Some family members of the 22 victims of the Nova Scotia mass shooting say they're deeply disappointed by the announcement Thursday of an independent review into the tragedy.
Relatives have been calling for a public inquiry, but today the provincial and federal governments stopped short of that, instead announcing there will be an independent three-person panel led by the province's former top judge.
"I'm not really happy. I really feel that a full inquiry is necessary," said Charlene Bagley, who lost her father, Tom Bagley, in the shooting.
"We all deserve the truth and full transparency and I don't feel like we're going to get that."
The review means it is up to the panel to decide whether any hearings will be held in public. All documents and information collected as part of the review will also be kept confidential.
Bagley said she can't speak for the other families, but she said she wouldn't mind those aspects being made public if it means she gets the answers she's seeking.
"I don't want all the details [of] what happened to my father to be known," she said. "But … if it helps move forward and that we can learn from this, then I would be OK with it."
Tom Bagley died in the shooting. His daughter says she wants a full public inquiry into the tragedy. (Charlene Bagley/Facebook)
The panel's report, which is due next year and will be made public, will consider the causes, context and circumstances that led to the incident — including gender-based and intimate-partner violence and the gunman's access to firearms — as well as the police response and communications.
It will also address the steps taken to inform, support and engage victims, families and other people affected by the tragedy.
The panel will be chaired by former chief justice of Nova Scotia Michael MacDonald.
The other panel members are former deputy prime minister Anne McLellan, who is currently a senior adviser with the law firm Bennett Jones LLP, and Leanne Fitch, a former chief of the Fredericton Police Force.
All three panel members are from the Maritimes.
22 people killed
On April 18 and 19, a lone gunman went on a 13-hour shooting rampage that began in the small community of Portapique and ended at a gas station in Enfield, 150 kilometres away. Twenty-two people were killed, and the gunman was shot dead by police.
Nick Beaton, whose wife, Kristen Beaton, was killed in the April massacre, said not getting answers these past few months has been 'hell.' He was one of almost 300 people who marched on Wednesday, calling for a public inquiry. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
Nick Beaton, whose wife, Kristen Beaton, was killed in the shooting along with their unborn child, said he's upset with the decision to go with a review instead of an inquiry.
"They say they're worried about our thoughts and feelings. This upsets us more than anything."
Beaton said he and the other families are "not done fighting" until they get the answers they've asked for.
Darcy Dobson, the daughter of victim Heather O'Brien, agreed.
"We're disappointed. It's a slap in the face, for sure," she said.
"Today, [Justice Minister] Mark Furey said in his release that he didn't want to hurt the families anymore, and what you're doing is hurting us by not giving us what we asked for."
From left, the three panelists are Leanne Fitch, Anne McLellan and Michael MacDonald. (The Canadian Press/CBC News)
In a news conference Thursday, Furey said the panel members were chosen because of their experience in fact-finding and independence, in-depth knowledge of public safety, policing and gender-based and intimate-partner violence, as well as their understanding of shared federal-provincial relations and responsibilities.
Furey has said on a number of occasions that while the province was committed to a review, it would not lead it.
On Thursday, he said they reviewed all options, including a public inquiry, but this process provided the "most timely opportunity" for the earliest responses and setting up a panel.
"We heard loud and clear that people wanted early changes," Furey said, noting that it can take years to set up an inquiry and that a review wouldn't take as long.
In response to this explanation, Dobson said: "We never asked for quick. We asked for the truth."
The review process also does not include some of the powers granted in a public inquiry, such as information provided under oath and the ability to subpoena.
Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said both levels of government are "absolutely committed" to this review and its recommendations.
"This is the right approach and we believe we have the right people to do the work and they have the necessary authorities to get Nova Scotians the answers they deserve," Blair said.
Families briefed
Furey said he spoke to the families earlier this week and that he wanted to personally tell them about the review panel ahead of time.
"We must commit to caring for and thinking of them first," he said.
He said he heard from them and is aware that a public inquiry is the mechanism "that they would prefer." But, he said, after looking at all of the factors, the approach of the review and the strength of the panel gives them the authority to get families the answers they need.
Bagley, who lost her father, said the families were given the opportunity to ask questions about this during their briefing, but she said when she submitted her written question, it was reworded and not properly answered.
"I feel like if they can't be transparent even there, how am I to trust that they're going to be transparent when it comes to the real thing?" she said.
Beaton also said he wasn't satisfied with the meeting with Furey.
"Any question that we asked him, he said, 'I can't speak on behalf of the panel,'" Beaton said.
Heather O'Brien, left, and Kristen Beaton both worked for the Victorian Order of Nurses and were victims of the shootings. (GoFundMe/The Canadian Press/GoFundMe/The Canadian Press)
Furey and Blair said all agencies and organizations under their jurisdiction will participate fully in the review, including the RCMP, the Canada Firearms Program, Canada Border Services Agency, the Criminal Intelligence Service and the national Alert Ready Program.
The RCMP released a statement on Thursday afternoon saying it supports the independent review and "will co-operate fully," ensuring the panel has all "available information required."
The panel can also notify the ministers, as well as the public, if an institution or individual fails to co-operate within a reasonable time or claims they cannot due to things like solicitor-client privilege or concerns an ongoing police investigation could be compromised.
"We've empowered the panel to speak publicly at any time, whether it's over the course of their work, in accessing information or anyone interfering in the independence of that panel," Furey said.
Final report in August
The panel, however, has no power to challenge claims of privilege, and can only make note of them.
The panel will provide an interim report to the ministers by Feb. 28, 2021. The final report will be delivered by Aug. 31, 2021. The ministers will receive the reports first and then make them public.
Furey said the panel members are prepared to start work right away, but there are a few administrative matters to get through first, such as finding office space.
The cost of the review will be shared equally between the two levels of government, but there is no set budget yet.
Reaction from opposition parties
Nova Scotia's opposition parties are also calling for an inquiry instead of a review.
In a written statement, Tim Houston, leader of the Progressive Conservatives, described the review as "a complete and utter abdication of responsibility" and "cover your ass politics."
"Premier Stephen McNeil promised Nova Scotians that by waiting for months, the chosen mechanism would ensure change across the country. We now know that wasn't true," the statement said.
"Nova Scotians should be angry, not only because they have been cheated out of an inquiry that is essential to getting answers, but because their Premier and Prime Minister are attempting to fool them into thinking this direction is in their best interest. We need to know who will be held accountable for this short-sighted decision."
Also in a statement, NDP leader Gary Burrill said the decision to forgo an inquiry in favour of the review was "hurtful and disappointing."
"Across Nova Scotia, many organizations and experts, the public in general, and most significantly, the families, have properly called for a public inquiry into the worst mass shooting in our country's history," Burrill's statement said. "The government is mistaken in deciding to do something less."
WATCH | Disappointed by independent review, families of N.S. shooting victims demand public inquiry:
Families of N.S. shooting victims still demanding public inquiry
2 years ago
Duration 4:35
The federal and Nova Scotia governments have ordered a joint independent review of April's mass killing in Nova Scotia that left 22 people dead. It's come as a disappointment for the families who want to see a public inquiry instead.
Corrections
An earlier version of this story said a public inquiry into the Portapique mass shootings would be announced today. In fact, it is a joint independent review that is being announced. This story has been corrected.
Jul 23, 2020 10:54 AM AT
An earlier version of this story said a public inquiry included binding recommendations. In fact, these recommendations are not binding. This story has been corrected.
Nova Scotia's conflicts commissioner is considering a review into whether Justice Minister Mark Furey — a former Mountie — should be involved in the public inquiry into April's 13-hour rampage that left 22 people dead
In a letter to Justice Joseph P. Kennedy dated July 31, 2020, the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party noted, "the public has raised several concerns related to this perceived conflict." On Thursday, PC Leader Tim Houston's chief of staff told CBC News that Kennedy informed the party that he's examining and considering their request.
Furey has previously said he does not believe he's in a conflict of interest and did not seek an opinion because Kennedy had previously told him he wasn't in conflict in dealing with the Glen Assoun matter— a case where RCMP destroyed evidence that could have freed a man wrongfully convicted of murder.
"In the particular fact scenario of the Assoun matter, you found that it appeared there was 'no real conflict of interest.' You also found that as the matter progressed, there was a 'danger that the public would perceive a conflict of interest,'" the PC letter to Kennedy said.
The letter also noted even just a perceived conflict of interest is a violation of the Conflict of Interest Act.It also pointed out that just because Furey was cleared for the Assoun matter, it doesn't mean he's absolved from all other cases involving RCMP.
The faces of the 22 victims of the Nova Scotia shootings. (CBC)
The letter states Furey is a compellable witness in the mass shooting inquiry.
"Given the subject matter of any investigation into the events would examine the role of the RCMP, it is a reasonable conclusion to draw that the more comprehensive the process (i.e. an inquiry) the more likely Minister Furey would have been compelled to give evidence," the letter said.
"The Minister knew or ought to have known that he would be a compellable witness. The fact that the Minister was participating in any capacity in making a determination on a process in which he could be forced to testify, in and of itself establishes a conflict, or, at the very least, the reasonable perception of a conflict."
When asked about the situation on Thursday, Furey said Kennedy is acting on a complaint and has reviewed the preliminary information and deemed there is more work to do.
"I'll allow the commissioner to finish his work and continue to be guided by his advice," Furey said.
Furey said he hasn't spoken with the commissioner yet, but that he plans to submit a response "in the very near future."
Pushback from families, MPs led to reversal on N.S. mass shooting inquiry, Blair says
Public safety minister says he regrets the 'anxiety' caused by delaying commitment to public inquiry
Raisa Patel ·
People attend a march organized by victims' families in Bible Hill, N.S. on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. They marched to demand a public inquiry into the gun massacre in Nova Scotia that killed 22 people. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says it was persistent calls from victims' families for a public inquiry into April's mass shooting in Nova Scotia — and pressure from members of the province's federal Liberal caucus — that led him to abandon a plan for a less robust review of the tragedy.
"This was entirely about the families and their advocacy. We listened to them and that's why we've made the decision to hold an inquiry," Blair told CBC Radio's The House in an interview airing Saturday.
The minister announced Tuesday that the shooting would be the subject of a public inquiry days after Ottawa and the Nova Scotia government agreed to a joint independent review of the incident.
The news followed widespread criticism from families of the victims and a number of parliamentarians who had called for a deeper probe into the 13-hour rampage that left 22 people dead more than three months ago.
Central Nova MP Sean Fraser wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday that he was "deeply upset" by the decision to pursue a review instead of an inquiry, a sentiment echoed by other Liberal MPs across the province.
In response, Nova Scotia Justice Minister Mark Furey said those MPs should take their calls to "the federal minister and their federal colleagues," adding that the provincial government would support the move.
"I think my colleagues in the Nova Scotia Liberal caucus did their job and advocated very strongly on behalf of their constituents." Blair told The House guest host Rosemary Barton. "[That] was important because the voice of the victims was amplified through them, and certainly I listened very carefully to them and their advocacy did have an impact on the decision that we made."
CBC News: The House 9:56Interview — Public Safety Minister Bill Blair
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair details his decision this week to pursue a public inquiry into the April mass shooting in Nova Scotia, over earlier plans for a less rigorous joint independent review.
Recent allegations about gunman not known to minister
Blair said that he initially supported moving forward with a review because of his experience with taking that route in the past.
He cited a sweeping 2014 review — something he requested during his tenure as Toronto police chief — which explored how officers interact with people in crisis following the shooting death of teenager Sammy Yatim in 2013.
The minister added that he hadn't been privy to recently revealed details about the gunman when he decided to launch the review panel into the tragedy, but acknowledged that more information has been "coming to light."
Court documents unsealed earlier this week uncovered a number of new allegations about the shooter — that he kept a stockpile of guns and drugs, for example, and had hidden rooms on his properties.
"I am aware that there is a great deal of complexity in what transpired. I think it's fairly important that all of the facts come to light and that everything that can be known should be known," Blair said. "The families deserve nothing less."
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair has apologized to families of the victims of Nova Scotia's mass shooting for the delay in ordering a public inquiry. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Inquiries can take 'substantially longer'
The review was slated for completion by the end of August 2021. Blair said the public inquiry could take "substantially longer."
"That's been the experience with previous public inquiries," he said. "It will take as long as is necessary to do the work the way it needs to be done."
The inquiry will have the power to summon witnesses and compel them to produce evidence — a level of transparency Blair said should foster trust among victims' families.
"Certainly, we regret the anxiety that the delay in that announcement [caused]," he said. "But I would also hope that they would take some comfort in the fact that their concerns were listened to, that we responded to their concerns. We listened very carefully to what they wanted and what they needed from this inquiry and we have done our best to provide it."
In a joint statement released Friday, Blair and Furey said lawyer and former deputy prime minister Anne McLellan has told them she won't be able to act as a commissioner. McLellan was one of three commissioners appointed to conduct the public inquiry, along with former chief justice of Nova Scotia Michael MacDonald and Leanne Fitch, a former chief of the Fredericton Police.
Jennifer Clarke, a retired RCMP corporal, provides testimony on Tuesday regarding a tweet that was posted during the Nova Scotia mass shooting related to the gunman's replica police cruiser. Clarke, who retired in April 2022, was a public information officer during the mass shooting. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
The RCMP officer who sent out the tweet about the gunman's replica cruiser during the Nova Scotia mass shooting says there was an agonizing half-hour wait for the final approval to post it for the public.
"I was pacing the floor. It was the longest 27 minutes of my life," Jennifer Clarke, a now retired corporal, testified Monday at a Mass Casualty Commission hearing in Truro, N.S.
"I don't know what else I would've done. There was a lot going on there in the background. Look, I wish I could've gotten it out earlier. I don't know if it could've saved someone."
In April 2020, Clarke was part of the Nova Scotia RCMP's communications team. She was called to help out shortly after 8 a.m. AT and started working from home, gathering information about what was happening in Colchester County, she told the inquiry.
The previous evening, a gunman had killed 13 neighbours in Portapique, N.S., and proceeded to kill nine more people the following day. He travelled nearly 200 kilometres through rural Nova Scotia, most of it in a mock cruiser.
Twenty-two people died on April 18 and 19, 2020. Top row from left: Gina Goulet, Dawn Gulenchyn, Jolene Oliver, Frank Gulenchyn, Sean McLeod, Alanna Jenkins. Second row: John Zahl, Lisa McCully, Joey Webber, Heidi Stevenson, Heather O'Brien and Jamie Blair. Third row from top: Kristen Beaton, Lillian Campbell, Joanne Thomas, Peter Bond, Tom Bagley and Greg Blair. Bottom row: Emily Tuck, Joy Bond, Corrie Ellison and Aaron Tuck. (CBC)
Clarke explained that after receiving direction around 9 a.m. from her civilian boss, Lia Scanlan, to draft a tweet about the cruiser, she had to figure out how to best present the information in a way to differentiate the shooter's vehicle from actual cruisers responding that Sunday morning.
To do so, Clarke said she called detachments to ensure there were no other actual Mountie cars in the province with the same number displayed as the gunman's vehicle.
'Thinking about vigilantism'
"You have to check every detail. We can't be wrong," she testified.
"I was thinking about vigilantism; I was concerned that if I got it wrong, I could be making some of our members a target, and I didn't, obviously, want to do that. So I needed to make it clear to anyone looking at that Twitter feed how what I was showing was different from the rest of the police cars."
Clarke testified she was aware the gunman's car had a push bar but didn't know how many actual cruisers had the same equipment. The public inquiry has heard that in April 2020, Nova Scotia RCMP only had four vehicles with push bars. Three were SUVs and one was a Taurus based in Kingston, N.S., in the Annapolis Valley.
"From my experience with the response to the incident in Moncton, I knew that police cars had come from all over the province to help with that. So I didn't know which units were in the area and which units may have had push bars," Clarke said.
RCMP Nova Scotia tweeted the photo of the gunman's replica police cruiser at 10:17 a.m. on the morning of April 19, 2020. (RCMP Nova Scotia Twitter)
Clarke said over the next 40 minutes, she worked as fast as she could to confirm the information and had several phone conversations with commanders and her colleague, Cpl. Lisa Croteau, who was doing media interviews outside the Great Village, N.S., fire hall where a command centre was set up.
Clarke also had to go through the process of emailing herself the photo of the cruiser so she could use an editing program on her computer to crop and create a graph on the photo she ultimately tweeted.
"It seems like a really long time … all I know I was going steady. I was trying to verify things," she said.
By 9:40 a.m., she sent her draft tweet to a senior officer for approval. Around that time, 911 calls had come in about a new shooting on a road in Wentworth, N.S., which the Mounties have said was the first indication the gunman had resumed killing. Officers rushed to the scene.
Realizing the first person she emailed was busy, Clarke sought and obtained approval from Staff Sgt. Steve Halliday. But that wasn't the final hurdle.
High-profile incidents require further approval, Clarke testified, saying she still needed the go-ahead from Scanlan. Receiving that approval took about a half-hour. She said she sent three emails but doesn't remember if she called.
"I needed Lia [Scanlan] to know what I was doing because I knew she was communicating with senior management," she said.
Needed additional approval
In the meantime, another one of her colleagues had sent a tweet about the gunman being sighted in the Glenholme, N.S., area, following reports he had gone to a home there.
Clarke said Scanlan was her point of contact in the chain of command and it wouldn't have been appropriate or productive to "go rogue" to try to get approval from someone else.
When asked why Halliday's approval wasn't sufficient for posting, Clarke said she also wanted to ensure the suspect wasn't in custody given the risk that a tweet about the cruiser could pose to RCMP members.
"Things were changing very quickly that morning and I wanted to make sure nothing had changed that would prevent me, or make it difficult or challenging or risky for us to send that tweet at that time," Clarke said.
Tara Miller, who represents a relative of Kristen Beaton, asked Clarke about the order of the tweets and whether it would have made more sense to tweet out the photo of the car prior to the gunman's face. Beaton, who was pregnant, had been active on social media throughout that Sunday morning.
She posted on Facebook cautioning her colleagues to be careful given the situation in Portapique, N.S. At 9:37 a.m., her husband sent her the RCMP's Facebook post identifying the gunman. She was killed around 10 a.m.
Clarke said her boss, Scanlan, made the decision about the priority of the tweets.Scanlan is scheduled to testify Wednesday.
'100 per cent' want earlier approval
Miller asked if, given that Beaton was plugged into social media, whether it was "fair to say that it very well could have been relevant and helpful for other people to allow them to have that information [about the cruiser] as quickly as possible?"
A lawyer representing the Attorney General, Patricia MacPhee, objected and said the line of questioning related to Beaton's social media activity was "frankly abusive." Chief Commissioner Michael MacDonald agreed it wasn't appropriate.
A photograph of Kristen Beaton, who was expecting her second child and was killed along Plains Road on April 19, 2020, is seen at a makeshift memorial in Debert, N.S., on April 23, 2020. (Tim Krochak/Reuters)
In response, Miller said since Clarke had worked in the RCMP's communications unit for years, she asked her to comment on whether she would have changed anything about getting the information out to the public.
Clarke said she "100 per cent" wanted to get the information out earlier and agreed she would've liked to get approval earlier.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Miller said it appeared Clarke was working in a silo and the need for Scanlan's approval led to a "critical delay in time" that was relevant in her client's death. Miller said she hoped the testimony and discussions of the RCMP's processes would lead to recommendations that will prevent similar situations.
Supt. Dustine Rodier, who managed the RCMP's Operational Communications Centre during the mass shooting, and Glenn Mason, the force's emergency planning co-ordinator, were also testifying Tuesday.
Elizabeth McMillan is a journalist with CBC in Halifax. Over the past 13 years, she has reported from the edge of the Arctic Ocean to the Atlantic Coast and loves sharing people's stories. Please send tips and feedback to elizabeth.mcmillan@cbc.ca
Among his many, many other faults, it would appear that we can also lay the RCMP’s eventual decision to stop taking any questions related to Gabriel Wortman’s murderous rampages in April of 2020 at the feet of bestselling author/occasional Frank scribe Paul Palango.
Referring to the constant influx of media questions in the weeks and months following the murders, RCMP strategic comms gal Lia Scanlan told MCC investigators earlier this year that it came to a point when she felt, “Okay, we need to rein this in.
“We cannot come in for the next year every day and feed this media beast,” she said, “Because what we were doing is now — it was just — you had people like Paul Palango. I mean, that guy would come with, like, 20, 30 questions a day of bullshit. And then you’re asked to validate it all? It was easier after a point to say, ‘We are — we’re done… we have said all we can say...
Fake newsio assholio Palango: RCMP is exploding in fit of 'collective narcissistic rage'
KJIPUKTUK (Halifax) – In a whole new spin on the corporate standby apology to “anybody we may have offended,” Frank Magazine apologizes to its readers for a racist cartoon it published “because racists may have liked it.”
Andrew Douglas. Photo CBC
The cartoon shows poet and activist El Jones with a jutting chin and sloped forehead, reminiscent of racist cartoons beloved by white supremacists that show Barack Obama as a gorilla, or Nazi Germany’s Der Stürmer cartoons that showed Jewish people with big noses and bags of money.
“We’d hate to think we’re going to attract the wrong elements by them believing we are racist,” managing editor Andrew Douglas tells Michael Tutton of the Canadian Press.
That’s not an apology, that’s just a bunch of weasel words inspired by the realization that if enough people complain it may cost Frank Magazine its cherished spot at Sobeys, Lawtons and Superstore checkouts.
Frank now says it will modify the cartoon. It has a long history of similarly hateful posts that can’t be modified though.
A petition written by Erin Wunker calls for the immediate removal of the magazine from stores and responds to Frank’s argument that it is merely engaging in satire.
“We know what satire means. It is an effort to critique ideas or public figures on substantive grounds, not banal racist depictions,” the petition states.
If you can, please support the Nova Scotia Advocate so that it can continue to cover issues such as poverty, racism, exclusion, workers’ rights and the environment in Nova Scotia. A pay wall is not an option, since it would exclude many readers who don’t have any disposable income at all. We rely entirely on one-time donations and a tiny but mighty group of dedicated monthly sustainers.
With great sadness, the Nova Scotia Advocate is announcing the sudden passing of Robert Devet, owner, publisher, head writer and editor on Monday September 27, 2021 in Annapolis Royal. For over five years, the Advocate was Robert’s passion and reflected his vision of providing a voice to the many Nova Scotians who were too often ignored.
Peter McIsaac, chief of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service (CBRPS), revealed this week that he is leaving his post after a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
McIsaac , who has been on medical leave since July 2019, told the CBC’s Tom Ayers that he’s come to understand he’s suffered from PTSD for 25 years — meaning for most of his 35-year policing career and the entirety of his 10-year tenure as chief.
On a personal level, this must have been a terrible condition to have lived with all these years and a painful diagnosis to hear. And indeed, McIsaac spoke to Ayers about how PTSD affects the sufferer, physically and mentally, and the toll it takes on their families and friends.
Peter McIsaac (CBC Photo by Tom Ayers)
I wish McIsaac a full recovery and a happy retirement, but my interest in the chief of police is not personal. My interest is in the implications of this diagnosis for the CBRPS. The questions that occur to me include, how can an officer spend 25 years suffering symptoms of PTSD without anyone on the force noticing? What toll does undiagnosed and untreated PTSD take on the sufferer’s coworkers or — particularly in the case of a chief — subordinates? And how can the CBRPS ensure the person it puts in the police chief’s chair will not eventually say, as McIsaac did this week, that it was “the worst place that [he] could be?”
Crime rates
Ayers’ encounter with McIsaac served as something of an exit interview, a chance for the outgoing chief to reflect on his career in that time-honored tradition of departing municipal officials — in addition to the web article, the “wide-ranging” interview was aired in four parts on CBC Information Morning Cape Breton and CBC Mainstreet Cape Breton — and I am mostly going to let it be (McIsaac is very proud of all CBRM’s new and renovated police stations, did not mention the John Be Gone sting) but there are a few subjects I feel compelled to address.
Ayers noted that Grant Thornton’s CBRM Viability Study, submitted to the municipality not long after McIsaac departed on sick leave, recommended an efficiency study of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service which, with about 200 officers, has a higher “cop-to-pop” ratio than any similar-sized Canadian jurisdiction (not to mention many larger-sized Canadian jurisdictions.)
CBRPS Central Division
That “efficiency” study, initially due in November, is now expected sometime in March (were this a work of fiction, that would read like a very ham-fisted attempt at foreshadowing). CBRM CAO Marie Walsh (who is related by marriage to Robert Walsh, the acting police chief overseeing the study) got out in front of any suggestion the review would result in a reduction in the size of the force, arguing the CBRM’s large force is why it has a low crime rate, an assessment with which McIsaac agrees.
In reality, researchers have struggled for years to understand why crime has been declining — not just in the CBRM but literally everywhere in the Western world — for the past quarter century. Theories range from ageing populations to declining alcohol consumption to getting the lead out of gasoline but no one has been able to answer the question definitively (I mean, outside of our municipal officials.)
One very interesting essay I read recently, by Michael Tonry (McKnight Presidential Professor in Criminal Law and Policy at the University of Minnesota Law School), suggests the question we should be asking ourselves is not why crime has been declining since the ’90s but why crime spiked between the ’60s and ’90s. Tonry presents a very convincing case that this increase was an anomaly, interrupting what had otherwise been a centuries-long downward trend in crime — a trend that has since resumed. He explores a number of possible theories, but concludes only that, “As was true in Europe beginning in the late Middle Ages, crime rates move to deep and broad social forces, and move in parallel, even if sometimes with lags.”
CBRPS East Division (New HQ Glace Bay)
Tonry (whose paper was published in 2014) shows that crime trends “move in parallel” even when responses to them do not, a concept he illustrates by comparing Canada and the United States:
Canadian crime rate patterns have closely paralleled America’s since 1960, but Canada’s imprisonment patterns and criminal justice policies have been starkly different (Webster and Doob 2007). Since 1960, the Canadian imprisonment rate has fluctuated around 100 per 100,000 population, while America’s rose from 150 per100,000 in 1970 to 756 in 2007. Canadian agencies have not emphasized zero-tolerance and other aggressive forms of policing, and the Canadian Parliament did not enact three-strikes, truth-in-sentencing, and life-without-possibility-of-parole laws. Only in the last couple of years have significant mandatory minimum sentence laws been enacted; they do not, however, require sentences measured in decades and life-times and are meeting strong resistance from the appellate courts (R.v. Smickle, 2013 Ontario Court of Appeals 677 [CanLII];R. v. Nur,2013 Ontario Court of Appeals 678 [CanLII]; Doob and Webster2013).
Yet crime rates moved in tandem.
But this is nuanced, thoughtful, research-based thinking, which our local officials apparently don’t have time for, so they get all post hoc, ergo propter hoc about it: The CBRM has a large police force. The CBRM has a low crime rate. Ergo, the CBRM’s low crime rate must be due to its large police force.
MIA
“CBRM officials” have another argument in favor of a large force: “the police service needs that many officers to cover the large regional municipality, to backfill up to 40 officers who are off sick at any given time.” As McIsaac tells Ayers:
“Go and ask the union membership right now, do they think they have enough members, because they are working shorthanded just about every day. People are getting burned out. It’s probably some of the reasons why some of them are not working.
“And the only reason our number is what it is, is because 30-plus are there because of outside resources or money allocated from somewhere else.”
CBRPS North Division HQ, Sydney Mines (renovated Post Office)
So, two things.
First, isn’t arguing you need an over-sized police force to deal with your high rates of absenteeism like saying you need 100 buckets to deal with all the leaks in your roof? Shouldn’t the force be coming to grips with why 40 officers may be out on any given day rather than simply making sure they have enough staff to cover for them?
Perhaps the police review will deal with this.
Second, that argument about outside funding has also been trotted out — most recently by Acting Chief Walsh in September 2019— to prove that CBRM doesn’t really have a high cop-to-pop ratio because it only “fully” funds 167 officers:
The others are funded at least in part by outside agencies, such as the provincial departments of education and justice and the Membertou First Nation.
That makes the ratio about 180 per 100,000.
“I don’t think that we are overpoliced,” the acting chief said.
I have to sub-divide this into two further things.
First, whether the CBRM fully pays for them or not, there are 200 officers policing our municipality.
And second, the amount at least one of these “outside agencies” (the Department of Justice) is paying to fund these extra cops has been controversial since at least 2013, when a Task Force formed by then-Mayor Cecil Clarke to “make recommendations regarding the organization and operations of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality” reported that:
Programs such as “Boots on the Street” which are externally funded have substantially augmented policing services in the CBRM. However, the officers sourced through this program have been integrated into the regular policing regimen. Because the province has frozen support for the program at 2008 levels, the operating budget of the CBRM has to support more than $300,000 in costs for these officers (salaries and associated benefit costs). The cost would not have been budgeted for which means additional areas had to be cut to support these previously externally funded positions. The CBRM does not have the financial resources to continue to pay for these ”Boots on the Streets” officers if external monies are not adjusted to current levels.
But the CBRM has continued to find the financial resources to pay for these officers, even as the gap between what the province sends us and what they cost us has continued to widen.
But again, maybe the police review will address these concerns.
Social work
McIsaac surprised me by not only grasping entirely what “defund the police” means but by supporting it.
He noted that police are called in to do many things that would once not have been considered their jobs, from entering schools to deal with students to handling individuals on probation.
I give McIsaac full credit here because this is familiar territory for him. He told the CBRM Police Commission in February 2019:
You heard me say this before but the police have gone from the agency of last resort to the social agency of first choice, expected to be responders to just about anything and everything that happens in our communities.
In speaking with Ayers, he said:
You want to defund the police? Good. Take the money away from the police, give it to the people that are supposed to be doing it. Let us go and do some other things.
That, in my opinion, is an excellent note for a chief to go out on.
Stories of notable Nova Scotians in their own words
Mary Campbell
Mary Campbell possesses that quick, cutting sense of humour that seems particular to the place that was once called Industrial Cape Breton. Most importantly, she can tell a story against herself. However, Mary also happens to be a serious, seasoned (not old!) journalist who has worked in Halifax, Prince Edward Island, Montreal, Toronto and the Czech Republic’s capital city of Prague. She was in Prague for several years.
In her story, she recalls in detail flipping her car into a snowbank in rural P.E.I. and then taking a photo of it for the newspaper she worked at, fainting while covering a surgical procedure in Montreal and being caught by the anesthesiologist, and getting hired as an English teacher by a Zimbabwean man in Prague because she was wearing a Cape Breton T-shirt.
Eventually, Mary returned home and in 2016 founded the online newspaper called the Cape Breton Spectator. On the publication’s site, she writes, “My needs are not great—my only extravagances are quality paper and cat antibiotics—so it won’t take too many subscribers to keep this enterprise afloat. Anything I earn beyond the bare necessities will pay freelance writers and photographers: I’m fond of the sound of my own voice, but not that fond.”
Mary also happens to be one of the “Highlander Campbells.” Her parents John and Dolores, several uncles and aunts, and a number of “non-Campbells” published the radical Cape Breton Highlander newspaper in Sydney from 1963 to 1976. Its prospectus stated, “There will be no hesitation to become involved in controversy if the outcome holds promise of constructive achievement for Cape Breton.” Mary, who was born in 1964, recalls growing up in that environment and the influence it had on her later life and work. That could well be the prospectus for the Spectator.
In her story, Mary mentions Tim Bousquet, publisher of the online Halifax Examiner newspaper, which like the Spectator is independent, adversarial, subscription-based and advertising-free. The two publications now offer a joint subscription. Bousquet writes, “Campbell is everything a journalist should be: inquisitive, dogged, and unafraid. Even better, she’s wickedly funny.” That describes Mary Campbell—and the Cape Breton Spectator—to a T.
This is only a short introduction to Mary’s much longer story.
To read Mary’s compelling life story in her own words—interspersed with plenty of great photographs—please consider subscribing to Backstory NS for just $40 per year (tax included). That includes 26 in-depth stories per year from notable Nova Scotians based on old-fashioned personal visits. There’ll be a new story every two weeks, and the entire collection will be available to our subscribers to read and reread whenever you wish. Your valued support will ensure these stories are collected and shared for years to come. Thank you.
Backstory NS is a digital publication which presents the stories of notable Nova Scotians from all walks of life in their own words. Biweekly, on Saturday mornings, Backstory NS publishes a long-form, compelling story accompanied by eye-catching photographs. Each story is based on an old-fashioned visit with the storyteller, and the result is an interview that delves far beneath the surface—in search of the backstory—and is meant to be read and reread at one’s leisure. Backstory NS is not a tourist or promotional magazine. The stories are by turns gritty, funny, scary, sad, insightful and inspiring. They’re told with wit, humour and pathos. In this age of “branding,” “content creation” and “strategic communications,” these stories are refreshing. They’re the real deal. Subscribers, whether visiting for a satisfying read, research or education, will have access to all stories in their entirety via the Backstory NS archives. By setting the individual subscription rate at a modest $40 per year (taxes included), we hope the lion’s share of those with an interest in these stories will be able to access them via a subscription. We appreciate the support! Backstory NS is inspired in large part by Ron Caplan’s Cape Breton’s Magazine, which was published for more than 25 years between the 1970s and 1990s, and continues to be read and reread today—either via the dog-eared and treasured original copies or online at capebretonsmagazine.com. We are indebted to and support strong journalism across Nova Scotia.
Greg MacVicar, publisher
Greg is a reporter and editor based in Marion Bridge. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the former Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Bible Hill in 2004 and a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of King’s College in Halifax in 2005. Since then, he’s worked as a freelance reporter with The Chronicle Herald, as editor of the St. Paul Journal weekly newspaper in northeastern Alberta, and as a reporter and associate editor with The Cape Breton Post. Greg has also done freelance writing, editing and photography for a number of publications, including Farm Focus, Rural Delivery, Atlantic Forestry Review, Atlantic Beef, Atlantic Horse & Pony, Cape Bretoner Magazine, Saltscapes Magazine, The Canadian Organic Grower Magazine and Shunpiking Magazine.
We want to hear from our subscribers, whether you have a question about your subscription, you want to provide feedback on what you’ve read or you want to suggest someone to interview. Drop Greg a line at:
backstoryns@gmail.com (you can also use the contact form below, which goes to the same email)
or
MacVicar Media 2880 Grand Mira North Rd. Marion Bridge, NS B1K 1B6
Susan Larder, centre, and Carol Millett join a demonstration in Halifax on July 27, 2020 demanding a public inquiry into Canada's deadliest mass shooting in April.Darren Calabrese/The Globe and Mail
Nova Scotians took to the streets Monday to push for a public inquiry into Canada’s deadliest mass shooting as new court documents revealed further allegations about the gunman, including that he was a sexual predator who smuggled guns and sold drugs.
Anger is growing in Nova Scotia over the federal and provincial governments’ decision to hold a panel review rather than a public inquiry into the April attacks that left 22 people dead. The three-member panel has no power to compel witnesses and no requirement to conducts its business in public.
Hundreds rallied in Halifax and outside the Bridgewater, N.S., constituency office of provincial Justice Minister Mark Furey, who announced the review last week along with federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, contending it would be faster and less traumatizing for the victims’ families than an inquiry.
Protesters say a review won’t adequately address police missteps that may have contributed to toll of the mass shooting. They’re calling for a full inquiry that could hold public hearings, force witnesses to testify and produce binding recommendations to prevent similar tragedies.
They want to know what could have been done to prevent the massacre committed during a 13-hour rampage by Gabriel Wortman, who is described in newly released witness statements given to police as an alleged “sexual predator” who “burns bodies,” smuggled guns from Maine, sold painkillers OxyContin and Dilaudid, and had a secret room and false walls at his Dartmouth denture clinic, where police were told he hid weapons.
These witnesses, interviewed by police after the April killings, are not identified. They include neighbours, family members and employees, including one who said the gunman described how to dissolve bodies and kept chemicals for this purpose under his deck. This same person called him a sexual predator, but for reasons not revealed in the documents.
The records, part of previously redacted information used by the police to obtain search warrants connected to the continuing RCMP investigation, were ordered unsealed by a judge on Monday, as part of a legal challenge by a group of media outlets including The Globe and Mail.
The demonstrators calling for an inquiry are backed by prominent women’s groups, legal experts, dozens of senators and thousands of Nova Scotians slamming the review process – which is scheduled to produce a final report by next August – as secretive and ineffective.
“I don’t plan on stopping,” said Harry Bond, whose parents Peter and Joy Bond were killed in the mass shooting. He drove to the Bridgewater rally, and he says he will continue attending such events until a public inquiry is announced.
“It’s not something we want to do, but with them wanting to do a review instead of a public inquiry, it’s something we’re forced to do.”
Cathy Mansley, a former RCMP officer who lives in Port Hawkesbury, N.S., said she doesn’t think the demonstrations will end until the governments reverse their decision.
“People are angry, people are furious. They’ve lost their trust in the RCMP because of this,” said Ms. Manley, who was a claimant in a class-action suit over discrimination and sexual abuse in the RCMP that was settled in 2016.
“This is hurting the police even more, and it’s hiding the mistakes of management. It puts our first responders at even more risk if they don’t have an inquiry. They’re not the ones who deserve to take the brunt of this.”
More rallies are planned this week, including a march on the Nova Scotia Legislature Wednesday morning organized by families of victims who’ve launched a class-action lawsuit against the RCMP.
The demonstrators are angry there were no criminal charges against the gunman in the years leading up to his attack, despite multiple domestic violence and weapons complaints. His rampage started on April 18 in Portapique, N.S., with an assault on his common-law wife.
Protest organizers say there is clear precedence for a public inquiry – pointing to cases such as the Westray Mine disaster in Plymouth N.S., in 1992, when an inquiry was ordered just a week after 26 coal miners were killed in an explosion. That process led to new legislation that holds managers and directors of corporations criminally liable if they fail to take steps to protect the lives of their employees.
Ms. Mansley, who spent 24 years as an officer and had her own experiences with sexual assault, said the RCMP need a culture change when it comes to investigating domestic violence.
“There’s an attitude in the RCMP when it comes to these kind of calls, and I’ve seen it more than once. I’ve seen managers cover it up,” she said. “It just traumatizes victims further. These police officers are still out there with their same ideas on domestic violence.”
Critics complain the review of April’s mass killing lacks the teeth to properly examine the role domestic violence, and how it’s policed, played in the attack. If an RCMP officer involved in the case retires, for example, they would no longer be required to co-operate with the review.
Opposition politicians are calling for an emergency sitting of the provincial legislature to allow for a bill to be tabled forcing a public inquiry.
“There was only one thing these families asked for: an inquiry. Given the unthinkable tragedy they have been through, it wasn’t a lot to ask,” said Tim Houston, leader of Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative party.
“The Premier took the easy way out. He has denied justice and denied the opportunity to make positive change for our entire province and country.”
Claudia Chender, an NDP MLA for Dartmouth South who was at the Halifax rally, said an inquiry is the only way to ensure transparency and accountability for a province demanding answers.
“We need a public inquiry in which panelists are commissioners and can find the information they need to get to the truth and, most importantly, to get to justice,” she said.
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil has defended the review process and says its panelists – former chief justice of Nova Scotia Michael MacDonald; former federal attorney-general Anne McLellan; and Leanne Fitch, the former chief of the Fredericton Police Force – can ask his government for more powers if they need them.
With a report from The Canadian Press
Editor’s note: (July 28, 2020): An earlier version of this story said the shooting was worst mass killing in Canadian history.
Grateful for the service of @HfxRegPolice members working this long weekend to keep everyone safe- along with all fellow first responders, civilian and sworn. Thanks for all you do day in and day out. Be safe.
Presentation of Foundational Document: Truro Police Services - April 19, 2020
Witness: Chief Dave MacNeil, Truro Police Service (TPS), to provide context for TPS operations during the mass casualty, and to explain his role as a municipal police chief, and TPS relationships with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, the Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police and the RCMP as the provincial police service.
Note
Foundational Documents will be posted to our website as they are entered into evidence during the proceedings.
The Commission will work to have source material posted within two business days of marking it as an exhibit during proceedings although in rare instances there may be further delays.
If links within the Foundational Document are taking you to a page that states “Page not found or document unavailable,” it means they are not yet posted to the website.
All timing, agendas, format and schedules are subject to change and will be updated here as required.
The chief of police from Truro, N.S., is testifying Monday at the Mass Casualty Commission about the interaction between RCMP and his munipical force during the mass shootings of 2020. (Photo Illustration/CBC News)
During the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia the RCMP had little contact with the closest municipal police force in Truro, prompting lingering questions from residents and people who lost loved ones about why more wasn't done to ask for help and set up roadblocks around the town.
On Monday morning the public inquiry examining the rampage that left 22 people dead, injured others and devastated communities, is examining the Truro Police Service's role and communications between the two police forces.
Truro's police chief, Dave MacNeil, is testifying about the events of April 18-19, 2020.
He said while RCMP eventually asked for Truro to lock down the town after they realized the gunman was on the move the morning of April 19, he had no idea what that practically meant.
With no details about which roads to block, McNeil said it seemed like a pretty wide open statement.
"It was very vague and kind of time sensitive — it takes some time to lock down a community," McNeil said.
"It's a little bit of a last-minute Hail Mary type of a thing, I think."
CBC News previously reported the municipal police agency's only direct involvement overnight was to station an officer at the town's hospital following a request from the emergency department when staff there learned RCMP were searching for someone after a shooting in Portapique, N.S., about 38 kilometres away.
Twenty-two people died on April 18 and 19, 2020. Top row from left: Gina Goulet, Dawn Gulenchyn, Jolene Oliver, Frank Gulenchyn, Sean McLeod, Alanna Jenkins. Second row: John Zahl, Lisa McCully, Joey Webber, Heidi Stevenson, Heather O'Brien and Jamie Blair. Third row from top: Kristen Beaton, Lillian Campbell, Joanne Thomas, Peter Bond, Tom Bagley and Greg Blair. Bottom row: Emily Tuck, Joy Bond, Corrie Ellison and Aaron Tuck. (CBC)
The hospital remained locked down into the morning and Truro police officers guarded the entrance. Some family members of those being treated spoke to them in the overnight hours.
Call logs obtained by CBC News show that minutes after the first call from the hospital at midnight, a Truro corporal called the RCMP for the first time. About an hour later, an RCMP dispatcher called back to advise they were responding to an active shooter situation and the suspect was linked to a former police car that might have a type of decal on it.
Early in the morning on April 19, Truro police Cpl. Rick Hickox encountered in the town two Mounties from Antigonish who were looking for directions to the dispatch centre after notifying someone in the town their loved ones had been killed.
The pair told him there were four or five people killed in Portapique and that RCMP didn't know where the gunman was, he told the inquiry. "We had no indication the person was outside Colchester [County]," he told the commission.
Between 1 a.m. and 9 a.m., the RCMP called Truro police five times, relaying information gathered about the suspect's vehicles, and it sent three "be on the look out" (BOLO) bulletins to police agencies in the province. Shortly after 8 a.m. the notice described the replica police cruiser and said Gabriel Wortman was "arrestable for homicide and is armed and dangerous."
(CBC News)
Records released to the CBC through freedom of information legislation also showed that MacNeil emailed the two highest-ranking Mounties in the province at 9:50 a.m. offering assistance. Chief Supt. Chris Leather responded at 10 a.m. saying they believed the suspect was "pinned down" in Wentworth.
Leather and Supt. Darren Campbell later clarified in a June 2020 press conference that Leather's comment related to believing the suspect was contained at a home in Glenholme, N.S., a community 34 kilometres closer to Truro.
But at 10 a.m., the gunman was actually in Debert, N.S., even closer to Truro, where he killed Heather O'Brien and Kristen Beaton, Victorian Order of Nurses colleagues who were in separate vehicles on Plains Road.
He then drove into Truro and continued south toward Halifax, injuring one RCMP officer and killing three more people: Const. Heidi Stevenson, Joey Webber and Gina Goulet.
(CBC News)
Receiving that email at a time when officers in Truro were talking about calling in more people — and about 20 minutes after they heard from an RCMP dispatcher that the suspect might be heading toward the town — changed his team's perspective, MacNeil previously told the Mass Casualty Commission.
"We kind of took a collective deep breath and figured this was a done deal," he said in an August 2021 interview.
"The decisions I made the rest of the day were based on that email."
Several senior Mounties have told the inquiry just how hectic it was responding to the shootings and in particular how things shifted quickly Sunday morning after they realized the gunman was on the move again and targeting people on the roadside.
'Fragmented' information
That Sunday morning, it was difficult for Truro police to follow where the gunman had been spotted, especially after the email about Wentworth, and that they did not receive clear tasks from the RCMP, MacNeil told the commission.
"The information we were getting was fragmented and it really didn't make a lot of sense to us," the police chief told inquiry investigators.
The police service did ask the officers working that morning to drive around the town and tell people who were out walking they should go back inside. MacNeil said fortunately most businesses were closed because of COVID but his dispatchers did try to call the big stores that were open to advise them of a situation in the county.
Commission documents show Truro police called in one extra person overnight and five extra officers Sunday morning.
Request to lock down Truro
At 10:37 a.m., an RCMP dispatcher called a Truro dispatcher to pass on that Staff Sgt. Bruce Briers, the risk manager working out of the RCMP's Operational Communications Centre, wanted the municipal police force "to lock down" the town.
By then the gunman had already driven through downtown Truro, but neither police agency knew that at the time.
When Truro police Cpl. Ed Cormier asked what locking down meant, the RCMP dispatcher suggested "maybe you can do some roadblocks on the main," according to the transcripts previously released to CBC.
Though the RCMP sent police in Truro updates about their suspect's believed location, the information was not up to date or accurate. (CBC News)
Truro police Insp. Darrin Smith told the commission he felt he didn't have enough information about setting up roadblocks and felt it was "obvious … the information … was all over the board, all over the map."
"It was almost like it was a panic statement thrown out by somebody to the dispatcher without any real forethought of what they were asking us to do," Smith said in his interview with the inquiry.
Smith said up until that point, he'd thought the threat was half an hour away and that only then did he learn about the deaths in Wentworth and Debert.
In an affidavit filed in response to a lawsuit launched by families, Supt. Darren Campbell described the exchange as telling Truro "to advise them to secure the perimeter of Truro."
MacNeil called the RCMP's characterization as "a bit of a misrepresentation of the truth." He said it would've been helpful to have been told something more specific about where to set up a roadblock, when interviewed by the inquiry.
Within half an hour, Truro police did respond to a possible sighting of the gunman at a Sobeys in Lower Truro, N.S., that was unfounded.
The gunman's replica police vehicle captured on security camera driving on Esplanade St. in Truro, N.S., the morning of April 19, 2020. (RCMP)
When the gunman drove through Truro, he passed close to the police station but did not cross paths with the three Truro cruisers out in the community, the public inquiry found after analyzing GPS data from the vehicles.
MacNeil did not find out the gunman drove through the downtown until the RCMP released surveillance photos of the replica cruiser captured from local businesses in a press conference nearly a week after the shootings.
He felt "completely blindsided" and would have appreciated a heads up from the RCMP, he told the commission in his interview.
The inquiry determined Sgt. Jason Power, who worked for Nova Scotia Sheriff Services, anticipated his team might have to interact with the gunman and started a risk assessment after seeing an RCMP tweet identifying him.
When he found reference to the civil case and Bégin, he anticipated a possible conflict of interest and notified his supervisor, who then called the judge.
After learning about the replica cruiser, the supervisor, Supt. Cody Zielie, told Bégin to go for a drive and later followed up to let the judge know the gunman had been killed.
Corrections
A previous version of this story said Truro Police Chief Dave MacNeil emailed RCMP Chief Supt. Chris Leather at 8:50 a.m. This was an incorrect time due to an erroneous reference to the time in another email. In fact, MacNeil sent the email at 9:50 a.m. This version has been corrected.
Elizabeth McMillan is a journalist with CBC in Halifax. Over the past 13 years, she has reported from the edge of the Arctic Ocean to the Atlantic Coast and loves sharing people's stories. Please send tips and feedback to elizabeth.mcmillan@cbc.ca
Read more at: https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:JFHRTgcLuqUJ:https://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/Print%3Foid%3D2736284+&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&client=firefox-b-d
Patterson Law Retains Martin & Associates for Mass Shooting Cases
Patterson Law represents the families of the shooting victims of April 18-19, 2020, as well as others who have suffered losses as a result of the shooting spree in two class action lawsuits. Patterson Law will also represent all but three of the families in the upcoming Public Inquiry into the shooting spree.
To assist our ongoing efforts, Patterson Law has retained the prominent criminal investigation firm Martin & Associates Investigations to provide expertise in the subject matter of police command procedure, crime scene analysis, police investigation procedures and any associated issues. Patterson Law welcomes Tom Martin, with 30 years of experience in criminal investigation as a former member of the Halifax Regional Police and 9 years conducting investigations in the private sector. We look forward to having Martin & Associates as part of our team.
In order to establish and provide evidence which supports this action, it is crucial to have a truly independent body thoroughly review and further investigate various components of the investigation that was conducted by the RCMP. The Martin & Associates investigative team has the knowledge and experience not only in homicide investigations, but also in the proper methods used when conducting major and sensitive cases of this complexity and magnitude.
I (Rob Pineo) have a working history with Martin & Associates and Patterson Law has every confidence in their abilities, independence, and professionalism. The sole purpose of this Investigative Review is to uncover the truth; truth for the families and truth for the general public. To this end, all steps will be taken to identify the whole truth of what occurred on April 18th and 19th of this year.
In our attempts to solicit information and any evidence that may be in the public sphere, Martin & Associates has established a Facebook Tip Page which is titled “NS Mass Shooting Tip Page.”
We ask that any member of the public that has any information, documentation, photos, or video footage please contact Martin & Associates directly on theirFacebook Tip Page, by email at tips@martininvestigations.ca, or by phone at 902-259-3090.
If an individual wishes to remain anonymous, there is a direct link on the Martin & Associates Website (www.martininvestigations.ca) where the information and files can be provided securely.
Martin & Associates is the largest, most experienced, and most qualified private investigation firm in Atlantic Canada.
Our team is dedicated to treating each case with
respect, integrity, and unwavering confidentiality.
Founded in 2011 by retired Detective Thomas Martin,
Martin & Associates specializes in death and criminal investigations.
"The goal of Martin & Associates is to provide an experience-based product to our clients - a quality product, addressed in a professional manner, that is both timely and affordable."
-Tom Martin
Our team is comprised of four levels of investigators;
SUPREME COURT QUALIFIED EXPERTS
SENIOR INVESTIGATORS
who have worked their careers in law enforcement,
INVESTIGATIVE SPECIALISTS,
andINVESTIGATORS
who have been carefully selected and trained in-house.
Together, these individuals have more than 400 years of combined service, training, and experience.Martin & Associates offers only services in which we are unequivocally qualified, utilizing our team’s unparalleled knowledge and experience.
The last best hope Tom Martin is a legendary cop obsessed with solving Halifax’s increasing number of unsolved murders.“There’s nothing cold about these cases,” he says. “They just haven’t yet been solved.” By Stephen Kimber
Read more at: https://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/the-last-best-hope/Content?oid=959559
The last best hope Tom Martin is a legendary cop obsessed with solving Halifax’s increasing number of unsolved murders.“There’s nothing cold about these cases,” he says. “They just haven’t yet been solved.” By Stephen Kimber
Read more at: https://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/the-last-best-hope/Content?oid=959559
drug squad, he got a tip that a provincial government employee was dealing drugs out of his office. He and another cop went to the man’s office, arrested and searched him. They found hash, scales, cash and a list of debts. Later, the man even signed a confession. But the judge threw out the charges, saying the word of an informant alone wasn’t enough for the cops to believe the man was carrying the drugs, which made the search “a flagrant abuse of the accused’s charter rights.” Case dismissed. Perhaps surprisingly, Martin doesn’t blame too-liberal judges for making his job more difficult. “I hear complaints about the judges,” he allows, “but the judges aren’t the problem. The problem is trying to take cases into court that are not a good package. My job as an investigator is to get to a threshold that’s beyond ‘reasonable doubt.’ When I’m working a case, I have to set the standard higher—beyond any doubt. I have to make damn sure I have all the proof in the world because the last thing I want to do is send somebody to jail who didn’t do it.” But that, of course, doesn’t make knowing who did do it and still not being able to put them away any easier to take. Martin says he tries not to distinguish among murder victims, even though it’s clear many were killed as a result of their own “risky behaviour. Murder,” he says simply, “is never excusable. Even if you’re taking a risk, you’re no less a victim.” Still, it’s hard not to become more obsessed with cases involving those Martin refers to as “pure victims,” people who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. People like Kimberly McAndrew, a 19-year-old cashier at the Canadian Tire store on Quinpool Road, who left work early at 4:20 on the afternoon of August 12, 1989, went into a parking lot crowded with Saturday shoppers—and vanished. Even though he was on the drug squad at the time McAndrew disappeared, Martin has since made the case his own. He’s followed every lead; personally re-interviewed dozens of those who gave statements early on to see if they remembered something else; talked with the retired cops who worked the case in the beginning; met with psychics; followed dead-end rumours that Kimberly had been forced into prostitution in Toronto or even—as recently as two years ago—a rumour that she was alive and well and living in upstate New York; interrogated a Halifax man serving time in a British Columbia prison as a dangerous sexual offender; questioned other inmates who claimed to know where her body was buried; scoured Sir Sandford Flemming Park for three days on one tip; even, pursuing another lead, donned a hard hat and rubber boots and climbed six metres down a dirty wet well shaft in Point Pleasant Park so he could scoop up some tiny bone fragments that turned out not be McAndrew’s. Martin believes he knows what happened to McAndrew. “Call it an educated theory, based on her victimology, geography, the timing, the activities of a particular person. But…” He stops, considers. “You want to solve it for the families. I’ve always tried to be involved with the families of the victims. It’s hardest for them, dealing with the void. You want to give them peace, some closure even if it’s only learning what happened…. It’s hardest for me when the families are nice to you, when they’re appreciative of what you’re trying to do, thankful for keeping them informed. Like the McAndrews. And the MacCulloughs.” Jason MacCullough, a 19-year-old community volunteer who shovelled snow for the elderly, is another of Martin’s pure victims. Shortly after one o’clock on the morning of August 28, 1999—now seven years ago this week—MacCullough was walking along a secluded path through Dartmouth’s Pine Hill Park on his way home after visiting friends in nearby Highfield Park when he was shot in the back of the head from close range. The park—like the Canadian Tire parking lot on the afternoon Kimberly disappeared—was full of people. But, like McAndrew again, nobody saw anything or, if they did, they won’t tell the police what they saw, or, even if they do talk to the police, they won’t testify in court. Martin has conducted more than 100 interviews, made thousands of phone calls, visited the crime scene more times than he can count, and filled more than 20 file boxes in the still-unfinished process of bring Jason’s killer to justice. He describes the MacCullough case as the most frustrating of his career. Although police quickly zeroed in on a core group of suspects—who may have been in the middle of a drug deal Jason accidentally witnessed—none of the people in the park that night would say what they saw. At one point, the police even released detailed composite sketches of each of the five individuals they believed had been present at the time of the shooting in hopes someone could come forward and connect them to what happened to Jason. It didn’t work. To complicate matters—“the worst part,” Martin says—someone who wasn’t even involved in the murder started “‘chumping,’ bragging to his friends that he’d killed Jason, trying to prove, ‘I’m a real bad guy….’” Martin shakes his head. “So not only do I have to prove who did it, I have to prove who fucking didn’t do it.” He eventually did do that, but Martin says eliminating the wrong guy wasted valuable time that should have been spent putting Jason’s real killers behind bars. And time, Martin knows today, is no longer on his side. June 23, 2006. The feeling this time was “just as oh-my-Jesus painful,” but somehow not the same either. “Guys,” Tom Martin tried to reassure his concerned wife and son Ben, “it’s not a heart attack.” And it wasn’t. But that didn’t make it—or him—any better. Two months ago, Martin was rushed to the hospital by ambulance again where doctors discovered a clot the size of a baseball inside his left lung, probably the end result of some complications he’d had the week before with an angiogram. Now he’s back home, “on strong meds” and waiting for the clot to dissolve so the doctors can get back to treating his heart problems again, probably sometime in September, and, oh, yes, eventually operate on his still-broken leg. “It’s at the bottom of the list,” he says, looking down at the brace he wears to protect it. He laughs. It’s a short, resigned laugh. “I was never sick before. And now… I know all the docs and nurses by their first names. I’ve learned so goddamned much about this medical stuff. I don’t want to learn any more.” He doesn’t have a choice, of course. Just as it’s no longer in his power to determine when—or if—he’ll be able to work again. After using up his leftover overtime and vacation time, the clock on his long-term disability insurance began ticking earlier this year. Essentially, he has two years to get back to work, or the insurance company changes his long-term designation to permanent. “Maybe teaching,” he suggests without much enthusiasm. Martin is a popular, in-demand instructor at law enforcement professional development workshops and courses, and it might be a less stressful way to continue to be a cop. He’s also already had job offers from private security companies who’d love to have his name and reputation on their letterhead. But he’d have to get better first, and besides, there’s no job he’d rather have than the one he had before. This summer, he has had to follow the rash of murder and mayhem in Spryfield on TV. “In the past when the big cases would happen, I’d never see them on TV until days later, if at all. I was the one being called out. I was working them.” And now? “My wife is the one getting called out in the middle of the night, and I’m the one sitting at home, worrying…. The first few times, it was weird, but then you get used to it. Miss it? Yeah, I do, I miss it. But I miss the ones I was working on even more.” This week’s upcoming anniversary of the MacCullough case will be especially difficult. “Last year I was too sick to notice.” Jason’s father has called to see how he’s feeling and wish him well in his recovery. “We never talked about Jason, which was weird too,” Martin says now. “I’ve had hundreds and hundreds of calls with Allan and Carolyn and we always talked about Jason.” Jason’s case still troubles him, both because “Jason could have been anybody’s son,” and also because of what the case says about us and how Halifax has changed since he was a young cop. “Even in the ’80s, the armed robbery of a bank or someplace like that was high profile. It would completely empty out the office. Now armed robberies are like break-and-enters used to be. Murders have become so frequent—not commonplace but almost—that citizens will hear about one and say, ‘Oh, another murder in Halifax last night.’” Would Jason’s murder have been solved if it had happened in that earlier era? Martin considers. “We would have had more community involvement,” he says, pausing again, considering some more. “I’d lean toward saying we would have the case before the courts if it had happened back then…but you can never go back.” In Jason’s case, where “the only thing missing is for someone to come forward, for someone to really and truly give a shit,” the real frustration is that “I know who the people are who can tell us what we need. And the people responsible know I know.” Before his heart attack, Martin had made it a point of showing up whenever one of those guys would get arrested for something else. “Just to let them know I ain’t going away,” he says. Despite his own delicate and precarious prognosis, Tom Martin insists he still isn’t going away. “I know this case. I can get this case before the courts. This case is do-able.” Tom Martin isn’t full.
Read more at: https://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/the-last-best-hope/Content?oid=959559
The August 24, 2006 cover featuring detective, and Halifax mayor candidate, Tom Martin. - PHOTO BY SCOTT MUNN Photo by Scott Munn The August 24, 2006 cover featuring detective, and Halifax mayor candidate, Tom Martin.
Read more at: https://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/Print?oid=2736284
The Canadian Press Published Saturday, October 20, 2012 10:01PM EDT
HALIFAX - A former Liberal MP has won the race to be the new mayor of Atlantic Canada's largest city.
Mike Savage won the mayor's job in Halifax on Saturday in a six-candidate race that included entrepreneur Fred Connors, software developer Aaron Eisses, comedian Steve Mackie, retired police officer Tom Martin and dietary aide Robert McCormack.
The 52-year-old Savage was the MP for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour for seven years until his defeat in the May 2011 election.
His father John Savage was premier of Nova Scotia from 1993 to 1997 and mayor of Dartmouth in the late 1980s, years before it was amalgamated with neighbouring Halifax.
Savage replaces Peter Kelly, who decided not to seek re-election after 12 years in office.
Amalgamation of the sprawling municipality of 370,000 people, urban sprawl, tax reform, public transit, economic development and government secrecy were the major issues discussed during the mayoral debates.
Harrison returns Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley riding to PC fold
Published on October 08, 2013
Larry Harrison received 3,304 votes, defeating NDP incumbent Gary Burrill (2,293 votes) and Liberal candidate Tom Martin (2,220 votes).
There were 13,469 registered voters and 58.32 per cent of them cast a ballot on Tuesday.
Harrison was relieved and ecstatic with the results. By the time half of the polls were counted, Harrison had 1,624 votes compared to Burrill’s 1,120 and Martin’s 968.
"It was a hectic, nervous kind of night. The more the results came in the more my stomach was starting to unknot," Harrison, who heard the official count with his family while at his son's home in Brookfield, told the Truro Daily News.
Harrison said he didn't go into election day thinking he had won and it wasn't until later in the vote-counting process that he began to believe he had a good chance at winning.
"I don't count my chickens before they hatch ... when I was up 600 votes" was when he felt more hopeful, he said.
Harrison said one of the highlights of the campaign he’s proud of was that “we tried to stay good and clean” and all candidates “were very cordial to each other.”
Regarding the Liberal’s majority government, Harrison said he hopes “all parties will focus on the well-being of all Nova Scotians.”
Burrill told this paper despite his loss, he was OK with the results. He watched the results from his campaign headquarters in Middle Musquodoboit with more than 30 people in attendance.
"I feel good ... we did the best we could ... I'm not surprised," with the outcome, Burrill said, adding he didn't have any regrets.
"Absolutely not. I stood for the things I believe in ... I would not have done anything different."
Burrill commented on the Liberal majority as “a setback for the NDP … it’s clear the people have rejected our party.”
He wouldn’t say whether or not he would run again in another election.
Martin was unavailable for comment at press time.
In the June 2009 provincial election in Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, Burrill had 3,697 votes (47.45 per cent); PC candidate Steve Streatch had 2,265 (29.07 per cent); Liberal candidate Willy Versteeg had 1,649 (21.16 per cent); and the Green Party candidate Margaret Witney had 181 (2.32 per cent).
The riding had been Conservative for six provincial elections before the NDP victory in 2009.
Click herefor the results from the Colchester North riding, and herefor Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River results. For the story on the new Liberal government, click here; see comments from the leader of the official opposition here; and comments from NDP leader Darrell Dexter here.
Larry Harrison received 3,304 votes, defeating NDP incumbent Gary Burrill (2,293 votes) and Liberal candidate Tom Martin (2,220 votes).
There were 13,469 registered voters and 58.32 per cent of them cast a ballot on Tuesday.
Harrison was relieved and ecstatic with the results.
"It was a hectic, nervous kind of night. The more the results came in the more my stomach was starting to unknot," Harrison, who heard the official count with his family while at his son's home in Brookfield, told the Truro Daily News.
Harrison said he didn't go into election day thinking he had won and it wasn't until later in the vote-counting process that he began to believe he had a good chance at winning.
"I don't count my chickens before they hatch ... when I was up 600 votes" was when he felt more hopeful, he said.
Burrill told this paper despite his loss, he was OK with the results.
"I feel good ... we did the best we could ... I'm not surprised," with the outcome, Burrill said, adding he didn't have any regrets.
"Absolutely not. I stood for the things I believe in ... I would not have done anything different."
Martin was unavailable for comment at press time.
In the June 2009 provincial election in Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, Burrill had 3,697 votes (47.45 per cent); PC candidate Steve Streatch had 2,265 (29.07 per cent); Liberal candidate Willy Versteeg had 1,649 (21.16 per cent); and the Green Party candidate Margaret Witney had 181 (2.32 per cent).
The riding had been Conservative for six provincial elections before the NDP victory in 2009.
A retired Halifax police investigator is questioning why there are so many unsolved murders in the city and is calling on the police department to put more resources into solving the crimes.
"We don't just throw our hands up and say 'OK that's it, so what, big deal, let's move on,'" Tom Martin told CBC News. "It's too tragic, too barbaric."
The Halifax Regional Police website shows there are 70 major unsolved cases: 59 homicides and 11 missing persons. There are cases dating back to 1955.
Martin spent decades as a police officer and was one of the department's most experienced, handling hundreds of murder cases and other major crimes.
"Taking someone's life is the ultimate crime," he said. "The frustration I feel is that here we are X number of years later in these various cases and they still remain unsolved."
He said there's as much, if not more, skill, ability and talent in the major crimes division now as there was when he was there, but he said officers need time to do their work.
"Management is not putting the resources in that it should be putting in and the numbers tell the story," he said. "The department has to put the money and the effort into doing this."
Jason MacCullough case solvable
One of the cases Martin investigated that is especially frustrating for him is the slaying of Jason MacCullough. The 19-year-old was killed as he took a shortcut home in north-end Dartmouth on August 28, 1999.
Jason MacCullough, 19, was killed in 1999. His case has not been solved. (CBC)
Martin calls MacCullough a "true victim" because he was not involved with criminals and was "a good kid" who volunteered in his neighbourhood and helped others.
"We were very close when I was there," Martin said about the police task force set up to investigate the murder, but which was later shut down.
He said they had new witnesses and gathered more statements. He believes someone would be arrested and charged if the department would put resources into solving the case.
Martin said he hears from families of murder victims all the time and refers them to the police department, although often they don't know who to contact and say they haven't heard from police in months or even years.
"It comes back to the department," Martin said. "Management has got to step up."
Yvonne Colbert has been a journalist for nearly 35 years, covering everything from human interest stories to the provincial legislature. These days she helps consumers navigate an increasingly complex marketplace and avoid getting ripped off. She invites story ideas at yvonne.colbert@cbc.ca
As Harper sits and bullshits his cohorts in the Council of Foreign Relations in the Big Apple today I bet he was listening to what was happening with Obama and the IRS and Holder and his DOJ minions in Washington.
Hevery body and his dog knows Harper knew about my battles with the US Treasury and Justice Depts way back when he was the boss of the opposition in Canada's Parliament. Two simple files easily found on the Internet cannot be argued.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Chief Counsel, Treasury. Inspector General for Tax Administration, (202) 622-4068.
When Teddy bitches about polticians using the IRS to attack their enemies because he knows it true because he helped Bush the IRS against me when Obama was just a State Senator . The proof was when I sent him the documents that came along with the letter found on page 13 of this old file Teddy Baby Olson quit as Solicitor General.
Harper and every body else knows It was no coincidence that I sent the lawyers Olson as Solicitior General, Ferguson as the co chair of the Federal Reserve Bank, and J Strom Thurmond Jr the youngest US Attorney the same pile of documents on April Fools Day 2004.
The sad but terrible truth is that legions of cops, lawyers polticians and bureaucrats in Canada and the USA knew about the US Secret Service coming to my home after dark on April Fools Day 2003 bearing false allegations of a presidential threat and threatening to use their implied right to use exta ordinary rendition against me as a non citizen less than two weeks after the needless War in Iraq began and no WMD were ever found.
You can bet dimes to dollars i called some Yankee Inspector Generals (starting with 202 622 4068) and reminded them that I am still alive and kicking and reminding the world of their malicious incompetence
Veritas Vincit David Raymond Amos 902 800 0369
PS Below you can review some emails I sent you and your Yankee cohorts such asTeddy Baby Olson before Obama was reelected EH Harper? In truth I would rather settle in confidence with Obama then sue the Hell out of the CROWN and the Holy See Trust that the evil old Judge Bastarache has known why for a very long time.
----- Original Message ----- From: "David Amos"<david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> To: "Rob Talach"<rtalach@ledroitbeckett.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:59 PM Subject: Re: Attn Robert Talach and I should talk ASAP about my suing the Catholic Church Trust that Bastarache knows why
The date stamp on about page 134 of this old file of mine should mean a lot to you
Former U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald will join Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP on Oct. 29 as a partner
From: Fitzgerald, Patrick J. (USAILN) <Patrick.J.Fitzgerald@usdoj.gov> Subject: Automatic reply: Mr Obama and his lawyer Mr Bauer are no doubt well aware of why the US Treasury Dept in Alanta and many others are nervous EH Mr Harper? To: "David Amos" Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2012, 5:45 PM
I have retired from the government and will no longer have access to this email. If you need to contact the US Attorneys Office about a matter, please contact the following phone number for directions as to where to address your inquiry: 312-353-6742.
QSLS Politics By Location Visit Detail Visit 29,156 Domain Name qwest.net ? (Network) IP Address 65.126.23.# (US TREASURY) ISP Qwest Communications Location Continent : North America Country : United States (Facts) State : Georgia City : Atlanta Lat/Long : 33.6222, -84.5231 (Map) Language English (U.S.) en-us Operating System Microsoft WinNT Browser Firefox Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; rv:7.0.1) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/7.0.1 Javascript version 1.5 Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 1024 Color Depth : 24 bits Time of Visit Oct 24 2012 3:34:48 pm Last Page View Oct 24 2012 3:34:48 pm Visit Length 0 seconds Page Views 1 Referring URL http://www.google.co...zsAQlGzG9stxwNllgwig Visit Entry Page http://qslspolitics....ling-led-to-911.html Visit Exit Page http://qslspolitics....ling-led-to-911.html Out Click Time Zone UTC-5:00 Visitor's Time Oct 24 2012 9:34:48 am Visit Number 29,156
QSLS Politics By Location Visit Detail Visit 29,155 Domain Name qwest.net ? (Network) IP Address 65.126.23.# (US TREASURY) ISP Qwest Communications Location Continent : North America Country : United States (Facts) State : Georgia City : Atlanta Lat/Long : 33.6222, -84.5231 (Map) Language English (U.S.) en-us Operating System Microsoft WinNT Browser Firefox Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; rv:15.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/15.0.1 Javascript version 1.5 Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 1024 Color Depth : 24 bits Time of Visit Oct 24 2012 3:14:46 pm Last Page View Oct 24 2012 3:14:46 pm Visit Length 0 seconds Page Views 1 Referring URL http://www.google.co...zsAQlGzG9stxwNllgwig Visit Entry Page http://qslspolitics....ling-led-to-911.html Visit Exit Page http://qslspolitics....ling-led-to-911.html Out Click Time Zone UTC-5:00 Visitor's Time Oct 24 2012 9:14:46 am Visit Number 29,155
Bob Bauer a former blogger for Huffington Post returned to Perkins $ Coie after a period of service to President Barack Obama as his White House Counsel from December of 2009 until June of 2011.
