Spiderfish

I have seen empirical evidence that would support the hypothesis of global warming being caused by humans. I have also seen evidence supporting alternate hypotheses, such as solar cycles. I have seen recent evidence that the climate is actually cooling. I have not seen irrefutable conclusive evidence supporting any single position. It seems to have apparently become a moving target. Anthropogenic global warming has now become climate change, as it has become evident that the global temperature is not as easy to define as once thought, and what is "normal" earth climate is somewhat arbitrary, due to the fact that the earth's climate has always fluctuated. Some areas of the planet appear to be cooling, and some would argue that this, too is linked to human influence. As the data and quantitative evidence changes, it seems the supporting science and qualitative observation seems to change as well. I'm not a climate scientist so I don't support one theory over another. I can't (and wouldn't) deny the possibility that humans play some part in the equation. But some out there seem to be willing to buy into the theory that humans are the main, or even the only influence on global temperatures. I think this extreme viewpoint is counter-productive, and actually damages their cause.

Why do you think humans could cause it?

Yeah, I saw that. What was interesting to me was that all 5 Trudeau supporters couldn't define the reason for their support without bringing up his father.

My service provider offers OWN in their basic cable lineup. they also offer CBC, CTV, and Global. What they don't offer is Sun News. Perhaps their viewership statistic might be better if it was offered to everyone. The arguement isn't about it being blocked, it's about people having access to it that is equivelant to other Canadian news providers. If it isn't offered in a comparable manner to the others, it's not really possible to objectively compare viewership with the others.

Yeah, I thought when he stated "I am being peaceful, I'm a peaceful person" he must be spoiling for a fight. And that handshake he gave the chief was particularly menacing. I'm not sure what you've based your assumptions on, other than he doesn't support their movement so somehow he must be ignorant of the situation.

That's what I have been arguing! Competent Project Management/Program Management would solve 99% of this problem, at least on the housing and reserve infrastructure projects. Hire an independent PM to oversee projects and it would go a long way. Many firms and portfolio managers hire independents, it's not uncommon. The problem is, the band does not want to do this, because it brings accountability and transparency into the process and takes away control. This goes back to that cooperation thing we talked about earlier.

Not just receipts. there has to be justification for progress payments. You don't pay out 80 % of the funding for a project if only 30% of the project is complete. There has to be an accounting for labour and material including breakdowns, confirmation of progress to date and progress forecasting, change orders and directives, etc. All of this has to be supported with documentation. the reserve has been given free reign up till now. The government wants responsible project management moving forward including ethical and competent documentation and process management...I don't think that's asking too much.

Try and keep up. I believe he is the closest thing to Project Manager the reserve has. He is now working under the 3rd party manager, but still in charge of projects. I called for an independent PM, someone to take over the projects from Mr. Kennedy, not just oversee funding. He is obviously a big part of the problem here, Vendor and sponsor management is part of project management, but is still a process, just like all other types of processes in project management. As such, the PM is responsible for maintaining the required inputs, control the process, and produce the outputs for each process. the project is funded at the outset, however the problem here is not the funding, the money is there. The problem is managing the funding, and supporting the funding with the required documentation. No supporting documentation, no further progress funding. That's why the houses that were under construction sat unfinished for 2 years. And that needs to change.

You keep bringing up theft, I never once accused anyone of theft. I am in agreement that this likely has mainly to do with mismanagement. I believe his name is Clayton Kennedy. I may be mistaken, but I was under the impression that the 3rd party manager was overseeing and controlling funding from the vendor. The actual management was still being controlled by the PM Vendor funding is a process that has inputs and outputs, just like all processes within project management. If the inputs are not achieved, the process fails. Why funding has been allowed under the current structure without the required inputs is a mystery to me, and falls outside of normal project management procedures. Regardless, I don't think a defense would stand up in court. It's not about starting a fight, it's about providing required inputs to support the process.

