It's "The New Canadian Government," peon!

[Boom Boom]

The community or the feds - I'm not sure which - have identified these two buildings (hockey rink, healing lodge) as the only two suitable for converting into immediate short term emergency crisis shelter for people in inadequate housing with winter coming.

[Boom Boom]

 Attawapiskat chief threatens court action
 
excerpt:
 
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence says she will use the courts if necessary to resist the imposition of a third-party manager.
 
excerpt:
 
Marion is already controlling the purse strings and making a positive difference, Duncan said Monday, praising the consultant's work.
 
"The third-party manager is already getting results for the community," Duncan said. "He purchased 22 modular homes using federal funds. He is ensuring that services and social services are delivered."

NDP MP Charlie Angus begged to differ, saying Marion wasn't involved in an agreement between the community and the department to acquire the homes.
 
John Saunders, the Ontario director of disaster management for the Canadian Red Cross, said he's never spoken with Marion.

"Most of the items that we've purchase have been as a result of the donations from Canadians," Saunders said.
 
As far as I can tell, that 'third party management' prick isn't doing anything that justifies being paid $1300.00/day.
 

[sparqui]

My respect for Chief Theresa Spence is growing by leaps and bounds with each passing day. And good for the Red Cross stepping up to clarify that our donations, not INAC, are responsible for obtaining and delivering emergency supplies. Amazing how the Red Cross didn't have to wait for the winter road to deliver aid.

[Boom Boom]

No reason for aid to be delayed because there's an airstrip. Can't use that airstrip for shipping modular homes, though.

[Boom Boom]

from CCPA:  Silencing Dissent: The Conservative Record
 
intro:
 
Over the past five years, exercise of the fundamental freedom of speech in Canada has been curbed and discouraged by a federal government increasingly intolerant of even the mildest criticism or dissent. Particularly affected have been organizations dependent on government funding which advocate for human rights and women’s equality. Their voices have been stifled, some completely silenced, by cuts to their budgets. Also financially throttled have been individuals and groups that speak out for reproductive rights, humanitarian immigration policies, and for changes in Canada’s foreign policy in the Middle East.

The Harper government’s now lengthy record of silencing – or attempting to silence – its critics also includes the removal of heads of government agencies, commissions, and tribunals who insist on making independent decisions. Academics who have spoken against government actions or policies have also been targeted.
 
This blatant suppression of basic human rights by a government constitutionally responsible for guaranteeing their expression is unprecedented in Canada’s history.
 
(list of organizations about halfway down the page)
 
 
 

[sparqui]

That list is long and depressing.

[Boom Boom]

That list is long and depressing.

If you're as outraged as I, then share that link. I posted it on Facebook.

[lagatta]

Some of them have been clients of mine... Certain have managed to secure at least some alternative sources of funding, but things are tough for a lot of us because of this neo-McCarthyite (+Likudist) shit.

Not to forget that the Harpoids have also made deep cuts in funding for the arts (one of the most painful is the cut of all funding to Wapikoni Mobile) and the sciences.

[Alison]

Secret Steve marches on .... Con MPs at two different House committees today have put forward a motion to conduct all committee business in camera from now on. One is the government oversight committee.

[sparqui]

Wonder when he'll cancel QP?

[Mandos]

Harper is basically going after his ideological hit list.  We have to understand that enough people agree with him to make a difference.

[greenvie]

Canada goes tabloid by Heather Mallick of all people

Imagine being me, being asked by the Guardian to explain why my nice country, famously full of people who spend their days hewing wood and drawing water amid a stream of apologies, has gone all, well, crap. "Is Canada suddenly being run by the Daily Mail?" the editor asked, impeccably courteous as always. Oh you Brits, so charming as you insert the knife. 

And the answer is an honest Canadian yes.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/13/canada-kyoto-protocol

[sparqui]

Harper is basically going after his ideological hit list.  We have to understand that enough people agree with him to make a difference.

True enough.

[Alison]

We have to understand that enough people agree with him to make a difference.

OK, but let's not overstate it.
Of the 60% of eligible voters who actually voted in the last election, only 40% of them voted for Steve. That's 24%. 24%
We don't know how many non-voting eligible voters tacitly agree with the 24% but I think it's safe to say many didn't vote because they think politics and supporting it by voting is basically just crap.

[Antonia]