(705) BLUE

LIBERALS ASK RACE ON MEMBERSHIP FORM--WHY?

2007-03-30T07:09:00.000-09:30

Under the heading of "none of your damn business", the Liberal Party of Canada's online membership form asks if you are of "aboriginal ancestry".

https://www.liberal.ca/join_e.aspx

Why?

They also don't mention membership fees are not tax deductable (while donations are) as the Conservative membership form clearly states.
Then again, becoming a Liberal member is a steal at ten bucks. It used to cost a hunderd. If the Liberal Party was a stock, it would be rated as a definate "sell".

DION NOT ABLE TO RENOUNCE FRENCH CITIZENSHIP-"RELUCTANCE" DISQUALIFIES REQUEST

2006-12-08T19:00:00.000-09:30

Why is a French-Canadian citizenship "special"? If Dion held Canadian-British citizenship would it be an issue if he might be PM? What about Canadian-Russian or Canadian-Iranian? If Dion doesn't understand how dual citizenship presents a divided loyalty then how or even why should we bother to explain it.
The French embassy web site reports denouncing French citizenship is a lengthy process. Motives are examined. When they find out Dion doesn't really want to, that the decision is made under duress and that it is being done just to secure a particular job then the request can be refused--and should be unless Dion is "special" and the rules don't apply.

To Kill A Canadian

2006-10-28T16:55:00.000-09:30

An Australian definition of Canadian and American
A nicely written piece... Written by an Australian Dentist...

To Kill an American or a Canadian

You probably missed it in the rush of news last week, but there
was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a
newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American
or Canadian…any American or Canadian.
So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day
to let everyone know what an American or Canadian is, so they would
know when they found one. (Good one, mate!!!! )

An American or Canadian is English, or French, or Italian,
Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also
be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean,
Australian, Iranian, Asian, Arab, Pakistani or Afghan.
An American or Canadian may also be a Comanche, Cherokee,
Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other
tribes known as "native" Americans or Canadians.
An American or Canadian is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or
Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in America
and Canada than there is in Afghanistan . The only difference is that in
America they are free to worship as they choose.
He will answer only to God, not to the government, or to
armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.
An American or Canadian lives in the most prosperous land in
the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found
In the Declaration of Independence (or in Canada, the Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms),which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.

An American or Canadian is generous. Americans or Canadians have helped
out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return.
When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago,
Americans and Canadians came with arms and supplies to enable the
people to win back their country!
As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more
than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan.
Americans and Canadians welcome the best of everything, the best
products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best
services. But they also welcome the least. The national symbol
of America, the Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your
poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless,
tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America .
Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of
September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families.
It's been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at
least 30 different countries, cultures, and first languages, including
those that aided and abetted the terrorists.
So you can try to kill an American or Canadian if you must.
Hitler did. So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung,
and other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you
would just be killing yourself. Because Americans and Canadians are
not a particular people from a particular place. They are the
embodiment of the human spirit of freedom.

MY DOG'S NAME IS MOHAMMED...SIT MOHAMMED--BAD DOG

2006-09-17T07:49:00.000-09:30

Gunmen shot and killed an Italian nun at a children's hospital in Somalia's capital on Sunday, hours after a leading Muslim cleric in Mogadishu condemned the Pope for his remarks on Islam and violence.

I think I might put my dog down. Nah--just change the poor bastard's name to something decent for a dog.

TERROR SUSPECT POETRY- Refers to Canada as Kufrstaan (Arabic Slur Meaning Infidels)

2006-06-06T07:22:00.000-09:30

The National Post published poetry today found on Islamic websites and suspected to be authored by terror suspect Kakaria Amara.
As all poet's know--we tend to change versions as we go. A more complete version of "Only A Little Muslim" than the Post published was discovered and is reprinted here.

Note a reference to the author living in "Kufrstaan". Kafir means "infidel" and non-believer and carries the weight of a racial slur in Arabic.

I am a Muslim, but only by name

When it comes to practicing, what a shame!

I go to friends and relatives in suit and tie

It's alright if I occasionally lie

Yes I practice, BUT when it suits me

Or more to the point, when it pleases society.

If I show my ankles, they'll point and laugh

They'll think it's too short and reckon I'm daft.

