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Harper and Raitt stand defiant in political storm
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CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Tue. Jun. 9 2009 8:27 PM ET
The prime minister and besieged Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt stood firm against a torrent of calls Tuesday that she step down, a day after a recording was unveiled in which Raitt called the isotope shortage a "sexy" issue that could earn her political points.
On day two of the widening scandal, opposition parties and cancer patients upped their attacks on Raitt and demanded that she be fired for her statements, which were made during a private conversation with a former aide.
Despite intense pressure, however, both Raitt and Stephen Harper refused to give an inch as both stopped short of even issuing a formal apology.
"This minister has been working around the clock to make sure we get a greater supply of isotopes and make sure we have alternative options for our health-care patients in this country," Harper said in Parliament.
Harper also lashed out at the opposition and accused them of playing "cheap politics."
Harper defended Raitt's work on the medical isotope file, saying she was working with the international community to improve the isotope supply in the medium and long term.
"That's what the minister is doing, that's what this government is doing, not playing cheap politics."
On the tape, which was apparently recorded by mistake in January by Raitt's former press secretary Jasmine MacDonnell, the minister is also heard questioning the competency of Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.
While the NDP, Bloc Quebecois and Liberals all called in unison for Raitt's resignation, politicians weren't the only Canadians crying foul Wednesday.
New Brunswick resident Geraldine Owen, whose daughter-in-law is battling breast cancer, said Raitt's comments were hurtful and callous.
"How could she?" Owen, 67, told The Canadian Press. "There is nothing sexy about cancer."
The tape was made public by the Halifax Chronicle Herald on Monday, only a few days after MacDonnell was sacked for leaving sensitive government documents at CTV News' Ottawa bureau.
Comments turn to political scandal
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff responded that Raitt has failed to get the isotope shortage under control as the minister in charge of the file.
"The cheapest politics there is is to call a crisis a career opportunity," Ignatieff said. "This is about the minister's performance. The government knows there aren't enough isotopes."
NDP Leader Jack Layton said at the very least Raitt should apologize, if not step down, for comments that are insensitive to cancer patients who may have to wait longer for tests or treatments due to the isotope crisis.
"Not only is the minister losing secret documents, she expected a career bounce as a result of a medical crisis. And this is a crisis in a ministry for which she is ultimately responsible," Layton said.
Earlier Tuesday, a spokesperson for Harper called Raitt a "very intelligent, very competent minister" whose private comments with her communications director Jasmine MacDonnell were taken out of context.
"I don't think anyone believes there is any political gain to be had from dealing with what is a very serious health crisis," Kory Teneycke told CTV News Channel.
Teneycke said the minister remains focused on getting the Chalk River nuclear reactor back in operation to once again produce isotopes used in medical imaging.
The contents of the tape were released after the Chronicle Herald won a court battle on Monday to publish the information.
The recording of the conversation between Raitt and MacDonnell was left in a bathroom in the House of Commons and eventually fell into the hands of Steve Maher of the Chronicle Herald, who held off from listening to it for months.
Maher told CTV's Power Play Tuesday that he had called MacDonnell months ago after first receiving the tape, to tell her that he had it. They exchanged emails and phone calls, but she never actually came to pick it up.
When he finally listened to the tape and heard Raitt's controversial remarks, he gave MacDonnell the heads up.
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I applaud the budget, even though Health Care and education may stay unscathed. Sadly this cannot last and I worry to later this year where cuts will become enviable. If anything, this provides the Wildrose Alliance plenty of ammo when an election is called.
Comments are now closed for this story
Terri
said
bellainottawa
said
Greg in the Hammer
said
Herb
said
Rich in Newmarket
said
outintheatlantic
said
Chapes in Whitby
said
Dave Camp
said
John S
said
Now he reaps what he sowed: incompetence.
Thank goodness that judge ruled in the interest of voters. We needed a peek inside this government.
KJ in Kingston Ontario
said
Chris in Kingston
said
ottawan
said
Paul - Orillia
said
Ian in Ottawa
said
2) Scoring political points is what politicians want to do. In each of our lines of work, we all wish for some type of challenge to prove our mettle and be declared competent. There's no shame in that comment.
3) Calling for Raitt's resignation is a waste of the Common's time. Another Conservative minister would be named, and the poor folks at that Ministry would have to provide new briefing notes for the new minister and waste their precious time bringing him/her up to speed. In other words, the opposite would likely decrease that ministry's time by calling for her resignation.
Tired of all this crap!
said
I'll bet the underside of politics is a lot uglier than this.
If you are an insider anywhere you know things you hope the public never hears.
Evil lurks in the heart of most of us.
This may not be acceptable to the public but I'll wager it happens daily in all parties.
