This is good news. Earlier this year, Kate and I were trying to lobby the party to nominate Cutler to the Order of Canada. Pierre Polievre did a few weeks ago but Cutler will have to put off the honour as he’ll be a great MP in whichever riding he’s contesting.
Very good news. Who is Allan Cutler?
Cutler is the former Public Works employee whose whistleblowing on Chuck Guite and irregular contracts pushed through for Earnscliffe by Paul Martin’s Finance Department sparked the audit that uncovered Adscam.
Update – News Release
Stephen Harper, Leader of the Opposition and leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, today announced that Allan Cutler will seek the Conservative Party of Canada’s nomination for the upcoming election in the riding of Ottawa South.
Mr. Cutler is well-known to Canadians as the career public servant who blew the whistle on the corruption at the heart of the sponsorship scandal in 1995 and lost his job as a result.�
“Allan was singled out for praise by Judge Gomery in his report,” said Harper, “and some citizens have said he deserves the Order of Canada.”
“When Canadians go to the polls, the question they will face is simple: after twelve years of waste,
mismanagement, and corruption, which party can provide the change in the system that is needed to clean up government in Ottawa?”
“I am honoured to announce that Mr. Cutler has decided to seek the nomination to become the next Conservative candidate in the riding of Ottawa South.”
If this is true, its great news. Could you imagine how well it would go over if he was elected and put in a meaningfull position by the CPC to implement a lot of the changes in the Acountability Act and the 2nd Gomery Report. Maybe have him draft some new whistleblower legislation that would actually protect people like him. A very powerful message sent to the Canadian people.
That’s the best news I’ve heard all week!
Ladies and gentlement, your new Minister of Public Works.
That is great news, now we need more info on those Earnscliffe contracts, eh?
Re: AdScam Chretien/Martin,Earnscliffe,CSL, Gomery Report, & etc., here: >>> Librano$ >>>
The Gomery Inquiry: Impartial, Fair, Balanced & Broad-Reaching OR Whitewash of Paul Martin’s Role in Adscam? Paul’s Revenge on Jean?
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005 >>> more
http://thecanadiansentinel.blogspot.com/
Finally someone who would actually deserve an inflated MP’s pension (think of it as punitive damages).
This is wonderful news. If I am correct to assume this means that Barry Turner is taking one for the team here, then he deserves praise.
The Liberals have given up on Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais (see: plans to cut 40,000 civil service jobs) and are as vulnerable as they ever will be.
john g:
Wouldn’t that be rich. I’ld love every minute of watching Cutler clean out that vipers nest.
Unfortunately this riding has been a liberal stronghold for many years, help by John Manley and currently by David McGuinty, Premier Colin McGuinty’s brother.
Here are the results from the 1994 election:
Liberal David McGuinty 25,956 43.8%
Conservative Alan Riddell 20,622 34.8%
N.D.P. Monia Mazigh 8,080 13.6%
Green John Ford 3,398 5.7%
Marijuana John Akpata 495 0.8%
Progressive Canadian Brad Thomson 375 0.6%
Independent Raymond Aubin 225 0.4%
Marxist-Leninist Saroj Bains 79 0.1%
Conservatives showed better than in previous years. With a good campaign, they might take it.
Dizzy.
I’m all for Cutler receiveing the Order of Canada. He deserves every praise in the world for what he did to expose the scum.
But running for political office? Isn’t this the kind of “star candidate” that everyone has objected to from the Liberals? If not for the scandal breaking and his name recognition in relation to it, would the CPC consider Cutler candidate meterial? Would Cutler himself? This isn’t at all meant as a slam of the man – he’s a true hero – but a sincere question about how candidates are recruited.
“But running for political office? Isn’t this the kind of “star candidate” that everyone has objected to from the Liberals? ”
When I saw that Cutler was running I felt something that I haven’t felt in some time: Hope. I can’t find his CV but it is not uncommon for public servants of his level to be smart, educated folks, well suited in training and experience for public office.
“Unfortunately this riding has been a liberal stronghold for many years”
Ottawa South wasn’t invented until 1986, it should be noted. Jean Piggot and Barry Turner won under less difficult circumstances.
