglophones would ever be welcome.
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Lou Bell: And that is exactly how they will once again control the dialogue and the outcome... Majority has been forgotten, marginalized and treated as second class citizens.
Stephen Blunston
Reply to @Lou Bell: worst part is it all to true
Dianne MacPherson
Reply to @Mack Leigh: And so too are voters by them having their little confabs without the Press present . Where will OUR voice be ????
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Dianne MacPherson: Sadly the " Press " in NB is biased at best and seem to have an agenda of their own.. Liberals appear to have bought some media lock , stock and barrel.. Control the narrative , control the population...
Marc Martin
Reply to @Lou Bell: Ah poor you....
David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks the same could be said of the SANB union dude in you N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell Was this idea by Mr. Arseneau presented at the last SANB get together ? I imagine so. Maybe the same one where the Liberals decided to elect the Security Guard as their leader in a very transparent attempt to appease enough Anglophones to get their votes. It's gonna backfire big time come next election.
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks it too bad so sad that you don't care about my lawsuit involving Mr Vickers N'esy Pas?
Les Cooper So why after 50 odd years is language a problem? Maybe if we went back to one language then NB could bring themselves out of debt and move out of horse and wagon times!
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Les Cooper: Not really about language.. All about Power and Control for the Francophone Elite with language being their weapon of choice.. Just imagine what would happen if First Nations were given all of the preferential treatment and funding current awarded to Francophones in this country... Now take that even further and just picture if every...every person in Canada who speaks a different languages demanded all of those " Rights" , " Concessions " and " Distinction ".... What is currently happening is eroding Canada at its' very foundation and there is no way we will ever be a united country ..
Marc Martin
Reply to @Les Cooper: We should go back to French ?
Miles Gahan
Reply to @Marc Martin: No, after spending billions upon billions trying to save it, it is still dying. The tiny little grope at SANB is still pushing for billions more to be wasted though.
Roland Godin
Reply to @Miles Gahan: The sorry part of a dying language is English now mostly replaced by the U$ lower common English dialect, however good at least to order a hot dog...eh!
Roland Godin
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Maybe we could imagine that we are ahead of our times, we must have been send here as sleeper cells a couple of centuries ago, it just took us to long to wake up...eh!...et voilà.
Harold Benson
Reply to @Les Cooper: What is the problem with people speaking their own language anyway?
David Amos
Reply to @Les Cooper: Methinks it would not be a bad place to start. Whereas New Brunswick has yet to have a Constitution of its own and Quebec questions whether the Charter is a valid document because nothing was settled in Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords it should be a hot topic within a minority government with four political parties bickering about language issues N'esy Pas?
Michel Jones
Reply to @Les Cooper: To move out of horse and wagon time would mean showing interest in the languages afforded to you by the Constitution under which you live.
Stephen Blunston IT IS ABOUT time they started to work and do what is right for the province
Harold Benson
Reply to @stephen blunston: Tell me when that happens.
David Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: Methinks we are way past the High Time to do the right but better late than never N'esy Pas?
Marc Martin *"I don't see how a committee's going to solve that," he said. "I don't see any further benefit to talking about this more."* Of course he want to remove all language rights no surprise there.
David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Cry me ariver
Harold Benson We're goona have to put up with these guys aren't we. They are all in cahoots.
David Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: Nay Not i
Buford Wilson Blaine is showing the way. Be in this place.
David Amos
Reply to @Buford Wilson: Methinks Mr Higgs and his cohorts are uncomfortable with the fact that I ran against them all in the last election in the "Place To Be" N'esy Pas?
An air of co-operation has suddenly blown through the New Brunswick legislature
MLAs of different stripes pleased to set up all-party committees on issues like health care, language
An air of co-operation has suddenly fallen over the New Brunswick legislature, with MLAs from all four political parties collaborating on various fronts. (CBC)
Maybe it's the arrival of summer weather. Maybe it's the Raptors. But there seems to be a new spirit of togetherness and cross-party co-operation at the New Brunswick legislature.
As the session winds down and MLAs prepare to adjourn for the summer, there's suddenly talk of setting up several all-party committees and caucuses so that members from the four political parties can work together on complicated issues.
One caucus is already up and running, with members from the Progressive Conservatives, Liberals, Greens and People's Alliance meeting informally last week to discuss the spraying of glyphosate.
A similar discussion may soon take place on health-care reform after what Health Minister Ted Flemming called "a sincere offer of collaboration" from Green Party Leader David Coon.
Green Party Leader David Coon speaks to reporters at the New Brunswick legislature. (CBC)
And Premier Blaine Higgs said he's open to a proposal for a permanent committee of the legislature on official languages.
After last year's provincial election failed to give any party a majority, all four parties talked about the need to work together across party lines.
Instead, the dynamic in the legislature evolved into two competing camps, with the PC government and the Alliance lining up on most issues against the Liberals and the Greens. Now that seems to be changing.
'They have to live together'
University of Moncton political scientist Roger Ouellette said the simplest explanation is probably the best one: "Nobody wants an election," he said. "They have to live together."
J.P. Lewis, associate professor at the University of New Brunswick Saint John, agreed: "They probably want to survive."
The Liberals and the People's Alliance stand to lose seats if there were a snap election, Ouellette said. And while the PCs have led in recent polls and the Greens are showing record-high levels of support, there are no guarantees that would translate into gains.
Last fall, Higgs said it was natural to work closely with the Alliance initially because that party was first to offer its support to keep him in power, "then you work on the relationships that were more difficult."
The Blaine Higgs government's willingness to work the Greens could be a strategic choice to improve how it's viewed by francophones. (CBC)
The PC openness to Green proposals now may be a strategic choice by the Tories to change how they are seen by francophones.
"They may want to detach themselves from Austin" because of his views on language issues, Ouellette said.
The sudden burst of co-operativeness happened in the space of four sitting days last week.
Language, health care and glyphosate
Last Thursday, Green MLA Kevin Arseneau proposed a standing committee on the Official Languages Act, pointing out both the House of Commons and Senate in Ottawa have committees devoted to examining how the federal legislation is implemented.
He said it would be a way to examine the issues without the discussion becoming inflamed. The committee could review whether changes to the act are needed and receive annual reports from the official languages commissioner.
