Rapporteur David Johnson, Eminent Canadian

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
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A man with personal connections to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Johnston should have never accepted the position of independent special rapporteur investigating foreign election interference, which was announced Wednesday.

(This being Canada, you can’t throw a rock without hitting someone attached, in some way to the Liberal party, like Paul Rouleau or Dominic Barton or Morris Rosenberg)

Trudeau has described Johnston as a “family friend” and as a friend of Trudeau’s father. Johnston is involved with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, as a “member” who advises and helps select the board of directors (like Dominic Barton and Morris Rosenberg where).

The foundation is, of course, implicated in allegations the Chinese government tried to use it to influence Justin Trudeau ahead of the 2015 election. That doesn’t mean Johnston himself is implicated, but someone with more distance from the matters being investigated would have clearly been preferable.

As head of the federal leaders debate commission, Johnston appointed WE Charity cofounder Craig Kielburger to the advisory board. A Trudeau friend appointing someone whose charity regularly paid Trudeau family members to speak at events and was granted a plum government contract in 2020, is the sort of thing that is just expected in Liberal circles, it seems.

Despite appearances, there is no indication that Johnston is anything but a man of integrity, which is why he should have stayed far away from the government’s so-called investigations into interference, lest he open himself up to attacks and allegations his appointment was motivated by partisanship.

Trudeau announced over a week ago that he would be appointing an “eminent Canadian” to investigate foreign electoral interference, in the wake of allegations that the Chinese Communist Party funnelled illegal donations to multiple Liberal candidates in the 2019 and 2021 elections. The prime minister has refused to answer questions about what he knew and when, despite mounting evidence that his government was warned by intelligence officials about Chinese interference repeatedly since at least 2017.

Instead, Trudeau is tasking committees and panels to investigate China’s influence. He has dismissed calls for a public inquiry, but decided to appoint the rapporteur to recommend whether an inquiry is needed?

Johnston’s connections to the prime minister should have disqualified him from being appointed, not because the former governor general is incapable of performing his duties objectively, but because reasonable Canadians will find it difficult to accept Johnston’s conclusions were not influenced in some way.

Here’s many positive things said about David Johnson:
1678946722202.jpeg
…..& yes, Stephen Harper put forward David Johnson as governor general in 2010…. Isn’t that a sign of bipartisanship? Johnston is best at is not rocking boats. He’s like a human outrigger. It’s a great skill. That’s exactly what you want in a governor general, as the Liberals belatedly discovered having replaced him with a workplace-monster astronaut.
 

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
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Heading into Wednesday afternoon, David Johnston might have been one of Canada’s least-despised public figures. That was no small achievement, considering all the hats he has worn over the years: governor general; federal election-debates commissioner; participant in almost too many inquiries and commissions to count, at the request of Liberal and Conservative governments alike. Maybe that’s why Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his advisers thought Johnston would make a fine “special rapporteur” into allegations of Chinese meddling into Canadian elections.

Team Trudeau certainly wasn’t alone on that front. Johnston’s appointment produced some very positive notices from lots of people who aren’t on the red team. “Unimpeachable choice,” declared Andrew MacDougall, formerly prime minister Stephen Harper’s communications director. Many, including the Toronto Star’s Susan Delacourt, noted in particular Johnston’s bipartisan record of being asked to help mop up messes.
 
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Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
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And your party that is proping Trudeau up . And nice stretch on Freeland being the most capable cabinet minister along with the proven lie that was Russian collusion . Yikes I used to semi like Mulchair .
Yeah, I’m not a Trump fan boy by any means, but he did flub it on that one… and I’m not a fan of Freeland, especially since she got caught lying…sorry, “manipulated media” bullshit… but he did make a good point about the rats leaving the sinking ship.
 
