Many in the media may have been expecting me to announce I was defecting to another party today. Others were salivating that I would release dirt on the Stephen Harper Administration.
But my focus was more on the desperate need in Ottawa for Parliamentary reform – after all, what happened to me as an MP can happen to anyone the voters send to this place, because parties are now more important than citizens!
MPtv came along with me as I walked over from my office to the Press Theatre in those few minutes before I made my statement this afternoon, and took reporters’ questions.
To view the video, click here.
52 comments ↓
garth……we obviously very interested in supporting your cause…….
but how do you convince the media to keep this important issue alive……..when most of them are focussed on topics such as violence, sports……….and nudity……….
even the globe and mail yesterday….had U.S news on the front page they didn’t even bother discussing the Municipal Elections……..
Without party representation, you can never effect the change you want to effect, no one will vote for it.
Hi Garth, Not only are parties more important then citizens but the politicians are more important then the citizens as well. Some examples are David Emerson, Belinda Stronach, Scott Brison and any other floor crosser who does not go back to the people that brought them there. If there is a good reason to cross the floor then let the voters help with that decision. I am glad to see you staying as an independent as that is the next best thing other then having an election to resolve your situation. All the best and hope your dog is doing good still. Regards
Hi Garth:
I was one of those who fantasized about you outting your fellow former party members in some way. All the same, I thought that you would state that your separation from conservative policy stemmed from your reluctance to accept the cancelation of the income trust tax exemption. You know?…The broken promise.
Now according to this statement you intend to carry on as an independant. Personally I am very happy about that. However, aren’t you risking ridicule for not subjecting yourself to a by-election? For the time being things are fine, but I am concerned that others in all parties may use it against you and allow the conservatives to replace you with greater ease anyway. I hope not.
David L Gordon
garth,
by the way………you have to change the information……below…that states…
copywrite…hon. garth turner, P.C. MP – Member of Parliament for Halton….. you might have those people from the Conservative party stating you are misrepresenting yourself as a P.C conservative…..these people are just crazy…. and will probably do other silly things….
Wishing you the very best in your retirement.
Kind Regards
The media is ready for more dirt on Harper’s government as the media has seen corruption and broken promises. They were expecting you to deliver more today. Everyone already knows Steve Harper is a chair-kicking control freak willing to hurt others for his political gain… no new story there.
Maybe you should have been a member of the Reform Paety instead of the defunct Progressive Conservatives.
Preston Manning has already done the homework on this and has tyhe scars from trying to implement democratic reforms.
I guess you were not in the loop then and now you think you have invented this?
In do invite you to review the reform party policies from the past. And maybe talk to Ed Broadbent who has some excellent ideas, especially on proportional representation.
You could review the good works of those who have gone before you and save yourself a lot of embarassment and country-wide travels going over ground that has already been covered.
Good luck to you. There is always room in any societies for rebels and non-conformists who don’t like to be part of teams or organizations.
That is not to say that the soloist is never listened to – just sometimes they sound better with a band behind them.
You truely are a simple man. Please let me be part of your digital democracy and don’t erace my posts.
yawn
It was sort of what I expected.
I myself am still flabbergasted they booted Garth out of the party, after all he was nominated, elected, and even in the cabinet.
But I can understand the staying independant. Most people have conflicting views on things when it comes to politics, and I myself would not have hoined any of those other parties myself.
As Garth pointed out, there is problems in Canada, and what he is doing is his way to try to solve those problems.
I must at this point plug my fav, and say In Alberta, vote Alberta Bloc for real change.
In Halton, Ontario it looks like one should support and vote for Garth Turner for real change that Canada needs.
Your posts state that you have not been given a reason for your ouster from caucus. There’s plenty of speculation on these boards about why… but I wonder if the recent financing scandals with Bev Oda / CanWest and the Broadcast Review on Nov 27th as well as your self-titled position as “Canada’s Digital Democracy Leader” may have been mutually exclusive?
Charlie Angus for the NDP has been making noise in the House on this issue Mp3.
I wonder if this negative attention and your digital freedom stance may have been a contributing factor to your falling-out with the Conservative party as we approach the broadcast review?
Prof. Michael Geist has some information on the Bev Oda controversy on his blog. which might be relevant to your fight for Parliamentary reform.
