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

Stephen Harper's own private audience

by Aaron Wherry on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 11:12am - 59 Comments

A veterans advocate was turned away in Halifax and students were denied entry in Guelph.

Several of the peaceful mob participants had registered to attend the Harper event, but they were turned away by RCMP officers. Cara Dawson and Izzy Hirji were among those asked to leave the venue. A Conservative Party of Canada official approached them and indicated they were not welcome because of their involvement in an action that was perceived as a protest by party insiders. Dawson and Hirji tried to explain that it was not a protest and that they had registered to attend the campaign event, but the official could not be persuaded. RCMP Cpl. Tony Fowler of the “O” Division/VIP Security Section told the students the event was by invitation only and they would have to leave.

Tags: , , , , ,
Bookmark and Share
  • OriginalEmily1

    'By invitation only'…..now THERE'S democracy for ya!

  • tedbetts

    Brilliant.

  • danby

    Veterans…. students…… dissent…..

    You just don't get it.

    Stephen Harper didn't show up for you

    • KeithBram

      Oh, wouldn't that make a great ad for the Liberals! Clips of people getting turned away from CPC events by RCMP, with "Stephen Harper didn't show up for you" as the tag line!

      (Brilliant, btw, danby!)

  • tedbetts

    So far this week:

    - kicking out veterans advocates
    - spying on and kicking out students because of their Facebook page (I'm sure it had nothing to do with their Middle Eastern sounding names)
    - spying on and kicking out a student because of his bumper sticker
    - kicking out students because they attended a non-partisan pro-student pro-vote rally (I'm sure it had nothing to do with the Middle Eastern sounding name of one of them)
    - only allowing 4 questions to the national media
    - not allowing any questions to ordinary Canadians
    - actively trying to block a government report on G20 police actions
    - actively trying to block a government report on detainees
    - berating a local volunteer for even mentioning where Harper was going to be that day

    And this is all in the last two or so days.

    WTF is going on here? This is connecting to Canadians? This is how you apply for a job? This is Harper's version of open, accountable and transparent government? This is Harper's democracy.

    • Joshua

      Lets get off the Bu– Sh–. You are beginging to sould like Iggy.

      • tedbetts

        Yes, please do get off the BS, Joshua.

        Or you can tell me which of those in the list is BS and which you have no problem with. I'd be interested to know.

      • Selena

        Learn to spell

      • D.D.S

        Do you mean the truth?…because Mr. Ignatieff isn't turning anyone away

    • KeithBram

      Suddenly, I have this urge to goose-step…

  • tedbetts

    That should more accurately read: "Harper's democracy: by invitation only."

  • Joshua

    No, It is Iggy who missed 135 days of being in Parliament. And of course, how could he possibly vote on Mr. Harpers Bills when he was a no-show

    • Bill M

      And this has what to do with the article?

      • Thwim

        It the CPC's red herring for this article. They like to serve some up every time somebody thinks of questioning them.

    • Jan

      I see Randon Talking Point Generator has joined the discussion.

  • LoveMusic

    Steve Harper — Canada's Coward.

    • Patchouli

      Chicken. He's Canada's Cowardly Chicken…if he only had a heart.

    • Thwim

      Interesting. If he's not careful, we could see the media pick up on the meme of "Chicken Party of Canada"

      That probably wouldn't be good for him at all.

      Which means I will of course be using it every chance I get.

      • Patchouli

        The really mean, irresponsible part of me hopes that youth start showing up at rallies in chicken suits, clucking.

  • Brian

    I could say worse, but why don't I just stick to this simple observation: it's as though the Tories haven't figured out that they actually need to win over people who voted Liberal or NDP in the past to win an actual majority.

    It's Joe Clark math.

    • OriginalEmily1

      Good point. There's nothing to be gained by talking to the choir….it's the 'dissenters' who need to be convinced.

    • catherine

      I don't think Harper's plan has ever been to win over such voters. His plan is to turn off those voters, so that they stay home, while his behind-the-scenes machinery with their extensive databases get out the CPC vote.

      • Anon

        That is exactly his plan.

        • Holly Stick

          Also to scare voters into voting for him.

  • Tyler

    He can't lose my vote if he never had it!

  • Bill M

    Why are the RCMP hired (on the public purse) to make sure that Harper isn't asked an embarrassing question? I can see them being used for security, but it is a blatant misuse of public funds for them to be used to suppress dissident political expression.

    And by accounts, there was very little likelihood that the expelled observers were going to say anything or do anything to embarrass Harper. After all, if the press can't get anywhere near him or talk to him, how would anyone else?

  • Douglass

    It really puts that rally Ignatieff held in the bowling alley last week into perspective, doesn't it? You know the one where the old guys cursed at him from the next table, yet he still tried to go talk to them and shake their hands.

    That is what I want from a leader. Someone who is willing, neigh, eager to hear dissenting voices. Canada is a smorgasbord of different ideas and opinions. Our leaders NEED to be open to hearing their voices. Even if it's messy at times!

