Is Jay Hill Leaving Because of the "excessive control" of Stephen Harper?

This really comes as no surprise, but according to the Hill Times, Jay Hill is resigning because he was tired of being muzzled and having absolutely no power.

Conservative MP Jay Hill was frustrated with the "excessive control" put upon him by the Prime Minister's Office in his government house leader job, before being shuffled out earlier this month, say opposition MPs who worked closely with him. Prime Minister Stephen Harper replaced him with John Baird to toe a more aggressive PMO-friendly line, they say.

AKA: A "yes" man.

Mr. Hill announced in late July that he wouldn't seek reelection, prompting Mr. Harper to shuffle him Aug. 6 out of the government house leader job he's held the last two years.

"He knew how to manoeuvre the rules. But I knew he was frustrated by the control that was being exercised by the Prime Minister's Office. It was excessive control by the PMO in comparison with what we saw with the Liberals," NDP Deputy House Leader Joe Comartin (Windsor-Tecumseth, Ont.) said last week. Mr. Comartin said he thought Mr. Hill did a "pretty decent job" as house leader and his integrity "is really beyond reproach."

But, he said, "There were times when Jay would indicate [that] this is what he wanted to do, whether it was on a bill or a motion or a strategy, and at a subsequent meeting he would have to back off that," said Mr. Comartin. "It was clear that he had gotten different instructions from the PMO, which he didn't agree with, but would follow through and carry them out.

Bob Dechert Calls Chuck Strahl a "Rube Who Just Fell Off the Turnip Truck"

Bob Dechert has been a longtime neoconservative, with a social conservative leaning.

As former National Director of the Canadian Alliance Party, he played an integral role in the merger of the Alliance and Reform Parties, which saw Stockwell Day emerge as the leader.

As a longtime Day supporter, he also stood with him during the mutiny, that eventually resulted in Day being forced to step down.

*When National Alliance member Rick Anderson was fed up with Stockwell Days's incompetence, he spoke out publicly against him. This prompted Dechert to present a motion to throw Anderson out. It was passed by a vote of 21-18.

Chuck Strahl was one of those to leave the party, as a result, prompting Dechert to call him a "Rube" who "had just fell off the turnip truck".

(I made that my heading because it challenges the ten percenters that the Reformers are currently distributing, that suggest there are tensions in the Liberal Party because of comments made by Justin Trudeau against Michael Ignatieff during the leadership convention four years ago.)

*Then later when others realized that Day was a fruitcake, and there was a more concerted effort to have him resign, Dechert was one of only two members, to vote against it. He would later send out an email to the dissidents claiming that "The result of your unfortunate and ill-advised public mutiny may very well be the loss of all the principles of the Canadian Alliance which you profess to hold so dear...."

In 2002, when it looked like a leadership race was on the horizon, Stephen Harper was prompted to take a leave of absence from the National Citizens Coalition (lasted four years), and run for the party. He was challenged by several other Reformers, including Jay Hill. Bob Dechert supported Hill because he was afraid that the social conservative goals would be abandoned with Harper.

He needn't have feared. With Stephen Harper it's all about power, so he'll agree to anything, to hold onto that.

IS THIS REALLY YOUR CANADA? IS BOB DECHERT REALLY THE BEST CHOICE FOR MISSISSAUGA-ERINDALE?

* Requiem for a lightweight: Stockwell Day and the Image of Politics, Trevor Harrison, Black Rose Books, 2002, ISBN: 1-55164-206-9

John Baird to Auction Off Accountability Act on Ebay

Here's your chance to own a piece of history. A never used accountability act, just like new and still in it's original folder.

So place your bid now, before it's too late!

This message is brought to you by the Conservative Party of Canada.

Not that any of us are really surprised, but John Baird has once again proven that his so-called accountability act is a farce.

The Conservatives are constantly moving their staff into lobbying positions and then allowing them to represent special interests with the minister they had just worked for.

The unearthing of this latest scheme was revealed to me when I was researching a different government corruption story: the Maxime Bernier and Julie Couillard story, but tied in with yet another government corruption story: coal companies and Ridley Terminals.

I wish the Conservatives would just spend a couple of days trying to be honest and above board. I'm getting dizzy.

How the story has unfolded so far:

1. 2005 and the government plans to sell the crown corporation, Ridley Terminals Inc., because it is a money pit.

2. 2006 election campaign, Stephen Harper is lobbied by coal industry to retain government subsidies to the terminals. (Most represent American firms)

3. Harper wins election and appoints Dan Veniez to selvage RTI

4. Mr. Veniez is successful, but tells Harper that RTI should be sold since it will require hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade. He even has a buyer.

5. Professional media blitz spear headed by quasi grassroots group.

6. Rob Merrifield and Jay Hill cozy up to coal industry and snub the Canadian taxpayer.

7. Merrifield fires Dan Veniez.

However, so far, that is only part of the story. On June 29, 2009; John Baird announced (right after the firing of Dan Veniez); "... the appointment of Mr. Stuart Douglas Boland (Bud) Smith as Interim Chairperson of the Ridley Terminals Inc. (RTI) Board of Directors."

