Prime Minister Stephen Harper is moving to sue Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, deputy leader Michael Ignatieff, House leader Ralph Goodale, and the entire Liberal party in relation to last week’s controversy involving the late Independent MP Chuck Cadman.
A notice of the suit, served on the parties at 7 a.m. today, claims the prime minister was libelled in “two devastatingly defamatory articles published at www.liberal.ca entitled ‘Harper Knew of Conservative Bribery’ (Feb. 29, 2008) and ‘Harper Must Come Clean About Allegations of Conservative Bribery, Liberals Say’ (Feb. 28, 2008),” according to the document, signed by Ottawa lawyer Richard Dearden.
And to think we knew him “back when”…
Stephen Taylor has more.
Exactly, Patrick. Boag’s tone in saying that a sitting prime minister has never threatened the leader of the opposition more than suggested that Harper is being ridiculous. Perhaps Boag should have noted instead that “never before has an opposition leader made absolutely false, viciously libelous accusations against a sitting prime minister without a shred of evidence.”
The Liberals and the CBC should not be considered separate entities anymore. Absolutely disgusting.
And did you notice Boag’s dismissively terse, contemptuous tone when he mentioned Dona Cadman’s statement suggesting Harper had nothing to do with it?
As for CBC putting the words “Harper knew of Conservative bribery” onscreen in their national news report, maybe next time they can just get a non-CBC employee to hold up libelous statement on cue cards behind a silent reporter. I’m sure that will protect them from legal action.
Incroyable.
No way Grits that stupid – to continue using defence of truth. I believe it is a matter of parliamentary privilege. Do the statements repeated accurately quote the Hansard? If not, then no parliamentary privilege exists for statements on website; the story itself was dressed up to look like news story, rather than say, a press release; and oh yeah, that “Harper KNEW about BRIBERY – that’s what could convict them).
Grits should argue everything is a misunderstanding (oh, sorry, just repeating Dion statements in HofC). Grits, unless something way out there nobody knows about, comitting political suicide with lawsuit, and I get impression Harper not bluffing at all.
Grits took a last ditch meeting with Chuck Cadman, which everybody now knows did not have his blessing, or presumably, authority, and tried to link Harper directly as part of a bribery conspiracy. Then they’re suprised they get sued.
Libs will hang on to “oh, no there’s something there,” for a couple more days with subsequent mea culpa, then everybody makes nice again (right).
Looks to me as though the CBC Liberal spin agents are beginning to circle the wagons.
Oliver Owl and Boag especially seem extremely nervous and uneasy.
Watching the Owl*s terror gaze shift sideways off camera while he repeats the scripted Liberal slant is very gripping. One waits for something to go bang behind the camera.
Have they been informed that a majority PC government could spell the dis-banding or privatizing of the sprawling CBC machine? = TG
If harper knowing about bribery is a criminal act,would that former prime minister who wrote the foreword knowing about bribery and doing nothing not also be a crime? Or is in bad taste to go after a former prime minister?
RW – I thought about the change to “izzy” immediately after I hit the post button 🙂 🙁
There’s enough ammunition for SDA’rs to go after the CBC (and any other talking (but empty) head. Start writing letters, copies to the hill…
Over the last 24 hours I’ve pondered and realize that I find solace in a few things!! A good bottle of 2004 Amarone, The Albertans PC’s in power for another 4 years and Dion as leader of the LPofC!!! And of course Izzy as his side kick!!! Best yet Bob freaky Rae as the number 3 man!!! It doesn’t get better then this!!!
FOR RENT/A LOUER. CN Tower in Toronto has an opening at the top for a base jumper. Experience not required, as this is a one-time event. Parachutes optional and not provided. Enquire for special rates for a group jump. Cash payment required in advance.
