One would think someone in PMO would have figured out that they have already won this round. They forced an apology from both men, and they won the press war just prior to a byelection which they also won. In addition, they have some great quotes for a future election attack ad. So why go on a witch hunt? Why the zealous overkill?
I bet Justin Trudeau can't believe his good fortune. In his wildest dreams he could never have imagined that a House of Commons committee would haul him in to testify about his comments even though they had nothing to do with natural resources. He must be jumping with joy at this request to appear before the committee. The Conservatives have handed him a gift. They have validated both his and the opposition parties attack lines. What better example of a draconian government that is abusive, heavy-handed and petty could they ask for?
Can you imagine the media coverage the Conservatives have given Trudeau? Every reporter on the Hill will be there and there will almost certainly be live coverage of his testimony. Every time the Conservatives cut off one of his comments or when they gang up on him, they will be validating for the public their pettiness.
They have also given Trudeau a chance to read a statement into the record, what a wonderful opportunity for him to take the Conservatives to task. I bet he can't believe his good fortune and I am sure he will be only too eager to testify.
Last week, Albertans and Albertan MPs were the victims of clearly stupid comments made by Trudeau and McGuinty. The Conservative side has now given Trudeau the opportunity to reverse the role and play the victim to the Conservatives heavy handed approach. If he plays his cards right, he will be able to milk this throughout his leadership bid, and if he wins, right up to the next election.
It would be interesting to know who dreamt up this "Star Chamber" exercise.
Do the Conservatives believe voters won't see them as being vindictive and petty? Do they actually think they will win the media war when Trudeau testifies? Do they honestly believe MPs should be held accountable before a committee for divisive comments they made about a region of the country, even if those comments were made years ago? If they do, can the Conservative chair of the committee tell us when a certain MP by the name of Stephen Harper will appear before the committee to explain his "culture of defeat" comments about Atlantic Canada?
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TheMajor
Trudeau really stepped into it in Alberta eh?
Quebec leader????
Paul McLeod
No one outside of Alberta cares that Trudeau dissed Alberta. But the appearance of favoritism for Quebec, that hits a nerve.
Karen Robson
Trudeau said something bad about Alberta. Since when are cowboys so sensitive?
Karen Robson
I'm from Alberta. Trudeau is right.
Darren Kirkham
If anti-Alberta Justin Trudeau is elected, Western Canada should separate.
Kelly Robson
Anti-Alberta Trudeau interview reminds Canadians why the Liberals were voted out
Dave Limacher
Is Justin Trudeau still popular in Alberta today?
Zoey Duncan
Part of me is offended by Trudeau’s anti-Alberta comments. Part of me wonders who are these nasty Albertans giving rest of us a bad name.
Տҝ∆₩ﾅ
Justin Trudeau just keeps bashing #alberta. If you live in Western Canada and vote for Trudeau,hit yourself with a frying pan. #yeg #yyc
Chris_T
Hey to break it to the tories but if they attack justin trudeau as "anti alberta" it may work for him
Peter Mansbridge
Justin Trudeau found out what it's really like to play in the big leagues today. And Andrew Chantal and Bruce are eager to talk about it.
Steve Murray
If I were Trudeau I would get out in front of this thing and challenge anyone to a boxing match.
Susan Delacourt
I've watched a lot of TV on Trudeau's comments tonight but with rare exceptions, only non-Liberals speaking. What's that about? #cdnpoli
Art Middleton
btw, it's comments like those from Justin Trudeau that convince me Alberta is better off as it's own country.
Sean Dicks
@petermansbridge all the dirty secrets will come out now. It's not even election time! Are the Cons threatened?
David Akin
Long history of English reporters ignoring what happens across the river, my guess. MT @aaronwherry: How did Trudeau comments escape notice
Angela
I said it earlier and I'll say again. Justin Trudeau makes Thomas Mulcair appear sane. #cdnpoli #shinypony #tcot
Keith Torrie
To those upset by Trudeau's Alberta comments remember we have a Prime Minister who said Atlantic Canada has a "culture of defeat". #cdnpoli
Wade Prue
Hold the phones everyone; a Liberal spoke out against western focused political interests. Honestly, I am stunned. http://t.co/VnTCtcJP
Rosalind Robertson
Let us all learn a valuable PR lesson: Tape never dies. #justintrudeau http://t.co/hwGkTe6a
Manny Montenegrino
Cause most LPC agree with western bigotry sentiments MT @SusanDelacourt: .only non-Liberals speaking Trudeau's comments. What's that about?
Brittany Steele
Aghhhhh Trudeau *palm face* CTV News: Conservatives seize on Trudeau's Alberta remarks as byelection fight heats up http://t.co/7KgYhFRB
scott faulconbridge
Justin Trudeau caught on video with anti Albertan slant. SUN NEWS journalists will take turns masterbating to the video for the next week.
