Floor Crossing for Dummies

This is how to cross the floor and still retain your integrity - Follow the example of Ontario MPP Tim Peterson, on the advice of PC leader John Tory and sit as an Indie first.

From the Sun:

"John Tory convinced me that I should not work in the session against the party that helped me get elected and the party that the people of Mississauga South supported in the last election," he said.

I'm not naming names here, but there are floor-crossers on both sides in the federal political realm who could take lessons from this class act.

* * * *

Update: BC Tory exposes a not-so-classy act.

Does this Duck 'have legs'?

It would appear that I wasn't too far off-base after all with my comparison of the Ontario Lottery scandal to Adscam.

The Globe's Murray Campbell (Ghost of Gomery Helping Caplan Keep His Seat in Cabinet) suggests that Caplan et al have learned lessons from Paul Martin's reaction to the sponsorship scandal, and are now using a 'Don't worry be happy' approach instead of fire and brimstone.

"Let's just say the lessons of Gomery were well noted and often mentioned," said a senior government official.

However, I have a few problems with Mr. Campbell's column. First of all he seems to be indicating that Caplan's staff somehow coached the OLG on how to deal with the unwanted publicity:

When the Public Infrastructure Minister began feeling the heat over apparent misdeeds at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., the advice from his staff to the agency was to fight hard if it thought it had been wronged.

And yet, we hear quite the contrary in this report by Keith Leslie:

The cabinet minister at the centre of Ontario's lottery scandal denied Wednesday that the Liberal government told the provincial agency responsible to launch a public relations offensive to refute reports that retailers were winning too many jackpots.

Interesting. So where did Campbell get his information from?


Leslie also notes that the opposition parties are not giving up:

The opposition parties said the involvement of two high-profile Liberals shows the premier's office was involved in developing the lottery corporation's response plan.

"These two partisan McGuinty operatives are having meetings to try and spin your way out of this scandal, but the premier's very own fingerprints are all over this," Tory said.

"If it looks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, then it's probably a cover-up."

Campell seems to be of the opinion that the 'Circle the Wagons' approach is working, and that this whole thing will soon be off the public radar:

The opposition says it will keep up its attack, but the reality is that the story needs oxygen to survive. They are hoping for lottery-corporation whistle-blowers to emerge, but that may be a vain hope...

I don't know about that. Something tells me that this could very well be an issue for the opposition and taxpayers to take to the bank.

* * * *

Update: They're starting to jump ship!!!

Dion Doublespeak

Interesting item at the end of this Canada.Com report "Dion sending Liberal MP's on pre-election mission..." (H/T National Newswatch)

“It would be a mistake to give up any province, any region, any riding,” he(Dion) said, noting that a wave of support could cause many ridings that currently seem unwinnable to fall into the Liberal column.

However, asked if that assertion means the Liberals will run a candidate against Green party Leader Elizabeth May, Dion clammed up, saying he had nothing to announce.

Speculation is rife that Dion and May, who intends to run against Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay in Central Nova, are cooking a deal to work together in some ridings, including hers.

“I will not deny what is already in the news ... that there are talks between us,” Dion said.

“When it will happen, if it’s happening, it will be open and transparent.”

Besides the obvious contradiction here, something else bothers me. This whole strategy somewhat undermines the democratic process, doesn't it? If you deliberately run a "weak" Liberal candidate in Central Nova, for example, does that not somehow influence a constituent's ability to make an informed decision and choice?

And, if this is a morally and legally acceptable maneuver, what is stopping the NDP and Conservatives from doing the same thing in a strong leftist riding in hopes of reducing the number of Liberals elected, which would be a win-win for both the Tories and the Dippers?

Just asking.

Holding your nose so you don't smell the stench

Why is Dalton McGuinty ignoring calls for David Caplan's resignation?

As Christina Blizzard points out, the previous Tory government had a few issues arise of an even less serious nature, and the relevant cabinet ministers took a 'time-out', even though they weren't personally implicated in any wrongdoing.

* * * *

Update: Joan Tintor makes a nice catch here - Fiberal Spinners...

CLASS ACTION SUIT LAUNCHED! - H/T National Newswatch.

Step to the Right - Lots of links and facts on the OLG Scandal.

Ontario Lottery Fraud - McGuinty's Adscam?

