Muzzle by overnight courier

 I predict that this is the last we'll ever hear of Gordon Landon, the would-be Conservative MP for Markham-Unionville.

City TV's Richard Madan reported on Mr. Landon's rather startling admission -- not once but twice -- that the riding is not getting any money until it's no longer held by a Liberal.  (John McCallum currently holds the riding.) 

We are a bit confused in our office. One here wondered: wasn't something like this called a "sponsorship scandal" a few years ago -- giving government money to politically friendly ridings?  (Note: Technically, it was government money going to Liberal-friendly ad firms, who then funnelled the cash back into the party.)

No doubt this is why the Prime Minister moved quickly to say that Mr. Landon was mistaken in his understanding of things -- and why Mr. Landon will be wearing a muzzle when we next see him.

Comments

[Catherine]

Out of the mouth of (political) babes.

[Paul Atarsus]

Sorry, this dude's got it flat wrong... I live in a Liberal riding, and Harper just announced $54 million in R&D funding the other day. Plus there's a whole whack of other projects that are going on.

Guy doesn't know what he's talking about, but you're right... he's not going to be the candidate for much longer.

[Tom Dempsey]

Actually the sponsorship scandal involved briefcases of cash being handed to Liberal Party hacks.

Bit of a difference but I guess that's lost on you.

[JD]

All I want to know is if he's right - is anyone at The Star looking into his allegations? If he is right then the Conservative party is guilty of blackmailing the Canadian people with their own money. Worse, they're guilty of representing a select group of citizens rather than the entire nation, which frankly echoes their attitude toward cities, where most of us live.

[Deb]

Actually, I believe the Sponsorship Scandal entailed money being appropriated from government funds to partisan political operators and/or advertising agencies in exchange for their electoral work.

One can expect blanket accusations of misdeeds from opposing political parties, but a leap of logic such as this from a member of the objective, non-partisan media is unbecoming.

We can do better.

[William Dougherty]

Susan, I don't think this is true, but even if it is I'm sure you know the difference between funnelling money into your party's pockets and using taxpayer dollars to better the life of constituents, whichever riding those constituents belong to.

It is not the same thing at all. Canadian Law would indicated the former is clearly illegal.

[Michael Sullivan]

Well who is not surprised by that? NOt all Canadians are equal re: the Harperites! It's abuse to all Canadians, including Conservative supporters within Libera/NDP/BQ ridings. Just think what can happen to citizens if the Conservatives won a majority, but those citizens voted anything but!

[The Rat]

"One here wondered: wasn't something like this called a "sponsorship scandal" a few years ago -- giving government money to politically friendly ridings? (Note: Technically, it was government money going to Liberal-friendly ad firms, who then funnelled the cash back into the party.)"

Yeah, "technically" one is a crime and the other is just politics as usual. Or did Shawinigan just happen to get all that dough from the Chretien government??

[RM DALE]

First Jim Jones and now Gordon Landon. What a great riding I live in

[Peace, Order and High Taxes]

I agree.

The Star's Ottawa bureau is confused.

[Truth PC]

Actually, Etobicoke Centre has a Liberal MP. They have a variety of projects. Research before propaganda.

Millwood Park – Fieldhouse & Washroom Rehabilitation
The West Mall – Outdoor Pool Rehabilitation
Rayfield Park – Pathway Paving & Lighting Improvements
Kipling Avenue – Road Rehabilitation
Martingrove – Ice Rink & Tennis Court Rehabilitation
Bloor Street West – Lead Water Service Pipe Replacement
Willowridge Park – Playground Enhancements
Eglinton Avenue West – Road Rehabilitation
Valleyfield – Park & Tennis Court Rehabilitation
Riverdale Park East – Running Track Improvements
Rathburn Road – Noise Barrier Replacement
Burnhamthorpe Road – Lead Water Service Pipe Replacement

[Dave]

If this is such a scandal like sponsership, Susan maybe you or your Liberal friends should call the police and get them to lay charges or is this just more of a Liberal hack spinning as we all know the Liberals would never do such a thing if they had power, you are starting to bore me!!!

[Jack]

However you look at this, it's still blackmail to me. You don't vote for a Con, you will not get money. That's vintage Harper.

[Matthew]

Typical Star Bias. What about Toronto getting 200 million for infrastructure? Considering there is only one Conservative seat in Toronto this does not really fit into what you are saying.

