EXPLOSIVE - Conservative Candidate Admits Government is using stimulus for political purposes

Gordon Landon, (likely now former) Conservative Candidate for Markham Ontario, tells City TV:

You're dealing with a Conservative bureaucracy and with Conservative ministers and, unfortunately or fortunately however you want to look at it, they just do not want to proceed with this [stimulus spending in his Markham riding] until such time as the riding becomes a Conservative riding.

And also this:

Landon: There's a lot of things we're not getting here as a riding. [...] They won't give it to this riding because it's held by a Liberal.

Host: The money can't flow because it's not a Tory riding.

Landon: That's right.

An astonishing admission from a member and candidate of the Conservative Party of gross political misconduct with stimulus spending, admitting that projects are being denied if the riding does not elect or did not elect a Conservative Member of Parliament.


{Video by jimranch85}

"What Mr Landon is suggesting indicates a massive scandal. Doling out infrastructure money for political purposes could be considered criminal." I agree.

But that is not the first we've heard of the Conservatives using taxpayer money to buy their way into the next election, now is it? Not to mention issuing government cheques with their party slogans and personal signatures.

When the Conservatives aren't completely bungling the spending, getting only about 12% of stimulus money out the door to help working Canadians, they are funnelling whatever funds they can to Tory ridings. The reality is that they are on more of an announcement rampage than a funding rampage, almost all in Tory ridings. This is appalling, anti-democratic behaviour from a government that is supposed to be acting for all of us.

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The League of Hypocrites: Harper, Layton, Duceppe (GritGirl)

Things are starting to heat up with a lot of Canadians getting increasingly tired of Stephen Harper and his games and his hypocrisy.

The latest instalment from GritGirl goes after "The League of Hypocrites", the coalition of the absurd among Harper, Layton and Duceppe.


{Video by GritGirl}

Is calling them "hypocrites" harsh? Well consider the facts:

- Harper has screached so many times that he could not support a government that relied upon the support of the "socialists and separatists", that to do so created an unacceptable instability in the Canadian federation and was anti-democratic and wrong. Not only has he tucked his principle between his legs on another issue just to keep his grip on power, but this is not the first time. We know he had serious discussions and even, in his words, an "agreement" with the Bloc and the NDP to support Harper taking over government without an election. He was planning on relying on the support of the "socialists and separatists" then, and he's relying on the support of the "socialists and separatists" now.

- Layton was quite apoplectic in January 2009 when the Liberals decided, in the middle of a recession, it was better to get some assistance out to Canadians in need rather than have an election since the Conservatives had done sweet F**k all up until they were forced to act by Ignatieff. He said over and over and over again in January and through to the end of the spring session that he could not trust Harper, he had no confidence in Harper, the Liberals were wrong to support Harper, it was far better to change the government immediately without hesitation. Well, we all know now that that was just bluster and smoke and the little emperor had no clothes.

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Ignatieff: Harper worse than Palin on climate change

In a great speech full of vision and economic policy, I can't help but focus in on one of the best one-liners I've heard in quite a while:

"We're investing less in renewables than the state of Alaska. So when it comes to clean energy, Stephen Harper's not just behind Barack Obama, he's behind Sarah Palin."

{Video by Liberal Video}

Full speech is here, but I'll give you this additional poignant excerpt as well, but read the whole speech for both the sharper attacks on Harper's use of stimulus to fund Conservative ridings, and his general fiscal mismanagement, but also about what a Liberal government under Michael Ignatieff would look like. The election that comes, and it will come, will be about choices and whether Canadians think more of the same is good enough or whether Canadians think we can do better.

"Back in July, after the G8 Summit in Italy, Mr. Harper gave an interview to The Globe and Mail, in which he said, and I quote:

“I don’t believe that any taxes are good taxes.”

Think about that for a moment.

“Je ne crois pas qu’aucune taxe soit bonne,” a dit Stephen Harper.

C’est une déclaration renversante pour un premier ministre.

It’s an astonishing statement for a prime minister to make.

We pay taxes, Mr. Harper, so that premature infants get nursing care when they’re born; so that policemen will be there to keep our streets safe; so that we have teachers to give our kids a good education.

