Harper, Bernier and Julie

[Topaz]

The Public Safety committee wants answers about the documents and have asked Harper, Bernier and Julie to appear. The PMO has said no thanks, I've have nothing to add. Come on Harper, isn't that you'll have to swear to tell the truth and you just can't do that without hurting your government???? I say, IF he doesn't appear then Canadians should remember this at election time.

[AngusThermopyle]

Perhaps he should appear and talk about golf balls, or perhaps about how a proof is a proof.

[noahbody]

Harper should have made Bernier Ambassador to Denmark.

[madmax]

Harper should have made Bernier Ambassador to Denmark.

The Hells Angels has a strong presence in Denmark. Perhaps he should make Julie the Ambassador.

[Argus]

The Public Safety committee wants answers about the documents

Not really. They just want to smear the Tories.

I say, IF he doesn't appear then Canadians should remember this at election time.

Canadians don't even care now. They certainly won't care come election time.

[runningdog]

"Perhaps he should appear and talk about golf balls, or perhaps about how a proof is a proof."

"Harper should have made Bernier Ambassador to Denmark."

lol, BUT THE LIEberals, BUT THE LIEBERALS!!!"

[madmax]

Not really. They just want to smear the Tories.

You mean the government and those involved in the file, the misplacement of the file, and the controversial associations to Organized Crime?

Then yes. That is a good thing.

Canadians don't even care now. They certainly won't care come election time.

You could be right to make that assumption.

But Canadians will care, if it comes out that the Outlaw bikers were making inroads into government portfolios, and more so if it is shown that the government acted dismissively......

then all bets are off.

[Argus]

You mean the government and those involved in the file, the misplacement of the file, and the controversial associations to Organized Crime?

Then yes. That is a good thing.

This woman used to know some bikers from what I underestand. That doesn't exactly mean the Hells Angels were going through his laundry.

You could be right to make that assumption.

But Canadians will care, if it comes out that the Outlaw bikers were making inroads into government portfolios, and more so if it is shown that the government acted dismissively......

That won't turn out to be the case, and no one actually thinks it will. And anyway, what about Gagliano's much closer, personal association with organized crime figures? Where was the commmision to look into what he'd told his mafia friends about government business? You Liberals didn't seem too worried about security back then.

[jdobbin]

Perhaps he should make Julie the Ambassador.

I thought Tory candidate with an immediate cabinet appointment to Harper's government. The position of Foreign Affairs is now open.

[madmax]

This woman used to know some bikers from what I underestand.

She still knows them.

That doesn't exactly mean the Hells Angels were going through his laundry.

that's because the documents were left at her house.

That won't turn out to be the case, and no one actually thinks it will.

You have a crystal ball? You have a background in Biker Activity?

And who is No One?

Seems this little story, with something for everyone isn't going to die quietly quickly.

But, if you are correct, and there is nothing more then an incompetent Cabinet Minister to the story, then this will not affect the electoral possibilities of the CPC. But if they think they can judge the future based upon the past, then they better look at.... Mulroney and Chretian and determine if they want Harper viewed in the same vein or just Bernier. Do they want to look forthcoming and competent or defensive and in denial.

[madmax]

I thought Tory candidate with an immediate cabinet appointment to Harper's government. The position of Foreign Affairs is now open.

You don't have to be elected to become a Cabinet Minister in the Harper Government.

I would be curious to know if she has a conservative membership card. She claims she was asked to be a Candidate. But Harper could appoint her to the Senate and give her the position. The CPC government likes to be accountable. That's why they appointed the last CPC bagman in Quebec.

[madmax]

This woman used to know some bikers from what I underestand. That doesn't exactly mean the Hells Angels were going through his laundry.

That won't turn out to be the case, and no one actually thinks it will.

Just ignore this ......

Her past criminal associations cast a taint on former foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier, and now a provincial cabinet minister finds himself bespattered by controversy because of a company that once listed Julie Couillard as a vice-president.

According to the opposition Parti Québécois, a firm whose principals once included a former boyfriend of Couillard's won a $158,000 government contract last year to escort detainees from Quebec's jails to outside medical and dental appointments. IF YOU WERE WONDERING HOW THEY ACCESSED TO ALL THESE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS...

The problem is that Robert Pépin, Couillard's former flame and the key figure behind Agence d'investigation et de sécurité D.R.P., was a convicted felon who owed six-figure debts to a loan shark with direct ties to the Hells Angels and to a member of another well-known Montreal criminal gang.

Provincial public accounts show a contract was signed in 2006 hiring D.R.P. to ferry prisoners to and from clinics and hospitals. The contract expired in March 2007.

[Topaz]

There's now word that she dated a guy from the mafia. Its seems like the mafia has been connecting to the Feds through Mulroney, Chretein and now Harper's gov't. Still not worried Stevie??

[madmax]

There's now word that she dated a guy from the mafia. Its seems like the mafia has been connecting to the Feds through Mulroney, Chretein and now Harper's gov't. Still not worried Stevie??

