CBC: PMO accused of threatening environmental group

[cybercoma]

Read here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/01/24/forest-ethics-andrew-frank.html

This is an odd story. Andrew Frank, who was dismissed from his position at ForestEthics for threatening to go public with this, claims that the PMO threatened the charity. However, the government of course denies these allegations and MacMillan, the charity's CEO, says he cannot discuss conversations with the government, but says Frank's statements are "inaccurate." Moreover, it wasn't Frank that heard these threats at all, but he is relaying something he heard from a supervisor at the time, Pierre Iachetti.

Although the allegations of a threat are suspect, it would not be at all surprising to find out that the PMO did actually refer to this group as "enemies of the state" for opposing the Norther Gateway. That aside, however, clearly there was a threat to cut charitable funding from Tides Canada (which in turn supports other charitable groups like ForestEthics). Charities are not allowed to be affiliated with political parties or they lose funding. What's concerning is that the PMO may be taking the stance that any environmental opposition to government plans indicates some sort of political affiliation, when this is obviously not the case. The charity is focused on environmental concerns and would equally oppose these activities regardless of the party in power.

[waldo]

affidavit - here:

[Jack Weber]

"Enemy of the State"....

Seeing as the goofy rhetoric is getting ratcheted up,and the goofy fear mongering is going overboard...

We are in the grasp of a corporate/Fascist governemtn that is using "Enemy of the State" as a pretext to intimidate people with the intention of silencing them and bringing them to heel...

I suspect all we need now is Mr. Falange...Er,sorry...Mr.Canada,and his General Francisco Franco loving personage to show up and thank "Papa Harper" for showing us all clarity???

[Shady]

the PMO may be taking the stance that any environmental opposition to government plans indicates some sort of political affiliation

I'd say that most of the time it absolutely is political.

[cybercoma]

affidavit - here:

Jesus. The CBC report makes it sound way better than the affidavit does. He names specific people, dates, and places where these conversations took place and mentions that the statements were corroborated by several others, not just Iachetti. This is ugly.

[Jack Weber]

Jesus. The CBC report makes it sound way better than the affidavit does. He names specific people, dates, and places where these conversations took place and mentions that the statements were corroborated by several others, not just Iachetti. This is ugly.

I agree...This looks like the Harper Government has clearly sided with foreign multinational oil companies and any pretense of neutrality has gone out the window...

I wonder what the EthicalOil spokestwit from a few weeks ago on P&P is saying now???

Very bad optics...

Edited January 25, 2012 by Jack Weber

[guyser]

Very bad optics...

On the surface ...yes.

However, it is still only a affadavit and needs proof.

That said....doesnt anyone record conversations anymore? If the threatening language was spoken, and caught on tape.....well that would make things quite interesting.

[Jack Weber]

On the surface ...yes.

However, it is still only a affadavit and needs proof.

That said....doesnt anyone record conversations anymore? If the threatening language was spoken, and caught on tape.....well that would make things quite interesting.

I suppose it would support things alittle better if those named in the affadavit corroborated (sp) the threats in those conversations?

[guyser]

I suppose it would support things alittle better if those named in the affadavit corroborated (sp) the threats in those conversations?

Maybe in court.

My point is this, both have an agenda , and while I am not calling anyone liars on this, one side is more likely to counter w hyperbole.

All said, I do see a pattern.

[cybercoma]

If it's true, the problem is that they don't want to speak up for fear of losing funding.

[TimG]

Seeing as the goofy rhetoric is getting ratcheted up,and the goofy fear mongering is going overboard...

Pretty ironic in a environment where opponents of the government regularly toss out labels like 'facist' and 'anti-democratic'.

[TimG]

I agree...This looks like the Harper Government has clearly sided with foreign multinational oil companies and any pretense of neutrality has gone out the window.

Again, blatant hypocrisy. You do not agree with the government position and so your try to denigrate their position by claiming the are 'siding with oil company's'. How is this any different than people who claim opponents are mouth pieces of foreign ngos?

The reality is the Harper government believes in developing the economy. It would rather see the private sector produce jobs than have people living on the dole. Getting pipelines built is part of this strategy. You may believing living in a pristine forest on the dole is a better option but that does not mean the government is not motivated entirely by what they believe to be best fro the country.

[Shady]

Pretty ironic in a environment where opponents of the government regularly toss out labels like 'facist' and 'anti-democratic'.

Bingo! Especially by the very poster you were quoting.

[Shady]

Again, blatant hypocrisy. You do not agree with the government position and so your try to denigrate their position by claiming the are 'siding with oil company's'. How is this any different than people who claim opponents are mouth pieces of foreign ngos?

The reality is the Harper government believes in developing the economy. It would rather see the private sector produce jobs than have people living on the dole. Getting pipelines built is part of this strategy. You may believing living in a pristine forest on the dole is a better option but that does not mean the government is not motivated entirely by what they believe to be best fro the country.

