The resignation of the RCMP commissioner alone won't ensure accountability on matters of national security, Maher Arar said Friday Arar spoke publicly for the first time since Giuliano Zaccardelli resigned Wednesday, under pressure for the RCMP's handling of Arar's case. "It is only my hope that Justice [Dennis] O'Connor next week in his report will recommend an agency that can oversee the activities of all those departments that have to do with national security," Arar said from his home in Kamloops, B.C. "The public deserves to have the full truth," he added. "Accountability is about more than one person, or one agency, or one government department." Arar, a Canadian citizen who was born init is essential that the source of leaks to the media that smeared Arar's reputation be uncovered."These leaks had a devastating effect on my psychological, mental and financial well-being," Arar said. "We still do not know who these officials are and I am afraid that they will destroy other people's lives unless they are caught and held accountable."

 

The resignation of the RCMP commissioner alone won't ensure accountability on matters of national security, it clearly is not enough..

A Toronto Star series published in 2001 found 99 per cent of complaints against Ontario physicians were either dismissed or handled secretly, prompting patients' rights groups to repeatedly call for a crackdown.

Boost for patients' rights Dec. 12, 2006. 06:04 AM Patients concerned their doctor, dentist or other regulated health professional is dangerous or incompetent will get more protection under Ontario legislation being introduced today,.. and what about the federal government rightfully insuring the same national standard Canada wide for all Canadians, equally and fairly too..  

Bad things grow often  in the darkness and exposure, prosecution, sunlight are part of the best disinfectants.   "It's a good thing to have as transparent a process as possible ... in order to maintain people's confidence in the system," Last week, Ontario's auditor general said the government has taken too long to devise a new system, echoing concerns from opposition parties." The federal government is not any better too.

"Patients who want to be on the safe side would also be able to contact the relevant regulatory college to ask whether practitioners have faced any disciplinary action or are working under any restrictions in the way they practice,"The complaints process will be streamlined so that concerns can be resolved more quickly and regulatory bodies like the College of Physicians and Surgeons will have the power to order interim suspensions after investigations are completed.  As the law now stands, suspensions of the right to treat patients and other discipline can't be handed out until a hearing is held." And by the way include the bad cops now too in all of this..

For example over one week ago I even had phoned to rightfully complain about two separate dentists and their poor services and no one has called me back yet. This is too typical.

Public exposure and exemplary prosecution of all the real wrong doings by management and subordinates of all professionals too is  always still needed.  And Canadians rightfully no longer hesitate to demand accountability from all  organizations, the professional, charitable ones included, and from the civil and public servants too.

"Federal Tories' Achilles heel may be oil sands   ERIC REGULY  What might bring down the Conservative government? Income trusts probably won't do it. The NDP supports the trust clamp-down and the Liberals, in their ham-fisted way, tried to kill the market last year. Afghanistan? Unlikely, unless the body count soars. How about the oil sands? Now there's a file that could blow up in Stephen Harper's face and bring on an election. For the opposition parties, the beauty of the oil sands is that you can point to them. The visuals are appropriately disturbing. You can see the gaping holes in the earth, you can measure the water flows, or lack thereof, as the projects drain the Athabasca River. You can measure the soaring carbon dioxide output and the consumption of natural gas, the clean fossil fuel that is being used to produce a dirty fossil fuel. You can ask the question: All this to keep American SUVs on the road?

The NDP, emboldened by the oil sands "traffic jam" warnings of former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed, would love to see development slowed, even stopped, until a green-tinged energy program is put in place. They want to end the tax breaks to oil sands projects. Stéphane Dion, the new Liberal Leader, has said the tax breaks should go only to projects that significantly reduce their carbon dioxide output and water consumption. The Pembina Institute estimates the industry reaps $1.4-billion or more in federal tax goodies every year. You might think oil prices above $60 (U.S.) a barrel would be enough incentive to dig the goo out of the ground, but the oil industry thinks otherwise.

Stephen Harper's Tories apparently have no plan to rein in their beloved oil sands players (to their credit, they have yet to satisfy Imperial Oil's yearnings for freebies to build the Mackenzie gas pipeline). The oil industry itself knows the Tories are vulnerable on the oil sands front. Its lobby group, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), is already on the offensive. But even it underestimates the resolve of the NDP and the Liberals to force the oil sands to clean up its act. The nine provinces that didn't have the dumb luck to sit atop a sea of tar know what's good for Alberta is not necessarily good for the rest of Canada.

 

CAPP's campaign was more or less outlined in a presentation before the House of Commons natural resources committee a month before Mr. Dion flew to fame on his magic green carpet. It centres on extolling the virtues of burgeoning oil and gas investment (total "employment impact" of 500,000 in Canada!) while trying to shred the Pembina Institute's claim that the taxpayer is subsidizing reckless oil sands expansions.

