"Neither my superiors in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition nor the leader of the Opposition was aware that I had done so."
Environment . Human Rights . Condominiums . Politics . Atheism . Food . Toronto . Ontario . Canada
9.30.2008
Conservative staffers shameful resignation
A staff member resigned and apologized Tuesday for writing a speech read by Stephen Harper in 2003 as leader of the Opposition that plagiarized from an address days earlier by then Australian prime minister John Howard."Pressed for time, I was overzealous in copying segments of another world leader’s speech," Owen Lippert says in a news release sent out by the Conservative camp on Tuesday afternoon.
Smiling Jack Wants American Style Meeting
I've been sick for a couple of days, but I noticed this tidbit, courtesy of Jack Layton of the NDP. Jack wants a meeting of all party leaders to discuss the current financial crisis, now affecting markets, and banks worldwide.
Seems to me that Jack just want to be like an American candidate and be invited to the big table. I wonder if Jack would want to be American if he was Prime Minister... I'll have to think about that while I DON'T SELL, DON'T SELL! my stocks.
9.26.2008
Greens, NDP on par as voters' second choice: poll
The New Democrats are facing tough competition from the Green party as a second choice for voters in the Oct. 14 federal election campaign, a new poll suggests.
A Canadian Press Harris-Decima poll taken over the last four nights found one in four respondents, or 25 per cent, would take the NDP or the Green party as their No. 2 choice if they opted to change their vote. The Liberals were the leading second choice at 28 per cent.
At the start of the campaign, 26 per cent of respondents made the NDP their second choice and 22 per cent opted for the Greens.
The survey also identified the Greens as the second choice for 28 per cent of Conservative respondents, 27 per cent of Liberals, 34 per cent of New Democrats and 19 per cent of Bloc supporters polled.
Full Story
A Canadian Press Harris-Decima poll taken over the last four nights found one in four respondents, or 25 per cent, would take the NDP or the Green party as their No. 2 choice if they opted to change their vote. The Liberals were the leading second choice at 28 per cent.
At the start of the campaign, 26 per cent of respondents made the NDP their second choice and 22 per cent opted for the Greens.
The survey also identified the Greens as the second choice for 28 per cent of Conservative respondents, 27 per cent of Liberals, 34 per cent of New Democrats and 19 per cent of Bloc supporters polled.
Full Story
9.25.2008
Calgary Conservative Disses Immigrants
Another Conservative is in hot water over controversial comments - this time about immigrants.
Both the Liberals and NDP are demanding that Lee Richardson resign as Calgary Centre candidate for suggesting that immigrants are prone to commit crimes. Richardson told a weekly newsmagazine: "Look at who's committing these crimes ... They're not the kid that grew up next door."
He also said immigrants and refugees don't have the same respect for authority or property.
Read the full story here.
Both the Liberals and NDP are demanding that Lee Richardson resign as Calgary Centre candidate for suggesting that immigrants are prone to commit crimes. Richardson told a weekly newsmagazine: "Look at who's committing these crimes ... They're not the kid that grew up next door."
He also said immigrants and refugees don't have the same respect for authority or property.
Read the full story here.
Leading HIV/AIDS researcher accuses Prime Minister of Genocide.
A leading HIV/AIDS researcher is accusing the Harper government of "genocide" for allegedly ignoring scientific evidence supporting Vancouver's controversial supervised drug injection site.
Dr. Julio Montaner, president of the International AIDS Society, accused the Conservatives of neglecting the needs of drug addicts and endangering their lives during a news conference Monday morning, held to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Downtown Eastside facility called Insite.
"When you neglect purposely a percentage of the population that can be defined on the basis of a particular characteristic, that's genocide. And I will tell you that is exactly what they are doing," Montaner said.
Read the full story here.
Dr. Julio Montaner, president of the International AIDS Society, accused the Conservatives of neglecting the needs of drug addicts and endangering their lives during a news conference Monday morning, held to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Downtown Eastside facility called Insite.
