Nice hat.
For a man who's been in Parliament since he was 25.
Good thing the decent, upstanding Conservatives of Westernesse ain't saddled with a fake cowboy who's spent his entire career in Ottawa!
WE really need to get rid of this guy
- Thread starter Retired_Can_Soldier
- Start date
For a man who's been in Parliament since he was 25.
Good thing the decent, upstanding Conservatives of Westernesse ain't saddled with a fake cowboy who's spent his entire career in Ottawa!
I mean, I know that 'real cowboys' where white hats, not black, but that and a white T is a little much "preppy try hard!"
Canadian diplomat resigns while under investigation for alleged lewd conduct
Author of the article:Kevin Connor
Published Aug 19, 2024 • Last updated 10 hours ago • 1 minute read
A disgraced Canadian diplomat has resigned while under investigation for alleged lewd misconduct at work, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
The unnamed diplomat was facing being fired.
“The executive resigned before conclusion of the investigation,” the department said in a statement published by Blacklock’s.
The diplomat resigned as management was working to revoke their security clearance.
“The investigation concluded an executive in one of Canada’s missions abroad made inappropriate sexual oriented comments to employees at the mission. The investigation also found the executive made unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate gestures and inappropriately stared at employees,” management wrote.
“The executive did not demonstrate the judgment and leadership expected from a person in a position of authority within the organization. These actions undermined the integrity of the public service and constituted a serious breach of the departmental Values And Ethics Code.”
Diplomats have legal immunity from prosecution for misconduct abroad.
“Regardless of any legal immunity conferred upon representatives abroad their conduct and actions will be subject to a greater degree of scrutiny and public interest than they would at home,” said the department’s 18-page Conduct Abroad Code.
Diplomats are obliged to conduct themselves to “the highest standards” as representatives of Canada, said the Code.
“Any adverse perception of their actions may have an effect on Canada’s reputation,” it said. “The potential for public scrutiny requires that representatives use good judgment and common sense.”
Last year, 56 employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs were named for wrongdoing, according to a report Addressing Misconduct And Wrongdoing At Global Affairs Canada.
One executive was fired for fraud and bid-rigging to “benefit family members.”
Other cases involved bullying, “psychological violence,” nepotism, cronyism, lying, and misrepresentation to obtain paid leave.
One employee was caught running a personal business during work hours.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Kevin Connor
Published Aug 19, 2024 • Last updated 10 hours ago • 1 minute read
A disgraced Canadian diplomat has resigned while under investigation for alleged lewd misconduct at work, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
The unnamed diplomat was facing being fired.
“The executive resigned before conclusion of the investigation,” the department said in a statement published by Blacklock’s.
The diplomat resigned as management was working to revoke their security clearance.
“The investigation concluded an executive in one of Canada’s missions abroad made inappropriate sexual oriented comments to employees at the mission. The investigation also found the executive made unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate gestures and inappropriately stared at employees,” management wrote.
“The executive did not demonstrate the judgment and leadership expected from a person in a position of authority within the organization. These actions undermined the integrity of the public service and constituted a serious breach of the departmental Values And Ethics Code.”
Diplomats have legal immunity from prosecution for misconduct abroad.
“Regardless of any legal immunity conferred upon representatives abroad their conduct and actions will be subject to a greater degree of scrutiny and public interest than they would at home,” said the department’s 18-page Conduct Abroad Code.
Diplomats are obliged to conduct themselves to “the highest standards” as representatives of Canada, said the Code.
“Any adverse perception of their actions may have an effect on Canada’s reputation,” it said. “The potential for public scrutiny requires that representatives use good judgment and common sense.”
Last year, 56 employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs were named for wrongdoing, according to a report Addressing Misconduct And Wrongdoing At Global Affairs Canada.
One executive was fired for fraud and bid-rigging to “benefit family members.”
Other cases involved bullying, “psychological violence,” nepotism, cronyism, lying, and misrepresentation to obtain paid leave.
One employee was caught running a personal business during work hours.
Canadian diplomat resigns while under investigation for alleged lewd conduct
A disgraced Canadian diplomat has resigned while under investigation for lewd misconduct at work. the Department of Foreign Affairs reports.
House committee meeting about purchase of $9M New York City condo for consul general
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Published Aug 20, 2024 • Last updated 14 hours ago • 3 minute read
Senior public servants have been called to a House of Commons committee to explain the government's decision to buy a $9-million condo for the consul general in New York.
Senior public servants have been called to a House of Commons committee to explain the government's decision to buy a $9-million condo for the consul general in New York.
OTTAWA — Senior public servants have been called to a House of Commons committee to explain the government’s decision to buy a $9-million condo for the consul general in New York.
Conservative MP Michael Barrett called the residence “excessive” and “opulent,” and questioned why the procurement minister was not made aware of the purchase.
“Was this purchase, in the context that I mentioned about the cost of living crisis that Canadians are facing, was this flagged for the minister?” he asked.
Amelie Bouchard, the acting chief appraiser of Canada, said she was the most senior official in the Procurement Department to sign off on the purchase but noted her role is to appraise a given property.
The government is selling its old Manhattan residence, which it has listed for $13 million, a move that Global Affairs says will actually save the government money.
