Two years into the Trudeau 2.0 Minority Term, which day will Justin call the election that only he wants?

spaminator

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Embattled Liberal candidate Raj Saini booted from re-election race
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Publishing date:Sep 04, 2021 • 10 hours ago • 2 minute read • 42 Comments
Raj Saini
Raj Saini Facebook
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Despite a week of unapologetic and public support by Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, the re-election bid by Liberal Kitchener Centre MP Raj Saini has ended.

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Steadfastly denying allegations of unwanted sexual advances made towards young female staffers dating back to 2015, Saini issued a statement on Saturday announcing his withdrawal from his re-election campaign in the key Liberal riding.


“The false allegations have been reported uncritically and at face value, and consistently repeated in other news stories,” his statement read.

A statement from the federal Liberals said ‘new information’ was provided to them on Friday, prompting a ‘review process’ that lead to Saini’s ejection.

The move leaves no Liberal candidate in the key riding, and the ejection came too late to remove Saini’s name from the ballot.

Trudeau‘s support of Saini brought criticism from reporters, opposition parties and victims’ advocates, who questioned why the Kitchener Centre candidate was even allowed to run given the allegations against him.

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First broken by CBC News, Saini was reportedly allowed to launch his re-election campaign despite allegations that spanned his six years as a Liberal MP.

Seven separate sources described to CBC News four instances where Saini allegedly engaged in inappropriate behaviour with young female staffers.

One complainant who last year filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission told CBC she was so distraught she attempted to take her own life in Saini’s office last March.

Trudeau continued to stand by Saini, despite espousing a ‘zero-tolerance’ sexual harassment policy, ducking questions by the press and speaking of ‘rigorous processes’ that, according to reports, didn’t involve the victim.


“I’m not going to get into the details of any one case here, that wouldn’t be appropriate,” Trudeau said on Friday in response to a reporter’s question.

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“But I can say that we have put forward strong, rigorous processes that are available to follow, that are in place to make sure that any complaint that comes forward gets followed-up on in the right way.”

Calls for an independent probe were likewise rebuffed by Trudeau.

Trudeau’s defence of Saini contrasted with the swift action taken by Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole, who on Sunday announced Dartmouth-Cole Harbour candidate Troy Myers would be ending his campaign after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2019.

Myers maintained his innocence but agreed to drop out as soon as the allegations came to light.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @bryanpassifiume
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Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
22,836
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From http://www.theglobeandmail.com/poli...raj-saini-drops-out-of-federal-election-race/ about Raj Sainti Grabby Grabbing & those who know about it but did nothing:

Liberal candidate Raj Saini, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct, dropped out of the federal election campaign on Saturday one hour before the party said it had launched a review of him after “new information” was brought forward.

“Everyone deserves to work in a safe and respectful environment free from violence or harassment. Fair, trusted, and accessible complaint processes are also essential,” said the statement from Liberal Party spokesman Alex Deslongchamps.

“Last year, a process was initiated after an allegation was made against Mr. Saini. When the individual chose not to pursue a complaint or participate in the process, an independent workplace review assessment was conducted through the House of Commons. The review found that nothing arose regarding concerns of harassment in the office. Mr. Saini was approved as a candidate on that basis.

Yesterday, a review process was initiated after new information was directly provided to the Liberal Party of Canada. Mr. Saini will no longer be a Liberal candidate.” This is 18 months after the Staffer was placed on a Mandatory leave of absense, 16 months after a complaint was filed with the CHRC, & a year after this staffer was fired.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has previously stood by Mr. Saini and defended the processes in place to handle harassment and misconduct complaints. One former member of Mr. Saini’s staff told the Globe that throughout her time working for him, he made inappropriate and suggestive comments to her. She also alleged that on one occasion he pushed her up against a wall. In a complaint filed to the Canadian Human Rights Commission in May 2020, she described a hostile work environment that included unwelcomed advances, harassing behaviour and psychological abuse. She said she was placed on a mandatory leave of absence in March, 2020, which culminated in a suicide attempt at the workplace. She was fired in August, 2020.