“The former riding of Russell and later Ottawa-Carleton elected only Liberals from 1887 to 1974. Former Prime Minister John Turner was MP there from 1968 until he resigned in 1976. Conservative Jean Pigott won in a 1976 by election, but was defeated in the 1979 election by Liberal Jean-Luc Pepin. Pepin was Minister of Transport and Minister of External Relations. In 1984, PC Barry Turner defeated Liberal Albert Roy, marking only the second time in 100 years the riding had elected a Tory.”
http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/riding/171/
Jay, give your head a spin. The objection is to appointing candidates. Cutler is running for the nomination. If you think that’s a small distinction that’s your problem. John Bryden (Ancaster) doesn’t think so.
Yeah Jay, we wouldn’t want anyone in government who has actually PROVEN themselves to be trustworthy, and not just “promised”.
Or who “deserves every praise in the world” as you put it.
Better to re-elect corrupt librano$$$ dirt bags that fire people like Alan Cutler for exposing a crime.
To be fair maybe I’ve misinterpreted your post,…
Is this more of your “I am Satans lawyer” stuff?
Anonalogue: The nomination Cutler is seeking is 1 of 5 in Ontario that were still open. No one is stepping aside for him. Can’t see who would want to run against him.
Hope Mr. Cutler wins Ottawa-South at the next federal elections. We need a few more Conservative MPs here in liberal Ottawa. historical Liberal stronghold. Heck, I hope all Conservative candidates win their ridings!!
It won’t be easy since Ottawa-South has a few lefties and socialists who will continue to vote for the Liberal Party regardless of the scandals that fly right into their lefty faces.
All the best to Mr. Cutler.
The right is right!
Daniel
Let’s not forget to donate a few bucks to his campaign. The more this guy is in front of the camera or in ads reminding voters how corrupt the liberals are, the better.
Jaymeister,
The first point has already been made in that he is seeking the nomination and not having it handed to him (Drydan, Ujjal, Brison, etc, etc, etc).
The skills set he offers up for the Conservatives of Ottawa South to consider is a career in the public service of Ottawa. He brings a new outlook and new experiences from the other side of the fence. He will be able to offer government a real insiders view of what is happening in the civil service. He will be able to tell us what needs fixing and more importantly what isn’t necessary.
I do not want to cripple the civil service with unneccessary fixes and controls. I think most would agree with me that that problem lies with the current Liberal government.
Allan Cutler has an excellent chance of winning this riding. The incumbent David McGuinty (Ont. Premiers brother) won by 5334 votes over the CPC candidate A. Riddell who was slagged by the Liberals for not declaring a drunk driving incident. The guy who was going to run in the riding this election was withdrawn many months ago by the Party, and they have been searching for a suitable candidate – looks like they found it – right in the riding!
Anonalogue: Found out what you were referring to. There was a nominee before the Stronach thing and he gave up the nomination a few months ago. Others did as well, but he could have had Cutler in mind.
Cool. I hope he will havemore than a few things to say regarding Adscam…
What did the CPC need Kirk Muller for, anyway?
The Liberals can go pick an Orchard.
Rich: No Devil’s Advocate this time. It’s a straight question, which is deserving of a level-headed answer.
I’m glad to see that he is going about the normal nominating procedure, but most riding nominees don’t get an announcement from the party leader. Did Mr. Harper mention the names of any other candidates in that riding or others? It’s okay to admit to Harper and the party are milking this nationally for all it’s worth, and even to consider that maybe they nudged Cutler into this decision.
NBT: I do not want to cripple the civil service with unneccessary fixes and controls. I think most would agree with me that that problem lies with the current Liberal government.
I would agree with that. I think a good percentage of the other posters here would not. They are hoping for/expecting a complete overhaul of government, philosophy and national attitude should the CPC win the next election. Despite their aspirations, and the doomsayers on the Left, that isn’t going to happen any time soon.
My apologies, yyc, I shouldn’t have been running my yap without knowing either way. I’m just so giddy at the prospect of McGuinty The Younger joining the “EI Ski Team”…
“At the first/
Fall of snow/
It’s
No
No
No
Yes
No”
Jay: Moot question. Some reports indicate that there are no other candidates. With the election on Monday it is entirely possible that a few folks were waiting on Cutler. Some might agree that a leader has to be strictly neutral (I would disagree) but in this case its irrelevant.
Jay: Some have spun the CPC Accountability act as “crippling the civil service with unneccessary fixes and controls”. From Cutler’s statement it’s clear he doesn’t see it that way.
nbt: I wasn’t referring to your own view, just using your phrase.
The fixes and controls are there now. The Liberals broke the rules. What needs to happen is for the rules in place to have some bite. For exmaple, interfering in a tender = 2 years in prison. Problem solved.