Also glad to know you don't see a difference between stealing tax payers money and spending tax payer money in Conservative supporting ridings... To me the difference is pretty clear??!

[Stan Schurman]

Just remember all you Ontarians who hate the McGuinty HST proposal, and I count myself among them, this was and is a federal Conservative child of Jim Flaherty.

[Robert Seagraves]

Well, if that is true, why is Toronto getting any money? There is not on Conservative riding. Same for most big cities.
Also, I rememebr Chretien did the same thing, basically saying if you want in, vote Liberal, otherwise, forget it (unless you are in Quebec and we'll give you free briefcases full of money.)
Sign another non-story distorted by the Star's Liberal political hacks.

[Martha E]

Typical of The Star to highlight ALLEGED wrongdoing on the Conservative side, without substantiating it or looking into it themselves. They are masters at investigative reporting - of that there is no doubt, i.e.: OLG scandal, etc. Then why don't they just look into this themselves to see if it's true or not before printing it? I suspect this allegation is not true - and in fact, if you want to win over voters, why go to ridings that are already conservative bastions? You don't throw money at your core voters, you put it elsewhere where you are COURTING votes, no?

[Fed-up with Harper]

Conservatives in denial? Why am I not surprised. I can't believe how gullible people are, to believe anything these guys say is amazing. They have a great marketing plan that wins people over, but that is all it is. Sure everyone wants all of the problems in Canada fixed, but there is this place called reality. They can't fix the problems and they know it. Have they fixed anything yet? Steven Harper makes laws and and is the first to break them. What kind of a leader is that? When it comes down to it all they want is control. You can deny it all you like. Maybe one day you'll figure it out. I hope so at least. It's scary to think that people follow this guys lies.

[FredS]

Why would anyone be surprised that a PC held riding or a Liberal held riding would get favoured depending which party is in power. By the way if want a problem solved as an individual or small business it helps to make a donation to the party represented by your local MP or MPP as the case may be. This is politics folks, live with it.

[Just Asking]

It would be great if someone, say a reporter, figured out if the unemployment and/or type of projects that are supposed to be generated should go disproportionately to one party's ridings or another, so we can determine if any imbalance is appropriate. For example, if most of the lay-offs are not in Canada's largest urban centers, and most of the urban centers are held my a certain party, shouldn't that be reflected in the distribution of payouts?

[Zoesmom]

Here comes the spin spin spin.....but we all know this is how the Reform/Alliance/Conservative Coalition govt plays. Just one, in dozens of reasons why Canadians will NEVER trust them with a majority. Sneaky, underhanded, unfair, petty, etc....pick your adjective.

[CWG]

This is nothing like the sponsorship scandal. The more equivalent comparison to the sponsorship scandal was a couple of years ago when the Conservatives funnelled advertising money from the national party to the local riding associations and back again in a giant shell game designed to allow them to break the election laws and get around the legally imposed campaign spending limits. To be fair, at least, unlike the Liberals, their shell game didn't involve any taxpayer money, but it was still illegal and reprehensible. Vote ABLC in the next election - Anyone But the Liberal-Conservatives.

[wish they'd grow up]

why arent the liberals taking about the $600 million + the transit fund being spent in Toronto - they hold every seat !!
and not a mention of it by Mr Kennedy or Iggy!

[Mark]

But it is different when the liberals were in power, then it was just the 'norm'. There is no proof of anything this guys says and yet it gets repeated on TV news and in papers because it is a good smear on the Conservative government. News organizations usually try to have proof of wrongdoing before they spread rumours and accusations. Now an accusation counts as proof apparently.

[MZ]

For how long are Conservatives going to trot out the sponsorship scandal every time one of their own scandals is exposed? First of all, how long ago was that, and how many of the people involved are still in the Liberal party? Several elections ago, and few to none.
Secondly, how does something bad the Liberal party did excuse anything the Conservatives do? Why shouldn't the Conservatives be better? Why don't they seem to want to be?

But hey: Among many other bona fide scandals, there's Cadman, Khadr, reneging on the Atlantic and Kelowna Accords, Linda Keen, softwood lumber, giving up on the environment, in-and-out election funding scam, Harper MIA at the UN this week, and now this clear pork-barrel politicking? All forgiven, I guess, because the Liberals were involved in the sponsorship scandal five years ago.