He is now General Counsel to the President’s re-election committee, to Obama for America, and General Counsel to the Democratic National Committee. He has also served as co-counsel to the New Hampshire State Senate in the trial of Chief Justice David A. Brock (2000); general counsel to the Bill Bradley for President Committee (1999-2000); and counsel to the Democratic Leader in the trial of President William Jefferson Clinton (1999).
He has co-authored numerous bipartisan reports, including "Report of Counsel to the Senate Rules and Administration Committee in the Matter of the United States Senate Seat From Louisiana" in the 105th Congress of the United States (March 27, 1997); "Campaign Finance Reform," A Report to the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the United States Senate (March 6, 1990); and "The Presidential Election Process in the Philippines" (1986), a bipartisan report prepared at the request of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Too bad so sad the lawyer Obama didn't ignore his legal counsel and check my work for himself long ago. It is clear to me that Bob Bauer never studied Maritimers and their lawsuits as closely as I studied his work over the years.
If Obama does not finally simply say my name and expose what he knows about Romney and I way back before he was even a Governor then he deserves to lose this election.
However even though I would NOT wish to see another GOP president you and your Bankster buddies won't mind that a bit but I doubt the NDP and the Liberals will agree EH Mr Prime Minister?
Some wise should scroll to the botom of this email and unserstand that it was Fidelity that knowly sold the Title Insurance on the fruldulent sale of my family's home in 2005 then Citizens Bank illegally recorded the discharge of a mortage long after the deal was done and I heve the records from the Registry of Deeds. Clearly the Royal Bank Of Scotland and British FSA has ADMITTED knowing all this for wat past too long.
Veritas Vincit David Raymond Amos 902 800 0369
QSLS Politics By Location Visit Detail Visit 29,148 Domain Name gc.ca ? (Canada) IP Address 192.197.82.# (Canadian House of Commons) ISP Canadian House of Commons Location Continent : North America Country : Canada (Facts) State/Region : Ontario City : Ottawa Lat/Long : 45.4167, -75.7 (Map) Language English (Canada) en-ca Operating System Microsoft WinNT Browser Internet Explorer 9.0 Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; MSIE 9.0; Windows NT 6.0; Trident/5.0) Javascript version 1.3 Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 768 Color Depth : 24 bits Time of Visit Oct 22 2012 6:52:21 pm Last Page View Oct 22 2012 6:56:04 pm Visit Length 3 minutes 43 seconds Page Views 2 Referring URL http://www.google.ca...GA5qSBZR3AtfXXk5ei2g Search Engine google.ca Search Words david amos canada Visit Entry Page http://qslspolitics....liberal-premier.html Visit Exit Page http://qslspolitics....-wendy-olsen-on.html Out Click Time Zone UTC-5:00 Visitor's Time Oct 22 2012 12:52:21 pm Visit Number 29,148
QSLS Politics By Location Visit Detail Visit 29,152 Domain Name gc.ca ? (Canada) IP Address 192.197.82.# (Canadian House of Commons) ISP Canadian House of Commons Location Continent : North America Country : Canada (Facts) State/Region : Ontario City : Ottawa Lat/Long : 45.4167, -75.7 (Map) Language English (U.S.) en-us Operating System Microsoft WinNT Browser Internet Explorer 8.0 Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.0; Trident/4.0; SLCC1; NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; InfoPath.2; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E) Javascript version 1.3 Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 1024 Color Depth : 32 bits Time of Visit Oct 22 2012 9:22:46 pm Last Page View Oct 22 2012 9:26:25 pm Visit Length 3 minutes 39 seconds Page Views 2 Referring URL http://www.google.ca...L7cj1xsTVXbAU1_dhPR2 Search Engine google.ca Search Words corruption david amoz Visit Entry Page http://qslspolitics....leblower-part-3.html Visit Exit Page http://qslspolitics....liberal-premier.html Out Click Time Zone UTC-5:00 Visitor's Time Oct 22 2012 3:22:46 pm Visit Number 29,152
QSLS Politics By Location Visit Detail Visit 29,933 Domain Name (Unknown) IP Address 173.76.211.# (Unknown Organization) ISP Unknown ISP Location Continent : Unknown Country : Unknown Lat/Long : unknown Language English (U.S.) en-us Operating System Microsoft WinNT Browser Internet Explorer 9.0 Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; MSIE 9.0; Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; Trident/5.0) Javascript version 1.3 Monitor Resolution : 1441 x 810 Color Depth : 32 bits Time of Visit Jan 16 2013 3:41:42 am Last Page View Jan 16 2013 3:47:08 am Visit Length 5 minutes 26 seconds Page Views 4 Referring URL http://www.google.co...fELbGdsNRjYH6IUV866Q Search Engine google.com Search Words mark vespucci Visit Entry Page http://qslspolitics....nk-fraud-payout.html Visit Exit Page http://qslspolitics....nk-fraud-payout.html Out Click Time Zone UTC-5:00 Visitor's Time Jan 15 2013 9:41:42 pm Visit Number 29,933
QSLS Politics By Location Visit Detail Visit 29,419 Domain Name usdoj.gov ? (U.S. Government) IP Address 149.101.1.# (US Dept of Justice) ISP US Dept of Justice Location Continent : North America Country : United States (Facts) State : District of Columbia City : Washington Lat/Long : 38.9097, -77.0231 (Map) Language English (U.S.) en-us Operating System Microsoft WinXP Browser Internet Explorer 8.0 Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; InfoPath.2; DI60SP1001) Javascript version 1.3 Monitor Resolution : 1024 x 768 Color Depth : 32 bits Time of Visit Nov 17 2012 6:33:08 pm Last Page View Nov 17 2012 6:33:08 pm Visit Length 0 seconds Page Views 1 Referring URL http://www.google.co...wwWJrm94lCEqRmovPXJg Search Engine google.com Search Words david amos bernie madoff Visit Entry Page http://qslspolitics....-wendy-olsen-on.html Visit Exit Page http://qslspolitics....-wendy-olsen-on.html Out Click Time Zone UTC-5:00 Visitor's Time Nov 17 2012 12:33:08 pm Visit Number 29,419
I just called you correct Mr Vogel? (703 647 7985) You do work for a publicly held Corp and you are supposed to conduct yourself ethically as a journalist CORRECT? If you don't think that I am the guy who caused Bernie Madoff to suddenly plead guilty last month and am justifiably pissed off today then you best read this email and the following ones real slow.
You did ask me to cut to the chase correct Kenny Baby? My answer was Cya in Court Correct? Now my question is do you have a lawyer and does he understand the power of emails as evidence in legal matter? If not perhap he should ask the lawyer Elias why I am so pissed off after you forward him this and the following emails EH? (FYI I called Elia office too 202.434.1609 and read his assistant the riot act while I was doing so other lawyers were studing me rathe dilently scroll to the bottom of this email to see the proof)
After breaking the icecap on my name in the media yesterday I am speaking again today on Dr Bill Deagle's radio show on GCN. My intention today as I speak again on Dr Bill's show is to try to expose my knowledge of what Barack Obama and his cohorts knew about my concerns beginning back in 2004 long BEFORE he was elected Senator and how he quite likely used the material I sent him byway of his assistant Peter Coffey to become the keynote Speaker at the Democrat's convention in July of 2004 that gave rise to his popularity with the malevolent assistance of Howard Dean and many others. Perhaps you should tune in to the alternate media for your source of true info.
On a personal level in the strange world of coincidences it was a Yankee Judge named Coffey who was my neighbor in Milton MA (the town where George H. W. Bush was born) that became involved in my false imprisonment in Boston in October of 2004 based on an unsigned illegal criminal complaint in a court with no jurisdiction to even atempt to hear such a matter in the first place. More importantly Dennis Kucinich knew everything a year before that happened when he was running for the presidentil nonination in 2003 and 2004. Just before my phone line was cut in Milton MA I called Kucinich office they acknowledge hhis response to me in 2003 but denied knowing what I sent his lawyer lady friend at the time. When invited him to come to court on October 1st, 2004 to help me impeach George W. Bush. Kucinich's people declined my offer just like my wife's Yankee lawyer Barry Bachrach who also chickened out. Not long after that call my phone line was cut and I went to jail without being legally arrested and held under the charges of "other" in solitary confinement without bail until the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs paid me a visit. No kidding I hve the documentation posted in my files within SCRIBD. Google me sometime before you dare to call me a liar or a nut. Clearly I studied you dudes. It was not a cold call today EH?
Yes unseal all my emails with all their attachments immediately and make certain that the US Attorny's office finally practices full disclosurement as to who I am and what my concerns are as per the Rule of Law within a purported democracy.
As you folks all well know I am not a shy man and I have done nothing wrong. It appears to me that bureacratic people only use the right to privacy of others when it suits their malicious ends in order to protect their butts from impreacment, litigation and prosecution.
The people in the US Attorney's Office and the SEC etc are very well aware that I protested immediately to everyone I could think of when the instant I knew that my correspondences went under seal and Madoff pled guilty so quickly and yet another cover up involing my actions was under full steam. Everybody knows that.the US Government has been trying to keep my concerns about the rampant public corruption a secret for well over seven long years. However now that a lot of poeple and their countries in general are losing a lot of money people are beginning to remember just exactly who I am and what i did beginning over seven years ago..
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Paul Ryan <paul@mittforpresident.com> Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2012 13:45:13 -0700 Subject: Thank You Re: Fwd: Re the Movies "Recount" and "Game Change" perhaps you should have asked the lawyers Ron Klain, David Boise or Ted Olson who I am To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
Thank you for your email. Please visit www.mittromney.com to learn more about Mitt Romney’s campaign for president. If you would like to share your suggestions, questions, or messages of support, please do so at www.mittromney.com/contact-us.
From: Gilles Moreau <Gilles.Moreau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 08:03:22 -0500 Subject: Re: Lets ee if the really nasty Newfy Lawyer Danny Boy Millions will explain this email to you or your boss Vic Toews EH Constable Peddle??? To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Please cease and desist from using my name in your emails.
Gilles Moreau, Chief Superintendent, CHRP and ACC Director General HR Transformation 73 Leikin Drive, M5-2-502 Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R2
Tel 613-843-6039 Cel 613-818-6947
Gilles Moreau, surintendant principal, CRHA et ACC Directeur général de la Transformation des ressources humaines 73 Leikin, pièce M5-2-502 Ottawa, ON K1A 0R2
----- Original Message ----- From: "Cabinet du Ministre"<ministre@justice.gouv.qc.ca> To: "David Amos"<david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 5:04 PM Subject: Rép. : Fwd: So Bob Paulson has the Queen got your tongue? Please do tell isJulie Dickson, the Superintendent of Financial Institutions still laughing at me?
Bonjour,
** Si votre message s'adresse au leader parlementaire du gouvernement, veuillez le faire parvenir * l'adresse courriel suivante: jmethot@assnat.qc.ca
Nous accusons réception de votre courriel et vous remercions d'avoir communiqué avec le ministre de la Justice.
Nous vous assurons que votre demande sera traitée avec toute l'attention qu'elle mérite.
Veuillez agréer nos salutations distinguées.
Le cabinet du ministre de la Justice
1200, route de l'Église, 9e étage Édifice Louis-Philippe-Pigeon Québec (Québec) G1V 4M1 Téléphone: (418) 643-4210 Télécopieur: (418) 646-0027
Julie Dickson, the Superintendent of Financial Institutions 255 Albert St. Ottawa, ON K1A 0H2 Phone: 613-990-7788 FAX: 613-990-5591 E-mail: extcomm@osfi-bsif.gc.ca Website: http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca Mandate: Created to contribute to public confidence in the Canadian financial system. Phone: 613-990-3667 FAX: 613-993-6782 E-mail: julie.dickson@osfi-bsif.gc.ca
Vern White Chief of Police 613-236-1222, ext. 5590 WhiteV@ottawapolice.ca, Gilles Larochelle Deputy Chief, Operations Support 613-236-1222, ext. 5590
Just Dave By Location Visit Detail Visit 15,578 Domain Name (Unknown) IP Address 198.235.184.# (Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants) ISP Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Location Continent : North America Country : Canada (Facts) State/Region : Ontario City : Toronto Lat/Long : 43.6667, -79.4167 (Map) Language English (U.S.) en-us Operating System Microsoft WinXP Browser Internet Explorer 7.0 Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729) Javascript version 1.3 Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 800 Color Depth : 32 bits Time of Visit Nov 25 2011 11:41:25 am Last Page View Nov 25 2011 11:41:25 am Visit Length 0 seconds Page Views 1 Referring URL http://www.bing.com/...avid amos&FORM=LENIE Search Engine bing.com Search Words david amos Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ Out Click Time Zone UTC-5:00 Visitor's Time Nov 25 2011 10:41:25 am Visit Number 15,578
Superintendent Gilles Moreau Acting Director General National Compensation Services Royal Canadian Mounted Police 73 Leikin Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R2 Telephone: 613-843-6039 Email: Gilles.Moreau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
In a nutshell my concerns about the actions of the Investment Industry affect the interests of every person in every district of every country not just the USA and Canada. I was offering to help you with Emera because my work with them and Danny Williams is well known and some of it is over eight years old and in the PUBLIC Record.
All you have to do is stand in the Legislature and ask the MInister of Justice why I have been invited to sue Newfoundland by the Conservatives
Obviously I am the guy the USDOJ and the SEC would not name who is the link to Madoff and Putnam Investments
Notice the transcripts and webcasts of the hearing of the US Senate Banking Commitee are still missing? Mr Emory should at least notice Eliot Spitzer and the Dates around November 20th, 2003 in the following file
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:32:30 -0400 Subject: Andre meet Biil Csapo of Occupy Wall St He is a decent fellow who can be reached at (516) 708-4777 Perhaps you two should talk ASAP To: wcsapo <wcsapo@gmail.com> Cc: occupyfredericton <occupyfredericton@gmail.com>
FEDERAL EXPRES February 7, 2006 Senator Arlen Specter United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Specter:
I have been asked to forward the enclosed tapes to you from a man named, David Amos, a Canadian citizen, in connection with the matters raised in the attached letter. Mr. Amos has represented to me that these are illegal FBI wire tap tapes. I believe Mr. Amos has been in contact with you about this previously.
Very truly yours, Barry A. Bachrach Direct telephone: (508) 926-3403 Direct facsimile: (508) 929-3003 Email: bbachrach@bowditch.com
QSLS Politics By Location Visit Detail Visit 29,419 Domain Name usdoj.gov ? (U.S. Government) IP Address 149.101.1.# (US Dept of Justice) ISP US Dept of Justice Location Continent : North America Country : United States (Facts) State : District of Columbia City : Washington Lat/Long : 38.9097, -77.0231 (Map) Language English (U.S.) en-us Operating System Microsoft WinXP Browser Internet Explorer 8.0 Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; InfoPath.2; DI60SP1001) Javascript version 1.3 Monitor Resolution : 1024 x 768 Color Depth : 32 bits Time of Visit Nov 17 2012 6:33:08 pm Last Page View Nov 17 2012 6:33:08 pm Visit Length 0 seconds Page Views 1 Referring URL http://www.google.co...wwWJrm94lCEqRmovPXJg Search Engine google.com Search Words david amos bernie madoff Visit Entry Page http://qslspolitics....-wendy-olsen-on.html Visit Exit Page http://qslspolitics....-wendy-olsen-on.html Out Click Time Zone UTC-5:00 Visitor's Time Nov 17 2012 12:33:08 pm Visit Number 29,419
QSLS Politics By Location Visit Detail Visit 29,419 Domain Name usdoj.gov ? (U.S. Government) IP Address 149.101.1.# (US Dept of Justice) ISP US Dept of Justice Location Continent : North America Country : United States (Facts) State : District of Columbia City : Washington Lat/Long : 38.9097, -77.0231 (Map) Language English (U.S.) en-us Operating System Microsoft WinXP Browser Internet Explorer 8.0 Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; InfoPath.2; DI60SP1001) Javascript version 1.3 Monitor Resolution : 1024 x 768 Color Depth : 32 bits Time of Visit Nov 17 2012 6:33:08 pm Last Page View Nov 17 2012 6:33:08 pm Visit Length 0 seconds Page Views 1 Referring URL http://www.google.co...wwWJrm94lCEqRmovPXJg Search Engine google.com Search Words david amos bernie madoff Visit Entry Page http://qslspolitics....-wendy-olsen-on.html Visit Exit Page http://qslspolitics....-wendy-olsen-on.html Out Click Time Zone UTC-5:00 Visitor's Time Nov 17 2012 12:33:08 pm Visit Number 29,419
> http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324595904578119412229102532.html > > http://www.ecbalaw.com/partnerEmery.html > > > http://www.madoff.com/document/dockets/000997-peterbmadofforder09-01503docket77.pdf > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> > Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:50:17 -0300 > Subject: Fwd: Re :USANYS-MADOFF AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM US > ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SDNY > To: chad.bray@dowjones.com > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: "Olsen, Wendy (USANYS)"<Wendy.Olsen@usdoj.gov> > Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:21:08 -0400 > Subject: RE: USANYS-MADOFF AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM US > ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SDNY > To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>, USANYS-MADOFF > < USANYS.MADOFF@usdoj.gov>, "Litt, Marc (USANYS)"<Marc.Litt@usdoj.gov> > Cc: webo <webo@xplornet.com>, vasilescua@sec.gov, friedmani@sec.gov, > krishnamurthyp@sec.gov > > Thank you for your response. > > Wendy Olsen > Victim Witness Coordinator > > -----Original Message----- > From: David Amos [mailto:david.raymond.amos@gmail.com] > Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:48 AM > To: USANYS-MADOFF; Olsen, Wendy (USANYS); Litt, Marc (USANYS) > Cc: webo; vasilescua@sec.gov; friedmani@sec.gov; krishnamurthyp@sec.gov > Subject: RE: USANYS-MADOFF AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM US ATTORNEY'S > OFFICE SDNY > > Ms Olsen > > Thank you for keeping me informed. > > Yes unseal all my emails with all their attachments immediately and > make certain that the US Attorny's office finally practices full > disclosurement as to who I am and what my concerns are as per the Rule > of Law within a purported democracy. > > As you folks all well know I am not a shy man and I have done nothing > wrong. It appears to me that bureacratic people only use the right to > privacy of others when it suits their malicious ends in order to > protect their butts from impreacment, litigation and prosecution. > > The people in the US Attorney's Office and the SEC etc are very well > aware that I protested immediately to everyone I could think of when > the instant I knew that my correspondences went under seal and Madoff > pled guilty so quickly and yet another cover up involing my actions > was under full steam. Everybody knows that.the US Government has been > trying to keep my concerns about the rampant public corruption a > secret for well over seven long years. However now that a lot of > poeple and their countries in general are losing a lot of money people > are beginning to remember just exactly who I am and what i did > beginning over seven years ago.. > > Veritas Vincit > David Raymond Amos > 506 756 8687 > > P.S. For the record Obviously I pounced on these Yankee bastards as > soon as the newsrag in Boston published this article on the web last > night. > > http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1162354&f > ormat=&page=2&listingType=biz#articleFull > > Notice that Nester just like everyone else would not say my name? It > is because my issues surrounding both Madoff and are NOT marketing > timing They are as you all well know money laundering, fraud, > forgery, perjury, securites fraud, tax fraud, Bank fraud, illegal > wiretappping and Murder amongst other very serious crimes. > > "SEC spokesman John Nester dismissed similarities between Markopolos > and Scannell's cases as "not a valid comparison." > > He said the SEC determined the market-timing by Putnam clients that > Scannell reported didn't violate federal law. Nester said the SEC only > acted after another tipster alleged undisclosed market-timing by some > Putnam insiders. > > Scannell, now a crusader for SEC reforms, isn't surprised the agency > is in hot water again. > > Noting that several top SEC officials have gone on to high-paying > private-sector jobs, he believes hopes for future employment impact > investigations. "It's a distinct disadvantage to make waves before you > enter the private sector," Scannell said." > > --- On Mon, 3/30/09, David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> wrote: > > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> > Subject: Fwd: USANYS-MADOFF IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM US ATTORNEY'S > OFFICE SDNY > To: NesterJ@sec.gov, letterstoeditor@bostonherald.com, "oig" > < oig@sec.gov>, Thunter@tribune.com, david@davidmyles.com, > ddexter@ns.sympatico.ca, "Dan Fitzgerald"<danf@danf.net> > Cc: dsheehan@bakerlaw.com, dspelfogel@bakerlaw.com, > mc@whistleblowers.org, gkachroo@mccarter.com, > david.straube@accenture.com, gurdip.s.sahota@accenture.com, > benjamin_mcmurray@ao.uscourts.gov, bob_burke@ao.uscourts.gov > Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 10:00 PM > > Need I say BULLSHIT? > > http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1162354&f > ormat=&page=2&listingType=biz#articleFull > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> > Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:03:13 -0300 > Subject: RE: USANYS-MADOFF IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM US ATTORNEY'S > OFFICE > SDNY > To: Russ.Stanton@latimes.com, meredith.goodman@latimes.com, > ninkster@navigantconsulting.com, dgolub@sgtlaw.com > Cc: firstselectmanffld@town.fairfield.ct.us, > editor@whatsupfairfield.com, info@csiworld.org, jacques_poitras > < jacques_poitras@cbc.ca> > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> > Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:40:55 -0300 > Subject: Fwd: USANYS-MADOFF FW: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM US > ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SDNY > To: gmacnamara@town.fairfield.ct.us, MartiK1 <MartiK1@parl.gc.ca>, > "Paul. Harpelle"<Paul.Harpelle@gnb.ca>, Jason Keenan > < jason.keenan@icann.org>, Kandalaw <Kandalaw@mindspring.com> > Cc: info@grahamdefense.org, fbinhct@leo.gov > > From: "Peck,Dave"<DPeck@town.fairfield.ct.us> > Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:32:32 -0400 > Subject: Out of Office AutoReply: USANYS-MADOFF FW: IMPORTANT > INFORMATION FROM US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SDNY > To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> > > I will be unavailable until 4/1/09. > > Deputy Chief MacNamara will be in charge while I am away. > > He can be reached at 254-4831 or email him at > gmacnamara@town.fairfield.ct.us > > I will not be checking emails or cell phone messages. > > Thank you, > > Chief Dave Peck > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> > Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:32:18 -0300 > Subject: Fwd: USANYS-MADOFF FW: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM US > ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SDNY > To: dpeck@town.fairfield.ct.us, edit@ctpost.com, bresee@courant.com > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> > Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:19:35 -0300 > Subject: RE: USANYS-MADOFF FW: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM US > ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SDNY > To: dtnews@telegraph.co.uk > > -----Original Message----- > From: USANYS-MADOFF > Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 3:06 PM > To: DAVID.RAYMOND.AMOS@GMAIL.COM > Subject: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SDNY > > In United States v. Bernard L. Madoff, 09 Cr. 213 (DC), the Court > received a request from NBC and ABC to unseal all correspondence from > victims that has been submitted in connection with the case. This > includes your email to the Government. If the correspondence from > victims is unsealed, the victim's personal identifying information > including name, address, telephone number and email address (to the > extent it was included on the correspondence) will become public. The > Government must submit a response to the request by NBC and ABC by > Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Please let us know whether you consent to > the full disclosure of your correspondence, or whether you wish to > have your correspondence remain sealed for privacy or other reasons. > If you wish to have your correspondence remain sealed, please let us > know the reason. We will defend your privacy to the extent that we > can. Thank you. > > I looks like the US attorney in New York finally has to unseal my > emails that you dudes have been sitting on for quite some time for no > reason I will ever understand other than you are just a bunch of > chickenshits. > > I know NBC, ABC, your blogger buddies or any other media wacko will > never say my name but the pissed off folks that lost a lot of money > with Bernie Baby just may ask how the hell I am EH? > > Veritas Vincit > David Raymond Amos > > > > > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> > Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:48:50 -0300 > Subject: Fwd: Trust that whatever covert deal that Bernie Madoff and > KPMG etc may make with the Feds they are not fooling mean old me > To: Marc.Litt@usdoj.gov > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> > Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:29:42 -0300 > Subject: Fwd: Trust that whatever covert deal that Bernie Madoff and > KPMG etc may make with the Feds they are not fooling mean old me > To: PChavkin@mintz.com > Cc: webo <webo@xplornet.com> > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: "Olsen, Wendy (USANYS)"<Wendy.Olsen@usdoj.gov> > Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:08:04 -0400 > Subject: RE: Trust that whatever covert deal that Bernie Madoff and > KPMG etc may make with the Feds they are not fooling mean old me > To: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com > > On March 10, 2009, the Honorable Denny Chin provided the following > guidance for victims who wish to be heard at the plea proceeding on > March 12, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.: > > Judge Chin stated that there are two issues that the Court will > consider at the hearing: (1) whether to accept a guilty plea from the > defendant to the eleven-count Criminal Information filed by the > Government, which provides for a maximum sentence of 150 years' > imprisonment; and (2) whether the defendant should be remanded or > released on conditions of bail, if the Court accepts a guilty plea. > Judge Chin also stated that, at the hearing on March 12, 2009, he will > conduct a plea allocution of the defendant and then will announce > whether the Court intends to accept the plea. At that time, the Court > will solicit speakers who disagree with the Court's intended ruling. > > Assuming the defendant pleads guilty and his plea is accepted by the > Court, the Court intends to allow the Government and defense counsel > to speak on the issue of bail. The Court will then announce its > intended ruling on that issue. The Court will then invite individuals > who disagree with the proposed ruling on bail to be heard. > > The Court noted that there will be opportunity for victims to be > heard in the future on the subjects of sentencing, forfeiture and > restitution in advance of any sentencing of the defendant. The Court > also noted that it is not appropriate for victims who wish to speak > concerning sentencing issues to be heard at the March 12, 2009 > proceeding. > > A link to the a transcript of the March 10, 2009 Court hearing can > be > found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the > Southern District of New York: > > http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nys > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Olsen, Wendy (USANYS) > Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 10:56 AM > To: usanys.madoff@usdoj.gov > Subject: FW: Trust that whatever covert deal that Bernie Madoff and > KPMG etc may make with the Feds they are not fooling mean old me > > > -----Original Message----- > From: David Amos [mailto:david.raymond.amos@gmail.com] > Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 12:58 PM > To: horwitzd@dicksteinshapiro.com; Nardoza, Robert (USANYE); > USAMA-Media (USAMA); Olsen, Wendy (USANYS) > Cc: oig > Subject: Trust that whatever covert deal that Bernie Madoff and KPMG > etc may make with the Feds they are not fooling mean old me > > horwitzd@dicksteinshapiro.com > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: "Sartory, Thomas J."<TSartory@goulstonstorrs.com> > Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 07:41:20 -0500 > Subject: RE: I did talk the lawyers Golub and Flumenbaum tried to > discuss Bernie Madoff and KPMG etc before sending these emails > To: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com > > > Dear Mr. Amos, > > I am General Counsel at Goulston & Storrs. Your email below to > Messers. Rosensweig and Reisch has been forwarded to me for response. > While it's not clear what type of assistance, if any, you seek from > Goulston % Storrs, please be advised that we are not in a position to > help you. Please do not send further communications to any of our > attorneys. We will not be able to respond, and your communications > will not be protected by the attorney-client privilege. > > We wish you well in the pursuit of your concerns. > > Sincerely, > > Thomas J. Sartory > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: David Amos [mailto: > Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 8:18 PM > To: Rosensweig, Richard J.; info@LAtaxlawyers.com; Reisch, Alan M.; > reed@hbsslaw.com > Subject: Fwd: I did talk the lawyers Golub and Flumenbaum tried to > discuss Bernie Madoff and KPMG etc before sending these emails > > Perhaps somebody should call me back now. EH? (902 800 0369) > > > Post a comment: > https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=11475858&postID=114783709674881631&ext-ref=comm-sub-email > > Unsubscribe to comments for this post: > http://www.blogger.com/comment-unsubscribe.g?blogID=11475858&postID=114783709674881631 > > Posted by David Raymond Amos to Just Dave at Friday, May 22, 2009 >
---------- Original message ---------- From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario <Premier@ontario.ca> Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2022 15:07:55 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Hey Higgy Methinks David Coon and Michelle Conroy's old buddies must have noticed that their pals were not mentioned in the latest CBC spin on byelections N'esy Pas? 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.
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.
Miramichi in vogue as MLAs prepare for byelection campaigning
Jacques Poitras and his blogging buddy Chucky Leblanc love to yap but not once have they ever bothered to mention Higgy et al sending mean old me silly emails and butter tarts in the mail years ago
As MLAs count the days until the legislature adjourns for the summer, their focus, and their vocabulary, is shifting north toward the Miramichi area.
Mentions of the area are increasing during question period, and elected members from all three parties are making plans to spend time there ahead of two byelections on June 20.
"It's very likely I'll be in the Miramichi area," a coy Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Jill Green said Tuesday. "We have lots of transportation and infrastructure in the Miramichi area."
Asked if she plans to canvas for the Progressive Conservative candidates, Green demurred.
"I have no immediate plans to do that but you never know what's going to happen when you're in the Miramichi area," she said.
The race is on
Voters in Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin and Miramichi Bay-Neguac will elect new MLAs to replace PC Jake Stewart and Liberal Lisa Harris.
The two members resigned last year to run against each other in the federal election, with Stewart defeating Harris.
Several PC cabinet ministers have been to the two ridings to support the party's two candidates.
Liberal health critic Benoît Bourque said he was in both ridings in the last couple of weeks and will be there again next week. The legislature adjourns Friday.
"There's going to be mobilization from our end, in both ridings," Bourque said. "We feel that we are in play in both ridings."
Environment Minister Gary Crossman and MLA Michelle Conroy campaign with Miramichi Bay-Neguac candidate Réjean Savoie. (Gary Crossman/Facebook)
The two contests are the first electoral test of the Higgs government since it won re-election in 2020 and took a popularity hit over an increase in COVID-19 cases last fall.
Now voters are restless about inflation, particularly the cost of gasoline and groceries. The most recent Narrative Research poll had more respondents dissatisfied with the government's performance than satisfied.
Opposition Liberal Leader Roger Melanson opened question period Tuesday by raising cost-of-living issues that he said he heard while knocking on doors in the two ridings "and going into people's homes, and listening to their concerns, and their struggles."
"I have also been in the Miramichi and spoken to people in different communities about what we're faced with," Premier Blaine Higgs responded, "and what the solutions are, because they're not short-term solutions."
Green Leader David Coon said he's been to the ridings to campaign for his party's candidates and will be back again.
Local Government Minister Daniel Allain and Agriculture Minister Margaret Johnson with PC byelection candidates Mike Dawson and Réjean Savoie. (Réjean Savoie/Facebook)
But he said the question period rhetoric wasn't focused on particular Miramichi issues he was hearing about, such as the quality of service at the regional hospital in the city and the shipping of wood harvested in the region to mills elsewhere in the province.
"It's not a surprise but it's just very contrived," he said of the PCs and Liberals one-upping each other about the area. "I think that's how people will read it."
Not all PC MLAs are jumping on the bandwagon.
Government House Leader Glen Savoie, who has family roots in Neguac, said his focus is getting all the government's legislation passed by Friday and he isn't thinking beyond that.
And Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said she will not be in the area between now and the byelections on June 20.
Liberal Leader Roger Melanson with Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin candidate Hannah Fulton Johnston. (Hannah Fulton-Johnson/Facebook)
But most PC MLAs will be in the area next week when the party holds a caucus retreat on Wednesday and Thursday in Miramichi, a setting that will conveniently put them next door to the two contested ridings.
PC caucus chair Greg Turner said members will be able to campaign while in the area.
"There's free time if members want to get involved with it," he said. "That would be on their own."
The People's Alliance is also fielding candidates in the two by-elections. The NDP did not nominate candidates by the deadline set by Elections Brunswick.
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.
Kris Austin, the former People’s Alliance leader, has called in the past for the abolition of the two health authorities while insisting he supports hospitals' operation in French in francophone regions. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Former People's Alliance leader Kris Austin is urging his new Progressive Conservative caucus colleagues to look at merging New Brunswick's two regional health authorities.
Austin, who joined the PC government caucus in March, says in an email obtained by CBC News that he'd like them to discuss the merger idea during a "priority-setting exercise" at a party caucus retreat next week in Miramichi.
The Fredericton-Grand Lake MLA wrote his email in response to a request for discussion topics. He said he'd like to talk about "bringing together both Horizon and Vitalité into one provincial authority."
"This could help streamline services/resources and reduce competition between current health authorities," he wrote.
Austin is broaching a hot-button language issue just as the Higgs government is campaigning to win two byelections in ridings with sizeable francophone populations.
Premier Blaine Higgs and Health Minister Dorothy Shephard immediately shot down the idea.
"We're not merging Vitalité or Horizon or Ambulance New Brunswick," Higgs said, adding that few of his MLAs backed the idea.
"I don't feel that merger has a lot of support at all. I do think there's a lot of support for ensuring that we build a better health system together."
Shephard agreed. "In my mind, there's no merger conversation."
In his email, Austin says the merger would have to be done "while maintaining the requirements of the [Official Languages Act] and the linguistic makeup of the regions where each hospital/clinic is located."
As Alliance leader, Austin complained there was unnecessary duplication between Horizon, which operates primarily in English, and Vitalité, which is administered mainly in French.
Each authority is obligated to provide service to the public in both official languages.
Austin told reporters Wednesday that the understanding when he defected to the PCs was that he could raise issues but would have to live with the party position.
"Obviously, I'm not the minister of health and I respect whatever the minister of health decides at the end of the day, but these are the types of conversations that need to be had in this province," he said.
'Not a language issue'
As long as the system respects the requirements for bilingual service, Austin said, he believes a single entity would reduce competition for staff and resources.
"To me this is not a language issue. This is an issue of good health care."
Austin, who founded the Alliance and led it until March, has always insisted he doesn't oppose official bilingualism but objects to some ways it's implemented, including the existence of the two health authorities.
But that position is anathema to francophones who see the regional health authorities as constitutionally protected and fundamental to their minority-language rights.
Premier Blaine Higgs has previously complained about the two-authority system for hospitals but rules out a merger. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Higgs has also complained in the past about the two health authorities, but as premier he has ruled out a merger, calling instead for the two entities to co-ordinate more services.
On Wednesday, he said the designation of the testing lab at Vitalité's Dr. Georges-L. Dumont Hospital in Moncton as the official provincial testing lab is an example of the co-ordination he wants to see.
Another example, he said, would be simplifying the ability of a patient in one health authority to go to the other authority's hospital if it were less busy.
"The issue we're talking about is co-ordinated health care. It's not about a merger. There won't be any discussion about a merger, because that's not on the table."
Austin said co-ordination was good, but "there's always more room for that."
The opposition Liberals and Greens both condemned the merger idea.
"They can discuss all they want. I will not try to influence their caucus conversations," said Liberal Leader Roger Melanson. "But I can tell you one thing: we would certainly intervene and speak loudly if anything is done that affects [the system] negatively."
Green MLA Megan Mitton said that aside from the risk to language equality, "the last thing we need is more centralization in health care. Decision making is getting further and further away from our communities, and we need to stop that."
The Alliance founder and fellow MLA Michelle Conroy quit the party March 30 and joined the PC caucus.
Austin said at the time that joining the PC government caucus was not about "watering down anybody's voice."
"I think the opposite. I think this is about strengthening that voice and being at the table, as opposed to being on the outside trying to make changes."
Higgs pointed out there have been several examples of internal disagreements in his caucus coming to light, and he didn't regret that bringing two Alliance MLAs on board had sparked more of that.
"I would rather have … the open discussion, rather than a whole lot of separate discussions, so we map out a path forward for us collectively. And then it's resolved and we move on."
Austin wrote the email on Tuesday in response to Higgs's chief of staff, Louis Léger.
Léger wrote to all PC MLAs and many political staffers and senior civil servants to lay out the agenda for a two-day party caucus retreat in Miramichi next Wednesday and Thursday.
He asked all MLAs to list "two things that you are interested in 'fixing' before our mandate ends."
Austin's second suggested topic was a continuation of tax and fee reductions.
A reporter pointed out Wednesday that Austin was wearing a purple tie, the colour of his former party.
"I've got a lot of purple ties in my closet, as you can imagine," he explained. "So I'm still going through getting some new ties in different colours. But good point."
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.
Chad Duplessie is a committed community-minded leader with considerable experience serving the community. Born in Iqaluit Nunavut, he grew up in Miramichi where he is now raising his three young children with his wife Alyssa. He knows firsthand the issues that affect his community and has poured his energy and passion into community building, youth engagement and addressing the greatest community issues head-on. Chad is committed to the rights of New Brunswickers and giving voice to issues affecting the most vulnerable.
Chad is a graduate of St.Thomas University’s Human Rights program and has worked with several organizations building healthier communities within the Miramichi Neguac area. He has made major improvements on issues of food security working as the Manager of the Natoaganeg Community Food Centre and chairing Food for All NB. Chad began his career working as Director of Camp Rotary where he focused on creating healthy opportunities for New Brunswickers living with disabilities. He is now returning to that work as the new Executive Director of Autism Resource Miramichi as he parts from his position with Horizon Health as a Community Developer where he focused on solutions to homelessness, youth mental health and healthy food access.
Additionally, Chad has served the City of Miramichi as a City Councillor since 2016. Chad is most proud of the work done to recognize and partner with the neighbouring First Nation communities and the city’s commitment to renewing and developing the City’s public parks. He is currently the Chair of the City’s Community Services Standing Committee.
In both his professional, personal and political realms, Chad is considered as an honest, thoughtful advocate who is committed to finding real solutions to the toughest challenges facing our communities. He is an outside-the-box thinker who listens first and acts with intention.
This June 20th Chad intends to bring real representation and significant change to the well-being of the people in Miramichi Bay-Neguac by being the first Green MLA for the riding.
A Doakown woman representing the Liberal party in Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin says she has been left disheartened after 12 of her signs were torn down over the course of one night earlier in the week. https://bddy.me/3zoocV7
Julie Guillemet-Ackerman is a marketing professional, wife, mother and creative artist with a sense of humour. She loves to learn and has her business diploma in marketing & communications and additional certificates for graphic design, web and photography. She enjoys being outdoors, reading, making good food and being a mom. Julie wasn’t entirely politically active until she became a mother and was passionately inspired to help make changes for the future.
Always being passionate and mindful of the environment, Julie is constantly looking for simple solutions to reduce her carbon footprint, change ingrained habits and live a clean healthier life as a family. She values community support and helping others and has volunteered helping those in need in her direct neighbourhood.
Julie is bothered by the lack of integrity and true commitment the government has attempted towards the environment and its people so far. As a working mom, raising a family – Julie wants better for her family’s future.
Julie believes the Green Party is the path to Ontario’s prosperity in the future. Their approach in placing environment first is essential to a solid foundation for the future – without a clean, safe place to live – nothing else really matters.
Julie Guillemet-Ackerman is passionate about putting her Green values into action and has shown this through her education, volunteerism, and professional pursuits to building community and working towards a brighter future.
Julie’s educational background is in Business Marketing Communications and Global Development. She is an active member of the community and has volunteered with Miramichi SPCA, local farms and established a program providing free marketing advice to local women entrepreneurs. Her professional career has allowed her various corporate and non-profit organizations providing consultation on communications and serving the community.
Julie lives in Barnaby River raising her two small boys Liam and Loïc with her husband Andre.
Nominations close for two Miramichi area by-elections
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)"<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca> Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2022 16:49:24 +0000 Subject: RE: Hey Higgy Methinks David Coon and your buddy Chucky Leblanc should agree that the by-elections and procedural maneuvering are just more of the same old circus N'esy Pas? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed at the earliest opportunity.
If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for review and consideration.
Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les meilleurs délais.
Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre secteur du gouvernement, le personnel vous renverra votre courriel pour examen et considération.
People's Alliance supporters push to resurrect party ahead of June byelections
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)"<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca> Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2022 21:23:56 +0000 Subject: RE: Hey Higgy Methinks David Coon, your pal Chucky Leblanc and lots of cops cannot deny that I cossed paths with Michelle Conroy's old buddy Larry Lynch long ago N'esy Pas? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed at the earliest opportunity.
If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for review and consideration.
Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les meilleurs délais.
Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre secteur du gouvernement, le personnel vous renverra votre courriel pour examen et considération.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)"<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca> Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2022 14:57:18 +0000 Subject: RE: YO Higgy Methinks some members of the PANB may have enjoyed the bullshit spewed by Allen Price but he should say Hey to the RCMP for me and introduce us N'esy Pas? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed at the earliest opportunity.
If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for review and consideration.
Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les meilleurs délais.
Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre secteur du gouvernement, le personnel vous renverra votre courriel pour examen et considération.
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?
Methinks if Blaine Higgs had two clues between his ears he would not have hired the Arsehole Dominic Cardy in the first place
---------- Original message ---------- From: Michael Cohen <mcohen@trumporg.com> 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 <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.
---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2018 14:00:20 -0400 Subject 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: "Jacques.Poitras"<Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>, "ht.lacroix"<ht.lacroix@cbc.ca>,
As a regular correspondent I thought you would like to know that it's Hamish's 20th birthday! We even gave him some butter tarts in your honour! I'm sure he'd appreciate a note.
David Amos Strange just today Dominic Cardy was bragging to me they have lots of money to spend on Butter Tarts
Methinks the PCs are gonna lose the electin bitime with him as Mr Higgs' Chief of Staff N'esy Pas?
(Piss Poor spelling a grammer I know but the real question is will CBC even allow the comment o stand the test of time EH Jacques Poitras and Hubby Lacroix?)
---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2017 14:57:57 -0400 Subject: Yo Brucey Baby is that your signature I see on the note with the treats from Mr Higgs that your buddy Dominic Cardy sent? To: kelly@lamrockslaw.com, david@lutz.nb.ca, David.Coon@gnb.ca, blaine.higgs@gnb.ca, brian.gallant@gnb.ca, briangallant10@gmail.com, bruce.fitch@gnb.ca, Brian.kenny@gnb.ca, Dale.Morgan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, kirk.macdonald@gnb.ca, postur@for.is, newsroom@globeandmail.ca, Bill.Morneau@canada.ca, bill.pentney@justice.gc.ca, jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, bruce.northrup@gnb.ca, Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca
Yo Blaine Higgs I just called and tried to talk to your buddy Hamish Wright Trust that I don't care that Dominic Cardy is concerned about his fondness for butter tarts
Yo Mr Cardy Do Ya Think This Dude Cares About Your Dumb Puffin?
---------- Original message ---------- From: Póstur FOR postur@for.is Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2017 16:16:32 +0000 Subject: Re: Yo Mr Higgs I updated the blog for the benefit of your mindless assistant, your pal Chucky "The Welfare Bum" Leblanc and his many LIEbrano buddies for obvious reasons N'esy Pas David Coon? To: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
Erindi þitt hefur verið móttekið / Your request has been received
Kveðja / Best regards Forsætisráðuneytið / Prime Minister's Office
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Gallant, Premier Brian (PO/CPM)"<Brian.Gallant@gnb.ca> Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2018 18:00:25 +0000 Subject: RE: 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 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Premier of New Brunswick. Please be assured that your email will be reviewed.
If this is a media request, please forward your email to media-medias@gnb.camedia-medias@gnb.ca>. Thank you!
*************************************
Nous vous remercions d’avoir communiqué avec le premier ministre du Nouveau-Brunswick. Soyez assuré(e) que votre courriel sera examiné.
Si ceci est une demande médiatique, prière de la transmettre à media-medias@gnb.camedia-medias@gnb.ca>. Merci!
Cash-strapped PCs selling party headquarters in Fredericton
The Regent Street building could be all yours for just $479,000
By Jacques Poitras, CBC NewsPosted: Jan 12, 2018 6:30 AM AT
The Progressive Conservatives' head office in Fredericton. (Jacques Poitras/CBC News)
Inside the Fredericton head office of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick, there's a countdown clock on the wall tracking the days, hours, minutes and seconds that remain until the next provincial election.
Paul Palango and I will take calls from the viewers and discuss recent developments in this story. We will take calls live during the recording, however advance questions and comments can be submitted by voicememo at nighttimepodcast.com/contact
---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2020 08:22:44 -0400 Subject: Fwd: Automatic reply: RE Little Grey Cells loves your comment Trust that the CBC, the RCMP and Frank Magazine et al will hate this email To: nsinvestigators@gmail.com Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2020 12:21:40 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE Little Grey Cells loves your comment Trust that the CBC, the RCMP and Frank Magazine et al will hate this email To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
Thank you very much for reaching out to the Office of the Hon. Bill Blair, Member of Parliament for Scarborough Southwest.
Please be advised that as a health and safety precaution, our constituency office will not be holding in-person meetings until further notice. We will continue to provide service during our regular office hours, both over the phone and via email.
Due to the high volume of emails and calls we are receiving, our office prioritizes requests on the basis of urgency and in relation to our role in serving the constituents of Scarborough Southwest. If you are not a constituent of Scarborough Southwest, please reach out to your local of Member of Parliament for assistance. To find your local MP, visit: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en
Moreover, at this time, we ask that you please only call our office if your case is extremely urgent. We are experiencing an extremely high volume of calls, and will better be able to serve you through email.
** Merci beaucoup d'avoir pris contact avec le bureau de l'Honorable Bill Blair, D?put? de Scarborough-Sud-Ouest.
Veuillez noter que par mesure de pr?caution en mati?re de sant? et de s?curit?, notre bureau de circonscription ne tiendra pas de r?unions en personne jusqu'? nouvel ordre. Nous continuerons ? fournir des services pendant nos heures de bureau habituelles, tant par t?l?phone que par courrier ?lectronique.
En raison du volume ?lev? de courriels que nous recevons, notre bureau classe les demandes par ordre de priorit? en fonction de leur urgence et de notre r?le dans le service aux ?lecteurs de Scarborough Sud-Ouest. Si vous n'?tes pas un ?lecteur de Scarborough Sud-Ouest, veuillez contacter votre d?put? local pour obtenir de l'aide. Pour trouver votre d?put? local, visitez le site:https://www.noscommunes.ca/members/fr
En outre, nous vous demandons de ne t?l?phoner ? notre bureau que si votre cas est extr?mement urgent. Nous recevons un volume d'appels extr?mement ?lev? et nous serons mieux ? m?me de vous servir par courrier ?lectronique.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "McCulloch, Sandra"<smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca> Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2020 12:22:02 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE Little Grey Cells loves your comment Trust that the CBC, the RCMP and Frank Magazine et al will hate this email To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. I will be away from the office for the much of the holidays, between December 21st and January 4th. I will be online and checking my email periodically, and will reply to your message as soon as I can. Please contact 902.897.2000 if you require a more urgent response.
---------- Original message ---------- From: justin.trudeau.a1@parl.gc.ca Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2020 12:21:40 +0000 Subject: Réponse automatique : RE Little Grey Cells loves your comment Trust that the CBC, the RCMP and Frank Magazine et al will hate this email To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
Veuillez noter que j'ai changé de courriel. Vous pouvez me rejoindre à lalanthier@hotmail.com
---------- Original message ---------- From: "MinFinance / FinanceMin (FIN)"<fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca> Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2020 12:21:40 +0000 Subject: RE: RE Little Grey Cells loves your comment Trust that the CBC, the RCMP and Frank Magazine et al will hate this email To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
The Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your comments. Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we apologize in advance for any delay in responding to your enquiry. In the meantime, information on Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan is available on the Government of Canada website at www.canada.ca/coronavirus<http://www.canada.ca/coronavirus> or by calling 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232) or 1-833-784-4397.
Le ministère des Finances Canada accuse réception de votre courriel. Nous vous assurons que vos commentaires sont les bienvenus. En raison de la fluidité de la crise de la COVID-19, il est possible que nous retardions à vous répondre et nous nous en excusons. Entre-temps, les informations au sujet du Plan d'intervention économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19 sont disponibles dans le site Web du gouvernement du Canada au www.canada.ca/coronavirus<http://www.canada.ca/coronavirus> ou en composant le 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232) ou le 1-833-784-4397.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: YouTube <noreply@youtube.com> Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2020 21:05:41 -0800 Subject: Little Grey Cells loves your comment To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Nighttime is an award winning audio documentary series that has been covering unique stories from across Canada since 2015. Topics range from crime, mysteries, to the just plain weird.
Nighttime episodes feature in depth first hand research and interviews with the goal of providing listeners with a balanced and comprehensive telling of the topic discussed. Nighttime is available as a podcast, a youtube series, and a nationally syndicated radio show (on Global AM radio stations across Canada).
Nighttime is hosted, written, and produced by Jordan Bonaparte.
One of Jordan Bonaparte's future podcasts will look at reports of a UFO at Shag Harbour, N.S., in 1967. (Don Ledger)
If you've seen a UFO or had a paranormal experience, Jordan Bonaparte wants to talk to you.
The 34-year-old Nova Scotia man has just launched an online radio program called Night Time Podcast.
The stories will come from across Atlantic Canada, with a focus on ghosts, mysteries and historic crimes.
Bonaparte grew up in Sydney and his first podcast has a personal connection. His grandfather, Edward Hashem, describes seeing a UFO near Englishtown in 1986.
"I was driving up a place called Munro's Point," Hashem says. "It's a high, sort of half-size mountain and all of a sudden I saw this thing coming through the sky and it hovered right above my car. It stalled my engine. I looked up and it was a big disk, a round disc that was maybe 20 or 30 feet in diameter."
Bonaparte is currently looking for stories about weird things that have happened in the woods for a future episode.
His next podcast will be about the UFO sighting at Shag Harbour, N.S., on Oct. 4, 1967. Multiple witnesses reported seeing something crash into the waters of Shag Harbour, but the object was never identified.
Bonaparte said he's always been fascinated by horror, science fiction and fantasy and is just as interested in UFOs now as when he was eight years old.
He works in the insurance industry, but would love to see the podcast eventually draw a big enough audience to generate income.
"At this point, it's just a hobby but you never know." he said. "If it became successful, maybe I could have some advertisers help me out and I would love to stay home all day reading about UFOs on the internet."
In the beginning, Jordan Bonaparte couldn't believe what he heard.
There were stories though, too many to ignore. They were all about a man many called "The Glove Guy," and the tales often followed a similar trajectory: a man in a car would pick up young men in Halifax's downtown core — promising a free ride home — and then pressure his passenger into trying on a series of tight leather gloves as they wound through the streets, sometimes in the wrong direction.
The driver would assure the men it was all a part of a legitimate glove-sales business, but some described a situation that became increasingly uncomfortable and — in at least one case — resulted in police charges.
"When I first heard the story, this was probably six or eight years ago or something. I just assumed it was like an urban legend," said Bonaparte.
Bonaparte, creator of Canadian true-crime series The Nighttime Podcast, said he then saw a deluge of similar posts about the Glove Guy last year on r/Halifax, a Reddit forum page dedicated to the city.
The discussion of Glove Guy remains the page's all-time most popular topic, and includes various claims from men who say they, or their friends, have been picked up and offered gloves in similar strange encounters.
Jordan Bonaparte says he first learned about the 'Glove Guy' through a friend, but soon found many more similar stories online. (Jackson Weaver/CBC)
"That's when I realized that that's not a crazy story," Bonaparte said. "There's way too many people giving the same version of it."
A few months after that, Bonaparte put out a public request for more stories, and says he soon heard from "probably 200" people. They all claimed to have first- or second-hand stories about the Glove Guy, that ran the gamut from seemingly funny encounters, to unsettling ones.
Surprisingly, Bonaparte said, many people who knew of the story but didn't have a first-hand experience viewed it as a humorous event, instead of a serious one. Even some who had been in the car, on the surface, seemed to view it as a joke.
"They almost have like a sort of like dark or gallows humour about the whole thing, where they're kind of laughing it off as this kind of strange weird experience that's kind of funny," Bonaparte said.
"But at the same time, I can tell they're bothered by it."
I went into this series thinking it's a kind of quirky, funny story, but ... the more I learned, it just got more and more disturbing.
- Jordan Bonaparte
Bonaparte eventually produced a two-part series, interviewing four men, and published them via his podcast.
Bonaparte did not identify the so-called Glove Guy, but the man frequently gave out a card for his glove business to his passengers.
CBC News reached out to the owner of the glove business, and got an emailed statement from a man named Murray James.
James denies any allegations of inappropriate behaviour, but does acknowledge he has occasionally offered rides in downtown Halifax "between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m."
However he says he has never pushed anyone to try on his gloves. James said in his email that rumours about him and his glove business, spread by Bonaparte and others, have been "totally overblown for years," have damaged his reputation, and put him in danger.
His gloves, he wrote, are tight due to the make and style, and people misconstrue his intentions due to the fact that he is "so passionate when it comes to [his] gloves."
"[I am] currently living at home as a full-time caregiver for my mom that is 87 with failing health," James, who declined to be interviewed for this story, wrote in his statement.
"To continue to see outlets and people continuing to say things about me is very stressful!"
Still, he wrote, the rumours haven't stopped, and — after hearing Bonaparte's podcast — he said in his email to CBC that he registered "The Nighttime Podcast" as his own business with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies (NS RJSC), which is responsible for maintaining records of businesses and non-profit organizations operating in the province.
He also registered a similar website name to Bonaparte's existing site and created an accompanying Facebook page.
Bonaparte believes the registrations were done to "squat on [his] work" as a form of retaliation for his podcast.
Shawn DeWolfe said he didn't know anything about the 'Glove Guy' stories until after his ride with James. (Jackson Weaver/CBC)
'Soon as I mentioned the Glove Guy, she knew exactly what I was going to say'
Shawn DeWolfe of Dartmouth, N.S., is one of the men James picked up late at night in downtown Halifax.
DeWolfe told CBC News in an interview that James, unprompted, offered him a ride on Spring Garden Road. Being drunk at the time, he says he accepted, since he was worried he otherwise wouldn't get home.
As the ride continued, DeWolfe says he grew more and more uncomfortable with James, who had him try on three pairs of leather gloves, each exceedingly tight. When they arrived outside of his house, DeWolfe says James had him try on a final pair. It was at this point DeWolfe looked over, and saw James was masturbating in the seat beside him.
"I took the gloves off, threw them, got out of the car as fast as I [could]," DeWolfe said. "And I ran through my neighbour's yard, and I cut back to my house."
After the ride, he spent two days considering what to do next. It wasn't until he spoke to a friend whom he says already knew about similar incidents, that he was convinced to go to the police.
"She told me about her friend who had the same experience basically. Soon as I mentioned the Glove Guy, she knew exactly what I was going to say, who I was talking about."
DeWolfe says the fact that the first person he told already knew similar stories, made him sure others had experienced something similar to him.
CBC News also spoke with two other men who also say they were given a drive by James, and both took place after DeWolfe's experience. Neither claim to have been assaulted, but both state they were picked up while drunk, and pressured into trying on leather gloves in a way that made them uncomfortable.
James told CBC News he pleaded guilty to a charge of committing an indecent act only to avoid a more serious charge that would have carried time behind bars, and that he never exposed himself in the car.
DeWolfe maintains James did expose himself. He also believes that the general response to the Glove Guy stories — which, online, go back at least five years — hasn't been serious enough.
"You just think it's funny," DeWolfe said of the majority of responses online.
"[But] for other men who had more serious encounters, I just believe that they're too embarrassed or too afraid to maybe even come out and talk because they're afraid that what other people might think of them."
Halifax sociologist Robert Wright believes assaults against boys and men often aren't taken as seriously as they should be. (Jackson Weaver/CBC)
Robert Wright, a sociologist and social worker in Halifax, said he's unsurprised these stories have been circulated for so long and viewed as humorous anecdotes instead of something more serious.
Wright runs a confidential support group for men who have been sexually abused. He said experiences involving sexual assault of men are often laughed off when they are brought up. Wright said making light of these kinds of incidents can be a coping mechanism or an attempt to "minimize the experience."
Only six percent of all sexual assaults are reported to police, he added.
"What percentage of those do you think are male assault? Probably five or 10, maybe 15 per cent, maybe less. So five per cent of the six per cent of the assaults — you're talking about a very, very small number of assaults of men are ever reported to authorities."
Wright said that while making someone uncomfortable isn't illegal, it is a warning sign and should be addressed.
"Even before it crosses a legal threshold, we should let the authorities know that there is a person driving around inviting young men into their car, providing them rides, and beginning to make those men sexually uncomfortable."
Const. John MacLeod of the Halifax Regional Police confirmed they have "received reports and information regarding a man offering rides to male pedestrians and asking them to try on gloves after they entered the vehicle."
But James has otherwise never faced any charges beyond DeWolfe's case.
A disputed registration
James wrote to CBC News that "lies" like those broadcast on Bonaparte's podcast have followed him since shortly after opening his glove business 14 years ago.
James stated the stories started after a few local men chose to target him due to the fact that he is a gay man. These men would throw food and drinks at him from their cars, he said. They began spreading false rumours about him online after he went to the RCMP and had three of them arrested, James told CBC News in an email.
James claims the rides he offers are given in good faith, and any accusation of improper behaviour is either misconstrued or a lie. Because of the rumours surrounding him, he says he has had to stop offering rides, and temporarily shut down his glove business.
In addition, James stated that since Bonaparte hadn't already done it himself, he was able to register the Nighttime Podcast name as his own.
"That someone like me would buy such a name, just makes him overcome with anger," James wrote in a Facebook post, echoing similar statements in his email to CBC.
There, he stated that Bonaparte's "lies" threatened his safety, and drove him to fight back.
"I NOW LEGALLY own this name 'The Nighttime Podcast!'"
The new 'The Nighttime Podcast,' linked to here, claims to be 'an outlet for stories of the unbelievable and unthinkable things that people do.'
All businesses in Nova Scotia are required to register with the Registry of Joint Stocks, other than those who operate under the personal name of the owner, or are in specific fields such as farming and fishing. At the same time, no two businesses may register with the same — or nearly the same — name.
I find that really troubling, that a government search for a business name ... doesn't include something as simple as a Google search.
- Jordan Bonaparte
While Bonaparte does hold a trademark for "Nighttime Podcast"— filed July 4 of this year — he states it never functioned as a business of its own. Instead, he says his business operates under his personal name, with The Nighttime Podcast functioning as a product.
He also says he's worried about how easily the name was taken in the first place.
Applicants at the NS RJSC are able to use an online portal to register their business names, which are then vetted before being approved. What Bonaparte says upsets him though, is the registry seemingly only checks their own files to make sure a name hasn't already been registered, instead of requiring documentation to prove the applicant's ownership of the business in question.
The application on Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies. All businesses operating in the province — other than those using the owner's personal name — are required to register.
"I find that really troubling, that a government search for a business name basically seems to include only a search of their own registry," Bonaparte said.
"And it doesn't include something as simple as a Google search or something to see if there maybe is someone using that intellectual property."
When asked what penalties can follow a false registration, media relations advisor Marla MacInnis simply responded that "fraud is illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada," and that all allegations "should be reported to law enforcement."
---------- Original message ---------- From: DND_MND@forces.gc.ca Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2022 17:18:40 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: A little Deja Vu for you all To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
Thank you for writing to the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence. Please be assured that although the Minister cannot respond personally to every message, all inquiries, comments and suggestions are carefully reviewed.
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are engaged with the ongoing situation in Ukraine. All correspondence received on this issue is being directed to the appropriate officials with priority.
A great deal of information about the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces can be found at www.forces.gc.ca. And Canada’s new defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, addresses many issues, including:
• support for Canadian Armed Forces members and their families • new aircraft • defence spending • Canadian Armed Forces operations at home and abroad • recruiting
Thank you again for writing to the Minister. Please do not reply to this message: it is an automatic acknowledgement.
Nous vous remercions d’avoir écrit à l’honorable Anita Anand, ministre de la Défense nationale. Bien que la ministre ne puisse pas répondre personnellement à tous les commentaires, demandes et suggestions, ils sont tous examinés attentivement.
Le ministère de la Défense nationale et les Forces armées canadiennes sont impliqués dans la situation actuelle en Ukraine. La correspondance reçue à ce sujet est dirigée vers les représentantes et représentants appropriés de façon prioritaire.
Vous trouverez de nombreux renseignements sur le ministère de la Défense nationale et les Forces armées canadiennes à l’adresse www.forces.gc.ca. De plus, la nouvelle politique de défense du Canada intitulée Protection, Sécurité, Engagement traite de nombreuses questions, y compris :
• le soutien aux membres des Forces armées canadiennes et à leurs familles • les nouveaux aéronefs • les dépenses en matière de défense • les opérations des Forces armées canadiennes au pays et à l’étranger • le recrutement
Nous vous remercions de nouveau d’avoir écrit à la ministre. Veuillez ne pas répondre à ce courriel puisqu’il s’agit d’une réponse automatique.
Well the lawyer Patricia Graham should at least say hey to Patrick Brethour and their IRVING bosses for me before we meet in court N'esy pas Chucky Leblanc
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Sean Craig <sdbcraig@gmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2015 08:41:46 -0500 Subject: Re: Whilst Chucky Leblanc was having a little pow wow with Jesse Baby Brown in Fat Fred City his old blogging butt buddy the Very Evil Bastard Mr Baconfat of Edmonton was busy typing his latest epistle about Vice Magazine, Glen Canning and Mean Old Me To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Hey David,
We're happy to look at stuff in Alberta and I'll read this stuff over the weekend.
If, in the meantime, you are able to provide me with a brief summary of what the issue or story is that we should look into, no more than a paragraph or two, it would be much appreciated.
> Which blog will get more hits? Survey Says? > > > http://charlesotherpersonalitie.blogspot.ca/2015/02/jesse-brown-from-canadaland-is.html > > > https://baconfatreport.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/vice-canada-amos-canning-and-that-evil-bastards-blog/ > > Better yet does anyone even care? > > However look at who cared about a 9 year old blog in the past week or so > > Interesting EH Jimmy Prentice? > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 21,960 > Domain Name gov.ab.ca ? (Canada) > IP Address 199.213.91.# (Alberta PWSS, Telecommunications > Division) > ISP Alberta PWSS, Telecommunications Division > Location > Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Alberta > City : Edmonton > Lat/Long : 53.55, -113.5 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) > en-us > Operating System Macintosh WinNT > Browser Safari 1.3 > Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like > Gecko) Chrome/40.0.2214.93 Safari/537.36 > Javascript version 1.5 > Monitor > Resolution : 1280 x 1024 > Color Depth : 24 bits > Time of Visit Feb 2 2015 3:26:17 pm > Last Page View Feb 2 2015 3:27:43 pm > Visit Length 1 minute 26 seconds > Page Views 2 > Referring URL https://www.google.ca/ > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo. > ..06/04/just-dave.html > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.ca/ > Out Click Site Meter > http://www.sitemeter...p?site=s29motomaniac > Time Zone UTC-7:00 > Visitor's Time Feb 2 2015 12:26:17 pm > Visit Number 21,960 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 21,977 > Domain Name gc.ca ? (Canada) > IP Address 198.103.111.# (Privy Council Office) > ISP GTIS > Location > Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Ontario > City : Ottawa > Lat/Long : 45.4167, -75.7 (Map) > Language English (Canada) > en-ca > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 8.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; > GTB7.5; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.648; .NET CLR > 3.5.21022; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET4.0C; > .NET4.0E) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor > Resolution : 1440 x 900 > Color Depth : 16 bits > Time of Visit Feb 5 2015 1:12:14 pm > Last Page View Feb 5 2015 1:12:14 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL http://www.google.ca...nRm5CfJR9k7DU3s_2_WA > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.ca/ > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.ca/ > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-5:00 > Visitor's Time Feb 5 2015 12:12:14 pm > Visit Number 21,977 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 22,005 > Domain Name gc.ca ? (Canada) > IP Address 131.137.245.# (Defence Research > Establishment-Ottawa) > ISP Defense Research Establishment > Location > Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Ontario > City : Ottawa > Lat/Long : 45.4167, -75.7 (Map) > Language English (Canada) > en-ca > Operating System Microsoft WinNT > Browser Internet Explorer 9.0 > Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; MSIE 9.0; Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; Trident/5.0) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor > Resolution : 1680 x 1050 > Color Depth : 24 bits > Time of Visit Feb 9 2015 5:42:44 pm > Last Page View Feb 9 2015 5:42:44 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL http://www.google.ca....15.2097.OVl6EDseSL4 > Search Engine google.ca > Search Words david amos politics > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.ca/ > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.ca/ > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-7:00 > Visitor's Time Feb 9 2015 2:42:44 pm > Visit Number 22,005 >
The snobby Upper Canadian I call Jesse Baby did ask what the Hell is going on in New Brunswick and I did try to fill him in byway of many emails and Twitter as well Correct?
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos · 20 hours ago @CNDLND @JesseBrown @CBCPolitics @CTVAtlantic @bloggercharles Read all the comments then decide if @RCMPNB are ok https://www.youtube.com/user/KidOfTheEast/feed View conversation 0 replies 0 retweets 0 favorites
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos · 20 hours ago Yo @CNDLND @JesseBrown @CBCPolitics @CTVAtlantic @bloggercharles Heres something I uploaded for you to enjoy ASAP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSCgMKFdr3U&feature=youtu.be YouTube View more photos and videos 0 replies 0 retweets 0 favorites
Andy Campbell @AndyCampbellCTV 38 minutes ago "Any time there are issues that are raised that there was some sort of impropriety, it hurts." Former #NB Premier David Alward. 0 replies 3 retweets 0 favorites
Sean Craig • February 17, 2015Tweet.So what the hell is going on in New Brunswick?
Two senior editors at the Moncton Times and Transcript have been sacked after CANADALAND started asking questions about one of them- Murray Guy. Turns out that Guy covertly traveled to Larry's Gulch, a remote, government-owned fishing lodge to meet with the head of New Brunswick's government-owned liquor company.
"Larry's Gulch"? Seriously?
Yes, it's a real thing. It's where powerful dudes go in New Brunswick to bro-down. Former Premier Bernard Lord once hosted Brian Mulroney, George H.W. Bush and Pierre Karl Péladeau there.
So a newspaper editor went there. Why is that a scandal?
Newspaper editors really shouldn't be traveling as guests of the government to clandestine meetings with powerful government bureaucrats for secret conversations, the purpose and content of which never get reported.
Is that all?
No. Prior to this revelation, the Times and Transcript and other papers owned by Brunswick News Inc (BNI) had been crusading for the government to publicly disclose the Larry's Gulch visitor's logs. They ran over 10 pieces demanding transparency. Then BNI reporter Shawn Berry discovered BNI editor Murray Guy's name on the logs, and BNI's crusade promptly stopped. Oops.
Anything else?
Yes. Once BNI found out that CANADALAND was poking around, their Editor-in-Chief Patrick Brethour launched an internal investigation. BNI's ombudsman reported the details of the investigation. Patricia Graham says the news organization found that editors Murray Guy and his boss Al Hogan tried to cover up the whole thing by enlisting Darell Fowlie, an aide to then-New Brunswick Premier David Alward, to doctor the government's records and scrub Guy's name from the visitor log. Screwing with government records is a crime.
UPDATE: Larry's Gulch logs obtained by L'Acadie Nouvelle last year and released on their website today do not contain a booking from NB Liquor, so it is possible additional names were taken off the list.
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE: Murray Guy was at Larry's Gulch with David Alward in 2013, when Alward was the Premier of New Brunswick. Wow. They were among several guests who stayed at the resort from July 17-19. Neither of their names appear in the logs obtained by L'Acadie Nouvelle and it looks like everyone who was there that weekend had their names wiped from the public record. All this from the Telegraph Journal.
That all sounds pretty juicy, but it would be even better if a family of secretive billionaires were somehow involved.
You're in luck. Brunswick News Inc is owned by the Irving family, the 3rd richest family in Canada. The Irvings employ something like 1 out of every 10 people working in New Brunswick. We did a podcast about them a few months ago called The Family that owns New Brunswick.
The Irvings are huge in forestry, oil, energy, fishing, media and shipbuilding. They are the primary industrialists in the province. The fact that they have a virtual monopoly on English-language media in New Brunswick lead a Senate Commission to call the province "a journalistic disaster zone."
Neat. But they're probably well-removed from this mess, no?
No. They're right in there. Jamie Irving is the publisher of BNI. According to Jacques Poitras, he hadn't spoken to the press in 12 years, but when we approached him for comment over the weekend, he wrote right back, telling us BNI was investigating itself and BNI had more info to come. Then came the firings on Monday, along with the ombudsman's front-page statement, which kind of shockingly revealed that Jamie Irving himself was in on the decision to not run a story about the fact that his editor had been a guest at Larry's Gulch.