The former staffer also raised her concerns with other Liberal MPs who represented ridings near Mr. Saini’s Kitchener-Centre seat. She emailed Waterloo MP Bardish Chagger, who is also the minister for diversity, inclusion and youth, on April 25, 2020. In the email response, Ms. Chagger said she had raised her concerns with the Whip’s office and directed her to that office, which recommended mediation. A spokeswoman for Ms. Chagger sent the Globe a response this week from the MP saying, “the individual asked for confidentiality but gave me permission to raise it with the Whip.”

The former staffer also emailed Kitchener-Conestoga Liberal MP Tim Louis on May 1, 2020. Mr. Louis’ campaign did not respond to The Globe when asked what he did about the concerns raised with him. She also emailed the Liberal riding association for Kitchener-Centre in October and November, 2020, raising concerns about Mr. Saini’s conduct and suggesting the association think twice about which candidate they select in the next election. He said the allegations were forwarded to the Liberal Party’s Ontario region office and it was his understanding they were sent to the central office in Ottawa. He said the riding association supported Mr. Saini. Following news of Mr. Saini’s exit (Sept 4,2021), the former staffer said she hopes in the future more people will feel safe raising concerns about workplace misconduct.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh on Saturday criticized Mr. Trudeau for refusing to investigate Mr. Saini or remove him as a candidate as soon as the allegations were made publicly.

Justin Trudeau’s talk about feminism isn’t reflected in his actions. He has mistreated women in his cabinet, mishandled sexual assault cases in the military, and refused to act on sexual misconduct allegations against his own candidates. Justin Trudeau has consistently failed to stand up for women,” Mr. Singh said in a statement.

The Conservative Party on Saturday called for Ms. Chagger and Mr. Holland to be investigated. “Liberal candidates Bardish Chagger and Mark Holland, who have been directly implicated in the cover-up of these serious allegations, must also be part of Justin Trudeau’s investigation into this troubling matter,” said party spokeswoman Chelsea Tucker.
 

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
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Regina, Saskatchewan
Canadians are ready to move on from Trudeau's now tired schtick http://apple.news/AZd1wIZJjR6iMdQpMIli5iQ

Let’s say you used to be the popular kid who got invited to all the posh parties? When you walked by, everyone would stage whisper (so you could hear) how marvelous your wardrobe was.

They all wanted selfies with you. They texted their friends so say they’d seen you – almost shook hands with you. Everything you did seemed so “woke,” so “2015.”

So, what if you still come off as so “2015” when it’s 2021?

What if you’re a one-trick pony. And that trick – your “woke-ism” – increasingly comes across as condescending, repetitive, spoiled, preachy, shallow? Dare I say, even hypocritical?

What if the kids who aren’t part of your core group are getting sick and tired of you? I think (I hope) that is what’s happening with Justin Trudeau.

He’s a character actor who’s milked his one role for all its worth. We all know his signature schtick and we’re ready to move on, whether he is or not.

I think the willingness of so many voters to consider other parties and leaders (polling by the Maru Group this week showed this sentiment at a staggering 73 per cent), is the worst news the Liberals could receive in the middle of a campaign.

Pre-writ polling indicated there was far less desire for change than in 2019, which was good news for the governing party.

But their overconfidence (smugness) about winning, plus the deadly disaster in Afghanistan, plus the Liberals’ twin inabilities to control the campaign message and to count on the unconditional support of the media has left them stunned and in freefall.

It’s possible for a party to recover once it starts plummeting downward. However, while possible, pulling out of a nosedive in mid-campaign is exceedingly rare. Once your party is perceived as heading for a loss, voters typically feel freer to go elsewhere.

Which is very likely why the Liberals have decided to make abortion such a big issue with two weeks to go to election day. They’re bankrupt of ideas, led by someone who is more poster boy than prime minister and desperate to be seen as the cool kids again.

Why abortion? And for that matter, why try so hard to politicize vaccinations and an end to the pandemic? Both issues are Liberal attempts to flush out a handful of Conservative candidates who might say something extreme and scare voters back to the Trudeau fold.

Poll after poll has shown voters are most concerned with the cost of living, health funding, economic recovery, housing affordability, managing COVID and taxes.


Even climate change (More ongoing Liberal scaremongering?) is only middle of the pack.

Abortion doesn’t make the list. By raising reproductive choice over and over, the Liberals aren’t trying to solve a policy problem. No major party is in favour of restricting abortion.