If I trim my moustache and grow the beard

They'll reckon I'm a fanatic or something weird.

If I wear the sunnah I'll get great reward

But the Kuffaar will look down on me, that I can't afford.

Yes I'm a Muslim, but only by name

I make excuses which I admit are rather lame.

Yes I'm a sane man and I'm on the right track

Who am I kidding, I feel like a right jack!

To hide my inferiority complex I protest it's unimportant

Though my heart screams to tell me I'm a blatant fraudulent

The best thing is no-one can hear what's going on inside

People think I've got it made and with my life I'm satisfied.

But I'm afraid this is a fable and it's a pure deception

I have no peace of mind but this I daren't even mention.

If I remain ignorant it's OK, 'cos then I don't have to practice

Yes I'm conniving and these are baseless evil tactics.

But I read the Kalima and I think I have Imaan

I can't help my attitude - I was placed in a Kufrstaan.

Yes I'm a Muslim, but only by name

And with my precious life I'm playing a foolish disastrous game!

A little Muslim from Palestine IÂ?ll always be a contender

Yes I know my bones are very tender

And by Allah you wonÂ?t see me surrender

Look at my eyes/ youÂ?ll see no butterflies

My home is filled with cries Â?Â?.due to all the lost lives

But I swear by Allah IÂ?ll never compromise

IÂ?ll still throw the stones even with my broken bones

Why canÂ?t I hear from you, donÂ?t you have any phones?

Yes I forgot, youÂ?re not on the chase, try it out and put your self in my place

Soon IÂ?ll return to my lord, the one that deserves every grace

Oh you donÂ?t have to worry because of me youÂ?ll find no trace

You could have sent me at least one dinner plate I guess it is my fate

It really is to late, why did you wait And la ilaha ill Allah is my mate

THROWING STONES IS A HATE CRIME--BLOWING UP THE CN TOWER ISN'T?

2006-06-06T03:54:00.000-09:30

REALITY CHECK:

Terror is NEW to Canada--What about Air India??

Terror is the result of Canada's support of an "American War"-80% of Canadians outside of Quebec supported sending troops to Afghanistan in 2001; on 9/11 there were no Western troops in Iraq or Afghanistan

Muslims are frustrated in Canada because of political gripes--so was Timothy McVeigh--murder and baby killing isn't excusable because you are a visible minority.

Throwing stones at a mosque is a hate crime--blowing up the CN tower isn't?

All Muslims are terrorists (not true)--all non-Muslims think all Muslims are terrorists (not true either)

How is this crime any different then the Columbine school massacre? Maybe the parents of these kids should have looked for the signs the parents of the Columbine killers missed. Perhaps other parents should as well to prevent their kids from being locked up for 50 years for planning mass murders or worse, from murdering their fellow citizens. On 9/11, 95% of the terror suspects recently arrested where under age.
How was 9/11 treated in their homes?

How is this crime any different than organized crime? Maybe we should stop glorifying terror and excusing it and treat the crime the same way we treat biker gangs--what's the difference?

TERROR SUSPECT POETRY ONLINE--"They Call Me Osama"

2006-06-03T19:25:00.000-09:30

Mississauga Terror Suspect Zakaria Amara published poetry online on Islamic websites. Insight into an allegedly criminal mind or just really stinky poetry??? You decided...

Wake up!

Where are the Malcolms and where are the X's
People of today come back to your senses
Before the day comes where there'll be no recompenses
We are wasting our time at heaven’s expenses
Claim over the fences and lay over the Benz’s
The west looks at me with a funny type of way
Frown, clown do what you want but I'll never turn around
From the sunnah of the Prophet and the Holy Quran
Which makes up the perfect deen, the religion of Islam
I am filled with peace when at the masjid I hear the Iqama
But when I show more interest they call me Osama
Just trying to practice my deen so they call me extreme
They tell me I am too young, I am only sixteen
With Muslims of today there will be no sallah-u-deen
So wake up and come back home
How many times do we hear it, do we need a different tone?
It is time to go out there and get our Islam shown