"When you neglect purposely a percentage of the population that can be defined on the basis of a particular characteristic, that's genocide. And I will tell you that is exactly what they are doing," Montaner said.
Read the full story here.
9.24.2008
Metrolinx Unveils Transit Plan
Among other things, a rail link from Union Station to Pearson Airport, what a novel idea! Check out the coverage in The Star.
Gay, er, Clay Aiken's Big Surprise
In the excerpt below Clay describes coming out to his mother, who apparently was "obviously stunned". Pardon me while I attempt to contain myself, but if Momma Aiken was stunned, I'm afraid she is the ONLY one who was! Full Story Here.
"It was dark. I was sitting there, thinking to myself. I don't know why I started thinking about it ... I just started bawling. She made me pull over the car and it just came out," he said. "She started crying. She was obviously somewhat stunned. But she was very supportive and very comforting."
"It was dark. I was sitting there, thinking to myself. I don't know why I started thinking about it ... I just started bawling. She made me pull over the car and it just came out," he said. "She started crying. She was obviously somewhat stunned. But she was very supportive and very comforting."
Via Rail Green Train Running Late (Big Surprise!)
I hope the Elizabeth May's whistle stop tour will help to inform Canadians how pathetic our current rail system is. At present we are 20-40 years behind in rail technology. The message below is a common one for anyone who has ever used Via Rail. What I really mean to say is, I can't recall the last time I took a Via train and arrived on time.
All Green Party Members are encouraged to attend the rally in Toronto this evening. Below is Ms. May's itinerary today and the details of the rally in Toronto.
Notice: The Train is currently running late. Expected arrival time in Toronto has been changed to 21h40.
All Green Party Members are encouraged to attend the rally in Toronto this evening. Below is Ms. May's itinerary today and the details of the rally in Toronto.
Notice: The Train is currently running late. Expected arrival time in Toronto has been changed to 21h40.
9.23.2008
Meet Elizabeth May
Check out our local candidate, Ellen Michelson and see her profile in The Star
Visit the Green Train Site!
Vote for Public Transit
Please visit this site and send a message to the federal election candidates that public transportation needs to be a priority.
9.22.2008
Irresponsible Dog Owner Finally Gets Hers
A judge has sentenced a dog owner to 15 years to life in prison, seven years after her canines fatally mauled her neighbour in an upscale San Francisco neighbourhood.
A judge had reduced a jury's conviction of second-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter and Marjorie Knoller was sentenced in 2002 to four years in prison. But the California Supreme Court last year ordered the second-degree murder conviction reinstated.
She was sentenced on that conviction today.
Knoller's lawyers plan to appeal.
The conviction stemmed from the 2001 death of Dianne Whipple.
She was attacked by Knoller's two Presa Canarios in a hallway of their apartment building.
Each dog weighed more than 45 kilograms and inflicted at least 77 wounds.
A judge had reduced a jury's conviction of second-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter and Marjorie Knoller was sentenced in 2002 to four years in prison. But the California Supreme Court last year ordered the second-degree murder conviction reinstated.
She was sentenced on that conviction today.
Knoller's lawyers plan to appeal.
The conviction stemmed from the 2001 death of Dianne Whipple.
She was attacked by Knoller's two Presa Canarios in a hallway of their apartment building.
Each dog weighed more than 45 kilograms and inflicted at least 77 wounds.
9.21.2008
George Michael apologizes for latest drugs bust
British pop star George Michael apologized to fans on Sunday and promised to "sort himself out" after his arrest and caution by police for possession of drugs.
Michael, 45, was arrested in a public toilet in the north London suburb of Hampstead on Friday afternoon after he was found in possession of crack cocaine and cannabis, according to the Sunday People newspaper.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed the arrest of a 45-year-old man in north London and his caution for possession of class A and class C drugs.
"I want to apologize to my fans for screwing up again, and to promise them I'll sort myself out," said Michael in a statement issued through his publicist. "And to say sorry to everybody else, just for boring them."
The multi-millionaire singer has had several brushes with the law over his recreational drug use.
