Beyond The Commons

 Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

Also, sound economic reasoning

by Aaron Wherry on Thursday, September 9, 2010 11:55am - 0 Comments

Veteran Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn explains why the federal government is interested in the return of an NHL franchise to Quebec City.

“As MPs, we cannot ignore the wishes of the population that wants the Nordiques to return,” he said in an interview. “In addition, our political formation, the Conservative Party, has received important support in Quebec City.”

Tags: , , , ,

Bookmark and Share
  • Emily

    Admitting it, out loud, is going to help immensely I'm sure. LOL

    • Dave

      Don't show Dave Rutherford or Lowell Green.

  • john g

    Un freaking believable.

    • LynnTO

      That those are the reasons, or that he was foolish enough to say them out loud?

      • john g

        Both

    • madeyoulook

      I believe the phrase should be unbe-freaking-lievable. It just seems to roll better off the tongue. But bingo on the sentiment.

  • Richard_S_Argent

    My word, the Conservatives seem to be going out of their way to draw comparisons to the Duplessis' Union Nationale governments…

    • Dave

      Comparisons? COMPARISONS?

  • WDM

    I'm just glad 1989 Stephen Harper isn't here to see this.

    • Patchouli

      Don't worry; he's long gone.

    • tedbetts

      Or 1995 Stephen Harper.

      Or 2005 Stephen Harper.

  • Crit_Reasoning

    The Quebec City region MPs are just representing the voices of their constituents. I'm curious whether the government will actually take the proposal seriously, though. I'm sure there are lots of non-Quebec MPs who are leery of funding a Quebec City arena, especially if it turns into a pissing match between Quebec City, Edmonton and Hamilton.

    • ChrisWPG

      Can Winnipeg get in on that too?

      • Crit_Reasoning

        Absolutely. I forgot to mention Winnipeg. Go Jets go!

      • sourstud

        No freaking kidding! We poor Manitoban's have funded a new arena, AND a new stadium in our province without any funding from the feds! If this isn't a slap directly in our faces, I don't know what the hell is!

        I have never had a problem with the Tories in my entire life, and could even be called a supporter at times. But if this goes through, they can kiss me, and I'm sure many like me, good-bye!

    • http://stumblingabordeaux.blogspot.com Pato31

      Let's not forget that Edmonton elected a socialist… I don't think they're getting funding!

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Ottawa_Centrist Ottawa_Centrist

    I think we need to give the Conservatives a break. They were against such blatant vote buying long before they were for it.

    P.S. – The Nordiques logo is still awesome.

  • Patchouli

    Well, Blackburn's comments bode well for Li'l Brad and the SK Roughies. No province is more on board with stevie than SK. Brad's even brave enough to run up and tug on Pelosi's cape.

    • McC_

      I dunno, I always thought that you save your pixie dust to sprinkle it where you think it will make a change, it's all faeries already for the CPC in Saskatchewan these days (if you'll pardon the extension of the analogy), so why waste it there? (ditto Alberta) So they can win the same old ridings with 65%, 75% 85% of the vote? it's still the same number of seats!

      • Patchouli

        I know I know, just blowing out some air. Making a point to the SK-cons who think steve will hear their pleas. Using Blackburn's comment as a basis.

        The Cons here never get any sunshine from Harper, but you will have to pry their guns from their cold dead hands before they vote Liberal. Excepting of course the Ralphies. Thank the lord for the Ralphies!

        • danby

          even if you live in a fine house in an upscale neighbourhood
          even if you belong to the best country club and attend church regularly
          even if the affairs are meaningless and you know they still love you
          down deep inside
          being cheated on hurts

  • Geiseric

    Why do I find this refreshing?

  • john g

    Oh come now Stewart…I censored myself accordingly.

    • captcold

      you assume Stewart that these clowns were 'conservative' in the 1st place.

      They ain't.

      They're just a political party, comprised of a cabal of lawyers looking for a stream of government cheques.

      • Holly Stick

        They aren't lawyers, mostly: not that smart.

  • Standing By

    If giving Paladeau an arena means he won't get his Fox News North project approved, then I'm all for it.

    • WDM

      I look forward to the team name if its owned by Quebecor.

  • Jenn_

    Poor MYL. Speechless isn't a surprise, but I do hope he hasn't had a heart attack or something.

    • Crit_Reasoning

      Yeah, I'm worried too. I hope he shows up soon to let us know that he hasn't suffered a cerebral aneurysm or some other medical emergency after reading that article.

      • madeyoulook

        Thanks for the concern, guys. But this party has abandoned respect for the taxpayer and future generations long ago — why do you think this outrage would do me in?

        What doesn't kill me just makes me stronger.

    • john g

      I think I saw him passed out, but somebody was waving a copy of the article of Goodale's recommendation of $100M for a Saskatchewan stadium over his face to revive him.

      • Jenn_

        I happen to know because I wrote a short story about it, that scaring someone to death is a crime in Canada. You might want to tell the idiot waving such a piece of drivel over MYL that he's liable for murder if MYL doesn't make it through.