Contributed by: Zakaria Amara, Canada

GOVERNMENT MAY SUE LIBERAL PARTY TO RECOVER STOLEN SPONSORSHIP FUNDS

2006-05-11T07:51:00.000-09:30

The CBC announced today Gov't lawyers have been instructed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to look into filing a law suit against the Liberal Party of Canada to recover stolen sponsorship money. The Liberal party has already paid back just over a million dollars. They may be sued for an additional amount up to 40 million.
the media is already characterizing the suit as a "political move" forgetting that some people just don't like having their money stolen.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/05/11/sponsorship-suit.html

MEDIA BURIES LIBERAL CORRUPTION STORY: TODAY RCMP LAYS CHARGES OVER DND GOV'T CONTRACTS

2006-01-31T18:12:00.000-09:30

SUSPICION BEGAN WITH GOV'T EMPLOYEES MILLION DOLLAR HOME:

Three men, including two former federal employees, have been charged in connection with an elaborate scheme that defrauded the government of more than $100 million.Paul Champagne, who was fired from his job as a contracts manager with the Department of National Defence in 2003 over billing irregularities, was charged on Monday with seven counts, including fraud, breach of trust and money laundering.Ottawa businessmen Peter Mellon and Ignatius Manso also face multiple charges, including fraud. Manso met Champagne while working at the department, police said.

The RCMP began investigating computer maintenance contracts within the department in 2003."The irregularities, per se, dealt with billing procedures, lack of supporting documentation, unauthorized equipment purchases, extensive use of third-party vendors and inflated equipment costs," said Cpl. Monique Beauchamp, an RCMP spokesperson.In May 2004, Hewlett-Packard repaid the government $145 million and said none of its own employees had been involved in the scheme.

A department release at the time blamed "a complex scheme designed to exploit both parties through contracts inherited with HP's merger with Compaq Computer Corp."Champagne owned a mansion on the outskirts of Ottawa, and properties in Florida and the Turks and Caicos.FROM MARCH 12, 2004: Public servant has $1.1 million homeHe turned himself in to police last week.All three men have been released on promises to appear in court.Mellon and Manso are set to be in court on March 22, while Champagne is scheduled to appear on March 30.

NEW: FRAUD CHARGES LAID BY RCMP OVER DND CONTRACTS--100 MILLION DOLLAR FRAUD

2006-01-31T04:55:00.000-09:30

SUSPICION BEGAN WITH GOV'T EMPLOYEES MILLION DOLLAR HOME:

Three men, including two former federal employees, have been charged in connection with an elaborate scheme that defrauded the government of more than $100 million.

Paul Champagne, who was fired from his job as a contracts manager with the Department of National Defence in 2003 over billing irregularities, was charged on Monday with seven counts, including fraud, breach of trust and money laundering.

Ottawa businessmen Peter Mellon and Ignatius Manso also face multiple charges, including fraud. Manso met Champagne while working at the department, police said.
The RCMP began investigating computer maintenance contracts within the department in 2003.

"The irregularities, per se, dealt with billing procedures, lack of supporting documentation, unauthorized equipment purchases, extensive use of third-party vendors and inflated equipment costs," said Cpl. Monique Beauchamp, an RCMP spokesperson.
In May 2004, Hewlett-Packard repaid the government $145 million and said none of its own employees had been involved in the scheme. A department release at the time blamed "a complex scheme designed to exploit both parties through contracts inherited with HP's merger with Compaq Computer Corp."
Champagne owned a mansion on the outskirts of Ottawa, and properties in Florida and the Turks and Caicos.
FROM MARCH 12, 2004: Public servant has $1.1 million home
He turned himself in to police last week.
All three men have been released on promises to appear in court.
Mellon and Manso are set to be in court on March 22, while Champagne is scheduled to appear on March 30.

SECRET HIDDEN AGENDA? IN WAIT FOR MAJORITY LIBS WILL SAY

2006-01-24T05:53:00.000-09:30

I switched between national and local Barrie, Ontario coverage last night to watch election results. The local station took calls. After the Conservative win was announced, a panting caller announced we had better be prepared to work tomorrow. He said Harper and the Fraser Institute were going to turn us into SLAVES.
Yes...slaves.
In Canada.
I did not make this up.
The lunatic who sounded like he was foaming at the mouth boiled on. When a panelist tried to calm him down, he broke out in a stream of profanity and someone finally found the disconnect button.
How do you battle politically driven psychosis?

