Oh wait. We can't can we? Harper has shut everything down. However, I think we are entering a crisis zone here, because this government is out of control.In an attempt to change the narrative from war crimes and the lobbying scandal, they have actually posted on the Justice Department website that they are only able to get their damn un-Canadian crime bills passed by stacking the senate.
This is an official GOVERNMENT website. OUR website. It is not for partisan propaganda. I think the Governor general needs to step in here.
Here are some facts:
1. Most of these bills were sabotaged by Harper himself.
2. Canada's crime rate is the lowest it's been in 30 years. We did not need these bills in the first place.
3. They were presented to the senate without costing. When they asked for a dollar figure they were told by the Conservatives that it was a cabinet secret. I understand that Kevin Page, our parliamentary budget office, is currently attaching a price tag that is believed to be in the billions.
This is from the website and if there are any constitutional lawyers out there, I hope someone comes forward. I have never seen anything like this in my life.
NEW SENATORS TO HELP END OPPOSITION OBSTRUCTION OF LAW-AND-ORDER BILLS
OTTAWA, January 29, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, today celebrated the appointment of five new members of the Senate of Canada. They were joined by two of the five: Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu and Senator Bob Runciman.
“Moments ago it was announced that the Prime Minister has appointed five outstanding Canadians to fill vacancies in the Senate,” said Minister Nicholson.“The Prime Minister’s action has not only brought additional talent and expertise to the Senate; it has greatly strengthened our efforts to move forward on our tackling-crime agenda.”
The opposition has obstructed that agenda in the Senate, most notably by gutting Bill C-15 – a bill proposing mandatory jail time for serious drug offences, and a key part of the government’s efforts to fight organized crime ....
VIDEO: The so-called "gutting" of Bill C-15 by Liberal Senators
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfc0YtUZuYk
Description:
Clause 3 of Bill C-15 being amended during the Dec. 3, 2009 Senate Committee meeting (clause by clause examination of the bill).
***This video contains evidence that debunks the Conservative claim of Liberal Senators "gutting" Bill C-15. In fact, the two Conservative Senators who had questions about the amendment (Sen. Carignan and Sen. Wallace) seem to have difficulty containing their giddiness over an amendment they both interpreted as making the bill "stronger"! Not exactly the reaction you'd expect over an amendment that supposedly "gutted" the bill.
*Don't believe the spin!...
---
Department of Justice press release (Jan. 29, 2010):
"The opposition has obstructed that agenda in the Senate, most notably by gutting Bill C-15 a bill proposing mandatory jail time for serious drug offences, and a key part of the governments efforts to fight organized crime."
http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/nr-cp/2010/doc_32473.html
---
Read the full transcript of this committee meeting for yourself:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/40/2/parlbus/commbus/senate/Com-e/lega-e/47574-e.htm?Language=E&Parl=40&Ses=2&comm_id=11
-FrankD
Thank you Frank. This whole thing was just another attempt to justify prorogation, by saying they couldn't get their bills passed. It's nonsense.
ReplyDeleteBesides people are overlooking the fact that the so-called 'Tory' monopoly of the senate is not exactly true. I believe there are two or three PC senators who don't necessarily support the neoconservative agenda.
I have a video somewhere here I'll have to dig up but when NDP Stouffer, I believe, was condemning the expenses of senators, Mike Duffy came on and disputed one of the names; stating that they were PC and on not in his caucus.
So the senate may still be controlled by progressive thinkers, not right-wing ideologues
The much maligned Liberal Senators were the only ones concerned about the disastrous effects Bill C-15, if passed, will have on Canadian society.
ReplyDeleteShame on any Senator who supported this bill, even after hearing so many expert witnesses warn the bill is a step in the wrong direction.
Politics over intelligent decisions. Very sad for Canadians.
-FrankD
I was planning on putting something together on Bill C-15, because I've heard and seen a lot of discussion on the subject.
ReplyDelete> I was planning on putting something
ReplyDelete> together on Bill C-15
Hi Emily,
That's sounds great!
The Cons will be trying to rush the next incarnation of this bill through quickly, so the more people that learn about it before the prorogue ends the better.
Here are some C-15 resources:
INFO
http://www.cannabisfacts.ca/mandatoryminimums.html
VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/user/CannabisFactsForCdns
TRANSCRIPTS
http://www.cannabisfacts.ca/SenateCtteeMtgs_BillC-15.html
- FrankD