Who makes the *rule of law*?

In all of the talk about the Ontario government using the Notwithstanding Clause, you hear things like, the "bill violated “unwritten constitutional principles” of democracy and rule of law" or as Andrea Horwath said, “Doug Ford is literally suspending the Charter of Rights for Ontario’s people" and other such nonsense.

"Unwritten constitutional principles"? Really? They had all the words in both official languages at their disposal but they thought they'd leave some out and we could all just surmise what they meant by not putting them in? The Constitution is a written document, and too often, judges have *read in* words that are not on that document.

Are there "unwritten constitutional principles*? It would seem to me that when judges impute meanings or infer things from the largely unambiguous language, what they are doing is pruning it, or growing it to fit their own vision of justice. They are not interpreting anything -- they are inventing. Stretching. Creating. Imagining. Because they can. Because who is going to stop them.... except maybe a lawmaker, finally using the means afforded to him within the constitution to pass the legislation.

If you read the ruling, you know its specious. The law does not impede the charter rights of any citizen. It doesn't suppress freedom of expression and it doesn't prevent adequate representation -- but even if you think it does -- Ford will be judged in four years' time by us and the law will be challengeable again in five. Big deal.

Whatever you think of the law reducing Toronto City Council -- whatever you think of the judge's ruling striking it down -- the Notwithstanding Clause is a mechanism of the Constitution and its use is not an abuse of power.

How can a tool in the lawmaker's arsenal be *violating (...) democracy and rule of law*?

Has Canada forgotten who is supposed to make laws?

canadianna

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Having watched the full half hour of *Taking on the Tyrant*, Chrystia Freeland's comments and conversation are fairly innocuous in and of themselves.

That said, the piece begins with ominous text and images of dictators and despots ... men like Donald Trump.

Say what you will about Trump -- go ahead. You're no one. Whether you have 1,000 followers on Twitter or a blog of your own, your voice about Trump doesn't matter. You aren't the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, appearing (with NAFTA talks ongoing) on stage after a video montage with that foreboding text interspersed with images and clips of the American President.

Chrystia Freeland has again, put her wokeness above her constituents. Her disrespect for Donald Trump has translated into disrespect for Canadians -- because it's on behalf of Canadians she is negotiating a trade deal. It's no secret that she's not well liked by the Americans and is there any wonder why? Her blatant slams against Trump show contempt for all of those who are working on this deal -- because they are there representing him, and the people of the United States -- at least a few of whom, voted for him.

The smugness of the Trudeau regime as they share their enlightenment with the world, is trying the patience of our most important trading partner, to our detriment. There is nothing to be gained by continually taunting Trump. Where is the dignity in the Trudeau government? Where is the diplomacy? Where is the maturity??

Trump is a manifestation of the frustration of the working class. He is their emissary -- their voice. Why are these so-called intellectuals not listening?

Be clever. Keep talking down to him. Keep flicking him like a gnat, taunting him. He'll squish you-- because he can. Does it make you feel good to know that you *told him*? This is not Hitler and this is not Nazi Germany -- for all the bullshit comparisons, no journalists are being arrested, no concentration camps built, no laws enacted to stifle the voice of the average American. He's a blowhard and he's playing you. And you think you're so brave. You're bravely talking away any semblance of a chance of a decent deal, since you already squandered the good faith in place prior to the G7.

You can show respect for someone without sucking up to them. Grown ups do it all the time. That's what diplomacy is. You'd think someone who won an award for it would know. People do it with their bosses and co-workers -- and it isn't about playing nice or pretending to like someone -- it's just not talking trash - being mature enough to keep your opinions to yourself if they are not helpful to the situation. It's about manners.

Whatever you think of Donald Trump, you are our representative when dealing with the US. If you show disdain and contempt for him, you are showing that same disdain and contempt for us - because the United States is our bread and butter...their trade feeds us. Don't shit where we have to eat.

canadianna

What keeps you up at night?

In a province just reeling from a major blow to its economy, Justin Trudeau was asked by a reporter, "what keeps you up at night?"

His response:

“There’s a simplification and a dumbing-down of politics and a polarization and a fearful populism that really does worry me.”

Seriously.

I'm sure Albertans share that concern while they're scrambling to find other employment and pay their bills.

There is no one in public office I could ever imagine responding to such a question, at a time of crisis, in such an obtuse manner. This is a man who has never been kept up all night worrying about anything. He has no concept of paying a mortgage or a hydro bill, or putting gas in the car, or buying groceries --- or not being able to. He has no idea what it might mean to a family to lose a week's pay, let alone a position you believed would last years. Everything -- everything for these families has shattered -- nothing is on hold while they try to patch up their livelihoods-- and Trudeau muses about polarization and fearful populism.

Mr. Trudeau -- what do you think causes polarization and fearful populism?

Could it be the ignorance of the elite ruling class to the plights of the people they govern?

I won't even comment on his desire for Canada to fall into entropy.