The main development incentive is the ACCA -- the accelerated capital cost allowance -- which, since 1996, has applied to both surface and underground mining in the oil sands. It allows the individual oil sands projects, though not the parent company itself, to write off all of their capital costs before they start to pay income tax. If the project's revenue is $1-billion (Canadian) and the capital expenditures are the same amount, the ACCA deduction can be $1-billion.

CAPP argues that the ACCA is a tax deferral, not a subsidy. That may be true, but it is nonetheless generous. Conventional oil and gas projects qualify for a 25-per-cent ACCA. It also argues the accelerated allowance is available to renewable-energy investments, so why not the oil sands? The answer is that it's in Canada's best environmental interests to speed up the development of green energy. Speeding up development of the oil sands is not.

There is a solution to this potential standoff between the oil industry and the federal and Alberta governments, on one side, and the opposition's green warriors on the other, and that's an ambitious energy policy that rewards clean, or cleaner, projects, and punishes dirty ones.

The ACCA should die. The oil sands need no artificial incentives to expand. The oil sands are vast and unique. Oil prices are high and there's a guaranteed market in the form of the United States. If the ACCA did not exist, the projects would still have been built. Any savings from eliminating the tax deduction could help fund research to find ways to reduce the oil sands' voracious gas and water needs and carbon dioxide output.

Alberta could do its part by raising the province's absurdly low royalty rates (1 per cent on new projects) and devoting some of the extra income to renewable energy R&D funds, oil sands technology development, home insulation programs and the like.

The CAPP members are open to all these ideas. But instead of reacting to them, they should propose them with zeal. As they say, the best defence is a good offence. The outcome could be sweet. It would deprive the opposition of some anti-oil-sands ammunition, and give the ruling Tories room to manoeuvre. Even sweeter, it would do the environment a favour. ereguly@globeandmail.com " http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20061212.RREGULY12/TPStory/Business

"Hydro One's embattled chief executive officer, Tom Parkinson, abruptly resigned today following controversy over expenses that he charged to his secretary's corporate credit card. Hydro One chairwoman Rita Burak said in a statement that the board of directors accepted his resignation with "deep regret." Ms. Burak said Mr. Parkinson has the full confidence of the board, which recognizes the provincially-owned electricity utility's achievements under his "exemplary" leadership during the past four years. "However, in consultation with Tom and in light of the circumstances, we have decided, with deep regret, to accept Tom's resignation," she said. Mr. Parkinson's departure follows a damning report by Ontario's Auditor General, disclosing that an unnamed senior executive at Hydro One had billed $45,000 in travel and other business expenses to his secretary's credit card. The Globe and Mail revealed that the unnamed executive was Mr. Parkinson.    The auditor's findings rekindled the controversy over Mr. Parkinson's lavish compensation. He pocketed $1.6-million in salary and bonus last year, making him the province's highest-paid public employee and the sole member of the million-dollar-plus club."

 

All of these types of persons do still  have to be severely exemplarily punished until they all start to realize that abusing the tax payers money at any time is a major unacceptable crime.

 

"The Battle for Marriage Will Continue Vow Canadian Pro-Marriage Groups  OTTAWA, December 8, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Reacting to the vote in the House of Commons today on reopening the marriage debate, pro-marriage groups vowed to fight on to restore the traditional definition of marriage.  Canada's Conservative government's motion to re-open the debate on same-sex marriage was defeated in part due to its awkward wording forcing those who would choose to open the debate to affirm already existing homosexual 'marriages'.

The nation's major groups in favour of marriage were unanimous in their determination to restore the traditional definition of marriage.

"The Battle's not over, there will be an election in the soon and fortunately we live in a democratic country where people can make this an issue.  The goal is to elect men and women who share our values," Pat O'Brien, former Liberal Member of Parliament and spokesman for Vote Marriage Canada told LifeSiteNews.com.

Brian Rushfeldt, Executive Director of the Canada Family Action Coalition commented, "The marriage issue must be re-opened regardless of the vote. A study to expose the impact upon children and society of the Liberal redefinition of marriage and the attempt to normalize homosexual behavior has to be done, regardless of this vote."

"Canadians have been lulled into acceptance of same-sex marriage by interventionist courts, biased national media and unscrupulous politicians," said William Gairdner of Enshrine Marriage Canada, "helping them out of this situation is going to require concerted effort by Canadians of good will coast to coast to coast."