The minority win is double edged.
One week into it, those who feared Stephen Harper will see a likeable, normal person just like them. The constant Liberal dribble of the man with the horns won't go away though. You can bet the next election will be run with the same accusations--only then it will be that the minority prevented the Conservatives from showing their true colours. The ultra right-wing Conservatives, they will say, are just waiting for a majority to finally implement their devious, hidden, secret, scary agenda. The theme will continue to be we've got something to hide.

How do we lose the horns?
When the people see a good Conservative majority government.
How do we get there?
By focusing on our number one campaign promise...to bring accountability to government. To track down those who have abused their power and position over the last decade and by holding them accountable. Then Canadians will realize they are being manipulated by a party that cares less for them than it does about getting their hands in the cookie jar.

The Liberals would do better to drop the fear mongering, respect their opponents and battle them on fair ground. But they won't. They know a Conservative majority is an unknown and they will exploit it instead of taking the more difficult high ground of offering honest, fair government.

LIBERAL CANDIDATE: "EMBARRASSED" BY PAUL MARTIN'S BEHAVIOUR

2006-01-07T11:15:00.000-09:30

Karen Graham, Liberal Candidate for the riding of Simcoe North in Ontario when answering a question in a local televised all candidates debate said she "could not defend Paul Martin's behaviour" and in fact was "embarrassed by it". Graham, who is running in place of the Liberal incumbent who will not be running made these comments when asked about "Canada Steam Ship Lines" changing some ships flags to avoid paying taxes in Canada.
This honesty from a Liberal candidate is refreshing. If Liberal candidates are embarrassed, imagine how the rest of us feel. The debate was held January 4 and re-televised today.

Flashback: Goodale Awards Contracts to Groupaction After the Freeze

2006-01-04T22:16:00.000-09:30

Published May 27, 2005...

Goodale Gave Groupaction Million Dollar Contract for Defence Ads After "Sponsorship Freeze"

Today, Ralph Goodale, former Minister of Public Works and Government Services took the stand at Gomery. Taking over a department where he knew there were problems, Goodale described the managerial efficiency with which he took to the task of cleaning up the mess.

Goodale said his first action was to immediately place a freeze on all sponsorship contracts until each file could be investigated. One week after Groupaction had it's sponsorship program contracts frozen by the PWGS; and after the company had been referred to the RCMP for fraud investigation; Mr. Goodale's department awarded Groupaction more than a million dollars in contracts to do recruitment ads for the Department of Defence.

And they say there isn't an open competition. Why exclude a company from Department of Defence advertising dollars just because it was featured in the Auditor General's Report, centered out in Question Period, and under investigation by the RCMP for fraud in sponsorship contracts?

Unfortunately Gomery has no authority to scrutinize Groupaction's work other than for sponsorship contracts. Will anyone?

Timeline of Groupaction Contracts:

May 8, 2002: Auditor General Sheila Fraser releases a report saying federal bureaucrats broke "just about every rule in the book" in their dealings with the marketing firm Groupaction. The RCMP will look into $1.6 million in federal contracts awarded to the Montreal advertising firm. (CBC)

May 24, 2002Government Contract to Groupaction: $ 107,000.0082082-010504/001/CZ - 001 (For Advertising Services for the CRTC)

May 27, 2002 Public Works and Government Services Minister Goodale puts a freeze on all sponsorship program contracts.

May 29, 2002: Public Works Minister Ralph Goodale says that RCMP officers are looking at more files (other than Groupaction) from his department and that new files had been referred to the police. (CBC)

Jun 05, 2002Government Contracts to Groupaction: $ 208,650.00W8B43-020002/001/CZ - 001 (Advertising Services for Dept. National Defence)

Jun 05, 2002 Government Contract to Groupaction: $ 856,000.00W8B43-020002/001/CZ - 000 (Advertising Services for Dept. National Defence)

Contracts Continue To Sponsorship Firm

2006-01-04T08:11:00.000-09:30

More than 6 Million in Recent Public Works Contracts going to Vickers and Benson:

While most corporations attempt to avoid the “appearance" of impropriety, the Government of Canada it would appear, couldn't care less. There might be some slight concern if there are criminal charges, and if there are, a few are isolated and called bad apples.

