Continued from here.
Issues Pages:
Mulcair opposes C-51 while Trudeau folds like a cheap suit 2
Tue, 2015-03-10 09:44
#1
Mulcair opposes C-51 while Trudeau folds like a cheap suit 2
Tue, 2015-03-10 11:31
#2
Excellent!
The Chicken Little-in-chief
The media share a measure of the blame for this — for allowing Harper to use them as a megaphone for broadcasting dread. CBC News, in particular, has been a willing and enthusiastic pipeline for Harper’s solipsistic brand of fear-mongering.
The network has spent goodness knows how much of its modest resources traipsing around the globe, rooting out 150 or so “radicalized” Canadian Muslims, without ever putting that relatively minuscule figure into any kind of responsible context.
Like Harper, CBC correspondent Adrienne Arsenault seems intent on convincing the rest of us blind, complacent rubes that there really are terrorists lurking in the bushes. Arsenault was at it again earlier this week with yet another foreboding documentary, with the requisite ominous music, posing this absurd question: Are we safe?
The CBC’s jihadist-hunter-in-chief relied almost exclusively on members of Canada’s vast security intelligence apparatus for the answer and, quelle surprise, their answer was: Heck no, we’re not.
I spent a lot of my career reporting on spies and police, and I’ve got a tip for Arsenault and the other media alarmists: That’s what they’ll always say. It’s like asking a mechanic if you need new tires.
To buttress her vacuous point, Arsenault shared the findings of an equally hollow CBC-commissioned poll, which found that the infinitesimal threat of terrorism keeps “some Canadians awake at night.” Among the poll’s other findings was this nonsensical observation: More than 50 per cent of Canadians feel “less safe” than they did two years ago. (Less safe how, and why?)
Arsenault tried to explain the “irrational fears” reflected in this much-hyped poll by attributing them to “the outsized damage that radicalization causes.” I have no idea what that means, but it sounds pithy.
The irony is overwhelming and, in media circles, largely overlooked. What causes people to “feel less safe” in the absence of any clear evidence that they are less safe? Could it be a wave of hyperbolic reports on vague terrorist threats, coupled with the shameful acts of a government that actually exploits the terrorists’ own words for partisan purposes?
I’m talking, of course, about this nauseating Facebook post brought to you by the fear merchants at Conservative Party HQ. Terrorism is serious business. So is sowing panic.
How far is the Harper government willing to go to profit politically from terrorism? When an Alberta PC MLA and a sitting Conservative MP both describe the message as overkill, it’s probably time to dial back the hysteria.
More irony: The intrepid website Press Progress already has pointed out that the Facebook post might have violated Bill C-51 had the bill been in effect this week — that the Conservative party staffers who used Al-Shabab’s words to scare up votes and campaign funds could have faced jail time for distributing “terrorist propaganda”.
Today we all got our first look at a 60-second cell phone video made by Parliament Hill shooter Michael Zehaf-Bibeau shortly before his death. Harper and his cynical entourage of paranoiacs can be expected to appropriate the ramblings of a mentally ill man to reinforce their global-clash-of-cultures narrative.
It’s what they do — with or without the media’s help. But they shouldn’t worry. The media will give them all the help they need.
http://www.ipolitics.ca/2015/03/06/the-chicken-little-in-chief-mitrovica/
Tue, 2015-03-10 11:41
#3
As per usual, MSM are the propaganda arm of the State.
Tue, 2015-03-10 11:43
#4
Yikes!
Everyone knows Trudeau has been wounded in this C51 debate, but when you find yourself in a hole the first thing you need to do is stop digging.
Liberals Are Supporting Bill C-51 So Tories Can't Make 'Political Hay,' Trudeau Says
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/03/09/liberals-are-supporting-b_n_6835...
Tue, 2015-03-10 12:10
#5
Just so ironic that Trudeau fails to stand up for liberty over Bill C51 because he fears Harper's "soft on terror" attack ads.
Tue, 2015-03-10 12:16
#6
It's beginning to look more and more like C51 may well be Trudeau's Waterloo moment!