It's not clear from the ombudsman's report at what point during BNI's eleven day investigation Jamie Irving found out that his employees were trying to get the Premier's office to doctor official records.
So did David Alward's Premier's Office doctor official records?
It's looking very possible. The independent New Brunswick paper L'Acadie Nouvelle revealed that it secured Larry's Gulch visitors' logs last year. The copy they recieved did not have Murray Guy's name on it, and we now know for a fact he was on the original logs, so....
By the way, we still don't know who else was there with Murray Guy, apart from the head of Crown corporation NB Liquor and, of course, Premier Alward.
UPDATE: Anne Bertrand, New Brunswick's access to information commissioner, is considering launching a formal investigation into alleged tampering with the Larry's Gulch guest list. Trevor Holder, who was the minister responsible for Larry's Gulch in the Alward government, has denied any prior knowledge of the affair. Alward says he didn't know anything either.
WTF? There's a new government in New Brunswick, so why doesn't the Premier's office just release the full, original guest logs?
"Privacy" is why, they say. The government put out a statement yesterday saying their goal is to release everything, but they need to make sure that they won't be breaking privacy legislation in doing so. Powerful public servants meeting with stakeholders in publicly owned fishing lodges deserve privacy, too, you know.
Premier Brian Gallant's government, understandably, also needs time to assess whether the documents it has on hand were in any way doctored or altered by the previous administration.
So what's CANADALAND trying to figure out next?
First and foremost, we want to know what Murray Guy was doing at Larry's Gulch. Was he there as a journalist, as an employee of the Irvings, for his own recreation?
We want to know what then-Premier David Alward was doing there with the head of NB Liquor and a BNI journalist, among others.
We want to know if Larry's Gulch was illegally used for partisan purposes by the NB Progressive Conservatives, as this report in L'Acadie Nouvelle suggests.
We want to know if the logs were in fact doctored or interfered with, if so by whom, and we want to know who else was on them.
We also want to fully know what role BNI management played in all this. According to their ombudsman, Murray Guy also visited Larry's Gulch in 2008. This trip, Guy says, was approved by senior management at the company (!). So did anyone in BNI management know about and approve that trip?
Finally, we want to know what impact these meetings had on Brunswick News' journalism. We asked BNI if they intend to conduct an investigation into the Times and Transcripts' coverage of NB Liquor and the Alward government during Hogan and Guy's tenures at the paper. They didn't answer the questions, directing us instead to their ombudsman's statement, which doesn't answer the questions.
So will any of this actually come out?
Let's hope so. CANADALAND is chasing for follow-ups, L'Acadie Nouvelle is kicking ass on this story (follow their reporter Pascal Raiche-Nogue here), and CBC New Brunswick is on it too (follow Irving vs Irving author and CBC NB reporter Jacques Poitras here and here and his colleague Dan McHardie here).
And again, the Premier's office has pledged to release the Larry's Gulch logs as requested by media in a timely manner.
But the easiest thing would be for Brunswick News to just release the logs themselves. Their reporter Shawn Berry got a hold of them in 2013, which is how this whole thing started. He works for the provincial government now (look, it's a small province) and won't answer our emails, but his files may well still be in the hands of his old paper.
Thank you for your email to Premier Houston. This is an automatic confirmation your message has been received.
As we are currently experiencing higher than normal volumes of correspondence, there may be delays in the response time for correspondence identified as requiring a response.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Pineo, Robert"<RPineo@pattersonlaw.ca> Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2022 06:16:34 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE Lawyers, cops, polticians and journalists etc STILL playing dumb about my calls and emails about Federal and provincial governments plan to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. Please note that I will be out of the office on during the weeks of June 6 and 13, 2022 attending court and other hearings. I will be checking my messages and will respond within 24 hours. .
---------- Original message ---------- From: "McCulloch, Sandra"<smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca> Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2022 06:16:43 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE Lawyers, cops, polticians and journalists etc STILL playing dumb about my calls and emails about Federal and provincial governments plan to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
I will be preparing for and attending the Mass Casualty Commission proceedings the week of June 6th. I will receive and respond to your message as promptly as I can. If you require an urgent response, please contact Theresa Kaye at tkaye@pattersonlaw.ca or (902) 897-2000.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Scott, Michael"<mscott@pattersonlaw.ca> Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2022 06:16:43 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE Lawyers, cops, polticians and journalists etc STILL playing dumb about my calls and emails about Federal and provincial governments plan to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
I am away from the office attending Mass Casualty Comission proceedings. For urgent matters, please contact mys assistant Gaia, at 902.405.8166.
THINKING OUT LOUD WITH SHELDON MacLEOD: A pivotal day at the Mass Casualty Commission
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Mendicino, Marco - M.P."<Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca> Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2022 23:16:57 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE Lawyers, cops, polticians and journalists etc playig dumb about my calls and emails about Federal and provincial governments plan to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for contacting the constituency office of the Hon. Marco Mendicino, P.C., M.P. for Eglinton—Lawrence. Please be advised that our office has the capacity to assist with requests within Eglinton—Lawrence only and we prioritize correspondence from residents. If you reside outside the riding and require assistance, you can contact your local Member of Parliament by entering your postal code here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en If you are a resident of Eglinton—Lawrence and require assistance continue reading below. · For assistance with casework, we require your full name, phone number, address and postal code to proceed. · For non-ministerial meeting requests, we need to know the nature of the meeting and we will respond back with possible options. · For media requests, the Press Secretary will get back to you. To contact Public Safety Canada directly, please visit: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/bt/cntct-en.aspx To contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada directly, please email minister@cic.gc.ca or phone 613-954-1064. For assistance with the situation in Afghanistan, please continue reading. If you and your family require assistance regarding the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan, detailed information on Canada’s special measures to support Afghan nationals is available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/afghanistan/special-measures.html For Afghans who assisted the Government of Canada, please contact: Canada-Afghanistan@international.gc.ca. For questions on how Afghan nationals may reunite with their families in Canada, or information on the humanitarian program to resettle Afghans outside of Afghanistan, please contact: IRCC.SituationAfghanistan.IRCC@cic.gc.ca. You may also call 1-613-321-4243 from Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (ET). For Canadians in need of consular assistance in Afghanistan, please contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at: · Phone: 613-996-8885 · Email: sos@international.gc.ca · SMS: 613-686-3658
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Pineo, Robert"<RPineo@pattersonlaw.ca> Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2022 23:17:11 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE Lawyers, cops, polticians and journalists etc playig dumb about my calls and emails about Federal and provincial governments plan to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. I am out of the office attending the public hearings at the Mass Casualty Commission. I will be returning to the office on Friday, March 4, 2022. My response to you will be delayed.
If you require a more timely response, please contact Cassandra Billard at cbillard@pattersonlaw.ca.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "McCulloch, Sandra"<smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca> Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2022 23:17:11 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE Lawyers, cops, polticians and journalists etc playig dumb about my calls and emails about Federal and provincial governments plan to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
I will be unavailable for much of the day on Friday, March 4th. I will have only periodic access to email. I will receive and respond to your message as promptly as I can. If you require a more urgent response, please contact Lisa Kaulback at lkaulback@pattersonlaw.ca or 902.896.6172.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Scott, Michael"<mscott@pattersonlaw.ca> Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2022 23:17:05 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE Lawyers, cops, polticians and journalists etc playig dumb about my calls and emails about Federal and provincial governments plan to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. I am out of the office attending public hearings for the Mass Casualty Commission. My response to you will be delayed. For urgent matters, please contact mys assistant Gaia, at 902.405.8166.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Comlaw <comlaw@uottawa.ca> Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2022 23:16:59 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE Lawyers, cops, polticians and journalists etc playig dumb about my calls and emails about Federal and provincial governments plan to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
An English message follows
Merci d’avoir communiqué avec le Bureau d’admission et de recrutement de la Section de Common Law.
Comme nous sommes actuellement au milieu de la période d'évaluation, il est possible que notre réponse à une demande non urgente vous parvienne avec un délai plus important qu’à l’habitude.
Si vous désirez obtenir plus d’information concernant le statut de votre demande d’admission, veuillez consulter votre compte uoZone<https://www.uottawa.ca/fr/students>. Il peut s'écouler plusieurs jours avant que les documents que vous avez soumis à OLSAS n'apparaissent dans votre compte uoZone.
Étant donné que nous recevons plus de 3000 demandes d’admission chaque année, le processus d’analyse et d’admission prend plusieurs mois. Vous pouvez donc vous attendre à ce qu'une décision soit prise à tout moment jusqu'à la fin du printemps.
Nous vous remercions de votre compréhension,
Le Bureau d’admission et de recrutement de la Section de Common Law
**************
Thank you for contacting the Common Law Section Admissions and Recruitment Office.
As we are currently in the middle of the assessment period, you can anticipate a significant delay in response to non-urgent inquiries.
If you would like more information on the status of your application, please consult your uoZone<https://www.uottawa.ca/en/students> account. It can take several days for the documents you have submitted to OLSAS to appear in your uoZone account.
As we receive over 3000 applications each year, the assessment process takes many months. As such, you can expect a decision at any time up until late spring.
Thank you for your understanding,
The Common Law Section Admissions and Recruitment Office
---------- Original message ---------- From: Newsroom <newsroom@globeandmail.com> Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2022 23:18:29 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE Lawyers, cops, polticians and journalists etc playig dumb about my calls and emails about Federal and provincial governments plan to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for contacting The Globe and Mail.
If your matter pertains to newspaper delivery or you require technical support, please contact our Customer Service department at 1-800-387-5400 or send an email to customerservice@globeandmail.com
In this episode I will review and discuss a powerful video released by Nick Beaton in which he presents five requests for the Mass Casualty Commission overseeing the public inquiry into the mass shooting that took the life of his wife and unborn child.
Notice Nick Beaton mentions Commissioner Stanton’s Inquiries Book out of the gate???
Three months after the mass murder that claimed 22 lives and forever disrupted dozens more in northern Nova Scotia, there remain many unanswered questions about what happened and why.
The gunman, whom the Halifax Examiner refers to as GW, is dead. Meanwhile calls for a public inquiry are still very much alive. Federal and provincial political leaders have promised there will be an inquiry but many who lost loved ones to homes set on fire and gunshots during a 13-hour rampage are getting weary of waiting. They want a public inquiry.
“How could the RCMP tell us they don’t think this was a planned attack? They told us during the last conference call they don’t feel this was planned!,” said Ryan Farrington, a note of incredulity creeping into his voice. The 40-year-old man from Trenton, Ontario lost both his mother and stepfather, Dawn and Frank Gulenchyn, when their retirement home at 71 Orchard Beach Road was burned to the ground by the killer.
“The Mounties kept saying COVID-19 pushed him overboard,” said Farrington. “I don’t believe that for a fact since the RCMP also told us for the last three years he was going across the border collecting illegal guns when he wasn’t even supposed to own guns. And then he is also buying mock police cars. Nobody does that for the fun of it. You’re planning something. It might not have been planned for the 18th or 19th of April. But I definitely think he was planning on doing this mass shooting at some point in his life.”
Farrington said the RCMP have told families there will be an inquiry into the mass murder but the RCMP doesn’t know when, or, what form it may take. That responsibility lies with political leaders.
“My biggest issue is the restorative justice angle the Justice Minister of Nova Scotia mentioned,” said Farrington. “I want a full out public inquiry. I think the families deserve that. We deserve to know the truth. And we deserve to know what they are going to do prevent this from happening again — because no one should ever have to lose a loved one this way.”
Farrington was a frequent summer visitor during the 10 years his folks owned the home in Portapique, several houses down from the 136 Orchard Beach Drive warehouse where GW stored his mock police cars and motorcycles before he torched it during his 13-hour rampage. Frank retired almost 10 years ago while Ryan’s mother Dawn continued to fly down for a week every month while she worked in dietary services at the Hillsdale Terraces nursing home in Oshawa until a year ago. “Why them?,” Farrington wonders. “They were quiet people. Not outdoorsy. Frank kept to himself and busy with his woodworking. I don’t know of any connection to the killer.”
He and his younger brother Jon may never know. Here are a few facts that have emerged so far. A Portapique resident drove up the road when he smelled the fire GW set to his own house at 200 Portapique Beach Road. This was after assaulting and confining his common law spouse inside a police car at his warehouse.
“The RCMP told us when [he] drove by my Mom’s place the first time, [he] saw what he described as an RCMP car there. He noticed [GW’s] garage was on fire,” recalls Farrington.“ Then within five minutes, when he and another person slowly drove back, [he] noticed my Mom’s house was on fire. I guess that’s when he was shot at. He told the first-responding officer he saw an RCMP vehicle and a man dressed in a uniform.”
The man was taken by ambulance to the Truro hospital with a gunshot wound in his arm probably inflicted by the man in uniform who appears to have been GW. The man has declined an interview request from the Examiner.
Farrington is also part of a proposed class action lawsuit being filed against GW’s estate, the province of Nova Scotia, and the RCMP. Ten days ago he was one of several family members briefed on a conference call by RCMP Supt. Darren Campbell.
Farrington said he has questions he thinks only a public inquiry can answer. One of them is why policing agencies didn’t react to previous complaints from family and neighbours (so called “red flags”) about GW’s earlier behaviour.
“I don’t understand how somebody who is violent and who had multiple reports on him and yet nobody in law enforcement kept an eye on him,” Farrington said.
“Another thing that gets me is this Emergency Alert system. From what the RCMP have told me, I know it probably wouldn’t have saved my parents.” The RCMP also found evidence of gunfire inside the home where the bodies of the Gulenchyn couple were found. It’s believed to be the third location GW visited on Saturday night.
“But definitely the emergency text alert could have saved everybody on April 19,” continued Farrington. “One of my biggest questions is why would they use Twitter? I don’t use Twitter and my parents definitely didn’t have Twitter.”
Farrington is currently on stress leave and unable to work. “I suffer from severe anxiety and panic attacks,” he said. “I had it under control until this happened. I’m a loss prevention officer: I arrest people for theft. I’m just not in the right state of mind to do this job properly right now.”
He’s additionally trying to organize his mother’s affairs. “Unfortunately, my Mom was in the process of doing her will so whatever she did have, was lost with the house. Right now we are going through court to handle the administration of her estate.”
Farrington is part of a private Facebook group organized for the families of victims who have bonded over their shared nightmare.
“We lean on each other for support,” said Ryan of the group. “We call each other if someone is having a bad day. Nick Beaton (husband of Kristin Beaton, a mother and VON Employee, shot and killed in her car by GW on the morning of April 19) has been absolutely amazing. He’s really good to talk to.”
The Halifax Examiner is an advertising-free, subscriber-supported news site. Your subscription makes this work possible; please subscribe.
Some people have asked that we additionally allow for one-time donations from readers, so we’ve created that opportunity, via the PayPal button below. We also accept e-transfers, cheques, and donations with your credit card; please contact iris “at” halifaxexaminer “dot” ca for details.
Michael MacDonald @NovaMac Journalist with The Canadian Press in Halifax. Husband of gorgeous dynamo. Father of two boys. Tips (902) 422-1186 email: michael.macdonald@thecanadianpress.com
“It was a shock. It still is — to realize we are the only frigging survivors — and why?”
That’s what Adam Fisher told RCMP Cst. Mike Townsend after Adam’s encounter with a mass murderer.
Adam and Carole Fisher live on Highway 4 near Glenholme. On Saturday night, April 18, 2020, Carole’s mother called to warn that there were reports of shootings and RCMP presence in Portapique, just 15 minutes from the Fishers’ house. They locked their doors.
In the morning, Carole saw a Facebook post that linked the Portapique shootings of Greg and Jamie Blair with a close-up photograph of the suspect.
“Adam, it’s fucking Gabe,” said Carole. “Gabe’s the shooter.”
“Holy fuck, he’s got a cop car,” Adam replied.
Adam had met Gabe several years when he hired Adam, who owns an excavation business, to do some work on his property. The Fishers and Gabe found they shared a passion for motorcycles and outdoor living, and both men shared an interest in building projects. Adam said he didn’t especially consider Gabe a friend — more an “acquaintance” — but they occasionally visited each other’s home.
About a year earlier, Adam visited the warehouse on Orchard Beach Drive, where Gabe showed him two unmarked police cruisers and boasted about his plans to transform one into a replica vehicle. “Why would you want to do that?” Adam recalled asking him. Gabe shrugged. “Because I can,” he said.
Adam called 911. He related that Gabe owned a fully decalled RCMP vehicle. The call-taker thanked him and said somebody would get back to him.
So Adam and Carole weren’t surprised when 12 minutes later a white police cruiser turned up their long driveway. A police officer must’ve been coming to talk to them about Gabe.
The Fishers didn’t then now it, but earlier that morning Alanna Jenkins, Sean McLeod, and Tom Bagley were murdered on Hunter Road, and just 10 minutes before, Lillian Campbell was shot dead on the side of the road in Wentworth.
As they saw the car come up the driveway, both Adam and Carole ran upstairs to get dressed. Each watched curiously from an upstairs window as they saw a man in a black ballcap and reflective vest reach for something on the passenger side — apparently a gun — get out of the car and walk to the back of their house. Both Carole and Adam realized this was not an RCMP officer.
It was Gabe.
He rang the doorbell.
“He’s here to kill us,” Adam thought. “It’s like fucking watching a Terminator movie. When he got out of the car, he was stone cold and collected. He was in no hurry,” he told Cst. Townsend.
For the second time that Sunday, Adam Fisher dialled 911 on his cellphone. It was 9:48am.
“Gabriel Wortman is at my house,” Adam told the call-taker. “He’s driving a police car. I seen him pull over in the yard. He got out dressed like a police officer.”
“Are you sure that it was him?” asked the call-taker.
“I’m positive.”
Adam went into his bedroom, opened the gun cabinet and began loading his 12-gauge shotgun while still on the line with 911. “If he comes up to my house, I’m going to blow his fucking head off,” he told the call-taker.
Meanwhile, Carole locked herself in the bathroom and also called 911. (The 911 centre alerted RCMP officers that the suspect was at the Fishers location at 9:50am). Carole described becoming progressively more terrified and repeating their civic address to the dispatcher begging for someone to come.
“I thought he had got into our house and I thought he was in here,” she later told an RCMP interviewer. “I thought he had killed my dog because Gus wasn’t making a noise anymore. I just kept pleading (to 911) to help us, he’s taking our life.”
Carole said she is normally a strong and positive person but became convinced she was going to die. At one point she got in the bathtub and wrapped herself in the shower curtain. She texted friends telling them the killer was there and urging them to lock their doors. She called her brother and her mother to say she loved them.
Shortly before 10am, the Emergency Response Team that had been in the Portapique area showed up at the Fishers with an Armoured Vehicle and canine unit. The couple could hear a helicopter (supplied by Natural Resources) overhead. An officer was using a loud hailer urging the shooter “to come out with hands up.”
“Through all the noise, I thought I was going to experience severe gunfire,” Carole recalled during the RCMP interview. “I felt that he was going to open up on the police and there was going to be lives lost on our property.” Manhunt continued
As suddenly as the RCMP officers arrived, they left.
At approximately 10:05, a report of another shooting was broadcast over police radios, this one on the Plains Road, which intersects with Highway 4 about two kilometres north of the Fishers’ home.
The Fishers had no idea there was another shooting. Adam thought it likely the killer could be hiding in his workshop at the back of the property because he had shown it to Gabe many years ago. Adam stayed on the line with 911 until 10:33, unsure if Gabe was still there.
The video from Fishers’ home surveillance system later revealed the killer was at their home for no more than three or four minutes, departing at 9:51 — just minutes ahead of when the SWAT team arrived.
“Whether first responding members at the Fisher residence arrived at 9:52am or minutes later, it is clear the perpetrator had left the Fisher property and proceeded north on Highway #4 to Plains Road, unobserved, shortly before police arrived,” reads the report on the incident prepared by the Mass Casualty Commission.
In fact, that marked the second time within half an hour the killer had come very close to bring captured.
At 9:47am, a Bible Hill RCMP officer heading north on Highway 4 to respond to the shooting of Lillian Campbell radioed dispatch to say he had passed an RCMP car heading south toward Glenholme. At the time, Cpl. Rodney Peterson said he was unaware the killer was driving a fully marked RCMP vehicle. Peterson knew about the shootings but said he headed to Wentworth before he was able to access the RCMP tweet and photo of the replica car available on the work station in his vehicle.
“The guy was driving slowly — smiling as he went by,” said Peterson. “White Caucasian male, brown hair, he’s got a reflective vest on.”
Peterson was informed he had just seen the suspect. He continued north for about a kilometre on the two-lane highway before making a U-turn to pursue. Peterson lost him. By that time, the driver of the fake RCMP car had turned right and headed up the long treed driveway to Adam Fisher’s house.
During the interview with the RCMP officer after their ordeal, Fisher questioned why the killer came to their home that fateful Sunday morning.
“It doesn’t make sense he would come here to kill me and my wife and leave without making a mark,” said Adam.
“I remember him flattering me with comments and telling Adam I was such a great wife,” Carole recalled. “Like ‘Geez man, your wife drives a ‘Vette and a Harley’ so how cool are you? And he wanted a similar type of relationship with Lisa.”
It’s possible the killer turned up their driveway as a precaution against being followed. It doesn’t explain why he didn’t force his way in and shoot them as he had others. The Fishers know they are very lucky to be alive.
About Jennifer Henderson
Jennifer Henderson is a freelance journalist and retired CBC News reporter. email: jennifer@halifaxexaminer.ca
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:55:24 -0300 Subject: Fwd: RE Lawyers, cops, polticians and journalists etc playig dumb about my calls and emails about Federal and provincial governments plan to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings To: info@ditchdoctor.ca Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)"<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca> Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2022 23:18:49 +0000 Subject: RE: RE Lawyers, cops, polticians and journalists etc playig dumb about my calls and emails about Federal and provincial governments plan to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed at the earliest opportunity.
If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for review and consideration.
Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les meilleurs délais.
Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre secteur du gouvernement, le personnel vous renverra votre courriel pour examen et considération.
Wednesday, 29 July 2020 Federal and provincial governments to hold public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shootings
> > ---------- Original message ---------- > From: "Pineo, Robert"<RPineo@pattersonlaw.ca> > Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2020 15:25:26 +0000 > Subject: Re: RE Families of Shooting Victims Disappointed by > “Independent Review” I just called Correct? > To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>, "McCulloch, Sandra" > < smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca> > Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com> > > Why are you quoting my statement back to me? > > Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > > ________________________________ > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> > Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 9:53 AM > To: smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca; rpineo@pattersonlaw.ca > Cc: motomaniac333 > Subject: RE Families of Shooting Victims Disappointed by “Independent > Review” I just called Correct? > > http://www.pattersonlaw.ca/News/NewsArticleView/tabid/179/ArticleId/1746/Families-of-Shooting-Victims-Disappointed-by-Independent-Review.aspx > > > > ---------- Original message ---------- > From: "McCulloch, Sandra"<smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca> > Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2020 12:53:30 +0000 > Subject: Automatic reply: RE Families of Shooting Victims Disappointed > by “Independent Review” I just called Correct? > To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> > > > Thank you for your email. I will be away from my office conducting > discovery examinations on July 27th through 29th. I will respond to > your e-mail as soon as possible. Please contact 902.897.2000 if your > matter requires more urgent > attention.https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/nova-scotia-shooting-13-deadly-hours > > > ---------- Original message ---------- > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> > Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2020 09:53:20 -0300 > Subject: RE Families of Shooting Victims Disappointed by “Independent > Review” I just called Correct? > To: smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca, rpineo@pattersonlaw.ca > Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com> > > http://www.pattersonlaw.ca/News/NewsArticleView/tabid/179/ArticleId/1746/Families-of-Shooting-Victims-Disappointed-by-Independent-Review.aspx > > > Families of Shooting Victims Disappointed by “Independent Review” > > The “Independent Review” announced by Ministers Furey and Blair is > wholly insufficient to meet the objectives of providing full and > transparent answers to the families and the public, identifying > deficiencies in responses, and providing meaningful lessons to be > learned to avoid similar future tragedies. > > The choices of commissioners, and in particular Former Chief Justice > Michael MacDonald, were thoughtful and appropriate for an inquiry. > Former Chief Justice MacDonald is of the highest rank in judicial > capabilities and is of unassailable integrity. That said, any > decision- maker can only render decisions based on the information and > evidence presented to them. > > The announced “independent review” model, to be conducted in a > so-called “non- traumatic” and “restorative” way, will prejudice the > panel by restricting the evidence and information being presented. > > In a public inquiry setting, such as was employed in the Marshall and > Westray public inquiries, interested parties had the opportunity to > question the witnesses. It is a very well- held maxim in our common > law legal tradition, that cross-examination is the most effective > truth-finding mechanism available. Without proper and thorough > questioning, the panel will be left with incomplete and untested > evidence upon which to base its decision. This is completely contrary > to our Canadian notions of fair and transparent justice. > > Most disappointingly, Ministers Furey and Blair have hidden behind > their contrived notion of a “trauma-free” process to exclude the full > participation of the families under the guise of protecting them from > further trauma. This is not how the families wish to be treated. > Minister Furey has spoken with the families, so he must know that they > want to participate, not to be “protected” by an incomplete process. > > The families want a full and transparent public inquiry. Why will > Minister Furey not give them this? Why will he not give the citizens > of Nova Scotia this? “We are all in this together” has been the slogan > throughout 2020 - the families simply want us all, the public, to be > in this together now to figure out a better tomorrow for families and > the Province. > > For further inquiries, please contact: > > Robert H. Pineo > 902-405-8177 > rpineo@pattersonlaw.ca > > > Sandra L. McCulloch > 902-896-6114 > smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca >
N.S. Mass Casualty Commission to announce participants in Portapique probe Chris Lambie · Posted: April 30, 2021, 4:43 p.m.
Investigators want to hear from anyone who can shed light on the events of April 18-19, 2020, says the release. “If you or someone you know wants to get in touch with the investigations team, please contact Joel.Kulmatycki at 902-394-3501 or Joel.Kulmatycki@masscasualtycommission.ca
'I have no idea who to trust anymore': card raises independence questions about Nova Scotia's Mass Casualty Commission Chris Lambie · Posted: May 5, 2021, 6:46 p.m.
CANADALAND #372 The RCMP’s Portapique Narrative Is Falling Apart Frank Magazine publisher Andrew Douglas and reporter Paul Palango discuss their bombshell story, and what the RCMP may still be hiding about Gabriel Wortman.
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos Methinks lots of folks may enjoy what Peter Mac Issac and his cohorts said while the RCMP and a lot of LIEbranos were stuttering and doubletalking bigtime N'esy Pas?
Citizens Rise Against Corruption in Trudeau Government
58,732 views Streamed live on Jul 27, 2020
Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson Citizens Rise Against Corruption in Trudeau Government - Peter Mac Issac
----------Origiinal message ---------- From: Peter Mac Isaac <prmibullrun@gmail.com> Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2020 21:42:20 -0300 Subject: Re: RE The "Strike back: Demand an inquiry Event." Methinks it interesting that Martha Paynter is supported by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation N'esy Pas? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
A lot of info to chew on - every now and then we win one - Today we won a partial victory when the provincial liberals threw the federal liberals under the bus forcing their hand . Now the spin will be to get a judge they can control.
Police Corruption? Nova Scotia Shooter - Behind The Scenes
86,369 views Streamed live on Jul 28, 2020
Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson Nova Scotia Shooter Behind The Scenes with Paul Palango a former senior editor at The Globe and Mail and author of three books on the RCMP, the most recent being Dispersing the Fog, Inside the Secret World of Ottawa and the RCMP. His work on the Nova Scotia massacre has been published in MacLeans and the Halifax Examiner.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Timothy Bousquet <tim@halifaxexaminer.ca> Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2020 05:41:36 -0300 Subject: Re: fea3 To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Hello, I’m taking a much-needed vacation and will not be responding to email until August 4. If this is urgent Halifax Examiner business, please email zane@halifaxexaminer.ca.
Thanks,
Tim Bousquet Editor Halifax Examiner
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Newsroom <newsroom@globeandmail.com> Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2021 15:43:14 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Re My calls today about Federal Court File # T-1557-15 Need I say that CBC lawyers such as Sylvie Gadoury and Judith Harvie will need lawyers to argue me in Federal Court? To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for contacting The Globe and Mail.
If your matter pertains to newspaper delivery or you require technical support, please contact our Customer Service department at 1-800-387-5400 or send an email to customerservice@globeandmail.com
This is the correct email address for requests for news coverage and press releases.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca> Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2021 15:42:21 +0000 Subject: Automatic Reply To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
-------------------
Merci d'avoir écrit à l'honorable David Lametti, ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada.
En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu avec soin.
Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
After operating out of three separate location (most prominently the Nova Centre) in Halifax, the Mass Casualty Commission has shifted their proceeding location to Truro. The decision appears to have been made primarily for scheduling purposes and in consideration of the availability of venues. There was also a decision released by the Commissioners, which has led to a dramatic boycott by lawyers representing the largest group of family participants.
The Mass Casualty Proceedings continued today from Truro, with testimony from Staff Sgt. Al Carroll, who was the District Commander for Colchester County at the time of the shootings. Outside of the facility where the proceedings were taking place, family members and supporters were protesting the Commission’s decision-making on witness accommodation requests for RCMP supervisors. This was day two of the boycott of proceedings by many of the family participants. Some were protesting outside of the proceedings venue, calling for changes to the Commission procedures to allow more fulsome participation (and specifically cross-examination) by participants and their lawyers. Staff Sgt. Carroll, along with two other staff sergeants (none of whom had direct experience with violence or exposure to scenes of violence during the events of the mass casualty) have been given permission to testify by video, with limits on cross-examination. Those protesting are justified in their criticisms of the Commission’s approach. Today’s testimony was a good demonstration of why the accommodation requests need not have been granted. Staff Sgt. Carroll testified for 3 ½ hours in the morning, then another hour in the afternoon, with no unscheduled breaks being requested by him, and he displayed no obvious signs of discomfort, nor certainly trauma. He displayed little emotion of any kind, or much energy, in his answers. The National Police Federation has requested accommodations previously for lower ranking officers. These had been rejected, and the officers thereafter also testified with no obvious signs of discomfort or trauma. All of this serves to undermine the credibility of both the NPF and the Commission.
Staff Sergeant Brian Rehill testified yesterday, by Zoom, and the video was released this morning. S/Sgt. Rehill had asked for accomodations to allow the testimony to not be broadcast live, and for him to not be cross examined. The MCC Commissioners granted his request, but should be having second thoughts after watching him testify without trouble for over five hours. S/Sgt. Rehill testified about miscommunications on the containment efforts in Portapique, the dynamic of having multiple commanders giving orders over the radio, and distinctions between his evidence and S/Sgt. Halliday's when it came to knowledge of the gunman's replica police car. MCC lawyer Roger Burrill asked the direct questions, and then asked some questions on behalf of the other participants. It is not clear why this procedure was considered less traumatic for the S/Sgt. than having another lawyer ask the same questions, though Burrill's gentle approach and lack of any follow-up may be the answer. In the video, I talk about what I think the Commissioners need to start doing in order to start fostering and establishing some confidence among the participants and the public. It is *not* more pre-written, vaguely phrased remarks about how difficult all this must be for everyone
In video posted yesterday evening, retired Sergeant Andy O’Brien testified about his role in the response to the mass casualty events. Sgt. O’Brien oversaw operations for the Colchester County RCMP, but was off duty on April 18, 2020 when he was contacted about the initial reports out of Portapique. He has stated that he had 4-5 drinks of rum that night, and though he was initially reluctant to take on any role, he soon had a radio and was giving directions to officers on the scene from his home. Many of the participants in the MCC continued their boycott of proceedings, as a result of the accommodations granted to Sgt. O’Brien. The testimony was conducted by Zoom, and was not broadcast live. There was also no cross examination permitted, but rather the participants were to provide questions to Commission lawyers to ask. Nothing about Sgt. O’Brien’s presentation or demeanor would convince a neutral observer that he required any accommodations. He was treated very gently at first by Commission lawyer Anna Mancini, who initially tended to read out long paragraphs of Foundational Documents relating to Sgt. O’Brien’s previous experience, then his involvement, and then asked him whether he agreed or had anything to add.
Good thread on today's private hearing of the Portapique inquiry. #MCC
Quote Tweet
Tim Bousquet
@Tim_Bousquet
·
The media embargo on Staff Sergeant Brian Rehill's testimony before the Mass Casualty Commission (#MCC) has been lifted. I watched all of Rehill's testimony, from 9:30am-5pm; I won't now have a complete report, but offer some general observations
Portapique Commission Chair Michael MacDonald: Sorry to put you through such a long day. Truro Police Chief David MacNeil: No need to apologise. It's my duty to be here.
reviews Commissioner Stanton's book on how to run inquiries. - He & @Tim_Bousquet recount Truro Chief David McNeil's forthright, confident testimony—in marked contrast to RCMP.
The focus of the MCC was on the Town of Truro today, with a Foundational Document and witness discussing the interaction between the RCMP and Truro Police as Gabriel Wortman made his way towards, and ultimately through, the Town of Truro. We have heard from Chief Dave MacNeil before today, as he has been interviewed about the Truro Police role in and knowledge of the killer’s movements through Truro, and the Truro Police relationship with the RCMP. Chief MacNeil has been critical of the RCMP’s response, their lack of information sharing with Truro Police during the mass shooting, and their efforts after the fact to keep important information from being made public.
Just before being appointed as one of the three Commissioners of the NS Mass Casualty Commission, Toronto-based lawyer, Kim Stanton finished writing a book on Inquiries, called Reconciling Truths. There are several themes and lessons the MCC may draw from this work, which might help it fulfill its mandate, and increase the level of public trust in the Commission.
Quote Tweet
Tim Bousquet
@Tim_Bousquet
I'm at the proceedings of the Mass Casualty Commission, the public inquiry into the mass murders of April 18/19, 2020. If you want to avoid this thread, you can mute the hashtag #MCC
Admit no error — ever — seems to be the watchword.
Quote Tweet
Tim Bousquet
@Tim_Bousquet
·
I would call it a non-self-reflective but arrogant self-confidence, as if they are above the reality of events. Shit just happens, but they're better than being responsible for the shit. [shrug] #MCC
RCMP witnesses at the Portapique inquiry are strikingly unwilling to acknowledge that they might have done anything differently during Wortman's rampage. #MCC
Quote Tweet
Tim Bousquet
@Tim_Bousquet
·
Mancini: if the evens of April 18/19 would happen again, would the RCMP issue an Alert Ready? Rodier: "Alert Ready would be CONSIDERED"#MCC
Commission counsel Roger Burrill displays a photo that shows the stretch of Plains Road where Heather O'Brien and Kristen Beaton were murdered by Gabriel Wortman, at the Mass Casualty Commission inquiry in Halifax on March 31, 2022. Photo by Andrew Vaughan / CANADIAN PRESS
The judicial inquiry into deranged denturist Gabriel Wortman’s murder of 22 Nova Scotians in April 2020 is turning into a hot mess.
In the aftermath of Wortman’s murderous rampage, neither the federal nor provincial governments were keen to establish a full-bore judicial inquiry — especially not one that could subject the RCMP to the searching scrutiny afforded by sworn testimony and aggressive cross-examination.
The feds wanted to avoid a public spectacle that might pressure them to carry out top-to-bottom reform of Canada’s dysfunctional national police force. Then-Premier Stephen McNeil came from a family steeped in police work. His mother was high sheriff of Annapolis County, and five of his siblings serve as police officers. His minister of justice was a retired RCMP officer.
The past two decades have seen a string of disastrous RCMP calamities, including incidents in Spiritwood, Sask.; Biggar, Sask. (Colten Boushie); Mayerthorpe, Alta.; Vancouver International Airport ( Robert Dziekanski); Moncton, N.B.; and Houston, B.C. (Ian Bush). How long before an inquiry gets to the bottom of the force’s dysfunction?
Initially, the two governments announced a quiet “joint review” that would conduct inquiries in private before issuing a public report.
A furious outcry from families of the victims and members of the public forced them to reconsider. In July 2020, the then-federal public safety minister, Bill Blair, announced a public inquiry with power to compel witnesses and permit cross-examination. Michael MacDonald, an affable retired chief justice of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, would head the inquiry. The commission is generously resourced.
A memorial remembering Lillian Hyslop is seen along the road in Wentworth, N.S. on Friday, April 24, 2020.Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS, file
Its website lists staff members including a chief engagement officer, seven commission counsel, a commission counsel director, a community liaison director, an executive director and chief administrative officer, an investigations director, six investigators, a mental health director, a mental health support an outreach and engagement coordinator, two policy advisors, a research and policy director, three senior commission counsel, three senior communications advisors, a senior legal advisor, a senior policy advisor, a senior policy lawyer, and a team lead, investigations. quite the gravy boat. Quite the gravy boat.
Despite its clutch of PR specialists, the commission was unable to tell me how much it cost to send a glossy postcard to every Nova Scotia residence extolling its work. An unsigned response from the commission’s anonymous media email address said I could wait for the Public Accounts to be tabled next year.
Rubbish. The Public Accounts will certainly not have a line item for that mailing.
In recent weeks, a rising tide of criticism has engulfed the commission’s work. Premier Tim Houston complained about repeated delays in getting hearings underway, and the commission’s unresponsive treatment of victims’ family members. A white-shoe Halifax law firm, Patterson Law, took the unusual step of issuing a public rebuke of the commission over its vague and unconventional procedures.
I feel severely let down … I fought so hard for this public inquiry so another husband and father would not have to go through this
lawyers quoting a victim's husband, Nick Beaton
“Our clients continue to watch for signs that the public inquiry will proceed as it should, but feel greatly disappointed that, a week before commencement, there is no assurance that it will be anything other than the review that our clients marched to oppose in the summer of 2020,” wrote lawyers Sandra McCulloch and Robert Pineo. “In the words of (Nick) Beaton (whose wife was murdered), ‘I feel severely let down… I fought so hard for this public inquiry so that another husband and father would not have to go through this. The Commission is supposed to ask the hard questions and identify where things went wrong and how things need to change, but right now I just don’t see that happening.’”
True inquiries understand that the search for the truth, all the truth, is raw and uncomfortable
lawyer Gavin Giles
This week, Gavin Giles, a partner at McInnes Cooper, one of Atlantic Canada’s largest law firms, wrote a blistering letter to the Halifax Chronicle Herald, denouncing the commission’s procedures. “True inquiries focus on the who, what, when, where, why and how,” he wrote. “True inquiries understand intuitively that the search for the truth, all of the truth, is oftentimes raw and uncomfortable. True inquiries seek out information by exposing witnesses to direct and frequently aggressive forms of questioning. We are not seeing any of that in the commission’s work to date.”
At the heart of the problem seems to be the commission’s mandate that its work be “trauma-informed.” That’s a useful concept when it guides police interviews with sexual assault complainants. It’s foolhardy when applied to a factual inquiry into a mass murder covering 22 killings at 16 locations over 13 hours.
Justice MacDonald and his fellow commissioners seem to have taken the requirement to mean they should soft-pedal anything unpleasant — a plan that quickly sent the commission off the rails.
The family of murder victim Heather O’Brien responded with fury when the commission’s summary of evidence elided one particularly unpleasant fact: Data from O’Brien’s Fitbit showed that her heart continued to beat many hours after RCMP Const. Ian Fahie, who attended the aftermath of her shooting, had wrongly concluded that she was dead — and shooed away paramedics because an active shooter incident was underway.
“Const. Fahie is the lower ranking officer in this situation,” wrote Darcey Dobson, O’Brien’s daughter, on Facebook. “He has nothing to gain by lying. More likely he has a lot to lose for telling the truth.”
Commission counsel Roger Burrill explained that he glossed over the Fitbit detail because he thought people might find it “disturbing.”
Imagine that — who would have thought that an honest and competent investigation into the murder of 22 citizens might turn up anything disturbing.
Consistent with this approach, the commission refuses to mention Gabriel Wortman’s name in its documents and its own statements at public hearings. It’s as if his name has magical powers, and by its erasure, everything will be better.
Everything isn’t better. The murder of a loved one is an unspeakable life event for those left behind. Its impact never goes away.
Family members counting on the commission proceedings are not children. The commission should stop infantilizing them.
Correction: The original version of this story incorrectly said that the commission website does not include a staff list.
• Parker Donham is a retired journalist and communications advisor living in Cape Breton.
After initially refusing to participate, the woman described as the first survivor and a key witness to the events of April 2020 will testify at the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission inquiry. Members of the commission have announced Lisa Banfield will be interviewed and will be questioned under oath to fill in some of the missing pieces of the story that ended with the deaths of 22 people and an unborn child. Her legal case was in court Wednesday, clearing her so-called jeopardy.
That, according to a lawyer who has been providing his own commentary about the inquiry, moves us much closer to transparency and integrity. Adam Rodgers, who has participated in public inquiries in the past, says former chief justice Michael MacDonald deserves credit for clarifying what trauma-informed means: That it is not a shield to protect people from testifying.
Sheldon MacLeod has been a broadcast professional for close to 30 years. Eyewitness to the transition from 45s and magnetic tape to CDs, MP3s, computers, websites, blogs and the worldwide web. And through all of the technology one thing remains constant: the satisfaction of sharing compelling stories with other humans. The responsibility of knowing better, is doing better. Sheldon is based in Halifax, N.S.Reach out to Sheldon at sheldon.macleod@saltwire.com.
Op-ed Disclaimer
SaltWire Network welcomes letters on matters of public interest for publication. All letters must be accompanied by the author’s name, address and telephone number so that they can be verified. Letters may be subject to editing. The views expressed in letters to the editor in this publication and on SaltWire.com are those of the authors, and do not reflect the opinions or views of SaltWire Network or its Publisher. SaltWire Network will not publish letters that are defamatory, or that denigrate individuals or groups based on race, creed, colour or sexual orientation. Anonymous, pen-named, third-party or open letters will not be published.
Paul Palango and I will discuss recent developments related to the Nova Scotia Mass Shooting.
Advance questions and comments can be submitted by voice memo at nighttimepodcast.com/contact Links: the Nova Scotia Mass Shooting Series: https://www.nighttimepodcast.com/nova...
Shown is a photo of the gunman's licence taken by Const. Nick Dorrington while he issued him a speeding ticket on Portapique Beach Road on Feb 12, 2020. Dorrington was the last RCMP officer to have made contact with the gunman before the mass shooting six weeks later. The photo was distributed to officers responding to the mass shootings on April 18 and 19, 2020. - Mass Casualty Commission Exhibit / Contributed
Const. Nick Dorrington believed Gabriel Wortman was coming for him.
From Portapique, he called his wife at home and told her to lock the doors and hide.
Dorrington and another officer from the Bible Hill RCMP detachment had spent the night of April 18 manning a checkpoint on Highway 2, about four kilometres east of Portapique.
Meanwhile, three other officers from the detachment were first into Portapique and a scene of unfolding chaos was playing out on Dorrington’s police radio: Dead people, a lot, one on the lawn, one on the side of the road. They didn’t know how many shooters they were dealing with.
But Dorrington had met Wortman, according to the information he provided to Mass Casualty Commission investigators in a Nov 9, 2021, interview.
One of the gunman’s first victims, who survived, told RCMP that he went by the name Gabriel and he lived in the community. Subsequent checks identified the gunman and showed that Dorrington was the last RCMP officer who had made contact with him.
About a month and a half earlier, and not far from where the killing spree began, Dorrington had ticketed Wortman for speeding on Portapique Beach Road. Wortman was driving an RCMP Ford Taurus replica with subdued markings, according to Dorrington. It was not the fully marked replica RCMP car he used during his 13-hour rampage on April 18 and 19.
It was past dark the evening of Feb. 12, 2020, and the officer said he first spotted Wortman's vehicle on Highway 2 after dropping off documents to someone on a traffic matter.
'Looking for a fight'
Wortman was agitated, according to Dorrington, after a confrontation with Halifax Regional police officers earlier that day at his denture clinic in Dartmouth. According to Dorrington, he had barely pulled the car over before Wortman got out of the Taurus and walked towards the officer. He was aggressive and confrontational, recalled Dorrington. "Like he was looking for a fight."
Wortman eventually calmed down and Dorrington recalled that the gunman told him that he had multiple Tauruses he'd picked up at auction and a bunch of different RCMP paraphernalia.
The night the killing started, Sgt. Andy O’Brien, the detachment’s Operations NCO, radioed Dorrington. "You were the last person who had contact with this guy," he recalled O'Brien saying. What can you tell me about him? He said he told O'Brien about the exchange, including details about the replica car.
Dorrington told investigators he was aware that police dispatch was called from the very first house visited by Wortman and told that there was an RCMP vehicle in the driveway with a huge gun.
He said he didn’t know for sure that Wortman was driving a fully decaled RCMP replica car until the next morning. That was confirmed when officers found Wortman’s partner in Portapique on the morning of April 19. She told them that Wortman had a list of people he was targeting, lots of money and ammunition. He planned to execute people in Halifax. She also provided a photo of the replica car he was driving. The revelation that he was driving a replica RCMP car stunned Dorrington.
"That’s like a bombshell going off." That, and a list of targets. Dorrington told investigators he didn't know who was on the list but was concerned he might be.
The gunman of the Portapique mass shooting is spotted on video surveillance changing his clothes in Millbrook on April 19, 2020. - Contributed
'Killer just passed by'
Alarm bells went off when Dorrington found out his immediate supervisor Cpl. Rodney Peterson had crossed paths with Wortman on Highway 4 before the gunman made an unsuccessful attempt to enter a home in Glenholme. The incident happened the morning of April 19.
"He gets on the radio and he says something to the effect that I think the killer just passed by me and waved or smiled at me, or something to that effect."
According to Dorrington, Peterson doesn’t follow Wortman and continues driving north while the man believed to be Wortman heads south.
By this time, Dorrington explains Wortman has the RCMP on a cat-and-mouse hunt. RCMP dispatch get two separate calls about Wortman in Debert.
At that point everyone is in the Portapique area and there’s no one covering Colchester County, he said. The Wortman sighting in Debert puts him about 20 kilometres from Dorrington’s home just outside Truro.
"So my concern was that I was the last one to have contact with him and gave him a nice healthy ticket... and so he's clearly motivated."
He texts his wife to lock down the house and not answer the door. Moments later a friend of Dorrington’s wife texts her saying she spotted a police car driving past her Brookfield home travelling south on Highway 2, about 20 minutes from the commotion in Debert.
His wife shares the information with Dorrington and he and RCMP dispatch confirm there are no officers in the area. That’s what got everyone redirected to the south, Dorrington said.
By this time he and four officers from the Bible Hill detachment, including Staff Sgt. Al Carroll, are in Portapique securing the scene. Dorrington said he pleaded with O'Brien to be sent south because he’s driving an unmarked car and had the best chance to track the gunman down. O’Brien turned him down.
“You don’t need five people here to watch over a deceased is what I said. . . . I was basically to the point of begging him to let me go down to the 102 South."
'Disorganized response'
From that point he gets word that Wortman meets two officers on Highway 2, wounding Const. Chad Morrison and killing Const. Heidi Stephenson. Another bystander Joey Webber is also killed. Wortman then moves on and kills his last victim Gina Goulet.
“I think it was her vehicle that he subsequently took to the gas station where (Wortman) was found and executed.”
Dorrington’s version of events tells a tale of confusion and of an undermanned, disorganized police response to the massacre.
Before the Portapique shooting the Bible Hill detachment was frequently short-staffed and COVID made things worse. As the tragedy unfolded two officers in his detachment were off because of COVID restrictions and begged to be called in. But that didn't happen, according to Dorrington.
O’Brien was also off at the time due to COVID protocols but took command of the detachment’s response to the emergency crisis.
Dorrington said O’Brien was not qualified to handle immediate action rapid deployment (IARD). He said there was no clear onsite commander and that O’Brien did not have training on active shooter situations.
"We all know that," said Dorrington.
"And the directions being given are contrary to the IARD doctrine. So I’m receiving direction, myself and (partner) Lafferty specifically, from someone who’s not on scene, who’s not on duty and not qualified.”
Ottawa University emeritus professor and Order of Canada recipient Ed Ratushny. - Contributed
If the Mass Casualty Commission expects Nova Scotians to trust that it will get to the bottom of what went wrong in April 2020, then it must allow lawyers for the victims' families to question key witnesses, including senior RCMP officers, says an Ontario law professor and Canada’s foremost expert on public inquiries.
One of the lawyers representing the families of victims has asked the commission for the right to ask questions directly to witnesses they choose. The request came after the commission’s controversial decision to allow two senior RCMP officers to testify last week without being cross-examined by lawyers of the families.
Ed Ratushny, professor emeritus at the University of Ottawa, said he supports the lawyer’s push to cross-examine witnesses, particularly RCMP officers. Not allowing rigorous questioning of the most important witnesses, destroys the fundamental fact-finding purpose of a public inquiry, he said.
“It also ignores the trauma of the families of all those people who’ve been murdered," said Ratushny, author of the 2009 book The Conduct of Public Inquiries. "Those families have been waiting for two years to find out what exactly happened and how it happened. They are not getting that."
"Those families have been waiting for two years to find out what exactly happened and how it happened. They are not getting that."
- Ed Ratushny, professor emeritus at the University of Ottawa
The commission's rationale for excusing the officers of cross-examination rests on its task of conducting a "trauma-informed" inquiry. The terms of reference of the joint public inquiry do state that the proceedings follow restorative justice and trauma-informed principles that aim at reducing further harm.
But Ratushny points out that this does not mean that witnesses should not testify in person and be cross-examined.
Sparing officers from questioning by lawyers of the families shows the three commissioners, including Chair Michael MacDonald, have misinterpreted the purpose of a trauma-informed inquiry.
"This does not require that witnesses not testify and be cross-examined," he said.
Last week, lawyers representing the majority of the 22 victims’ families boycotted the commission proceedings at the direction of their clients. It came as a result of the lawyers being unable to question the officers.
Emily Hill, senior counsel for the Mass Casualty Commission, told reporters at a briefing on Friday that the commission is considering a request from one of the lawyers representing the families to change a rule that governs who can question witnesses. - Andrew Vaughan / File
Ratushny said the spectacle resulted in a hit to the credibility of the inquiry. He pointed to Justice Peter Cory’s emphasis that public inquiries must be open and transparent.
Cory, who oversaw the inquiry into the Westray Mine Disaster, said that "open hearings function as a means of restoring the public confidence in the affected industry and in the regulations pertaining to it and their enforcement."
He also said they can serve as a type of healing therapy for a community shocked and angered by a tragedy.
Emily Hill, senior counsel for the Mass Casualty Commission, told reporters at a briefing on Friday that the commission is considering a request from one of the lawyers representing the families to change a rule that governs who can question witnesses.
Several key RCMP witnesses have yet to testify at the hearing. Hill also said it’s possible the commission will grant further accommodations to witnesses that would allow them to avoid being cross-examined or testifying in person. But she said no further requests for accommodations have been made so far.
In the end, lawyers of the families are being denied fair participation in the inquiry, said the professor. He said the commission is subject to the legal principle of procedural fairness established by the Supreme Court of Canada. Lawyers for the families are allowed to submit questions but the commissioners decide what if any are put to witnesses by commission lawyers.
“In order to survive the current crisis of confidence the commission needs to find a way to be trauma-informed and sensitive in a way that does not sacrifice vigorous cross-examination of key witnesses such as senior RCMP officers."
- Wayne MacKay, Dalhousie University law professor
The commission's decision that they can adequately replace cross-examination with their own questioning also is flawed, said the professor. Cross-examination requires adversity. The commission's decision to relieve officers of cross-examination ignores the trauma that potentially flawed fact-finding is having on families.
“The contrast of these approaches could destroy the fundamental purpose of confidence in the impartiality of the commission,” said the professor.
The commission's proper role is not to abolish direct testimony and cross-examination but to control it. "That is basic," he said.
Beyond this, he said testifying and being cross-examined could be therapeutic for police officers.
Wayne MacKay, a Dalhousie University law professor, said the commission is facing a crisis of confidence. One of its important roles is to establish a factual record that people feel accurately describes the tragic events of April 18 and 19.
"One of the tried and true ways to do that is to have testimony under oath and vigorous cross-examination," said MacKay.
“In order to survive the current crisis of confidence the commission needs to find a way to be trauma-informed and sensitive in a way that does not sacrifice vigorous cross-examination of key witnesses such as senior RCMP officers."
On behalf of the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, I acknowledge receipt of your email of June 9, 2022, about your Old Age Security pension.
In order to better assist you, please provide your complete mailing address and telephone number by replying to this email.
I look forward to your response. Thank you for writing.
N. Côté
Correspondence Analyst / Ministerial and Executive Correspondence Employment and Social Development Canada / Government of Canada
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Bergen, Candice - M.P."<candice.bergen@parl.gc.ca> Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2022 18:11:31 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Attn Minister Karina.Gould I just called about my missing Old Age Pension records and nobody cared Correct?? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
On behalf of the Hon. Candice Bergen, thank you for contacting the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition.
Ms. Bergen greatly values feedback and input from Canadians. We read and review every incoming e-mail. Please note that this account receives a high volume of e-mails. We reply to e-mails as quickly as possible.
If you are a constituent of Ms. Bergen’s in Portage-Lisgar with an urgent matter please provide complete contact information. Not identifying yourself as a constituent could result in a delayed response.
Once again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au nom de l’hon. Candice Bergen, nous vous remercions de communiquer avec le Bureau de la cheffe de l’Opposition officielle.
Mme Bergen accorde une grande importance aux commentaires des Canadiens. Nous lisons et étudions tous les courriels entrants. Veuillez noter que ce compte reçoit beaucoup de courriels. Nous y répondons le plus rapidement possible.
Si vous faites partie de l’électorat de Mme Bergen dans la circonscription de Portage-Lisgar et que votre affaire est urgente, veuillez fournir vos coordonnées complètes. Si vous ne le faites pas, cela pourrait retarder la réponse.
Nous vous remercions une fois encore d’avoir pris le temps d’écrire.
Veuillez agréer nos salutations distinguées,
Bureau de la cheffe de l’Opposition officielle
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Stewart, Jake - M.P."<jake.stewart@parl.gc.ca> Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2022 19:28:49 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Hey Ernie Steeves Why is it that I am not surprised that nobody will discuss my Old Age Pension and Health Care records??? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Hello,
Thank you for your correspondence. This is to acknowledge that our office has received your email and we are working on your request.
If you are a constituent and require immediate assistance, please call our office at 506-778-8448 and a member of our staff will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and have a great day,
Office of MP Jake Stewart Shadow Minister for National Revenue Miramichi-Grand Lake
Merci pour votre message. Ceci est pour vous aviser que nous avons reçu votre courriel et que nous travaillons sur votre demande.
Si vous êtes un électeur de notre circonscription et que vous avez besoin d'assistance immédiate, s'il-vous-plaît veuillez téléphoner notre bureau au 506-778-8448 et un membre de notre équipe se fera plaisir de vous servir.
Merci et bonne journée,
Jake Stewart, député Ministre fantôme du Revenu National Miramichi-Grand Lake
Ernie Steeves was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick on February 12th, 1961. His family moved to the Moncton area in 1965 where he has lived most of his life and is now raising his son Aidan.
Minister Steeves was first elected in September 2014 as the Progressive Conservative MLA representing Moncton Northwest. He served as critic for Social Development, Seniors and Long Term Care. He was also a Member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Standing Committee on Estimates and Fiscal Policy and the Standing Committee on Social Policy.
Since 2018 Minister Steeves has served as the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board. He has also served as Minister responsible for NB Liquor, Cannabis NB, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Financial and Consumer Services Commission, and the government of New Brunswick’s Human Resources.
Minister Steeves was a 32 year veteran of radio broadcasting and business owner in Moncton.
He is very community minded and has served in a variety of roles, including honorary chair for the Ride for Dad for prostate cancer. He has volunteered at the Karing Kitchen, Moncton Headstart, the Friends of the Moncton Hospital, and, as a cancer survivor, the Canadian Cancer Society. He sat on the Board of Directors for the Greater Moncton Football Association and the Board of Directors for Football New Brunswick.
A $20 million program aimed at helping New Brunswickers cope with increasing fuel and food prices was announced Wednesday. (Robert Jones/CBC)
The Higgs government says it will distribute a one-time payment to low-income New Brunswickers to help them deal with soaring gasoline and grocery bills.
The Emergency Fuel and Food Benefit will see low-income individuals receive $225 and low-income families, including seniors, receive $450.
More than 75,000 people are eligible, and the money will go to people already receiving low-income or housing benefits from the Department of Social Development, the province said in a news release.
"We wanted to get it to a targeted group, a group we could roll it out quickly to, and they could feel the benefit right now, over this time period," Premier Blaine Higgs told reporters.
Premier Blaine Higgs said the program will be targeted 'to the most vulnerable people.' (Ed Hunter/CBC)
The total cost of the program will be $20 million, and the money will go out this month, the premier said.
The release doesn't say when the money will be distributed, but Higgs said Tuesday that the program would get money out "quickly," sometime this month.
That represents a reversal for Higgs.
Earlier this spring, he suggested that he'd have to wait until the third quarter of the fiscal year to see sales tax revenues and decide if a rebate or some other form of relief was affordable, or if people were cutting back enough on gas to deprive the province of a tax windfall.
But Wednesday, the premier said it appears gas consumption is remaining steady, "and that gave us some confidence that we'd have some money that we could put into the system."
Opposition says not enough
The benefit was immediately denounced as not enough to address the high cost of living, particularly for New Brunswickers not on social assistance but who are still struggling because of soaring costs.
"They're still at a threshold where it's very difficult," said Opposition Liberal Leader Roger Melanson, who repeated his call for a cut to the provincial gas tax.
Green Party Leader David Coon questioned why the Higgs government keeps implementing one-off, short-term assistance programs like the cap on rent increases, which applies for this year only.
"What is it with this one-time-only government?" he said.
The Greens have proposed a higher harmonized sales tax rebate for people who earn minimum wage or who are considered the working poor. They also wants Higgs to move up a minimum wage increase scheduled for this fall.
Janelle LeBlanc, the provincial co-ordinator for the Common Front for Social Justice, said the government must implement longer-term solutions to poverty, including a higher minimum wage, higher social assistance benefits and free public transit.
"The measures announced today are important and necessary for existing clients of Social Development. However, it does exclude many people living in poverty, and low-income workers. We would have liked to see more permanent solutions."
Province to reconsider in fall
Higgs said that while the program is a one-time payment, his government would look at more assistance if high inflation persists into the fall.
He also wouldn't rule out broadening the program beyond social assistance recipients if that becomes necessary.
"I don't rule out some sort of program in that case," he said.
But he added that the province itself is facing $100 million in higher costs because of inflation, and N.B. Power could take a similar hit.
Higgs said that means it's too early to say if the province will be able to run a budget surplus as projected this year.
"We didn't plan on this when we put a budget together," he said. "Our goal is not to amass a surplus. Our goal is ensure that if we can put money into the pockets of people who need it in these times of uncertainty, we can do it sustainably and prudently."
The government is also giving food banks in the province an additional $1 million on top of an earlier $1 million grant this spring.
The government is facing two byelections in the Miramichi area on June 20.
Last week, a new poll by Narrative Research said 52 per cent of respondents were dissatisfied with the government's performance compared to 40 per cent who were satisfied.
The current maximum price per litre of regular gasoline is $2.08 in New Brunswick, up from $1.44 at the start of the year.
The province's news release points out that it has raised social assistance rates and the minimum wage, has cut income taxes, has rent-cap legislation before the legislature and is lowering child care costs effective this month as part of a federal-provincial agreement.
The release does not mention people on disability benefits being eligible for the program.
"I would say so," Higgs told reporters when asked if they were included, though he later said that "it would be my intent that would apply as well."
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.
To assist low-income seniors in New Brunswick, the government offers an annual benefit to qualifying applicants. Applications for the 2022 Low-income Seniors' Benefit will be available on April 1.
IMPORTANT: As a result of COVID-19, and to support physical distancing measures, eligible New Brunswickers are strongly encouraged to apply online, or print the application, complete it and mail it to Finance and Treasury Board, Revenue Administration Division, PO Box 1900, Fredericton, N.B., E3B 5G4.
APPLICATION FORM
Application forms are also available at Service New Brunswick centres.
The application deadline is Dec. 31, 2022.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for the $400 benefit, a person must have been a resident of New Brunswick on Dec. 31, 2021, and have received one of the following federal benefits under the Old Age Security Act:
Guaranteed Income Supplement (65 years or older)
Allowance for Survivor Program (between 60 and 64 years old)
Allowance Program (between 60 and 64 years old)
Please note: Persons in receipt of a Federal allowance who are under the age of 60 do not qualify for this benefit.
Where both spouses receive the GIS and reside in the same household, only one $400.00 benefit will be granted. However, where spouses live separately (for example, one residing in a nursing home), both will be eligible for the benefit.
INQUIRIES
More information about the program, and on how to apply, is available from Finance and Treasury Board, Revenue Administration Division, at 1-800-669-7070.
INQUIRIES RELATING TO FEDERAL BENEFITS
If you do not currently receive the GIS or one of the other federal benefits and would like more information, please contact the federal Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada at:
1-800-277-9914 for service in English, or 1-800-277-9915 for service in French.
Application/Declaration for Low-Income Seniors’ Benefit 2022 Application deadline date: December 31, 2022
The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the New Brunswick Income Tax Act and will be used for the purposes of determining eligibility under the Low-Income Seniors’ Benefit, and for necessary administration of this Program. If you have any questions regarding the collection and use of this information, please contact the Manager Tax Accounting, Finance and Treasury Board, P. O. Box 1900, Fredericton, NB E3B 5G4. Phone: 1-800-669-7070 or e‐mail wwwfin@gnb.ca.
Income Tax Return Preparation - Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), community organizations host free tax preparation clinics and arrange for volunteers to prepare income tax and benefit returns for eligible individuals who have a modest income and a simple tax situation. To determine whether you are eligible and to view a tax preparation clinic in your area, please go to the following website: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/nd-eng.html FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 1-800-669-7070
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer of health, says she feels 'recharged' and 're-energized' after her time off. (Government of New Brunswick)
New Brunswick's top doctor says she has heard the rumours about her recent absence from work and seen the speculative posts on social media, and most of them are untrue.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical officer of health, hasn't left her position over stress of managing COVID-19 in the province. She says she's back on the job after a much-needed vacation.
"The pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone. … And definitely our team has worked really hard throughout the pandemic," she said in an interview Tuesday.
"So after two very busy years, when the province lifted its restrictions, I decided it was a good time for me to take some time off."
Russell acknowledged there are "lots of rumours about what led to that decision and what exactly [she] was doing while [she] was off."
"Basically I did need a vacation, there's no question," she said.
It was good to "disconnect and decompress."
But then she was in a car accident. She hit a deer and totalled her car.
"I'm still in physio, but I'm doing much better," she said.
"It's been good to have that time to be able to look after my health, for sure."
Sold house
It's true Russell sold her house in Fredericton while she was off, but she says she simply decided to "downsize a bit early."
"My oldest has already gone off to university and my youngest is about to. So it was a good time with the market being what it was for me to do that."
She did not work on the new album released last Friday by the blues/funk band for which she plays the saxophone, The Tortoise, The Hare & The Millionaire, she said.
"No, I leave that to the real professionals who do it for a living."
Asked about the criticisms of her decision to step away from her post as she did, Russell maintains it was the right move.
"I definitely feel like my job to look after people in New Brunswick was so important that I did need to step away so I could look after myself, so I can look after other people."
She is doing "very, very well" now, she said.
"I feel definitely recharged. I hit the reset button and re-energized and back at the helm."
Russell thanked acting deputy chief medical officer of health Dr. Yves Léger and the rest of the Public Health team for their hard work and dedication to New Brunswickers.
"I definitely felt very comfortable leaving the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health in such good hands."
Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said it's good to have Russell back.
"Well, sure. I mean, you know, we're a team and we all work together," she said.
"I've always maintained that Dr. Russell is our chief medical officer of health, but she works with the team and when she's not available, she has a team who backs her up."
Thank you for agreeing to serve Canadians as Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
From the beginning of this pandemic, Canadians have faced a once-in-a-century challenge. And through it all, from coast to coast to coast, people have met the moment. When it mattered most, Canadians adapted, helped one another, and stayed true to our values of compassion, courage and determination. That is what has defined our path through this pandemic so far. And that is what will pave our way forward.
During a difficult time, Canadians made a democratic choice. They entrusted us to finish the fight against COVID-19 and support the recovery of a strong middle class. At the same time, they also gave us clear direction: to take bold, concrete action to build a healthier, more resilient future. That is what Canadians have asked us to do and it is exactly what our Government is ready to deliver. We will work to build that brighter future through continued collaboration, engagement, and the use of science and evidence-based decision-making. With an unwavering focus on delivering results, we will work constructively with Parliamentarians and maintain our strong partnerships with provincial, territorial and municipal governments and Indigenous partners. This decade has had an incredibly difficult start, but this is the moment to rebuild a more resilient, inclusive and stronger country for everyone.
The science is clear. Canadians have been clear. We must not only continue taking real climate action, we must also move faster and go further. As Canadians are increasingly experiencing across the country, climate change is an existential threat. Building a cleaner, greener future will require a sustained and collaborative effort from all of us. As Minister, I expect you to seek opportunities within your portfolio to support our whole-of-government effort to reduce emissions, create clean jobs and address the climate-related challenges communities are already facing.
This year, Canadians were horrified by the discovery of unmarked graves and burial sites near former residential schools. These discoveries underscore that we must move faster on the path of reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. We know that reconciliation cannot come without truth and our Government will continue to invest in that truth. As Ministers, each of us has a duty to further this work, both collectively and as individuals. Consequently, I am directing every Minister to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to work in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to advance their rights.
We must continue to address the profound systemic inequities and disparities that remain present in the core fabric of our society, including our core institutions. To this effect, it is essential that Canadians in every region of the country see themselves reflected in our Government’s priorities and our work. As Minister, I expect you to include and collaborate with various communities, and actively seek out and incorporate in your work, the diverse views of Canadians. This includes women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized Canadians, newcomers, faith-based communities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2 Canadians, and, in both official languages.
Across our work, we remain committed to ensuring that public policies are informed and developed through an intersectional lens, including applying frameworks such as Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) and the quality of life indicators in decision-making.
Canadians continue to rely on journalists and journalism for accurate and timely news. I expect you to maintain professional and respectful relationships with journalists to ensure that Canadians are well informed and have the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe.
Throughout the course of the pandemic, Canadians and their governments have adapted to new realities. Governments must draw on lessons learned from the pandemic to further adapt and develop more agile and effective ways to serve Canadians. To this end, I expect all Ministers to evaluate ways we can update our practices to ensure our Government continues to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
The success of this Parliament will require Parliamentarians, both in the House of Commons and the Senate, to work together across all parties to get big things done for Canadians. I expect you to maintain constructive relationships with your Opposition Critics and coordinate any legislation with the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. As Minister, you are accountable to Parliament both individually, for your style of leadership and the performance of your responsibilities, and collectively, in support of our Ministry and decisions taken by Cabinet. Open and Accountable Government sets out these core principles and the standards of conduct expected of you and your office. I expect you to familiarize yourself with this document, which outlines my expectations for each member of the Ministry.
Our platform lays out an ambitious agenda. While finishing the fight against the pandemic must remain our central focus, we must continue building a strong middle class and work toward a better future where everyone has a real and fair chance at success and no one is left behind.
As Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, your immediate priority is to build a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system that reduces parent fees, creates more high-quality spaces, recruits and retains skilled educators, and ensures all kids get off to the best possible start. At the same time, you will work with Indigenous partners to implement a culturally appropriate Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care system. You will also focus on implementing the Community Services Recovery Fund to help charities and non-profits adapt and modernize as well as ensure Service Canada provides reliable and accessible services to Canadians, regardless of where they live.
To realize these objectives, I ask that you achieve results for Canadians by delivering the following commitments.
Supported by the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, continue advancing the creation and sustainability of a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system, including:
Concluding negotiations with remaining provinces and territories and implementing agreements:
Reducing fees for regulated child care by 50 per cent on average by the end of 2022 everywhere outside of Quebec,
Reducing regulated child care fees to $10 a day on average by the end of fiscal year 2025-2026 everywhere outside of Quebec, and
Building 250,000 new high-quality child care spaces and hiring 40,000 more early childhood educators by the end of fiscal year 2025-2026;
Introducing federal child care legislation to strengthen and protect a high-quality Canada-wide child care system;
Establishing a National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care;
Continuing to advance work with provinces and territories to reduce fees for families for before and after school care; and
Ensuring the Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care is fully resourced and operational by early 2023.
Work with Indigenous partners to ensure that Indigenous children have access to a culturally appropriate Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care system that meets the needs of Indigenous families wherever they live, including ensuring more Indigenous families have access to high-quality programming, creating 3,300 new child care spaces, and continuing to support before and after school care for First Nations children on reserve.
Advance the implementation of the Community Services Recovery Fund to help charities and non-profits adapt and modernize as they recover from the pandemic.
Continue advancing the Social Innovation and Social Finance strategy, including fully implementing the Social Finance Fund and launching the Social Innovation Advisory Council.
