When Paul Martin announced the Gomery Inquiry, those who had actually read Sheila Fraser’s report into Sponsorship instantly recognized that the narrow scope of his mandate was designed to expose Chretien’s gang, while keeping the Martinistas off limits. That’s about to be rectified, if MIchael Fortier gets his way. Ignore the gratuitous editorializing questioning the motives – the Star knows better than anyone that the Martin – Earnscliffe relationship stunk to high heaven;
The Conservative government will launch an investigation today into alleged Liberal-era irregularities in taxpayer-funded opinion polling.
Public Works Minister Michael Fortier will launch the probe at a Parliament Hill news conference this morning, casting it as the fulfilment of another election campaign commitment from 2006, according to government sources.
But the announcement appears designed to place Stéphane Dion’s Liberal party under a cloud of suspicion, on what could be the eve of a federal election campaign.
The public works department and major polling firms have been negotiating the terms of the investigation for months.
But rather than a wide-ranging look into the relationship between the federal government and polling companies, sources suggest it will have a narrow focus on the relationship between the Liberals and Earnscliffe Strategy Group, an Ottawa-based government relations and communications firm that had close links to former prime minister Paul Martin when he was finance minister.
David Herle, a former senior Earnscliffe partner, was among Martin’s top political advisers and ran the Liberal party’s election campaigns.
The investigator will determine whether further action, such as a judicial inquiry, is required, and then provide a final report to the public works minister.
Party at Kinsellas!
Search SDA for previous entries regarding Paul Martin’s special relationship with Earnscliffe.
Interesting development regarding polling investigation.
Kate’s archives are very handy as well.
This reminder as an example:
…………..
Someone Should Name A Sandwich After This
Bell Globemedia on one side, Liberal Party on the other, and a lobbyist in the middle; A lobbyist for the corporate giant that owns two of this country’s most prominent media outlets is now running the Liberal campaign in Ontario…
Posted by Kate on December 1, 2005 1:17 AM
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I re-assert, – MSM, wilful blindness or enablers of a decade of Liberal governing corruption.
“Frank” magazine detailed the Martin/Earnscliffe relationship, and how for years before Martin was elected, senior Earnscliffe employees were popping up in important Liberal party positions across Canada, funded in part by Earnscliffe’s non-tendered contracts with the federal government. Of course, the MSM ignored it all, as they ignored Frank’s early warnings about the sponsorship scandal.
I hope the Tories follow through on this investigation; these guys perverted the political process to no small degree, and they deserve to be punished.
“Nothing is more important than integrity. Integrity of the individual. Integrity of government. That’s why I am going to change the way government works. This is not a slogan, its a reality. Were are going to change the way Ottawa works. And we’re going to do it come HELL or HIGHWATER.”
PM Paul Martin, speech March 17, 2004 Quebec City.
So do we get HIGHWATER, HELL, or HELL & HIGHWATER?
I think all three possible combinations are highly undesireable. Land of MILK and HONEY? OK now you are talking!
I like Stephen Janke’s “take” on the photo from Kinsella’s site.
http://stevejanke.com/archives/222377.php
Ooops. Appologies to Steve Janke for the misspelling. I’m so used to the other spelling because of PMSH and Stephen Taylor.
Bring it on! Let’s find out, detail by gory detail, just how far-reaching has been the Librano$’ fleecing of the public purse to ensure their re-election again and again. Let’s watch them squirm and, if we’re lucky, let’s see some of them marched to a jail cell.
The Liberals are responsible for Canada’s almost becoming a Banana Republic. It’s a disgrace that a ruling political party in a supposed democratic country could be so callous and cavalier with the hard-earned tax monies of their citizens and get away with it for so long.
Poor Little Dion. ‘So sad this is going to put him “under a cloud of suspicion, on what could be the eve of a federal election campaign.” Boo hoo. I guess the Librano$ should have thought of the consequences, somewhere down the road, of their nefarious and tricksy shady dealings.