A waivering Conservative
said
Not your brightest star Steve, dump her and move on, you have an economy to fix.
Daniel from Toronto
said
Raul Lopez, P. Eng. (Ottawa)
said
Regina Plains Man
said
Terry in Ottawa
said
Tim
said
Kim
said
CC
said
Christian, NL
said
Mark
said
happy
said
John Orr
said
Brian in Ireland
said
1. Meetings are generally recorder so th esecretary can do proper minutes. So these people do know they are being taped.
2. Just because it would make departmental staff make briefing notes is not a reason to not have her resign. I am sorry but the buck stops at the minister and it is about time they realize this.
3. This is not the oposition parties doing, this was a MP/Minister making comments while being taped. Show's the inexperience this minister has. You keep your trap shut unless it is about the topic for discussion.
4. We need time for this!! Just because the world has gone to he double hockey sticks is no reason to let them off.
5. The conservatives did not create the economy we have, it has been created over the last 15 years. You can thank the Liberals. Harper may have not acted fast enough but there isn't sole that knew this was coming.
I am a Conservative, proud of it because I know we can be better, there are always a few idiots that screw things up. Every party has them. If you don't like what you see, run for governemnt.
David in Saint John
said
I am a Conservative, and I want her to go. Now.
Canada Goose Whistler
said
Where is the accountability of this government?
The reactor could be a serious health risk to people living in the area, cancer patients dieing.
This is defiantly not sexy, she should be fired & Harper should step down.
This government seems to be full of some very sick people, in it only for personal gain.
The cons on this blog that think this is ok are very sick individuals.
cinnyvs
said
Lisa Raitt should be fired now. I always ask myself what the current governing party would say if they were in opposition and I'm pretty sure Steve would be asking for the resignation of a minister who has proven to be incompetent (forgetting secret documents) and callous (don't worry too much about people's lives, just worry about the money).
bellainottawa
said
Dmitry
said
Kids say things are "sick" when they mean good. There are other similarly misapplied terms. Sexy, to anyone not Puritanical or PC, simply means challenging, interesting, fascinating and "doable".
Save us from the small minded hypocrites.
steve
said
Josh in |Moosejaw Sask
said
Brent from sask
said
island girl
said
Ray
said
Adele Surrey, PEI
said
Kanata Fred
said
Raitt never called cancer sexy, she was merely commenting that this particular file was more interesting than some other government files that Ministers deal with. She called it "sexy," I might have called it a "hot-button topic," but whatever, put in context -- this is no biggy.
I feel sorry that Ms. Raitt now has to spend her time preparing for the onslaught of opposition attacks RATHER than focusing her energy on solving the isotope problem, you know, a problem where people can actually die.
As someone who lost family to cancer, it personally distresses me that the opposition is wasting the Minister's time on this remark for political gain rather than offering ideas for Raitt to get Chalk River online faster.
Useless, useless opposition.
ookpik
said
Who's twisting now? Her exact quote, on the tape was:
" “But it's sexy. ‘Radioactive leaks. Cancer.'"
If she wasnt describing cancer as sexy, what WAS she doing?
Mike In BC
said
Was the male reporter in a female bathroom or was the female assistant in a male bathroom?
Dennis L. Krahn
said
The people of Canada expect men and women at that level of government to have a certain level of responsibility; this person falls short.
Dismiss enough of the big mouths and then even elected officials will learn that they are elected, not for their own benefit but rather to serve the electorate.
ALH
said
Staying in her job, will only make herself look worse to the public.
For the Cons, it makes Harper look really BAD.
How stupid can people be!
The answer: I guess pretty stupid!
Bill in BC
said
orville faught
said
I am a retired Canadian and I along with my family are outraged at your support for Mrs Raitt's comments. My mother died from cancer at age fourty eight. My wife had cancer, my dear sister just recently died from cancer, I have friends with cancer and I can assure you it is not sexy.
Kris D.
said
As a son with a mother battling cancer, I find her thought of an isotope shortage as "sexy" absolutely disgusting.
Doug in Chatham
said
Peter in Kingsburg
said
I don't know about you but the severity of the recession has not hit the federal government. Other than Raitt's aide has anyone heard of massive layoffs in the public service? Any calls for the re-negotiation of contracts? Any pay cuts? This institution just floats along as if nothing is happening and the media has feeding frenzies over things that should not be made public.
Alex (Toronto)
said
I don't think an unguarded comment is a big deal, though it's going to take an embarrassing love-fest photo op to kill this as a story. But there is a more serious issue. Right now the government's only action on this file to date is to go after a civil servant who happened to be appointed by the previous government. The Tories should have had the sense then to figure out the issue was serious and to come up with a strategy to address it. Having to catch up to the news on a reactive basis calls into question the judgement of the government in the areas of public safety and public health. Right now it doesn't look like the government cares much either about the people living near Chalk River nor about people needing these medical tests. The Conservatives focus too much on politics and too little on policy, but in the long run they'd have more respect if they cared more about lives than votes.
