Stronach crosses floor, takes Cabinet post from Being American in T.O.
May 17 - Thank goodness she lost the bid for CPC leadership (Stronach crosses the floor, joins Liberal cabinet.) I'm thinking some other strong things, too. 13:44 - CTV has a brief item on Harper's response in which attributed her... [Read More]

Tracked on May 17, 2005 2:12 PM

NO ARNOLD from Peaktalk
That's all I can say after this morning's stunning betrayal by Belinda Stronach, a move designed solely to further her own ambitions it seems. In doing so she has shored up Martin's government regardless of the corruption it has been... [Read More]

Tracked on May 17, 2005 5:15 PM

I agree completely Kate. Very sad. I used to love this country, but it's time to move on. Does Saskatchewan want to join Alberta and BC? I've always liked the sound of Cascadia.

I may be in favour of Quebec - and Alberta etc separation, but I don't think that it is fiscally possible for Quebec to separate. Their economic infrastructure is tied to the federal trough. How can they separate? What would replace that infrastructure - other than France?

I maintain that this whole Stronach betrayal is all about the Power Corp/Desmarais agenda of their continued control of our political system. Now - that's even more frightening than Quebec separation - the fact that our political system has been corrupted by a powerful private corporation and is run by them.

Saskamoose, I am with you. Man, SK, Alta, and BC should form a country. Harper can be our esteemed leader. We don't need Ontario and we sure don't need Martin spending more of our money. And, I see nothing wrong with Quebec separating especially if the West is also thinking of it. The country may be better off in the end.

It's funny how similar this is to what Democrats said after the last American election: At least when Iraq turns into the new Vietnam, we won't get the blame. A little Schadenfreude to get you by when your party loses...

ET: I think you're absolutely correct about this having to do with the Desmarais/Power Group agenda. In fact, I've been wondering how they were going to rescue the liberal machine they've worked so hard to put in place. That's just all the more reason to get the hell out this corrupt cesspool.

Let Belinda know what you think ...

stronach.b@parl.gc.ca

There is a profound difference between the US political system and our own. There is a system of checks and balances - an elected senate and far more bipartisanship. One region does not have the ability to impose it's priorities on the others. Americans do not elect all-powerful dictators - the powers of the President are generally subject to congressional support - and that support is not strictly divided on party lines.

In case the naysayers haven't noticed - it isn't about "not being able to elect Conservatives". We do elect Conservatives.
Indeed, if there were a balanced media punditry in this country there would be as more angst about the Liberals inability to "break into the west" than there is the Conservatives to break into Ontario.

It should not come as a surprise to anyone that the "bitch" has crossed the floor. The voters of eastern Canada do not wish "their" Canada to be run from the west. Ghandi could run the conservatives and still be acused of having a hidden agenda, and with the added comment,"there is something I just don't trust about that man" if he had hailed from MooseJaw. I have talked with easterners about this political whimsy. There was one female who wouldnt go to Calgary because she believed that they all rode the streets on horses,wearing cowboy hats with six shooters strapped to their belts! My comment to her was, "Don't be so foolish, they dont ride their horses anymore!" And this woman has lived in Toronto all her life! Sorry, even the puppies and kitties (NDP) party's leader is from the east.

If we separate, I'm from Ontario, but I've just about had it with this province. I'll go with you guys.
R. King

I live in Quebec - I speak English - I'm really tired of the liberal shit - I'm voting YES next time - I don't care anymore. I just don't care.

Can you say "Whore?"

Yep, there is no balance of power and will not be in Canada until Quebec secedes. And if it's not the froggies, then Albertans better cozy up to the idea of replacing pictures of her royal majesty with those of Dubya. Actually, I like the idea of having a real man at the helm like Dubya instead of a gay-ass-kissing wimp like Martin.