        • john g

          Hmm…you got me, not sure if this is serious or satire. Got a Criminal Code reference?

          • Jenn_

            My criminal code is at home, but it isn't some special number, as I recall. It's under the general homicide provisions.

          • john g

            I'll be damned. You learn something new every day. You're right (so I broke my own rule about using the thumbs and thumbed you up). Section 222, 5(d)

            (5) A person commits culpable homicide when he causes the death of a human being,
            …
            (d) by wilfully frightening that human being, in the case of a child or sick person.

          • Jenn_

            You know, I never had someone else check the Criminal Code before. I'd have felt pretty stupid if it wasn't in your copy. The story was published, after all. :) So thanks! (And I thumbed you up in return.)

            Hey, you know the little old lady who is driving and sees the 3-D child on the road . . .?

          • madeyoulook

            You keep a criminal code at home? It's yours? Is it the same as everyone else's? Why do you need such a ready reference — should we be worried about you? You haven't bypass-wired around your meter to be engaging in recreational agriculture for fun and profit in your spare bedroom, have you?

          • Jenn_

            Remember when I said I was POSITIVE you could advertise for sex without nude pictures?

            Oh, come on, that was a joke. . . or was it?

            Apparently, it IS the same as everyone else's (or at least John G's) The really funny thing is I have two of them somewhere around here.

            I got one (the Student Edition) when I took a business law course. At least I think it was the business law course–it could have been something else, I took a whole bunch of courses.

            The other one was given to me by a lawyer who shared office space with us. He got a new one and asked if I wanted it. Presumably it is more up to date than my student edition (2002) but I don't know where I've put that one.

            And MYL, I'm a very law-abiding person. The worst I've ever contravened the law was that one speed-camera ticket. Besides, if I can't open a locked cupboard, what on earth makes you think I could bypass-wire my hydro meter?

          • madeyoulook

            Besides, if I can't open a locked cupboard, what on earth makes you think I could bypass-wire my hydro meter?

            Maybe you know a guy.

          • madeyoulook

            Remember when I said I was POSITIVE you could advertise for sex without nude pictures?
            Oh, come on, that was a joke. . . or was it?

            That's a shame. And I heard there was a judge position opening in Manitoba, too. You coulda been a somebody!

  • bennji

    From the g & M article

    However, Mr. Blackburn pointed out it would be easier to obtain federal funding if there was a private-sector company involved, for example, in purchasing naming rights to the new arena.

    “It’s clear that it can’t just be state money. There needs to be partners,” he said.

    In the world of political spin – they will have to grant Sun Tv. license so that they have the financial resources to buy the naming rights to the new NHL stadium that the government had to spend $$ on funding.

    Ya see, it is all about ensuring value for money.

  • Mark R

    Who can argue with Spector on Sportsnet no less?
    Blackburn should stick to making the lives of Veterans better instead of extending his hand for more money for the Quebec Nation.
    The Canadian nation bank rolling it will not be pleased.
    http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/09/07/spector…

    • Mark R

      Also interesting considering recent events.
      '(Quebec)' wants it all, and that just doesn't go down well with me,' premier says
      http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2010-09-09/…

      • Dave

        It doesn't go down well with Danny because Danny wants it all, too.

  • captcold

    Now that a key Quebec constituency has gotten their payoff for support, Alberta must be like in line for 2-3 billion.

    No?

    Ahh, just like under the Libranos. Some things never change in Canadia, where buying votes is considered standard operating procedure.

    • danby

      "Under Paul Martin's watch the waste and mismanagement and corruption has continued. When I become prime minister I will undertake an unprecedented overhaul of the federal government, that is my commitment to you." Stephen Harper Nov 5, 2005

      What happened to that principled young buck?
      Did he pass you when you were filing your taxes?
      Don't bother looking for him now. He doesn't stop here anymore.

      • tedbetts

        "What happened to that principled young buck?"

        Same as all of them. The worst thing that could possibly happen to some with ideals, let alone ideology: he got elected and decided he likes the power.

        • danby

          Yup. He's become the cattle rustler he swore he would run out of town

    • Dave

      "Liberals did it!"?

  • Geiseric

    Yeah, Well. There's that too, but it does have an amusing "things you see at the zoo" charm to it. Maybe if it wasn't hockey. Or the Riders.

  • McC_

    Is that something like the Ted Stevens Manoeuvre?

    • hosertohoosier

      Paulo Maluf ran for mayor of Sao Paulo with the slogan "Rouba mas faz", which means "he steals, but he gets things done." Alternately, supporters of Edwin Edwards (currently incarcerated) in the Louisiana gubernatorial race sported bumper stickers saying "vote for the lizard, not the wizard" (his opponent was a former KKK grand wizard) and "vote for the crook it's important".

  • Be_rad

    And Gaunilon – I miss that Rodin avatar

  • Tceh

    I want the Israelis to work on the Stadium deal in my town. They are very good negotiators compared to the Conservatives.
    http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Allies+Israeli+…

  • madeyoulook

    Hey. I said I would whine like a baby to get that old Harper back. I'm not crying. There… there was something in my eye…

Previous

Next

From Macleans