It couldn't be a more Orwellian move, or a greater threat to our democracy.
Stephen Harper's outrageous decision to protect the RCMP by rewriting history.
But this is Harperland, he is drunk with power, he really does believe the truth is what he says it is, and he is out of control.
So it seems there is nothing we can do to stop our Big Brother from bending the law to suit his sinister purposes.
Legal and parliamentary experts say there’s nothing to stop the Harper government from retroactively rewriting a law to absolve RCMP wrongdoing and stuffing the changes in an omnibus budget bill – even as police investigate.
There is apparently nothing we can do to stop him from making a mockery out of our legal system, or ramming that foul bill through parliament, even before another police force has completed its investigation.
The Ontario Provincial Police have confirmed they are investigating the RCMP’s alleged breach of the Access to Information Act after receiving the file from the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
And not even the Charter of Rights can save us this time:
The charter prohibits changing the law retroactively to make something illegal that was legal at the time. “It doesn’t prohibit the reverse, however: retroactive decriminalization of acts that were criminal when committed,” said Walsh, the former Commons law clerk.
Even though the Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault has warned that rewriting history is both insane and dangerous...
Even though Stephen Harper is indeed turning us into a country we soon won't recognize.
“This is banana-republic behaviour,” NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said in an interview. “This is Canada, it’s not Panama. It’s absolutely reprehensible what they’re doing, the technique itself is reprehensible.”
A country that's starting to look more and more like a police state...
Run by a deranged dictator who would dare claim, as he did today, that he is defending our values. When nobody has done more to rape and destroy them.
It couldn't be more outrageous, or more deeply disturbing.
But even in this insane darkness there is hope. Something might come of that police investigation. And this action has the potential to at the very least embarrass the Cons.
Both the NDP and the Liberals have presented motions to have House of Commons committees call the information commissioner and others to explain what’s going on, although Conservative majorities on the ethics and public safety committees may stymie the effort.
But the best thing is that by this latest foul action he has revealed himself again...
And that can only do him great damage.
Because like his infamous anti-terrorist Bill C-51, this attempt to rewrite history is clearly another abuse of power.
It can only reinforce the same fears Bill C-51 has aroused. And since so many Canadians are now opposed to his police state bill.
Canadians aren't playing along with the Conservative government's game of "I Spy." That's the key finding in a new report released Wednesday just as the Tories prepare to rubber stamp Bill C-51 in the Senate.
This latest anti-democratic atrocity can only make even more Canadians trust him even less.
Or see him as a would be Big Brother too dangerous to be allowed to remain in office...
So in the end Stephen Harper will not get away with rewriting history.
He lost his moral compass long ago, so he didn't know where to draw the line.
His depravity blinded him. His lust for power could not be contained.
He revealed his inner monster.
And it will help destroy him...
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17 comments:
Nothing this thing of a PM does surprises me anymore. I loathe him more and more as he tramples on our rights, our laws and our democracy in his pursuit of the kingdom of Harper. We will prevail this fall. There's no way this thing will win the election.
JD
You forgot a tag. Bill C-19. The Ending the Long Gun Registry Act. You know, the precious legacy and all that. Where's that bloodbath? Missing in action. Things that make you go, hmm...
Isn't it interesting that when it comes to your political enemies, suddenly, the privacy rights of Canadians don't matter anymore? Suddenly, it's all about keeping certain people under the thumb of the all-powerful state? One of these, you'd think that you'd notice the inconsistency and be struck by cognitive dissonance. But I guess the swollen head gets in the way.