Will this be the big wedge issue in the upcoming Ontario election? Kate seems to think it could have some traction.

One thing for sure - The people who were hurt by this are likely some of the more vulnerable in our society, such as seniors and low-income folks.

Are we as taxpayers and voters going to continue to accept this kind of weak excuse from our political leaders that according to them, they didn't know about the wrongdoing and so therefore should be excused? We are seeing this time and time again. The scapegoats get sent packing with huge incentives that make it seem as if they won the lottery!

Colby Cosh notes in his column Scratch and Lose, that:

But when OLG employees raised concerns about suspicions of retailer fraud, CEO Duncan Brown noted in an e-mail that as head of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, "I used to have to issue gaming licences to companies or individuals that I just knew with absolute certainty were dirty. I just couldn't prove it. Sometimes you hold your nose."

I have a question for each taxpayer and lottery player in Ontario - Are you going to hold your nose and vote in more of the same this fall?

* * * *

Update: Step to the Right - OLG Campaign with YOUR Money!

I just came across one of these ads myself. "OLG- Making it even better" (for fraudsters?).

Oh boy. Here's a juicy tidbit. It seems that our friend Warren Kinsella was allegedly one of the spin doctors allegedly involved in the PR repair job after the original Fifth Estate exposé aired back in October.

..."As soon as the 'insider win' scandal was exposed, the (OLG) took action -- but instead of investigating what went wrong ... it reacted like a business facing a public relations nightmare, it hired experts to dispute the CBC's findings, even though as our investigators discovered, it knew full well that Mr. Edmonds was far from alone," Marin said...

Mr. Kinsella was allegedly not available for comment.

The Beginning of the End of the PQ?

Last night's Quebec election results show some interesting shifts in the attitudes of the Quebec population.

1. In spite of an obviously disappointing performance, Jean Charest's Liberals have still managed to cling to power in what has ended up being a minority government.

2. The ADQ's Mario Dumont has clearly inspired a message of family values that is resonating more with voters than the old separation debate. And as Stephen Taylor notes, the results couldn't be better for the ADQ since it will give them an opportunity to learn and mature in opposition. An ADQ goverment at this point may have been too much too soon for their own good (and Quebec's).

3. The PQ is in third place and may very possibly be in danger of becoming irrelevant, which does not bode well for the BQ.

4. The strong federalist support suggests greater potential for seat pick-up by the CPC and to a lesser degree by the LPC.



All in all, the best possible outcome for those who wish Canada to stay intact.

But my loyal reader Gabby mentioned in my nuclear waste post (which I morphed into a politics debate), she is a bit leery about assuming that the the PQ is dead:

The one bright light is that the PQ has lost some support. The ROC should not cry "separatism is dead" though. It is simply undergoing a transformation.

Chantel Hebert suggests that although this likely means the end of Boisclair's leadership, the separatist movement will carry on:

Given a choice between pondering whether that reflects poorly on its core cause of sovereignty or on its leader's skills, the party will almost certainly zero in on the latter. It is ultimately easier for the PQ to keep on replacing its leaders than to give up on its dream of an independent Quebec.

I tend to agree that we should not let allow ourselves to become complacent.


BTW, congrats to ChuckerCanuk for a fascinating and entertaining "Live Blog" event last night! I certainly enjoyed the party.

NIMBY

Now that there is a huge push on to reduce our fossil fuel consumption, one of the highly-touted alternatives is that of increasing nuclear power production.

However, the Toronto Star reports this morning that highly-urbanized areas in Southern Ontario are being considered for long-term disposal.

So we all want to be green, and we still want our precious power, but are we willing to deal with the waste-storage fallout?

Right (or Left) on the money

This op-ed in today's Sun is incredibly insightful - Tories outfoxing Liberals for Mushy Middle Vote.

Not a lot of time for blogging today, but I do hope to come back to it. Please feel free to comment.


BTW, to paraphrase the ever indignant Stephane Dion, I've never seen a leader of the Official Opposition do so much damage to our country in such a short time.


I shudder to think what might happen if he were Prime Minister.

* * * *

Update: Sheila Copps throws in her two-cents worth here - Being a Bully will end up Costing the PM.

The jokes practically write themselves in this piece. Be my guest.


Evening Update: Well, it's been a busy day, so not much blogging - My apologies.

