Rapporteur David Johnson, Eminent Canadian
- Thread starter Ron in Regina
- Start date
bonus. That also cuts the number of spies coming in under cover of tourism. Or maybe they are the only ones authorized to go to Canada.In a media statement, the Chinese foreign ministry announced on August 10 that an additional 78 countries had been added to a list of destinations approved for group tours and package travel. Travel agents from mainland China work from this list when they promote and book foreign travel for Chinese nationals.
In response to an inquiry from CBC News about China's rationale for excluding Canada, the public affairs office at China's embassy in Ottawa wrote that "lately, the Canadian side has repeatedly hyped up the so-called 'Chinese interference' and rampant and discriminatory anti-Asian acts and words are rising significantly in Canada."
"The Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting the safety and legitimate rights of overseas Chinese citizens and wishes they can travel in a safe and friendly environment," the embassy added.
Global Affairs Canada has yet to respond to CBC News' request for comment.
China snubs Canada on its list of approved travel spots, setting back tourism's post-COVID recovery — CBC News
In an apparent snub, the Chinese government has left Canada off a list of countries approved as international travel destinations for tour groups — a decision that threatens to leave Canada's travel industry at a competitive disadvantage as it continues its post-pandemic recovery.apple.news
While Guilbeault picks fights with provincial governments across Canada for generating a small and shrinking amount of electricity from coal or natural gas, China last year built roughly two coal plants per week. According to the group, Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, the coal power capacity of the generating stations China put under construction last year was six times that of the rest of the world.
Justin Trudeau’s environment minister, Steven Guilbeault, is pulling double duty as an official adviser to the Chinese government. Turns out, he also wants to make Beijing an ally on the environmental issue and will head to coal-powered China at the end of the month after lecturing Canada’s premiers on using fossil fuels.
It might be true that you can’t solve climate change without China, but this is also a country that has engaged in the kidnapping of two of our citizens, regularly engages in economic warfare with Canada and has been credibly accused of interfering in our democracy.
Guilbeault is going to a meeting of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development. It is described as a think tank but is actually a creation of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
Guilbeault wants to treat a country that undermines our democracy, that intimidates and harasses Chinese-Canadians as an ally. He is a formal adviser to the government of China on the environment while also serving as Canada’s environment minister, it’s an untenable situation.
This news comes at a time when the Trudeau government continues to drag its feet on calling a public inquiry into China’s interference in Canada. That interference goes well beyond interfering in election campaigns, it turns out they most recently conducted a disinformation campaign against Conservative MP Michael Chong in May of this year and in the past have targeted New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan.
They don’t target Liberal MPs, it seems, which might be why the Trudeau government isn’t quick to call an inquiry or why they turn a blind eye to China setting up police stations to intimidate Chinese-Canadians.
apple.news
Justin Trudeau’s environment minister, Steven Guilbeault, is pulling double duty as an official adviser to the Chinese government. Turns out, he also wants to make Beijing an ally on the environmental issue and will head to coal-powered China at the end of the month after lecturing Canada’s premiers on using fossil fuels.
It might be true that you can’t solve climate change without China, but this is also a country that has engaged in the kidnapping of two of our citizens, regularly engages in economic warfare with Canada and has been credibly accused of interfering in our democracy.
Guilbeault is going to a meeting of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development. It is described as a think tank but is actually a creation of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
Guilbeault wants to treat a country that undermines our democracy, that intimidates and harasses Chinese-Canadians as an ally. He is a formal adviser to the government of China on the environment while also serving as Canada’s environment minister, it’s an untenable situation.
This news comes at a time when the Trudeau government continues to drag its feet on calling a public inquiry into China’s interference in Canada. That interference goes well beyond interfering in election campaigns, it turns out they most recently conducted a disinformation campaign against Conservative MP Michael Chong in May of this year and in the past have targeted New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan.
They don’t target Liberal MPs, it seems, which might be why the Trudeau government isn’t quick to call an inquiry or why they turn a blind eye to China setting up police stations to intimidate Chinese-Canadians.