In 2006 he was found slumped over the wheel of his car in London and later admitted driving while unfit due to drugs. He was banned from driving for two years and sentenced to 100 hours of community service.
In an interview on BBC radio last year, Michael discussed his drug problems, saying he was aware that he smoked too much marijuana and was trying to reduce his consumption.
"In a strange way I've spent the last 15 to 20 years trying to derail my own career, but it never seems to suffer," he said.
"I suffer like crazy. I've suffered bereavements and public humiliations, but my career always seems to right itself like a plastic duck in the bath."
Michael has sold nearly 100 million records, winning a global fan base with hits such as "Careless Whisper" and "Faith." He is estimated to be worth as much as $200 million.
Earlier this year he signed up for a no-holds-barred autobiography which he intends to write entirely by himself.
Michael ended a nearly two-year world tour in August this year with two performances in London's Earls Court. He has hinted that he may not tour again.
The former lead singer with 1980s band Wham! ended years of speculation about his sexuality by announcing he was gay after he was arrested in 1998 for engaging in a "lewd act" in a Los Angeles public toilet.
Michael, 45, was arrested in a public toilet in the north London suburb of Hampstead on Friday afternoon after he was found in possession of crack cocaine and cannabis, according to the Sunday People newspaper.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed the arrest of a 45-year-old man in north London and his caution for possession of class A and class C drugs.
"I want to apologize to my fans for screwing up again, and to promise them I'll sort myself out," said Michael in a statement issued through his publicist. "And to say sorry to everybody else, just for boring them."
The multi-millionaire singer has had several brushes with the law over his recreational drug use.
In 2006 he was found slumped over the wheel of his car in London and later admitted driving while unfit due to drugs. He was banned from driving for two years and sentenced to 100 hours of community service.
In an interview on BBC radio last year, Michael discussed his drug problems, saying he was aware that he smoked too much marijuana and was trying to reduce his consumption.
"In a strange way I've spent the last 15 to 20 years trying to derail my own career, but it never seems to suffer," he said.
"I suffer like crazy. I've suffered bereavements and public humiliations, but my career always seems to right itself like a plastic duck in the bath."
Michael has sold nearly 100 million records, winning a global fan base with hits such as "Careless Whisper" and "Faith." He is estimated to be worth as much as $200 million.
Earlier this year he signed up for a no-holds-barred autobiography which he intends to write entirely by himself.
Michael ended a nearly two-year world tour in August this year with two performances in London's Earls Court. He has hinted that he may not tour again.
The former lead singer with 1980s band Wham! ended years of speculation about his sexuality by announcing he was gay after he was arrested in 1998 for engaging in a "lewd act" in a Los Angeles public toilet.
9.18.2008
Green Party Platform
Our Principles:
Our policies are based on three main principles:
1. Integrated policies: They support each other and are fiscally responsible.
2. Grassroots democracy: Citizens have the power; government exists to serve them.
3. The common good: Government must work to reduce inequality, ensure quality public services and help citizens to be empowered and engaged.
Goals for our first Green Government:
1. Measure what counts:
Along with the gross domestic product,which tracks how much money changes hands, we will measure whether that economic activity makes us healthier and better educated, and the environment cleaner.
2. Invest in Canada:
We will restore the tradition of investing in public facilities and services – the things that link us across our vast geography
3. Create healthy businesses:
To ensure strong, Canadian businesses, in addition to carboncutting
measures that will promote new industries and jobs, we will:
• Assist small businesses through Green Venture Capital Funds and tax shifting.
• Renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.
• Support the family farm. Provide GST rebates and compensation for protecting ecological services, such as wildlife habitat.
• Encourage production and consumption of Canadian agricultural products, especially organically grown.
• Harness local knowledge to protect fish stocks. Ban offshore draggers and support only sustainable aquaculture.
• Work with the forest industry to protect jobs and develop value-added products.
4. Make tax sense:
To promote what’s good, target what’s bad, and ensure we live within our means, we will:
• Bring in a $50 per tonne carbon tax and develop taxes for toxic chemicals. Use that revenue to cut payroll and income taxes, and reduce employers’ contributions to Employment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan.