This man would be a joke if he didn't have our economy, our resources and our social fabric in his hands for the ruination.

What an asshole. Canada really dumbed-down when we elected you.

canadianna

Union leaders have *clout* in NAFTA

So unions ARE playing a role in NAFTA negotiations.

From the article:

After unions played a role in ousting the Harper government in 2015, Dias said the Liberal government appears to understand the influence of the labour movement in politics.

"I think they understand that labour is not just a nuisance; that we actually have a voice, we represent millions of people and we're going to play a big role in the politics of the country," he said. "They have a choice. They can exclude us and then we will exclude them, or they can include us."

So, no need for elections anymore, people. Organized labour will tell us the way it's gonna go.

Wow. Just wow.

canadianna 

Does anyone know . . .

Why Unifor President Jerry Dias is at the NAFTA talks. Why does he seem to be acting as part of the negotiating team, responding to questions from the press as though he's a spokesperson for our government.

I'm guessing his accommodations and whatnot are being expensed to the government.

No one has explained why he's there, but it seems wrong to me. He is the head of a union representing auto, communications, energy and paper workers sectors -- not an elected official and he has no status with the government that I'm aware of... and if they gave him one while he also represents the union... that doesn't make sense to me. Given that this union lobbies the government on behalf of its various sectors, isn't there some sort of conflict? Okay, sure -- he has the welfare of workers as part of his mandate as president of his union -- but how does that translate into becoming part of our trade delegation? Is it because the Trudeau Liberals lack any skilled, experienced negotiators?

Who is running things in Ottawa, and why does this just *happen* without any sort of explanation -- or, from what I've seen across the internet, without any questions from the (Unifor represented?) media contingent?

Maybe I'm just suspicious, but it seems to me that rather than having someone who was elected by union workers, who have their own interests at heart --- the people who we, as a country elected -- our MPs, Ministers etc should be handling these negotiations.. and failing finding anyone capable on their own bench, the Liberals had the offer of Conservative help as early as last Fall. It wouldn't have been too late to accept the offer of help -- would have been smart politically too -- any deal would have multi-party hands all over it, so if it was bad -- it would be a all-party failure.

If anyone knows the explanation for his presence in Washington, please comment.

Thanks,

canadianna

Win - Win

He's a lucky guy, our Prime Minister -- how else do you explain two utter failures that can be spun like gold.

NAFTA negotiations have been a disaster. We've been shut out since the G7 when Trudeau decided to swagger the second Trump got on the plane. Trump snagged back the concessions he'd offered and followed up with tariffs and promises of more -- all because Justin Trudeau stood up to the bully when he wasn't being bullied. A subsequent speech by Chrystia Freeland, slamming Trump, her late arrival the most recent negotiations, Trudeau being too busy to take a call from Trump prior to this round of negotiations starting .... all of these things display contempt for Trump, for the United States, for the negotiations, and for Canadians. It's almost like Justin Trudeau has been seeking failure on this file -- but regardless of the outcome, he'll take no blame because - Trump.

After today's revelation by the Toronto Star about an off-the-record statement Trump made about Canada and negotiations, you can be assured that if he has to give up the dairy farm or if he fails our auto sector, it won't matter. He couldn't have done better -- still -- because Trump.

And with Trans Mountain, he can play both sides. In 2014, he promised that if elected, the pipeline would never be built. He bought it, so he can say that at least he tried. The court scuttled it, so it failed, but it isn't really his fault. Any challenges will last long beyond this term in office, so he'll have kept his promise to the anti-TM side, but still be trying for the pro-TM team. Wow. Horseshoes. 

So Canadian oil is sold at a discount to the Americans who sell it on for market value, but somehow this is a win for someone. Where do the First Nations and environmentalists think their money is coming from if Alberta is unable to develop its oil sector and play on a level playing field with every other oil producing nation on earth. How is Alberta going to feed you all with both hands tied behind its back?

On NAFTA. Trudeau says no deal is better than a bad deal and while that's true, it didn't have to be this way. His disdain for Trump trumped the needs of Canadian people -- Trudeau's ego is the reason we're here. That, and the fact that he has no clue what it means to work for a living, to worry about job security and paying bills. He hasn't a clue who we are. He can't identify with us for a second, how can he possibly represent us?

What a joke. But the joke's on us. Possibly for four more years.

canadianna 

The right response on NAFTA

Shortly after the news broke today that the US and Mexico had reached a trade deal, Bernier tweeted:

Now, @cafreeland and @JustinTrudeau, stop fooling around and playing politics. Put supply management on the table, end the retaliatory measures, accept Trump’s offer to aim at reducing all tariffs and barriers, and NEGOTIATE SERIOUSLY. More grandstanding will bring no result.

Compare that to Andrew Scheer's response:

 Thanks to Justin Trudeau, Canada is on the outside looking in while Canadian jobs hang in the balance. His economic failures have ruined Canada’s bargaining position and jeopardized thousands of jobs.

