Monday, March 03, 2008

Update: HARPER LAUNCHES LAWSUIT!!!

1:30 p.m. - Dona Cadman has a sudden memory jog - CBC. ("Dona Cadman recalls talk with Harper about insurance policy offer")

10:00 am - BREAKING
: CTV - Harper files notice of libel over Cadman allegations.

Mike Duffy is talking to Jeff Allan right now! 10:30 Update - This segment is over now, but Duffy says things could get interesting in Question Period this afternoon. He predicts that the Liberals will abandon this line of questioning today. MDL should be a good watch this evening!


PM taking legal action against Dion, Liberals - Star.

Platty has the actual letter here - Care to repeat that outside?

CBL - Reid: Harper has served Liberals with notice of a lawsuit.


---------------------------------

Original Post: Opposition parties jockeying for face time...


The Globe's Brian Laghi reports today that the NDP is balking at the Cadman controversy being referred to either the Ethics committee or the RCMP. Pat Martin would prefer to have the matter referred instead to the newly-created Special Federal Prosecutor.

...NDP MP Pat Martin said he no longer wants the matter to be sent to a special ethics committee because the testimony given there is protected from being used in future prosecutions. Sending it to the RCMP is also problematic because of increasing unease with the national force, he said.

"After the dust settles, the ethics committee might want to look at the results and make recommendations to see if our ethical guidelines and standards are robust enough," Mr. Martin told CTV's Question Period yesterday.

The federal government has established the position of a federal prosecutor to look into such matters. The NDP and other parties are concerned because it is the role of the Justice Minister to decide which individuals undergo prosecutorial reviews.


But Mr. Martin said the Tories' reputation for transparency and accountability will be harmed if they don't forward the issue to the prosecutor's office. The Tories promised the creation of the office in the 2006 election campaign.


Some Liberals were surprised by the move and suggested that the New Democrats may be afraid that the Liberals would receive too much publicity if the committee were to look into the matter...

Meanwhile, some inconsistencies and questions continue to plague the story, such as whether there were two meetings or just one, and whether or not Cadman's assistant Dan Wallace was privy to the details - which Mr. Wallace flatly denies:

...Dan Wallace, Mr. Cadman's legislative assistant, was situated just outside the MP's private office during the meeting. Mr. Cadman met with senior Tories Doug Finley and Tom Flanagan just hours before the crucial vote. But Mr. Wallace has also said he doesn't know the details of any offers...


In any case, there is no doubt that the opposition parties are falling all over themselves in an effort to use this controversy as political ammo to discredit the current government.

The interesting thing will be to see how far they go trying to outmaneuver each other in order claim the glory for attempting to appear to be the more ethical alternative.


* * * *
Afternoon update: Afghan vote set for March 13: CTV.

69 comments:

Anonymous said...

As a middle class hard-working Canadian it would suit me fine to never hear about this issue again.
Quite frankly it stinks and raises so many ethical questions that has no business in the public forum.

The questions that need be asked need to be asked by the Cadman family along...no one else.

This is there business.

I don't care! I like what the Harper government has done to date and accomplished.

I don't like the constant illusion of scandal...it's muck raking plain and simple.

This whole story reminds me of how families fight over a will after a loved one dies. In the end it's just pathetic.

On Goldhawk Live last night Jodi Cadman said that this whole issue has put her at odds with her mother because Jodi(unlike her mother) would not have disclosed this to the public.

There are deeper family issues at play here.

Also, Angry has a remarkable post up at the moment asking questions I've thought about in my own mind.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

On Goldhawk Live last night Jodi Cadman said that this whole issue has put her at odds with her mother because Jodi(unlike her mother) would not have disclosed this to the public.

There are deeper family issues at play here.


I agree. I was surprised to hear Jodi say in one interview that she had no idea the alleged 'bribe' would be in the book until all the media hype last week. She does seem to be questioning her mother's judgment.