Through the delivery of Canada’s Poverty Reduction Strategy and other measures, continue leading implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations.
Work with the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners and stakeholders to develop a National School Food Policy and to work toward a national school nutritious meal program.
Work with the Minister of Seniors to provide seniors with a single point of access to a wide range of government services and benefits.
As the Minister responsible for Service Canada, lead the development and implementation of modern, resilient, secure and reliable services and benefit delivery systems for Canadians and ensure those services and benefits reach all Canadians regardless of where they live.
Work with the Minister of National Revenue toward the implementation of a real-time e-payroll system, and ensure that businesses of all sizes benefit from this work.
Enhance the capacity and effectiveness of Black-led and Black-serving organizations through the continued implementation of the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative. You will be supported in this work by the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.
Work with the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth to ensure the voices and needs of children are represented in our Government’s agenda, as we work to make Canada the best place to grow up.
Work with the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions to ensure mental health supports are accessible to children and youth as they recover from the impact of the pandemic.
As Minister, you are also responsible for actively engaging with your Cabinet and Caucus colleagues. As we deliver on our platform commitments, it will be important that members of the Ministry continue to collaborate and work constructively to support rigorous and productive Cabinet decision-making. I expect you to support your colleagues in delivering their commitments, leveraging the expertise of your department and your own lived experiences.
To best achieve results for Canadians, Ministers must be rigorous and coordinated in our approach to implementation. I would therefore ask that you return to me with a proposed approach for the delivery of your mandate commitments, including priorities for early implementation. Furthermore, to ensure we are accountable for our work, I will be asking you to publicly report to me, and all Canadians, on your progress toward these commitments on a regular basis.
As we have been reminded throughout the pandemic, adapting to change is not only something government should do, it is something government must do. As you work to fulfil our commitments, I expect you to actively consider new ideas and issues as they emerge, whether through public engagement, your work with Parliamentarians or advice from the public service. I also expect you to work with your Deputy Minister to assess priorities on a continual basis as we build a better future for all Canadians. In addition to achieving results, you are responsible for overseeing the work of your department and ensuring the effective operation of your portfolio.
As you staff your office and implement outreach and recruitment strategies for federally appointed leadership positions and boards, I ask that you uphold the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. This helps ensure that federal workplaces are dynamic and reflective of the Canadians we serve. You will also ensure your Minister’s office and portfolio are reflective of our commitment to healthy and safe workplaces.
Canadians expect us to work hard, speak truthfully and be committed to advancing their interests and aspirations. When we make mistakes – as we all will – Canadians expect us to acknowledge them, and most importantly, to learn from them.
I know I can count on you to fulfill the important responsibilities entrusted in you, and to turn to me, and the Deputy Prime Minister, early and often to support you in your role as Minister.
Sincerely,
Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada
On 2/20/22, Gould, Karina - M.P. <Karina.Gould@parl.gc.ca> wrote: > > > Thank you for reaching out to the office of the Honourable Karina Gould > Member of Parliament for Burlington. > > Please rest assured that your message will be brought to the attention of MP > Gould and we will make every effort to respond promptly. Correspondence > received from residents of Burlington are reviewed and actioned as soon as > possible. If you have not already included your address and postal code, > please respond to this email with that information. > > Please note this is a community office, due to the high volume of > correspondence we receive our priority is to respond to inquiries from > Burlington Residents. > > If you are not a local resident, please contact your MP’s office for > assistance. You can enter your postal code here > https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/enm if you are unsure who your local > representative is. > > For matters related to the Ministry of Families Children and Social > Development and Service Canada, or to discuss issues relevant to MP Gould’s > role as the Minister of Families Children and Social Development, please > contact > EDSC.MIN.FEDS-FCSD.MIN.ESDC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca<mailto:EDSC.MIN.FEDS-FCSD.MIN.ESDC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca> > > Our constituency office is taking every precautionary measure to prevent the > spread of COVID-19 and ask constituents to follow the most up to date > information from public health. > > > > To ensure the safety of our community and protect our most vulnerable > constituents, our office will be closed to walk-in visits until further > notice. > > > > Our office will continue to operate Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 > pm. by phone, email, and on a by-appointment basis for urgent cases. > > > > Please reach out to us at 905-639-5757 or by email at > karina.gould@parl.gc.ca<
mailto:karina.gould@parl.gc.ca>. > > > > In case of an emergency or urgent situations you can also contact the > following services: > > > > For Emergencies - 911 > > Halton Region - 311 > > Service Canada - 1 800 622 6232 > > CPP / OAS - 1 800 277-9914 > > Employment Insurance - 1 800 206 7218 > > CRA - 1-800 959 8281 > > Immigration - 1 888 242 2100 > > Passport Canada - 1 800 567 6868 > > Halton Regional Police - 905-825-4777 > > > > Please note all incoming messages are treated confidentially. > > > > We will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation > and patience. > >
Pat King, one of the organizers of the protest, poses for photos in front of Parliament Hill as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against COVID vaccine mandates in Ottawa on Feb. 16, 2022. King is currently in jail facing charges for his role in the Freedom Convoy protests. (Patrick Doyle/Reuters)
Months after the Freedom Convoy was cleared out from Ottawa's streets, some of its leaders remain behind bars with no end in sight, and one expert says they're likely serving more jail time awaiting trial than they will if convicted.
Pat King, one of the leaders of the convoy, remains in jail 113 days after being arrested for his role in the protest that occupied downtown Ottawa streets for more than a month.
King is co-accused with Tyson George Billings, who was arrested on similar charges on the weekend police cleared protesters.
Often seen at King's side, Billings is known among supporters as "Freedom George" and gained notoriety during February's protests for his booming chants of "Let's go!" and "Freedom!"
Billings has been behind bars for 112 days.
The two continue to be denied bail.
Police never disclosed a full list of who was arrested and charged following the Freedom Convoy, but at least a handful of lesser-known people involved are still in jail.
According to a legal expert, King and Billings have likely already served more jail time awaiting trial than they will if convicted and sentenced.
"We are already reaching a period of prior detention that overpasses the possible punishment," said Joao Velloso, a law professor at the University of Ottawa.
Others arrested during the protest, such as Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, are awaiting trial on bail. However, they are active on social media promoting adjacent movements, including election campaigns and future protests.
King 'pretty beat down' in jail
A pastor who tries visiting regularly with King in jail at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre questions the length of time he has been incarcerated for.
"He's pretty beat down," says Melissa McKee, a pastor at Ottawa's Capital City Bikers' Church, which offered sanctuary space during its regular hours to protesters during the Freedom Convoy.
King continues to be frustrated by the justice system — he went through a series of lawyers before hiring his current representative, Natasha Calvinho, but continues to face charges for mischief, counselling to commit mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court order, and counselling to obstruct police.
In the midst of an April bail review hearing, King was charged with obstructing justice and perjury.
All evidence presented at the bail review remains subject to a publication ban, which is often requested and granted to prevent potential jurors from being prejudiced ahead of trial.
Supporters question justice of detainment
Supporters regularly seek out the latest info on King, and many continue to view him as a motivating figure in the Freedom Convoy, and the ongoing movement it inspired.
McKee says regardless of what people may think of him, being in jail for this long is not just.
"I'm not measuring Pat against Tamara or Chris Barber, I'm measuring what he did, what did he do? He did Facebook live videos rallying people, he knew this was a possibility that he could be arrested, but [113] days?"
McKee says she regularly ministers to people in need of what she calls "heart care" or "spiritual care."
"I'm literally doing the same thing with Pat King I would do for anybody who knocked on our door," she said, adding God has put a call on her life to help broken people.
Earlier this month, after King had spent more than 100 days in jail, a group advocating on his behalf launched a letter-writing campaign asking people to send notes of support to him at the jail.
"After over 100 days in prison being mentally worn down, Pat King is being pressured to agree to a gag order to silence his voice upon release. Send letters of support to Pat King at the address below, encouraging him to Hold The Line!" wrote David Paisley, who runs the popular social media channel "Live from the Shed."
Billings's supporters continue to solicit funds for him through online fundraising — at the end of May, a post on his Facebook page, supposedly being run by his daughter, said Billings needs repairs done to his "Freedom truck" and suggests his release is coming soon.
"Any small amount helps. Thank you all for everything you have done and continue to do for Freedom George, he thanks everyone for the cards and the support you all have given him. He loves you all so much," read part of that message.
Legal counsel for Billings did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Most adults in jail awaiting trial, sentencing
Law expert Velloso notes about 80 per cent of the prison population is in a similar situation to King: waiting for trial on a case that will be decided within a month, or even a week, because people have already served any potential penalty that would eventually be given to them.
According to Statistics Canada, since 2004, the average number of adults awaiting trial or sentencing in provincial services is higher than the average number of adults sentenced to custody — in recent years, it's about 70 per cent higher.
In Ontario and most provinces, more than half of the people in jail are waiting to be tried or sentenced.
"For King... he's going to be in preventative detention for a while, and if you look into the overall trends of criminal punishment in Canada, he probably already served his time," Velloso said.
David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist who previously worked in Alberta and Saskatchewan. He enjoys being outside, playing hockey and spending time with his family.
There is an engine being built and you are one of the gears needed to make it work!
It’s short notice, we know ~but starting Tuesday June 7th from 7-9pm, we will be launching our first ever…….
VSOP
Vanier~School~of~Prayer
Our very own Paulette Revet will be facilitating this 12 week intensive school of prayer. It’s tailor made for us, for you and for me, for what God is doing in our midst here in Vanier.
~Corporate Prayer
~Spiritual Warfare
~Intercessory Prayer
This is for those of you who love to pray, who feel called to pray, who don’t know how to pray, who are intimidated to pray, those who need to sharpen their skills, those who know it all, those who know nothing, those who know a little—this is literally for EVERYONE. For anyone hungry for the presence of the Lord and a changed heart and mind.
:::::::::Disclaimer::::::::
THIS IS A 12 WEEK COMMITMENT
(Yes, even through the summer!)
Offered in person only
If you are interested in registering, (yes, it’s FREE)
please email:
melissa@bikerschurch.com
Workbook provided.
Be excited about this
You know when God is asking you to
amp it upin the summer that He really wants to move!
Pat King needs your help! Justin Trudeau wants to silence his voice. After over 100 days in prison being mentally worn down, Pat King is being pressured to agree to a gag order to silence his voice upon release. Send letters of support to Pat King at the address below, encouraging him to Hold The Line!
Dave goes live with Melissa McKee of the Bikers Church who, after two months of failed attempts, was finally permitted to visit Pat King and was disturbed by what she saw. After over 100 days in prison without trial as a political prisoner, Pat King is suffering physically and emotionally all for the crime of being a spokesperson for the Freedom Convoy to Ottawa. Pat needs our help. Justin Trudeau wants to silence him with a gag order so he can never share the truth. Send letters of support to Pat King at the address below:
Billy McGillicuddy, 41, of St. Croix is facing six criminal charges, including possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, assault with a weapon, unlawful confinement and unlawfully pointing a firearm. (Billy McGillicuddy/Facebook)
A judge has denied bail for a man accused of assault and weapons charges stemming from what residents of the southwestern New Brunswick village of McAdam say was an act of vigilante justice.
Provincial court Judge Mary Jane Richards ordered 41-year-old Billy McGillicuddy of St. Croix, near McAdam, to remain in custody.
She issued her decision Friday in Fredericton following a bail hearing the day before, the details of which are subject to a publication ban.
McGillicuddy is accused of possessing a weapon, a baseball bat for, the purpose of committing an offence, and with assaulting Blake Scott with a weapon, a baseball bat.
He's accused of assaulting Scott with a weapon, a chair, unlawfully confining him, and pointing a sawed-off shotgun at him.
McGillicuddy also faces a sixth charge, of possessing a weapon, a sawed-off shotgun, for the purpose of committing an offence.
All the charges stem from incidents that occurred in McAdam, about 10 kilometres east of St. Croix, on June 4.
Three women sat in the gallery of the courtroom Friday and appeared emotionally upset when the decision was announced.
They left the courthouse and were met by supporters who hugged and comforted them.
Supporters of Billy McGillicuddy comforted each other outside the Fredericton provincial court on Friday after he was denied bail. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
McGillicuddy, who appeared in court by video, was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear again in court on June 17.
Smaller turnout of supporters
Provincial court sheriffs set up metal crowd control barriers outside the courthouse Friday, but only about five people showed up.
It was a smaller turnout than Thursday, when about 50 people from McAdam, including Mayor Ken Stannix, showed up to voice support for McGillicuddy.
In an interview Thursday, Stannix said he wanted to support "the individuals who allegedly took the law into their own hands."
Another person had been arrested but was released without being charged.
Stannix said he and other community members feel that crimes are being committed against them, and that the RCMP are not responding effectively.
On Thursday, the New Brunswick RCMP issued a statement urging against acts of vigilantism.
"Anyone involved in vigilante activities risk facing arrest and legal proceedings themselves," the RCMP said.
"Taking police matters into your own hands, or condoning those who do, is irresponsible and reckless."
The Green Party is denouncing what it calls "collusion" and "gerrymandering" after it was excluded from a supposedly independent commission that will redraw New Brunswick's 49 election ridings.
The decision means a group of six Progressive Conservatives and Liberals will craft a new electoral map with no input from the third party in the legislature.
"It undermines the whole process," said Green MLA and house leader Kevin Arseneau. "It undermines public confidence and the credibility of our role as parliamentarians and the institutions that we have in place."
Arseneau said the six people, whom he would not identify, are "very tied to political parties," including a former premier and a prominent PC supporter who will co-chair the commission.
That taints the process, he said.
"There will always be a doubt now … and just that is unacceptable."
Integrity of commission questioned
Even Premier Blaine Higgs acknowledged that it's a "fair comment" that people who vote for parties other than PCs and Liberals may question the integrity of the commission.
Provincial law requires that an independent commission redraw the 49 electoral districts in the province every 10 years to reflect changing population numbers.
Arseneau tried to raise the issue in the legislature Friday, but Speaker Bill Oliver cut him off, saying he was on the verge of revealing information from a closed-door meeting of the legislative administration committee.
Under the law, LAC chooses the commissioners and the provincial cabinet must appoint its selections.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs acknowledged Friday that the lack of Green representation on the commission redrawing electoral boundaries could raise questions about the integrity of the process. (CBC News)
Arseneau says several weeks ago, the premier's chief of staff Louis Léger asked the Greens for names so they could be reviewed.
The Green MLA said he refused because it's up to LAC to choose the names. The law makes no mention of the executive branch being able to review the choices.
He also said the Liberals were complicit in going along with the PCs.
"It's very clear that it was the premier's office and Louis Léger who chose the people are are going to be on this commission by back-door deals with the official opposition," Arseneau said.
"And basically we got punished for not playing the back-door deal," he said.
He said he wasn't elected MLA for Kent North "to come here and rubber-stamp the deals the PCs and the Liberals do together."
Commissioners 'highly credible'
Liberal Leader Roger Melanson refused to discuss the LAC meeting on Thursday, where Arseneau tried to get the Green Party's two names added to the commission.
But he confirmed that the Liberals submitted proposed names to Léger for review before the meeting.
He said he was satisfied the public will have no reason to question the integrity of the redistricting process.
"To my knowledge, the decision was made in compliance with the law," he said.
"LAC made a decision and I'm confident … that the commissioners will do a very good job. They're highly credible and qualified."
Liberal Leader Roger Melanson said the Liberals agreed to submit the names of MLAs to sit on the commission for review by the premier’s office. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
He also refused to name them or to say whether the ex-premier co-chairing the commission is a Liberal.
Arseneau told reporters he doesn't know for sure that there will be any PC-Liberal collusion, but he could imagine tradeoffs between the two parties, where parts of one riding are cut off and moved to benefit one party in return for changes elsewhere that help the other.
Higgs said he couldn't imagine any effort to dilute the Green vote through the new map.
"There's no reason for us, speaking from our side, to disadvantage the Green Party. I don't see that's the process we're trying to unfold," he said.
Higgs did suggest the process may need to be reviewed to take into account that third parties have won more support and elected more MLAs in recent elections.
New map to be in place by 2024
The last time the map was redrawn under the law, the PCs and Liberals were the only parties in the legislature.
Higgs said the appointments to the commission are on his cabinet's agenda for next week.
The electoral boundaries law sets out a process that calculates the average number of voters in each of the province's 49 ridings, known as the "electoral quotient."
The commissioners are required to draft a map in which ridings are "as close as reasonably possible" to the quotient. They can deviate by up to 15 per cent to accommodate what are called "communities of interest" and other factors.
And in "extraordinary circumstances" such as the need to ensure fair linguistic representation, the commission can deviate from the quotient by up to 25 per cent.
The legislation requires the commission be in place two years before the next provincial election, which is scheduled for Oct. 21, 2024.
Arseneau's complaint about the commission came on the final sitting day of the legislature before it adjourned for the summer.
Among the pieces of legislation that received royal assent on Friday were a one-year cap on rents charged to tenants and an overhaul of the child protection system.
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.
Charles Murray, corporate communications, Executive Council Office, 506-292-5281.
Six New Brunswickers named to electoral boundaries commission
28 August 2012
FREDERICTON (GNB) – Six New Brunswickers have been named to the province's Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission, Premier David Alward announced today.
Co-chairs Annise Hollies and Allan Maher will be joined by commissioners Conde Grondin, Susan Murray, Jean-Guy Rioux and James Stanley. The appointments are effective as of Aug. 28.
The commission will be tasked with redrawing the boundaries of New Brunswick's electoral ridings, replacing the current 55 ridings with 49 ridings to be used in the next general provincial election. The commission will report its findings to the legislative assembly.
“I am proud to name this panel of New Brunswickers to serve as our new electoral commission,” Alward said. “These six individuals reflect the skill and diversity of our province. I am confident they will propose electoral districts that will reflect our changing province and our shared commitment to equal and effective representation. I encourage New Brunswickers to assist the commission in its work by making representations and providing input.”
The province's all-party legislative administration committee met earlier this month and unanimously recommended the six individuals to serve on the commission. The commission operates under the terms of New Brunswick'sElectoral Boundaries and Representation Act.
Biographical information on the six individuals:
Annise Hebert Hollies (Co-chair): Having served as Chief Electoral Officer and Municipal Electoral Officer until her retirement in 2007, Hollies brings more than 30 years of electoral experience to the commission as co-chair.
Born in Bouctouche, she graduated from the New Brunswick Community College before attending Oulton Business College in Moncton. Her extensive experience in elections includes the introduction of electronic vote tabulation technology as a pilot project for a byelection in the City of Saint John. Hollies also lent her skills to Elections Ontario during preparations for a provincial general election.
Allan E. Maher (Co-chair): First elected to the New Brunswick legislature in 1978 as the member for Dalhousie, Maher served eight years as New Brunswick's finance minister from 1987 to 1995 before retiring from politics.
Born in Newcastle and educated in Campbellton, he attended the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science and Embalming. The former mayor of Dalhousie started in the family business and was director and secretary-treasurer of Maher's Funeral Homes Ltd. Maher is active in the community, having served as a member of the board of the Muriel McQueen Ferguson Foundation and the Fredericton Golf Club Inc.
Conde R. Grondin: A retired professor from the Department of Political Science at the University of New Brunswick, Conde Grondin has more than 29 years of academic experience at the university level.
Born in Saint-Jacques, Grondin received his bachelor of education, masters of education and doctor of philosophy in political science from the University of Alberta. With a teaching concentration in the fields of Canadian government and politics, development of political attitudes and provincial politics, he is often sought out for his opinion on the political landscape of New Brunswick.
Margaret Susan (Sue) Murray: Since 1996, Murray has worked with the Atlantic Provinces Medical Peer Review, a program which contributes to excellence in medical care through the assessment and education of physicians. She has served as executive director since 2000.
Murray is a long-time community volunteer who has served as president of Moncton Head Start and of the New Brunswick School Trustees Association. She is a former member of the Southeast Regional Health Authority and YMCA boards, and is currently a member of the board of the Riverview Boys and Girls Club, and the Moncton West and Riverview Rotary Club.
Jean-Guy Rioux: Currently living in Pointe-Brûlée, Rioux brings a diverse background to the commission as an educator, administrator and consultant.
Possessing both a bachelor and masters of education, he has held a variety of teaching positions at schools in New Brunswick, as well as teaching in Senegal and Chad as part of the Canadian International Development Agency. He has served as both president and vice-president of La Federation des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, and president of the Congrès mondial acadien in 2009.
James E.A Stanley: A member of the New Brunswick Bar, currently on sabbatical, Stanley brings nearly 20 years of legal expertise to the commission.
Specializing in labour law, he worked from 2002 to 2011 as solicitor/researcher and national representative for the Canadian Union of Public Employees in the Atlantic Provinces and British Columbia. After graduating from Campbellton Regional High School in 1969, Stanley obtained Bachelor of Arts and law degrees from the University of New Brunswick.
Paul Harpelle, communications, Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission, 506-444-2105, 506-470-0492.
News Release
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission concludes mandate
06 June 2013
FREDERICTON (GNB) – The New Brunswick Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission has responded to objections to its final report and has officially completed its mandate.
"This has been an intense but rewarding experience for all of us on the commission, and we are pleased to submit the new electoral boundaries map to New Brunswickers," said co-chairs Allan Maher and Annise Hébert Hollies.
The commission began its work in August 2012. It toured the province and held 50 hearings during two rounds of public consultations. It released a preliminary report on Jan. 17 of this year, followed by a final report on April 25. Today, the commission tabled an amended final report containing its responses to objections received in the 14 days following the release of its final report, in accordance with the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Act.
The commission received 23 objections, of which 20 were deemed admissible under the act. The commission responded favourably to three of those 20 objections:
● a minor amendment to the boundary of the electoral district of New Maryland-Sunbury, which affected the adjoining districts of Kings-Centre, Charlotte The Iles and York; ● the name of Electoral District #42, Fredericton-York, has been changed; ● the name of Electoral District #43, Fredericton West-Hanwell, has been changed.
"We thank the many residents of New Brunswick who took the time to share their viewpoints with us,” Maher and Hollies said. “While we were not able to respond favourably to all requests we receive, it is apparent that interest in our democratic process is very much alive and well."
In accordance with Section 4 (2) of the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission Act, the commission, having completed its mandate, is now dissolved. As such, there will be no further comment from the commission.
Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission Reports
2013 Amended Final Report of the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission ( Adobe file - 1.8 MB)
2013 Final Report of the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission ( Adobe file -10.0 MB)
2012 Preliminary Report of the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission ( Adobe file -27.0 MB)
2006 Amended Final Report of the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission ( Adobe file -15.0 MB)
2006 Final Report of the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission ( Adobe file -0.8 MB)
2006 Final Report of the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission: Appendix B - New Electoral Districts A New Electoral Map for New Brunswick ( Adobe file -4.0 MB)
2006 Preliminary Report of the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission ( Adobe file -0.7 MB)
2006 Preliminary Report of the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission: Appendix A - Proposed Electoral Districts ( Adobe file -3.7 MB)
1993 Final Report of the Representation and Electoral Boundaries Commission ( Adobe file -6.0 MB)
1992 Towards a New Electoral Map for New Brunswick, First Report of the Representation and Electoral Boundaries Commission ( Adobe file -1.7 MB)
1975 Further Considerations and Recommendations of the Representation and Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission ( Adobe file -1.1 MB)
1974 Report of the Representation and Electoral Boundaries Commission ( Adobe file -0.9 MB)
All content @ Elections New Brunswick. All rights reserved
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Côté, Yves"<Yves.Cote@cef-cce.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2019 15:17:03 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Attn Mr Vienneau here is a little proof of what I say is true To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Je serai de retour le 6 janvier prochain.
En cas d'urgence, communiquez avec Me Marc Chénier au 819 939-2062.
-- I will be back on January 6, 2020.
In case of emergency, contact Marc Chénier at 819 939-2062.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Harpelle, Paul (ENB)"<Paul.Harpelle@gnb.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2019 15:17:07 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Attn Mr Vienneau here is a little proof of what I say is true To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
I am away from my office until January 6, 2020. I will be checking my e-mails on occasion.
Je suis absent de mon bureau jusqu'au le 6 janvier 2020. Je vérifierai mon courriel occasionnellement.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Police Commission / Commission de police <Commissiondepolice.PoliceCommission@gnb.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2019 15:17:05 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Attn Mr Vienneau here is a little proof of what I say is true To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for contacting the New Brunswick Police Commission.
If you are writing to file a complaint against a municipal/regional police officer or force, in order for it to be processed it is important that you fill out the complaint form on our website at https://nbpolicecommission.ca. If you would like a copy of the form mailed to you, please contact us at 506-453-2069.
If you are writing to us for any other reason, your correspondence will be reviewed and responded to as appropriate.
Our office will be closed from December 24 at 12:00p.m. until January 2, 2020.
Thank you. ______________________________
_______________________________________________
Merci d'avoir contact? la Commission de police du Nouveau-Brunswick.
Si vous ?crivez pour d?poser une plainte contre un agent de police ou une force polici?re municipale/r?gionale, pour que celle-ci soit trait?e, il est important que vous remplissiez le formulaire de plainte sur notre site Web ? l'adresse https://commissiondepolicenb.ca. Si vous souhaitez recevoir une copie du formulaire par la poste, veuillez nous contacter au 506-453-2069.
Si vous nous ?crivez pour une autre raison, votre correspondance sera examin?e et r?pondue comme il convient.
Nos Bureaux seront ferm?s de 12h00 le 24 decembre au 2 janivier. On vous remercie.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Robert STONEY <loyalistlaw@gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2019 07:16:57 -0800 Subject: Office Closed - Loyalist Law Office Re: Attn Mr Vienneau here is a little proof of what I say is true To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
Effective 1 April, 2018, Loyalist Law Office will be closed for business (retirement).
All current clients, and clients whose documents are being held at the office will be contacted in the coming weeks to discuss the disposition of their documents.
Please note that due to illness in the family, I will be away from the office until next week and will have very limited access to my email. I apologize for any inconvenience.
Veuillez noter qu'en raison de maladie dans la famille je serai absent du bureau jusqu'à la semaine prochaine. J'aurai un accès très limité à mes couriels. Je m'excuse de tout inconvénients.
---------- Original message ---------- From: postmaster@rcmp-grc.gc.ca Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2019 10:17:49 -0500 Subject: Undeliverable: Attn Mr Vienneau here is a little proof of what I say is true To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
Delivery has failed to these recipients or groups:
For the record I talked to Annick Basque personally and she was not interested in talking to me and hung up. So be it. I will just sit back and continue to watch the circus
81 Comments Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Raymond Amos Go figure why I am not surprised
David Raymond Amos Methinks my brother must be rolling in his grave in light of the fact that he was one of the fellas who helped to introduce Crime Stoppers to the New Brunswick jurisdiction long ago N'esy Pas?
Mike Kennedy Eastern Canada police forces need help enforcing the law breakers of "their own". I never cease to be amazed at the legal decisions coming out of PEI, NFL and NS since forever
David Raymond Amos Reply to @mike kennedy: YUP Methinks folks should go to a library and review the news in the summer of 1982 after the RCMP hired me to testify at a Coroner's Inquiry in New Brunswick and then the RCMP were sued for a wrongful death N'esy Pas?
David Raymond Amos Reply to @David Raymond Amos: Methinks the Province put the cart before the horse as usual N'esy Pas?
"The province has said the inquest will take place following the conclusion of the discipline hearing, though dates have not been set.
Coreen Enos, a spokesperson with the Department of Public Safety, told CBC News the inquest would only be held once "all legal proceedings" related to the hearing, such as any judicial review, are exhausted.
An inquest is a formal court proceeding that allows for public presentation of evidence relating to a death to help clarify the facts and circumstances.
The coroner does not assign responsibility or blame, but there may be recommendations on how to prevent similar deaths in the future."
David Raymond Amos Reply to @David Raymond Amos: Methinks many lawyers will make certain that the fat lady does not sing to soon for their benefit N'esy Pas?
"While the discipline hearing is over, there are still other proceedings related to the shooting underway. A civil case filed by Vienneau's family against the city and the officers is continuing through court. "
David Raymond Amos Reply to @mike kennedy: "Michaud said he had "grave concerns" about the reliability of Basque's testimony because of inconsistencies with her own evidence and that of others, including misidentifying whether it was Boudreau or Bulger who was driving the unmarked car and shot Vienneau."
Furthermore methinks the lawyer Joël Michaud has not heard the last word from the lawyers working Annick Basque N'esy Pas?
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ From: michelvienneau <michelvienneau@protonmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2019 13:29:04 +0000 Subject: Re: Attn Nicolas Vienneau No doubt you have read my comments within CBC by now Perhaps its time we talked? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Mr Amos,
No comments were found. Could you please copy and resend back to us.
Re: A little Deja Vu for the Police Commission N'esy Pas Stevey Boy Roberge?
> https://www.nbpolicecommission.ca/en/about-us > > Commission Members: > > Lynn Chaplin, Acting Chair - Biography > Marc Léger, member - Biography > Robert (Bob) Eckstein, member, Biography > John W. Foran, member > Jill Whalen, Acting Executive Director / CEO > > > > https://www.nbpolicecommission.ca/images/2018-09-10_Bob_Eckstein_english.pdf > > > ROBERT ECKSTEIN > New Brunswick Police Commission > Phone : (506) 453-2069 > Fax : (506) 457-3542 > Email : nbpc@gnb.ca > > > > https://www.stu.ca/socialwork/contact-us/ > > Bob Eckstein > Field Education Coordinator > Brian Mulroney Hall 304 > Phone: 506-452-7702 > Fax: 506-452-0611 > Email: beckstein@stu.ca > > https://www.nbpolicecommission.ca/images/2018-09-11_Marc_Leger_english.pdf > > > ---------- Original message ---------- > From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> > Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 01:21:47 -0400 > Subject: Re: Hey TJ Burke and Louie Lafleur January 11th is coming > fast Ya can't say that your buddies and the Police Commission ain't > mentioned bigtime in my complaint N'esy Pas Stevey Boy Roberge? > To: loyalistlaw@gmail.com, "john.green"<john.green@gnb.ca>, > tj@burkelaw.ca, "lou.lafleur"<lou.lafleur@fredericton.ca>, > jeddy@coxandpalmer.com, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, andre > <andre@jafaust.com>, sunrayzulu <sunrayzulu@shaw.ca>, "greg.byrne" > <greg.byrne@gnb.ca>, paulzed@zed.ca, smay@coxandpalmer.com, nbpc > <nbpc@gnb.ca>, ychoukri@wstephenson.com, "Paul.Harpelle" > <Paul.Harpelle@gnb.ca>, "Michael.Quinn" > <Michael.Quinn@electionsnb.ca>, "Yves.Cote"<Yves.Cote@elections.ca>, > "Marc.Mayrand"<Marc.Mayrand@elections.ca>, "steve.roberge" > <steve.roberge@gnb.ca>, Randy.Reilly@fredericton.ca, "Leanne.Fitch" > <Leanne.Fitch@fredericton.ca>, "serge.rousselle" > <serge.rousselle@gnb.ca>, "leanne.murray" > <leanne.murray@mcinnescooper.com>, "Paulette.Delaney-Smith" > <Paulette.Delaney-Smith@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Stephen.Horsman" > <Stephen.Horsman@gnb.ca>, infomorningfredericton > <infomorningfredericton@cbc.ca>, dmombourquette@pinklarkin.com, > george.filliter@gnb.ca, "hugh.flemming"<hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>, > national <national@mppac.ca>, "robert.stoney"<robert.stoney@gnb.ca>, > "Jacques.Poitras"<Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>, "ht.lacroix" > <ht.lacroix@cbc.ca>, chiefape <chiefape@gmail.com> > Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>, > Catherine.Harrop@cbc.ca, "redmond.shannon"<redmond.shannon@cbc.ca>, > Joe Friday <Friday.Joe@psic-ispc.gc.ca>, loyalistlawoffice > <loyalistlawoffice@yahoo.ca> > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Robert Stoney <loyalistlawoffice@yahoo.ca> > Date: Tue, 05 01 2016 05:05:12 > Subject: Auto Response: Hey TJ Burke and Louie lafleur January 11th is > coming fast Ya can't say that your buddies and the Police Commission > ain't mentioned bigtime in my complaint N'esy Pas Stevey Boy Roberge? > To: motomaniac333@gmail.com > > I am currently experiencing difficulties with the following email accounts: > > robertstoney@yahoo.ca > > loyalistlawoffice@yahoo.ca > > If you have sent a message to either of these accounts, please re-send > that message to: > > loyalistlaw@gmail.com > > Also, please update my contact information to reflect > loyalistlaw@gmail.com as my primary email address, effective > immediately. > > Thank you for your patience. > > //RMS// > > Robert Stoney > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: "Auto-reply from ychoukri@wstephenson.com"<ychoukri@wstephenson.com> > Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 00:05:07 -0500 > Subject: Re: Hey TJ Burke and Louie lafleur January 11th is coming > fast Ya can't say that your buddies and the Police Commission ain't > mentioned bigtime in my complaint N'esy Pas Stevey Boy Roberge? > To: motomaniac333@gmail.com > > Happy Holidays! > Please note that I will be out until January 5, 2016 and will have > limited access to my emails. I will attempt to reply to urgent emails > when possible. > > Joyeuses Fêtes! > Veuillez noter que je serai absent jusqu'au 5 janvier 2016. J'aurai un > accès limité à mes courriels. Je tenterai de répondre aux courriels > urgents dès que possible. > > > On 1/5/16, David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> wrote: >> Like Hell the NBPC do not get my emails EH? >> >> On 12/30/15, David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Happy New Year and Please Enjoy :) >> >> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/stephen-horsman-says-police-act-to-be-modernized-1.2974589 >> >> >> Stephen Horsman says Police Act to be modernized >> New Brunswick Police Commission is calling for 13 changes to the law >> >> By Jacques Poitras, CBC News Posted: Feb 27, 2015 6:42 AM AT >> >> >> >> Public Safety Minister Stephen Horsman says his department is working >> on changes to the Police Act that will modernize the oversight of >> municipal police officers and departments. >> >> Horsman says it’s too early to talk about specific changes, but he >> says officials will "look at the whole act, what needs to be updated, >> what needs to be modernized, to meet the needs of 2015, not the 1960s >> or 1970s." >> >> His comments come after the 2013-14 annual report by the New Brunswick >> Police Commission called for updates to the law. >> >> "We are of the opinion that the time has come to re-open the Police >> Act and to make changes that are necessary to ensure that police >> oversight is in step with current practices across the country," the >> report states. >> >> Horsman, a retired Fredericton city police officer, says the public’s >> expectations of transparency in law enforcement are higher than they >> were when the legislation was written. >> >> "Today, people are more inclined to question or to ask questions about >> their rights, especially dealing with police officers or police >> departments and I applaud them for that. They should be," he says. >> Police commission seeking 13 changes >> >> Steve Roberge, the police commission’s executive director, says the >> organization is looking for 13 changes. >> >> One would allow the commission to extend the time it has to >> investigate a complaint. The law says if it doesn’t complete an >> investigation within six months and send it to arbitration or a >> settlement conference, it loses jurisdiction. >> >> "The problem with that is that some investigations, for example for >> harassment, involve a lot of interviews and many employees and >> witnesses and they take a very long time," Roberge said. >> >> He’d like to see the law changed so that — like the legislation in >> British Columbia — it gives the commission the power to extend the >> time limit in certain cases. >> >> "It’s an issue of fairness, not only to the complainants to make sure >> we do a thorough investigation and not be pressed by time limits, but >> also to the … police officer who’s the subject of the complaint, to >> give them a thorough investigation and ensure we get all the facts >> properly," he says. >> >> Woodstock police >> >> The New Brunswick Police Commission received 64 complaints last year. >> (CBC) >> >> Another change would let the commission assign multiple investigators >> to complex complaints. At the moment, it can only assign one >> investigator per case. >> >> But some investigations require more people, Roberge says, and "we >> can’t do that under the act." >> >> The commission investigates complaints from the public about the >> conduct of municipal police officers. >> >> The RCMP has its own complaints process that covers its officers, who >> handle policing in areas of New Brunswick without municipal forces. >> >> The commission also has a role in ensuring adequate policing >> throughout the province and must be consulted if a municipality wants >> to cut the number of officers. >> >> The commission’s report also raises a concern that more police >> officers, who are the subject of complaints, are opting out of the >> settlement conference process. >> >> That process allows the complainant, the officer, and the officer’s >> chief of police to deal with the complaint informally, which takes >> less time and costs less money than a full arbitration hearing. >> >> "It’s an efficiency issue. A settlement conference is done locally and >> doesn’t require a lot of expenditures," Roberge said. >> >> It also means the process isn’t public, but Roberge says the >> complainant, the officer, and the officer’s manager are all in the >> settlement conference and know what happens. >> >> It’s the officer’s right to opt out of the settlement conference and >> Roberge says he doesn’t know why they’re doing that. >> >> Roberge says the commission handled a total of 56 files in 2013-14 >> containing a total of 64 allegations. Half dealt with alleged abuse of >> authority, fewer than a quarter alleged discreditable conduct, and the >> rest made other allegations such as neglect of duty. >> >> Of the 64 allegations, 13 per cent were dismissed and four per cent >> were withdrawn, while 50 per cent were investigated and didn’t require >> further action. >> >> Sixteen per cent of the complaints were still unresolved at the end of >> 2013-2014 and 17 per cent went to arbitration. >> >> Of the cases that went to arbitration, one led to sanctions against a >> police officer, Roberge said. >> >> In that case, a Woodstock town police officer, Const. John Morrison, >> was suspended for a week without pay after an arbitrator found he had >> abused his authority while off duty. >> >> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Police Commission / Commission de police >> <Commissiondepolice.PoliceCommission@gnb.ca> >> Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:39:10 +0000 >> Subject: Automatic reply: Sometimes less is more So heres a little >> Deja Vu for the CBC, CTV, the Irving newsrags, the Fat Fred City >> Finest & their lawyers, Chucky Leblanc and his fan club and his unamed >> lawyer before he is tried for assault >> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> >> >> We are currently out of the office and will return on Monday, January >> 4th, >> 2016. >> >> Nous sommes présentement hors du bureau et nous serons de retour >> lundi le 4 janvier 2016. >> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Don MacPherson <macpherson.don@dailygleaner.com> >> Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2015 07:39:07 -0800 >> Subject: Out of office Re: Sometimes less is more So heres a little >> Deja Vu for the CBC, CTV, the Irving newsrags, the Fat Fred City >> Finest & their lawyers, Chucky Leblanc and his fan club and his unamed >> lawyer before he is tried for assault >> To: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com >> >> I will be out of the office until Jan. 4. If you have a pressing >> matter you need to discuss with someone at The Daily Gleaner, please >> contact assignment editor Anne Mooers at (506) 458-6441 or email >> news@dailygleaner.com. >> >> -- >> Don MacPherson >> The Daily Gleaner >> (506) 458-6479 >> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: "LaBonte, Luc (OAG/CPG)"<Luc.LaBonte@gnb.ca> >> Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:39:08 +0000 >> Subject: Automatic reply: Sometimes less is more So heres a little >> Deja Vu for the CBC, CTV, the Irving newsrags, the Fat Fred City >> Finest & their lawyers, Chucky Leblanc and his fan club and his unamed >> lawyer before he is tried for assault >> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> >> >> I will out of the office until January 4, 2016. I will periodically >> check my e-mails, however, expect delays for responses. Should you >> have an emergency, please contact 506-453-2784. >> >> Je serai absent du bureau jusqu'au 4 janvier 2016. Je vérifirai mon >> courriel de temps en temps mais il y aura un délai pour les réponses. >> Si vous avez une urgence, s.v.p. veuillez contacter le 506-453-2784. >> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: "Green, John (DNR/MRN)"<John.Green@gnb.ca> >> Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:39:08 +0000 >> Subject: Automatic reply: Sometimes less is more So heres a little >> Deja Vu for the CBC, CTV, the Irving newsrags, the Fat Fred City >> Finest & their lawyers, Chucky Leblanc and his fan club and his unamed >> lawyer before he is tried for assault >> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> >> >> Je suis présentement hors du bureau et je serai de retour le lundi 4 >> janvier. Pour de l'assistance immédiate veuillez téléphoner la >> receptioniste au 453-3826 >> . >> >> Merci et Bonne journée. >> -------------------- >> I am currently out of the office and will return on Monday, January 4. >> For immediate assistance please call the receptionist at 453-3826 >> >> Thank you and Have a nice day >> >> John Green >> Human Resources Advisor / Conseiller en Ressources humaines >> Department of Natural Resources/ >> Ministère des Ressources naturelles >> Phone / Téléphone: (506) 457-6925 >> Fax / Télécopieur: (506) 453-2486 >> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Go public <gopublic@cbc.ca> >> Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2015 07:39:07 -0800 >> Subject: Thank you Re: Sometimes less is more So heres a little Deja >> Vu for the CBC, CTV, the Irving newsrags, the Fat Fred City Finest & >> their lawyers, Chucky Leblanc and his fan club and his unamed lawyer >> before he is tried for assault >> To: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com >> >> Hi - and thanks so much for writing to Go Public. >> >> This is an automatic response. >> >> We read all of our emails promptly - and we really appreciate your >> submission. >> >> If your story is one we think we can tackle, we will get back to you >> soon, by phone or email. In the meantime, you can really help us by >> sending the following, if you haven't already: >> >> -A brief but very specific description of what the story is >> -Phone number where we can reach you (cell included please) >> -The most relevant, key documentation/correspondence/pictures/video >> (re the situation you want us to look into) >> >> Please note: >> >> Because we get a large number of submissions, we will only get back to >> you if your story is something we can consider taking on. >> >> Thanks so much for your understanding. >> >> Cheers, >> >> Rosa Marchitelli, Reporter >> Manjula Dufresne, Producer >> >> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Newsroom <newsroom@globeandmail.com> >> Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2015 10:39:07 -0500 >> Subject: Out of Office: Sometimes less is more So heres a little Deja >> Vu for the CBC, CTV, the Irving newsrags, the Fat Fred City Finest & >> their lawyers, Chucky Leblanc and his fan club and his unamed lawyer >> before he is tried for assault >> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> >> >> Thank you for contacting The Globe and Mail. >> >> If your matter pertains to newspaper delivery or you require technical >> support, please contact our Customer Service department at >> 1-800-387-5400 or send an email to customerservice@globeandmail.com >> >> If you are reporting an error or have other concerns about editorial >> content please redirect your email to publiceditor@globeandmail.com >> >> Letters to the Editor can be sent to letters@globeandmail.com >> >> This is the correct email address for general news tips, requests for >> coverage and press releases. >> >> http://www.nbpolicecommission.ca/site/images/ArbiDecisionEnglish/LIST%20OF%20ARBITRATORS%20English%20Updated%20May%2022%202015%20FOR%20WEBSITE.pdf >> >> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/police-commission-finances-arbitrations-1.3330608 >> >> >> New Brunswick Police Commission funding running out >> Arbitrations involving police officers threatening to drive >> commission's finances into the red >> >> By Catherine Harrop, CBC News Posted: Nov 23, 2015 7:55 AM AT >> >> The New Brunswick Police Commission is running out of cash to cover >> the cost of arbitration hearings even as more cases are being put on >> its agenda, according to its executive director. >> >> Steve Roberge, the commission's executive director, said arbitration >> hearings and settlement conferences are quickly eating through the >> commission's budget. >> >> He said the average settlement conference would cost the chief of >> police, or the civic authority or the commission, approximately >> $20,000. But he said the average cost for an arbitration hearing is >> about $56,000. >> >> "Our biggest challenge right now is that we have 50 per cent of our >> year completed and we have expended almost three-quarters of our >> funding," he said. >> >> 'Our biggest challenge right now is that we have 50 per cent of >> our year completed, and we have expended almost three-quarters of our >> funding.' >> - Serge Roberge, executive director New Brunswick Police Commission >> >> The commission has completed three arbitration hearings this year >> involving officers from Saint John, Fredericton and Beresford-Nigadoo. >> >> Roberge said the single biggest cost for the commission, after >> salaries, is legal fees. >> >> Three hearing in the past two years have run up tabs totaling $152,077. >> >> The estimated cost of the investigation and hearing for Fredericton's >> Const. Jeffrey Smiley is expected to be another $60,000, with the >> other half of the $120,000 cost being paid by the city. >> >> When a dispute can't be resolved in a settlement conference, it moves >> to arbitration. >> >> The commission does not hear all arbitration hearings and only deals >> with ones where the chief of police is, or appears to be, in a >> conflict of interest, or is new to the Police Act. >> >> Roberge said in the past two years, the number of arbitration hearings >> reaching the commission has steadily increased. >> >> "Whether it's a tactic that they're employing, hoping that the >> commission and the chiefs and civic authorities will back down, or >> whether it's simply that they're feeling more threatened, I'm not sure >> what it is, to be candid with you, other than we've noted a trend in >> the last two years," Roberge said. >> Union costs rising too >> >> The costs are also rising for unions as more cases move to arbitration >> hearings. >> hi-shane-duffy >> >> Cpl. Shane Duffy, the president of the Fredericton police force union, >> UBC Local 911, said the rising number of arbitration hearings is also >> increasing costs for unions. >> >> Cpl. Shane Duffy, the president of Fredericton's police union UBC >> Local 911, laughs at the suggestion that it's a tactic to move to full >> hearings. >> >> Duffy said arbitration hearings cost the union a lot too. >> >> According to Duffy, settlement conferences are always better, if both >> sides come in willing to negotiate. >> >> "It would save us all money and save us all time, and save us all >> angst about going through that subsequent arbitration process," he >> said. >> >> As for why so many more police officers seem to be in conflict with >> the laws they have sworn to uphold, Cpl. Duffy said stress could be a >> factor. >> >> "Work that used to be shared between 12 officers, now shared between >> eight officers," he said. >> >> "It's just, I believe, a huge contributing factor. Stress related to >> the every day of the job continues to build and continues to built, >> and people under stress or duress don't always make the right >> decisions or the best decisions." >> >> An arbitration hearing involving the Fredericton force and Const. >> Cherie Campbell is scheduled for Dec. 7 and another arbitration >> involving Smily is scheduled for May 24. >> >> The commission must also deal with accusations against Saint John's >> deputy police chief and the suspension of two Bathurst police officers >> charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of Michel Vienneau. >> >> Roberge said he has been in contact with the Department of Public >> Safety about the commission's expected shortfall, but the response has >> been the commission has to work within its budget. >> >> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fredericton-officer-accused-of-misappropriation-of-funds-won-t-face-criminal-probe-1.3132476 >> >> >> Fredericton officer accused of misappropriation of funds won't face >> criminal probe >> N.B. Police Association decides not to file criminal complaint, but >> conduct investigation ongoing >> >> By Redmond Shannon, CBC News Posted: Jun 29, 2015 9:26 PM AT >> >> The New Brunswick Police Association says it will not be filing a >> criminal complaint about a Fredericton Police Force officer, accused >> of misappropriating funds from the association while a member of its >> executive committee. >> Fredericton Police >> >> The New Brunswick Police Association decided not to file a criminal >> complaint against the Fredericton police officer after he paid an >> undisclosed amount of money to the association. (Daniel McHardie/CBC) >> >> "We had a meeting and we dealt with it internally, with the opinion of >> our lawyer," said Const. Dean Secord, president of the New Brunswick >> Police Association (NBPA). >> >> Secord says the decision to not file a criminal complaint against the >> officer was taken after he paid an amount of money to the NBPA, which >> is a lobby group representing municipal and regional police unions. >> >> The paid amount is not necessarily the amount allegedly >> misappropriated, he said. >> >> "What I can tell you is that we have come to agreement on the amount, >> and from that agreement, and the opinion of the lawyer, that is the >> amount that was agreed upon," said Secord. >> >> "From that, we are going to co-operate with the Police Act >> investigation, which has started, and we are going to move forward >> from that," he said. >> >> The New Brunswick Police Commission (NBPC), a provincial oversight >> body, is currently investigating a conduct complaint filed by >> Fredericton Police Chief Leanne Fitch. >> >> The accused officer is suspended with pay, pending the outcome of the >> investigation. >> >> The NBPC says possible sanctions against an officer it finds guilty >> of wrongdoing can range from a verbal reprimand to dismissal. >> >> "Criminal charges require a criminal investigation from the police >> force of jurisdiction," said executive director Steve Roberge. >> >> The RCMP "are not prepared to investigate without a formal complaint," he >> said. >> >> Secord says the jurisdiction for any criminal investigation would rest >> with the RCMP because the officer lives outside the city of >> Fredericton. >> >> Last year, Fredericton's former Transit Manager, Tony Hay, resigned >> after an internal review uncovered "small financial irregularities." >> >> The City of Fredericton decided to withdraw criminal charges against >> the former employee, but Fredericton Police subsequently re-opened the >> case. >> >> In early June, Fredericton Police charged Hay with stealing and >> defrauding the city of an amount under $5,000. >> >> Hay is scheduled to appear in provincial court on July 3. >> >> >> >> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/police-association-being-bullied-in-misappropriation-probe-says-president-1.3135944 >> >> >> Police Association being 'bullied' in misappropriation probe, says >> president >> Dean Secord has called lawyer about concerns with Police Commission >> investigator in Fredericton officer case >> >> By Redmond Shannon, CBC News Posted: Jul 02, 2015 7:12 PM AT Last >> Updated: Jul 02, 2015 7:12 PM AT >> >> The president of the New Brunswick Police Association alleges his >> members are being "bullied" by an investigator, who is looking into >> allegations that a Fredericton police officer misappropriated funds >> from the association while a member of its executive. >> Fredericton Police >> >> The New Brunswick Police Association decided not to file a criminal >> complaint against the Fredericton police officer after he paid an >> undisclosed amount of money to the association. (Daniel McHardie/CBC) >> >> Dean Secord says he has contacted a lawyer about his concerns >> regarding the investigator, who is working on behalf of the New >> Brunswick Police Commission (NBPC) — a police oversight body. >> >> "We are more than willing to co-operate and we want to co-operate to >> put this matter behind us, but we are not going to be intimidated or >> bullied to give statements," said Secord, speaking on behalf of the >> NBPA, a lobby group representing police officers at the provincial >> level. >> >> "[This investigator is] demanding certain items and we have a concern >> with his demeanour in the way he's demanding this," he said. >> Law enforcement obligated to co-operate >> >> The NBPC has been contacted by a lawyer, confirmed executive director >> Steve Roberge. But he contends it was pertaining to evidence connected >> to the investigation. >> >> Roberge expects the investigation, which was sparked by a conduct >> complaint about the unnamed officer by Fredericton Police Chief Leanne >> Fitch, should be complete in less than six months. >> >> "Our investigator will interview all members of the NBPA executive, >> and if they are law enforcement personnel, then they are obligated, >> under the Police Act, to co-operate," he said. >> >> Secord says he still hasn't been contacted by the investigator. "And >> I'm the president." >> >> Last month, Secord said the NBPA would not be filing a criminal >> complaint against the accused member, who is currently suspended from >> the Fredericton Police Force with pay. >> >> Secord said the decision was taken after the officer paid an amount of >> money to the NBPA. The paid amount is not necessarily the amount >> allegedly misappropriated, he said. >> >> The jurisdiction for any criminal investigation would rest with the >> RCMP, because the officer lives outside the city of Fredericton, >> Secord said. The RCMP have refused to comment on the matter. >> >> The NBPC says possible sanctions against an officer it finds guilty >> of wrongdoing can range from a verbal reprimand to dismissal. >> >> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/2-complaints-about-fredericton-officer-hitting-pedestrian-filed-1.3125773 >> >> >> 2 complaints about Fredericton officer hitting pedestrian filed >> Chief and citizen submitted complaints after witness raised questions >> about officer leaving scene >> >> CBC News Posted: Jun 24, 2015 1:32 PM AT >> >> Fredericton Police Chief Leanne Fitch has filed a complaint with the >> New Brunswick Police Commission regarding the conduct of an officer >> whose cruiser struck a pedestrian at a downtown crosswalk last >> weekend. >> >> A citizen has also filed a complaint with the commission, which is an >> independent civilian body that investigates complaints about the >> conduct of any police officer in New Brunswick. >> >> Both complaints were received on Wednesday morning, said executive >> director Steve Roberge. >> Fredericton crosswalk where pedestrian hit by police cruiser >> >> Greg Collette says he was on the patio at Mexicali Rosa's when he >> heard the 'loud thud' of a pedestrian being struck by a police cruiser >> at the adjacent crosswalk. (CBC) >> >> They come on the heels of a CBC News report that included witnesses >> questioning whether the officer involved followed proper procedure. >> >> Greg Collette said he saw the officer put the injured man in the back >> of his cruiser and drive away instead of remaining at the scene and >> calling for help. >> >> "The police officer cannot make judgement on himself and state that >> what he did was right, or wrong. It has to go through a full >> investigation," said Collette, a Canadian Forces veteran. >> >> The incident occurred on Saturday at about 10 p.m. at a marked >> crosswalk at the intersection of King and Westmorland streets. >> >> A Fredericton Police Force spokesperson has said the pedestrian was >> treated in hospital for "very minor injuries" and released and that >> speed was not a factor. >> >> 'I told them I was not going to the station, that they should be >> coming up to the accident where all the witnesses were, that we could >> all give statements.' >> - Greg Collette, witness >> >> The investigation is ongoing. >> >> Fredericton police have refused to divulge their protocol for officers >> involved in a traffic accident. >> >> RCMP have also refused to disclose their protocol, citing the ongoing >> Fredericton investigation. >> >> Collette says he was on a restaurant patio at the intersection in >> question when the pedestrian was struck. >> >> "We heard a loud thud, I immediately turned and seen a police cruiser >> across the crosswalk and a man laying in the street," he said. >> >> "The pedestrian's shoe had came off and it had flew, I'm guessing >> somewhere in the vicinity of 20 feet, to the front of the cruiser … He >> was dazed, you could tell. When he stood up he couldn't stand >> straight, he was crouched over," said Collette. >> >> "We witnessed the police officer exit the vehicle, move around front >> and apologize and saying that he was sorry, he didn't see him." >> >> Collette says he called police, who told him to go to the station. >> >> "I told them I was not going to the station, that they should be >> coming up to the accident where all the witnesses were, that we could >> all give statements," he said. >> >> "We sat at the Mexicali Rosa's from just after 10 o'clock until >> closing, at midnight, and they had ample opportunity to come up and >> speak with any witness that was there, and no one did so." >> >> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/police-chief-fitch-cleared-smiley-1.3289049 >> >> >> Fredericton police chief Leanne Fitch cleared by commission >> Police commission investigation stemmed from complaint laid by Const. >> Jeff Smiley of Fredericton force >> >> CBC News Posted: Oct 26, 2015 4:55 PM AT >> >> Fredericton police chief Leanne Fitch, and seven of her officers, have >> been cleared of wrongdoing by the New Brunswick Police Commission in >> the Jeff Smiley case. >> >> Const.Jeff Smiley, of the Fredericton Police Force, laid a complaint >> with the commission, alleging various contraventions of the New >> Brunswick Police Act. >> >> Two suspended officers get arbitration dates >> Assault charge against Const. Jeffrey Smiley dismissed >> Fredericton officer accused of domestic assault >> >> Steve Roberge, the executive director of the New Brunswick Police >> Commission, says, "We've exonerated the police officers involved." >> >> He would not release the details of the complaints other than to say >> they were related to the Police Act code of conduct, "especially given >> that all members have been exhonerated." >> >> Roberge says the police commission's investigator "came to the >> conclusion that none of the allegations could be sustained." >> >> Smiley made the complaint in January. He has said he believes Fitch is >> attempting to end his career. >> >> In October 2014, a domestic assault charge against Smiley was >> dismissed over a jurisdictional issue. >> >> He was accused of assaulting his live-in girlfriend on Feb. 17, 2014. >> hi-jeff-smiley >> >> Const. Jeff Smiley brought a complaint against Fredericton Police >> Chief Leanne Fitch and seven other members of the force. (Rachel >> Cave/CBC) >> >> However, as the assault is alleged to have occurred at Smiley's >> parents's house in Nova Scotia, Fredericton police did not have the >> authority to lay the charge. >> >> Smiley now has an arbitration hearing before the New Brunswick Police >> Commission scheduled for November and another for May 2016. >> >> CBC News contacted Police Chief Fitch and was told she is away and >> unavailable for an interview. But the police chief issued an email >> statement. >> >> "On behalf of the Fredericton Police Force, myself and the affected >> members named in these complaints, we are pleased that due process has >> concluded, and that those involved in this unfortunate and complicated >> matter were acting in good faith and have been exonerated of any wrong >> doing in the course of our duty," the statement said. >> >> Smiley, a decorated officer, has been suspended with pay since he was >> charged, pending the outcome of the criminal court proceedings. >> >> He received the Star of Courage from the Governor General in December >> 2013 for pulling a 73-year-old woman from her car after it plunged >> into the St. John River on Jan. 8, 2012. >> >> Smiley jumped into the frigid water to break the window and rescue >> Shirley Foster. >> >> He also received a Commanding Officer Commendation in April 2012 for >> the rescue. >> >> The New Brunswick Police Commission's decisions are final. According >> to Roberge they are only subject to judicial review. >> >> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/barry-macknight-glen-mccloskey-commission-1.3279683 >> >> Saint John police chief complaint about Glen McCloskey probed >> Barry MacKnight appointed by New Brunswick Police Commission to >> examine conduct of deputy chief >> >> CBC News Posted: Oct 20, 2015 9:51 AM AT >> >> Former Fredericton police chief Barry MacKnight has been appointed by >> the New Brunswick Police Commission to investigate a complaint made >> against Saint John Deputy Police Chief Glen McCloskey by the chief of >> the Saint John Police Department. >> John Bates, Saint John's police chief >> >> John Bates, Saint John's police chief (Twitter) >> >> Saint John Police Chief John Bates asked for the investigation on Oct. >> 14 following testimony that arose during Dennis Oland's second-degree >> murder trial. >> >> During the trial, retired staff sergeant Mike King testified McCloskey >> suggested he lie under oath about the Richard Oland murder case. >> >> McCloskey also testified and denied King's allegations that he >> suggested the investigator alter his testimony about McCloskey's >> presence at the bloody crime scene. >> Deputy Chief Glen McCloskey, Saint John Police Force >> >> Deputy Chief Glen McCloskey, Saint John Police Force (CBC) >> >> McCloskey served as Saint John's acting police chief between Bill >> Reid's retirement in April and a few weeks ago when Bates took over >> the role. McCloskey remains on active duty. >> >> Bates directed the Saint John force's professional standards unit to >> look into the issue and also advised the Saint John Board of Police >> Commissioners and the New Brunswick Police Commission of the matter. >> >> The investigation under the Police Act by MacKnight will not begin >> until the conclusion of the Oland trial. >> >> The trial is expected to run until mid-December. >> Workshop to discuss Police Act changes >> >> The police commission announced the MacKnight appointment as they were >> set to begin a three-day workshop Tuesday to discuss possible changes >> to the Police Act. >> >> The topics under discussion include everything from the ability to >> suspend officers without pay, to coming up with a new name for the >> commission. >> >> Police chiefs and municipal representatives from across the province >> and RCMP officials are honing their pitch to government. >> >> Commission executive director Steve Roberge was disappointed police >> unions and the minister of Public Safety declined to take part. >> >> "We are a little concerned that the ministry isn't participating. We >> would have preferred to see that leadership present today, denoting >> their support for the revisions to the act," said Roberge. >> >> Roberge says he hopes the fact that Public Safety Minister Steve >> Horsman is a former police officer would make him more aware of why >> the revisions are needed, and not less inclined to favour them. >> >> Roberge says one issue keeps coming up. >> >> "The chiefs of police are very adamant about the suspension, without >> pay, of police officers." >> >> Fredericton Police Chief Leanne Fitch said amendments to the Police >> Act in 2008 have "resulted in some unintended consequences that have >> been problematic, both in terms of administering the act, as well as >> discipline and code of conduct proceedings." >> >> >> >> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/jeff-smiley-arbitration-decision-1.3346714 >> >> >> Const. Jeff Smiley dismissed from Fredericton Police Force >> Smiley's career in law enforcement in New Brunswick 'is definitely >> done,' said police commission >> >> CBC News Posted: Dec 02, 2015 9:39 AM AT >> >> "A very clear message' >> >> Roberge said Haines's ruling "sends a very clear message" about >> domestic violence. >> >> "Police are required to be trustworthy and are now double held to >> account," said Roberge, citing a legal case that now requires police >> to hand over records of the discipline and misconduct of its officers >> as part of its disclosure obligation to the defence in criminal >> proceedings. >> Media placeholder >> >> RAW: Steve Roberge on Jeff Smiley2:40 >> >> "This case law will significantly challenge the day-to-day operations >> of any police officer whose credibility has been brought into question >> by a Police Act disciplinary process." >> >> A criminal assault charge against Smiley was dismissed earlier over a >> jurisdictional issue as the assault in question in the case was >> alleged to have happened in Nova Scotia, so Fredericton police didn't >> have authority to investigate it and recommend charges. >> >> Smiley has been suspended with pay since his arrest on the criminal >> domestic assault charge in February 2014. >> >> The ruling can not be appealed. However, Smiley could seek a judicial >> review of the arbitrator's decision. >> >> Roberge said Smiley's career in law enforcement in New Brunswick "is >> definitely done." >> >> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fredericton-police-cherie-campbell-1.3368027 >> >> Fredericton police Const. Cherie Campbell arbitration wraps up >> Closing arguments presented today at N.B. Police Commission arbitration >> hearing >> >> By Philip Drost, CBC News Posted: Dec 16, 2015 3:34 PM AT >> >> Lawyers in the arbitration hearing for Const. Cherie Campbell gave >> their closing arguments Wednesday. Campbell was expected to testify in >> her own defence, but when her lawyer, T.J. Burke, was asked if he had >> anyone to call forward, he said no. >> >> "That was always an option as to whether she should testify, but she >> has already testified at a criminal court, at a jury trial in the >> state of Maine," said Burke. >> >> "We didn't feel it was appropriate for her to give her testimony a second >> time." >> >> Campbell is charged with violating the police code of conduct by >> shoplifting, by attempting to obtain favourable treatment from another >> police officer, and by asking another police officer to try to keep >> news about her shoplifting arrest from Chief Leanne Fitch. >> >> The arbitration hearing will determine what, if any, discipline >> Campbell might face stemming from her arrest after pocketing $20 of >> cosmetics from Marden's discount store in Houlton, Me., in December >> 2014. >> Chief Leanne Fitch >> >> Fredericton Police Chief Leanne Fitch filed a complaint with the New >> Brunswick Police Commission about Const. Cherie Campbell. (CBC) >> >> Campbell's trial for shoplifting in Maine resulted in a hung jury. The >> matter ended up being settled out of court without a finding of guilt >> or innocence. >> >> When no further witnesses were called to testify Wednesday, closing >> arguments began. >> >> The lawyer representing Chief Leanne Fitch, who made the charges, >> Jamie Eddy, told the arbitrator that shop lifting wouldn't have been a >> big deal, if that was all that happened. He said on a scale from one >> to 10, the shoplifting was probably only a five. >> >> What he said made it a 10 was that Campbell wouldn't take >> responsibility for her actions. He also said that three different >> times she tried to use her position as a police officer to get someone >> to show her leniency. >> >> Eddy said that because of this, Campbell should be dismissed from the >> force. >> >> While going over some evidence, Burke argued before arbitrator Cedric >> Haines this hearing shouldn't be happening. He said that because the >> case had already gone through the judicial process in Maine, it >> doesn't make sense to go through the process again. >> >> The complaint against Campbell was laid with the New Brunswick Police >> Commission by Fitch. >> Lawyer outlines precedents >> >> Burke presented some precedents to the arbitrator. He said a case in >> Toronto had a man who was charged with sexual assault and found >> guilty, so he lost his job. The man's union appealed this, but it was >> found that since he was already found guilty, there was no need to go >> through the process again. >> >> Burke argued Campbell's situation was the same, just the other way >> around. Campbell hadn't been convicted so there wasn't a reason to go >> through the process again. >> >> Lawyer Jamie Eddy, acting on behalf of Fredericton Police Chief Leanne >> Fitch, said he didn't know of the cases Burke presented, and needed >> time to respond. Haines told Eddy he could give him a written response >> to which Burke could also respond. >> >> Campbell's lawyer has described the incident as an "honest mistake," >> saying Campbell put some lipstick and eyeliners in her pocket after >> they kept falling out of her cart in Marden's discount store in Maine >> and then forgot to pay for them when she paid for other items. >> >> Burke concluded by saying that if the arbitrator did feel discipline >> was required, dismissal from the force wasn't the only option. He said >> that a 20-to-30 day suspension without pay would be appropriate. >> >> "The starting point is not dismissal," said Burke during the proceedings. >> >> Eddy said that would be fair, if it wasn't for the things Campbell did >> after she had been caught shoplifting. >> >> Both lawyers agreed that Campbell did commit the act of shoplifting. >> The question comes down to whether the intent was there or not. >> Arbitrator Haines will look at the evidence and cases he has been >> given, and hopes to have a decision by Jan. 7. >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fredericton-police-new-charges-1.3388459 >> >> 2 more Fredericton police officers face criminal charges >> Lou Lafleur charged Monday with impaired driving while Tim Sowers >> faces charge of uttering threats >> >> CBC News Posted: Jan 04, 2016 11:58 AM AT >> >> Two more members of the Fredericton Police Force are now facing >> criminal charges. >> >> Cpl. Lou Lafleur was charged Monday with impaired driving in relation >> to an incident in 2015 that was investigated by the Miramichi Police >> Force. >> >> Lafleur remains on active desk duty until the conclusion of the >> criminal proceedings. >> >> He will appear in court on Jan. 18 at 9:30 a.m. >> >> On Dec. 22, Sgt. Tim Sowers was charged with uttering threats by the >> Kennebecasis Regional Force following an incident in June. Further >> charges are expected. >> >> Sowers will appear in Fredericton court on Jan. 27 at 9:30 a.m. >> >> Police Act investigations will take place in both cases once the >> criminal proceedings have concluded. >> >> In November, Fredericton officer Darrell Ian Brewer pleaded not guilty >> to a charge of impaired driving following a single vehicle accident on >> Aug. 23. >> >> The Fredericton force saw two of its members face disciplinary >> hearings before an arbitrator in New Brunswick Police Commission >> hearings in 2015. >> >> Const. Jeff Smiley was ordered dismissed by the arbitrator for charges >> originating with a domestic assault. >> >> Const. Cherie Campbell was before an arbitrator on a case involving >> shoplifting and attempting to obtain favourable treatment from another >> police officer. The arbitrator's ruling in that case is expected this >> week. >> >> >> Thomas J. Burke >> Theriault Burke Law >> 1st Flr. 150 Cliffe St., Suite R6 >> Fredericton, New Brunswick E3A 0A1 >> Phone: (506) 449-1200 >> Fax: (506) 449-1225 >> E: tj@burkelaw.ca >> www.tblaw.net >> >> Jamie Eddy Partner >> Fredericton >> Phone: (506) 462-4751 >> Fax: (506) 453-9600 >> Cell: (506) 476-0600 >> jeddy@coxandpalmer.com >> >> Zed, L. Paul, Professional Corporation >> 3189 Rothesay Rd. >> Rothesay, New Brunswick E2E 5V5 >> Phone: 506-849-4444 >> Email: paulzed@zed.ca >> >> >> http://www1.gnb.ca/legis/calendar/detail-e.asp?ID=112 >> >> March 23, 2006 1:00PM >> Legislative Assembly >> Standing Committee on Public Accounts >> NOTICE OF MEETING - AGENDA >> 1 p.m. Department of Justice >> >> Appearing: Yassin Choukri, Deputy Minister >> Suzanne Bonnell-Burley, Assistant Deputy Minister - Justice >> Michael Comeau, Assistant Deputy Minister - Court Services >> Neil Foreman, Director, Financial Services >> Judith Keating, Director, Legislative Services >> Cedric Haines / Clyde Spinney, Director, Legal Services >> Glen Abbot, Director, Public Prosecutions >> >> Year under review: 2004-2005 >> >> 2:30 p.m. New Brunswick Advisory Council on Seniors >> >> Appearing : Sister Anne Robichaud, Chairperson >> >> http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2011.10.1054.html >> >> Office of the Attorney General >> 2011 Queen's counsel appointments named >> 07 October 2011 >> >> Media Contact(s) >> >> Paul Harpelle, communications, Office of the Attorney General, >> 506-453-6543. >> >> FREDERICTON (CNB) – Eleven New Brunswick lawyers have been appointed >> Queen's counsel. Lt.