Let's see . .
Quebec wants OUT

The West wants IN

The Maritimes doesn't care as long as the Gravy Train keeps rolling and the $dough keeps flowing. They'll sell their votes to the highest bidder

And Ontario sleepwalks into the future not realizing the Liberals steal their money to use as the bribes that keep the whole mess going.

Time to unscramble this egg.

Go Quebec go . . . start the ball rolling

The only hope of stopping Quebec separating was to thoroughly defeat the Liberals in the next election, to send the message to Quebec that we in the rest of the country are as outraged at Liberal corruption as Quebecers are, that it is no way to run the country and those who engage in that corruption will be banished from the halls of Parliament.

That hope was almost completely dashed today. Stronach will now be Martin's point-woman on trash-talking the Conservatives, and it'll play in Ontario. It'll work, too. I have no illusions that Harper's voice is somehow going to be heard over Stronach's. The Liberals will get back in, paired up with the NDP if necessary, and Quebec will go batshit.

Let's not forget Alberta, either. How much longer are they going to tolerate being the boogeyman of federal politicians to curry voters in the centre? Every time they send politicians to Ottawa saying the system has to change, the centre tells them they're too radical and things will all fall apart if they listen to what Alberta has to say. Even in the face of the worst corruption scandal in Parliament in a generation -- hell, maybe ever -- the fear of Alberta will carry the day in the centre. Why *should* Alberta put up with it any longer? They can more than afford to go their own way and tell the centre to get bent, once and for all.

Hell, I'm a Maritimer, and I can hardly stand this screwed-up confederation any more. I just might pack up, go out west, and work towards independence there.

More musings. I'm maintaining that this whole scenario is part of the Power Corp/Desmarais agenda - which is to maintain their control over the political process in Ottawa.
They figured Martin would lose to Harper; and have moved Belinda over to enable Martin to win. This maintains their control. Oh - and they'll sideline the Gomery Inquiry. It will be delayed and demoted to oblivion.
And yes, they will move Belinda into being the next Liberal leader, because she and her father are obviously part of the Power Corp Clan. I wonder, though, if some people in the Liberal party might be a tad upset?

Canada is NOT a democracy. We are run by a private oligarchy and our political system has been corrupted and taken over by this oligarchy. It couldn't happen in the US - because, as kate points out,their checks and balances and whole infrastructure prevents such a takeover.

BUT - this agenda will only work if the Liberal/Power Corp retain Ontario. They were obviously worried; that's the reason for putting Stronach in.
They must realize - the Bloc will take Quebec. You can see that the Power Corp will attempt to use Stronach in Quebec; I would bet they will have her very visible there. It won't get any seats yet but it might soften up the voters there.

They must also realize that they have little hope in the West. They don't care; they absolutely don't care about the West; there aren't enough seats. Their focus will be to soften up Quebec, using Stronach, and above all - Ontario.

They will paint the CPC and Harper as first cousins of the KKK; they will smear and attack. They have a LOT of money (our money) and will stop at nothing. Power Corp/Desmarais have no intention of losing their control of Ottawa, of our political system. Gomery will be sidelined and the 'culprits' defined as 'rogue elements'.
They control the media systems; they have a lot of money. They run the mandarin class.

You know- we talk about dictatorships in other countries. We talk about how a tribal group controls a country. Well- look what has happened in Canada?

What to do? Blogs are vital; absolutely vital. Blogs can say things politicians can't. Harper can't say that the Power Corp/Desmarais group is running our political system because it's all behind the scenes. But blogs can and they should sweep Ontario with it.

The NDP? Layton wants more 'power to the NDP' but I don't think that he wants to see this country run by a private corporation. Blogs should articulate this- that he is assisting a private corporation to take-over this country.

It's useless to discuss Stronach and 'her' agenda. She's a puppet; she's run by these people. It's useless to talk with or about a robot. It's the handlers of the robot with whom we should deal - and that will be quite a fight because it has to be brought into the open.

A friend in the office told me "if a reporter made an expose on Power Corps, he could really make a killing."

I answered "you think the Desmarais people would let anything like that be printed?"