Other officials who spoke at the meeting included two members of the real property services team in the Procurement Department, who often deferred questions to Global Affairs.
Global Affairs was not represented at the meeting Tuesday. A second committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.
Samantha Tattersall, a senior Treasury Board official, said her department did not need to review the purchase because it was under $10 million. However, she said Treasury Board policies would govern how Global Affairs made its decision.
“What I think this committee would want to hear from Global Affairs about is: did they undertake a full life-cycle cost analysis of the different options?” she said.
“Did they look at keeping (the old residence) and making the upgrades, did they look at what the full cost would be of acquiring something new, either through a purchase or through a lease, and what was the results of that analysis?”
The $10-million transaction limit was increased from $4 million in 2022 after a review of the average purchase price of foreign residences, officials said.
According to documents filed with the committee last week, it’s likely that Canada will actually make a profit on the sale of its former Manhattan residence.
That Park Avenue apartment has been listed for sale at $13 million.
Global Affairs Canada previously said the unit was purchased in 1961 and last renovated in 1982 and needed significant upgrades.
It was not in compliance with accessibility legislation, there was a lack of separation between family and work space and the co-operative board had imposed restrictions on events that could be held on site, the department said.
Conservative MP Garnett Genuis suggested during the meeting there is no guarantee the government will get the purchase price it’s asking for, and that it should have sold the old residence before buying a new one.
“We currently have two consul general’s residences in New York, each of which have very substantial carrying costs,” he said.
Concerns about the Park Avenue apartment were first raised in 2014.
Seven years later, Global Affairs approved $1.8-million worth of renovations, but the project was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More issues were discovered recently, and documents submitted to the committee show the renovation project cost had risen to $2.6 million and was not expected to solve some fundamental issues with the apartment.
The government worked with a local broker on the purchase, viewing 21 residences that ranged in price between $8 million and $21 million.
It settled on a luxury condo in Steinway Tower, steps from Central Park in an area known as Billionaires’ Row.
The official residence will be used by former journalist Tom Clark, who was appointed consul general in February 2023.
Global Affairs said the new residence will save Canadian taxpayers millions of dollars and reduce maintenance costs and property taxes.
— With files from Mickey Djuric.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Published Aug 20, 2024 • Last updated 14 hours ago • 3 minute read
Senior public servants have been called to a House of Commons committee to explain the government's decision to buy a $9-million condo for the consul general in New York.
Senior public servants have been called to a House of Commons committee to explain the government's decision to buy a $9-million condo for the consul general in New York.
OTTAWA — Senior public servants have been called to a House of Commons committee to explain the government’s decision to buy a $9-million condo for the consul general in New York.
Conservative MP Michael Barrett called the residence “excessive” and “opulent,” and questioned why the procurement minister was not made aware of the purchase.
“Was this purchase, in the context that I mentioned about the cost of living crisis that Canadians are facing, was this flagged for the minister?” he asked.
Amelie Bouchard, the acting chief appraiser of Canada, said she was the most senior official in the Procurement Department to sign off on the purchase but noted her role is to appraise a given property.
The government is selling its old Manhattan residence, which it has listed for $13 million, a move that Global Affairs says will actually save the government money.
Other officials who spoke at the meeting included two members of the real property services team in the Procurement Department, who often deferred questions to Global Affairs.
Global Affairs was not represented at the meeting Tuesday. A second committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.
Samantha Tattersall, a senior Treasury Board official, said her department did not need to review the purchase because it was under $10 million. However, she said Treasury Board policies would govern how Global Affairs made its decision.
“What I think this committee would want to hear from Global Affairs about is: did they undertake a full life-cycle cost analysis of the different options?” she said.
“Did they look at keeping (the old residence) and making the upgrades, did they look at what the full cost would be of acquiring something new, either through a purchase or through a lease, and what was the results of that analysis?”
The $10-million transaction limit was increased from $4 million in 2022 after a review of the average purchase price of foreign residences, officials said.
According to documents filed with the committee last week, it’s likely that Canada will actually make a profit on the sale of its former Manhattan residence.
That Park Avenue apartment has been listed for sale at $13 million.
Global Affairs Canada previously said the unit was purchased in 1961 and last renovated in 1982 and needed significant upgrades.
It was not in compliance with accessibility legislation, there was a lack of separation between family and work space and the co-operative board had imposed restrictions on events that could be held on site, the department said.
Conservative MP Garnett Genuis suggested during the meeting there is no guarantee the government will get the purchase price it’s asking for, and that it should have sold the old residence before buying a new one.
“We currently have two consul general’s residences in New York, each of which have very substantial carrying costs,” he said.
Concerns about the Park Avenue apartment were first raised in 2014.
Seven years later, Global Affairs approved $1.8-million worth of renovations, but the project was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More issues were discovered recently, and documents submitted to the committee show the renovation project cost had risen to $2.6 million and was not expected to solve some fundamental issues with the apartment.
The government worked with a local broker on the purchase, viewing 21 residences that ranged in price between $8 million and $21 million.
It settled on a luxury condo in Steinway Tower, steps from Central Park in an area known as Billionaires’ Row.
The official residence will be used by former journalist Tom Clark, who was appointed consul general in February 2023.
Global Affairs said the new residence will save Canadian taxpayers millions of dollars and reduce maintenance costs and property taxes.
