Well, it’s a new day. Cheka rallied overnight, ate this morning and is on his way in for treatment. Thank God. I can put up with the prime minister executing me in public, but not with a sick animal.
Then, as I stated yesterday, I head back to the Hill. This is a switch in plans since I was already booked to fly to Halifax this morning, for a full day of media interviews on my role on the Finance Committee. I’d asked taxpayers there last week for bright ideas for the coming budget, to include in my pre-budget report for Jim Flaherty.
But, they’ve kicked me off the committee. Yeah, that, too.
This is a tad more profound than it might appear, since House of Commons committees are intended to be all-party affairs, and one of the only places where MPs from all political backgrounds get together to try and do constructive things. The fact I have been removed – the only MP on one side of the table with a financial and economic background, government experience and cabinet experience (facing two hugely experienced former Liberal cabmins and a very able colleague, plus a Bloc economist and an impressive NDP expert) – hints at the Harper Administration agenda.
This government has actually had a PMO senior staffer in national caucus recently instructing MPs on how to politicize the committees and turn them into instruments of government policy. Tory MPs are instructed to meet before committee meetings to plan strategy to help ministers, and to be assigned questions to ask witnesses. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory, and recorded. Of course, I never went.
But for now, at least, I have been banned from the committee process. That’s a loss, I would think. I’ll still be doing my Flaherty Report, since my constituents and lots of other Canadians have issues they want advanced (please send me yours to include).
Well, there will be lots more questions to answer in the coming days as I explore the possibilities of my newly-minted Indie status. It will sure take some time, as I aim to do the best job possible. And in that period I’ll continue to seek advice, talk to the voters of Halton and read four thousand emails. All that, however, will come second to holding my dog’s paw.
100 comments ↓
Garth when was the last time you had problems with Cheka? I thought it was around the time of the Emerson fuss. I think your dog senses every time your in trouble. You best not talk to your dog about politics any more. Maybe confide in that lady that was referred to as a dog instead.
Child Benefits.
$100 for Children 6 and under Good…Changing the maximum age for the additional Child Tax Credit from 7 to 6 (totally unpublicised by this government) bad.
GST cut good for the large ticket item and house buyer, cutting income taxes better for everyone…you know the ecconomics!
Mr. Harper sucking up to a future lame duck President….especially one that doesn’t keep his country’s international commitments and treaty agreements…..worthless!!!
And good for you in not partaking in the PMO’s propaganda meetings for committee members!
bring on the “Income Splitting”, I’ll do whatever you need to help it keep it moving.
absolutely scare….
Issues…..well High taxation……….too much government bureaucracy…….and well with this watered down version of the Environment Bill…….heck we will have more people dying of air pollution than cigarette smoke…………
ITs quite frightening to think that they would boot up someone very qualified…….but then again nothing surprises me about politics……
especially having my MP Carolyn Bennett endorse Bob Rae……. This has been a very strange year…….
I hope that you dog gets better…….my cats little Lucy Ricardo poutine and Priscilla Presley Rupunzil always cheer me up…….animals are selfless and not as mean as people…..
I forgot to mention with all these sick and dying people from air pollution more money to be spent on Healthcare……which is already costly…..Nobody in this country believes in supporting university education including silly Bob Rae……who feels that these kids should have debts of $40K to $60K while taking on measley first year jobs unless you are a doctor or nurse…..well these people are going to the states…….as any normal rational person would do when the Ontario Provincial government creates this shortage of nurses….which is absolutely false…..they don’t pay these nurses enough and the young one are going to the United States.
Good Morning, Garth & Welcome to the new reality. Have fun with it. Keep keeping people on their toes, and keep on writing. It’s been fun watching this all go down, and I look forward to seeing you work through this whole mess. I know that no matter what, you’ll do a great job of it.
ajhr
When you walk through those doors this morning, you might want to pause and reflect on something.
Someone else who sat in those chambers, yet was never a part of any federal government was able to influence the lives of several generations and give Canadians something that made us different, unique, and added immensly to our quality of life.
Tommy Douglas is widely credited with being the ‘Father of Canadian Medicare’, although even he never made any pretext that it was something for which he was solely responsible. In fact it involved people who were members of all three existing political parties to bring it about.
Your first responsibility is to represent and assist your constituents in dealing with that level of government.
But because of your knowledge and experience, you also owe a duty to all Canadians to bring about the change and accountability they so desperately crave in our political system.
It isn’t a role you sought, in fact it is one that was thrust on you by others. But your dream and vision of what this country is all about is shared by countless others.
Today you may be an Independant, but that doesn’t mean you are alone.
Heres a 3 year olds perspective when she saw the picture of the town hall meeting, she said “who are those poor people?!”
Let me start by saying that the events of the last few weeks involving Garth Turner have rekindled a personal interest in politics that I have not experienced since the 1960’s and President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s era.
I find it interesting that critics of Garth are so dedicated to party line politics, as nebulous as I believe they are and almost fearful of an individual who speaks out and openly states that the views of the people who elected him are more important than the party stance.
In his book, Lee Iacocca states that “any organization that can’t tolerate a maverick, can’t surviveâ€. In my early years as an information technology project leader I would dread it when I knew that vocal critics would be attending briefing meetings on new systems. I very quickly realized what an important roll they played and began calling them the quality assurance group and insisting that they attend critical review meetings. If I could not satisfy their concerns and convince them that what I was suggesting would benefit the organization, then I would take a deeper look at the proposal to ensure that we were on the right track. There is a saying “If you want to know something, read it. If you want to learn it, write it down. If you want to understand it, teach it to someone else.†If Mr. Harper and his office disagree with what Mr. Turner says, please take the time to teach us where Mr. Turner is wrong.
My mother-in-law had a line when her children were growing up that I used on mine when they tried to use the argument “everybody else is doing itâ€. The line is “Why do you want to be like everybody else when you can be yourselfâ€. We in Canada are faced with political parties that are so concerned with not alienating anyone that they refuse to make a commitment to hard issues. They refuse to give us a vision. They refuse to show leadership.
We in Halton have a tremendous opportunity to tell the political status quo that “we’ve had enough, and we won’t take it anymoreâ€. To tell them that we want a voice, that we want truth, that we want a vision, that we want commitment to that vision, that we want leadership. What President Kennedy said in the 60’s is more relevant and important today than it was then. He said: “We stand today on the edge of a New Frontier. The frontier of the 1960’s. The frontier of unknown opportunities and peril.†He went on to say: “The new frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises. It is a set of challenges.†We in Halton have an opportunity to take on that challenge. As President Kennedy said: “I do not shrink from that challenge, I welcome it.â€
I say we get behind Mr. Turner during the next election and send him back to Ottawa with the greatest mandate ever recorded in Canadian voting history.
By Peter Tare
“I can put up with the prime minister executing me in public, but not with a sick animal.”
Re: your dog’s epilepsy. I hope you’re not feeding him little treats of chocolate, because that can bring on epileptic-type fits.
Re: the PM. Could you give details on how the PM executed you in public? I haven’t seen/heard him say anything about you, so what did I miss?
Dear Garth,
You are not alone.