Patrick222 Halifax, NS
said
Honest Worker in Hamilton
said
How does it look for them the future of our country that this person screwed up not once but twice in less than a week on a huge scale but she has no consequences to pay.
What kind of messgae does that send out to our youth?
It sends a messgae that if you are a hard working, honest person and make a very vital mistake at work you will get fired. But hey kids if you are a politican and make a huge gaff, thats alright don't worry, politicians are not accountable for their mistakes. So what have we learned Jonny....yep become a politician when you get older.
She should do the right thing be accountable and resign from public office.
Retired Soldier in Kingston, ON
said
Regarding the impending
"cruxifixion" of Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt via a vengeful Opposition and the media...
the woman has done nothing wrong to rate dismissal from her job!
Everbody take a deep breath and get over it...please!!
It would be gratifying
if seemingly "intelligent" politicians of all stripes, and the Canadian electorate in general, could focus on really important issues which actually affect the welfare of the population and impact our environment, rather than engaging in fruitless finger-pointing, shallow political discourse and "gotcha" politics!
No wonder the majority of intelligent voters are completely tuned out and turned off by the political process at all levels!
Pro Patria
k bourgeois from springhill ns
said
CYL
said
Bob (Ottawa)
said
You said "Conservatives focus too much on politics and too little on policy". You forget that current Conservative policy is based on an ideology which has bankrupted the world economy (Hayek, Friedman and the Chicago School)...they can't afford to focus the public on policy. To Tories who windge about their ministers' character being attacked, you've perfected character assasination....you live by the sword, you die by the sword.
davidovich
said
It's a far cry from the earnest, boring news speak we get from most politicians.
I only wish more politicians would speak like this publicly.
Politicians have to be so careful about what they say, even in private, that they lose their humanity.
I support her 100 per cent and I hope the self-righteous, sanctimonious and petty attacks stop.
Remarkable
said
Paul
said
Kevin in Alberta
said
Nan
said
Belle River Dan
said
This is the english language where a word can mean a multitude of things. Sexy can be defined as attractive, visually appealing. Sexy can also be defined as an object or issue that grabs attention.
Nobody, not even those that you hate, finds suffering and/or death visually attractive. However, suffering and/or death always grabs your attention and in that regards, as a news story, it is defined by media-types as "sexy".
"If it bleeds, it leads"
I'm sorry, but that is the honest truth, and you mindless hacks have nobody to blame but yourselves.
Let the lefty dog-pile begin...
missy
said
Ministers are selected, not elected by the Canadian voter. Ministers are a reflection of the Prime Minister. What does this say about Harper's standards of behaviour and sensitivity? If Raitt is supported after how she has spoken, I dread to think what is considered "acceptable" behaviour behind closed doors at the Conservative Party rooms!
Why is the Conservative government choosing to support and stand behind Raitt? Believe it or not, taxpayers demand much more from a minister than they do from a drunk in a local bar spewing his comments, and yet, I have never heard even a drunk refer to cancer as "sexy".
The Conservative Government has failed to explain why Canadians should still support Raitt in her position as Natural Resources minister. Why should Canadians put up with such offensive behaviour? She has done nothing to warrant trust by voters, in fact, she now breeds feelings of contempt.
If Raitt is indicative of the calibre of Harper's ministers, Canada should hang her head in shame!
Katlyn, Ottawa
said
Perhaps a poor adjective choice, but a reason to resign? I don't think so.
DavidOntario
said
david sawkiw[saskatchewan farmer]
said
I have never seen so many 'conesvatives' jumping ship over to the left. I find it odd that none actually use their real name, this makes me question their integrity. these same people always question the integrity of the cons but seldom anyone else.
Bottom line is,, this MP would be a hero if she crossed the floor,like Belinda, Scott and a whole bunch more.
I would like to see how these old time conservative 'supporters'would comment on her crossing the floor.......
Sandy Eh (Calgary)
said
Dan in Quebec
said
Enough is enough already! Get your heads out of your azzes and get back to running this country!
SpinMeNot
said
cam
said
Instead they did things like Sponsorship program
shawingangate.
43 million dollar Arm Forces base in Quebec.And waste other tax dollars as well
Marc Toronto
said
Another Harper flunkey goes bonkers.
said
In an unguarded moment, Baird told aides Toronto stood alone in not meeting the technical criteria for federal cash, yet was complaining about Ottawa dragging its feet.