— With files from Mickey Djuric.
House committee meeting about purchase of $9M New York City condo for consul general
Public servants have been called to a House of Commons committee to explain the government's decision to buy a $9-million condo in New York.
Trudeau's inflation means you're poorer than you think
Inflation, the silent, thief took a bigger chunk of our incomes than we took in raises says StatsCan.
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Aug 20, 2024 • Last updated 11 hours ago • 3 minute read
You’re poorer than you think.
That’s the message from a Statistics Canada report that looked at the impact of inflation on after-tax family income. The report, issued Monday, showed that median after-tax family income in 2022 rose by 2.5% to $60,800.
The bad news is inflation wiped out that out, meaning families were worse off.
“Adjusted for an annual rate of inflation of 6.8%, the 2022 median family after-tax income was 4.0% lower than in 2021,” the report stated.
Younger families headed by someone between the ages of 25-34 saw a bigger drop of 5.2% while lone-parent families in that age range saw their income drop by 8.5% in 2022. StatsCan hasn’t yet calculated how much inflation cost each of us in 2023.
Inflation is the invisible thief robbing each of us of our purchasing power.
On Tuesday, StatsCan reported that inflation had cooled, rising by just 2.5% in July. That’s more manageable than the peak of 8.1% in June 2022.
Canadians are expected to feel good about inflation calming down. While most welcome it, we are also dealing with the impact of two years of higher than acceptable inflation rates.
While StatsCan says we are at just 2.5% for last month, that’s still an increase in prices. Inflation started rising above the 2-3% range targeted by the Bank of Canada in April 2021 and didn’t return to that range until this year.
That’s left Canadians paying grocery prices that are almost 25% higher than when inflation started to rise. The basket of groceries that cost you $100 in early 2021 costs $125 now.
That’s hard on the wallet and those prices won’t be coming back down any time soon.
In March 2021, before inflation took off, the average price of a litre of regular gasoline across Canada was $1.25 according to StatsCan. Last month, the average national price was $1.66, an increase of 33% over the past three years.
The price to rent a home is 8.5% higher in Canada than it was a year earlier which of course was higher than the year before, which was higher than the year before.
The Trudeau government can cite how Canada is doing according to the latest study from the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development or the World Bank. It doesn’t matter. Most Canadians never deal with the IMF, OECD or World Bank.
What Canadians do deal with is the price at the pump, the cost of a loaf of bread. They see that the meat, the fruit and the vegetables they look to put on the table each day cost more.
This is why Justin Trudeau’s comment early in the 2021 election that he doesn’t think about monetary policy was so tone deaf. As I wrote at the time, not thinking about monetary policy means not thinking about the impact of government decisions on the average family budget including what they pay to feed and house themselves.
Trudeau’s out-of-control spending was a major contributing factor to the inflation in this country. He was warned in the middle of all of this that if he didn’t control spending, the Bank of Canada would have to raise rates higher than necessary to bring inflation under control.
That’s exactly what happened.
Canadians have paid more and watched their income and purchasing power shrink due to inflation that was driven in part by Trudeau’s spending. Then they felt the impact of the interest rate hikes on mortgages and lines of credit.
Now, with inflation cooling, we can expect a rate cut soon.
None of that will take away from the fact that we have all lost purchasing power over the past several years thanks to the silent thief, aided and abetted by the Trudeau government.
www150.statcan.gc.ca
www150.statcan.gc.ca
torontosun.com
Inflation, the silent, thief took a bigger chunk of our incomes than we took in raises says StatsCan.
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Aug 20, 2024 • Last updated 11 hours ago • 3 minute read
You’re poorer than you think.
That’s the message from a Statistics Canada report that looked at the impact of inflation on after-tax family income. The report, issued Monday, showed that median after-tax family income in 2022 rose by 2.5% to $60,800.
The bad news is inflation wiped out that out, meaning families were worse off.
“Adjusted for an annual rate of inflation of 6.8%, the 2022 median family after-tax income was 4.0% lower than in 2021,” the report stated.
Younger families headed by someone between the ages of 25-34 saw a bigger drop of 5.2% while lone-parent families in that age range saw their income drop by 8.5% in 2022. StatsCan hasn’t yet calculated how much inflation cost each of us in 2023.
Inflation is the invisible thief robbing each of us of our purchasing power.
On Tuesday, StatsCan reported that inflation had cooled, rising by just 2.5% in July. That’s more manageable than the peak of 8.1% in June 2022.
Canadians are expected to feel good about inflation calming down. While most welcome it, we are also dealing with the impact of two years of higher than acceptable inflation rates.
While StatsCan says we are at just 2.5% for last month, that’s still an increase in prices. Inflation started rising above the 2-3% range targeted by the Bank of Canada in April 2021 and didn’t return to that range until this year.
That’s left Canadians paying grocery prices that are almost 25% higher than when inflation started to rise. The basket of groceries that cost you $100 in early 2021 costs $125 now.
That’s hard on the wallet and those prices won’t be coming back down any time soon.
In March 2021, before inflation took off, the average price of a litre of regular gasoline across Canada was $1.25 according to StatsCan. Last month, the average national price was $1.66, an increase of 33% over the past three years.
The price to rent a home is 8.5% higher in Canada than it was a year earlier which of course was higher than the year before, which was higher than the year before.