Photographer Dave Chan, hired, by the CBC to shoot Rick Mercer in a sketch with Stephen Harper was fired because he’d been critical of Harper. Last summer during the Lebanese evacuation Chan was quoted as saying that if he had been Harper’s official photographer he would have given up a seat for one of the evacuees. Wow, that’s sooooo critical. Off with his head! Read the whole article in the star http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1161553809722&call_pageid=968332188492
Well put Peter, and good luck on your first day Garth.
I hope your Siberian continues to rally, Garth. I have a Siberian lady (Tuki) and she’s a daily joy.
I think Ezra Levant pretty well sums up your situation in his common sense “Gossip Got Garth” column of today’s date in the Calgary Sun. I hope you and your correspondants will read same.
Sad to read therein that you’ve been caught red-handed for deleting ill-advised comments from your past blogs. I always thought you were a man of high honour and above such petty deceits.
I expect this comment too will be of very short duration on your site. [The time is now 11:25 AM in Ontario.]
Gabby, you brought up an excellent point. To date, the PM has said nothing publicly. To me this indicates a certain amount of class on his part.
Peter Tare: In his book, Lee Iacocca states that “any organization that can’t tolerate a maverick, can’t surviveâ€. I am sure that when Iacocca wrote his book, his memory became selective. From other sources, it appeared that he did not tolerate defiance or dissention. Lee Iacocca was the maverick – he did not tolerate other mavericks. It was a case of “do as I say and not as I do”.
Hi BJ
I would not venture to speak for Mr. Turner but if you are talking about the one incident several months ago where he edited comments on his blog it was at the request of the CPC party whip:
“The post in question was written some months ago, then the Conservative Whip asked me to remove some words, which I immediately did to be cooperative. — Garth”
you can find his comment and reply on this page:
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2006/10/18/holy-smokes/#comments
Who would have ever thought we would see this from our ‘law and order’ conservatives.
From the CBC….”An American teacher convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old student has been exiled to Canada as punishment in an unusual case that has immigration experts questioning its legality.”
It appears that Harper’s hard line against crime stops when his friend GWB calls and asks him to provide refuge to an American convicted of sex crimes. Under Harper, we know become the dumping ground for American criminals.
Hey BJ,
Stephen Taylor posts this:
http://www.freedominion.ca/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=68511&start=0&sid=b334a918f6482364faeb5ab08d6a8f30
“UPDATE: I received an email from Garth Turner about this post. He doesn’t debate the veracity of the content posted above but he worries that it might be misinterpreted and that some may comprehend this post to imply that he recently changed his blog to cover-up the content (the post was written back in May). He’d like to emphasize that the original posting was changed, within a day of authoring it, to the altered post. I did not consider that potential misinterpretation, but this information is here just in case you did read it this way. He also would like to clarify that he did so “ironically” to be a team player and to comply with a request from the Government Whip. I present this clarification, not because I believed it to be necessary, but as a convenience to you the reader and out of courtesy to Mr. Turner. ”
So far as I can tell no other examples of edited text on Turner’s Blog have been reported and this one has been explained.
Yup, speculations are out that you are about to jump to the GREEN Party and grab the historic moment of being the first GREEN Party MP…WOW, isn’t that historic and befitting a man of your stature !!!
Except that you were elected as a Conservative MP and you served in this session as a member of the Conservative Party by name only and not by your actions.
In keeping true to your own protestations , will you then resign as an MP and abide by call for a by-election in the Halton riding ?
We the taxpayers of this country expect nothing less than this.
Unless you swallow your hypocrisy and ignore just judgement by the people you arrogantly proclaim as you represent (until they differ from your views)…
jubi lam
- just another tax payer tired of all the duplicity in Parliament, yours included …
I think Ezra Levant pretty well sums up your situation in his common sense “Gossip Got Garth†column of today’s date in the Calgary Sun. I hope you and your correspondants will read same.
Sad to read therein that you’ve been caught red-handed for deleting ill-advised comments from your past blogs. I always thought you were a man of high honour and above such petty deceits.
I expect this comment too will be of very short duration on your site. [The time is now 11:25 AM in Ontario.]
By BJ on 10.23.06 11:25 am
I just finished reading the article referred to above, by Ezra Levant and noticed immediately that he has it wrong on at least one issue: That Garth became an MP and THEN started his blog. Anyone who has been reading this blog for awhile knows full well that Garth started his blog even before his nomination for MP in Halton and told us all about his campaign all through the process, well BEFORE he got elected.
Mr. Levant owes Garth a correction and an apology for speaking about something he clearly knows nothing. Obviously Mr. Levant has never read Garth’s blog.
ezra is a kook and a party hack, just like you bj.
GARTH: So, you did not come out, and you apparently have nothing new to add. You have not tired to be constructive, and you denigrate those who are. This is my last response to you. Life’s too short for nihilists like you. — Garth
GETREAL: Let me just say sticks and stones. I can add something new when you provide adequate and respectful answers to the challenges posed to you. Until then I will just keep saying the same thing and let the people judge your reaction for themselves. I am not a nihilist and just because I am calling on you to use your stated principals and tools of your creating for the benefit of ALL your voters (not just the ones that you can use to YOUR ADVANTAGE) doesn’t mean I am not constructive or denigrate anyone. I have said in my multiple postings that I respect your new supporters and have had nothing negative to say about them. Your narcissism makes you believe that because I challenge your new mandate that you weren’t elected for that somehow the entire free world must be insulted. Mr. Turner there are many people that don’t support your new mandate that voted for you and it was your irresponsible actions that has betrayed them. Your arrogance allows you to attribute vicious characteristics to people that offer simple and reasoned criticism, what exactly is so negative about having an open vote on your website? You are attacking me because I am challenging you to FULLFILL YOUR STATED PRINCIPALS OF DEMOCRACY AND ACCESS. Open your website to a general vote on your mandate and the options you have been presenting to your meetings. Or have you lost your belief in your DD platform so quickly now that it doesn’t serve your spin? Mr. Turner I am not going to give up on you that easy and let you retreat into the false and hypocritical reality you have created for yourself.
Glad to hear Cheka’s making progress.
Saw this article on Bloomberg today – ties in global warming with the financial impact, and illustrates what the efforts to deal with it will mean to our personal finances. While the piece concentrates on the U.S., it’s still quite relevant to Canada as well.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_wasik&sid=awatpNZCh5Yc
A key quote: “Global warming and escalating energy prices may make the North American status quo of vehicle-based commuting, large suburban homes, mammoth shopping malls and urban sprawl economically unsustainable. Yet such dire pronouncements are daunting for most people.”
Note to GetReal – get real. You sound like an idiot. Buried somewhere in your drivel could be some valid points but your contribution sounds like juvenile crap. Grow up or stop clogging the blog with your brand of idiocy.
BJ do you really think the vast majority of Canadians are going to believe or take serious anything that comes out of that Sun Media rag’s columnists?
Interesting reading all the comments here and noticing how many don’t seem to understand how our system works. You vote for an individual to represent you at the federal level. Not for a party, not for a person to represent a party to you, but someone individually to represent you.