NBT, “Cutler said he decided to get political because he was impressed with Harper’s promise to make The Federal Accountability Act, the first piece of legislation to be tabled if the Conservatives are elected”. (pw)
And yes, without integrity and the enforcement of old and new rules nothing can help.
See this from Neale?
“There is word that former astronaut and Canadian Space Agency President Marc Garneau may be on a Liberal Party ticket in the next federal election.”
We get the anti-corruption guy, they get the spaceman. I guess the Liberals are going to try to tax Martians…
Craig Oliver’s eyebrows and forehead moved.
Good news. But the CPC needs to be prepared to get down and dirty in this race. Perhaps this is where it will begin, in the riding of Ottawa South against incumbent David McGuinty (Ont. Premiers brother). This is a winnable riding for the CPC. Mr. Cutler has indeed shown that he has guts. I hope Harper gives him the proper marching orders because the Liberal Party is again practising their fine art of election warfare. They are good at it. But they are more vulnerable now than ever before. It remains to be seen if Canadians fall for it again. Here’s some of what I’ve noticed already. I now I’ve missed some.
– Gun violence and male responsibility.
– $86 million in promises of new spending initiatives
– Money to help people to heat their homes this winter.
– Contract out on Paul Martin’s life.
– More money to the First Nations.
– Promise of another inquiry into the Air India crash.
The next three or four years are going to be extremely difficult in many areas in the world for several reasons. Canada is not on an island alone. We have a partner whether some of us like it or not. It’s time for Canada to grow up and accept some of the responsibilities that come along with that partnership. A CPC victory will be a good start. But there’s a lot of mess to clean up after that. I, for one, will be watching Mr Harper very closely. If he fails he will not get my vote again.
John: Harper wouldn’t need to be asked to leave.
John: I assumed you meant if he didn’t win. I understand the other scenario.
This is good news for the CPC as I believe Allan Cutler can win this riding.
Alan Riddell, who was an excellent candidate despite lies spread about him by McGuinty’s supporters in the last campaign, was planning to run again. Riddell has already laid extensive organizational groundwork preparing for a CPC victory against McGuinty and now has to step aside. Riddell will deserve a reward from the Party if the CPC wins the election.
Barry Turner, a former Tory MP in the riding who lost in 1988 in the wake of criticism for poor constituency work, stepped aside months ago after dissing the leader. Turner was not considered a credible candidate by many local organizers because he lacked significant organization in the riding. Some local CPC association members also believe that Turner would only run if the nomination were handed to him on a platter.
…just my two cents
Two cents: I’m OK with a pat on the back and a few toasts, but Riddell deserves a reward for stepping aside?
He was gearing up to contest it and he is still free to do so. Not contesting against Cutler is smart, but no one gets rewards for passing an IQ test.
Besides should anyone get a reward for stepping aside ever? If I understand correctly Elections Canada addresses that point.
yyc. No, I didn’t mean if he didn’t win. I meant what he does after he wins. There are a few things I need to see if I am going to support either Mr. Harper or the CPC in the next election, after this one. These are, in no particular order, and I’m sure some will prove difficult in a minority government. But even in a minority government some are certainly possible.
1. Several inquiries into Liberal Party corruption and programs with indictments where necessary.
2. Kill the gun law.
3. Build up our RCMP.
4. Build up our armed forces.
5. Change our immigration laws to require that all immigrants become assimilated into the Canadian culture. They can keep their cultures but they must be second to Canada’s.
6. Change our immigration laws to require that illegal immigrants be sent back to their country of origin immediately, with no opportunity of appeal.
7. Change to our legal system that requires that any immigrant convicted of a serious crime be sent back to their country of origin immediately. If there is an appeal it needs to be expedited.
8. More judges with guts and a love for their country.
9. Work to eliminate the stupid Indian Act. (I am part Indian and I hate it and refuse to deal with it.)
10. Sit down with the Americans and work out our differences.
In short, I want to see the same Canada I was born into and that three of my uncles died for in WWII. I want to see a Canada that I can be proud of again. If that does not prove possible then I will start to work for a separate Alberta that I can be proud of. I guess I’m just tired of the same old bullshit.
“Craig Oliver’s eyebrows and forehead moved.”
too funny, I had to go back & watch again, but I still missed it! How far into the clip?
Ahhh sh*t!
Here we go again “Klein:Liberals will win next election” via Nealenews
http://www.canada.com/national/story.html?id=1d14983c-b6c3-4da4-a1dd-13e5c3728ff2
Just what the fu** is Ralphie up to??? With friends like that who needs enemies. And to think I supported the bum, even when they rolled back my wages to get spending under control.