Obviously this hasn’t hit the newswires yet…
http://www.greenparty.ca/page312.html
“In other words, the party that claims to be built on grassroots politics just told the grassroots to go f*** themselves.
Not that it’s not the same in all the other big parties, mind you. I just find it particularly hypocritical in a party that traditionally makes such a big stink about the grassroots. ” End Quote
Truer words have never been posted so clearly and eloquently!!!!
This business about unelected officials disqualifying a twice (!!) nominated (through the official grassroots local riding association policy and procedure!) wreaks of hypocrisy and favouritism!
With just words alone, I cannot fully express the absolute DISGUST I have for how the principle of democracy and grassroots activism, that I thought the CPC party embraced (NOT!), has been so completely and totally negated by a secret meeting of unelected officials basically telling the local Halton Riding association to “Go F*** themselves”.
What this one act says to all the volunteers and ALL the CPC party faithful (No longer) on the local level in Halton,is that their voice does not matter and their duly chosen and officially recognized nominee for the second straight time has now been unilaterally declared void and invalid and simply disqualified!!
This is not democracy, it sure as shit is not grass roots democracy, its called centralization of authority by unelected party “strategists” who have somehow been granted power and authority to override (but what legal means or loophole I don’t KNOW!) the wishes of the local CPC riding association in the Halton riding!
Why am I pissed about this!?!?
I live in Halton and volunteered my time and efforts to support Garth Turner and I still support Garth!! The fight for the riding of Halton will be the most bitter election battle and could well turn out to be a VERY hotly contested riding in the next election, and without a doubt I promise the voters of Halton WILL NOT ever EVER sent another CPC representative to Ottawa to be treated this despicably!
If I thought ligation in any form could right this dictatorial wrong I would be the first to donate hard cash to the cause, but my limited understanding of the situation suggests the CPC got away with this unilateral action legally and “properly” within the terms of their party constitution, which in effect says when it comes to local riding candidate selection “We make up the rules as we go along, AND there is no appeal process, so go sc**w your selves”
I was at the last meeting of the local riding association and saw, first hand, the attitude of the representatives from the “Central power” of the CPC. They were professional and polite, but that’s about all I can say for them, as their message was clear… “From the TOP DOWN, Garth is OUT!” and your entire riding association will be replaced by “yes persons” so you can all go jump in the lake!
garth brooks, you’re my new hero!
Garth, hopefully you will do us all a favour & just go away. This charade was just about YOU. I for one am fed up with listening to you. My sympathies to the people of your riding who have to put up with you for another year or two.
Garth, if ever there was one person I’m glad to see go, you’re it.
Oh, good job of repeated multiple censorship yesterday (you or your web master; same dif), Mr. Opennness, it was very entertaining.
And there was much rejoicing.
“garth,
by the way………you have to change the information……below…that states…
copywrite…hon. garth turner, P.C. MP – Member of Parliament for Halton….. you might have those people from the Conservative party stating you are misrepresenting yourself as a P.C conservative…..these people are just crazy…. and will probably do other silly things….”
Uh, um, (cough) Josie? That would be “Privy Council” not Progressive Conservative.
Garth,
I watched your news conference today, you were reasonable, I was peasantly surprised, you were bigger than I thought you might be.
However,later in the day, I twice heard from you on your “cross country” campaign. With Cristie Clark and then Terry Moore, it seemed that you were enjoying your “15 minutes of fame”. As the day wore on you lost some of your reasonableness, vindictiveness crept in with a little help from Terry and Christie.
Your premiss of todays campaign was that the country needs 10 or 15 more Independant MPs. Well Garth, I have news for you. Until such time as there is a party called the “Independent Party” (IPs) there aint going to be 10 or 15 of them in Parliament. Only those who for a very wide variety of reasons have either been thrown out,or became disenchanted with their own party or failed to get the nomination will be Independents. Although you in effect were campaigning today for that non existent IP party, as it doesn’t have any established prinicipals, will vary all over the political spectrum, it would be as true to it’s non principals as you have been to the CPC.
