MP aide fired for ordering tickets for racy film

OTTAWA — A provocative movie about the sex lives of young people is too hot for some Conservatives to handle -- and a parliamentary staffer has been fired for ordering tickets to a special screening.

Tory MPs are denying they ever planned to watch the film Young People F---ing even though several of their names appeared on an RSVP list for an Ottawa viewing tomorrow night.

The movie has fuelled censorship debate around a Conservative bill that would deny tax credits to productions deemed "contrary to public policy" by the government.

An assistant to MP Gary Goodyear from Cambridge, Ont., was fired after Goodyear's name showed up on the screening guest list. She had in fact ordered the ticket for herself.

"I do not want to see his reputation harmed over something so trivial and untrue," wrote Victoria van Eyk in an email to The Canadian Press just before her dismissal.

No one in Goodyear's office returned calls.

Tory MPs Patrick Brown, James Lunney and Carol Skelton also say their names were listed in error and that they have no plans to see the film.

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MIke Webster
said
0 0

Get a grip people....she wasn't fired for seeing a movie or even buying tickets to see a movie. She was fired by her boss (Mr. Goodyear) for embarassing him by having his name end up on the list of guests for this particular movie. Like the funding bill, it has nothing to do with censorship. The bill, like the Liberal bill that died on the order paper when the election was called, it does not prohibit anyone from making any movie. It simply denies taxpayer dollars to offensive trash that nobody will pay to see anyway.

J
said
0 0

Using boss's name to get on the RSVP list - retarded.

Getting fired for it - Probably makes sense.

Conservatives making themselves look like a bunch of over-preening idiots (again) - self-defeating.

Wrongful dismissal lawsuit - likely.

Tories confirming their inability to govern - 100%.

John Reader
said
0 0

This is NOT a political story - although lots of hacks here believe so.

The point is that *anyone* getting tickets for themselves in their boss' name should be fired.

Whether the film is about sex or whatever is besides the point. In this case, the boss may actually never want to see this or another film - but tieing their name to it without their consent is breach of ethics.

Read people read- ya, there are multiple perspectives - but come on....

Jonathan
said
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Is anybody reading the actual story? She was fired for ordering her tickets on her bosses name, thereby tying him (and his reputation, which is EVERYTHING to a politician) to the screening. I'm sure she could have got the tickets under her own name which would have not been an issue. But when the list of attendees is published and ones name is linked to something controversial inaccurately, expect consequences. Harsh? Yes, but there are probably more issues we don't know about.

John
said
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To those people who somehow thing the fungible currency of taxation can be portioned out into this bit that supports art without censorship, and that bit that pays for the Conservative's overspending on campaign advertising, how about they give my bit to the arts, because I don't want to pay a nickel of Harper's campaign financing, and you can pay for Harper, but not art.

The problem is that you can't split it out, and we all end up paying for stuff we don't want and benefiting from stuff we do, so suck it up.

Pay your taxes and count yourself lucky to be living in such a great country. It'll only get better when the minority Taliban-Alliance-Reform crackpots are exorcised from power.

Damian
said
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People!! why don't you READ (!!!!!!!!) the article... Of course the catchy, misleading title designed to appeal to those who can't be bothered to actually look into any details, is partially to blame - it's designed to appeal to those who live by sound bytes, and it clearly worked in this case...

The staffer ordered tickets using the boss'es name, and the boss'es name appeared on the guest list. That's the problem.

No one got fired for going to see a movie.

Ok? Clear? Everyone got the ideas? Now everyone can stop whining and moaning, don't worry, you'll get your precious Liberal government back soon enough, and then everyone will be happy with their free tickets to "Young People Fu**ing II"

nicholaspaul
said
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Yes it's a free country, but if you're in politics you're in the public eye. Why is anyone surprised at the firing?!!
"The movie has fuelled censorship debate around a Conservative bill that would deny tax credits to productions deemed "contrary to public policy" by the government."
There's a censorship debate on, and the tories are in the middle of it. These idiots should have thought about how it looked before buying the tickets.
At least wait for the DVD...

Norm Howard
said
0 0

Wow, I'm shocked, not only does Harper muzzle his MP's, his MP's are taught how to impose obedience on thier staffers. To all of those who voted the secrecy of the Harper Tories to power, please do ask yourself what you see in this guy.