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petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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How will a Rapper fix this? Is Trudeau going to hire an OG? Snoop Dogg? Get a n Rx from Dr Dre?
Snoop would be fun.
Im going to put that to AI.....
Screenshot_20230316_181405_AI Assistant Chat.jpg


Verse 1:
Yo, it's Snoop Dogg on the mic
Talkin' 'bout the Prime Minister's life
Justin Trudeau, you ain't the man
Your corruption got us all banned

They say you're Mr. Clean, the perfect face
But behind the scenes, you're a real disgrace
From SNC-Lavalin to Aga Khan
You're lyin', cheatin', and wrongin' the land

Chorus:
Trudeau, Trudeau
Your corruption will never go
You're like a gangster in the game
But we'll call you out on your shame

Verse 2:
You spendin' all that money on a trip
To a private island, that's a big flip
You got people in your party, they're paid off
But what goes up, it's bound to fall off

You wanna legal weed, that's cool
But how you treatin' the First Nations ain't cool
You shuttin' down Indigenous women
And you think you're in charge of the system

Chorus:
Trudeau, Trudeau
Your corruption will never go
You're like a gangster in the game
But we'll call you out on your shame

Verse 3:
You passed a bill that suppresses free speech
And you think you're not the one to breach
You're buying pipelines with our money
And you're pretending things are always sunny

You're a smooth talker, we give you that
But in the end, you're nothing but a rat
We see through your lies, we see through your schemes
And we're gonna take you down, it's in our dreams

Chorus:
Trudeau, Trudeau
Your corruption will never go
You're like a gangster in the game
But we'll call you out on your shame

Outro:
Yeah, it's Snoop Dogg on the mic
Lettin' you know about the Prime Minister's life
If you keep goin' down this road
You'll end up in jail, that's what we've been told.
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

Satelitte Radio Addict
May 28, 2007
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And your party that is proping Trudeau up . And nice stretch on Freeland being the most capable cabinet minister along with the proven lie that was Russian collusion . Yikes I used to semi like Mulchair .
He said interference did he not? I have no doubt the Russians meddled in 2016. Probably 2020 too. I think it's pretty safe to say the Chinese also meddled in 2020. How successful either one was is unknown. I don't believe Trump or Biden actively colluded with Russia or China in either election.

And in this case, the longer Trudeau flounders in the wind, the better it is for the opposition parties including the NDP. Strategically, keeping him floating and squirming is a sound tactical decision.
 
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Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
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I sincerely hope Trudeau screwed up, and that this David Johnson is a good and fair man with Canada & Canadians as his real priority, and that he’ll actually do a great job openly and transparently because at 82 years old, he just doesn’t give two shits about partisan politics or Justin Trudeau’s legacy of nonsense and corruption. That this is actually the right person for the job and not the Slam Dunk that Trudeau thought he picked….

Oh, and here’s a quick video by Saskatchewan’s version of Beau:

After Johnston's appointment, a number of opposition members noted his affiliation with the Trudeau Foundation, which lists the special rapporteur as a member. The foundation recently announced it would be returning $200,000, which it received over seven years ago, due to “possible” ties to Beijing.

In a press conference Thursday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he believes Johnston is a "non-partisan" person of "integrity" and that he trusts him to do the work.

He maintained, however, that Johnston's mandate as special rapporteur should include answering "the fundamental questions that Canadians have."

"What did the prime minister know, when did he know about it and what did he do about it, when it comes to foreign interference?" he said.

Singh said again that he believes the government should launch a public and independent inquiry into election interference. The fact that Trudeau not doing this though…. Will that make Jagmeet rethink the non-coalition coalition thing propping up the liberal government? I think not…

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa Wednesday, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said that while he has "nothing against" Johnston personally, the prime minister "should pick someone who is not notably and admittedly a friend of the family."

"I will accept nothing but a public independent inquiry, which management will have been chosen by the Parliament. Nothing else," he added.

"Trudeau has named a family friend, old neighbour from the cottage and member of the Beijing-funded Trudeau Foundation, to be the independent rapporteur on Beijing's interference," Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a media statement.

"Get real. Trudeau must end his cover up. Call a public inquiry."

After Johnston's appointment, a number of opposition members noted his affiliation with the Trudeau Foundation, which lists the special rapporteur as a member. The foundation recently announced it would be returning $200,000, which it received over seven years ago, due to “possible” (?) ties to Beijing.

In an interview with CBC News on Thursday morning, Lori Turnbull, director of the school of public administration and associate professor of political science at Dalhousie University, said Johnston's association with the Trudeau Foundation was bound to come up.

"When you look at the press release from the government, they take a lot of effort to say this man was appointed by the Harper government to be governor general, to work on the Oliphant Commission, so in no way is he some sort of Liberal hack," she said.

"If there is a unicorn in the world who would have absolutely no criticism against them, I guess that person was not interested."