"Twenty-seven hundred people got it right. They didn't. That is not a partnership and they're bitching at us," he said.
"They should f--- off."
Nikos, Kanata
said
GHW
said
All you soap opera armchair politicians must be so appalled by this, how can you bare it?
Me, I’m on to another story perhaps about economics or foreign affairs or Barack Obamaaaaaa.
Have fun!
Mike- Newmarket
said
A very concerend Canadian
said
John from Fort Mac
said
Harper will get rid of Raitt
said
Harper has to be brought along slowly by Parliament.
We all have to wait for Harper to realize that the Invisible Hand is not going to help him.
DH
said
Mac1
said
I am a Conservative but thoroughly discouraged that the PM will not do the right thing and remove Ms. Raitt from her portfolio as she is ultimately responsible for her office - Ms Raitt needs to regroup and rethink her responsibilities. This is not an issue to go nuts about but is accountable. While we are lost in rhetoric the opposition gains lashes by diverting attention away from their lack of sound vision and policy.
Ms. Raitt's comment as the issue being 'sexy' - I interpret that comment as one of working for solutions - which in turn makes her look good ... not using an issue for gain.
I believe ALL our politicians are behaving badly - shouting - accusations -inuendos - lack of responsibility ! very sad !
Lie Lie and Lie some more -
said
Raitt never said Cancer is Sexy. You are typical of the lows that the oppositon parties will stoop to. get your facts right and don't lie.
John - a Progressive Conservative
said
For every 1 policy announcement there are 10 screw-ups, back-stabbings, incompetencies, ignorant comments and partisan activities.
Minister Raitt's only apparent interest in her portfolio is using a health care crisis to score "political points" and hoping to embarass a collegue who is one of the few other women who has managed to get into this very closed cabinet.
Harper's only focus is hurling childish insults at at Ignatieff because his narrow Conservative vision of a "real Canadian" is someone who never ventures more than 100 kms from their hometown for more than a few days and disdains intellectualism and the arts.
All this focus on low-brow, courtesan intrigue from Harper and so many of his cronies is a tiresome embarrassment.
Independently Minded
said
It just reinforces the perception that this government is full callous opportunists more interested in white-knuckling on to power rather than running the country...
As for Ms.MacDonnell the situation certainly looks like she was creating an insurance policy against future back stabbing. Turns out she was right all along. The fact that she was willing to dish more dirt on Raitt leads me to believe the minister was not the best person to work for and the Comm Director felt it was necessary to watch her back.
Either way, this speaks to a very dysfunctional ministry, internally. That explains how Chalk River could have gone down a second time in the same year...
The PM needs to accept this minster's resignation to save face.
Not a good situation within the Con caucus...
@Ray,
This is a newsworthy story because it delves into the motivations of a minister with an important portfolio during a time of medical crisis.
I'm sorry if your party is in the dumpster over this, but the "boss" has a right to know how one of its employees is behaving and what the quality of their work is.
The pitfalls of living in a free society. Dirty little secrets in government are bound to come out.
Subby in ON
said
Chief
said
Pete
said
Michael from Toronto
said
It looks like she purposely left those items and purposely neglected and purposely stalled on retrieving them. Why would a person in her position of responsibility not look for or at least retrieve these items immediately when informed of where they had been misplaced?
She was courting disaster when it could have corrected both situations. There's a lot more to this story than meets the eye.
Dave in Cold Lake
said
MRC in Ontario
said
Bob in Ottawa
said
Time for the BIG BOOT to come out
Jeanette
said
Mary out West
said
medical isotope business sabotaged by Harper
said
They are deliberately ruining this country so they can hand it over to the US boss class.
Beth
said
Ken in Ottawa
said
Jack
said
Harper, you must RESIGN.
said
Neo-cons, see why Canadians can't trust you? You think you're being picked on for no good reason but you refuse to face the fact that you are a bunch of manipulating power-hungry arrogant baffoons.
We'll make the point even more clear on election day.
Iggy, enough is enough...save us!
tinTO
said
Madeleine
said
Mary out West
said
The devil you know is sometimes a wiser choice than the devil you don't.
Vancouver Island Guy
said
If Raitt considers the Health Minister, Ms. Aglukkag, incompetent, perhaps the Prime Minister should review Ms. Aglukkag's appointment as well.
Then there is Minister John Baird who allegedly covered up Ms. Raitt's scandal when she was CEO at the Toronto Port Authority.
This scandal is huge and involves four ministers including the Prime Minister who fails to see the severity of this crisis in governance.
Bruce
said
She needs to go!
Trevor
said
Make dozens of dumb comments 'on the record' (for decades) including comparing our flag to a beer label and they want to make you PM.
Only in Canada.