Nic Ruszkowski
So Trudeau controversy asks if Laurier, St-Laurent, Trudeau, Mulroney, Chrétien were better for Canada than Bennett, Clark and Harper...
Isaac
Trudeau should just come out and back the stamps in the grey cup. Problem solved.
Shaggy
#nevervoteliberal Ahhh...the old #Trudeau #Liberal #Quebec arrogance comes out again. Justin's comments on AB in 2010 http://t.co/vBtx30Xy
Kristy Kirkup
The govt now wants #LPC to fire Trudeau from his portfolio as critic for amateur sport, suggests 2010 comments were "anti-Alberta" #cdnpoli
Clint Upham
TOstar headline: "Justin Trudeau faces uproar for alleged anti-Alberta comments" Alleged?! He said it! via @PartyOfSunshine cc: @shephardm
colin horgan
The NDP is jumping on the Trudeau Alberta comments, too. @nathancullen speaks to how great Alberta is #hoc
Miss June
Trudeau anti-alberta bias- hardly believe he has changed his tune since 2010. He was raised by his father after all. http://t.co/7W1QPQF4
LeighPatrickSullivan
Wonder if Harvey Locke knows no good Liberals come from Alberta, according to J Trudeau. #tcot #yyccentre #yyc #abpoli #ShinyPony
Darren Kirkham
Anti Alberta comments "Taken out of context" Justin Trudeau? Proves he is arrogant and delusional. #cdnpoli #abpoli #qcpoli
So, if Jr T. is being hauled out in front of the Inquisition for his statements about Albertans (which were true), when can we expect Harper's turn for his statements against all of Canada in the 1990s and early 2000's?
How naive are you, Keith? The Tories had a great week: the byelections proved that their attacks on Mulcair have worked and so now they are turning on the Libs. This is masterful. Define the opposition before they get a chance to define themselves. Less than a year ago, Mulcair was still a candidate for NDP leader. 12 months later he has already become old news largely due to the CPC's sustained attack ads. They have simply decided to spread the misery to others now.
Marcus_Davies: How naive are you, Keith? The Tories had a great
This is ridiculous. I hope Trudeau comes armed with the scads of stupid things Harper said before he was elected PM. Harper's comments on the Atlantic provinces come to mind.
japes: This is ridiculous. I hope Trudeau comes armed with the
For the record.
“I, too, am one of these angry westerners ... We may love Canada but Canada does not love us ... Let's make (Alberta) strong enough that the rest of the country is afraid to threaten us.”
and cost Canadian taxpayers untold millions.”
“You've got to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society.”
“As a religion, bilingualism is the god that failed. It has led to no fairness, produces no unity and cost Canadian taxpayers untold millions.”
“Let's face it, the average backbench MP is little more than a bench warmer for his/her political party.”
“MPs are bit players in a top-down parliamentary system and role players on their own top-down partisan team.”
“Ottawa rates from useless to dangerous to Alberta”
Dao_Dao: For the record. “I, too, am one of these angry
Oh, and considering his squawking when the coalition was about to go down, there's this:
"The Leader of the Opposition's constitutional obligation - the obligation to Parliament - it's the reason we did the merger! - is to make sure Canadians have an alternative for government."
And this:
"The Leader of the Opposition's constitutional obligation - the obligation to Parliament - it's the reason we did the merger! - is to make sure Canadians have an alternative for government."
japes: Oh, and considering his squawking when the coalition was about
Harper and The House on Uncanadian activities! I just watched a fictional movie with Jim Carey last night about the McCarthy era. Every thing they did went against their Constitution! The whole committee should have been tried for treason! IMO President Reagen was a friendly witness! A real patriot ratting out his peers!
Marg_Wood: Harper and The House on Uncanadian activities! I just watched
This is all part and parcel of the Americanization of our politics. American conservatives always like to use hammers to swat flies. Harper, a petty man, cannot resist. His brutalization of Canadian politics will do him in eventually.
blogisti: This is all part and parcel of the Americanization of
I think the Trudeau team leaked the video themselves. I think it's a sound strategy.
1) to control the timing (better now by them than by anyone else during the elections)
2) It gives Trudeau the chance to apologize and the story to evaporate before the elections.
I think that Trudeau is better than Harper. But still, anything from a worm to an amoeba is better than Harper. And it certainly don't mean that Trudeau would be good for Canada.
Eddie_Soix: I think the Trudeau team leaked the video themselves. I
I don't think so! Not before a by-election! I don't know if Trudeau will be good for Canada, I do know is far better then Harper! We should be asking all opposition parties if they favour changing the voting system so that a party can not form a majority government with only 39% of the popular vote.
Marg_Wood: I don't think so! Not before a by-election! I don't
When will Vic be called before a HOC Committee to explain why he hadn't read a bill before he tabled it in the House or why he called Canadians who wanted to protect their privacy "supporters of child pornographers"? How about Peter Kent for calling environmental groups "money launderers"?