We pay taxes, Mr. Harper, because we’re all in this together.

It costs us something, but it makes Canada the place it is: a place where we look out for each other.

But Stephen Harper doesn’t think that way.

Stephen Harper thinks no taxes are good taxes because he believes that the only good government is no government at all.

Liberals say no.

We don’t believe in big government, but we do believe in good government. If we give up on good government the way Mr. Harper has, then we will cease to exist as one great people sharing one great country—and Liberals will never let that happen.

That’s the difference between us and them.

That’s the difference between Stephen Harper and me.

His is an ideology of the past. An ideology that’s contemptuous of anyone who sees government as a means to do good.

It’s an ideology that vaporized the day Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy a year ago.

When Wall Street crashed, even the most ardent free marketeers turned to government to save the free market.

The last year has proved government’s value, as the guarantor of risk of last resort in the capitalist system.

The last year blew Stephen Harper’s ideology out of the water.

Liberals believe in good government. Canadians believe in good government.

You can’t get growth without good government."

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Liberal Ad: "Green Jobs"

Latest round of Liberal ads, this one about helping create the "green jobs of tomorrow today".



And once again, a nice contrast of a positive ad identifying what Liberal priorities will be versus Harper's ads of personal character assassination that even outright lie.

Is it any wonder to anyone that the Conservatives are afraid to tell us about their record or even to put Harper in any of their own ads?

{Video by LiberalVideo}

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Stephen Harper vs Women (Video)

What happens when a political "leader" cancels 10 provincial deals to provide univeral daycare for working parents, gives parents a measily $50 a month (after tax) when raising a child costs about $43 a day, cancels the court challenges program that has sought equality for women who escape violence at abuse shelters and who are underpaid or who are harassed, attacked pay equity, demoted his "star" women cabinet ministers and insulted any woman who has the audicity to speak out for equality?

You get a spontaneous nation-wide grassroots campaign like "PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THAT 'LEF-TWING FRINGE GROUP' CALLED WOMEN", supported by the Liberal Party and you get great videos like this one:



Equality is a Canadian value, not an ideological option, Mr. Harper. And elections are about choices.
{Video by The SuperGrit}

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Layton: "Party for Sale or Rent! We'll Support any Government"

Party for sale or rent
We'll support any government
No principles, no guts, no spine
No tape recorders when we dine.
Make us an offer we can't refuse
Anything to get me in the news
You need bills approved so let's move...
Make me a deal!
--- Jack Layton, 2005

While we're posting music videos, here's one from Jack Layton that he calls "The New NDP Theme Song" from the Press Gallery Dinner in 2005.

I guess the upside is that he's been consistent since 2005 when he wrote it, admitting to one and all that the party is "for sale or rent, it's as close to power as I'll ever get".



Full lyrics. Read 'em. It's not only rare and great self-deprecating humour from a politicians (kudos for him for that)... but a blueprint for NDP action in Parliament under Harper!

Party for sale or rent
We'll support any government
No principles, no guts, no spine
No tape recorders when we dine.
Make us an offer we can't refuse
Anything to get me in the news
You need bills approved so let's move...
Make me a deal!

When just a boy my dad said "Jack,
Sell the shirt right off your momma's back
Compromise your leftwing ass
If it can make a juicy budget pass"
So Conservatives or Bloc or Grits
You all give me the screaming shits
But I'll be your crutch in the clutch...
Make me a deal!

Billions and billions and billions of dollars dumped
And all we get in the polls is a 2 point bump
Even when we doubled our popular vote
All we got was 5 more seats on our boat.
So party for sale or rent
It's as close to power as I'll ever get.
We're not proud so shout it out loud:
Make me any damn deal!

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Canadian Please (Music Video)

For a little something different on a Friday, here's a quirky little video from two kids who are pretty full of talent and patriotism.

It is hard sometimes to express the kind of quiet pride Canadians have in their country without sounding too jingoistic, corny or phony. These two seem to have found the right mix of truly Canadian ingredients of pride, environment, institutions, symbols and all bound together with a good sense of humour.

Hope you enjoy.


{Video by gunnarolla; H/T}

Here is another video of theirs with some behind-the-scenes clips if you are interested. Here is another blogger's take on the video.

