The Interocitor

Wrong assumption. No. Canada is NOT a free country. Never was. Appointed senators? For life? (Ok. Age 75!) Appointed judges? MPs fired for daring to represent contituents? Seats out west needing more voters than seats in central or eastern Canada? Remember, this is the country in which television broadcasting was ILLEGAL until 1952 - and then ONLY THE GOVERNMENT was allowed to broadcast. This is the country than banned internet addresses until recently - unless you were "a large company with a significant presence in 3 or more provinces", or government! Just like in North Korea. And Cuba - Canada's friend! A free country? You've GOT to be kidding? That's just plain ignorant.

Adscam is just the tip of the iceberg. Fundamentally, Canada is a highly corrupt country where a stage-managed thin veneer of respectability is painted over the top of the messn - and carefully scripted through government control of the Canadian media, all made possible by a people (Canadians) who are too arrogant to believe their country could ever do nasty things, and who are way too lazy to get out and dig up the facts for themselves. Their ignorance of matters - even of the country's political structure, is apallingly bad. Remember, it is Canadians who have continually put the Liberals into power when, for decades now, it has been obvious to all that these folks were crooks. Canada is a terribly flawed country. Physically beautiful, its political system - a copy of the British colonial 1867 model - stinks. And it is that flawed system that has brought us here today.

Actually, that's just plain understated sarcasm.

Hey, we in the west have TRIED repeatedly to address the issues, to no avail, partially because of the disparity inherent in the system. When we do get a party based in the west headed in the right direction, it has to kow-tow so much to the east that it ends up just as corrupt, or more than the liberals.

Yes, many of us in the west WANT independance from Canada, and think that it would be a hell of an improvement. Frankly, its down right embaressing to be associated with the liberal party just because we live in the same country.

If you have any doubts about what I've said, check out how Alberta has been voting for DECADES.

Same thing in Québec province. We keep sending a majority of separatist reoresentants to Ottawa since the Quebec's Block Party exists. The province of Ontario sends more the 1/3 deputees in chamber. This is where the real Corruption is.

Yes Canada is a copy of the British colonial 1867 model. And 1982's consitution is only a proof for that statement. The only solution is the secession of the different parts of the continental dominion of Canada which never served the interest of the people-S living in it.

I just have to pipe in, john is almost correct as I have often wondered what the heck it would take to get the majority of canadians so angry at the liberals they would actually vote them out of power, thankfully, it appears that time is near. I am an overtaxed, underrespected western canadian who lives in a province that almost single handedly supports this entire country. I can only hope through the help of our american internet friends the smoke and mirrors government/democracy of this country crumbles and allows some new blood in power one that can implement some of the democratic reforms that are so badly needed in order to finally have a government that represents the people!

Alfonso,I am an overtaxed, under respected central Canadian (Ontario). I hope you are right but do not underestimate the blind tenacity of many Liberal voters. It seems to me they will support this type of government with all it's baggage of corruption before they would support a party that demands reforms to this faux democracy.I have never been able to comprehend the reason for this lemming-like voting pattern in eastern and central Canada.
I am 61 years old and I have watched the disintegration of values in this country since I was a teenager. I concluded many years ago that I was a citizen of the most corrupt nation in the modern world. The current show only confirms my previous concussion.I am angry, I am skeptical, but mostly I am saddened by the loss of a once promising nation.

Hey. "What about the aquaducts?" Corrupt as Canada may be we live pretty nicely. I know it's mostly thanks to our neighbour to the south but Mexico is a neighbour as well and, except for the winter, I'd rather be here.

You in English Canada were to obsessed with Québec. Look at the result when you adopt a position that the ends justify the means. You get a bunch of goons, of crooks, of shady characters related to the sicilian mafia, posturing as great defenders of Canada. Let us separate in peace. It would be good for you and for us. And Alfonso Gagliano and his patrone Gino Christiano would be out of a job for good. You could still come visit us, but at least without the intervention of the Liberal cosa nostra godfathers. Who needs anyway these parasites. The Liberal party is killing democracy. Please liquidate them next election. Do yourself a service instead of falling in the trap of Canadian unity bull.

I think Marc is right; English Canada was too afraid the country would break up and bent over backwards to put programs into Quebec that would stimulate their economy but that grew into what we have now with this scandal. It became a huge slush fund. If Quebec decides it wants to go at some time in the future, I'm for letting them go. We've had a string of Prime Ministers from Quebec or with strong ties to the Province, they've been the beneficiaries of the millions siphoned into Quebec from this 'sponsorship program' and they're still not satisfied. Well...as someone from Ontario, I've had enough of Quebec. Let them go! As long as they don't become a terrorist state (and there's really no guarantee of that since they have a huge Palestinian and Arab population)...as long as they don't become terrorists and strike out at the rest of North America I'm for waving goodbye to Quebec's demands.