Great post here though. It was actually picked up by National Newswatch - Seconds Thoughts: Gerard Kennedy calls PM a Racist.

And this is HUGE!!! Kerplonka! - Scandal! The internal email you *have* to read... Backroom deals in Victoria!

Monday Update: Ezra Levant - Grits Chew on Nutty Rhetoric.

Oops!!!

Obviously, I blew it.

(And if you're reading this today, then you did too!)

Thou Shalt Not Besmirch the Grits...

...anyone one else is fair game.

Today's National Post Editorial (Dear Stephane: Be a Man), highlights Stephane Dion's outraged hysteria over the Prime Minister daring to suggest that "the opposition seems to care more about the rights of Taliban detainees than the safety of our troops in Kandahar".

So Steffi then called Stephane Harper a 'bully'. The Post then goes on to outline other instances when the Liberals did their own 'bullying':

Since last fall, the Liberals have labelled Mr. Harper a Neanderthal over his government's cuts to the Status of Women Canada budget; implied he is racist for axing the $5-billion Kelowna agreement on native funding; claimed he is anti-democratic for "stacking" the committees that advise on judicial nominees; accused him of "undermining our Canadian values system" by eliminating funding to the left-leaning Court Challenges Program; and suggested he was homophobic for reviving the debate on same-sex marriage. They have called him a "control freak," "Bush-lite," "deceitful" and a practitioner of "Republican voodoo economics."

I might add to that that the Prime Minister of Canada has even been called a "Political Whore" by a sitting Liberal MP; albeit not in the House itself. I even asked Garth if he was planning to apologize. His response was:

Of course he (Harper) completely prostituted his Reform principles. That’s fact, not character assassination. He executed himself. — Garth

So, I suppose if the accuser believes the statement to be true, then no apology is required.


And yet, we now have Post columnist Jonathan Kay, the National Post itself, and others being served libel notices over Kay's piece about alleged Liberal backroom deals. Jonathan defended his position in the Post's Full Comment blog back on Feb. 28.

This morning I asked Mr. Kay if he was planning to comment about this latest development, but he replied that he has "been advised not to make any statement". However, he did thank me for my note.


The Big Red Liberal Machine is worried, folks. They are demoralized by their glaring mistake in electing a 'whimp' as a leader and by polls showing rising support for the CPC.


- And just like a cornered animal, the LPC is lashing out in anger and fear.

* * * *

Update: More at Backseat Blogger.
Halls of Macadamia - More CTV Bias (The Liberal MSM is getting a bit freaked out too).

The Stephen Taylor has a great post - The Code of the Centre Block Schoolyard.

And Jack has an awesome rant tonight! - "Wimpy Little Guy, isn't he?".

Things could get ugly

National Newswatch reports that several Liberal MP's including Gerard Kennedy are serving notice of libel against the National Post, Jonathan Kay and "John Doe".

Can a journalist be forced to reveal his source?

* * * *

More at Canadian Blue Lemons.

Jack's Newswatch - The Handwriting is on the Wall.

And an older link to the Navdeep Bains story, which is all intertwined (TDH).


Also, in the March 26 issue of Western Standard, there is a very interesting article titled "Stephane Dion's Turnaround on Terror", by Kevin Steel. He refers to Jonathan Kay's National Post op-ed "citing unnamed sources who claimed deals that played out at the Liberal convention were cut months in advance, and included support from Sikh, Tamil and Muslim organizations, in exchange for a promise to water down the ATA". The Liberals of course, denied all this.

But this is compelling:

"In a email to the Western Standard, Kay writes that he stands by his unnamed source, who he claims is a person very high up in the Liberal party." (pg.26)

Toronto - Socialist Epicentre of the Universe

First we had the Federal budget which veered decidedly towards centre if not slightly left. Then Greg Sorbara brought down the Ontario 'tax and spend' budget that moved even further left.

Terence Corcoran of the National Post now looks towards the Toronto budget set to be announced on Monday as the 'taxathon' continues. Unfortunately this front page Comment piece is under subscriber lock, but here are a few tidbits:

"... and a rockin' event it (the budget announcement) will be as Mayor David Miller tries to hold himself in check before he hits the dance floor with the new "fiscal tools" he just got from the province. Let's see: New tax on drinking, maybe, or a tax on roads or parking lots...