You wondered out loud several times today that you were not informed as to why they threw you overboard, that they had not informed you in any of the communication with them. Surely you jest Garth, surely they do not have to spell it our or make a public pronouncement, even a blind man can see why you had to go. A party is not a party when it allows it’s members to frequently, openly criticise the proceedings of it’s otherwise behind doors sessions. It is not a party when it allows some members to shoot off their mouths wildly with out thought as to the damage they may be doing to their party. Garth maybe you do not know why you were tossed, I do and tens of thousands of other Canadians also do, it was so very obvious. Vindictiveness on your part now will only convince people that the correct actions were taken.
Good luck with your “independence campaign” but it is not going anywhere. Garth, you have had your day in the sun, your chickens have come home to roost, you made your bed now go lay in it.
Lewis
Bet you are sorry that you made such a fuss about floor crossing.
Garth, YOU are the best example of why MPs should be allowed to cross the floor without a bi-election.
-Your leader won’t let you run
-PMSH could hold off calling a bi-election.
So YOU illustrate why you were wrong about floor-crossing. Too bad for you. but PMSH was right about a leader having too much power over MPs is floor-crossing rules were in place (haha)
Just a guess, but did you scoop Flarety’s ’seniors income slitting’ idea and run with it as your own? and consequently got canned…
In my riding of Halton we do NOT “Put up with Garth” the man returns calls and and e-mails promptly and professionally.
He represents the interested of all his constituents more effectively and professionally then any other politician I have every seen!
Garth campaigns by ACTUALLY knocking on doors of houses and soliciting voter support, Halton is not, and WAS not an easy riding for the conservatives, (CPC) and DESPITE President Harper (not because of him) Garth managed to squeak out a victory anyway. The battle for this riding next time will be hotly contested and the reality of the voting pattern in Halton would suggest an Independent Garth Turner might split the “right leaning” vote and provide an easy victory for a REAL Red Blooded Liberal candidate to easily claim the riding.
Seriously Garth knows this but he may well run anyway JUST so the darned CPC party won’t have a hope of victory in the riding!
I will support Garth anyway and I will campaign for him but the “Brain Trust” of the national (west based) CPC party has effectively thrown away the Halton riding, it will NOT, under any circumstances be a CPC riding again anytime soon so long as Garth runs as an independent!!
It maybe an act of defiance and/or it may will end in his re-election, but it will be a big job. Garth Turner may in fact be better off in this riding as an Independent rather then saddled with the Neo-Con, Right wing baggage of the current CPC regime!
And I mean that in All seriousness! I live in the riding of Halton and have done all my life, I have been active in politics since before I was old enough to vote and I am in my late 40’s now. That’s not old and of course I respect ALL of those with many more years and much more seniority then my self. But for those from outside the riding who are reading this, it is this individual’s considered opinion that this course of events (especially with Garth Turner choosing now to run as an independent in the next election) will reveal that a CPC majority vote in this riding is now completely impossible! My prediction is that this riding cannot be won by ANY conservative representative, except Garth Turner ESPECIALLY after what the CPC “back room boys” have just done to fracture (if not demolish) our local riding association!
But once again that is only one voter’s opinion.
Peace Out
Higerunce is bliss!
Next step? Call a by-election for Halton and get a clear mandate to continue as an independent. You’ll have the voters for you and a snub to all the pols that switched parties without being re-affirmed. Get the media heavily involved, bound to be some dirty tricks. The gloves are off now.
May the winds be fair at your back.
Well Garth, I guess you can see those that are loyal to Steve and his flunkies. Shame on all who believe that the CONServative Party are above board.
Open & Honest & Accountable to the people not likely.
All the same rhetotic before elected…I Promise and we Promise and I am and We are, not like the previous party…Ha! What a load of Horse dung.
Because they could not keep Mr. Turner quiet (and realize, people, he did not reveal any government secrets or endanger anyone by his blogs) they did the next best thing, ousted him.
Hmmm, sounds very paranoid and the CONServative side must be thinking now this will teach those within our gang that may be hankering (excuse the old western terminology)to let people know what is happening within the confines of our walls, what we did to Garth we will do to you.
Garth, I am so glad that you haven’t let the Conservatives beat you down! Politics is a dirty game and most go in wanting to make a difference, like yourself, but instead are brainwashed become hungry for power. I too was hoping that you would “out” some of your old colleges but I see that you don’t play dirty politics like the ones who had a hand in kicking you out. Keep up your head Garth. Most admire the ones who walk the path not taken.