Tue, 2015-03-10 16:48
#7
WOULD YOU TRUST A SECRET POLICE FORCE TO THIS MAN?
Anti-terror bill would give Harper Government police power to wreak havoc on legitimate groups behind a veil of secrecy
Given his well-known animosity toward those who get in his way, Stephen Harper seems like the last person to trust with a secret police force.
But a secret police force is exactly what the prime minister will soon have, as a result of Bill C-51, the government's "anti-terror" legislation currently making its way quickly through Parliament.
Tue, 2015-03-10 17:12
#8
Some Canadians watching the news coming up from the USA showing the continuous mistreatment of the black comminity there, feel we are more tolerant than the Americans are.
But are we?
Time to put the brakes on our slide to intolerance
http://www.insidebelleville.com/opinion-story/5454403-time-to-put-the-br...
Tue, 2015-03-10 17:21
#9
Conservatives risk trapping themselves in own web of fear
Since the Parliament Hill shooting, the core Conservative message has been that Canadians have cause to be scared of an enemy in their midst.
But a government or a party cannot spend its time relentlessly warning against a fifth column without taking the risk that it will lead to witch hunts.
With every passing day the ruling Conservatives are at greater risk of trapping themselves in the web of fear they have been weaving.
It is less and less rare to hear people — including politicians — equate terrorism with fundamentalism and the latter with Muslims. From there, it is ultimately a small leap to visible minorities in general.
If you think that’s a stretch you may have missed the utterings of New Brunswick MPJohn Williamson as he criticized the temporary foreign workers program last weekend.
It makes no sense, he told fellow Conservatives at the Manning Networking conference, for Canada to pay for “whities” to stay home while companies bring in “brown people” as temporary foreign workers.
Williamson has since apologized for his remarks. But there is more than a slip of the tongue in his statement. It speaks to a racist vision of Canadian society that is at odds with Conservative efforts to make lasting inroads within the country’s cultural communities. It won’t take many more statements like those to undo all that hard work.
Williamson is not some maverick coming out of right field.
In a previous life he served as the prime minister’s director of communications. He also ran the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
It is not always necessary to take a scissor to a country’s social fabric — as the Front National so consistently does in France — to rip it. Pulling at it one loose thread at a time can achieve the same result.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/03/10/conservatives-risk-trappin...
Tue, 2015-03-10 22:09
#10
So we have had one day of hearings out of nine allocated for C51 - is that correct?
After that, if the Official Opposition NDP tried to hold it up, knowing that Harper has a majority, and the third party Liberals will support Harper, what would be the realistic outcome?
Tue, 2015-03-10 23:28
#11
Tue, 2015-03-10 23:55
#12
Good one bekayne.
These extreme comments from both the Liberals similar to the Holocaust era, and the Conservatives trying to frighten Canadians, are not productive to say the least.
This Bill C51 is quite a mistake and calmer, more rationale heads, need to prevail.
Wed, 2015-03-11 01:09
#13
My concern is that in QP Harper scored in his clash with Trudeau today with his statement.
We don't allow people to … to cover their faces during citizenship ceremonies. And why would Canadians, contrary to our own values, embrace a practice at that time that is not transparent, that is not open and, frankly, is rooted in a culture that is anti-women. Mr. Speaker, that is unacceptable to Canadians, unacceptable to Canadian women and that's why this government..."
It is indeed bizarre however to see a government which prides itself on the importance of religion to be coming across as intolerant of other people's religions.
I have many questions but this subject is such a minefield I think some questions are probably best left unasked for now, so as to not take the chance of accidentially provoking others.
Can Harper stoke fear and still woo the ethnic vote?