‘Couldn’t be happening to a nicer Party. 😉
David Herle is still a busy fellow, adding to the “Climate Change” stink:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070326.RCSUITEHERLE26/TPStory/Environment
Mark Marrisen, PM Jr., SD, HD, JChr, JC, et al, and David Herle, and Earn$cliffe, and Gag, and the late Giuseppe Morselli, and, ,,,, What a lovely bunch of Liberal b#$@%#*s.
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My look at the issues of our Oldtown neighborhoods and other political news
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
HOW STEPHANE DION’S WIN AFFECTS BC
Now that Stephane Dion has been crowned the King of the Liberal party of Canada, I wondered how this may play out for BC and in particular, Vancouver area riding’s.
Enter Mark Marrisen, who was National Director for Mr. Dion’s campaign team. He provided strong strategic and obviously, winning advice. This once again raises the stature of Mr. Marrisen, who will play a significant role with the Dion team. The Liberal leader will appoint Mr. Marrisen to again head up TEAM BC and get election ready for an expected spring election. Mr. Marrisen will be given enormous power as he had under former Prime Minister Paul Martin. He will decide who the candidates are and how the campaign is run.
Some say, Mr. Marrisen plays cut-throat politics. For example former MP, Herb Dhaliwal accused Mr. Marrisen of taking over his riding executive and working behind the scenes to remove him as the Senior Minister for BC, a position which came with considerable clout and prestige. Mr. Dhaliwal was a strong supporter of former Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jean Chretien. Mr. Marrisen was a strong backer of Rt Hon Paul Martin who was in direct conflict with Mr. Chretien. Of course Mr. Martin went on to become PM.
This time around, Mr. Marrisen has to tread carefully. …-
http://downtowneastside.blogspot.com/2006_12_06_archive.html
and what of Scott Reid , , he of the beer & popcorn ilk . .. wasn’t he an Earnscliffe wag ??
And who was The Libs Favorite Polster??
I think all Canadians have a vested interest in the examination of the facts around this. It is unpleasant that Martin’s Liberals did restrict the mandate of the Gomery Inquiry and made it sound as if the Inquiry could get to the bottom of the issues.
I think that NDP and Bloc MPs will support this. They have much to profit if Liberals loose future support because of potential future criminal charges that could be laid against Liberal MPs and/or high-level party officials.
Even if it should turn out that criminal charges are unwarranted, all Canadians should support a complete investigation to answer the lingering questions about the integrity of Canadian democracy at the present time.
How about a look into Paul Martin’s connection to the tainted blood scandal?
What about the cocaine that was inside water tight boxes and welded to the underside of the CSL ship?
How about the 161 million CSL received?
Pollscam is but a drop in the barrel.
true Eskimo but I feel it’s a good excuse for beer and popcorn.
Plus him closing plants to build ships in china that might have cost more if canada didn’t give them so much money.
Finally! The Librano$ chickens are finally coming home to roost, and accountability will return to Ottawa. It will make for good sport when all of this rot is flushed out in the open – Paul Martin, Earnscliffe, the Liberal Party, their shadowy henchmen and shady Jewish liberal accountants. To the wilderness indeed.
The Earnscliffe contracts were former PMPM’s response to his crowd getting none of the Adscam pie and said contracts must be looked at, but on the other hand the CSL contracts deserve a severely detailed forensic audit. Anyone remember Smaul Fartins’ response when asked about the CSL contracts in the House of Commons?
Then there’s the matter of the NINE BILLION DOLLARS that Cretin sent to the, so called, Private Foundations.
Jewish liberal accountants!??
Huh?
How about French liberal lawyer, they’re at the root of every ripoff in Scamada.
Former Minister of Complex Files resigns …. see ya Belinda . From Cherniaks’ blog .
“shady Jewish liberal accountants”?
In the continuing saga of the rats leaving the sinking ship, Belinda Stronach has announced she will be resuming her duties at MAGNA and that she will not run in the next election.