Harper is on a power trip, he wants a small Federal government, so there is little opposition to his agenda, which is to get rid of the Charter, and democratic principles such as the rule of law. Harper wants to destroy our country, and this firing of a staffer who wanted to see a film, that by the way, the producers received a film credit from the Gov't to produce, highlights how much of a monster this guy Harper really is.

KATE
said
0 0

If this was one of the numerous violent films in our theatres would this be an issue. Why are people so uptight about sex but not about violence. Most of the violence in films is against the law, yet we show it to our young without even thinking, and its ok to go see that, but a film about sex, oh my, oh no, someone looses their job, give me f***king break.

PB
said
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I agree with the use of the word "retarded" but would apply it to over half the people posting here. Did you not read the article or just the headline??? The issue is the aid used the bosses name to score the tickets. Id be a little ticked to id my name was used to score tickets to show I may have a moral issue with. As for comments regarding the declining of our society because we are being told what to watch, again "read the article". Second, our society is definitley decling but more so because we live in a society that people think they can do whatever they like regardless of consequences. The defending of the aide is a prime example (although firing may have been a bit harsh). I have to admit tho, the media definitley knows how to attract the masses attention, write an article with the impression that simply buying tickets will get you fired.

Linda
said
0 0

Duh!!! Hello! Wake up people.If you need help see "Read it First".
This has nothing to do with Taliban,or Republicans,or a host of other nonsensical things in some of these posts.
She CAN see the show.She CAN order tickets.She is NOT being disciplined for either.
She MAY NOT use her bosses name to buy the tickets.And that is as it should be.

Kevin
said
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"Anyone who thinks that Canadians... should give our money to pay for stupid films like this are the ones that are retarded"

Actually passing judgement on something you haven't seen yet is retarded. I suppose the government that should only fund projects that you are interested in?

Steve
said
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Gary Goodyear is one of many Con MPs endorsed by Vote Marriage Canada, a right-wing conservative organization that opposes gay marriage. We all know that he wouldn't be caught dead seeing a film that involved sex.

An MP can't be fired for dating a woman with ties to a criminal organization, but an aide can be fired for buying tickets to a movie.

Dion's Liberals are looking better every day.

Nick - Ottawa
said
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Refusing to fund these types of movies is NOT censorship, get that out of your head. Production companies are NOT being turned away at the border, they are NOT being told what the can/cannot put in their films, they are NOT having their movies refused to be played in Canadian theatres. This bill simply provides a clause that ensures OUR tax dollars don't go to fund something only a few will see. I personally could care less about "young people f**cking", however, the point is that with or without funding/grants, this movie CAN still be made in Canada. Spin doctors, too many of them in our society nowadays

Chris
said
0 0

These people got fired for misrepresenting themselves as Tory MPs in order to get special tickets. Sounds like a good call to me, without any politcal BS.

Someone needs to wake up and fast
said
0 0

Are you kidding me?

We have a Minister who leaves classified documents out in the open in his Xgirlfriend's house who happens to be an x biker chick and no one is fired.

An assistant decides to order tickets to a play and is fired. What right does her employer have to do that?

Ok, all you guys who go to strip clubs and use escort services, you are all fired.

This is bull shit what happened to our Charter of Rights and Freedom. Where does it say that you can be fired for attending a play on your OWN time?

Aaron
said
0 0

I'm surprised she wouldn't have a case for wrongful dismissal. Also, it makes no sense that she would order them in the MP's name. Sounds sketchy to me, scape-goat for the MP. Politics is retarded. They are real people too, we all know under the squeeky clean outer image, lies a total weirdo, just like everyone else.

LDL
said
0 0

I agree with "Read it First" and "gattl". It's a very short article and not that hard to understand, yet there are those that choose to go off on a rant about everything from a comparison of our government to the Taliban to the obligatory "neo-con" comment. This story, and even my reaction to the posts is not worth the key strokes it takes to comment.

KevinCanada
said
0 0

What's next? Firing people for watching 'Juno' because it's about a teenage girl who had sex and gets pregnant? God forbid we associate ourselves with movies about reality, then again, talking about reality isn't what conservatives do best.

colin
said
0 0

This is a farce....people get fired over a movie that is supposedly scandalous...and is offensive yet theres a list of people who want to go see it. if someone thinks its offensive or dont want it to ruin their innocence then dont watch it.... people who have issues with are probably just pissed cause they arent getting laid!

G. williams
said
0 0

The key words are "contrary to public policy".

This is a catch-all that could be used to squash documentaries and debate on anything the government wants to hide, not just sex.