Since it's my data that this is about, thank goodness that Harper is sticking to his promise. When C-42 passes, I'll be sure to send him some more money. You know, with guys like you in the leftist fold, I really don't have a choice.
hi anon...this has nothing to do with the gun registry issue. Steve Blaney is trying to make t sound like it is, but it isn't. Even if the police are charged with breaking the law, if will not affect the passage of the legislation killing the registry. It is about safeguarding the rights you claim to believe in. You know, it will be said that Stephen Harper was able to fool so many people into voting for him. It won't be a flattering chapter in Canadian history, and you too will wonder why you were fooled so easily...
hi JD...It is indeed an absolutely insane situation, and the man is out of control. If I didn't know he's desperate and making it up as he goes along, I might think he was doing it on purpose. Like Nixon and Kissinger did when they ordered a massive bombing campaign on North Vietnam, not for military reasons, but to make the Russians believe that they were capable of ANYTHING...
Simon. Both ill-informed and ignorant.
Did you not read the background behind this? Did you not read the timeline? How is this not about the registry, because that's the genesis of this? I want to give you the benefit of the doubt, but assertions without explanations do not a convincing argument make. Nor does your pitiful attempt at browbeating, but whatever.
Personally, I object to anyone, *anyone* retaining a copy of the registry data, and that's exactly what this is about. The ATI request was FOR the registry data. I consider that a risk to my safety, and a breach of my right to privacy.
I don't like that this move needs to be retroactive, but, if it wasn't for the left handing Harper this incredibly effective wedge, it wouldn't be necessary. Try blaming yourself for Harper's moves for a change, because none of this exists in a vacuum.
As for your attempt to browbeat, you're going to have to find evidence to suggest that the left will safeguard those rights. If you look objectively, you overwhelmingly find the opposite. For instance, if Justin Trudeau demonstrates that he doesn't respect due process with his own MP's, then how will he behave towards Canadians: http://www.therebel.media/scott_andrews_trudeau_s_sexual_misconduct_investigation
I loathe Stephen Harper more and more every day! He makes me cringe inside. Never before has a human being affected me as this man! He is so evil, evil, evil, and I shudder to think of what will happen if he wins this election. I cannot understand why he has so many followers. If he wins this election, I shall become a contemplative! This shall be my only resort, to turn away from this ugly, insane Harper world! I shall not let him fill me with hatred and destroy my soul! He has taken over our beautiful country and destroyed it and I will never understand why so many people are blind to this.
For those who have not read "The Arrogant Autocrat" by Mel Hurtig, here is a quote from the cover of this book.
"I have spent much of my career warning Canadians of the increasing threat that foreign corporate takeovers of our companies and resource sectors pose to our sovereignty. But in decades of sounding the alarm on takeovers, I never imagined that the greatest threat would come from the takeover of our country by one politician determined to remake our nation according to his own values and priorities. That one politician is, of course, Stephen Harper."
Blessings to all the good people who are fighting the good fight against Stephen Harper and may God doubly bless you, dear Simon, for everything that you do.
Hi Anon
I also agree that the gun registry was a useless piece of legislation and statistics will verify it especially if Quebec proceeds with its own version for a side by side comparison. However retroactively erasing history is also wrong, the government has the full force of the legal system at its disposal to ensure the records are kept private up to the time legislation is passed to destroy them. Perhaps I am wrong but wasn't the request made for the individual's own records. It was then discovered the RCMP, likely through error, rather than malicious intent had already destroyed them.
I saw the recent documentary "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief" which led me to immerse myself on the internet to find out more about the religion, its background, and the abuses being exposed by ex-members. The term "totalitarianism" was used to describe the leadership of David Miscavige.
Upon my return to our current affairs, I was struck by the side of the head with the similarities to Stephen Harper's form of governance.
Here's the definition as found on Wikipedia --
"Totalitarianism is a political system in which the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible."
I think that until members of Harper's "religion" can escape and see the facts, Canada will continue to suffer the abuse of a leader who believes he is right, no matter what.
Thanks Simon, for helping shed light on the reality of Stephen Harper.
I think the other leaders Liz Tom and Justin should have their debate on Nationally Televised Networks. With a chair with a stuffed toy monkey in it and a collar clearly visible with the word 'Harper' on it. Then they can address the stufie with questions and at their feet have a foot pedal that makes the Harper monkey go baa baa baa or bleat bleat bleat depending on the question. I think most Canadians would get the message eh?