Both responses are valid, but everyone knows that if Trudeau touches supply management, then Bernier's major raison d'etre disappears... and yet Bernier is so committed to his idea of what is right for the country, he's willing to see it done by someone else -- in the OTHER party -- because he believes so much that it's the right thing to do. That's a major policy plank for Bernier. One less reason to vote for his new party if Trudeau is the man that sees it through. I don't see this as an idle challenge or taunt. It seems like a genuine plea for sanity on the trade front.

On the other hand, Scheer's criticism of Trudeau is valid, but given that they couldn't even get to supply management at the convention, what exactly would he be doing differently? If he's still committed to it, then what is he suggesting Trudeau do? It's all well and good to snipe on Twitter, but if you have nothing to offer but sniping, how is that constructive? Trudeau has been abysmal on trade. Scheer's sneers don't make that clearer, but they betray a lack of vision. It's okay to put your idea out there even when it's not election time. If they're good ideas and the other guy uses them, all the better for the country, right?

I'm still not #BernierNation, but Bernier's commitment to what benefits Canada, as opposed to what benefits him, suggests a purity of reason that goes beyond the selfish lust for power that he's been accused of. I'm still not happy with how he went about this. I'm still dubious about the outcome, but there is a sincerity to his words that makes me want to cheer him on, even if I'm not yet ready to come around.

canadianna

Lose / Lose

In one way, it saved a lot of trouble, Bernier quitting the CPC. It might have been more unpleasant had they booted him out.

The sad thing is, I think a lot of us are torn -- while I find myself on the side of Bernier in terms of policy, his methods disturb me and I know that because of his prolific Twitter rants, he will appeal to all the wingnuts who latch onto anything that might mean their bigotry is being validated, regardless of the intent.

News that he's planning to create a new party is not really a shock after this week, but I'm sure many of us who support his ideas, will struggle to support him and his new party. This is not a positive exit strategy. How do we assume he'll manage to take leadership in a positive direction when he's ended his affiliation on a such a disastrously negative note.

I believe his concern for the direction of the country and the party is genuine. People are looking for strong, definite leadership and I think most conservatives see the extreme-left climate/gender/post-national ideology that has been wearing traditional Liberal colours, and are looking for a real alternative. Andrew Scheer is not that, not really. His middle-of-the-road, pragmatic approach might get him elected, but without real conservative policies, who cares? I'd rather hate Justin Trudeau for implementing policies I disagree with.

Scheer's response was no more graceful than Bernier's exit -

“(Bernier) probably made this choice to help Justin Trudeau a long time ago,” @AndrewScheer tells reporters in Halifax.  - @davidakin

Whine all you want when you close the door, not in front of the cameras.

So, if you're conservative, I guess we'll be waiting a while for our team to form government again.

canadianna

Don't paint me with your broad strokes

My take? He knew someone was coming to his Liberal rally who was bound to disrupt it. He was ready. The RCMP and all those security-types know the activities of groups with questionable motivations. Trudeau was told that someone would probably heckle, and true to form, he had a script and he stuck to it.

Below is the transcript posted at CBC of the exchange between Justin Trudeau and a woman who has now been identified as member of a nationalist group that advocates against immigration.

As you read it, bear in mind two things: First, Trudeau has made no claim to have known who she was when he responded, and second, this was a Liberal event. He says so part way through.

 

My comments are in italics.

DIANE BLAIN: When will you give back the $146 million to Quebec? I'd like your response. I'm a senior, and I'd like a response.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU: Madam, thank you for being here this evening, thank you very much for your support. I'm very happy to have you here. You ask what we can deliver for seniors. Madam, we delivered an increase in the guaranteed income supplement of $1,000 per month, by $1,000 per year, for seniors on their own, the most vulnerable.

He responds, calmly -- addresses an issue pertinent to seniors. Okay.

MALE HECKLER (repeatedly): We are not in Mohawk territory.

BLAIN: That's not what I asked you. We need the $146 million for Quebecers.

TRUDEAU: We invested billions of dollars for the Canada Child Benefit, which makes an enormous difference in the lives of families around the province and the country.

She says nothing controversial. He responds again, perfectly rational politician's response.

BLAIN: We're asking you for the $146 million for Quebecers that you gave to illegal immigrants.

TRUDEAU: Madam, one of the things that is important, madam, in politics is to listen. My friends, it is listening that counts. We are in dialogue.

MALE HECKLER (repeatedly): We are not in Mohawk territory.

BLAIN: But you are not answering me.

TRUDEAU: Sir, you are in the course of saying things that are anti-Indigenous, it isn't very nice, it isn't very polite.

BLAIN: Answer me.

TRUDEAU: We are here to share, to dialogue, I am looking forward to listening to you.

BLAIN: Answer me, Mr. Trudeau.

TRUDEAU: On the condition that you listen to me now, madam. You have something to say, madam? Go ahead.

BLAIN: Answer me, I want to know when you will give us back the $146 million that we paid for your illegal immigrants.