Ridiculous.

[Food Advocate]

I believe this is absolutely right. I co-founded a farmers market in Bradford West Gwillimbury with the Town last summer. Meanwhile, I wrote a letter that was published in the Star stating that Con Peter Van Loan was doing nothing about conglomerates convincing local farmers to bag imported carrots as local. Millions of pounds of carrots were being allowed to flood the market, driving down local prices but enriching the American conglomerates. Well, I was told by locals that I did the wrong thing, and so I was being kicked out of the market that I co-founded. The local papers carried pics this summer of Van Loan handing out several oversized cheques to the Town right at the farmers market. Millions for a rec centre;700 thou in gas tax money, etc. etc. Also, brake cables on cars were cut on my street and houses vandalized with "L" the week after my letter was published in the Star criticizing Van Loan. It was during the election, and I had helped Van Loan's Liberal rival come up with an agricultural plan.

[john g]

This is the same as Adscam? Are you serious?

And you are, or have been, the Star's Ottawa bureau chief? Jesus, no wonder Toronto never votes Conservative with propaganda like this.

[opinion]

Typical Harper politics, exactly what we have come to expect from this sad leader. My way or no way, power at any cost, do what I say politics. One day soon Canadians will see Harper and his party for what they truly are, self-absorbed, egotistical politicians, very dangerous combinations in any politician.

[Wilbil]

Just plan lies, I live in a riding with many other riding all around me and we are getting quite a bit. So why is IGGY bitching?

[Gabe]

The Liberals have released their research showing that only 12% of the fund has actually been spent and that Tory ridings have gotten an average of 13 times more than opposition ridings in BC, 2.7 times more in Quebec, and 11% more in Ontario. Not necessarily a scandal, but not necessarily not...yet.

[Craig Estrella]

No, Susan. The sponsorship scandal was using government money to fund Liberal friendly companies who might then funnel it back into the Liberal party's coffers. This is nothing of the sort.

This situation is more along lines of how Jean Chretien ensured that government money went uniformly to Liberal ridings including disproportionately to such small places like... oh... I don't know... Shawinigan?

I don't recall you crying foul over the Liberals doing this.

[Michael Doyon]

does this actually surprise anyone? It's the way harper & the Klan work

[Jack]

Dead right. The libs got done cause they fessed up and the cons will be praised cause the hid it. You wonder why politicians lie? Cause we re-elect them when they do and boot them out when they tell the truth. Same old tory partisan politics hidden and lied. Oh yeah, but this different. If its so different and so okay, then why muzzle the guy? Cause it ain't different. Wake up. Demand better from all parties, not just the other guys.

[renrew]

Wouldn't come as much of a surprise if the 'socialists' and the 'liberals' and the 'separatists' were left out. Harper so much as intimated his disdain for all but the 'conservatives' at his caucus meeting.

[Hans]

wake up Susan; one action was legal (if it even occurred) and the other was illegal. To me this is just more reason to vote conservative.

[Paul C]

The City of Mississauga is almost completely Liberal, save for one riding. Got $92 million in ISF. Isn't TO getting $500 million??? Not a lot of Conservatives there. The Star needs to investigate 1st, before mouthing the Liberal doctrine.

[Alan Wayne Scott]

Why is it every time the Conservative minority coalition does something that again makes them look dim, or out of touch, or worst of all, uncaring, their apologists seem to try and mitigate any underlying ineptitude by citing previous governments' failings?

While no fan of much of what the Liberals pretended to achieve in the past decade, one fails to see how that flawed performance in any way justifies the cynical inaction of the current Harper regime.

Maybe those Canadians who truly care about this country, should consider a third party option. One that doesn't cater only to its own supporters' often narrow interests, but one that instead seeks to serve the common good.

[Gabby in QC]

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/700350
« "Look at the field behind me, it is not getting done," Ignatieff said.
Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson said the Liberals picked the wrong field to stage their press conference. The park project just got environmental approval last week and wasn't planned for years.
"This project was not slated to be done for seven years," Jackson said.
He added he won't criticize the Tories or the provincial government on infrastructure spending because he has projects happening all over his municipality. »

Also, given the distribution of seats - 143 Conservative to 77 Liberal - it stands to reason more Conservative ridings would be getting stimulus funding, no?