That means the Liberals’ motive is purely political.

This time, more voters have tired of Trudeau’s condescending, smirky mannerisms and hollow promises – the way they tired in 2015 of Stephen Harper’s unsmiling, why-do-I-have-to-put-up-with-these-people grimaces.

But it’s impossible to say whether that will be enough to keep voters from falling for Liberal scaremongering.
 

Twin_Moose

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Apr 17, 2017
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Canadians left in Kabul running out of food, time, hope

Global Affairs Canada asking citizens they left behind if they want to be identified to 'local governing' Taliban

Author of the article:
Bryan Passifiume
Publishing date:
Sep 06, 2021 • 14 hours ago • 2 minute read
 
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spaminator

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Oct 26, 2009
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LILLEY: Trudeau's photographer posts, deletes controversial images
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Sep 07, 2021 • 7 hours ago • 2 minute read • 52 Comments
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau's official photographer, Adam Scotti, is pictured in May 2017.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau's official photographer, Adam Scotti, is pictured in May 2017. PHOTO BY POSTMEDIA NEWS /Toronto Sun
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Two photos posted online by Justin Trudeau’s official photographer caused quite the stir over the long weekend and may be part of the reason he deleted his Twitter account.

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Adam Scotti, Trudeau’s photographer since 2013, posted one photo that appeared to show the Liberal leader in the sensitive area of a hospital while another shot featured his boss’ crotch as the main element.


The online posting of those photos, both taken at Toronto’s UHN hospital, have now been deleted.

In one photo of Trudeau visiting the University Health Network in downtown Toronto, it appears to show the PM speaking to health-care workers in a ward setting. Given restrictions on hospital visits throughout COVID-19, the image caused outrage among many who said they were denied a chance to see ill or dying loved ones.

A spokesperson for UHN though said Trudeau never entered any hospital ward areas.


“Mr. Trudeau did not go on to the ward,” said UHN spokesperson Gillian Howard.

“He stopped in the doorway of a unit on his way out of the building and spoke to the nurses who were there at the doorway. The shot is down the hallway of the unit from the door.”

Howard said that Trudeau did not visit or interact with any patients and all protocols were followed. She added that the hospital would welcome a visit from any party leader who wanted to discuss funding for health care or research.

The second shot that caused problems for Scotti — and by extension Trudeau — is a bizarre photo taken from under a table.

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As Trudeau speaks with a health worker in the atrium at UHN, the camera is aimed under the table giving prominence to the groins of both. Unlike the health-care worker, Trudeau’s legs are spread wide open and not blocked by a table leg.

The photo isn’t the kind a political leader, especially in an election, would feature online.

As discussion grew about Scott’s bizarre photos, his Twitter account was deleted.

“I deleted my Twitter today because I could not handle people who think teaching their kids this kind of hatred is OK,” Scotti posted on Instagram.

The explanation was accompanied by a photo of a boy, likely in his tween years, yelling and flipping the bird in the direction of the Trudeau campaign.
 

Mowich

Hall of Fame Member
Dec 25, 2005
16,649
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Eagle Creek
Canadians are ready to move on from Trudeau's now tired schtick http://apple.news/AZd1wIZJjR6iMdQpMIli5iQ

Let’s say you used to be the popular kid who got invited to all the posh parties? When you walked by, everyone would stage whisper (so you could hear) how marvelous your wardrobe was.

They all wanted selfies with you. They texted their friends so say they’d seen you – almost shook hands with you. Everything you did seemed so “woke,” so “2015.”

So, what if you still come off as so “2015” when it’s 2021?

What if you’re a one-trick pony. And that trick – your “woke-ism” – increasingly comes across as condescending, repetitive, spoiled, preachy, shallow? Dare I say, even hypocritical?

What if the kids who aren’t part of your core group are getting sick and tired of you? I think (I hope) that is what’s happening with Justin Trudeau.

He’s a character actor who’s milked his one role for all its worth. We all know his signature schtick and we’re ready to move on, whether he is or not.

I think the willingness of so many voters to consider other parties and leaders (polling by the Maru Group this week showed this sentiment at a staggering 73 per cent), is the worst news the Liberals could receive in the middle of a campaign.

