“There was an email making the rounds in Ottawa this week. It was written by an assistant to a federal Conservative Member of Parliament. I don’t know the assistant’s name, or which MP he (or she) works for, but it doesn’t really matter. The note was sent around to all the other assistants in Conservative MP’s offices. It was a simple request, really…”
Good afternoon everyone,
I am wondering if someone might be aware of an issue with the Canadian Human Rights Commission??? I have received a few emails from constituents complaining about the HRC and I don’t know whether this is just a blanket complaint or whether HRC was recently in the news….?
Can anyone help me shed some light on what this issue might be about???
Thanks so much for your help!
“I was absolutely stunned when I saw this email. I had always assumed that people who worked for – and advised – MP’s would be ‘up to speed’ on issues of national importance, and in my mind there are few things more important in Canada today than the threats the various human rights commissions pose to free speech rights. But the email also illustrates what I’ve long suspected.
“While the Internet is becoming a very interesting place for people of like mind to share information, it is also keeping various parts of our society from truly talking to one another. Conservatives, Christians, libertarians, and other free speech advocates can write insightul blog entries till the cows come home. And through the technology of trackbacks and ‘links’ we can be inspired by each other’s brilliant posts for days on end. We can even email the stuff we really like to our friends. But in the end, we’re operating in a closed circle. We’ve created an online ghetto, and all the rhetorical and polemic brilliance in the world ends up being nothing more than
‘preaching to the choir.'”
(Accordingly, NoApologies is launching their own anti-Human Rights Commission campaign. You can check it out here.)
Not in my gulag it ain’t When you live in a riding that has 75%+ support for the party – it’s all been determined way before the voter got there.
An incumbent that strong controls the cash, the riding association, and the remote control.
Unless photographed (alot) found with a bag of coke and three underage girls from a reserve, your stuck with that particular gerbil for as long as they want.
That’s the reality of first past the post – and why Canada is simply a banana republic with a nice veneer of ‘democracy’ painted on top.
It’s not about ‘winning battles’ nor ‘waiting for the right time’.
It’s ’bout the obtaining and retention of power, ultimately for self gain, disguised in ideology.
Wonder why PMSH hasn’t stopped $19 BILLION a year going to favored businesses through direct grants and subsidies? Wonder why citizens in Caledonia continue to get screwed by their federal government? Wonder why PMSH hasn’t introduced legislation to adopt proportional representation? Wonder why, after 2 years and a cumulative $45 BILLION dollar surplus, tax reductions will move the Tax Freedom Day by only 2 days?
There’s a few more questions out there a real conservative would ask of themselves, and realize how little has changed other than the blinds on the windows.
Question: Can anyone (Kate, Kathy, Cjunk?) list a few blogs that are (1) somewhat liberal, (2) widely read, and (3) not dominated by people whose idea of argument is to descend immediately into personal attacks. It seems to me that these are the people we should be engaging.
“one to CNN”
I believe that if you ask them:
“Who’s lips would protect you better in the event of a car crash: Angelina Jolie or Maria Bartiromo?”
you will get a response from their hard news division.
Hardboiled, your comment is useless drivel.
hardboiled – I disagree with proportional representation. That person is unaccountable.
The citizens in Caledonia are being screwed by their provincial government. That’s McGuinty.
Why should Harper introduce legislation for proportional representation? Ontario, by the way, had a referendum on that very issue last October. The idea of PR was soundly defeated. Since the majority don’t want it – why do you think that Harper should introduce it?
RSP,
Try Jason Cherniak or Garth Turners blogs , they’re all you seek , and more .
giggles insanely to self
I am somewhat in agreement with Bud that much of the media will jump all over the Conservatives if they move against the HRC’s, but on the other hand it is in the media’s own self interest to limit the thought police. Who knows when some delicate flower may become offended at something said or written, and initiate a complaint.
Of course with all the “Not waiting for the Asteroid” entries we’ve seen here, self preservation doesn’t seem to be a concept they are familiar with.
