Harper overhauls his cabinet - may do more harm than good

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced his cabinet shuffle in light of a scandalous spring session he would rather forget. The Duffy Affair isn't gone yet, and while changing face may aide Harper, it turns out some of the people he's promoted may do more harm than good to his credibility. The Duffy Affair wasn't a cabinet problem, but rather a PMO problem which found its way to the Prime Minister himself.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews leaves politics tomorrow

Effective tomorrow, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews will resign his cabinet post and his seat as MP. Not only does Toews join a list of MPs walking out the door, Toews makes room for Harper's attempt to put new blood into the front benches of his government - which he hopes will revive the dying brand. Toews is leaving to spend time with his family and pursue opportunities in the private sector.

"It takes a great deal of deliberation on the part of those who decide to enter politics," said Toews in a statement today.

"It takes an even greater amount of consideration and effort to step out of office when one still enjoys the support of those who elected them. However, for me, the time has come to step aside and begin the next chapter of my life."

Toews has had his notable moments, none more notable than his Bill C30 and Bill C51 which blatantly tried to allow the government to intrude on people's online activities without a warrant and is unconstitutional. When the opposition ripped the bill apart, Toews told Liberal public safety critic Francis Scarpaleggia he could "either stand with us or with the child pornographers."

This led to serious backlash - from a Twitter account called Vikileaks which leaked details of his divorce to Anonymous's address leaking every detail they allegedly have on him - responding directly to his child pornography statement.

Despite the controversy surrounding Toews, he believed he did the right thing.

"When I entered federal politics in 2000, I did so with the intention of making a positive contribution to Canada by being a part of the movement to unite conservatives across the country. Looking back, I believe I accomplished what I did because of my desire to work with other like-minded people," Toews said.

Toews is responsible for much of the Conservative tough-on-crime agenda which includes raising the age of consent to 16 from 14, abolishing the long gun registry and enhancing the RCMP Accountability Act.

Toews is also responsible for the RCMP, in an interview with Global's The West Block on April 28, 2013, he took full responsibility for the control over the RCMP.

“I'm responsible for the RCMP. I need to know exactly what the RCMP is doing and saying because if I go into the House of Commons and I have no idea what is being said, I'm at a distinct situation where it appears that I'm not carrying out my responsibilities to the House of Commons,” Toews said.

“Essentially what happens, especially if it’s MPs from my party, they’ll come to me and say, ‘Look I want to talk to the RCMP,’ and I’ll refer them to an individual and that’s the end of it,” he said.

“The RCMP clearly has to communicate as an entity, especially on issues of national and public security.”

What do you think of Toews's departure from politics? Do you believe he made "a positive contribution to Canada?" Share this article and join the discussion and let us know what you think: Facebook, Twitter, Google+.

Document: Conservative Party wanted to repay Duffy's expenses

A new document reveals the Conservative party wanted to pay disgraced senator Mike Duffy's owing in a bid to cover up his scandal. The documents obtained by the RCMP and obtained by CTV show the Conservative Party would have cut the $90,000 cheque former Chief of Staff Nigel Wright did.

Sworn affidavits in the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa show Cpl Greg Horton alleges Duffy broke the law when he accepted "an advantage or benefit of money ($90,124.27) from Nigel Wright."

The documents reveal two RCMP officers discussed the repercussions of the cheque with Wright on June 19.

According to the documents, lawyers said the Conservative Party was planning to repay the illegal expenses.

“The Conservative Party was initially going to repay the money for Duffy from a Conservative fund, when it was believed that the amount he owed was approximately $32,000,” the documents read.

However, while the Conservatives intended on paying the amount, when Conservative Senator Irving Gerstein saw the price tag, lawyers told the RCMP, “It was too much money to ask the Conservative Party to cover.”

Wright then opted to pay the cheque on two conditions: “pay back the money right away” and “stop talking to the media about it.”

Lawyers say Wright repaid the costs “believing it was the proper ethical decision that taxpayers not be out that amount of money.” The document said that Wright “did not expect the money to be reimbursed” by Duffy.

