Free Republic

OTTAWA–NDP Leader Jack Layton and Liberal Leader Stephane Dion have signed an historic accord to form a coalition government to replace Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives. In an extraordinary scene on Parliament Hill, Dion and Layton signed a formal deal to work together through to June, 2011. And they signed an agreement with Bloc Quebecois Gilles Duceppe that commits the separatist party to support the coalition through to June, 2010. The opposition parties are threatening to defeat the Conservatives next week. However their plan to assume government would require the blessing of the Governor General. Under the deal, the Liberal...

The CTV.ca poll today, which isn’t scientific so it doesn’t matter, says 72% prefer the Conservatives to be in power. CTV: Who would you prefer to govern the country? The Conservatives 72%; The NDP-Liberal coalition 28% Cnews.canoe.ca indicates that 73% think what the Left is doing is either “bad” or “treasonous”, with most saying it’s “treasonous”. What do you think about the opposition’s move to take control of the Canadian Parliament? It’s good 12% It’s bad 30% It’s within the rules 7% It’s treasonous 43% It won’t make any difference 7% The last federal election...

Hinman says that as long as Quebec separatists are calling the shots in Ottawa, Stelmach should do three things immediately: 1. Serve notice of Alberta's intent to withdraw from the current Federal Transfer Program. (brilliant!) 2. Initiate measures for Alberta to begin collecting its own taxes; (....again!) 3. Initiate discussions on a Regional Equalization Program involving the four Western Provinces. (three for three!)

The University of Ottawa Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) has cited the Jewish student group Hillel's "relationship to apartheid Israel" as a reason for turning down a request for funds to sponsor a speech November 20. The speech was given by Israel Sariri, but it had nothing to do with Israel. Sariri is the head of a Ugandan group working on sustainable development projects in the African Jewish community. Not only was the speech apolitical, in fact it was a multiculturalist's dream theme: about schools that feed and educate 500 Jewish, Muslim and Christian children studying together, and open to...

SPRINGFIELD, IL – In a move widely seen as political pandering, the Governor of Illinois announced an unusual choice for Obama’s seat in the Senate. At a press conference this morning, Governor Rod Blagojevich unveiled a resurrected Abraham Lincoln as the much-anticipated Senate seat-filler. “Illinois politics are full of dark horses and controversial figures,” says Donna Brazile, political analyst and campaign manager for Al Gore’s presidential run in 2000. “Far-left democrats like Jesse Ventura Jr. or Tammy Duckworth would have energized their base but potentially energized Republicans even more for the midterms in 2010 when the seat will be open...

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The Town of Huntsville will be applying to the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) to fund a large-scale mock disaster in 2009." ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Hernen explained that typically a JEPP application involves a 50/50 spending commitment between the program and the municipality or organization making the application. However, in light of the upcoming 2010 G8 Summit being held at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Hernen said, “they’re willing to look at a different funding formula for us,” and that the town would be applying for a grant to cover 100 per cent of the cost."

HUNTSVILLE, ONT. — ARTICLE SNIPPET: "On Friday, Aug. 8, a vehicle pulled into the Pow Wow parking lot and discharged six men, all dressed in what the locals would call "city clothes" - including dark slacks and leather-soled dress shoes. Without bothering to check with the office, they went down to the beach and began taking photographs of each other, each time with Deerhurst - including the cupola that rides over the main building - in the background." ARTICLE SNIPPET: "These six English-speaking men appeared to be of Middle-Eastern origin. But what really set them apart was their complete unfamiliarity...

Shockwaves are reverberating across the Dominion of Canada tonight. Without a shot having been fired, and less than two months since October’s federal election, a signed document is on its way to Gov. General Michaelle Jean--informing her that a Coalition of the Liberals, New Democrats Party (NDP) and Bloc Quebecois will now govern Canada. Snubbed by voters as recently as October 14, the Liberals and NDP are jumping into bed with a party that wants to separate from Canada, the Bloc Quebecois. It’s a grab for power that is going down without the courtesy of a single Canadian voter. For...

Terrorism expert Steve Emerson says there's no hope of victory in the war on terrorism until we call it what it really is. This past Saturday, the New York Times ran an op-ed piece entitled "What They Hate about Mumbai," focusing specifically on the free market sins of that great city. With contrived evenhandedness, the op-ed managed to blame both Hindus and Muslim extremists—without blaming either party in particular for the murderous attacks. Without realizing it, the Grey Lady had hit upon a great travel series. In the best spirit of jihad for dummies, why not a year's worth of...