In truth, we need a new system for electing officals. Perhaps one where you vote for your local person ala today plus you vote for a party. The party vote allows the leader of the party to hold proxie for x% of the vote for everything in parliment. ie: if the Tories get 40% in the party vote then they get to have an additional 123 votes in all HOC votes in addition to votes their MPs choose to give them. Thus the number of MPs stays at 308, but MPs now can be free to switch parties whenever as people would know a bit better that they are voting for a person, not a machine. Thus all votes would (today) be based on 608 not 308 potential votes. The Green party would have (iirc) 12 votes, not enough to be a major force but enough to be heard. Any party with 1% or more of the party vote gets to vote in parliment then. Much fairer and wouldn’t add a lot of cost to the system or lose us any local reps.
“But, they’ve kicked me off the committee. Yeah, that, too.”
Garth, you’re really surprised by this? Either you’re dumber than a bag of hammers, or you’re working up that “manufactured outrage” the Libs so egregiously puked up for Belinda and the Pooch Affair.
I hope that your dog is feeling much better today!
Garth, you have the chance to write history – Carp Diem, my friend, Carp Diem.
The Green Party will facilitate the most progressive dialogue since we tackled with the issues of the welfare state after the last world war. You can do more for your country as the first Green in Parliament then you could have being a member of the conservative caucus for the rest of your life. I was a liberal myself, then a conservative, but now I stand tall as a Green. LOOK AT THEIR PLATFORM! It is the most well-rounded approach to governance this country has ever seen – and it is more pure, timely, and devoid of political posturing then any other party could ever envision. You have the chance to engage voters on a whole new level – one of fiscal responsibility, international leadership, and fused with the passionate defence for our environment, health, and quality of life. For Cheka – go Green. zak.insight.ink@gmail.com
[...]
TURNER TURFED FROM COMMITTEE
by Robert McClelland
MP Garth Turner has now been turfed from the finance committee. He’s not taking this one lying down though and has di [...]
Getreal: How reliable could an internet vote be? I don’t think more than 10% of Garth’s constituents actually read this blog-I am just guessing at the percentage but it seems like there are about 15 or 20 contributors to this site that actually reside in Garth’s riding.
Garth
Good luck with your decission for the future. Whatever it is you have to be personally happy with that decission. You have lots of advice, lots of offers, and a lot of thinking to do.
My only advice is “Be Yourself”. You seem to be doing a pretty good job of expressing the frustrations of many Canadians when we look at our political parties.
I would love to have an MP that represents the local community, not one who has been neutered by their party leader. When our local MP ran afoul of Mr Harper (Lanark County) he was muzzled and banned from truely representing his constituents. What use is an MP like that.
We all need more independents who will support good laws, policies, and programs regardless of the party who proposes them. Maybe some of you fellow MP’s should look at the freedom you now have, consult with their constituents, and with thier support become truely independent.
Anyone who shows such concern about their loved pets will alos show the same level of concern about family, friends, and contituents. Good luck
From the Cuckoo’s Nest
Hey Getreal… your idea is pretty dumb.
First, you exclude every voter that does not use the internet. That would skew things significantly right there. On top of that, there is no way to prevent fraudulent entries in the poll, without (a) obtaining the Elections Canada list of voters, and then (b) providing each of those voters with a password that they could use to vote.
Needless to say, that is incredibly costly, and since it still wouldn’t be valid (because of excluding people without internet), it would be a complete waste of money.
The problem is, when you pass yourself off as a smart person, but then demand such an obviously stupid thing, then everyone dismisses you as a troll, including, obviously, the MP.
Here’s a clue… digital democracy opens up ANOTHER channel for people to contact Garth, and yet, he’s still holding town hall meetings. If DD were the only channel needed, why would he bother?
BTW, just out of curiousity, are you even a voter in Halton? If not, why do you feel Garth is accountable to you or owes you anything? He’s not elected to represent all of Canada, he’s elected by those of us in Halton to represent us, which I think a lot of the national posters who think Garth answers to them sometimes forget.
Getreal: a general vote online? Are you crazy? A blog is a good place for the public to give feedback and share opinions, but online voting will hardly be accurate. Garth answers to his constituents in the Halton region; town hall meetings and informal votes are the way to go, as he has been doing. Digital democracy is not about moving absolutely every element of the democratic process online. Use some sense.
Frank,
If you’re going to go for the cheap shot, you could do a lot better.
It appears that Harper’s hard line against crime stops when his friend GWB calls and asks him to provide refuge to an American convicted of sex crimes.
They guy lives in Canada and has a Canadian wife and children. The situation is unique. I suppose if they had jailed the guy, there would be a cheap shot about depriving a family of their father by refusing to stand up to Bush. Right?
It is certainly an interesting case that probably sets some kind of precedent. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
But, Frank, as usual you are just a sh*t disturber, aren’t you?
RICHARD: Note to GetReal – get real. You sound like an idiot. Buried somewhere in your drivel could be some valid points but your contribution sounds like juvenile crap. Grow up or stop clogging the blog with your brand of idiocy.
Sorry Richard but the writer of the above is the real idiot.
So, Snowbunnie and Mike and you other Turner apologists, I’ve not seen your refutations yet of the following quote from Mr. Levant’s column, OR is this one true. On this one, maybe you’d better consult first with Mr. Turner or even better, Mr. Taylor :
“Turner tried to pretend he was kicked out for policy differences, not gossip. He even went so far as to doctor his blog, deleting the above paragraph, claiming he’d said nothing wrong on his blog. Only when Internet whiz Stephen Taylor discovered Turner’s after-the-fact edits did he admit he’d taken down damning passages.”
Please tell us the facts then so that we can exalt Garth Turner as just an ordinary MP doing his job.
I’ll be waiting. Thanks.
The facts are simple, and have been previously published and updated on Stephen Taylor’s site. An article I wrote in May which was posted here, and a day later the Government Whip, Jay Hill, asked me to edit the opening of it. I complied, trying to be cooperative. There is no smoking gun, and I sure as hell did not “doctor” my blog. Is the best your gang can do? — Garth
So Harper kicks out a great MP like Garth Turner who was democratically elected while at the same time bringing in a candidate like Dianne Haskett for the London by-election. The London Free Press reports on it http://lfpress.ca/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=158933&x=articles&s=elections
Garth,
I have sent the following letter to PMSH.
Mr. Harper,
I am writng you as a member of the Conservative Party of Canada and a resident in the riding of Halton. This week has disillusioned me tremendously. The ouster of our candidate of record from the party is in direct defiance of the wishes of the grass roots of Halton proven through three distinct processes. 2 nomination
processes, and 1 General Election.
Each time we were presented with choices to choose someone other than Mr. Turner. We all knew what Mr. Turner believed due to his weblog and this gave us a comfort to know that he would represent us fairly and make us proud.
I personally still believe this. Garth Turner has restored my faith in the elected. I worked hard on the election
believing that my views would be well represented and that you, sir, would restore the public’s confidence in our
parliamentary system.
What a tragic time this is to be a Conservative. The behavior of you and your handlers led by Doug Finlay is the same behavior that resulted in the ouster of previous Conservative governments specifically Mr. Mulroney’s.
This is not the CPC that I wanted.
Scott Nicholl
Halton CPC EDA Executive,
Director of Communications
“Global warming and escalating energy prices may make the North American status quo of vehicle-based commuting, large suburban homes, mammoth shopping malls and urban sprawl economically unsustainable.”
Prices for all energy sources are coming down pal. Simple supply and demand, economics 101, price goes up and price comes down, not contributed to Global warming. Can’t always beleive what you read or hear in the left wing dominated media.