Mr Boland's name came up in another story I was covering Harper ramps up patronage posts in British Columbia (the story included the fact that Julie Couillard's mother was given a patronage appointment): Stuart Douglas Boland (Bud) Smith, the former Social Credit minister who had close ties to the federal party, was appointed director of the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

And again in Dan Vaniez's letter to Rob Merrifield, where he exposed the government corruption in the mishandling of Ripley Terminals. Apparently the Prince Rupert Port Authority, who lease the property to Ridley, was going to raise the rent in a further attempt to squeeze out and discredit Mr. Vaniez: "The economics of PRPA's proposed rent did not meet the basic test of common sense. Moreover, the proposed lease did not include an option for land that's required to eventually expand RTI. That option is fundamentally critical to RTI's future. We could not accept such a proposal."

Another important argument brought up by Mr. Veniez was:

The Financial Administration Act makes clear that a Crown Corporation operates at arm's length from the government, and Cabinet appoints a board to ensure that the interests of taxpayers are safeguarded.

That arrangement should protect ministers and allow boards to act in the best interests of the enterprise, and thereby the taxpayer.

When special interest groups find advocates in ministers, and when those ministers do not hesitate to intervene on behalf of the special interests, accountability breaks down and Crown performance suffers.

Our mandate as cabinet appointed trustees of a public asset is to secure, protect, and enhance it for all Canadian taxpayers, not the interests of lobby groups aggressively promoting special dispensation.

Since when has something so trivial as the law stopped John Baird? Once again he stuck his nose in and stuck it deep.

Breaking the rules of his own accountability act, he removes Erin Wall, assistant to Brian Jean, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. (aka John Baird) and sends her to work for Global Public Affairs. Ms Wall is then registered as a lobbyist for the Houston based International Commodity Export Corporation, the largest beneficiary of government subsidies to the terminals. You will notice here that her appointment took place on June 19, 2009; just before the firing of Dan Veniez, and on the same day that ICEC underwent a name change to give it the appearance of a Canadian company.

This government is transparent, but accountable? Not by a long shot.

'Oh, what a Tangled Web I Weave, and in Patronage I do Believe'

As so often happens, when I'm investigating one Conservative scandal, I'm led to several more, and in the case of Julie Couillard and Maxime Bernier, it's absolutely endless.

The maze created by this government to conceal mass corruption should go into the Guinness Book of World Records, because it's absolutely mind boggling.

Or maybe it's more biblical, with this begetting this and that beginning that.

What led me down this path in the maze, however, was a little blurb I read concerning Julie Coillard's mother. Julie of course was Maxime Bernier's ex-girlfriend.

By the time I ran the entire lane, the story connected to Jay Hill, Rob Merrifield, Stephen Harper, John Baird, Peter Van Loan, Michael Fortier, and countless others.


The note I found that again piqued my curiosity was "Cote would also play a key role in hiring Diane Bellemare, Julie Couillard’s mother,`as president of the Employment Insurance Board of Referees. " Cote was an aide to former head of public works, the unelected Michael Fortier.

That note led me to this story:

Checks into Bernier, Couillard raised no concerns, MPs hear
Meagan Fitzpatrick,
Canwest News Service
June 17, 2008

OTTAWA -- A background check was done on former foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier as recently as April and no concerns were raised about him or his relationship with his ex-girlfriend Julie Couillard, the prime minister's national security adviser told a Commons committee Tuesday.

A background check is done to ensure there are no criminal, security or other concerns, Bloodworth said, and involves a criminal record check by the RCMP and a security assessment by CSIS.

Bloodworth told the committee she has read about the allegations about Couillard's background in the media, including her former relationships with men tied to biker gangs and the Mafia, and doesn't know them to be fact.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is conducting a review of the security breach, but some opposition MPs want a full public inquiry, especially as more details continue to come to light about Couillard's background.

Earlier in the day, under questioning about the Bernier affair in the House of Commons, government House leader Peter Van Loan confirmed that Couillard's mother, Diane Bellemare, received a federal appointment last August to the employment insurance boards of referees and he defended her credentials.

"She, of course, was found acceptable by the Human Resources public servants who examined her, and spoke to her about her background and understanding of the employment insurance system, her understanding of the geographic area of Saint-Jerome and on that basis her appointment was recommended and ultimately made," Van Loan said.

But opposition MPs say it raises questions that Bernier's then-girlfriend's mother would be recommended for a political appointment.

And this one:

Federal officials confirmed last night that Ms. Couillard's mother, Diane Bellemare, obtained a federal appointment last August to be a member of the Employment Insurance Boards of Referees, officials said last night. The three-year position was approved through an order-in-council and was made on the recommendation of Human Resources Minister Monte Solberg.

And also this one:

Couillard's mother hired by government

Meanwhile, it was revealed that Couillard's mother, a hospital fundraiser, was herself subjected to a background check when she was appointed to a federal employment insurance tribunal. Diane Bellemare got the job — which the opposition claims could pay up to $50,000 a year — while her daughter was dating Bernier.

