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May 18, 2005

Bribing MP's Is A Criminal Offence

Bill C-46: The Criminal Code of Canada:

119 (1)Every one who...(b) gives or offers, corruptly, to a person mentioned in paragraph (a) any money, valuable consideration, office, place or employment in respect of anything done or omitted by him in his official capacity for himself or another person, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years.


Story here . My commentors are saying the tape has now been released. I'll post a link to that if it becomes available.

Tape is at CTV now.

Update - Andrew Coyne has more. Much more;
(since updated)

Oh, it's exquisite, isn't it? "If anybody is asked the question, 'Well is there a deal?' and you say, 'No.' Well you want that to be the truth."

Got that? You want to be able to say truthfully that there's no deal. Which is pretty easy if in fact there is no deal. So why does it take eight minutes to sketch out how to do it here? Why do they have to agree that nobody should lie?

"I don't think it's good if anybody lies..." But here are the things you can say: "my riding doesn't want an election... I'm thinking hard about what the right thing for my riding [is], etc."

It's a "bad idea" to have an "explicit trade," but if someone abstains "based on principle" then "the freedom to have discussions is increased." Explicit discussions "about Senate, not Senate" are not "very helpful," or at least not "in advance of an abstention." But then "we can make an arrangement that allows you to move." And the whole thing can be arranged through a third party -- I hear David Peterson's available -- so that "you didn't approach, we didn't approach."

Vote-laundering, you might say.

But stay tuned: "The Tories plan to release tapes of discussions between Dosanjh and Grewal tomorrow."


Thursday AM update
Watched CTV for a few minutes this morning. Robert Fife: "In the real world this may even be illegal".

What he meant to say is that, in Canada, the Media Wing of the Liberal Party can be counted on to carefully skirt the most damaging information about criminal elements and illegality in Paul Martin's government.

...

This occured to me, too, but Coyne beats me to it;

You follow: an MP whom the government has asked the RCMP to investigate on allegations he insists are completely spurious wanted to cross the floor to join that same government. Of course. Makes perfect sense

Posted by Kate at May 18, 2005 9:25 PM
TrackBacks

Another day, another crime. Stephen Harper is scary... from Conservative Life - Canadian Politics
Ever see the movie Groundhog Day? That's what this feels like... Liberals commit crime. Media whitewashes it. Canadians express their fear of Stephen Harper. Second verse same as the first only a little bit worse. But what the hell. I'll menti... [Read More]

Tracked on May 18, 2005 11:15 PM

Comments

Broke the law, doesnt matter, they are above the law. They make the rules as they go along.

Posted by: doug at May 18, 2005 9:33 PM

I don't mean to diminish the gravity of this latest liberal crime ... but I couldn't help but notice that the woman in the ad that appears with the National Post story looks a lot like Belinda. I found it rather comedic coupled with the some the ad's text, like "Team-Building Activities" and "Ottawa—Alter Your Agenda". That's too funny to be a coincidence.

Posted by: Saskamoose at May 18, 2005 9:40 PM

Was the woman who looked like Belinda holding a little chihuahua named Tinkerbell?

Posted by: ed_in_cda at May 18, 2005 9:44 PM

You can here a bit of the tape here.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/HTMLTemplate/!ctvVideo/CTVNews/duffy_video_041004/20050517/?video_link_high=mms://ctvbroadcast.ctv.ca/video/2005/05/18/ctvvideologger2_143kbps_2005_05_18_1116460004.wmv&video_link_low=mms://ctvbroadcast.ctv.ca/video/2005/05/18/ctvvideologger2_45kbps_2005_05_18_1116461942.wmv&clip_start=00:57:46.90&clip_end=00:01:32.09&clip_id=ctvnews.20050518.00100000-00100002-clip8&clip_caption=COUNTDOWN:%20With%20Mike%20Duffy:%20Audio%20tape%20of%20Liberal%20Senate%20Seat%20offer

Posted by: Matt Wolf at May 18, 2005 9:45 PM

I was wondering when someone would bring up that law being broken.

Question: Does giving Belinda a cabinet position qualify as illegal?

Posted by: jhuck at May 18, 2005 9:47 PM

Moose is up to the old, dirty tricks of the Librano$; deflect the story to the trivial, banal, crap of an ad.

Away with moose.

Criminals occupy the highest offices in the land.

The Rule of Law in canada is dead.

canada is dead.

RIP, canada.