The Trudeau government can cite how Canada is doing according to the latest study from the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development or the World Bank. It doesn’t matter. Most Canadians never deal with the IMF, OECD or World Bank.
What Canadians do deal with is the price at the pump, the cost of a loaf of bread. They see that the meat, the fruit and the vegetables they look to put on the table each day cost more.
This is why Justin Trudeau’s comment early in the 2021 election that he doesn’t think about monetary policy was so tone deaf. As I wrote at the time, not thinking about monetary policy means not thinking about the impact of government decisions on the average family budget including what they pay to feed and house themselves.
Trudeau’s out-of-control spending was a major contributing factor to the inflation in this country. He was warned in the middle of all of this that if he didn’t control spending, the Bank of Canada would have to raise rates higher than necessary to bring inflation under control.
That’s exactly what happened.
Canadians have paid more and watched their income and purchasing power shrink due to inflation that was driven in part by Trudeau’s spending. Then they felt the impact of the interest rate hikes on mortgages and lines of credit.
Now, with inflation cooling, we can expect a rate cut soon.
None of that will take away from the fact that we have all lost purchasing power over the past several years thanks to the silent thief, aided and abetted by the Trudeau government.
The Daily — Consumer Price Index, July 2024
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.5% on a year-over-year basis in July, down from a 2.7% increase in June. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, the CPI rose 0.3% in July.
The Daily — Main highlights on income of families and individuals: Subprovincial data from the T1 Family File, 2022
In 2022, the median family after-tax income of Canadians was $60,800, up by 2.5% from 2021, before adjusting for inflation. Adjusted for an annual rate of inflation of 6.8%, the 2022 median family after-tax income was 4.0% lower than in 2021.
LILLEY: Trudeau's inflation means you're poorer than you think
Inflation robbed Canadians of more than the raises they received says report by StatsCan.
It took more than their incomes. Many from all walks had to spend their savings or go into debt or both.Trudeau's inflation means you're poorer than you think
Inflation, the silent, thief took a bigger chunk of our incomes than we took in raises says StatsCan.
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Aug 20, 2024 • Last updated 11 hours ago • 3 minute read
You’re poorer than you think.
That’s the message from a Statistics Canada report that looked at the impact of inflation on after-tax family income. The report, issued Monday, showed that median after-tax family income in 2022 rose by 2.5% to $60,800.
The bad news is inflation wiped out that out, meaning families were worse off.
“Adjusted for an annual rate of inflation of 6.8%, the 2022 median family after-tax income was 4.0% lower than in 2021,” the report stated.
Younger families headed by someone between the ages of 25-34 saw a bigger drop of 5.2% while lone-parent families in that age range saw their income drop by 8.5% in 2022. StatsCan hasn’t yet calculated how much inflation cost each of us in 2023.
Inflation is the invisible thief robbing each of us of our purchasing power.
On Tuesday, StatsCan reported that inflation had cooled, rising by just 2.5% in July. That’s more manageable than the peak of 8.1% in June 2022.
Canadians are expected to feel good about inflation calming down. While most welcome it, we are also dealing with the impact of two years of higher than acceptable inflation rates.
While StatsCan says we are at just 2.5% for last month, that’s still an increase in prices. Inflation started rising above the 2-3% range targeted by the Bank of Canada in April 2021 and didn’t return to that range until this year.
That’s left Canadians paying grocery prices that are almost 25% higher than when inflation started to rise. The basket of groceries that cost you $100 in early 2021 costs $125 now.
That’s hard on the wallet and those prices won’t be coming back down any time soon.
In March 2021, before inflation took off, the average price of a litre of regular gasoline across Canada was $1.25 according to StatsCan. Last month, the average national price was $1.66, an increase of 33% over the past three years.
The price to rent a home is 8.5% higher in Canada than it was a year earlier which of course was higher than the year before, which was higher than the year before.
The Trudeau government can cite how Canada is doing according to the latest study from the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development or the World Bank. It doesn’t matter. Most Canadians never deal with the IMF, OECD or World Bank.
What Canadians do deal with is the price at the pump, the cost of a loaf of bread. They see that the meat, the fruit and the vegetables they look to put on the table each day cost more.
This is why Justin Trudeau’s comment early in the 2021 election that he doesn’t think about monetary policy was so tone deaf. As I wrote at the time, not thinking about monetary policy means not thinking about the impact of government decisions on the average family budget including what they pay to feed and house themselves.
Trudeau’s out-of-control spending was a major contributing factor to the inflation in this country. He was warned in the middle of all of this that if he didn’t control spending, the Bank of Canada would have to raise rates higher than necessary to bring inflation under control.
That’s exactly what happened.
Canadians have paid more and watched their income and purchasing power shrink due to inflation that was driven in part by Trudeau’s spending. Then they felt the impact of the interest rate hikes on mortgages and lines of credit.
Now, with inflation cooling, we can expect a rate cut soon.
None of that will take away from the fact that we have all lost purchasing power over the past several years thanks to the silent thief, aided and abetted by the Trudeau government.