And hardboiled, I’ll take that trade. Have a Blair Wilson.
CBC News on the web has a post up about an HRC ruling in BC about prostate exams. In the comments, I submitted a question to them asking why an HRC investigation into a $30 prostate exam is considered newsworthy while the Mark Steyn / Ezra Levant issue isn’t.
Anybody else want to join the chorus (presuming, that is, that they actually post the message)?
Related , but on a lighter note Iowahawk , on the state of journalism . He’s always good , this is one of his better .
Alain, the petition is at:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/a-free-dominion-against-the-hrcs.html
Hey, maybe y’all should check out the lobbying tactics of grassroots (both left and right, as they’re mostly the same *techniques*) in the States. I was very active politically before I married and moved up here, and when legislation came up that was of concern to me, I would (in ascending order of importance) e-mail, snail mail, or fax my representative and/or senators. In Washington, anyway, that order is what works. E-mail registers that you are a constituent and want to share a concern with your legislator; they are under no obligation to reply (although most try to). Snail mail says you are concerned about an issue – enough that you went to the trouble of printing out your letter, putting it in an envelope, and walking to the mailbox. When a congressional office starts getting lots of “real” mail, then they KNOW people are stirred up. Lastly, the fax – this is now considered “top-of-the-line” because it shows you are willing to PAY to register your concern, and, in many cases, may have to go outside your home to send it and then (if it’s pending legislation) wait to get through to the legislator’s fax machine. When the faxes start coming in, even legislators who strongly believe on one side or the other of the question at issue will take a look at the numbers tallied with all three forms and at least *consider* them.
For example, my last Representative was a total liberal Democrat who disagreed with me (and voted differently than what I would want) on almost every issue. However, I still e-mailed, mailed, or faxed letters of concern. POLITE letters. I know of at least one instance where constituent protest made her change her vote – she was going to vote against a particular abortion restriction but then changed to “not present”. Which was a big deal because the (at the time) Minority Leader was trying to enforce discipline on the vote. Of course, that happens SO much less often in the U.S. Congress – and even then individual legislators may still vote their conscience without worrying about being kicked out of caucus (although certain penalties on seniority, perks, pork, etc., may applied by the leadership). And of course, the representatives in both (er, all) parties are chosen at the grassroots level, NOT by the party leadership – they have to win primaries or another preliminary public election to even get the nomination as the party candidate!
So, in the end I really have no idea what trying to raise awareness among legislators would actually do in Canada. If they are all “whipped” almost all the time, then who knows? But maybe if more of them were aware of a “sensus populum”, AND if it actually made some kind of difference to them, then things might change. It’s your country – you’ve gotta try, don’t you?
BTW, if you are going to contact a legislator, be super-polite – no matter WHAT you think of him or her, personally or politically! And it’s nice to send (separately) thank-you notes to them as well (even if you have to find the *tiniest* nice thing to compliment them on) – you would be amazed at all the requests and even DEMANDS for jobs, grants, appointments, etc. that MPs get, yet few ever say thank-you. I’m convinced this is one of the things that makes legislators cynical – what if people asked you for stuff all the time, then took it as if it was their absolute right and never said thanks for your help?
ET – the establishment of reserves, and any and all affairs relating to aboriginal peoples are the responsibility of the federal government. Prentice has been accused of interfering with the OPP via McWeasel’s gub’mint. It’s before the courts now. Could be alot, or nothing.
But it remains a federal matter – otherwise Prentice wouldn’t have cut a cheque for $20 million in OPP overtime to police the situation.
About PR? You mention a referendum. You mean citizens were actually engaged? And yeah – I heard about it. PMSH spoke alot about addressing the inherent flaws in FPTP. I was drawn to the idea. He doesn’t talk about it anymore.
CHRC personnel planting comments on blogs??? Bringing about their form of justice?