Contracts continue to be awarded to Vickers and Benson, a company Chuck Guite testified would continue to win contracts because the system was rigged. Guite testified at the Gomery Commission that former Public Works Minister Alfonso Gagliano had called both Paul Martin and John Manley who both assured him V&B contracts would be safe in the future.

Three months ago, V&B got a three and a half million dollar contract for the very service that was under scrutiny in the Sponsorship Scandal.

From the CBC in May, 2005:
“Guité said he lobbied his successor at Public Works, Pierre Tremblay, and Gagliano, on behalf of Vickers and Benson. Havas, a French company, wanted to buy Vickers and Benson. Vickers’ CEO, John Hayter, was worried that the value of his company would fall, if he couldn’t guarantee that he would continue to get the same volume of business from the Canadian government.

Guité assured Hayter, that nothing would change. He arranged a meeting with Gagliano on March 22, 2000 at Mama Teresa’s, a favourite Liberal hang-out in Ottawa. Gagliano assured him Vickers and Benson would not lose any business, Guité recalled.

Guité said he was told that competitions could be rigged.

“In other words, arrange for V and B to win the competition?” asked lead counsel Bernard Roy.

“Definitely,” answered Guité.

After the meeting with Gagliano, Guité told Hayter that if his revenue from government advertising contracts fell, Public Works could “boost it with sponsorship.” The deal between Havas and Vickers and Benson was sealed and announced in September.

Guité was paid $100,000 for his lobbying efforts. He collected most of it before his contract with Vickers and Benson was cancelled in 2002 in the wake of the sponsorship scandal. Guité’s lobbying efforts didn’t always produce results. But Guité said his clients mainly hired him to “influence sponsorship.”

They paid him, he said, because they hoped his efforts would materialize down the road.”

Here's down the road...

Today from Contracts Canada:

Three Recent Government contracts for "Vickers and Benson":
Toataling:$ 6,330,260.00

(1) 60074-030270/001/CZ - 000
$ 3,411,230
Nov 24, 2004

(2) 60074-030270/001/CZ - 004
$- 492,200
Sep 28, 2005

(3) 60074-030270/001/CZ - 005
$ 3,411,230
Oct 28, 2005

VICKERS BENSON COMPANIES INC - VICKERS BENSON COMPANIES INC - Toronto

2.25 BILLION for "Relocation Services": Going to Luxury Hotels, Spas, Golf Resorts

2005-12-30T14:57:00.000-09:30

Club Golf Heritage
Quebec
Date Contract Awarded:
January 1, 2004
Amount of contract: $26,250.00
Reason: Relocation Services

When most of us move, we load our stuff on to a U-Haul and spend the night at the Howard Johnson's. Not so apparently if you are employed by the Government of Canada. Besides van line contracts for the Department of National Defence, our money is being spent for some pretty over the top accommodations/vacation spots. Just look at some of the contracts awarded by Public Works and billed as "relocation services":

Le Meridien Mont Parnasse
Paris, France
January 01, 2005 $25,000.00

Laguna Brisas Resort and Spa
Laguna Beach California
January 1, 2005 $25,000.00

Le Meridien Resort/Spa
Cancun Mexico
January 1, 2004 $25,000.00
January 1, 2005 $25,000.00

White Oaks Tennis World-Resort and Spa
Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario
$186,000.00 in Public Works Contracts for "relocation".

Club Regent Casino
Winnipeg, Manitoba

January 01, 2004 $25,000.00
January 01, 2005 $25,000.00

Melia Santo Hotel and Casino,
Santo Domingo
January 01, 2005 $25,000.00
Government Contracts for "relocation services" from November 2002 until October 2005 total:
Two billion, two hundred and forty-three million, one hundred and fifty-four thousand, seven hundred and ninety-seven.
$2,243,154,797.00

SPONSORSHIP SCANDAL JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG-ALLAN CUTLER

2005-06-10T08:38:00.000-09:30

Today Allan Cutler was interviewed on CBC and said there is more to the sponsorship scandal than we know. According to Cutler, there are public employees who are aware of government corruption and crimes but are "afraid" to speak out. These people want to come forward but are afraid of losing their jobs and having their reputations tarnished.