I feel sorry for Dona Cadman. I believe she had no idea how much controversy this would initiate or else I'm sure she would never have chosen to run as a Conservative candidate - a decision for which Jodi seems to harbour great resentment.

It's a mess, and frankly I think it's going to end up hurting Dona Cadman more than anyone else, as her husband's legacy is picked apart by media, politicians and the general public.

Why couldn't he have been allowed to rest in peace? I just don't get it.

Anonymous said...

Just heard Dion and a few choice libs got smacked with a notice of libel from the pm. bwahahaha!

Anonymous said...

I hope the libel suits happen. We've had enough of things being said in the HOC and everyone getting away with it, like what James Moore went through.
It's time to make them all smarten up both in the House and outside.

paulsstuff said...

"Why couldn't he have been allowed to rest in peace? I just don't get it."

Because Liberal's will resort to anything to get back into power, even if that means running a deaceased individuals name through the mud or making his living families life a living hell.

A couple of things not sure if mentioned before. Jodi Cadman apparently slammed Harper in an editorial in regards to Emerson's defection. Could this whole thing be a partisan smear?

And is it just me, or does it seem like the media are starting to pay less and less attention to this? Could they be realizing that in fact the whole thing is bogus and don't want any egg left on their faces?

Anonymous said...

I too feel sorry for Mrs. Cadman. Trust the Liberals to not care about hurting anyone in their quest for power.

I admired Chuck when he was alive and I would assume his wife is much the same type of person.

I do agree that this whole thing stinks and I think it is a case of someone making an offhand statement years ago over what they maybe thought happened, an author running with it and the power=hungry liberals sitting on it until they could gleefully release it in an attempt to get Harper.

Here is my question over the whole thing.

Assuming a million dollar insurance policy "could not" be bought and the Tory reps offered it out of their own coffers as some are suggesting, why in the world would the conservatives pay 1 million to defeat a government given the polls saying that Harper was so far below in the polls. Remember at that time, he was still Scary Harper. There was no guarantee that he would win the next election - in fact- back then - I would have said the Libs would have won again.

Gambling 1 million for a longshot seems just idiotic.

No one seems to have brought this up, yet it has been niggling in my mind.

Just another inconsistency in this whole sordid affair.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Does anyone have a link to the libel story? I can't find anything at the moment. Thanks.

Gayle said...

"Quite frankly it stinks and raises so many ethical questions that has no business in the public forum."

The fact that it raises ethical questions is exactly why it needs to be in a publuic forum.

And those of you who are claiming the liberals are dragging the Cadman's through the mud, I would ask that you provide a link. From what I have observed (and I commented on this on the previous thread), it is the conservative supporters who are dragging them through the mud. The liberals are holding them up as shining examples of ethical behaviour.

By the way, not much happened on this over the weekend, so why would coverage be the same as it was when it first broke???

As for Pat Martin, I would suggest he has as much interest in keeping Dona Cadman out of the limelight as he does the liberals. Isn't she trying to take a seat from the NDP? No doubt she will be successful.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

And those of you who are claiming the liberals are dragging the Cadman's through the mud, I would ask that you provide a link.

Who said that, Gayle?

Anonymous said...

"Pat Martin would prefer to have the matter referred instead to the newly-created Special Federal Prosecutor."

Who is the Special Federal Prosecutor?
Has he/she been named?
If so, who named him/her?

If it was the PM, and the Special Prosecutor eventually absolves the Conservatives of any wrongdoing, get ready for cries of 'conspiracy!'

I've already read allusions to the RCMP being biased, particularly since the new commissioner was appointed by PM Harper. Any investigation of this matter by the RCMP would certainly be called 'tainted' if it didn't arrive at the conclusion the opposition is looking for.

This country could be on a dangerous slope if all our institutions are being discredited for the sole purpose of getting/regaining power.

Anonymous said...