During Tuesday's question period, government House leader Peter Van Loan defended the hiring of Bellemare, saying she passed "rigorous" security checks and was more than qualified for the position. .. Van Loan did not answer repeated opposition questions about whether Bernier had recommended Bellemare for the post or been present when cabinet approved the appointment.

However, I hadn't expected it to lead me to this one, which is much more damaging:

Harper ramps up patronage posts in British Columbia
Peter O'Neil,
Vancouver Sun
May 22, 2007

Nobody should be denied an appointment because of political affiliation, nor should they have an inside track."

Strahl said Merry Hallsor, from a longtime Conservative family, is qualified to serve as a member of the board of referees under the Employment Insurance Act because she served on that body when Brian Mulroney was prime minister. Hallsor lost her job when the Liberals won power in 1993.

"She spent time on the board, so I don't think anybody would deny she is experienced, she has the qualifications and she's fit for the job." (Unlike Couillard`s mom whose qualifications are sketchy)

Hugh Gaffney of Surrey, who was named last month to the board of referees under the Employment Insurance Act, said his appointment isn't related to his wife's work as a Conservative riding association executive member and supporter -- in frequent letters to the editor -- of Tory MP Russ Hiebert (South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale).

"I certainly hope not," he said.

AMONG THE APRIL APPOINTEES:
- Marilin Loveless of Victoria, a member of the Canadian Alliance national council overseeing the 2004 merger with the old Progressive Conservative party, was named a member of the National Seniors Council. Remuneration: Not available.

- Harvey Merrill Grigg of Coquitlam, who came in third for the Tories in the 2004 election in Vancouver East, was named a member of the Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal. Remuneration: $350 a day plus expenses.

- Jessica Anne Bergen of Prince George, a former party member who wrote a long letter in a local newspaper in 2003 attacking new Liberal leader Paul Martin and defending the Canadian Alliance, was appointed as a member of the board of referees under the Employment Insurance Act. Hallsor and Gaffney were also appointed to the same body. Remuneration: $400 a day plus expenses.

- Sharon Hayes, Reform MP for Port Moody-Coquitlam from 1993 to 1997 and later a director of the social conservative group Focus on the Family Canada, also got a spot on the EI board. (Maurice Vellacott high ranking member of focus on family)

- Eric Sykes of Richmond, a former campaign organizer for veteran MP John Cummins, was named to the Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal.

- Stuart Douglas Boland (Bud) Smith, the former Social Credit minister who had close ties to the federal party, was appointed director of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. Remuneration: Not available.

Other notable appointments before April:

- C. Tung Chan of Richmond, a prominent Chinese-Canadian community leader and the former vice-president of the Richmond Progressive Conservative riding association, was named last November to the board of the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada.

- Heather Jane Chutter of Vancouver, a former member of the Vancouver Quadra riding association board, was appointed in November to the EI referees board. She is the ex-wife of Geoff Chutter, a Tory activist who ran unsuccessfully in Quadra in 1993 and 1997 for the old Progressive Conservative party.

It was the appointment of Stuart Douglas Boland (Bud) Smith, that connected to Rob Merrifield, Jay Hill and John Baird. I haven`t travelled down the others yet, but will when I'm feeling stronger. Right now I've got a headache.

Grassroots Group Short on Grass Long on Roots to Coal-Industry

As the debate heats up over whether or not to sell Ridley Terminals in B.C., a well organized protest group has emerged, that as Terrence Corcoran of the National Post points out, is a little too well organized.

Their campaign to keep the facility public has more to do with helping the coal-industry, and less to do with helping the grassroots, who will be paying for it.

Mr. Corcoran believes that they are being financed by the coal-lobby, who play a large role in the political debate, with all levels of government, especially the federal Conservatives.

Two prominent cabinet ministers have weighed in, Jay Hill and Rob Merrifield, each with a personal agenda. You can also be sure that Stephen Harper is listening ...to them ... not us. I(Jay Hill was one of the Tory MPs complicit in the 'In and Out' scandal and has recently turned his back on the forestry workers)

Following are stories from both side of the debate.

PRIVATIZATION IDEA RECEIVES A RESOUNDING ‘NO!'
Podunk Below the Masthead,
June 2, 2009

The ongoing war of words over I who should own Ridley Terminals Inc. continued Tuesday, as a band of municipal brothers and sisters joined together to voice their strong opposition to privatization of the coal terminal.

A group of 49 elected officials from Haida Gwaii to Mackenzie have said that any move to privatize Ridley Terminals would be disastrous for the coal mining industry and that the Prince Rupert Port Authority, under current President and CEO Don Krusel, would be best placed to take over.

Vice President of Communications, Barry Bartlett, said that as far as he was concerned, nothing has changed from the PRPA's point-of-view."The relationship between the Prince Rupert Port Authority and Ridley Terminals is strictly a commercial landlord-tenant relationship. Any references that the PRPA have made about RTl in discussions with the Federal Government have been in this context,' said Bartlett.

It is inappropriate for the PRPA to publicly comment on Ridley Terminals. Any questions should be directed to Transport Canada. Brad McNulty, a Transport Canada representative, added that no decision had been made as of yet by Conservative Minister John Baird and that the day-to day running of the port remains the responsibility of RTI management.