Blog it. Blog it until they drop.

I'm a Maritimer!
And a new member of the CPC. :)
No buying my vote.
I want into the West separation thing. I'll be out there (Calgary) for a wedding in August. Maybe I'll just stay!

I'm ready to seriously consider a new Country made up of BC, Alta, Sask and Man. I was shocked that Stronach crossed the floor. Once again we see how desperate Martin is to offer a senior portfolio to a political neophte like Stronach. Not only is she totally inexperienced but I think she is one of the most untrustworthy people available. I've already placed my call to her constituency office with some direct, blunt feedback. I urge all to do the same

Ian and macbeth. Albertan's love Maritimers. You're more than welcome in Cascadia. You might have to pass some sort of citizenship test though, like firing a chicken gun full of cow manure at an effigy of Paul Martin.

We knew someone could be bought - just didn't know who!!!

AB and/or Western separation just got a whole lot bigger. I don't know how Stephen Harper overcomes this in "vote rich" Ontario.

Time to go back to the States.

What an icy cold doubledealing dumbass jetsetting elitist bought whore.
Quits university ,too hard for her.
Married with a kid quits the marraige for Bubba.

tv.yahoo.com/news/ps/20030619/105601953901.html

Daddy gives her one of the biggest companies in Canada , quits too hard.
Doesn't get to be the leader of the conservatives after the first try, quits.
The silver spoon sense of entitlement and her corner cutting easy road ways makes her and the corrupt librano$ a perfect match.
Fuck her, just like she has fucked over everyone who voted for her.
She was never on side, Harper is right good that she's gone, what, we need a billionaire gold plated snake in the party who's afraid of working for what she receives?

I'm from Ontario and I want to seperate.
We could carve this province in half the west can create a free democracy, the east can suck on their big fat racist corrupt nanny state of whining socialist losers ruled by billionaires .
Fuck them.

I guess getting into bed with sleazy politicians is Belinda's "gift" (think Bill Clinton and shiver). I wonder if maybe we aren't underestimating our goldenhaired girl a bit. Anyone know if Magna Intl. has any pressing economic issues or unfunded pension liabilities? Maybe her price is a bit more than we think.

I join the rest in saying enough is enough. The West Must seperate!
What a bitch.

hey Russman ". The voters of eastern Canada do not wish "their" Canada to be run from the west. "

correct . . . just PAID FOR by the West.

Send us you money, but keep your ideas to yourself.

Go figure.

But I do know their are Maritimers that are greatly saddened by the lack of backbone of many of their fellow citizens who can and have been bought off for a few UIC benefits.

When the crash comes . . it will lbe devastating.

Good luck. Maybe you can apply as a refugee out here after we leave this ship to sink in its pile of corruption.

Thank God and Greyhound(Greystrong) she's gone! She was a 'set -up' from the start. She is a bubble brain and should fit in well with the LIberal/ND brain dead outfit. Stephen was too "complex" for her eg. Stephen can think!! This will be played like a dirge by the MSM, for the Conservatives. We MUST keep blogging because there is a lot more than 'barbie' at stake here - there is a vote.

Enough of this separating talk!!
This is OUR chance to actually take control of this country!- Quebec sees what has happened. The Conservative party, under the leadership of Harper KNOWS what has happened. They are listening to their constituents, who ARE mad as hell. ARE they mad enough to stand up, put a steel rod down their backs and FIGHT for this country?
The Conservatives are. ARE WE..the Canadian electorate ready for this fight now we know WHO the enemy is? The enemy is the Liberal party of Canada , a unique creation of Maurice Strong and the Power Corporation.
NOW that we know that it is time for US to take action.
Yet all I see all around is disgust ( rightfully so, for Stronach and Gomery revelations) and the desire to RUN... to separate... to flee the harsh reality and light of day..
Time to show our moxie folks. Time to STAND UP and be counted for what we thought we had as a country and do have the power to create if we realize that our time to fight for our country is right NOW!- Get behind your Conservative party and Stephen Harper. The Bloc is more nationalistic and loyal to an all encompassing Canada than you might at first think. AND Guilles Duceppe is a decent man who does what he says he will do.
You cannot trust ONE liberal who remains with the party and it is now time to make this party pay for their arrogance, theft, corruption and crime.
Let the media know how you feel. Let the mps of all parties know how you feel... We DO have the power to poke a purple finger in both Martin and Stronach's eye!!