The Prime Minister's Office says in the press release that all parties were consulted on Johnston's appointment, although it did not say to what extent?
Trudeau Foundation returning $200K to Beijing-linked donor
©2023 CBC/Radio-Canada. All rights reserved.
 

pgs

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 29, 2008
27,661
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I sincerely hope Trudeau screwed up, and that this David Johnson is a good and fair man with Canada & Canadians as his real priority, and that he’ll actually do a great job openly and transparently because at 82 years old, he just doesn’t give two shits about partisan politics or Justin Trudeau’s legacy of nonsense and corruption. That this is actually the right person for the job and not the Slam Dunk that Trudeau thought he picked….

Oh, and here’s a quick video by Saskatchewan’s version of Beau:

A fter Johnston's appointment, a number of opposition members noted his affiliation with the Trudeau Foundation, which lists the special rapporteur as a member. The foundation recently announced it would be returning $200,000, which it received over seven years ago, due to “possible” ties to Beijing.

In a press conference Thursday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he believes Johnston is a "non-partisan" person of "integrity" and that he trusts him to do the work.

He maintained, however, that Johnston's mandate as special rapporteur should include answering "the fundamental questions that Canadians have."

"What did the prime minister know, when did he know about it and what did he do about it, when it comes to foreign interference?" he said.

Singh said again that he believes the government should launch a public and independent inquiry into election interference. The fact that Trudeau not doing this though…. Will that make Jagmeet rethink the non-coalition coalition thing propping up the liberal government? I think not…

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa Wednesday, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said that while he has "nothing against" Johnston personally, the prime minister "should pick someone who is not notably and admittedly a friend of the family."

"I will accept nothing but a public independent inquiry, which management will have been chosen by the Parliament. Nothing else," he added.

"Trudeau has named a family friend, old neighbour from the cottage and member of the Beijing-funded Trudeau Foundation, to be the independent rapporteur on Beijing's interference," Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a media statement.

"Get real. Trudeau must end his cover up. Call a public inquiry."

After Johnston's appointment, a number of opposition members noted his affiliation with the Trudeau Foundation, which lists the special rapporteur as a member. The foundation recently announced it would be returning $200,000, which it received over seven years ago, due to “possible” (?) ties to Beijing.

In an interview with CBC News on Thursday morning, Lori Turnbull, director of the school of public administration and associate professor of political science at Dalhousie University, said Johnston's association with the Trudeau Foundation was bound to come up.

"When you look at the press release from the government, they take a lot of effort to say this man was appointed by the Harper government to be governor general, to work on the Oliphant Commission, so in no way is he some sort of Liberal hack," she said.

"If there is a unicorn in the world who would have absolutely no criticism against them, I guess that person was not interested."

The Prime Minister's Office says in the press release that all parties were consulted on Johnston's appointment, although it did not say to what extent?
Trudeau Foundation returning $200K to Beijing-linked donor
©2023 CBC/Radio-Canada. All rights reserved.
This whole thing is just a stalling tactic to get this off the front page .
 

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
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Regina, Saskatchewan
This whole thing is just a stalling tactic to get this off the front page .
Yeah, but does David Johnson understand that (I’m sure he does because he’s a bright guy), but at 82 years old, he’s putting his reputation on the line accepting this position…. And is he going to be a Canadian or is he going to tow the Trudeau line?

Yes, this could turn into something that could drag out for years before we get any answers if any…. And that’s the spirit of what’s happening, but is David Johnson going to play that game?
 

pgs

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 29, 2008
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B.C.
Yeah, but does David Johnson understand that (I’m sure he does because he’s a bright guy), but at 82 years old, he’s putting his reputation on the line accepting this position…. And is he going to be a Canadian or is he going to tow the Trudeau line?

Yes, this could turn into something that could drag out for years before we get any answers if any…. And that’s the spirit of what’s happening, but is David Johnson going to play that game?
He is a good liberal soldier , he will do the PMO’s bidding .
 
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Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
25,974
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Regina, Saskatchewan
He is a good liberal soldier , he will do the PMO’s bidding .
Is he though? Or is he a former friend of Papa Trudeau, but not Justin Trudeau, that might actually be impartial maybe and not the Slam-Dunk Justin would be banking on or he wouldn’t have been chosen I’d assume.