• Cut corporate tax by $50 for each tonne of carbon emission reductions, to create a $100 per tonne saving when combined with avoided carbon tax.
• Return the GST to six per cent, to invest in infrastructure. Expand the exemptions
on food items, and extend them to children’s clothing and books. Provide rebates for rural Canadians.
5. Transform our climate, and economy:
In addition to the Green Tax Shift, we will:
• Cut greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050.
• Use cap and trade, with hard caps, for some large polluters.
• Expand research and development of low-carbon technologies.
• Improve energy productivity through smarter regulation of
large appliances and vehicles, and a national program to retrofit existing buildings.
• Support only bio-fuels that actually save carbon emissions
and don’t distort food supplies or prices. That means no corn- or grain-based ethanol.
• Participate constructively in global negotiations.
6. Improve health care, and health:
Tackling climate change also leads to a cleaner environment.
To reduce other threats to Canadians’ health, and improve treatment when it’s needed, we will:
• Work to reduce cigarette smoking through education and taxes.
• Limit the commercialization of genetically modified crops and impose labeling of GMO products.
• Protect our universal, single-payer public health care system and ensure it works well at disease prevention and treatment.
• Promote physical activity and healthy eating, and reduced exposure to contaminants.
• Work to develop national goals for prenatal care.
• Rebuild hospital capacity and make smarter use of it by increasing
long-term-care facilities, as well as post-surgery recuperation outside of hospital, with access to nursing.
7. Close the gap:
To ensure a thriving and secure middle class, the bulwark of a healthy democracy, and move toward equity, we will:
• Bring in income splitting and low-income support as part of our Green Tax Shift.
• Eliminate income tax for those earning $20,000 or less.
• Work toward a Guaranteed Annual Income in place of the current maze of programs.
• Ensure universal access to excellent childcare and early childhood education.
• Support parents who take time from their career for child rearing.
• Cut debt for post-secondary students through measures including a Canadian National Student Loan and Bursary Program. Forgive half the loan for students who complete degree or certificate programs.
• Expand industry-based job training and apprenticeship to reduce the shortage of trained workers.
8. Protect rights:
To create a truly equitable society we will:
• Ensure women’s rights are respected. Enforce pay equity.
• Honour the Kelowna Accord and resolve land claims in ways that do not extinguish aboriginal title.
• Expand the rights of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transsexual Canadians.
• Enhance support for disabled people.
• Ease the income support
levels required for family sponsorship.
9. Work for peace:
To make the world a better, safer place, we will:
• Meet the United Nations’ target that 0.7 per cent of Canada’s GDP go to Overseas Development Assistance.
• Address the crises of HIV-AIDs, the Darfur tragedy and impacts of climate change in Africa.
• Restore Canada’s peacekeeping role and help to build a permanent UN force to
respond to conflicts and climate disasters.
• In Afghanistan, shift from the NATO mission to one led by the UN.
• Press for nuclear disarmament and declare Canada a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone.
Our policies are based on three main principles:
1. Integrated policies: They support each other and are fiscally responsible.
2. Grassroots democracy: Citizens have the power; government exists to serve them.
3. The common good: Government must work to reduce inequality, ensure quality public services and help citizens to be empowered and engaged.
Goals for our first Green Government:
1. Measure what counts:
Along with the gross domestic product,which tracks how much money changes hands, we will measure whether that economic activity makes us healthier and better educated, and the environment cleaner.
2. Invest in Canada:
We will restore the tradition of investing in public facilities and services – the things that link us across our vast geography
3. Create healthy businesses:
To ensure strong, Canadian businesses, in addition to carboncutting
measures that will promote new industries and jobs, we will:
• Assist small businesses through Green Venture Capital Funds and tax shifting.
• Renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.
• Support the family farm. Provide GST rebates and compensation for protecting ecological services, such as wildlife habitat.
• Encourage production and consumption of Canadian agricultural products, especially organically grown.