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"Reform-Conservatives - We have trouble recognizing certain types of people"

Are all Canadians recognized as being the same by the Conservatives?

Not according to their website, I guess.

The Conservatives have a new program on their website that is supposed to speak your name. It doesn't recognize "Mohammed", the most common name in the world (and now the second most popular names for boys in England). A very telling oversight.



Let us know if there are any other glaring cultural omissions.

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"We Are Family" - NDP keeps Tories alive (Video)

"If you oppose Mr. Harper and want to replace him, I urge you to join with the New Democrats Liberals."

"I think we would be the least most likely of the parties to support the Conservatives."


{Video by JJedras}

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Harper Raises Taxes, Part 2

Raising income taxes, taxing income trusts, increasing taxes through harmonized sales taxes, creating a carbon tax, and now... increasing the tax burden on businesses to pay off his record-shattering deficit.

Mr. Harper is indeed "The Taxman".


{Video by HarperBlocCoalition}

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Harper Raises Taxes, Part 1

With Stephen Harper announcing that, despite many promises to the contrary, he will actually be raising taxes - and taxes on small businesses no less - grassroots Canadians have been quick to voice their thoughts on youtube.

Here's one entitled "Stephen Harper Imposes Largest Tax Increase in History". I'll be posting more.


{Video by Harperfuntime}

The funny thing about his promise, of course, is that he raised income taxes the first month he was elected, raised taxes on income trusts despite an unequivocal promise thousands of seniors relied upon, pushes for harmonized sales taxes and has given us a carbon tax with his cap and trade plans.

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Ignatieff on becoming world leaders again

Michael Ignatieff is bringing out more and more policy positions, laying the groundwork for a platform that will come during an election.

At a speech yesterday, we see the strong internationalism and liberalism and proud patriotism of a Canadian Liberal, aspiring to be leaders instead of concentrating on expensive photo opportunities, unapologetically lauding Canadian internationalism and Canadians servicing abroad rather than belittling Canadians abroad or cutting veteran funding at home.

There will be an election in 2009. Relying on the support of the NDP and the Bloc despite assurances to the contrary, Harper may avoided one in October. But there will be an election and it will be about choices.

Here, Ignatieff lays out the choice we will have on Canadian internationalism.


{Video by Liberal Video}

As Ignatieff said yesterday, we once were world leaders, embracing internationalism, helping the poor and starving, sending our soldiers where they needed to be to protect the world's most vulnerable, the world's leading diplomats. We still have much of the talent out there in the world. We still have many of the leading diplomats and bravest soldiers. But we cannot be world leaders without government support and leadership at home. It's time for leadership at home so we can re-find our leadership abroad.

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Liberal Ad: "Jobs/Emplois"

From the second round of Liberal ads this past weekend, here is the Liberal ad "Jobs".
{Video by Liberal Video}

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Liberal Ad: "Vision du monde"

From the second round of Liberal ads this past weekend, here is the French version of "Worldview" called "Vision du monde".

{Video by Liberal Video}

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Liberal Ad: "Bilan environnement"

Here is one of the French Liberal ads: "Bilan environnement".

{Video by Liberal Video}

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Liberal Ad: "Bilan deficit"

Here is one of the two French Liberal ads: "Bilan deficit".

{Video by Liberal Video}

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Liberal Ad: "Worldview"

Here is the first English ad from Michael Ignatieff, "Worldview".

{Video by Liberal Video}

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Tony Clement: Budgets are "like gazing into a crystal ball"

Harper cabinet minister Tony Clement admits the Conservatives have no clue about any budget numbers and are just making it up as they go along: Preparing budget estimates for them is "like gazing into a crystal ball".

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Stephen Harper: Just Visiting

{Video by envionmentaldefence}

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Harper's hidden agenda

"Leftwing ideologues". That is what he said. About women and minorities and gays who ask the courts to enforce constitutional equality rights. Hmmmm.

I have found that those who accuse everyone else around them of being "ideologues" do so because they see the world around them in ideological terms. That is no less so for anyone on the spectrum. But it should not be how a Prime Minister of Canada should think or treat his fellow citizens. He is supposed to represent us all.

This is what he thinks of equality folks, and those who fight for it. This is what the election is about.