Garth you never mention anything about the auto industry which is vital in your riding and in Ontario. Are you for or against it.
It’s not the industry, it’s the emissions, and I am 100% for alternative fuels and hybrids, neither of which will hurt industrial jobs. — Garth
So you have been “turfed” from committees. Garth, anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of the parliamentary system, (and I am assuming that you have more then a rudimentary understanding) knows that committees are constituted on the basis of representation in the House. The Tories at the moment generally have about 6 of the 12 positions on any committee and the remaining six are divided between the opposition parties.
Since you are no longer part of the Conservative Party, would you please explain to us all exactly why you should be allowed to occupy one of the seats allocated to the Tories.
many thanks.
Could not agree with you more, Steve, re: getreal. The guy is a loony tune. He sounds like Judy on some kind of joy juice.
Golly, Garth – you mean you didn’t realize there were consequences to your actions? You sound like a fifth-grader.
The honest observer would find that the Harper government indulged you with great patience and latitude for months, hoping you would simply keep up to even the most basic level of party loyalty and discretion. A ruthless politician (Chretien) would have cut you loose much sooner, and with career-destroying stories fed to the press at the same time. Harper’s silence speaks great volumes about the man, while your “execution” hyperbole speaks volumes about you.
Anyway, no one is listening anymore. You were a one-day story. You came off as a petulant blowhard, and only the most ideological anti-Tories will continue to ride to your defense.
It’s sad, because I truly admired you as a campaigner, and I thought you were bright.
There goes PMSH denying the people of Halton the representation they voted for… Conservative Garth Turner… just like he denied the the people of Vancouver Kingsway the representation they voted for… Liberal David Emerson.
If you remain an Independent you need not put your seat up in a By-election as you can still represent your constituents as a Conservative even though you are not officially affiliated with the Party anymore.
If, however, you decide to join another Party then I would urge you as a man of integrity to face your constituents in a By-election.
PMSH has once again ignored the will of the Halton electorate by suspending you from Conservative caucus.
To Steve and everyone else that doesn’t want a simple web poll:
Let me thank you for all of your responses, but with respect I think all of your logic is stunningly lacking. I will simply ignore low brow insults and do not offer any back. When people can’t offer any significant arguments and just devolve into insults and baseless attacks; it is a sure sign one is on to something that can not be refuted. Sorry, I won’t be baited and respond in kind. I SAY STICKS AND STONES TO ALL OF YOU.
Now, I ask all of you, how does a town hall meeting poll represent ‘everyone’ in the ridding? The amount of people that can show up to meeting is far less than people that can go to a website at anytime from anywhere and make their voice known. Even if it is just 10% (as per another posting) that percentage is significantly higher than that found in a town hall, it makes for a higher population and statistically is much more reliable. Considering the fact that these meetings are stacked with people that might be outside of the riding and green party supporters that didn’t give Mr. Turner his mandate, it makes the polls he takes quite irrelevant. THIS REMAINS THE ISSUE AND NOTHING ELSE.
Doing a web poll/vote is dead simple and cheap, the same code that is being used to do this posting can be used for a web poll. When people record their vote, they should leave their name and home address – it’s a very simple web form. The results should be publicly published and then it is open to anyone in the public to do a simple random audit if they want to challenge the results, including Mr. Turner himself. So people that talk about how impossible this task is and how expensive it might be, it is simply because you are ignorant of the simple technicalities involved.
Steve, I am not saying the DD is the exclusive channel, include the polls done in the meetings as well. DD is a channel I personally believe in, and I commend Mr. Turner for using this tool, but why won’t we also use it in this case if we are not all committed to its ideals and the democratic access it provides? I also think that a number far more than 10% have access to the internet one way or the other. If Mr. Turner is serious about getting people’s view on mass in MY RIDING then he can issue a press release stating that this poll exists, with all the media attention this would get in all the papers and the nightly news it would give a pretty good turn out. It would definitely be more turnout than his 2 meetings where he took these polls. But in this case when the things we build and say don’t serve our interest they conveniently go away, or are impossible to do.
OH AND STEVE LET ME BE MORE EXPLICIT AS I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES: I LIVE IN THE HALTON RIDING AND VOTED CONSERVATIVE! How about all of you?
Garth,
Whatever the rhetoric of the day…. just keep kicking them in their butts- all of them!
I am from the West-BC- north Okanagan area…. the Conservatives do not get my vote here…now or ever.
I sent ypu an email the other day and I pasted the contents of it below… it pretty well sums it up for a lot of us out here.
I have followed your career as a politicinan for many years now ( since you were revenue minister under Kim Campbell, I think) I believe that you can do a lot better than be associated with the gang of sleaze bags that are now in control of parliament….
Has anyone approached you yet to be the leader of the liberals?
Unfortunately for both of us, I live in the west (north Okanagan… Colin Mayes’ riding…. who did not and never will get my vote) so my support for you won’t turn into a vote for you (their rules, not mine)…… but, if you were a member of the Green Party- or leader for that matter- I think the party would get my vote – you being the credible person that I think you are and if a lot of what sounds like your beliefs were to be incorporated into their platform- especially fiscal conservatism coupled with a strong social conscience, which is my inclination
Mr Turner, I really do wish you well…….
good luck
Hello Garth :
Just a get well note for Cheka .
Our dog also suffered from seizures and her diet was very important .
We started feeding her beef hearts all the time and her seizures dropped to almost zero .
Poultry is verbotten as well as just about anything else .
All you can do is try .
Please join the Green Party, bringing your passion for environmental issues,
your traditionalist values, your free spirit and your big mouth. I am from
Toronto and voted green despite wanting to vote again for Bill Graham, who I
voted for a couple times and admire quite a bit. The Green Party deserves
recognition and support, and especially from you. Even though you are (were)
conservative I would vote for you as Green though I always vote left. I know
you will consult your riding first, but I just wanted you know that I hope I
am part of a broad based support for your ideas, talents, and vigor. You
represent a bipartisan individuality that I am sure many more than me have
told you is refreshing. I hope your dog gets better soon.
Sincerely,
Roger
RJ, notice that Garth didn’t report this when he had his press conference? Keep the message out there, if Stephen Taylor hadn’t published this, no one would have been the wiser and we would have fallen for another Turner lie.
I should call a national press conference to report that I edited a column five months ago after being instructed to do so by the government? What have you been smoking? — Garth
Dear Mr. Turner,
Congratulations on your new found independence.
I did not vote for you in the last election for one good reason. Everything you campaigned on spoke truth to my ears. Everything you believed in was shared. However, you were running as a conservative. I could not trust Harper to win. Unfortunately he did.
I am not aligned to any party, however I will never vote for this new conservative party until they prove to me that they are more than just the “Western Alliance”. You tried to show that they represented more than just Alberta, but were quickly proven wrong.
Now, you are independant, and I respect that more than any party loyalty, as it shows that you stand for us, your constituents, and are not just sitting in Ottawa toeing the party line.
Craig
Oakville Ont
Congratulations, and you can count on my vote as an independant voter supporting an independant MP.
