Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,898 
May 8th, 2007, 10:58 AM
http://tinyurl.com/3356rg
Quote:
What the hell is so important that this guy can't take a regularly scheduled flight? Can't do job ‘by bicycle' says Blackburn
BRUCE CHEADLE
Canadian Press
May 7, 2007 at 7:56 PM EDT
Ottawa — Federal Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said Monday he can't do his job “by bicycle” but could not explain why his ministerial travel expenses failed to disclose a penny of almost $150,000 worth of charter flights last year.
The Conservatives have made a virtue of their ministerial frugality since taking office, but opposition MPs are now crying foul saying the government is simply hiding such expenses in different books.
Mr. Blackburn used the rental planes to tour Quebec as the regional economic development minister for Prime Minister Stephen Harper. But only eight of some 25 flights appeared in his quarterly “proactive disclosure” of expenses last year, and all eight listed air fare as zero.
Those eight flights alone actually cost taxpayers more than $93,000.
BRUCE CHEADLE
Canadian Press
May 7, 2007 at 7:56 PM EDT
Ottawa — Federal Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said Monday he can't do his job “by bicycle” but could not explain why his ministerial travel expenses failed to disclose a penny of almost $150,000 worth of charter flights last year.
The Conservatives have made a virtue of their ministerial frugality since taking office, but opposition MPs are now crying foul saying the government is simply hiding such expenses in different books.
Mr. Blackburn used the rental planes to tour Quebec as the regional economic development minister for Prime Minister Stephen Harper. But only eight of some 25 flights appeared in his quarterly “proactive disclosure” of expenses last year, and all eight listed air fare as zero.
Those eight flights alone actually cost taxpayers more than $93,000.
http://tinyurl.com/3356rg
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,898
May 8th, 2007, 11:46 AM
Quoting gc
There seems to be something that happens to politicians after they get elected that destroys all conscience. Every politician suffers from the same affliction. They begin to treat the taxpayer's money like it was their own.
wow, that's the biggest strawman I've seen on the part of Blackburn. No one is asking him to do his job by bicycle...but it would be nice if he disclosed the money he spent. Is that so hard? And $93,000 for 8 flights? Yikes!
disturber of the peace
Posts: 1,546
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada...after growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada...after growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
May 8th, 2007, 11:52 AM
However, I do want to point out that, sure, there are crooked politicians, or politicians that do awful stuff...however, I believe that there very good politicians representing us who are not interested in ripping off the taxpayer...but are genuinly interested in serving their constituents, and their country...and helping make Canada a better place.
Quoting #juan
It definitly takes credibility away from the conservatives who have been so harsh towards the previous government for their mishandling of money and have played on that over and over and over again...what was it called...."culture of entitlement" or something? Sounds like it has infected the conservative party.
There seems to be something that happens to politicians after they get elected that destroys all conscience. Every politician suffers from the same affliction. They begin to treat the taxpayer's money like it was their own.
However, I do want to point out that, sure, there are crooked politicians, or politicians that do awful stuff...however, I believe that there very good politicians representing us who are not interested in ripping off the taxpayer...but are genuinly interested in serving their constituents, and their country...and helping make Canada a better place.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,898
May 8th, 2007, 12:24 PM
Quoting snfu73
You are right. There are some very good people in politics, in all parties. I used to work for the candidate in my riding and I got to meet people from all parties and after you get to know people it is hard to think of them as the "enemy". You don't have to agree with party policies.
It definitly takes credibility away from the conservatives who have been so harsh towards the previous government for their mishandling of money and have played on that over and over and over again...what was it called...."culture of entitlement" or something? Sounds like it has infected the conservative party.
However, I do want to point out that, sure, there are crooked politicians, or politicians that do awful stuff...however, I believe that there very good politicians representing us who are not interested in ripping off the taxpayer...but are genuinly interested in serving their constituents, and their country...and helping make Canada a better place.
However, I do want to point out that, sure, there are crooked politicians, or politicians that do awful stuff...however, I believe that there very good politicians representing us who are not interested in ripping off the taxpayer...but are genuinly interested in serving their constituents, and their country...and helping make Canada a better place.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,898
May 8th, 2007, 12:44 PM
Quoting #juan
Having said all that, this is still a shameful waste of taxpayer's money. $93,000.00 for eight flights, all within the province of Quebec..........What did he do? take his whole family?....Must be a big family.
You are right. There are some very good people in politics, in all parties. I used to work for the candidate in my riding and I got to meet people from all parties and after you get to know people it is hard to think of them as the "enemy". You don't have to agree with party policies.
disturber of the peace
Posts: 1,546
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada...after growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada...after growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
May 8th, 2007, 12:56 PM
Quoting #juan
Oh...no doubt about it...this guy did wrong, and should be called on it...and I think it should reflect on the whole Harper government given their harsh rhetoric on things like this.
Having said all that, this is still a shameful waste of taxpayer's money. $93,000.00 for eight flights, all within the province of Quebec..........What did he do? take his whole family?....Must be a big family.
Member
Posts: 139
May 8th, 2007, 02:00 PM
If only the people elected to office could get it through their heads that they are only a power until the next election. The members who do get carried away with their own sense of self importance do a great disservice to the other members who do the best they can. I say we give him a bicycle, let him do his job, and appreciate his abscence from the house.
If only the people elected to office could get it through their heads that they are only a power until the next election. The members who do get carried away with their own sense of self importance do a great disservice to the other members who do the best they can. I say we give him a bicycle, let him do his job, and appreciate his abscence from the house.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,898
May 8th, 2007, 02:47 PM
Quoting able
Now there is a plan!....
If only the people elected to office could get it through their heads that they are only a power until the next election. The members who do get carried away with their own sense of self importance do a great disservice to the other members who do the best they can. I say we give him a bicycle, let him do his job, and appreciate his absence from the house.
