Ralph Goodale

[cowman]

It looks like poor old Ralph has got caught in a whirlwind if you listen to the CBC? The "experts" think this is going to be a big deal?
The NDP and BLOC are calling for him to resign now that the mounties are involved...Harper just says fire him on Jan. 23!
Now personally I don't think Ralph should be forced to resign. After all what happened to the old "You are innocent until you are proven guilty"? Maybe that doesn't apply to politics? And how fair is it to force the guy to resign in the middle of a campaign...when he might be totally innocent?
Bottom line I think Harper has the right idea? Ralph isn't any more of a crook than the rest of the Liberal party? Give the whole rotten gang the boot Jan. 23!

[farmers_son]

There was a piece on CBC this morning that says the investment community had figured out an announcement was coming on the income trusts. Some firms had been buying shares of income trusts for weeks before the announcment. The report suggested that the RCMP investigation would turn out to be a waste of money as there was nothing to find.

The various parties will be seizing on anything they can find to cast the other party in a poor light hoping some of the dirt sticks. This is really just another example of dirty politics. However this election is shaping up to be more of a horse race than the last election as there are more issues being raised on all sides.

The opposition parties are putting their faith in scandals for the most part. The Liberals are going have to counter the "its time for a change" movement. Martins strength was his handling of the economy and turning budget deficits into surpluses. But the public are beginning to take the stronger economy for granted.

The real issue I am waiting to see addressed is the sovereignty issue because separation certainly could raise its head in Quebec if the Conservatives formed the next government and the Bloc gains further strength. If there is one thing that differentiates the Conservatives and the Liberals nationally it is the Quebec issue. Certainly a Conservative government with no seats in Quebec would see the country separated politically if not in fact.

[farmers_son]

and so be it, if Quebec is hell bent on separating from the rest of the country they will do it regardless of which party is in power federally. The time has come for the federal government to work equally for all Canadians not cherry pick !!!

[farmers_son]

And so be it... But just what is “it”. Is it a Canada cut in thirds with Atlantic Canada split from the rest of Canada. If one believes a Canada without Quebec would look after the interests of western Canada better then you are ignoring the impact of the Ontario vote and how there would be almost more votes in that one province than the rest of the country together. There are 306 MPs. 75 in Quebec. Take away Quebec that leaves 231 seats with Ontario controlling 106 or almost half. Not something any westerner should look forward to unless you think Albertas 28 seats have any significance federally.

You seem to be thinking of a federal government that works evenly for all provinces, not all Canadians. Because almost half of Canadians without Quebec live in Ontario and a government that worked evenly based on population would pay little heed to the west.

If you want to see a province separate so as to provide balance throughout the country then you would do better to wish to see Ontario leave. Or how about Altantic Canada, they are a long ways away and they talk funny too. BC is already separated by the mountains and softwood lumber is just a trade irritant. Off with their heads. The North, too many natives. Newfies are just a drain on the employment system. Manitoba floods too much and Saskatchewan is too flat. In fact we could do without all the bastards except me and thee and sometimes I dispair of thee.

[ivbinconned]

"Martins strength was his handling of the economy and turning budget deficits into surpluses."

STRENGTH???Talk about spin Farmer-son...if the rebuttle for anything that Klien does is... "he can only do this because he has the PEOPLES money"... then the same has to be said for Martin!!

[cowman]

Now personally I welcome a BLOC wipeout of the Liberals...but still a federal Liberal government!...But then I am a western seperatist and have never hid that fact?
If Quebec goes and Ontario rules the roost with a Liberal majority...perfect!... because Alberta won't be far behind! Hopefully with BC and Saskatchewan... at least? And who knows maybe with Manitoba and northern Ontario?
If the Conservative party wins a minority(probably the best they can ever hope for?) then they will be dealing with the BLOC? I would suggest the BLOC and Stephen Harper have a lot in common? A decentralized country?
Which when you think about it would pretty well put all the seperatist sentiment to bed? Try ten provinces, basically autonomous, with the feds only controlling limited powers...given to them by the provinces?
Instead of the tail wagging the dog we would have an actual "federation" of provinces? Only way this country "Canada" might survive?