Dan Veniez, Chairman of Ridley Terminal Inc., floated the privatization balloon out last week when he gave possible scenarios for the future of RTI. Federal MPs Jay Hill and Nathan Cullen attempted to shoot that balloon down last week, speaking against the idea.

And now municipal leaders are taking their turn. Many elected representatives in town and across Highway 16, who are talking about the Port Authority's ability to run RTI, have taken up the issue on their own."The issue is very prevalent right now because Dan Veniez, who is a federal government appointment [to the board of directors) has advocated that it be sold to private holdings," said opposition signatory, Prince Rupert Mayor Jack Mussallem, whose has been joined by the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District Director, Des Nobels, and by all of district council in Port Edward.

"Everybody within the coal-catchments area, thinks there is a concern that if it goes to a private company, there could be a monopoly situation (not true. they have competition) and that some would be allowed to ship and some would not," added Mussallem.

When asked why he thought that way, the city's top official said that many coal concerns had contacted him about their thoughts on privatization.

But the question to be asked and answered is why would the PRPA be suited to take over RidleyTerminals? As a port it works as a landlord with tenants such as Fairview Terminals (Maher) Prince Rupert Grain and RTI all paying for use of the site.

According to Veniez, privatization should be considered for RTI because the PRPA would like to take the company over so that it has more leverage to borrow capital from private lending markets.

He cites a report from back in October 2006 which points to comments made by CEO Don Krusel at a House of Commons Finance Committee meeting,"There is a crown corporation in Prince Rupert called Ridley Terminals, Inc. It's a coal shipping facility owned by the federal government. We would like to see that amalgamated with the operations of the Port of Prince Rupert. It would provide the Port of Prince Rupert with funds that could be directed to this Pacific Gateway strategy initiative. It would also provide the Port of Prince Rupert with the leverage to borrow even more money in the public sector so we can fulfill this initiative." (and yet they said "it is inappropriate for the PRPA to publicly comment on Ridley Terminals")

Krusel expressed this interest in taking over RTI as one of three possible scenarios to expand its borrowing base at that time.

Bartlett would only say that the PRPXs mandate is to facilitate and expand the movement of cargo and passengers through the Port of Prince Rupert.

"Our mission is to develop and grow the Port of Prince Rupert in an aggressive, economical, safe and environmentally sound manner. The PRPA is responsible for the overall planning, development, marketing and management of the commercial port assets within the Prince Rupert Harbour.

This includes ensuring competitive, efficient and timely responses to customers' needs and business opportunities," said Bartlett.

However, if taking on Ridley Terminal is what Krusel does want to do, he has his supporters. According to Association of Mining BC president and CEO Pierre Gratton, there is synergy in PRPA taking over the terminal because keeping it in government hands would allow there to be one management structure instead of two.

"It would be managed by people who are on the ground in the region, who understand the region and have the region's interest at heart," said Gratton.

Mussallem concurred with Gratton."I don't think anybody argues with the fact that the coal terminal pays for itself, but certainly all of the coal terminal customers would feel more comfortable if it was held by an entity rather than a private company," said Mussallem.

Privatizing Ridley Terminals the Wrong Thing for Northern British Columbia
Communities Letter to the Editor
May 27, 2009

The only thing correct in Mr. Dan Veniez’s recent media commentary regarding Ridley Terminals is that the Conservative government did the right thing in canceling the previous government’s divestiture plan for the terminal.

Again as before, during this time of extreme economic hardship for our region, privatizing the terminal would be disastrous to Northern communities including Houston. Since Dan Veniez was appointed Chair of the terminal, we have had serious concerns with the direction he is taking.

The terminal was never intended to be a profit centre for government but was supposed to be an enabler of economic growth in our region. We are shocked with the apparent lack of understanding Veniez has with the importance of this strategic asset.

Houston, like many communities along the CN line in Northern British Columbia, is dependent on the economic development and job creation of customers utilizing the terminal.

Forest products, mining and other development projects create significant employment in our region and ship their products to RTI.

By increasing rates to unreasonable levels, these customers cannot compete against international markets and thus will reduce their capital investments in our region. Ridley Terminals’ mandate to ensure rates are competitive against these international markets is absolutely critical to our region’s overall ability to employ.

Privatizing the terminal risks finding an owner with profit intent which is against the original purpose of the facility.We agree with Dan Veniez that a decision is required by the federal government concerning the future of Ridley Terminals. The decision should be to keep it in public sector hands and return it to its original intent.

Bill Holmberg
Mayor of Houston, British Columbia

Privatizing Ridley Terminals is not the core issue, says Veniez
By Shaun Thomas - The Northern View
June 04, 2009

The day after the North Central Municipalities Association (NCMA) and the Northern Development Initiative Trust outlined their opposition to the proposed sale of Ridley Terminals in Prince Rupert, board chair Dan Veniez reiterated his stance that selling the facility is an important step in ensuring the future of the company and its workers.

"In the past decade, RTI's been run into the ground. That's not acceptable. No one is talking about that central problem. We are.

How should that be reversed to secure RTI's place for the future? That's the real issue," he said, adding that "government has been bad at running RTI" and has invested $400 million into the terminal."