Dona Cadman is running against Penny Priddy NDP, but in the end, how can Dona go with the Conservatives now. Imagine she will either drop out or do something different after this mess.

Anonymous said...

The absolute truth seems to be that Chuck Cadman voted with the Liberals to ensure that his family would be covered by the government insurance policy and, in particular, the double indemnity clause.
Everybody seems to know this too. Mike Duffy reported it and even the PM has said that he knew the reason for Cadman intending to vote with the Liberals. It's my guess that Cadman, being an upright sort, more than likely had this discussion with a few close friends and probably even his wife.
Everybody seems to be tip-toeing around this hoping the whole episode will just go away before they have to start vigorously defending themselves.
Quite frankly, if I was dying and was concerned about the financial well-being of my family I'd do the same thing. After all, the insurance companies screw us over on a daily basis.
If the blood-smelling Liberals continue with this feigned outrage the outcome will be the absolute truth and it won't be long after before the insurance company starts looking into getting half of that insurance money back.
NeilD

Reid said...

So if Pat Martin thinks that the RCMP is too tainted to do a proper investigation of this, does he also think they're too tainted to properly investigate any of the "average" Canadians that the NDP claim to represent as well? So in essence Pat Martin has just said the RCMP should be disbanded. Because if they're not adequate to investigate this how can they be adequate to investigate anything?

Anonymous said...

Joanne, the libel suit story is on the CTV site:
http://tinyurl.com/2fe7na

Anonymous said...

Guess the libel suit against so many of them will change the tone in Question Period today. Wonder what they can talk about now.

Anonymous said...

as a plain Canadian I marvel at what goes on in question period ...is this what our best do in their day job ...My its hard to imagine what might be going on behind the scenes when the display for the public is so ugly ....is that what politics is about in this country ...is it not possible to create a system that first allows all to work together for the interest of the public ,you know us you me my neighbours ...do any of these politicians actually stand up and use integrity in what they want to say or are they all mud slingers and accusers ...please tell me as you must watch this stuff more than me and if I am wrong than maybe I can make sense and take the time to watch ..if not family guy is on and I can relate ....tks Katou

wilson said...

I haven't seen Duffy's revelation that Cadman voted Lib for the double indemnity policy reported, except Adler.
msm is sure keeping that little ditty out of public view.
By all means keep Cadman's reputation intact, but smear PMSHs.

Funny thing, in those high reward days on the Hill, Belinduh gets a cabinet post, Grewal has on tape a promise of a Senate seat for his wife, Martin promises to take us into Darfur for [forgot his name] and yet Cadman, the most important vote of all, is not offered anything...
Martin writes the forward in Cadmans book, and the book gushes over him and the Libs.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Thanks, Gabby. I've updated my post. Duffy is talking to Jeff Allan right now on Newstalk 570.

Anonymous said...

thanks for that link to hear Duffy this morning. Just keep your eyes on "Blue Like You" for the latest news.

wilson said...

'Gambling 1 million for a longshot seems just idiotic.'

Leads a person to wonder if the alleged $1m life insurance policy was offered or requested....
Jay Hill maintains that no offer was made, and there is a miss-communication that will be cleared up.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Just keep your eyes on "Blue Like You" for the latest news.

lol! Ruth, what did you think about the interview with Duffy?

Anonymous said...

Duffy at least got the things that Cadman had told him out to the media. He could have still kept everything secret and not got involved. I sent him an e-mail thanking him for his good work.

Anonymous said...

What exactly did the Duff say? I didn't catch the interview. Thanks!

wilson said...

In the libel suit, CTV reports:

'... provides wording for an apology to be read out by Dion in the House of Commons. The notice requests the apology be given in English and French...'

Too funny. Will the presribed 'wording' be so embarrassing that Dion refuses?

Platty said...

Hey Jo

I have the Notice of Libel letter over at my site if you would like to see it.

==

Joanne (True Blue) said...

I sent him an e-mail thanking him for his good work.