Three levels of government rolling in cash and not a meaningful tax cut in sight, and not one spending program cut that anybody's announced or noticed...

...The only thing Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara could say about taxes is that there would be no increases. Even that's not quite true.

The budget's call for a $10.25 Ontario minimum wage by 2010 is essentially a plan for a tax increase on low-wage incomes. The new wage will get distributed to people who get the $10.25- an-hour jobs at the expense of people who don't get jobs at $9 an hour. And that will mean more welfare programs.

"...Much is made of a balanced Ontario budget, as if that were an achievement that took effort in the face of rising tax revenue gains of almost 8% per year. The real effort came in finding the spending opportunities tomatch the ballooning revenues...."

So many more pithy comments. You really need to run out & buy a Post this morning.


Meanwhile, the Sun's Sue-Ann Levy tells us that His Blondeness almost threw a temper tantrum when he realized that the provincial government was not going to upload more of his social spending programs. Levy states:

He even had the audacity to imply that this might impact on the 3% tax hike (in other words, increase it) built into the 2007 operating budget. "Our budget next week will be extremely difficult," he said.

...Meanwhile, the mayor arrogantly refuses to put the city's house in order, to contract out services, to look at creative ways of doing business or to rein in his overpriced union pals. Quite the contrary. The Millerites keep spending as if money is pouring from the heavens...

Back on the provincial front, Lorrie Goldstein asks, why should we believe Dalton anyway?

Even the Red Star does not seem totally enthralled with the Ontario budget.

My guess is that if you are a single, middle class or higher Toronto resident with no kids, you are not a happy camper today.

* * * *

Update: More at the Politic - The McGuinty Budget: Almost enough to make John Tory actually look decent...almost! (Boy, there's a rousing endorsement if ever I heard one.)

Saturday Update: Woody - No Soup for you, Big Salad for me.

Sunday Update: Toronto's Pain is 905's Gain - Sun.

And in the category of Damned if you do; damned if you don't, we have this: Burn Out

Ontario Budget Tabled

Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara has delivered the Ontario Liberal pre-election budget.

As the National Post notes, there is no across-the-board tax relief. The various measures for low-income families appear to be designed to lure soft left voters.

Since the Ontario budget seems to be highly dependent on the recently announced Federal budget, I find it extremely ironic that Liberal MP David McGuinty will be voting against the very set of bills that is so crucial to his brother Dalton's political future.

Appreciating Canadian Talent

To my political readers: Please indulge me for a few minutes while I take a brief time-out to flog a terrific Canadian talent, jazz-pop singer Holly Cole.

This Halifax native has just released a new self-titled album which was reviewed today in the Record (Click on 'Arts' and then "Other Releases this Week").

As is the case with most Canadian singers, getting proper recognition is difficult although Holly Cole has had great success in Japan in terms of jazz CD sales and tours. The writer of the Record review laments that her two previous pop albums have been "criminally ignored", and that she is returning to her jazz roots with the latest release.

We have a special place in our hearts for Holly Cole, because several years ago a member of our family was going through a critical medical situation and Holly personally went to great effort to cheer us all up. I don't want to go into details, but let me assure you that Holly is not just a terrific singer, but also a warm human being who has great compassion and concern for others.

Please visit her website and sample the songs available under 'Discography'. If you enjoy her unique musical style, please consider purchasing a CD and telling your friends.

Holly Cole is a Canadian treasure.

Comuzzi Out (Breaking News)

Apparently Stephane Dion has little tolerance for dissension.

Liberal MP Joe Comuzzi got the boot (H/T to reader Brian in Calgary).

So Garth, what was that about a big tent where discussion and differing opinions are welcome?


Update: I tried asking Garth that question at his blog, but it seems that I have been banned! So much for discussion and free speech. I was responding to this statement:

If you want to be a leader whose orders are followed without question by those who know their place, are able to follow commands effortlessly, don’t talk to the media, can work as a team and never question you in public or cast doubt upon your leadership, get a dog.

I was wanting to ask Garth what Joe Comuzzi might say to that. Well, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, and expect that my comment is awaiting his approval. Yes, that must be it.

Update: My comment is finally on Garth's site. (1:49 pm)

So I guess I haven't been banned yet. I'll just have to try a bit harder. Interesting discussion there, but I hate feeding his ego with the traffic.