Just in case you actually care about our riding in Halton here is QUICK history lesson:
Members of Parliament
This riding has elected the following Members of Parliament:
1. John White, Liberal (1867-1874)
2. Daniel Black Chisholm, Liberal-Conservative (1874-1875)
3. William McCraney, Liberal (1875-1878)
4. William McDougall, Liberal-Conservative (1878-1882)
5. William McCraney, Liberal (1882-1887)
6. John Waldie, Liberal (1887-1888)
7. David Henderson, Conservative (1888)
8. John Waldie, Liberal (1888-1891)
9. David Henderson, Conservative (1891-1917)
10. Robert King Anderson, Conservative (1917-1935)
11. Hughes Cleaver, Liberal (1935-1953)
12. Sybil Bennett, Progressive Conservative (1953-1957)
13. Alexander Best, Progressive Conservative (1957-1962)
14. Harry C. Harley, Liberal (1962-1968)
15. Rud L. Whiting, Liberal (1968-1972)
16. Terry O’Connor, Progressive Conservative (1972-1974)
17. Frank Philbrook, Liberal (1974-1979)
18. Otto Jelinek, Progressive Conservative (1979-1988)
1. Julian Reed, Liberal (1997-2004)
2. Gary Carr, Liberal (2004-2006)
3. Garth Turner, Conservative (2006), Independent (2006-present)
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halton_%28electoral_district%29
How about the voting pattern in the last election:
Garth Turner 30,578
Candidate Votes
Conservative Garth Turner 30,578
Liberal Gary Carr 28,498
New Democrat Anwar Naqvi 6,110
Green Kyle Grice 4,026
format ok?
you get the picture it was a close race…
Hi Garth, It sounds like your cause is in line with that of fairvotecanada.ca. Why not work with them for electoral reform?
Garth, I admire a person of conviction and principles, something woefully absent in our current political system. Obviously the model needs to be changed and I think the time is near for a new political party committed to that objective, and to accountability and openness in government. Have you ever thought of teaming with others and forming a new party? Sure it will be a long and arduous journey but the future of this country is in the balance.
I am one of those people that don’t vote and there is a simple reason. I follow politics closely hoping one day that accountability and integrity will be the norm not a wish.
During my childhood I have had to listen to the betrayal voiced by my parents of broken promises then. To experience what my parents experienced first hand in my adult voting life has totally destroyed my faith on how politicians and parties govern themselves.
I hear from people all the time that since I don’t vote, I have no say, etc… My simple response to them is, “I am a proud Canadian and we live in a democratic society so I choose not too until such time either someone or a party comes along that actual leads by exampleâ€
It’s easy for politicians to point with a stern finger and blame the other person. To the politicians that use this tactic, and there are a lot of them, next time, they should look at the hand that’s doing the pointing and take note what direction the other three fingers are pointing.
Garth – Restore integrity and accountability. If you do, I promise to vote. If you need any assistance to make this a reality, this citizen is offering.
There is no question that Garth Turner is no angel. He never questioned the way the PC Party elite manipulated the merger process to make sure they got the results they wanted. He never questioned the use of people’s donations to help rebuild the PC Party being used to destroy it. He never questioned the decision to boot David Orchard out of the party. He was willing to ignore the growing autocracy in the political system until he became its victim. If you benefit from a corrupt system then you accept it and support it.
At the same time, we can hope that he can change things even if his horns get in the way of the new halo.
Once and for all, to all those who think the Party is always right and you must follow them (in to the abyss apparently): if it is about getting re-elected with a majority in the next election, then you have to get more people to buy your product. In close to 10 months, no-one has jumped on your bandwagon. And this is while the Liberals are leaderless. The Conservatives have squandered a golden opportunity by being just as cynical and conniving as the government that they replaced.
Perhaps all those who are blindly faithful to the Party That Can Do No Wrong could leave us alone now. Heck, this is no longer a Conservative Blog, and it obviously is terribly stressful to you. Please don’t let the door hit you in the ass as you leave.
Are they gone? Good. OK, everybody, lets work on plotting the course for the demise of the Conservative Party under Harper. Garth, did you manage to embed the Moderate Conservatives deeply you-know-where?
