Harper aid Package to Haiti $555Million

[madmax]

Jean's trip to Haiti comes at the request of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whose government has increased Canadian aid commitments for Haiti to $555 million

That is equal to 10% of Haiti's GDP.

[DrGreenthumb]

That is equal to 10% of Haiti's GDP.

Is this a recent development? Because if so it kind of has the smell of someone trying to bribe someone into not allowing any coalitions to overthrow him.

[Progressive Tory]

Is this a recent development? Because if so it kind of has the smell of someone trying to bribe someone into not allowing any coalitions to overthrow him.

It would certainly be suspect, even if that wasn't the intent. I like the Governor General very much, and rather doubt she would see it that way. However, many may see it differently. Haiti still benefits either way.

[Progressive Tory]

Here's the article. A worthwhile cause.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...0115?hub=Canada

[DrGreenthumb]

Here's the article. A worthwhile cause.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...0115?hub=Canada

I'm not saying it isn"t a good cause, I think we should have done something to help them sooner. The timing just seems a little fishy.

[Progressive Tory]

I'm not saying it isn"t a good cause, I think we should have done something to help them sooner. The timing just seems a little fishy.

I agree.

[Smallc]

I will choose to believe that this is for the good of the people of Haiti rather that for the good of Mr. Harper's political career. He is capable of kind and decent acts, after all.

[bytown]

the $555 million aid package was announced last february.

[Progressive Tory]

I will choose to believe that this is for the good of the people of Haiti rather that for the good of Mr. Harper's political career. He is capable of kind and decent acts, after all.

I only agreed that it could 'look fishy'. It's just the timing that's all. I'm currently reading Adrienne Clarkson's book and she discusses the role of the Governor General. This is one of them. Not political, just humanitarian. I'm proud of Canada.

[Brunopolis]

I'm not saying it isn"t a good cause, I think we should have done something to help them sooner. The timing just seems a little fishy.

More than just fishy. It is very clear that she cut a deal with Harper.

She is a Haitian/Canadian that at the very moment she saves the Harper government from falling manages to push through some of her "preferential" aid funding.

Seriously. I am from another nation(Uruguay to be exact) and I do have a soft spot for it and would really like Canada to help it economically. I can see the allure of trying to abuse the power to help the impoverished nation that houses your family and memories. Her goals may be noble but their are clear conflicts of interest at play here.

I never liked her being Governor General as I always thought the choice to be extremely PC. I had no qualms about her performance until recently. Now that I see her actions though I like here even less.

[Riverwind]

More than just fishy. It is very clear that she cut a deal with Harper.

Nothing fishy at all.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier highlighted $555 million in aid to Haiti on Friday, as he wrapped up a three-day visit to the impoverished Caribbean nation.

The funds, to be paid between 2006-2011, were earmarked to help build roads, police precincts and implement social and economic programs in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country, Bernier told reporters.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24620324.htm

Have you ever considered investigating inplausible claims before jumping conclusions?

Edited January 18, 2009 by Riverwind

[Mr.Canada]

I like how people are trying to slam Harper and the GG but support the people of Haiti, somehow. Laughable. Fear of being labeled PIC is downright hilarious. The people here are so partisan they'll slam Harper no matter what he does. LOL.

[Brunopolis]

Nothing fishy at all.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24620324.htm

Have you ever considered investigating inplausible claims before jumping conclusions?

So wait. Stephen Harper decided to finally send a huge aid package to Haiti at the moment of an economic crisis the second he gets back from a government. This government being SAVED solely and completely by our Haitian/Canadian Governor General. Not to mention if the government falls a second time she gets the power AGAIN to decide whether we have an election or 2 1/2 years of coalition government?

I may be jumping to conclusions but they are hardly "implausible" claims.

I'm just angered that we see so much power given to unelected people in particularly questionable circumstances. The United States and half of the world are more "Democratic" than Canada is.

[Riverwind]

So wait. Stephen Harper decided to finally send a huge aid package to Haiti at the moment of an economic crisis the second he gets back from a government.

The package was annouced last year. It is reannonced this year. Governments do that kind of thing all of the time. I suspect Haiti really needs the cash because of the financial crisis and it was likely lobbying the government and did not really care who was in charge. For some reason I doubt that you would be making these accusations if "Prime Minister Dion" followed through with the aid package.

This government being SAVED solely and completely by our Haitian/Canadian Governor General.

Proroging parliment was the only reasonable course of action at the time. The only people who disagree are a minority of hyper-partisans who are incapabile of seperating the well being of the country from their partisan postering. Her decision has since been validated by the he subsequent dumping of Dion and the collapse of the formal coalition. Edited January 21, 2009 by Riverwind

[Brunopolis]

The package was annouced last year. It is reannonced this year. Governments do that kind of thing all of the time. I suspect Haiti really needs the cash because of the financial crisis and it was likely lobbying the government and did not really care who was in charge. For some reason I doubt that you would be making these accusations if "Prime Minister Dion" followed through with the aid package.

Proroging parliment was the only reasonable course of action at the time. The only people who disagree are a minority of hyper-partisans who are incapabile of seperating the well being of the country from their partisan postering. Her decision has since been validated by the he subsequent dumping of Dion and the collapse of the formal coalition.