Posted by: maz2 at May 18, 2005 9:48 PM

This will all be washed out as well. The rules are being made up as they go. Sent in the form to the SPA. I've had enough of the librano games, and it's time for action. Have also recommended to all I know to do the same. The printer was running for a loooong time today due to requests.

No matter what happens paulie will deflect it in his desperation to hold on to power, and will say that it's a violation of parliamentary protocol.

Posted by: rob at May 18, 2005 9:49 PM

Nothing to see here. Just a rogue Liberal. You can't possibly blame the party for the actions of a single man.

The real criminal is the CPC member who tapes his telephone conversations.

A public enquiry should be set up to get to the bottom of this sometime in 2008.

Stephan Harper is playing the politics of anger.

//sacrasm off//

Posted by: A Ziggen at May 18, 2005 9:49 PM

ed in cda is dead.

A Librano$ stooge he is.

Down with the criminals.


Down with the Librano$.

Posted by: maz2 at May 18, 2005 9:52 PM

A Ziggen is a criminal stooge of the Librano$.


Down with the criminals.


Down with the Librano$.

Posted by: maz2 at May 18, 2005 9:54 PM

I resent being called a Librano$. You know obviously know nothing about my poltical ideals. And I was not trying to deflect the focus of the story. I was merely making comment on something I found amusing. Lighten up and give me a break will ya. It's been a bad week already and I really don't need to be called a god damned Librano$!

Posted by: Saskamoose at May 18, 2005 9:54 PM

I'll admit I misspelled sarcasm...which may have confused someone unable to process words with more than two syllables.

My apologies...I'll attempt to screech nothing but obscenities in ALL CAPS in the future.

Posted by: A Ziggen at May 18, 2005 10:00 PM

Let's get serious about this and keep it on topic. This is a breaking story that should bring this government to it's knees. Let's concentrate on that and stop arguing. If people can't add something specific that can help move this story along then they should just shut up. Tomorrow is the God Damn deadline, or have we forgotten forgotten.

Good for you Kate. Keep it up.

Posted by: John Crittenden at May 18, 2005 10:07 PM

Ease up people. Maz2 doesnt miss one very often, and is usually right on the money. Forgive him/her this slip-up. Thanks.

Posted by: MikeP at May 18, 2005 10:09 PM

MSM spin is "These kind of things happen all the time in minority governments"

Posted by: rob at May 18, 2005 10:13 PM

If anything...short of criminal prosecution...I hope this resonates with Cadman and Kilgour and helps them realize that a vote for the amended budget is a vote for corruption.

Posted by: A Ziggen at May 18, 2005 10:15 PM

Guilt or innocence will not be proven over nite ,but optics dont look good for libs as I read it.

Posted by: doug at May 18, 2005 10:17 PM

Burkean Canuck has some interesting commentary to the effect that maybe Martin wants to lose the vote tomorrow ... and might actually orchestrate losing because this is actually an excellent time for him to call an election ... and that all the Belinda stuff might just have been a tactic to keep Ontarian's minds off Gomery ...

Posted by: Snowy at May 18, 2005 10:24 PM

QUESTION

Why would the Liberals leave a bunch of senate appointments open...if not to use them as bribes down the road?

Posted by: A Ziggen at May 18, 2005 10:26 PM

Listening to the tape on the Duffy spot sounds like Murphy says no to a senate seat but if you vote with us you can negotiate soemething else.

I wouldn't be running around hoping this tape proves the Liberals were selling a senate seat for a vote.

Posted by: Derek at May 18, 2005 10:31 PM

1) I'll vouch for saskamoose...run into the mooses horns elsewhwere....no librano

There needs to be a written transcript of the gerwal stuff. Libs are blaming him for asking, him for taping but what I heard they were certainly offering......so it is clear stuff is there for the asking.

Seems they have taken the page out of JC's old book...dont let em see you sweat..never admit an error and turn it back on the accuser....

And not one news outlet carries the criminal code section listed here...Media still in their, oh isnt this a fun game mode. Cons need to hold a news conference with this section quoted in on a large piece of cardbaord and state this is another piece of illegality that NOBODY seems to care about including the 4th estate....oops wrong tactic to accuse the media...strike that last bit....even though it is true...

Posted by: Stephen at May 18, 2005 10:32 PM

Maz2 is a good guy he must have misread or been cloned.