I will agree with the guy from Ontario...please let Quebec go. They deserve it and they are a state by themself....After they will separate, they will continue to be the best business partners I ever known and certainly it will be business as usual.. this is, if we are open-minded in our attitude towards them. They are not working against us...they are showing us what is not working in this country of us that we are calling Canada. Wake up...those of us who are already doing business in Quebec are happy and we profit of their knowledge and their priviledge networks in Europe and other parts of the world. I agree, many of us are too obsessed with the separation and we play the games of the corrupted Liberals...The Liberals want the power at any costs and are forgetting who elected them..

I'm not sure why we are surprised. The cost of getting elected is huge. The separation of Quebec, the electoral sizes of western ridings etc etc are irrelevant. The issue is money. And yes it would seem the Liberals have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. To get elected today, you have to leave your morals at the doorstep; and hope that some probing journalist doesn't discover you cheated on your spouse one night in some dimly lit motel in nowheresville. How can we expect individuals who have checked their moral baggage to make decisions which have any ethical relevance? Its about the money, both personally and to fund the party coffers.

I wonder... I honestly wonder where this situation comes from and where it is leading Canada. I've been to some corrupted countries, and to be honest, they are not comparable to Canada. And for sure, scandals of that nature do not exist.

I'm from the province of Quebec and what I've been hearing from Quebec separatists for year is exactly what's happening. We are now at the point where it is no more important if those corruption assumptions are true or not. We are almost to the point where the Bloc Quebecois has achieved what it was set up to do; prove that the confederation is not working and that Quebec would be better off as a separate political entity.

Of course the Americans would be happy because they know that alone, by themselves, Quebecers would have no economical power whatsoever. Quebec would be more dependent of the USA than it is right now from Canada.

I'm of course watching this from afar, but it seems to me the problem is exacerbated by the campaign advertising rules, where 3rd parties cannot participate in elections. This gives an unscrupulous ruling party an enormous incentive to pump up its own coffers, since it can gain an effective monopoly on campaign advertising that way.

Since Canada's election financing is seen by some as an example the US should follow, it is of some direct interest down south.

I'm willing to bet, though, that the end result will be more Canadian restrictions on campaign financing and speech, not less. Starting probably with blogs.

For the last few years, I've viewed the relationship between Quebec and Canada as a dysfunctional one, one where Quebec plays hard-to-get and Canada plays eager-to-please. This isn't healthy, and like a marriage where one party is dismissive at worst and indifferent at best, either a change in attitude is needed or a parting of ways if both parties want to be happy.
In light of this scandal, I don't see the former happening. And while it would be nice to keep Canada together, I'd rather Quebec left a Canada that I could respect then it stay with a Canada that groveled. A peaceful parting of ways happened with Chzec and Slovak and neither was worse of for it. I would suggest that we try this as well.
Plus, let Newfoundland renegotiate the Churchill energy deal.

What will it take for the Canadian electorate to finally chase these corrupt Lieberals from Ottawa for a very, very, long time? It would be easy to blame Ontario and Quebec but reality is that the Lieberals are so, so good at painting the Conservatives as the bogey man, using our own money, that the majority of voters fall for the fairy tale each and every time. (Note that Scot Brison has already started with his "don't support the separatists" B.S.). If we really care how our hard earned tax dollars are spent, send these corrupt Lieberals to the opposition benches, in very small numbers, and keep them there for a very long, long time. I'm a proud Canadian, but I'm being driven to consider Western separation as a serious alternative since my vote doesn't count, my opinion doesn't count, but my tax dollars are coveted by the Lieberals.

To John the Admin
RE Your Post about Canadian Democracy

I understand your post and comments and yes you are right about many of the points you made. But Canada is a democracy and we do have a free press.

Think about this, the Prime Minister of Canada stands in the House of Commons daily for 8 months out of the year answering to over 300 members of Parliament. He is totally responsible for his government, that is our system. In Britain Tony Blair and his government are shamed daily in The Commons. When is George Bush going to do the same? Never he hides. Our media is truely free, it covers issues and topics that the US media would never touch. Canadians are far better informed and educated. I am very proud of our media. Not to offend you but there is far more corruption in the US right now, it will never be covered properly in your media, what a shame.