When MAGNA buy Chrysler (possible), will the build a car called a Belinda who’s horn is replaced by a bark?
Have a nice day.
Robert Fife on CTV just said “it`s a big mistake to launch this inquiry, it will backfire”…typical MSM attempt coverup for their buddies!
From LIBLOGS (does that make it official?)Belina Stronach will not be running in the next election.
Off topic, but this just in:
Belinda Stronach will accept the Executive Vice-Chair (figurehead, shurely?!) at Magna International, and hence will NOT stand for re-election at the next federal election.
So many things come to mind.. daddy’s little rich girl.. if you can’t stand the heat.. if I can’t be the queen, I’m going home.. good riddance to bad rubbish. If I were a drinking man, I’d hoist one today. “So long, Belinda, we barely knew ya”.
“shady Jewish liberal accountants”?
It is off topic, but I think this is big.
Belinda has announced she will not run in the next election!
http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070411.wmagna0411/GIStory/
I am a drinking man, and I will be hoisting one later today! I laughed out loud when I heard this.
Belinda was head of the Liberal women’s caucus and part of the team to encourage women to run for politics.
So now, in today’s news releasse she states that being in polotics takes a heavy toll on her family life and she wants to spend more time with her children.
Great message, Belinda, to women who may have been considering a political career.
If someone who is a multi multi millionaire and can afford maids and nannys and housekeepers can’t cope with juggling politics and a family life how oh how could the “common” woman even contemplate such a challenge?
Belinda – leading by example once again?
Just watched Kate Wheeler and Robert Fife on CTV Newsnet all but weeping over the announcment of the departure of Bling Bling Blinda. Fife could hardly contain his erection as he eluded to Stronach’s so-called “charity work”.
Yep, she’s Canada’s Lady Diana, just no Muslim boyfriend.
As I have said before, WK, like him or hate him, deserves credit for saving Canadians from the horror that would have been a Martin majority.
Watch the C$. This may be the start of ‘shaking Canada’s foundation’. Power, Desmarais, Martin, UN, MO, Earnscliffe, CSL, Major Canadian Media, polling firms’ integrity….
As always, when reading sda, I get the feeling that some commenters here are VERY well informed. They may be staying anonymous and limiting their comments to protect the innocent. They could also be very afraid of the ‘big boys’,… huge corporations, political leaders, Judges, the United Nations. IMO.
Politics ‘aint so easy, so I’ll flit on back to daddy.
belomi is leaving cuz she knows she will lose come election time….and no way is daddy going to let her humiliate him again….I see she is heading to the board where she can do the less damage….I issued a sell order on my magna stock just in case
Enough on the ‘TWIT’, already.
This is an Earncliffe thread !!!
Off topic again, but, “Harper To Call 3 Quebec Byelections To Gauge Support For 2008 Federal Election.”
http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/
No 2007 fed election. Unless, of course, important bill is amended in committee to become different creature. Parliamentary paralysis instead? Until 2008. Then the Libs can delay it again until 2009.
I’m so glad Mr Dion has agreed to stay on.
Wornout Kinsella will remain in my eyes as a Liberal fart catcher/turd polisher, until he gives up the big guy.
“Kicking Ass In Canadian Politics”, my behind. It’s easy to kick ass when the opposition is in disarry, the media is in your back pocket (and all too willing to turn a blind eye) and bundles of cash stuffed into manila envelopes are there to spread the Liberal love around.
Oops…..Don’t want Kate nor myself to get sued…..Warnout Kinsella is a swell guy and would never do anything wrong.
As an aside, anyone else ever wonder which 10 Quebec ridings received the Adscam cash? Wonder if it helped elect any Liberals? Has anyone ever seen how the Liberals arrived at the number which they determined was the amount of cash they owed back to the Canadian taxpayer?
So many questions. nice to see weasels like Fife so dilusional that thinking an inquiry into Liberal corruption will backfire on the Tories. Huh?