TRUDEAU: OK, madam.

He has no answer.

BLAIN: It's us who paid for that.

TRUDEAU: This intolerance regarding immigrants does not have a place in Canada. This intolerance of diversity, you do not have a place here.

BAM! this is where Trudeau skews what the woman said and pretends to infer racism. Nothing in what she asked implies she's anti-immigration. Without knowing ahead of time her predisposition towards immigrants, Trudeau has imputed meaning to her words. At this moment, she is simply a citizen, asking a legitimate question about taxation and spending - albeit about illegal immigration, but that in and of itself does not suggest the questioner is racist.

Liberals are framing this as though anyone who*sides* with this woman is aligned with the Storm Alliance. The fact that she was calling out negatively at a Liberal rally shows she was not a friendly, but at this point, as far as we know, Trudeau had no reason to believe she was anything other than a person questioning his policies -- but she had said nothing racist, nothing nationalistic -- nothing controversial. And yet Trudeau took that question to call her intolerant of both immigrants and diversity -- all she'd asked about was how this money was being spent and when Quebec would get it back.

Either he deliberately twisted her words thinking no one else could or would hear, or he knew who she was, and couldn't be sure she would say something racist, so he prematurely censured her for something he hoped she'd say.

(Cheering)

BLAIN: Hey. Trudeau. Trudeau.

TRUDEAU: Madam, Canada was built by waves of immigration that were welcomed by the First Nations, who showed us how to build a strong society, and the people who come here, generation after generation to build stronger communities, this is what makes us stronger as a country and, madam, your intolerance does not have a place here.

Again, she hasn't said a word about race, or immigrants, only illegal immigrants and even then, only to question the cost. He uses this opportunity to make up shit about the founding of our country, and pretend that she has said something that would require him to say this.

MAN OFF CAMERA: Yes, she's making threats. Get her out of here.

She's right by the microphone the whole time. We can hear her voice whenever she speaks. She made no threat. She said nothing beyond Trudeau's name. She has no purse, no backpack – nothing in her hands. She’s bare armed – nothing threatening about her at all.

MAN IN WHITE SHIRT, BLACK VEST: Are you making threats?

 TRUDEAU: We are Liberals here, we know that diversity is a source of strength, never a source of weakness and madam, your fear, your fear of others, your intolerance does not have a place among us tonight. Thank you very much, my friends. Thank you for being here, thanks for working hard and uniting people because we see that there will be intolerance in the coming months. There will be attacks in the coming months.

This is the first I realized it was a Liberal rally, and that the people around her were all going to be antagonistic obviously. But he stokes it. He says she has *fear, fear of others* and uses this as an opportunity to tell his fans that Canadians (ordinary Canadians, because at this moment, that's all this woman is) will be *intolerant* and *attacking* as he suggests this woman is.

BLAIN: I have another question.

TRUDEAU: But you must know that strength is to unite and not to scream, not to spread fear, not to spread intolerance, madam.

The woman is calling out-- she is making herself heard from her place in the crowd. Her voice is never harsh or shrill. She is not screaming, and she has not said one negative word about immigrants. She only mentioned *illegal immigrants* and she never said anything hostile -- no call to send them back-- no suggestion that we don't want them here -- not one negative word about people -- every question is just about the cost.

BLAIN (repeatedly): Are you tolerant of Québécois de souche [white French Quebecers]? ***UPDATE -  see Gabby in QC, in the comments section re that translation***

So finally, after being called intolerant three times, after having been accused of spreading fear and making threats, after having been told that people like her would be attacking Liberals in coming months --- THEN she finally asked if he was tolerant of HER. Poor choice of words, incendiary in Quebec I suppose, but after provocation, she finally asks -- do you respect my kind of people? If I had been there, asking the same questions, I might have said - do you tolerate those of us who are Canadian-born, or second generation, or simply non-immigrants. That phrase, Québécois de souche - might have been a clue to her agenda, but it came far enough into the exchange that it was definitely NOT the precipitant of his accusations of intolerance.

I put the rest of the exchange below (I cut it off when she is taken for questioning - you can go to the link if you want to read that part), and for those who continue read the last of it between Blain and Trudeau, you will see she begins to use the terminology of the alt-right. I left it in so there would be no suggestion that I was leaving it out purposely to cloud the truth about her eventual attitude.

I have no time for the alt-right and its racism or nationalism, but Liberals are using this woman's affiliations to shut down the conversation on the rest of us. Apparently anyone who agrees with her is *siding* with her and her ilk and therefore, tacitly supporting her cause. Bullshit. These questions are legitimate and they've been asked by many Canadians since the surge in numbers at the illegal crossings. These questions MUST be asked, and when Mr. Trudeau finally figures out what it means to be a leader and make real policy decisions instead of spouting platitudes, maybe he'll find a way to answer them.

Until then, Justin Trudeau and your band of merry sycophants -- do not attempt to paint us racist or intolerant with your vicious and divisive tongues.

canadianna


****

Continuation of exchange between Blain & Trudeau:

MALE HECKLER (repeatedly): We are not in Mohawk territory.