Must Read this:
http://www.steynonline.com/content/view/892/128/
It seems such insularity isn’t a problem unless it’s enduring. Those who have similar ends and similar opinions as regards means must come together, exchange views, enlarge their agreements, and deliberate on strategy and tactics, in order to do their best work politically. That assistant to the MP would never have become aware of the dissent from the “human rights” commissions, were it not for all this prior, private work.
Moreover, the case involving MacLean’s seems to have as much to do with our freedom of association as subscribers, for example, as with our freedom of speech as authors and our freedom of the press as authors and editors. The tyrant El-Masry is head of a private association, the CIC, and seeks to take over a private association, MacLean’s and the magazine’s list of subscribers. He seems to place a high value on private associations as bases of thought and action. I think the tyrant El-Masry is right on this point.
BC is the only province that has no HRC anymore, only a HR tribunal. Thanks to Gordon Campbell.
I went and had a face to face with my MP David Sweet. The Hon. Mr. Sweet is all over it and his office is keeping me posted. I consider myself extremely fortunate in this riding and in my MP.
For those of you getting form letters and the sound of chirping crickets from your MPs and MPPs, I STRONGLY SUGGEST you make an appointment to see him/her/it, wear a nice suit and show up smiling, organized, polite, and implacable that this HRC business simply will not do.
Take a letter outlining your position -with you- and hand it to the guy/girl/NDP whatsit, give’s ’em something to remember. Make sure what they remember is how nice and sensible you were and what JERKS the CHRC are, not the reverse.
These people are used to fruitcakes and slimeball lobbyists, if you show up looking like you have a clue you’ll definitely get their attention.
Or stay home and whine about what crap this country is. Those are your choices, pretty much.
http://www.blairwilson.ca/main.aspx
Ugh – one should look before they leap….
Friday/p.m./18th
I just talked on the phone with Lucia Corbella, Editorial Page Editor of the Calgary Herald.
Her reaction was quite surprising to me. She claims the Herald has been printing a whole lot of information as regards Levant/Steyn/HRC issue(s).
She claims the Herald printed Ezra’s opening statement to the commission a week ago. My reaction was – really, the whole thing? Her answer was yes. I didn’t see it but intend to find it. She claims to have printed items re Steyn as well and I will look for these as well since last Friday.
I told her I was reading from The Calgary Herald as it comes up their own web site – and I must have somehow missed a whole lot. Her reaction basically was well – its been out there – and if you haven’t seen them, then there’s not much I can do about that.
In fairness, perhaps what they choose to put on their web site is not all of what is included in their daily paper. So, I will be going back one week in all of the Calgary Heralds at the local library and pulling anything I can find as regards the issues at hand.
The Herald is very good at having staff reporters (with a couple of exceptions) doing minimal work in sensitive areas that could become controversial – especially if it is unfavorable to the political status quo.
Rather they allow the printing of the opinions of “people at large” and in so doing, avoid doing the staff generated items that have been coming out in, for example, the National Post (Lorne Gunther) and MacLeans (Andrew Coyne/M.Steyn) which carry a whole lot more weight in the minds of the public.
Is she aware of Ezra’s web site? Answer,Yes
Is she aware of noapologies.ca? Answer, Yes
Is she aware of the Steyn complaint? Answer, Yes.
I asked her if she could find out and print publicly the number of complaints that have been received by the AB HRC. Her answer was -have you tried to get this. My response – was yes and they won’t put this out but as paper, you should be able to get this information.
The Herald, Friday/18th
I went through the entire paper and came up with:
Re HRC Issue(s)
Two letters to the editor – one pro/one against the position of Ezra. Both one column x about 5″ in length.
One item on pageB5 – re the kirpan at the courthouse issue – (3 days in a row that this item has been covered by the Herald).
Including:
A Picture – 3.75″ x 7″
Large Bold Captioned Heading at top of the page
Accompanying column text – one column x 10″
Occupying close to 1/3 of a page among 3 large adds (read, very conspicuous)
to be continued
Bill D. Cat:
Thanks. Jason Cherniak’s site had a convenient list of liberal bloggers, which I will address.