I kind of liked the off-topic discussion on Belinda. I was wondering if it would be too much to have Peter MacKay stand up in the House and make some kind of comment like “there she goes running with her tail between her legs”.
Remember when Martin was in power, Earnscliffe/Herle got a $50,000 contract to review public perceptions of Goodale’s upcoming budget speech. Earnscliffe read the speech to focus groups to see how it would be perceived. I don’t remember all the details, I just remember how disgusted I was when this was discovered by the Tories.
LOL. Belinda “the minister of complex files” Stronach is like a 4 year old retard with ADD…
I wonder what she’ll do next.
Ron in Kelowna, Unfortunately, this does all tie in. Earncliffe, Paul Martin, Desmarais, the list goes on. Miss BS is just another “leg” of the scandal ridden Liberal party and it desire to win at all costs. (at the expense of the taxpayers)
Fife means that the Ernscliffe/Martin/Liberal/ inquiry will backfire on his employer. And, hence, him.
Dennis Coderre mad as hell on CTV
I thought that testimony at a judical inquiry cannot be used against a witness in subsequent trial(s)? Precisely why LBRANNOS WANT inquiries, so they can’t go to jail!
Hardly seem fair keeping them separate, from their true homes..
Throwing crap on Martin doesn’t make Chretien’s crooks any cleaner.
LEts just hope there is something there……
Nice to hear from you,”Alphonso Gagliano”, how’s she going eh?
Always nice to know you aren’t the only one, eh?
Timed to coincide with an election I suppose. I don’t suppose there will be time to conclude it before the election though.
David Herle is better known here on the prairies as the unofficial appointee by the Crooked Liberal Party of 3 Big Cities to the CWB.
Daivd Herle is well known for his extensive knowledge and expertise in crop production in Western Canada.
He brought a lot of experience to promoting grain sales of the Crooked CWB Western Wing of the Crooked Liberal Party of 3 Big Cities, blah blah.
I’m sure that Tex, no wait, that’s Sask Ritter would vouch for his competence in grain marketing anytime.
Gee, I wonder if all the CWB contracts can be investigated too?
And what ever happened to Reg Alcock?
Don’t be so hasty, Jose.
My pet theory is that the Conservatives will use the same tactic prior to the next election as they did in the last election.
During the last election, the Conservatives made a policy statement seemingly every day at the start of each day (or each week at the start of each week), taking the initiative, leaving the Liberals to constantly play catch-up and leaving the Liberals off-balance.
In the lead-up to the next election, I suspect they are going to announce a new investigation or arrest another Liberal or release a new damning report once every week or once every month. Each event, just another nail being driven into the Liberal coffin (or stake through another Liberal’s heart…maybe that’s a better analogy).
In my opinion, there haven’t been enough or enough recent bombshells to warrant calling an election for a while yet.
There are still too many arrows in the Conservatives quiver to think about making a charge for a majority now. There needs to be a protracted barrage of arrows for a while yet…with maybe a volley or two from the catapults for good measure. I’m sure they’re also reinforcing their flanks.
So…patience, Jose.
Is there irony in Belinda’s cop out of politics?
We have Steffawn pledging 30% women candidates while
One of Stronach’s reasons for leaving is the traditional family thing, because she needs more time with her kids.
Sounds like a real come on for women with family to run for politics doesn’t it?
Maybe the kids will like having Mom home to bake them some bigger pies, ya right.
Her departure is no surprise, nobody is more important than Belinda in the grand scheme of things.
Also, Denis Coderre is all atwitter because the person chosen to head the investigation was once a Quebec Separatist.
They’re all worried and picking at straws is their only diversion.
Oh, the pain!
The only suprise here is Beline didn’t migrate to the NDP for a leadership bid. Did they reject her or what?
Don’t worry Conservatives! Fortier has defined the mandate of this inquiry so that only Liberal wrongdoing can ever be exposed. You will have many years of scandal-free control at the helm of the Canadian Graft Machine. Absolute power and unlimited money never corrupt really good and really smart people.