Once again, bingo! Harper is looking to create jobs, and a growing economy. The 'siding with oil companies' is just the same tired old rhetoric trotted out by the usual suspects.

[Topaz]

Guess who in the US benefits if the Keystone does NOT go through? Warren Buffet. Now how is Harper going to win against a billionaire?? Beside, the oil or product that goes to the US is going for EXPORT and Canada and US could be going after the same customers,which is crazy. Will China go for Canada or the US or will there be a bidding war?? http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/24/buffett-would-profit-keystone-cancellation/#.Tx97273KA4A.email

Edited January 26, 2012 by Topaz

[eyeball]

I'd say that most of the time it absolutely is political.

Everything is political.

[waldo]

Again, blatant hypocrisy. You do not agree with the government position and so your try to denigrate their position by claiming the are 'siding with oil company's'. How is this any different than people who claim opponents are mouth pieces of foreign ngos?

clearly, to you, it's no different. Notwithstanding the narrowed scope of the NEB Northern Gateway pipeline hearing, any semblance of Harper Conservative government impartiality, as affects the hearing process proper, has been tossed out. It is one thing for a government to foster an economic policy/strategy keyed to tarsands pipeline creation/expansion; it is another thing for the government to be seen actively and forcefully interfering in the process. Clearly, after the widespread criticism over the Harper/Oliver public statements, media/public recognition of government interference, real or perceived, is the only reason Harper and Oliver have suddenly gone mute in directly discussing the NEB hearings/intervenor process.

[Vendetta]

Great article by Rafe Mair

http://thecanadian.org/item/1294-rafe-mair-tells-harper-joe-oliver-ready-for-bulldozers-enbridge

"That is ill-disguised code for, “Listen you assholes, we don’t give a damn about the public process – just get it over with so we can get on with the construction. It doesn’t matter that this monstrous Tar Sands gunk is to be transported through your pristine forests, mountain and streams – get on with it.”

“Pay no attention, peasants, to the fact that Enbridge has had over 800 spills since 1998 and that experience shows that the mess can never be cleaned up.”

Rafe has a pretty big following in BC I'm told.

[eyeball]

“Listen you assholes”

If forcing the National Energy Program down Alberta's throat was so outrageous what is it about forcing Alberta's Energy (export) Program down Canada's throat that Albertan's don't get?

Such bald-faced chutzpah is staggering.

[jacee]

I'm curious what makes Harper so fearful of the environmental assessment process that he's risking such inappropriate threats and public scorn.

My perception of env assessments is that they jump through hoops/interpret regulations so as not to interfere with business interests: When has an environmental assessment ever seriously interfered with profits?

Strangely, Harper's taking offence at expressed opposition to the pipeline that will likely be largely ignored by the review panel anyway.

It's quite bizarre. He seems to be losing his grip on his sanity, quite frankly.

No doubt the pipeline issues have thrown him a curve, perhaps unanticipated, and I'm sure the oil boys are breathing fire down his neck.

It's not going to help them if he self-destructs, but it wouldn't bother me a bit!

Keep it up Harper!

Throw some more weight around!

Just like the megalomaniac you are.

Edited January 26, 2012 by jacee

[mentalfloss]

Feds list First Nations, green groups as oilsands 'adversaries'

[Guest Manny]

Keep it up Harper!

Throw some more weight around!

Just like the megalomaniac you are.

Careful what you wish for. I see him talking a much meaner tone, barking out orders from behind the podium, to the nation. Next is the rounding up of activists and dissidents. Their names are already on CSIS watch lists. As are some of ours...

[jacee]

Feds list First Nations, green groups as oilsands 'adversaries'

Not surprising ... but this is a real shocker:

The National Energy Board, which was listed as an ally in the document, is supposed to be an independent regulator that evaluates and monitors industry activity.

The NEB ... an "ally"?

Harper can blame no one but himself for subverting the process, making a lie out of a supposedly "independent" process by claiming to control its message, and by threatening those who dare to participate.

Edited January 26, 2012 by jacee

[PIK]

It is about time someone stood up to these so called enviro's. They are the ones that play loose with the facts, they are the ones that help put the world into the mess it is in. Good for harper and he is right the groups are going against thier own country. Harper's job is to do what is right for the country not be dictated to by certain groups ,canadian and foreign. I wish you so called canadians out there, for once have the balls to stand up for this country, and tell the rest of them to go fuck themselves. We have been doing quite well here and there is alot of jealousy out there and there is alot of countries that would love to see us be knocked down a notch or two. So be very carefull what you wish for people.

[mentalfloss]

Not surprising ... but this is a real shocker:

The National Energy Board, which was listed as an ally in the document, is supposed to be an independent regulator that evaluates and monitors industry activity.

The NEB ... an "ally"?

Harper can blame no one but himself for subverting the process, making a lie out of a supposedly "independent" process by claiming to control its message, and by threatening those who dare to participate.

Time limits coming for regulatory review hearings: Joe Oliver