[FarmRanger]

F_s you said “There was a piece on CBC this morning that says the investment community had figured out an announcement was coming on the income trusts. Some firms had been buying shares of income trusts for weeks before the announcment. The report suggested that the RCMP investigation would turn out to be a waste of money as there was nothing to find.”

The RCMP started looking into this shortly after the highly irregular trading session took place. It has now turned into a criminal investigation because “the RCMP investigation would turn out to be a waste of money”?!?!?! So the RCMP with a Liberal appointed commissioner is allowing itself to be a pawn of “dirty politics” for the opposition?!?!?! Give me a break. Is that how the Liberals and their media division (CBC) are going to try to spin this? Good luck. Who has more credibility, the big name traders interviewed on CTV last night, or some supposedly anonymous insiders scrounged up for spin purposes?

http://tinyurl.com/cwejm

It’s too bad the CRIMINAL investigation won’t likely be complete before the election. Only the most gullible could possibly vote for these crooks? If you think voting Liberal will somehow keep Quebec in Canada, wake up and smell the poutine. Wouldn't having the rest of Canada force another crooked Liberal government on Quebec be the best ammo the separatists could possibly have in their bid to break up the country?

The NDP have a chronology of events regarding Goodales Income Trust announcement on their website at:
http://www.ndp.ca/page/2561

[cowman]

Well I wonder about this "criminal invesigation" by the RCMP during this campaign? In reality...is this necessary? Or is this just politics?
Now I am no great defender of the Liberal Party, but does this sort of smack of being unfair? Maybe Ralph is a crook...I don't know...but basically it is unfair when he is trying to win a popularity poll? Why not just bring us allocations that he is some kind of child molester or somthing?
He very well be guilty? But lets sort that out after an election? Personally I think he is, in his own mind, a honest "right honourable man"!
Sorry, I like to believe our electd citizens are decent human beings..,despite the evidence provided!

[FarmRanger]

Wow, maybe I’m wrong about the spin on this not being able to work.
Cowman questions the integrity of the RCMP over the Liberals. Maybe Goodale himself is innocent, but obviously the RCMP thinks someone committed a crime.

[FarmRanger]

My ideal Canada is one nation where all are treated equally, and that is not happening when Quebec is considered a distinct society. In a perfect Canada every region would be distinct but would still abide by the rules of the land. Unfortunately in the politicial climate of today there will never be a perfect Canada. If Harper does happen to form a minority government watch Layton and Martin join forces in a split second, and we will be back in an election within a year or year and a half.
I have been watching CPAC and listening to the candidates speak on all issues. The NDP will tax the hell out of anyone who pays taxes to provide social programs for those who don't want to work and pay taxes and the Liberals have nearly broken their arms patting themselves on the back for their OUTSTANDING accomplishments. Sven Robinson is out pounding on doors in a seniors complex and at least one lady had the ##@@$ to holler through the door that she didn't have any use for the NDP !!!

I think that the next three weeks are going to be totally sickening.

[Horse]

emerald I think calling anyone who colects social program money instead of working and paying taxes is a low blow, after all arnt you going to colect your $400 from dear old Ralph.

[cropduster]

horse`@$$.......the 400 Ralphbucks are not a `social program`.That is money Albertan`s earned.It certainly isn`t money transferred from Ottawa.THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!

[silverback]

Nice post f_s. Did PMPM's office send that to you to put up on here? Where have you been? There was a massive spike in trading before Ralphies announcement and then the values skyrocketed. It is amazing that you would post that Liberal apologist stuff on here with the people that read this site. Some people made a s%#% load of money that afternoon and all you can say is that the RCMP would just be wasting our money? Unbelievable - no, believable for someone who thinks Martin is the economic saviour of Canada.

Happy New Year.

[cowman]

If Ralph is guilty, lots of time to investigate him after the election? But consider this: How many people work in his department? How many had access to this information and could have tipped off a buddy in the stockmarket? Is Goodale responsible for every crook who might work for him?
Like I said if it is determined that an actual crime occured then go after them, but it really isn't fair to do this in the middle of an election? Like waiting three weeks isn't possible? I suspect somebody in the upper management of the RCMP has an axe to grind!

[silverback]

Yes Cowman, I believe he is responsible, just like Paul was responsible for knowing what was happening in Quebec. How would you feel if this happened to your MP? Would you want them possibly getting back in because nobody prosecuted during the campaign?