Sun TV and Jason Kenney stage fake citizenship ceremony

Catchfire
moderator
Member: 5019
Joined: Apr 16 2003

"Let's do it. We can fake the oath."

Quote:
Six federal bureaucrats were drafted to pose as new Canadians for a citizenship reaffirmation ceremony broadcast on the Sun News network, an event requested by Immigration Minister Jason Kenney's office.

 

The bureaucrats smiled and held Canadian flags as the TV hosts referred to a group of 10 people as “new Canadians” that had “finally” received their citizenship.

 

 

See on-air apology :(

 

Kenney won't apologize, however, for what was simply a "poorly handled response":

Quote:
 "The department organizes dozens of special citizenship and reaffirmation ceremonies every year which, I think, are a great way of highlighting the value of Canadian citizenship," he said, noting he only caught wind of the incident this week.

 

"It turns out in the ceremony in question . . . some of the people invited didn't arrive. I think the response to that was poorly handled. I regret that, but we shouldn't allow it to undermine the important value of these special citizenship and reaffirmation ceremonies."

 

More comedy gold from the Hill Times:

Quote:
Mr. Levant tweeted to Ms. Ditchburn: “Yes/no question: did you collaborate w CBC at all in your story?”


Ms. Ditchburn replied: “It’s a fairness miracle!!! U actually asked me to comment! Answer: No. Is that the best you’ve got?”

Mr. Levant: “How about my other questions? Will u write that she’s your CBC colleague? How come you ‘didn’t find’ it in the ATIP, etc.?”

Ms. Ditchburn: “Name is blacked out. I haven’t worked at CBC in 6 years. Individual more a colleague to Rod Love and Don Cherry than to me.”

Mr. Levant: “Don’t lie. You get paid to be on the CBC weekly. Your lie implies u know it’s a conflict.”

Ms. Ditchburn: “You broke the Caramilk secret, the Davinci Code!!! I appear weekly on @PnP_CBC as a contributor. What else u got?”

Mr. Levant: “Not true. Censors missed it twice. Or did u not read the ATI? Are u relying on the CBC’s “research”?”

Ms. Ditchburn: “I’m supposed to make the leap that a blacked out name is the same as another listed in 100+ pages? What legal advice do u get?”

Mr. Levant: “Come on my show to make your case. I’ll give you the last word. But sorry, unlike the govt broadcaster, we can’t pay you.”

Ms. Ditchburn: “It’s been a slice Ezra! Keep on rockin’ in the free world.”

Jason Kenney, national embarrassment.


Comments

clambake
rabble-rouser
Member: 23967
Joined: Apr 21 2011

Even James Moore (Heritage Minister) slammed the network when a reporter was pestering them about the CBC ''porn'' issue. Wonder how that went over with Harper and the other MPs that want the CBC defunded.


Steve_Shutt
rabble-rouser
Member: 3922
Joined: Jul 30 2002

The tweet up between Levant and Dithcburn flowed, I believe, from this story in the Globe and Mail suggesting a possible breach of the privacy of real new Canadians. 

 

This story is a gift that keeps on giving.

 


milo204
rabble-rouser-machine
Member: 19581
Joined: Feb 3 2010

what i'd like to know is why is the government wasting energy, time and canadians money by involving themselves in a TV spot on a private network.  this is much different than providing information or an interview.  They had government employees spending all day calling 300+ people to try and convince them to attend the tv show, coordinating the whole thing, etc then coming to the rescue to have their staff appear on the show as actors.

gee, i wonder if it's because the network has extremely close ties to the conservative party?


Steve_Shutt
rabble-rouser
Member: 3922
Joined: Jul 30 2002

milo204,

Your cynicism is very distressing.  In these trying times it is our faith in the Great Leader that will sustain us.


Slumberjack
rabble-rouser-for-life
Member: 11108
Joined: Aug 8 2005

Kenny had better watch it.  The last Con artist MP who attempted a stand up routine got caught out and left out in all sorts of shady dealings.  Will the real Rahim Jaffer, please stand up, please stand up.


jerrym
rabble-rouser
Member: 17708
Joined: May 30 2009

I read the first 20 of 358 comments about this issue in the Globe and Mail article. They were all negative about this Con job which surprised me because usually the Cons flood comment sections with vicious counterattacks. I think the party needs to focus more on this as it destroys trust in this government. 


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