[The core issue] is not to privatize or not to privatize. The core issues are who is going to take care of RTI, and do it justice as an important part of the gateway? Who is going to pay for it? Should the taxpayer continue to subsidize foreign owned coal producers…

As a board, we are doing this as a public service because we care about Prince Rupert and the region. Our job is to protect RTI. What the government decides to do is entirely within its purview. We don't get a vote on that whatsoever."

The NCMA opposition, which included the mayors of 25 communities and 20 regional district representatives, said keeping Ridley Terminals public was important for the northern economy."Ridley Terminals is key to the continued expansion of family by supporting jobs in our mining, forestry and bioenergy industries.

Efficient and cost effective export means that Ridley Terminals must remain a public asset to ensure there is growth and diversification in the wealth creating rural regions of British Columbia," said the NCMA.

"This region will be further insulated from a future recession as long as it has a diversified resource base with the most efficient and least congested public port system in western North America. A publicly operated Ridley Terminals is critical to that vision."Look for more on this story in the June 10 issue of The Northern View.

He’s been best known over the last month as perhaps Prince Rupert’s most published author, as Dan Veniez’s thoughts on the need to privatize Ridley Terminals has been widely recorded across Canada.

From the National Post to the Globe and Mail to the Vancouver Sun, his oped pieces have become the mainstay of the debate over the issue that has jumped to the top of the list for local discussion these days. Now, with the communities of the Northwest and Northern BC weighing in on the topic, the issue and Mr. Veniez has gone local. From the CBC to the Northern View and the Daily News, the privatization issue has become one of the leading stories of the moment.

Podunk Below the Masthead,
June 5, 2009

As Dan Veniez continues his big city media campaign to sell the merits of a privatized Ridley Terminals, the backlash against the idea continues to grow. As we began relaying on the blog on May 20th, Mr. Veniez has been quite vocal over his plans, a move which has resulted in a fairly broad coalition growing to try and keep the current situation as it is, as a public venture.

Wednesday's paper outlines the efforts of a group of Northern Mayors and Directors of Regional Districts across the north, an item which we provided details about on Tuesday.

Not to be left out of the debate, the Mayor of Houston, Bill Holmberg has taken to the editorial pages of the region's newspapers, providing his concerns over the potential privatization of the coal terminal. His thoughts mirror much of the debate of other community mayors and leaders, which he has shared with the Daily News, the other regional newspapers and in a correspondence with this blog.

This is not a crown corporation like Canada Post, that benefits all Canadians, but a crown corporation that is heavily subsidized and benefits only a few. It is also a crown corporation that competes with private companies. I agree with Mr. Veniez. If there is a buyer, then we should sell it. It belongs to us, not Jay Hill, Rob Merrifield or Stephen Harper.

How the Coal Industry Stuck it to the Canadian Taxpayer

When George W. Bush first came to power in the United States, part of his election platform was the promise of aggressive action to fight Global Warming. Once in power however, he revealed that his loyalties would be to the energy industry and immediate action was taken to ensure that they became the only voice on environmental issues.

The first to fall victim to this new direction was Jane Hughes Turnbull.

Among the documents ultimately pried out of Vice President Cheney's National Energy Policy Task Force was the resignation letter of Jane Hughes Turnbull, a member of the National Coal Council (a governmental advisory group), which warned that Bush's reversal was "profoundly shortsighted [and] an obvious and expedient response to industry interests." The numerous e-mails and letters of gratitude from coal, oil, and gas industry groups also found among the task force documents hint at the hammerlock in which these businesses held Bush during those early months. It was surely no coincidence that the fossil fuel industry had lavished Governor Bush with almost $3 million in campaign contributions during the 2000 presidential campaign. (1)

Stephen Harper's Reformers were also heavily financed by the oil, gas and coal industries, and one of those to fall victim to his new change in direction was Dan Veniez. And the group who caused his dismissal, was the coal industry, much of it American based. Some of the same people behind the forced resignation of Jane Hughes Turnbull.

Dan Veniez and Ridley Terminals

When Paul Martin was prime minister, he had plans to sell British Columbia's Ridley Terminals, after cost analyses proved them to be too expensive to remain in the public domain. He had a buyer willing to pay 20 million dollars, with 3 million down, while we took back the first mortgage. The price tag may sound low but it was the misuse of tax dollars that concerned Mr. Martin more. Canadian taxpayers had already sunk 400 million dollars into the project.

This move should have fit into the neoconservative plans of privatization. However, the Americans were concerned that if the terminals went private they would have to start paying market prices for their use. So a group got together and sent a letter to Stephen Harper asking him to keep the terminals going with tax dollars from all Canadians, to benefit a few.

Stephen Harper then hired Dan Veniez to work his magic and make them profitable. This he did. But he also recommended that they be sold, since they were too much of a drain on the public purse. This put Mr. Veniez at odds with the Harper government, who had already sided with Big Business.