-Gov. Graydon Nicholas made the announcement >> today. >> >> The recipients are: >> >> ● Susan E. Burns, Fredericton; >> ● Barbara Hughes Campbell, Fredericton; >> ● David R. Colwell, Saint John; >> ● François T. Doucet, Campbellton; >> ● J. Charles Foster, Fredericton; >> ● Bernard Lord, Moncton; >> ● James R. McAvity, Saint John; >> ● James K. O'Connell, Saint John; >> ● Bernard Richard, Cap-Pelé; >> ● Marc L. Richard, Fredericton; and >> ● D. Ann Whiteway Brown, Woodstock. >> >> The chief justice of New Brunswick, J. Ernest Drapeau, chairs the >> committee that makes recommendations to the lieutenant-governor. >> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Info <info@greenparty.ca> >> Date: Tue, 05 Jan 2016 02:01:32 +0000 >> Subject: Re: Hey Crawford Kilian Re Your opinion and mine about the >> NDP vs the Libranos FYI I just called the Tyee and they didn't care Go >> Figure >> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> >> >> -- Please reply above this line -- >> >> >> _(Français à suivre)_ >> >> Thank you for contacting the Green Party of Canada. Due to the high >> volume of email, we cannot guarantee that all inquiries will be >> answered. We will do our best to respond to inquiries as staffing and >> resources permit. >> >> In the meantime, you may find the answer you're looking for in Vision >> Green [1], which lays out a plan to move Canada forward and to defend >> the shared values and principles that built the country we love. >> >> Our economic plan [2] invests in people and creates good jobs. We >> will invest in infrastructure, education, and health care to >> support strong communities [3]. Our proposed democratic reforms [4] >> will make our politicians more accountable, our Parliament more >> accessible, and our voting system more representative. Our plan >> takes bold climate action [5], by embracing the solutions that we >> already know work, encouraging research into those we have yet to >> discover, and increasing the taxes paid by corporate polluters. >> >> Green Members of Parliament, united by this vision for Canada, will >> work on behalf of you, your family, and your community. If you would >> like to help us grow, I would encourage you to visit our website [6], >> where you sign up to volunteer [7] or make a donation [8]. >> >> Thank you again for your interest in the Green Party, and have a great >> day! >> >> --- >> >> Nous vous remercions d’avoir contacté le Parti vert du Canada. En >> raison de la grande quantité de courriels, nous ne pouvons garantir >> que toutes les demandes seront traitées. Nous ferons notre possible >> pour répondre à toutes les demandes selon le nombre d’employés et >> les ressources dont nous disposons. >> >> Entre temps, vous pouvez trouver la réponse à votre question en >> consultant la publication Vision verte [9], un document qui définit >> notre plan d’action pour faire avancer le Canada et pour défendre >> les valeurs et les principes pour construire le pays que nous aimons. >> >> Notre plan d’action économique [10] investit dans les gens et crée >> de bons emplois. Nous investirons dans les infrastructures, en >> éducation et dans les soins de santé pour soutenir des >> collectivités fortes [11]. Notre proposition quant à une réforme >> démocratique [12] rendra nos politiciens plus responsables, notre >> Parlement plus accessible et notre système électoral plus >> représentatif. Notre plan d’action prend des mesures vigoureuses >> sur le réchauffement climatique [13] en adoptant les solutions qui, >> selon nos connaissances, fonctionnent, en encourageant la recherche >> dans des secteurs à découvrir et en augmentant les taxes et les >> impôts payés par les entreprises pollueuses. >> >> Les députés verts à la Chambre des communes, unis par cette vision >> pour le Canada, travailleront en votre nom, celui de votre famille et >> de votre collectivité. Si vous voulez nous aider à poursuivre notre >> avancée, nous vous encourageons à consulter notre site web [14] où >> vous pouvez donner votre nom comme bénévole [15] ou faire un don >> [16]. >> >> Merci encore une fois de démontrer votre intérêt envers le Parti >> vert. >> >> info@greenparty.ca | info@partivert.ca >> 613-562-4916 >> Green Party of Canada [17] | Parti vert du Canada [18] >> Facebook [19] | Twitter [20] >> >> Links: >> ------ >> [1] http://www.greenparty.ca/en/vision-green >> [2] http://www.greenparty.ca/en/policy/vision-green/economy >> [3] http://www.greenparty.ca/en/policy/vision-green/people >> [4] http://www.greenparty.ca/en/policy/vision-green/government >> [5] http://www.greenparty.ca/en/policy/vision-green/climate >> [6] http://www.greenparty.ca/en >> [7] http://www.greenparty.ca/en/volunteer >> [8] >> https://secure.greenparty.ca/en/civicrm/contribute/transact?id=1&source=NC.E.INFO >> [9] http://www.greenparty.ca/fr/vision-verte >> [10] http://www.greenparty.ca/fr/politique/vision-verte/economie >> [11] http://www.greenparty.ca/fr/politique/vision-verte/personnes >> [12] http://www.greenparty.ca/fr/politique/vision-verte/gouvernement >> [13] http://www.greenparty.ca/fr/politique/vision-verte/climat >> [14] http://www.greenparty.ca/fr >> [15] http://www.greenparty.ca/fr/b%C3%A9n%C3%A9volat >> [16] https://secure.greenparty.ca/fr/civicrm/contribute/transact?id=38 >> [17] >> https://www.greenparty.ca/en?utm_campaign=C15.INFO&utm_source=info-center&utm_medium=info-center >> [18] >> https://www.greenparty.ca/fr?utm_campaign=C15.INFO&utm_source=info-center&utm_medium=info-center >> [19] >> https://www.facebook.com/GreenPartyofCanada?utm_campaign=C15.INFO&utm_source=info-center&utm_medium=info-center >> [20] https://twitter.com/CanadianGreens >> >> >> >> >>> On Mon, Jan 4, 2016 at 21:01:30 EST, David Amos >>> <motomaniac333@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> http://www.thetyee.ca/Opinion/2016/01/04/New-Dems-Outsmart-Liberals/ >>> [1] >>> >>> How New Dems Can Outsmart Liberals in 2016 >>> >>> Not by moving further left, but by moving ahead (where they've >>> usually been). >>> >>> By Crawford Kilian, Today, TheTyee.ca >>> >>> Crawford Kilian >>> >>> Crawford Kilian was born in New York City in 1941. He was raised in >>> Los Angeles and Mexico City, and was educated at Columbia University >>> (BA '62) and Simon Fraser University (MA '72). He served in the US >>> Army from 1963 to 1965, and moved to Vancouver in 1967. He became a >>> naturalized Canadian in 1973. >>> >>> Crawford has published 21 books -- both fiction and non-fiction, and >>> has written hundreds of articles. He taught at Vancouver City College >>> in the late 1960s and was a professor at Capilano College from 1968 >>> to >>> 2008. Much of Crawford's writing for The Tyee deals with education >>> issues in British Columbia, but he is also interested in books, >>> online >>> media, and environmental issues. >>> >>> Reporting Beat: Education, health, and books >>> >>> Crawford's Connection to BC: Though he was born in New York City, one >>> of Crawford's favourite places is Sointula, a small town off the >>> northeast coast of Vancouver Island. >>> >>> Twitter: @crof >>> >>> Website: H5N1 >>> >>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >>> From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> >>> Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 15:42:25 -0400 >>> Subject: Fwd: A little Deja Vu for you before I am back in Federal >>> Court Court on Jan 11th >>> To: atlanticnews <atlanticnews@ctv.ca> >>> Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> >>> >>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >>> From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> >>> Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 15:32:52 -0400 >>> Subject: A little Deja Vu for you before I am back in Federal Court >>> Court on Jan 11th >>> To: brian.barnett@gnb.ca [2], Richard.Williams@gnb.ca [3], >>> Krista.COLFORD@gnb.ca [4], serge.rousselle@gnb.ca [5], >>> mcu@justice.gc.ca [6], >>> jean-francois.dupuis@gnb.ca [7], justice.comments@gnb.ca [8], >>> johanne.bray@gnb.ca [9], "macpherson.don" >>> <macpherson.don@dailygleaner.com>, nmoore >>> <nmoore@bellmedia.ca> >>> Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>, >>> "brian.t.macdonald" >>> <brian.t.macdonald@gnb.ca>, "David.Coon" >>> <David.Coon@gnb.ca> >>> >>> http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.gc.ca/portal/page/portal/fc_cf_en/East_List >>> [10] >>> >>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >>> From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> >>> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2015 01:47:09 -0400 >>> Subject: Yo Danny Boy Bussierres Who do ya think Serge Rouselle will >>> send to argue me about your actions in Federal Court??? >>> To: "dan. bussieres"<dan.bussieres@gnb.ca>, >>> Richard.Williams@gnb.ca [11], >>> "marc.chiasson"<marc.chiasson@mcinnescooper.com>, >>> Denis.Theriault@gnb.ca [12], "serge.rousselle" >>> <serge.rousselle@gnb.ca>, >>> "sebastien.michaud"<sebastien.michaud@gnb.ca>, >>> pierre.ouellette@gnb.ca [13], tammy.moreau@gnb.ca [14], >>> isabel.lavoiedaigle@gnb.ca [15], Michael.Hynes@gnb.ca [16], >>> maya.hamou@gnb.ca [17], >>> nancy.forbes@gnb.ca [18], david.eidt@gnb.ca [19], >>> jean-francois.dupuis@gnb.ca [20], >>> "claude.poirier"<claude.poirier@snb.ca>, >>> heather.doyle.landry@gnb.ca [21], >>> Krista.COLFORD@gnb.ca [22], brian.barnett@gnb.ca [23], sallybrooks25 >>> <sallybrooks25@yahoo.ca>, andre <andre@jafaust.com> >>> Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>, >>> "martin.gaudet" >>> <martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>, "Wayne.Gallant" >>> <Wayne.Gallant@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, leader >>> <leader@greenparty.ca>, >>> complaints@officiallanguages.nb.ca [24], >>> commissioner@officiallanguages.nb.ca [25], "andrew.scheer" >>> <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca> >>> >>> http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/contacts/dept_renderer.201794.1433.16683.html#employees >>> [26] >>> >>> http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/contacts/dept_renderer.173.11143.1768.html#employees >>> [27] >>> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> >> Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 15:42:25 -0400 >> Subject: Fwd: A little Deja Vu for you before I am back in Federal >> Court Court on Jan 11th >> To: atlanticnews <atlanticnews@ctv.ca> >> Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> >> Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 15:32:52 -0400 >> Subject: A little Deja Vu for you before I am back in Federal Court >> Court on Jan 11th >> To: brian.barnett@gnb.ca, Richard.Williams@gnb.ca, >> Krista.COLFORD@gnb.ca, serge.rousselle@gnb.ca, mcu@justice.gc.ca, >> jean-francois.dupuis@gnb.ca, justice.comments@gnb.ca, >> johanne.bray@gnb.ca, "macpherson.don" >> <macpherson.don@dailygleaner.com>, nmoore <nmoore@bellmedia.ca> >> Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>, "brian.t.macdonald" >> <brian.t.macdonald@gnb.ca>, "David.Coon"<David.Coon@gnb.ca> >> >> http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.gc.ca/portal/page/portal/fc_cf_en/East_List >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> >> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2015 01:47:09 -0400 >> Subject: Yo Danny Boy Bussierres Who do ya think Serge Rouselle will >> send to argue me about your actions in Federal Court??? >> To: "dan. bussieres"<dan.bussieres@gnb.ca>, Richard.Williams@gnb.ca, >> "marc.chiasson"<marc.chiasson@mcinnescooper.com>, >> Denis.Theriault@gnb.ca, "serge.rousselle"<serge.rousselle@gnb.ca>, >> "sebastien.michaud"<sebastien.michaud@gnb.ca>, >> pierre.ouellette@gnb.ca, tammy.moreau@gnb.ca, >> isabel.lavoiedaigle@gnb.ca, Michael.Hynes@gnb.ca, maya.hamou@gnb.ca, >> nancy.forbes@gnb.ca, david.eidt@gnb.ca, jean-francois.dupuis@gnb.ca, >> "claude.poirier"<claude.poirier@snb.ca>, heather.doyle.landry@gnb.ca, >> Krista.COLFORD@gnb.ca, brian.barnett@gnb.ca, sallybrooks25 >> <sallybrooks25@yahoo.ca>, andre <andre@jafaust.com> >> Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>, "martin.gaudet" >> <martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>, "Wayne.Gallant" >> <Wayne.Gallant@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, leader <leader@greenparty.ca>, >> complaints@officiallanguages.nb.ca, >> commissioner@officiallanguages.nb.ca, "andrew.scheer" >> <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca> >> >> http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/contacts/dept_renderer.201794.1433.16683.html#employees >> >> http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/contacts/dept_renderer.173.11143.1768.html#employees >> >> Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:23:18 -0300 >> From: "David Amos"david.raymond.amos@gmail.com >> To: "Eidt, David (OAG/CPG)"David.Eidt@gnb.ca, oldmaison@yahoo.com, >> t.j.burke@gnb.ca, police@fredericton.ca, danny.copp@fredericton.ca, >> jacques.boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, jeff.mockler@gnb.ca, >> samperrier@hotmail.com >> Subject: Re: Hey Mr Eidt is it you or the RCMP I argue in order to get >> my Harley and the wiretap tapes back? >> >> Go cry a river to your boss T.J. Burke or his buddy Jeff Mockler I >> know what I sent you and I understand your obligations as a lawyer and >> a public servant . It is not harrassment tio expect a bureaucrat in >> the justice dept to uphold the law. You are a liar sir please allow me >> to tell your boss and the cops for you what I think of you. Please all >> the cops I already have your false allegations in writing and you have >> only some of my files. Can you think of any reason why I shouldn't sue >> you personally someday after we argue professionally? >> >> Veritas Vincit >> Davidraymond Amos >> >> On Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 8:53 AM, Eidt, David (OAG/CPG) David.Eidt@gnb.ca >> wrote: >> >> Mr. Amos, >> >> You sent me two pieces of email on March 24, 2008. They have nothing >> to do with me either personally or professionally. Please note that >> your correspondence is unwanted. Any further such communications will >> be considered harassing in nature. Please do not send me any more of >> your communications. >> >> Regards, >> >> David Eidt >> Legal Services >> Office of the Attorney General >> Tel: (506) 453-3964 >> Fax: (506) 453-3275 >> david.eidt@gnb.ca >> >> Notice : CONFIDENTIAL and PRIVILEGED. This document contains >> privileged and confidential information and should not be distributed >> or copied to anyone without prior consultation with the author. Thank >> you. >> >> Avis : CONFIDENTIEL et PRIVILÉGIÉ. Ce document contient des >> renseignements privilégiés et confidentiels et ne devrait être copié >> ou circulé sans consultation préalable avec l'auteur. Merci. >> >> From: Advocacy Collective advocacycollective@yahoo.com >> Subject: Charles LeBlanc Website Post - NB Justice Minister Burke >> Defending False Conviction >> To: >> Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 4:05 PM >> >> I am personally aware of another very similar case involving the same >> prosecutor-turned-judge, and so I have little reason to doubt that >> this man helped to have Mr. Walsh wrongly convicted. Maybe instead of >> looking into Walsh's track record, T.J. Burke should look into the >> track records of his own prosecutors and appointed judges. We could >> also look into Mr. Burke's own criminal past, since I understand that >> he has been convicted of at least one offence. He is also arguably >> guilty of obstruction of justice, not just in the Walsh case, but in >> my own case, where he has refused to do anything about his own >> department effectively banning me from court in order to maintain my >> wrongful conviction for contempt of court. This is an issue of >> corruption and hypocrisy that is much larger than Mr. Walsh's almost >> certain wrongful conviction. >> - Vaughn Barnett >> >> First the Irving's Rags write this about the doings between T.J. Burke >> and I last year. have my blog and emails killed then sing your praises >> about your legal Bullshit next year? Have alook for yourself lady >> >> Threat against Burke taken seriously >> >> By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN >> dgleg@nb.aibn.com >> Published Thursday May 24th, 2007 >> Appeared on page A1 >> An RCMP security detail has been guarding Justice Minister and >> Attorney General T.J. Burke because of threats made against him >> recently. >> >> Burke, the Liberal MLA for Fredericton-Fort Nashwaaksis, wouldn't >> explain the nature of the threats. >> >> "I have had a particular individual or individuals who have made >> specific overtures about causing harm towards me," he told reporters >> Wednesday. >> >> "The RCMP has provided security to me recently by accompanying me to a >> couple of public functions where the individual is known to reside or >> have family members in the area," said Burke. "It is nice to have some >> added protection and that added comfort." >> >> The RCMP provides protection to the premier and MLAs with its VIP >> security >> unit. >> >> Burke didn't say when the threat was made but it's believed to have >> been in recent weeks. >> >> "When a threat is posed to you and it is a credible threat, you have >> to be cautious about where you go and who you are around," he said. >> "But again, I am more concerned about my family as opposed to my own >> personal safety." >> >> Burke said he doesn't feel any differently and he has not changed his >> pattern of activity. >> >> "It doesn't bother me one bit," he said. "It makes my wife feel awful >> nervous." >> >> Burke served in an elite American military unit before becoming a >> lawyer and going into politics in New Brunswick. >> >> "(I) have taken my own precautions and what I have to do to ensure my >> family's safety," he said. "I am a very cautious person in general due >> to my background and training. >> >> "I am comfortable with defending myself or my family if it ever had to >> happen." >> >> Burke said it is not uncommon for politicians to have security concerns. >> >> "We do live unfortunately in an age and in a society now where threats >> have to be taken pretty seriously," he said. >> >> Since the terrorism attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, >> security in New Brunswick has been >> beefed up. >> >> Metal detectors were recently installed in the legislature and all >> visitors are screened. >> >> The position of attorney general is often referred to as the >> province's "top cop." >> >> Burke said sometimes people do not differentiate between his role as >> the manager of the justice system and the individual who actually >> prosecutes them. >> >> "With the job sometimes comes threats," he said. "I have had numerous >> threats since Day 1 in office." >> >> Burke said he hopes his First Nations heritage has nothing to do with it. >> >> "I think it is more of an issue where people get fixated on a matter >> and they believe you are personally responsible for assigning them >> their punishment or their sanction," he said. >> >> Is the threat from someone who was recently incarcerated? >> >> "I probably shouldn't answer that," he replied. >> >> Reporters asked when the threat would be over. >> >> "I don't think a threat ever passes once it has been made," said >> Burke. "You have to consider the credibility of the source." >> >> Bruce Fitch, former justice minister in the Conservative government, >> said "every now and again there would be e-mails that were not >> complimentary." >> >> "I did have a meeting with the RCMP who are in charge of the security >> of the MLAs and ministers," said Fitch. >> >> "They look at each and every situation." >> >> Fitch said he never had bodyguards assigned to him although former >> premier Bernard Lord and former health minister Elvy Robichaud did >> have extra security staff assigned on occasion. >> >> He said if any MLA felt threatened, he or she would discuss it with the >> RCMP. >> >> Group studies its legal options >> Early immersion | Reversal of decision wanted ASAP >> By JENNIFER DUNVILLE >> dunville.jennifer@dailygleaner.com >> Published Tuesday April 8th, 2008 >> Appeared on page A1 >> >> >> "Lafleur, Lou"lou.lafleur@fredericton.ca wrote: >> >> From: "Lafleur, Lou"lou.lafleur@fredericton.ca >> To: "'motomaniac_02186@yahoo.com'"motomaniac_02186@yahoo.com, >> "Lafleur, Lou"lou.lafleur@fredericton.ca >> Subject: Fredericton Police Force >> Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:21:13 -0300 >> >> Dear Mr. Amos >> >> My Name is Lou LaFleur and I am a Detective with the Fredericton >> Police Major Crime Unit. I would like to talk to you regarding files >> that I am investigating and that you are alleged to have involvement >> in. >> >> Please call me at your earliest convenience and leave a message and a >> phone number on my secure and confidential line if I am not in my >> office. >> >> yours truly, >> >> Cpl. Lou LaFleur >> Fredericton Police Force >> 311 Queen St. >> Fredericton, NB >> 506-460-2332 >> >> ________________________________ >> >> This electronic mail, including any attachments, is confidential and >> is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may be privileged. >> Any unauthorized distribution, copying, disclosure or review is >> prohibited. Neither communication over the Internet nor disclosure to >> anyone other than the intended recipient constitutes waiver of >> privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately >> notify the sender and then delete this communication and any >> attachments from your computer system and records without saving or >> forwarding it. Thank you. >> >> Date: Thu, 24 May 2007 07:56:09 -0700 (PDT) >> From: "David Amos"motomaniac_02186@yahoo.com >> Subject: Who says they are ignoring me Chucky? Ask Barry McKnight why >> the Yankees are researching him >> To: news@dailygleaner.com, kcarmichael@bloomberg.net, >> oldmaison@yahoo.com, advocacycollective@yahoo.com, >> Easter.W@parl.gc.ca, Comartin.J@parl.gc.ca, cityadmin@fredericton.ca, >> info@gg.ca, bmosher@mosherchedore.ca, rchedore@mosherchedore.ca, >> police@fredericton.ca, chebert@thestar.ca, Stoffer.P@parl.gc.ca, >> Stronach.B@parl.gc.ca, Matthews.B@parl.gc.ca, alltrue@nl.rogers.com, >> Harper.S@parl.gc.ca, Layton.J@parl.gc.ca, Dryden.K@parl.gc.ca, >> Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca >> CC: brad.woodside@fredericton.ca, whalen@fredericton.ca, >> david.kelly@fredericton.ca, cathy.maclaggan@fredericton.ca, >> stephen.kelly@fredericton.ca, tom.jellinek@fredericton.ca, >> scott.mcconaghy@fredericton.ca, marilyn.kerton@fredericton.ca, >> walter.brown@fredericton.ca, norah.davidson@fredericton.ca, >> mike.obrien@fredericton.ca, bruce.grandy@fredericton.ca, >> dan.keenan@fredericton.ca, jeff.mockler@gnb.ca, >> mrichard@lawsociety-barreau.nb.ca, cynthia.merlini@dfait-maeci.gc.ca, >> jlmockler@mpor.ca, scotta@parl.gc.ca, michael.bray@gnb.ca, >> jack.e.mackay@gnb.ca >> >> Just Dave >> By Location Visit Detail >> Visit 1,013 >> Domain Name (Unknown) >> IP Address 206.15.101.# (NEWS CORPORATION) >> ISP NEWS CORPORATION >> Location Continent : North America >> Country : United States (Facts) >> State : New York >> City : New York >> Lat/Long : 40.7605, -73.9933 (Map) >> Language English (U.S.) >> en-us >> Operating System Microsoft Win2000 >> Browser Firefox 2.0 >> Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.0; en-US; rv:1.8.1.3) >> Gecko/20070309 Firefox/2.0.0.3 >> Javascript version 1.5 >> Monitor Resolution : 800 x 600 >> Color Depth : 32 bits >> Time of Visit May 23 2007 6:17:17 pm >> Last Page View May 23 2007 6:17:17 pm >> Visit Length 0 seconds >> Page Views 1 >> Referring URL http://www.google.co...%22barry mcknight%22 >> Search Engine google.com >> Search Words fredericton police department "barry mcknight" >> Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ >> Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ >> Out Click >> Time Zone UTC-5:00 >> Visitor's Time May 23 2007 5:17:17 pm >> Visit Number 1,013 >> >> >> charles leblanc oldmaison@yahoo.com wrote: >> >> Where are ya living now???? Since the media seem to ignore ya? I'll >> sit down for a debate with a recorder for the blog...Now? Don't get >> all exicted and send this all over the world.....lol >> >
A public inquiry heard Monday that many people knew about a replica patrol car owned by the gunman in Nova Scotia's mass shooting, but they didn't tell police about his suspicious activities.
The killer meticulously recreated a fully marked RCMP Ford Taurus -- complete with a black push bar and Mountie decals -- before driving it during the April 18-19, 2020, rampage that resulted in 22 murders over 13 hours.
Commission lawyer Amanda Byrd presented a summary Monday of how the killer acquired four decommissioned Ford Taurus police vehicles in 2019 from the federal government's online auction site, known as GCSurplus.
She also told the inquiry that there's no indication anyone who saw the fully marked car or photographs of it before the rampage reported it to the police.
"Many civilian witnesses told the RCMP in their statements after the events that they either had seen or had knowledge of this replica .... The commission doesn't currently have evidence to suggest that any of these witness reported the vehicle to police," Byrd said.
The inquiry's summary about the killer's police gear says that people aware of the marked car included the killer's wife and some of her relatives, friends, neighbours, a lawyer, clients at the killer's denturist clinic and contractors who worked on his Portapique, N.S., properties.
It also says a number of the witnesses were told by the gunman it was legal to have such a vehicle, and he assured them he had checked with authorities and was planning to use it in parades, rent it to movie productions or transform it into a memorial for fallen RCMP members.
The Criminal Code says it's against the law to falsely represent oneself to be a police officer or to use police gear to impersonate a police officer, but is silent on the issue of whether someone can simply own a marked vehicle for a personal display.
Max Liberatore, a manager at the GCSurplus warehouse in Dartmouth, N.S., testified Monday that the killer frequently visited the warehouse to purchase the police cars.
He also told the inquiry that he recalled the gunman showing him photos of the decommissioned replica RCMP cruiser. "We were just talking outside (the warehouse). We asked him one time ... why do you like buying these cars?" he said during his testimony.
Liberatore said during cross-examination by Tara Miller -- a lawyer representing victims' family members -- that the killer told him he intended to use the replica cruiser for parades, and as a result he didn't report the matter to the RCMP. Miller asked whether Liberatore was ever given any training on how to recognize and report suspicious behaviour, and he replied he had not.
Documents released Monday by the commission also said the killer arrived at a Mercedes dealership with his spouse before the mass shooting in a fully marked police vehicle. The service manager at the dealership told an inquiry investigator he'd asked the killer "how he could drive around like that, and the perpetrator responded that it was 'just a hobby' and it was 'known' that he was doing so." The witness did not report the incident to police.
Several family members of Lisa Banfield said they'd questioned Gabriel Wortman about the replica vehicle.
Charles Banfield, Lisa Banfield's brother, told the RCMP on April 19, 2020, he'd asked the killer what he was doing with a replica car. James Banfield, another of Banfield's brothers, said the killer told him he planned to put a heart on the vehicle and make it a memorial for fallen officers.
In his statement to the RCMP on April 28, 2020, Robert MacAskill, a friend of one of the killer's victims, Aaron Tuck, said he and Tuck discussed the decommissioned replica RCMP cruiser and he talked to Tuck about calling Crime Stoppers to report it. The commission's summary says, "Mr. Tuck said he could not report it as the perpetrator had threatened him."
There were also sightings of the vehicle being driven around Portapique, the inquiry's summary says.
It notes that a friend of Lisa McCully's told the RCMP "she saw the perpetrator drive onto his Portapique property in the fully marked decommissioned replica RCMP cruiser." McCully was one of the victims in Portapique.
At the time of the mass shooting, it wasn't explicitly illegal under provincial law to have a replica police vehicle for display.
New legislation in Nova Scotia, coming into effect in May, will make it illegal for unauthorized people to possess police vehicles and gear.
However, Robert Pineo, a lawyer who represents 14 of the 22 victims' families, said in an interview Monday that he believes changes to the Criminal Code and to provincial legislation across Canada are needed to prohibit possession of marked police cars by the general public.
N.S. man removes push bar from decommissioned police car after RCMP receive complaint
Updated
A Nova Scotia man has removed equipment, including a push bar, from his decommissioned police vehicle after the RCMP received a complaint about the car.
The RCMP received a report about a decommissioned police car being driven in Annapolis County on May 27.
Police say the vehicle had a push bar attached to the front and “police interceptor” markings on the back.
RCMP investigators met with the owner and told him the items were prohibited under Nova Scotia’s new Police Identity Management Act.
RCMP Cpl. Chris Marshall tells CTV News that the Ford Taurus was, in fact, a decommissioned police vehicle, which the man had purchased and brought in from Ontario.
Marshall says the car was not an RCMP vehicle, but he isn’t sure which police force it came from.
The RCMP told the man he would be charged if he did not remove the police equipment from the car.
Police say the man went to the Bridgetown RCMP detachment on June 2 and turned in the push bar and police interceptor badge, which will be destroyed by the RCMP.
Marshall says the owner was “very cooperative” with police, is now free to drive the vehicle, and won’t face charges.
POLICE IDENTITY MANAGEMENT ACT
This is the first time the Nova Scotia RCMP have used the province’s new Police Identity Management Act, which came into effect on May 12.
The legislation, which was first introduced in the provincial legislature in March 2021, is the first of its kind in Canada.
It was already a federal crime to impersonate a police officer, but Nova Scotia’s Police Identity Management Act makes it illegal to sell or possess police-issued items, such as uniforms, badges, and patches.
Only serving police officers or persons with police authorization are now permitted to have such items.
The law also prohibits the sale and possession of police-vehicle equipment, such as decals, police radios and computers, and lightbars.
Under the act, police agencies in Nova Scotia must dispose of surplus gear and remove all equipment and markings from decommissioned police vehicles.
Anyone else is being asked to surrender items to their local police department or render them unusable.
According to the act, the only places such gear can be used outside of law enforcement is at museums or as part of a “dramatic work,” such as a film set.
Penalties include fines of up to $10,000 or three months in jail for individuals. A corporation could face a maximum fine of $25,000.
NOVA SCOTIA MASS SHOOTING
The complaint about the decommissioned police vehicle comes at a time when an inquiry is investigating Nova Scotia’s mass shooting.
The Police Identity Management Act was created in direct response to the mass shooting, which claimed the lives of 22 Nova Scotians in April 2020.
The gunman was driving a fully-marked replica RCMP car, which he created from a decommissioned police vehicle purchased at an auction. He also purchased a number of surplus police items online.
At the time, it wasn’t illegal for Gabriel Wortman to own those items. Now, under the act, the ownership of police items can be reported to authorities and charges can be laid.
The families of his 22 victims have said the law should be applied across the country
Four Conservative members of Parliament say they want former Quebec premier Jean Charest to enter the race for the party's leadership.
In an open letter published Tuesday, the MPs say Charest is the best person to defeat the Liberals and lead the relaunch of Canada's economy.
Charest, 63, became leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1993, after he was one of two MPs from that party elected while former prime minister Kim Campbell was dealt a humiliating electoral defeat.
Charest left federal politics in 1998 and became leader of Quebec Liberal Party. He was premier of Quebec from 2003 to 2012, when his party was defeated in an early election he called following massive student protests.
Since leaving politics, Charest has practiced law, and has also been the subject of a multi-year investigation by Quebec's anti-corruption police related to financing of the Quebec Liberal Party.
Pierre Poilievre, an Ottawa-area member of Parliament, is the only confirmed candidate in the race for the Conservative leadership
The letter was signed by Quebec MPs Alain Rayes and Dominique Vien; Nova Scotia MP Rick Perkins; Ontario MP John Nater; New Brunswick Senator Percy Mockler; former MP David Sweet; Louis Leger, chief of staff to the premier of New Brunswick; and Leo Power, a former director of the Conservative Party's fundraising arm.
Opinion: Canada needs you, Mr. Charest
Alain Rayes, Dominique Vien and other Conservative MPs
Published
Mr. Charest,
The current leadership race for the Conservative Party of Canada boils down to one fundamental question: who is the best person to defeat the federal Liberal Party and offer our country a leader who will revive our economy and govern with experience and determination under the Conservative banner?
Your record, even before becoming Premier of Quebec, was already very impressive.
Your 28 years of experience in active politics makes you the right person to take the reins of the Conservative Party and the Government of Canada.
Your resilience is unflinching. The youngest minister in Canadian history at the age of 28, you were one of Brian Mulroney’s most trusted ministers.
Your competence and versatility quickly led you to many key positions as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Environment, Deputy Leader, Minister for Fitness and Amateur Sport, Minister for Youth and Assistant Deputy Speaker in the House of Commons.
Mr. Mulroney has also asked you to take on several important mandates.
An excellent example is the key role you played at the Rio Conference on the Environment.
Your unifying leadership also made it possible, as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, to increase the number of seats from two to 20, demonstrating your effectiveness in a pan-Canadian campaign.
You also initiated the creation of the Council of the Federation and you led the Premiers of Canada’s provinces in negotiating, in 2004, a national health care agreement that recognized the principle of asymmetrical federalism for Quebec and all of Canada.
Your reputation in international trade relations is second to none.
The free trade agreement negotiated between Canada and the European Union (CETA) was your initiative.
Your vast network of contacts is a testament to your influence and to the great respect shown to you by your peers around the world.
You also have extensive experience in economic crisis management, which would be critically important for Canada in this period of great uncertainty.
No other Canadian has a track record as extensive as yours in both the public and private sectors.
You are tailor-made to lead the Canadian people out of the crisis that we are currently going through with COVID-19.
Your ability to lead our country would be in stark contrast to the current federal Liberal government.
Our country badly needs an experienced leader like you to deal with our economic challenges.
We need a seasoned, visionary and unifying politician to curb the division and chaos caused by the federal Liberals.
We need someone who is able to unite our party and rally a majority of Canadians in both official languages.
Mr. Charest, Canada needs you.
Justin Trudeau has led our country into a deep division. His government has failed in its duty to unite our country.
On the economic front and on the management of public finances, Justin Trudeau’s record is disastrous.
Our children and grandchildren will long pay for the damage caused by the federal Liberals over the past six years.
Mr. Trudeau had inherited a more than enviable position, a budget surplus thanks to the responsible management of the previous government led by Stephen Harper.
We are appealing today to your sense of duty in order to turn the tide, unite our country and restore our place on the international stage.
It’s clear from all the above and more, that there is only one person whom we believe is suited for this very important role.
Mr. Charest, please give this your utmost consideration.
Alain Rayes, Québec, MP for Richmond-Arthabaska
Rick Perkins, Nova Scotia, MP for South Shore—St. Margarets
Percy Mockler, New Brunswick, Senator
David Sweet, Ontario, Former MP and Caucus Chair
Louis Leger, New Brunswick, Chief of staff, Office of the Premier of New Brunswick
Dominique Vien, Québec, MP for Bellechasse-Les Etchemins- Lévis
John Nater, Ontario, MP for Perth—Wellington
Leo Power, Newfoundland and Labrador, Former director, Conservative Fund Canada
Candidates Roman Baber, left, Pierre Poilievre and Jean Charest, right, take part in the French language Conservative Leadership debate Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in Laval, Que. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
Welcome to a sneak peek of the Maclean’s Politics Insider newsletter. Sign up to get it delivered straight to your inbox in the morning.
Last night’s CPC French debate in Laval was a three-way brawl, with Jean Charest and Patrick Brown tag-teaming Pierre Poilievre, who referred to them as a “little coalition,” the Postreports. The other candidates — Scott Aitchison, Roman Baber and Leslyn Lewis— said little, likely because they were unable to speak in French without reading notes. It was a raucous affair, with personal attacks and lots of noise from the crowd.
Audience members were asked to avoid clapping and cheering, otherwise the moderator would take time off of their candidate’s speaking time. But the crowd, who was favourable to both Charest and Poilievre, ignored the instruction and at times stole the show, chanting, clapping or even booing so loudly that moderator Marc-Olivier Fortin regularly paused the debate to ask them to quiet down.
Worried about Poilievre: In the Star, Susan Delacourtwrites that Poilievre’s approach to the leadership race is taking a Trumpian tone, conspiratorial and disrespectful of democracy and the media.
I am, to be candid, worried that Poilievre won’t be able to stop himself from whipping up suspicion about why Conservatives have been losing elections — it being far easier to blame a rigged system than the party’s own internal problems.
Poilievre ahead: Abacus has a polling report showing Poilievre’s negatives are up, but he still appears to have a commanding lead in the race.
Challenging 21: David Lametti announced on Wednesday that Ottawa plans to participate in a Supreme Court challenge of Quebec’s secularism Bill 21, angering François Legault, La Pressereports. (translation)
In a move that leaves Mayor Patrick Brown with just two MPs backing his candidacy, two Conservative MPs have defected from Brampton, Ont. 's team to support Pierre Poilievre.
‘Let him depart . . . We would not die in that man's company . . . And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.’ See you on Sept. 10 big guy
Quote Tweet
kyleseeback
@kyleseeback
·
I believe there's one candidate - one my constituents support - who can unite conservatives & Canadians to become our next PM. That's @PierrePoilievre. Let's put the divisiveness away, unite our movement behind #Pierre4PM& defeat Justin Trudeau to win the next election.
Conservative leadership candidates Patrick Brown, left, and Pierre Poilievre. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press, Alex Lupul/CBC)
Brampton, Ont. Mayor Patrick Brown said Thursday he won't run for the federal Conservatives if his main rival for the leadership, Pierre Poilievre, wins the party's top job in the September leadership election.
In an interview with CBC's Power & Politics, Brown said he's confident he can win the leadership but, if he falls short, he'd also consider running under the party banner in the next election if former Quebec premier Jean Charest or MP Leslyn Lewis wins the leadership.
Brown said it's not his personal opinion of Poilievre that would keep him from running under his leadership — even though the two candidates have attacked each other verbally throughout the campaign. He said he's convinced Poilievre would tank the party's fortunes in the Greater Toronto Area.
"I could run under them, absolutely. They have the capacity to win the next general election," Brown said of Charest and Lewis.
"With Pierre Poilievre, I just don't believe he could win seats in the GTA. I think his message is too divisive. Even as a popular mayor in the GTA, I don't think I could win a seat with a leader like him. So, for me, following the federal route with Pierre wouldn't make much sense."
Brown said that if Poilievre wins, he would consider staying in his current job as mayor of Brampton, a city of about 600,000 west of Toronto.
The deadline to file paperwork for a re-election bid in that municipality is Aug. 19 — weeks before the Conservative leadership election results will be known in early September.
Brown didn't say why exactly he sees Poilievre undermining the Conservative vote in the Toronto area. The mayor previously has cited Poilievre's past support for a niqab ban at citizenship ceremonies and a "barbaric cultural practices" tip line as an election liabilities in the vote-rich region.
Brown questions Poilievre's numbers
Brown also said Thursday he doesn't trust some of the membership figures the Poilievre campaign has released.
Poilievre's team said last weekend that they had sold more than 310,000 new memberships — an eye-popping number that his campaign said indicates their candidate can win on the first ballot.
Brown said Thursday he sold more than 150,000 memberships before the June 3 deadline.
The Conservative Party has said there are roughly 600,000 members eligible to vote in this leadership election — a number that may be adjusted after the party completes a verification process to weed out any duplicates.
Poilievre, left, and Brown share an exchange during the Conservative Party's French-language leadership debate in Laval, Que., on May 25. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
There were already roughly 140,000 Conservative members in good standing when the race started. If Poilievre signed up 310,000 members and Brown convinced 150,000 more to join the party, the mayor said, that means the campaigns led by Charest, Lewis, Independent MPP Roman Baber and MP Scott Aitichison sold few, if any, memberships.
"If Pierre Poilievre's claims are true, essentially no one else has sold memberships," he said. "I think the other campaigns ran robust campaigns so, clearly, there's a disconnect with the claims the Poilievre campaign has made."
Brown said that to address these competing membership sales figures, the party should release a membership list to all the campaigns now.
"It's only fair to have the list out so we know where everyone stands," Brown said.
Brown said the Poilievre campaign has tried to block that move.
'Scorched-earth approach'
"If they were that confident in that campaign and they actually did sell the memberships they claimed to, they wouldn't be as worried as they are. They continue to take a scorched-earth approach to our candidates and that doesn't speak to the confidence of a presumed front-runner," Brown said.
Jenni Byrne, a former senior adviser to ex-prime Stephen Harper and a senior official with the Poilievre campaign, said it would be "completely against the rules" to release a list of members before it has been verified by party officials. She also said Brown isn't being truthful about his membership figures.
"If he did sell 150,000 memberships, release the exact number," Byrne said in an interview with CTV this week. "What Patrick Brown is doing is what he does best, which is lie."
Ian Brodie is the chair of the party's leadership election organizing committee (LEOC), the body that is running this leadership race. He said Thursday the party will produce an interim voters' list in about a month's time — a list the campaigns can use to reach out to members to convince them to vote for a particular candidate.
Brodie said the party will then send each of the campaigns a final voters' list by July 29.
"In order to be fair to all of the campaigns that are in this race, I have to follow the party's rules," Brodie told Power & Politics.
Patrick Brown, left, and Pierre Poilievre trade barbs at the Conservative Party of Canada English leadership debate in Edmonton, Alta., Wednesday, May 11, 2022. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
Two Conservative MPs have defected from Brampton, Ont. Mayor Patrick Brown's team to support Pierre Poilievre, his main rival in the party's leadership race — a move that leaves Brown with just two MPs backing his candidacy.
Hamilton-area MP Dan Muys and MP Kyle Seeback, who represents neighbouring Dufferin-Caledon in the House of Commons, both announced Tuesday they're abandoning Brown for Poilievre. Their departures come after Poilievre's campaign said over the weekend that it has sold an eye-popping 312,000 memberships in the race for the party's top job.
Conservative sources told CBC News that roughly 600,000 party members will be eligible to vote in September's leadership election.
A Poilievre campaign source — who spoke to CBC News on the condition of anonymity because they aren't authorized to speak publicly — said the team is confident Poilievre can win the race on the first ballot given how many memberships he's sold so far.
The party has not confirmed any of the membership sales figures released by the campaigns.
Brown's team said Friday the mayor had sold over 150,000 memberships. Former Quebec premier Jean Charest also said he's convinced enough people in key ridings to take out memberships to allow him to win the race. The party allocates points to all 338 federal ridings and candidates are assigned a point total depending on their percentage of the vote in each riding.
MPs say Poilievre best choice to unite the party
Despite competing claims of membership sales strength, Seeback and Muys signalled Tuesday they believe the winner is already known.
In a statement on social media, Seeback said he "believes there's one candidate ... who can unite conservatives and Canadians to become our next prime minister. That's Pierre Poilievre."
Muys, a rookie MP who was first elected to the Commons last fall, said Seeback "is right."
Muys said that while out campaigning with Ontario Progressive Conservative candidates during the recent provincial election campaign, he witnessed "divisiveness" and he suggested that the best way to heal those divisions is to "unify behind Pierre Poilievre."
"Canada needs him and us to get this done," Muys said.
WATCH: Interim Conservative leader: 'I have no doubt that once the race is over, we will all come together'
Interim Conservative leader: 'I have no doubt that once the race is over, we will all come together'
5 days ago
Duration 0:58
Asked about the defection of two MPs from Patrick Brown to Pierre Poilievre's team, Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen says she knows that candidates will run a good race and, in the end, the party will stand united behind its new leader.
The two departures have dealt a blow to Brown. Just two sitting MPs now support the mayor's candidacy: Calgary MP Michelle Rempel Garner and MP Doug Shipley, who represents Barrie, Ont., the area Brown used to represent in the Commons.
Poilievre has 56 sitting MPs supporting his leadership bid. Charest has been endorsed by 16 MPs.
Chisholm Pothier, a spokesperson for Brown, told CBC News the mayor is "very confident" that he can win the race.
"We like where we're at, we like our numbers and there's a weird lack of confidence coming from the Poilievre camp with their over-the-top attacks," Pothier said, citing some of the social media squabbling that has become a hallmark of this race.
"This isn't a game for the faint of heart. An endorsement from anyone and two bucks gets you a cup of coffee and one vote. We just lost two votes. We'll make them up somewhere else," he said.
Conservative leadership candidate Jean Charest at a campaign stop in Fredericton on Monday. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
mThe self-described underdog in the federal Conservative leadership race is making his first campaign foray in New Brunswick this week, trying to catch up to frontrunner Pierre Poilievre.
Jean Charest had stops in Saint John, Fredericton and Bathurst over the last two days and will move on to Neguac and Moncton Tuesday and Wednesday, with a side trip to Prince Edward Island in between.
He's banking on his links to New Brunswick Progressive Conservatives who remember him as one half of the two-MP federal PC caucus from 1993 to 1997 along with then-Saint John MP Elsie Wayne.
"New Brunswick in particular, it's a part of the country I know very well, and people know me very well, and that's significant," he said.
Charest with former N.B. premier David Alward, one of several prominent Progressive Conservatives who attended the Fredericton event. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
But Charest's crowds, including a group of about 30 Tories at a meet-and-greet in Fredericton on Monday morning, are far smaller than the ones Poilievre has been drawing.
Miramichi-Grand Lake MP Jake Stewart, a Poilievre supporter, says the Ottawa-area MP drew a total of 800 people at three New Brunswick events in a single day in March, despite freezing rain and poor driving conditions.
"He's so popular he seems to resonate with everybody," Stewart says, dismissing Charest's argument that he's the only leader who can win a general election.
"I think there's a belief out there, an old ingrained-in belief that, you know, we need a certain thing and I just don't think that holds true anymore," Stewart says.
"Pierre's policies are very sound and the people that like them, love them. And I've found in New Brunswick that his support is through the roof."
Charest and Poilievre are scooping up most of the endorsements from New Brunswick Tories, though Tobique-Mactaquac MP Richard Bragdon is backing Ontario MP Leslyn Lewis.
Pierre Poilievre meets with supporters during his N.B. campaign tour in March. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Nine candidates are running for the party leadership.
Besides being a former federal PC cabinet minister and party leader, Charest was also the Liberal premier of Quebec from 2003 to 2012.
Among the provincial PCs who attended his Fredericton event on Monday were former premier David Alward and Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy.
"After talking to him today, I signed up to support him," Cardy said after the event.
Premier Blaine Higgs met with Charest on Sunday and also put in an appearance at a Poilievre event in March. His spokesperson said he had not endorsed any candidate, though Higgs's chief of staff Louis Léger is a key Charest organizer.
Miramichi-Grand Lake Conservative MP Jake Stewart (right) and Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre (centre) posed for photos with truckers on Jan. 29. Charest is criticizing Poilievre's support for the Ottawa trucker blockade. (Jake Stewart/Twitter)
All the campaigns are racing to sign up members before the cut-off date of June 3.
Stewart says it's likely Poilievre will be back in New Brunswick at least once before the deadline.
On Monday, Charest repeated his criticism of Poilievre for supporting the trucker blockade of Ottawa early this year, saying a prime minister can't choose which laws he's going to support.
But he acknowledged in an interview with CBC News that he's the underdog at this point in the race.
He said he's "perfectly comfortable" in that position because the frontrunner in the last two Conservative leadership races ended up losing because of the party's preferential voting system.
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.
Blaine Higgs, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Quispamsis, was born in Woodstock, New Brunswick. He graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1993, he completed the Executive Management Training Program at Queen’s University. He also has taken courses in finance in 2003, and Leadership and Influence at Babson Executive Training and Education in 2006.
Immediately following university, Mr. Higgs joined Irving Oil Limited in Saint John, New Brunswick, where he held numerous positions of increasing responsibility in engineering, refining operations and in the transportation sector. Prior to retirement in May 2010, he was Director of Logistics and Distribution, with overall responsibility for the transportation and bulk storage requirements for the reliable supply of refined products to customers throughout Eastern Canada and New England.
He was a member of the Irving team negotiating with Repsol on the Canaport LNG project. He also served on the Board of Directors for Canaport LNG and the New Brunswick Gateway Council.
First elected to the Legislative Assembly on September 27, 2010, he represents the riding of Quispamsis. On October 12, 2010, he was sworn-in as Minister of Finance, Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation, Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Investment Management Corporation, Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation, and Chair of the Board of Management. He also served as Minister of Human Resources until October 9, 2012.
Mr. Higgs was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly on September 22, 2014, as MLA for Quispamsis. In 2016 he was elected Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. On September 24, 2018, was elected for a third term as the MLA for Quispamsis. On November 9th, 2018 he formed the first minority government in 100 years and became the 34th Premier of New Brunswick. On September 14th, 2020, Premier Higgs was elected for a fourth term and formed a majority government, becoming the first Premier since Premier Bernard Lord to secure a second mandate from the people of New Brunswick.
He has traveled extensively for business and pleasure. The insight learned through this interaction with different cultures provides him with a real appreciation for the challenges that New Brunswick faces in the global economy.
Mr. Higgs has been a resident of Quispamsis for over 40 years, and a long-standing member of Kennebecasis Baptist Church. He and Marcia were married in 1978 and have four daughters: Lindsey, Laura (Reid Gilmore), Sarah (Jeff Wilkinson) and Rachel (Matthew Hiltz). They are also blessed with 4 grandchildren, Nadia, Alexander, Samuel and Sadie. They all enjoy spending time in the country and pursuing many outdoor activities, such as swimming, boating, skiing, snowmobiling, and fishing.
Louis Leger Chief of Staff and Deputy Minister, Office of the Premier of New Brunswick, Blaine Higgs
Louis was appointed Chief of Staff and Deputy Minister, Office of the Premier of New Brunswick in December 2018.
He is a passionate entrepreneur who started in business in his early twenties. For twenty years, he was at the centre of the Atlantic Canadian marketing-communications industry and was recognized by Progress Magazine as one of Atlantic Canada’s top 50 CEOs. He has been a member of YPO since 2007.
He’s a past Board Director and Chair of the Finance Committee of the Donald J. Savoie Institute on Public Policy Research. He served as a member of l’Université de Moncton Board of Governors, Chair of the 2011 Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, Chair of Downtown Moncton Centreville Inc, and he proposed and shepherded the creation of the New Brunswick Adoption Foundation for children in need, for which he received Queen Elizabeth II‘s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
He also served as Executive Director of the New England Governors and Eastern Premiers Conference on Energy for the 21st Century, and as Executive Director of FORUMe: Evolving Social Values, Natural Resources and the Economy co-presented by UNB and l’Université de Moncton in 2012. He also received the Gilbert Finn award for leadership from le Conseil Économique du Nouveau-Brunswick.
He has a BA with a concentration in Political Science from l’Université de Moncton and a Leadership Certificate from Queen’s (Smith) School of Business. He is a proud husband and father of four young adults.
Yennah Hurley was personally recruited by Premier Blaine Higgs to advise on tourism matters and eventually run the Tourism Department as its deputy minister. She lives in Quispamsis and billed the province for 24 trips to Saint John in 2020 to attend in-person meetings. (CBC archives)
Two New Brunswick deputy ministers who have been commuting to Fredericton from the Saint John area to run their departments accumulated thousands of dollars in accommodation and mileage expenses last year moving back and forth between the cities, records show.
John Logan, who lives in Saint John and heads the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, billed the province $9,219.08 for 85 overnight stays in Fredericton in 2020 to attend to business at department headquarters, according to his public expense records.
In a statement, Nicolle Carlin, director of communications for Premier Blaine Higgs, said Logan regularly works in Fredericton, where his job is headquartered, but often chooses not to commute home at the end of the day.
"John Logan works mostly out of the Fredericton office," said the statement. "When he's in Fredericton, he usually stays in the city for more than a day."
Yennah Hurley, a deputy minister who runs the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, owns a home in Quispamsis.
New Brunswick government officials have largely switched to online meetings since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, including Higgs, shown here last week speaking with the New Brunswick Nurses Union online from his office last week. (Government of New Brunswick's Twitter)
Hurley was paid $9,550 to offset Fredericton accommodation expenses in 2020 but also billed over $900 in mileage charges for 24 trips she made up and down Highway 7 to attend meetings close to her home in Saint John.
The Saint John meetings were eight times more than the number in any other location Hurley visited outside of her office in Fredericton, but her department insists the charges were for legitimate government business.
These were expenses for meetings related to the duties of the acting Deputy Minister at the time," Erika Jutras, the department's acting communications director, said in an email about the Saint John meetings.
Jutras dismissed questions about whether holding so many meetings in Saint John and submitting expense claims for them could be seen as an attempt to have the province subsidize Hurley's commute between Fredericton and her home in Quispamsis.
The expense reports do show the largest number of the Saint John meetings, 11, are dated as happening on a Friday and most occurred after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, when many government gatherings moved online.
Hurley and Logan are among at least four senior officials hand-picked by Higgs to serve in key government roles who have not moved to Fredericton and whose expense accounts have included a variety of enhanced charges as a result.
Paul D'Astous is principal secretary to Higgs. He owns a home in Quispamsis and for most of 2020 received a $955 monthly 'living allowance,' one of four senior Higgs government officials paid extra to subsidize the cost of working, but not living, in Fredericton. (CBC archives)
In similar but separate arrangements, the premier's chief of staff and deputy minister, Louis Léger, and his principal secretary, Paul D'Astous, were paid the same $955 monthly "living allowance" as Hurley through much of 2020 to defray costs of staying in Fredericton without the requirement to provide receipts.
D'Astous, like Hurley, maintains a home in Quispamsis, while Léger has a residence in Sainte-Marie-de-Kent. Logan, who once served with Higgs as an executive at Irving Oil, lives in Saint John.
Earlier this month, Higgs told CBC News that Hurley no longer qualifies for the living allowance since being named the permanent deputy minister of her department in December. Carlin said D'Astous also no longer qualifies after recently signing a new employment contract.
Louis Léger, chief of staff in the Premier's Office, has a home in Sainte-Marie-de-Kent. (CBC)
Logan does still qualify for payment of his Fredericton living expenses as does Léger, which Carlin said has been the case for previous chiefs of staff..
"Mr. Leger's position is not a permanent position with the civil service," said a statement issued by Carlin.
"It is a job with a fixed time limit, and therefore most people who accept such a position would not move their home and family."
The upcoming federal election will be fought on climate and environment policy, amongst other key issues. Canadian voters want their provincial and national governments to take decisive action in this area.
How can the Conservative Party of Canada develop a winning climate plan, and what policies should be included?
On March 16, Clean Prosperity hosted an online policy forum where senior policy and decision-makers from across Canada shared their insights on why the climate file is so important for the party, and what should be done about it.
Featuring
in alphabetical order
Ken Boessenkool J.W. McConnell Professor of Practice at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University; former Senior Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Chief of Staff to BC Premier Christy Clark
Read more about Ken Boessenkool
Christy Clark Senior Adviser, Bennett Jones; former Premier of British Columbia
Read more about Christy Clark
Mitch Davidson Executive Director, StrategyCorp Institute of Public Policy and the Economy; former Head of Policy to Ontario Premier Doug Ford
Read more about Mitch Davidson
Louis Leger Chief of Staff and Deputy Minister, Office of the Premier of New Brunswick, Blaine Higgs
Read more about Louis Leger
Hon. Lisa Raitt, P.C. Vice-Chair, Global Investment Banking, CIBC Capital Markets; former Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition
Read more about Hon. Lisa Raitt, P.C.
Moderated by
Michael Bernstein Executive Director, Clean Prosperity
Liberal Climate Plan Has Reasonable Chance of Meeting 2030 Target
“Our modelling shows that the Liberals’ climate policies give them a reasonable chance of achieving their Paris Agreement target. But getting there will be no easy feat. It’s critical that the Liberals implement their policies quickly and prioritize them intelligently.”
Clean Prosperity Executive Director Michael Bernstein
La présence du chef de cabinet du PM à une rencontre ministérielle fait sourciller
Le Nouveau-Brunswick était la seule province qui n'était pas représentée par un élu à la plus récente réunion des ministres de la Francophonie. Photo : Radio-Canada
Radio-Canada
Seule province bilingue au pays, le Nouveau-Brunswick n'a envoyé aucun élu à la plus récente réunion des ministres fédéral et provinciaux de la Francophonie.
C'est plutôt le chef de cabinet du premier ministre Higgs, Louis Léger, qui a représenté la province.
Il y a peu de ministres francophones dans le cabinet de Blaine Higgs et son chef de cabinet Louis Léger agit quelquefois à titre de représentant francophone pour le gouvernement. Photo : Radio-Canada
Le ministre néo-brunswickois responsable de la Francophonie, Glen Savoie, n'a pas pu participer à la dernière réunion nationale des ministres de la Francophonie, qui se tenait par vidéoconférence.
Il a annoncé récemment qu'il souffrait d'un cancer.
Une présence dénoncée par l'opposition
On sait que le ministre responsable, il est malade. Ça, il n’y a pas de problème, évidemment; ça, c'est très justifiable. Ce qui est moins justifiable, c'est pourquoi il n’y a pas eu un autre élu. Il y a d'autres gens qui parlent français au sein de la députation conservatrice actuelle du gouvernement, expose le député libéral de Kent-Sud Benoît Bourque.
Benoît Bourque, député libéral de Kent-Sud est porte-parole de l'opposition en matière de francophonie.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Par courriel, une agente de communication a dit que la province avait été très bien représentée, et que c'était normal de mandater un fonctionnaire pour remplir le rôle d'un élu.
« Je ne pense pas que ce soit normal, c'est une réunion de ministres, on doit envoyer un ministre qui est à la fois élu et nommé par le premier ministre. »
Le député vert Kevin Arseneau a également sourcillé face à cette représentation hors de l’ordinaire.
Kevin Arseneau, député vert de Kent-Nord, a même offert de représenter le gouvernement à cette rencontre. Photo : Radio-Canada
C'est tout à fait inacceptable qu'on n’envoie pas un élu à une telle réunion, puis malheureusement, ce n'est pas la première fois, souligne-t-il.
Selon lui, cela montre le peu d'importance accordée à la francophonie par le gouvernement Higgs.
« Ça ne fait pas sérieux qu'on n’envoie personne, ça démontre vraiment que c'est un enjeu secondaire... même pas secondaire, parce qu'on n’y accorde aucune importance. »
Kevin Arseneau a même offert de représenter la province s’il n’était pas possible de trouver un élu du Parti conservateur pour y aller.
Selon Benoît Bourque, le fait que le Nouveau-Brunswick soit la seule province officiellement bilingue au pays rend la situation encore plus inacceptable.
Ça prouve encore une fois le dédain de ce gouvernement pour les langues officielles, l'importance du français au sein de cette province, croit M. Bourque.
Lors de la rencontre nationale des ministres de la Francophonie, il a été question, entre autres, de l'importance d'offrir des services en français en santé mentale, dans les soins aux personnes âgées, et de favoriser l'immigration francophone.
Nous avons tenté d'obtenir des explications du premier ministre, mais en vain.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca> Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:36:22 +0000 Subject: Automatic Reply To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
-------------------
Merci d'avoir écrit à l'honorable David Lametti, ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada.
En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu avec soin.
Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
Joly calls Canadian official's attendance at Russian Embassy event 'unacceptable'
Event at embassy in Ottawa was celebrating Russia Day
CBC News ·
The flag flies outside the Russian Embassy in Ottawa on March 26, 2018. Canada's foreign affairs minister says a Canadian official's decision to attend a reception there on Friday was 'unacceptable.' (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says it was unacceptable for a Canadian official to have attended a reception hosted by the Russian Embassy and promised that no similar incidents would occur again.
The statement follows reporting by the Globe and Mail that Yasemin Heinbecker, the deputy chief of protocol at the Global Affairs department, attended a Russia Day celebration at the Russian Embassy in Ottawa Friday night. The holiday commemorates Russia's constitutional reform at the end of the Soviet era.
Heinbecker's attendance comes as Canada and its allies have pushed back against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation."
"This is unacceptable. No Canadian representative should have attended the event hosted at the Russian Embassy [and] no Canadian representative will attend this kind of event again," Joly wrote in a tweet Sunday night.
She reiterated that Canada continues to support Ukraine.
A Global Affairs Canada spokesperson said the decision to send a protocol officer to the reception was made by the department.
"No Canadian representative should have attended the event hosted at the Russian Embassy and no Canadian representative will attend this kind of event in the future," said the GAC statement.
"Russian officials will not be invited to Canada Day events hosted by the department."
Diplomats from other countries attended
Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov said he appreciated Heinbecker coming to the event.
"We believe diplomacy is an all-weather instrument and diplomatic protocol is an important part of upkeeping the bilateral communications. Diplomacy is about dialogue," he said in a statement.
"We don't look at Canada through the adversarial optic and are ready to patiently wait when [Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau's cabinet or the next government come to understand that it's in Canadian national interest to pursue good-neighbourly relations with Russia."
The embassy said Joly was also invited to the reception and said diplomats from other countries attended.
Since the assault in Ukraine began in February, the Canadian government has imposed sanctions on individuals with ties to Russia and sent military supplies, including ammunition, to aid Ukrainian troops.
Last week, the RCMP disclosed that assets and transactions worth more than $400 million Cdn have been sanctioned as a result of Moscow's war on Ukraine.
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos @FloryGoncalves and 49 others Garry Moore Even the BBC is calling us out. My reply Methinks I called out BBC et al in an ethical fashion but too bad so sad some of my replies were disabled Surprise Surprise N'esy Pas? #Trudeau
Trump's claim that NATO will boost defence spending disputed French president says allies confirmed intention to meet 2% goal by 2024 and no more The Associated Press · Posted: Jul 12, 2018 3:44 AM ET
1169 Comments
David R. Amos Content disabled. Sooner or later somebody in NATO will read this N'esy Pas?
Statement of Claim Federal Court of Canada File # T-1557-15
A portion of Statement # 83
83. The Plaintiff states that now that Canada is involved in more war in Iraq again it did not serve Canadian interests and reputation to allow Barry Winters to publish the following words three times over five years after he began his bragging:
Friday, October 3, 2014
Little David Amos’ “True History Of War” Canadian Airstrikes And
Stupid Justin Trudeau
Canada’s and Canadians free ride is over. Canada can no longer hide
behind Amerka’s and NATO’s skirts.
When I was still in Canadian Forces then Prime Minister Jean Chretien actually committed the Canadian Army to deploy in the second campaign in Iraq, the Coalition of the Willing. This was against or contrary to the wisdom or advice of those of us Canadian officers that were involved in the initial planning phases of that operation. There were significant concern in our planning cell, and NDHQ about of the dearth of concern for operational guidance, direction, and forces for operations after the initial occupation of Iraq. At the “last minute” Prime Minister Chretien and the Liberal government changed its mind. The Canadian government told our amerkan cousins that we would not deploy combat troops for the Iraq campaign, but would deploy a Canadian Battle Group to Afghanistan, enabling our amerkan cousins to redeploy troops from there to Iraq. The PMO’s thinking that it was less costly to deploy Canadian Forces to Afghanistan than Iraq. But alas no one seems to remind the Liberals of Prime Minister Chretien’s then grossly incorrect assumption.
Trump says NATO allies like Canada are 'delinquent' on military spending. Is he wrong? 'We're the schmucks that are paying for the whole thing,' President Trump says John Paul Tasker · CBC News · Posted: Jul 11, 2018 6:10 PM ET
765 Comments Commenting is now closed for this story.
Garry Moore Even the BBC is calling us out.
Show 13 older replies
david mccaig @Robert Paul Baloney
David R. Amos @david mccaig PolitiFact
Statement of Claim Federal Court of Canada File # T-1557-15
A portion of Statement # 83
83. The Plaintiff states that now that Canada is involved in more war in Iraq again it did not serve Canadian interests and reputation to allow Barry Winters to publish the following words three times over five years after he began his bragging:
Friday, October 3, 2014 Little David Amos’ “True History Of War” Canadian Airstrikes And Stupid Justin Trudeau
Canada’s and Canadians free ride is over. Canada can no longer hide behind Amerka’s and NATO’s skirts.
When I was still in Canadian Forces then Prime Minister Jean Chretien actually committed the Canadian Army to deploy in the second campaign in Iraq, the Coalition of the Willing. This was against or contrary to the wisdom or advice of those of us Canadian officers that were involved in the initial planning phases of that operation. There were significant concern in our planning cell, and NDHQ about of the dearth of concern for operational guidance, direction, and forces for operations after the initial occupation of Iraq. At the “last minute” Prime Minister Chretien and the Liberal government changed its mind. The Canadian government told our amerkan cousins that we would not deploy combat troops for the Iraq campaign, but would deploy a Canadian Battle Group to Afghanistan, enabling our amerkan cousins to redeploy troops from there to Iraq. The PMO’s thinking that it was less costly to deploy Canadian Forces to Afghanistan than Iraq. But alas no one seems to remind the Liberals of Prime Minister Chretien’s then grossly incorrect assumption.
David R. Amos @David R. Amos continued
Notwithstanding Jean Chretien’s incompetence and stupidity, the Canadian Army was heroic, professional, punched well above it’s weight, and the PPCLI Battle Group, is credited with “saving Afghanistan” during the Panjway campaign of 2006.
What Justin Trudeau and the Liberals don’t tell you now, is that then Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chretien committed, and deployed the Canadian army to Canada’s longest “war” without the advice, consent, support, or vote of the Canadian Parliament.
What David Amos and the rest of the ignorant, uneducated, and babbling chattering classes are too addled to understand is the deployment of less than 75 special operations troops, and what is known by planners as a “six pac cell” of fighter aircraft is NOT the same as a deployment of a Battle Group, nor a “war” make.
The Canadian Government or The Crown unlike our amerkan cousins have the “constitutional authority” to commit the Canadian nation to war. That has been recently clearly articulated to the Canadian public by constitutional scholar Phillippe Legasse. What Parliament can do is remove “confidence” in The Crown’s Government in a “vote of non-confidence.” That could not happen to the Chretien Government regarding deployment to Afghanistan, and it won’t happen in this instance with the conservative majority in The Commons regarding a limited Canadian deployment to the Middle East.
David R. Amos Content disabled. @David R. Amos continued
President George Bush was quite correct after 911 and the terror attacks in New York; that the Taliban “occupied” and “failed state” Afghanistan was the source of logistical support, command and control, and training for the Al Quaeda war of terror against the world. The initial defeat, and removal from control of Afghanistan was vital and essential for the security and tranquility of the developed world. An ISIS “caliphate,” in the Middle East, no matter how small, is a clear and present danger to the entire world. This “occupied state,” or“failed state” will prosecute an unending Islamic inspired war of terror against not only the “western world,” but Arab states “moderate” or not, as well. The security, safety, and tranquility of Canada and Canadians are just at risk now with the emergence of an ISIS“caliphate” no matter how large or small, as it was with the Taliban and Al Quaeda “marriage” in Afghanistan.
One of the everlasting “legacies” of the “Trudeau the Elder’s dynasty was Canada and successive Liberal governments cowering behind the amerkan’s nuclear and conventional military shield, at the same time denigrating, insulting them, opposing them, and at the same time self-aggrandizing ourselves as “peace keepers,” and progenitors of “world peace.” Canada failed. The United States of Amerka, NATO, the G7 and or G20 will no longer permit that sort of sanctimonious behavior from Canada or its government any longer. And Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Foreign Minister John Baird , and Cabinet are fully cognizant of that reality. Even if some editorial boards, and pundits are not.
David R. Amos Content disabled. @David R. Amos Continued
Justin, Trudeau “the younger” is reprising the time “honoured” liberal mantra, and tradition of expecting the amerkans or the rest of the world to do “the heavy lifting.” Justin Trudeau and his “butt buddy” David Amos are telling Canadians that we can guarantee our security and safety by expecting other nations to fight for us. That Canada can and should attempt to guarantee Canadians safety by providing “humanitarian aid” somewhere, and call a sitting US president a “war criminal.” This morning Australia announced they too, were sending tactical aircraft to eliminate the menace of an ISIS “caliphate.”
In one sense Prime Minister Harper is every bit the scoundrel Trudeau “the elder” and Jean ‘the crook” Chretien was. Just As Trudeau, and successive Liberal governments delighted in diminishing, marginalizing, under funding Canadian Forces, and sending Canadian military men and women to die with inadequate kit and modern equipment; so too is Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Canada’s F-18s are antiquated, poorly equipped, and ought to have been replaced five years ago. But alas, there won’t be single RCAF fighter jock that won’t go, or won’t want to go, to make Canada safe or safer.
My Grandfather served this country. My father served this country. My Uncle served this country. And I have served this country. Justin Trudeau has not served Canada in any way. Thomas Mulcair has not served this country in any way. Liberals and so called social democrats haven’t served this country in any way. David Amos, and other drooling fools have not served this great nation in any way. Yet these fools are more than prepared to ensure their, our safety to other nations, and then criticize them for doing so.
There is a lot more
David R. Amos @Garry Moore Methinksl I called out BBC et al in an ethical fashion but too bad so sad some of my replies were disabled Surprise Surprise N'esy Pas?
---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2018 12:35:43 -0400 Subject: ATTN Trevor Kerr RE Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP RE NATO etc Methinks you should read this email real slow then say Hey to May, Trump and Trudeau for me N'esy Pas? To: trevor.kerr@fco.gov.uk Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
Trevor Kerr 80 Elgin Street Ottawa Ontario K1P 5K7 Canada
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ukincanada@fco.gov.uk Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:27:54 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: ATTN Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP RE NATO etc Methinks you should read this email real slow then say Hey to May, Trump and Trudeau for me N'esy Pas? To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
SUBJECT: CONSULAR ASSISTANCE, VISA, AND PASSPORT ENQUIRIES
Thank you for contacting our Press and Public Affairs Team at the British High Commission in Ottawa. If we can help with your enquiry we aim to reply within 2 business days.
If you’re in the UK and concerned about a British national in Canada, call 020 7008 1500.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
From 30 September 2016, if you’re visiting Canada by air you’ll need an eTA to board your flight unless you’re otherwise exempted (for example, if you have a valid Canadian visa or a permanent resident card). If you have British-Canadian dual nationality you won’t be able to apply for an eTA and you’ll need to present a valid Canadian passport to board your flight to Canada.
Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions:
1. UK Passports 2. Visas and travelling to the UK or abroad 3. Nationality and Citizenship 4. Bringing Goods into the UK 5. Getting married 6. Registering a birth or a death 7. Applying for Duplicate Certificates of Naturalisation & Registration 8. Police clearance 9. Certification, notarisation or authentication of documents 10. Tourist information – maps, hotels, attractions etc. 11. Legal Advice 12. Travel advice – advisories, local conditions, required documentation etc. 13. Health coverage 14. UK government services and benefits 15. Pensions 16. Internet scams – Job offers and UK lottery winnings
Track your passport application https://www.gov.uk/track-passport-application or to seek advice about passport applications or to check the progress of your online application please call Passport Adviceline at +44 (0) 300 222 0000.