Green MLA Kevin Arseneau proposed a standing committee on the Official Languages Act. (Radio-Canada)
"Let's have a sincere conversation about where we are and where we're going," he said.
Higgs said he'll consider the idea, which would require the approval of the legislature to put in effect. "There may very well be value in doing that so we'll look at that," he said.
The next day, Coon proposed another all-party structure: a "caucus" of MLAs from all parties interested in health care "to help bring about the restructuring we so badly need." Flemming immediately endorsed the idea.
"If there ever was a subject we should get together on, it there ever was a subject we should together on, it should be our health care," he said. "If there was a subject we shouldn't politicize, it should be that."
Later that morning, Energy and Resource Development Minister Mike Holland revealed to reporters that a similar caucus on natural resources had already held its first meeting earlier in the week to chat about glyphosate spraying.
Holland said he wanted to cast as wide a net as possible when formulating policy on everything from shale gas to forestry.
"There's other parties that have been in power and now there are other parties in the legislature that have perspectives on it," he said.
'Let's talk about those ideas'
Holding those discussions in a caucus meeting means they're not seen by the public — as they would be if they happened in the legislature.
But Holland said the informal, private nature of the "caucus" allows for a more candid exchange of views where MLAs could "eat the meat and spit out the bones" on the issues.
Energy Minister Mike Holland says the private nature of the caucus would allow for more open dialogue and idea sharing between MLAs. (CBC)
"I want to be able to talk to my colleagues and have a chance to sit down at a table and say, 'Here's what I'm thinking,' bounce ideas around [and] have a little bit of the freedom outside of the legislature to say, 'I've got some ideas; you got some ideas? Let's talk about those ideas.'"
He said Arseneau of the Greens along with Liberals Benoit Bourque and Andrew Harvey and Alliance MLAs Rick DeSaulniers and Michelle Conroy attended.
Austin not keen on bilingualism committee
The PCs may be warming up to Green proposals for co-operation, but Alliance Leader Kris Austin told reporters he's not interested in the standing committee on bilingualism.
"I don't see how a committee's going to solve that," he said. "I don't see any further benefit to talking about this more."
Those objections aside, Ouellette said all the cross-party discussion — even if strategically driven — could lead to better decisions.
"Everyone can have a partisan motive, but it can still have a positive effect," he said.
Lewis agreed that the strategic interpretation is "kind of cynical" and any signs of co-operation should be applauded.
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.
Impeccable timing turns the fall election into a referendum on pharmacare
3037 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos Surprise Surprise Surprise
Mo Bennett Andy doesn't trust the liberals? you should never trust ANY politician! they are not interested in yer well being, (witch, is supposed to be their job) they are only interested in pleasing the back room boys, towing the party line, making things nice for their 1% pals and their entitlements.
David Amos
Reply to @mo bennett: YO MO Methinks you should try telling folks something that they don't already know N'esy Pas?
Mo Bennett
Reply to @David Amos: in case ya haven't noticed, they've all got their hearing aids turned off!
Mo Bennett so, Eric, since yer concerned about money, can ya tell the audience about yer thoughts on, oh, let's say phoenix?
David Amos
Reply to @mo bennett: YO MO Methinks you must like the sound of crickets N'esy Pas?
Steve Duncan Smoke and mirrors won't make the slightest difference in October....Liberals are one and done in the fall.
Matt Thuaii
Reply to @Steve Duncan:
Right now Mr. Scheer is the only one against common sense. I can only assume his position won’t change by October. If wishes were horses...
...beggars would ride.
Edward Andrews
Reply to @Matt Thuaii: It isn't common sense to continue to spend money you don't have. Perhaps if Trudeau hadn't dumped and un-forecasted $4 billion into nationalizing a pipeline, millions more into illegals, funding China's banks and countless other wastes this would be something we could look at. Right now we need to grip govt out of control spending.
Neil Gregory
Reply to @Steve Duncan: "Liberals are one and done in the fall." One can only hope!
Neil Gregory
Reply to @Matt Thuaii: "Mr. Scheer is the only one against common sense. " And, a very poor choice as Trudeau's replacement.
Neil Gregory
Reply to @Edward Andrews: "It isn't common sense to continue to spend money you don't have." Someone should have told that to Trudeau the first, Mulroney and Harper as well as Trudeau II.
Edward Andrews
Reply to @Neil Gregory: Govt uses our money to buy our favour from us. Harper staved off the worst of a global economic crisis, Trudeau II lacks the ability to make decisions based on anything other than his feelings - what makes him feel warm and fuzzy inside. I don't think of any politician as having a iota of leadership skill but hope logic and reason along with the moral fortitude to make the unpopular but responsible decision would be something they could aspire to have. Trudeau's lack of self esteem and petulant child like ways means he needs the constant pat on the head or he has a tantrum and start with the syrupy sermonizing but with the experience and wisdom of a child.
Jane Miller
Reply to @Edward Andrews: "It isn't common sense to continue to spend money you don't have. "
25% of all federal debt, since confederation, was from just Harper. He was, by far, the second worst spender the country has ever had. The worst? Mulroney.
Cons don't balance budgets, haven't for 50 years. If you care about the debt, they are not the party you should vote for.
Matt Thuaii
Reply to @Edward Andrews:
Canadians already overspend $30 billion per year on ”pharmacare” under the current system. The universal plan the Liberals support would cost half as much and cover all Canadians. The data supports this and so do most Canadians. Propagandizing and social media manipulation aside (including the vote system on this site), the numbers support a shift toward common sense...
...and a shift away from paid posters and politicians like Scheer who serve corporate masters and a mentality that makes Canadians sicker, not stronger.
Patrick Martin
Reply to @Steve Duncan: Just take the subsidies, tax cuts and straight up gifts to the oil and gas sector and put it into Pharmacare. That will more than pay for it.
James Holden
Reply to @Steve Duncan: Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.
James Holden
Reply to @Neil Gregory: The NDP can't win this time 'round. They can hand the election to the Conservatives which the majority of Canadians do not want.
James Holden
Reply to @Edward Andrews: Harper wanted to deregulate the Canadian banking industry but was stopped by opposition parties. If he had succeeded, Canada, recession would have been as bad as our southern neighbor's. He was an ideological fool and is still setting the agenda for the Conservatives.
Craig Hall
Reply to @Jane Miller: Do remember the the worst recession since the great depression? If you wantedto be taken seriously, you would mention that.