LILLEY: Guilbeault wants China as ally, serves as adviser to Beijing — Toronto Sun
Trudeau's environment minister is picking fights with Canada's premiers while advising the government of coal powered China.
It seems Justin Trudeau is just fine with Steven Guilbeault serving Canada and China at the same time. Trudeau’s office refused to comment on a story broken by the Toronto Sun that Guilbeault was advising the Chinese and Canadian governments at the same time.
In an exclusive interview with activist media outlet the National Observer, Guilbeault bragged earlier this week about going to China and seeking to make them an ally on climate change. It’s a bit of an odd stance given China’s record on climate change, their soaring greenhouse gas emissions and Guilbeault’s antagonistic attitude towards Canada’s premiers who all have better track records.
Except, Guilbeault isn’t just traveling to China to take part in talks, he is also the Executive Vice Chairperson of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development. The chair of that group, fully controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, is Ding Xuexiang, a man just behind China’s President, Xi Jingping, in the pecking order of the authoritarian regime.
Well, that’s an interesting, yet somehow not unexpected plot twist
The dictators in Beijing who control the group Guilbeault is a part of aren’t interested in lowering emissions, they just want to use Canada’s name to greenwash their actions while extracting concessions from Guilbeault.
Charles Burton, senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and former Canadian diplomat to China, said this arrangement should not sit well with Canadians. Burton said that China will use offer Guilbeault promises of action on climate change in exchange for concessions on Canadian policy towards China.
“These concessions would include Canada taking no effective action on a foreign influence registry, or launching a thorough public inquiry into Chinese interference in Canada’s democratic institutions, or implementation of any Indo-Pacific Strategy that would constrain China’s geostrategic ambitions,” Burton said.
apple.news
China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development. A division of the Chinese Government.
Well, that’s about as impartial as Johnston as the Special Rapa Nui so that fits. Kind’a helps explain the foot-dragging on a Public Inquiry into Chinese election interference in Canadas 2019 & 2021 Federal elections, & equal foot-dragging on a Foreign Agent Registry.
www.ctvnews.ca
Except, Guilbeault isn’t just traveling to China to take part in talks, he is also the Executive Vice Chairperson of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development. The chair of that group, fully controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, is Ding Xuexiang, a man just behind China’s President, Xi Jingping, in the pecking order of the authoritarian regime.Well, that’s an interesting, yet somehow not unexpected plot twist
The dictators in Beijing who control the group Guilbeault is a part of aren’t interested in lowering emissions, they just want to use Canada’s name to greenwash their actions while extracting concessions from Guilbeault.
Charles Burton, senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and former Canadian diplomat to China, said this arrangement should not sit well with Canadians. Burton said that China will use offer Guilbeault promises of action on climate change in exchange for concessions on Canadian policy towards China.
“These concessions would include Canada taking no effective action on a foreign influence registry, or launching a thorough public inquiry into Chinese interference in Canada’s democratic institutions, or implementation of any Indo-Pacific Strategy that would constrain China’s geostrategic ambitions,” Burton said.
LILLEY: China looks to greenwash image using Canada and Guilbeault — Toronto Sun
Canada's environment minister also acting as advisor to China's government at the same time.
China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development. A division of the Chinese Government.
Well, that’s about as impartial as Johnston as the Special Rapa Nui so that fits. Kind’a helps explain the foot-dragging on a Public Inquiry into Chinese election interference in Canadas 2019 & 2021 Federal elections, & equal foot-dragging on a Foreign Agent Registry.
Liberals begin consultations on foreign influence registry, but with no timeline
The Liberal government is beginning consultations to create a foreign influence registry, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino announced Friday, but he refused to say when the measure could be up and running.
He hasn’t left yet. I believe his photo op is booked for August 26th-31st. Interesting Liberal choice though.
He"ll miss his first day of kindergarten and getting the jr drag queen starter kit.