Nice Post on A GM thread
k h from Canada writes: to all liberal voters and supporters, do you remember the following:
1)Chretien canceling helicopter contract : cost to taxpayer= 600 million in breach of contract
2) payment of 150 million to HP computers for purchases unaccountable
during 2004
3) human resources audit revealling millions unaccounted for
4) 55 million grant to Irvng ships for unknown reason
5) liberal campaign workers fast tracked thru immigration
6) chretien promise to get rid of GST
7) ADSCAM
8) Cadman ensuring his family’s financial security by voting to prolong the govt of the party responsible for 1 to 7
The tories arent perfect but they are closer to it than the liberals
92 other Liberal scam rip-offs at . . .
http://scamslist.blog.com/
200 Liberal scams at . . .
http://bendgovernment.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html
How soon they forget. = TG
92 other Liberal scam rip-offs at . . .
scamslist.blog.com/
200 Liberal scams at . . .
http://bendgovernment.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html
How soon they forget. = TG
If someone publishes a libelous statement made by someone else that is the subject of a lawsuit, couldn’t the publisher of that libelous statement be ADDED to the lawsuit? i.e. CBC and Keith Boag’s demonstration/publication of the libelous headline?
Nah…probably not. A shame though…it would have been a hoot for PMSH to add the CBC to the lawsuit!
eyeore,
They can, but it depends on the form of the statement. I point you to the National Posts recent apology re Warman. Printing something as fact becasue someone else has said it is dangerous. You need to print unproven things as quotes from someone else or as an allegation.
Some consider it weasal wrods, I think it is good practice and good manners. As I said there was a time when parliamentarians went to great lengths to keep unoproven stuff inside the house. Of course they did it partially for legal reasons but I also think it was the way things got done. You just didnt slime someone for no reason….at that time it hurt you more than the others.
Now we live in a time of daily conspiracy, where people are willing to say and believe anything. Its nice to see some bloggers spend time trying to confirm things but many of them fail even the most rudimentary tests, making them gossip mongers (yes Jason this means you)
I think some of it comes form basic decency and willingness to call bullshit on things. When something doesnt fully add up these bloggers, Kate, Janke, Taylor, Brock…spend the time to confirm check and ensure there is a consistent and logical thread or chain of evidence.
Thise on the left tend to fly off the handle, generally letting political bloodlust get in their way.
Reporters…well they are supposed to have editors to hold them back. However the Krista Erikson affair shows that there is a willingness, perhaps eagerness to co-operate with the political arm….ethics who needs ethics, I need a story so I can get the next big assignement, or a guest spot anchoring the National, making a million bucks reading cue cards (sheesh where is the value)
Sorry for the rant, but your post reminded me how much public discourse has fallen and why. Part of it is our own fault for not demanding more.
Cherniaks #1 “Unanswered Question”:
“1) Is the Conservative Party paying for Stephen Harper’s lawsuit against the opposition?”
Why would anyone think they’d get any fact right when things in the press release are unknown?
Stephan,
That*s an excellent rant.
What people seem to forget is that when people work hard to verufy facts and do their job properly . . . Editors included, then it makes life more worthwhile for all of us.
I remember a time when what you read in the National Post was almost always a reflection of the truth.
And the NPost is Canada*s best, yet today there seem to be more emotional pieces that reflect opinion far more than * real news*.
I want to see that trend reversed. = TG
The liberals will meet, before QP, with Pat Martin to discuss bringing the Cadman affair to the ethics committee. What will the bribe be for Pat Martin to fold. Maybe a promise not to run a liberal candidate against him.
Have you noticed how many times the initials PM have been used in who did,said,thought, offered, met with, etc.
PM at the time could be Paul Martin, Prime Minister, PMPM, or Pat Martin. Maybe it refers to Preston Manning.
If a Prime Minister met with Mrs Cadman, it would be Paul Martin.
PMSH met with her to pay a curtesy call, on the death of her husband. He was opposition leader then. Why would he meet with her, after Chuck’s death to offer a bribe.
Time lines don’t match up.
When did Chuck return to Ottawa for the vote.
Where did Paul Martin meet with them. One report says at his home-in BC- and later that night met with Belinda in Ottawa. Is that possible.
Better get some travel logs and phone records to get the dates straight.