Doug Rutherford, Whitehorse, YT
said
But, before we all throw stones... how would you like to have a communication director loses a recorder with 5 hours of potentially embarrassing conversation and secret documents, each in different media offices?
Matt R
said
People talk candidly in private, in terms and language that is not necessarily understood by those not privy to the context and mood under which the conversation took place.
ALL politicians look at *EVERY* situation and determine benefit / loss, pros and cons and react emotionally.
Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones . Every politician has dirt, and I hope those leading the crusade to crucify this woman, all get their opportunity to have their own private conversations and dirt revealed - with the media standing by ready with their Freudian-slip interpretations and all...
Think about it - Imagine hearing the private tape of Ignatieff and the boys chatting it up over beers after hearing about this. I'll bet the farm that there would be a few celebratory adjectives and nouns comments that wouldn't be allowed to be printed...
Paul in Brantford
said
Should be kicked out for not keeping her mouth shut.
Mike from the peg
said
Bert, Elmira
said
Funny how that works.
krackers in spirit
said
How do we allow emotional issues like this to distract us from the real issues, another fallen Canadian soldier, an economy slowly and steadily sinking, another gangstyle murder, more missing children and more drug arrests. As hurtful as this comment was, one must put it into the right context, if the will of the people is to be rid of the minister the PM must be quick and decisive and name a replacement; but before you jump on that bandwagon think with your head and not your heart and let the government rule and not have to play these political games that take our interests' away from the true matters at hand. Maybe a large donation to the cancer society from the personal finances of the minister could calm some of the offended.
Dunny from Manotick
said
A minister utters the word "sexy", certainly tasteless in this context but not corruption and CTV has let this comments section run to 105 so far, 106 if they dare publish this one.
CTV should be more neutral.
R/H Ontario
said
Bill in BC
said
Find something real to worry about.
Laura
said
As for the conspiracy theorists who believe that her aide is in bed with the Liberals, please explain how Ms Raitt was so incompetent as to hire an assistance connected to the opposition party.
How many more “oversights” is this woman going to be permitted?
Rob
said
kc in alberta
said
Harper is just as callous and probably instructed her to use the impending isoptope crisis in this oppotunistic way but if his support of her becomes too much of a politcal liability he will "stand behind her" alright...with a long knife perpared to take her down.
To save face for supporting her in the first place he will then claim to have been presented with new evidence that required he demand and accept her resignation so he can claim no "flip-flop".
It's no surprise to me given the absolute rock bottom feeders that are currently in the politcal arena that polls show Canadians are just not interested in giving ANY of them a position of majority power.
MARG MM
said
We all know how desperate the Liberals are to get into power, especially now that the economy is seen to be recovering.Is it that they are trying to get some of the attention of themselves, and with the help of the media are doing just that.
Funny how misteps by the Liberals are hushed up, but anything said by a Conservative is all over the news.
That's politics I guess.
By the way, my husband has cancer, but is not in any way offended by the remarks made,he is being treated sucessfully, as I'm sure many others are as well, and as we know, if everyone that made disparaging remarks about anyone else were fired, there would be no one left to run Government or anything else.
I think it is time for all parties to get back to the job at hand, and especially, the opposition should quit trying to grasp at straws, and come up with some ideas as to how to help, not hinder.
Gloria Connolly Barrie
said
Raymond
said
To all the indignant people posting here:
A former Liberal PM openly expressed his dislike for western Canadians while the cameras were rolling.
That's far more crass than anything Raitt has done.
Suck it up.
Doctor Doo Little
said
News paper or TV News are suppose to report "facts" and not to input their opinion or comments. Every word spoken through the media can and will affect minds and able to turn the tides. I would like to know what are their intention to report this in such fashion. I can't agreed with Chris in Kingston who asked this question:
"Does anyone else question where these tapes come from? I for one do not believe that these people are willingly being taped having private conversations, and then the tapes are left in a bathroom?"
George in Edmonton
said
This gang of "Conservative" ideologues have to go into history's darkest pages -- the longer they stay in power the more frequently we will witness these kinds of ridiculous situations.
We need serious people governing this country.
King Harper and his gang of court jesters are the wrong people for the job.
Mattman in Ottawa
said
Is there a single politician who the Canadian people can trust?
Not that Raitt in particular was a shining hope for anyone...
Transparency, accountability...they all talk the talk. Every party does. But who's walking the walk. Sad to say that I have no idea.
Election times seems to basically be matter of "Who's lied to me the least lately?"
embarrassed Natty
said
Actually,keeping her around is most Beneficial to the Opposition.
Describing a shortage of Life-saving Medication as "Sexy" while planning to Capitalise on Tragedies from said shortage,directly related to Her Portfolio goes beyond Callous to INDECENT.