FWIW … agree 100% with posters urging hand written letters….someone said they represent an opinion per population ( a much more valued opinion politically) many times more than any other “written” opinion.
I don’t think the expression “the keyboard is mightier than the sword” will occupy any spot in history.
RSP ,
Here’s the link for Liblogs , hope it helps . Was just kidding on the first one .
Whether we like it or not, certain issues effectively don’t exist as a concern for the broad voting public unless the media is covering them. And if something doesn’t exist as a concern among the broad voting public, there’s little value for politicians to pay attention — that’s just the reality of electoral politics.
The Conservative MP’s assistant who seemed so confused/feckless when he/she asked, in a “have I missed something?” tone, whether “HRC was recently in the news” was actually perfectly illustrating the number one real-world concern of politicians — voters’ perceptions. By off-handedly acknowledging the wellspring for them he/she was also giving the perfect clue as to the solution: Make the news. Hammer it, with force, into public view.
If 5000 denizens of the “echo chamber” turned into crowd noise, i.e. gathered in protest outside the building where Ezra’s hearing was taking place (assuming this case actually does go to arbitration) and caused a peaceful disturbance, not only would various HRC commissioners be provided with a bit of…personal context, but the media would be pretty much forced to cover the issue, at least nominally, which would in turn have some effect on politicians, both national and local.
Of course, this scenario is an “If”. Show of hands: How many commenters here who live within driving distance of Calgary would join in a free-speech protest outside the CHRCC office?
EDB…6 passenger car and 7 seat van Edmonton Rocks…
I’m in, EBD and John. In fact, if this goes past the already completed preliminary inquisition, I’ll set up an email address for Edmontonians to coordinate a trip down south.
Yes! 5 seater, with Y-chromosome-style map-skills and knowledge of areas between Edmonton and Calgary…
Great to hear, Vitruvius.
Don’t bring your trebuchet, though — it’s simply too hard to maneuver in downtown Calgary. /:>)>
I agree with the post. One comment amused me though (even though I agreed with the commenter’s conclusions as to the gender of the assistant):
“A man working on the hill sending out an email like that 25 years ago would be mocked as an idiot and would soon be looking for another job.”
1983? How much email was being sent in 1983? Especially on Parliament Hill.
Looks as if Rob seems pretty happy to keep doling out the jobs:
MINISTER OF JUSTICE APPOINTS BOARD MEMBER TO THE CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL
OTTAWA , December 19, 2007 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the appointment of Marc R. Guignard as a part-time Board Member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.
Mr. Guignard received his Bachelor of Science (specializing in Political Science) at the Université of Moncton, New Brunswick, in 1989 and earned his law degree at the Université of Moncton in 1992. He was called to the Bar of New Brunswick in 1993.
Mr. Guignard has been a partner in the law firm Godin, Lizotte, from 1993 to present.
Established in 1977, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is empowered by the Canadian Human Rights Act to provide Canadians with an improved quality of life and an assurance of equal access to the opportunities that exist in our society through the fair-minded and equitable interpretation and enforcement of the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Employment Equity Act.
For further information on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, visit
http://www.chrt-tcdp.gc.ca
Funny, I didn’t think that Levant’s haul before the star chamber was really an ‘assurance of equal access’
Curiously, it’s really hard to find out how much these thar lawyers get paid for righting so many wrongs.
http://www.efc.ca/pages/law/canada/canada.H-6.part-2.html
You go Rob.
“While the Internet is becoming a very interesting place for people of like mind to share information, it is also keeping various parts of our society from truly talking to one another…. But in the end, we’re operating in a closed circle. We’ve created an online ghetto, and all the rhetorical and polemic brilliance in the world ends up being nothing more than ‘preaching to the choir.'”
So completely,sadly true.