Good idea, Ruth!

Platty, thanks for that. I'll link to your blog.

Anonymous said...

let's see how long it takes for them to take down the statement on their website...

paulsstuff said...

This is interesting. This post from the CTV site.

"Sean
Darren/Dennis/Wayne et al...

This is not a "Liberal" accusation, it comes from the wife and daughter of Cadman.

As well, it is essentially confirmed by Harper himself.

When asked SPECIFICALLY about the million dollar offer, what did Harper say? Not "What offer? What are you talking about?". Nope. Just "I don't know the details". Then he continues on to confirm that the offer was regarding "financial security"

The odd thing is that the original post was worded similar, but had Codare instead of Cadman. The last part has been slightly rewritten from the original post.

I left a comment pointing out that it was Cadman, not Codare, and that the financial considerations mentioned from Harper were in regards to campaign election expenses if Cadman were to rejoin the Conservatives.

Oddly my comment was not posted, but Sean was allowed to correct his post, including the name and wording.

Sooo, if my comment was not posted yet Sean knew enough to correct the name, wording and repost at a later time, with his first post being deleted at the same time, it would appear Sean is a CTV employee who has some control over the comments.

Interesting.

Anonymous said...

all of this is rather confusing but could this sort of stuff happen here in Canada http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq8aopATYyw ....Katou

Anonymous said...

By filing this suit,Harper seems to be confident the libelous accusations are false.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Oddly my comment was not posted, but Sean was allowed to correct his post, including the name and wording.

Sooo, if my comment was not posted yet Sean knew enough to correct the name, wording and repost at a later time, with his first post being deleted at the same time, it would appear Sean is a CTV employee who has some control over the comments.


Paul - Very interesting indeed.

I'm not familiar with the forum, but you're saying there's no way for a 'regular' person to go back & edit his comments once they're posted? And that your comment never showed up? Why don't you try again with a different comment and see what happens.

paulsstuff said...

You cannot edit your comments on CTV Joanne. The original comment was the 28th one posted. After my comment that was never posted, it reappeared as the 41st post, with corrections made and the original post deleted. Whoever reviews the comments before posting obviously read my comment, went back and corrected their own. Here is a comment I just left.


Can you please explain to me how my post was never displayed on your site, yet the comment from Sean with it's incorrect facts I alluded to was deleted and reposted later on with the name and wording changed? It is obvious whoever is reading this has and is controlling and posting comments to torque your story. An explanation sent to my enclosed e-mail would be appreciated.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Ha! Good for you, Paul!! Please let me know if you hear back. I'm sure they won't be posting that one. Heh.

maryT said...

Alberta Girl, I have asked those same questions on several blogs.
No one seems to have an answer.
Boag just mentioned that possibly Paul Martin could also have a libel suit, against the Liberals.
Another discrepancy no one has picked up is that in the original globe story, the author asked what about a policy for -not Chuck- but his wife's name was mentioned.
QP, Newman and MDL should be very interesting today.
What is Pat Martin afraid of that he is pulling his motion for an ethics inquiry.
And, don't forget Murphy is to apologize for suggesting Brian should be hung.

Anonymous said...

I also posted on the CTV site but it's been more than three hours and has yet to appear.
For the record:
"Have you noticed how nobody is talking about the budget anymore?"
NeilD

Joanne (True Blue) said...

There was no guarantee that he would win the next election - in fact- back then - I would have said the Libs would have won again.

Gambling 1 million for a longshot seems just idiotic.

No one seems to have brought this up, yet it has been niggling in my mind.

Just another inconsistency in this whole sordid affair.


Alberta Girl, Cadman actually did Harper a favour when he voted to keep the Martin government alive in May 2005.

The Conservatives would never had gotten into power if there had been an election then.

It is the ultimate irony, IMHO.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

I also posted on the CTV site but it's been more than three hours and has yet to appear.
For the record:
"Have you noticed how nobody is talking about the budget anymore?"