Remember the pre-Iraq attacks in the US on anyone who questioned "public (ie White House) policy".

Jayson M
said
0 0

This is a riot because its really is all about the title of the movie and the conclusions people will draw from it. Its 100% about perception and how the government is trying to prevent confusion around their message on C-10.

You guys should go to the movie website and watch the trailer. Its absolutely awesome and is NOT a smut film.

This is a romantic comedy with an adult theme (sex) that explores how every relationship is different yet the same. The only thing taboo about this movie is the fact that many people view the topic of sex as worse then watching people get tortured and riped apart on the big screen.

This is not 90 min of hardcore or softcore porn, its a funny story about a group of people very much like those you might talk to every day.

Ben
said
0 0

"I would like to order some porn tickets please. Yes, just send it to the office of Stephen Harper. I'll pick them up there. Oh, and please put them on my credit card so I leave a good, solid paper trail. And please don't TELL anybody."
Duuh.
Clearly, this aide was too horny to think at the time.

TDOG
said
0 0

WOW WOW WOW. I thought we lived in Canada not Russia how stupid are some people out there first someone gets fired for giving a kid a timbit now someone gets fired for going to a movie. How is this even legal she sould sue the government for wrongful dismissal.

Kevin D
said
0 0

Wow everyone so quick to attack and condemn. Some people might have noticed that I have a general beef with the lack of integrity in the journalism used by both CTV and CBC. Things like simple research can help. One - this film viewing is a special viewing being put on for MPs due to the censorship bill. It is being put on by the producers of the movie. This woman ordered tickets in the MP's name even though he was not going so that she could go with a friend and be able to say that she saw the movie at a special screening. Kind of like using the company expense account for a dinner with a buddy instead of work related business. It would get you fired in the private sector. This was not a smart move on her part. There is more than enough slipups to blast the conservatives on but I think this one might be in a little misguided for the liberals to bash upon .

Stephen
said
0 0

It should be made clear that in this case the tickets were not purchased. In fact, free passes were sent out to every MP's Parliamentary office, and those wishing to attend the movie screening were instructed to RSVP so that their names would be added to the guest list for the event. As is often the case, political staffers will RSVP on their boss' behalf if they have reason to believe that their boss will be in attendance. In this particular instance, the passes are also transferable, meaning that if the MP is unable or uninterested in using their pass that was given it can be used by their staff instead. My guess is that the staffer who was fired likeley ignored strick orders from the Prime Minister's Office to not attend the event.

Albert
said
0 0

I am proud to be Canadian. But with crap like this, lossing a job for buying tickets, regardless of the employer is discusting. I won't vote for a party that wants to lead my country like this.

Lets be realistic.
said
0 0

The aide should not have ordered a ticket for them self using an MP's name. I would be fired from my job if I ordered a ticket to a similarly titled movie in my bosses name. And with regards to the bill, why would I want tax credits given to this type of movie. Look at the title. This isn't somthing children can watch. If this movie is really artistic and great then the producer shouldn't have a problem finding a benefactor with non public funds.

Doug BC
said
0 0

I think firing her was a bit over the top for what she did.She,like everyone else in this country,is entitled to see whaever movie she wants to.The whole issue is no one else's business but their own.
But,she clearly should not have used her bosses name to get the tickets.It reminds me of decades ago,when everyone wanted Playboy but felt embarrassed enough to get the subscription in someone else's name.
Chill out people.If you think the movie is inappropriate or offensive,think about just not going to see it.ANd try minding your own business if you know someone who does want to see it.

Busted in Barrie
said
0 0

My MP is named in this story....too funny!! Wonder if it will make the 6 o'clock news??? This is sooo funny!!!

M. Cameron
said
0 0

DWS:

First of all, it comes as no surprise to me that a person who uses the word retarded as an adjective would say something so stupid. Secondly, we live in a free country. You are free to choose to see whatever movie you like. The government should not be making that decision for you.

Heavy-handed
said
0 0

Apparently, when you're an MP, you get away with much more than if you're an aide. You can promise planes that aren't available and you can interfere in a sovereign state's political affairs without getting fired... but if you're an aide, don't you dare use your boss' name to get a ticket to a movie (especially if your MP finds it too racy)! Probably just used the MP's name so he could get on the pre-screening list (not very smart, but not criminal either and not worth firing her over it).

Come on, even Conservative fans can admit this is a heavy-handed punishment.

Glad the Conservatives are getting tough on criminals... it's just too bad that includes everyone who doesn't agree with their politics.