By Paul Adams
One of Stephen Harper’s most remarkable achievements in politics has been to navigate his way from the nativist, turban-queasy, anti-immigration policies of Reform to those of a modern party, supporting immigration and wooing the ethnic vote. With his sidekick Jason…
One of Stephen Harper’s most remarkable achievements in politics has been to navigate his way from the nativist, turban-queasy, anti-immigration policies of Reform to those of a modern party, supporting immigration and wooing the ethnic vote. With his sidekick Jason Kenney scarfing perogies and papadums with equal enthusiasm, in 2011 Harper led the Conservatives to an even bigger victory among voters born abroad than he won among the general population.
http://www.ipolitics.ca/2015/03/10/can-harper-stoke-fear-and-woo-the-eth...
Wed, 2015-03-11 08:23
#14
montrealer58
Harper seems to be fine talking about the rights of women THERE (coming from another country), but is very unconcerned about women HERE (such as aboriginals). What a mealy-mothed hypocrite!
Wed, 2015-03-11 11:13
#15
Another day, another terror-related arrest? 
http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/03/11/isis-sympathizer-arrested-after-...
Wed, 2015-03-11 11:53
#16
bagkitty
Harper seems to be fine talking about the rights of women THERE (coming from another country), but is very unconcerned about women HERE (such as aboriginals). What a mealy-mothed hypocrite!
Careful there montrealer.... you run the risk of "committing sociology" and upsetting our beloved leader. Of course I am not quite sure if committing sociology is a criminal code offence, and ideological offence, or just a mangling of the English language. I guess time will tell.
Wed, 2015-03-11 11:53
#17
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/terrorism-mailout-from-conservati...
Toet, who represents the Elmwood-Transcona riding in Winnipeg, sent the mailer this week about Bill C-51, the Conservatives' proposed anti-terrorism legislation.
After pitching the Conservative argument for the bill, Toet's mailout asks "What do you think?" and requests people check off one of the following options:
- I agree with my MP Lawrence Toet. We must take additional action to protect Canada from terrorism.
- I disagree. Terrorists are victims too.
Wed, 2015-03-11 12:30
#18
Too bad our mainstream press doesn't use this approach to the news, but of course they have their political agenda scripts to follow.
Islamic State and the worst-case contingency
It’s often a good idea, when faced with a really frightening situation, to model the “worst case” outcome and see how bad it could get. That can be quite bad, but it’s rarely as bad as the half-formed fears that build up if you don’t actually analyse the problem. Like Islamic State, for example.
http://www.straight.com/news/406576/gwynne-dyer-islamic-state-and-worst-...
Thu, 2015-03-12 10:47
#19
Sounds like Canada could use an examination of our laws as well.
UK surveillance laws need total overhaul, says landmark report
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/12/uk-surveillance-laws-need...
Thu, 2015-03-12 16:45
#20
Blaney mum on allegation of Canadian spy link to ISIL schoolgirl recruits
In the House of Commons, NDP deputy leader Megan Leslie asked Blaney if the reports were true.
"Is Canadian intelligence involved and why are there persistent reports from the Turkish media on this?"
Blaney said he was aware of the reports, but quickly added, "I do not comment on operational matters."
http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2015/03/12/blaney-mum-on-allegation-of-...
Thu, 2015-03-12 17:39
#21
Harper Government's 'Anti-Terrorism Act' Isn't About Terrorism, It's a Torture Act
http://www.globalresearch.ca/impending-threat-to-canadian-democracy-harp...
"Like the Bush torture memos, Harper's 'Anti-Terrorism Act' is attempting to legitimize forbidden practices and 'leave CSIS with incredibly expansive powers, including water boarding, inflicting pain (torture) or causing psychological harm to an individual.'
Thu, 2015-03-12 19:36
#22
Turkey detains suspect who may have helped U.K. teens join ISIS
Suspect works for coalition country's intelligence service, Turkey foreign minister says
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/turkey-detains-suspect-who-may-have-helped-...
Blaney mum on allegation of Canadian spy link to ISIL schoolgirl recruits
In the House of Commons, NDP deputy leader Megan Leslie asked Blaney if the reports were true.
"Is Canadian intelligence involved and why are there persistent reports from the Turkish media on this?"
Blaney said he was aware of the reports, but quickly added, "I do not comment on operational matters."
http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2015/03/12/blaney-mum-on-allegation-of-...