UK Visas and Immigration<https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration> (UKVI) process all visa applications from Canada. Neither the British High Commission in Ottawa nor our Consulates-General provide visa services. We are also unable to respond to visa enquiries.
If you’re not a British national, you may need a visa to travel to the UK. Check if you need a UK visa.<https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa>
Most Canadians don't need a visa to visit the UK as a tourist or to visit family and friends, but your Canadian passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. You may want to apply for a visa<https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/short-visit-visas> if you have a criminal record or you’ve previously been refused entry into the UK.
Visas for British Nationals travelling
If you’re a British national travelling abroad and need to apply for a visa to visit a particular country or check if you need a visa, see the entry requirements on our foreign travel advice<https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice> for the country you want to visit.
British Nationals moving to Canada
British citizens who wish to apply for residency or work permits in Canada must refer to Citizenship and Immigration Canada www.cic.gc.ca<http://www.cic.gc.ca> Please note that The British High Commission in Ottawa cannot assist with your application for a Canadian visa, permanent residency or Canadian citizenship.
Further information on types of British citizenship and how to become a citizen can be found on GOV.UK<https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/citizenship>. You can also call the Citizenship adviceline at 011 44 300 123 2253.
Right to abode / certificate of entitlement
If you are looking for information on having the right of abode in the UK or applying for a certificate of entitlement please visit GOV.UK<https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode>.
We don’t issue certificates of no impediment, affirmations or affidavits of marital status. We also don’t perform marriages or civil partnerships for British nationals. For further information on getting married in Canada, see getting married abroad<https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad>.
For information on UK marriage records you can also call 011 44 300 123 1837.
For information on birth and death records you can also call 011 44 300 123 1837.
Bringing human remains back to the UK
Information on bringing human remains or ashes back to the UK can be found on GOV.UK<https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/death-abroad>. If you need more information or assistance with a death case please call British High Commission in Ottawa or your nearest consulate as described above.
Persons who require a police certificate for the purpose of immigration, visas or residency in Canada should refer to the Association of Chief Police Officers<https://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx> (ACPO) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The British High Commission and our Consulates-General are not able to certify, legalise, notarise or authenticate documents. In Canada, this process is carried out by a public notary.
Our consular staff are not qualified to give any legal advice nor interfere with personal disputes. If you need to seek professional legal advice, the best suited person will be a lawyer. Please refer to the list of lawyers in Canada<https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/canada-list-of-lawyers> on GOV.UK.
Specific information for British nationals in Canada or migrating here can be found at by reviewing our Living in Canada guidance<https://www.gov.uk/living-in-canada>. This resource includes information about driving licences, retiring in Canada and claiming your UK pension.
Canadian travellers should refer to the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website: www.voyage.gc.ca<http://www.voyage.gc.ca>. Please note that many countries (including the UK and Canada) expect visitors to have at least 6 months of remaining validity on their passport (passed the date of travel).
13. HEALTH COVERAGE
We strongly recommend that all travellers take out adequate health insurance before travelling. Please note that the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK is reserved for UK residents and is not necessarily available to visiting UK citizens. Please contact the Department of Health<https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health> in the UK to clarify your entitlement to healthcare.
13. UK GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS
Please refer to www.gov.uk<http://www.gov.uk> for a range of government service information on topics such as UK pensions, national insurance, driving license, taxes, healthcare, education, moving back to the UK and more.
For National Insurance enquiries you can call 011 44 300 200 3500
14. PENSIONS The British High Commission in Ottawa does not handle matters regarding UK pensions. Please contact the International Pension Centre<https://www.gov.uk/browse/working/state-pension> in the United Kingdom for further information:
15. INTERNET SCAMS – JOB OFFERS AND UK LOTTERY WINNINGS
The British High Commission is unable to confirm the legitimacy of prizes or job offers received via e-mail; however we can say that fraudulent offers of that nature are very common. You should be extremely wary of any organisation that has approached you online, especially if they request your personal details, documents or funds via wire transfer. You should never submit personal information or banking details via e-mail. If you think that you may be the victim of fraud, you should report this incident to your local police.
Election fraud claims from Trump, allies became like 'Whac-a-Mole': Barr testimony
Bill Barr, former attorney general, testifies Trump became 'detached from reality' in election claims
CBC News ·
Democratic committee chair Bennie Thompson, left, and committee vice-chair Liz Cheney, are shown during Monday's session of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot resumed its public hearings Monday with recordings from depositions from Donald Trump's former attorney general and campaign director to detail how the former president pursued his false claims about the November 2020 election.
Bill Barr, the attorney general at the time, said Trump became "detached from reality" in his pursuit of fighting the election result. The panel of seven Democrats and two Republicans has accused Trump of emboldening a mob of his supporters to lay siege to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Committee chair Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, opened the nearly-three hour hearing saying Trump "betrayed the trust of the American people" and "tried to remain in office when people had voted him out."
The first group of witnesses was supposed to include former Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien appearing in person. But Stepien was a last-minute pullout due to a family emergency, pushing back the start time of the hearing 45 minutes.
Trump went 'in a different direction'
The committee played portions of a recorded interview with Stepien conducted in February. In those segments, Stepien said he advised the president to expect that mail-in ballots — which increased greatly in 2020 due to the pandemic — would likely be tabulated for hours or even days to come and that leads could change in some states.
Trump, Stepien said, told the adviser "he was going to go in a different direction," leading to the incumbent president declaring victory on election night, with a handful of states still in play.
Chris Stirewalt, former Fox political editor, testifies Monday in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The committee also heard from Chris Stirewalt, a former Fox News political editor.
Stirewalt said Fox went to "great pains" to inform viewers that leads might change because Democratic voters, recent electoral history had shown, tended to favour mail-in balloting more than Republicans. He also explained the process of his network declaring Arizona as being won by Joe Biden.
That declaration rocked the Trump campaign, allies of the former president said in prerecorded testimony that was played Monday.
Claims about Canadian voting company 'disturbing': Barr
Despite the Arizona declaration, however, Fox broadcast several claims of electoral fraud by Trump surrogates, including lawyer Rudy Giuliani, in the weeks after the Nov. 3 election.
Stepien said in his recorded deposition that as Trump continued his election protestations, a distinction grew between "Team Normal" and "Rudy's Team." Giuliani, Sidney Powell and other allies of the president shared wild allegations of voting fraud, some involving foreign entities, as well as legal strategies to help Trump.
"What they were proposing I thought was nuts," said White House lawyer Eric Herschmann in a recorded deposition.
The session early Monday also included more details from a recent deposition conducted with Barr, who was perceived to have stood by Trump when investigations about his 2016 campaign played out.
Barr parted company with Trump in mid-December 2020, but not before telling the Associated Press there was no evidence of fraud widespread enough to overturn the previous month's election result, which made Trump angrier than he'd ever seen him before, the former attorney general testified.
Barr said in newly released clips that the theories of fraud multiplied and became like a game of 'Whac-a-Mole," and that Trump had become "detached from reality" in his obsession.
WATCH | Barr explains why he parted ways with Trump amid baseless claims:
Highlights from Bill Barr's testimony to Jan. 6 committee
5 hours ago
Duration 3:44
Former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr told the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol that he considered early claims of fraud in the November 2020 election to be 'bogus and silly.'
Barr also said he advised the president that the Justice Department "was not an extension of his legal team." He said things "deteriorated" in the last week of November 2020 in terms of Trump's wild claims and his relationship with the president.
A second group of in-person witnesses Monday included Philadelphia City commissioner Al Schmidt, a Republican who faced criticism as Pennsylvania's election was called for Biden.
Regarding a claim that about 8,000 votes were cast there in the names of dead people for Democrats, Schmidt responded: "Not only was there not evidence of 8,000 dead voters voting in Pennsylvania, there wasn't evidence of eight."
Al Schmidt, former Philadelphia City Commissioner testifies on false fraud claims, and the threats he received, during a hearing by the Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
After Trump angrily included his name in a tweet, Schmidt said he received a host of graphic threats, some of which had specific information about his family and home address.
Federal attorney B.J. Pak detailed a few rebuttals to some allegations of electoral fraud in Georgia. Pak resigned from the Justice Department after being unsuccessful in finding examples of Georgia fraud requested by the Trump administration.
The committee, investigating the early 2021 attack for the past year, has warned that Trump's effort to overturn Biden's election victory posed a grave threat and precedent for future U.S. elections.
"What Trump and his gang did in the 2020 election and its aftermath is a big historical moment for our country, far bigger than the Watergate scandal we still discuss 50 years later," he wrote.
The panel does not have the power to hand down indictments, but could ratchet up the pressure on the Justice Department if it lays out compelling evidence crimes were committed.
No president or ex-president has ever been indicted. Attorney General Merrick Garland has not specified whether he would be willing to prosecute.
But at the end of Monday's hearing, the committee teased the fact they believe Trump's so-called Election Defense Fund, which raised $250 million US, did not exist, potentially raising serious legal questions.
WATCH | Committee says Trump election fraud fundraising went to PAC, not legal challenges:
Trump raised millions on false election claims, says Jan. 6 committee
3 hours ago
Duration 1:38
Former U.S. president Donald Trump collected millions of dollars from supporters in a 'Save America PAC' by pushing voter fraud claims, but the money went to pro-Trump organizations, not for election related fights, according to the committee examining the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Trump, who may consider another presidential run, said last week that Jan. 6 "represented the greatest movement in the history of our country."
More than 800 people have been arrested over the siege, and members of two extremist groups have been indicted on rare sedition charges over their roles leading the attack. Among those who died at the Capitol that day was a Trump supporter fatally shot while part of a large group seeking to breach a Capitol entrance.
Hearings are planned this week for Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon.
LISTEN | Some Republicans hope hearings become moment of reflection for GOP:
As It Happens 6:14 Jan. 6 hearings a reminder of how 'extreme' majority of Republicans have become, party member says
While many Republicans have dismissed the Jan. 6 hearings, others like Gunner Ramer hope it’s a moment of reflection for the party. Ramer is the political director of the Republican Accountability Project, a Republican-backed group aimed at fighting disinformation and upholding democracy.
THREAD: One of the worst BigLaw giants is Kirkland & Ellis, a "Republican holding-pen" which has represented corporations like BP, Raytheon, and Facebook. Here's more on why its attorneys should be disqualified from serving in the Biden administration:
Ambassador Oleg Stepanov: The Russian side has repeatedly said that Western sanctions are completely useless in this situation, they will not have an impact on either Russia or on resolving a wider crisis within the framework of the European security.
In a disappointing continuation from the Trump Administration, Politico reported last week that a Kirkland & Ellis lawyer is in contention to help lead the Department of Justice, raising serious concerns among anti-monopoly advocates. According to the article, Susan Davies, a litigation partner at Kirkland, might be the next assistant attorney general for antitrust.
Kirkland & Ellis has deep ties to the Republican party, flaunting notable alumni including Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Robert Bork, and Clinton-era special counsel turned disgraced Baylor presidentKen Starr. The firm acts as a holding pen between Republican administrations, including most recently the Trump Administration. Several top Trump officials came to the administration from Kirkland, including National Security Advisor John Bolton, Attorney General William Barr, Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.
Little Sis reported that Barr continued hiring from his former firm once nominated as Attorney General, creating a deep network of Kirkland attorneys that dominated the Department of Justice under Trump. Jeffrey Rosen, Barr’s number two at DOJ, previously defended clients including Raytheon, General Motors, and the Chamber of Commerce at Kirkland. Barr’s number three was Claire Murray, a Kirkland partner whose clients included Boeing, Syngenta, and United Technologies before joining the White House in 2017. After leaving Kirkland, Murray helped confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. At an industry conference in 2019, Murray joked: “Our philosophy is that an agency can never be led by too many lawyers from Kirkland & Ellis.”
Beyond grooming Republican officials who have gone on to enforce horrific and violent immigration policies; order federal officers to use force against peaceful protesters; and helped shield Trump from the law; Kirkland & Ellis also works to protect corporate clients from federal investigations and lawsuits.
One of their most formidable practices is their antitrust practice, which shepherds corporate clients through merger and acquisition investigations from the FTC and DOJ Antitrust Division. Kirkland seems to rely heavily on hiring lawyers who were once tasked with challenging those mergers in government to attract high profile clients. The firm has made a habit of hiring former antitrust regulators, including two FTC staff attorneys in 2019. The practice is headed by Matthew Reilly, himself a former assistant director leading the Mergers IV division within the FTC’s Bureau of Competition.
The practice’s recent headlining cases include multiple billion-dollar deals in merger-driven industries including pharmaceuticals and healthcare. Kirkland lawyers advised AbbVie in the Pharma giant’s $63 billion acquisition of Allergan and BristolMyersSquibb’s recent $74 billion merger with Celgene, both in front of the FTC. The firm also advised health care company WellCare on their $17.3 billion merger with Centene in a case investigated by the DOJ Antitrust Division.
Davies herself has represented at least three clients in antitrust cases while at Kirkland. First, Davies defended Facebook in 2012 against a private antitrust case brought by a competitor in the online advertising market. The competitor unsuccessfully argued that Facebook was violating federal antitrust laws by threatening not to work with any advertisers who used the competitor’s product, which was biting into Facebook’s ad revenue.
Davies’ other antitrust clients include chemical producer Tronox. The FTC had sued alleging Tronox’s $2.4 billion purchase of Saudi-owned chemical mining company Cristal would reduce competition in the North American market for chloride process titanium dioxide, a white pigment frequently used in paint, paper and plastic. Davies also represented hospitality company Wyndham in the FTC’s suit alleging the company had data security failures that led to three data breaches, compromising consumers’ payment card information to an internet domain address registered in Russia. Wyndham, advised by Kirkland & Ellis, unsuccessfully argued that “Congress had never intended for the commission to be able to use its unfairness authority” to regulate companies’ data security. In other words, Davies never tried to defend Wyndham’s behavior itself, merely the FTC’s ability to hold it accountable.
Davies has defended at least one of the most denounced monopolies of our time (Facebook) and argued against the FTC’s power to hold corporations accountable for failing to safeguard consumers’ data. These facts do not bode well for how she might lead the DOJ’s Antitrust Division in an administration that is tasked with rebuilding both public trust in government and a functional executive branch.
Davies’ record while in government does not inspire much confidence either — as Deputy White House Counsel in the Obama administration, Davies was responsible for judicial selection, including “vetting potential judicial nominees and making recommendations to President Obama,” per her professional biography. Under her leadership, the judicial nomination team picked corporate attorneys over all other attorneys to serve on the federal bench by a margin of three to one. Fewer than four percent of Obama’s judicial nominees were public interest lawyers.
Both in private practice and in government service, Davies revealed her allegiance to corporate America to the detriment of public interest. Her firm is not only a safe haven for Repulican revolvers waiting for their next chance to jump back into government — it also has defended some of the most reviled figures of our time, including Jeffrey Epstein and BP in the devastating 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. And no, we don’t buy that lawyers who defend unpopular clients should be shielded from criticism and consequences. As we wrote in the American Prospect:
“High-level legal appointees, including Biden’s picks for attorney general, deputy attorneys general, and solicitor general, will be some of the most powerful people in the nation, and their decisions in these roles will have a wide-ranging impact on the lives of the American people. These individuals should therefore be held to the highest ethical standards and face the strictest scrutiny during their hiring process. Their integrity and commitment to the public good should be impeccable.”
Davies and other token Democratic lawyers at Republican-leaning firms like Kirkland & Ellis provide the firm a serious service. Clients worried that a longstanding relationship with a “Republican” firm creates vulnerabilities should Democrats gain power can be assured that Kirkland provides clients access to Democratic favor-swapping as well as Republican, via figures like Davies. Another reason Davies is a powerful token with clients is the knowledge that astonishing attacks on government regulation, such as the authority of the FTC to enforce data security rules, sound more plausible coming from a Democrat than a Republican. “Even Obama’s former lawyer doesn’t believe the FTC can do this” is a compelling argument to far too many.
In other words, Davies’ willingness to serve as a Democrat at Trump’s favorite BigLaw firm helped that firm succeed. She helped make Trump’s lawyers rich and offered them reputational cover while they advocated for anyone from sleazy to reprehensible clients. She was, in word and deed, a “partner” to many of Trump’s lawyers, the “officers of the court” who served the opponent of the rule of law so loyally. Shouldn’t this decision to partner with Trump’s pals go on her permanent record?
Davies, and lawyers from Kirkland & Ellis in general, have made a business of commodifying government experience to the benefit of their corporate clients. They have no place in a Biden Administration that promised to “restore ethics in government” and proposed some of the most sweeping ethics plans in recent history. But there’s an extra slice of inappropriateness when a lawyer has chosen to associate themself with one of the least redeeming law firms in recent American history.
Attorney General Bill Barr’s alarmingexpansion of political control at the DOJ in advance of the election is also a story of corporate capture: a single law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, has a revolving door monopoly on the highest ranks of the Department of Justice that deserves far more scrutiny.
A tight network of former Kirkland lawyers – including Barr, his two highest-ranking deputies, and numerous other top officials – has achieved an extraordinary level of control at the DOJ, and has played a key role in putting the agency to work for the president.
The Kirkland network appears to have provided the political and legal muscle behind one of the DOJ’s most controversial recent moves: its decision to take over the president’s defense in the E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit by claiming that the president was acting in his official capacity in denying Carroll’s rape allegation. Just prior to that intervention, Barr had installed former Kirkland lawyers – including a longtime partner who was hired by the DOJ in August – into key positions at the Civil Division and its Torts Branch, which is handling the case. Though a federal judge rejected the DOJ’s attempt to get it dismissed, discovery in the case was effectively delayed until after the election, with obvious benefits for Trump.
This pattern of appointments, detailed below for the first time, lends further support to the charge that Barr is running the DOJ as if it is the president’s private law firm; the name of that firm is Kirkland & Ellis.
But the firm has other clients, of course. Its reach into the DOJ raises massive conflict of interest concerns: it is hard to see how the DOJ could possibly handle any case involving a Kirkland client – and there are many – with the necessary degree of independence. At an agency where the attorney general has argued that political appointees have “ultimate authority” on any key decision, you have to go at least three levels down on the org chart to find someone who was not recently on the Kirkland payroll.
The story of Kirkland & Ellis and the Department of Justice provides a telling window onto the relationship between the Trump administration and the corporate power networks that benefit from and help drive Trump’s hold on power (while also hedging their bets with Democrats). It is important to understand this larger context of power relationships regardless of the outcome of the election, though it may be especially important in some post-election scenarios.
The Kirkland network controls the Department of Justice
Kirkland & Ellis has long been a prominent corporate law firm, though during the Trump years it has gained the distinction of becoming the largest law firm in the world by revenue. Industry observers chalk this up to its large roster of private equity clients and increased focus on dealmaking. Trump administration and Republican Party ties likely helped: it is one of the most conservative large law firms in the country, according to one study, and former Kirkland attorneys hold many powerful appointments throughout the Trump administration.
At the DOJ under Barr, however, the firm’s network has achieved a startling level of control. The DOJ has long had a revolving door issue with major corporate law firms, including under Democratic administrations – Obama had a serious Covington & Burling problem, and Democratic-leaning firms are certainly keen to take over a potential Biden DOJ – but Barr has taken it to a new level. Most notably, the DOJ’s three highest-ranking officials were all Kirkland attorneys prior to joining the Trump administration:
Bill Barr has a longstanding relationship with the firm dating back to 1994, when he was general counsel at GTE, a predecessor to Verizon (where Barr also served as general counsel). In a 2006 interview with Corporate Counsel, he sang the firm’s praises, saying that he looks to it for “big, important litigation” and citing its “strength at every level.” Though Barr has never been a partner at the firm, he has done several stints there over the years: he was of counsel in 2009, served as a consultant to the firm in 2011 on the BP oil spill case, and was of counsel there again from 2017 until his appointment as attorney general, handling work for Caterpillar and Cerberus, the private equity firm. (Notably, Barr’s high-level corporate relationships extend far beyond just his work at Kirkland, and he held several corporate directorships prior to his appointment.)
Barr’s number two, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, was a longtime partner at Kirkland prior to joining the Trump administration as deputy secretary of transportation in 2017. Trump appointed him as deputy attorney general at Barr’s recommendation in 2019. Rosen’s past clients include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, General Motors, and Raytheon.
Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Claire Murray, who Barr brought on as principal deputy associate attorney general in May 2019, was a Kirkland partner before joining the White House counsel’s office in 2017. The third-ranking position on the DOJ’s org chart, associate attorney general, is unfilled, so Murray is acting in that capacity. Murray worked for a range of corporate clients at Kirkland, including Boeing, Syngenta, and United Technologies. At the White House she played a key role in handling the Supreme Court nomination of another former Kirkland partner, Brett Kavanaugh, for whom she had previously clerked.
Shortly into her tenure, Murray joked to an industry conference that “our philosophy is that an agency can never be led by too many lawyers from Kirkland & Ellis” (apparently seeing no problem with this). Indeed, the firm’s reach into the DOJ goes beyond the three highest-ranking positions:
Jeff Clark, assistant attorney general in charge of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), was a longtime partner prior to joining the DOJ in 2018. Barr recently made Clark acting assistant attorney general in charge of the Civil Division.
Another former partner, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Brightbill, has reportedly taken on many of Clark’s responsibilities at ENRD as Clark focuses on his new role at the Civil Division.
Beth Williams, assistant attorney general in charge of the Office of Legal Policy – which oversees the judicial appointment process at the DOJ – was a partner prior to joining DOJ in 2017.
John Moran, chief of staff to the deputy attorney general and associate attorney general, was a partner prior to joining the Trump White House in 2017. He moved to the DOJ in 2018, and served as Barr’s deputy chief of staff from February 2019 until August 2020.
Steven Engel, the assistant attorney general in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel, did a stint as a Kirkland associate a long time ago, from 2002 to 2006, but one of his deputies, Devin DeBacker, has a more recent relationship – he was a partner at the firm prior to joining the Trump White House (he moved to the DOJ in August).
The deputy assistant general in charge of the Torts Branch, Doug Smith, was a longtime partner prior to his appointment in August.
Kellen Dwyer, a former Kirkland lawyer who joined the DOJ in 2014, was recently appointed deputy assistant attorney general in charge of the Office of Law and Policy in the National Security Division. The appointment raised concerns because Dwyer replaced a career official at a division that signs off on the legality of the federal government’s counterterrorism and counterintelligence activity, in advance of the election. Dwyer’s qualifications are unclear, at best; he is known mainly for inadvertently revealing federal charges against Julian Assange.
The assistant attorney general in charge of the Criminal Division, Brian Benczkowski, was a longtime partner prior to joining the Trump administration and moved back through the revolving door to Kirkland in September.
Though this list is exhausting, it is not exhaustive, and Kirkland’s ties to the administration also extend to other parts of the Trump administration. Perhaps most notably, given its special relationship with both the DOJ and the president, the White House counsel’s office is currently led by former partner Pat Cipollone, and deputy counsels Patrick Philbin and John Eisenberg are also former partners. As press reports have noted, several of the above DOJ officials also served in the White House counsel’s office prior to joining the DOJ, including Murray, DeBacker, and Moran.
The number of revolving door relationships with Kirkland is notable on its own, but it is also important to consider the ways in which such a close-knit insider network can be deployed to move a deeply controversial institutional agenda – such as, say, a campaign to put the DOJ to work for the president in advance of the upcoming election.
Indeed, Barr’s personnel moves with respect to the Carroll case indicate that he has, in fact, brought this network to bear on a significant decision related to the president’s personal matters in the run-up to the election.
Barr taps the Kirkland network to take over the president’s defense in the Carroll defamation suit
In early September, the DOJ took the extraordinary step of taking over the president’s defense in the E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit. In certifying the case, the DOJ adopted the new position that the president had been acting in his official capacity in denying Carroll’s allegations that Trump had raped her during the mid-1990s.
The move drew sharp criticism. How could the president possibly be acting in his official capacity in denying a decades-old rape allegation? The timing of the move was extremely fortunate for the president, as well: it effectively delayed a high-profile case against Trump just two months prior to the election, on the deadline for appeal and just prior to deadlines to provide some of the required discovery materials, including a DNA sample. Legal experts have noted that the DOJ could have, and should have, taken this step much earlier if this was its position all along.
In defending the maneuver, Barr attempted to characterize it as a routine decision by a civil servant, telling reporters that “this has become somewhat routine to the extent that the certification process has been delegated to an attorney in the tort section of the civil division of the Justice Department.”
Barr’s personnel moves suggest otherwise: he made two key appointments just prior to the certification that have gone unnoticed, but suggest that he leaned heavily on the Kirkland network to move this supposedly routine, bureaucratic decision.
In August, the DOJ appointed a longtime partner at the firm, Doug Smith, as deputy assistant attorney general in charge of the Torts Branch, which was responsible for the decision. The appointment was made shortly before the September 8th certification, but it has gone unnoticed so far. This was an unusual career jump for Smith, who had been at Kirkland since 1996, representing corporate clients like Dow and Philip Morris. Smith’s LinkedIn profile now boasts that he is “the chief litigator in charge of the Torts Branch of the U.S. Department of Justice, responsible for representing the United States and its officials, including the President and the Attorney General, in all tort actions in federal courts.”
On September 5th, just three days prior to the DOJ’s certification of the case, Barr named Jeff Clark acting assistant attorney general in charge of the Civil Division, which oversees the Torts Branch. Clark, a longtime Kirkland partner before joining the DOJ, also continues to serve in his position as assistant attorney general in charge of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division. Clark’s name appears at the top of the initial filing, though it was signed by James Touhey, the director of the Torts Branch.
Touhey must have suddenly found himself surrounded by a phalanx of Kirkland attorneys as he exercised his supposedly independent authority to sign off on the certification. The names of Clark, Smith, and Civil Division Counsel William Lane– who was an associate at the firm prior to joining the Trump administration – all appear at the top of the DOJ’s most recent filings in the case. Lane was scheduled to deliver oral arguments on behalf of the DOJ, but was not allowed to enter the courthouse due to quarantine restrictions, and the hearing was called off.
This week a federal judge rejected the DOJ’s argument that the United States should be substituted as the defendant in the case. But regardless of whether the DOJ appeals, what appear to have been primary objectives – delaying the case, and associated discovery, until after the election, and removing the case to federal court – were achieved.
Barr’s DOJ has been taking other troubling steps with respect to the upcoming election, and has signaled that he is willing to do more. The network deployed in the Carroll case gives us some sense of the role Barr’s in-house law firm is playing in moving this agenda.
Kirkland & Ellis has many high-powered corporate clients with interests before the DOJ
Kirkland’s DOJ branch office raises obvious conflict of interest concerns beyond its work for the president, given the firm’s roster of high-powered corporate clients.
For instance, Kirkland represented Goldman Sachs in the massive 1MDB corruption case, which culminated in a DOJ settlement last week. Though the bank paid a $2.9 billion fine and admitted wrongdoing, it escaped more serious penalties, such as a guilty plea in the United States and an independent monitor. The Kirkland network played a key role at DOJ: the official who oversaw it, Brian Benczkowski, was a partner at the firm prior to joining the DOJ as assistant attorney general in charge of the criminal division. Benczkowski moved back through the revolving door to the firm in September.
Benczkowski has a longstanding relationship with Mark Filip, the Kirkland lawyer Goldman retained to work on the case. When Filip was deputy attorney general under George W. Bush, Benczkowski was his chief of staff. Subsequently the pair was co-counsel for Kirkland on at least three high-profile DOJ cases, representing BP in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill case (which Barr also worked on for Kirkland), Volkswagen in its emissions scandal, and Abbott Laboratories in the misbranding of an epilepsy drug. Goldman Sachs’s hiring of Filip in the 1MDB case raised questions about whether Benczkowski would recuse himself. Incredibly, despite his close ties to Filip, he received an ethics waiver to work on the case. Barr also received a waiver.
Another notable example: Boeing retained the firm (Filip, specifically) to represent it in the 737 Max investigation. There has been little news about the case in recent months. Though Barr recused himself because of his ties to Kirkland, it is unclear if Benczkowski did. Other DOJ officials, including Claire Murray and John Moran, counted Boeing as a client during their time at Kirkland.
There are certainly many other examples – the DOJ-Kirkland crew’s list of past clients is stacked with corporate giants that have interests or cases before the DOJ, from private equity firms like Blackstone Group to defense contractors like Raytheon. (Kirkland’s representations of Russia’s Alfa Bank in the Trump-Russia investigation and Jeffrey Epstein have also, of course, raised eyebrows.).
Though some of the DOJ’s recent cases, including its antitrust case against Google, appear to be positive steps, it is hard to see how Kirkland’s extensive client list is not shaping the DOJ’s agenda. And its impact goes beyond which investigations it chooses to take up, and how it handles them: the DOJ recently issued guidance, for instance, that was seen as a significant boost to private equity firms and Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). Kirkland leads the industry in private equity deals, and has done more than twice as many SPAC deals as any other firm this year.
Barr and the rest of the Kirkland network serve at the pleasure of the president, but they also answer to corporate America.
What will Barr’s Kirkland network do next?
Barr has demonstrated a deep contempt for voters and protesters with, of course, strong racist, authoritarian undertones. This is visible in his recent pronouncements and policy moves at the DOJ – ginning up the spectre of voter fraud, attacking Black Lives Matter protesters, and reversing a longstanding DOJ policy against prosecutorial interference into elections, among other things – and also on a more personal level, in his fond recollections of his younger days spent punching protesters.
Barr’s disregard for basic rights is especially disturbing in light of the tight network of corporate lawyers he can rely on to move his agenda at DOJ. Barr has already put the DOJ to work for Trump in ways that cross the line into inappropriate involvement in the election, and he has the personnel in place to do more. The DOJ’s abilities to use law enforcement power to block vote counting appear limited, but there are other levers: announcements of investigations or targeted crackdowns on protest could do a lot to fan the flames of a post-election crisis.
Kirkland attorneys have been on the scene in another contested election. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was a partner at the firm when he served on Bush’s Florida recount team in 2000. He had also done pro bono work as an attorney for the family of Elián González in a case that is widely believed to have played a key role in winning Florida for Bush. His co-counsel in that case was none other than Jeff Clark, now acting head of the Civil Division, and one of the officials Barr moved into a key position of responsibility with respect to the decision to intervene on the president’s behalf in the Carroll case.
Kirkland puts a lot of effort into cultivating a positive image and bipartisan relationships: it routinely takes on pro bono clients, has high-profile Democratic partners, donates heavily to both parties, and even participates in an election protection program. If it really wants to protect the integrity of the election, a public disavowal of its branch office at the DOJ may be in order.
Self described fixer, turned whistleblower, David Wallace is back and he brought the guy he was asked to kill with him! Nathan Jacobson and David Wallace have been fixtures in darker corners of the political world for about 30 years. Last week, David claimed, with receipts, he was asked to murder Nathan Jacobson by a Calgary businessman, AND he and Nathan we asked to 'Take Out' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by a member of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. WHOOOOAAAAHHHH, Nelly. David is back to give us more detail about the hit he was asked to arrange on Nathan, and Nathan joins us to talk about being asked to "Take Out" Trudeau. Now listen, we're not investigative journalists and in no way are we endorsing anything in this podcast as absolute truth but the evidence of these crimes and the neo-con fascist movement ties into the people David and Nathan work with so let's look at this podcast like it's an educational safari into a dank world we rarely get to see. Remember, insiders and fixers get paid to manipulate people, facts, and events, set up mtgs, and generally work in the margins of ethics and decency on behalf of their relationships, so RELAX. We're just sniffing through the weeds trying to figure out who Pierre Poilievre's REAL DAD is and why Stephen Harper/Ezra Levant/Pierre Poilevre's Lawyer, Gerry Chipeur seems to be in the middle of everything. Pro Tip: They're doing it for the Christ! We're not 60 minutes but I still love a good espionage murder for hire story so LFG!!
Nathan Jacobson was a fixture in conservative circles during the Stephen Harper years, and David Wallace is a self-professed political fixer. In this chilling interview, both Jacobson and Wallace claim that they were approached by members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church to "take out" Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Was the convoy protest a political operation by the Conservative Party of Canada? Did the missing 8 million dollars from their GoFundMe campaign end up inside the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church to be laundered? Andy Lee and David Wallace spend an hour going through the tactics and manipulation largely directed at the protestors who seem to be gravitating to Pierre Poilievre.
The media in Canada has known about this for over a year. I was recently let go from a contract with the National Post after my reporting prompted Peter Mansbridge's lawyers to file a cease and desist letter. This story is not about Mansbridge having inter-office flings. Nobody has said those affairs were not consensual. What's important is that it looks like those affairs are protected by non-disclosure agreements that include paying the women involved with Mansbridge hush money. This is an open secret, but lawyers and crisis management firms are not letting the story break. Hopefully this video can quicken the process.
Toronto writer fined $250 for vote-early-and-often stunt
Wrote 'step-by-step account' of ballot cheating
CBC News ·
A Toronto freelance journalist was found guilty Monday of violating the Canada Elections Act by voting — or at least obtaining ballots — at three polling places in the June 2004 federal election.
"If you have a favourite candidate who lost in this year's election, please pay special attention to the following," James DiFiore wrote in NOW Magazine, a Toronto alternative weekly.
"This is a step-by-step account of how our flawed system could have been exploited to commit fraud in the election."
In court more than 3½ years later, he was fined $250 — the amount, incidentally, he was paid for the article.
DiFiore said it was worth it because the law has since been amended. Voters now must show photo identification or be vouched for by another person.
"You know, a journalist can only expect or hope for change when they write a story —that something happens, that the story means something," he said outside the courthouse.
"So I'm happy that the story created, you know, some sort of change, albeit a slight one. It's just a little amendment to our federal elections act, but it's something."
Got three ballots but voted just once, he says
In his NOW article, he said he cast just one vote. He said he returned the second and third ballots to poll workers, telling them he had changed his mind.
Federal officials appear to have been unaware of his stunt until he wrote a letter to the editor of the Toronto Star in 2005.
"I decided to test the system by merely showing up at three different polling stations and demanding to exercise my democratic right to vote in the election," he wrote.
"All I had to do was stand my ground and tell the Elections Canada workers that I wanted to vote.
"So I voted — three times."
He was later quoted as saying the last sentence was accurate because the ballots he returned would have been counted as spoiled or rejected. He continued to deny casting more than one ballot.
A new conspiracy theory is floating around social media about a link between right-wing politicians and the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. The allegations have not been proven, and the supposed “leaks” are not publicly available, making verification difficult.
No. I’m not watching a Dean Blundell video because he’s not a journalist. He’s a wanna be hack, homophobic discarded sports DJ who spews BS liberal lies. Now go and read where he even states that they have no evidence to collaborate this bullshit.
Carol Stevens
@squirrelCarol
Replying to @MissySpd and @kpac_15
He doesn’t want to watch it because it names names! Probably all the names of people he admires & follows, so he doesn’t want to hear the evidence against them. Jenni Byrne, Ezra Levant, Stephen Harper, PP, Gerald Chipeur, Patrick Brown, Ford, Lisa McCloud, Warren Kinsella
The hashtag #KlondikePapers was seen trending off and on Sunday night. What are these mysterious papers? And do they link right-wing politicians to the Plymouth Brethren Church?
What are the Klondike Papers?
The Klondike Papers refer to a supposed cache of e-mails, texts, and documents that were never meant to be seen by the public. The source of these leaks is a whistleblower named David Wallace. Unlike other leaks of this nature, the cache is not being released to the public, only “select” journalists.
The cache purportedly outlines shady activity the church has been involved in, and links to Conservative politicians. Because the leaks are not publicly available, verification is impossible.
What is Plymouth Brethren Church?
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is a Christian fellowship that interprets the Holy Bible as the Word of God. According to its website, it has a community of over 50,000 members across Oceania, Europe, the Americas and the United Kingdom.
The church has been the subject of a series of reports by CityNews, with former members coming forward to describe the church as strict, and cult-like.
Role of Dean Blundell
Dean Blundell, a disgraced radio host, has attached himself to this conspiracy theory. Blundell is known for making sexual comments about children, advocating for violence against women, and bashing homosexuals for ratings.
Notably, Blundell also has a history of lying and spreading unverified rumours. This calls the validity of this conspiracy theory into question.
Without sufficient evidence, coupled with promotion by known liars like Dean Blundell, this conspiracy theory is likely a coordinated disinformation campaign against Conservatives and Poilievre.
UPDATE: The article was updated on Jun. 13, 2022. Read about our editorial standards.
He was once a political asset for former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He also calls Benjamin Netanyahu a personal friend.
Yesterday, business mogul Nathan Jacobson dropped a bomb on Blackballed when he, along with notorious political fixer David Wallace, claimed they were asked by a member of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) to do ‘whatever it takes’ to ‘take out Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.’
Jacobson said they punctuated their somewhat ambiguous request by saying, “name your price. “
According to Jacobson and Wallace, also on the Zoom call was Alan Hallman, a notorious fixer for former Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, Rodney Diplock, a high ranking leader inside the PPBC, Brad Mitchell who is another PBCC member, and Gerald Chipeur, a well-known attorney who was once the general counsel to the Conservative Party of Canada who now counts the PBCC as a client.
“Chipeur is the key bagman for the Conservative Party in Alberta,” Jacobson said. “I would say he’s probably one of the principal bagmen and behind-the-scene influencers federal in the Conservative Party that represents the extreme right, religious fringe.”
The startling claim is part of a massive dossier called the Klondike Papers, which was obtained by Blackball Media after a story broke earlier this week that appeared to show Premier Doug Ford’s office was actively engaging in backchannel discussions with Kirill Mikhaylov, the Russian Consul General of Toronto.
The details of how Jacobson got wrapped up in this story stems from Wallace’s claim that Chipeur and Hallman retained his services to help track down a former member of the PBCC, Richard Marsh, a whistleblower who blew the lid off an alleged PBCC scam that fraudulently syphoned millions of dollars from the UK’s National Health Service.
According to both Jacobson and Wallace, the PBCC told them Marsh had warrants for his arrest, but after some due diligence they discovered Sharp did not have any outstanding arrest warrants. When Wallace and Jacobson informed Chipeur, Hallman and the PBCC that no such warrants existed, Hallman allegedly requested that they “grab Marsh and turn him over to us.”
“You got the wrong person,” Jacobson told them. He also said that when he was on the same call he informed them that because of the attempted manipulation, and what sounded to Jacobson as a request to help the PBCC kidnap Marsh, that he would now do whatever it takes to protect Marsh from the PBCC.
Jacobson’s motivation for speaking out appears to be his longtime friendship with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney who he says is in bed with radical Christian groups like the PBCC. He says he still considers Kenney a friend.
Jacobson took Kenney to Israel several times and said he appreciates Kenney’s steadfast support of the state of Israel.
Jacobson added that he is intimately familiar with how politics works in various countries and stressed the importance of having access to both bagmen and money.
Dean Blundell saw his name trending on Twitter Friday morning, but for all the wrong reasons.
Disgraced radio host Dean Blundell was publicly shamed by Jordan Peterson on Twitter after he defamed Pierre Poilievre, claiming he has a small penis. Blundell did not provide any evidence for his claim.
There are reporters who write about conflicts around the globe, and there is Illia Ponomarenko. Widely considered to be Ukraine's best war correspondent, Illia's fearless reporting during the Russian invasion has been a staple for Ukrainians who want to stay informed about the war. **Please help support Alex Dayrabekov as he reports as a citizen journalist from inside Ukraine by visiting our merch page below. All proceeds go to Alex and his family.** https://deanblundell.square.site/
David Wallace is a whistleblower currently working with a number of journalists across Canada to expose corruption in right-wing politics in Alberta and Ontario. His information played a major part in exposing former Alberta Attorney General, Jonathan Denis QC, and over 6000 pages of emails and other communications from David's archives relating to politicians, big business and extremist right wing religious connections are being studied by the media and have been made available to the authorities. Over the next few months, we expect this to result in the removal of corrupt officials from office and the severing of financial links from extremist groups attempting to influence Canadian politics.
This will be of great benefit both to honest taxpayers, and to the political climate in Canada.
As a result of David courageously coming forward and releasing this data to the intended victims of his political clients, he has lost his entire income, which was in the form of retainers from right wing political activists and lawyers.
Coupled with the Covid crisis, which left David's wife unemployed, this has left the household in an impossible position financially, and David and his family now have an eviction notice requiring them to leave their house in Calgary by May 18th. Some generous pro-bono advice from a friendly lawyer has allowed them to stave off this deadline for a few days, but the situation is untenable.
David moved to Calgary from Barrie, Ontario a year ago on the promise of unlimited work from the UCP and related PACs in Alberta. He is now stranded far from his friends and relatives and is trying to move back to Ontario, where he has been offered employment.
David's household includes his wife and two young children, and his elderly parents who are very frail and completely dependent on him for care.
The goal of this fundraiser is to help David and his family move in to affordable rental accommodation in Ontario where his parents can get the care they need and David and his wife can find employment.
Updates (1)
June 11, 2022 by David Wallace, Organizer
I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read this and donated to the cause, it's appreciated more than I can express.
Fugitive businessman with Tory ties arrested in Toronto
John Nicol· CBC News ·
Fugitive Nathan Jacobson, whose ties to the federal Conservatives made him the subject of recent question period queries from opposition benches, was arrested at his home in Toronto Thursday afternoon.
The Winnipeg-born businessman had his bail denied in Toronto court Friday and remains in the Toronto West Detention Centre awaiting another appearance Oct. 31.
U.S. Justice authorities in San Diego had told CBC they were upset that no Canadian law enforcement agencies had responded to their July 30 warrant for his arrest when Jacobson failed to attend court after pleading guilty to money laundering.
With others, Jacobson had set up an online pharmacy known as Affpower, based in Costa Rica, that sold drugs to Americans without prescriptions from 2004 to 2006. The 57-year-old was originally charged with several counts of fraud, money laundering and the distribution and dispensing of controlled substances, but he co-operated with authorities and pleaded guilty in 2008 to laundering $46 million in drug payments.
He was expected to serve a four-year sentence, but failed to show up at pre-sentencing.
An international red notice — a warrant issued for a flight risk — was certified this week by a Canadian judge for the sometime philanthropist who made millions selling GM products and setting up gas stations in post-Soviet Russia.
U.S. District Attorney Philip Halpern of San Diego would not comment on the arrest because the matter is before "judicial processes."
Claimed he was friends with Baird, Kenney
Calls by CBC on Friday to his three lawyers, his wife and business partner were not returned.
In recent years, Jacobson had spent much time in the corridors of power, both in Israel and Canada, and in March a smiling Jacobson was photographed between both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu at a reception in Ottawa. Jacobson claimed to have worked on the 2008 campaign for the Tories and was also considered a friend of cabinet ministers Jason Kenney and John Baird.
But when challenged earlier this year on their relationship to Jacobson, both ministers said they were oblivious to Jacobson’s legal problems.
Jacobson himself had initiated a lawsuit against Conservative MP Mark Adler last fall for what he claims was a $265,000 loan. Adler, in court documents, denies that amount changed hands, and said what was given to him was a gift from Jacobson to expand his Economic Club of Canada to the United States.
Besides donating more than $10,000 to the Conservative Party in recent years, Jacobson was prominent in his philanthropy within the Jewish community.
Arrested businessman says he's 'radioactive' to Tory friends
Convicted money launderer gives exclusive interview to CBC
Leslie MacKinnon · CBC News ·
Nathan Jacobson exclusive
10 years ago
Duration 5:28
Power & Politics host Evan Solomon talks with man jailed on money laundering charges.
In an exclusive interview with CBC News Networks'Power & Politics, Nathan Jacobson, the Canadian businessman who pleaded guilty to money laundering in a U.S. court four years ago, says he is protecting friends in the Canadian government because he is "radioactive."
When Jacobson failed to show up for a sentencing hearing in the U.S. this summer, U.S. justice authorities issued a warrant for his arrest on July 30. Almost three months later, Toronto police arrested him last week.
Jacobson had set up an internet pharmacy called Affpower, based in Costa Rica, that sold controlled drugs online for customers without a prescription, and used his own credit-card payment company to receive the fees. His guilty plea was for laundering $46 million in payments.
Jacobson was released on bail Wednesday from the Toronto Detention Centre, where he had been held since last Thursday.
In question period Thursday, Liberal MP Judy Foote asked if the government had taken any action to find and apprehend Jacobson before his arrest.
Parliamentary secretary for justice Robert Goguen replied, "This was a matter that was acted on immediately upon the request. The Americans requested that he be arrested on Oct. 24 and the very next day, Oct. 25, he was arrested. This case is now before the courts. It would be inappropriate to interfere."
'Friends' in high places
Just hours before he was arrested last week, Jacobson told CBC News that he is now protecting what he calls his friends in government. "I myself made the decision that it's best to keep a distance, in order to protect my friends. I would for the most part consider them still my friends. But while I'm — for the lack of a better term — radioactive, better let them to continue to run government."
Jacobson hosted a number of Canadian-Israeli receptions on Parliament Hill, and said that people from the Prime Minister's Office attended, as well as Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. He said the prime minister was not present at what he described as bipartisan events to celebrate the relationship between Canada and Israel.
A photograph has circulated in the media of Jacobson standing between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Harper. PMO spokesman Andrew MacDougall said the photo was taken at a reception on Parliament Hill attended by several hundred people, many of whom posed for photos with the two leaders.
Jacobson also said that he had introduced Kenney to top-level politicians in Israel. "Jason and I have spent a little time in Israel on several occasions when he's been there. And I've hosted dinners in Israel with senior government people. I, in fact, took Jason to meet Netanyahu his first time, meeting Netanyahu and other people within the security and political environment within Israel."
Another reason Jacobson calls himself radioactive is that he is suing Conservative MP Mark Adler, the Toronto politician who defeated Ken Dryden last election.
Jacobson met Adler in the latter's role as the owner of the Economic Club of Canada, an organization that stages non-partisan events with top-drawer speakers. Jacobson said that at first he helped Adler procure some prominent Israeli speakers for the club, and that he'd loaned Adler money for the expansion of the club into the U.S. and perhaps Israel.
The amount was $140,000 Jacobson said, though he acknowledges there was no written contract about the money.
"There are records of the money going to him, and it's written up in our books, and it's still being shown as losses in our books. You know, there is accounting of it. You know, it's not meeting at midnight with black bags with $140,000 and, you know, handing off code words 'abula, bula,' and he responds 'the sky is blue,' and I hand him over a satchel. It wasn't. And in fact two of the payments were by cheque to the Economic Club."
Adler says the money was meant to be a gift.
"It’s nice that he considers it a gift," Jacobson responded. "I’d like him to show me other people that give him gifts like that. And I’d like other people to come forward and state that I gave them gifts of $140,000. Go ask my sister. I love my sister.… I don’t give gifts like that. I’m a generous person, but nobody gives gifts like that. So it’s unfathomable that he could. I was so insulted when he came out with that response. I went to him: Mark, I loaned you the money. When are you going to start repaying it?"
Jacobson was released on a security of $600,000 which he paid himself, and he has surrendered both his Israeli and Canadian passports.
Canadian Nathan Jacobson says he's cleared in U.S. money-laundering case
Israeli-Canadian businessman has claimed friendships with federal Conservative politicians
CBC News ·
Nathan Jacobson interview
8 years ago
Duration 11:01
Initially pleading guilty to money laundering in 2008 and extradited to the U.S., Nathan has since been cleared, and plans to head back to Canada
Nathan Jacobson, a prominent businessman and former Conservative Party fundraiser with deep ties to Toronto and Winnipeg, says he's returning to Canada after a U.S. court cleared dozens of charges against him on Monday.
The Winnipeg-born businessman was extradited to the United States last year, several years after he was indicted for his alleged role in an online pharmacy.
On the advice of his lawyers at the time, Jacobson pleaded guilty to a single count of money laundering. However, he has always maintained that he never did anything wrong.
On Monday, a U.S. District judge in San Diego, Calif., granted Jacobson's motion to withdraw his guilty plea, then dismissed all charges against him, according to a news release from his current legal team at Cooley LLP.
"It's a little numb. You know, it's been a long battle," Jacobson told CBC News following the ruling.
"I feel great. I feel … after a long time, after much more than a year, the truth is finally out."
Jacobson spent months in a U.S. jail. After he was granted bail, he had to remain in the San Diego area and submit to electronic monitoring.
"My goal is to return to my family, to my community, to my business, and to my involvement, and those that know me and believe in me will accept me," he said.
Jacobson said while he calls Toronto home, he cannot wait to see friends in Winnipeg as well.
Nathan Jacobson’s decade-long legal case comes to end
By Alex Rose
On Feb. 5, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice awarded over $180,000 in costs to a lawyer who was sued by a former client, finally bringing an end to a legal saga that has been going on for over a decade.
Steven Skurka started representing Canadian-Israeli businessman Nathan Jacobson in 2007, when Jacobson was indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on a number of charges. Jacobson ended up pleading guilty to one of those charges – money laundering.
When Jacobson was later able to withdraw his guilty plea, and all the charges were eventually dropped, he decided to sue Skurka for over $27 million in damages, for what Jacobson claimed was pressure to plead guilty and negligent representation.
In a ruling on July 23, 2018, Judge Lise Favreau dismissed Jacobson’s suit against Skurka, saying in her decision that, “I am satisfied that Mr. Jacobson’s action does not raise any triable issues and that it is just and fair to grant summary judgement in Mr. Skurka’s favour.”
Jacobson was originally indicted on allegations that his credit card processing company, RX-Payments, was doing business with the online pharmacy company Affpower Enterprise. The U.S. government alleged that Affpower broke the law by selling prescription drugs to customers online, without in-person physician consultations.
Jacobson was one of 17 people charged in the case, and beyond money laundering, he was also charged with wire mail fraud, mail fraud, racketeering and distributing and dispensing controlled substances. Jacobson maintains that he was innocent the entire time and only plead guilty because he was pressured into do so by Skurka and his team. Jacobson ended up spending time in jail and forfeited $4.5 million to the U.S. government after pleading guilty.
The crux of the dispute between Jacobson and Skurka is the guilty plea that Jacobson submitted. While Jacobson said he was pressured into it by Skurka, Skurka argued that he and his legal team – which included Canadian lawyer Marie Heinen, who’s perhaps best known for representing Jian Ghomeshi, and American lawyer Patricia Holmes, who recently represented Jussie Smollett – provided the pros and cons of pleading guilty to Jacobson, who then decided to plead guilty of his own accord.
A meeting took place on Jan. 15, 2008, which Jacobson said was the precise moment when Skurka scared him into accepting the guilty plea. Both sides told Favreau their contrasting accounts about what occurred at the meeting. As Favreau wrote in her decision, “the issue of what happened at the meeting turns largely on credibility.”
In the end, Favreau sided with Skurka’s account. She said Jacobson had not produced any evidence of what happened at the meeting, while Skurka did have evidence, including a memo that Heinen had produced immediately after the meeting.
Favreau also questioned Jacobson’s credibility, because he had previously accused Skurka of being the subject of a criminal investigation and of conspiring with U.S. prosecutors to get a percentage of the money Jacobson forfeited, claims that Jacobson subsequently acknowledged were false.
“I have no doubt that Mr. Jacobson’s decision to plead guilty was a difficult and stressful one, and that he came to regret that decision. However, I do not see any basis for finding that Mr. Skurka placed undue pressure on him to plead guilty,” Favreau wrote in her decision.
Jacobson takes issue with a number of aspects of Favreau’s decision. One of them was her claim that he couldn’t be trusted because he had at one point plead guilty and then withdrawn the claim, despite being counselled that he should only plead guilty if he truly was guilty.
Jacobson said that her reading of the situation doesn’t take into account the tremendous amount of pressure that the U.S. legal system places upon people in his situation.
“You can’t imagine the pressure when you’re told that the charges against you are going to end up with your landing 130 years in jail. There were tens of charges against me. Everything but the assassination of Lincoln, they left that one out,” he said.
Skurka declined to answer questions about the decision, but did provide a short statement, saying that: “None of my colleagues or friends ever thought that this case had any merit. I am grateful that a respected judge has now said that. I was totally vindicated.”
Established in 1960, The Canadian Jewish News is a not-for-profit, award-winning media organization producing content that matters to the diverse community of Jews in Canada, through articles, podcasts and events.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he has tested positive for Covid-19, four days after going into isolation because one of his children contracted the virus. “I’m feeling fine -- and I’ll continue to work remotely this week while following public health guidelines,” Trudeau, 50, said in a tweet Monday morning.
Miramichi-Grand Lake Conservative MP Jake Stewart, far right, and Ottawa-area Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, centre, posed for photos with truckers on Jan. 29. (Jake Stewart/Twitter)
Pierre Poilievre says he supports peaceful protesters taking part in trucker convoy
Conservative MP discusses his support for truckers' protest
5 months ago
Duration 0:40
NDP's Jagmeet Singh denounces trucker convoy, disagrees with brother-in-law's donation to the cause
Singh's brother-in-law donated $13,000 to group organizing trucker convoy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Monday for the establishment of an inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act.
In a news release, Trudeau said an independent public inquiry called the Public Order Emergency Commission would be created to examine the circumstances leading to the declaration being issued.
Trudeau invoked the act for the first time in Canada's history during the Freedom Convoy, giving the federal government temporary powers to deal with the blockades and protests against pandemic restrictions.
"This includes the evolution of the convoy, the impact of funding and disinformation, the economic impact, and efforts of police and other responders prior to and after the declaration," the release said.
Paul Rouleau has been named as the commissioner heading the inquiry. He was first appointed as an Ontario Superior Court justice in 2002 and then joined the Ontario Court of Appeal in 2005.
WATCH | Pubic safety minister discusses how much information his government will release
Public safety minister won't say if cabinet confidence will be waived for emergencies act inquiry
2 months ago
Duration 10:20
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino declines to say whether the government will waive cabinet confidence, should the Justice leading the inquiry request access to cabinet documents.
Rouleau, who has also served in the territories during his career as a litigator, will be tasked with submitting the final report, in both official languages, to both Houses of Parliament before Feb. 20, 2023.
"In the coming days and weeks, I will be working to establish the Public Order Emergency Commission and will be offering more information on the functioning of the Commission in the near future," Rouleau said in a statement. "I am committed to ensuring that the process is as open and transparent as possible, recognizing the tight timelines for reporting imposed by the Emergencies Act."
Trudeau said in a statement Rouleau would look into the circumstances that led to the Emergencies Act being invoked "and make recommendations to prevent these events from happening again."
Critics say inquiry won't scrutinize the government
Those critical of the government's decision to invoke the act described the inquiry as overly focused on the actions of protesters and the role played by fundraising and disinformation in the event.
The Conservatives argue the Liberals are using that approach to deflect attention from the government's own actions and decisions.
"The Liberal government is doing everything in their power to ensure this inquiry is unsubstantial and fails to hold them accountable," said a joint statement from Conservative MPs Raquel Dancho, Dane Lloyd and Gérard Deltell.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association — which is suing the federal government over its decision to invoke the act — said the inquiry does not appear to be focused on government accountability.
"The broader context is important, but the government's attempts to divert attention from their own actions is concerning," said the CCLA on Twitter.
Mendicino said the Emergencies Act was also needed to address blockades at border crossings, such as this protest at the Ambassador Bridge linking Ontario to Michigan. (Geoff Robins/AFP/Getty Images)
Mendicino told reporters that Rouleau "will have broad access, including to classified documents." But there do appear to be limits on the information that can be disclosed through the inquiry.
The order in council that sets out rules for the inquiry calls on the commissioner to avoid disclosing information that could be "injurious" to Canada's international relations, defence and security.
During an interview on CBC's Power & Politics, Mendicino also did not commit to waiving cabinet confidences — the discussions and deliberations between cabinet ministers that are protected by law.
Trudeau cited 'serious challenges' when invoking Emergencies Act
The Emergencies Act was revoked Feb. 23 after police successfully cleared Ottawa streets and ended adjacent protests. By law, an inquiry into the use of the act must be called within 60 days of the declaration being revoked.
Trudeau cited "serious challenges to law enforcement's ability to effectively enforce the law" when he announced its use.
"This is about keeping Canadians safe, protecting people's jobs and restoring confidence in our institutions," he said at the time.
The unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act, according to Trudeau, gave police tools to restore order in places where public assemblies were considered illegal and dangerous activities, such as blockades.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said at the time Canadian financial institutions could temporarily cease providing financial services in instances where there was suspicion an account was being used to further illegal blockades and occupations.
Freeland later confirmed that Ottawa directed financial institutions to freeze the accounts of people connected to the protest.
When first announced, premiers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec expressed concern over invoking the act.
Joint committee reviewing Emergencies Act
In March, a special joint committee of seven MPs and four senators started reviewing the use of the Emergencies Act.
That committee will meet again Tuesday. It has not yet released any findings.
The Emergencies Act sets out the terms for cabinet to set up the inquiry announced Monday. It says an inquiry must be held "into the circumstances that led to the declaration being issued and the measures taken for dealing with the emergency."
Inquiries typically involve witnesses offering testimony, the review of records and the use of experts to assist parliamentarians.
Public safety minister announces launch of inquiry into use of Emergencies Act
2 months ago
Duration 1:01
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says the government looks forward to working with Justice Paul Rouleau during the inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act to clear an anti-vaccine mandate protest out of Ottawa earlier this year.
Police enforce an injunction against protesters in Ottawa on Feb. 19, 2022. Some of the protesters had been camped in their trucks near Parliament Hill for weeks. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
The task of reviewing the Liberal government's historic use of the Emergencies Act in response to anti-vaccine mandate protests in Ottawa and at border crossings got off to an inauspicious start this week.
But it's also too early to abandon all hope that parliamentarians will be able to meet the occasion with the seriousness and transparency that the moment demands.
"I think given what's been endured across the country over the last two months, and what's at stake in order for us to move forward, I can't think of a more important moment through this entire pandemic to have all parties from the House and the Senate set aside hyper-partisanship and really allow for the seriousness of our work," said NDP Matthew Green, who will co-chair the committee.
"We have to provide Canadians with the answers they deserve around the invocation of the Emergencies Act in order to move beyond this."
The House of Commons formally agreed to the structure of the special joint committee of Parliament by a vote of 214 to 115. A recorded vote was necessary because the Liberals and Conservatives couldn't agree on how the committee should be constituted.
The government and Official Opposition disagreed over whether a Conservative should co-chair the committee. Government House leader Mark Holland publicly stated that a Conservative should not be involved in the leadership of the committee since several Conservatives expressed support for protesters.
When negotiations failed to produce an agreement, the government put its proposal for the committee's makeup to the House. It passed with the support of NDP, Bloc Quebecois and Green MPs. Conservative House leader John Brassard responded with a statement that accused the government of trying to duck accountability.
The committee will be unlike any other current parliamentary committee.
A 'solemn responsibility'
It will be made up of seven MPs and four senators, with representation from each of Parliament's recognized parties and groups.
The House contingent will include three Liberals, two Conservatives, one New Democrat and one member of the Bloc Quebecois. The Senate's four seats will be filled by one senator each from the Conservative Senate caucus, the Independent Senators Group, the Progressive Senate Group and Canadian Senators Group.
A person holds a 'Make Ottawa Boring Again' sign as people take part in a counter-protest blocking a small convoy of vehicles from getting to downtown Ottawa on Feb. 13, 2022. (Chris Helgren/Reuters)
While standard House committees are chaired by either a member of the governing party or a member of the Official Opposition, the Emergencies Act committee will be co-chaired by the NDP's Green, Bloc MP Rheal Fortin and Independent Sen. Gwen Boniface.
That arrangement could prevent the committee's business from being overwhelmed by partisan acrimony. The tenor of the proceedings might also benefit from the presence of three independent senators — Boniface, Peter Harder and Vern White — who will come to the table without partisan interests.
"By way of analogy, I think we have a solemn responsibility to ensure that this doesn't become a political version of the occupation and the social deadlock that we watched occur on the Hill and across border blockades across the country," Green said.
Before his appointment to the Senate, Vern White led the Ottawa Police Service. (The Canadian Press)
The committee won't lack relevant expertise. Six members of the committee are former lawyers – Liberals Rachel Bendayan, Yasir Naqvi and Arif Virani, Conservative MP Larry Brock, Conservative Sen. Claude Carignan and Fortin.
Sen. Boniface is a former commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, Sen. White is a former chief of police in Ottawa and Conservative MP Glen Motz is a former police officer.
Green is a former city councillor in Hamilton, Ontario. Naqvi was the attorney general for Ontario and is now MP for Ottawa-Centre, the riding that includes the area around Parliament Hill that was blockaded by protesters. Peter Harder was a senior public servant and former deputy minister in the Department of Public Safety.
The committee has many important questions to answer.
Did the protest meet the 'emergency' standard?
Officially, the Emergencies Act assumes that the committee will review "the exercise of powers and the performance of duties and functions pursuant to a declaration of emergency." In practice, that likely means addressing two fundamental questions. Was the threshold met for declaring a public emergency? And were the powers invoked necessary to deal with the situation?
But the lines of inquiry could extend beyond that — up to and including how protesters were allowed to occupy downtown Ottawa in the first place. Green said he's interested in looking at the actions of police (or the lack of them), the role played by "dark money" raised through fundraising websites and the influence of social media.
"I think the chairs are going to have to do everything within our power to make sure that this is a procedurally fair process and that Canadians get out of this what they deserve, which ultimately is truth and accountability and transparency," Green said.
"And I can't underscore how important I think it is that we have a duty to work to restore trust. Because it doesn't matter where people fall on the issue. The trust has been broken."
Aaron Wherry has covered Parliament Hill since 2007 and has written for Maclean's, the National Post and the Globe and Mail. He is the author of Promise & Peril, a book about Justin Trudeau's years in power.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino speaks during a news conference on Feb. 15, 2022 in Ottawa. The Conservatives have called on Mendicino to resign from cabinet. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
The Conservatives are calling on Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino to step down from his cabinet post as questions linger about who wanted the government to deploy emergency powers to end an anti-vaccine mandate protest earlier this year.
A Parliamentary committee is examining the government's decision to make use of the Emergencies Act, which it did to end an anti-vaccine mandate protest that occupied Ottawa in January and February of this year.
When Mendicino appeared before the committee, he said the government acted on "the advice of non-partisan professional law enforcement."
WATCH | Conservatives accuse public safety minister of misleading Canadians on Emergencies Act
Conservatives accuse public safety minister of misleading Canadians on Emergencies Act
5 hours ago
Duration 10:54
Conservatives are calling on Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino to resign from his cabinet position over lingering questions about who wanted the Emergencies Act invoked - Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi, Conservative MP Dane Lloyd and NDP MP Alistair MacGregor joined Power & Politics Tuesday to discuss.
In a statement, interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen said Mendicino should resign for "lying to and misleading Canadians about the Emergencies Act."
"The minister has repeatedly claimed that the government only invoked the Emergencies Act 'at the recommendation of police' but testimony from RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki and the chief of the Ottawa Police Service prove that this was not the case," she added.
In other testimony before the committee, Rob Stewart, the deputy minister of public safety, said there was a "misunderstanding of the minister's words."
A spokesperson for Mendicino has not yet responded to a request for comment from CBC News.
Resignation question leads to fiery QP
Bergen kicked off question period in the House of Commons Tuesday by asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau whether he would ask Mendicino to step down.
Trudeau didn't answer the question directly and instead defended his government's use of the act.
"When illegal blockades paralyzed our economy, hurt workers and communities, police, municipal and provincial leadership told us more tools were needed to bring them to an end," Trudeau said.
"We listened, we determined that the Emergencies Act had the tools necessary to end this, and it worked."
"[Mendicino] is a lawyer and a former federal prosecutor," she told the Commons. "He knows full well how to choose his words carefully. He knows full well how to be precise in his language.
"Yet he said over and over again that law enforcement requested the Emergencies Act. Those were his words. We now know his words were not true. How can the prime minister have any faith in this minister? Will [Trudeau] ask this minister to resign?"
Trudeau again didn't answer, choosing instead to go on the offensive.
"What is crystal clear is how much Conservatives are hoping Canadians forget that they stood with the illegal blockaders," he said.
Mendicino defended his testimony in question period and gave no indication he'd step down.
"I got into politics to make sure that we could protect Canadians, and on this side of the House, we know what is necessary when it comes to the protection of the health and safety of Canadians," he said.
"That's why we invoked the Emergencies Act. We obviously consulted police, we sought their advice. You heard the commissioner say before the committee we got that advice and we used it."
Lucki has testified at committee that the RCMP used new powers under the Emergencies Act to prevent people from joining the Ottawa protest.
"We used it as a big deterrent for people to come into the area. So, yes, in fact, we did use the measures that were put in the Emergencies Act, along with other authorities that we had," she told a February public safety and national security committee meeting.
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki speaks during a news conference in Ottawa on Oct. 21, 2020. Lucki has said new police powers under the Emergencies Act worked as a deterrent against more protestors joining the Ottawa occupation, but she denies the RCMP asked the government to invoke the act. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Pressed to react to Mendicino's statements on CBC's Power & Politics, Ottawa Centre Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi, who is also the parliamentary secretary to the minister of emergency preparedness, said the government made its decision based on advice from law enforcement.
"When it comes to what laws should be used, that's the government's decision. But based on that consultation, based on the advice the government was getting from law enforcement … [the] Emergencies Act was invoked so they can be given those extra tools to put an end to the illegal occupation and blockades," Naqvi told host Vassy Kapelos.
Dane Lloyd, the Conservative emergency preparedness critic, said Mendicino's statements suggest he wanted to attribute the decision to use the act to law enforcement.
"It's very misleading because the minister said that it was on the recommendation of police that they invoked the Emergencies Act, which was clearly designed to deflect responsibility from the government," Lloyd said.
NDP public safety critic Alistair MacGregor said Mendicino can resolve the issue with more transparency about what happened.
"The minister has a duty to the committee to be as transparent as possible so that that committee has full access to the process whereby cabinet made a decision to invoke the [Emergencies Act]," MacGregor said.
"To put this issue to rest, the minister needs to be fully transparent with the committee."
Richard is a web writer with CBC Politics and an associate producer with CBC Radio. He's worked at CBC in London, Ont., Toronto, Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo and Ottawa.
Interim Ottawa police chief Steve Bell speaks during a news conference April 28, 2022 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Ottawa's interim police chief says he did not ask the federal government to invoke the Emergencies Act in February during the Freedom Convoy.
The Liberals have said law enforcement asked for additional powers that could only be granted by declaring a national emergency, which they did on Feb. 14.
Ottawa interim chief Steve Bell spoke to a parliamentary committee Tuesday about issues with jurisdiction in downtown Ottawa, along with representatives from the Ontario Provincial Police, RCMP and Gatineau police.
The committee on procedure and House affairs is examining whether federal security jurisdiction should expand to include Wellington and Sparks streets, the two east-west streets just south of Parliament Hill.
"We were involved in conversations with our partners and with the political ministries," Bell said. "We didn't make a direct request for the Emergencies Act."
The act granted police and financial institutions extraordinary powers to freeze bank accounts of organizers, create zones where people were not allowed to protest, ban people from supporting the protest and compel tow truck companies to help them clear out vehicles.
Similar to RCMP comments
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said something similar to a separate committee investigating the use of the Emergencies Act last week: that she was involved in conversations about triggering the act a week before it was invoked, but that she never asked for it.
She said emergency powers were useful in dislodging the protesters who were entrenched in Ottawa's streets for weeks and there were times the RCMP would have used those powers sooner if the act had been invoked earlier.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told that same committee back in April that the Liberals "invoked the act because it was the advice of non-partisan professional law enforcement that the existing authorities were ineffective at the time to restore public safety."
Mendicino also said the emergency declaration helped "smooth over differences in jurisdiction" among police forces and levels of government.
WATCH | Mendicino says what the Emergencies Act allowed:
Emergencies Act allowed police to end Ottawa protest convoy: minister
2 months ago
Duration 2:20
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says invoking the Emergencies Act gave law enforcement the necessary power to end the Ottawa protest convoy, in a special joint committee hearing looking into the federal government’s use of the act.
Ottawa police were the lead agency in charge of the response to the convoy, which started in the last weekend of January and ended about three weeks later.
Ottawa's police chief Peter Sloly resigned on Feb. 16 amid public outrage. Later that same day, the chair of the city's police oversight board was also voted out.
Many police agencies were involved in clearing the occupation of streets in the downtown core, with hundreds of demonstrators blocking streets with vehicles to protest COVID-19 restrictions, vaccine mandates and the Liberal government.
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki says she doesn't believe there was a double standard in the way Mounties policed the Freedom Convoy protests and blockades earlier this year and the tactics used with Indigenous protesters. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki says she sees no double standard in the way Mounties policed the Freedom Convoy protests and blockades earlier this year compared to the tactics they have used with Indigenous protesters.
During a heated exchange in a committee meeting Tuesday night, NDP MP Matthew Green asked about the scenes that played out during border blockades over COVID-19 health mandates and compared them to blockades during protests against a pipeline drill site on Wet'suwet'en territory in northern British Columbia.
Green referred to the cases as a "juxtaposition of policing — what I'll call a failure of policing."