{Video by HarperHiddenAgenda}

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September 11

A few videos to remember that terrible day.

Here is a photo slide show tribute with music from The Fray, "How to Save a Life".



This one has almost a bit too much Bush and a little too much Americana, but it is a good video montage of the that horrible day. Besides which, on September 12, we were all Americans and we all supported Bush. Today, we can forget everything else that happened after and remember what happened then.


Here is a third, with music from Alan Jackson, "Where Were You (On That September Day)".

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Ignatieff press conference: he's ready, Harper's time is up

I have seen Ignatieff give a lot of press conferences before. I honestly don't think I've seen him sharper, more focused, and tougher on the message.

This to me sounds like a man who is fully geared up for battle, with a very sharp sword in his scabbard.


{Video by JJedras}

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Harper, Hidden Agenda and The Vast Leftwing Conspiracy

Pass the tinfoil.

Conservatives are funny creatures. Yes they are.

On the one hand, they tell you until they are even blue-er in the face, 'there is no hidden agenda'. And then they turn around and tell themselves until they are even blue-er in the face, 'just wait until we get a majority, then you'll see some real hardcore conservative policies'.

And sometimes, we are fortunate enough to catch it on video.



They'll also tell you that taking snippets of tape, cutting it out of context to attack someone's character is completely legitimate when it means helping themselves keep power. Then they'll tell you it is sneaky and unfair to show full length video of Harper telling his supporters that they need to teach the opposition and the lefty judges a lesson. But, of course, consistency of principle has never been a character trait of conservatives.

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Stephen Harper supports Coalition - Part 3

This whole idea of supporting coalition government, particularly cooperation with Gilles Duceppe and the Bloc Quebecois, actually dates back to Stockwell Day and increased under Stephen Harper.

How quickly he tries to forget. How quickly he wants us to forget. How much he wants us to forget.

As this video asks, if Stephen Harper is willing to lie about his support about coalitions just to keep his hold on power, can we really trust him?

{Video by HarperBlocCoalition}

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Stephen Harper supports Coalitions - Part 2

Have you noticed how quickly and easily Harper will abandon any prior belief or principle if it suddenly become convenient to do so? Along with fiscal prudence, no taxes, fixed election dates, accountability, etc., his claim to oppose coalition government is a prime example. It really is a "convenient coalition" for him, isn't it.

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Stephen Harper supports Coalitions - Part 1

It seems that the Conservatives are going to try for another Seinfeld election: nothing about them or what they are going to do; lies and personal attacks on the Liberal leader.

If they plan on using words taken out of context that are decades old by Ignatieff, we will keep hitting back with words directly out of Harper's mouth, directly on point. Here is Stephen Harper endorsing coalition government:

{Video by StephenHypocrite}

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Liberal Minute - 2009 Federal Election Message

A short summary of why the Liberals can no longer support the Harper Conservatives from Liberal Minuteman Justin Lamarche.
{Video by LiberalMinute}

And no, I don't know what's going on with this guy's arms during the video.

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This is what Harper thinks of Canada

The Conservatives insist that quoting someone is always fair game. And then quote out of context, distort or even make up quotations. When they do this they are trying to distract you from their incompetence and horrible erratic performance on the economy.

And to distract you from what Stephen Harper himself has said about his own country.

Here is our Prime Minister, in his own words, in context and about his own country. Disgraceful.


{Video by Daviolis}

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*Breaking* New Conservative attacks ads coming this weekend

Clearly spooked by the prospect of losing the support of the Liberals, the Conservatives are about to launch an ad campaign all about the positive reasons Canadians should support the Conservatives. Er. No. Of course not.

I have been informed from a reliable source that this weekend the Tories will be launching another negative attack ad campaign against Michael Ignatieff, this time taking quotes from some BBC broadcast a couple of decades ago. They know their time is up and they are clearly desperately lashing out.

Will these ads be about Tory accomplishments? No.

Will these ads be about the economy? No.

Will these ads offer anything to Canadians? No.

Will these ads attack Ignatieff personally? Yes.

Will these ads quote Ignatieff horribly out of context? Yes.

Will these ads show how petty, small, out of ideas, clinging to power the Tories are, thereby proving Ignatieff's point? Very definitely.