On October 14, Canadian voters handed Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper his second minority government, one even stronger than his first. Harper vows to maintain the nation’s military commitment in Afghanistan through 2011, but his dedication to fighting radical Islam at home remains unclear. Ezra Levant was one of those trying to keep those issues on the table while working the party’s “war room” during the campaign. Levant famously reprinted the Danish cartoons of Mohammed in his magazine, the Western Standard, back in 2006, an act that got him hauled before the Alberta Human Rights Commission for “Islamophobia.” That was...

Simply put, Canadians rejected Stephane Dion for P.M. - the Liberal Party itself has rejected Stephane Dion - and now we hear that he will be thrust upon us - unelected, of course, as in any real banana republic - to be our new federal leader.

This attempt to reverse the decision of the voting public goes beyond wrong. It shows a blatant disregard for the democratic process itself, and will not only harm the nation that is facing economic uncertainty, but will do immense damage by feeding the ever-growing public apathy has with regards to politics in general.

We still are feeling the effects of campaign hangover from the Conservative win and have little interest in suffering through another political soap opera. What's more, it doesn't help that the front runners are as exciting as waffles. Another run by part-time Canadian, full-time bore Michael Ignatieff means another round of numbing monotone speeches with a Herman Munster feel.

Friday November 21, 2008 Poll Shows a Solid Majority of Canadians Want Legal Protection for Unborn Children November 21, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A new Environics poll shows a majority of Canadians want legal protection for the unborn child at some point before birth. This is consistent with survey results over the past seven years.Canada remains the only country in the developed word with no legal limits on abortion throughout all 9 months of pregnancy. Yet, almost 6 in 10 respondents support legal protection for unborn children at some point before birth.  Only 33% support the current situation of protection...

Bloggers worldwide are abuzz over a report that Hossein Derakhshan, a popular Iranian-Canadian writer once dubbed the Blogfather, has been arrested in Iran. Iran's Jahan News Agency, which is said to be tied to Tehran's theocratic government, reported the arrest Monday, saying Mr. Derakhshan, 34, was suspected of spying for Israel. Mr. Derakhshan, also known as Hoder, keeps a blog in both Persian and English. The daily blog ominously stopped publishing late last month, and between each blog and his Facebook account, there's been no online trace of Hoder since Oct. 30. But one rival blogger, who didn't want to...

OTTAWA (Reuters) – Obese people have the right to two seats for the price of one on flights within Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Thursday.

We need your help in locating these four fugitives. Click on their names or photographs to see their wanted posters. It has been 10 years since a group known as “The Family” torched a ski resort in Vail, Colorado, causing $26 million in damage and drawing international attention to eco-terrorists—those who break the law in the name of the environment and animal rights. Since that time, we’ve joined our federal, local, and state law enforcement partners in establishing Operation Backfire to bring these criminals to justice. Our efforts have been successful, but four individuals under indictment remain at large. At...

Janet Porter urges Congress to probe Obama-citizenship controversy now Former Deputy Attorney General Philip Berg filed a lawsuit addressing the citizenship status of Barack Obama before the Democratic National Convention and copied Democratic Chairman Howard Dean. It should have alerted them that there was a possible problem before they selected their nominee. But that problem was ignored. Other lawsuits filed before Nov. 4 were also ignored, placing us in what could be a constitutional crisis. The good news is the real election hasn't taken place yet. The Electoral College doesn't meet until Dec. 15. That gives us less than a...

SNIPPET: "Judge calls Molotov cocktail attack racist, hateful act of terrorism" ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A Montreal man accused of firebombing a Jewish school was sentenced to four years in prison for what a judge described as a terrorist act. Azim Ibragimov, 25, pleaded guilty earlier this year to firebombing the Skver-Toldos Orthodox Jewish Boys School in Outremont in 2006, and attempting to attack the Snowdon YM-YWHA the following year. He also pleaded guilty to uttering threats in the form of letters that claimed the crimes were committed in the name of Islamic Jihad, a militant group that vows to destroy Israel...

[snip] However, they appeared reluctant to discuss any aid they may be seeking from the Ontario government. Many slipped away from the meeting without commenting. Chrysler Canada's president and CEO said the meeting was more about the crisis in general. "It was just to fill (McGuinty) in as to the current state of the auto industry in Canada and some of the challenges that we currently face," said Reid Bigland. The province will continue talks with the automakers through the weekend and next week, Bryant said. Earlier in the day, McGuinty said he would be looking for assurances on job...