Neil, somebody's playing games there, or so it would seem.

They should have timestamps on their comments.

Anonymous said...

Interesting that Garth hasn't responded to this libel suit yet.
Good comments from WK.

maryT said...

Oh for a picture of Dion's face when he was served papers this am.
Not one hint of this coming down the pike.
This is much better than going to the GG without notice.

OMMAG said...

Whenever the Liberals try to pull this kind of stuff ... it always backfires on them.

Let's turn over ALL the rotten logs on the forest floor and watch the bugs scurry .....

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Dona Cadman just released a press statement. I'll try to get more details ASAP.

maryT said...

Just now on CBC, a stmt by Dona Cadman, which clears the PM of any wrong doing.
Julie is actually laughing how this story changes by the minute.
Wonder if said book will ever reach the bookshelves of Chapters.

Anonymous said...

I don't know what to make of Dona, now she says she asked SH about the life insurance and he said he knew nothing about it. She believed him and is running for the Cons.
Why was she on t.v. last week talking about it if she believes SH.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Does anyone have a link yet?

Anonymous said...

I would think the four reporters on Newman's show on Friday afternoon might be going over their comments and what they said on that show.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Here we go.

CBC.

wilson said...

''What is Pat Martin afraid of that he is pulling his motion for an ethics inquiry.''

I sincerely believe that Dippers do not want Chucks name drug through the mud any further. The Ethics Committee would have to call all those who knew Chuck voted with the Libs for the double indemnity policy.

Let the man's reputation prior to the last 2 months of his life, stand for what he accomplished.

Anonymous said...

still up at liberal.ca

OMMAG said...

Pat Martin is a schoolboard trustee that somehow managed to slither out of the little pond into the big one.

A very small fish that should become food for another in due time.

Roy Eappen said...

Dona Cadman's full statement



Mar 03, 2008 01:44 PM

March 3, 2008

Personal Statement by Dona Cadman

I'm a little bit surprised at the level of reaction to the disclosures in Tom Zytaruk's book and I guess that's probably because it was put to rest in my mind, when I discussed the matter with Stephen Harper, 2 ½ years ago. At that time, I recall specifically asking him if he was aware of a million dollar insurance policy offer, that upset Chuck so much.

He looked me straight in the eyes and told me he had no knowledge of an insurance policy offer. I knew he was telling me the truth; I could see it in his eyes. He said, yes he'd had some discussions with two individuals about asking Chuck to rejoin the party, but he'd told them they were wasting their time trying to convince Chuck.

From that point forward.... I didn't regard it as a "Party" initiative, but rather; the overzealous indiscretion of a couple of individuals.... whose identity, Chuck never revealed to me.

It all comes back to my conversation with the Prime Minister.... 2 ½ years ago. I want to be perfectly clear in that regard. Chuck liked, respected and trusted Stephen Harper. I like, respect and trust Stephen Harper. If I didn't believe in my heart, that he was telling me the truth.... I wouldn't be running as the Conservative Candidate for Surrey North.

Dona Cadman

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Dr. Roy - One question: Why wasn't this in the book?

Gayle said...

Joanne: "Who said that, Gayle?"

paulstuff: "Because Liberal's will resort to anything to get back into power, even if that means running a deaceased individuals name through the mud or making his living families life a living hell."

AG: "I too feel sorry for Mrs. Cadman. Trust the Liberals to not care about hurting anyone in their quest for power."

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Gayle, o.k. I thought you were referring to something I said.

Anonymous said...

"Joanne: "Who said that, Gayle?"

paulstuff: "Because Liberal's will resort to anything to get back into power, even if that means running a deaceased individuals name through the mud or making his living families life a living hell."

AG: "I too feel sorry for Mrs. Cadman. Trust the Liberals to not care about hurting anyone in their quest for power.""