More at Political Staples. (Good point made here that Joe C. may have been used as an example for what could happen to dissenting Quebec MP's who are afraid to face their constituents if they vote against the goodies for their province. It could be political suicide for them (either way, I guess.)

* * * *

Thursday Update: David Akin relates Joe Comuzzi's press statement on the CTV Politics Blog:

...I love Canada and my region and if doing the right thing has consequences, I must accept them. However I will never, never put my gain in front of representing my constituents...

(The site appears to be down temporarily).

The Master Chess Player

This is a fascinating time to be following Federal politics in Canada.

The most entertaining aspect of all is sitting back and observing Stephen Harper's shrewd machinations bear political fruit. We Tory backseat drivers tend to worry and obsess when we detect what we perceive to be a tactical error in policy or maneuvering, but rest assured that our Fearless Leader has a very far-sighted plan. He is always ten moves ahead of everyone else.

And this budget is no exception.

Chantel Hebert describes the breathtaking ten minutes during the budget announcement that PQ Leader André Boisclair held the fate of this Parliament in his hands. Dion had apparently already decided not to support the budget without even reading it and Jack Layton would only support it if given the political spotlight to rewrite it.

And word was out from the government that the budget would stand as is. No Liberal-NDP shenanigans this time.

So Duceppe called Boisclair to discuss the options which were obviously either to immediately go to the polls or not. Since they felt they couldn't explain the rationale behind voting down all that money to the Quebec electorate, they opted to support the budget. This has its own interesting ramifications because now they have to explain why separatists are propping up a federalist government. They are also forced to admit that federalism can have its rewards.

Brian Laghi of the Globe calls it a game of political chicken. It seems that even though Harper has a minority government, he also has carte blanche until such a time as the opposition parties decide they've had enough.

What will be the tipping point?

Obligatory Budget Post

Yesterday's budget details and the plethora of related reactions reminded me of Aesop's fable about the Man, the Boy and the Donkey - try to please all and you end up pleasing none.

It was a budget meant to appeal to a broad base of Canadians - a little something for everyone - and yet the nitpickers still weren't happy. Jack Layton's stance is that any number of government handouts will never be enough (unless he co-writes the document himself).

Stephane Dion stated, "I've never seen a government ... do so little with so much."

Gilles Duceppe had to check with PQ leader Andre Boisclair before making up his mind. Apparently the response was, 'Take the money and run'.

MSM on the right feel that the CPC is selling out its traditional base, while those on the left parrot Jack by saying that it wasn't enough. Most seem to bemoan the lack of discernible differences and choice between parties these days, as they all become more and more centrist (well maybe not Jack). Many Blogging Tories have reiterated that sentiment.

Since 2/3 of the spending went to resolve the fiscal imbalance, this amount of aggressive spending should hopefully be a 'one off'. And it will be so worth it if McGuinty stops his whining!

On a personal level, I was pleased to see the measures included such as the Disability Savings Plan, designed to aid parents of children with severe disabilities. My cousin Ted Kuntz in BC was interviewed by CTV (video clip available at right side of this link). His adult son suffered brain damage as an infant and now has the mental capacity of a two-year-old. This support is a huge boost on an emotional as well as a financial level to such families.


Politically, it remains to be seen where this is all going. I suspect that PMSH has a trick or two up his sleeve.

And I'll bet he won't be too worried about asking anyone how he should take that donkey to market.

* * * *

Update: Wow! Check out the 'Election Fever Meter' towards the right of the National Newswatch page. It was hovering around 90% or higher the last week or so, and now it's plunged to 18%!!

Reader Florence pointed out this great post at Backseat Blogger - On that hidden agenda thingy.

Sandy - It was a Canadian Budget -- Conservative AND Liberal.

Heard on CTV's Mike Duffy - Lawrence Martin suggests that there may be some dissent in the Liberal caucus about the budget. It seems that some Quebec MP's want to support it.

Dissension in the ranks for sure - Liberal Joe Comuzzi to support budget!

CBC - Dion opposed to budget before reading it: PM

In the Eye of the Political Storm

Well, it's not everyday that I get an opportunity to be a witness to front page news.

Last night my twenty-something daughter and I joined the massive throng of Conservative supporters in Mississauga to hear Prime Minister Stephen Harper rally the troops for a possible election which the opposition could force at any time.