Fri, 2015-03-13 20:27
#23
So Kenney - fess up, eh!
NATO disputes Conservative claim that Russians confronted Canadian warship
http://www.canada.com/News/canada/NATO+disputes+Conservative+claim+that+...
Fri, 2015-03-13 20:34
#24
Spy nation: Six reasons you need to worry about C-51
By Alyssa Stryker and Carmen Cheung
At over 60 pages, Bill C-51 — the Anti-Terrorism Act — is a heavy read. The bill proposes a myriad of radical changes to Canadian law and to Canada's national security apparatus, many of which seriously jeopardize the rights and freedoms of Canadians while promising little improvement to public safety. Canada's privacy commissioner, ex-CSIS officials, former prime ministers and international whistleblower Edward Snowden have all raised alarm about the bill's impacts on Canadians' freedom and privacy. Lawyers at the B.C.…
http://www.ipolitics.ca/2015/03/13/spy-nation-six-reasons-you-need-to-wo...
Fri, 2015-03-13 20:47
#25
i might use the word intimidation to describe the linked story below. I just glad that so many are speaking out against C-51.
Shades of 1984 or Bill C-51? You judge.
A SFU professor is investigated for taking pictures near the Burnaby Mountain tank farm.
http://www.burnabynow.com/news/rcmp-investigate-sfu-prof-for-tank-farm-p...
Fri, 2015-03-13 20:52
#26
No verdict in the via rail trail - how many days has it been now?
The case is obviously not as cut and dried as we had been led to believe.
Mon, 2015-03-16 18:14
#27
Please Advise! Trudeau Asks, Was That Weekend Racket a St. Paddy's Day Thing?
Sorry Justin, they were protests, and you missed the parade.
By Steve Burgess, Today, TheTyee.ca
Tue, 2015-03-17 12:48
#28
just this comment in the Tyee article:
"... You had the opportunity to take a principled stand and later be proved correct by the Supreme Court. Instead you are Harper's poodle..."
Tue, 2015-03-17 16:37
#29
Indeed, the choice is much clearer, given Trudeau's pledge to support Harper's "police state" legislation. I hope that the NDP and the Green Party will commit to scrap Bill C-51 if they are in a position to do so after the election.
This bill cannot be "changed" or "improved". Therefore, nothing short of tearing it up will suffice.
Tue, 2015-03-17 18:07
#30
actually it can be changed hell you could change every single word in it and turn it into a bill against using makeup on dolphins or making it into a bill making Jedi that national religion.
Tue, 2015-03-17 18:58
#31
https://openmedia.ca/news/breaking-forum-poll-reveals-huge-swing-against...
I don't trust polls, but even the appearance is bad news for Trudeau. He called this one wrong!
Tue, 2015-03-17 19:01
#32
I don't trust polls, but even the appearance is bad news for Trudeau. He called this one wrong!
This reminds me of how public opinion in the US took a massive swing against the Iraq war and the Democrats were not able to capitalize on it because they had failed to call out the Bush Administration when the war started, and it cost the Democrats very dearly at the polls.
Tue, 2015-03-17 19:14
#33
Yes I know it's Forum which is so often wrong.
Nevertheless this may be the most significant finding:
Bill C51: NDP vs. Liberal vs. Conservative Version ‘The Liberals will support the bill, but want to add more parliamentary oversight. The NDP will fight the bill unless it is changed significantly. The Conservatives want to pass the bill as written. Which of these options do you support?’
Support bill, but include more oversight 34
Fight bill, unless changed significantly 38
Pass bill as written 19
Looks good on the Liberals for being so craven. Liberal voters oppose the bill by 66 to 22% !!!
Tue, 2015-03-17 20:40
#34
Yes I know it's Forum which is so often wrong.
Nevertheless this may be the most significant finding:
Bill C51: NDP vs. Liberal vs. Conservative Version ‘The Liberals will support the bill, but want to add more parliamentary oversight. The NDP will fight the bill unless it is changed significantly. The Conservatives want to pass the bill as written. Which of these options do you support?’