The Daily — Consumer Price Index, July 2024
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.5% on a year-over-year basis in July, down from a 2.7% increase in June. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, the CPI rose 0.3% in July.The Daily — Main highlights on income of families and individuals: Subprovincial data from the T1 Family File, 2022
In 2022, the median family after-tax income of Canadians was $60,800, up by 2.5% from 2021, before adjusting for inflation. Adjusted for an annual rate of inflation of 6.8%, the 2022 median family after-tax income was 4.0% lower than in 2021.LILLEY: Trudeau's inflation means you're poorer than you think
Inflation robbed Canadians of more than the raises they received says report by StatsCan.
Updates to Ontario municipal code of conduct rules further delayed
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Allison Jones
Published Aug 21, 2024 • Last updated 13 hours ago • 3 minute read
TORONTO — Municipal councils across Ontario that have been urging the province to let them impose stricter sanctions on unethical councillors will have to wait a while longer.
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Paul Calandra had said in the spring that he was working on the issue and would bring the long-promised plan to present at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in August.
But that conference wrapped up Wednesday and legislation is still not ready, as the minister awaits recommendations from the province’s integrity commissioner.
Municipalities for years have been calling for updated codes of conduct to address workplace harassment, as well as stricter penalties for those who violate those rules, up to removing them from office.
Calandra said in the spring that it has proven to be more complex than he thought, so at that time — in explaining he would miss his self-imposed deadline of June for tabling legislation — he said he wanted to consult more and seek advice from Ontario’s integrity commissioner.
Premier Doug Ford wrote to the commissioner in June, asking him for recommendations to improve the standardization of municipal integrity commissioners and standardizing codes of conduct.
“Your expertise regarding accountability and transparency is invaluable in informing possible changes that will help ensure a consistent, uniform standard is applied to the conduct of all local elected officials,” Ford wrote.
Ford spokesperson Grace Lee said a report from the commissioner is now expected some time this fall.
“Given the discrepancies between municipal codes of conduct across the province, the premier wrote to the Integrity Commissioner in June to seek his advice, in consultation with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the office of the Attorney General, and various municipalities, on the best path forward for strengthening codes of conduct for members of municipal councils,” Lee wrote in a statement.
The municipalities’ association submitted recommendations to the province for such legislation in 2021, and Global News has reported that the government had prepared a bill and was close to tabling it under former Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark.
Since it has still not materialized, municipalities are becoming vocal about the need for the updated rules.
Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe and five other councillors recently called on Ford and Calandra to take immediate action to close a “glaring loophole” in the Municipal Act.
Their statement related to Coun. Lisa Robinson, who appeared on a far-right online show during which the host called Robinson’s fellow council members “pedophiles” and “Nazis” and said they “deserve a baseball bat to the face.”
She has previously been sanctioned with pay suspensions of 30 or 60 days for what the city’s integrity commissioner deemed cyberbullying, intimidation, and homophobic and transphobic remarks.
Ashe and the other councillors said there should be mechanisms for stricter sanctions beyond suspensions of pay.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said it is “disappointing” there has been another delay and Calandra did not present a plan at the conference.
“It’s technically a workplace for elected officials, so definitely there needs to be something because at this point there really isn’t anything, and what that does is leave people vulnerable,” she said in an interview.
A non-partisan group dubbed Women of Ontario Say No has been advocating for the legislation, saying some municipalities have learned the hard way that there are not enough tools to hold politicians accountable for workplace harassment.
“The premise is simple: You should go to work and you should not be subjected to abuse,” group member Emily McIntosh said at a news conference earlier this year.
“We are asking municipally elected representatives to be held to the very same standard as every other working Ontarian.”
Liberal MPP Stephen Blais introduced a private member’s bill, prompted by complaints against an Ottawa councillor about harassment that would have allowed councillors and members of local boards to be fired for violating workplace violence or harassment policies, and could have prevented them from running for re-election.
The Progressive Conservatives voted down Blais’ bill, as Calandra said the government would table its own legislation.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Allison Jones
Published Aug 21, 2024 • Last updated 13 hours ago • 3 minute read
TORONTO — Municipal councils across Ontario that have been urging the province to let them impose stricter sanctions on unethical councillors will have to wait a while longer.
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Paul Calandra had said in the spring that he was working on the issue and would bring the long-promised plan to present at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in August.
But that conference wrapped up Wednesday and legislation is still not ready, as the minister awaits recommendations from the province’s integrity commissioner.
Municipalities for years have been calling for updated codes of conduct to address workplace harassment, as well as stricter penalties for those who violate those rules, up to removing them from office.
Calandra said in the spring that it has proven to be more complex than he thought, so at that time — in explaining he would miss his self-imposed deadline of June for tabling legislation — he said he wanted to consult more and seek advice from Ontario’s integrity commissioner.
Premier Doug Ford wrote to the commissioner in June, asking him for recommendations to improve the standardization of municipal integrity commissioners and standardizing codes of conduct.
“Your expertise regarding accountability and transparency is invaluable in informing possible changes that will help ensure a consistent, uniform standard is applied to the conduct of all local elected officials,” Ford wrote.
Ford spokesperson Grace Lee said a report from the commissioner is now expected some time this fall.
“Given the discrepancies between municipal codes of conduct across the province, the premier wrote to the Integrity Commissioner in June to seek his advice, in consultation with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the office of the Attorney General, and various municipalities, on the best path forward for strengthening codes of conduct for members of municipal councils,” Lee wrote in a statement.