TRUDEAU: Yes madam, I am tolerant of all perspectives, it is you, madam, who is intolerant, and you don't have a place in this beautiful gathering of Liberals. Thank you, friends.

(Cheering. Trudeau descends from stage and begins shaking hands with people in the crowd.)

BLAIN: Have you spread intolerance towards Québécois de souche?

PERSON IN CROWD: [Swearing] Shut up, damn it.

BLAIN: Go ahead and give your hand to this Trudeau.

WOMAN IN CROWD: No, but it's enough, really.

(Crosstalk)

WOMAN IN CROWD: She's going in there.

(Blain approaches Trudeau.)

BLAIN: Mr. Trudeau are you tolerant of Québécois de souche?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is a Québécois de souche?

Québécois de souche refers to descendants of the original French colonists who settled in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries. It excludes Quebecers of non-French heritage, such as descendants of British colonists, recent immigrants and Indigenous peoples.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRUDEAU (repeated three times): Madam, your racism has no place here.

BLAIN: Answer me. You have no place in Quebec. Do you understand? You have no place in Quebec.

TRUDEAU: Excuse me, madam. I'm a proud Quebecer, madam, I'm a proud Quebecer.

(Shaking hands)

TRUDEAU: Thank you, it's lovely to see you.

(Trudeau continues shaking hands, cameraman leaves crowd and joins Blain who is being questioned.)

END – continued on CBC website

On Bernier - Agree or disagree, the Conservatives fumbled

I don't want to keep going on about this, but it's bad enough seeing Liberals and the media scorn Bernier and those who agree with him, but it's worse when Conservative leadership lines up alongside. I understand the urge to distance oneself from the perception of racism or anti-multiculturalism, but if instead of the kneejerk reaction, they'd taken a moment to consider how Bernier's tweets actually resonated with a lot of Canadians, and that really, when taken in context as a response to Justin Trudeau, rather than a response to multiculturalism, they could have managed it so it didn't have to be divisive or damaging to the party. Instead, they've let the Liberals set the tone for the Conservative agenda.

They could have said something like,

'We understand Mr. Bernier's concerns, and agree that Prime Minister Trudeau has failed to demonstrate that he values the Canadian identity with the same passion as he does our cultural diversity. We believe, as Mr. Bernier obviously does, that most new Canadians wish to become part of the fabric of Canada and integrate in a positive way, and that our diverse backgrounds and experience enhance our country. As Mr. Bernier has said, we need to continue to find ways to encourage newcomers to do so. 

Unlike the Justin Trudeau's Liberals, we also believe that newcomers to Canada long to be part of a society where they are free to express their political opinions and not be censured or shamed. Mr. Bernier has expressed a point of view which does not incite hatred or violence, but which was, we believe, meant to highlight that it isn't our enjoyment of the flavours, or the dances, or the costumes we see within our cultural mix that makes Canada great as Justin Trudeau keeps telling us, it is our common aspirations for freedom, peace and justice. These are what make us great. These are what unite us and this unity is our greatest strength.'

If, as it appears, the only card Andrew Scheer has to play is being against the Carbon Tax, Doug Ford and some of the other premiers have relieved him of too much worry on that front. How else does he differ from the Liberals? He doesn't seem as simple-minded as Justin, and likely wouldn't embarrass us on the world stage, but he might be pretty invisible. That mightn't be a bad thing had he handled this situation better.

There are just so many ways the Conservative Party could have responded without throwing Bernier (and like-minded conservatives) under the bus and without ostensibly aligning themselves with the Liberals -- you know what-- I am a moderate conservative, and if I have the choice between Justin Trudeau's Liberals and Andrew Scheer's liberals, I'm just staying home next October. If someone is going to run the country like a liberal, then I'd rather it be them. 

I will nevermore be responsible for him by my direct support—even though the consequence should be the election of Jefferson. If we must have an enemy at the head of the Government, let it be one whom we can oppose & for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures.

~ Alexander Hamilton, referring to the election of John Adams

Maybe the idea of Scheer is not quite that menacing, but having a Conservative Party that is Liberal lite is not worth the bother.

canadianna

Safe

I started writing this blog because I felt that my Canadianness was being attacked. I don't remember specifics, but if you go back in my archives, it was right around the Sponsorship Scandal and the Gomery Commission and the election that followed.

Throughout that time, the values of the Canadian right were being assaulted (seemingly more than usual) by the supposedly centrist Liberals and of course, the unabashedly far-left NDP. As the Liberals attempted to court 'mainstream' voters, they painted formerly middle turf values as extreme far right, evangelical, unCanadian. This was long before Donald Trump and the apparent rise of the alt-right in the US. Our Conservative Party and our conservatives thinkers were being painted as bigoted, racist, homophobic, misogynists even then in 2005.

