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Friday June 14, 2024

Pierre Poilievre’s refusal to access a classified national security report on foreign interference demonstrates a concerning lack of leadership and responsibility.

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 14, 2024

*Animated making-of-clip, with hi-fi sound here.

Pierre Poilievre’s Wilful Ignorance is a Betrayal of Leadership

Canadians have the right to know the identities of the MPs allegedly collaborating with foreign governments to ensure accountability and protect the integrity of our democracy.

June 7, 2024

Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader, has refused to access a classified national security and intelligence report on foreign interference, making him the sole federal leader to do so. This decision is not just baffling; it is a dereliction of duty. Leadership is about confronting uncomfortable truths and making informed decisions for the nation’s welfare. Poilievre’s choice to remain in the dark is a display of wilful ignorance that raises serious concerns about his suitability to lead the country.

Perhaps Poilievre is scared of finding out? If members of his party are involved in foreign interference, he would be expected to act decisively. By avoiding the briefing, Poilievre can continue his blissful ignorance and place all the blame on the Liberals. Indeed, the Liberals have much to answer for, having been slow to address foreign interference, but this does not absolve Poilievre from his responsibilities. As the Official Loyal Opposition, it is his job to scrutinize and act upon such crucial matters. His refusal to do so is a failure in his role, raising questions about whether he would similarly decline to see national security reports if he became Prime Minister.

Analysis: A ‘cloud of suspicion’ hangs over Parliament — and no one knows what to do about it

May 5, 2023

Poilievre’s actions demonstrate an unwillingness to genuinely understand the issues at hand. The Conservatives have multiple members on the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) that reviewed the intelligence and wrote the report. If his party is implicated, it is up to him to confront this head-on and take necessary actions. Instead, he chooses to criticize the Liberals without taking proactive steps to address potential threats within his own ranks.

Running for Prime Minister of Canada means dealing with classified information. Access to such reports has not prevented other leaders from advocating for truth and accountability. Canada’s allies in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance routinely manage to balance secrecy with public accountability. Poilievre should follow their example, showing that he can handle sensitive information responsibly while still taking decisive action.

March 17, 2023

For the sake of our country, this is an opportunity for Poilievre to lead where Trudeau has failed. Poilievre could go on camera and declare, “If anyone in the party is helping a foreign power, it will be dealt with decisively. I will not allow it on my watch.” This would demonstrate real leadership and reassure Canadians that he prioritizes national security over partisan politics. Yet, his refusal to engage with the classified report suggests he prefers plausible deniability, especially considering the report includes information on two Conservative leadership races, one of which he won. This behaviour suggests he fears what he might find.

Poilievre’s actions reveal a preference for obfuscation and partisan attacks rather than responsible governance. This is a matter of national security with hints of possible treason. As a citizen and taxpayer, I want to know who is responsible, regardless of their party affiliation. Poilievre should want to know that too if he genuinely aspires to lead the country.

Video: Poilievre ‘deeply irresponsible’ for not reading foreign interference report: NDP leader  

The chummy relationship between Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and extremists at an anti-carbon tax protest raises serious concerns about his judgment and the implications of normalizing extremist affiliations in Canadian politics.

April 26, 2024

It is stunning that a leader of the opposition, and a likely next governing party leader, would refuse to view highly sensitive documents crucial to national security. By doing so, Poilievre fails to show the leadership required during times of geopolitical upheaval. Elizabeth May, despite leading a party with only two seats, has shown more seriousness and responsibility on this issue than Poilievre.

While he slams Trudeau for being soft on foreign interference, he refuses to take the opportunity to show what responsible leadership looks like. This was his moment to rise above partisan politics and he chose to stay in the shadows. Canadians deserve leaders who are willing to face the truth and act decisively for the good of the country. Poilievre’s refusal to engage with the classified report is not just disappointing; it is a dangerous abdication of responsibility. In times of national security threats, Canadians need leaders who will confront the issues head-on, not hide from them. Poilievre’s wilful ignorance is a betrayal of the leadership he aspires to. (AI)

Tuesday May 22, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday May 22, 2012

The forever mayor: Bratina looking ahead to 2014

On the previous city council, it was Tom Jackson who stepped up to compensate for Mayor Fred Eisenberger’s ceremonial and directional deficiencies, particularly during his unsteady early days.

This time around, in the absence of strong political leadership from Mayor Bob Bratina, it looks as if Sam Merulla may be fulfilling the role of shadow mayor.

While Bratina is consistently missing in action on the council floor, Merulla is increasingly taking a leading part in setting the agenda with motions, proposals, and initiatives. Andrew Dreschel column.

Meanwhile, Mayor Bob Bratina is eyeing a second term in office.

Bratina told the crowd at a Bulldogs Foundation fundraising dinner this week that he will usurp Bob Morrow’s record as the city’s longest-serving mayor.

He added that he’ll continue to push his agenda regardless of the “unnecessary criticism” by “uninformed” people” that has been levelled against him over the past year.

“Nobody is going to stop me,” he said.

In an email to The Spectator Thursday, Bratina said he attended “a great community fund-raising event as guest of honour.”

“Hamilton’s longest serving mayor Bob Morrow paid me the honour of emceeing the evening, and included some very positive and encouraging statements about my performance in the mayor’s office,” Bratina wrote. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

Wednesday February 15, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday February 15, 2012

Toews accuses critics of siding with child pornographers

The government says anyone who opposes federal plans to make electronic surveillance easier for police and spies is siding with child pornographers.

It’s the first salvo in a battle that will resume Tuesday when the government reintroduces legislation that would expand online monitoring powers.

The issue pits the desire of intelligence and law-enforcement officials to have easier access to information about Internet users against the individual’s right to privacy.

Asked Monday in the House of Commons about the coming bill, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews told a Liberal MP he could either stand with the government or “with the child pornographers” prowling online.

Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart has warned against simply resurrecting a trio of previous federal bills to expand surveillance powers, citing several shortcomings.

Of particular concern to the privacy commissioner are provisions that would allow authorities access to Internet subscriber information without first getting a court’s go-ahead.

Toews office has said the government will strike an appropriate balance between necessary investigative powers and the protection of privacy.

Still, opposition MPs were alarmed by his comments Monday.

“Apparently if you care about civil liberties in this country you obviously side with child pornographers, murderers,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. (Source: CTV News) 

 

Monday February 6, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Monday February 6, 2012

Offenders Everywhere

The names of dozens of alleged white supremacists in Canada are contained in files leaked by computer hackers in Europe intent on exposing hate movements, CBC News has learned.

The alleged white supremacists’ names were revealed earlier this month by members of a loose-knit group of hackers called Anonymous on a website called nazi-leaks.net, which is now offline.

In addition to emails and secret websites and blogs, the hackers uncovered photographs of children giving Nazi salutes at a gathering in Missouri, confidential legal documents and displays of Hitler tattoos.

“We can now begin to piece together a more accurate picture in terms of the distribution of these types of racist groups across Canada,” Loewen said.

Among the information hacked were the names of 74 Canadians — with associated street addresses, email addresses and passwords — who are members of Volksfront and Blood and Honour, along with 142 emails from people who had joined Blood and Honour’s Canadian online forum.

Meanwhile, Police in Ontario have arrested 60 men — including a daycare worker — and charged them with hundreds of child pornography offences.

The co-ordinated raids by 24 police forces across Ontario picked up the suspects in the days leading up to Thursday’s announcement.

“The is one of the largest co-ordinated efforts of its kind in Ontario,” said Det.-Sgt. Frank Goldschmidt of the Ontario Provincial Police. “We anticipate there will be several more charged.”(Source: CBC News)