The municipalities’ association submitted recommendations to the province for such legislation in 2021, and Global News has reported that the government had prepared a bill and was close to tabling it under former Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark.
Since it has still not materialized, municipalities are becoming vocal about the need for the updated rules.
Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe and five other councillors recently called on Ford and Calandra to take immediate action to close a “glaring loophole” in the Municipal Act.
Their statement related to Coun. Lisa Robinson, who appeared on a far-right online show during which the host called Robinson’s fellow council members “pedophiles” and “Nazis” and said they “deserve a baseball bat to the face.”
She has previously been sanctioned with pay suspensions of 30 or 60 days for what the city’s integrity commissioner deemed cyberbullying, intimidation, and homophobic and transphobic remarks.
Ashe and the other councillors said there should be mechanisms for stricter sanctions beyond suspensions of pay.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said it is “disappointing” there has been another delay and Calandra did not present a plan at the conference.
“It’s technically a workplace for elected officials, so definitely there needs to be something because at this point there really isn’t anything, and what that does is leave people vulnerable,” she said in an interview.
A non-partisan group dubbed Women of Ontario Say No has been advocating for the legislation, saying some municipalities have learned the hard way that there are not enough tools to hold politicians accountable for workplace harassment.
“The premise is simple: You should go to work and you should not be subjected to abuse,” group member Emily McIntosh said at a news conference earlier this year.
“We are asking municipally elected representatives to be held to the very same standard as every other working Ontarian.”
Liberal MPP Stephen Blais introduced a private member’s bill, prompted by complaints against an Ottawa councillor about harassment that would have allowed councillors and members of local boards to be fired for violating workplace violence or harassment policies, and could have prevented them from running for re-election.
The Progressive Conservatives voted down Blais’ bill, as Calandra said the government would table its own legislation.
Updates to Ontario municipal code of conduct rules further delayed
Municipal councils have been urging the province to give them the ability to impose stricter sanctions on unethical councillors
Tory MP deletes post that claimed cost of living driving parents to traffic kids
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Nojoud Al Mallees
Published Aug 21, 2024 • 1 minute read
OTTAWA — Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri has deleted a post on X that claimed the affordability crisis has driven parents to traffic their kids.
This comes after The Canadian Press sent Ferreri questions regarding the post, which followed a visit to the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre in Peterborough, Ont.
In the now-deleted post shared on Aug. 16, Ferreri said there has been a rise in human trafficking and domestic violence and tied those trends to affordability.
“The cost-of-living crisis has driven parents to traffic their own children,” Ferreri said.
On Wednesday, Ferreri said in a statement that the organization shared “deeply troubling statistics and shocking stories” with her.
“I admit my statement posted following my meeting was inartfully worded,” she said.
“While a cost of living crisis undeniably results in increases in a wide array of social problems — from drug abuse to crime to families struggling to afford food and shelter — it is of course in no way an excuse for human trafficking.”
Ferreri’s now-deleted post also linked a rise in domestic violence reports at the centre to the cost of living, saying “survival leads to crime.”
She had blamed the NDP and Liberals for “soft-on-crime policies” that she said are discouraging survivors from coming forward.
“We can change policy to hold criminals accountable. We can change policy to make life more affordable,” she said in the post.
In a statement, the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre executive director says many clients have shared over the past several decades that they were trafficked by a parent or guardian and that this issue is not new.
“We do not hold any specific government or party responsible for sexual violence, but we call on all forms of government and all parties to take sexual violence seriously and to invest in prevention and supports for survivors,” Brittany McMillan said.
Ferreri serves as the Conservatives’ critic on families, children and social development.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Nojoud Al Mallees
Published Aug 21, 2024 • 1 minute read
OTTAWA — Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri has deleted a post on X that claimed the affordability crisis has driven parents to traffic their kids.
This comes after The Canadian Press sent Ferreri questions regarding the post, which followed a visit to the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre in Peterborough, Ont.
In the now-deleted post shared on Aug. 16, Ferreri said there has been a rise in human trafficking and domestic violence and tied those trends to affordability.
“The cost-of-living crisis has driven parents to traffic their own children,” Ferreri said.
On Wednesday, Ferreri said in a statement that the organization shared “deeply troubling statistics and shocking stories” with her.
“I admit my statement posted following my meeting was inartfully worded,” she said.
“While a cost of living crisis undeniably results in increases in a wide array of social problems — from drug abuse to crime to families struggling to afford food and shelter — it is of course in no way an excuse for human trafficking.”
Ferreri’s now-deleted post also linked a rise in domestic violence reports at the centre to the cost of living, saying “survival leads to crime.”
She had blamed the NDP and Liberals for “soft-on-crime policies” that she said are discouraging survivors from coming forward.
“We can change policy to hold criminals accountable. We can change policy to make life more affordable,” she said in the post.
In a statement, the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre executive director says many clients have shared over the past several decades that they were trafficked by a parent or guardian and that this issue is not new.
“We do not hold any specific government or party responsible for sexual violence, but we call on all forms of government and all parties to take sexual violence seriously and to invest in prevention and supports for survivors,” Brittany McMillan said.
Ferreri serves as the Conservatives’ critic on families, children and social development.