Pre-writ polling indicated there was far less desire for change than in 2019, which was good news for the governing party.

But their overconfidence (smugness) about winning, plus the deadly disaster in Afghanistan, plus the Liberals’ twin inabilities to control the campaign message and to count on the unconditional support of the media has left them stunned and in freefall.

It’s possible for a party to recover once it starts plummeting downward. However, while possible, pulling out of a nosedive in mid-campaign is exceedingly rare. Once your party is perceived as heading for a loss, voters typically feel freer to go elsewhere.

Which is very likely why the Liberals have decided to make abortion such a big issue with two weeks to go to election day. They’re bankrupt of ideas, led by someone who is more poster boy than prime minister and desperate to be seen as the cool kids again.

Why abortion? And for that matter, why try so hard to politicize vaccinations and an end to the pandemic? Both issues are Liberal attempts to flush out a handful of Conservative candidates who might say something extreme and scare voters back to the Trudeau fold.

Poll after poll has shown voters are most concerned with the cost of living, health funding, economic recovery, housing affordability, managing COVID and taxes.


Even climate change (More ongoing Liberal scaremongering?) is only middle of the pack.

Abortion doesn’t make the list. By raising reproductive choice over and over, the Liberals aren’t trying to solve a policy problem. No major party is in favour of restricting abortion.

That means the Liberals’ motive is purely political.

This time, more voters have tired of Trudeau’s condescending, smirky mannerisms and hollow promises – the way they tired in 2015 of Stephen Harper’s unsmiling, why-do-I-have-to-put-up-with-these-people grimaces.

But it’s impossible to say whether that will be enough to keep voters from falling for Liberal scaremongering.
Thank you for all your posts about the unnecessary election, Ron. I try to check in as much as I can and really enjoy all your posts. Keep them coming.
 

taxslave

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 25, 2008
36,362
4,336
113
Vancouver Island
LILLEY: Trudeau's photographer posts, deletes controversial images
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Sep 07, 2021 • 7 hours ago • 2 minute read • 52 Comments
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau's official photographer, Adam Scotti, is pictured in May 2017.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau's official photographer, Adam Scotti, is pictured in May 2017. PHOTO BY POSTMEDIA NEWS /Toronto Sun
Article content
Two photos posted online by Justin Trudeau’s official photographer caused quite the stir over the long weekend and may be part of the reason he deleted his Twitter account.

Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Article content
Adam Scotti, Trudeau’s photographer since 2013, posted one photo that appeared to show the Liberal leader in the sensitive area of a hospital while another shot featured his boss’ crotch as the main element.


The online posting of those photos, both taken at Toronto’s UHN hospital, have now been deleted.

In one photo of Trudeau visiting the University Health Network in downtown Toronto, it appears to show the PM speaking to health-care workers in a ward setting. Given restrictions on hospital visits throughout COVID-19, the image caused outrage among many who said they were denied a chance to see ill or dying loved ones.

A spokesperson for UHN though said Trudeau never entered any hospital ward areas.


“Mr. Trudeau did not go on to the ward,” said UHN spokesperson Gillian Howard.

“He stopped in the doorway of a unit on his way out of the building and spoke to the nurses who were there at the doorway. The shot is down the hallway of the unit from the door.”

Howard said that Trudeau did not visit or interact with any patients and all protocols were followed. She added that the hospital would welcome a visit from any party leader who wanted to discuss funding for health care or research.

The second shot that caused problems for Scotti — and by extension Trudeau — is a bizarre photo taken from under a table.

Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Article content

As Trudeau speaks with a health worker in the atrium at UHN, the camera is aimed under the table giving prominence to the groins of both. Unlike the health-care worker, Trudeau’s legs are spread wide open and not blocked by a table leg.

The photo isn’t the kind a political leader, especially in an election, would feature online.

As discussion grew about Scott’s bizarre photos, his Twitter account was deleted.

“I deleted my Twitter today because I could not handle people who think teaching their kids this kind of hatred is OK,” Scotti posted on Instagram.

The explanation was accompanied by a photo of a boy, likely in his tween years, yelling and flipping the bird in the direction of the Trudeau campaign.
Should have deleted turdOWE because kids should not have to see his kind of hatred for our country.
 