Getreal, unlike you and many of the readers of Garth’s blog, I do not live in the Halton riding (though I do work in it, so I think that should count for something). I don’t think Garth represents me in the literal sense, but I do agree with some of his positions and feel the country would benefit if more MPs held the same attitude towards their position that Garth does.
As a both an IT Security worker and very passionate advocate of using modern technology to further assist and broaden communication between constituents and their elected officials, I agree that the use of online polls would be a useful method of assisting with gathering feedback.
However, as you may already be aware, the simplicity of falsifying credentials on a website (i.e. name and home address), this information would need to be further verified with some sort of direct contact with the “voter”, or by comparing some sort of “secret” information provided to the constituent. The cost of the poll itself would be cheap, but distributing information and/or confirming the information provided would be costly. However, this confirmation would be necessary in order to prevent fraud and/or multiple votes from a single individual. Even tying a vote to an IP address does not necessarily prevent fraud, as it is not difficult to falsify that kind of information.
This is not to say that informal polls could not be conducted, but their weight in considering future actions should be balanced by the ability for the results to be “corrupted”.
Finally, your argument assumes that more people have Internet access, are aware of the site, have enough basic computer skills to find the site and use the poll (believe it or not, I know people who would have trouble with these), and are interested in putting in their “two cents.”
Getreal: And I’m quite sure the first time the online vote reflects a majority opinion that differs from yours, you’ll be the first one to cry fraud.
“They guy lives in Canada and has a Canadian wife and children. The situation is unique. I suppose if they had jailed the guy, there would be a cheap shot about depriving a family of their father by refusing to stand up to Bush. Right?”
Ed, the point here is that this is an American citizen, charged with a serious crime in the US, tried and convicted of that crime in the US, and sentenced by a judge in the US. Funny thing is, the sentence is exile to Canada. Bottom line, if Harper does not step in and stop this, Canada becomes a dumping ground for US criminals. (and what possible difference can it make as to who the criminal is married to or where that wife happens to live)
To Gary V, the idiot that left a disgusting response in regards to Cheka:
To suggest, for your partisan neo-conservative advantage, that a person who truly loves dogs is to blame for the unfortunate happenings to the beloved Cheka, and then turn your remark into veiled “Stephen Harper Special” twisted sexist slur shows why Garth is above neo-conservatives – like you – that preach “family” values like hate, racism, sexism, war and blind obedience. I am sorry about Cheka, Garth. I have always felt that you can judge someone’s character by the way they treat those that are weak and defenseless. You are clearly a great man. It is time for a new direction for real conservatives. It is time to go Green – all across the country. Garth: If you decide to run in a by-election, instead of waiting a month for the full election, I would gladly move from British Columbia to help full-time on your campaign as a Green candidate.
“….if Stephen Taylor hadn’t published this, no one would have been the wiser and we would have fallen for another Turner lie.”
Sean, I think the only lying going on here is coming from Harper et al. How else do you explain a PM that promises to never appoint another senator (elected ones only eh) but then does just that once he is in power and then have that same senator (Fortier) promise to run in the next election to rightfully win his seat in government, but then refuse the opportunity to run in the Montreal byelection. Not hard to figure out who the liar(s) are here.
Uh, GetReal – did you forget your tranqs today? Relax. Take a pill.
Garth, you have the chance to write history – Carp Diem, my friend, Carp Diem.
The Green Party will facilitate the most progressive dialogue since we tackled with the issues of the welfare state after the last world war. You can do more for your country by being the first Green in Parliament then you could have in the conservative caucus for the rest of your life. I was a liberal myself, then a conservative, but now I stand tall as a Green. LOOK AT THEIR PLATFORM! It is the most well-rounded approach to governance this country has ever seen – and it is more pure, timely, and devoid of political posturing then any other party could ever envision. You have the chance to engage voters on a whole new level – one of fiscal responsibility and international leadership, fused with passionate defence for our environment, health, and quality of life.
You can jump start the Greens into Parliament in 2006-7, they will lead the opposition by 2025, and lead the government by 2035.
This is a new millennium and politically we are still stuck in the 20th century. The Green Party is the most centrist based vehicle for change Canada has. Elizabeth May is making HUGE strides and can facilitate an honest and much needed dialogue in debates if the Greens have one solitary seat.
You have the chance to do something for people that people like me dream of. But this opportunity is more then an opportunity for legacy – it is an opportunity to change the political landscape forever. Your constituents will respect this decision and you will get more attention for them as a result.
You can also bring the necessity for FISCAL DISCIPLINE, and stakeholder buy-in to the forefront of the Green organization. Keep them focused and on track, and shape their progressive agenda to as to not hamper but rather facilitate economic development. The Greens have very powerful ideas – but they are still free-market liberals – help them shape a vision of a “new green economy.”
“Hardening of the intellectual arteries is a dangerous ailment, both to it’s possessor and humanity at large” – the body politic in Canada has been suffering for 30 years – save us.
For Cheka, GO GREEN.
This to all the voters in Halton.
HARPER—–Dictarial vindictiveness.
The sky is the limit. Surpasses even the most arrogant of Liberals.
To just summarize————
Even before the Caucus convened the seating plan was revised suspending (firing) Garth form the CPC benches.
While the Caucus meeting was in progress workers were in Garth’s office ready to remove his computers.Before the week was out Halton no longer existed on the CPC map. We were all suddenly disenfranchised.
Now comes news that Garth is out of the ALL PARTY Finance committee.
All of this in spite of the fact that the leaderless Liberals are now tied with the CPC in the polls and the female vote has moved in droves to the Liberals.
Then he has the audacity to call a by-election on the eve of the Liberal convention.At the Burlington meeting I sat and listened (and heckeled) the true “red” and “blue” Tories for saying–right or wrong, my party, I stand by ye.When will the Conservative heirarchy learn ? Just in my day (three score and fifteen) I’ve seen Diefenbaker (Diefenblunder) blow it with the cancellation of the Avro Arrow. The greatest debacle in Canadian aviation history from which it has never recovered.
I’ve seen Joe “Who” Clark blow it by trying to govern with a minority as though he had a majority.
I’ve seen Mulroney blow it by declaring he would not privatise the oil and gas industry and then forms Petro-Can. I still drive extra miles to buy gas elsewhere.And then they put up the sacrificial lamb, Kim Campbell in the next election. Results, an unprecedentd low of 4 seats. Even at their worst the NDP have fared better.
Inspite of all this on three occasions I have always voted Conservative ( against Diefenbaker, Mulroney and then we I went to Reform.)
I was at the innaugural meeting and joined Reform in Mississauga. Eventually I became President of the Mississauga East riding for the Reform Party.
That was until the “new” Preston Manning, having won a surprising 60 seats and decided to change the Reform Party to CRAP.(Conservative Reform Alliance Party) Remember that ?
I was so incensed that I tore up my membership card in front of Preston.I even made it on the front page of the Toronto Star.
While contemplating voting Green during the last election along came Garth Turner. Like a breath of fresh air.
I voted for Gerth Turner and not the CPC and will continue to do so no matter what direction he chooses.
He exemplifies what the Tories promised and he sticks to his beliefs. He stands up for Canada.
