“ In 1986, local fishermen came to the rescue of 154 Sri Lankans found floating off in lifeboats off the coast of Newfoundland. Those people were not subjected to what McLeod called “the political frenzy that’s occurring today,” suggesting that in the intervening two decades Canada’s policing of its borders has become progressively more exclusionary and reactionary. This fear was solidified on November 2, when Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, after accepting the fewest refugees in 10 years, dramatically cut the 2010 target number of refugees to be accepted by more than half. Opposition MPs assert that “by steeply dropping the targets, refusing to appoint Refugee Board members for 2 years, cutting $4 million in the department and allowing for board appointments not based on merit, Harper’s Conservative government is deliberately creating a crisis in the refugee system. The crisis is then used as an excuse to bring in draconian measures to close the door to the most needy and vulnerable.
run like the wind » The Ocean Lady: Rethinking “Illegal” Migration in Canada
WTF TORY
Cities stuck with bill for Tory 'propaganda'
“The Liberals and NDP slammed the Conservatives for requiring provincial and city governments receiving infrastructure cash to buy an additional sign at each building project specifying that the federal government paid part of the bill under its Economic Action Plan.
“The billboards, which cost up to $4,250 apiece, are part of an extensive campaign by the federal government to promote its Jan. 27 budget, which was entitled the “Economic Action Plan.”
…
“While millions of Canadians cannot get vaccinated, the Conservatives are not only wasting up to $45 million on useless signs, but they actually want two signs, not just one, on every project,” [Liberal MP Ralph] Goodale said. “They are sticking municipalities with a big part of the cost. Local tax dollars are being forced to finance Conservative propaganda.”
The Curious Case of the Missing Tory
“We tried to interview Diana Dilworth, who wants to win the New West-Coquitlam by-election. We really did try.”
Raitt accused of expense abuse
Laws, rules, these are for the morally inferior, not Conservative MPs and cabinet ministers. Just like facts and evidence.
Ottawa won't pay lawyer for whistleblower
The Stephen Harper government is refusing to pay the legal bills of a federal official whose warnings of possible torture in Afghan jails sparked a political storm, The Canadian Press has learned.
The Foreign Affairs Department had given preliminary approval last month to Richard Colvin’s request to use an independent lawyer.
But it now says it won’t pay the first set of bills until Colvin’s lawyer, Calgary-based Lori Bokenfohr, itemizes for the Justice Department who she has been in contact with – a requirement that could be a breach of lawyers’ ethical rules.
Rick’s Rant - Harper is a Genius (via MercerReport)
We should have been linking to Rick Mercer ages ago.
RMR: Pierre Poilievre (via MercerReport)
Top brass knew about torture allegations.
“According to insiders, it turns out Ottawa was indeed aware of reports from a senior Canadian diplomat, which repeatedly warned that Afghan detainees turned over to local authorities risked being tortured.”
Doorknobs merit federal stimulus signage.
“The Harper government is plastering signs promoting its economic action plan on federal buildings that are receiving what Liberals argue is routine maintenance.”
Tory Senator on payroll of company that won contract
I really like that every Tory’s defense everytime they contravene the conflict of interests code is that they were on the board in name only, or didn’t actually perform any duties related to their position listed on their website and/or the company’s website.