Not necessarily, we don't really know what they know or what they don't. We know that there is no record or the records are deficient. Any competent PM knows that if it's not written down, it might as well not exist. Documentation is everything, what you can confirm and verify is everything. What you 'know' has zero value if you can't back it up. As for what should be done now, I think it's obvious that the current Project Manager is completely incompetent. Get rid of him. Forget third party management, bring in an independent PM, it's the only way to ensure that things will be managed properly. It's either that or refuse funding to any projects that don't have proper supporting documents. The council is not going to like either of these options, but we tried it their way...it didn't work.

I piled on to nothing. If you want to get petty and silly, I retracted the statement which was not even directly related to Ms. Spence, but to how the government deals generally with proceeds to gambling in the States. I don't even know why I'm entertaining this garbage. Normally, while I don't always agree with your stance, I usually appreciate our interactions. Your position is usually well thought out, not self-supporting, or petty....usually.

I never said she denied them access to the books. Supporting documents were absent or deficient on 81% of the files. She may or may not have had anything to do with that, I don't know. It doesn't matter anyhow, the documentation does not exist. If I was being audited and most of my documentation was absent, I believe I would be asking the auditor how we can find solutions together to try and sort it out. All I am hearing from her is denial, excuses, and "this audit is nothing more than a distraction from the real issues of treaty rights". My observation is that that attitude is not helpful to the situation. Do you not agree?

Since you're in the reading mood, maybe go back through this thread and review where I accused anyone of theft without evidence. Mismanagement, I agree with, lack of accountability, I agree with. Talk about accusing people without evidence.

I feel I have been very careful with my criticism of the situation. Which criticism do you feel was out of line?

I believe gambling profits attained in the US are tax free...uh, wait...never mind.

What lack of cooperation? Really? http://www.theglobea...article6995751/ Doesn't sound real cooperative to me.

Of course I feel there should be personal responsibility, good accounting practices, and ethical choices. But we'll never get there with the current attitude. I think the government is trying to do the right thing but is hitting a brick wall when it comes to accountability. We can demand better accountability all we want, but nothing will change until we address the issue that FN can not be held to a different standard. But that's not the case, and here we are.

She didn't go on a diet to protest the lack of cooperation with the auditor. What about the stock room full of aid and supplies, space heaters, smoke detectors, etc. that was sent to them that didn't get handed out? What about the half dozen brand new homes that are sitting vacant while the people next door freeze? Who are we going to blame for that? Change has to come from within, and with her in charge resisting all forms of change, the people on that reserve have no chance to make things better.

By FN leaders and sympathetic parties. I heard a radio interview the other day with Pamela Palmater, a law professor at Ryerson University, and a member of a New Brunswick First Nations band who ran for the leadership of the Assembly of First Nations who basically used those exact words. I wouldn't hold your breath... Unfortunately, the current Project Manager is apparently sleeping with the boss, his job appears pretty secure.

Irrelevant...she has been anything but cooperative in getting to the bottom of the problem. Regardless of what period this covers and who was in charge, she has only contributed to the negligence and offered nothing in the way of help.

You can't attach conditions though, as soon as you do your accused of colonialism and repressing FN people and branded a racist. I've even seen people throw around the word genocide recently...ridiculous. Native leaders are even saying that keeping records of spending goes against their ways as a people and is a form of control against them. They want their funding with no strings attached and no questions asked; anything less is unacceptable to them.

That sums it up pretty well. I really hope you're right, this is a problem that costs billions with little effect to many FN people. It would be great to see the government exposing the problem and start moving toward a solution for the benefit of all. I am not quite as optimistic however.

Maybe not, but I can only imagine the repercussions. I don't find it any more acceptable than you. There is no easy solution, ultimately, I feel it's going to take compromise with toes on both sides getting stepped on.

But they weren't. Sorry Ms. Spence, we will no longer allow funding to your reserve until you produce the paperwork. somehow I don't think that would go over well...

Who knows, maybe there's more than one rational mind out there making decisions in the interest of public privacy rights. Have to wait and see, I guess...