I mean really, aren’t we glad they are gone. If Harper told them to drive off a cliff, they probably would. After all the Party can do no wrong. Once the Party has decided, must blindly follow them…
It is a damn shame that after all the hard work we all did to get Garth elected as a Conservative and especially the effort he put in to winning this riding, that the Party would have the gall to reject what we wanted. Our riding association has been told that our decisions don’t mean a damn thing.
Garth revealed a secret? Ho hum, so far the only ’smoking gun’ has been his comment that they talked about gun control in the wake of the incident in Montreal. How shocking; imagine that!
“There is no question that Garth Turner is no angel. He never questioned the way the PC Party elite manipulated the merger process to make sure they got the results they wanted. He never questioned the use of people’s donations to help rebuild the PC Party being used to destroy it. He never questioned the decision to boot David Orchard out of the party. He was willing to ignore the growing autocracy in the political system until he became its victim. If you benefit from a corrupt system then you accept it and support it.”
hmmm
interesting insights…
are they factual? or fictitious?
Darth,
I heard you on the Aldler show today. It’s true! You do think you are the Messiah!
By the next election you will have faded into oblivion.
Do you have any friends who can give an appointment/pretend job so you can stay in the trough if not the loop?
If you are not aware of Sociocracy you would find that it is an emerging governance model that would eliminate the multi party system and the need for Special Interest Groups to lobby government. Reasoned and paramount objections would be heard and all perspectives would be included in decision. Carolyn Bennett mentioned Sociocracy in her campaign…it is an evolutionary step forward from democracy and is proving itself in corporations and NGO’s and community groups. It is worth considering.
I would love some feedback about it.
Garth…i think the time is ripe for more independents to be heard. Thanks.
Maggie Dutton
Canadians are tried of the corruption by the ruling class and their attack on Democracy.
We need a peaceful revolution to take our Country back and maybe Garth is the start we have been looking for.
Way to go Garth. It saddens me to think that your ousting is what it takes to open peoples eyes as to what really is happening in todays politics. Please keep up the good fight….I’m behind you all the way…..even if I can’t vote for you!!
Now I know you are a drama “King” Garth. First the big announcement about “shocking” revelations, then an announcement of your resignation from the CPC. Big deal what a letdown (or as Jane Taber said much ado about nothing). You were essentially kicked out of the party anyway. As for supporting Elizabeth May, she is a naive, idealistic environmentalist who would rather see thousands of Canadian jobs lost over the next 5 years from shutting down the oil sands than accept the fact that you can’t build sequestration pipelines or nuclear reactors that in that short a time period with a labour shortage. Kyoto, Kyoto, Kyoto. It is just a stupid piece of paper. Sure lets do something about climate change but don’t kill the Canadian economy in the process. We should take our lumps from the Europeans, leave Kyoto to avoid sending billions of our hard earned tax dollars abroad and address climate change here domestically with a real plan. One that doesn’t involve sucking our pocket books dry like the 6 billion the Liberals WASTED.
Please read and debate:
http://www.caif.ca/
http://www.caif.ca/content/IncomeTrustsTax.Fortin.pdf
Why did you delete my post from 3:45 today? I thought what you were saying made sense and I only questioned one paragraph of your speech. Very disappointing to see limited openness so early in the game! By the way I still agree with your concerns for democracy in Canada.
Should I laugh or should I cry (from laughter) Garth all I can see is a large L on someones head and it ain’t Liberal all the best,
Dayton
My apologies. After continuing to read the blog I found the above post to be my mistake. I clicked on a newer blog entry than what I thought.
it is a relief to see that you are as honourable as I originally thought. Once again I apologize for my hasty reaction. I continue to be a supporter of this cause.
Sounds good, Garth. And yes, I agree that the more independents the better. Dislike the “American Way” all you want but at least Congressmen/women aren’t sheep and can vote freely on just about any issue. Maybe we need some of that here. I can just imagine the consternation THAT idea would bring to the biggee wig party brasses on Parliament Hill. What this country needs is more free and independent thinkers and fewer sheep. (Baaaaaaaa!)
Hi Garth,
When you announced your new website you said it was promisekeepers.ca. Oops, they’re a Christian fundamentalist’s website. You meant promiseskept.ca. I’m sure the Promisekeepers appreciate the publicity.