Cutler said problems were not isolated to one program in PWGS. When asked if there were problems in other departments, Cutler said corruption and theft were "widespread" in the Liberal government.

Allan Cutler was the original whistle-blower who reported irregularities in the Corporate Sponsorship program before the auditor general reviewed the program.

A good whistle-blower protection bill was drafted by the Conservatives but voted down in Parliament by the Liberals according to Cutler. The bill in place now, that the Liberals approved is ANTI-whistle-blower legislation that dissuades government employees from coming forward.

Many of the callers to the CBC program thanked Mr. Cutler for having the courage to come forward. He said many have thanked him but never someone from the Liberal party or the government.

Thank you Mr. Cutler from (705) Blue!!

LIBERALS CONSENTED TO GREWAL TAPINGS

2005-06-04T07:59:00.000-09:30

On May 4 , CTV reported in a story entitled, "Grits trying to lure MPs away, Tories charge" that Conservative MP Inky Mark said he had been offered favours in return for his budget vote by Liberals.
Liberal Treasury Board President Reg Alcock disputed Mark's account saying...

"There has been no offer made, no offer contemplated," said Treasury Board President Reg Alcock. "I unequivocally, unreservedly deny that there's been any action (of) that sort."

Alcock went on to say,

"If the Conservatives have any evidence of Liberal ministers offering appointments, they should present it".

If Canadians have any qualms about MP Grewal taping conversations, they should fret no longer.

Reg Alcock gave his implicit permission to tape on May 4, 2005

MARTIN'S LINK TO SPONSORSHIP-JACQUES HUDON

2005-05-31T09:53:00.000-09:30

Who is Jacques Hudon?

According to the federal Lobbyist Registry, Jacques Hudon was a lobbyist for Groupaction.
There is a parliamentary Committee record that refers to Mr. Hudon as Prime Minister Paul Martin's former speech writer.

Hudon called his lobbying firm, "Groupcontact Government Relations". I can find no trace of this company. The phone number Hudon gave for "Groupcontract" was (613) 230-2323 which turns out to be the phone number for "Gosselin Public Relations" (A division of Groupaction).

The record states Mr. Hudon's client was Groupction, represented by Jean Brault (one of the few people charged by the RCMP in the sponsorship scandal). On the lobby registry, Hudon states his email address was hudon@groupaction.com while Brault's whom he was supposed to be representing was brault@groupaction.com. With a Groupaction telephone number, address, and email address, it would seem Mr. Hudon was actually employed by Groupaction.

The record shows Hudon also lobbied for clients Lafleur Communications, Gosselin (two more companies implicated in the sponsorship scandal), "Just for Laughs/Juste Pour Rire" and a company called Drakkar.

According to party finance records, Mr. Hudon’s employer/client Groupaction donated to the Liberal party of Canada—most of the time. In 2003 when the Liberals were in trouble in Quebec from the sponsorship scandal, Groupaction donated to the Liberals and to the Bloc Quebecois. Yes--the sponsorship money we were told was stolen in the name of unity found it's way to a political party whose goal is the independence of Quebec. In 2003, Just for Laughs, did the same thing. “Just for Laughs” donated every year to the Liberal Party of Canada except in 2003, when they donated to the Bloc Quebecois as well. This was probably an attempt to try to move the scam to whom-ever was in power to try to cover it up and keep it going.

Just For Laughs did get funding from the Ministry of Heritage after Mr. Hudon lobbied for them and also received a portion of the sponsorship funds allocated in Quebec. After Jean Chrétien's former aid, Jean Carle (also charged with fraud in the sponsorship scandal), was hired by the Just For Laughs festival, their funding from the Ministry of Heritage tripled by $100,000.00.

The parliamentary committee investigating the sponsorship scandal was cancelled when an election was called by Paul Martin--days before Hudon was about to testify before the committee.

Mr. Hudon is not on the witness list for the Gomery Commission. Why aren't we hearing from this central figure?

Today, Industry Canada's district manager for Quebec, in charge of handing out government contracts is named Jacques Hudon.

The sponsorship inquiry needs to hear from Jacques Hudon or Gomery's work will never "be done".