The document alleges Harper's former legal advisor Benjamin Perrin along with two other people inside the PMO were aware of the deal.

In May, Perrin was approached on his involvement and said, “I was not consulted on, and did not participate in, Nigel Wright’s decision to write a personal cheque to reimburse Senator Duffy’s expenses.”

Wright's lawyer insists Harper was unaware of the dealing and the RCMP haven't yet made “a decision on whether to interview Wright as a suspect or witness.”

The RCMP also noted the sanitized report two months later.

“The final Senate report … relating to Duffy’s expenses was less critical than the original draft report, which is consistent with the purported deal between Duffy and Wright,” the RCMP investigator report wrote.

“I believe there was an agreement between Duffy and Write involving repayment of the $90,000 and a Senate Report that would not be critical of him, constituting an offence of Frauds on the Government.”

What do you think of the new revelations showing the Conservatives wanted to write the cheque? With the knowledge spanning so widely around Harper's office and party, do you believe he was left in the dark? Share this article and join the discussion and let us know what you think: Facebook, Twitter, Google+.

Stephen Harper on Integrity: The Duffy Affair

What started as a $90,172 claim of inappropriate expenses seen as an outrage as part of abusive senate behaviour quickly escalated to a scandal with many more questions than answers. Get up to date with the full timeline.
Read more

Bureaucracy ballooned under Harper at expense of services

Canadians angry about Conservative austerity measures have a new reason to be upset. While the cuts the Conservatives made directly impacted services, bureaucracy and federal payrolls ballooned as a result of their governance. In short: Canadians lost services and meat so they could keep useless bureaucrats and fat.

The Canadian government needs a clean up. Taxpayers are paying millions for bureaucracy that slows down and starves services. Under the Conservatives, a number of departments saw hiring sprees and payroll increases - not for services Canadians care about, but bureaucracy that continues to pose as leaks in a deteriorating hose.

While the Conservatives muse on public sector pensions, sick leave and collective bargaining, they are the cause for a drastic increase in Canada's bureaucracy.

New figures from the Parliamentary Budget Office show the Department of Defence wasn't the only department to be swamped with new bureaucrats and suffocating mismanagement.

Between the fiscal year of 2005-2006 (when Harper came to power) and 2012, the number of people on federal payroll was up 14%.

In the same period, information service employees were up 15.3%, administrative services ballooned 20%, financial management staff rose by 35% and welfare program employees rose 43%.

These increases don't mean these services got better, these increases mean there were more mouths to feed as money trickled down - this means money that would have went to services, instead went to these new bureaucrats.

The Canada Border Agency ballooned 54.6%. The Correctional Service jumped 31%.

The RCMP's bureaucratic fat rose 40%. The RCMP admits bureaucracy now represents 25% of its staff, up from 21% in April 2006.

Public Safety Canada jumped 53% but officials say that excluding the part-timers, "the departmental workforce has in fact increased by only 35.56%."

The Canadian Security Establishment ballooned 42%. Meanwhile, FINTRAC — the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada which tracks money laundering, organized crime and terrorist financing spiked 88%.

The Department of Defence rose 29.3% where Ottawa-based finance and administration jumped 57%.

The Justice Department saw a 10.7% increase in staff.

Aboriginal Affairs saw a 38% increase and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency nearly doubled.

The Treasury Board, meanwhile ballooned by 163%.

Canada's security, corrections and spy agencies also saw drastic jumps in bureaucrats, but surprisingly, the Finance Department dropped 22% (back to where it was when Jean Chretien's Liberal government made drastic cuts in the '90s), Industry Canada dropped 10%, the Heritage Department dropped 7%, Citizenship and Immigration dropped 8.3% and the Privy Council Office dropped 4%.

"By 2015 the Department of Canadian Heritage will be nearly 40 per cent smaller than it was at the start of the economic downturn in 2008," said Jessica Fletcher, a spokeswoman for Heritage Minister James Moore.

"We cut the bureaucracy and protected funding for Canadians outside Ottawa who needed it most," Fletcher said.

The Department of Natural Resources has spent more than ever trying to advertise the tar sands project, but has at least cut their bureaucracy by a mere 1.4%

The Library and Archives was down less than 1% and the Privy Council Office dropped 4%, despite being one of the largest in history.