Tory MP deletes post that claimed cost of living driving parents to traffic kids
Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri has deleted a post on X that claimed the affordability crisis has driven parents to traffic their kids.
There may be a less nefarious reason for the deletion than what first came to mind and it aint pretty. Could there be Canadian links and an investigation?Tory MP deletes post that claimed cost of living driving parents to traffic kids
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Nojoud Al Mallees
Published Aug 21, 2024 • 1 minute read
OTTAWA — Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri has deleted a post on X that claimed the affordability crisis has driven parents to traffic their kids.
This comes after The Canadian Press sent Ferreri questions regarding the post, which followed a visit to the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre in Peterborough, Ont.
In the now-deleted post shared on Aug. 16, Ferreri said there has been a rise in human trafficking and domestic violence and tied those trends to affordability.
“The cost-of-living crisis has driven parents to traffic their own children,” Ferreri said.
On Wednesday, Ferreri said in a statement that the organization shared “deeply troubling statistics and shocking stories” with her.
“I admit my statement posted following my meeting was inartfully worded,” she said.
“While a cost of living crisis undeniably results in increases in a wide array of social problems — from drug abuse to crime to families struggling to afford food and shelter — it is of course in no way an excuse for human trafficking.”
Ferreri’s now-deleted post also linked a rise in domestic violence reports at the centre to the cost of living, saying “survival leads to crime.”
She had blamed the NDP and Liberals for “soft-on-crime policies” that she said are discouraging survivors from coming forward.
“We can change policy to hold criminals accountable. We can change policy to make life more affordable,” she said in the post.
In a statement, the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre executive director says many clients have shared over the past several decades that they were trafficked by a parent or guardian and that this issue is not new.
“We do not hold any specific government or party responsible for sexual violence, but we call on all forms of government and all parties to take sexual violence seriously and to invest in prevention and supports for survivors,” Brittany McMillan said.
Ferreri serves as the Conservatives’ critic on families, children and social development.
Tory MP deletes post that claimed cost of living driving parents to traffic kids
Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri has deleted a post on X that claimed the affordability crisis has driven parents to traffic their kids.
Sheriff: 148 arrested, 7 victims recovered during human trafficking bust in Hillsborough County
Five adult women and two juveniles were recovered as a part of this three-month-long operation that the sheriff's office conducted.
Author: Alexa Herrera
Published: 11:08 AM EDT August 20, 2024
Updated: 1:09 PM EDT August 20, 2024
TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County sheriff announced more than 100 arrests that led to the recovery of seven victims of human trafficking over the past three months.
Dubbed Operation Summer Shield, the county's Human Trafficking Squad arrested 148 people and charged 11 after they were found to be involved in human trafficking of women as young as 16 years old.
CBP on their own news release site talks about a human trafficking record for Tennessee right up into Ontario…
Hell, I’m still trying to figure out if their news site leans politically right or left or centre before I post anything from it.
Ford’s massive cabinet reflects lack of respect for taxpayers
His cabinet is just two spots shy of Trudeau's, despite representing just one-third of the country's population
Author of the article:Jay Goldberg
Published Aug 22, 2024 • Last updated 20 hours ago • 3 minute read
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet was already embarrassingly large. A surprise resignation should have been an opportunity to shed some dead weight.
But somehow, Ford managed to add yet another cook into his already jam-packed kitchen. Ontario’s cabinet has now ballooned to nearly federal proportions.
Former education minister Todd Smith suddenly resigned from cabinet last week, triggering a small cabinet shuffle.
Ford was already heading up the largest cabinet in Ontario history. When Ford was elected, his first cabinet had 21 members. Before Smith’s resignation, it had already increased to 36.
Ford could have used Smith’s resignation to shrink the size of his cabinet. Instead, Ford made his massive cabinet even larger.
It’s almost like a sleight-of-hand trick that’s hard to follow, but leaves your wallet lighter.
Former colleges and universities minister Jill Dunlop was promoted to the education file. Nolan Quinn, who had been associate minister of forestry, took Dunlop’s file.
So far, rather simple.
Now Ford had a choice. He already has a natural resources minister. He could have let forestry go back to natural resources and prune cabinet by a position. But he just couldn’t resist going back to the cabinet appointment buffet. Ford replaced Quinn with Kevin Holland.
And then, for no obvious reason, Ford added yet another cabinet position by creating an associate minister of auto theft and bail reform out of thin air. Graham McGregor was handed that portfolio.
Yes, auto theft and bail reform are important issues. But those issues are already handled by the province’s solicitor general. McGregor will be reporting directly to him. And does anyone think their SUV disappeared because there wasn’t a cabinet minister watching it?
Why in the world do we have a solicitor general if he can’t deal with auto theft? Or bail reform? Isn’t he the head of Ontario’s law enforcement?
The solicitor general’s job description reads: “Ensuring Ontario’s communities are supported and protected by law enforcement, and that public safety and correctional systems are safe, effective and accountable.”
Could anyone read that job description and conclude the solicitor general isn’t responsible for dealing with auto theft and bail reform?
McGregor’s appointment is a slap in the face to Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.
And now taxpayers are stuck paying McGregor’s salary of $165,000 to do a completely redundant job that Kerzner should already be handling.