I would definitely complain if Dion got into power solely by the word of our Governor General. I would be even more upset if the first thing on the table for Dion was to re-instate this aid package.

I am not pro-Dion as I think he is a terrible leader. I also dislike the bloc Quebecois immensely(If you lived in the most language discriminatory city in the country, Ottawa, you'd probably think the same) so I'm against anything that puts more power in their hands.

I used to vote Liberal but I've changed to NDP recently.

Anyways. All I'm trying to say is that I don't care if our Governor General made the "correct" decision or not. All I care about is that we have an unelected government official who chose who gets to stay in power. The fact that shortly afterwords an aid package destined to her home nation gets announced by the benefiting party makes her seem suspect at best.

I want an election called. If a minority governing party doesn't have the confidence of the house then an election SHOULD be called.

[Smallc]

The fact that shortly afterwords an aid package destined to her home nation gets announced by the benefiting party makes her seem suspect at best.

It might seems suspicious....except it didn't happen. Also, the GG being elected would solve nothing...in fact...it may have made things worse.

[Guest icbones]

This is the reason that only people born in Canada should hold these kind of positions in government. Michaëlle Jean was in a position to change the political landscape of Canada not long ago and she was not even born here. Her seperatist past also makes her a poor candidate fot the post of GG. But this half billion dollar aid package to her birth country, in our tight economic times is proof that her priorities are to Haiti and not Canada.

[Smallc]

People. The package is one year old, she isn't a separatist, and limiting the top position within our country to people born here is just silly.

[g_bambino]

All I care about is that we have an unelected government official who chose who gets to stay in power. The fact that shortly afterwords an aid package destined to her home nation gets announced by the benefiting party makes her seem suspect at best.

I want an election called. If a minority governing party doesn't have the confidence of the house then an election SHOULD be called.

I would suspect that you're simply looking for any possible excuse to slam the Governor General, rationality and facts be damned. It's already been pointed out to you that the money was set aside before or in 2006, and state visits are not planned in a matter of days. Further, it remains unclear how having a politically partisan president in place of an apolitical viceroy would have made this particular situation any better.

Governing a nation is not about what you want. It's about maintaining stability and continuity, and if it takes avoiding a fourth election in as many years, and during the Christmas period, no less (when parliament would have been in recess anyway), then good on our unelected governor general for agreeing to do so. It was her prime minister who brought us to the brink of a constitutional crisis, and who dragged the Crown into the political arena (and lied to the populace about parliamentary procedure, no less); it's he who should be held responsible.

[Guest icbones]

People. The package is one year old, she isn't a separatist, and limiting the top position within our country to people born here is just silly.

1) I and many others did not hear about this package 1 year ago. I read it just recently.

2) You need to give a better reason for your position than " is just silly." That is a grade school kids response. My position is based on Michaëlle Jean's

lobbying of a half billion dollar grant to her birth country when politicians are telling every Canadian to tighten their belts.

Edited January 27, 2009 by icbones

[Smallc]

My position is based on Michaëlle Jean's lobbying of a half billion dollar grant to her birth country when politicians are telling every Canadian to tighten their belts.

Your position is also completely without reason. This package was given by the government, last year. The Prime Minister asked the Governor General to go and see the work that is being done and promote the aid being given by Canada.

Michaëlle Jean is just as Canadian as I am and is therefor qualified to be Governor General of Canada. You don't like it? Too bad.

Article from earlier in the thread written one year ago.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24620324.htm

In fact, it seems the package started to be paid out in 2006.

Edited January 27, 2009 by Smallc

[bush_cheney2004]

...Michaëlle Jean is just as Canadian as I am and is therefor qualified to be Governor General of Canada. You don't like it? Too bad.

OK....but I think she has a better chair than you (or PM Harper):

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2...250-6151151.jpg

Edited January 27, 2009 by bush_cheney2004

[Smallc]

OK....but I think she has a better chair than you (or PM Harper):

That's a throne....and it's where she's supposed to sit.

[Guest icbones]

I wish people like you would put your money where your mouth is. It is easy to say if I don't like it too bad. But if you, and everyone with the same attitude as you stood by your convictions then you should pay extra taxes to cover the .5 $billion grant. As far as my position being without reason, as I said, I heard nothing of this grant a year ago. I think most people would agree with me, I think politicians should be publicizing these foreign aid grants so people have time to voice their opinions to their MP's. If you think that is silly then too bad.

Your position is also completely without reason. This package was given by the government, last year. The Prime Minister asked the Governor General to go and see the work that is being done and promote the aid being given by Canada.

Michaëlle Jean is just as Canadian as I am and is therefor qualified to be Governor General of Canada. You don't like it? Too bad.

Article from earlier in the thread written one year ago.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24620324.htm

In fact, it seems the package started to be paid out in 2006.

[Smallc]

As far as my position being without reason, as I said, I heard nothing of this grant a year ago.

Well, it was in the news. Its not really anyone elses fault but your own that you didn't hear about it. The people in Haiti are far less fortunate than any of us. I have no problem giving them a hand.