Argus Posted October 1, 2011 Report Posted October 1, 2011 What I can't figure out is why even bother. You expend so much political capital on trivial things, it's not even worth it to do them in the first place. I don't think he intended to expend political capital. He just ordered some nice business cards. The people at foreign affairs who are probably unhappy with their new minister and cutbacks then leaked it, and the opposition, who apparently have nothing better to do, then tried to make a big deal about it. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
Argus Posted October 1, 2011 Report Posted October 1, 2011 Removing French from the cards is completely unacceptable, as our federal government is required to offer bilingual services. But he's not bilingual. Generally speaking, you shouldn't have bilingual signs if you can't speak in both language. Also, removing Canada from his business cards is complete nonsense.He didn't. He's not representing simply his constituency, but all of Canada. Finally, dropping Pearson's name off the building.. He didn't remove the name from the building, he removed the building name from the official address. In fact, it's normal practice in Ottawa to give the street address of a government building, not the name attached to that building. For example, I used to work at a complex called Place Vanier. But that was never a part of our official address. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
Argus Posted October 1, 2011 Report Posted October 1, 2011 His behavior has been a little bizarre. Some of it I get, but the business card bit just seems weird to me. I'd love to see a sensible explanation of where Baird's coming from here. Have you ever actually seen the standard government business card? I used to make them back when I was a clerk. We got these cutout sheets which we'd put into a laser printer, then do up the cards on a computer template. Same card, no matter what level you were at. The card was cheap, and easy to produce in large quantities. I'm not surprised the External Affairs minister would have something better. By way of comparison, a vacuum cleaner salesman gave me a card a while back. It's glossy, high quality, with gold printing on "electrolux". Most business cards are meant to impress. The government's business cards are just informative. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
cybercoma Posted October 1, 2011 Report Posted October 1, 2011 (edited) But he's not bilingual. Generally speaking, you shouldn't have bilingual signs if you can't speak in both language. While he's not bilingual, he needs to be able to communicate, whether personally or through staffers, in both official languages. I don't think every MP should have bilingual cards, since it would depend on their constituency; however, all cabinet ministers should have bilingual cards since they don't simply represent their constituency, but the Government of Canada.. He didn't.Right. It's in the address. However, he removed the country's logo, as required by regulations. He didn't remove the name from the building, he removed the building name from the official address. In fact, it's normal practice in Ottawa to give the street address of a government building, not the name attached to that building. For example, I used to work at a complex called Place Vanier. But that was never a part of our official address. Fair enough, but when you work at a complex, such as a university or some other institution comprised of many buildings, it is standard practice to put the name of the building, rather than simply an address. Perhaps it's nothing and he just wanted to simplify the business card. In itself, perhaps this is nothing, but it's pretty easy to see how this adds to the rest of the contempt that has been shown for our history and government by Stephen Harper and his cabinets. It reminds me all too much of the arrogance of the Liberals under Chretien. Edited October 1, 2011 by cybercoma Quote
PIK Posted October 1, 2011 Report Posted October 1, 2011 Gotta love a scandal free goverment and watch the left come up with utter nonsense trying to find a scandal. Quote Toronto, like a roach motel in the middle of a pretty living room.
ToadBrother Posted October 1, 2011 Report Posted October 1, 2011 (edited) Gotta love a scandal free goverment and watch the left come up with utter nonsense trying to find a scandal. I wouldn't call the Tories scandal free. The G8 meeting comes to mind. Why won't Harper toss out that greaseball Clement? Edited October 1, 2011 by ToadBrother Quote
Oleg Bach Posted October 1, 2011 Report Posted October 1, 2011 Will never forget the photo op of Mckay standing beside the former Russell Williams...standing proud as if the minister was a great soldier in the company of a gallant man from our high marshal class...make you wonder about the judgement or lack of it in our supposed leaders...as for Baird - let him have his gold plated card - I like the guy because he looks like a real white Canadian that you went to high school with...a good ole boy...connected - and deserves gold pressed into paper - that states - Canada and the Canadian people are NOT my boss! Quote
Cameron Posted October 2, 2011 Report Posted October 2, 2011 I was wondering who came up with the format of the business cards? Also, wasn't it PET that pushed for the "Canada" logo branding. It seems like previous governments make rules based on ideological reasons, or what have you, then the next governments break them and makes up new rules (hypothetically pertaining to business cards, etc.). Quote Economic Left/Right: 3.25 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.26 I want to earn money and keep the majority of it.
jbg Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 Well, indirectly, sure. But, what does that have to do with the wordmark? It's a logo of the wider government (including all departments and offices), not of the people, or the Crown that embodies them. My first blush opinion is that Government publications should not be election ads for Harper. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
g_bambino Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 My first blush opinion is that Government publications should not be election ads for Harper. Of course they shouldn't. I don't see where, though, there was suggestion the card have Harper's name, or even that of the Conservative Party, on it. Quote
ToadBrother Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 My first blush opinion is that Government publications should not be election ads for Harper. Let me know when you have a way to stop any government from using their control of the Queen's Printer to vomit out thinly veiled self-promotions. I always thought we should have an Auditor of Government Advertising who is an officer of Parliament and has the power, if it is deemed that if non-partisan information funds were used for partisan purposes that the party in question was sent a bill for the cost of the printing. Quote
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