madmax

There are multiple failures on his part and the government. It could have been put to rest immediately, if Bernier had done the right thing. He made a HUGE error in taking the documents to her home. If these were security contracts for private contractors involved in NATO activities, then we may speculate on why these documents were at her home. However, if he is just a stupid idiot and a dupe, then he doubled his error, but not going back for the documents. He says they "weren't talking", which is ..... well, a good enough reason to leave classified information at your girlfriends (sometime spouse, sometime travelling companion) house and not bother to retrieve it. This guy is a fool. She states he called her up when the media publicity broke, saying it would pass over. So if he could call her about the media storm, I am certain he could have went there and picked up the documents himself, without having to be exposed as an incompetent doofus thinking with the wrong anatomy. Of course he shouldn't have taken them their, in fact, why would he take documents into her home? Unless he wanted her to see them. It would appear that these were security breaches by people who know about security. And people with government and people with ties to Outlaw bikers and associates looking for ways to increase their business and security details. I think, the media is just scrapping the surface of the iceberg. This could be better then any James Bond Novel.

Can I substantiate this? Are you kidding? The information is coming from the media reports, and from her live interview. This thing gets stranger with each passing day. I like the James Bond reference. Maybe this is what you are seeking. http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/stor...9122af6&p=2 And And of course the suicides.... Can I substantiate any of this? Why, the federal government isn't interested. Don't worry be happy.

And the number of Conservative labourers and Salaried staff who earned their paychecks in these facilities, union and non union plants alike, all supported the practice. Especially with regards to summer employment. Those practices have faded into the past with the rapid growth of temp services providing long term full time employment with lower wages and no benefits. Once this happens in the full time environment, the prospect of hiring a summer worker earning 75% of the regular wage becomes a moot point. You are correct in that no political party questions the practice.

The government doesn't have to renew the application which is due in a few days, if I read the article correctly. The health centre has a permit which expires. The government needs to get out more. Giving out drugs isn't going to stop drug addiction. But the centre is preventing the spreading of diseases. The fact that addicts could hold it together long enough to get to a facility and a clean fix, surprises me. There is nothing more damaging to a community then finding dirty needles in schoolyards, and sidewalks tossed aside by addicts. Sometimes reclaimed and used again. However, nobody must be fooled by the political spin that this prevents drug use. That in itself is a difficult endeavour to get addicts free of their vice. But that isn't what the government is fighting for or against. This isn't about the addicts or the community. It is about what the government thinks it should be doing.

that shouldn't get one banned. Bernier has Resigned. Do you think he should still be the Cabinet Minister? Do you think he shouldn't have resigned?

He is a weak CPC representative. Certainly not Cabinet Material. I didn't know there was vote splitting in the riding (infact, that shows him as being even more ineffectual). In Helenas riding their is no vote splitting in a Province that has been heavily dominated by Liberals during the last 15 years, and she CRUSHED her Liberal Opponent. He is holding the riding on 2 factors. The incumbent effect is marginal, compared to the Party effect. He is the weak link, just like he would be the weak link in a Cabinet Position. I wouldn't want him replacing the disgraced Bernier. Don't switch one weakness for another. Why would we want one embarrassment replaced by another?

Splitting Hairs?

I hear yah! This finger pointing of Nepotism, is absurd. I have worked in companies where nepotism was a plague. I have also worked in companies were it was beneficial. Depends on the person hired, their work ethic and ability to do the job. I believe the rule not have MPs hire Relatives directly , is a good one, in that many people will judge that "Relative X, got the job because of his DAD, HUSBAND, WIFE, MOTHER, and person X isn't qualified to do the work." However, if the relative is hired by another Member of Parliment, and the person who benefited from the Nepotism isn't working out, it is very likely that they will be let go, without judgement. If they are working out, they will be kept without judgement. Connections and networking is how people get jobs. Being Politically connected is how people get jobs, work etc. It is why its called Politics. Do I think the CPC is skirting the rules? Sure. But then can any other party do the same? As for Hells Angels. Many in Hells Angels/Outlaw bikers have had military and mercenary backgrounds. They have interests and networking is just another way to expand their influence. I find it very interesting how weak the government is behaving.

Are suggesting that no government has ever pulled a cabinet position from an MP. MPs have been turfed out of the party for lessor infractions. As for Resignations.... Lets compare to Recent CPC Cabinet Resignations. 1) Michael Chong who resigned over Harpers Pandering to Quebec, and Quebec Nationalism. 2) Maxine Bernier who resigns because of his own incompetence. This isn't about splitting hairs, as much as it is about, how quickly the CPC could act to terminate a "STAFFER" who has made an error that embarrassed the CPC, vs not moving to act upon an Incompetent Minister with very bad judgement. It wasn't until his "Travelling Companion" decided to go public, that any action occurred. You may call it splitting hairs. I still view it as ironic.

Neither does the CPC. But they do.

I don't know what most people think in the General Public. What do most MPs think or MPs in the CPC think about this. I don't know if John Baird Feels the Same way about it as other MPs from other parties. I don't know if Stephen Harper feels the Same way, since he is our Prime Minister. I don't know if Jim Flaherty feels the same way I don't know if Dion, or Layton feel the same way. What do they think? I wonder.