Gayle - you asked for a link re my statement that the Liberals don't care about hurting anyone in their quest for power

No link necessary - that is my opinion. Paul Martin had this book over a year ago -yet he - and how many other Liberals sat on it until just the right time to "bring it out". Suddenly, just as the book is about to launch it comes out. Mrs. Cadman herself says she had no idea this little statement would cause such a fuss, she thought it had been dealt with. IF the liberals had taken the time to talk to her first, maybe they would have not gone off half cocked accusing the Prime Minister of Bribery.

I am sure that not only has Mrs. Cadman lost her husband, now she - unwillingly - finds herself at the centre of a political storm that is for no other purpose but to smear Stephen Harper so the Liberals can, hopefully, return to power.

Like I said - they have no morality in that they do not care who they step on in their quest for power. I sympathize with her. Link - me.

paulsstuff said...

"paulstuff: "Because Liberal's will resort to anything to get back into power, even if that means running a deaceased individuals name through the mud or making his living families life a living hell."

That's right. Perhaps Gayle never saw the Liberal's repeatedly bringing up Jodi Cadman and her mother, asking if the Conservatives were calling them liars. Domenic leblanc asked if Harper was calling Chuck a liar, or his widow and daughter.Why did Dion not notify the RCMP as soon as learning of the alleged bribe? The Liberal's fell all over themselves saying Dion forwarded Schreiber's letter as soon as he received it.

I also heard reference today that former PM Paul Martin is not to impressed being brought into this and being referred to as knowing of a possible crime for two years and not reporting it. He too is considering legal action.

Also interesting, Liberal's have now changed their website, and Goodale would not repeat the smear on Duffy when challenged by James Moore. Harper had it right in question period when he stated this is the biggest mistake Dion has made. Legal experts are all in agreement that unless Dion has proof Harper knew of a bribe, he is pretty much screwed legally. The only thing that might save his ass is Harper might actually have to sue the entire Liberal party, rather than individuals.

Also loved the fact they are now pointing out Dion's recent lawsuit against Duceppe, where he demanded Duceppe apologize and read an apology written by Dion's lawyer, because Duceppe made reference to Dion and Adscam..

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Like I said - they have no morality in that they do not care who they step on in their quest for power. I sympathize with her. Link - me.

'Link me'. That was a thing of beauty.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Paul, thanks for that tip. I started a new thread.

And you're right about Dion suing Duceppe. What a bunch of hypocrites!

Gayle said...

So no actual proof the liberals have said anything that drags the Cadman's through the mud (you may note that I do not care if they drag the cons through the mud).

Gayle said...

Oh, and Goodale not repeating the so-called "smear" on Duffy is no different than Poilievre not repeating HIS smear (the liberals are full of extremists) on Duffy.

You may not understand this, but the reason it is questionable if the liberals can be sued for their website is because it simply quoted what was said inside the house, which is covered by priviledge. If a newspaper cannot be sued for quoting those statements it may be difficult to sue the liberals.

And if they can be sued, then Joanne better be careful about the quotes she uses on this blog.

Let's face it, both parties have been pretty active on the "letter of intent to sue" front. No wonder why some con insiders were telling their pal Fife that this was really all about politics...

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Also interesting, Liberal's have now changed their website

That's what I thought, but another reader (Joseph) pointed out that it's the same, and now I wonder if it did change?

Joanne (True Blue) said...

You may not understand this, but the reason it is questionable if the liberals can be sued for their website is because it simply quoted what was said inside the house, which is covered by priviledge. If a newspaper cannot be sued for quoting those statements it may be difficult to sue the liberals.

Gayle, as Joe Comartin noted on MDL, the one thing that could be construed as libelous is the headline. Agreed that the quoted text from the House is not libelous.

paulsstuff said...

"You may not understand this, but the reason it is questionable if the liberals can be sued for their website is because it simply quoted what was said inside the house, which is covered by priviledge. If a newspaper cannot be sued for quoting those statements it may be difficult to sue the liberals."