The crowd estimates ranged anywhere from 2000 to 5000 depending on the bias of your media source. (Interesting that CBC seems to have picked the low end there.)

I can assure you that there were so many enthusiastic, sweating bodies packed in that massive hall like sardines, that everyone was peeling off as many clothes as possible to cool down. The Prime Minister was visibly perspiring from the heat. I don't recall ever being in a closed environment with that number of fellow human beings at one time.

But no one complained.

There was an excitement in the air as the evening started with Jim Flaherty and Josée Verner warmed up the audience. The Finance Minister is a tremendous speaker; full of Irish wit and charm. Flaherty has definitely not reached his full political potential yet.

The Prime Minister's speech is well documented on various news sources, but I can tell you that he seemed energized by the boisterous crowd, which was showing approval with cheers and applause, and the banging of thundersticks almost nonstop.

His remarks were targeted at the average Canadian; the hard-working silent majority who "didn't have the time to stage protests or the money to hire lobbyists." (CTV)

There was also a tone of humility:

"We cannot worry about what they say about us around boardroom tables but we must care what they talk about at the kitchen tables.''

In any case, it was a most enjoyable evening. The icing on the cake was the opportunity to meet some fellow bloggers; notably Sandy (Crux-of-the-Matter), and the Stephen Taylor! What a great guy! Stephen, if you're reading this, I hope we didn't embarrass you too much. ;)

Our meeting up with Sandy was quite "serendipitous" as she referred to it. Perhaps she will elaborate at some point.

Anyway, Sandy and her husband are warm, friendly people whom my daughter and I were very happy to have met. We ended up sitting together, which was great. In fact, it was due to Sandy's brilliant strategic skills that we were even able to find a seat. She is very clever about dealing with line-ups, and how to get around them. I highly recommend that you ask her for tips if you ever plan to attend an event like this.

After the rally, there was a large reception with various MP's milling about, but my focus at that point was more on grabbing some cheese and cold meat, since we were starving. As my daughter and I settled in against a wall to devour our snacks, I noticed Jim Prentice advancing in our general direction. He stopped to chat to a couple of men beside me. I glanced over and noticed that one of them was Jason Kenney!

Didn't get a chance to talk to them (especially with my mouth full of food), but it was fun to be in the same room watching MP's mill around like common folk - which they are, and which we all are.

* * * *

Who else was there? Sandy and Stephen of course. Also Christian Conservative. Anyone else?

Dion Wants to increase your Hydro Bill

John Ivison's column in today's National Post mirrors my thoughts on Stephane Dion's "Green Investment Account" proposal (Dion's naivete on display).

His scheme is intended to make the polluters pay, but guess what? The buck stops at the person staring back at you in the mirror.

The new plan would mean polluting industries could see their top-line expenses grow by $2.5-billion a year if they miss their emission targets.

Canadians who scoff at pleas of poverty from the oil and gas industry may be less smug when they learn the electricity industry is already contemplating passing on the estimated $1-billion in annual extra costs to consumers.

"Sure we would," said Hans Konow, president of the Canadian Electricity Association. "This is added cost that would be passed through."

This will just end up being another behemoth Liberal boondoggle, designed to line the pockets of everyone except you and me. The irony is that it doesn't even necessarily guarantee results in terms of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Jason Kenney calls this plan a 'lemon'.

The Liberal party sure picked one.

* * * *

More at Political Staples - Because there is only one payer.

No more strippers in Dion's platform

Susan Delacourt of the Star explains that while Harper's French is perceived to be better than Dion's English, Stephane is making progress:

Over the past few weeks, Dion has been actively using English more and has already shed some of his difficulties with pronunciation. When talking about his "three-pillar" political platform, for instance, it no longer comes out as "peelers," much to the disappointment of comedians and pundits who had fun with the nickname for strippers.

Dion is spending a lot of time with his English tutor:

"She's helping me to catch the music of the language, where to put the intonation. It's a complete mystery for me," Dion said. "What I understand is that you (English-speakers) have that by instinct more than by rules.

I can only speculate that the Dion household didn't worry too much about ensuring that little Stephane was encouraged to learn and speak English. The mother-tongue and the motherland were likely all that mattered.

However, if he is actually successful in his remedial homework, it may end up being a liability. His fractured English was the only thing preventing me from falling asleep during a speech.