David Amos
Reply to @Steve Duncan: So you say Methinks from here to October is an eternity for political pundits waiting for the the fat lady to sing about the results N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @James Holden: "He was an ideological fool and is still setting the agenda for the Conservatives."
YUP
David Amos
Reply to @James Holden: "Harper wanted to deregulate the Canadian banking industry but was stopped by opposition parties."
Methinks you may enjoy Googling "Harper and Bankers" N'esy Pas?
Luke Armstrong
Reply to @Steve Duncan: I'm counting on it Steve!
Ryan Tasker
Reply to @Steve Duncan: Wishful thinking... the only way that'll happen is if Scheer simply doesn't show up and doesn't say a word for the entire election. Should he say ANYTHING, he'll show his true colours and how inept he is and it'll be game over for the Conservatives.
So let's hope he says something...
Garry Hiebert
Reply to @Matt Thuaii: Common sense is living within your means keeping your promises respect for people who go to work every day to support their families respect for women respect for veterans respect for ethics respect for all of Canada. None which Trudeau has none.
Richard Sharp
Reply to @Steve Duncan:
No smoke. No name calling. No insults.
Just policy.
Garry Hiebert
Reply to @Jane Miller: your statement is untrue and deflection. Trudeau is breaking is promises for low deficits and balance budget in year three. Harper dealt with a world wide recession Trudeau has only himself to blame for the massive deficits he has created
Richard Sharp
Reply to @Garry Hiebert:
Trudeau made a remarkable 353 campaign promises and has met or is in the course of meeting over 90% of them, with 5% still unrated. Only 19 have been deemed broken:
Rob Preston All one needs to know is this guy was Wynn,s minister of Health. Trudeau has surrounded himself with a lot of shady ex Ontario liberals. Wonder why?
Richard Sharp Reply to @Rob Preston:
Funny I am unable to criticize your unsubstantiated personal attack against Dr. Hoskins.
David Amos
Reply to @Richard Sharp: Cry me a river
Rod Begin
Trudeau out to buy votes with our money, impeccable timing only in the subsidized media eyes!
Richard Sharp
Reply to @Rod Begin:
A long overdue national pharmacare plan is part of Trudeau's vision thing. The Cons have been missing one of those since Mulroney.
David Amos
Reply to @Richard Sharp: Methinks you post a lot of things just to promote a dispute N'esy Pas?
Ron Booth
I think Trudeau's carbon tax should cover the cost, as we all know he's not using it for carbon reduction. If you believe Trudeau then you should not vote!
David Amos
Reply to @Ron Booth: "If you believe Trudeau then you should not vote!"
Methinks in the real world you would have explain your logic to a lot of liberals real slow N'esy Pas?
Elias Eliot
Once a product becomes available "free" consumption tends to increase significantly. Therefore the 15 billion price tag it is not going to be the final cost of the program. And, as usual, they never tell us how we are going to pay for it.
Richard Sharp
Reply to @Elias Eliot:
Nonsense. Governments table budgets with projections at least five years out. For the first time ever, we will benefit this election from the PBO's costing of party platforms. You can thank the Libs for that and a slew of other meaningful electoral reforms which, no surprise, the corporate media have ignored in favour of faux scandal-mongering.
David Amos
Reply to @Richard Sharp: "faux scandal-mongering"
Methinks it must have took you all day to dream up that expression N'esy Pas?
Kevan Cleverbridge (Hill 70) Nope,this election will be about all the Trudeau Liberal failures,Carbon Tax,SNC Lavalin,Vice Admiral Norman,and the list goes on...
David Amos Reply to @Kevan Cleverbridge (Hill 70): I agree
Methinks most folks don't even know who Harper 2.0 is N'esy Pas? Andre Garafolo Not sure what's worse: the incessant debt-piling or the condescension implying that we can't smell this as election-year deflection. I'm no Con, but neither am I a mindless seal blindly barking and flapping my fins (arf arf arf) along with every multi-gajillion dollar idea to come out of Ottawa. Something has to give for pharmacare to take . . . it's called balance. You know, that thing that we try to teach . . . our children. Who bear the burden of these decisions.
George Bath
Reply to @Andre Garafolo: do you know what CPA's do?
Carl Starr
Reply to @george bath: George you have all the answer? Please put your name on the ballot. We need more hot air coming out of Ottawa.
George Bath
Reply to @Carl Starr: is this your attempt at mindless shaming online? ....next
George Lange
Reply to @Andre Garafolo: excellent
Carl Starr
Reply to @george bath: George buddy, pal really need your help in Ottawa.
George Bath
Reply to @Carl Starr: lets talk about you.
Bryan Pollock
Reply to @Andre Garafolo: Sure would be nice if we could use some of that dirty oil money to pay for social services that benefit the majority of Canadians. Oh, well, I guess we can just keep buying it from those fine folks in Saudi Arabia.
David Amos
Reply to @george bath: "Do you know what CPA's do?"
I do
David Amos
Reply to @Carl Starr: 'Please put your name on the ballot"
I do
JAKE RUSSO Libs promised Pharmacare every election since early 90's. Suckers will buy this "promise" again
Marcus Garvey
Reply to @JAKE RUSSO: Actually they haven’t but 28 posters were suckered in by your post.
David Amos
Reply to @Marcus Garvey: What is your tally?
Steve Timmins CBC doing what they can to make Canadians forget about all of Trudeau's gaffe, deceit, embarrassments etc
Sorry but it won;t work on me and I voted for Trudeau last time. George Bath Reply to @Steve Timmins: I love reminding Canadians of the ex conservative government gaffes, deceit and embarrasments. that's what I do.
Steve Timmins
Reply to @george bath: Fair enough, but I hold each gov't accountable as they come instead of giving childlike partisan support.
Elma Fayerrly
Reply to @Steve Timmins: Sure you did. Tell us another one.
Carl Starr
Reply to @george bath: George your like TVO, know one watches!LOL Cheers
Steve Timmins
Reply to @Elma Fayerrly: Read my old comments. I even explain why I voted for him.
Carl Starr
Reply to @Scott Douglas: I can't stop laughing. Cheers
Kay McLeod
Reply to @Steve Timmins: Thank you, Steve. I have a lot of trust in the good sense of Canadians not to fall for these tricks....hopefully.