I started writing because I felt excluded from the debate. I've always considered myself pretty middle-of-the-road politically, with a slight tilt to the right. None of my personal opinions on things like gay rights or abortion or immigration seemed radical to me, but here I was, nearly every day, reading about some Liberal saying that my opinions were held only by Neanderthals. I wanted to express my point of view.

After scary Stephen Harper was elected, I guess the need to write fell off a bit. I was no longer under attack. There was always yipping from people who hated him in particular and conservatives in general, but for the most part, I felt like all Canadians now had the right to think as they pleased without the government bashing them.

During Harper's time as PM, gay rights advanced, and immigration increased and life went on and no matter what the other side thought about anything, I don't remember any Conservatives telling the other parties or other points of view, that they were unCanadian or unwelcome. Sure they argued and said they were wrong, but not unCanadian. Not even when those people were interfering with the economy by blocking pipelines etc. Everyone was entitled to their opinion. Non-conservatives were not vilified by the government for their opinions... am I wrong?

Here we are, not three years into a Liberal term and here I am again being told that my views and opinions are unCanadian and unwelcome. Not even worthy of discussion. Just objectively wrong. Take the Summer Works Programme attestation requirement. I'm anti-abortion. Oooops. UnCanadian. Can't even discuss it. Can't even suggest that there might be another reasonable point of view beyond the status quo which is absolutely no abortion law whatsoever, so no protection for the unborn at any stage of gestation. Nope. Nope. Shut up. You're wrong - so wrong, that unless you believe how we do on this controversial life and death subject you are ineligible to receive government money (even if your business has nothing to do with your beliefs-- you as a business owner/service provider CANNOT BELIEVE CONTRARY TO THE LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA ON THIS) and you must sign a values statement as proof.

Canadian values. Liberal style. One thought fits all.

Remember what Justin Trudeau said:

"And I'll give you the quote so that you guys can jot it down and put it in an attack ad somewhere, that the Liberal Party believes that terrorists should get to keep their Canadian citizenship," said Trudeau, in an audio recording first reported by CTV News. "Because I do. And I'm willing to take on anyone who disagrees with that. Because the question is, as soon as you make citizenship for some Canadians conditional on good behavior, you devalue citizenship for everyone."

Trudeau said he's "envious" of new Canadians because they "got to choose Canada".

"The idea that we would say that we'll give you your citizenship, but for the rest of your life you have to be on your best behavior ... that principle that says the government can decide what you did means you no longer get to be Canadian is a very, very scary one," he said.

Read all that carefully -- *the Liberal Party believes that terrorists should get to keep their Canadian citizenship because I do.*

That's why they think it. Because Justin Trudeau does. And they think as they are told.

And, let's just let it sink in that Justin Trudeau does not comprehend the difference between say, murder in a gang fight or domestic situation and treason. Not that murder in other contexts is not bad, but there HAS to be a distinction between generic crime, and crime against country. Has there ever been a real debate on this? A national conversation? It's important and timely, but just another thing that has been done, but will not be discussed because there is no other valid point of view.

And that brings me to the Maxime Bernier situation. Do I think he should have tweeted what he did? NO. But not because I think he was wrong. I think he made some valid points and those points are worth discussing. I think they need to be discussed. But he was wrong to tweet because it's unsafe again for conservatives to voice their opinions.. even if they're carefully worded, nuanced, respectful... Maxime's in my opinion, were borne of frustration with Justin's rah! rah! rah! at the opening of Taste of the Danforth, which, considering the situation, should have been more circumspect... so -- Mr. Bernier was tweeting passionately and perhaps it came across as rejecting diverse peoples rather than rejection of the fake, vapid, costumes-and-flavours diversity that is the only kind of diversity Mr. Trudeau has ever experienced. So, for that reason, if some reading those tweets took them as being directed at new immigrants or at differing cultures... it seemed rude. But if you parse it down and stop reading it from the perspective of someone who WANTS to anticipate antipathy towards minorities by conservatives, you see Bernier is just expressing that he wants our culture, Canadian culture to be respected -- and for that to happen, we first have to acknowledge that there is, in fact, a Canadian culture. Trudeau does not believe that and for some of us, that's difficult to swallow.

Andrew Scheer and other prominent Conservatives have distanced themselves from Bernier, and understandably. We live in a climate where it is again, unsafe to hold opinions contrary to those of the guys in power, and particularly now, with Trump to the south, no one here wants to be equated with that. Innocuous talk by the likes of Lisa McLeod and Michelle Rempel has been called Nazi and alt-right, which of course is meant to quiet discourse and frustrate people on the right who simply hold a different point of view--and maybe push them to the point of tweeting passionately on the subject of culture.