Trust me, that set of loose lips just might send Canada back into another Lieberal dictatorship.
Damn, some people are stupid…
November 23, 2005 – My hunch? Martin will go to the GG before this motion can be voted – likely Friday – to say that Parliament is no longer functioning, Canadians deserve better, blah blah blah, and pull the plug. In that way, he isn’t fired by the Opposition, but quits first.
Kind of reminiscent of Junior’s quit cabinet/fired from cabinet controversy a couple years ago, ain’t it?
…
Opposition unveils non confidence motion to topple Liberals (URGENT-Elxn-Fever)
Source: The Canadian Press
Nov 23, 2005 13:29
OTTAWA- The Opposition has formally served notice that it plans to bring down the minority Liberal government, unveiling a non-confidence motion to trigger an election next week. >>>
warren
John C:
My guess is that the CPC will win a majority, because whatever Liberal support is left is pretty soft. So from your list, I imagine that you’ll see 2,4,7 and 10 happen in short order. 8 (if, by your waxing poetic, you mean judges that will hand out stiffer sentencing) will take a longer time to accomplish, because judicial turnover takes a while, but maybe changing the sentencing guidelines in the criminal code would be a better way to go. #1 will happen as well, but they have to be careful that the inquiries are independent and not seen as a political witch hunt. (Wouldn’t we all like to have carte blanche to investigate our competition? 🙂 )
What a great addition. This could result in a Consevative Gov’t. Man, talk about shoving those liberal promises down their throats. People want accountability in Parliament. Not promises. I think if you’re a liberal, you better be nervous,
this nomination will hurt them. They can’t even slander him like they do Harper, because he’s a household name in homes across Canada, and will draw voter criticism.
Klein is a not-so-closet Liberal but I wonder why he pulled the trigger so soon. If he’s intent on undermining the federal Conservatives, I can’t imagine why he didn’t hold his fire until the moment he could do real damage. Any subsequent (cheap shots) will lose their effect, much in the way Joe Clark’s have.
In a way I almost wonder if they’re not up to something out of the Rove handbook, putting distance between Alberta and the Harper conservatives, and keeping the conservatives situated as “underdogs”.
Klein spouting off about their chances has a side benefit – it motivates the base, and calms those not so motivated Liberal voters who might be stirred to turn up if they think Harper could win.
Jaymeister. Hope you’re right.
As an aside, I don’t regard the Liberal Party as my competition. I regard them as my enemy. But I keep reminding myself that it’s not the party, it’s the people who have taken it over. It’s never the party, it’s always the leaders.
Kate. I used to know Klein fairly well. Even attended a few parties with him in an earlier life. Klein never could keep his mouth shut. And in my experience his timing was worse than awful.
I lived in Alberta for many years, going to high school there, found my first job there building houses, got married there, actually to a gal from Fort Qu’Appelle (you may now that place. 🙂 ) I think I know Albertans fairly well.
My experience with Alberta tells me that Albertans are different. The only fight I ever lost was with a guy from Alberta. They have great patience up to a point. When they reach that point look out. I think they are close to reaching that point when it comes to dealing with Ottawa. If the Liberals win then Canada has a bigger problem than Quebec ever represented. When a fighter takes the first step forward he’s not likely to step back unless it’s his decision.
Klein in front of an open mike is part of it. Look at his record on the Canada Health Act the last 5 years or more. All bluster. Even now the most he can say is that he has commissioned reports on the topics the Charest gov’t will lay out a plan for in December.
But today’s remarks look more like spite than vanity. Does it still gall him that the sounding polls he did a few years back showed that he couldn’t get past the eastern bums remark? Who know? But I doubt that guys at peace in their skin consistently stick the knife in the federal leader just before and during elections.
His office was buried with calls today. So maybe he’ll shut up for a while. If he opens his mouth again Mackay is going to have to slap him down again. Good of Peter to do it today, because Harper has to smile and hold his fire on this.
I wish folks out East understood that the guy is our idiot uncle that we keep on because he is pretty quick to correct his ministers when they get offside with the public. Definitely past his shelf life.
Paul : Get Jean on the phone, for me, will ya, please. >>>
“That the House condemns the government for its arrogance in refusing to compromise with the opposition parties over the timing of the next general election and for its ‘culture of entitlement,’ corruption, scandal, and gross abuse of public funds for political purposes and, consequently, the government no longer has the confidence of the House. >>>
via newsbeat1.com