WINNIPEG - Grassroots Conservatives wrapped up a subdued policy convention Saturday by approving resolutions that would push the party further to the right on several fronts, but that largely affirm existing government policies.

A new study has revealed that the Canadian government will spend $171.9-billion this year on health care, or $5,170 per person. At this rate “health care spending is expected to grow faster than Canada’s economy, outpacing inflation and population growth,” according to Glenda Yeates, President and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), which released the study yesterday. Demographers have warned that the aging and slow growth of the Canadian population is a direct threat to the long-term prognosis of its raft of expensive, publicly funded social services, including its health care system. Brian Day, past president of...

Until last year, Hassan Diab was leading the quiet life of a Canadian sociology professor. Prof. Diab was teaching at both Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, was said to be a popular colleague and teacher. After leaving the violence of his native Lebanon and earning his doctorate in the United States, Prof. Diab, 54, received his Canadian citizenship and appeared to settle into Ottawa. There, friends said he was a secular man with an interest in sociology and Middle East studies, and was not without a warm side. "He has a great rapport with students," said Carleton professor...

Quick reading on the sympathy meter shows a -10...I think this thing is busted...nope, it's not..... A West Vancouver, B.C. journalist has been kidnapped in a tribal area of northern Pakistan, according to a Globe and Mail report. (calling her a journalist is a stretch -ed.)Beverly Giesbrecht, a Web magazine publisher in British Columbia who adopted the name Khadija Abdul Qahaar after converting to Islam after 9/11, was seized at gunpoint on Tuesday while gathering material for an upcoming documentary in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. An English language Pakistani newspaper reported the incident Wednesday, saying the journalist...

The nice thing about having a full-blown Socialist country right next door in Canada, is we get a little glimpse into our future. I suspect we will be highlighting a lot more Canadian news over the next four years. Today's little peepshow opens on a burning social problem - the evil scourge of bottled water. These are actual people, not actors . . .

Essentially, it would prevent the CHRC (ironically, the subject of at least one major RCMP investigations over their tactics) from being used by the likes of Warman as a way to censor opinions he happens not to agree with. In layman’s terms, it would cut his pathetic little balls off and force him to get a new hobby.

WASHINGTON, DC, November 12, 2008 (ENS) - When the leaders of the G20 countries gather in Washington this weekend for a special summit on the global financial crisis, pressure will be on to seek solutions in the growth of a new green economy. Today in Washington, Gary Gardner and Michael Renner, senior researchers with the environmental research organization Worldwatch Institute, issued a detailed proposal that they hope will focus the attention of the G20 leaders on what they are calling a "Global Green Deal." "The challenge for global political leadership, including U.S. President-elect [Barack] Obama, is not merely to kickstart...

OTTAWA–Faced with a darkening economic outlook, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the premiers are pledging to speed up infrastructure spending, look at easing rules for retirement savings and consider ways to boost Ontario's hard-hit automotive sector. With an eye on the massive rescue package offered by the U.S. government for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, Harper yesterday dangled the possibility of a government bailout package to help the auto industry, but fell short of promising concrete action. And in a major development for Toronto and other urban centres, Harper and the premiers emerged from a meeting about the economy agreeing...

Of all the people who said during the past eight years that they'd had it with the United States, that they were leaving the country, these are the ones who really did move to Canada. ...snip... "In Seattle, I was pretty far to the left," Kertes recalled. In Vancouver "a lot of times I'm the most conservative person in the room. I'll say something in a group and I'll be prepared for someone to say, 'You're so radical,' but (in Vancouver), it's not considered unusual. I sort of miss feeling special in that way."

"Countries are ranked across 30 distinct categories providing a rich perspective on strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. The rankings speak to qualities that compel consideration and assets that shape country reputations, perceptions and experiences. New categories to this year's rankings include best country brand for "Standard of Living," "Political Freedom" and "Advanced Technology." World's strongest brands: 1. AUS 2. CAN 3. USA 4. ITA 5. SWI/CHE 6. FRA 7. NZL 8. GBR 9. JPN 10. SWE

The Ontario SPCA is probing a case that's both a tragedy and a triumph. It involves a cat that took a very strange trip and lived to tell the tale. It happened on Tuesday when the animal experts arrived at a building at Dixie and Orchard Hill Roads in Mississauga to find a feline badly injured but still alive. The animal had broken teeth, needed surgery to repair them and was bruised in a number of places. That's the tragedy. But here's the triumph: officials think the furry friend fell 17 storeys, and somehow survived. Cats are famous for plunging...

