Jaffer boasted to businesses: I can get government money easily

[scribblet]

Attempts to vilify the CPC are falling short, your problem is with the Ontario gov't, the CPC had nothing to do with this.

Jaffer actually lost the nomination the last time around and couldn't even run, the party stopped him as soon as they got wind of his reported activities. By last fall, when it was reported that promises were being made, Jaffer wouldn’t have been able to deliver a flower arrangement to 24 Sussex Drive without having it rejected as politically toxic.

The article is actually kind of bizarre even for the Star. I would be interested in finding out the identity of the anonymous source who used the term "busty hookers" (did Mr. Donovan meet with them). Maybe next time Kevin Donovan can find some even more imaginative anonymous sources, using even bolder and more entertaining language, but until then we are left wondering why any credible reporter and even the Star would report on something using enquirer like tactics.

Gov't grant projects are set up in such a way so that some people can take advantaage to line their pockets with government money. Maybe the bigger scandal is why successive governments continue to fund such B.S.environmental/business projects. It has always been so.

“The accusation that the Prime Minister’s Office has opened doors for Mr. Jaffer or his associates is false. It is also absurd.”

That much is undoubtedly true.

[Dave_ON]

Jaffer was not sanctioned by his party, to suggest that is nothing but partisan crappola. The CPC have nothing to do with his actions, try as some might, it ain't working.

My question is then, why the stoic silence from the "tough on crime" CPC? Let's face it regardless of whether or not the CPC is directly involved or not, they are tied to it via his charming wife; yet nothing from the CPC. I would expect they would use this opportunity to prove how committed they are to their "tough on crime" stance especially give their stance on drug related crimes. What better chance to prove how very sainted they are than to castigate one of their own former MP's. This would be perfect ammo for them to make their point. A drug addict, alcoholic, endangering the public got off with a slap on the wrist. See how "liberal" the laws in Canada are? Support the CPC and we'll change that. Alas this golden high profile opportunity just slipped through their fingers.

[Shakeyhands]

“The accusation that the Prime Minister’s Office has opened doors for Mr. Jaffer or his associates is false. It is also absurd.”

That much is undoubtedly true.

I sure hope you are right, how can you be sure? it's not like they have stuck by many of their Accountability promises

[Molly]

Yep. I don't see how anyone could credibly believe that he had any solid sort of influence in the PMO. Some social connections certainly, so government doors might be a bit more open to him than Joe Citizen, but to me at least, he comes off as wa-ay too lightweight for anyone who matters to want to invest in him.

The great embarrassment for the Conservatives should truly be that they ever had anything to do with him. (I find it hilarious that he was only asked to remove the CPC logo from his website yesterday. Talk about milking it, and his ex-MP status for all they were worth!)

This is a connection of which I was unaware, too:

http://www.bloggingcanadians.ca/LiberalBlogs/rahim-jaffers-better-half/

[scribblet]

I sure hope you are right, how can you be sure? it's not like they have stuck by many of their Accountability promises

I'm 100% sure..

I don't see how Harper could intervene or say anything about an Ontario legal case, if he did he would be stepping on toes big time and would be unusual wouldn't it? I think they are doing the right thing by not getting involved. If Jaffer's defamation suite against the Star comes about, we may see more about the deal then.

Personally, I think there are far more important issues to deal with then Jaffer's (and his wife's) personal lives.

[wyly]

I'm 100% sure..

I don't see how Harper could intervene or say anything about an Ontario legal case, if he did he would be stepping on toes big time and would be unusual wouldn't it? I think they are doing the right thing by not getting involved. If Jaffer's defamation suite against the Star comes about, we may see more about the deal then.

Personally, I think there are far more important issues to deal with then Jaffer's (and his wife's) personal lives.

a former MP who walks away from a cocaine rap? his wife a cabinet minister walks away from an airport disruption, do you think you or I would get away with that...

so we have a cocaine abuser claiming he has influence with the government and he does, he's married to a cabinet minister...that's more than personal issues...

[Shakeyhands]

I'm 100% sure..

I don't see how Harper could intervene or say anything about an Ontario legal case, if he did he would be stepping on toes big time and would be unusual wouldn't it? I think they are doing the right thing by not getting involved. If Jaffer's defamation suite against the Star comes about, we may see more about the deal then.

Personally, I think there are far more important issues to deal with then Jaffer's (and his wife's) personal lives.

Sorry, I was actually refering to his connections in Ottawa as pertains to his own business dealings.

as for the court case, I'm pretty sure the Crown knows what side the butter is on.

[ToadBrother]

a former MP who walks away from a cocaine rap? his wife a cabinet minister walks away from an airport disruption, do you think you or I would get away with that...

so we have a cocaine abuser claiming he has influence with the government and he does, he's married to a cabinet minister...that's more than personal issues...

