http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/canada/ en-us Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:17:31 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417861/posts Prime Minister Stephen Harper will ask the governor general to prorogue Parliament today until early March, CTV News has learned. Parliament is currently on Christmas break and MPs are scheduled to return to the House on January 25. But speculation has been rampant in recent weeks that Harper would ask to shut down Parliament until at least after the Winter Olympics in Vancouver are complete. Such a move would halt the work of Parliamentary committees, including one that is investigating Afghan detainee abuse, an issue that has been plaguing the Conservatives for months. It was unclear late Wednesday morning if... CTV http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417861/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:17:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417728/posts HONG KONG (MarketWatch)-- The Canadian government approved Tuesday PetroChina Co.'s 1.9 billion Canadian dollar ($1.8 billion) bid to buy a majority stake in two Alberta oil-sands projects. Canada's Industry Minister Tony Clement said in a statement he was satisfied the investment is "likely to be of net benefit to Canada." Marketwatch http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417728/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:00:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417522/posts I've been fighting against Canada's censorious and corrupt human rights commissions for nearly four years now; it was in February of 2006 that the print edition of the Western Standard, may it rest in peace, reprinted the Danish cartoons of Mohammed to illustrate a news story. The "human rights" nuisance suits against the magazine, and me as its publisher, began immediately after that. But it wasn't until December of 2007, when Maclean's magazine got swiped by the jihadists at the Canadian Islamic Congress, and January of 2008, with my own interrogation at the hands of Alberta's HRC, that I came... Ezra Levant http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417522/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:36:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416738/posts Nick Rizzuto Jr., son of reputed mob boss Vito Rizzuto, was shot dead this afternoon in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce district as reported by Marcos Townsend for The Montreal Gazette. Rizzuto was shot near the offices of FTM Construction, owned by Antonio Magi with whom the mob scion had a business relationship, which was raided last month. At this point investigators have no idea who is behind Rizzuto's murder other than running through the usual suspects -- street gangs, motorcycle clubs, Calabrian Mafia or Sicilian Mafia -- although it no doubt is a blow to his father as reported by Aaron Derfel... Friends of Ours http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416738/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 04:08:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416045/posts (No. 397 – December 27, 2009 – 4:35 p.m. EST) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding Iran’s crackdown on protesters in Tehran: “Canada is deeply concerned by the Iranian regime’s violent crackdown today, December 27, against Iranian citizens who were exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly on the occasion of Ashura. “Iranian security forces once again used intimidation and violence against citizens of Iran. The Iranian regime’s continued effort to restrict freedom of expression and assembly, thereby depriving its citizens of their rights, is deplorable, especially on the holy... International.GC.CA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416045/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:23:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415659/posts Sechelt dogs that "without provocation" chase any animal — be it a rat, squirrel, seagull, bear or cougar — would violate a dog licensing and control amendment bylaw that passed three readings at the Dec. 16 council meeting. The first draft of the bylaw, prepared by District of Sechelt staff, would only have stopped dogs from chasing, biting or attacking domesticated animals. But at committee of the whole Dec. 9, Coun. Keith Thirkell suggested expanding the bylaw to include wild animals and birds as well. Thirkell argued that this would bring it in line with provincial and federal legislation that... Coast Reporter http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415659/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 09:45:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2414113/posts Really, if you could live in Calgary with its fairly mild winters, closeness to the Rocky Mountains, professional hockey team, and citizens who shower, who the hell would choose to live in Toronto? The Moderate Separatist http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2414113/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:39:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413597/posts The Supreme Court of Canada transformed the country's libel laws Tuesday with a pair of decisions that proponents say will expand the boundaries of free speech. The court ruled that libel lawsuits will rarely succeed against journalists who act responsibly in reporting their stories when those stories are in the public interest. It also updated the laws for the Internet age, extending the same defence to bloggers and other new-media practitioners. Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin said that Canada needs to keep in step with several other Western democracies that have provided greater protection to the media. “Freewheeling debate on matters... Globe and Mail (Canada) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413597/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:33:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412560/posts How sure are you about the gold in Ft. Knox? For those of you who are obsessed with gold accounting -- and there are a lot of you; rumors about improper counting of gold bars in Ft. Knox are legion -- a fresh report from the Royal Canadian Mint about how it miscounted .3% of its gold, and lost $20 million should be interesting. The Times Colonist (via JohnLothian.com): A series of miscalculations and blunders in the mint's gold refinery dating back to 2005 were responsible for 17,500 troy ounces — a system of weights for precious metals — of... The Business Insider http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412560/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:18:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412200/posts A fundraising gala, set for April 15 in Hamilton Ontario, was initially to be held to benefit two local hospitals; the Juravinski Cancer Centre and St. Peter’s Hospital were to be the recipients of the funds raised. The organizers thought that they had struck gold when they booked former Alaska governor Sarah Palin as the main speaker. They should have known. Shortly after Palin’s presence but made public, Hamilton Health Services began to receive nasty telephone calls and emails. Some people who contacted the organization described themselves as donors and indicated that they would never ever donate again if Palin... CFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412200/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:38:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411883/posts One of my favorite pastimes is fishing. Ever since I was a young boy growing up in Northern Minnesota, I have enjoyed the leisure sport of fishing. In the last 5 years I have taken up the sport of fly Fishing and found it to be even more enjoyable then fishing with a reel and worms. I have fished many rivers and in many states across this vast country, but I have never ventured outside of America to fish. I always thought that someday I might like to fish in Canada. Then after watching this video and seeing how they... Interesting, Weird, and Educational Videos http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411883/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:57:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410587/posts COPENHAGEN -- Green groups on Friday named Canada "Fossil of the Year" -- an award that carried the additional honorific of "Colossal Fossil" -- for what they said was a strategy to sabotage efforts to tackle climate change. "Canada's 2020 [emissions] target is among the worst in the industrialised world, and leaked cabinet documents revealed that the government is contemplating a cap-and-trade plan so weak that it would put even that target out of reach," said Climate Action Network International and Avaaz.org. "This government thinks there's a choice between environment and economy, and for them, tar sands beats climate every... Agence France-Presse via National Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410587/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:38:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2410570/posts One of my favorite pastimes is fishing. Ever since I was a young boy growing up in Northern Minnesota, I have enjoyed the leisure sport of fishing. In the last 5 years I have taken up the sport of fly Fishing and found it to be even more enjoyable then fishing with a reel and worms. I have fished many rivers and in many states across this vast country, but I have never ventured outside of America to fish. I always thought that someday I might like to fish in Canada. Then after watching this video and seeing how they... Interesting, Weird, and Educational Videos http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2410570/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:26:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410337/posts I had never heard of KAIROS until I read Colby Cosh's analysis of their partisan politics. That led me to some further reading, and I discovered that KAIROS had issued a denunciation of Alberta's oilsands, and then they went on their fact-finding trip to Fort McMurray. One might have thought it would have been in the reverse order. A quick visit to KAIROS's website shows that their most important goal now is not actually anything to do with religion, let alone with Christianity. It's about getting back to the taxpayer trough. I say let them raise their own money through... ezralevant.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410337/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:53:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410300/posts A Toronto Liberal MP is calling on the federal health minister to take steps to regulate the adult sex toy industry in Canada. Carolyn Bennett sent a letter to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq this week saying that chemicals used in most sex toys pose a potential health risk for women. The Canadian Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410300/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:35:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409740/posts In being witness to the plight Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach has found himself in, I cannot help but recall the final year or so of the Bush administration. The Moderate Separatist http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409740/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:16:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408474/posts A sophisticated hoax has targeted the Canadian government and caused a ruckus at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP15) currently underway in Copenhagen, Denmark. The elaborate prank is an attempt to embarrass the Canadian delegation to the summit, which has received criticism from the world press for its allegedly obstructionist role in negotiations. At the centre of the ruse is a spoof news release in which Environment Canada announces the launch of “Agenda 2020”, an ambitious plan for reducing the country’s carbon emissions. The release in part states: Agenda 2020 sets binding emissions reductions targets of 40% below 1990 levels... The Vancouver Free Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408474/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:33:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407765/posts