• Harness local knowledge to protect fish stocks. Ban offshore draggers and support only sustainable aquaculture.
• Work with the forest industry to protect jobs and develop value-added products.
4. Make tax sense:
To promote what’s good, target what’s bad, and ensure we live within our means, we will:
• Bring in a $50 per tonne carbon tax and develop taxes for toxic chemicals. Use that revenue to cut payroll and income taxes, and reduce employers’ contributions to Employment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan.
• Cut corporate tax by $50 for each tonne of carbon emission reductions, to create a $100 per tonne saving when combined with avoided carbon tax.
• Return the GST to six per cent, to invest in infrastructure. Expand the exemptions
on food items, and extend them to children’s clothing and books. Provide rebates for rural Canadians.
5. Transform our climate, and economy:
In addition to the Green Tax Shift, we will:
• Cut greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050.
• Use cap and trade, with hard caps, for some large polluters.
• Expand research and development of low-carbon technologies.
• Improve energy productivity through smarter regulation of
large appliances and vehicles, and a national program to retrofit existing buildings.
• Support only bio-fuels that actually save carbon emissions
and don’t distort food supplies or prices. That means no corn- or grain-based ethanol.
• Participate constructively in global negotiations.
6. Improve health care, and health:
Tackling climate change also leads to a cleaner environment.
To reduce other threats to Canadians’ health, and improve treatment when it’s needed, we will:
• Work to reduce cigarette smoking through education and taxes.
• Limit the commercialization of genetically modified crops and impose labeling of GMO products.
• Protect our universal, single-payer public health care system and ensure it works well at disease prevention and treatment.
• Promote physical activity and healthy eating, and reduced exposure to contaminants.
• Work to develop national goals for prenatal care.
• Rebuild hospital capacity and make smarter use of it by increasing
long-term-care facilities, as well as post-surgery recuperation outside of hospital, with access to nursing.
7. Close the gap:
To ensure a thriving and secure middle class, the bulwark of a healthy democracy, and move toward equity, we will:
• Bring in income splitting and low-income support as part of our Green Tax Shift.
• Eliminate income tax for those earning $20,000 or less.
• Work toward a Guaranteed Annual Income in place of the current maze of programs.
• Ensure universal access to excellent childcare and early childhood education.
• Support parents who take time from their career for child rearing.
• Cut debt for post-secondary students through measures including a Canadian National Student Loan and Bursary Program. Forgive half the loan for students who complete degree or certificate programs.
• Expand industry-based job training and apprenticeship to reduce the shortage of trained workers.
8. Protect rights:
To create a truly equitable society we will:
• Ensure women’s rights are respected. Enforce pay equity.
• Honour the Kelowna Accord and resolve land claims in ways that do not extinguish aboriginal title.
• Expand the rights of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transsexual Canadians.
• Enhance support for disabled people.
• Ease the income support
levels required for family sponsorship.
9. Work for peace:
To make the world a better, safer place, we will:
• Meet the United Nations’ target that 0.7 per cent of Canada’s GDP go to Overseas Development Assistance.
• Address the crises of HIV-AIDs, the Darfur tragedy and impacts of climate change in Africa.
• Restore Canada’s peacekeeping role and help to build a permanent UN force to
respond to conflicts and climate disasters.
• In Afghanistan, shift from the NATO mission to one led by the UN.
• Press for nuclear disarmament and declare Canada a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone.
Canada Green Party leader sorry for not smoking pot
Canada's Green Party leader Elizabeth May apologized on Wednesday for never having smoked marijuana, as she unveiled her election plank, which touts legalizing and taxing pot.
"I am not a fan of marijuana use," May told reporters at a campaign stop in Halifax, televised nationally. "I've never used marijuana. I apologize."
The Green Party in its policy document said decades-old marijuana prohibition "has utterly failed and has not led to reduced drug use in Canada."
Rather, prohibition has led to costly policing to combat its distribution, "criminalizing youth and fostering organized crime," it argues.