Right now, I don't know the best course of action for Conservatives. Most people aren't following the twitterverse, and are unaware of the level of animosity that exists for all things right-leaning -- most people, voters, are concerned with our borders, but don't *feel* they are racist because of that, but their main issues are always going to be money issues... taxes, jobs, health care etc. But when it comes to an election, a wedge issue like immigration can move people who are otherwise ambivalent -- that's what happened in 2015 when the Syrian crisis heated up and the Conservatives went a little weird with their cultural abuse hotline that had everyone wondering who was running the show... THAT was extreme and weird and creepy -- and utterly unconservative. It made a lot of people uncomfortable, and tipped the vote in Justin's favour. While I don't see Bernier's opinions as being that kind of extreme, the climate has changed and people are very sensitive to the perception of racism, discrimination and bigotry -- in part because you have media like Rosie Barton of the CBC accusing Bernier of using the anniversary of the alt-right Charlottesville Rally as his impetus for tweeting and thereby inciting violence... and later CBC suggesting that his tweets caused the destruction of a sign for a park in Saskatchewan named for the founder of Pakistan. When you have media suggesting that a person's tweets are inciting violence, how close a proximity are you going to keep when you want to win an election in fourteen months?

Sadly, I think Conservatives are going to play it safe. I think all of the things we can't discuss in Canada will remain things that can't be discussed. They're important issues, deserving of our time and energy and even our passions -- because they mean life and death and future. But even when Stephen Harper came to power, we didn't talk about them, because even when it was safe to think them, it still wasn't safe to say them --- or else you might not get re-elected.

If that's what it's all about, just about being elected but then following the liberal status quo once you get there, I don't know why we even bother with the charade.

canadianna     

Speaking of diversity

A lot of media types are implying that Maxime Bernier's tweet thread yesterday means he's anti-immigration/anti-immigrant, racist, nationalist etc.

Did anyone notice the video embedded in the tweet:

First in tweet thread with video of Trudeau at Taste of the Danforth

This is a short version of the video, but you can find others if you look. This is our Prime Minister at the opening of the Taste of the Danforth, less than two weeks after the shootings. Even the longer versions where he mentions the girls who were murdered, there is no solemnity, no sense of the gravity of what has happened to the victims or to the community. It's a stump speech, political in every way. It's rah! rah! Liberal values! But regardless of your values, your beliefs on diversity or multiculturalism, pluralism -- this wasn't the time.

Yes, it's wonderful that in the face of adversity that our city is able to rally around and come together and still feel a sense of community, but the ladling on about diversity being the *reason* for the resilience and what makes it great -- bullshit. Just bullshit. It has nothing to do with diversity -- people came together out of a sense of shared grief, shared horror, a shared need to find a way to find something good, to find a way to move forward from this. Diversity had nothing NOTHING to do with it. Did diverse types people come together? I'm sure they did, but it was their common need to connect, to respond, to make things right again. It was our shared humanity and longing for wholeness -- yes, there were people of many races, religions, genders, ages -- quite common in the western world. It's delightful when it's simple celebration, but in this particular instance, irrelevant I think or at least, not really what you'd expect to be the focus of a speech.

Perhaps if Bernier comes off sounding a little pissed off about diversity, it's less in response to what's happening at the border, or to the ethnic identity of the shooter, and more a reaction to Trudeau's using the Danforth tragedy to campaign about his superior values. The fist pumping political rhetoric had no place at an event like this. The city is still recovering from its shock, and the timbre of Trudeau's address did not match the atmosphere.

I agree with some of what Bernier said, but I cringe because saying it, in our current climate, is toxic. Those who are inclined to believe that all conservatives are racists, pounce on something like this as evidence. In my opinion, it was a man frustrated by the glib and unseemly politicking and blatant disrespect of the situation displayed by Trudeau in that video.

canadianna

Side with the home team

Much as I believe that tweeting diplomacy is stupid, and that Chrystia Freeland and her Foreign Affairs Department were foolish to chastise the Saudis publicly in an attempt to shame them into changing their minds on the imprisoned activists, I also believe that backing down would be morally reprehensible.

Former Foreign Affairs minister, John Baird, has called on PMJT to travel to Riyadh to smooth things over....uh--- no.

The Tweets were ill-advised, but they were not wrong. They reflect our stand on Saudi human rights abuses. Sure, the government has not similarly called out all of the other rights-abusing regimes in the world. Does that mean that we should back down on calling out this one? Absolutely not.

You took a stand. Bad timing. Wrong platform. But you hold your ground. Just this weekend a Saudi air strike took out a group of Yemeni school kids on the way back from a picnic and we're gonna start sniveling to them, begging for what? Oil they've already said won't be affected by this dispute?

There is no need to escalate. We don't want to jeopardize the captives, but at the same time, we should not be apologizing for speaking our truth. Maybe apologize for doing it publicly, on such an informal platform, without regard to typical diplomatic protocols, but no-- we should not be stooping before the Prince of Saud and calling him our 'ally'. We are trading partners, with mutually beneficially business interests. We are not friends with the Saudis, I hope. And it bothers me that because this blunder was made by a Liberal government, so many conservatives are willing to yield our values to mend fences with an evil regime.