This is Canada. I knew a guy who had no connections to anything who got a rap on the knuckles for a cocaine possession rap. It takes a lot, usually frequent reoffenses, to see anyone land in jail.

Still, there's no doubt the "old boys" network (now, new and improved with XX chromosones too!) takes care of its own. I remember years ago an upstanding businessman in my town got nailed with a DUI rap. His lawyer, a very well respected man, and the Crown Prosecutor nibbled it down to some sort of negligent driving charge with something like a $1500 fine, he got his license back, and the real kicker was that when his name was published in the paper, it was his never-used first name, because the publisher of the newspaper was a good friend, so that few people ever knew it was him. If that had been me, it would have been a fine, a year's suspension and all the other fun stuff.

The aristocrats, old and new, take care of themselves, believe me.

[capricorn]

CTV is reporting Harper will have a press conference at 12.45 to announce Guergis is gone. Whether she resigned or got dumped is not yet known.

It's about time.

[ToadBrother]

CTV is reporting Harper will have a press conference at 12.45 to announce Guergis is gone. Whether she resigned or got dumped is not yet known.

It's about time.

These sorts of things always put a leader in a tough spot. On the one hand, it's understood that a leader is supposed to support their MPs, and in particular ministers, and basically booting someone out the door without hesitation can lead to calls of callousness and lack of confidence. Leaders usually hope, particularly with Ministers, that the Minister will do the right thing for the party and for the government, but every once in a while you get some jackass who thinks they can weather the storm, and make everyone's lives difficult, as Geurgis seems to be one of these kinds of people; self-righteous, sense of entitlement and arrogance. She should have resigned a couple of weeks ago at least.

[Dave_ON]

Leaders usually hope, particularly with Ministers, that the Minister will do the right thing for the party and for the government, but every once in a while you get some jackass who thinks they can weather the storm, and make everyone's lives difficult, as Geurgis seems to be one of these kinds of people; self-righteous, sense of entitlement and arrogance. She should have resigned a couple of weeks ago at least.

My guess is she'll resign under the firm advice of Mr. Harper. A resignation is always preferable as it leaves the leader "blameless" as it were, like you said however, this should have happened weeks ago as it would have saved the CPC bad press.

Edited April 9, 2010 by Dave_ON

[ToadBrother]

Personally I think Jaffer should be hung out to dry. Not because he is a conservative,,,,but as an object lesson to all former and current MPs of any party, that influence peddling is verboten.

Well, she's resigned: http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/04/09/guergis-leaving-cabinet.html

Talk about leaving it to the last possible second. I have a feeling she didn't leap from the balcony, but was pushed.

PS. Crikes! Even more goodies:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100409/guergis_update_100409/20100409?hub=TopStoriesV2

I think anyone claiming the Tories have been scandal free can now officially put that flag back in the closet. Not only is she out, she's been booted out of caucus.

PPS. And speaking of a lack of talent in the Tory caucus, it's Rona Ambrose who is taking over her portfolio. I almost feel sorry for Harper.

Edited April 9, 2010 by ToadBrother

[Wild Bill]

I think anyone claiming the Tories have been scandal free can now officially put that flag back in the closet. Not only is she out, she's been booted out of caucus.

Good riddance! Yes, I agree that now the Tories have been "blooded", TB.

Still, at least Harper got rid of her! I still remember one election when Reform found out that one of their candidates had a hidden racist past. Even though the writ had already been dropped, they dumped him. There was no time to come up with another candidate but they didn't care. They would rather have no candidate than stick with him!

Meanwhile, another riding had a new Liberal candidate who also had some scandal come out at the same time. The Liberals kept him! They excused themselves by saying "What can we do? There's no time to get a replacement!"

It goes to character, as far as I'm concerned.

[Dave_ON]

Oh interestingly enough Mr. Harper has asked Guergis to sit outside of the Tory Caucus.

http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/04/09/guergis-leaving-cabinet.html

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has asked Helena Guergis to sit outside the Conservative caucus in the House of Commons while "serious" allegations over her conduct are investigated by the ethics and conflict of interest commissioners and the RCMP.

This voluntary resignation is looking decidedly less voluntary all the time.

[ToadBrother]

Good riddance! Yes, I agree that now the Tories have been "blooded", TB.

Still, at least Harper got rid of her! I still remember one election when Reform found out that one of their candidates had a hidden racist past. Even though the writ had already been dropped, they dumped him. There was no time to come up with another candidate but they didn't care. They would rather have no candidate than stick with him!

Oh come on, there were plenty of gaff-prone Reformers. Randy White comes to mind as being one of the worst, and yet because he was held in such high esteem by some members of the Reform caucus, he was allowed to stay on long enough to really screw things up.