Going further than former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien's 2002 pledge to decriminalize marijuana that was twice foiled by US protests, the Green Party says it supports cannabis sales to adults through licensed distributors.
As well, the party would like to see "small, independent growers" thrive, and the government taxing the weed at the same rate as tobacco, generating an estimated one billion dollars Canadian (931 million US) annually.
"I am not a fan of marijuana use," May told reporters at a campaign stop in Halifax, televised nationally. "I've never used marijuana. I apologize."
The Green Party in its policy document said decades-old marijuana prohibition "has utterly failed and has not led to reduced drug use in Canada."
Rather, prohibition has led to costly policing to combat its distribution, "criminalizing youth and fostering organized crime," it argues.
Going further than former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien's 2002 pledge to decriminalize marijuana that was twice foiled by US protests, the Green Party says it supports cannabis sales to adults through licensed distributors.
As well, the party would like to see "small, independent growers" thrive, and the government taxing the weed at the same rate as tobacco, generating an estimated one billion dollars Canadian (931 million US) annually.
9.15.2008
Anglican church should apologize to Darwin.
It seems the Church of England owes Charles Darwin an apology.
At least that's the opinion of Rev. Malcolm Brown, head of the church's public affairs department. In a statement Monday, Brown faulted the church for initially misunderstanding Darwin's theory of evolution.
He says that initial failing has caused some people to continue to misunderstand Darwin to this day. Full Story
Why is it that the Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church, as well as many others, to be sure, have such a difficult time actually apologizing for their mistakes and criminal activity? They all preach to us that we should forgive and Jesus forgives everyone and that sort of nonsense.... one more example of Christian hypocrosy in my opinion.
At least that's the opinion of Rev. Malcolm Brown, head of the church's public affairs department. In a statement Monday, Brown faulted the church for initially misunderstanding Darwin's theory of evolution.
He says that initial failing has caused some people to continue to misunderstand Darwin to this day. Full Story
Why is it that the Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church, as well as many others, to be sure, have such a difficult time actually apologizing for their mistakes and criminal activity? They all preach to us that we should forgive and Jesus forgives everyone and that sort of nonsense.... one more example of Christian hypocrosy in my opinion.
9.13.2008
Ironic Stabbing on College St.
This bit of local news from CTV Toronto.
Quick-acting patrons of a College Street pub intervened to keep a stabbing incident from getting even worse.
The Friday night incident occurred outside the Cloak and Dagger pub at 394 College St., slightly east of Bathurst Street.
Channel Tunnel Fire
Almost a half-mile stretch of the Channel Tunnel has been severely damaged by a fire which raged for 17 hours.
The blaze, which was finally put out today, left all Shuttle and Eurostar train services suspended until further notice. At least 15,000 people have been affected while the cost is likely to run to hundreds of millions of pounds.
A spokesman for the Pas de Calais fire brigade today gave the first indications of the full extent of the blaze, finally extinguished at 9.30am. "There's serious damage in the north tunnel. Around 700 metres are affected," said the spokesman, adding that at one stage 26 carriages on a single freight train had gone up in flames.
Full story
The blaze, which was finally put out today, left all Shuttle and Eurostar train services suspended until further notice. At least 15,000 people have been affected while the cost is likely to run to hundreds of millions of pounds.
A spokesman for the Pas de Calais fire brigade today gave the first indications of the full extent of the blaze, finally extinguished at 9.30am. "There's serious damage in the north tunnel. Around 700 metres are affected," said the spokesman, adding that at one stage 26 carriages on a single freight train had gone up in flames.
Full story
9.12.2008
9.11.2008
Elizabeth May to be included in televised debate
Here is the letter from the Green Party leader:
Dear Green Party Supporter,
I am writing to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for supporting my campaign to be included in the televised leaders' debates.
Because of you and countless thousands like you who donated money and deluged the airwaves, the Internet, newspaper letters columns and politicians' inboxes with a national outpouring of outrage, the broadcasters have now reversed their decision to exclude the Green Party.
I am both humbled and inspired by what I have witnessed in the past few days – the exhilarating spectacle of Canadians rising up to protest a blatant injustice.