Kate suggested awhile ago that Carol Skeleton and others were reading this blog.Of the 300+ we can assume that some will be on top of issues and others won’t. Lines will be clearly drawn, and it will be very easy to figure which ones are still counting on MSM to keep “informed.”
During the election one of our local CPC volunteers was told that Laureen Harper reads the Blogging Tories.
I agree that CPC members would be wise at this time to not react to Levant hearing, but that doesn’t stop them from being informed.
“How many commenters here who live within driving distance of Calgary would join in a free-speech protest outside the CHRCC office?”
I suspect there are folks from all over western Canada (and maybe the whole country) who would consider Calgary to be “within driving distance” if this case actually goes to review and this and other like-minded blogs would provide information updates as required and a base for communications. Not sure we could get 5,000 but we could get enough to be heard.
“I agree that CPC members would be wise at this time to not react to Levant hearing, but that doesn’t stop them from being informed.”
How is it wise to not ‘react’? Assuming that stating your opinion is ‘reaction’.
A Librano would suggest you work in the PMO. I don’t.
I suggest that statement – and the sense it makes to the person reading it – defines a conservative from a Red Tory very easy.
Free speech is free speech.
Why modulate and control it?
vitruvius count me in…in spirit. unless anyone’s going from vancouver island
…
bluetech’s comment is precisely why the current Conservative government will continue to struggle in the search for a majority.
And why the ‘right-wing’ will continue to be challenged by their base that believes incremental -ism and ‘slow-but-steady’ approach is a waste of time.
Harper’s been frustrated by Wheat Board bureaucrats, shat on by the Parlimentary Press gallery, and has led from behind on positions towards Caledonia – one of the few his government can actually claim to have little baggage given to him by the Liberals.
Reform came because the splintering of the previous Tories – thanks in no small part to Lyin’ Brian. Discovering his willingness to accept envelopes of cash, in numerous hotel rooms, in a couple of countries later on did not help.
A digression? No.
The essence is that a conservative claims the high ground based upon principle.
No one actually expects a Liberal to hold those.
But if you sell yourself as being different, don’t be surprised when you are called upon it.
So bluetech…what exactly are conservatives holding out for? Are we/they waiting to spring the trap upon them?
What a Liberal idea you’ve got there…
I’m two hours out of Calgary, up in exciting Rocky Mountain House, and would be all over the two hour drive down to Calgary, depending on the timing of said protest. The “wife” (she’ll kill me when she reads that 🙂 is due to give birth in the next few weeks, and that may just have to take precedence.
Kelly…
I’m on Vancouver Island. I’d make the drive with you.
I’m an hour from Calgary I’ll be there! I’d give up a days pay to do it too!
Just because I’m the kind of guy who can’t resist picking a scab…
I dumped a couple of “MO” cartoons in a facebook group called Cartoon Fun and emailed my friend Ali Zee (Creator of the Ezra is a piece of s*&^ Jew” facebook group.)
Let’s see what happens.
May I suggest letters to the editor, especially in small newspapers. I think they rarely employ the kind of editors who would strategically remove letters from publication.
someday all of us will have to take and make a stand against all forms of government suppression. words are not working.
There’s now a torrent circulating of the Ezra Levant YouTube videos in AVI format:
http://www.isohunt.com/torrents/?ihq=%22Ezra+Levant%22
In Alberta, the Premier’s Office can be contacted as well directly by phone. It is a free call. Phone calls are more effective in my opinion because it engages a human. And the Premier’s Office duly records all messages. It is also a free call. And only takes a moment. The number is 310-0000 and when the operator comes on line ask for the Premier’s Office. They will connect you immediately. And you will get a written acknowledgement. They use it like an opinion poll. The more calls they get that are negative to something, and if the calls do not subside after a couple of days they put it on their screen.
How many taxdollars do these parasites on the public taxroll suck up? Anybody know the total cost for these patronage appointments?