Note: The following text is a quote: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/December/09-nsd-1338.html FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, December 14, 2009 Terrorism Defendants Sentenced in Atlanta Ehsanul Islam Sadequee Receives 17 Years in Prison; Co-defendant Syed Haris Ahmed Receives 13 Years Ehsanul Islam Sadequee, 23, of Roswell, Ga., and Syed Haris Ahmed, 25, of Atlanta, were sentenced today in federal court following their convictions earlier this year in separate but related criminal trials, the Justice Department announced. "With their words and their actions, these defendants supported the wrongheaded but very dangerous idea that armed violence aimed at American interests will force our Government and our people... US DOJ.gov - Justice.gov/opa - Press Release http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407765/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:14:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2407666/posts Proponents of nationalizing the US health care system assiduously point out how popular Canada’s single-payer, government run system is. Polls show that over 80% of Canadians are happy with the system. Poll respondent, Emma Linger rhapsodized about her own experience with the National Health Service. “You just go in whenever you want,” she said. “You don’t even have to bring any money. The doctor writes you a prescription for antibiotics, tranquilizers, placebos or whatever you need and you’re off to the pharmacy.” Linger admitted that the prospect of long waits (an estimated four months—on average) to see specialists might be... A Semi-News/Semi-Satire from AzConservative http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2407666/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:29:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407559/posts Canada condemned on Monday a series of elaborate hoax emails and a fake website story that claimed the country would cut emissions of greenhouse gases by a much greater amount than previously announced. Officials said they believed environmental activists were responsible for the hoax... Canada is under heavy fire from green campaigners... The initial email, purporting to come from the federal environment ministry, said Canada would set binding emissions reductions targets of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and at least 80 percent by 2050. It also announced Canada would give billions of dollars to African countries for emissions-reduction... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407559/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:27:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407443/posts For days now, the health care legislation in the Senate has been stalled. Democrats are divided over a proposed amendment that would let consumers buy pharmaceuticals from abroad. During the presidential campaign, Obama promised to allow such purchases. But earlier this year he announced his opposition in return for pharmaceutical companies promising to spend at least $150 million, and possibly as much as $200 million, to push his health care legislation. President Obama obviously faces a dilemma: either he keeps the campaign promise he made to voters or he keep his later promise to drug companies. Passing the proposed drug... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407443/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:05:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2407100/posts If Obama's Whacko Health Blanket smothers America, the US will not have enough doctors. The Magic City Morning Star http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2407100/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:36:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406893/posts Higher exports of precious metals, especially gold, pushed Canada's trade balance into surplus in October against all expectations after its economy was flattened by the US recession, a government agency said Thursday. A 3.4-percent rise in total exports combined with a slight 0.8 percent drop in imports in October to unleash an unexpected turnaround trade surplus of 428 million Canadian dollars (408 million US), said Statistics Canada. It was only the fourth month since the start of the year that Canadian exports -- which largely drive its economy -- outpaced imports, the agency said. "Industrial goods and materials led the... China Mining http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406893/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:41:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401221/posts With H1N1 poised to enter history as the least deadly of four global flu pandemics, some experts are calling for an end to Canada's mass vaccination program. Nature is already achieving what we would hope to achieve by vaccinating, they say. ~snip~ Fisman can't understand the rational for continuing mass vaccinations. He said that for a virus as contagious as H1N1, less than 30 per cent of the population needed vaccination to reach a critical level of immunity. ~snip~ Despite that view, Canada's top doctor this week pleaded with Canadians to get vaccinated if they have not already done so.... The Ottawa Citizen http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401221/posts#comment Sat, 5 Dec 2009 23:25:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405659/posts As the U.S. Senate argues about how best to take over the American health care industry, it is worth taking a look at how government health insurance works here in Canada, where I live. Judging from popular opinion, one would think Canadian health care was great. My fellow Canadians by and large love their single-payer, universal coverage, according to a recent Nanos Research poll. Fully 80 percent of the 1,005 Canadians interviewed support universal health care, with another ten percent supporting it somewhat. A mere five percent were opposed or somewhat opposed, with the remaining five percent unsure. Yet these... The Atlas Society - The Center for Objectivism http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405659/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:24:21 GMT