Your victory isn't just a victory for the Green Party, it's a victory for democracy and for the fundamental Canadian values of equality and fairness.
Thank you again for standing up for democracy.
I am writing to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for supporting my campaign to be included in the televised leaders' debates.
Because of you and countless thousands like you who donated money and deluged the airwaves, the Internet, newspaper letters columns and politicians' inboxes with a national outpouring of outrage, the broadcasters have now reversed their decision to exclude the Green Party.
I am both humbled and inspired by what I have witnessed in the past few days – the exhilarating spectacle of Canadians rising up to protest a blatant injustice.
Your victory isn't just a victory for the Green Party, it's a victory for democracy and for the fundamental Canadian values of equality and fairness.
Thank you again for standing up for democracy.
9.10.2008
This isn't over!
The decision to exclude Green Party leader Elizabeth May from the televised leaders' debates must not stand.
This isn't just about Elizabeth and the Green Party any more. This is an all-out assault on one of the pillars of our democracy -- the people's right to know.
Therefore, we are instituting legal action to find out, once and for all, whether Canada is the kind of country where a group of television executives meeting in private can agree to let Stephen Harper and his old ally Jack Layton decide which political views are allowed on the public air waves – our air waves.
We already know that millions of Canadians share our deep sense of outrage at this undemocratic, unfair and, yes, un-Canadian decision and we are going to court to make sure that their voices are heard.
Don't let the Old Boys' Club tell you what you are allowed to see, what you are allowed to think. Help us to fight this abomination and stand up for fairness and democracy.
Contribute to our Democracy Defenders Fund. Send $10, $20 or whatever you can afford and we'll spend the money on the legal bills we will incur to mount our court challenge.
It's a small price to pay for democracy.
The Green Party of Canada Team
9.09.2008
A letter from the Green Party
Letter to Green Party Friends and Supporters,
Today's decision by the broadcasting consortium is an inexcusable mistake and a slap in the face to all those who care about democracy and freedom of speech in this country. They have bowed to crass partisan politics from three other federal parties. Elizabeth May deserves to be in the included in the nationally-televised leaders' debates. She has jumped through every hoop that has barred her way and she still is being kept from presenting the Green platform to a national audience by the Conservatives, NDP and Bloc.
The Green party is a truly national party that has run candidates across the country for the past two elections. We have a sitting MP. We had the support of nearly 700,000 Canadians in the last elections and are polling at over one million votes in this election. There is no logical reason why Elizabeth May and the Green Party should be kept out of this important national forum.
No other party has been as successful as the Green Party and still be blocked from public national debates. In 1993 the Reform and Bloc Parties were included in the debates with only one MP and no official party status. Neither ran candidates across the country. There is no precedent for this private decision to exclude the Green party from the leader's public debate. In fact, all the precedents support our inclusion in this public forum. . Partisan politics has kept her out, this is an insult to the Green party and called the fairness of the election into question.
It is so important for Elizabeth May to be present at the debates. The majority of Canadians make their voting decisions based on them. The Green party needs your help to remedy this situation. We need you to write, call and contact the Broadcasting Consortium and tell them they are wrong. Tell them that Canadians deserve to hear the voices of all national leaders.
Most importantly, you should phone, fax or email the party leaders who kept Elizabeth May out of the debate. Make them accountable for this outrageous, antidemocratic act.
Stephen Harper: Conservative Party of Canada
Election Headquarters
#1204 - 130 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5G4
Toll free: (866) 808-8407
Phone: (613) 755-2000
Fax at: (613) 755-2001
Email: pm@pm.gc.ca
Jack Layton: Canada's NDP
300 - 279 Laurier West
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5J9
Phone: 613-236-3613
Toll Free: 1-866-525-2555
Fax: 613-230-9950
TTY: 1-866-776-7742
Email: Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
Gilles Duceppe: Bloc Québécois
3730, boul. Crémazie Est
Montréal (Québec) H2A 1B4
Téléphone : 514 526-3000
Télécopieur : 514 526-2868
Email : Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca
Today's decision by the broadcasting consortium is an inexcusable mistake and a slap in the face to all those who care about democracy and freedom of speech in this country. They have bowed to crass partisan politics from three other federal parties. Elizabeth May deserves to be in the included in the nationally-televised leaders' debates. She has jumped through every hoop that has barred her way and she still is being kept from presenting the Green platform to a national audience by the Conservatives, NDP and Bloc.