David Amos Reply to @Steve Timmins: YUP
David Amos
Reply to @george bath: "I love reminding Canadians of the ex conservative government gaffes, deceit and embarrasments"
Me too
Mike Heart I would never sell out for a piece of candy from Trudeau. He has proven himself to be incompetent in every way and our country has lost just about all respect on the world stage.
David Amos Reply to @Mike Heart: Good for you
Impeccable timing turns the fall election into a referendum on pharmacare
The Liberals knew when Eric Hoskins' report would land - and could guess at what it was likely to say
Dr. Eric Hoskins, chair of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare, arrives at a press conference at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Eric Hoskins says the time is right for Canada to create a universal pharmacare system.
The timing of his report calling on the federal government to finally do that might not be so bad, either.
"We know (pharmacare) is going to be part of the fall election campaign," the former Ontario health minister said in an interview Wednesday on the podcast edition of The House.
"So for me, there is no better time to have this discussion than with all Canadians in the context of politicians asking for their support. This is such a profound and important part of our conversation that it deserves that attention."
The Liberals appointed Hoskins last year to lead an advisory council tasked with coming up with a plan to implement a national pharmacare system, knowing his report would land now.
What they didn't know (but probably guessed) is that the report would come back as it did — with a recommendation to establish a universal, single-payer public system that would mirror medicare.
Canada's costly drugs
Canada is the only country with a universal health care system that doesn't also cover prescription drugs. Hoskins said that's one of the reasons Canadians pay the third-highest per capita drug costs among developed countries, trailing only the United States and Switzerland. It's also one of the reasons, he said, that one Canadian in five doesn't take their medicine as prescribed.
Moving to a national pharmacare plan would not be cheap. The report estimates the annual price tag for a pharmacare program, which it says could be fully implemented by 2027, would be $15 billion.
CBC News
Scheer reacts to proposed universal pharmacare
Conservative leader Andrew Scheer says he does not trust the Liberals to implement a new universal pharmacare plan proposed by a government advisory council. 0:45
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer picked up on that number.
"I don't believe anybody thinks that when Liberals announce multi-billion dollar spending programs, that they're going to save money," he told reporters. "The fact of the matter is, they've been making this promise since 1997 and in the dying days of a scandal-plagued government, they're trying to bring this forward."
What Scheer didn't mention is what a pharmacare program would save individual taxpayers. Hoskins estimates the annual saving for the average family would be around $350, and $750 annually per employee for corporations that offer drug plans to their staff. He said another $5 billion could be saved through a reduction in hospital admissions and visits to emergency wards due to people taking the medication they need when they need it.
NDP got there first
The NDP pegged the savings to families at $550 when the party announced its own universal, single-payer pharmacare plan as a major plank in its 2019 platform.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was quick to point out that the Liberals haven't come close to committing to the NDP vision of pharmacare, or to the one set out in Hoskins' report.
"This isn't the Liberals' plan," he told reporters. "The report supports our plan. Our plan is out there."
Politics News
Singh says pharmacare report mirrors NDP plan
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh welcomes the report by Dr. Hoskins but says that the PM has yet to say that he supports the call for universal pharmacare. 1:30
The Liberals' plan, meanwhile, remains a work in progress. Finance Minister Bill Morneau promised in his spring budget to create a national drug agency that would develop a list of medicines to be covered, and then work with the provinces to help drive down costs through bulk purchases.
But he was (as politicians like to say) 'perfectly clear' that the best approach to pharmacare might not be pharmacare as such, but rather some plan to fill in the gaps in existing coverage — for the self-employed, for example, who don't have insurance, or for small companies that can't afford to provide drug plans to their employees.
On Wednesday, the Liberals said they were committed to introducing a national pharmacare plan — although they didn't quite commit to the specifics in Hoskins' report. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he accepted the report, calling it a "foundation" for a national pharmacare program.
His health minister, Ginette Petitpas-Taylor, said she hadn't read the report when she tabled it in the Commons. She promised to carefully review the recommendations and work with the provinces and others in the health care field to consider next steps.
Realistically, those next steps can't happen until after the election. The current prime minister, or the next one, would have to meet with the premiers to work out a plan.
Could the premiers be convinced?
Liberals insist Trudeau is well-positioned to do that, despite his recent confrontations with Conservative and conservative-minded premiers over energy policy and the federal carbon price.
Still, health-care costs are the single largest budget item for every province. Hammering out a deal to reduce prescription costs might be enough of a priority for the premiers to convince them to cooperate with Trudeau — even the ones who see him as an opponent rather than a teammate.
Hoskins insisted that further delay is not an option. There's been plenty of that already; he pointed out that every report done on Canada's health care system in the last half-century recommended a national pharmacare plan.
The current arrangement, Hoskins said, is putting too many Canadians in a terrible bind. The cancer patients who need specialized drugs that are covered in every province but the one they live in. The families forced to move to a new province to ensure that a drug their child needs to stay alive is covered.
Drug costs are continuing to rise. An election is coming.
Eric Hoskins thinks the time is right. The timing of his report might even be better.
Chris Hall is the CBC's National Affairs Editor and host of The House on CBC Radio, based in the Parliamentary Bureau in Ottawa. He began his reporting career with the Ottawa Citizen, before moving to CBC Radio in 1992, where he worked as a national radio reporter in Toronto, Halifax and St. John's. He returned to Ottawa and the Hill in 1998.
CRA moves to slash 'excessive' fees charged by disability tax credit companies
139 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
John Sollows The business that has grown up around helping people apply for various government programs tells me that procedures need to be simplified. Under the current system. those who are the most needful stand to be marginalized the most.
Not OK.
David Amos
Reply to @John Sollows: "While we recognize that reaction from various stakeholders will be varied, the CRA believes it has found the right balance," Dany Morin said.
Yea Right
Kenneth Hewer
and the KPMG gets a pass: CRA guest listed for every tax evasion gala held for the ultra rich.
Paul Whittaker
Reply to @Kenneth Hewer: The bigger the graft the more likely the company will get away with it, a portion going to political donations and "trusts".
Arthur Seamon
Reply to @Paul Whittaker: Including trusts held by finance minister and Prime Minister.