Posted by: richfisher at May 18, 2005 10:35 PM

Oh the sweetest aspect of what I heard was that this deal needed to be taken to Joe Volpe...

And for the new Klan the CPC has an awful non-white, non protestant, non anglo saxon members....in fact I think with BS's defection the percentage of the CPC caucus got less white, and less anglo saxon certainly less establishment.

Posted by: Stephen at May 18, 2005 10:38 PM

I love all you guys and gals. Keep up the good work. This is what the MSM should be. I don't expect much of this to get on the news tonight. Actually, it's past the 6pm news. Hmm. Must have been reading the blogs.

As for Martin wanting an election right now I dunno. I mean, the Liberals are supposed to be broke and in debt. It's going to take a lot of money to fight this election. He's probably tossed out the box of brown envelopes. And he won't have the budget to complain about because the opposition is going to pass it tomorrow. Or, if it fails it won't be their fault. It might be because a few Liberal backbenchers vote against it. Wouldn't that be fun to watch? I wouldn't miss tomorrow on CPAC for anything.

Kate, you should make another poster with Martin's face on it when he realizes his government has fallen. Make it a wanted poster. $900 million reward would work.

Posted by: John Crittenden at May 18, 2005 10:40 PM

Oh the sweetest aspect of what I heard was that this deal needed to be taken to Joe Volpe...

And for the new Klan the CPC has an awful non-white, non protestant, non anglo saxon members....in fact I think with BS's defection the percentage of the CPC caucus got less white, and less anglo saxon certainly less establishment.

Posted by: Stephen at May 18, 2005 10:44 PM

Can't see PM Dithers defeating himself, he's a power hungry peice of trash, and a defeat well the Queen is here, oh my Gawd!!... can't have that.

Posted by: rob at May 18, 2005 10:52 PM

Contents of tape broke Bill C-46.
Who approached who?

Posted by: doug at May 18, 2005 10:57 PM

For the record, taping a telephone conversation in Canada is perfectly legal. All that is required is one consenting party. That is usually the person doing the taping. Lawyers do it all the time.

I might just follow this post into the wee hours of the night if you people keep commenting. As for a written transcript, look for one in tomorrow's early news. Maybe Canada Free Press? NealNews? Just in time to be tabled before the vote.

Posted by: John Crittenden at May 18, 2005 10:58 PM

Thats a taped PHONE CALL...it almost sounds like a live conversation?

Sounded to me like he was saying that discussing a senate seat wasnt appropriate until AFTER Gerwal had abstained and then a number of things could be considered?

Posted by: Stephen at May 18, 2005 11:05 PM

Taping even a live conversation between two people over the phone, a coffee or at the ball park is legal in Canada, even if one person did not know the conversation was being taped. However, while this is the general rule, lawyers can argue to have the tape ruled inadmissable in a court of law for a host of reasons based on case law. Therefore, it's generally up to the judge to decide if it's admissible in court. This is probably why different lawyers give you different opinions. But it is not illegal to tape it.

But then I'm not a lawyer...

Posted by: John Crittenden at May 18, 2005 11:14 PM

I watched Dosanjh's press statement right before Ol' Puffy played the Grewal tape. He stated that there was no way the liberals and Martin would have offered Grewal a cabinet post, senate seat or anything else as a reward for crossing the floor because things just aren't done that way. The hypocrisy of his sanctimonious claim, coming on the heals of Stronach's obvious cabinet seat reward for crossing, was astounding. How can any liberal supporter fail to see the transparency of this outrageous lie?

As for the Grewal tape, is it safe to assume that the Conservatives conducted voice verification tests before releasing the tape? I sure hope so. This tape is damning evidence, but I hope it is unimpeachable evidence.

Maz2 ... sorry for being so thin skinned. As I said, it's been a hard week.

Posted by: Saskamoose at May 18, 2005 11:16 PM

Libs wont be making any more phone calls after this makes the headlines.
Polyscience 101-Recquired equipment upon entering career in politics...tape recorder.

Libs look very amateurish here...send them back to hells angels or montreal mob for more lessons.

Posted by: doug at May 18, 2005 11:16 PM

The Law??? Hahahaha!

The Constitution? Hahahaha

Democracy? Ditto.

The Liberals control the law. That's like trying to tell Saddam Hussein's team before the ouster that they were bad and should be punished.

The RCMP will do nothing. Did the Governor General last week?

The media will just chortle and laugh and then put the Conservatives down for "being angry" or overreacting or it was all their fault anyways.

