Northman's Fury

The late Independent MP from British Columbia who kept the Liberals in power in the spring of 2005 was offered a $1 million life insurance policy by the Conservatives in an attempt to win his vote, according to an upcoming book.

. . .

Harper said his understanding of the offer to Cadman was that "it was only to replace financial considerations he might lose due to an election.

"I don't know the details," he's quoted as saying in the book. "I can tell you that I had told the individuals — I mean, they wanted to do it — but I told them they were wasting their time. I said Chuck had made up his mind he was going to vote with the Liberals."

Harper also confirmed the people who met with Cadman were "legitimately representing the party."

Ah what a wonderful set of people we have running this country. It's little wonder the Conservatives didn't want this former Reform and Alliance MP running for their party, he was a conservative with actual morals. Also gives some added detail to why his family supported the NDP candidate in the last election.

I'm sure glad the Liberals are on top of this stuff, else the Conservatives might actually have to face Canadians over it.

At last, somebody with a good explanation of the Liberal strategy.



Also works for the US Democratic Party.

Arctic icebreaker, fishing port, tax break a start: northerners

People just aren't as easy to buy off as they used to be.

There is some good news in there, the fishing port being the biggest one, as it holds out at least the possibility of economic growth in Nunavut. Of course, the $8 million the feds are planning on spending there rather pales in comparison to the millions being allocated to refurbish the Nanisivik deep-water port for military use.

The upping of the Northern Resident's tax deduction is welcome, but it still needs to be indexed to the inflation rate. Somehow I don't think 10% covers the rise in the cost-of-living for the last twenty years, and it will be eaten up quite quickly in the years to come.

And, while promising to replace one of Canada's ice-breaker fleet 10 years from now sounds good, I'm waiting to hear about what they plan to do with all the other aging ships. And don't talk to me about those piss-ant patrol boats, we need real icebreakers up here.

All in all, about what I've come to expect from the feds over the years. Lots of promises, very little follow-through, and generally just ignoring the whole region outside what might help their near-term election prospects.