@Ken Likness I have a communication from Diane Lebouthillier as well It concerns my disgust towards the incompetence of these overpaid CRA bosses and the KPMG no joke Just Google
Diane Lebouthillier KPMG David Amos
---------- Original message ---------- From: "MinFinance / FinanceMin (FIN)"<fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca> Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2017 20:48:25 +0000 Subject: RE: Your various correspondence about abusive tax schemes - 2017-02631 To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
The Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your comments.
Le ministère des Finances accuse réception de votre correspondance électronique. Soyez assuré(e) que nous apprécions recevoir vos commentaires.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Green Party of Canada | Parti vert du Canada <info@greenparty.ca> Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2017 20:48:45 +0000 Subject: Re: Fwd: Your various correspondence about abusive tax schemes - 2017-02631 To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your various correspondence about abusive tax schemes, and for your understanding regarding the delay of this response.
This is an opportunity for me to address your concerns about the way the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) deals with aggressive tax planning, tax avoidance, and tax evasion by targeting individuals and groups that promote schemes intended to avoid payment of tax. It is also an opportunity for me to present the Government of Canada’s main strategies for ensuring fairness for all taxpayers.
The CRA’s mission is to preserve the integrity of Canada’s tax system, and it is taking concrete and effective action to deal with abusive tax schemes. Through federal budget funding in 2016 and 2017, the government has committed close to $1 billion in cracking down on tax evasion and combatting tax avoidance at home and through the use of offshore transactions. This additional funding is expected to generate federal revenues of $2.6 billion over five years for Budget 2016, and $2.5 billion over five years for Budget 2017.
More precisely, the CRA is cracking down on tax cheats by hiring more auditors, maintaining its underground economy specialist teams, increasing coverage of aggressive goods and service tax/harmonized sales tax planning, increasing coverage of multinational corporations and wealthy individuals, and taking targeted actions aimed at promoters of abusive tax schemes.
On the offshore front, the CRA continues to develop tools to improve its focus on high‑risk taxpayers. It is also considering changes to its Voluntary Disclosures Program following the first set of program recommendations received from an independent Offshore Compliance Advisory Committee. In addition, the CRA is leading international projects to address the base erosion and profit shifting initiative of the G20 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and is collaborating with treaty partners to address the Panama Papers leaks.
These actions are evidence of the government’s commitment to protecting tax fairness. The CRA has strengthened its intelligence and technical capacities for the early detection of abusive tax arrangements and deterrence of those who participate in them. To ensure compliance, it has increased the number of actions aimed at promoters who use illegal schemes. These measures include increased audits of such promoters, improved information gathering, criminal investigations where warranted, and better communication with taxpayers.
To deter potential taxpayer involvement in these schemes, the CRA is increasing notifications and warnings through its communications products. It also seeks partnerships with tax preparers, accountants, and community groups so that they can become informed observers who can educate their clients.
The CRA will assess penalties against promoters and other representatives who make false statements involving illegal tax schemes. The promotion of tax schemes to defraud the government can lead to criminal investigations, fingerprinting, criminal prosecution, court fines, and jail time.
Between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2016, the CRA’s criminal investigations resulted in the conviction of 42 Canadian taxpayers for tax evasion with links to money and assets held offshore. In total, the $34 million in evaded taxes resulted in court fines of $12 million and 734 months of jail time.
When deciding to pursue compliance actions through the courts, the CRA consults the Department of Justice Canada to choose an appropriate solution. Complex tax-related litigation is costly and time consuming, and the outcome may be unsuccessful. All options to recover amounts owed are considered.
More specifically, in relation to the KPMG Isle of Man tax avoidance scheme, publicly available court records show that it is through the CRA’s efforts that the scheme was discovered. The CRA identified many of the participants and continues to actively pursue the matter. The CRA has also identified at least 10 additional tax structures on the Isle of Man, and is auditing taxpayers in relation to these structures.
To ensure tax fairness, the CRA commissioned an independent review in March 2016 to determine if it had acted appropriately concerning KPMG and its clients. In her review, Ms. Kimberley Brooks, Associate Professor and former Dean of the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, examined the CRA’s operational processes and decisions in relation to the KPMG offshore tax structure and its efforts to obtain the names of all taxpayers participating in the scheme. Following this review, the report, released on May 5, 2016, concluded that the CRA had acted appropriately in its management of the KPMG Isle of Man file. The report found that the series of compliance measures the CRA took were in accordance with its policies and procedures. It was concluded that the procedural actions taken on the KPMG file were appropriate given the facts of this particular case and were consistent with the treatment of taxpayers in similar situations. The report concluded that actions by CRA employees were in accordance with the CRA’s Code of Integrity and Professional Conduct. There was no evidence of inappropriate interaction between KPMG and the CRA employees involved in the case.
Under the CRA’s Code of Integrity and Professional Conduct, all CRA employees are responsible for real, apparent, or potential conflicts of interests between their current duties and any subsequent employment outside of the CRA or the Public Service of Canada. Consequences and corrective measures play an important role in protecting the CRA’s integrity.
The CRA takes misconduct very seriously. The consequences of misconduct depend on the gravity of the incident and its repercussions on trust both within and outside of the CRA. Misconduct can result in disciplinary measures up to dismissal.
All forms of tax evasion are illegal. The CRA manages the Informant Leads Program, which handles leads received from the public regarding cases of tax evasion across the country. This program, which coordinates all the leads the CRA receives from informants, determines whether there has been any non-compliance with tax law and ensures that the information is examined and conveyed, if applicable, so that compliance measures are taken. This program does not offer any reward for tips received.
The new Offshore Tax Informant Program (OTIP) has also been put in place. The OTIP offers financial compensation to individuals who provide information related to major cases of offshore tax evasion that lead to the collection of tax owing. As of December 31, 2016, the OTIP had received 963 calls and 407 written submissions from possible informants. Over 218 taxpayers are currently under audit based on information the CRA received through the OTIP.
With a focus on the highest-risk sectors nationally and internationally and an increased ability to gather information, the CRA has the means to target taxpayers who try to hide their income. For example, since January 2015, the CRA has been collecting information on all international electronic funds transfers (EFTs) of $10,000 or more ending or originating in Canada. It is also adopting a proactive approach by focusing each year on four jurisdictions that raise suspicion. For the Isle of Man, the CRA audited 3,000 EFTs totalling $860 million over 12 months and involving approximately 800 taxpayers. Based on these audits, the CRA communicated with approximately 350 individuals and 400 corporations and performed 60 audits.