DJM
said
0 0

First the government tells us what kind of TV Canadians can watch. Now it's what type of movie we can watch. A free country?

DO
said
0 0

Anything goes in this society. It's getting worse and worse! Their are no morals or respect in this society. They are people we are supposed to look up to not down to. They are supposed to be our role models. Sex is no longer between a husband and wife anymore or private. To show your love to a person. It's so open and free. All it does feed the sex fetish people. It's an addiction once you get started in watching and reading it you can't stop and the worse it gets.

DHC
said
0 0

regardless of whether the aide used her boss's name to order the ticket- it would seem that an aide should sometimes order tickets for their boss, and if they cannot be used, then the aide can use them...
the issue seems to be that everyone is trying to distance themselves from a controversial film- whose screening hasn't even happened. Having seen the film, I can say that it is a funny, cleverly-written relationship piece with a clever title. Don't most of us have sex? This is like a younger, hipper, sex and the city. "Sex" and the city? Why don't we shy away from that too?

ance
said
0 0

three little words...

"wrongful dismissal lawsuit"

Utsav S.
said
0 0

Why are we as Canadians funding pornography?! If you want to use private funds, that's your choice and your right, but the vast majority of Canadians who may disagree should not be footing the bill for such a tax credit.

Captain Canuck
said
0 0

Come on people we're still in the Victorian era in Canada, why are you complaining! We don't talk about sex in Canada, it's our way of life here in this ultra conservative world we pretend to live in. Maybe that's why we have such a declining birthrate. That's ok, we can always import some wholesome terrorist immigrant families like the Khadrs to make up for our declining birthrate.

Graham
said
0 0

When will they be holding a public burning of Barenaked Ladies' new children's album?

Steven Langdon
said
0 0

Folks,

The aide had to use the MP's name because that is how the Parliamentary email system is set up -- each aide has a number and is attached to the name of the MP she/he works for. Eg. Carol Skelton, MP -- aide 1, etc. That means you cannot tell if an aide is forwarding a request on behalf of his/her MP, or on her/his own behalf.

Pround Canadian from the GTA
said
0 0

Funny and Scary,

There are right-wing parties in countries besides the States. Ever been out of Canada?

I don't care if the Conservatives are like the Republicans as long as the Liberals are out of office.

Harper will win again, a minority maybe in 2009, but he'll still win. Too bad for you.

Kevin D
said
0 0

CTV should be more clear in it's reporting. This was to be a private screening prior to its release. It was to be shown only to government MPs and this woman used her boss's name and position to order tickets for her own personnel use. People would get dismissed for that in the private sector as well. There's enough to jump on the conservatives for but this is one item I believe she brought on herself.

WB
said
0 0

I'm waiting for the sequel: Foreign Affairs Ministers F__ing.

Brian
said
0 0

The person who made the decision to fire the parliamentary staffer should be shot for being so stupid. This is Ottawa, not Ryad.

Anne
said
0 0

I think quite a few people are missing the point here, as one comment stated. What you do on your own time is fine, unless you use your bosses name to snag tickets, because that puts an official spin on the activity. Anyone who works for the fed govt would know that is a no no. However once again the person higher than her who probably gave her the order to do it is the one who should get canned - what, she suddenly decided to bring everyone in her office to a racy movie in view of the Conservative stance on censorship in movies? Very bad judgement on a few parts.

Andr�
said
0 0

Maybe some of them need a little somethin' somethin' for themself

John A
said
0 0

I'd file a wrongful dismissal suit and embarrass the government. If it's on his time, who cares where he goes. He was unelected. Just as long as the tickets weren't given to the guy free just because he works for a MP.

Now you know why the Conservatives can't make inroads in Quebec. The province is too liberal for them. An "18" elsewhere is a "14" in Quebec.

DougInMtl
said
0 0

they sound less and less like PROGRESSIVE conservatives and more amd more like the Western-based Alliance crackpots that took over the party.

galttl
said
0 0

If you read the article rather then just the title, which is there purely to grab your attention (and it did work)you would see that she wasnt fired for the fact that she was going to go see the film she"...was fired after Goodyear's name showed up on the screening guest list." He didnt like that his name was being associated with this particular film which given his stance is understandable. If she was being fired merely for going to see a film than that would be utterly ridiculous.

Read it first
said
0 0

Phil ... please read the article, she was not fired for going to see the film ... she was fired for ordering tickets on behalf of her boss so that his name ended up on the screening guest list. In politics perception can become reality, so for her to have done that shows poor judgement on her part.

vicky
said
0 0

Please remind me that we are not being ruled by the Taliban.