According to Terrance Corcoran of the Financial Post:

In the great scheme of Canada’s economy, Ridley Terminals Inc. is no big deal. With annual revenue of just under $25-million, the Crown corporation operates a bulk-commodity handling facility off Ridley Island in Prince Rupert, B.C., 1,000 kilometres north of Vancouver. FP Comment’s editorial team has never been to Ridley Terminals, and wouldn’t know a bulk handling facility from the Coney Island Cyclone Ride. What we do know, when we see it, is big time corporate subsidy seeking, backroom politics, scheming lobbyists and cabinet ministers throwing their weight around to satisfy the big time corporate interests.

In this case, the corporate interests include the B.C. and Alberta coal industries, whose coal production flows through Ridley Terminals. The political players include two Conservative cabinet ministers, House Leader Jay Hill and Transport Minister Rob Merrifield. Being Conservatives of the bold free-market mold allegedly found in Alberta and parts West, one would expect Hill, Merrifield & Company to be staunch defenders of commercialized and privatized service delivery through Ridley at market rates.

Alas, Messrs. Hill and Merrifield have no such interests as far as Ridley Terminals is concerned .... (1)

AstroTurf Group to the Rescue

To help sell the public on keeping their tax dollars flowing to the corporate sector, a well organized AstroTurf campaign was started:

The focus of opposition activity is the Ridley Terminals Users Group, a cabal of major B.C. and Alberta coal mine operators, including such giants as Husky Energy, Suncor Energy, Tech Coal and Coal Valley Resources, headquartered in Mr. [Rob] Merrifield’s riding. The listed federal lobbyist for Ridley Terminal Users Group is Philip Cartwright, of Global Public Affairs in Ottwas. With Global Public Affairs leading the campaign, a sudden un-spontaneous groundswell of opposition is sweeping local governments in and around Prince Rupert. (2)

The National Post called them Harper's Ridley terminators.

And naturally they won and Dan Veniez was fired, prompting an immediate response:

The federal Conservatives couldn't wait to get rid of Dan Veniez. Literally. Veniez was, until Friday, chairman of Ridley Terminals in Prince Rupert. Then -- despite having twice offered to resign as of Aug. 30 -- Transport Minister Rob Merrifield fired him, effective immediately.

Merrifield, who, like Hill, represents a coal-mining region, has met several times with lobbyists from the big coal companies, and it has been obvious for months that an orchestrated assault on Veniez and his board has been underway. And these Conservative heavyweights have bought right in to the message -- that public ownership of Ridley must be preserved, despite the dismal history of losing money and allowing the facility to deteriorate and despite the Tory preference for privatizing almost everything else. (3)

Global Public Affairs

The lobbying group behind all of this "grassrooting" was Global Public Affairs, and something the Conservatives failed to mention:

In one of the letters where he offers to resign, Veniez documents the subsidization, the more recent lobbying efforts and how pressure mounted against the board and its management. Houston-based International Commodity Export Corporation and its lobbyists, Global Public Affairs, "have been at the forefront of lobbying you and Mr. Hill for the termination of RTI's Board and management, among other things. They sought the government's acceptance of an arrangement that was flagrantly at variance with the public interest. (3)

And Global Public Affairs also had an association with the Bush Administration. In fact one of their managing directors once worked on Bush's campaign.

Ken Mehlman, Managing Director and Head of Global Public Affairs for Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) ... Prior to joining KKR, Mehlman served as a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. Mehlman also served as campaign manager for President George W. Bush’s re-election campaign in 2004, and then as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2005 to 2007.

But so as not to give the appearance of funnelling money to an American PR firm, the Conservatives took unprecedented measures to make sure they still got our money.

Breaking the rules of his own accountability act, Harper removed Erin Wall, assistant to Brian Jean, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities [John Baird] and sent her to work for Global Public Affairs.

Ms Wall was then registered as a lobbyist for the Houston based International Commodity Export Corporation, the largest beneficiary of government subsidies to the [Ridley] terminals. You will notice that her appointment took place on June 19, 2009; just before the firing of Dan Veniez, and on the same day that ICEC underwent a name change to give it the appearance of a Canadian company.

A real sleight of hand magic act.

And as Dan Veniez claimed: "the wool is being pulled over everyone's eyes" by a consortium of coal producers who want subsidized access to Asian markets." (4)

1. The Book on Bush: How George W. (mis) Leads America, By Eric Alterman and Mark Green, Penguin Books, 2004, ISBN: 0-670-03273-5, Pg. 13

2. Tories back coal giants at Ridley: Plan would subsidize Alberta and B.C. coal shipments, By Terrance Corcoran, Financial Post, June 04, 2009

3. Ridley Terminals chief fails to kowtow, is fired, By Don Cayo,Vancouver Sun, June 29, 2009

4. Veniez responds to opposition , By George T. Baker, The Daily News, June 4, 2009

Conservative Rob Merrifield Has Us Chokin' on the Cokin'

Along with Jay Hill, Transport Minister Rob Merrifield is working overtime to ensure that the coal companies can continue to use taxpayer money to boost their profits.

According to Terrance Corcoran of the National Post, the deal that the two Tory cabinet ministers are cooking up to keep the Ridley Terminal off Ridley Island in Prince Rupert, B.C., a crown corporation "...is big time corporate subsidy seeking, backroom politics, scheming lobbyists and cabinet ministers throwing their weight around to satisfy the big time corporate interests.

