# The great, ongoing Canadian current events and politics thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 16, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059 "2011-05-16T03:05:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/462 "2011-09-08T11:34:07Z")
> [@](#): > > Canada’s interim auditor general is blasting a shady selection process surrounding the approval of 32 infrastructure projects that received $50-million in the riding of Tory cabinet minister Tony Clement for last summer’s G8 summit in Ontario. > [@](#): > > At a news conference, Mr. Wiersema noted the lack of a paper trail justifying project selection, adding he had never seen anything like that in his entire career as an auditor. > > “It’s very unusual and troubling,” he said. Both quotations are from [this article](http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/06/09/g8-g20-report-interim-auditor-general-blasts-clements-riding-upgrade/) in the National Post. Jim Flaherty is again taking credit for measures set in place under Paul Martin’s watch as Minister of Finance, measures which the Conservatives and Reform Party fought against. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/463 "2011-09-08T11:55:45Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > All of the funds were accounted for. There were no missing funds. No one has suggested that funds have not been accounted for. The issue is that he and his party should be held accountable for such self-serving waste. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/464 "2011-09-08T12:01:24Z")
They were. There was an election and the electorate decided to punish them by giving them a majority government.🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/465 "2011-09-08T13:00:01Z")
The election was before the Auditor-General’s report was published. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/466 "2011-09-08T13:37:50Z")
Really, it amounts to a lack of transparency on how the funds were to be spent, and ultimately how the funds were spent. But the fact of the matter is the funds were spent on infrastructure projects. I agree that it’s debatable whether or not these were infrastructure projects which contributed to the safety or the success of the G8 or G20 summits, but nonetheless every penny was accounted for. It’s disappointing to me that funds were thrown about to essentially help buy election votes in Mr. Clement’s riding, but it’s a minor scandal in the overall scheme of things. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/467 "2011-09-08T15:20:32Z")
“Minor scandal” - 50 million dollars, including a hundred-thousand dollar gazebo is _minor?_ The entire questionable spending and inquest of the Sponsorship scandal was under 20 million. This is the problem with politics: people treat it like sport. It’s one thing to blindly root for a hockey team regardless of their success or failures, but when it’s your government, it’s another thing altogether. Fuck the words “Conservative”, “NDP” or “Liberal”- this isn’t a game anyone’s trying to win. What Clement did - the spending in his riding - was wrong, regardless of what bloody “team” he’s on and I have very little respect for anyone who claims otherwise or who claims he shouldn’t be held accountable for it. It’s disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/468 "2011-09-08T15:38:31Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > “Minor scandal” - 50 million dollars, including a hundred-thousand dollar gazebo is _minor?_ The entire questionable spending and inquest of the Sponsorship scandal was under 20 million. > > This is the problem with politics: people treat it like sport. It’s one thing to blindly root for a hockey team regardless of their success or failures, but when it’s your government, it’s another thing altogether. Fuck the words “Conservative”, “NDP” or “Liberal”- this isn’t a game anyone’s trying to win. What Clement did - the spending in his riding - was wrong, regardless of what bloody “team” he’s on and I have very little respect for anyone who claims otherwise or who claims he shouldn’t be held accountable for it. It’s disgusting. The sponsorship scandal involved about [$100 million.](http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/groupaction/) Anyway, I said I was disappointed by the lack of transparency and the spending in general, but at least the funds actually were traceable to real projects. This is what makes it minor. You know, a lot of the spending went on things like water mains upgrades, road resurfacing, visitor kiosks, sidewalks, etc. Have a look [here](http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/06/09/pol-g8-fund-muskoka-tour.html). These were actual, real, verifiable projects that even created jobs and helped local communities. I don’t care what “team” did it; it’s minor in nature. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/469 "2011-09-08T16:40:02Z")
I was going by [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponsorship_scandal)to get the numbers: > [@](#): > > In the end the Commission concluded that $2 million was awarded in contracts without a proper bidding process, $250,000 was added to one contract price for no additional work, and $1.5 million was awarded for work that was never done, of which $1 million had to be repaid. The total cost of the Commission was $14 million.[1] It wasn’t, as I understand it, 100 million of misspent money, but rather spending that totalled 100 million that included some misspent money. And so, I consider both - the Clement riding money and the sponsorship money - to be on the same level. Per your own link, a lot of the money was spent in municipalities that had nothing to do with the G8 meeting, even had it actually been held in Huntsville (please tell me you picked up on the rather sarcastic tone of that article?). The money was from a _Border Security_ fund - please explain to me what the hell that has to do with flowerpots and gazebos? Even in paving roads in towns not involved in the intended summit? It was irresponsibly spent, regardless of what noble “helping real communities” spin Clement and his government try and put on it. It should not have happened, and should not be dismissed as minor. I’m all for increased spending on infrastructure - I live in Montreal for God’s sake, I see the need rather desperately - but not by funneling funds intended for other things into the hands of friends and neighbours. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/470 "2011-09-08T16:48:41Z")