The RCMP has come under fire after a U.K. newspaper reported that police were prepared to use snipers on Wet'suwet'en Nation protesters and argued for "lethal overwatch" in 2019.
WATCH | Top Mountie pressed to explain RCMP's handling of protesters
Top Mountie pressed to explain RCMP's handling of protesters
1 month ago
Duration 2:11
In a heated exchange, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki denies the claim that police officers used 'kid gloves' with truck convoy protesters.
Last year, video footage provided to the media showed RCMP tactical officers breaking down a door with an axe and chainsaw to arrest pipeline opponents at Coyote Camp during another protest on the territory. The RCMP is also investigating reports of violence at a pipeline construction site on Coastal GasLink property earlier this year.
RCMP said they seized more than a dozen long guns, hand guns, ammunition and body armour from that site.
Lucki says police are 'part of the community'
"How is it that you reconcile the double standard in policing?" Green asked Lucki Tuesday night as a special joint committee continued its study of the invocation of the Emergencies Act in February to disperse Freedom Convoy protesters.
"And what would you say to Canadians who have questions about the conduct of RCMP officers giving handshakes and high-fives and hugs shortly after these weapon stashes were found in what was admittedly a high-risk investigation and arrest?"
"What I can say was there were many legal protesters at the Coutts protest," Lucki responded.
NDP MP for Hamilton Centre Matthew Green says he saw a 'juxtaposition of policing — what I'll call a failure of policing.' (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
"And our members, who police there, are part of the community, they shop in those stores. They're neighbours to those people."
Green interrupted, asking if the difference in approach was due to the fact that the protesters at Coutts looked like the police officers themselves.
"No," said Lucki. "They live in those communities."
"Can we acknowledge at least a double standard there?" asked Green.
Green ended his allotted time by asking if Lucki would "at least admit that there were kid gloves for the protesters in Coutts directly after the discovery of the weapons cache."
"No," said Lucki. She said that in Coutts, it was protesters and supporters who approached police at the scene.
Allegations of police failure
MPs and senators tried to press Lucki during the three-hour committee hearing over how the RCMP and Ottawa Police responded to the hundreds of demonstrators who blocked streets in Ottawa with big rigs and other trucks to protest COVID-19 restrictions.
Beyond Coutts, protesters also blocked border crossings at Windsor, Ont., and Emerson, Man., and the pacific highway crossing in B.C.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau argued it was necessary to invoke the Emergencies Act to address "serious challenges to law enforcement's ability to effectively enforce the law."
The Emergencies Act authorized a ban on travel to protest zones, allowed banks to freeze the accounts of some of those involved in the protests and allowed officials to commandeer tow trucks. It also enabled the RCMP to enforce municipal bylaws and provincial offences as required.
Lucki said she didn't think the convoy protests suggested a failure in policing, despite several senators and MPs on the committee suggesting the opposite.
Sen. Peter Harder said he thought the actions of police prior to the invocation of the act "demonstrated a series of police failures."
"Not willful failures," he said. "But the inability of police to contain and act appropriately in reducing the occupation here in Ottawa."
Conservatives say threshold wasn't met
Lucki said the temporary powers bestowed by the Emergencies Act served as a deterrent in Ottawa, but they weren't used to clear protest blockades at border crossings.
"In RCMP jurisdiction, we successfully used a measured approach and existing legislation to resolve border blockades," she told the committee.
Lucki also testified that she was involved in conversations about triggering the act a week before it was invoked on Feb. 14, but that she never requested it.
On Wednesday, the Conservatives said that shows Liberal government did not have the evidence to meet the threshold for invoking the Emergencies Act.
"From the beginning, Conservatives have said that the threshold to invoke the unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act was never met and we have repeatedly called on the Liberal government to justify its actions — but they have failed to do so," reads the statement.
Trudeau isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 again
PM had recently travelled to the U.S. for the Summit of the Americas
CBC News ·
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is isolating after testing positive for COVID-19. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
For the second time this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for COVID-19.
The prime minister, who was travelling recently in the U.S. for the Summit of the Americas, tweeted Monday morning that he feels "okay" and will be isolating according to public health guidelines.
The fully vaccinated Trudeau previously tested positive in January of this year, as did two of his children.
Trudeau met with various world leaders while in Los Angeles for the summit, including U.S. President Joe Biden.
White House spokesperson Kevin Munoz told Bloomberg that Biden isn't considered a close contact of the prime minister.
People wait at the arrivals section of Terminal 1 of Toronto Pearson International Airport on June 9. CBC News has learned the federal government is set to announce an end to vaccine mandates for domestic travel and passengers on outbound international travel. (Esteban Cuevas/CBC)
The federal government has announced a suspension of vaccine mandates for federal employees and for passengers wishing to board a plane or train in Canada.
Federal employees and transportation workers in federally regulated sectors will no longer have to be fully vaccinated as a condition of their work. Those on unpaid administrative leave because of their vaccination status will be invited to return to work.
Starting June 20, vaccines will no longer be required for travellers in Canada. Canadian citizens entering the country from abroad will still be required to meet entry requirements and masks will remain mandatory for those boarding planes or trains in Canada. Visitors to Canada will have to be fully vaccinated to enter the country, or meet the requirements of an exemption.
WATCH | Ottawa deliberately took its time to lift vaccine mandates for domestic travel, says Intergovernmental Affairs Minister
Ottawa deliberately took its time to lift vaccine mandates for domestic travel, says Intergovernmental Affairs Minister
5 hours ago
Duration 10:00
"We deliberately decided to be cautious. We deliberately decided to take our time. We're not going to apologize for that." Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc on why Ottawa waited until now to suspend vaccine mandates for domestic travel.
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc told reporters that while some mandates are being suspended, the federal government will bring them back if the COVID-19 situation changes for the worse.
"Today's announcement is possible because Canadians have stepped up to protect each other," LeBlanc said. "We are now able to adjust our policy because we have followed consistently the best advice from public health authorities."
LeBlanc said that the federal government does not regret its cautious approach to lifting mandates, adding that Ottawa's policies saved lives.
Vaccine mandates for cruise ship passengers and crews will remain in place, as will adherence to strict public health measures.
The vaccine mandates for travel have been in effect since Oct. 30, 2021. As the mandates were phased in, travellers had a one-month grace period during which they could instead provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
Unvaccinated Canadians have always been allowed to return to Canada. But the federal government's website says unvaccinated Canadians have to meet all "pre-entry, arrival, Day-8 testing, ArriveCAN and quarantine requirements" or face a fine up to $5,000 or criminal prosecution.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said the changes to vaccine mandates are not a response to congestion at Canada's airports but are motivated by health advice and the effect mandates and vaccination policies have had on previous COVID-19 waves.
"International airports are facing similar challenges," he said. "Heathrow's airport, Amsterdam's airport, Dublin's airports, U.S. airports — this is a phenomenon that we are seeing because of a surge in demand and the labour is trying to catch up to that surge.
"We have a responsibility to act. We are working with airlines, we are working with airports and we are doing everything we can to ease those bottlenecks."
At that time, Alghabra said Ottawa was taking other measures to address airport congestion, such as hiring more security screening personnel and adding more customs kiosks at Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
WATCH: 'Right time' to end vaccine travel mandates, says specialist
'Right time' to end vaccine travel mandates, says specialist
14 hours ago
Duration 2:04
It's reasonable for Ottawa to drop the COVID-19 vaccine mandates for travel, says infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Isaac Bogoch, noting two doses doesn't prevent Omicron transmission.
So far, the government's definition of "fully vaccinated" remains two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch said that while two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine protects against severe illness or death, it's time to end the travel mandates.
"The purpose was to really prevent transmission of COVID-19 in transportation," he said. "Two doses doesn't really provide much in the way of protection against getting the infection and onward transmission of the infection for those who are infected."
Unions welcome policy change
Representatives of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) — which together represent more than 250,000 federal public servants — welcomed the move but said they were frustrated by having to learn of the change through the media.
"Unfortunately, the federal government did not consult with PSAC before making its decision to lift its vaccination policy. Unions should always be consulted on policies that have a major impact on the terms and conditions of employment of our members to protect their health and safety and their rights in the workplace," PSAC said in a media statement.
PIPSC issued a statement saying it welcomed the announcement but — like PSAC — it's concerned about union members who remain on leave without pay and is awaiting details on how they'll be phased back into the workplace.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to a question during a media availability held at a secure location, Monday, January 31, 2022, in National Capital Region. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the anti-vaccine-mandate protests that have gripped the nation's capital for the last four days, saying he won't meet with people who promote hate and espouse anti-science views.
Speaking to reporters Monday from a quarantine site where he's staying while the protests continue in the parliamentary precinct, Trudeau said he watched in horror this weekend as some of the protesters carried flags with Nazi insignia and climbed the National War Memorial.
He said the protesters who have congregated in Ottawa — many of them along Wellington Street, which runs just in front of the Prime Minister's Office — are not representative of most Canadians.
Trudeau repeated his pro-vaccine message, saying the best way to fight the pandemic is to push ahead with vaccination and the mandate rule that requires all cross-border travellers — including essential workers like truckers — to get their shots.
The Conservatives, meanwhile, said Trudeau was maligning a largely peaceful group of people who are fed up with COVID-19-related restrictions and just want to be heard by those in power.
WATCH: Trudeau speaks out on anti-vaccine mandate convoy in Ottawa
Trudeau speaks out on anti-vaccine mandate convoy in Ottawa
4 months ago
Duration 1:47
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says hate speech and racist symbols must not be tolerated in Canada.
Trudeau also announced Monday he has tested positive for COVID-19. He said he doesn't have any symptoms and he's feeling "fine."
Trudeau has been in isolation since one of his children tested positive for the virus late last week. A second Trudeau child has now come down with a case of COVID-19. Trudeau said he'll stay in quarantine and work remotely while he recovers.
"It's a big challenge that my family and I are facing but there's nothing unusual or special about it. It's a challenge too many Canadians and people around the world know all too well," Trudeau told a press conference.
Trudeau got his first two COVID-19 shots last year and received a booster dose at an Ottawa pharmacy earlier this month.
PM, family moved from Rideau Cottage
Trudeau urged all Canadians to get vaccinated and boosted as cases of the Omicron variant hit high levels in many parts of the country. The prime minister's wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, contracted COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic in March 2020.
The prime minister and his family were moved over the weekend from their residence at Rideau Cottage after a convoy of anti-vaccine-mandate protesters converged on Parliament Hill, which is just four kilometres from the family home.
The sound of loud honking and cheering filled the city over the weekend as thousands of protesters voiced their opposition to various COVID-19-related restrictions. Sporadic honking resumed in the early hours of Monday and vehicles continue to block streets in the downtown core.
A person leads a group in the saying of the Rosary during a rally against COVID-19 restrictions on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Jan. 30, which began as a cross-country convoy protesting a federal vaccine mandate for truckers. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
The protest was focused initially on the federal government's vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers. It has since expanded into a movement against broader public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Swastikas spotted
Ottawa police described the protests as mainly peaceful but said Sunday they're investigating a number of incidents, citing reports of threatening behaviour, public mischief and dangerous operation of a vehicle.
Police said several incidents on Saturday that were roundly condemned — protesters jumping on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and adorning a statue of Terry Fox with anti-vaccine material and an upside-down Canadian flag — are under review.
Trudeau said Monday Canadians are "shocked" and "disgusted" with the actions of some of the protesters.
Trucks are seen parked on Metcalfe Street in Ottawa on Jan. 30. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
Pointing to the presence of swastikas and Confederate flags in the protest, the desecration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and acts of hooliganism at a local homeless shelter, Trudeau said his government "won't cave to those who engage in vandalism or dishonour the memory of our veterans."
While the crowds began to dissipate Sunday night, some — including the organizers behind a GoFundMe page that has amassed more than $9 million to support the convoy — said the goal is to create a logistical nightmare for the government and force it to repeal vaccine mandates.
Trudeau won't meet with protesters
One organizing group, Canada Unity, is demanding that government leaders either repeal the mandates or "RESIGN their lawful positions of authority immediately."
Asked if he would meet with some of the protesters now camped out in the parliamentary precinct — demonstrators who have vowed not to leave until all pandemic-related restrictions come to an end — Trudeau said he had no interest in going "anywhere near protests that have expressed hateful rhetoric and violence towards their fellow citizens."
"So to those responsible for this behaviour — it needs to stop," Trudeau said. "Canadians at home are watching in disgust and disbelief at this behaviour, wondering how this could have happened in our nation's capital."
Trudeau said that while Canadians have the right to protest, no one has a right "to abuse, intimidate and harass ... fellow citizens." He promised to press ahead with pandemic measures despite "intimidation" from some members of the convoy.
The convoy of protesters gathered on Parliament Hill represent a range of grievances and demands. Some want an end to vaccine mandates and restrictions, while the people behind Canada Unity, which helped organize the convoy, want the current federal government replaced.
Trudeau also accused some Conservative politicians of encouraging a movement composed of hateful elements with questionable motives.
He said some politicians have been "exploiting people's fears" in a way that could lead to "hard consequences" for the country.
While vocally rejecting bigotry and hate, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole has said Canadians frustrated with two years of COVID-19 restrictions should be heard by elected officials.
O'Toole met with some of the truckers in the convoy away from Parliament Hill on Friday. Over the weekend, O'Toole condemned the actions directed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Terry Fox statue.
O'Toole questions Trudeau on why he won't meet with trucker convoy
4 months ago
Duration 2:24
In the House of Commons, Opposition Leader Erin O'Toole asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau whether he would meet with the protesters to understand their demands. Trudeau said again that vaccination is the only way out of this pandemic.
A number of Conservative MPs have said they stand with truckers and other groups opposed to the federal vaccine mandates.
Trudeau said Monday that Canadians have not seen "responsible" leadership from O'Toole or People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier — who has made opposition to COVID-19 restrictions the cornerstone of his political movement since the pandemic began nearly two years ago.
"We have seen over the past many, many months Conservative politicians sharing disinformation about vaccines, encouraging conspiracy theories online," he said. "And I think Erin O'Toole is going to need to reflect very carefully on how he's walking a path that supports these people who do not represent truckers, let alone the vast majority of Canadians."
Speaking in question period, O'Toole said it's wrong for the prime minister to focus on "on the voices of a few" bad actors in the convoy while dismissing the concerns of "millions of Canadians who are worried."
'When is life getting back to normal?'
O'Toole said people's lives have been upended by years of restrictions, children are grappling with mental health issues, businesses are failing and the nation's social fabric has been "stretched."
"When is life getting back to normal?" O'Toole asked.
In response, Trudeau said the best way through this pandemic is more vaccinations. "Canadians have never been so united in stepping up," he said.
Conservative Deputy Leader Candice Bergen accused Trudeau of unfairly dismissing "passionate, patriotic and peaceful Canadians" who gathered on Parliament Hill to fight back against restrictions that, in some cases, have cost them their livelihoods.
Bergen said that Trudeau has "wore blackface more times then he can remember" and shouldn't brand the anti-mandate movement as racist.
Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis, a politician who has opposed COVID-19 vaccines for children, said the Liberal government is to blame for some of the deep divisions that have emerged during this health crisis.
Lewis said people are rallying in Ottawa and across the country to put an end to "discriminatory mandates" that have been put in place by Trudeau and the premiers. She said the prime minister and other politicians met with Black Lives Matters protesters but are now hiding "from 100,000 truckers and citizens who are rallying for democracy."
Ottawa police have said about 10,000 were on hand for Saturday's protest.
"Our house in Canada is not just divided, it is becoming fractured," Lewis said in a speech in the Commons. "Wedge political issues have resulted in pitting Canadians against each other."
Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis said the federal Liberal government is to blame for pandemic-related divisions in the county. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
Speaking to reporters after the weekend's events, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh dismissed the convoy as a "divisive group of people on the right."
"I don't think these people speak for Canadians," Singh said. "Their actions are unacceptable. I want the convoy to leave so life can return to normal because it's been very hard on the people of Ottawa."
Singh said the Ottawa Police Service has been quick to disband previous protests organized by racialized Canadians but has stood by as trucks clog the city's streets and protesters harass locals. He said police have shown "restraint" and are using "de-escalation" tactics in this instance but not in other cases.
"Police should not be allowing a situation where people don't feel safe," he said.
The police have urged people to avoid travelling to the city's downtown core while law enforcement deals with the ongoing disruptions.
"For those who choose to remain, we'll make that assessment once we understand who is still here, what purposes and what public safety risks are associated to that," said Chief Peter Sloly.
A person supporting a cross-country convoy protesting measures taken by authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19 holds a flag with an expletive targeting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in front of Parliament Hill as truckers arrive in Ottawa on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
With a convoy of protesters gathering in the nation's capital, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole addressed reporters Thursday evening and called on everyone — protesters and others — to "take the temperature down."
That's not a bad notion. A calm discussion about the vaccine mandate for cross-border truck drivers — its purpose, its consequences and the merits of the alternatives — might be useful right now, especially after a long and painful two pandemic years.
But it doesn't necessarily follow that compromise or unanimity is possible here. And if the temperature needs lowering, it's all the more unfortunate that the words and actions of some Conservative MPs have contributed to raising it.
Pierre Poilievre, an increasingly prominent voice in the party, has referred to the mandate as a "vaccine vendetta." His phrasing implies that the Liberals were somehow driven by personal animus toward truckers when they decided that they must be vaccinated to cross back into Canada without quarantining. (It also ignores the fact that the U.S. has adopted the very same policy for truckers who want to drive into the United States.)
Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis said federal mandates — which also cover public servants, air and train travellers — are "unscientific, vindictive, mean-spirited and promote segregation." Former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer tweeted this week that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is "the biggest threat to freedom in Canada."
Asked by a reporter Thursday to reconcile his call for calm with the rhetoric coming from his own caucus, O'Toole said "we all have to play a role to take the temperature down." He then proceeded to claim the prime minister is wielding mandates to divide Canadians.
WATCH: O'Toole calls for peace as protest convoy heads for Ottawa
O'Toole says he will meet with truckers heading to Ottawa to protest
5 months ago
Duration 1:39
Opposition Leader Erin O'Toole says he wants to hear the concerns of truckers who will be in Ottawa to rally against vaccine mandates.
Almost immediately after O'Toole's news conference ended, a video was posted to his Twitter account with a message accusing "Trudeau and his Liberal allies" of wanting "to smear and demonize" truckers.
This would hardly be the first time a politician's rhetoric has been more inflammatory than absolutely necessary. But even if this is just the way partisans talk sometimes, that wouldn't be an explanation or a justification for the current tone. It would be an excuse.
O'Toole said on Thursday that this week's demonstration is "a symbol of the fatigue and the division that we're seeing in this country." The exact nature and motivation of this protest is at least debatable. In some ways, O'Toole might be right. But even then, it would be necessary to decide which parts of this protest can or should be bargained with.
Ottawa's city centre continues to be filled with the sound of honking and chanting as truckers and others opposed to the restrictions gathered near Parliament Hill on Sunday for a second full day of protests. (Michael Cole/CBC)
1 of 26
Beyond the "F--k Trudeau" flags and the reports of journalists being harassed, convoy organizers are promoting a "memorandum of understanding" calling on the Senate and the Governor General, in collaboration with a committee of citizens, to issue edicts to federal, provincial and municipal governments to repeal all vaccine-related restrictions. If the Senate and governor general decline to go along with that plan, the memo says, they're expected to resign.
In an interview earlier this week, one organizer called Trudeau a "criminal" and said the goal of the convoy is to "compel the government to dissolve government." Organizers reportedly plan to stay in Ottawa until all pandemic restrictions are lifted.
At the risk of stating the obvious, calls to overthrow Canada's democratic order are not something that can be entertained or humoured, no matter how tired some people are.
A person pumps their fists as they stand on top of a transport truck after arriving on Wellington Street in front of on Parliament Hill as part of a cross-country convoy protesting measures taken by authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19 on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
O'Toole's video cast the Liberal policy as "an attack on truckers." But that sidesteps the fact that vaccination rates among truckers are reportedly on par with the rate among the general population. Approximately 78 per cent of all eligible Canadians have received two shots so far.
And it's not just the unvaccinated who are tired and frustrated right now. If anyone has a claim to fatigue, it's the doctors and nurses who have been dealing with unrelenting waves of sickness and death for two years. But the frustration felt by the vaccinated is connected to the additional risk and burden that comes from people choosing to go unvaccinated.
A health care worker holds a sign reading "death by fatigue" during a protest demanding time off for COVID-19 fatigue in front of Maisonneuve Rosemont hospital in Montreal on Wednesday May 27, 2020. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
O'Toole said Thursday that he fears the mandate could lead to people losing their jobs or homes. That's not an unreasonable concern and governments would be foolish to ignore the potential downsides to a policy like this.
But that must be weighed against the extent of the imposition (is it too much to ask that people get vaccinated?) and whatever additional protection is provided to the rest of society by ensuring that people who regularly travel around the continent are vaccinated.
The current tumult isn't a uniquely Canadian phenomenon — protests against vaccine mandates have happened in several European countries. It may have been inevitable. But it's still up to Canadians and their leaders to find a way to muddle through.
People attend a demonstration called by the French nationalist party "Les Patriotes" (The Patriots), to protest France's COVID-19 vaccine pass in Paris on January 22, 2022. (Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)
In his own comments this week, Trudeau emphasized the importance of vaccination and described the convoy (parts of it, at least) as a "small fringe minority" with "unacceptable" views. His government has shown no interest in changing its policy. (Even if it did, it would have to also persuade the Americans to do likewise for any change to really matter.)
During last year's election, Trudeau called out the extreme views expressed by some of the protesters attending his campaign events, hurling invective (and, in one instance, stones) in his direction.
But he was more nuanced in his comments after public safety concerns forced him to cancel a campaign event in Bolton, Ontario. That evening, Trudeau said that "anger" needed to be met with "compassion" and he acknowledged all leaders — himself included — needed to reflect on their own words and actions.
Members of an RCMP security detail put their hands up to protect Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau from rocks as protesters shout and throw gravel during a campaign stop in London Ont., on Monday, September 6, 2021. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
"One of the challenges we face right now is there seems to be a lot of concern that perhaps the desire to bring Canadians together is at odds with the desire and the responsibility we have to keep Canadians safe," Trudeau said.
"Science tells us that the best way through this pandemic is to get vaccinated. That's how we end this. That's how we get back to normality that so many people so desperately want. So we have to stand strong for what we know to be true …
"But we have to make sure we are hearing those real concerns and responding to them as best we can."
"Real concerns" are generally worth hearing out. But one can debate how much compassion should be directed at this convoy.
Ideally, cooler heads would prevail and the extremists would be marginalized. Canadians may have rallied over the last two years around the idea that we're stronger together. But the simple reality might be that not everyone is going to agree on the best way out of this pandemic.
Aaron Wherry has covered Parliament Hill since 2007 and has written for Maclean's, the National Post and the Globe and Mail. He is the author of Promise & Peril, a book about Justin Trudeau's years in power.
New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh listens to a question during a news conference. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh today condemned a convoy of truckers and others travelling to Ottawa to protest a federal rule requiring that all cross-border drivers be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Singh said some of the people behind the demonstration are pushing "false information" through "inflammatory, divisive and hateful comments."
GoFundMe records show Singh's brother-in-law, Jodhveer Singh Dhaliwal, donated $13,000 to the group behind the demonstration — dubbed the "freedom convoy" by participants.
In a statement sent to CBC News, Singh said he doesn't support a campaign that harbours "extremist and dangerous views" and "unequivocally" disapproves of his brother-in-law's decision to donate.
'Dangerous and divisive rhetoric'
"[I] ... disagree with him about this donation and told him so. I am against this convoy and against the dangerous and divisive rhetoric we're seeing coming from it," Singh said.
"I understand people are frustrated that we're still in this pandemic two years later. The best way to get out of this pandemic, and to keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe, is to get vaccinated and to listen to public health experts."
An NDP source, speaking on background, said Dhaliwal didn't fully comprehend what the money would be used for.
"There was a misunderstanding. Once he understood the true nature of this organization, a process was started to return the donation," the source said.
While he waits for GoFundMe to process the reversal, Dhaliwal has hidden his name from the public list of donors to the convoy, the source said.
The protest is being organized by Canada Unity, a group that opposes COVID-19-related measures. Its organizers say it is intended to push Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government to drop the vaccine mandate for truckers and do away with other public health protections.
Trudeau responded today by saying the vast majority of Canadians disagree with the convoy's message. He pointed out that Canadian truckers have a vaccination rate of approximately 90 per cent.
"The small fringe minority of people who are on their way to Ottawa, or who are holding unacceptable views that they're expressing, do not represent the views of Canadians who have been there for each other," Trudeau told a news conference today.
Trudeau discusses anti-vaccine mandate convoy rally planned for Parliament Hill
5 months ago
Duration 1:34
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the fringe minority represented by the protesters does not reflect the majority of Canadians who got their shots.
In Canada Unity's "memorandum of understanding," convoy organizers call on Ottawa and the provincial and territorial governments to do away with what they call "unconstitutional, discriminatory and segregating actions and human rights violations" brought about through programs like the vaccine passport system for non-essential businesses and vaccine requirements for public servants and transport workers.
The group demands that government leaders either make the changes or "RESIGN their lawful positions of authority Immediately."
Singh condemned Conservative politicians for backing people opposed to public health measures.
"While not surprising, it is disturbing that Conservative MPs are supporting this convoy," he said.
Conservative deputy leader Candice Bergen is the latest Conservative MP to come out in support of the convoy protest. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Candice Bergen, deputy leader of the Conservative Party, added her name to a growing list of MPs who say they stand with the protesting truckers. She said her party opposes all federal vaccine mandates.
Bergen said Trudeau's attempt to boost vaccination rates through new mandates has "dealt our already crumbling supply chain another blow." She said the policy will exacerbate an existing trucker shortage and "drive inflation higher than it's been in over 30 years."
"Now more than ever, our economy needs to be reopened, and we need every sector working in order to recover from the pandemic. I support peaceful demonstrations against these mandates, and our truckers from Portage-Lisgar and from across Canada," Bergen said, referring to the riding she represents.
Supporters of truck drivers protesting the COVID-19 vaccine mandate cheer on a convoy of trucks on their way to Ottawa on the Trans-Canada west of Winnipeg on January 25, 2022. (David Lipnowski/The Canadian Press)
Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre and Garnett Genuis, a Conservative MP from Alberta, have called the federal policy a "vaccine vendetta."
In an interview with CBC News, Poilievre accused Trudeau and Singh of "insulting" truckers taking part in the convoy.
"You don't have to agree with the everything that every trucker says, but you can, for God's sakes ... thank the truckers for keeping us alive and acknowledge their legitimate frustration," he said.
WATCH | Pierre Poilievre says he supports peaceful protesters taking part in trucker convoy
Conservative MP discusses his support for truckers' protest
5 months ago
Duration 0:40
Pierre Poilievre says he supports peaceful protest by legitimate truckers and denounces those promoting extremism.
Martin Shields, a Conservative MP who represents the Alberta riding of Bow River, has said it's time to put an end to the "Trudeau Liberal government's mandates and freedom-curbing restrictions." Shields has promised to meet with the convoy when it arrives in Ottawa.
Bob Benzen, the Conservative MP for Calgary Heritage, said he supports the convoy and its protest against "coercive, intrusive and authoritarian dictates of this Trudeau government."
"This vaccine mandate for truckers who served us over two years of the crisis is ridiculous and unacceptable," Benzen said.
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole has been less vocal than some of his caucus colleagues regarding the convoy protest. Speaking to reporters on Monday, O'Toole accused Trudeau of "dividing Canadians" by pushing shots on truckers — but was non-committal when asked if he'd meet with convoy organizers when they arrive in the nation's capital.
"It's not for the leader of the opposition or a political party to attend a protest on the Hill or a convoy. It's up to politicians to advocate for solutions in a cost of living crisis in a way that's responsible and respectful of the public health crisis we are in," he said.
While the vast majority of cross-border truckers have had the necessary shots, industry groups estimate as many as 12,000 to 16,000 unvaccinated Canadian drivers could be pulled off the road because of this policy.
Various business groups — including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Retail Council of Canada and the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition — have expressed concerns about the trucker mandate.
In a statement Wednesday, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) urged the federal government to drop its mandate "before supply shortages and price increases drive even more businesses to the brink."
Experts agree that while the new mandate is likely to disrupt the flow of goods, the recent pandemic wave driven by the Omicron variant, COVID-19 restrictions in China and a global shortage of shipping containers are also to blame for ongoing supply issues in the food and retail sectors.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra pushed back against Conservative claims that the vaccine mandate is causing higher prices and empty shelves.
WATCH: Transport Minister Omar Alghabra discusses timing of vaccine mandate
Transport minister discusses timing of vaccine mandate for truckers
5 months ago
Duration 1:55
Omar Alghabra says 90 per cent of truck drivers are vaccinated and the vaccine mandate is intended to encourage the unvaccinated to get their shots.
At a news conference on another matter, Alghabra said the pandemic, an increase in worker absenteeism due to sickness, a change in consumption patterns (Canadians have been spending more money on goods than on services during the pandemic) and a series of "climate change events" have caused severe disruptions to the normal order of business.
"To reduce the supply chain issues to a vaccine mandate is inaccurate and is false," Alghabra said.
"This was the right time to encourage the remaining number of our truck drivers to get vaccinated. It was coordinated and it happened at the same time that the U.S. is imposing one on its own border as well."
The United States has implemented a similar mandate requiring all U.S.-bound travellers to show proof that they've had their shots before entry.
That means unvaccinated Canadian drivers wouldn't be able to cross the international boundary even if the Canadian government dropped the new vaccine requirement.
Threats from the fringe
Bergen said she supports "peaceful" demonstrators opposed to the mandate. Just how peaceful the convoy will be is an open question.
At least one of the convoy organizers, Tamara Lich — who has ties to the federal Maverick Party, which has roots in Alberta separatist circles — has said she wants the protest to be peaceful. But other people who've aligned themselves with the convoy have used more heated rhetoric.
Since the convoy of trucks and other vehicles left B.C. for Ottawa, extremists and fringe groups have taken to social media to encourage their followers to descend on the capital and destroy property and threaten elected officials.
Some have called for another Jan. 6 — a reference to the day last year when Donald Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building.
Lich said that everyone participating in the convoy must be registered with their "road captains" and anyone who does not behave in an orderly fashion "will be immediately removed."
Jeremy Mouat, president of the Fredericton Heritage Trust, says he's concerned that housing growth in Fredericton will come at the expense of historically significant building. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
As Fredericton ramps up efforts to boost its stock of rental housing, some are concerned it could come at the expense of heritage if the proper work isn't done first.
Staff at city hall are set to embark on a two-year project to plot a path for how the downtown gets developed, known as the south core plan.
That work comes as city council adopted its affordable housing strategy, which lays out recommendations, including allowing developers to create four to six-unit buildings in the urban core without special approvals.
But before any of those plans get implemented, the city needs to do a broad review of how it preserves historically significant buildings, or risk having them drastically altered or destroyed, according to Jeremy Mouat, president of Fredericton Heritage Trust.
"There's a ton of development and a lot of the sort of large development areas have now had their future mapped out.
"And in this context, we really would like to see some sort of review to establish how effective the heritage program has been and are there ways to ensure its effectiveness going forward as we basically lose a fair bit of empty space to development downtown?"
Mouat is also one of five council-appointed board members on the Heritage Preservation Review Board, which ensures the city's heritage preservation bylaw is being followed.
However, only about 300 structures have official heritage status or are part of the St. Anne's Point Heritage Area, and therefore protected by the bylaw.
Some buildings on St. John Street were constructed in the mid-19th century, yet don't fall within the St. Anne's Point Heritage Preservation Area and therefore aren't protected. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
That means the board has little to no say in any modifications or renovations done to the roughly 2,000 other buildings across the city that he says have historical significance.
That includes St. John Street, with its mix of brightly coloured, tightly packed homes that hark back to the development style of the mid-19th century.
"Lots of streetscapes, in our view, need protection," Mouat said. "I mean, if you walk around where I live on St. John Street, down Charlotte Street, Needham, lots of other places, you see charming streetscapes that are the envy of lots of other cities in Canada.
"And what we're anxious about is the fate of these streetscapes, as development pressures are going to pick up, particularly in terms of the need to densify housing and to add on and, you know, subdivide more and more of the older buildings into apartments."
Mouat said his group isn't opposed to the buildings being renovated and used for apartments, "but we're anxious that ultimately that's going to lead to, to wear and tear that would ultimately lead to, to demolition."
Mouat says some homes on Needham Street are historically significant but don't have any heritage protections. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
Request brought before councillors
On Monday, Doug Wright, chair of the heritage board, made a presentation to Fredericton city council on the group's work since 2021 and recommended council "establish a comprehensive heritage program review" to ensure it aligns with provincial regulations and council priorities.
"It would offer an opportunity for council to consider the broad heritage program in the light of the rapid development now occurring in Fredericton," Wright said.
His recommendation led to a motion by Coun. Margo Sheppard to direct city staff to undertake a heritage program review, including design guideline recommendations and potential amendments to the heritage bylaw prior to the south core plan being done.
The motion generated discussion among councillors, with some in support, and other against it.
Coun. Jason Lejeune said it's important to put the heritage review ahead of the south core plan being done.
"I think getting this done will inform a lot of our work to be done under the south core plan and it's important to get it done ahead of that time primarily to avoid any unintended consequences that could come down the road," he said.
Coun. Bruce Grandy said he couldn't support the motion, noting that staff indicated they were already busy with getting the south core plan done.
"They're tasked with a great load at this particular moment in time. Not only that, the construction and permitting that's going on and the amount of development that's happening," Grandy said.
"If it was a staff recommendation I certainly would support it but understanding what I just asked previous, and the work that they're involved in with the limited staff, I won't support the motion."
The motion was defeated 7-4, but councillors agreed to have the issue sent to the economic vitality committee for further consideration.
Dwindling heritage stock
If a property owner wants to tear down a building with historical significance, council has the opportunity to step in and grant it heritage status.
However, councillors still voted in 2019 against giving heritage status to the Risteen building, effectively giving the developer who owned it the right to tear it down.
Sheppard said with the city set to grow in population, and housing needs to continue growing, she fears more buldings will meet the same fate.
The Risteen building was demolished in 2019 after councillors voted against granting it status under the heritage preservation bylaw. (Mike Heenan/CBC)
"Being the capital city, as Fredericton is, we really need to be cognizant that, that our heritage is, is dwindling," Sheppard said.
"We have many heritage buildings that are not protected in any way. Some have national significance, some have provincial significance, and, you know, we can we can decide that we want to create an environment where people want to keep heritage buildings."
Sheppard said a broad review of the city's heritage strategy could result in incentives from the city to encourage property owners to preserve a building's defining features.
A review could also result in more buildings being better recognized for their heritage value, she said.
"The [heritage] preservation bylaw hasn't really resulted in too too many neighbourhoods being designated for one reason or another.
"And, you know, maybe it's time we took a look at the, at that process and also look at other things that have been over the last 20 years or so ... recommended but never acted upon."
The Third Age Centre is an autonomous, community-based, non-profit organization, housed at Saint Thomas University.
The Centre’s membership is predominantly made up of older adults (50+). However, an interest in, and a concern for, the issues that affect aging is of primary importance for all members.
The Centre was established in 1991 under the auspices of the Chair in Gerontology at Saint Thomas University. It is now an independent organization, although Saint Thomas continues its support by providing office space, and in kind support.
The mission of the Third Age Centre is to empower older adults to maintain healthy, independent, active lifestyles.
The mandate is to do research and public education on seniors’ issues, and to act as an advocate on behalf of seniors.
The Third Age Centre maintains close links with like-minded local, regional and national organizations.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Bergen, Candice - M.P."<candice.bergen@parl.gc.ca> Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2022 21:03:53 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks this is an interesting message that appears to be hard to share even though Trudeau the Younger who is fully vaxed still gets the COVID virus N'esy Pas Higgy? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
On behalf of the Hon. Candice Bergen, thank you for contacting the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition.
Ms. Bergen greatly values feedback and input from Canadians. We read and review every incoming e-mail. Please note that this account receives a high volume of e-mails. We reply to e-mails as quickly as possible.
If you are a constituent of Ms. Bergen’s in Portage-Lisgar with an urgent matter please provide complete contact information. Not identifying yourself as a constituent could result in a delayed response.
Once again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au nom de l’hon. Candice Bergen, nous vous remercions de communiquer avec le Bureau de la cheffe de l’Opposition officielle.
Mme Bergen accorde une grande importance aux commentaires des Canadiens. Nous lisons et étudions tous les courriels entrants. Veuillez noter que ce compte reçoit beaucoup de courriels. Nous y répondons le plus rapidement possible.
Si vous faites partie de l’électorat de Mme Bergen dans la circonscription de Portage-Lisgar et que votre affaire est urgente, veuillez fournir vos coordonnées complètes. Si vous ne le faites pas, cela pourrait retarder la réponse.
Nous vous remercions une fois encore d’avoir pris le temps d’écrire.
Holy crap!! Now the party begins🚀🚀🔥🔥🔥😱😱😱 "Booooommmmm💥
The UK government admits that vaccines have damaged the natural immune system of those who have been double-vaccinated. The UK government has admitted that once you have been double-vaccinated, you will never again be able to acquire full natural immunity to Covid variants - or possibly any other virus. So let's watch the "real" pandemic begin now! In its Week 42 "COVID-19 Vaccine Surveillance Report", the UK Department of Health admits on page 23 that "N antibody levels appear to be lower in people who become infected after two doses of vaccination". It goes on to say that this drop in antibodies is essentially permanent. What does this mean? We know that vaccines do not prevent infection or transmission of the virus (indeed, the report elsewhere shows that vaccinated adults are now much more likely to be infected than unvaccinated ones). The British now find that the vaccine interferes with the body's ability to make antibodies after infection not only against the spike protein but also against other parts of the virus. In particular, vaccinated people do not appear to form antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein, the envelope of the virus, which is a crucial part of the response in unvaccinated people. In the long term, the vaccinated are far more susceptible to any mutations in the spike protein, even if they have already been infected and cured once or more. The unvaccinated, on the other hand, will gain lasting, if not permanent, immunity to all strains of the alleged virus after being naturally infected with it even once. Source:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1027511/Vaccine-surveillance-report-week-42.pdf The first insurance companies are backing down because a huge wave of claims is coming their way. Anthony Fauci confirms that the PCR test cannot detect live viruses. Anthony Fauci confirms that neither the antigen test nor the PCR test can tell us whether someone is contagious or not!!! This invalidates all the foundations of the so-called pandemic. The PCR test was the only indication of a pandemic. Without PCR-TEST no pandemic For all the press workers, doctors, lawyers, prosecutors etc. THIS is the final key, the ultimate proof that the measures must all be lifted immediately must be PLEASE SHARE" Please copy and paste this in as many comments as you can do not try and post this on your main Facebook page as it will be taken down by Facebook let’s spread the word
Che Guevara's motorcycle companion dies at the age of 88
Che Guevara's motorcycle companion dies at the age of 88
Alberto Granado, the man who accompanied the Argentine-born revolutionary Che Guevara on a motorcycle trip across South America in the 1950s, has died in Cuba at the age of 88.
Their trip across the continent inspired Guevara's radical ideals and was immortalised in the 2004 film "The Motorcycle Diaries".
Cuba has published the diaries that the revolutionary icon Ernesto Che Guevara kept during the guerrilla campaign that brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959.
His widow, Aleida March, said she had decided to publish the writings unedited.
After 50 years of silence, Che Guevara's brother reveals the man behind the myth
CBC Radio ·
Juan Martin Guevara (left) poses with his memoir Che, My Brother. Ernesto "Che" Guevara (right), a major figure of the Cuban Revolution, was executed five decades ago. (Charles Platiau/Reuters, Keystone/Getty Images )
Day 6 12:01 After 50 years of silence, Che Guevara's brother reveals the man behind the myth
The image doesn't need to be described because it's ubiquitous.
It's a 1960 photo of Che Guevara by Castro's official photographer, Alberto Korda, and it's one of the most copied and recognizable images of the past century. It even has a name, "Guerrillero Heroico," and since Guevara's execution 50 years ago, the image has become an avatar for vast and contradictory ideas.
But Che Guevara's brother says it's an inaccurate illustration of the man himself.
"It's not really representative of the person that I know. Neither Ernesto, my brother, nor Che Guevara. In all the photos that our family has of him, he's either smiling or he's looking ironic or he's looking comical."
Juan Martin Guevara, 72, is speaking to me from Buenos Aires. His eldest sibling, Ernesto Guevara was 15 when he was born. In his memoir, Che, My Brother, Juan Martin remembers Ernesto as a mercurial and prodigious figure. He was just five years old when Ernesto set out on the first of his formative motorcycle expeditions exploring South America.
Che Guevara's early years, in photos
Ernesto Guevara carries baby brother Juan Martin on his shoulders. (Courtesy Juan Martin Guevara)
1 of 4
"He was forever coming and going," Juan Martin writes.
By the time Juan Martin was 12, his brother was fighting a guerilla war alongside Fidel Castro against the Batista regime and then suddenly he was famous. He was Che.
"From 1957 onwards, I was the brother of the legendary Ernesto Guevara, Fidel Castro's companion and a fearless warrior. And then a legend. I learned to live with this."
Ernesto and Juan Martin and their father Ernesto in 1943 or '44. (Courtesy Juan Martin Guevara)
The pre-Che years
Juan Martin says his family's story can be divided into the pre- and post-Che years, a line drawn by history and the fame or infamy of his brother the revolutionary. In the pre-Che years, his memoir places Ernesto at the centre of a chaotic and eccentric household.
"He was not your traditional big brother, the one that would step in as an authority figure when Dad wasn't around. He was more of a comrade, or a friend, somebody that I would play with. We would go to the soccer game together. In Spanish, there's a word compinche — you know, a buddy; a pal — somebody that's with you at all times, your sidekick."
Some have suggested that I lived in the shadow of Che Guevara. I always say, 'No, I live in the light of what it is.'
- Juan Martin Guevara
Even before Ernesto left Argentina for good, he was frequently not at home, sleeping elsewhere as he completed his medical studies. Juan Martin admits in his memoir that Che could be distant with people he loved, but remembers an older brother who was warm to his much younger sibling.
"Irony and wordplay was our bread and butter in our family. And that is something that he kept with him throughout his life."
I ask if it was difficult to share the name Guevara with such a polarizing, powerful figure.
"I mean, some people have suggested that I lived in the shadow of what Che Guevara had been," he says. "I always say, 'No, I live in the light of what it is.'"
Juan Martin, Ernesto, and their mother in 1959. (Courtesy Juan Martin Guevara)
Humanizing an icon
There's an ambivalence that runs through Juan Martin's memoir, a desire to keep distance from the mythic image of Che Guevara while still deeply admiring his brother. For years, he and other members of his family were determined not to talk about Che.
There were practical reasons to be discrete. Juan Martin was imprisoned by the Argentinian junta for eight years. During that time, thousands of political prisoners like him were "disappeared," thrown from airplanes into the ocean, or gunned down in summary executions.
He was freed in 1983.
"You have to understand, I was in prison," he tells me this week on Day 6. "So for me to go announcing that I was Che Guevara's brother was not such a good idea, being in prison under military junta. Others of my siblings fled the country in fear. There were bombings, shooting at my home because of this being Che Guevara's family.
"I decided much later in 2009, I understood that it's good to talk and that I needed to talk."
Juan Martin believes Che is relevant to the tumultuous contemporary world, that he can motivate young people and inspire change. He's not static and distant. His memoir takes on the myth of Che.
Che will be part of the history of humanity. I think Che's ideas will continue to influence across the globe.
- Juan Martin Guevara
"Myths are terribly tough to fight against. The way I approach it is try to humanize the man and you do that by providing content by giving substance and content to the man. That way you bring his feet hopefully closer to Earth; you have more understanding of who he really was and then perhaps an opportunity that you might want to follow."
Juan Martin believes contemporary idealists will find in Che a model for action if they can see beyond the totemic imagery. He complains Che's 3,000 pages of writings have been reduced by popular culture to his motorcycle diaries. He sees a dynamism and flexibility in Che and says his "thinking was changing constantly.
"Che's gift is that he can motivate people. So we must allow his influence to reach far and wide."
Argentine Communist revolutionary leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara in 1964 speaking at the World Commerce and Development Conference at the Palace des Nations at Geneva. (Keystone/Getty Images)
Che the executioner
The romantic image of Che as Marxist idealist is far from universal.
After the revolution, Che oversaw trials and executions at Havana's fortress-like prison La Cabaña. Opponents of Castro and fighters supporting Batista were eliminated. American writer and journalist George Plimpton witnessed executions that appeared to be extrajudicial. It was a bloody time.
Juan Martin, in his mid-teens, was in Havana in 1959. He attended a trial and admits he found it disturbing.
"That trial was the only trial of many trials that was actually made public and that was the atmosphere that bothered me very much. This was done in a stadium. There were more than 5,000 members of the general public present and to see that person who was being judged who is clearly an assassin and a murderer. But to see that person surrounded by the mob — it was disturbing and I was not the only one that was disturbed by it.
"It's important for me to say [Che] was not in charge of those trials and executions. There were lawyers on both sides. There was a jury. Che was neither one of those."
Understandably, Juan Martin's memoir will not be well received by critics of Castro or his revolution.
"My support for the Cuban revolutionary process is unwavering," he writes.
I wondered how he reconciles political repression in Cuba with his eight years as a political prisoner in Argentina. He says that experience deepened his connection to Che's philosophy.
But what about Cuba's political prisoners? I asked Juan Martin how he thinks they feel about Che.
"Well, I understand what you're saying, I hear it clearly, I've heard it from others but I wanted to say, clearly, there are no political prisoners in Cuba," he replies.
In fact, Human Rights Watch identifies dozens of political prisoners in Cuba's jails.
Juan Martin Guevara, 73, poses with the book he wrote with journalist Armelle Vincent on his brother, late Cuban revolutionary hero Ernesto "Che" Guevara. (Charles Platiau/Reuters)
Cuba after Castro
Cuba will change as Castro's revolution recedes in time. Che is still revered on the island, though perhaps more as an icon than a thinker or writer. For now, Korda's image of Che still towers over the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana.
Next month marks the 50th anniversary of Che's death, but Juan Martin is convinced his brother's ideas will be part of the future of Cuba and beyond.
"Cuba's history is part of humanity, like the history of the USA, which I know is going through a lot of problems right now. You know, these are all parts of history, [and] you can't parcel off history.
"Che will be part of the history of humanity. I think Che's ideas will continue to influence across the globe."
Ernesto Guevara: How my father inspired my Cuban motorcycle tours
By Will Grant Cuba correspondent, BBC News
Published
Image caption,
Ernesto Guevara shares his father's love of motorbikes and cigars
On 9 October 1967, guerrilla leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara was executed in Bolivia. Fifty years on, the BBC's Will Grant takes a motorbike tour of Cuba with the leader's son and asks him about the pressures of living under his father's legacy.
At times, the family resemblance is uncanny.
The stubbly beard, the unmistakable nose, the similarity extending down to a smouldering cigar clasped firmly between his forefingers.
Beyond the physical attributes, the youngest son of Latin America's most recognisable revolutionary, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, has inherited another trait from his late father: his love of motorbikes.
"I've always liked mechanics, speed, motorbikes, cars," said 52-year-old Ernesto, named after his father, over a cold drink in a Harley Davidson-themed bar in Havana.
"As a child I was interested in repairing cars and bikes. I suppose it's something I picked up from my old man but wherever it's from, I love it."
Despite the shared passion, the younger Guevara has taken a very different path in life: into tourism.
He runs a motorbike tour company whose only link to Che is in the name, La Poderosa Tours after La Poderosa, the famous Norton 500cc on which his father crossed the Americas in the Motorcycle Diaries.
Image source, AFP
Image caption,
Che Guevara and Aleida March on their wedding day in Havana in June 1959
La Poderosa Tours is a private company using foreign capital and works with several state-run Cuban companies. It is part of the wave of private enterprise permitted under rule changes by President Raul Castro in 2010, and a far cry from Ernesto's training as a lawyer.
When I joined him on a recent tour, we headed out west, towards the tobacco-growing region of Pinar del Río.
Heads turned on the streets of Havana as the fleet of Harley Davidsons swept out of the capital.
The motorbike is proving an increasingly popular way to see the island. The tour group was a broad cross-section of nationalities including riders from the United States, China, Britain and Argentina.
"Americans my age have never been able to come to Cuba and now we can," reflected amateur bike enthusiast Scott Rodgers from Massachusetts when we stopped for coffee.
"I don't know long that is going to last so I thought I had to jump through this window while I could."
Others were directly drawn to the link to Che, including Eduardo Lopez, a fellow Argentine.
"Of course he is part of the attraction," Eduardo said. "Travelling the world by motorbike is my hobby but we specifically came on this tour because Che lived for years in my home town of Córdoba. So we feel a link to this myth, this figure."
Image caption,
Some tourists say they take the tour because they are interested in the Guevara history
Despite the famous surname, Ernesto insists he is very much his own man.
"I always try to not link things. Anything I've achieved I've done as Ernesto Guevara March - as myself, as a human being," said the son from Che's second marriage to Cuban Aleida March.
"I do everything with a sense of responsibility. If it works out, then great. If not, fair enough."
Image source, YAMIL LAGE
Image caption,
Che Guevara's image - seen here in Havana - is used in graffiti worldwide
So far, it's a business philosophy that has served him well. Last year saw record numbers of tourists visit Cuba and business at La Poderosa Tours is brisk.
He knows he has his critics though, particularly in Miami. It is often pointed out that after being born with such Marxist credentials, the younger Guevara has made a capitalist's career in tourism.
It's not a charge that worries him, however.
"It has nothing to do with whether it's socialist or capitalist," he argued with a hint of indignation in his voice.
Image caption,
Pinar del Río, west of Havana, is known for its tobacco plantations
"It makes no sense to focus on that issue. For me, we're doing a good job, one that helps my country."
Our tour carried on to a place synonymous with the darker side of his father's image, the Cabaña Fortress.
It was here that after the revolutionaries took power, Che presided over the revolutionary trials of members of the ousted military government. Dozens were executed in what critics of the Cuban Revolution say was summary justice.
Fifty years after his father's death, Ernesto still leaps to his defence insisting the trials were "normal". I pointed out that such a view will incense some families the other side of the Florida Straits.
Image caption,
Ernesto Guevera (R) named his company after his father's bike, La Poderosa
"The enemy can say what he likes. The people of Cuba know why it was done, how it was done, and above all in order to bring tranquillity to all Cuban society that they weren't going to pardon murderers of that kind," he said looking out across the bay to Havana.
"So I'm very calm, my soul is at peace, and my father's soul is too."
Ernesto readily admits it wasn't always easy growing up with a famous father - or rather, without one. Che Guevara was executed in Bolivia in 1967 when Ernesto was just two.
"Of course, at school sometimes you'd be pointed out as 'Ernesto Guevara', but generally you were known as 'Ernesto Guevara March', which is the person you are. The son of both your father and your mother."
And as the worldwide fascination with his iconic father shows no signs of slowing down, this has become a point the younger Ernesto is keen to stress.
"Those who love me, love me for the person I am. Not just for the name Guevara."
The fleeting and the eternal while travelling the roads of Cuba.
LA PODEROSA TOURS is a travel agency which specializes in motorcycle tours around the island of Cuba on Harley Davidson. The agency was created by a group of professionals who came up with a form of offering original and unforgettable motorcycle journeys combining luxury with simplicity. We count with our own fleet of different models of Harley Davidson motorcycles. The circuits combine the pleasure of seeing the varied landscapes of the beautiful island of Cuba, with close contact with its unique people and their wonderful traditions and customs and with a part of the history of a unique Revolution, which has given birth to a mystique that still lives on and has gone far beyond the geographical limits of the island. The name LA PODEROSA, which means ‘the Mighty One’ in English, is no exercise in vanity: it’s the perhaps ironical nickname with which the young Ernesto “Che” Guevara de la Serna called the motorbike on which he travelled around Latin America: a trip immortalized in the famous movie The Motorcycle Diaries.We personally take care of every detail during this adventure and make sure we treat riders as our brothers and sisters making of their trip a unique experience and an indelible memory.
We offer Harley-Davidson motorcycles , checked before each trip by our team of mechanics. Insurance and Liability included. During the whole trip we offer an air-conditioned support vehicle for the travelers and their luggage. A complete tool kit and spare parts are available for any mechanical emergency to assure the success of your experience. Spare motorcycles also accompany our journey.
Our team
Ernesto
Coordinator and motorcycle Tour Leader: A lawyer by profession, he inherited from his father a passion for motorbikes, on which he has travelled around the country and discovered it like nobody else. As a lover of Harley bikes in particular he has dedicated over 20 years to restoring them. His favorite is a 74 model Harley Davidson Panhead, dating back to the 1960s.
Camilo
Motorcycle Tour Leader: a childhood friend of Ernesto’s, they not only share the legal profession but Camilo also shares Ernesto’s passion for motorbikes. He spends his free time restoring them and rides among other, a 1947 Flathead, model 74.
Luis
Is a designer and musician (plays the bass with his rock band) and is also a classic motorcycle aficionado. He is an experimented motorcycle Tour Leader, not only on Harley Davidson and Touring bikes in general but also in dual purpose motorcycles. He rides a 1947, Flathead model 74.
Maria Elena
Is the General Manager of the agency and the person who will answer all your questions and doubts. She will help you book your trip and customize it if necessary, responding in one of the following languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian or Greek
Speaking during question period on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his government’s decision invoke the Emergencies Act as it dealt with weeks of anti-mandate protests occupying Ottawa – May 11, 2022
Bureaucrats supporting the Prime Minister’s Office claim they need until February 2023 to decide whether to release records about the so-called “Freedom Convoy” — the same month the judicial inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act is set to wrap up.
Global News submitted a request under access to information laws to the Privy Council Office on Feb. 24, 2022, asking for records prepared by the department for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Specifically, the request sought seven days’ worth of emails and other records about discussions on the use of the Emergencies Act, and records that included the following words: “trucker convoy,” “public order emergency,” “state of emergency” or “emergency powers.”
But according to the Privy Council Office, they need an extension on processing the request and deciding whether the records can be released until Feb. 13, 2023.
Story continues below advertisement
That’s exactly one week before the final report from the judicial inquiry probing whether the invocation of the Emergencies Act was warranted is required to be tabled in the House of Commons.
Justice Paul S. Rouleau, an Ontario appeals court judge, is leading that inquiry.
In the letter advising Global News of the extension on the record request, the Privy Council Office said it needs up to eight months to “undertake a consultation process.”
“Should the consultations be completed in a shorter timeframe than specified, we will endeavour to respond to your request before the due date,” the office said.
In response to questions from Global News, the office said late Friday afternoon the length of the extension was not due to the inquiry underway but because of a large number of records.
The Liberals continue to face questions about their invocation of the Emergencies Act in response to the convoy that blockaded the downtown core in the nation’s capital for three weeks earlier this year.
Story continues below advertisement
The demonstration was deemed an illegal protest and saw a massive police operation to clear out demonstrators, as well as hundreds of criminal charges laid against those who took part.
Both police and officials from the federal and municipal governments frequently now refer to the demonstration as an “occupation” of the city.
The interim Ottawa police chief, Steve Bell, said during committee testimony in March that he would not call the demonstrators in the city either “peaceful” or “unobtrusive.”
Seniors in some N.B. care homes suffering from neglect, report says
Report by francophone advocacy group paints damning picture of life in some nursing homes
CBC News ·
Norma Dubé of the Action Committee for the Well-being of Seniors says, 'Everybody needs training in the process of aging.' (Pascal Raiche-Nogue)
A report released this week paints a shocking picture of senior care in some long-term care facilities in New Brunswick.
The report, titled New Brunswick's Elders: Neglected and Forgotten, says many seniors receiving care are suffering from malnutrition, medical negligence and poor standards of care.
"I'm hungry, we don't have enough to eat and what is being served looks like dog vomit," is just one of the stories shared with the report's authors, a francophone advocacy group that has been looking into conditions in long-term care homes.
To fix some of the problems, the Action Committee for the Well-being of Seniors called for a gradual reduction in the number of private care homes and creation of a new model of non-profit organizations that would prioritize the well-being of seniors over profits.
A call for system-wide training
The report pointed to under-qualified staff and to staff performing tasks outside their training as key problems.
In creating the report, the action committee spoke to people in mostly francophone communities and to anglophones in Fredericton. The report did not specify the homes it wrote about or the geographic areas.
"The day-to-day issues that an anglophone senior may encounter are exactly the same as a francophone senior may encounter," Norma Dubé, the chair of the group, said Thursday.
"We're talking about seniors. It's not a language issue."
Inexperienced cooks
The report called for appropriate training for everyone in the system, including owners, operators and managers.
"Everybody needs training in the process of aging and what that means in terms of giving care and services," Dubé said at a news conference Wednesday when the report was released.
Some cooks in long-term-care homes have no previous experience in a kitchen or in meal preparation, and knowledge of nutritional needs does not seem to be a major concern, the report said.
In some places, seniors are being left hungry or served poor quality food with a heavy reliance on canned soup and Jell-O, according to their families.
The administration of medication is also a problem, the report said.
Senior care staff in some homes are not administering medication according to instructions, they're getting residents to take all their medications at once instead of spacing them out as required, and they're refilling prescriptions late and storing medications incorrectly.
Wrong resident grabs pill
"Medications that need to be taken with food are often given in the cafeteria," the report said.
"This in itself does not cause a problem. What does become a problem is when the medication is placed on the table next to one resident and the person sitting next to them takes the pill."
In general, seniors are feeling the impact of the long-term care system's persistent struggles with staff retention, particularly of home-care workers.
Salaries of staff are "low," the report said, and turnover is up to 40 per cent annually.
"Seniors who live at home must adapt to this turnover on an ongoing basis."
Call to action
The action committee has eight members, including Denis Losier, former CEO of Assumption Life and a former provincial cabinet minister, and Bernard Richard, former ombud and child and youth advocate.
The report lists more than a dozen groups that spoke with the committee, including Michael Keating, acting executive director of the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes, Éric Beaulieu, deputy minister of social development, and Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, director of the Centre for Studies in Aging at the University of Moncton.
There is also a thank you to "those who contacted us to share their experiences with a family member who resides in a nursing home or who is still living at home and receiving support services."
The report also thanks four francophone stakeholders and six anglophone stakeholders representing special-care homes or organizations advocating for seniors in nursing homes. It does not name the stakeholders.
Revising standards for all long-term and special-care homes, and home care services was the first recommendation on a list of six proposed by the committee. This recommendation included reviewing standards for drug management and distribution.
Fitch committed to enforcing standards
The committee also called for establishing a consistent communication process between care-provider services and residents' families, and for a gradual, substantial increase in spending on home care services.
Speaking to Radio-Canada, Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch reiterated his confidence in private care homes, emphasizing that they must meet the levels of care imposed by the government. He also said his government is committed to finding solutions to the problems raised.
Keating, of the nursing home association, did not respond to numerous requests for an interview.
Des personnes âgées vivent dans des conditions déplorables dénonce leur association
L’Association francophone des aînés souhaite créer un nouveau modèle d’organismes sans but lucratif
Plusieurs intervenants ont dressé un tableau sombre de ce que vivent des personnes âgées au Nouveau-Brunswick (archives).
Photo : Radio-Canada
Radio-Canada
L’Association francophone des aînés du Nouveau-Brunswick demande une réduction progressive du nombre de foyers de soins privés dans la province.
Plusieurs personnalités ont uni leurs voix pour réclamer des changements majeurs dans les soins offerts aux aînés dans la province. Manque de soins, propreté déficiente, nourriture de mauvaise qualité ou insuffisante, elles ont dressé un tableau sombre de ce que vivent plusieurs personnes âgées.
Face à cette situation, l’Association francophone des aînés estime que certains foyers privés, et pas nécessairement tous, ne parviennent pas à répondre aux besoins. C’est pourquoi l’organisme recommande de suspendre progressivement le nombre de foyers privés, afin de créer un nouveau modèle d’organismes sans but lucratif.
Lors d'un point de presse, l'association a mentionné plusieurs problèmes dans certains foyers, comme de la nourriture de mauvaise qualité et insuffisante, un manque de soins d'hygiène, de la malpropreté, et des problèmes liés à l'administration des médicaments.
Denis Losier, membre du Comité d’action sur la bienveillance envers les aînés, explique les recommandations qui ont été formulées.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Denis Losier, un ancien ministre libéral, est membre du Comité d’action sur la bienveillance envers les aînés. Il explique que des rapports faits dans d'autres provinces montrent que le secteur privé dans la livraison des soins pour les personnes âgées n’était pas le modèle idéal : beaucoup de décès sont survenus, beaucoup de soins n’ont pas été améliorés depuis des années.
On s’est aperçus qu’au Nouveau-Brunswick, on avait à peu près les mêmes situations. Nos personnes âgées dans les foyers de soins spéciaux n’ont pas la qualité de soins, pas tous les foyers de soins spéciaux, il y en a qui sont très bons, relate-t-il.
Les aînés formulent plusieurs autres recommandations
L’Association francophone des aînés demande au gouvernement de revoir les normes qui s’appliquent aux foyers de soins de longue durée, aux foyers de soins spéciaux, et aux services de soutien à domicile.
On demande des améliorations en ce qui concerne la gestion des médicaments des résidents, l’hygiène des résidents, la propreté des chambres et la qualité de la nourriture servie. L’organisme voudrait aussi que des conséquences soient imposées, quand les normes ne sont pas respectées.
Le Comité d’action sur la bienveillance envers les aînés rassemble plusieurs personnalités publiques, dont les anciens ministres Elvy Robichaud, Denis Losier et Bernard Richard.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Il est aussi question d’améliorer la communication en créant, par exemple, des comités de résidents ou de membres des familles. On demande aussi que tous les foyers de soins de longue durée, les foyers de soins spéciaux et les services de soutien à domicile offrent des services dans la langue de choix des résidents.
L’association recommande aussi une formation appropriée pour le personnel, incluant les propriétaires, gestionnaires et cuisiniers.
Elle recommande également d’investir davantage dans les services de soins à domicile, afin de permettre aux personnes âgées de rester chez elles plus longtemps.
Si vous gardez une personne chez elle dans chaque région qu’il y a un foyer de soins au Nouveau-Brunswick, c’est 71 personnes. Si vous en gardez 10 par région où il y a un foyer de soins, vous avez 710 personnes, ça veut dire il y a 710 places de libres, vous pouvez prendre 700 personnes dans les hôpitaux et les envoyer au foyer. Ce qu’on propose-là ne coûte pas des grosses fortunes, ça demande de la volonté, a lancé l'ancien ministre de la Santé conservateur Elvy Robichaud.
Le ministre maintient sa confiance dans les foyers privés
Le ministre du Développement social, Bruce Fitch, a pris connaissance du rapport dès sa publication. Sur la privatisation des foyers, il estime que cela ne pourrait se faire du jour au lendemain. Et le ministre a réitéré sa confiance envers les foyers privés au Nouveau-Brunswick, en soulignant qu'ils doivent respecter des niveaux de soins imposés par le gouvernement.
Qu'il s'agisse d'un organisme sans but lucratif ou pas, ce niveau de soins doit être atteint, et nous le fixons, et nous nous attendons à ce qu'il soit respecté, et si nous constatons que ce niveau de soins n'est pas atteint, alors il y a des conséquences pour le domicile, explique le ministre Fitch.
Le ministre du Développement social, Bruce Fitch, estime que le système actuel permet de régler les problèmes lorsqu'il s'en pose.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Pour ce qui est des autres problèmes soulevés dans le rapport de l'Association francophone des aînés, le ministre du Développement social dit que le gouvernement compte y trouver une solution. Il rappelle d'ailleurs que la veille, le gouvernement a annoncé la formation d'un comité de fonctionnaires, qui sera chargé de présenter un nouveau plan de soins de longue durée.
Une partie de la raison pour laquelle nous lançons ce plan de soins de longue durée est simplement pour nous assurer que les besoins des personnes âgées sont satisfaits, souligne-t-il.
Sauf que plusieurs membres du Comité d’action sur la bienveillance envers les aînés ont déploré le fait que depuis au moins une décennie les rapports et les plans se sont succédé, sans apporter les changements souhaités.
En 2012, ils ont fait une étude, il n’y a rien qui a été fait, il n’y a pas de changement majeur. En 2017, il y a eu une étude, il n’y a rien qui a été fait comme suivi. En 2021, il y a eu une étude, il n’y a pas plus qui a été fait, et on propose encore un comité. Je pense qu’il est temps qu’on arrête les comités et qu’on mette de l’argent dans le système, a rappelé Elvy Robichaud.
Libéraux et verts ont des points de vue différents sur le rôle du privé
Le chef par intérim du Parti libéral du Nouveau-Brunswick, Roger Melanson, reste prudent sur la question du passage progressif à un nouveau modèle de foyers de soins sans but lucratif.
Il n’y a aucun doute qu’il faut regarder au modèle de livraison de services, donc le modèle de gouvernance, la suggestion c’est d’aller davantage vers un modèle à but non lucratif, je pense que c’est légitime, je pense qu’il faut avoir cette discussion-là et ce débat-là, avance Roger Melanson.
Roger Melanson, chef intérimaire du Parti libéral du Nouveau-Brunswick, a assisté à la conférence de presse de l'Association francophone des aînés.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Le chef libéral estime qu'il importe de ne pas mettre tous les foyers dans le même panier.
Il ne faut pas généraliser que toutes les résidences de personnes âgées sont problématiques, il y en a des bonnes, il y en a qui font de l’excellent travail, mais il y en a qui sont problématiques, et je pense qu’il faut que le gouvernement regarde aux normes, actuelles, insiste-t-il.
Pour sa part, le chef du Parti vert, David Coon, est plus catégorique. Dans le long terme, je suis en accord avec l’idée de transformer le système vers un système public, avec un modèle d’organisme avec les buts non lucratifs, c’est le meilleur système pour nous, dit-il.
David Coon croit, cependant, qu'il ne faut pas brusquer les changements. En réalité, on doit faire les transformations lentement, mais le but à la fin, oui est d’avoir un système public, précise-t-il.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario <Premier@ontario.ca> Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2022 11:09:09 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks the VESTCOR boss wants the big bonus before he retires and the stock market crashes again N'esy Pas Mr Jones? 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.
Thanks again for your email. ______
Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.
Merci encore pour votre courriel.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Bergen, Candice - M.P."<candice.bergen@parl.gc.ca> Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2022 11:10:10 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks the VESTCOR boss wants the big bonus before he retires and the stock market crashes again N'esy Pas Mr Jones? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
On behalf of the Hon. Candice Bergen, thank you for contacting the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition.
Ms. Bergen greatly values feedback and input from Canadians. We read and review every incoming e-mail. Please note that this account receives a high volume of e-mails. We reply to e-mails as quickly as possible.
If you are a constituent of Ms. Bergen’s in Portage-Lisgar with an urgent matter please provide complete contact information. Not identifying yourself as a constituent could result in a delayed response.
Once again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au nom de l’hon. Candice Bergen, nous vous remercions de communiquer avec le Bureau de la cheffe de l’Opposition officielle.
Mme Bergen accorde une grande importance aux commentaires des Canadiens. Nous lisons et étudions tous les courriels entrants. Veuillez noter que ce compte reçoit beaucoup de courriels. Nous y répondons le plus rapidement possible.
Si vous faites partie de l’électorat de Mme Bergen dans la circonscription de Portage-Lisgar et que votre affaire est urgente, veuillez fournir vos coordonnées complètes. Si vous ne le faites pas, cela pourrait retarder la réponse.
Nous vous remercions une fois encore d’avoir pris le temps d’écrire.
John Sinclair, president of Vestcor, appeared before MLAs in the New Brunswick Legislature last September. Vestcor's operation of two incentive programs in 2021 helped him earn a record $1.28 million in bonuses. (Government of New Brunswick)
Investment managers and executives with the Fredericton-based firm that oversees New Brunswick government pension funds earned a record $8.4 million in bonus pay in 2021 from two incentive programs that operated simultaneously, records show.
The bonuses earned by senior personnel of Vestcor were $3.3 million higher than the previous record amount paid in 2019 and $4.3 million higher than what was paid in 2020.
Much of the increase was generated by the operation of two bonus programs in 2021 that in many cases paid rewards to employees for the same achievements twice.
The size and growth of Vestcor's bonus program is one of the issues New Brunswick's Office of the Auditor General said in 2021 it would like to review with the organization. At the time, Vestcor disputed that it is subject to the auditor general's authority any longer, in what has become an ongoing issue between the two.
"Vestcor's accountability to government, the Legislative Assembly and the public remains a significant concern for our Office," declared a report issued by new Auditor General Paul Martin earlier this year.
"Two of our most significant areas of concern continue to be NB Power's ability to self-sustain its operations and the Auditor General's access to Vestcor."
Vestcor invests $21 billion in pension and other assets at home and around the world. It helped finance construction of the new Fredericton office building at 140 Carleton St. and then became a key tenant by moving its offices into the fourth floor. (Joe McDonald/CBC)
Vestcor is headquartered in Fredericton and was set up in the 1990s to manage what has become $21 billion in New Brunswick government employee pension and other funds.