This whole series of events confirm any semblance of "Caring" except for Self.
Roadrobber
said
Ryan
said
Gnosticopolis
said
Flinkus, Ontario
said
All points to "Time for a Change".
Ernest
said
We all at some time speak before we put our brain in gear but, this is not one of those occasions.
Minister Raitt took an oath of office,and she needs to respect canadians wishes and resign-she has demonstrated a clear problem with moral and ethical behaviour.
The decision to resign is her own, and not the Prime Minister, so take responsibility for your deplorable performance and simply hand in your resignation.
Roadrobber
said
B, Gartlan
said
Bob
said
Enough is enough.
Time for a new government. Back to the polls.
Yvonne
said
Nick in Gatineau
said
With full approval from her boss.
Simply firing the subordinate doesn't cut it. The Minister showed incompetence and total lack of respect for the office she holds.
As for Chalk River...
At least the liberals kept it open and kept providing these life-saving products to those who needed them while a Conservative Ontario government was closing most of its nuclear facilities down.
What is the Conservative plan exactly ? And how many other facilities in Ontario provide these isotopes ?
Pierre from Kelowna
said
Politically...it is. It is a charged political affair that can make or break a political career and is thus a "sexy" issue. She could have used "hot", "exciting", "charged", "important"...but she (poorly) chose sexy.
She NEVER said cancer was sexy, she said the issue at hand was sexy. Big difference.
I think that private conversations -- taped secretly and conveniently "left" in a washroom no less -- regarding an allusion to a political affair rather than the medical condition itself is creating a tempest in a teacup.
The Conservatives are engaging in a public smear campaign with their low brow ads against Iggy...but at the same time I have to suspect that Liberals are grasping for little inflammatory tidbits/sound bites and using them in their own smear campaign against the Cons.
This entire issue should be resolved with a "I'm sorry that was a stupid comment". Then we should move on with the important issues...like how to deal with the medical isotope shortage.
no story
said
That phrase alone is enough to see that the situation can and will be blown out of proportion.
Bob
said
I don't think I'll give it to the wannabe from foreign places academic. Lofty ideas, but no experience in administration. The reason I liked Martin so much is that he had hands on experience running a business, and I'm conservative. Why couldn't the Libs have picked a guy who actually lived here and thus has a vested interest in us? I guess the current party will get the X again. Sigh.
Steve in Manotick
said
Bring on the Election so the Government of Canada can get back to work
PJR
said
Glen
said
Who is running useless attack adds for no reason at all?
Peter in Edmonton
said
" In the midst of this isotope crisis"
What? There is no 'isotope crisis', lol. Liberals get more and more desperate every day.
Cheap Politics Expert
said
Given his own track record on things such as taping private meetings, personal attacks on opponents, immoral and dirty attack ads etc., I would have to say he should know what he is talking about.
zwinky
said
She said EXACTLY that she expects to gain politically from this crisis ("I will come out looking good when this is solved...").
Bob NS
said
Jim in Ontario
said
PleaseJustStop in Toronto
said
The moral of the story here and in most levels of governmant lately is that you are all morally bankrupt.
And we are tired of paying the bill.
Mark
said
However, when it comes to "competence" I think that the Liberals might like to take a long look in the Adscam/cancelled military helicopters (leaving our forces woefully underequipped when they sent them to Afghanistan) files.
Oh...and the Chalk river reactor is how old? It was falling apart under how many Liberal governments??
alibman
said
Allan
Montreal
honest abe
said
The reporter should never have listened to the tape. I would never trust the reporter if he worked in my newsroom.
Concerned Canadian
said
Only in Canada, you say?
Good.
MEME
said
Come out west my ontario friends....you can get a job here.
Ian
said
Ultimately Ms. Raitt must be held accountable for her forgetfullness not only for the files, but also for her loose lipped approach towards isotopes and cancer patients. As for Mr Baird and his F bomb. Perhaps he was frustrated with the folks in TO, but to go out and spew the F bomb is beyong an acceptable approach. Do other politicians do it. Yes they do, but two wrongs don't make a right. I smell an election coming with these series of events as no one will continue to accept them, whether you be Conservative, Liberal, NDP or whatever. We have a country to run and it looks like a three ring circus without the proverbial ring master.
Brett
said
Brynn
said
Tom in Toronto
said
Have you seen the Ignatief ads?
LOL LOL LOL
Nina D, London Ontario
said
I am stunned by the blatant hypocrisy the Harper government is displaying but unsurprised. After all, not too long ago I was forced to sit through their latest attack ad while waiting for the American Idol to resume from a commercial break. (It was pretty obvious they didn't have much to work with, if you ask me.)