Mogs
"And not even the Charter of Rights can save us this time:" Steve has done everything possible to Eliminate 'The Charter of Rights and Freedoms' but only agreement between the Provinces can do that. So as it stands it is still the law of the land and everything Steve has done is a criminal act. Trust me he will end up in jail.
Mogs
Harper hates the Charter.
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/01/24/Conservative_Scholar_Shaped_Harper_Dies/http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/01/24/Conservative_Scholar_Shaped_Harper_Dies/
[snip]
Walter Berns, an American constitutional scholar, who once taught in Canada and helped shape a band of conservative disciples in Alberta -- including Stephen Harper -- has died at age 95. Berns died Jan. 10 at his home in Bethesda, Maryland.
One of Berns' most lasting legacies may have been to foment Harper's disdain for the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
When Harper turned his back on the charter's 25th and 30th anniversaries he was following in Berns' footsteps. Berns refused to accept the validity of any political rights not contained in the nation's founding documents.
hi anon 8:06...first of all I was not trying to browbeat you. If I sounded a little frustrated it's because I can't believe that so many people in this country still believe anything that comes out of the Con regime. Believe me, this has NOTHING to do with the registry. It's true that the registry data was in the background, but as I told you, the killing of the registry was not in question. What it is about is the idea of rewriting the law retroactively, which as the Information Commissioner points out in that video could be used by any government of its own purposes. Today it's the Cons tomorrow it could be a progressive government. The idea is wrong and it threatens us ALL....
hi anon...I understand how you feel. We are living through a horrible period in Canadian history, and like you I can't wait for this nightmare to end. But don't despair, slowly but surely our prospects are improving. The desire for change remain strong in Canada, the dictator and his henchmen have enraged many Canadians, the arrogance has blinded them, and I am pretty sure when the time comes they will do what they have to, to sink the Cons. Prince Philip himself once told me personally that school was like banging your head against a wall. It feels so good when it's over. Not that he knows what he's talking about, but I suspect it's going to feel like that when the Harper regime comes crashing down. So cheer up, keep speaking up, and think what a party we're going to have when it's finally over... ;)
hi anon....yes there is no doubt that the way fundamentalists approach religion has shaped the way Harper approaches politics. It helps explain why belief is used to trump science. And then there are the Straussian views he picked up during his indoctrination at the so called Calgary school. Strauss believed in a dictatorship of an elite, and allowed for the possibility of lying to keep the masses ignorant. It's a toxic mix and one of the reasons the Harper cult seems like no Canadian government we've ever known. But the good news is that even after a decade in power he has not been able to take the country to the right, our values are battered but still alive, and they will help us to defeat him...
hi Mogs.. A monkey attached to a foot pedal? Yes I could see that. Although I wouldn't mind one of those monkeys you wind up and it bangs a pair of cymbals together furiously. Its gotta be ugly and its gotta be noisy... ;)
hi David...yes I remember reading about Berns at university. He only came to Canada because he was involved in some student protest at Cornell, where he was branded as a racist. What with him, Tom Flanagan, Ted Morton and the other members of the so-called Calgary School Harper got quite an education from the wrong kind of people. He always would have been rotten, but his schooling didn't help...
none of this should be a surprise to anyone who understands "dear leader". HE HAS small charities with $16K budgets "audited" but disbands the group which goes after the big corporations.
Wait until he pulls his best stunt, repealing the 4 yr election bill and goes back to the old system, of once every 5 yrs. don't think he won't do it. Steve wants to stay in power and will pass it off, as this is a terrible time for an election, we have the country's security to think about. Remember this is a guy who didn't want parliamentary oversight on organizations working with the new Bill C-51. He couldn't trust the other parties. He may "distrust' the other parties so much, he doesn't think they ought to form government. Not calling an election will attain his goals, the new dictatorship on the world stage, Canada. If you don't think it can't happen remember he has the military, G.G., and the RCMP in his pocket with a majority government, which is really enjoying its salaries and perks.
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