There is plenty of Hydro Electric Capacity in Northern Ontario, that does not use coal, and is not on the grid to Southern Ontario. On top of that it costs 1kilowatt cent to generate IIRC but charge 6.95kw. Really, what I see, is people using electricity and all modern conviences including the computer, to bitch whine and complain, that the only way to stop himself from using these devices, is with a tax. This is presented as such an "easy" solution, that it appears to be no solution at all. I am waiting to see what occurs in Northern BC compared to Northern Quebec.

I guess the planet is doomed then. If that is the only solution that can be presented.

Given that: The Government did not "FIRE", and thus Terminate Berniers Cabinet position for gross incompetence. Far more Ironic, and Far Less Mature, considering how quickly they acted to terminate a staffer.

I stand corrected. Initially I thought the with the shift of the Federal Liberals following the BC lead, that the Ontario Liberals were ready to follow suit. Apparently this is not so, but the Ontario Liberals are interested in the position of the Quebec Liberals. http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/431833

Quibbling about a word? Bernier has stepped down. The contact with OUTLAW bikers and the questions raised about Bugs being planted need to be addressed.

Margins this small in Alberta are Nailbiters. 5% certainly qualifies as a Nailbiter under any circumstances. Look at Guergis in ONTARIO between the two elections. She won by 100 Votes in a NAILBITER in 2004. She won by over 12,000 votes in 2006, 19%, over her nearest competitor. His electoral success is because of the Party strength. Feel free to defend Jaffer and his electoral successes to your hearts content. His is a long standing MP. Didn't he have someone impersonate him? Now Bernier is a different story. The Bernier Name is stronger then the CPC name in his riding. But Bernier and Jaffer deserve seats beside one another on the back bench.

Prentice belongs in Indian Affairs instead of the Invisible one currently in hiding. Send that message to Mr. Invisible MP. If Finley can't get his attention, then give him a seat beside Bernier. But, since you mention that Guergis needs a Cabinet Position, give her Indian Affairs. At least I know she has not goatee, even if she hides from the problems in Haldimand/Norfolk/Brant/Deseronto. Right..... Get him a smoking Jacket...... And a bib

The horror, The Horror Reminds me of "Gangs of New York" when the corrupt Mayor targets the Irish immigrant Vote.

Slow news day?

Not a great day for the fired employee either. Hardly a yawn for that person. Perhaps this isn't news for you. I think it is petty, which is why it seems to have attracted the dark humour in the thread. You should be happy the isn't a new fire to put out. The last fire was smouldering for weeks before it became the hot topic.

Is that the guy that uses impersonators to represent him? Boy, I could just imagine the trouble he would get into if he held a cabinet portfolio. Hardly fit to be an MP let alone a minister. The only difference between Jaffer and Bernier, is that Bernier will likely be able to hold his seat under any circumstance, and Jaffer faces nailbiters each election. This isn't about just the competency of Bernier and his "geographical" region. This came about because of the inexperienced administration that pretends to do things differently, not reading the situation correctly, not seeing the RED FLAGS being waved in their faces, and then allowing the opposition and then the media to carry the story and develop it, only to discover that they haven't got the spin to hide the grossly incompetent minister, or the spin to , create her persona as a marginalized woman from the trailer park. She appears to be a mover and shaker with connections, connections to the CPC.

Apparently she is taking her SEVERANCE TICKET and going to the flick with some guy named Bernier. Sorry Guyser.

Those are observations I tend to concurr with. Of course, sometimes it is claimed she wasn't his girlfriend at the time of him leaving behind the documents. I wonder why he didn't go back and get them. Maybe they had a tiff, or there was a price. Maybe she did feel he was a Rich incompetent duffus and had had enough of his arrogance. But on the surface, it does appear that she was more responsible then Bernier. She even contacted legal advice on how to return the document. She appears like a pro......

I agree. It is tabloid fodder across the globe. Which we knew it was going to be. If they had dealt with the situation immediately, alot of this other stuff, like Bernier leaving behind the brief in the home of a travelling companion. would never have been known. She is an interesting person. Not the Trailer Trash as alluded to. Long history of connections to the underworld and outlaw bikers. Last boyfriend, tied to the Outlaw bikers, OWNS a SECURITY COMPANY, seeking contracts with Airports. She claims that her ALARM system was bypassed and her home BUGGED. BY WHOM? CSIS< RCMP or HELLS ANGELS? All with capabilities of doing such an activity. She came out confident on the interview. She was careful and guarded in her wording. She is a realestate salesperson who claims she can no longer sell homes, because of the publicity. I would think she could sell alot of homes. I just wouldn't take her advice on whose alarm system to install. She has done well. Meetings with George Bush, Stephen Harper etc. She actually appears more competent then Bernier and she is sticking it to him about the document. Was this BLACKMAIL? More questions then answers. I don't think this is over yet, because of her background. The background many posters here were defending, as irrellavent and not anyones business.