"Instead of privatizing Ridley, our Tory MPs — along with a phalanx of coal lobby-orchestrated local governments — have cooked up the idea of turning Ridley over to the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

"The effect of this would be to turn Ridley Terminals into a subsidized transport link for the coal industry.

It turns out, to no surprise, that Mr. Hill is the MP for Prince George, where some coal mines operate. And Mr. Merrifield’s Alberta riding, Yellowhead, is the home of a very fat coal industry..."

The residents of Yellowhead enjoy a very large median income and huge single dwellings dot the landscape, so I can understand why their MP is working so hard to keep them in the lifestyle they are accustomed to. However, it's all of us who have to shell out tax dollars for the benefit of only a few, and that is simply not acceptable.

The Chairman of Ridley terminals, Dan Veniez, has launched a media campaign to sell the merits of privatizing Ridley Terminals, while well organized groups have united to keep the facility in public hands.

Of concern to those wishing to sell Ridley, is that not only do the subsidies benefit Canadian coal, but they also prop up their U.S. counterparts, something that the Tories have always been keen on.

Mr. Merrifield himself helped to draft a report for the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, entitled: From Correct to Inspired: A Blueprint for Canada U.S. Engagement

The report calls for annexation of Canada, with regard to the economy, energy resources and the military; and recommends "an integrated, whole of government approach that recognizes shared interests and the reality of deep integration." (Jim Prentice recently announced the sharing of a Carbon Tax system with the U.S.)

So this Yellowhead MP and Transport minister, does not really care about the Canadian people, only the wealthy coal industry on both sides of the border, that help to keep him and his Party in power. So glad he has his priorities straight.

Now I know this blog entry will not change the way that the people in his riding vote, and that Mr. Merrifield will continue to get elected for as long as he decides to run. I'm simply hoping to open the eyes of Canadians, by showing them just how corrupt our current government is. They may think twice before putting their 'X' beside a Conservative candidate next time around.

Jay Hill Only Accountable to Military Contractors

When the Harper government's so-called accountability measures were introduced, they were carefully crafted to hinder the opposition, while allowing themselves free reign to hand out patronage appointments, engage in nepotism, and use every dirty trick in the book to keep their coffers full.

In fact, I can't remember a time when corruption was so well organized. And they have absolutely no remorse, but will simply deny any wrongdoing while blaming others.

There's a reason they try to keep the media at bay. The less they know, the less we'll know, and they can continue to try to appear squeaky clean, as they wallow in the mud.

One scheme that they use a lot, has to do with non-profit organizations that launder money and actively campaign for the Party, despite the fact that they are not registered with Elections Canada.

One example of this took place during Gary Lunn's last election campaign, and the way he managed to channel five, not for profit groups, through his own law firm. I never Said Gary Lunn was the brightest bulb on the tree, but he certainly took corruption to a new level; though the Conservatives are constantly raising the bar.

Which brings us to Jay Hill.

One of the class of '93 Reformers, former colleague Deb Grey referred to him as their strongest supporter for the Reform Movement. He assisted Preston Manning in his leadership bid, and was one of seven Canadian Alliance MPs who were thrown out of caucus for questioning Stockwell Day's leadership skills. I question whether Stockwell Day has any skills at all, but I'm getting off topic.

Hill has been described as dictatorial, and runs procedure with a secret handbook carefully designed to make sure sure that a minority Parliament doesn't work. He was also one of the Conservative MPs who tried to defraud taxpayers in the "In and Out" scheme.

But it's his ties to a group called the Canadians for Afghanistan, spearheaded by his former staffer Josh McJannett that causes me concern. CFA is supposed to be a youth group, much like Germany's Hitler Youth during that man's reign of terror, but they appear to be just cheerleaders for Mr. McJannett's efforts to keep the war going and thereby generating income for his employer, Summa Strategies.

Ex-Tory staffer behind pro-mission group

A self-described grassroots youth organization that wants Canada to continue its mission in Afghanistan was organized with help from a lobbyist who, until recently, worked for a prominent Conservative MP. The group, Canadians for Afghanistan, introduced itself to the national media on Parliament Hill yesterday by calling on Canada to remain committed to ongoing military and humanitarian support.

"The presence of the international community and, for that matter, the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, is essentially the only ray of hope to secure a prosperous future for Afghanistan," said Arash Wared, a member of the group. "Canada's work as an important player has just begun." The group says it is a non-partisan coalition of students and young people from different political and professional backgrounds.

The Canadians For Afghanistan website lists its main contact as Josh McJannett, a former Conservative staffer who worked for government whip Jay Hill until September. He had previously worked as an aide to Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer. After leaving the Hill, Mr. McJannett became a lobbyist with Summa Strategies, an Ottawa government-relations firm that counts some defence contractors, including U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing, among its clients. Canadians for Afghanistan was formed a few months later.

Jay Hill Refuses to Address Unemployed Forestry Workers

Up to now Stephen Harper and his government have ignored the plight of the unemployed, downplaying the significance of massive jobs losses, but demonstrations by the Communications, Energy, Paperworkers (CEP) Union, in Conservative ridings have made him start to take notice.