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Dixie Cup

Senate Member
Sep 16, 2006
5,693
3,570
113
Edmonton
Like narcan, I still don't know why the needles don't come preloaded. Not like they get reused anyway.
Which reminds me, didn't turdOWE ban single use plastics?
Hell, Trudeau wants to ban all plastics because they're "toxic". What a total fool and/or idiot he is. Guess needles, TV's, computers, pipelines et al are all "toxic" so no one should use them - head shake!!
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
35,667
3,004
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Liberal whip warns unfair 'trial' taking place over Raj Saini harassment allegations
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Marie Woolf
Publishing date:Sep 08, 2021 • 12 hours ago • 3 minute read • 14 Comments
Former Liberal MP Raj Saini.
Former Liberal MP Raj Saini. PHOTO BY HANDOUT /Postmedia Network
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OTTAWA — Liberal whip Mark Holland has insisted that the “buck stops” with him as he faced fresh questions about his party’s handling of complaints against Raj Saini.

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Speaking at a virtual news conference, Holland confirmed he was personally made aware of allegations of harassment against Saini, a former Liberal MP who bowed out of the race for re-election on Saturday.


But he declined to comment on whether he had contacted the Prime Minister’s Office about a complaint that Saini had harassed a female member of his staff.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has refused to confirm whether he was personally aware of complaints about Saini.

His party whip on Wednesday took responsibility for the party’s handling of the matter.

“As the person who is responsible, the buck stops with me,” Holland said. “I had the opportunity to look at the case.”

Holland insisted that the investigation into complaints about Saini’s conduct, which looked into the “veracity” of the claims, was “thorough and complete” and had left him “with no questions.”

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“I have extraordinary confidence in that process,” he said.


He said the complainant was given “all the options of where to go” to pursue the matter. This is believed to have included the option of mediation.

Saini faced allegations that he harassed a female member of staff, who then attempted suicide. The former MP for Kitchener Centre vehemently denies the allegations, which were originally reported by the CBC and have not been independently verified by The Canadian Press.

Saini has said he cannot discuss the details because of privacy concerns.

The House of Commons’ most senior official is set to launch a review into the handling of the investigation to see if “there are any shortcomings” in the way it was conducted.

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Charles Robert, clerk of the House of Commons, is to look into how the investigation was carried out following questions from the Conservatives and NDP about why the woman who alleged she was harassed by Saini was not interviewed.

The Clerk confirmed he was launching a probe in a letter to Conservative candidate Michelle Rempel Garner.

Rempel Garner had asked Robert to look into whether the House of Commons’ policy on workplace harassment was enough to end a “culture of sexual misconduct” in Parliament.

In his reply, seen by The Canadian Press, the clerk said he had asked the chief human resources officer “to assess whether there are any shortcomings present in the policy or its application and to propose appropriate changes, if needed.”

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The results of the evaluation would be looked at by a parliamentary committee after the election.

The Liberal whip said he had “complete confidence in the process that was undertaken” and that complaints of harassment are taken “exceptionally seriously.”

Holland expressed concern that a public “trial” is taking place, with key people involved unable to speak out.

“There is no fair hearing of the facts because the matter is behind an iron wall,” he said.

“The trial that is happening with these matters I think is unfortunate,” Holland added. “People’s careers are on the line. It’s exceptionally important that we be careful how we treat these things.”

The NDP accused the Liberals of “defending their friends” and not standing up for women who come forward with harassment allegations.

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Rachel Blaney, NDP candidate for North Island-Powell River, said Holland’s remarks were the latest in a clear pattern: “women come forward, and Justin Trudeau and Liberal men defend their friends.”

She said the woman who made the allegations should have been interviewed during the inquiry.

“Last week, Justin Trudeau spent days defending a flawed investigation that excluded the survivor of alleged sexual and physical harassment by Liberal MP Raj Saini,” said Blaney, the NDP whip in the last Parliament.

“When Mr. Saini finally resigned, Mr. Trudeau only said he was ‘frustrated’ that he no longer has a candidate in that riding.

“Today, Mr. Trudeau’s whip Mark Holland claimed that process ‘thorough and complete’ even though it didn’t even allow the survivor to tell her story.”