    • brooster2

      "Someone who is willing, neigh, eager to hear dissenting voices."

      That would truly be a horse of a different colour :-)

      • Thwim

        But I can certainly see it becoming a mane issue of this election.

        • Patchouli

          But so many in the electorate are blinkered! They won't just pony up their votes to anyone.

          • brooster2

            Enough already…this is a serious comment board. No more horsing around.

          • Douglass

            Akk! I tried to respond, but was saddled with all this HTML code that popped out of no where.

  • Patchouli

    Yeah, the cons are a bunch of "c" words…

  • burlivespipe

    During the great flag debate, Lester Pearson ventured into a hall-load of legionaires (he being a veteran from WWI) and launched into a speech defending the search for a new, uniquely Canadian symbol. He faced a pretty rough crowd — and no doubt got a ton of respect for doing so.

  • Mike T.

    In keeping with earlier practice, were the veteran's confidential medical files retrieved so they could be used against him?

  • RealityCheck

    In keeping with earlier practice, M. Troll makes it clear to all that he is an idiot!

  • tedbetts

    Unfortunately, not so much. The lead veterans advocate and strong critic of how the government treats veterans had his personal medical files circulated around the PMO.

  • NorthernPoV

    mike t has been around here a lot longer than you and your fellow sock puppets

  • Loraine Lamontagne

    What a bunch of gutless, spineless wusses our politicians have become. I remember shaking hands with Pierre Trudeau after he gave an outdoor speech open to all in downtown Toronto in 1979; he mingled with the crowd and talked to people. Met René Lévesque when I did some volunteer work for the MSA/RN when they were trying to form a new party. I wasn't a separatist but I was a good stenographer, young and enthusiastic about the democratic process. That's all that mattered to them.

    Canadians are now made to wear the 'yellow star' of their perceived political ideology when they participate in the political process and try to meet our political leaders.

    Shame. SHAME.

  • Bill M

    In defense of the other leaders, it appears that Harper is the only one restricting contact to anyone.

  • canon70

    Stephen Harper commented – sort of. It's a staff decision and I can't comment on it.

  • Crit_Reasoning
  • NorthernPoV

    you postin' for our side now, thanks Crit

  • RealityCheck

    Stephen Harper has been around here (read: Canada) a lot longer than you and your dear appointed leader, Lord Ignatieff.

  • Guelph Guy

    Humm… I dunno, just speculating here, but maybe Izzy Hirji's rejection had nothing to do with the rally outside, but was due to his known affiliation with another Federal Party? http://www.flickr.com/photos/27170540@N05/2723268…

  • Keith in Brampton

    All hail the great King Harper! Bend low in obeisance, peasants, and he may grant you audience!

  • bennji1977

    Mr. Check

    You may not be aware, but there is a new directive that has been sent from Mission Central. Mr. Ignatieff is only to be referred to as Count Ignatieff and not Lord Ignatieff. The word Lord may depict a closer linage with our country's constitutional monarch, and we just wouldn't want that. Not to mention, Count sounds much more dark, evil and sinister. Kinda like Count Dracula.

    We appreciate your understanding, and do advise that you kindly pay closer attention to your thoughts as they are circulated to you.

    I do hope that I don't have to address this situation again.

    With regards;
    Mr. Stephan "Real Canadian" Harper

  • D.D.S

    you're drooling….

  • Mike T.

    But I heard he's Facebook friends with John Baird!!!! Have the RCMP remove him immediately!!!!!

  • Crit_Reasoning

    Before you start popping champagne corks, I should point out that Ted's characterization ("personal medical files circulated around the PMO") is standard partisan bullsh*t. The linked article is pretty clear that those responsible were DoD bureaucrats, and the problem goes all the way back to 2001.

  • NorthernPoV

    oh thanks, I feel so much better now knowing the Con gestapo is combing the internet and vetting who gets near our dear leader

  • John D

    How dare he!

  • Patchouli

    Given the time and money spent trying to relate to youth and get them to participate in the democratic process, wouldn't you think the leader of the nation would encourage people to come and hear him speak? Even if they are shopping around, who cares? They are engaged.

    He's supposed to be pm for all of us, not just those who vote for him.

  • brooster2

    "…maybe Izzy Hirji's rejection…was due to his known affiliation with another Federal Party."

    And for that he forfeits his democratic rights? I don't think you're helping your cause with suggestions like that.

  • Patchouli

    "The word Lord may depict a closer linage with our country's constitutional monarch"

    That would be Bernard Lord?

  • Loraine Lamontagne

    Wasn't Harper once affiliated with the Liberals?

  • Thwim

    And pray that's all he gives you while you're bent over.

  • Thwim

    Ah yes, a true demonstration of leadership by the head of the Chicken Party of Canada.

  • Thwim

    Let his staff know and perhaps they'll ban him from the next event. After all, he's already said he doesn't control them.

Previous

Next

From Macleans