Meanwhile, another riding had a new Liberal candidate who also had some scandal come out at the same time. The Liberals kept him! They excused themselves by saying "What can we do? There's no time to get a replacement!"

It goes to character, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not sure which one that would be. I know that both Reform/Tories and the Liberals have had a few winners out there, which is why the inevitable creep of influence over riding associations by the party leadership, and it's also why in the last couple of elections Tory candidates, in particular new ones, were instructed to keep their mouths shut.

[Wild Bill]

Oh come on, there were plenty of gaff-prone Reformers. Randy White comes to mind as being one of the worst, and yet because he was held in such high esteem by some members of the Reform caucus, he was allowed to stay on long enough to really screw things up.

No argument! Still, there is a world of difference between a Randy White being a bit of a goof and being an out and out racist!

If we chucked out those MPs that are only a bit goofy we'd have few left!

[Argus]

Good riddance! Yes, I agree that now the Tories have been "blooded", TB.

It's funny, but when we talk about murderers and terrorists, the Left is always quick to point out that they haven't been convicted yet. Guergis hasn't even been charged yet. With ANYTHING.

This feels too much like a feeding frenzy, like the jackals that hang around a herd waiting for one or more to wander away so they can all attack and feast on them. How many newspapers have conducted detailed inquiries into other MPs and ex-MPs lately? How many of their former business associates have been questioned, how many have had their mortages or other businesses looked into and the slightest suspicion splashed across the front page with breathless headlines?

I don't know what Harper is talking about with these "new allegations" only that all the old ones are speculative and so far we haven't actually seen a single shred of evidence saying she did anything wrong. Maybe she has done some things illegal with her finances, I don't know. I only know I haven't yet seen anything which shows or even suggests she has. It all feels very greasy on both sides.

Watching Ignatief gloating and almost stroking his fingers together like the Grinch contemplating the end of Christmas, and continuing to jam the knife into Guergis, demanding all the details of anything the RCMP are looking at before they look at it is somewhat repulsive, as well. The man comes off as ... slimy.

[madmax]

Jaffer is not the Conservative Party. He is a loud mouth now who thinks he can bamboozel by saying things to impress business aquaintenances. He is separate from the government of the day.This kid has gone off the rails. But it is only him,not the government.

Helena was part of the government when this went down.

[madmax]

Personally, I think there are far more important issues to deal with then Jaffer's (and his wife's) personal lives.

Seems you are going to be eating this comment.

[madmax]

CTV is reporting Harper will have a press conference at 12.45 to announce Guergis is gone. Whether she resigned or got dumped is not yet known.

It's about time.

I guess the difference of posts in this thread is that this post is realistic and follows the flow of what was developing and likely to develop regardless of political deflections.

What is surprising is how quick this has happened.

I think its pretty fast response and should be commended even if it was soley for damage control.

[madmax]

It's funny, but when we talk about murderers and terrorists, the Left is always quick to point out that they haven't been convicted yet. Guergis hasn't even been charged yet. With ANYTHING.

.... tell it to the Prime Minister. He kicked her out of the party.

[Argus]

.... tell it to the Prime Minister. He kicked her out of the party.

Well there is no doubt she had become a political liability, and that her husband's antics reflected badly on her the first time and even worse the second time around.

Combined with the press feeding frenzy blasting headlines about what seem fairly innocuous incidents involving election expenses and mortgages left him little choice.

But that doesn't mean she has actually broken any laws.

[jbg]

Conservatives, Influence peddling, escorts and cocaine... oh my.

Liberals had Gagliano, Sgro, Chretien and many more. Do I hear "Sponsorship"? The NDP had Svend Robinson. People like you gave Harper grief over Schrieber, when Mulroney wasn't even in the same party as Harper.

Do I smell a bit of hypocrisy perhaps?

[madmax]

Liberals had Gagliano, Sgro, Chretien and many more. Do I hear "Sponsorship"? The NDP had Svend Robinson. People like you gave Harper grief over Schrieber, when Mulroney wasn't even in the same party as Harper.

Do I smell a bit of hypocrisy perhaps?

I smell hypocrisy everytime a Conservative is in hot water.

[bloodyminded]

Good riddance! Yes, I agree that now the Tories have been "blooded", TB.

Still, at least Harper got rid of her! I still remember one election when Reform found out that one of their candidates had a hidden racist past. Even though the writ had already been dropped, they dumped him. There was no time to come up with another candidate but they didn't care. They would rather have no candidate than stick with him!

Meanwhile, another riding had a new Liberal candidate who also had some scandal come out at the same time. The Liberals kept him! They excused themselves by saying "What can we do? There's no time to get a replacement!"

It goes to character, as far as I'm concerned.

I doubt Reform was acting on some high principle. It's political expediency, as measured by concern over public image.

Zero is preferable to a negative.