The Green party is a truly national party that has run candidates across the country for the past two elections. We have a sitting MP. We had the support of nearly 700,000 Canadians in the last elections and are polling at over one million votes in this election. There is no logical reason why Elizabeth May and the Green Party should be kept out of this important national forum.
No other party has been as successful as the Green Party and still be blocked from public national debates. In 1993 the Reform and Bloc Parties were included in the debates with only one MP and no official party status. Neither ran candidates across the country. There is no precedent for this private decision to exclude the Green party from the leader's public debate. In fact, all the precedents support our inclusion in this public forum. . Partisan politics has kept her out, this is an insult to the Green party and called the fairness of the election into question.
It is so important for Elizabeth May to be present at the debates. The majority of Canadians make their voting decisions based on them. The Green party needs your help to remedy this situation. We need you to write, call and contact the Broadcasting Consortium and tell them they are wrong. Tell them that Canadians deserve to hear the voices of all national leaders.
Most importantly, you should phone, fax or email the party leaders who kept Elizabeth May out of the debate. Make them accountable for this outrageous, antidemocratic act.
Stephen Harper: Conservative Party of Canada
Election Headquarters
#1204 - 130 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5G4
Toll free: (866) 808-8407
Phone: (613) 755-2000
Fax at: (613) 755-2001
Email: pm@pm.gc.ca
Jack Layton: Canada's NDP
300 - 279 Laurier West
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5J9
Phone: 613-236-3613
Toll Free: 1-866-525-2555
Fax: 613-230-9950
TTY: 1-866-776-7742
Email: Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
Gilles Duceppe: Bloc Québécois
3730, boul. Crémazie Est
Montréal (Québec) H2A 1B4
Téléphone : 514 526-3000
Télécopieur : 514 526-2868
Email : Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca
9.08.2008
Film Festival Pigeons
These pigeons were getting in on the Toronto International Film Festival action at Sasafrass in Yorkville on Saturday afternoon.
Allegedly unbiased TV networks bow to political pressure.
Canada's broadcast networks have denied Green party Leader Elizabeth May a chance to debate the other party leaders on television.
In a just-announced decision, network officials said that one or more of the other party leaders would refuse to participate in the debates on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 if May took part.
CTV.ca News Team: newsonline@ctv.ca CTV News/Newsnet: news@ctv.ca
In a just-announced decision, network officials said that one or more of the other party leaders would refuse to participate in the debates on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 if May took part.
Please sign the petition and demand that the Green Party be included in debates. Further, please contact the networks, I've posted their contact information below:
CTV Television Network
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9, Station 'O,' Scarborough
Ontario, Canada M4A2M9
Courier Address:
9 Channel Nine Court,
Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1S4B5
Telephone: (416) 332-5000
TTY/TDD: 1-800-461-1542
CBC
Mail: Audience Relations, CBC, P.O. Box 500 Station A, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5W 1E6
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9.04.2008
Fab Magazine Cover
Poor Celine. Okay, okay..... La Grande Fromage, but I LOVE HER anyway! Click the title to go to fab magazine's site and read the article.
9.03.2008
9.01.2008
Slice of Charles and Diana's wedding cake sold for £1200
LONDON (AFP) - A 27-year-old slice of wedding cake made for Prince Charles and Diana has sold for 1200 pounds at an auction, it was reported Thursday.
The marzipan and icing, which came from one of the 22 cakes made for the wedding in 1981, was bought by an anonymous bidder at an auction in South Cerney, Gloucestershire.
The slice was preserved in clingfilm by Moyra Smith, who was a member of the Queen Mother's household at the time.
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