I guess Stronach really didn't like that letter asking her to pay the $379,000 she owes the party as a result of overspending on her 2004 leadership campaign.

My, my - doesn't one suddenly, and unexpectedly, receive the worst monikers when one doesn't agree with the Conservatives.

I've never like Martin's politix. Let's get that straight from the beginning, okay?

But, Stronach can definitely spell "parochial." And she spells it "H-A-R-P-E-R".

I thank her for saving us over 300 million dollars on Harper's, ill fated gamble that he can win an elex'n.

No woman is going to vote for Harper, now. If Stronach can't stomach him ....

Lessee, now - MacKay brought Stronach into the Party. MacKay made sure the Reform's "one member one vote" mantra died on the way into the new Party. When the "old guard" sees a light at the end of the tunnel and fires up their innumerable "central" Canada ridings, the evangelistic, rabidly right wing, Calgary crowd, will be rightly subdued ... by the numbers.

The old guard doesn't like .... and has never liked .... Harper.

The way one gets rid of an anomaly is to ........ never mind - if I have to explain politix on this site ....

Can you spell "parochial?" Stronach can.

Ah yes, once again we see some of the red Tories (or so they call them) from Ontario trying to tell Western Canada what is best for them.

What an irony it is that they call the Conservatives the party of non-inclusiveness yet they seem to think we should all belong to the ideals of big fat government and corruption or we are not fit to be Canadian.

I think the Liberals and a lot of the Ontarians are taking the West a little non-chalantly this time around and if Martin survives this, we could see a real push for a Western State sooner than later.

You know now that I think back through my life in this country all I have been fed is how great Canada is and how evil anyone is that would want to break a country apart. Who the hell says that this version of Canada is the best, except of course the Liberals who owe their jobs and envelopes of cash to Canada.

Its time that we had our own political system, our own control over our social policies, and our own separate state. We are as much different than Easterners as Quebec is of the rest of Canada.

Funny, the government had no problem sitting back and watching the break up of the Soviet 'union into independent states and Yugoslavia, but in Canada it is unheard of to have a separate state that is joined by economic ties only. We need a separate social agenda as we are separated socially from the East.

He hit the nail on the head without being angry.

Ambition not principle.

Play it right and he just might get some in the MSM to sing along.

A buddy of mine used to work at Magna HQ about 15 yrs ago.He was roped into a few of Frank's Liberal fundraisers and BBQ's, and though Frank has a natural free enterpise and highly individulistic streak, he still liked to support the Grits.He hates socialists, but didn't mind crony capitalism.

Jetson: That's pretty much my sentiments too, but I'm having a harder time keeping calm and lucid.

I have a couple questions/musings. Is Martin going to visit Alberta too during the Queen's visit? Either he snubs us or risks facing an angry mob ... either way it should be interesting. Also, given there's gotta be come kind of legal basis for viewing the current government as unconstitutional and illegitimate given their refusal to acknowledge multiple successive non-confidence votes, does it not also follow that there is some legal basis for now submitting corporate/personal taxes? What would happen if there was a massive taxpayers revolt?