Canadians are frustrated with big-government politicians. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is languishing in the polls and one reason is all the bloat and debt he’s added to the nation’s bottom line.
But how many cabinet ministers does big-government Trudeau have? Thirty-nine.
With his latest cabinet shuffle, Ford’s cabinet is just two spots shy of Trudeau’s, despite representing just one-third of the country’s population.
It is by far the largest cabinet in Ontario’s history. Fully 47% of the governing caucus is now in cabinet. And it is the largest provincial cabinet in the history of the nation.
Ford’s big cabinet will cost Ontario’s taxpayers even more in terms of staffers and bureaucrats.
But there’s a deeper problem: Ford’s big cabinet is a symptom of a larger issue. The truth is the premier is addicted to big government.
This is a premier who’s added $86 billion to Ontario’s debt, increased government spending by nearly $60 billion a year and only balanced the budget once in six tries.
Ford likes to talk a big game about fiscal responsibility. He regularly says, “Folks, the worst place you could ever give your money to is the government.”
But Ford has trouble walking the walk.
The Ford government is as bloated as your friend after all-you-can-eat wings night.
It’s time for change. Ford needs to slim down the size of government — fast. It’s time to shrink the cabinet, cut spending and balance the budget.
— Jay Goldberg is Ontario director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation
torontosun.com
His cabinet is just two spots shy of Trudeau's, despite representing just one-third of the country's population
Author of the article:Jay Goldberg
Published Aug 22, 2024 • Last updated 20 hours ago • 3 minute read
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet was already embarrassingly large. A surprise resignation should have been an opportunity to shed some dead weight.
But somehow, Ford managed to add yet another cook into his already jam-packed kitchen. Ontario’s cabinet has now ballooned to nearly federal proportions.
Former education minister Todd Smith suddenly resigned from cabinet last week, triggering a small cabinet shuffle.
Ford was already heading up the largest cabinet in Ontario history. When Ford was elected, his first cabinet had 21 members. Before Smith’s resignation, it had already increased to 36.
Ford could have used Smith’s resignation to shrink the size of his cabinet. Instead, Ford made his massive cabinet even larger.
It’s almost like a sleight-of-hand trick that’s hard to follow, but leaves your wallet lighter.
Former colleges and universities minister Jill Dunlop was promoted to the education file. Nolan Quinn, who had been associate minister of forestry, took Dunlop’s file.
So far, rather simple.
Now Ford had a choice. He already has a natural resources minister. He could have let forestry go back to natural resources and prune cabinet by a position. But he just couldn’t resist going back to the cabinet appointment buffet. Ford replaced Quinn with Kevin Holland.
And then, for no obvious reason, Ford added yet another cabinet position by creating an associate minister of auto theft and bail reform out of thin air. Graham McGregor was handed that portfolio.
Yes, auto theft and bail reform are important issues. But those issues are already handled by the province’s solicitor general. McGregor will be reporting directly to him. And does anyone think their SUV disappeared because there wasn’t a cabinet minister watching it?
Why in the world do we have a solicitor general if he can’t deal with auto theft? Or bail reform? Isn’t he the head of Ontario’s law enforcement?
The solicitor general’s job description reads: “Ensuring Ontario’s communities are supported and protected by law enforcement, and that public safety and correctional systems are safe, effective and accountable.”
Could anyone read that job description and conclude the solicitor general isn’t responsible for dealing with auto theft and bail reform?
McGregor’s appointment is a slap in the face to Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.
And now taxpayers are stuck paying McGregor’s salary of $165,000 to do a completely redundant job that Kerzner should already be handling.
Canadians are frustrated with big-government politicians. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is languishing in the polls and one reason is all the bloat and debt he’s added to the nation’s bottom line.
But how many cabinet ministers does big-government Trudeau have? Thirty-nine.
With his latest cabinet shuffle, Ford’s cabinet is just two spots shy of Trudeau’s, despite representing just one-third of the country’s population.
It is by far the largest cabinet in Ontario’s history. Fully 47% of the governing caucus is now in cabinet. And it is the largest provincial cabinet in the history of the nation.
Ford’s big cabinet will cost Ontario’s taxpayers even more in terms of staffers and bureaucrats.
But there’s a deeper problem: Ford’s big cabinet is a symptom of a larger issue. The truth is the premier is addicted to big government.
This is a premier who’s added $86 billion to Ontario’s debt, increased government spending by nearly $60 billion a year and only balanced the budget once in six tries.
Ford likes to talk a big game about fiscal responsibility. He regularly says, “Folks, the worst place you could ever give your money to is the government.”
But Ford has trouble walking the walk.
The Ford government is as bloated as your friend after all-you-can-eat wings night.
It’s time for change. Ford needs to slim down the size of government — fast. It’s time to shrink the cabinet, cut spending and balance the budget.
— Jay Goldberg is Ontario director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation
JAY GOLDBERG: Ford’s massive cabinet reflects lack of respect for taxpayers
With his latest shuffle, Ford's cabinet is just two spots shy of Trudeau's, despite representing just one-third of the country's population.
That is not how it works. In the 50s and 60s, Hollywierd had the good guys wearing white hats and the bad guys wearing black hats. And the Indians usually had war bonnets that were not from the tribe they supposedly belonged to. That way you could come into the middle of a show and instantly know who to root for.