So,let me get this straight, it is wrong for an aide to presumably want to watch such a movie but our golden boy mad Max can have his little head rule his big head and get promoted?

How exactly does this work?

I am neither a conservative nor a liberal as I think that both need to meet somewhere in the middle but I can tell you that this government's days seem numbered. Not that we have a great alternative but it is a matter of chosing the lesser evil.
No wonder the so called third world countries are progressing and western world is declining.If it did not have the natural resources, Canada would be headed for a bigger trouble at a much faster rate.But wait, I guess our govt.is taking care of that, too.

DWS
said
0 0

Why do comments that do not agree with your editorial stance not get posted?

James
said
0 0

Phil. you are so right! The wrong person got hit on this one. I wonder what fuss there would be if the movie was; "Young people k**ling people."? A greater person than me, George Carlin, once had a skit where he stated that he would rather see a movie about people f**king than people k**ling. I agree George. As long as the people f**king are willing participants and of legal age then let the f**king continue!! Down with k**ling!

This Is News?
said
0 0

Retarded yes, she's allowed to see the movie. However, why did the assistants need to use the MPs names if the MPs were NOT going to the screening?

larry
said
0 0

had this movie been called, say, "young people having dinner", or "maybe young people in love", enen if it had the same content... would this still be an issue?

Sharp Pencil
said
0 0

If we live in such a free society than explain to me why the "Tories" are behind the film censorship legislation? Funny how their names ended up on a list for a film that according to the legislation would never have received a tax credit because of the film's content. Good thing the "Tories" are following through on gun control. It will help to prevent shooting themselves in their collective feet!

Ottawa
said
0 0

Yes, it should be fun to see how the Neo-cons respond to this...
'Of course she should be fired, how dare those leftists pollute my sweet innocence, with dirty, filthy sex'

Ki-Som
said
0 0

This is why this government isn't getting anything done, they are a bunch of idots. Sadly, until the Liberal Party gets rid of Mr. Dion, they are not going to form the next government.

Eugene
said
0 0

I think everybody here is missing the point. The point is that aides listed their *bosses*' names in order to snag tickets for themselves. I'm not sure there would have been nearly as much an uproar had they just gone and bought their own tickets on their own.

oscar1
said
0 0

I could careless about what parliamentary aides or even parliamentarians do on their own time as long as they aren't passing secrets to the hell's Angels. If this was a true Hardcore smut flick, I'ld not care. I might just ask if popcorn was available and go myself. Shall we stop being prudes, this is the 21st century after all.

dawn
said
0 0

priceless fired for buying a ticket to see a movie perhaps the aide in question should seek the advice of a lawyer. kind of hilarious after the recent uproar over bungling bernier and how the gov. doesn't legislate morality

Michael_S
said
0 0

The article doesn't make it clear whether the tickets were purchased by the individuals or by the government.
Either way, I hope the people who are upset at the government for introducing Bill C-10 would defend the government here in that they were actually trying to see a film centered in the controversy.

Tim
said
0 0

This was a personal decision on the part of someone who didn't want to be associated with this type of movie. Interesting for the media to get on this "feel good" story. Also, if the movie isn't questionable, then why can't the whole word be spelled out? So that our six and seven year old kids are left to guess a word which they already know and use? Score one for hypocrisy.

DWS
said
0 0

Anyone who thinks that Canadians, and I am one, should give our money to pay for stupid films like this are the ones that are retarded.

Steve in Fredericton
said
0 0

One more example of how repressed and backward we are as a society. This is just a movie. Nobody's swapping spouses or selling their children. Let's loosen up a little and acknowledge that we all have naked sex at some point in our life before being so uptight causes someone's repressed sexual notions to manifest in the form of a horrific sexually-based crime. We can either learn to live with our sexuality, or beat it into the far reaches of our psychie only to have it eventually emerge in perverse and demented ways.

Sharon
said
0 0

Can't go to a movie?
I thought we lived in a free country?
If it is in the theater then why should anyone be upset?

Phil
said
0 0

the part about the aide being fired for going to see a film.

James
said
0 0

Phil, which part? Young people f**king, the aid being fired or the government's bill?

Funny and Scary
said
0 0

Holy smokes, with each passing day in office they more and more resemble their Republican neighbours to the south.

phil
said
0 0

nothing short of retarded

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