Support bill, but include more oversight 34
Fight bill, unless changed significantly 38
Pass bill as written 19
Looks good on the Liberals for being so craven. Liberal voters oppose the bill by 66 to 22% !!!
I was just reading the forum site and where did it say the 66 to 22 %?
I wonder how many of the 66% would switch to NDP.
Wed, 2015-03-18 00:41
#35
The C-51 part of the debates will be quite interesting.
Wed, 2015-03-18 06:55
#36
Scott, look at p. 7:
http://poll.forumresearch.com/data/Federal%20Bill%20C51%20News%20Release%20(2015%2003%2013)%20Forum%20Research.pdf
Approval of C-51:
Con 81-12
Lib 22(including Debater) -66 (including Pondering) -12 undecided(including Terryt...l and ajkumar)
NDP 17-77
Green 11-66
Bloq 43-44
Wed, 2015-03-18 10:24
#37
Interesting to note that the difference between the opposition to C-51 among the Conservatives and support for among the Liberals differs by only 10%.
It does not seem to be an issue that should have worried the Liberals so much as it did. In fact I suspect that if Trudeau had taken a coherent position of opposition to C-51 he could have moved these even more. Without his support more Conservatives may have questionned the Bill and few Liberals would have supported it, closing this gap and perhaps creating an even mirror. By mirror I mean as many people could move to the Liberals from the Conservatives over this as to the Conservatives from the Liberals.
I think the Liberals miscalculated how the Bill would be received once people were aware of it. I don't think the talking against and voting for position has helped Trudeau either when taking a more consistent position against could have served him better.
The Liberals who support this idea of support now and change later are those who likely would have followed Trudeau anywhere. Faced with a Trudeau opposition to the Bill they would have given him unqualified support.
The NDP are fortunate to have been left as the only party with clear opposition to the Bill.
Wed, 2015-03-18 12:16
#38
Now that polls show that Bill C-51 is not so popular after all - i wonder whether Trudeau will have an emergency call with Gerald Butts where he breathless asks "Now that the polls say the bill is unpopular, should I change my mind and announce i am against it after all?"
Wed, 2015-03-18 12:48
#39
ok now people are quoting forum polls as being reliable, but when they show strong LPC, they are biased!
Wed, 2015-03-18 13:00
#40
All the polls get reported on here
Wed, 2015-03-18 13:04
#41
I'm Russian to Czech the Poles as we speak.
Wed, 2015-03-18 13:12
#42
I'm Russian to Czech the Poles as we speak.
Wed, 2015-03-18 13:18
#43
I'm Russian to Czech the Poles as we speak.
Let us know when you Finnish.
Wed, 2015-03-18 18:15
#44
Feds put protest activity under microscope in compiling national 'risk forecast'
Use of social media, the spread of “citizen journalism,” and the involvement of young people are among the key trends highlighted by a federal analysis of protest activity in Canada over the last half-decade.
A growing geographic reach and an apparent increase in protests that target infrastructure such as rail lines are also boosting the impact of demonstrations, says the Government Operations Centre analysis, obtained under the Access to Information Act....
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/feds-put-protest-activity-under-microscope...
Thu, 2015-03-19 09:03
#45
montrealer58
I'm Russian to Czech the Poles as we speak.
Let us know when you Finnish.
All this Russian around makes me Hungary
Thu, 2015-03-19 09:30
#46
I'm Russian to Czech the Poles as we speak.
Let us know when you Finnish.
All this Russian around makes me Hungary
Thu, 2015-03-19 12:32
#47
Have some Turkey. I'll break out the good China.
Thu, 2015-03-19 12:53
#48
I should bring sugar to Sweden the meal.
Thu, 2015-03-19 13:37
#49
Not summer yet so wear a jacket or you will be Chile
Thu, 2015-03-19 13:48
#50
Can Ada pack a Stanley so, though?
Thu, 2015-03-19 15:09
#51
montrealer58
Norway!