“March 19, 2005–Conservative Party of Canada Policy Declaration. In this document we have proposed a new era of transparency accurately and confidence in the government finances. WE WILL PROVIDE CONTINUOS TAX RELIEF SO THAT ALL CANADIANS- INCLUDING FAMILIES, SENIORS AND NEW CANADIANS-CAN PROSPER. (block letters are mine)
But all of a sudden, the two million plus seniors are irrelavent to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. The tax relief for seniors with income splitting is not a priority. (Being a part of the Ontario Caucus, is it not probable that
Flaherty was behind this vote to oust Garth and has nothing to do with the environment which was really an excuse ?
January 13, 2006 inOakville Harper proclaims a plan rooted in Canadian values. The platform is based on values of integrity. Then come Emerson and Fortier.
So much for integrity, openess and transparency.
May I suggest to the voters of Halton, vote for Garth Turner regardless of your political stripe, whatever he decides. You know it will be a well thought out decision. Perhaps that way (if they survive)we can send a message to the CPC that we will not be ignored and taken for granted.
Morris Lewicky
Get back into the conservative fold, you weenie. You are worse than Belinda Stronach.
Since Garth got booted, I don’t think joining another party is treacherous to his voters in any way. If he had done it while still part of the conservatives, I could see how it might be hypocritical. In this case, its not necessarily “crossing the floor”.
I’m a life-long conservative ( Sask/Humbolt PC Candidate ‘93 ((Alas)) )- in fact I drove you to a political rally in Sask. in 93.
Kick ass!!!
Hello Mr. Turner,
I am unfortunately not one of your constituents and won’t be – unless you are willing to move to Vancouver.
I think it would be wonderful if you would join the Green Party. With our “first past the gate” system, it is very unlikely that they will get a seat in the near future by any other means.
I wish you luck in your decision.
Getreal, you can’t be serious. You don’t even post under your own name but you want everyone to post a “vote” with their name and address (because there is no way someone would know their neighbors names and addresses and vote for them), and then have “virtual vigilantes” weed out the fakes? And how would they do that? Phone the supposed voters to confirm their votes?
Yeah, great idea. I’m surprised we don’t just switch all elections to your method.
Besides, you say “Considering the fact that these meetings are stacked with people that might be outside of the riding and green party supporters that didn’t give Mr. Turner his mandate, it makes the polls he takes quite irrelevant. THIS REMAINS THE ISSUE AND NOTHING ELSE.” What you’re missing is the polls are irrelevant ANYWAY. Noone is saying that if one option gets 50%+1 he is bound to do it. It’s simple. He is the MP for this riding and will be until the next election unless he quits. There is NO recall legislation. When he next runs, whether he does as an independent, a Green, a Conservative, heck, maybe even one of those Flying Yoga guys, will be 100% his decision. And then, after he makes HIS decision, we the voters will decide if we want to support him or not. He may not even make a decision until the election is called, he doesn’t have to.
So why get so worked up, and demand such outrageously unworkable ideas that are as irrelevant as the town hall polls you are all in a hissy about?
Actually, now that I think about… I think we should start a campaign to get Garth to join the Flying Yoga’s… after all, this would give them their first MP too
What do you think Garth? 
Garth, I hope your pooch gets better. I could only imagine that it must hard on your wife and you. I lost mine lately and it’s like losing a close friend.
Anyway – back to politics…. Garth, as an experience politician, surely you must have known that these committees, under the current rules and procedures, only “party” members sit on them. It sucks, but, we do have to follow rules until they are changed. I remember a long time ago, while as young person starting my career, a wise manager told me, that working from the inside of a team can bring about change, but, as an outsider, bringing about change is a lot more difficult. Sometimes there’s give and take but, the yard stick can be moved forward. Something to ponder.
Mr. Prime Minister:
I can’t believe you’ve done such a thing – kick Garth Turner out of your caucus????? What are you thinking or are you?
We have been loyal Conservative/Reform/Conservative voters for the last 40 years, but are now seriously considering other options. Mr. Turner was a voice to the people of Canada on what is happening in Parliament and nothing he said on his weblog was offensive to a loyal Conservative. In fact, we thought he was a very loyal Conservative, who critized the family he worked with, but defended them to the bitter end, yourself included. We read his weblog every day and felt that even though we live in B.C. we were finally recognized as part of the voting public in Canada and not the neglected West.
We would much appreciate hearing from you on this topic, as so far we have heard no reason for this action and at this point, along with many other voters, are very angry about it. We feel you have done irreprable damage and face a very uncertain future in the soon-to-be-called next election. We detest the Liberals, but fear you’ve handed them a welcome bonus.
Mr. Turner we have admired the way you’ve managed yourself as leader of the Conservatives and Parliament, but this is indeed a black mark on your record – one we hope you’ll amend!! The consequences of this action could set us back to a Liberal government, a future we would not endorse.
Sincerely,
Bernie and Marion
Good afternoon Garth,
Funny how political parties turn of their own including their MP’s. It’s really too bad that our parties and their leaders don’t practise what they preach as far as allowing freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed in our Constitution. I applaud you for your intestinal fortitude to speak your mind.
I know that since your removal from caucus lat week you have been weighing your options before deciding which direction you will take. I hope it is to remain in politics. We need individuals like yourself.
I would like to bring to your attention another option and ask that you consider it. As you may know, the chances of an independent candidate to be elected even if they are the incumbent, are slim. John Nunsiata found that out after being discarded by the Liberals some years ago, so finding a new home would be in your best interest. The question is, do you agree with the the policies of that party and can you, not only live with them, but grow with them as well?
What about if you where able to be in the decision making end of a party? A new party where you can help decide on the initial polices of that party. The Reform Party of Canada was such a party that started off with just a few individuals who had a different vision of Canada and for Canada. The party grew at a rate that would have had them probably become the Government without having to change their ideals and eventually, merge with the PC party.
This very same thing can happen again and I would invite you to consider this option. I have been thinking about this for several years and have compiled a policy paper that I believe, most Canadians would be in favour of. I have been talking to Canadians for several years in several Provinces and I would say all of them have agreed with me. Unfortunately, there isn’t a political party today that is willing to include them in their policies and fight to have them become law. You can be a part of the party’s building process. It would be a big plus to start off having a sitting member and two would give this new party, Party Status in the eyes of Government.
Just some recommendations I found about taxes ALBERTA style for you take forward or take issue with.
“But if Flaherty really wants to do something that will grab the attention of Canadians, he should follow the Alberta model and institute a single-rate tax – with a large personal exemption.
This would ensure two things. First, it would allow Canadians to make, say, their first $20,000 or $25,000 in income tax-free, which would vastly improve the lives of lower-income individuals by letting them keep more money in their pockets.
And considering that Flaherty spent much of his speech talking about the marginal tax rates in Canada – that would be the bigger percentage of every dollar that is taxed as workers move up the income and tax scale due to raises – a single-rate tax would also give workers more incentives to take large raises, knowing that they will be keeping a bigger portion of the extra money than they do now.
BOLD AND DECISIVE
Bold and decisive tax relief is something that everyone can understand. And it would clearly set the Harper Conservatives apart from the bickering Liberals – who have now circled the wagons and turned their guns on each other in a bitter, divisive leadership campaign.”Edmonton Sun editorial today.
Good luck with the dog. It truly is man’s best friend.
I do however think that is still your civic and legal responsibility to have a by-election in Halton.
I suspect most voters (myself included) voted first for the party and second for the candidate – though in Halton you made it easy for me on both counts.