Goodale Gave Groupaction Million Dollar Contract for Defence Ads After "Sponsorship Freeze"

2005-05-27T10:00:00.000-09:30

Today, Ralph Goodale, former Minister of Public Works and Government Services took the stand at Gomery. Taking over a department where he knew there were problems, Goodale described the managerial efficiency with which he took to the task of cleaning up the mess. Goodale said his first action was to immediately place a freeze on all sponsorship contracts until each file could be investigated.

One week after Groupaction had it's sponsorship program contracts frozen by the PWGS; and after the company had been referred to the RCMP for fraud investigation; Mr. Goodale's department awarded Groupaction more than a million dollars in contracts to do recruitment ads for the Department of Defence.

And they say there isn't an open competition. Why exclude a company from Department of Defence advertising dollars just because it was featured in the Auditor General's Report, centered out in Question Period, and under investigation by the RCMP for fraud in sponsorship contracts?

Unfortunately Gomery has no authority to scrutinize Groupaction's work other than for sponsorship contracts. Will anyone?

Timeline of Groupaction Contracts:

May 8, 2002: Auditor General Sheila Fraser releases a report saying federal bureaucrats broke "just about every rule in the book" in their dealings with the marketing firm Groupaction. The RCMP will look into $1.6 million in federal contracts awarded to the Montreal advertising firm. (CBC)

May 24, 2002Government Contract to Groupaction: $ 107,000.00
82082-010504/001/CZ - 001 (For Advertising Services for the CRTC)

May 27, 2002 Public Works and Government Services Minister Goodale puts a freeze on all sponsorship program contracts.

May 29, 2002: Public Works Minister Ralph Goodale says that RCMP officers are looking at more files (other than Groupaction) from his department and that new files had been referred to the police. (CBC)

Jun 05, 2002Government Contracts to Groupaction: $ 208,650.00
W8B43-020002/001/CZ - 001 (Advertising Services for Dept. National Defence)

Jun 05, 2002 Government Contract to Groupaction: $ 856,000.00
W8B43-020002/001/CZ - 000 (Advertising Services for Dept. National Defence)

Martin's Election Organizer--Groupaction's Rodier

2005-05-27T07:54:00.000-09:30

David Rodier, directly connected to the disgraced "sponsorship fraud" firm Groupaction, organized the entire leg of Paul Martin's Quebec campaign tour last year.

David Rodier worked at a central company in the sponsorship fraud--Gosselin Public Relations (a division of Groupaction). Rodier went with the company when it was sold and did business under the name "C&S". Serge Pacquette, former federal Liberal candidate, and current Director at Foreign Affairs led "C&S".

Paquette's C&S has two listings on the National Lobby Registry--one for "C&S" and the other for "C ET S". If anyone thinks it's a simple mistake, the "error" is carried over to Public Works--where the same company was awarded government contracts under two different legal names--C&S and C ET S! A recent audit found companies under the C&S umbrella funnelled hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Liberal Party and it's candidates--including Paul Martin's Liberal leadership race.

Another of Paquette's C&S former employees was Irene Marcheterre, currently aid to our Federal Transport Minister, who worked closely with Rodier--even on the same client file. Marcheterre was recently named in the news as one of the Liberal campaign workers who accepted dirty sponsorship money under the table according to the testimony of a Liberal whistle-blower.

The Martin government has set Gomery's frame of reference to investigate the sponsorship program and the government's advertising activities--not election fraud. Gomery will end up simply making recommendations about the Sponsorship Program, a program that has already been cancelled.

The Government refuses to answer questions until Gomery is finished, saying Gomery "needs to do his work". By the time Gomery's work is done, the criminal trials of Liberals charged in the scandal will have begun. Liberals refusing to answer questions now because of Gomery will refuse to answer them in the future because of the criminal proceedings. The Liberals will point to the Gomery report for absolution when Gomery never had the scope to find to the truth.

The RCMP needs to investigate--not just fraud in the sponsorship scandal, but Election Fraud perpetrated by the Liberal Party. They need to investigate before the parties involved stall until the statute of limitations has expired and justice will never be served.

We need to ensure no one; no group of people; and no political party can ever do this again. Canadians constitutional right to a free and fair election was systematically violated and there needs to be an accounting in the name of democracy.