In January 2017, I reaffirmed Canada’s important role as a leader for tax authorities around the world in detecting the structures used for aggressive tax planning and tax evasion. This is why Canada works daily with the Joint International Tax Shelter Information Centre (JITSIC), a network of tax administrations in over 35 countries. The CRA participates in two expert groups within the JITSIC and leads the working group on intermediaries and proponents. This ongoing collaboration is a key component of the CRA’s work to develop strong relationships with the international community, which will help it refine the world-class tax system that benefits all Canadians.
The CRA is increasing its efforts and is seeing early signs of success. Last year, the CRA recovered just under $13 billion as a result of its audit activities on the domestic and offshore fronts. Two-thirds of these recoveries are the result of its audit efforts relating to large businesses and multinational companies.
But there is still much to do, and additional improvements and investments are underway.
Tax cheats are having a harder and harder time hiding. Taxpayers who choose to promote or participate in malicious and illegal tax strategies must face the consequences of their actions. Canadians expect nothing less. I invite you to read my most recent statement on this matter at canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/2017/03/ statement_from_thehonourabledianelebouthillierministerofnational.
Thank you for taking the time to write. I hope the information I have provided is helpful.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier Minister of National Revenue
CRA moves to slash 'excessive' fees charged by disability tax credit companies
It's been 5 years since legislation passed to tighten rules around firms that help Canadians apply
Yvonne Colbert· CBC News· Posted: Jun 14, 2019 6:00 AM AT
Cathy Publicover of Eastern Passage, N.S., said she welcomes proposed regulations to limit how much companies can charge to help Canadians apply for the disability tax credit. (Dave Laughlin/CBC)
The Canada Revenue Agency is proposing to dramatically slash what it calls "excessive" fees some companies charge to help Canadians apply for the disability tax credit, nearly five years after it was told to do so.
The move, which according to the CRA could put millions of dollars back in the hands of disabled people, is being applauded by some advocates, but panned by companies that last year collected up to $25 million in fees.
"The government of Canada decided that measures were needed to protect Canadians living with disabilities and their supporting family members from being charged more than what is considered adequate compensation for the services rendered," according to a CRA analysis released earlier this month.
More than a million Canadians receive the disability tax credit, which can be worth thousands of dollars and is designed to provide help for people who have mental or physical impairments that are "severe and prolonged."
Up to 40% in contingency fees
Over the years, businesses have sprouted up to help people apply for the tax credit. They charge anywhere from 15 to 40 per cent in contingency fees and last year collected between $9.5 million and $25.4 million, according to the CRA.
The proposed restrictions will significantly reduce that take. Companies will only be permitted to charge $100 for an application to determine eligibility, another $100 to actually apply, and then $100 for each year the credit is retroactive.
One of the biggest disability tax credit companies in Canada is National Benefit Authority. It has advertised in Halifax. (Susan Allen/CBC)
There have long been calls for a crackdown. Legislation introduced by the Harper government in 2014 intended to tighten the rules, but it's only now that federal officials have released draft regulations.
"I think it's a great change," said Eastern Passage, N.S., resident Cathy Publicover.
Those who apply for the disability tax credit are required to fill out a small portion of a form with their personal information, while the remainder is completed by the patient's doctor or nurse practitioner.
Patrick Curran, national executive director of Independent Living Canada, calls fees in the thousands of dollars "unconscionable." (Submitted by Patrick Curran)
Companies currently charge as much as $4,663 to help an adult, and $7,383 for an eligible minor, depending on the amount of the disability tax credit and the number of retroactive years, according to the CRA.
Those kinds of fees are "unconscionable," said Patrick Curran, the national executive director of Independent Living Canada. The organization advocates for the disabled and has 25 offices across the country that help people fill out the disability tax credit (DTC) forms for free.
"Our position has been that there should not be any charge whatsoever for the filing of an application for a DTC," Curran said.
He welcomes the proposed changes and said he's fine with setting the fee at $100 an application.
Monique Brooks operates a one-person business helping people apply for the disability tax credit. She said the process can take more than a year and she doesn't get paid if the tax credit is not approved. (Paul Brooks)
But Monique Brooks, who owns and operates Disability Tax Credit Consultant Services in Harrowsmith, Ont., told CBC she was "horrified" when she learned about the plan to replace contingency fees with a $100 flat rate per application.
"Some of these businesses have employees and so therefore it's going to cause job loss," she said. One of the biggest companies is National Benefit Authority. It has not replied to a request to comment on this story.
She charges 20 per cent for helping people access the disability tax credit, although she said she provides free advice in other areas where people may need help. She said the government makes people in her business sound like "we're vultures, and it makes it sound like we're taking advantage of the disabled."
She said while that may be partly true of some companies, people who are denied the tax credit need help reapplying from those who know "the ins and outs of the system."
She said 20 per cent is reasonable because "that same Canadian without my support might have a 90 per cent chance of being denied and then they would get zero."
The Canada Revenue Agency said it is working to simplify the disability tax credit application process. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
She said the application process is not as easy as the government makes it sound, and she's spent two-and-a-half years helping applicants get approval. She notes she does not get paid until the application is approved and receives nothing if it's rejected.
The executive director of an organization that represents companies like Brooks's calls the regulations "an unprecedented move."
Nicola Moorhouse, with the Association of Canadians Disability Benefit Professionals, said in a news release that taxes are complicated and "dealing with CRA can be a nightmare."
She said the direct result will be unavailability of services to disabled Canadians, near total job loss within the industry and fewer benefits for those who need them most.
"It should be obvious that the intent and effect of the proposed regulations is to wipe out the service-provider business and reduce the availability of the DTC to disabled Canadians." Moorhouse said.
CRA 'balancing act'
A CRA spokesperson calls the regulations "an important balancing act." On the one hand, it wants to protect persons with disabilities, who can be some of Canada's most vulnerable people, but it also recognizes that some may need help with their tax credit requests and that companies can play a role.
"While we recognize that reaction from various stakeholders will be varied, the CRA believes it has found the right balance," Dany Morin said.
He added the CRA is also continuing to work to simplify and clarify the disability tax credit application process and expects to make significant progress on this front in the coming months.
