For a government that frequently and loudly proclaims its veneration of our military, the Harper regime has a strange way of showing the love: Veterans Affairs Canada has returned $1.13 billion to the federal treasury in unspent funds since the Conservatives came to power in 2006 — cash that critics
Continue readingTag: Julian Fantino
Montreal Simon: Julian Fantino and the Royal Conadian Choir
When I heard the news that Julian Fantino had met with a group of veterans in an apparent effort to rebuild all those bridges he has blown up in the last few years, I was suitably impressed.Until I found out the meeting was at the Citadel in Quebec City, not Ottawa
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Maybe fake soldier didn’t understand only Tory politicians and TV stars are allowed to play military dressup in Canada
Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans were outraged when this man allegedly passed himself off as a Forces member at the scene of a flood in Calgary, Alberta. As you can see, he seemed to have a couple of civilians fooled. However, his weird haircut gave him away to keen
Continue readingMontreal Simon: When Canadian Soldiers Must Choose Between Their Pensions and Their Mental Health
I've written many stories about the callous way the Con regime and the military treat our wounded soldiers.But since nothing ever seems to be done about it, and I've seen the horror up close, I'm just going to have to keep repeating this:Making soldiers choose between their pensions and their mental
Continue readingMontreal Simon: A Canadian Veteran Prepares to Go After Peter MacKay
A few weeks ago I told you how veterans are preparing to declare war on the Harper regime, that has treated them so shabbily.And how they are planning to make their presence felt in the next election campaign.A network of veterans across Canada is planning a co-ordinated campaign against the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Half of Canada’s wounded soldiers not being compensated
A report just released by Canada’s Veterans ombudsman Guy Parent reveals that half of Canada’s wounded soldiers are not receiving the benefits the government of Canada is obliged to pay them. The post Half of Canada’s wounded soldiers not being compensated appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Julian Fantino and the Continuing Con War on Canadian Veterans
I don't think I'll ever forget the sight of Julian Fantino running away from the wife of a wounded veteran who just wanted to speak to him.And how Jenifer Migneault finally threw up her arms in frustration and despair and shouted at the retreating minister:"We are NOTHING to you."It was so powerful, it
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Public Service Announcement From The Conservative Party Of Canada
Given the Harper regime’s new-found zeal for warning all of us about the dangers of marijuana, and, coincidentally, the equally dangerous potential of a Justin Trudeau-led government, perhaps the following will help them to bring home the dangers of both: H/t Patrick Clarke Recommend this Post
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Julian Fantino, Justin Trudeau, and the Marijuana Baloney Meter
Well as you know Julian Fantino is the worst Veterans Affairs Minister this country has ever known.An incompetent bully if ever there was one.But now he has a new cause. Saving us and the children of Canada from the dastardly Justin Trudeau. Justin Trudeau cannot be trusted with our safety.
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Day Julian Fantino Ran From the Wife of a Veteran
He has betrayed Canadian veterans, he has disrespected them, he has nickel and dimed them to death.There is never enough money to help the wounded, the elderly, and their families, or keep regional offices open.But it turns out there is all the money in the world to try to make Julian
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Harper Regime and the Never-ending War on Veterans
It's hard to believe after what the Harper Cons have done to our veterans, that they could treat or betray them even more than they already have.But that's exactly what they are doing. First they closed down those veteran service centres for no good reason.Now they're going after their healthcare plans. Read
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Rick Mercer Takes Aim At Julian Fantino
Rick Mercer surely is one of our national treasures: Recommend this Post
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Disgrace of Julian Fantino and the Shame of Stephen Harper
Well he wasn't available to answer questions in the House of Commons yesterday, no doubt having decided that discretion ducking and covering was the better part of valour. After having revealed his ghastly colours, again, by first bullying a group of elderly veterans in the most disgusting manner. Then "sincerely" apologizing,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: UPDATE: A Shameful Minister With No Shame
I can think of not one positive thing to say about Julian Fantino. Apparently, Toronto Star readers can’t either: Fantino ‘absolutely regrets’ clash with veterans, Jan. 30 There is no possible excuse for the shameful treatment of our veterans by the federal Conservative government. Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino’s arrogant
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
Assorted content for your Sunday reading. – Zoe Williams interviews George Lakoff about the need for progressive activists and parties to work on changing minds rather than merely pursuing an elusive (and illusory) middle ground: (T)he left, he argues, is losing the political argument – every year, it cedes more ground
Continue readingThe Progressive Right: Canada’s Veterans Need Protection from Conservatives ( #cdnpoli #cpc )
Long thought of as a core constituency of Conservative parties in Canada, veterans have been the target of Conservative cutbacks and slights over the past couple of years. Conservatives are more than willing to hold veterans up as election props, but for whatever reason, have taken to attacking them. Conservative
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Many Reasons Julian Fantino Should be Fired
I don't think it's possible for Julian Fantino to sink any lower than he did the other day.By treating elderly veterans like children and giving them the bum's rush.But I see he's trying hard to accomplish the impossible. For there he was today defending the indefensible, blaming the victims, and trying to
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Never Bait A Veteran
For those of us sickened over the years by the Harper cabal’s hypocrisy of wrapping itself in the flag of patriotic support for ‘our troops’ while essentially abandoning them when they return home either physically or psychically maimed, it was a sweet moment, to be savored and shared widely. Yesterday,
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Chris Alexander, Julian Fantino, and the Con Bullies
The other night I wrote about how disgusted I was to see Chris Alexander, the Con Immigration Minister, go after Deb Matthews, the Health Minister of Ontario, like a schoolyard bully.For the "crime" of standing up for the right of refugee claimants to receive health care. And I quoted this paragraph
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week. – The Star’s editorial board sees Canada’s woeful job numbers as a signal that it’s time for some economic management in the interests of people (rather than artificial manipulation of numbers): Economists used words like “dismal” and “ugly” for these results, and no wonder.
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