Richard is the sister-in-law of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was found to have breached conflict-of-interest rules in 2018 for approving a lucrative fishing licence for a family member while he was fisheries minister….etc…OTTAWA -- The sister-in-law of a Liberal cabinet minister has stepped down as the interim ethics commissioner a day after a House of Commons committee agreed to investigate her appointment.
Martine Richard, who has worked in the commissioner's office as a lawyer since 2013, took over the top job last month for a six-month stint.
Richard is the sister-in-law of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was found to have breached conflict-of-interest rules in 2018 for approving a lucrative fishing licence for a family member while he was fisheries minister.
A statement from the office of the conflict of interest and ethics commissioner says Richard will stay on as a lawyer while the search for a new leader continues….so she stepped sideways.
A spokeswoman says neither the office nor Richard will respond to further questions on the subject.
On Tuesday, the committee on access to information, privacy and ethics agreed to study Richard's appointment over the course of three hearings, and to invite her and LeBlanc to testify.
Luckily, as far as ethics go, in the revolving door of ethics commissioners, Justin Trudeau’s Jamaican vacation got a pass for him to stay rent-free at the plantation of another Trudeau foundation donator, and these places go for $9000.00/night usually to the peons and non-Trudeau or nonTrudeau-affiliates.
Minister's sister-in-law steps down as ethics watchdog after committee launches probe
The sister-in-law of a Liberal cabinet minister has stepped down as the interim ethics commissioner a day after a House of Commons committee agreed to investigate her appointment.
….& then the Punchline!!!:
Interim Ethics Commissioner Martine Richard stepped down Wednesday following weeks of controversy over her family ties with a Liberal government minister, leaving the ethics commissioner’s office unable to fulfill key parts of its mandate for the foreseeable future….for the foreseeable future…
Interim ethics commissioner's resignation prevents new investigations into Liberal government — National Post
Without an acting commissioner, 'there are decisions the Office cannot proceed with based upon functions that only the Commissioner can undertake'
Conflict of Ethics and Interest Commissioner spokesperson Melanie Rushworth revealed that Richard had resigned from her position as interim commissioner and would return to her former position of senior general counsel at the ethics office after only three weeks on the job.
In a statement, Rushworth said that without an acting commissioner, “there are decisions the Office cannot proceed with based upon functions that only the Commissioner can undertake.”
Rushworth declined to detail which decisions she was referring to specifically. But in response to questions posed by National Post before Richard was appointed in late March, Rushworth noted that there are a series of powers in the Conflict of Interest Act and Code that are only available to the commissioner and that cannot be used otherwise.
“The authority of a Commissioner is however necessary for any provision in the Act or the Code that identifies an action to be taken by ‘the Commissioner’,” Rushworth said at the time.
The powers exclusively reserved to a commissioner are wide-ranging and key to the office’s mandate.
Most notably, only a commissioner can decide to launch an investigation into a possible ethics breach if the commissioner has “reason to believe that a public office holder or former public office holder has contravened” the law.
The fact that the ethics czar’s office can’t launch an investigation comes as the Liberals are embroiled in yet another controversy regarding vacation taken by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Radio-Canada revealed that this weeks scandal is that Trudeau and his family vacationed in December at an exclusive luxury estate in Jamaica owned by wealthy family friends who recently made a large donation to the Trudeau Foundation, the non-profit foundation tied to the prime minister’s family.
The Prime Minister’s Office has not said whether Trudeau paid for his stay at the lavish estate over the Christmas break, where rooms during peak season can cost thousands of dollars a night.
The PMO has argued that Trudeau cleared the travel with then ethics commissioner Mario Dion (who then stepped down before this shit-storm blew up) in advance of the trip.
But Ian Stedman, a York University assistant professor specializing in governance and ethics law, said that the commissioner’s office could still “1,000 per cent” investigate Trudeau’s Jamaican trip if new information came to light about the travel that wasn’t disclosed to Dion at the time.