Anyone in Scott Reid’s riding? He is a responsive and thoughtful MP who I think would take this issue quite seriously. The trick is to address the issue of injustices being committed by HRC’s without being pilloried by the press. In this respect it is a bit like the cancellation of that literacy money — what was cancelled were wasted dollars going to all sorts of academics for obscure research and superficial agencies involved in the literacy “bureaucracy” — but this was never explained by the press — the public is left with the impression that reducing Federal level support for that program was hurting those poor people trying to learn to read. HRC’s are a motherhood issue and the press/opposition would undoubtedly be pleased to attack the Conservatives should they decide to go after them.
I also believe Harper & company are trying to lay low on this issue. Personally I don’t see why , because , handled properly this is a real lightning rod issue … witness how John Tory was crushed in Ontario over faith based schools … which most of the voters interpreted to mean Muslim schools !
This was sent to Jason Kenny & my local MP.
” … Apparently the Conservative party cannot spare the time to review the issue of the HRCs in Canada. This was clearly the message last night from the Conservative panelist on the Michael Coren show (8:00PM EST).
It is also apparent that the Conservative party and MP’s as a whole have little or no interest in how the HRCs have begun eroding freedom of speech in Canada as witness this email quoted below :
http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/archives/007860.html#more
” …. There was an email making the rounds in Ottawa this week. It was written by an assistant to a federal Conservative Member of Parliament. I don’t know the assistant’s name, or which MP he (or she) works for, but it doesn’t really matter. The note was sent around to all the other assistants in Conservative MP’s offices. It was a simple request, really:
Good afternoon everyone,
I am wondering if someone might be aware of an issue with the Canadian Human Rights Commission??? I have received a few emails from constituents complaining about the HRC and I don’t know whether this is just a blanket complaint or whether HRC was recently in the news….?
Can anyone help me shed some light on what this issue might be about???
Thanks so much for your help! ……”
Given that the Conservative party is “too busy with other matters” to address the HRC issue , perhaps you as Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) , could invite the Auditor General to conduct an audit of the CHRC … that is if she is also not too busy with other matters !
… ”
“How many taxdollars do these parasites on the public taxroll suck up? Anybody know the total cost for these patronage appointments?
Posted by: rfb at January 19, 2008 11:19 AM”
It’s not easy to find, but dredging the depths of the Govt of Canada website, I was able to learn that the Canadian Human Rights Commission spent some $24 million of your tax dollars ($17 million on wages and benefits) in fiscal 2006/07 and some $26 million in 2005/06.
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/dpr-rmr/2006-2007/inst/hrc/hrc03-eng.asp#Section3Table7
Someone else can take up the task of surfing for the same info for the various provincial thought police.
Only had the time to send this short summary to AB and Federal governments. Both were acknowledged.
===========
No Canadian law for private personal thoughts.
No Canadian emergency law against previously published cartoons.
No Canadian law to *Protect* Canadians from seeing offensive cartoons in the news.
Possible, an unwritten law to keep Canadian public in the dark about Mid Eastern atrocities like photos of bodies hanging from bridges in Iraq. Not subject to HRC review or action.
HRC has no way to certify malicious intent [thoughts].
No Canadian law abused, therefore no possible grounds for action. Stop the Levant prosecution.
===========
No personal note from AB, but that may be due to my BC location.= TG
Fine example of how we have come to challenges to our so-called inalienable Rights and Freedoms.
Is it any wonder we have to fight and pay like hell to retain those guaranteed rights? Fighting challenges in a fascist court that should never see the light of day in this or any other democracy.
What sort of bubble are some of these people working in government living in is the question.
re the cost of HRCs
Google on Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission
Scroll down about five items to:
Ab Human Rights Commission: A Comparison (2007)
There is considerable information re comparing the expenditures/other re HRCs in each of the provinces (pages 16/17).
Ab expenditures in 2003/04 $4.7M
04/05 5.2M
05/06 5.6M
Budget 06/07 6.5M
4.7
Now I know where that Fishy smell was coming from…what for it….denmark…haha Thx Brian