OTTAWA (AFP) – Canada's prime minister said Thursday he hoped to work with US president-elect Barack Obama on a North American deal to curbing greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming. "It's almost essential for Canada to manage this problem in cooperation with the United States because we share the same economy, we share the same continent," Prime Minister Stephen Harper told reporters. "And we need a partner in the matters of the environment if we want to make real progress." The United States, said Harper, has not embraced an "aggressive" environmental agenda, but Obama was set to redouble US...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today congratulated President-elect Barack Obama on his election win and offered the Muslim community's support for ensuring that America remains both safe and free. In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said: "CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil rights and advocacy group, offers its congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama on his historic election to our nation's highest office. President-elect Obama's victory sends the unmistakable message that America is a nation that offers equal opportunity to people of all backgrounds. "While congratulating President-elect Obama on his win, we also...

A Canadian man set a world distance record in his solar car this week. Marcelo da Luz and his Xof1 (Power Of One) Solar Car arrived in Victoria, British Columbia on Thursday (October 30, 2008) after having driven more than 15,150-kilometre in his hand-made solar car. He beat the previous record of the distance covered by a solar car by a mere 30kms. Luz spent more than half a million dollars of his own money and more than 9 years building his Xof1 and organizing his cross-country journey.

National Post editorial on Barack Obama's victory: A proud day for America Posted: November 04, 2008, 10:38 PM by Jonathan Kay Editorial, Full Comment As Americans wake up on Wednesday, they will be making their acquaintance with a new country. We honestly do not know what kind of president Barack Obama will be, but we do know that just by attaining the presidency, he has breathed fresh life into the American project. The stain of racism — the original sin at the heart of the world’s pre-eminent nation — is now that much closer to erasure......

Expanding Afghan War Awaits New President An expanded U.S. military involvement awaits a new U.S. president in Afghanistan where the unfinished business of September 11 has flared over the past three years into a major insurgency. A raft of assessments and reviews now underway in Washington point to a fundamental rethinking of the Afghan war. But whoever is elected Tuesday will face choices on the size of the military buildup, how to strengthen the central government, how far to go in dealing with insurgent sanctuaries across the border, how to help stabilize Pakistan, and whether and how to reconcile...

Montrealer Allan Zeman renounced his Canadian citizenship in SeptemberHONG KONG - Canada's most successful entrepreneur in Asia is now Chinese. Montrealer Allan Zeman, who made his name by single-handedly creating Hong Kong's bar and restaurant scene before becoming a prominent figure in political circles, has renounced his Canadian citizenship and now carries a Chinese passport. "I've been here for 38 years," said Zeman, by way of an explanation. "I'm part of the furniture here." The flamboyant businessman - he has been known to dress up as a ghost, jellyfish or even a panda, should the promotional occasion merit - is...

One of the many ex-patriot American friends of mine who now call Alberta home said it best right after casting his early vote: “How come no one is asking the most obvious and glaring question of this election – who is orchestrating the Obama run? Who is really behind him?”

U.S. Highway 281 Presentation >> Priority 1: Spend $75 million to build five overpasses in Falfurrias.>> Priority 2: A $13 million Ben Bolt overpass at Farm-to-Market Road 2508 is proposed to create a safer school zone and eliminate another traffic barrier.>> Priority 3: Dedicate anywhere from $40 million to $104 million to build tolled relief route around Premont or upgrade the existing route with tolled freeway lanes.>> Priority 4: A $50 million project in George West to build connectors to U.S. Highway 59 and Interstate 37.McALLEN -- Whether the route is eventually called Interstate 69 or the Trans-Texas Corridor, four...

THE “JUST IN CASE ESCAPE PLAN” FOR DISENCHANTED LIBERALS: OH, CANADA! One never know, do one? What if voters have been fibbing to the pollsters? What if, when they go into that booth on Tuesday, they furtively look around to make sure Big Brother isn’t lurking nearby, and pull that lever or press that Diebold button for McCain/Palin and not for Obama/Biden? Of course, newly, multiply-registered ACORN voters and virtually all of Chicago voters will have many opportunities to cast their ballots so they could actually split their votes, maybe cast three for Obama and two for McCain, or maybe...