Posted by: Stan K. at May 18, 2005 11:17 PM

Don't we have some sort of police like people who we pay a few billion dollars a year for investigating this sort of thing ?
Is there any good public servant out there who gives a rats ass?
There is nobody to enforce our laws now that our superiors have decreed the end of democracy?

Wait! a liberal has really bad heartburn... there is a chance!

Posted by: richfisher at May 18, 2005 11:19 PM

Give the RCMP a chance. Most of them are extremely honest, and they love this country too.

Just had a thought. Would this not be a good time for the Opposition to table a transcript of this taped conversation and then walk out of the House, before the vote, and hold a press conference to announce their refusal, on moral and legal grounds, to prop up this failed government? Whether the vote was held or not would not matter if the Opposition refused to be part of the government. Not sure this is a good idea. Anyone?

Another thought. Does anyone think that the MSM can compete with this? Blogs are still not understood by most people. I have to explain them all the time. But, in a year or two when people see how we police ourselves and actually think things through reasonably by pooling our various experiences and opinions, where will most people look first for 'real' news. And right on time too, not 12 hours later in tomorrow's papers.

Posted by: John Crittenden at May 18, 2005 11:31 PM

Stan K has it right, nothing is going to come of this, and it will be flipped and thrown in the CPC's face. Everyone has been bought off and no one will stand up and help.

Welcome to dictatorship comrads...

Posted by: rob at May 18, 2005 11:32 PM

The tape shows cleary the libs were "offering"

Posted by: doug at May 18, 2005 11:36 PM

I don't see what's so bad about taping a phone call, you know to cover your ass. Asking for a bribe and then using the tape to damage the one that rejected you is certainly justified.

If it turns out that the conservative approached the governing party with a mandate to rule, as has been corroborated by two sources, then I'll suck oil from the Alberta sands personally.

Belinda, you dumped the whole conservative party at once and obviously broke their juvenile perverted jealous hearts. Maybe you could make it up and offer them back Sheila Copps.

Posted by: mockpuppet at May 19, 2005 12:46 AM

so far as blogging, debate, reasoning, and self correction, this third rate blog has nothing on the likes of the system used at www.dailykos.com

Posted by: mockpuppet at May 19, 2005 12:48 AM

RCMP may well be, as a whole, honest - but does it make any difference if the people at the top (the guys wearing suits) are crooked?

Posted by: Jay at May 19, 2005 12:54 AM

Was that high-tech system over at Kos bought with the money Howard Dean paid him to pimp for his presidential campaign????

Kate
I personally enjoy the site, content, and the posters (most of them anyway). Besides, you know you've made it as a blogger when you get your very own troll.(BTW, a little club soda gets the stains out of the carpet.) Keep up the good work.

Posted by: Shawn at May 19, 2005 1:07 AM

I think of him as agent provocateur, actually. Can't have too many of those.

Posted by: Kate at May 19, 2005 1:18 AM

as posted on AGWN - A friend (i.e. someone I know quite well) WON a case against our very own RCMP by taping a conversation (ok, the RC was trying to (a) interrogate and (b) intimidate) so maybe an invesitagative interview (forgive the scrambling of the language there).

Long and short - took 4 years,I forget whether 4 or 5 lawyers (not many want to go against the AG & RCMP), but she won because (a) she was right and (b) the original cop was ... shall we say... probably posted to Tuktoyuktuk for life if not fired.

Not for the faint of heart, but can be done. And if a tape recorded "unknowingly" against an RCMP who is an agent of "the Court" then... should hold against an MP, wouldn't ya think?

Posted by: Candace at May 19, 2005 1:59 AM

Politics Watch has the full 8 minute rundown and the tape is less damning then the brief clip on CTV.

The budget day promises to be interesting.

I still wonder why Harper hasnt tried to sway some blue Liberals - O'Brien, Wappell or Kilgour.

Posted by: Shaky at May 19, 2005 3:20 AM

No worries - it's a prima facie case of conspiracy.
I've posted "The 8 Minute Conspiracy" at:
http://mapleleafblog.blogspot.com/2005/05/8-minute-conspiracy.html
Thanks for taking a look.

Posted by: ed_in_cda at May 19, 2005 5:45 AM

Shaky said, "I still wonder why Harper hasnt tried to sway some blue Liberals - O'Brien, Wappell or Kilgour."