I am getting to the point where I loathe Justin Trudeau, but this is bigger than him. His government made a mistake and now, on behalf of Canadians, they have to own it. To grovel before the Saudis is to betray our values and while Justin Trudeau doesn't reflect my values most of the time, right now, he represents Canada. Canada believes in human rights. We cannot apologize for that.

canadianna

A horse in the race

Let's be clear -- Saudi Arabia is awful. Like many other countries around the world, they deserve to be called out, again and again and again on any number of human rights issues. And yet . . .


Here's the thing - Harper called out Russia on Ukraine over Twitter and I have no issue with that. We had no horse in the race. We as a free nation, believed that Russia was in the wrong by annexing a sovereign nation. We called them on it. That's a good thing.


We, as Canadians believe that bloggers and women's rights activists should not be imprisoned for their writing and protests. Why is it different to call out Saudi Arabia on this, on social media? Individual lives are at stake. By publically trying to shame the Saudi regime for its heavy handed treatment of protesters, we have endangered the very people whose captivity we're protesting.


Saudi Arabia is not a rational, thoughtful country, prone to reconsider its actions when chastised on the world stage by a low to middling world power -- they are the sort of nation that feels the need to flex its muscles when challenged. Trudeau and Freeland don't know this? Weakness does not go over well in the Arab world. They laugh at it. They exploit it. They will not capitulate when condemned for wrongful actions -- they will double down. They will retaliate. How do our leaders not understand this? Have they not watched world events in their lifetimes?


You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that publically singling out bad behaviour by a supposedly friendly government is bad form. To do it about a situation where you have a vested interest, and where outcomes are far from certain, is pure idiocy.


Do Trudeau and his diplomatic team think they've made captivity better for the blogger, his sister and the other rights activists? Can they not envision that they might have actually made things worse?


This has never been about calling out the Saudis on human rights abuses. That is an ongoing issue. Nothing has changed from last week, a year ago, three years ago. The difference right now is that the very people Trudeau's team was meant to be advocating for, are now in more danger and less likely to be released due to the constant need for public displays of piety by our government.


Our allies are not backing off on this because they disagree with the sentiments expressed in the tweets, or because we are now suddenly the only virtuous, liberal democracy left -- they are dumbfounded by the stupidity of our leaders. They aren't afraid of standing up to tyrants -- they just know that diplomacy requires tact and subtlety, not grandstanding and praise-seeking. It is quiet, in the background and leaves all parties with their dignity in tact -- regardless of whether they deserve that.


No impassioned Tweet was ever going to gain the release of these imprisoned activists. If the Trudeau government didn't realize that already, it's frightening just how very immature they are.


canadianna

Sticking to script

If you're on Twitter at all, you know that particularly since the Danforth shooting, people have been calling out Justin Trudeau for not responding to the tragedy urgently enough. He tweeted, but waited a week and a day before visiting the city, attending the funeral of one of the girls but missing out on the vigil and the sense of devastation in the days after.

He's been AWOL on NAFTA too. Too busy surfing.

Now this weekend, the Saudis have frozen trade, expelled our ambassador and withdrawn scholarships for 16,000 Saudi students attending university here. Not a peep. Managed to get to the Pride Parade in B.C. though, and today he went to a picnic.

What I've realized about Trudeau through this summer is that, he can't deviate from plan. He cannot respond to a crisis, because there is no script. You can plan to go to Pride, or attend a picnic, but how does someone who can't think on their feet respond to tragedy or someone else going off script?

Poorly.

That's why after the G-7 summit, after Trump had indicated that he was willing to make concessions, Trudeau stuck to his pre-summit plan. He hadn't anticipated a conciliatory attitude from Trump, so the minute Trump got on the plane, Trudeau kept to plan and threw shade.

Here are the links to the videos, thanks to @JohnToryWatch

CBC News re: Trump agreeing to waive the sunset clause

Trump at a presser indicating he expected a deal

Justin Trudeau's press conference where he says we won't be pushed around

Trudeau responding to a second question re: sunset clause

Trump after hearing what Trudeau had said

Trudeau answering questions on sunset in the Commons

All of this indicates that when something deviates from plan, Justin can't keep up. He follows the script, regardless of deviations and then, instead of being able to react on the fly, change plans or mend fences, he doubles down.

The ability to respond to the situation at hand, as it unfolds, is crucial for an adult human being. Justin Trudeau does not have that ability. When Trump went against type and responded positively on sunset, Justin was unable to switch gears and welcome the gesture graciously. He stuck to script... he was amped to swagger which, had Trump been true to form, might have been genuinely brave, but as things stood, his attitude is what has soured Canada/US trade relations ... he's counting on the fact that people will hate Trump enough not to notice.

It isn't his fault really. He lacks the maturity to have the forethought to anticipate and react to fast-changing situations -- which is why, when he planned to surf, he surfed -- it wasn't disrespect for Toronto or the dead and wounded here -- it was the single-mindedness of child who has been told that now he gets to play. Nothing -- nothing is going to stand in his way.

canadianna