Most of these sit-ins were in rural areas, where Harper needs to hold onto seats.

However, Jay Hill was the only targeted MP to absolutely refuse to speak to demonstrators. I guess it's not in his secret handbook. Unfortunately, he can't just whip them into shape like he does the Tory caucus.

Canadian Ministry Sit-ins Awaken Stephen Harper to Jobs Crisis

June 04 2009

WorkerFreedom

Seven sit-ins at rural offices of three MPs and four Ministers – including Canada’s Finance, Treasury, and Inter-Governmental Affairs Ministries – got Stephen Harper’s attention and the question now is will his government listen.

Tomorrow, Communications, Energy, Paperworkers (CEP) Union will stage another manifestation on the crisis facing the forest sector, this time a protest and march that will lead to direct face-to-face talks with the Harper team in Ottawa.

The sit-ins were carried out early last week in an escalating strategy by the CEP to spotlight the mass job and social loss that has overtaken forest-based communities across Canada. CEP is adamant that it is Harper’s responsibility to find the answers. And CEP is ready to work with government to ensure the correct measures are found.

March and Rally Tuesday, June 2

The sit-ins follow mid-May strategy meetings and a protest at AbitibiBowater’s headquarters in Montréal. That protest was directed more at the Harper government than at the bankrupt newsprint company. Last week’s sit-ins at the rural offices of key lawmakers mean this issue will stay focused on rural Canada’s very survival and way-of-life.

Tomorrow, 2 June, at 11:30 in Ottawa, the CEP will rally first at the offices of Natural Resources Minister Lisa Riatt and then march to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s building. They then will meet with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, whose Ontario offices in Whitby-Oshawa were the only CEP-occupied offices not in a rural area.

Six of the seven sit-ins across four of Canada’s provinces produced immediate results. Three sit-ins occurred in rural government offices in Québec, two in British Colombia, and one each in New Brunswick and Ontario. In British Colombia, an MP, Jay Hill, a lead Tory whip in Ottawa from Prince George/Peace River riding, was the only legislator refusing CEP’s invitation to discuss the crisis.

At the other occupation in British Colombia, inside the offices of John Duncan, Vancouver Island North riding, the CEP spokesman for the occupying team, promised, “We plan to keep on making noise and do whatever we have to do” to move this government to action.

The CEP is demanding financial support for the industry at the federal level. The union is also demanding iron-clad protections on pensions, something that will not be compromised. And CEP will insist tomorrow that the Harper government must enact industry tax relief for companies’ converting black-liquor from the wood-pulp process to energy. That set of tax breaks exists for pulp and paper firms in the US and the CEP insists on a level playing field.

The CEP is also demanding a national summit on the forestry crisis in which key stakeholders will decide on strict guidelines aimed at employment stabilisation and forest regeneration measures. The sit-ins made one targeted politician jump on that idea quickly. In Québec, the Minister for Inter-Governmental Affairs, said she will convene such a summit.

ICEM affiliate CEP calculates that 55,000 jobs in the forestry sector have been lost over the past two years alone. Far more were lost in earlier years. The impact of these good-paying jobs on others in rural communities – when those jobs disappear – is immense and the ripple effects must be multiplied to get the real economic picture.

Thousands of forestry workers protest in Ottawa
June 2, 2009

CBC News

Thousands of unionized forestry workers from across Canada demonstrated in Ottawa on Tuesday, demanding the government do more to support their industry.

They wanted to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss solutions to the forestry crisis, including protection of workers' pensions and a plan to keep viable mills operating with the help of federal government loan guarantees and other measures.

"The reason we're here is the forestry industry has taken an awful downfall in northern Ontario," Joseph Lefebvre, a pipe-fitter with AbitibiBowater in Iroquois Falls told CBC News. "We want the Harper government to get off their butts and do something about it."

In the past six years, the industry has lost about 130,000 jobs in Canada.

"Our main demand has always been for the federal government to backstop loans so that viable companies can keep operating, saving jobs and communities," Dave Coles, a spokesman with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, which represents most of the workers, said in a release. "We are not asking for a bailout."

The issue came up in question period, sparking a heated exchange between government ministers and opposition parties.

Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe accused the government of offering "crumbs" to the forestry industry in Quebec while throwing out billions for Ontario's auto industry. He said the government supported GM, because it would cause the loss of thousands of spinoff jobs and crush communities dependent on the automaker, which Duceppe said was exactly the same situation the forestry industry faces.

NDP Leader Jack Layton called on the government to create a strategy for the forestry sector. "What we need is some fair trade for a change. What we need is to stop raw logs from going across the border and creating jobs down there in the states," said Layton.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper replied that the forestry sector is struggling because of changes in the market and a dramatic decline in demand for lumber in the United States.

The government, he said, has taken action by offering assistance to help laid-off workers and communities, as well as increasing financing for the sector through the Business Development Bank of Canada. (Yes and I guess that's why they have to launch protests)

Workers from as far away as British Columbia and the east coast took part in the protest, which kicked off at Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt's office and wound through the city to the prime minister's office.