I've been reading the blogs for awhile now, and being an ex-Ont and now happily addapted to west coast life, and aa a long time Conservative, nee Reformer, I have watched Canada decline over the last 50 yrs. We no longer are self sufficient in almost anything. The liberal-left media, and govt have been setting the agenda since Trudeau [the war-dodger Marxist] began the destruction of Canadian institutions and historical identity, and customs. The continuing bland pap from any in the media is sickening.. where is a 'Sinclair' when you need them, where is the 'right' view balance. In truth, the more I have become sick of the oligarchy that Eastern business and the Liberal have created. Unfortunately, it has been my experience over 6 deacdes, that Canadians seldom rise to a cause of public indignation, they would rather behave as the 3 monkees, lest they actually have to do something. Until it affects them personally, they will cling to whatever view makes them comfortable, and not require them to think. I am leaning more and more in favour of the breakup of the country, as it seems that it is the only way that provinces other than those east of Manitoba will ever be able to be in control of their own destinies. At one time I was against Quebec separating, and if they did, only take what they got brouhgt to Confederation [Lower Canada], but after visiting Quebec on an number of occasions in the last 5 years, I have seen their frustrations as well. Vive Cascadia, Vive Quebec.. from an island in the pacific.

It's only one MP, but the optics of this couldn't be worse. A female Ontario MP bailing will only reinforce the stereotypes that many perceive in the CPC, all nonsense of course.

Having said that, this is completely devastating. I think I'm resigned to Liberal Canada forever.

What a backstab.

That is correct Stint - should be an interesting sight to see Belinda standing up to vote for the budget of a government that she voted corrupt and not fit to govern just a few days ago!! The Liberals just bought themelves another Lier. Simple for a party using other peoples money. I noticed that Magna was a few million in the red last quarter. Now they are really in the RED - I wonder what kind of deal daddy made with Demarais? We KNOW it is not about Belinda, she is way too stupid to be any kind of force in a business. I wonder if barbie will stand beside scottie tissue in the house or will she stand beside P.M matine so she can be told what to say - I laugh at her and I laugh at the Liberals - they all look so silly and stupid!! I fear them not, no thinking person should. It is time to undermine them, dirt for dirt - the people in barbie's ridding and scottie tissues riding should start making pictures. Since the Liberals have made the population illiterate, pictures are important. They often speak a thousand words - an old but true saying.

Wasnt the whole reason for not having a confidence vote today to avoid upsetting those poor souls in BC???? Wasn't that to let them have their election in peace without any major political developments?

Wasnt Harper wanting to do that a sign of significant disrespect to British Columbians?

Maybe I misheard those comments....

We are constantly told that there are good MPs in all parties, and that they are not all self-interested swine. Which is true enough.

But the question remains whether or not there are any Liberal MPs who are good and decent and honourable enough to finally say, "Enough!".

All it would take is about two backbenchers willing to forego their own sinecures for the sake of the country, and we might actually get the Mafia out of office. But I'm not holding my breath.

Like the US Marines, we are looking for a few good men. And all we get are goodfellas.

Pathetic.

Should the last attempt to reform the inequities in confederal democracy and the corruption and kleptocracy in federal government fail, I know of at least half a dozen prominent western politicians that will be persuing provincial autonomy and ultimately separation as a solution to escapecorrupt federal politica and their kleptocratic revenue systems.

I'll be one...back to Alberta with me and into the western sovereignty movement.

A Liberal MP who turned on the caucus, would be finished in national Grit politics.They all know it, and the punishment will be severe.Doors will close, calls won't get returned, and that's that.We shouldn't expect any Grit defections.

Enough of this. The confidence vote over the gov't that's already lost a confidence vote may well be gone.

The election will be held 30 days after Gormery, who's report will be delayed until the criminal trials are complete. Sometime late Spring 06, maybe.

The Liberal spin will once again convice Ont. And here we are. Ignored again.

Western Canada - the nation, Quebec - the nation.

I was in a room not so long ago with some of those western politicians and prominent businesspersons when the subject of western separation was raised. There were no shocked or dismissive rebuttals.

What used to be a fanciful fringe notion has matured to the status of viable option in mainstream political thought in the west.

Snowbunnie;" it is time to take control of our country" I certainly plan to do just that. All that I lack is a ballot. My country being Alberta and the ballot cast for an independent Alberta. There is no hope for this decaying federation. Bananna Republic indeed.