Yeah, my own stupidity – corrected quickly by helpful media types! — Garth
Well Garth, unless you were misquoted, you promised dirt – so where is the dirt? Can’t any politician keep a promise?
I never promised that, nor would I. — Garth
I hear you’re off to London, to campaign with Elizabeth May tommorow, Garth.
I’m sort of confused. In the press conference you stated the values you would support in parliament, which was basically key Green Party values, and then you bashed the entire party system, calling for more independants. Now, a day later you’re off to London to campaign with a party leader?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a green, we appreciate your support, but you confuse the hell outta me man.
I will pick the best candidates, regardless of their parties, and support them. — Garth
I find it very refreshing to finally see a politician with some sort of sense of responsibility to the voters that put them in office. After having abstained from voting in the last municipal election (first time ever) due to the fact that I believed ALL politicians are crooks and liars, along comes Garth and proves that there is still someone willing to ensure that the right thing is done based on what his constituents have told him.
You Sir have my greatest respect and I wish you well in what may prove to be a short-lived career in politics.
You did the right thing…..finally a MP with balls and courage. I talked to a MP tonight and she said that alot of the other backbenchers are very happy for you. They wish they had the courage to do the same thing. I will be following you on my blog . Perhaps I will help you next election.
Garth,the political machine you have described is one that we all too often have to put up with. It is time for a vast change in the way Parliament works. I wish for free votes in the House, less secrecy, more accountability and a genuine caring for the elected members and members of Parties across Canada being treated with respect. You are a man whom I believe is on a course to greater things. You tell the truth, a thing sadly lacking from the Government. As President of the Agent Orange Association of Canada, I can say without hesitation that our present Government is lying to the Veterans and civilians who were exposed to and poisoned by over 3,226,000 litres and pounds of Dioxin and Hexachlorobenzene at CFB Gagetown. They promise little and are not even living up to their hollow promises of a little compensation package.
You are in a position to raise this in the House. There is something to be said to be an Independent, at least you are able to speak your mind, not like the pack of mongrels currently sitting on the Government side.
Hello Garth:
I’ve eventually found some time fo go to your website. What you’re doing is GREAT! What are possible pitfalls of your act of civil disobedience? One possibility is that you may fall victim of your own success, but I believe you’re too smart to be caught in this crap. Just in case, revisit Mancur Olson’s “The Rise and Decline of Nations”.
You’re right that the Canadian political system stinks. Pierre Trudeau’s theory of MPs as a bunch of trained seals is very much alive and kicking under the new “benevolent” dictator (PMSH). As an immigrant from Europe, still, having lived in Canada for over 16 years, I’ve seen enough evil done by PM Jean Chretien and his cronies, the character assasination of the former Head of Business Development Bank of Canada being a prime example of corruption on Prliament Hill. Just to refresh the Nation’s memory: it was JEAN CHRETIEN, the former MINISTER OF FINANCE IN THE TRUDEAU GOVERNMENT, who helped his boss throw the country into the precipice of debt and budgetary imabalance, and, later, as PM, played a watchmaker fixing the watch he had previously screwed beyond repair. There is basically no moral difference between the treatment of MPs by their party leaders and political mechanisms rulind communist dictatorships in the former Soviet Block except for one: instead of physical assassination, characters are being killed and lives of those who dared to speak up ruined. You may count on my support for those overpaid and overperked “spinning” knigts of darkness are afraid of the truth you’re trying to bring about to the political scene.
Promise Keepers vs Promises Kept
While I see in a comment above that someone corrected the “oops”, I believe that your new website name is far too close. If you said the oops, and it is your idea, how many other people will make the same mistake?
I don’t have suggestions for an alternative, but please consider another name before you launch the site!
U dissapoint gareth in not laying blame where it belongs,with Steven Harper & his attempt to silence all M.P.s who differ with his views.
[...] His rationale in remaining as an independent is that he can get more done and respond to the wishes of the people who elected him if he doesn’t have to cater to party lines and the old boys club which runs the political party machines and he doesn’t mean just the Conservatives. Although in writing on his ‘infamous’ blog on Tuesday he commented “Canada’s New Government is suddenly looking a lot like the old ones – controlling power in Ottawa while it makes both MPs and the people who sent them here irrelevant.” — a sentiment I suspect a lot of Canadians can relate to. [...]