What I really want to know is why I haven't heard much discussion about the relationship of this crisis to the muzzling of Linda Keen (Canada's nuclear watchdog).
That people still voted for Harper after his proven record of "cheap politics" still blows my mind - but I guess people still hear what they want to hear and ignore the rest.
Alison Thomas
said
Free Flow
said
This is simply politics, of the partisan kind. The more they can get in the press that is negative about the Conservatives, the better they think they look.
Oh yeah, the Liberals don't have attack ads, they have attack blogs.
You guys look like and always will be losers.
William from Saskatoon
said
Ken - Calgary
said
Harper, the king of the televised attack ad has the gaul to say that the opposition is playing 'cheap politics'??
The man who sent his caucus a 200 page manual on how to disrupt parliamentary committees is accusing the OPPOSITION of 'cheap politics'?
The man who prorogued Parliament to save his power when Canada was desperate for infrastructure funding somehow thinks that the OPPOSITION is playing 'cheap politics'??
Can we say 'extreme hypocrite'? This man does not deserve a job in Parliament at all, much less as the Prime Minister. His Cheap Politics
my take on this
said
Be very careful Canada, almost 40% of voters will continue to support Stephen Harper no matter what he says or does. If the vote on the left gets split again, the man who doesn't keep his word could become Prime Minister once again.
Reece
said
Cheap politics? To demand better of the people we put into power? This is the NORM that Harper expects of his ministers?
Gord from Milton
said
How many other things are floating around that the P.M's office is not aware of?
I would like to understand what happened to D'arcy Keene Ms Raitt,s office Manager and Campaign Manager in Halton.Mr.Keene was also put under the bus a few months ago fired by the Minister Why?
Red Deer - no longer a con!
said
Steph
said
Tamar Friedman
said
You have to wonder though on how ALL of these issues came up one after another. First they don't leave her alone in QP because of Chalk River (and rightly so), then the secret docs, and now this tape... I feel like someone paid Macdonnal to ruin her life and sabotage Raitt.
The only downside to Raitt resigning is the prospect of Harper replacing her with someone worse. But I'm willing to take that gamble. She needs to get out of here! It's bad enough that she can't validate any of her claims that she's fixing the medical isotope crisis.
tinTO
said
Brian
said
Rome is burning and these morons are arguing over who started the fire...Imagine the feminist and civil rights group howling if a male MP used the term "sexy" why are they not hollaring as well. The minute this Minister opens her mouth, you can tell she isn't qualified to run a peanut stand, other than she is well connected.
Hunter Mars
said
Now that's sexy .
of Halifax, ten years ago
said
"Don't you love farce?
My fault I fear.
I thought that you'd want what I want.
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don't bother, they're here."
Kevin in Waterloo
said
Since these 2 ministers must work together on the isotopes issue, and also their departments, this very public airing of Rait's opinion certainly will create friction. How would you like to be Leona Aglukkaq sitting at the cabinet table with Raitt tomorrow, after your competence has been called into question on the national stage? You'd be seeing red!
The more important damage control that Harper will have to do is within his own cabinet. He's got issues on his hands and he better get his team playing together for the good of all Canadians.
Duke Boags
said
This is called reality. Something your party seems to be out of touch with.
Dave in Cobourg
said
Harper promised transparency, accountability and honesty in government. Where is it?
Independently Minded
said
The integrity and competence of a PM selected minister IS something to worry about!
The fact that so far the PMO isn't even considering reprimanding the minister for loss of secret documents (the buck stops at the top folks) or an insensitive attitude toward a serious medical issue IS reason to worry.
Thank God I have no party affiliation and am able to view the situation objectively. I have no compulsion not make excuses for poorly behaving ministers or MPs.
I believe the "boss" (the Canadian people) are "entitled" to competent, compassionate, pragmatic government with our interests at heart, not what increases their chances in the next election.
If the Con government was doing the job they were hired to do, the polls would reflect it-no need to worry about it.
James in New Brunswick
said
For the sake of a few stupid phrases, caught on tape and used by a disgruntled ex-employee, the good work the party has done has now been flushed down the drain. It may not be envelopes of cash but it certainly is behaviour well below the standards they set for themselves. It would serve them right if they get turfed in the next election!
Bob
said
Paul in Vancouver
said
MikeP
said
Remember Bernier anyone?
Cancer and now forgot secret documents.
Harper, if you have any guts, clear out the stable.
Brian
said
Election day can't come fast enough. I suggest you brush up your resumé, because your days are numbered.
Rod
said
Louis Bloom, Vancouver, BC
said
JohnH.Fach, Fort Erie Ontario
said
If PM Harper does not fire her it is time to get rid of him.