Also posted at David Akin's blog.

[Matthew]

Okay, this isn't biased reporting. It's reporting what this one person said. Also, if you read what he's saying it's HIS riding wont get funding as long as there's a Liberal MP in their riding. So it's more a threat against members of his riding then a statement of a carte blanche policy across the country. Now, is it true or not? As much as I loathe the Conservative government it's most likely not and just a really stupid statement by a really stupid man. Now, that being said, if he's this stupid why would you want him as an MP?

[Gwyneth]

Welcome to the world that politicians create. Any other type of behavior would be surprising. Anyone shocked by this is either the spinning media or naive.

[Marie]

Michaelle, Ad scam was many years ago. Different leader and no one is making excuses for those liberals at that time. If you remember, Martin had Gomery investigate that and people were sent to jail. Quit bringing up the past and focus on the now and here. What your Reform leader is doing is the same thing as we speak. Millions of dollars on partisan ads payed for by the tax papers of Canada, myself & you included. When will Harper pay back the money he has spent to promote his dysfunctional PMO and his government? This is not happening many years ago but right now this moment. Catherine, prove what you speak of. If it is Baird you are listening, we all know how much of a liar and a partisan he is. Bull dog loud mouth Baird who talks so fast no one can understand what he's saying.

[Marie]

What about Toronto getting 200 million for infrastructure? He has only one seat in Toronto and it Looks like he's trying to buy his way for a few more. The rest of Canada is suffering and where I live, there is not one project going on by Reform/Alliance/Con Party. I guess my riding is to small to waste spending money on.

[Stew]

Every one of you posting comments starting 'typical liberal this...' or 'typical tory that' are the problem. You're all committed to the idea that partisan politics is acceptable as long as its your team at the helm. Depending who you ask and when, 48-52% of the country are going to fall one-side or the other on this argument. Every leader has the obligation to represent the country. That's the problem with our system - its just an election followed by several years of campaigning, followed by an election - nothing gets done and no decisions are ever made for fear of annoying the other 50%.

BTW - let me know when you see cheques for all those projects being listed. My folks live in Peterborough - I hear they'll be getting that new via line any decade now.

[dj]

The best part is the left red star readers eat this stuff up... put a loonie in the blue box...atkins trust must love this...LOL

[George Pengilley]

It appears from the comments, money has flowed to this riding and a lot of other Liberal ridings. Toronto got millions and not one member elected. Star should check out for validity of story before printing.

[stephen.reeves]

Isn't the City of Toronto getting money, and they never vote Conservative,? and also Quebec go a lot of money as well, maybe Liberal ridings never requested any ?

[Gabby in QC]

http://www.york.ca/Regional+Government/Stimulus+Funding.htm
CANADA - ONTARIO PARTNERSHIP CREATES JOBS,
STIMULATES ECONOMY IN OAK RIDGES - MARKHAM
June 12, 2009 …..
Total Project Amounts
(Including all three levels of government)
Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville: $5, 206, 555
Township of King: $14, 560, 000
Town of Richmond Hill: $22, 152, 435
The Regional Municpality of York: $79, 035,000
Town of Markham: $13, 200, 000

Total amount of all projects: $134, 153, 990.00

The governments of Canada and Ontario have taken steps to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects starting in the 2009 construction season. ..."
H/T commenter Bruce at BLY.
=======
Note to Marie at 05:24 PM:
Fine, you don't want to dwell on the past by bringing up Adscam.
I'll buy that, if you'll stop referring to PM Harper as "your Reform leader" - not that there's anything wrong with that!

Also, which partisan ads have you and I payed [sic] for?
Are you referring to these? http://www.plandaction.gc.ca/eng/feature.asp?pageId=104

How else are Canadians going to find out about programs that are available to them? Word of mouth?
The Liberals and their media connections?

You may find it difficult distinguishing between ads touting the Conservative Party and ads announcing government programs, but there is a difference. It would be instructive to learn the difference.

[Cari]

All this for 59-60 billion......ad scam was chump change compared to this.
Nice report today from the John Howard society!

[Para]

Why did McGuinty ever sign a deal with the devil Harper? I fear that we've been screwed more than ever because of Harper's dislike for Ontario and Ontario's desperate need for funds after the manufacturers' fallout from the recession.