It was originally a Crown agency but was reconfigured, renamed and given its independence in 2016.
It's now jointly owned by the province's two largest public pension plans serving New Brunswick civil servants and teachers, but it also oversees the retirement plans of hospital workers, nurses, Crown corporation employees, provincial court judges, MLAs and other groups.
Vestcor also manages other investment accounts, including University of New Brunswick endowment funds, retirement accounts for other organizations like the City of Fredericton and nuclear waste and decommissioning funds for NB Power.
Although Vestcor is not owned by government any longer, two New Brunswick auditor generals have argued "the significant amount of funds from public sources Vestcor manages" as well as its "extensive government-entity client base" make its operations a public interest concern.
Auditors concerned
Vestcor has offered incentive programs to employees for more than two decades. The organization argues bonus pay is standard in the investment industry, helps to recruit and retain quality employees and incentivizes good performance.
In Vestcor's case, bonus payments started out at modest levels but over the years grew significantly, an issue that eventually caught the attention of auditors.
"The Auditor General should have unrestricted access to audit the reasonableness of Vestcor's incentive program," former New Brunswick Auditor General Kim Adair-MacPherson wrote in her report on the matter in early 2021.
"Vestcor has paid over $30 million in employee incentives (bonuses) since 2010 and incentives have increased by almost 500 per cent since 2010. Five senior executives have received almost $19 million in incentives and salary since 2014."
Kim Adair-MacPherson, New Brunswick's former auditor general, issued a report in 2021 calling on the province to explicitly give her office the authority to audit Vestcor. Among other issues, she said the organization's escalating payments of bonuses to employees should be reviewed. (Michel Corriveau/Radio-Canada)
In its latest annual report released last week, Vestcor disclosed there had been an internal overhaul of "incentive pay" at the organization that took effect on Jan. 1, 2021 — just before Adair-MacPherson's report — that further boosted bonuses from amounts she was already concerned about.
Vestcor created a new simplified bonus pay structure to replace the previous system and added both enhancements and restrictions.
One new rule requires bonus amounts earned by employees to be paid out over four years, including 50 per cent in the first year and equal amounts in subsequent years with interest accumulating on amounts not immediately paid out.
Promises were also made to employees that the new bonus plan would be as generous as the one it replaced and would produce "outcomes similar to those under the prior program."
Despite that, there was also a decision not to completely end the prior bonus program when the new one took effect. Instead, Vestcor's board of directors voted to keep the most lucrative part of the original bonus system operating alongside the new system for 2021, 2022 and 2023.
New Brunswick's new auditor general, Paul Martin, renewed calls by his predecessor for authority to audit Vestcor's operations. In a report in February, his office called the issue one of its two largest concerns. (Submitted)
"Employees … will continue to be eligible to receive annual payments determined under the previously existing … plan," explained Vestcor in its annual report about the decision to run two bonus systems simultaneously.
"These remaining applicable payments will continue to be subject to Board of Director approval."
Double bonus payments
The result was double bonus payments and record earnings for a select group of Vestcor employees in 2021, including the organization's four most senior executives.
John Sinclair, Vestcor's longtime president and chief executive officer, who received $882,721 in bonus pay in 2019 and $681,412 in 2020 under the old incentive plan, received $1,278,750 in 2021.
About two-thirds of Sinclair's bonus pay, $828,750, was generated by the new bonus system but $450,000 came from the old bonus program that was allowed to operate alongside it.
That pushed Sinclair's total earnings for the year, including his base salary ($375,053) and contributions Vestcor made to his pension account ($115,386) to $1.77 million.
Three other senior executives who had shared just under $1 million in bonus pay in 2020, shared $2.16 million in 2021. Most of that increase came from $766,300 generated from the still active older bonus program that was allowed to run alongside the new program.
Sinclair emailed response
In an email, Sinclair noted an external consultant hired by Vestcor approved the concept of the two bonus programs running at the same time until the "deferral process" of the new bonus plan fully unfolds.
Also, Sinclair said the portion of the old bonus program that is still running was designed to pay amounts based on four-year results and so has a natural lag time built into it.
"The long-term four-year focus, and implied waiting period to receive the applicable payout, provided a strong alignment with long-term client objectives while also providing a strong long-term employee retention motivation," wrote Sinclair. "The wind down … completes the previously initiated four-year cycles."
However, according to Vestcor's annual report, the two bonus programs overlap in significant ways and operating them at the same time has resulted in employees being rewarded twice for the same achievement.
Both, for example, reward employees when investment returns hit levels above targeted amounts over four-year periods.
In 2021, Vestcor reported its funds earned combined returns over four years of 7.5 per cent, 0.98 per cent above the target amount. That triggered substantial rewards for Vestcor employees from both bonus pools.
On that point, Sinclair suggested that is natural given both the "legacy" bonus scheme and new one were designed to reward the same long-term results, "resulting in a strong focus on the importance of four-year client returns."
Robert Jones has been a reporter and producer with CBC New Brunswick since 1990. His investigative reports on petroleum pricing in New Brunswick won several regional and national awards and led to the adoption of price regulation in 2006.
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks the reason the VERY GREEDY VESTCOR dudes don't call or write is because Blaine Higgs and their LIEbrano/lawyer/Bankster buddy Franky Boy McKenna don't love me Nesy Pas?
Subject: RE: YO John Sinclair I called YOU at Vestcor Pension Services Corporation (506 453-2296) AGAIN Afterr the usual runaround I got a direction to contact some lady's voicemail
This is the correct email address for requests for news coverage and
press releases.
N.B. pension management employees score record $5M in bonuses Province's investments saw 2% gain last year, despite significant declines in global stock markets
Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: Jun 17, 2019 6:10 PM AT
Vestcor president John Sinclair earned $1.39 million in 2018, documents show. (You Tube/Vestcor)
The organization handling New Brunswick government pension and other funds awarded its employees a record $5 million in bonuses last year, including $902,438 to its president after the province's investments managed to post a two per cent gain, despite significant declines in global stock markets.
Vestcor is the Fredericton-based investment firm set up by the province to manage what has become $16.9 billion in funds, including retirement savings for provincial civil servants, teachers and most hospital workers.
Vestcor also invests pension money for the University of New Brunswick and the City of Fredericton and handles hundreds of millions of dollars set aside by NB Power to deal with the eventual decommissioning of the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station and its stockpile of nuclear waste.
According to its latest annual report, Vestcor posted a 2.08 per cent gain on investments in 2018 — less than the rate of inflation — but significantly better than pension plans across the country, many of which bled money during the year thanks to turbulent stock prices.
Province's pension managers get big bonuses for below average results
Exaggerated success: Province's pension managers profit from 'joke' target, analysts say
In a letter attached to the annual report, Vestcor's chairman Michael Walton said it was "gratifying" that the organization was able to post gains in what he called "the generally negative financial market environment" of 2018.
In February, the Royal Bank's Investor and Treasury Services division reported that Canadian defined benefit pension plans overall lost 0.7 per cent of their value in 2018, placing Vestcor's result in the top tier of performances nationwide.
That helped fuel another boost in employee performance bonuses, which have grown significantly at Vestcor in recent years.
Vestcor's long-time president John Sinclair saw his pay package in 2018 hit a new high of $1.39 million, a 9.5 per cent increase over 2017.
Bonuses exceed salary by 200%
Sinclair's base salary is $351,389 and, although Vestcor guidelines show the upper target for executive bonuses allows for another 130 per cent on top of that, Sinclair's bonus was once again well above that upper range.
He earned $902,438 in bonuses in 2018 — what Vestcor calls "incentive pay"— just under 257 per cent of his base salary.
Vestcor had more than $6 billion invested in global stock markets in 2018 and lost money on many of those holdings, like the $7 million it had invested in the struggling General Mills as markets plunged. But with $10 billion invested in other areas, such as real estate and private companies, Vestcor managed to overcome those losses and post overall investment gains for the year. (Matt Rourke/Associated Press)
It's at least the fourth year in a row Sinclair's bonuses have exceeded his salary by 200 per cent or more.
Other Vestcor executives earning bonuses in excess of 130 per cent of their base pay in 2018 include chief investment officer Jonathan Spinney, who was awarded bonuses of $466,628 (190 per cent of his salary), vice-president Daniel Goguen, who earned $344,476 on top of his base pay (161 per cent), and vice-president James Scott, whose bonuses totalled $328,891 (143 per cent).
Extended to all employees
Bonus payments at Vestcor have doubled over the last four years and, in 2018, were expanded to cover all employees — not just those involved in making investment decisions.
"This change provides further alignment with the performance of our clients and ensures we continue to be able to attract and retain talent while competitively keeping pace with other similar service providers in our industry," wrote Walton in the annual report.
Vestcor defended bonus payments as a way to reward strong performance and attract and retain talented employees. It also noted the practice is common in the investment field.
However, Vestcor has never explained why the range it sets for employee bonuses of between 30 and 130 per cent of base pay is routinely exceeded by its top executives.
Vestcor does claim that its senior executives have beaten their investment targets by a combined $567.1 million over the last four years, including by $171.6 million in 2018 — the basis of the elevated bonuses.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
60 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos
"Vestcor also invests pension money for the University of New Brunswick and the City of Fredericton and handles hundreds of millions of dollars set aside by NB Power to deal with the eventual decommissioning of the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station and its stockpile of nuclear waste."
Oh My My Methinks I should thank CBC for telling me something I did not know N'esy Pas?
Mike McCormick
Reply to @David Amos: Complaining that CBC is again reporting factual news seems silly. Not everyone gets inside info and knows the results beforehand like you. What does N’esy pas mean?
David Amos
Reply to @Mike McCormick: Methinks it because I know for a fact that CBC does not report many things and my Chiac seems to make Anglos want to correct me all the time which is kinda comical to me an my Acadian friends N'esy Pas?
Richard Dunn
This is a project that Blaine Higgs needs to tackle. The returns this find gets is horrible, when compared to the CPP investment returns, and the wage and bonus packages, are beyond crazy. It is time to clean house at Vestcor.
David Amos
Reply to @Richard Dunn: Dream on Methinks everybody knows Mr Higgs created Vestcor N'esy Pas?
Alexander Forbes
I have a 12 month trailing return of over 6% on my personal investments. 2% isn't worthy of $5million in bonuses..
David Amos
Reply to @Alexander Forbes: Methinks I should wish you luck explaining that to Mr Higgs N'esy Pas?
Greg Miller
How does a 2% gain compare to the TSX last year--not so good. So what is their achievement measure against?
David Amos
Reply to @Greg Miller: Methinks they measured against Mr Higgs winning a mandate N'esy Pas?
Reggie Sinclair
What are base salaries of its other employees? My pension is held with Vestcor and despite numerous requests I’ve never been given an answer...even if it was a “range” like the province does with its annual “blue book.” What other perks do they receive (conference allowances, etc.)
David Amos
Reply to @Reggie Sinclair: Blue Book it
John Jarratt
Gee, the banks were paying more than 2% last on some of their GIC's. How do these guys rate any bonus?
David Amos
Reply to @John Jarratt: They don't
Roy Kirk
"Vestcor does claim that its senior executives have beaten their investment targets by a combined $567.1 million over the last . . ." === Perhaps the performance targets are too low? Not every Crown Corp can reward its executives by moving their year end! ;-)
David Amos
Reply to @Roy Kirk: Methinks politicians can do anything they wish to benefit their politically appointed buddies They are not gonna prosecute themselves and everybody makes fun of you if you sue the Crown like I do in an effort to hold them accountable N'esy Pas?
James Reed
Reply to @Roy Kirk: Vestcor is not a crown corporation - it is a company jointly owner by the Public Service pension plan and the NB teachers pension plan.
David Amos
Reply to @James Reed: Methinks the nurses and many others would like to see you explain the following statement N'esy Pas?
"Vestcor also invests pension money for the University of New Brunswick and the City of Fredericton and handles hundreds of millions of dollars set aside by NB Power to deal with the eventual decommissioning of the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station and its stockpile of nuclear waste."
James Reed
Reply to @David Amos: I'm not sure what you mean - the Public Service pension plan and the NB teachers pension plan own Vestcor ... they manage the funds for those two pensions, but they also mange the funds for over a dozen other plans. Those other plans have zero ownership in Vestcor, they pay Vestcor to manage their funds.
David Amos
Reply to @James Reed: Obviously I disagree Methinks you should explain your reasoning to the lawyers involved in the lawsuits Mr Higgs and his cohorts know that I have been doing so since 2013 N'esy Pas?
Alfred Watson
Vestcor was created to allow politicians to reward their favorites with plum positions and unwarranted reimbursement for doing nothing. Public service union heads signed on to this cursed pension money grab in return for appointment to a government " board". Corruption at its best!!!!
David Amos
Reply to @Alfred Watson: "Corruption at its best!!!!"
Methinks many a true word is said in jest N'esy Pas?
Bernard McIntyre
Wow 2% the Canada Pension Plan made an 8% gain so really Vestcor did really bad in investing but still get outrageous bonuses. Something has to be done about this be cause really it's criminal. The CPP directors spent 3.2 of the 3.9 billion $ of money that Canadian's contributed to the plan in a year and now I read about this in the N.B pension plan. Just imagine how much more money we would be receiving from for pensions if we weren't getting ripped off by these directors of these pension plans
David Amos
Reply to @Bernard McIntyre: Methinks as long as Mr Higgs and his cohorts are Happy Happy Happy these overpaid dudes will keep on getting unearned bonuses N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: Higgs has nothing to do . WITH THIS PRIVATE CORPORATION
Bernard McIntyre
Reply to @David Amos: Opps me bad again.
David Amos
Reply to @Bernard McIntyre: Nope I like your style Methinks its fairly obvious that there is a lot Mr Bell don't know about Vestcor and Mr Higgs N'esy Pas?
Jim Macdonald
This is a total rip-off. Disband this greedy organization and find a better group to manage the pension funds.
David Amos
Reply to @jim macdonald: Methinks many would agree that the employees and the pensioners should manage their own pension funds. There are several lawsuits about the creation of Vestcor N'esy Pas?
McKenzie King
I'm not sure why we are giving bonuses to peole simply because they have done their jobs properly. Their job was to invest so the fund would grow, and that is exactly what they did. And right now, you can get 1.9% in a savings account in some banks, so 2%, when we had to spend all this money to get it doesn't look that good. Next year, if they don't make money, with they pay a $5 million penalty to the government???
David Amos
Reply to @McKenzie King: Methinks everything political is always about the money and this is a politically created corporation designed to play with money a little differently than the way McKenna and his cohorts first created it N''esy Pas?
Lou Bell
Reply to @McKenzie King: That was last year . And a 357,000 dollar salary to run a company this size is well below par. Compare what they make this year to your 1.9 % and let us know how well you do compared to this years return.
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: If you really would like to know , this is now a private corporation , no longer a Crown Corporation , so the government can np longer dip into it as they like .
Bernard McIntyre
Reply to @Lou Bell: A 357,000$ salary plus 4 times that salary in bonuses. yes makes sense to me. Not!!!
Lou Bell
Reply to @Bernard McIntyre: Check out what presidents of fund managers of most investment companies make annually. Think you'll find many most make well over 1.3 million , many in excess of 2 million ! Plus bonuses !
Lou Bell
Reply to @Bernard McIntyre: From what the story says it was 2.5 times the salary ! Tell me how you get 4 TIMES the salary !!! New math ???????????????
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks you don't have the first clue about what I know or don't know because you never bothered to check my work N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: You told us all about it. And the average 25 votes you received each election . Sometimes you didn't even get the full 25 votes you had on your nomination papers. Time to quit beating a dead horse. Maybe try knitting .
BruceJack Speculato
This is the same pension plan that will not pay inflation raises to pensioners if they judge the fund did not earn enough more than the CPI but the president gets more than double his salary even when the fund earned less than the inflation rate?
Lou Bell
Reply to @BruceJack Speculator: Pensioners did receive their inflation raises. Do we know what he gets if it doesn't reach what you speculate? They made 171 million last year , where many funds lost money. I'd think that's worth a bit wouldn't you? And a salary of 357,000 dollars would certainly be well below par for the course for running a company of this size.
Bernard McIntyre
Reply to @Lou Bell: The Canada Pension Plan Made 8%. the N.B pension plan made 2%. but of course Canadian's are getting ripped off by the director's of both plans.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Bernard McIntyre: No, the CPP didn't make 8 % last year. Where did you come up with that number ?? PLEASE TELL !!!
Lou Bell
Reply to @Bernard McIntyre: Is this like the 4x bonus you claimed Sinclair made, although the story clearly indicates it was 2.5 times ???
David Amos
Reply to @BruceJack Speculator: YUP
David Amos
Reply to @Bernard McIntyre: Methinks now that he is hollering at you perhaps you are sorta bad in a righteous kind of way but if you keep teasing him you may give poor old Lou a stroke N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: Tell us about who should remember you today and be scared . Another " more about you than the story " Amos Minute .
Lou Bell
Many commenting here would sooner see their investments with one of the majority of fund managers that lost money last year and who most likely had Company Presidents who would have made in excess of 1 million dollar salaries with smaller bonuses than one that made 171 million dollars last year. I'd have expected more thought put into this by Canadians , Americans maybe less , but not Canadians . I'm extremely happy with the way my pension is handled thank you !
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: "I'm extremely happy with the way my pension is handled thank you !" Surprise Surprise Surprise
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: Apparently you'd prefer the old CPP plan ! I haven't got that " sense of entitlement some others seem to have here. Not sure you have a clue what you prefer . Maybe tell us who remembers you and why they should be scared of you this time .
John O'Brien
I'd like to see an audit. How much of the ROI is just accounting smoke and mirrors whose only purpose is to maximize bonuses.
David Amos
Reply to @John O'Brien: "I'd like to see an audit."
Me Too
Lou Bell
Reply to @John O'Brien: I'm sure if you check it out you can find one . I expect one is done at least annually . And are you affected by this ? Do you have a pension with them ? If so , go to the annual meeting. If not , it's probably none of your business. You too Amos .
Lou Bell
Interesting . Any complainers who've been denied their cost of living ? Nope. Appears some former government employees commenting here still expect not only their cost of living but still expecting A RAISE !! Every year one gets a printout of what they can expect to get on retirement. And it appears their sense of entitlement indicates in the good years they expect a lot more , and yet don't want to take a cut in bad years. The present setup is exactly the reason they want to avoid running into what the CPP ran into ! Not too hard to understand if one knows anything about economics at all.
Robert Tay-Burroughs, a senior policy adviser to the commissioner of systemic racism, says he's resigning his position and questions the independence of the office. (Submitted by Robert Tay-Burroughs)
A senior policy adviser to Manju Varma, the New Brunswick commissioner of systemic racism, has announced his resignation, saying he questions whether government leadership respects Varma's independence.
That comes after Varma's mid-term report, and a recommendation for the government to call a public inquiry into systemic racism against Indigenous peoples in the policing and criminal justice sector, were shelved.
Her plan to make the report public changed just hours following a meeting between Varma, Premier Blaine Higgs and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn. Higgs and Dunn have steadfastly refused to call a public inquiry.
Robert Tay-Burroughs is one of two staff working with Varma. He'll stay in his position until July 4.
In a resignation letter made public on Tuesday, Tay-Burroughs said he's been troubled by "the false pretences under which we are expected to do our work."
"The limits placed by external forces on what we can and cannot say in your final report has compromised our already fragile independence," Tay-Burroughs wrote in his letter to Varma.
"It remains unclear to me that the leadership of this government can respect your independence, which raises my doubts that it will — if it ever intended to — receive your recommendations in good faith and with an open mind."
Tay-Burroughs declined an interview request. His letter describes how he's no longer convinced the work from the commissioner's office will meet the needs of the First Nations in the province "as they have articulated them to us."
The letter was posted to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, and Varma has not responded to a request for comment. The premier has also not responded to an interview request.
The chiefs of nine Mi'kmaw communities in New Brunswick announced Monday that they'll no longer participate in the commissioner's process, alleging her report was "suppressed."
They join the six chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation, who had previously declined to participate in the systemic racism commissioner's work, describing it as an "ill-equipped and ineffective alternative to an inquiry."
In his resignation letter, Tay-Burroughs said he wants "to live with integrity in peace and friendship with the people of these nations" and his obligation to those treaties "as a scholar, as the son of an immigrant, as a New Brunswicker, are paramount."
"My continued work with this commission does not allow me to meet these obligations in an ethical or morally acceptable way."
'Everything is on the table'
In an interview with CBC News on Tuesday, Varma said she shared a mid-term report with several stakeholders and had two weeks of feedback "before I decided I need to look at even more information."
Manju Varma, commissioner of systemic racism, says a meeting she had with Premier Blaine Higgs and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn is confidential. (Pierre Fournier/CBC)
"I need to reach out to more people, because there are some things here that are surprising me, that based on my own assumptions and also my own biases — I am human — and I need to go and look at more information," Varma said.
That mid-term report was supposed to be made public on April 19, but it remained under wraps, until Mi'kmaw leadership shared a copy with the public on Monday.
Varma wouldn't say what happened at an April 13 meeting with Higgs and Dunn, describing it as confidential.
"What happened in that meeting is confidential in the same way I would hope that no one would ask me, 'Well, what happened in that meeting with the 12-year-old who sat down and shared with you their trauma?" Varma said.
"Or what happened in that meeting with that Indigenous chief that you met with?"
Varma was appointed last fall for a one-year term, with a promise to present a final report this coming fall.
She said "everything is on the table" for that report and she'll stand by her recommendations, which will come from information she's gathered, including personal stories she's heard along the way.
"It will be a collection of the voices that have been silenced thus far," Varma said.
A call for an inquiry
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Dunn said she was concerned Varma's report didn't include input from various government departments.
"I guess it was alarming from my perspective when I asked the question about some of the work that's being done within the respective departments around policing, and she wasn't aware of those things," Dunn said.
Indigenous leaders in New Brunswick have been calling for a public inquiry for the last two years, following the police shooting deaths of Chantel Moore and Rodney Levi. Separate coroner's inquest juries found their deaths were homicides.
They say it's the only forum to properly investigate systemic racism against Indigenous peoples because it could provide the power to compel government bodies to provide information.
"Unless you have that process, we're never going to get those answers," Natoaganeg First Nation Chief George Ginnish said earlier this week.
After a meeting with Premier Blaine Higgs and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn, systemic racism commissioner Manju Varma shelved plans to release a mid-term report, which recommended the government call a public inquiry into systemic racism against Indigenous peoples. (Mike Heenan/CBC)
For the last two years, Indigenous leaders in New Brunswick have steadfastly called on the provincial government to launch a public inquiry into systemic racism against Indigenous peoples in criminal justice and policing.
Premier Blaine Higgs has just as steadfastly refused to do so, saying there are recommendations from other reviews that could address some issues.
Manju Varma, New Brunswick's commissioner on systemic racism, was poised to publicly call on the government to launch an inquiry this past spring.
But Varma's plan to release a mid-term report, which urged the government to call a public inquiry, came to a halt after an April 13 meeting with Higgs and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn.
Chiefs say commissioner isn't independent
That has prompted the chiefs of nine Mi'kmaw communities in New Brunswick to say they will no longer participate in the commissioner's process.
On Monday, the chiefs released a statement saying the process isn't independent from the provincial government and alleging the government suppressed Varma's report.
"We need that inquiry," Natoaganeg First Nation Chief George Ginnish, who also co-chairs Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc., or MTI, a non-profit made up of the nine Mi'kmaw communities, said in an interview with CBC.
"That's got to happen. Regardless of what government thinks, it has to happen or we're not going to be satisfied that our reality is being given the attention that it deserves, and that there will be change that will give us that hope."
They join the six chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation, who had declined to participate in the systemic racism commissioner's work, describing it as an "ill-equipped and ineffective alternative to an inquiry."
In a statement, Varma said the report was meant to be a draft and only begins to reflect observations from some meetings she's had with organizations and individuals.
"As I continue with my consultations, I expect that my findings will continue to evolve until my final report is prepared and released upon completion of my mandate," the statement says.
"That final report will contain my final recommendations, and any suggestion that any of the proposals contained in any update released prior to that are my final recommendations, is pure speculation."
Natoaganeg First Nation Chief George Ginnish doesn't believe Varma's final report will include a recommendation for government to call a public inquiry. (Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC)
The statement doesn't say whether Varma supports a public inquiry or explain why her recommendation changed after meeting with Higgs and Dunn.
"I have little to no confidence that there's actually going to be a call for a full inquiry," Ginnish said. "And that's troublesome.
"We're back to where we started."
Five recommendations
Varma was announced as commissioner in September 2021. She was given a one-year term and a deadline of this coming October to file a final report with recommendations.
A mid-term report from her office was provided to CBC News in April, under the condition CBC not publish its contents until it is made public.
The commissioner's office never published the report, but on Monday, Mi'kmaw chiefs released a copy they received during consultation with Varma's office.
The update, written at the halfway point of Varma's one-year mandate as commissioner, makes five recommendations to the provincial government.
The first recommendation is to "launch, without delay, an Indigenous-led, co-managed public inquiry."
"The overarching conclusion is that the relationship between Indigenous peoples and New Brunswick's justice system is broken," Varma's report says.
"Indigenous peoples not only mistrust the criminal justice system, they fear it and its agents. The communities and individuals we have heard from note that they are scared that if something happens to them, 'it won't matter because it hasn't.'
"The failed prosecution in the trial for Brady Francis's death, the murders of Chantel Moore and Rodney Levi by police in the summer of 2020 underline this point, and the death of Skyler Sappier in a carceral institution this year underline this point."
A banner with photos of Chantel Moore, with one of her favourite sayings, Stay Golden, was displayed at the front of the room where the inquest into her death was held. (Jennifer Sweet/CBC)
The report also calls for the province to change place names with racist terminology against Indigenous peoples to original or traditional Wabanaki names, or names recommended by First Nations.
It also recommends a racial analysis be part of a review into how the government handled the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, the province's auditor general said his office will conduct that review.
When the recommendation for inquiry disappeared
In an interview with CBC on April 4, Varma said writing a mid-term report isn't part of her mandate, but she felt some findings or recommendations "need to start now."
"We need to start thinking about them now in order to implement them in the most efficient way," Varma said in the interview.
She said her decision to recommend a public inquiry was based on conversations with individuals and stakeholders, including leaders of the nine Mi'kmaw communities.
"There's a lot of fear among Indigenous nations regarding justice, regarding a lack of justice, regarding fear of the police, regarding fear of a fair process," Varma said in the April CBC interview.
"Those collective voices are what informed my recommendation that there be a public inquiry to do with criminalization, justice and policing."
The report, and CBC's interview with Varma, were scheduled to be published on April 19.
But before that happened, on April 13, Varma told a CBC reporter she planned to meet with Higgs about the report.
Later that afternoon, after Varma met with Higgs and Dunn, CBC was told a public inquiry would no longer be a recommendation in the report and later that the report wouldn't be made public after all.
In May, Varma provided CBC with a written statement designed to replace the mid-term report she previously planned to release. It doesn't mention any of her recommendations and includes no reference to a public inquiry.
CBC asked Higgs for an interview, but he wasn't made available.
When asked on Monday, Dunn said no one asked Varma "to shelve anything."
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn said no one asked the commissioner to shelve anything. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Dunn said the government was "astonished" to see a mid-term report, and she was alarmed to see Varma didn't have input from some government departments.
"For her to produce a report and not actually speak to the departments or them not to engage with her with regards to the work that's being done, to me would be falling short on what the expectation was in her mandate, which is to look across all those departments and to determine is there opportunities to identify the gaps and improve on processes," Dunn said.
Indigenous leaders have called for an inquiry because it would compel government departments to provide information. Varma's mid-term report also says she encouraged government departments to provide formal submissions to her office.
"Unless you have that [inquiry] process, we're never going to get those answers," Ginnish said.
"And I think that suits government a whole lot more than it suits First Nations."
Rallies, calls for change
In spring 2020, Maurice Johnson was found not guilty of failing to stop at the scene of an accident that caused the death of Brady Francis, a 22-year-old Elsipogtog First Nation man.
That verdict, and the Crown's decision not to appeal it, prompted rallies at the legislature.
A couple of months later, the police shooting deaths of Chantel Moore, a 26-year-old Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation woman, and Rodney Levi, a 48-year-old man from Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation, sparked calls for a public inquiry.
Several First Nation chiefs walked out on a meeting with Higgs in June 2020, after he refused to agree to a public inquiry. Higgs said it was a federal issue.
In December 2020, Mi'kmaw and Wolastoqiyik chiefs called for the resignation of Dunn, who amended a house motion in the legislature to remove reference to a call for a public inquiry.
A few months later, the government announced it would appoint a commissioner of systemic racism.
But that appointment hasn't stopped calls for an Indigenous-led public inquiry.
A renewed call for an inquiry
The six chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation renewed their push for an inquiry in May, after a coroner's inquest jury found Moore's death was a homicide. A separate coroner's inquest jury also found Levi's death was a homicide.
In a news release, the chiefs said the Moore inquest jury's findings and recommendations "do not address the serious nature of the tragedy, or the systemic issues embedded in the justice system."
"This reflects a failure by the Blaine Higgs government to address the root cause of Chantel Moore's death, and tragedies like it."
While Ginnish said Mi'kmaw leaders weren't sold on the process of the commissioner's work, they agreed to participate to have their reality on the record. He said they saw it as an opportunity to right historic wrongs.
"We're looking for justice for Rodney, we're looking for justice for Chantel, and every other First Nation individual, every other youth that is trying to find themselves and is stuck in a system that is stacked against them," he said.
Now, Ginnish said he always has hope, but he also has a lot of doubt.
"How do you go forward with a government that absolutely refuses to see what is right in front of them? How do you work, how do you continue to pretend that there's any justice for Mi'kmaw, Wolastoqey and Passamaquoddy in New Brunswick?"
Manju Varma was appointed as New Brunswick's first commissioner on systemic racism in September. After consultations, she will produce a final report of recommendations in September of 2022. (Supplied by Government of New Brunswick)
Five months after announcing the creation of a commissioner on systemic racism, the province has appointed Manju Varma to take up the position.
"Having been an immigrant and having experienced racism growing up in this province, I personally know there is systemic racism here that must be addressed," said Varma in a news release. "As I embark on this journey, I do so with an open mind and no preconceptions."
Varma will be conducting public consultations with various groups representing people who are Indigenous, immigrants or people of colour.
She comes into the role with more than 30 years in facilitating workshops on diversity and inclusion, cultural competency and awareness training.
Varma has been the lead for the new office of Inclusion, Equity and Anti-Racism for the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency (ACOA) since 2020, a federal government initiative aimed at fostering its internal corporate diversity and inclusiveness.
She has worked with First Nations and communities of colour, refugees, Indigenous women, youth, and various levels of government and has published both nationally and internationally on topics such as systemic racism, mental health and inclusive communities.
"I've been fortunate, for example, I taught elementary school in Elsipogtog....I'm currently on the Truth and Reconciliation Action Committee for the Law Society...and so I'm really looking forward to honouring those relationships and accessing their expertise, the expertise of their elders," Varma told media Friday.
A public report is due by September 2022, with recommendations to address systemic racism in areas such as health care, education, social development, housing, employment and criminal justice. A total of $500,000 has been set aside, and Varma will have staff to assist in her work.
When asked about her independence in conducting her work, Varma said, "I am taking this role as an independent body, so I'm not an employee of the provincial government. That part was very important to the province to have at arm's length. It was very important to me as well."
The selection of Varma as commissioner was made by cabinet following an interview process that was led by the Executive Council Office, which is chaired by Premier Blaine Higgs.
'She has quite the task at hand'
Wolastoqiyik and Mi'kmaw leaders had criticized appointing a commissioner, citing a lack of consultation by the province and accusing Premier Blaine Higgs of trying to circumvent calls for a public inquiry into systemic racism against Indigenous people in New Brunswick.
Demands for an inquiry followed two separate killings of Indigenous people last summer: Chantel Moore of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in British Columbia was shot and killed by a police officer in Edmundston, and Rodney Levi of Metepenagiag First Nation was shot and killed by an officer near Miramichi.
Dean Vicaire is the Executive Director of Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc. (Contributed/Charlene LaBillois)
Dean Vicaire is the executive director of the Mi'kmaw organization Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn and says the organization will work with Varma to the best of its abilities but says the task ahead of her is monumental.
"She has quite the task at hand. It's next to impossible to really get a full grasp and come to terms with the idea of our plight, which is systemic racism within the justice system," said Vicaire in an interview.
"To get a true understanding of our experience and that's a big statement...It's an open-ended sentence because where do we begin? How far back do we go? And how much time does she have? We know it's not much," said Vicaire, referencing the one year timeline.
Ultimately Vicaire hopes that Varma will champion the call for a public inquiry into systemic racism faced by Indigenous communities in the province.
"This sort of process should be by us for us, not for us by them [government], but nonetheless, it is what it is. We'll do our best so in the end we hope that there can be a call on her part to echo what the Chiefs have been saying into that inquiry...So if she's to say that, maybe it'll carry some weight, since they put her there."
Mrinali has worked in newsrooms in Toronto, Windsor and Fredericton. She has written and produced stories for CBC's The National, CBC Radio's Cross Country Checkup, CBC News Network. Have a tip? Mrinali.anchan@cbc.ca
---------- Original message ---------- From: Gerald Bourque <kisspartyofnb@gmail.com> Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2022 16:52:36 -0300 Subject: Re: Methinks the news today about Higgy's latest plan is interesting N'esy Pas René Legacy? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Higgs talks shale gas revival, but global price spike may not last
Experts say investment is a gamble without long-term purchase agreement CBC News · Posted: Jun 07, 2022 7:00 AM AT
Premier Blaine Higgs has been flirting with the notion of having more shale gas extraction in the province, but the long road ahead could hamstring those hopes. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Premier Blaine Higgs says he'll tread carefully with public opinion as he encourages the revival of shale gas development in New Brunswick.
But his toughest opponent may be the uncertainties of the world market.
"The big question mark is, we've got a big price spike now, but is that going to continue for the next couple of years or couple of decades?" said Kent Fellows, an economist who studies the gas market at the University of Calgary.
The premier has been talking for weeks about whether the war in Ukraine, and the need for Europe to find new supplies of natural gas to replace what it bought from Russia, warrants a new push for shale gas extraction here. Significant anti-shale gas protests occurred in Elsipogtog in 2014. (CBC)
It is a politically delicate subject, given the confrontations between the RCMP and anti-fracking protestors near Elsipogtog First Nation in 2013.
"There's a lot to this. Believe me, I don't want to relive 2014, or '12. I don't want to go through any of that," Higgs said recently.
"So we would need to work with communities, First Nations, and have a general understanding of, 'Can we be of assistance here to ourselves and others, and is the time right to do that?'"
Higgs said he's not planning to repeal a Liberal moratorium on exploration, but wants to instead find a way to satisfy the five criteria in that legislation, including public acceptance.
"We'd have to address those," he said. Unstable view of gas
The bigger challenge, however, may be the hesitation of gas companies to invest in development that may not be as lucrative in the long term as it would be today.
Add to that the lengthy regulatory approval process and it's virtually impossible to move quickly for short-term gain.
"There is a long lead time on getting this infrastructure in place and it comes with a high capital cost, so you need long-term expectations to make it pay off," says Fellows.
Should the war in Ukraine end quickly with a deal that allows Russian gas back into Europe, prices would drop again and the business case for a New Brunswick industry could evaporate.
That's the same question looming over another gas project Higgs is touting: the conversion of Repsol's Saint John LNG import terminal to allow the liquefaction and export of Canadian natural gas to Europe.
Economist Kent Fellows says while the war in Ukraine has spiked fuel prices, there's no guarantee the prices will stay that high. (CBC)
Todd McDonald, president of Halifax-based gas trading firm Energy Atlantica, said Repsol is unlikely to spend the money required without a 10 or 20-year agreement to lock in a fixed price on natural gas.
And that's a commitment European politicians may hesitate to give, he adds.
An end to the war, and a return of cheaper Russian gas, might anger consumers stuck with a locked-in higher price for Canadian gas.
"If you're in office and you say 'I've got an election in two years, do I want to be the guy who signs up for 20 years right now?'" McDonald said. "It's a tough call."
Higgs has linked the two gas scenarios, suggesting shale gas from New Brunswick could be shipped via Repsol to help Europe reduce its reliance on Russia.
"I talk about it because it's another possible solution right now," the premier said last week.
But McDonald said while a supply of New Brunswick-produced gas could help clinch Respol's decision, it's unlikely to come online fast enough.
Gas extracted in New Brunswick would be cheaper for Repsol to export because it would travel a much shorter distance than gas coming to Saint John from Alberta or the U.S. and be subject to much lower pipeline tolls.
But New Brunswick's regulatory regime moves much slower than its Alberta counterpart, said McDonald.
And Repsol's been stung before by abrupt changes in the global market.
The company opened its import terminal, known as Canaport LNG, in 2009, in partnership with Irving Oil. Commissioned in 2008, the Canaport LNG terminal, Canada’s first liquefied natural gas terminal, is on the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at Saint John. (Nick Hawkins)
At the time, importing foreign gas looked like a solid bet. But the shale boom in the United States led to a glut of cheap North American gas on the market, making imports unattractive.
"So that facility largely sits unused for 80 to 90 per cent of the year because of that exact equation," McDonald said.
Repsol, which bought out Irving Oil's stake in the terminal last year and renamed it Saint John LNG, would not comment in detail.
"The company will look at any/all business that enhances or creates value at Saint John LNG, including the potential to add liquefaction capabilities [for gas exports] to the existing facility," spokesperson Mike Blackier said in an email. Buy-in
Higgs emphasized repeatedly last week that he doesn't want to take a hard line and will be sensitive to public opinion.
"It isn't a matter of enforcing options, it's a matter of discussing options," he said.
The Opposition Liberals say Higgs has yet to meet the five conditions they attached to lifting the moratorium while in power:
A "social licence," or public acceptance, through consultations. Clear information on potential impacts on air, public health and water so that proper regulations can be in place. A plan to lessen impacts on public infrastructure and deal with issues such as disposal of waste water from fracking. A consultation process with Indigenous people. A "proper" royalty structure to ensure New Brunswick benefits from development.
"There's nothing suggesting we have social acceptance," said Liberal natural resources critic René Legacy.
"The premier seems to think that because of the geopolitical situation in the world, we can toss aside environmental needs."
Jennifer Coleman, spokesperson for Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc., which represents Mi'kmaq chiefs, said the organization "has not received any recent outreach from the provincial government on shale gas."
The Higgs government carved out a small exemption to the Liberal moratorium in 2019 for the area in Penobsquis where Corridor Resources was already extracting gas. Liberal natural resources critic René Legacy says it doesn't appear the province is close to getting "social acceptance," something thought to be necessary before a fracking moratorium can be lifted. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
But so far, the company, now known as Headwater Exploration, has not taken advantage of that exemption to explore for more gas.
Even so, McDonald said Higgs is right to relaunch a conversation on shale gas. He says it's hypocritical that voters want quality health care and education, but oppose the gas development that would help pay for them.
McDonald says he believes there's a better-than-50-percent chance European nations will eventually sign deals for North American gas.
"Yeah, I think they'll sign on the dotted line, if I were a gambling man, for a long-term contract," he said, whether it's with Repsol or another supplier.
"Whether Higgs can rally the public to say 'hey there is social licence,' I just don't know. That's a tough one. That, I don't think I'd bet on, because I've been in the business 20 years and I used to be an optimist about that, but I've just been wrong too many times."
The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary 906 8th Avenue S.W., 5th Flr Calgary, Alberta T2P 1H9 Phone: 403-210-3802 Email: policy@ucalgary.ca
Leadership Team
Dr. Jennifer Winter Program Director Associate Professor of Economics and Scientific Director, Energy and Environmental Policy Research Division, The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary jwinter@ucalgary.ca
Dr. Robert Mansell Senior Scientific Advisor Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Calgary rmansell@ucalgary.ca
Dr. G. Kent Fellows Associate Program Director Assistant Professor of Economics, The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary gkfellow@ucalgary.ca
Energy Atlantica 1521 Grafton St., Suite 203 Halifax, NS B3J 2B9
Phone: 902-422-6331
After Hours:
Todd McDonald at (902) 233-8576 Paul MacQueen at (902) 402-1145
On 12/30/21, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote: > NEW BRUNSWICK ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD > > IN THE MATTER of New Brunswick > Power Corporation and Sections > 113(2) and 113(3) of the Electricity > Act, SNB 2013 c.7. > > NOTICE OF APPLICATION > > TO: New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board > > AND TO: All persons identified in Appendix “A” to this Notice of > Application > > WHEREAS > > (1) New Brunswick Power Corporation (“NB Power”) is required, pursuant > to Section 113(3) of the Electricity Act, SNB 2013, c. E-7, as > amended, (the “Act”), to make application to the New Brunswick Energy > and Utilities Board (the “Board”) at least once > every three years for approval of its Transmission Revenue Requirements; > > (2) NB Power may, pursuant to Section 113(2) of the Act, apply to the > Board for approval of changes to the provisions of the approved New > Brunswick Open Access Transmission Tariff (the “NB OATT”); > > (3) NB Power has filed evidence with the Board in support of this > Application. > > NOW THEREFORE NB Power applies to the Board for the following: > > (1) An Order approving NB Power’s Transmission Revenue Requirement of > $125.2 million for Transmission Service. > > (2) An Order approving rates for Transmission Service contained in > Schedules 7, 8, and Attachment H of the NB OATT and as set out in > Table 5.0.2 below. > > (3) An Order approving the revenue requirement of $15.6 million for > Schedule 1 of the NB OATT at rates set out in Table 5.0.2 below. > > (4) An Order approving the non-Capital Support Charge Rate of 5.03 per > cent as contained in Schedule 9 of the NB OATT and set out in Table > 5.0.2 below. > > (5) An Order approving the revenue requirement of $5.9 million for > Schedule 2 of the OATT at rates set out in Table 8.1.1 below. > > (6) An Order approving the rates contained in Schedules 3, 5, and 6 of > the NB OATT as set out in Table 9.1.1 below. > > (7) An Order approving changes to the NB OATT as set out in Attachment > 1 of the accompanying evidence (“List of Proposed Changes to the NB > OATT”). > > (8) An Order approving the Transmission Real Power Loss Factor > (“TRPL”) value of 3.3 per cent, as well as a change in the calculation > methodology for the TRPL. > > (9) Directions with respect to the schedule for the full hearing of > this Application, and any other preliminary or procedural matters; and > > (10) Such other Orders and/or directions with respect to any other > matters as the Board sees fit. > > > ---------- Original message ---------- > From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)"<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca> > Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2021 13:19:42 +0000 > Subject: RE: Methinks folks should study Bill 77 ASAP N'esy Pas? > To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> > > Hello, > > Thank you for taking the time to write. > > Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response > to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed > at the earliest opportunity. > > If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a > Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for > review and consideration. > > Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire. > > En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous > informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les > meilleurs délais. > > Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre > secteur du gouvernement, le personnel vous renverra votre courriel > pour examen et considération. > > If this is a Media Request, please contact the Premier’s office at > (506) 453-2144 or by email > media-medias@gnb.ca<mailto:media-medias@gnb.ca> > > S’il s’agit d’une demande des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le > Cabinet du premier ministre au 506-453-2144. > > > Office of the Premier/Cabinet du premier ministre > P.O Box/C. P. 6000 Fredericton New-Brunswick/Nouveau-Brunswick E3B 5H1 > Canada > Tel./Tel. : (506) 453-2144 > Email/Courriel: > premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca<mailto:premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca> >
The commissioner, who will operate independently from government, will focus on the following objectives:
Carry out a public consultation to gather views and information about the nature and impact of systemic racism on racialized immigrants, Wolastoqiyik, Mi’gmaq, Peskotomuhkatiyik, other Indigenous populations, Black, and people of colour as well as other minority populations in New Brunswick. The Commissioner will equally engage with government institutions, in particular, the education, health, social development and justice sectors.
Conduct a comprehensive review about the extent and scope of systemic racism in New Brunswick, including the government’s role in eliminating systemic racism both within provincial institutions and agencies and in the province generally.
About the Commissioner
Manju Varma, Ph.D. moved to Canada with her family at the age of two and grew up in Moncton, NB. She obtained her doctorate in anti-racist education from the Ontario Institute in Education/University of Toronto. For the past 30 years she has focused on issues around diversity and anti-racism in New Brunswick and has published both national and internationally on the topics of mental health, diversity & youth and anti-racist education.
From 2001-2008, she was an Assistant Professor with the University of New Brunswick. Later she joined the Federal government and has worked at Canadian Heritage, Correctional Services Canada, and currently, is the lead for the Office of Inclusion, Equity and Anti-Racism at the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. She is also a certified Conflict Mediator (Harvard Law School) and Negotiator (Dalhousie University).
The team
Junior Kalala is the Executive Assistant for the Commission. He is an active member of several committees focussed on social issues such as mental health, poverty and homelessness. He was also recently named one of Moncton's top 40 under 40.
Robert Tay-Burroughs is the senior policy advisor to the Commissioner and is a doctoral researcher at the University of New Brunswick (Saint John) studying viceregal officers and settler colonialism. A graduate of Mount Allison University, University of Ottawa, and Middlebury College, he is a former executive director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance and previously research associate with Higher Education Strategy Associates in Toronto. With more than 20 years experience living and working overseas, he now shares his time between Fredericton and the Restigouche.
How you can participate
Sending a written submission
Interested individuals or stakeholders are invited to send their written submission to the commissioner by mail or email.
As thousands across the country, including in Fredericton and Saint John, gathered to mark “Resilience Day” in place of Canada Day, as a way to reflect and act on the discovery of unmarked graves of children who attended the country’s residential schools, 50 people attended a sombre ceremony organized by the Peace and Friendship Alliance on the grounds of the Trinity Anglican Church, the former site of the Sussex Vale Indian School.
“The ceremony we shared with local residents of Sussex along with our graceful allies was a seed we have planted in order for us to press reset and rebuild Peace and Friendship relations,” said Wolastoqewi Kci-Sakom spasaqsit possesom, also known as Ron Tremblay, Wolastoq Grand Chief morningstar burning.
Wolastoqewi Kci-Sakom spasaqsit possesom (Ron Tremblay, Wolastoq Grand Chief morningstar burning). Photo by Aditya Rao.
Wearing orange shirts, some saying, “It’s ok now, they found us,” members of the Peace and Friendship Alliance, including the Wolastoqiyik, Mi’kmaq and L’Nu, settlers, newcomers and children, spent the afternoon in a traditional ceremony around silver maples, one of which had a window from the Sussex Vale Indian School leaning against it.
While there were no residential schools in the province of New Brunswick, there were day/residential schools like the one in Chatham, now Miramichi, where Indigenous boys did stay and went to a school run by the Catholic Church. Day/residential schools were established near reserves in the province, the last of which closed in 1992 near Metepenagiag. The New England Company operated the first day/residential school in the province in Sussex.
The New England Company, also known as the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England, was created in England in 1649 with the purpose of converting people in the British colony to protestantism. According to W.S. McNutt’s New Brunswick, A History: 1784-1867, the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseets) were a problem for the settlers and the school offered a solution to their protests to the settler encroachment of their land.
In 1787, when Loyalists were arriving in New Brunswick following the American Revolution, the New England Company formed a board of commissioners tasked with buying land for Indian schools, first in Sussex Vale then later in Woodstock, Sheffield, St. Andrews, Miramichi and other locations. Board members included New Brunswick elite: Thomas Carleton, the province’s first lieutenant-governor; Rev. Jonathan Odell; Ward Chipman, New Brunswick’s solicitor general; and Chief Justice George Duncan Ludlow.
The day schools and day-residential schools had the same objective as the residential schools: to assimilate Indigenous people into settler society. In 1920, Duncan Campbell Scott, head of Indian Affairs and a chief architect of Canada’s Residential Schools, said, “I want to get rid of the Indian problem… Our objective is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department, that is the whole object of this Bill.”
Before Scott made residential schools mandatory for all Indigenous children, ages seven to fifteen, in 1920, there was the Sussex Vale Indian School that was supposed to school Indigenous children with the purpose of assimilating them and converting them to Protestantism. The Sussex Vale Indian School did house children, the likely result of funds provided by the London-based Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts in 1792.
The New England Company was not happy that the Sussex Vale Indian School, run by Rev. Oliver Arnold, was failing to convert Indigenous children to Protestantism. Indigenous parents of the children had followed their children and settled along the Kennebacasis River, near the Sussex school, and sometimes they would get back their children. The New England Company blamed the failing conversion mission on the Indigenous children returning home to their families after school, so in 1807, the Sussex Vale Indian School introduced a new program that combined schooling with indentured servitude.
Nicole O’Byrne is an associate professor of law at the University of New Brunswick who has been conducting research on the Sussex Vale Indian School. According to documents uncovered by O’Byrne, settlers received money in the amounts of 20 pounds a year from the New England Company to train the Indigenous children in a trade, and take care of them, but many children became farm workers and domestic servants and not apprentices.
O’Byrne has noted that the program was beneficial for the settlers. With no limit to the number of children a family could have, Rev. Arnold, the head of the school, had five or six children stay with his family. Children as young as eight months old were taken to live with settlers and the children’s parents were paid a stipend to stay away. One contract uncovered by O’Byrne found that one child was contracted to work for a farmer until he was 21. The documents also point to numerous cases of sexual exploitation of girls.
A contract used by the New England Company for indentured servitude of Indigenous children, uncovered by Nicole O’Byrne.
Andrea Bear Nicholas, professor emeritus of native studies at St. Thomas University, likens the program to slavery. She said the children never learned to read or write while they were also being forced to abandon their Indigenous language. A historian and activist for the restoration of the Wolastoqiyik language, she is clear that her people did not lose their language, their language was stolen from them.
According to O’Byrne, “the Sussex Vale Indian School was designed to strip language and culture away from Indigenous students.”
While children were leaving the school illiterate and returning to the Catholic faith, the New England Company decided to close the school in 1826. O’Byrne further explains: “Sussex Vale was closed after two boards of inquiry reported on the serious financial irregularities and other wrongdoing at the school.”
Alma Brooks, a Wolastoqey clan mother, told those gathered at the Sussex ceremony on July 1st that the Sussex Vale Indian School promised that the children would receive a plot of land, a cow and seedlings upon completing school, but they never did.
Brooks came across the name of her grandfather’s brother in a news story about the Sussex Vale Indian School. She said he went to the school and never returned home to their community.
Premier Blaine Higgs has promised to look at the church-run schools for Indigenous children that operated in the province. Meanwhile, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn has said that the government will review the birth alert system that is still in place that takes newborns from their parents.
At the Sussex ceremony, Donna Augustine Thunderbird Turtle Woman, an L’nu traditional elder, spoke of her work with residential school survivors.
Donna Augustine Thunderbird Turtle Woman. Photo by Aditya Rao.
Clair shared that she grew up in foster homes and like the children at the Shubenacadie Residential School, she experienced her caretakers scrubbing her skin to make it more white. She wrote an honour song for the children and sang it at the ceremony, bringing many to tears.
Let the statues and murals come down
Sussex, the mural capital of Atlantic Canada, has two murals that historians and Indigenous scholars and activists say whitewash history and are historically inaccurate.
Regarding the mural, “Education Humble Buildings,” by William Lazos, Russ Letica with the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick and the Wolastoq Tribal Council, shared on Facebook, “Are New Brunswickers ready to talk about the mural that represents the indigenous residential school @ Sussex NB. Because it needs to be gone.”
A romanticized depiction of early education in Sussex, the mural shows a teacher guiding a child into the light of knowledge. “The mural bears no resemblance to the horrific realities endured by the Indigenous children who attended the school,” said O’Byrne.
The other mural is located on the Sussex Regional Library is supposed to tell the Wolastoqey creation story, but according to Nicholas, is not the story of her people, rather a story created by the 19th century American writer and folklorist Charles Godfrey Leland.
The Sir John A. Macdonald statue was quickly removed after Charlottetown city council decided to remove the statue in late May. In 2020, the University of New Brunswick announced that they would remove George Duncan Ludlow’s name from their Law Building due to his involvement with residential schools and his support of slavery. In 2018, the statue of Edward Cornwallis who oversaw bounties on the scalps of Mi’kmaq people came down in Halifax. In 2011, the Cornwallis was stripped from a high school in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia after organizing by Mi’kmaq elder Dan Paul, author of We Were Not the Savages.
Saint John residents wrapped the Samuel Leonard Tilley statue in King’s Square in orange cloth and left messages, “Land Back,” and “Justice for the Survivors” on July 3, 2021. Previously, on July 1, the statue of Tilley, who served as a cabinet minister when the residential school was enforced in Canada, had been defaced with a red hand prints and the words, “Land Back.” Photo by Tracy Glynn.
As statues and symbols that celebrate the perpetrators of genocide come down, the Wolastoq Grand Chief and others say that is not enough: the Canadian state in all its colonial, capitalist, patriarchal, racist and imperialist forms must be dismantled and replaced with a society that respects all life, including the seven generations.
The Peace and Friendship Alliance is one body of Indigenous and non-Indigenous folks from across the Wabanaki region working to protect the lands, waters, people and all creatures, and respect the Peace and Friendship treaties.
Later this summer, a new kind of memorial will be installed in Fredericton. The memorial will be devoted to Berta Cáceres, a Lenca woman from Honduras who was murdered for defending Indigenous Lenca territory from Canadian resource companies and for opposing the Canadian/American-backed coup in Honduras. A handcrafted bench will be installed between two apple trees at Hayes Farm to honour the woman.
Before she was shot to death in her home by hired assassins, Cáceres told a community facing unwanted development: “My companions, colonialism has not ended. That is why this fight is so tough for the Indigenous people, and there is a state apparatus at the service of that. But we also have power, companions, and that is why we continue to exist.”
Back in Sussex, Mary McKay Keith, a resident, invited people to her home after the ceremony to have a potluck feast. She said, “Standing with Indigenous peoples in their grief for the loss of these many, many children, and acknowledging the role of my ancestors in this genocide was important for me to do.”
Another Sussex area resident, Mary Ann Coleman, who attended the ceremony, said: “This is really the first step in a reconciliation process, coming together in ceremony for the children who went to the Sussex Vale Indian School and residential schools across Canada, recognizing the harm that was done and how we have benefited from it.”
“We all need to know the history of this place, in order to honour the pain and loss of the Indigenous communities, as well as the ideas of the Peace and Friendship Treaties on which their intentions first rested. I was honored that so many of them came to Sussex to give us those teachings, and I hope it helps us to do the work of reconciliation that we need to do. I also hope that we can continue to learn and grow together in that spirit of Peace and Friendship,” said Stephanie Coburn, a farmer from the Sussex region and former president of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick who also attended the ceremony.
Neqotkuk First Nation Chief Ross Perley says the systemic racism commission will not bring First Nations closer to justice because it's not Indigenous-led. (Mike Heenan/CBC)
Six Wolastoqey chiefs of New Brunswick say they will not participate in the provincial commission on systemic racism because it does not address racism against Indigenous peoples specifically.
For more than a year, after two Indigenous people were killed at the hands of police within one week, the chiefs have been calling for an independent inquiry into systemic racism against Indigenous people in the justice system.
Premier Blaine Higgs refused, saying there are many recommendations already made to address this issue and they just need to be implemented.
This year, the province announced the appointment of Manju Varma as an independent commissioner who is expected to report next year on systemic racism against Indigenous people, immigrants and people of colour in the province.
In a news release, the chiefs say they "stand firm" that a specific inquiry focusing on racism against Indigenous people needs to be held. They say the commission led by Varma is not a replacement for an Indigenous-focused inquiry.
"We have declined to participate in the Higgs government's ill-equipped and ineffective alternative to an inquiry into systemic racism against Indigenous people in New Brunswick," the news release says. "Participating would make us complicit in this government's efforts to sweep this complex, essential issue under the rug."
When reached by phone, Varma said she has sent a letter to each First Nation chief in New Brunswick in the course of her research, but she's not ready to comment on this development as she had not had the chance to read their response.
Premier Blaine Higgs said this stance is "disappointing."
"I feel there's a very genuine exercise unfolding here," he said in a scrum Wednesday afternoon. "I don't think we should look for excuses why it won't work. I think we we should look for opportunities to test it."
Ross Perley, chief of Neqotkuk First Nation, also known as Tobique, said he's not confident this commission will address the issues facing Indigenous people.
"We're going to continue to advocate [for] proposals that are Indigenous-led with the hopes that someday, maybe it isn't the Higgs government, but maybe there's a government that will want to be nation-to-nation partners — want to really address our issues," Perley said.
"We're not going anywhere."
"Governments change, we stay the same," he said. "This is our territory, our unceded, un-surrendered territory. We will continue to be here and we will continue to voice our concerns."
Higgs said addressing systemic racism "isn't about any one group."
"Systemic racism comes in many forms and in many cultures," he said. "It's about any new group coming into our province or people that have lived here for a long time that continue to experience unfair practices that we don't want to continue."
The chiefs say they support addressing systemic racism for "other racialized groups," but their issues are "unique and complex."
They said assuming all the needs of all racialized people are the same is "an example of systemic racism."
The Wolastoq Grand Chief says the Peace and Friendship Alliance will return to Sussex and hold numerous talking circles with interested people to continue the dialogue and focus on truth and reparation: “We need to have these difficult conversations relating to genocide. This has nothing to do with guilt, although everything to do with responsibility, because once you know, you can’t say you don’t know!”
Residential School survivors and others needing support can call the 24-hour Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
Tracy Glynn is a writer with the NB Media Co-op and participates in the Peace and Friendship Alliance.
Tom Bagley died in the shooting. His daughter says she wants a full public inquiry into the tragedy. (Charlene Bagley/Facebook) 
Nick Beaton, whose wife, Kristen Beaton, was killed in the April massacre, said not getting answers these past few months has been 'hell.' He was one of almost 300 people who marched on Wednesday, calling for a public inquiry. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press) 
From left, the three panelists are Leanne Fitch, Anne McLellan and Michael MacDonald. (The Canadian Press/CBC News) 
Heather O'Brien, left, and Kristen Beaton both worked for the Victorian Order of Nurses and were victims of the shootings. (GoFundMe/The Canadian Press/GoFundMe/The Canadian Press) _corrected.jpg?crop=1.777xh:h;*,*&downsize=510px:*510w)
The faces of the 22 victims of the Nova Scotia shootings. (CBC) 
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair has apologized to families of the victims of Nova Scotia's mass shooting for the delay in ordering a public inquiry. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) 
Twenty-two people died on April 18 and 19, 2020. Top row from left: Gina Goulet, Dawn Gulenchyn, Jolene Oliver, Frank Gulenchyn, Sean McLeod, Alanna Jenkins. Second row: John Zahl, Lisa McCully, Joey Webber, Heidi Stevenson, Heather O'Brien and Jamie Blair. Third row from top: Kristen Beaton, Lillian Campbell, Joanne Thomas, Peter Bond, Tom Bagley and Greg Blair. Bottom row: Emily Tuck, Joy Bond, Corrie Ellison and Aaron Tuck. (CBC) 
RCMP Nova Scotia tweeted the photo of the gunman's replica police cruiser at 10:17 a.m. on the morning of April 19, 2020. (RCMP Nova Scotia Twitter) 
A photograph of Kristen Beaton, who was expecting her second child and was killed along Plains Road on April 19, 2020, is seen at a makeshift memorial in Debert, N.S., on April 23, 2020. (Tim Krochak/Reuters) 
Greg is a reporter and editor based in Marion Bridge. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the former Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Bible Hill in 2004 and a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of King’s College in Halifax in 2005. Since then, he’s worked as a freelance reporter with The Chronicle Herald, as editor of the St. Paul Journal weekly newspaper in northeastern Alberta, and as a reporter and associate editor with The Cape Breton Post. Greg has also done freelance writing, editing and photography for a number of publications, including Farm Focus, Rural Delivery, Atlantic Forestry Review, Atlantic Beef, Atlantic Horse & Pony, Cape Bretoner Magazine, Saltscapes Magazine, The Canadian Organic Grower Magazine and Shunpiking Magazine.:format(jpeg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tgam/I6LBHX6ZQVD2ZHH3OLM34RRJM4.JPG)
Susan Larder, centre, and Carol Millett join a demonstration in Halifax on July 27, 2020 demanding a public inquiry into Canada's deadliest mass shooting in April.Darren Calabrese/The Globe and Mail
(CBC News) 
(CBC News) 
Though the RCMP sent police in Truro updates about their suspect's believed location, the information was not up to date or accurate. (CBC News) 
The gunman's replica police vehicle captured on security camera driving on Esplanade St. in Truro, N.S., the morning of April 19, 2020. (RCMP)
Jason MacCullough, 19, was killed in 1999. His case has not been solved. (CBC) 
Environment Minister Gary Crossman and MLA Michelle Conroy campaign with Miramichi Bay-Neguac candidate Réjean Savoie. (Gary Crossman/Facebook) 
Local Government Minister Daniel Allain and Agriculture Minister Margaret Johnson with PC byelection candidates Mike Dawson and Réjean Savoie. (Réjean Savoie/Facebook) 
Liberal Leader Roger Melanson with Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin candidate Hannah Fulton Johnston. (Hannah Fulton-Johnson/Facebook) 
Premier Blaine Higgs has previously complained about the two-authority system for hospitals but rules out a merger. (Ed Hunter/CBC) 
Jordan Bonaparte says he first learned about the 'Glove Guy' through a friend, but soon found many more similar stories online. (Jackson Weaver/CBC) 
Shawn DeWolfe said he didn't know anything about the 'Glove Guy' stories until after his ride with James. (Jackson Weaver/CBC) 
Halifax sociologist Robert Wright believes assaults against boys and men often aren't taken as seriously as they should be. (Jackson Weaver/CBC) 
The new 'The Nighttime Podcast,' linked to here, claims to be 'an outlet for stories of the unbelievable and unthinkable things that people do.'
The application on Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies. All businesses operating in the province — other than those using the owner's personal name — are required to register. 
The gunman of the Portapique mass shooting is spotted on video surveillance changing his clothes in Millbrook on April 19, 2020. - Contributed 
Emily Hill, senior counsel for the Mass Casualty Commission, told reporters at a briefing on Friday that the commission is considering a request from one of the lawyers representing the families to change a rule that governs who can question witnesses. - Andrew Vaughan / File 
Premier Blaine Higgs said the program will be targeted 'to the most vulnerable people.' (Ed Hunter/CBC) 
Supporters of Billy McGillicuddy comforted each other outside the Fredericton provincial court on Friday after he was denied bail. (Aidan Cox/CBC) 
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs acknowledged Friday that the lack of Green representation on the commission redrawing electoral boundaries could raise questions about the integrity of the process. (CBC News) 
Liberal Leader Roger Melanson said the Liberals agreed to submit the names of MLAs to sit on the commission for review by the premier’s office. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Adobe file
Poilievre, left, and Brown share an exchange during the Conservative Party's French-language leadership debate in Laval, Que., on May 25. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) 
Charest with former N.B. premier David Alward, one of several prominent Progressive Conservatives who attended the Fredericton event. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) 
Pierre Poilievre meets with supporters during his N.B. campaign tour in March. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) 
Miramichi-Grand Lake Conservative MP Jake Stewart (right) and Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre (centre) posed for photos with truckers on Jan. 29. Charest is criticizing Poilievre's support for the Ottawa trucker blockade. (Jake Stewart/Twitter) 
New Brunswick government officials have largely switched to online meetings since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, including Higgs, shown here last week speaking with the New Brunswick Nurses Union online from his office last week. (Government of New Brunswick's Twitter) 
Paul D'Astous is principal secretary to Higgs. He owns a home in Quispamsis and for most of 2020 received a $955 monthly 'living allowance,' one of four senior Higgs government officials paid extra to subsidize the cost of working, but not living, in Fredericton. (CBC archives) 
Louis Léger, chief of staff in the Premier's Office, has a home in Sainte-Marie-de-Kent. (CBC) 
Ken Boessenkool
Christy Clark
Mitch Davidson
Hon. Lisa Raitt, P.C.
Michael Bernstein
Chris Stirewalt, former Fox political editor, testifies Monday in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) 
Al Schmidt, former Philadelphia City Commissioner testifies on false fraud claims, and the threats he received, during a hearing by the Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) 
Miramichi-Grand Lake Conservative MP Jake Stewart, far right, and Ottawa-area Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, centre, posed for photos with truckers on Jan. 29. (Jake Stewart/Twitter)
Mendicino said the Emergencies Act was also needed to address blockades at border crossings, such as this protest at the Ambassador Bridge linking Ontario to Michigan. (Geoff Robins/AFP/Getty Images) 
A person holds a 'Make Ottawa Boring Again' sign as people take part in a counter-protest blocking a small convoy of vehicles from getting to downtown Ottawa on Feb. 13, 2022. (Chris Helgren/Reuters) 
Before his appointment to the Senate, Vern White led the Ottawa Police Service. (The Canadian Press) 
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki speaks during a news conference in Ottawa on Oct. 21, 2020. Lucki has said new police powers under the Emergencies Act worked as a deterrent against more protestors joining the Ottawa occupation, but she denies the RCMP asked the government to invoke the act. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
NDP MP for Hamilton Centre Matthew Green says he saw a 'juxtaposition of policing — what I'll call a failure of policing.' (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) 
A person leads a group in the saying of the Rosary during a rally against COVID-19 restrictions on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Jan. 30, which began as a cross-country convoy protesting a federal vaccine mandate for truckers. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) 
Trucks are seen parked on Metcalfe Street in Ottawa on Jan. 30. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) 
Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis said the federal Liberal government is to blame for pandemic-related divisions in the county. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press) 
Ottawa's city centre continues to be filled with the sound of honking and chanting as truckers and others opposed to the restrictions gathered near Parliament Hill on Sunday for a second full day of protests. (Michael Cole/CBC) 
A person pumps their fists as they stand on top of a transport truck after arriving on Wellington Street in front of on Parliament Hill as part of a cross-country convoy protesting measures taken by authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19 on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) 
A health care worker holds a sign reading "death by fatigue" during a protest demanding time off for COVID-19 fatigue in front of Maisonneuve Rosemont hospital in Montreal on Wednesday May 27, 2020. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) 
People attend a demonstration called by the French nationalist party "Les Patriotes" (The Patriots), to protest France's COVID-19 vaccine pass in Paris on January 22, 2022. (Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters) 
Members of an RCMP security detail put their hands up to protect Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau from rocks as protesters shout and throw gravel during a campaign stop in London Ont., on Monday, September 6, 2021. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press) 
Conservative deputy leader Candice Bergen is the latest Conservative MP to come out in support of the convoy protest. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) 
Supporters of truck drivers protesting the COVID-19 vaccine mandate cheer on a convoy of trucks on their way to Ottawa on the Trans-Canada west of Winnipeg on January 25, 2022. (David Lipnowski/The Canadian Press) 
Mouat says some homes on Needham Street are historically significant but don't have any heritage protections. (Aidan Cox/CBC) 
The Risteen building was demolished in 2019 after councillors voted against granting it status under the heritage preservation bylaw. (Mike Heenan/CBC) 
Ernesto and Juan Martin and their father Ernesto in 1943 or '44. (Courtesy Juan Martin Guevara) 
Juan Martin, Ernesto, and their mother in 1959. (Courtesy Juan Martin Guevara)
Argentine Communist revolutionary leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara in 1964 speaking at the World Commerce and Development Conference at the Palace des Nations at Geneva. (Keystone/Getty Images) 
Juan Martin Guevara, 73, poses with the book he wrote with journalist Armelle Vincent on his brother, late Cuban revolutionary hero Ernesto "Che" Guevara. (Charles Platiau/Reuters) 
Vestcor invests $21 billion in pension and other assets at home and around the world. It helped finance construction of the new Fredericton office building at 140 Carleton St. and then became a key tenant by moving its offices into the fourth floor. (Joe McDonald/CBC) 
Kim Adair-MacPherson, New Brunswick's former auditor general, issued a report in 2021 calling on the province to explicitly give her office the authority to audit Vestcor. Among other issues, she said the organization's escalating payments of bonuses to employees should be reviewed. (Michel Corriveau/Radio-Canada) 
New Brunswick's new auditor general, Paul Martin, renewed calls by his predecessor for authority to audit Vestcor's operations. In a report in February, his office called the issue one of its two largest concerns. (Submitted) 
Manju Varma, commissioner of systemic racism, says a meeting she had with Premier Blaine Higgs and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn is confidential. (Pierre Fournier/CBC)
Natoaganeg First Nation Chief George Ginnish doesn't believe Varma's final report will include a recommendation for government to call a public inquiry. (Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC) 
A banner with photos of Chantel Moore, with one of her favourite sayings, Stay Golden, was displayed at the front of the room where the inquest into her death was held. (Jennifer Sweet/CBC) 
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn said no one asked the commissioner to shelve anything. (Ed Hunter/CBC) 
Dean Vicaire is the Executive Director of Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc. (Contributed/Charlene LaBillois) 
![Sussex ceremony honours the stolen Indigenous children who never came home [updated]](http://nbmediacoop.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Alma-Brooks-and-Ramona-Nicholas-6-July-1-2021-750x536.jpg)
10 Comments