Some Catholic groups claiming to be pro-life say that social spending will help reduce abortion, and that restrictive laws do not reduce the number of abortions. They want Catholics to vote for Obama in the misguided belief that supporting social programs is a far better strategy to reducing abortions than fighting for restrictive laws against abortion and upholding legal recognition for the unborn child. As a Canadian who lives in a society with generous social programs and no abortion laws, I can only say that that belief is foolish and naive. In Canada, everyone gets tax-funded health insurance. They can...

Need advice for a friend that was just caught going through US border. My friend a canadian citizen enlisted in the US army in 1988 at 22 in the hopes of persuing a military career. Was dissapointed to find out that he could not persue the disciplines he was interested in. (which was entirely different from what the recruiter told him) Went awol 5 months from joining. Has been to the US on numerous occasions but not since 911 happened. Had to take care of an issue in the US and was arrested by the border patrol. Identified himself with...

MONTREAL — A Quebec comedy duo notorious for prank calls to celebrities and heads of state has reached Sarah Palin, convincing the Republican vice-presidential nominee she was speaking with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. In the interview, which lasts about six minutes, Ms. Palin and the pranksters discuss politics, pundits, and the dangers of hunting with Vice-President Dick Cheney. The Masked Avengers, who have a regular show on Montreal radio station CKOI, intend to air the full interview on the eve of the U.S. elections. The well-known duo of Sebastien Trudel and Marc-Antoine Audette have also tricked Rolling Stones singer Mick...

OTTAWA (AFP) — Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Thursday called for a North America-wide plan to curb CO2 emissions linked to warming, while jumbling his new cabinet's economic and environmental duties. "We want to work with the Americans on regulatory systems relating to greenhouse gas emissions in order that we can work toward the same goals," said Harper. "We want to work with the next US administration and we hope that there will be a continental approach in the future," he told reporters.

OTTAWA - Momin Khawaja, the Ottawa computer specialist who plotted jihad from his government desk at foreign affairs, has been found guilty of five terrorism related charges. Ontario Superior Court Justice Douglas Rutherford ruled Wednesday that Mr. Khawaja, 29, played a significant role in a plot to bomb sites in London, England in 2004. Mr. Khawaja, the judge concluded in his verdict, was not guilty of the two most serious terrorism offences connected to his building of a radio-frequency device for London terror cell. The judge, however, found Mr. Khawaja guilty of two related, lesser Criminal Code offences. Mr. Khawaja,...

Mints struggle to meet metals demand Gina Teel Calgary Herald; with files from Canwest News Service Monday, October 27, 2008 Safe-haven investors are on a shopping spree for precious metals, snapping up gold and silver as an antidote to topsy-turvy markets -- if they can find any, that is. Demand for physical gold and silver is gobbling up product at nearly every mint around the globe and in Canada has the Royal Canadian Mint allocating its supply among its distributors, who in turn are limiting the number of coins they sell to dealers, who sell to consumers. "Virtually every mint...

A commentary in response to a news story: We have watched with great interest over the past year the on going election process in your beautiful country. We have the social health care system that is being batted around by your Democratic Party and thought you might be interested to hear from someone in British Columbia, Canada where we actually have this system ... Our health care system in Canada began under the best of intentions ... "Health Care for All" and we have heard many times that most Americans believe our system is an excellent one. DON'T BELIEVE IT...

Pretty funny video about Canada luring rich liberals from America if McCain wins. Who knew Slate could poke fun at their own readership? Link:The ELITE plan

An almost ten minute excerpt from a 1982 Canadian Broadcasting Corp. documentary on the KGB. The posted section focuses on Communist Cuba's involvement in training, funding and giving orders to the Weathermen.Much of the info comes from an interview with Larry Grathwohl, who is in the film No Place to Hide.The CBC documentary ties the Weathermen, the Cuban government and a French-Canadian seperatist group,the FLQ.The documentary also features an interview with an unnamed Cuban and an unnamed figure involved with the FLQ and a 1965 plot by balck radicals to bomb the Statue of Liberty.The video was just posted today....

Remember when Liberal leader Stephane Dion unveiled his carbon tax plan earlier this year? The green lobby was thrilled. It had finally found a mainstream politician ready to fight an election on a promise to implement a tax on heating fuels, diesel and other traditional sources of energy that households consume. Environmentalists were convinced voters would rally around the plan, particularly since the carbon tax and ensuing higher energy prices would be offset with tax cuts targeted to low-and modest-income earners. Canada was set to become a world leader in the climate change debate. Dreams of a carbon tax are...