Ed, the point here is that this is an American citizen, charged with a serious crime in the US, tried and convicted of that crime in the US, and sentenced by a judge in the US.
No, Frank, the point here is you are trying to make the Conservatives look bad because of something a loony judge did in the US. This case is a situation that appears to have no precedent. The man is presumably a legitimate resident in Canada. He has a wife and children. Presumably he is paying taxes in this country.
If the judge wants to be creative in his sentencing, we will just have to find out if what he did is legal or not.
But how this equates to Harper=Bush is beyond me, but clearly in your opportunistic Conservative bashing head all is clear.
It may well be that the man’s family is happy to have him back. The left-wingers are probably happy to have him back for the sake of his wife and kids and the opportunity that they will have to rehabilitate him.
As I said, if Harper had immediately thrown up roadblocks and prevented him from entering the country, you would probably complained that Harper was anti-family.
That’s the point of all your postings isn’t it?
hey Garth, can you expalin this:
“Early Sunday, National Newswatch received information that suggested MP Garth Turner will announce that he has decided to officially join the Green Party”
Source:http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/
index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=
1781&Itemid=41
News to me. — Garth
Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.â€
~ Albert Einstein
20th century physicist, creator of the theory of relativity
Courage Quotes – Common Opinion
Garth, I am curious to know what you think about the “Clean Campaign” movement in the U.S.
As a different approach to public funding than the one we took in Canada, the thing that strikes me is that citizens could make organized political parties superfluous. Contrast that with the funding of parties in Canada and attempts to entrench their power through various schemes for proportional representation.
I think these subjects are important and timely. In effect, candidates in the U.S. are given the chance to convince enough constituents through donation of $5 to win matching funds to run as independents. A lot of them are winning, even for statewide office. Major parties in the U.S. are in disrepute. Despite our having more options, is this U.S. tide likely to reach Canada?
Garth, as an experience politician, surely you must have known that these committees, under the current rules and procedures, only “party†members sit on them.
Not true РAndr̩ Arthur sits on the House of Commons standing committee on industry, science and technology, albeit only because the Conservatives have agreed to it.
I don’t understand at all why backbench MPs have allowed their parties’ leadership this level of control of their legislative activities – the executive branch is supposed to operate within the confines set up by the legislative branch, not boss the legislative branch around. Unfortunately, most backbenchers seem to see no problem at all with this state of affairs.
My congratulations to you for treating the party as a collection of representatives of similar beliefs and for remembering that it was your name next to which voters markes their Xs, not Stephen Harper’s.
I believe you should sit as an independent, mostly because I see absolutely no advantage to you and your ability to do your job from any other course of action. Besides that, I see very little overlap between the policies you espouse and those the Green Party espouses – I think, and I presume that you agree, that you have much more in common with Conservative policy than with Green policy.
In any event, speaking as a guy for whom the middle class agenda you advocate is not a priority, thanks for acting the way and M.P. should.
Steve Smith
Edmonton, Alberta
Hey Garth, I’ve got a question.
According to the MSM the government can’t make any regulation laws until 2010 when the voluntary emissions put in by the Liberals expire. Why not? In theory if they had support of the house (and that darned senate that won’t pass the accountability act… but I digress) couldn’t they change the law now? If the elected government of Canada can’t change a current law with the support of the house it doesn’t look too good for democracy in Canada. Why can’t parliament change a current law?
Garth you know as well as I do that the consumer will dictate the time and place for alternative fuels to make it in the marketplace, not government. Remember the electric car?????
Go for it Garth! Become famous as Canada’s first Green MP. Many of us have tried and failed but you have an amazing opportunity to represent the real views and needs of Canadians!
Re: Cheka’s seizures- look for a holistic vet. As with humans, meds are usually not helping the root of the problem and cause bad side effects. A search on the net should provide some names, good quality real ffod is essential(no chemical additives). I know there are many options in Ottawa if that’s where he is.
“No, Frank, the point here is you are trying to make the Conservatives look bad because of something a loony judge did in the US.”
Oh Ed…right now that is soooo easy. The Mule Skinner is driving your party into the ground with his NoEnvironment Agenda, the Turner fiasco, the Fortier scandal (how about a comment on that one Eddie, or Lewie, or Charley et al).
Lies, broken promises, and sliding poll numbers. It’s gotta be tough to be a CPC’er these days.
“I can put up with the prime minister executing me in public” Really?
This rhetoric sounds more like a neurotic Maggie Smith in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” than a former cabinet minister. Is it too trite to mention that we live in a world where people are executed for real.
I voted for an intelligent man with a distinguished record representing a party with a solid platform for Canada.
I did not vote for Andre Manuel Lopez Obrador. If you “can live” with no longer being a member of the CPC, then I suggest you start doing so. The sooner the better for Halton & your riding association.
I am a 16 year old pre-law student who would like to become Prime
Minister some day. I think since the Conservatives booted you out, you should
take the opportunity to join the Green Party, as you can really have
an impact on Canadian politics that way, and many of your constituents
are clearly supportive of this.
I don’t normally agree with the whole “switching teams” thing but seeing as you were kicked out, matters are a little different. GO GREEN!
The conservatives look bad enough on their own. But that said, the point is I highly doubt Canadians want the US’s problems, whether or not it’s legal, whether or not Harper would or wouldn’t allow it because of whatever commentary or insult you want to throw at him regarding his relationship with Bush. I mean, the guy’s guilty of sexually abusing a teenager. So now, they send him to Canada so he can do it again. Criticise Harper for being anti-family or pro-Bush if you’re so inclined, but wife and children or not, this guy does not in any way, shape or form, belong in Canada.
Mr. Turner,
Since these types of meetings are ALL party meetings, if you were to join the green party you could not be barred from attending as you would be the only rep of the green party in the house of commons. Just something to consider. As an indie you will have little to no real sway … but as a green you would have more media attention to advance your agenda for the voters who elected you and you would have the benefit of calling Harper undemocratic for attempting to bar you from such meetings in the future.
Frankie,
You are one very ignorant little boy.
Scandals? Your beloved Libranos had more scandals involving tens of millions of dollars with kick backs, payoffs and “missing money”, than all other politicals parties combined in the history of Canada. And here this little boy Frankie has the audacity to talk about scandals,the word is synonymous with Liberal. Nice try Frankie.
And to think that this demented light weight is teaching some of the nations children. Put a plug in it little boy.
Steve Smith, Arthur sits on this committee because a party agreed to it (I guess taking away one of its members).
Garth hasn’t quite been respectful towards the conservative members, so no surprise here. I know Garth must feel hurt, but, come on…. how much should a party and its members take his abusive nature (subtly or not). I saw his tone right from the start of this government and could predict that Garth will push until something like would happen. Man, I wrote about Garth’s tone way back in the spring…. He dissed not only his caucus, but, also the other MPs. Recall, he basically wrote that the other MPs didn’t work as hard as he did and that all cabinet MPs didn’t deserve their posts. That’s most unfortunate, because I think Garth does want to be a good MP for his constituents. But, you can’t keep burning these bridges and still be wanted as part of team. Because it didn’t prove anything at all and he now is more focused on his own future and not on his constituents work – one week and counting.