“They come to the commissioner with facts and the commissioner has to accept them at face value” when seeking pre-approval before travel, Stedman said in an interview.
Dion’s opinion at the time “would only be worth the facts its based on,” he said. If Trudeau then goes on a vacation and it “doesn’t align with what was given to the commissioner for his opinion, then … I’d argue that the commissioner ought to investigate.”
But until a new commissioner is appointed, the office can’t begin a new investigation. On Twitter, Dion said he doesn’t expect his replacement as ethics commissioner to be appointed until “late in 2023.” (???? Well, at least he didn’t say late in 2025 I guess…????)
“Now, if there’s a new complaint, like there might be as a result of this vacation to Jamaica … they (the commissioner’s office) would have no one who can make the decision about whether or not to proceed with that investigation. It literally has to sit there,” he added.
(BUT Ian Stedman, a York University assistant professor specializing in governance and ethics law, said that the commissioner’s office COULD STILL “1,000%” investigate Trudeau’s Jamaican trip if new information came to light about the travel that wasn’t disclosed to Dion at the time.)
Ethics laws also state only the commissioner can order a public office holder to divest an asset or recuse themselves from discussions in which they are in conflict.
The commissioner is also the only person who can grant exceptions to public office holders from certain bans or obligations under ethics laws, such as the “cool-down period” during which they are prohibited from having any dealings involving their former responsibilities after leaving the government.
The ethics office also cannot publish a report without a commissioner in place.
On March 24, Rushworth told the Post that the absence of a commissioner at the time did “not affect the publication of any investigation reports as there are no ongoing investigations at this time.”
Stedman says its crucial for the Liberals to appoint a new ethics commissioner as quickly as possible….which probably means not late in 2023.
“I think they need to fill that position as fast as they possibly can, but they need to do it right as well. Going fast isn’t always the best thing, optics-wise,” he said, referring to Richard’s interim appointment.
The government is currently searching for a new permanent ethics commissioner after Dion stepped down in late February. National Post reported that the government appears to be cutting the job’s salary by $110,000, a move vehemently criticized by experts, the NDP and Bloc Québécois.
The federal government has remained without a conflict-of-interest and ethics watchdog for more than six months -- a vacancy that the most recent commissioner says is putting investigations on hold and could allow violations to go unnoticed.
Mario Dion retired in February after serving as the last permanent conflict-of-interest and ethics commissioner.
Investigations that would normally be conducted by a commissioner are on pause until a permanent replacement is found.
This is the longest period of time Canada has gone without a commissioner since the current version of the watchdog role was created in 2007, following the passage of the Conflict of Interest Act.
Dion noted that provincial and territorial jurisdictions ALL have ethics watchdogs in place: "The federal level is the only level at this point in time who doesn't have any ethics commissioner."
The absence of a commissioner can create a backlog of investigations, and the more time passes, the more difficult it can be to compile evidence related to a complaint, he suggested.
Federal Liberals have gone more than six months without appointing ethics commissioner
The federal government has remained without a conflict-of-interest and ethics watchdog for more than six months -- a vacancy that the most recent commissioner says is putting investigations on hold and could allow violations to go unnoticed.
Fuck this. Somebody needs to call the copsRichard is the sister-in-law of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was found to have breached conflict-of-interest rules in 2018 for approving a lucrative fishing licence for a family member while he was fisheries minister….etc…
The federal government has remained without a conflict-of-interest and ethics watchdog for more than six months -- a vacancy that the most recent commissioner says is putting investigations on hold and could allow violations to go unnoticed.
Mario Dion retired in February after serving as the last permanent conflict-of-interest and ethics commissioner.
Investigations that would normally be conducted by a commissioner are on pause until a permanent replacement is found.
This is the longest period of time Canada has gone without a commissioner since the current version of the watchdog role was created in 2007, following the passage of the Conflict of Interest Act.
Dion noted that provincial and territorial jurisdictions ALL have ethics watchdogs in place: "The federal level is the only level at this point in time who doesn't have any ethics commissioner."