Over the next 5 years, the Conservatives intend on cutting 19,000 jobs but according to the PBO, the overall increase in bureaucracy introduced 34,000 new individuals since 2006.

Summary of Bureaucracy Increases

Overall: 14%

• Treasury Board: 163%
• Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada: 88%
• Canada Border Agency: 54.6%
• Public Safety Canada: 53%
• Welfare Program: 43%
• Canadian Security Establishment: 42%
• RCMP: 40%
• Aboriginal Affairs: 38%
• Financial Management: 35%
• Correctional Service: 31%
• Department of Defence: 29.3%
• Administrative Services: 20%
• Information Services: 15.3%
• Justice Department: 10.7%

Summary of Bureaucracy Cuts

• Department of Finance: 22% 
• Industry Canada: 10%
• Citizenship and Immigration: 8.3%
• Department of Heritage: 7%
• Privy Council Office: 4%
• Department of Natural Resources: 1.4%
• Library and Archives: 1%

It is clear a government that wants to focus on services will need to reform the current infrastructure to ensure taxpayers' money is being put to good use. As a result, it would be recommended to cut the bureaucratic increases by at least the amount they increased since 2006.

What do you think of the Conservatives' mantra of prudent economic managers given the amount bureaucracy increased while austerity crippled public services? Share this article and join the discussion and let us know what you think: Facebook, Twitter, Google+.

Conservative Senate Leader Marjory LeBreton resigns

Amid an upcoming cabinet shuffle, Conservative Senate Leader Marjory LeBreton has resigned the cabinet and a few other Conservative MPs have indicated they won't run for re-election. The spring sitting was mired in scandal and the upcoming cabinet shuffle may be Harper's only hope at reviving a severely tarnished brand.

LeBreton was the star of the Duffy Affair and was renowned for her stark criticism of the media. She offered little reason for her resignation after 7 and a half years at the post and thanked PM Harper for "the opportunity of a lifetime." LeBreton will stay in the Conservative caucus and will have to retire in 2015 when she hits the mandatory retirement age of 75.

"Most of all, I want to thank him for his trust, his strong leadership and his friendship," she said.

"While I will be leaving the position of government leader in the Senate, I will continue to be an active member of the Conservative caucus over the next few years," said LeBreton. "I intend to step up my efforts in support of meaningful Senate reform and also actively back the new strengthened rules we introduced regarding Senate expenses."

LeBreton isn't the only Conservative stepping aside. Three MPs have stated they won't run for re-election in 2015. 

Calgary MP and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy, Alberta MP and Minister of State for Finance Ted Menzies, and New Brunswick MP and Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield have all released statements declaring they won't run for re-election in 2015.

Meanwhile, polls show things are only getting worse for the Conservative Government. A CTV poll suggests 70% of Canadians say its time for change, and a number of polls indicate Justin Trudeau's Liberal party would form a government if an election were held today.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to announce his cabinet shuffle next week and he will have a good number of seats to fill. The shuffle will be a chance for him to give his government a much needed face-lift as Canadians tire of the current state of affairs - but will it work?

What do you think of LeBreton's resignation and Conservative MPs decisions not to run again? Will a cabinet shuffle help the sinking Conservative brand find new life? Share this article and join the discussion and let us know what you think: Facebook, Twitter, Google+.

Trudeau visit to catholic elementary school spurs controversy

Parents of children who attend St. Claire catholic elementary school in Orleans are crying "scandal" after Liberal leader Justin Trudeau visited and spoke to the children. The parents argue the Ottawa Catholic School Board should have a stricter process of choosing speakers, blocking those that believe in same-sex marriage and "the fundamental right" for a woman to chose whether she'll have an abortion.

As a result, the school board changed the rules to ensure all partnerships “shall be forged to ensure respect for the distinctive nature of Catholic education and adherence to the Roman Catholic tradition.”

The board says the new rules come from the outcry of parents who want to protect their religious values.