Is there time up ladies and gentlemen? Oh, yes.

Will we crush them? Yes, absolutely yes.

Stay tuned here for more. I will be posting something juicy shortly.

Harper blows a gasket (Video)

Classic take.

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Tories reject Layton's deal-making, want an election

On the Rutherford Show today, calling the NDP "a party of hardcore leftwing ideologues" that is "not like a moderate centre-left party", Jason Kenney cuts NDP at the knees, destroying any hope they had about avoiding an election and forming a coalition with the Conservatives.



Sounds like the Conservatives want an election to me.

I got a real chuckle out of the irony of Jason Kenney (or any Conservative, frankly) accusing the NDP of being "folks who drink their own kool-aid."

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The Job Losses Continue to Climb (by GritGirl)

414,000 jobs lost since January 23, 2006.

Recovery? Job losses worsen in each of the last two months. In the last quarter, Canada lagged behind the other G8 countries.

The job recovery is worse than the last two recessions.

The total job losses are staggering.

The plan is non-existent.

The ballot question is clear.


{Video by GritGirl}

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Where's Jack! Layton? (Video)

The man who can't find a camera he doesn't love, can't be found.

THEN, when they assumed the Liberals would support the Reformatories:

"The NDP would be the least likely of the political parties to support the Conservatives in office" Jack Layton Aug 25

"It's like that cough medicine - you know, it tastes bad, but sometime you've gotta take it." Jack Layton Aug 21 on looming election speculation

NOW, that the Liberal security blanket is removed:

"We are ready to manage an arrangement (with the Conservatives). It is possible" NDP MP Joe Comartin Sept 2

“The Prime Minister needs to decide if he wants to call an election or call Mr. Layton,” NDP Director of Communications Brad Lavigne Sept 1

"NDP MP Thomas Mulcair agreed with the prime minister, saying "we'd better have a bloody good reason for forcing a fourth general election in five years." Sept 1

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Caucus Speech / Discours au caucus estival

Yesterday, Michael Ignatieff put the Conservatives on notice that they have failed their probation and their time is now up. An excerpt of his speech to caucus is below.

Some choice excerpts:

“We’re working against a government that’s ready to sacrifice national unity to stay in power. But we have a secret weapon on our side: Stephen Harper’s record. The worst unemployment record in two decades The worst deficit in our history. And last quarter, the worst performing economy in the G7.”

“We can do better. Nous pouvons faire mieux.”

“Stephen Harper hasn’t just failed to stand up for Canada—he’s also failed to stand up for Canadians. Suaad Mohamud. Omar Khadr. Makhtal. Bahari. Mohamed. Abdelrazik. Being a Canadian must mean the Canadian government will stand up for you—no matter where, no matter when. This is at the heart of what every Liberal believes: a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian. A Liberal government would stand by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We would stand by our citizens. And we would bring forward legislation to protect Canadians abroad—to make it illegal for the government to pick and choose which citizens it protects—to make sure these abuses never happen again.”

“In fact, only two hundred of the twelve hundred infrastructure projects that the Conservatives announced in Ontario have actually received the funding they were promised. Only Stephen Harper could count that as 80% underway.”

“Stephen Harper’s response has been: “Don’t worry, give it a few years, and the books will balance themselves.” You can put that next to his promise not to run deficits in the first place. Or his promise not to tax income trusts. Or his promise not to appoint Senators.”

“You can’t count on a government that can’t count—and a prime minister who’s only good at division.”

“Liberals proudly support public health care in this country—and, unlike the Conservatives, we’re not afraid to defend it.”

“In June, we set out four tests for Stephen Harper. Mr. Harper, you have failed all four. You’ve failed to protect the most vulnerable. You’ve failed to create jobs. Failed to defend our health care. Failed to restore our public finances.”

“After four years of drift, four years of denial, four years of division and discord—Mr. Harper, your time is up. Vous avez raté votre chance. The Liberal Party cannot support this government any further. We will hold it to account. We will oppose it in Parliament. Canadians deserve better.”

“So let’s get started. Allons-y. Notre pays nous attend.”

{Video by Ignatieff}

Full text of his speech is here.

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