If that is going to be the Liberal defence they are in bigger trouble than I thought. The biggest problem the Liberal's have is that on the website they state Harper knew of the bribe, which he has denied. He has always maintained that Cadman was offered an unchallenged seat to run under the Conservative banner, and the election costs that would be incurred in that election.

Of course Dion sued Duceppe for the same type of slander. Was he stifling getting at the truth then?

Liberal's might want to get a second legal opinion on this. Hey, wasn't it that Braniac Cherniak who said the Liberal's auction fundraiser was perfectly legal, only to be told by Elections Canada it was not? Maybe Jason is providing legal advice on the libel suit:0)

paulsstuff said...

This is why the liberal's are in trouble. This is taken from their website, and is not, as Gayle stated, something repeated from Parliament:

Canadians were shocked to hear Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s admission that he knew members of the Conservative Party tried to bribe former British Columbia MP Chuck Cadman in exchange for his vote, the Liberal Opposition said today.

“In an interview, Mr. Harper was asked explicitly about the insurance offer,” said Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale during Question Period in the House of Commons. “He did not deny it. In fact, he confirmed an offer was made. He told Conservative officials to ‘make the case’ to Mr. Cadman.
Compare this with the conservative position:

"The Conservatives have said there is no truth to the million-dollar life insurance allegation and that they simply wanted Cadman to rejoin their caucus. The Liberals are pushing for the RCMP to investigate the matter."

Goodale's comment above is particularly libelous. If Ralph had the balls he should have repeated it on Duffy today when Moore challenged him.

Gayle said...

Well Paul - I am pretty sure they are not going to take legal advice from you. :)

Gayle said...

Paul - your post was a quote from what Goodale said in the House.

We could argue this all day - Harper says he wants to sue, the liberals have told him they are prepared to fight.

Let them.

paulsstuff said...

"Well Paul - I am pretty sure they are not going to take legal advice from you. :)"

After what I lost in my divorce can't say I blame them. I was so mad I didn't speak to myself for weeks.

paulsstuff said...

This is from the statement of claim in regards to Parliamentry Privledge:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has filed a notice of libel against Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion and the Liberal Party of Canada over statements on the party's website regarding the Chuck Cadman affair.

In a March 3 letter sent to Dion, Deputy Leader Michael Ignatieff and Liberal House leader Ralph Goodale, lawyers for Harper describe two articles on the Liberal website as "devastatingly defamatory."

The articles relate to allegations that Conservative operatives offered Cadman, an Independent MP, a bribe of a million-dollar life insurance policy to vote against the Liberals in May 2005 and bring down the government. Cadman was battling cancer at the time, and died in July 2005.

"These malicious and reckless defamatory statements impugn the reputation of Prime Minister Stephen Harper," the letter states.

The libel notice cited a Feb. 29 article published on the Liberal Party's website entitled, "Harper knew of Conservative Bribery" and a Feb. 28 story that ran with the headline, "Harper must come clean about allegations of Conservative bribery, Liberals say."

While members of Parliament are protected from libel action for statements made inside the House of Commons, they can be sued for anything said outside.

Continue Article

"The defamatory statements are egregious. The articles in issue are not a fair and accurate report of proceedings in the House of Commons and are not privileged," according to the legal letter.

"Further, the statements complained of were made maliciously and with a reckless disregard for the truth, destroying any privilege that may have existed," it stated."

At no time did Harper say a bribe was offered or he was aware of one.

I'm home resting from back surgery and Question Period is my entertainment before the kids get home0:)

Joanne (True Blue) said...

I'm home resting from back surgery and Question Period is my entertainment before the kids get home0:)

Back surgery! Yikes. You shouldn't be sitting at a computer. Rest...

paulsstuff said...

"Back surgery! Yikes. You shouldn't be sitting at a computer. Rest..."

Pop enough of the pills they gave me and I could hang upside down from the ceiling without pain.