I'm behind the great grey wall of Eastern Ontario. Quebec is at my back. Family ties me to this place. Could I leave this place I would. To you in the west I wish you good luck and G*D Speed and to Quebec "Vivre le Quebec Libre" I heard DeGaulle say that many years ago. I believed it then and still believe it now. I don't live in the Canada I born in. It's been stolen by political pygmies such Belnda Stronach and long list of her ilk over the past thirty-five years.

a billionaire unethical socialist with zero credibility running the hr dept(2 billion and counting), and that's only for starters.
If any liberal needs proof that elitist hacks are running Canada to hell then they can ask das fuhrer while B.S. is sucking his cock tonight.

I think Jay Random at Shiny Happy Gulag,probably sums up Ms.Stronach"s chances of ever being a leader in the Liberals the best. As in Nada,zilch,ged oudda here kid,ya botha me.....She should have studied history. Nobody likes a traitor and nobody ever trusts them again.

I think I was on crack when I wrote that. But I managed to get the message across.

A gramatically corrected post now exists on my site.

Monday, May 16, Parliament Hill, Ottawa.

Debbie Jodoin was one of the speakers at the rally. Debbie told us she was a former union organizer; she recently burned her union card; she took out a Conservative card. Excellent speaker.
She and her lady friends are staking out/sitting in on Parliament Hill. Bravo.

These ladies are residents of Ottawa.

Could someone verify; please get photos. Perhaps, forward to other bloggers for posting. Hurry.

One person at a time; persuasion is the essence of politics.

Present also and a speaker was Bob McKinley, a resident of Ottawa, there to offer the support of his group, The Rural Council of Ottawa-Carleton, to the farmers/rural property owners. He was on CFRA, Lowell Green Show, 580 CFRA (AM). Also on internet.

http://www.ruralcouncil.ca/index.htm

http://www.ruralrevolution.com/website

Long live freedom and democracy.

Look west, the sun is shining.

Be of good cheer.

I'll correct your typos, Mike. Just be sure to do the same for me, someday!

I'm an American (married to a Canadian) but just wanted to add my observation. Most Albertans I know are very welcoming to "outsiders", if they themselves are not expat Ontarians, Maritimers, (especially!) Saskatchewaners, etc. Si vous parle Francais seulement, there are Francophone neighborhoods in every major Western city (a very nice one here in Edmonton based around the Faculte-St-Jean of the U of A), so don't let English-speaking skills be a hindrance. And don't worry so much about the winters out here: It gets cold, but the snow isn't wet and icky like back east, it's nice and powdery. The humidity stays pretty low and the winds are under 20 kmh unless there's a front or a storm, so the winter weather doesn't bite into you the way it can in a warmer climate. My husband moved here after spending his whole life in maritime climes and finds the winters here easier b/c -10C and sunny in Edmonton actually feels warmer than 2C, drizzle and overcast in Vancouver.
I'd be more optimistic about change in Canada if it seemed that the voters were really angry, but people just seem . . . bored. When their longtime ruling party is fully exposed in very dirty dealings, and the gov't is in perhaps its greatest constitutional crisis. In the States, most recently, we had Pres Clinton's impeachment (of which he was acquitted), a constitutional process; before that, circa 1992, the check-kiting scandal, which raised voter ire and prepared the way for the 1994 "Republican takeover" of the House of Representatives. This saw many long-time representives (including the very powerful Illinois Democrat, Dan Rostenkowski), dumped out of their seats. Then there was Watergate, which was nothing compared to this whole situation with Martin, yet within two years the President resigned, under threat of impeachment. And similar situations at state levels. I still haven't figured out if this is b/c so many Canadians are so terribly dependent on their government for everyday things, or if it's the whole "Americans expect order/Canadians expect good government" argument, or something similar. (Of course, you're not exactly getting "good government" right now.)