Gosh, I hope Stephen's above, beyond, beneath, whatever, etc. doing something like that. It's a major sellimg point of integrity that they can build on. Funny, I haven't even thought of it until you just mentioned it now.

At any rate, were he to actually try something sanctimonious like that, then I'll need to be admitted. I doubt I would be able to emtionally handle a revelation that "my guy" is a flaming git like that other fellow with the ships and stuff like that there happening.

Hmmm, 4:20 AM here in "screechin'" Annie's riding and I can't stop reading the blogs...

Posted by: Schwarze Tulpe at May 19, 2005 6:22 AM

GREAT NEWS! Carolyn Parrish (Independent) who was going to vote with the Liberals IS HOPE WITH ACUTE APPENDICITIS AND WON'T BE ABLE TO VOTE! THERE IS A G*D!

Posted by: foreign devil at May 19, 2005 7:58 AM

Sorry--that should be she's "home" with acute appendicitis.

Posted by: foreign devil at May 19, 2005 7:59 AM

Wait a minute.
Didn't Dosanjh used to be NDP? Wasn't he bought for a Cabinet seat?
He, too, would meet the definition of a prostitute.
Just wonderin'.

Posted by: bob at May 19, 2005 10:21 AM

This parliament and the findings of Gomery telegraph the message loud and clear that there is no law where Liberal politics are concerned.

The media cheerleads this premise with their silence on the matter and we sanctify it by not hitting the streets in protest to an illegally sitting government.

If they get away with it learn to speak Spanish so you can make a living working for our new political junta.

Posted by: WL Mackenzie Redux at May 19, 2005 11:16 AM

The precipitous decline of Canadian democracy under the Dithers-Cretin liberals has been noticed by one of the best US blogs - see http://www.belmontclub.blogspot.com/

If Dithers survives notwithstanding the repeated demonstrations of non-confidence, time to sell the Cdn homestead and move to the land of the free.

Posted by: SEchappe at May 19, 2005 11:18 AM

Dosanjh now says he has a "witness".


His name is Sudesh Kalia.

Who is this "witness"?


Find his name here:


http://www.elections.ca/ecFiscals/2000/ndp.txt


Kalia Sudesh Individual 200

Sudesh Kalia donation $200 to NDP 2000 election.


Any questions for Dosanjh? for Kalia?

Posted by: maz2 at May 19, 2005 3:18 PM

YEEARGGHHHH

Posted by: Howard Dean at May 19, 2005 4:06 PM

Well I'm up for a good old fashion civil revolt, (war?).
God Canadians are the lamest people on earth, even in third world starving un-educated backwaters they put up a resistance to tyranny.
(big thanks to the bloggers here 8))
(won't somebody think of the children!)
I'm thinking they must put something in the water for Canadians to be so complacent about (organized crime?) (socialist dictaters?) running the country.(good thing I sterilize mine with rye)
If it were up to me I'd hang every Liberal and NDPer, just to be sure.
Hey Echelon you listening LOL, low IQ morons.
Bomb, assasinate, plot, terrorist.
Hehehe got thier attention.
Cold steel...no registration required.

Posted by: Durward at May 19, 2005 4:10 PM

I just had a funny thought have any one of us sent this stuff about the rule of law to the MSM in highlighter with explanations about the gravity of these omissions by our glorious government. This is terrifically important stuff that they are ignoring if so and an awful neglect on ours if we haven't been doing so. I would suggest sending packages to specific media reporters, and never stop. Someone someday is going to wake up and smell the excrement and get a scoop (forgive the pun) of collossal proportions.

Daryl

Posted by: Daryl at May 20, 2005 2:51 AM

What would the Librano$ have to do to turn their Ontario,(and other} supporters against them?
Would it be bribery?
No,that's OK.
What about fiscal waste?
No,no problem with that.
How about fear mongering?
Hey,that works well.
Pay-offs in brown paper bags on restaurant
tables.
Hey Buddies we're the Librano$.
Would it be theatening a top bank official by telling him that if he did'nt grant a loan to a prospective buyer of your loser Hotel investment,you would drag his name through the gutter?
Nothing wrong with that Eh!,Liberal supporters.
But I know that even if I listed off another 30 skuzzy,dishonest instances of Liberal corruption,you would still insist that it is better to "vote for the devil you know".
Unbelieveble!
So supporters,tell me,what would be the last straw for you?

Posted by: Tubby at May 22, 2005 9:01 PM
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