I love the USA and it pains me to see what is happening. Your country has lost so much these last 4 years. I am a conservative, a true conservative. I value freedom, democracy, free speech, the free press, and minimal government. So do all Canadians.

The publication ban also shows that the RCMP is involved. This also shows the RCMP in not politicized like your justice department. People are going to jail.

Some things to think about my friends.

Jim from Toronto Canada

Jim is being facetious. While the House does have an open question period, the Prime Minister is as likely to delegate answers to a minster, or reply with an insult or deflect the questions.

And at days end, it matters not what the questions are - with a majority in parliament, kept in line by the party whip, what the prime minister's office wants, it gets.

Appointed judges across the system, appointed Supreme Court justices (with none of the interview and hearing processes the US has), appointment of Senators, and the authority to call elections when it's most favourable - and when called, new legislation that effectively bans all advertising or commentary from any group outside a registered political party and the media - which in the case of the CBC is stacked with Liberal donating board members and further to the left than NPR and the BBC - to the tune of a billion tax dollars a year.

And don't get us started on the "foundations", into which the Prime Minister's office pours billions of dollars to be distributed to "worthy causes", headed by patronage appointed boards and beyond the scope of the Auditor General.

Adscam is the tip of the iceberg.

But at least the newspapers print stuff Jim likes.

One question that intrigues me: What is a Liberal Party member's definition of "minimal government"?

Oh, another one: Do you think that Canada should allow reception of US satellite channels? Or would that be too free, to the point of being uncontrolled?

Canada as a country has turned into a farce. We were born into nationhood as a country divided. We can thank the British for that. Every region of Canada thinks it is taken advantage of by other regions in terms of federal tax revenue. Like a bunch of hyenas squabbling over a carcass. The Quebec problem is best solved by dissolving the country. The West needs to go our own way and if Quebec seperating helps facilitate this I am hoping for a referendum soon. Western Canadians are under represented, unfairly taxed and frankly we don't need the rest of Canada. Anyone know if there is a westerners in support of Quebec seperation lobby group I can join?

A proud Albertan has it right. If you're from the west, your opinion or views just don't matter. I for one am sick and tired of having the East's views shoved down my throat and having them vote in those liberals election after election. Paul Martins cuts to health care and the military are the reason those same institutions are in the mess they are in today. I think Gilles Duceppe is a better leader than our current prime minister. If there was a vote today for the west to seperate, I would be first in line to vote yes.

It's interesting to read all those posts since most of them reflects the view that I have of canada, as a proud "bilingual" separatist, I am in no way angry about Canada, it's a just a question of "affinity" with the rest of Canada, and I always thought that we should go our separate ways peacefully ... anyway maybe I'm an idealist ...

I have often wondered how come western Canadians (especially Albertans) were not as "separatist" as we are in Quebec, they are screwed in every which way with the current system, I can't believe they still want to stay ... The real power lies in Ontario, that's all there is to it, plain and simple.

Canada as a country has no future the way it is now, it needs MAJOR reforms and I don't think that there is enough willpower in this country to accomplish those needed reforms.

Nothing will bring down the Liberal government in Canada, you have to live in Canada to really understand why. There was a time when it was a possibility, that has passed, resources are up, until everything is cleaned up nothing will change. My guess is that temperature has a lot to do with the brain basic functions really, do not blame the Liberals, and next election if in Canada, visit the Rosedale of Toronto - all billionaires voting the same way, no exception, there is one way and that is liberal. But you have to experience with your own eyes to beleive the extent.

WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!! The BAN has been lifted !!!!!
People who voted Liberal are either bastards eor stupid !!!!!!! You choose !!!!!!

We came to Canada from the UK 3 years ago. We would never have believed it if we had not seen it with our own eyes. Canada is not free- we have censorship over here and cannot watch USA TV e.g. Direct TV because it does not have enough 'Canadian Content'. What would that be then because most of the programs are American that we watch on Canadian TV!
Canada has no free speech- you are not allowed todescribe any ethnic group accurately. e.g if a burglary takes place the suspects are 'males, age 23, wearing jeans' not a mention of whether they are black, white, pink or whatever.

The Government is the most corrupt, greedy, crooked, beligerent bunch of tossers this side of the planet. If this was Enron, they would have all been arrested and jailed by now.

As for Quebec, the best thing that could happen with that (which is the abridged version because there is not enough space on this server to say what is needed), is that it should detach itself and all of the French bigots from the rest of Canada and stop sucking the country dry of financial help.