Trudeau spoke to the school last November as part of anti-bullying week but parent Gillian Keenan argued “if you Google anything about Justin Trudeau, it comes up very clearly that he is strongly against some important Catholic teachings.”

“What it suggests is that the Catholic school and anyone supporting the Catholic school, therefore supports his platform,” Keenan said.

“He’s not all bad, but my point is just that we don’t need the star factor like him if what he stands for is contrary to Catholic teachings.”

However, speakers and partnerships weren't the only thing that concerned these parents. Field trips and who  their children met on them was also a factor. Trips to El Salvador came under fire because some of the student groups part of Save The Children were in favor of abortion and stood against bullying, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination. One of the parents said the group's stances were promoting “the normalization of homosexuality.”

LifeSiteNews, a website launched by the Campaign Life Foundation, a Toronto-based anti-abortion group, and has ties to Harper's Conservative Party, amplified the criticism of allowing catholic-raised children to participate in normal society. A "Get out the vote" field trip during the last American election campaign was canceled after an article on LifeSiteNews claimed the teacher that was organizing the trip was a Barack Obama advocate. The parents didn't want their kids campaigning for Barack Obama who is pro-choice.

The controversy over the restrictiveness of the Catholic community wouldn't be as much an issue if the Catholic education system wasn't receiving taxpayer funding. It is understandable that parents who refuse to accept the world around them want to keep their children ignorant of opposing views and people. It is understandable that discrimination is alright for these people when it applies to their religious views. It is also understandable that the children are being brainwashed and used as political vehicles as they attempt to impose their views on society when no one is forcing them to enact in same-sex relationships and when no one is forcing them to get an abortion when one of their members get pregnant.

It appears this scandal and revisions to the board's policies are but a mere tactic to save the sinking ship that is the Conservatives - but even they came under fire by the same people for not doing enough to impose their values on Canadians. This brings the irony of a government that claims it promotes freedom while imposing its views on the public.

Policy Changes

Partnerships, sponsorships and donations

Old policy: “Partnerships and sponsorships with individuals, parish and community groups, business, industry and government shall be consistent with the Board’s philosophy, Vision Statement and Catholic Social Teaching. The principles of Catholic Social Teaching include reference to the dignity of the human person, human rights and responsibilities, common good, solidarity, the preferential option for the poor, and the value and dignity of human work. The international image and dealings of a corporation shall be just as important as local concerns in the decision to form partnerships.”

Revised policy: “Partnerships and sponsorships with individuals, parish and community groups, business, industry and government shall be forged to ensure respect for the distinctive nature of Catholic education and adherence to the Roman Catholic tradition. The Board’s philosophy, vision statement, as well as Catholic Social and Moral Teaching, will also direct partnerships and sponsorships.”

Old policy: “Students shall not be involved in promoting commercial products in any way.”

Revised policy: “Students shall not be involved in promoting commercial products in any way and shall not be involved in partisan political activity.”

Old policy: “Any business sponsoring activities within the Board or its schools will be accepted as environmentally safe, and be consistent with a healthy lifestyle. Controversial products and services are to be avoided (e.g., alcoholic beverages and tobacco products).”

Revised policy: “Any business sponsoring activities within the Board or its schools will be accepted as environmentally safe, and be consistent with a healthy lifestyle and aligned with Catholic Graduate Expectations. Controversial products and services are to be avoided (e.g., alcoholic beverages and tobacco products), as well as influences contrary to Catholic social and moral teaching.”

Field trips and excursions

Old policy: “The Board shall endorse and encourage field trips of an educational nature.”

Revised policy: “The Board recognizes the educational value for students and staff to participate in field trip experiences and encourages field trips and excursions as part of an enriching Catholic educational program for all students.”

Old policy: “Opportunities will be provided for Sunday worship on all weekend field trips.”

Revised policy: “Attendance at Sunday Mass on all weekend field trips is required.”

New policy: “Field trips and excursions will be linked to the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (CGE’s) and the distinctive culture of Catholic curriculum.”

What do you think of the controversy surrounding the Catholic community and their new rules to further isolate their children from the outside world? Share this article and join the discussion and let us know what you think: Facebook, Twitter, Google+.