.

[ToadBrother]

Today we found out exactly why there's a Kafka-esque labyrinth to get information on how the Harper Government has lived up to Jason Kenney's commitment from January.

Yup. Once again we see how Cabinet means absolutely nothing to a Conservative Govenrment. The PMO is the real and only executive level of government in this country.

[cybercoma]

Half jokingly though maybe it's a good thing he doesn't give Jason Kenney any responsibility.

[PIK]

. That is what leaders do, they look out for their countries best interests.

[ToadBrother]

. That is what leaders do, they look out for their countries best interests.

The problem being that sometimes leaders can confuse their own best interests, or rather their ideological leanings, with the country's best interests.

[ToadBrother]

This seems to be blowing up in the Tories' face:

Stephen Harper denies PMO staff vetted Syrian refugee files
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-refugee-processing-pmo-1.3262423

While the Prime Minister denies PMO staff were vetting refugee claims, if they weren't, then why would the PMO be requesting such files from Citizenship and Immigration.

Once again the Prime Minister demonstrates his absolute lack of trust in his cabinet ministers and their departments, and is effectively running critical parts of the government through his office, populated by hand-picked hyperpartisans who owe no allegiance to the Crown, to the electorate, or to anyone but Stephen Harper.

[scribblet]

Or blowing up in the media's face for misreporting again. The G & M has had to correct the story 3 times so far.

Edited October 8, 2015 by scribblet

[Big Guy]

Glad to see that PM Harper is taking a direct route to ensuring that his commitment to immigration and these immigrants reflects his personal views. Now that is leadership!

[Argus]

This seems to be blowing up in the Tories' face:

Stephen Harper denies PMO staff vetted Syrian refugee files

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-refugee-processing-pmo-1.3262423

While the Prime Minister denies PMO staff were vetting refugee claims, if they weren't, then why would the PMO be requesting such files from Citizenship and Immigration.

Once again the Prime Minister demonstrates his absolute lack of trust in his cabinet ministers and their departments, and is effectively running critical parts of the government through his office, populated by hand-picked hyperpartisans who owe no allegiance to the Crown, to the electorate, or to anyone but Stephen Harper.

Apparently you don't read very well. The report you are quoting specifically says that no political staff were involved, that no files went to the PMO, that the vetting was done for security reasons after the Americans warned of possible security issues. I doubt any but the most rabid ideologues will have any issue with the government making sure security precautions were in place for this program, given the nature of the area the refugees are coming from.

The Canadian Press reported Wednesday that what the Prime Minister's Office ordered in June was a security review, as a result of intelligence reports in the U.S. suggesting refugees could pose a threat to that country.

"The audit we asked for earlier this year was to ensure that these policy objectives are being met. Political staff are never involved in approving refugee applications," Harper said. "Such decisions are made by officials in the Department of Citizenship and Immigration."

[angrypenguin]

Apparently you don't read very well. The report you are quoting specifically says that no political staff were involved, that no files went to the PMO, that the vetting was done for security reasons after the Americans warned of possible security issues. I doubt any but the most rabid ideologues will have any issue with the government making sure security precautions were in place for this program, given the nature of the area the refugees are coming from.

The Canadian Press reported Wednesday that what the Prime Minister's Office ordered in June was a security review, as a result of intelligence reports in the U.S. suggesting refugees could pose a threat to that country.

"The audit we asked for earlier this year was to ensure that these policy objectives are being met. Political staff are never involved in approving refugee applications," Harper said. "Such decisions are made by officials in the Department of Citizenship and Immigration."

you're wasting your time with facts.

[Argus]

you're wasting your time with facts.

Yeah, it doesn't play well into the heads of the red-eyed, frenzied Harper haters who take for granted he hates everyone and everything, particularly poor, helpless refugees, and is just looking for an opportunity hurt them.

[angrypenguin]

Yeah, it doesn't play well into the heads of the red-eyed, frenzied Harper haters who take for granted he hates everyone and everything, particularly poor, helpless refugees, and is just looking for an opportunity hurt them.

To me the Conservatives have done well. 10 year reign , if it all goes to shit, 2% off GST, introduction of $5500/year TFSA, eh we're ahead. If the LPC's win, time to take out the popcorn to watch them destroy Canada, and if it all goes to shit I'm moving out, I get full relo and all, plus $ for the inconvenience. Chances are it won't come to that, but the Lefties will get to take it up the butt while they call us righties morons, idiots with low IQ's, yet we seem to be making top $. Hmm, how does that work again?

As O'Leary says, the joy about money, is that you either have it or you don't.

Edited October 9, 2015 by angrypenguin

[ToadBrother]

Apparently you don't read very well.

---SNIP---

The PMO is largely populated by political staff.

Edited October 9, 2015 by Charles Anthony
[---SNIP---]

[cybercoma]

Harper says the PMO wasn't involved, but didn't Harper say during the Duffy trial that he had no idea what the PMO gets up to?

[On Guard for Thee]

Harper says the PMO wasn't involved, but didn't Harper say during the Duffy trial that he had no idea what the PMO gets up to?

Harper admits he was involved, but claims it was only to "protect" us from possible "threats".

[dre]

. If the LPC's win, time to take out the popcorn to watch them destroy Canada,

ROFLMAO. What moronic hyperbole.