Of course I picked up on the intended sacrasm; it’s a freakin’ CBC article! For the third time now, I will also state that I am disappointed in the spending. Not all of the money was irresponsibly spent though. As you could see, some of it was on real infrastructure and not all gazebos and flower pots. Jeesh, hockey season can’t start soon enough. We need more pressing issues to disagree on! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2011, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/471 "2011-09-09T02:59:00Z")
Just for shits and giggles, lets move to Huntsville and go on the dole. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/472 "2011-09-10T02:02:31Z")
No, it’s not minor. I’m completely with **mnemosyne** and the Auditor General on that one. Misappropriation of funds by a cabinet minister is a serious breach of the public trust. I expect more from the people who represent me. ‘Troubling’ is an extremely mild expression for how I feel about this. The lack of reaction of the electorate is as alarming as the breach of trust itself. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/473 "2011-09-10T02:14:05Z")
Le Ministre, I seem to have screwed up your post by accident. I hit the wrong button when I intended to reply, and edited your post instead. I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/474 "2011-09-10T02:45:21Z")
That’s too bad - it was one of the most articulate things I’ve ever said. 😃 I’ll see if I can re-do it in the morning; Lordy, I’m beat like an egg-sucking dog this evening… ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/475 "2011-09-10T04:58:59Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > It wasn’t, as I understand it, 100 million of misspent money, but rather spending that totalled 100 million that included some misspent money. And so, I consider both - the Clement riding money and the sponsorship money - to be on the same level. Really? On the same level? Under the 2004 section of the page you linked to (bolding mine): > [@](#): > > February 10 — Auditor General Sheila Fraser’s report **reveals up to $100 million** of the $250 million sponsorship program **was awarded to Liberal-friendly advertising firms and Crown corporations for little or no work.** ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/476 "2011-09-10T05:32:49Z")
And on the international news front, my little crew of paddlers popped down to Duluth/Superior for a race and did quite well: Dragons of Hope (Thunder Bay Breast Cancer Survivors) 2:23.19 Finished second in our Survivors/Supporters category Faster than the best Survivors’ time by 9.27 seconds (but not in the Survivors category) Fourth of all the Women’s times (but not in the Women’s category) Finished 48th in the entire field of 91 teams. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/477 "2011-09-10T05:57:02Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Let’s hope that does not happen. I’ve not had any problems (so far) with private supplementary insurers when I am covered; although that doesn’t mean that our insurers may have people employed to do as the American insurers do. That is, to deny claims. > > Regardless, my offer stands. Should you need information, I’m here via PM. I’ve had a portion of a claim denied. All of $10. I hope it cost SunLife more than $10 to inform me of this fact. ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/478 "2011-09-10T09:49:37Z")
So the Ontario provncial election is well underway, and the writ has officially dropped. One of my acquantaces (my brother’s sometimes girlfriend) is a candiate (in a different riding). And, once again I have a vote to cast and no good place to put it. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/479 "2011-09-10T11:57:11Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Lordy, I’m beat like an egg-sucking dog That reads like a line from a country and western song – you changing genres now? ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/480 "2011-09-10T14:54:18Z")
This arguing over ‘what the other party did being just as bad’ is a depressing dead end. It’s like being trapped listening to a fanatic car driver and a fanatic cyclist - > [@](#): > > Yeah? Well, you ride the wrong way down one way streets! > Oh, yeah? Well, you park in the bike lanes! > Yeah? Well, you ride through stop signs! > Yeah? Well, so do you! > Oh, yeah? Well, you ride on the sidewalk! > Yeah? So would you, if only you fit. ( **Le Ministre de l’au-delà** begins to wish he’d had the cabbage and bean burrito yesterday so he could fart them both out of the room.) It’s as tiresome as kids fighting in the back of the car, and if I were the one driving, they’d all be going home with an arse the colour of a maple leaf. Here’s the thing - the party that most closely represents my political values fucked up. The Sponsorship scandal was the results of unethical actions on the part of many party insiders. I admit that. Those unethical actions do not change my beliefs in the party’s core principles - those actions were a betrayal of the public trust and of what the party stands for. So here is where my rational and emotional sides are in conflict. Rationally, I think there is nothing to be gained by pursuing a course of mutual mud-slinging. The last election showed that Liberals like me have to beat the Conservatives on the issues. Emotionally, it feels as if my team is serving a 5 game suspension while the other team got 5 for fighting. Remember in '93, when Gretzky high-sticked Doug Gilmour and went on to score when he shouldn’t have even been on the ice? That’s what it feels like, and I remember those sour nights after when the LA Kings, boys sent to do a man’s job, skated like lambs to the slaughter as the hated Habs had their wicked way with them. The Leafs may not have taken the cup that year, but by all that’s hairy, it would have been a great series for both teams!!! Anyway, I’m not satisfied with the argument that the Conservatives are ‘no better than they should be’. I demand more from those who represent me. I also believe that until we all demand better, we’re not going to get it. That’s an expansion of what I was trying to say last night in the post that got partly erased. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059/481 "2011-09-10T15:08:15Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > That reads like a line from a country and western song – you changing genres now? There really isn’t that much difference between opera and country to begin with. Revenge, love, adultery… it’s all there. ‘Sola, perduta, abbandonata’ or ‘I’m so lonesome I could cry’, it’s pretty much the orchestration that sets them apart. 😃 I suppose I could have used my Glaswegian mum’s expression ‘I’m worn to a ravelling’ rather than my dad’s prairie parlance… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/582059.md?page=25)