Morin said once the consultation period has ended, the CRA will consider the feedback and may revise the proposal. It will then be up to the minister of national revenue to approve it.
Yvonne Colbert has been a journalist for nearly 35 years, covering everything from human interest stories to the provincial legislature. These days, she's focused on helping consumers get the most bang for their bucks and avoid being ripped off. She invites story ideas at yvonne.colbert@cbc.ca.
David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks the jailbird Mikey Cohen, the RCMP and the FBI would have to admit that many unethical journalists had years to ask the lady about my communications with former White House Counsels N'esy Pas?
White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders to leave job at end of June
1383 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
Dave Ryan Yes, the lady that backed up all the untruths of President Trump. Her verbal and logic gyrations are legendary. Special talent...no integrity?
Mo Bennett
Reply to @Dave Ryan: no special talent and no integrity.
David Amos
Reply to @mo bennett: YO MO Methinks the lady was a very talented spin doctor for the nasty dude Yankees call "The Donald" Furthermore I bet you understand why I don't believe any spin doctor understands or cares what the word integrity means N'esy Pas?
Scott Wilson I won't believe Sarah is leaving until she denies it herself.
Charles Maturin
Reply to @Scott Wilson: Not a new phenomena
"Never believe anything until' it is officially denied" Otto Von Bismarck
David Amos
Reply to @Charles Maturin: Methinks many believe the Bismarck dude was a wiseguy N'esy Pas?
"Bismarck was strong-willed, outspoken and overbearing, but he could also be polite, charming and witty. Occasionally he displayed a violent temper, and he kept his power by melodramatically threatening resignation time and again"
David Sampson Arguably the least qualified, least effective, most offensive press secretary in the history of the once noble US.
David Amos Reply to @David Sampson: I disagree
Brian Bohnert So many times I was awestruck that that woman could stand there and say what she was saying with a straight face.
Richard Dunphy
Reply to @Brian Bohnert: Straight face? Well, anyway - I get your point.
Tom Revin
Reply to @Brian Bohnert: I see what you did there.. but body shaming is not cool
Jacob Hobart
Reply to @Tom Revin: stick to the topic? Nahhhhhhh.
Eugene D Burles
Reply to @Brian Bohnert:
Sister Sarah took fabrication to a new level.
Eugene D Burles
Reply to @Tom Revin:
Sister Sarah deserves any, and all, body shaming.
Jim LaPalmier
Reply to @Brian Bohnert: "So many times I was awestruck that that woman could stand there and say what she was saying with a straight face"
I guess it helps if you have socio/psycho pathic tendencies.
David Amos
Reply to @Brian Bohnert: Methinks Mr Prime Minister Trudeau "The Younger leaves you awestruck as well N'esy Pas?
Brian Bohnert
Reply to @Tom Revin: There was no body shaming involved.
RE FATCA, NAFTA & TPP etc ATTN President Donald J. Trump I just got off the phone with your lawyer Mr Cohen (646-853-0114) Why does he lie to me after all this time???
---------- Original message ---------- From: Michael Cohen Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2018 17:41:40 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Well Mr Bender Never mind the sound of old Zippos Do you doubt me now? To: David Amos
Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be directed to 646-853-0114. ________________________________ This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity. This email may contain information that is confidential and/or proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used, copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its affiliates. Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic signature under applicable law.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Michael Cohen Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:40:28 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Oh My My Now the Philadelphia Inquirer and its Foundation are part of the David Magerman/Mercer story To: David Amos
Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be directed to 646-853-0114. ________________________________ This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity. This email may contain information that is confidential and/or proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used, copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its affiliates. Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic signature under applicable law.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Michael Cohen Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2018 23:49:05 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Yo Bill Morneau before Trump causes the markets to crash Methinks I should remind folks of the Bank of Canadas long lost mandate, Harper's Bankster bail out 10 years ago and Trudeau The Younger's recent Bankster Bail-In plan To: David Amos
Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be directed to 646-853-0114. ________________________________ This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity. This email may contain information that is confidential and/or proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used, copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its affiliates. Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic signature under applicable law.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Michael Cohen Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:45:54 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Yo Bill Morneau as our current Minister of Finance your lawyers must have figured out by now that this is the Yankee SEC document I was referring to in the first statement of my lawsuit N'esy Pas? To: David Amos
Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be directed to 646-853-0114. ________________________________ This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity. This email may contain information that is confidential and/or proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used, copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its affiliates. Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic signature under applicable law.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Michael Cohen Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2018 18:00:28 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: YO Dominic Cardy how can you Conservatives brag of buying Butter Tarts when CBC tells me you dudes have to sell your HQ? Yet you wackos want control of our provincial economy" To: David Amos
Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be directed to 646-853-0114. ________________________________ This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity. This email may contain information that is confidential and/or proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used, copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its affiliates. Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic signature under applicable law.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Michael Cohen Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2018 16:59:01 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Attn Kevin Gosine I just called and left you a voicemail and sent you this email because I agree with your words published by the Toronto Star To: David Amos
Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be directed to 646-853-0114. ________________________________ This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity. This email may contain information that is confidential and/or proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used, copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its affiliates. Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic signature under applicable law.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Michael Cohen Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2018 05:54:40 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: ATTN Blair Armitage You acted as the Usher of the Black Rod twice while Kevin Vickers was the Sergeant-at-Arms Hence you and the RCMP must know why I sued the Queen Correct? To: David Amos
Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be directed to 646-853-0114. ________________________________ This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity. This email may contain information that is confidential and/or proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used, copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its affiliates. Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic signature under applicable law.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Michael Cohen Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2018 16:34:55 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: A little Deja Vu about The greedy bosses of Canadian Forces and Irving Ship Building's former General Counsel Richard Southcott for you all to enjoy N'esy Pas Mr Prime Minister Trudeau "The Younger'" ??? To: David Amos
Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be directed to 646-853-0114. ________________________________ This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity. This email may contain information that is confidential and/or proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used, copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its affiliates. Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic signature under applicable law.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Michael Cohen <mcohen@trumporg.com> Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:15:14 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE FATCA ATTN Pierre-Luc.Dusseault I just called and left a message for you To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be directed to 646-853-0114. ______________________________
__ This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity. This email may contain information that is confidential and/or proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used, copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its affiliates.Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic signature under applicable law.