Always funny to watch mindless hacks on both sides predict the end of the universe if the wrong bunch career politicians is in charge for a few years.

Also interesting that you make it sound like youd enjoy it, if not cheer for it. The "rich conservative VS poor liberal" caricature is pretty hilarious too.

Edited October 9, 2015 by dre

[eyeball]

I doubt any but the most rabid ideologues will have any issue with the government making sure security precautions were in place for this program, given the nature of the area the refugees are coming from.

So you have no issue with our government's and allies failure to ensure planning and processes and infrastructure were in place long before now to deal with the millions of refugees that rabid ideologues were warning would be coming as a result of our determination to make the world as dysfunctional as possible War on Terror?

Ah, what's the fricken use...pass the popcorn. There's really nothing left to do but watch this stupid multi-trainwreck pile up unfold. I gotta say the Russians have sure added a fresh twist to the plot.

Wanna bet how that's gonna turn out?

[ToadBrother]

ROFLMAO. What moronic hyperbole.

Always funny to watch mindless hacks on both sides predict the end of the universe if the wrong bunch career politicians is in charge for a few years.

Also interesting that you make it sound like youd enjoy it, if not cheer for it. The "rich conservative VS poor liberal" caricature is pretty hilarious too.

It is funny. Every election I remember has always been THE election, where if the voters pick it run, the sun will go nova and the minions of Satan will leap from the abyss and burn us all alive.

And yet, four or five years later, there's another election. It's almost as if political parties and their supporters are either certifiably insane or just overwhelmingly manipulative, and frequently in the most ludicrously hyperbolic way.

[ToadBrother]

Harper says the PMO wasn't involved, but didn't Harper say during the Duffy trial that he had no idea what the PMO gets up to?

CTV is reporting that the PMO was reviewing files to prioritize certain groups of refugees; in other words preference to Christians over Muslims.

[capricorn]

Department of Citizenship and Immigration insiders told CTV’s Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife that PMO staff went through the files to ensure that persecuted religious minorities with established communities already in Canada -- ones that Conservative Leader Stephen Harper could court for votes -- were being accepted. Insiders say PMO actively discouraged the department from accepting applications from Shia and Sunni Muslims.

(my bolding of the text)

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/election/pmo-sought-political-gain-in-prioritizing-certain-syrian-refugees-sources-1.2601028

Not surprising considering the public service contains a number of employees with an axe to grind against Harper and the Conservatives. I don't blame them for remaining anonymous because if they disclose their identity they probably would be fired and would be pressed to tell the whole "insiders" story behind the reason for the audit.

[scribblet]

Yeah, it doesn't play well into the heads of the red-eyed, frenzied Harper haters who take for granted he hates everyone and everything, particularly poor, helpless refugees, and is just looking for an opportunity hurt them.

Exactly. They would prefer to believe the bias and anonymous sources. Either way I'm pleased that the gov't is looking our for our safety.

[capricorn]

Exactly. They would prefer to believe the bias and anonymous sources. Either way I'm pleased that the gov't is looking our for our safety.

About the claim that Harper is choosing refugees who are apt to vote for him. Actually, I think that's incorrect since refugees cannot vote until they become Canadian citizens and that can take some time, even years.

Who can vote?

To vote in a Canadian federal election you must be:

• A Canadian citizen (Temporary and permanent residents cannot vote);
• 18 years old or older on election day;
• Residents in the electoral district; and
• Registered on the Voters List (also called the list of electors).

If you meet the first 3 requirements, but are not on the Voters List, you must add your name to the list.

http://settlement.org/ontario/immigration-citizenship/canadian-government/voting/a-guide-to-voting-in-the-canadian-federal-election/

[PIK]

I am so sick of unnamed sources ,that cant be proved. Harper is a security type guy who is looking out for the country. Where the other 2 are the actually looking for refugee votes by saying they well bring everybody in. The women that started this is on the news saying harper4 is just out to divide the country, she did not understand what this would do when she started this. She knew. Islam cant be trusted. Harper understands what is going to happen when Islam gets a foothold in Canada.

Edited October 9, 2015 by PIK

[dialamah]

It's almost as if political parties and their supporters are either certifiably insane or just overwhelmingly manipulative, and frequently in the most ludicrously hyperbolic way.

Kinda like die-hard sports fans eh? Years ago I read about some study that claimed sports fans really did experience changes in brain chemistry, related to oxytocin, and indulged in group think and a certain amount of mob mentality. Evolution-wise, this was good, the theory went, because groups and tribes had to remain cohesive even when other groups might attempt some kind of takeover. Some people appear better able to ignore this automatic response, and I guess those who can't are the die-hard sports fans and hyperpartisan political supporters. If you've never read "Stumbling on Happiness" I highly recommend it. Quite an eye opener about the ways in which we all distort reality to suit our beliefs.

Edited October 9, 2015 by dialamah

[cybercoma]

CTV is reporting that the PMO was reviewing files to prioritize certain groups of refugees; in other words preference to Christians over Muslims.

In other words, even the PMO is confused about the difference between immigrants and refugees.

[cybercoma]

Exactly. They would prefer to believe the bias and anonymous sources. Either way I'm pleased that the gov't is looking our for our safety.

No you're not. You're pleased "the party" is looking out for your "safety." They're not, since there's security agencies for that, but whatever.