The absence of a commissioner can create a backlog of investigations, and the more time passes, the more difficult it can be to compile evidence related to a complaint, he suggested.
Federal Liberals have gone more than six months without appointing ethics commissioner
The federal government has remained without a conflict-of-interest and ethics watchdog for more than six months -- a vacancy that the most recent commissioner says is putting investigations on hold and could allow violations to go unnoticed.
Ya get the rapporteur
And the provocateur
In haute couture
You can be sure
They're jerking each other off under the table.
OK, so it didn't rhyme. It's true. Truth rarely rhymes.
And the provocateur
In haute couture
You can be sure
They're jerking each other off under the table.
OK, so it didn't rhyme. It's true. Truth rarely rhymes.
how's this:
Ya get the rapporteur
And the provocateur
In haute couture
You can be sure
They're jerking each other off
sous la table, pas sur!
but a further refinement
is more apropos.
Ya get the rapporteur
And the provocateur
In haute couture
You can be sure
They're jerking each other off
sous la table, bien sur!
(don't know how I missed it the first time; it was too obvious, I guess)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insisted Monday his government is committed to a full public inquiry on foreign interference, BUT is still working through the details with opposition parties, giving no date for when an inquiry might get underway.
Earlier this year, multiple reports emerged that China had made efforts to influence the outcome of the 2019 and 2021 elections. In the case of the 2021 elections, it is suggested the Chinese government attempted to use misinformation to sway results in several ridings, with the overall goal of electing a Liberal minority government.
Trudeau initially asked former governor general David Johnston to act as special rapporteur to investigate the foreign interference issue and recommend whether an inquiry was necessary. Johnston recommended against an inquiry, but then quit his post in June after several votes in Parliament calling on him to resign and complaints that he had a conflict of interest in the decision.
When Johnston quit, Trudeau said his government would work with the opposition to “consider” an “possible”inquiry.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said the prime minister remains the hold up in getting an inquiry underway.
“We gave them names. We gave him a mandate and we’ve been waiting ever since. The holdup is Justin Trudeau. Only Justin Trudeau has the authority to call a public inquiry, as leader of the opposition, I have no authority under the inquiries act.”
Poilievre said Trudeau’s party benefitted the most from China’s interference and he questions if the prime minister really wants to address the problem.
He said a Conservative government would immediately call a public inquiry and would implement a foreign agent registry, which he said the Liberals have also been dragging their feet on.
On Friday, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May complained about the access to top-secret documents she received after receiving a security clearance to review information about foreign interference.
May said she wasn’t given all the information she needed to judge Johnston’s conclusion.
Trudeau was asked about the issue Monday and said Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc was looking into May’s concerns…& the cheque is in the mail.
apple.news
Earlier this year, multiple reports emerged that China had made efforts to influence the outcome of the 2019 and 2021 elections. In the case of the 2021 elections, it is suggested the Chinese government attempted to use misinformation to sway results in several ridings, with the overall goal of electing a Liberal minority government.
“We gave them names. We gave him a mandate and we’ve been waiting ever since. The holdup is Justin Trudeau. Only Justin Trudeau has the authority to call a public inquiry, as leader of the opposition, I have no authority under the inquiries act.”
Poilievre said Trudeau’s party benefitted the most from China’s interference and he questions if the prime minister really wants to address the problem.
He said a Conservative government would immediately call a public inquiry and would implement a foreign agent registry, which he said the Liberals have also been dragging their feet on.
On Friday, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May complained about the access to top-secret documents she received after receiving a security clearance to review information about foreign interference.
May said she wasn’t given all the information she needed to judge Johnston’s conclusion.
Trudeau was asked about the issue Monday and said Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc was looking into May’s concerns…& the cheque is in the mail.
Trudeau says foreign interference inquiry coming, but details still being worked out — National Post
The PM said the Liberals are working with opposition parties to make sure the inquiry 'is in the best interests of all Canadians' and without 'the kind of partisan toxicity we saw'