DuffsCorner: When will Vic be called before a HOC Committee to
Or when Flaherty declared Ontario to be the worst place to invest in. If this stands then all conservatives from the top down should be called to commitee. Farce
2factorydude2: Or when Flaherty declared Ontario to be the worst place
"Comments that both McGuinty and Trudeau have already apologized for and which in addition, led to McGuinty resigning from his critic's portfolio."
So how come Harper regularly badmouthing this country and its citizens - now and in the past (notably when shooting his mouth off to GOP meetings) - has never led to his resignation? Or that of his ministers who have also badmouthed other Canadians?
Trudeau was stating a simple truth that Albertans are running Ottawa. Why was that a problem?
Not just a a tempest in a teapot. A mountain being made out of a molehill by giving the mole steroids AND crystal meth.
It's not OK to criticize the Tories, Albertan Tories in particular. It's perfectly OK for the Tories, and Albertans, to criticize everyone else, however.
Skookum1: "Comments that both McGuinty and Trudeau have already apologized for
"To explain negative comments about Alberta". Hey, call me stupid, but I thought the Harper Government was the government of Canada! Not Alberta! Maybe Mr. Harper should explain the actual negative anti-Canada comments he made in the U.S. several years ago. Oh, that's right, he didn't say anything negative about Alberta, so never mind. Do the Harperites realize how un-Canadian they sound and act? Not only to the majority of Canadians, but to the world?
Jim_Cohoon: "To explain negative comments about Alberta". Hey, call me stupid,
This is great news for teachers doing a "Bullying" unit! They can use this as a real life example of how adult bullies (Harper's Conservatives) use their political power to bully someone when they perceive a weakness.
Walter_Wright: This is great news for teachers doing a "Bullying" unit!
Reply to westcanguy:
I'm a retired middle school counsellor; therefore a long-time student of bullies.
What Harper is doing is a classic example of taking a small truth and turning it to his advantage, just as many bullies do. Having others do his dirty work for him while he remains quiet is another classic technique.
He reminds me of the character Gríma Wormtongue in Lord of the Rings.
Walter_Wright: Reply to westcanguy: I'm a retired middle school counsellor; therefore
I'm thinking of Opus the penguin from Bloom County (have I dated myself) who is just blown away by someone's arrogance, the stance is his head tossed to the right, high over his shoulder and his body remains straight forward......beyond facepalm, Justin is about to unleash Truth to Power....can't wait.
YankinCanada: I'm thinking of Opus the penguin from Bloom County (have
“I, too, am one of these angry westerners ... We may love Canada but Canada does not love us ... Let's make (Alberta) strong enough that the rest of the country is afraid to threaten us.”
and cost Canadian taxpayers untold millions.”
“You've got to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society.”
“As a religion, bilingualism is the god that failed. It has led to no fairness, produces no unity and cost Canadian taxpayers untold millions.”
“Let's face it, the average backbench MP is little more than a bench warmer for his/her political party.”
“MPs are bit players in a top-down parliamentary system and role players on their own top-down partisan team.”
“Ottawa rates from useless to dangerous to Alberta”
"Atlantic Canada's culture of defeat will be hard to overcome as long as Atlantic Canada is actually physically trailing the rest of the country."
or this tidbit: "I don't believe in imposing values upon people."
"If Ottawa giveth, then Ottawa can taketh away."
"The Leader of the Opposition's constitutional obligation - the obligation to Parliament - it's the reason we did the merger! - is to make sure Canadians have an alternative for government."
And this:
"The Leader of the Opposition's constitutional obligation - the obligation to Parliament - it's the reason we did the merger! - is to make sure Canadians have an alternative for government."
1) to control the timing (better now by them than by anyone else during the elections)
2) It gives Trudeau the chance to apologize and the story to evaporate before the elections.
I think that Trudeau is better than Harper. But still, anything from a worm to an amoeba is better than Harper. And it certainly don't mean that Trudeau would be good for Canada.
Those who aren't card carrying disciples already know this. Cons of conviction just do what they're told so the question has no meaning for them.
So how come Harper regularly badmouthing this country and its citizens - now and in the past (notably when shooting his mouth off to GOP meetings) - has never led to his resignation? Or that of his ministers who have also badmouthed other Canadians?
Trudeau was stating a simple truth that Albertans are running Ottawa. Why was that a problem?
Not just a a tempest in a teapot. A mountain being made out of a molehill by giving the mole steroids AND crystal meth.
It's not OK to criticize the Tories, Albertan Tories in particular. It's perfectly OK for the Tories, and Albertans, to criticize everyone else, however.
I'm a retired middle school counsellor; therefore a long-time student of bullies.
What Harper is doing is a classic example of taking a small truth and turning it to his advantage, just as many bullies do. Having others do his dirty work for him while he remains quiet is another classic technique.
He reminds me of the character Gríma Wormtongue in Lord of the Rings.