BTW: what the heck is going on in this house? The Liberals and the NDP are focused on an old lovers’ jibes and the BLOC wants to build a fast train to nowhere? And the media (being dumb), only focuses on non issues. Jane Taber, on Mike Duffy, just salivated on the “dog” jibe. However, it must of slipped her that Denis Coderre called Rona a “planted pot”, or the constant heckling when Diane Finley gets up to answer questions, or the constant heckling when Bev Oda gets up to answer questions. This doesn’t just come from the Liberals but from the party who strongly supports women – the NDP!!!!
However, isn’t there more important issues before us to debate? Or is it that Mr. Harper is running a pretty good government, so that there really isn’t much to be critical about?
Garth I really feel for you in nursing Cheka. We went thru a similar experience with our ridgeback, Simba, after surgery for a torn ear when he went frantic after the usual large collar was fitted. We had him on a leash by the side of one of us 24/7 for four weeks ’til the wound healed. The news that Cheka was better this AM is good to hear. Could not your vet. keep him lightly sedated for a few days to help him rest comfortably ? Stay with it, Garth, the unquestioning love you’ll get back is more than worth the effort. My very best wishes. Ron Heaps
Catherine: For someone who chastises anyone who thinks womens rights should be front and centre, you have some gall calling verbal abuse of any woman “lovers jibes”.
If you do not condemn it then you must condone it.
If you think harrassment of women in the House of Commons should be viewed as “business as usual” and “the way things are done here”, then you are in grand company with the Conservatives.
To say that all members do it, does not justify it.
For any female M.P. to be silent on the issue is to fascilitate the harrassment.
If you think verbal abuse is O.K. then don’t bellow about the rights of women in Afghanistan.
Lewis: As I see it the scandal tally is pretty even. And the Cons have only been at it 9 months.
Judy,
I, as a woman, can dish it out as well as any man…. I don’t need to be “protected”. Heck, my mother, being of the old schoold, could dish it out too. The difference between you and me, Judy, is that I try to focus on the relevant stuff – not on dribble.
Judy, if you care very much about name calling and respectful ways, then, follow your own preaching…. Stop with your “neo-con” name calling. While you’re at it – talk with your media Liberals types and ask them to stop with making fun of Stephen Harper’s clothing, his hair, his size, and his public interactions with his children. I’m sure that that must of hurt his children. Would we allow making fun of woman MP’s attire or her size?
BTW: The Liberals led with 7 questions during Question Period on the “dog” jibe. Don’t you think that was over the top? Wasn’t there anything else that Liberals feel is important to ask the government about? Have the MPs been reduced to “he/she slighted me – bahhh – I’m going to eat some worms”. Isn’t there any Liberals out there that can put a well thought out question together?
Judy, I would hardly call the “dog” issue harassment. People like you scram harassment at the least little thing and the real harassment (any kind of harassment) goes unnoticed. I would hardly call Belinda a victim – she is, from what she appears to be, not a nice person and one who is fully capable of being nasty, vindictive and shallow. I doubt very much if Catherine supports harassment and, in fact, her posting does not indicate what you accuse her of supporting.
Richard, Why do you say that Ms.Stronach appears to be not a nice person? I , on the other hand think that Mr. Mackay appears not a very nice person.
So calling a woman a dog is not harrassment. So, Richard, turn to your wife, mother, daughter or sister and in anger or frustration call them each a dog or imply that they are dogs.
And what kind of reaction do you expect from them? Do you think they should accept verbal abuse from you?
Catherine – yes, yes, yes. You are right on the money with your latest response to our friend Judy. My mother, also, is from the old school (she is 80 years old) and nobody, no man nor woman has ever gotten the better of her. She has never needed protection and yet she has conducted herself as a lady her entire life.
Judy’s friends are making a mountain out of molehill. I agree – Parliament should not be involved with this trivial matter. You are a voice of reason in a world of Judy types.
Catherine: You mistake “question period” for serious work of the government. Nothing serious ever gets accomplished during this hour of questions and non-answers, heckling and spin doctoring. So, to assume that the Liberal questions are taking time away from other serious matters is false.
And for Ms. Guergis to defend Mackay by saying he was raised by a single mother and it is just a “high school romance” gone bad, is ridiculous.
She admits that Mr. Mackay is acting like a teenage boy who has just been jilted
Garth said,I should call a national press conference to report that I edited a column five months ago after being instructed to do so by the government? What have you been smoking? — Garth
Garth, you know I didn’t say that, you’re lying, again. What I did say was that, when you had your press conference, you conveniently omitted that fact, that you had breached caucus confidentiality and were asked to change it. You were caught by Stephen Taylor and during an interview with CHQR radio, the interviewer made you backtrack and caught you in a lie.
You are wrong. I did not breach confidentality, and the edited post – changed at the direction of the Government Whip – has been well explained. End of story. Bye. — Garth
Historical correction.
The Cons were reduced to two seats in the 93′ election not 4 .
Elsie Wayne and Jean Charest were the only two to survive the blood letting .
Gee! I wonder if Elmer McKay Peter’s dad realizes his mom was a single mother .
More stupidity from the all dummy party .
Elmer MacKay’s son, Peter MacKay, entered politics several years after his father’s retirement, and was the final leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. The younger MacKay, currently a member of the Conservative Party of Canada, is now the Member for Central Nova, a re-creation of the same riding his father once represented. Once in government, Peter was assigned several portfolios, including that of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the job of representing Prince Edward Island in government; both jobs previously performed by Elmer.
Who was that stupid person that said Petey was raised by a single mother ?
Dumb.
Note: The above post was edited for language. — Garth
“Frankie,
You are one very ignorant little boy.”
Lewie, I am deeply offended by this comment. As I’ve told you before, a lot of the ladies refer to me a a ‘big boy’ ….if you know what I mean
Reason the Liberal’s are making so much political hay over the pooch comment is that this so-called government(?) said they would be held to a higher standard and return decorum to the House .
More hot air .
Michael Fortier still refuses to stand for election .Talk about being a political parasite !
Yea, Harpo was barely sworn in before shattering two key promises. No unelected Senators and no floor x’s .
There is no such thing as a safe neo-con seat in Quebec so get over it Fortier .
After the election there will be zero neo seats. Period .
Judy,
When did the Harper government steal millions of dollars from the treasury through payoffs, kickbacks, money laundering? When did the CPC PM accept millions of dollars from the public treasury into his bank account as did the last Liberal PM? Where is the 40 million dollars missing , unaccounted for from the Liberals adscam? I know you won’t answer these questions.
If you see this as equal then you are totally deaf and blind Judy, you are pathetic little would-be Liberal shill.
[...] Aaron Unruh
Tue Oct 24, 2006
Regular readers of garth.ca will know that the debonair member from Halton has been stripped of his membership on [...]
The only pathetic one I see is you Lewis. I am in no way a Liberal, but this continuous whining about adscam/Gomrey is really, really geting old. Canadians were quite fed up with it by the time we had the last election. I sure hope you and the Harper administation are not stupid enough to think you can rely on brining that up again next election.
I think Garth has figured out quite nicely on his own what a mistake he made thinking Harper and Company were truly going to be a Honest,Open and Accountable Government. Yeah sure what a joke they have turned out to be. Slipping down further and further in the polls the last couple of weeks eh Lewis?