I think we have come full circle. It is known that Organized Crime tries to infiltrate through all channels, including the police. Now seeing Biker and Mafia connections and a questionable "arrangement/business association" between a Cabinet Minister and a "Travelling Companion" with these ties, should make it clear that she needs to be investigated and the Government should reveal what it did and did not know about the

"arrangement".

[Shakeyhands]

I see the arrogance is showing itself again. Both Haprer and Bernier will refuse to appear?

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/435865

I'd think its in Harpers best interest to completely hang all of this on Bernier at this point. It would certainly play better.

[Argus]

I see the arrogance is showing itself again. Both Haprer and Bernier will refuse to appear?

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/435865

I'd think its in Harpers best interest to completely hang all of this on Bernier at this point. It would certainly play better.

Why? The only ones who care are people like you guys who'd sooner vote for Pol Pot than vote for a conservative.

[jdobbin]

Why? The only ones who care are people like you guys who'd sooner vote for Pol Pot than vote for a conservative.

The whole issue raises questions about Harper's competence. The fact that he appointed Bernier in the first place and then had no idea or cared little what a security threat the man was is rather alarming.

[madmax]

Why? The only ones who care are people like you guys who'd sooner vote for Pol Pot than vote for a conservative.

It is a no brainer that Bernier should appear.

If the government does not wish to choose to participate in a circus of their own making, then the investigation should be handed over to the RCMP.

[noahbody]

It is a no brainer that Bernier should appear.

If the government does not wish to choose to participate in a circus of their own making, then the investigation should be handed over to the RCMP.

I agree. Just hand it over to the RCMP.

[Topaz]

IF Julie appears and testifies and Harper and Bernier don`t than one has to conclude that everything she said will be the truth. IF its not the truth then WHY wouldn`t you appear and clear the untruths.

[Argus]

The whole issue raises questions about Harper's competence.

I suppose it's occured to you that as long as you're backing Stephan Dion people will only laugh at you questioning the competence of other leaders?

The fact that he appointed Bernier in the first place and then had no idea or cared little what a security threat the man was is rather alarming.

Would you like a list of the incompetent idiots the Liberals have had in their cabinets?

As for security, the lasting memory I have which most suits the Liberal Party's concerns over security issues was when they were being questioned in the house as to why Paul Martin attended a fund raising dinner for the Tamil Tigers terrorist group, and Martin mockingly replying something to the affect of how the Liberal Party, unlike the Alliance, respects ethnic groups and cultures - then him and Chretien guffawing and snickering and all-but high fiving each other at the opposition outrage.

[Argus]

I agree. Just hand it over to the RCMP.

The Liberals keep doing that, and the RCMP keep saying "Uh, there's nothing here."

[madmax]

I suppose it's occured to you that as long as you're backing Stephan Dion people will only laugh at you questioning the competence of other leaders?

Seems he is not the only one questioning Harpers Competence on the file.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news...ca-07a2e628dc38

Bernier affair raises doubts about Harper's competence

Canadians are asking why the PM appointed Bernier in the first place

The deeper and more enduring problem for Prime Minister Stephen Harper is that it raises questions about his own judgment, and the core attribute of the competence of his government.

In other words, you might not like Harper, but you probably think he's a pretty smart guy, smart enough to run the country.

As for competence, it's as important to the Conservative brand as compassion is to the Liberals.

Back when Allan Gregg was polling for Brian Mulroney, he used to say it didn't matter if the Tories were seen as heartless, as long as they were perceived as competent.

[madmax]

IF Julie appears and testifies and Harper and Bernier don`t than one has to conclude that everything she said will be the truth. IF its not the truth then WHY wouldn`t you appear and clear the untruths.

If Julie Appears, then the CPC would have to ask her tough questions which might lead to embarrassing answers. I could see the LPC/BQ asking soft questions which could lead to embarrassing answers.

I would not like to be Bernier under any circumstance. I have even read on newpapers blogs that he hired her as a "travelling Companion" to hide the fact that he was gay. News to me, I think this is where peoples imaginations run wild and stories take a life of their own.

[madmax]

The Liberals keep doing that, and the RCMP keep saying "Uh, there's nothing here."

OH?

CTV.ca News Staff

A Montreal newspaper says the RCMP recently visited with Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier to ask him about a photo that shows him shaking hands with a Montreal businessman who currently facing criminal charges.

Michael Chamas, 44, was arrested in March with 27 other people, after an operation targeting organized crime on three Mohawk reserves in Quebec and eastern Ontario.

is this is handing it over to the RCMP?

And the government ignored opposition calls for an RCMP investigation and parliamentary probe

Because this is how it looks...

Tories ignore calls for Bernier probe

By Bruce Cheadle And Jim Bronskill, THE CANADIAN PRESS

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tom Hanson

OTTAWA - The Conservative government has dropped a veil of secrecy over its mop-up operation in the wake of deposed foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier's career-stunting security breach.

Mop up operation .... Ouch!

I think Bernier could have got out of this mess early on, and the government wouldn't be worse for wear.

Everything would be cleaned up in a few months time or less with an RCMP investigation.

I prefer that over what will turn out to be a 3 ring circus.