White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders to leave job at end of June
She's the latest in long line of senior advisers to leave the Trump administration
Thomson Reuters·
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders gestures while speaking to the media during a daily briefing at the White House in 2018. The president announced on Thursday that she is leaving her job at the end of June. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press)
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, a fierce loyalist of U.S. President Donald Trump who evolved into one of his closest advisers, will leave the job at the end of June to return to her home state of Arkansas, Trump announced on Thursday.
Sanders, who has worked with Trump since the early days of his unconventional run for office and became a national public figure in her own right, is the latest in a long line of senior advisers to leave the White House.
The 36-year-old often compared the antics of the press to the behaviour of her three young children and had largely backed Trump's dismissal of the news media as "the enemy of the people."
She called the job "the honour of a lifetime."
"I've loved every minute, even the hard minutes," Sanders said at a White House event, called onstage by Trump to a standing ovation, her voice trembling with emotion. "I have three amazing kids and I'm going to spend a little more time with them."
Trump described Sanders as "a warrior."
"We've been through a lot together, and she's tough, but she's good," he said.
Sanders for governor?
Sanders evolved into a senior adviser and confidante of the president, one who is regularly brought into senior-level meetings.
In announcing her departure on Twitter, Trump suggested Sanders should run for governor of Arkansas, a position once held by her father, Mike Huckabee.
After 3 1/2 years, our wonderful Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be leaving the White House at the end of the month and going home to the Great State of Arkansas....
....She is a very special person with extraordinary talents, who has done an incredible job! I hope she decides to run for Governor of Arkansas - she would be fantastic. Sarah, thank you for a job well done!
I am blessed and forever grateful to @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to serve and proud of everything he’s accomplished. I love the President and my job. The most important job I’ll ever have is being a mom to my kids and it’s time for us to go home. Thank you Mr. President!
Trump, who has seen almost a complete turnover in his press and communications teams, did not immediately name a replacement.
His first press secretary, Sean Spicer, resigned abruptly after six months, having become the butt of late-night comedy lampoons for his blustery and fact-challenged arguments for Trump.
Sanders had been Spicer's deputy and initially had a less combustive approach with journalists. But her fiery defences of her boss drew criticism.
In 2017, Sanders told reporters she had heard from "countless members of the FBI" who wanted Trump to fire his former FBI director James Comey — an assertion she later cast as a "slip of the tongue" during special counsel Robert Mueller's probe.
She burns facts and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smokey eye.- Comedian Michelle Wolf
Her relationship with the press became particularly strained a year ago, after a comedian hired by the White House Correspondents' Association for its annual dinner mocked her appearance and penchant for spinning the truth as Sanders sat nearby at the head table.
"She burns facts and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smokey eye," comedian Michelle Wolf said.
In the months afterward, she was asked to leave a restaurant in Lexington, Va., because of her association with the Trump administration.
No more daily briefings
Over time, Sanders retreated from the lectern, frustrating reporters by ending the long tradition of daily press briefings. Trump preferred to take questions himself from reporters and command the White House stage, and relegated Sanders and other staff to appearances on television to defend his policies. Sanders's last press briefing was 94 days ago, but Trump answers questions from reporters on a near-daily basis, including two extended sessions with them on Wednesday.
Sanders became a popular figure at Trump rallies, sought after for selfies by his supporters. In November, at his final rallies ahead of the congressional elections, Trump invited her on stage to speak briefly to the cheering crowds.
Sanders has long been rumoured as a future gubernatorial candidate in Arkansas. The current governor, Republican Asa Hutchinson, began his second and final four-year term in January. The state's next regular gubernatorial election would be in 2022.
"Arkansas is a very red state. The Huckabee name carries a lot of weight there, and if she ran, I can't think of anyone that would have a chance of beating her," said Alice Stewart, a Republican strategist in Washington who is from Arkansas and worked for Huckabee while he was governor, and then on his presidential campaign.
"The Republicans in Arkansas would welcome her back with open arms. They applaud the work she's done."
Tracey K. Deware has been appointed as the first female Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench in New Brunswick. She was a Court of Queen's Bench judge in Moncton. (CBC)
Jim Emberger of the New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance says Higgs's plan to allow shale gas development will be challenged. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Corridor Resources has a number of gas wells in the Sussex area. (Pierre Fournier/CBC) 
These are quotes from the Kings County Record in June of 2004
Raising a Little Hell- Lively Debate Provokes Crowd
By Erin Hatfield
"If you don't like what you got, why don't you change it? If your world is all screwed up, rearrange it."
The 1979 Trooper song Raise a Little Hell blared on the speakers at the 8th Hussars Sports Center Friday evening as people filed in to watch the Fundy candidates debate the issues. It was an accurate, if unofficial, theme song for the debate.
The crowd of over 200 spectators was dwarfed by the huge arena, but as they chose their seats, it was clear the battle lines were drawn. Supporters of Conservative candidate Rob Moore naturally took the blue chairs on the right of the rink floor while John Herron's Liberalswent left. There were splashes of orange, supporters of NDP Pat Hanratty, mixed throughout. Perhaps the loudest applause came from a row towards the back, where supporters of independent candidate David Amos sat."
"Amos has no intention of actively campaigning.
"I didn’t appreciate it when they (politicians) pounded on my door interrupting my dinner," he said. "If people are interested, they can call me. I’m not going to drive my opinions down their throats."
And he has no campaign budget, nor does he want one.
"I won’t take any donations," he said. "Just try to give me some. It’s not about money. It goes against what I’m fighting about."
What he’s fighting for is the discussion of issues – tainted blood, the exploitation of the Maritimes’ gas and oil reserves and NAFTA, to name a few.
"The political issues in the Maritimes involve the three Fs – fishing, farming and forestry, but they forget foreign issues," he said. "I’m death on NAFTA, the back room deals and free trade. I say chuck it (NAFTA) out the window.
NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement which allows an easier flow of goods between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Amos disagrees with the idea that a vote for him is a wasted vote.
"There are no wasted votes," he said. "I want people like me, especially young people, to pay attention and exercise their right. Don’t necessarily vote for me, but vote."
Although…if you’re going to vote anyway, Amos would be happy to have your X by his name.
"I want people to go into that voting booth, see my name, laugh and say, ‘what the hell.’"