I am not a Liberal, but I can stop voting for Harper (Harpo) and I suggest anybody feeling the same stop voting for him also! JHF
Molly
said
I also liked what she had to say, that they were doing more about these isotopes, than the liberals had in 13 years( thirteen) and 5 ( five) ministers.How dare they say nothing is being done, she corrected Iggy twice( and has been doing that all week)Layton , well he got all hot under the collar, but it would seem to me, the libs are weak, the NDP are weaker and that = no election. Next up Power play with Tom !
Tom More
said
It was a private but stupid remark, but she wasn't saying cancer was sexy, just that it was an issue that drew a lot of attention and passion. I am just sick of the partisan nature of Canadian politics, to the exclusion of the discussion of important issues. The media aid and abett this deterioration by giving too much attention to silly side issues like this.
Mark
said
Canada in most areas have heavily outdated CT scanners, MRI machines(Not nearly enough of them either) barely any PET scanners for diagnostic scans, Other tests with heavy wait times, such as nuclear for detecting cancer early and huge wait times for Emergency visits with 1 Dr. in an emerg ward with a hundred patients (seen in Oshawa), mo wonder they have an army of security guards for angry frustrated patients), Long wait times for Surgeries, Cancer Treatments etc.
Oshawa's MRI Machine is 14 years old (Oldest in Ontario) and the average wait time for an MRI is 4-5 months in Oshawa (This is barbaric) and while they are finally are getting a newer MRI Machine this summer Durham Region is in brutal need of at least 3 more MRI machines, new advanced CT scanners and some PET scanners and of course competent radiologists to read the scans.
In the USA while you pay for Medicine, you get top notch service, cutting edge diagnostic equipment, radiologists who are competent and can actually read scans same day and report them back to your Canadian doctors same day and you can get any scan/test within 24-48 hours. That Saves lives and treats patients with dignity and compassion!
As for the Isotope shortage nothing has been done since the crisis 18 months ago, so why expect any changes now, just excuses while people die.
If you need a Nuclear scan go to the USA and the incompetent Canadian Government should reimburse Gas, Time and of course the full cost of the Diagnostic test.
VGL
said
Bill in BC
said
Dani - Red Deer
said
Marc in Vancouver
said
Cheap are the attack ads on Ignatieff you've been running.
Soooooooooory!
Jojo, who doesn't want Libs cuz it'll cost more$$$
said
James
said
have a good day,
bye
Michael Sullivan
said
Mary
said
ChrisOttawa
said
D Lloyd
said
KC-Bby
said
crazy.
Sandi Adams
said
I agree with some of you folks in that the word "sexy" these days can mean just about anything. Generally something along the lines of a hot issue; challenging scenario, etc. HOWEVER the context in which she said the word gave the listener an unfortunate insight to the way this woman's mind works. I believe that she sees the isotope issue as an excellent opportunity to better her political career. That's really what she meant by "sexy". She found this issue "appealing" and "advanteguous" to her career. Should she be fired for being greedy? Should she be fired for being ambitious. No. For demonstrating extremely poor judgement? Yes. For allowing her subordinate to take the fall for the first fiasco? Absolutely. Because it runs to her character. And I don't see any evidence of that in this woman.
Jay for Ottawa
said
Problems of Canadians are just opportunities for
said
Eyes Wide Open
said
They are not attack ads just because they make YOU uncomfortable. They SHOULD make you uncomfortable.
Scott Stelmaschuk
said
Harper's been one of the cheapest politicians we've elected in a very long time, given that he's doing everything he can to smear the opposition and make them out to be 'bad Canadians'...A tactic which did originate in the USA.
Not that the opposition Liberals are much better at this point. The two main parties in this country are starting to do the same thing: saying anything that will keep them in power without actually doing anything of substance to remain in government.
I think if either party wants to be elected, decorum needs to be restored in Ottawa and we need to have a government and opposition that actual care about Canadians and not just care about getting elected.
MARG MM
said
Duchess
said
Supporters of all parties have their heads up theirs; why waste time on useless bashing when we have real problems to be solved?
David
said
Mark from Thunder Bay
said
Craig
said
MP job is to think of people first.
said
This woman made a remark shows that she is unfit to be MP. I understand that being MP is an excellent career if you are being good person however this show that she is all for herself. How can she be MP if she is full of herself and called this crisis "sexy"? She doesn't have heart for any Canadians.... She is MP... It is part of MP's job is to think of people before their career.
That's whole point.... She need to go.
Doc in Milton
said
Raitt needs to go.
Every single blog across Canada is not supporting the Halton M.P.'s comments.
You must listen to Canada's voice the people and the taxpayers of Canada.
Do the right thing for every Cancer patient across Canada.
This is not acceptable behavior for a member of the crown or a Mother of two.
Joe
said