"The issue remains an important one, and one that will continue to emerge in many contexts," said Catholic Civil Rights League President Phil Horgan. "The League will continue to express its support for traditional marriage in our work with Parliament, courts and the media, and we will continue to help those who find themselves penalized for the peaceful expression views on marriage that were considered mainstream until only a decade ago, and that continue to be the norm in most of the Western world."

REAL Women Canada is suggesting a referendum on the matter.  "Since the Canadian public has been denied a voice on the issue of same-sex marriage, a very persuasive argument can be made for a referendum on the same-sex marriage issue, said REAL Women's Gwen Landolt.

Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition Canada said, "The battle for the right of the traditional family, like the battle for the rights of the unborn Canadian children will continue."

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/dec/06120804.html

The BQ are not the only groups who will continues their fights..

"Conservatives Implement $7 billion in Cuts, Liberals Reveal December 12, 2006 As Canadians prepare for the holiday season, the minority Conservative government is quietly implementing $7.4 billion in cuts to environmental initiatives, post-secondary education assistance, job-training programs and research and innovation programs, the Liberal Opposition  revealed.  “Through Access to Information, we've been able to confirm where part of $7.4 billion in additional cuts will be made,” said Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion. “And guess what? They are vital areas such as research and development, post-secondary education and the environment.    A government briefing book obtained by the Liberal Opposition through Access to Information revealed that the Harper government is continuing to slash programs and services vital to the growth and sustainability of the country.  Included in the cuts is $584.5 million from environmental programs at Natural Resources Canada. This includes $227 million slashed from the EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive, $129 million from Home Heating System Cost Relief program, $82.5 million from the EnerGuide for Low Income Households program, and $50 million from the Renewable Power Production Incentive (RPPI).   Mr. Dion said these cuts, along with Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day’s flippant comments on global warming, clearly demonstrate the Harper government’s lack of will to build a greener, more energy efficient Canada.  In a letter to his constituents in the riding of Okanagan-Coquihalla, Mr. Day openly mocked former Vice President Al Gore’s campaign against climate change. Many Environmental groups believe that Mr. Day’s comments are symptomatic of the Conservative government’s lax attitude about the severity of global warming. In addition to gutting environmental programs, the Conservatives’ cuts include $2.9 billion to grants and scholarships for post-secondary students, as well as improvements to student financial assistance. Another $3.5 billion is to be cut from things like workplace skills development programs, while $230 million is being taken from research internships and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.  “It has become clear that the Conservative policy is “If you’re poor, low-income, homeless or a child you do not matter,” said Liberal Human Resources and Skills Critic Geoff Regan.   The Conservatives’ policy of gutting programs and services that benefit our environment, strengthen our workforce and grow our economy are further proof that this government lacks any vision for the future of Canada’s innovation and competitiveness in a global economy.  Given that Canada recorded a $13-billion surplus this year and the Harper government has already slashed $1 billion in programs and services, this latest round of cuts speak volumes about the Conservatives’ true priorities.  The minority Conservative government’s mean-spirited cuts are just the latest example of their divisive, small-minded vision for Canada, the Liberal Opposition said   “The Conservatives didn’t tell the Canadian people because they were embarrassed to say they are the only government in the modern world to cut students, research and development and energy and climate change.   “Why is the Prime Minister willing to sell Canada short so we are a country of haves and have-nots?”  Said Mr. Ignatieff. “Seventy per cent of new jobs require some level of higher learning, but only 44 per cent of Canadians have this much schooling. This government slashed $2.9 billion to increase access to education, including Canada Graduate Scholarships and another $2 billion in science and research.  “This is not the way to build a country. This is not how you build a nation that competes globally. Why is education an investment this government is not prepared to make?”   The Conservatives’ cuts will impact the lives of average Canadians. Because of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s actions, more students will be unable to attend university next year, more families will be unable to help fight climate change by making their homes more energy efficient, and more Canadian workers won’t benefit from workplace skills development programs.  As Parliament breaks today for the holiday season, one thing is abundantly clear: the only minority the Conservatives care about is their own."

The most common complaint I do still hear in Canada about politicians is "are there any of them that are not crooked?"  of all political parties.. Most people think they are all crooked..  sounds like bad cops.. we seem to have continual evidences in Canada about  bad cops acts as well...

24 officers accused of boozing, beating Globe and Mail - 4 hours ago  TORONTO -- Two dozen Peel Regional Police officers were hit with Police Act charges yesterday, following a probe of complaints that officers roughed up two men who say they videotaped them holding a noisy drinking party behind a furniture store.

 Peel police: Not their finest hour  Toronto Star Drinking cops charged    CityNews  -  580 CFRA Radio  - Toronto Star   all 10 news articles 

 

Just recently we heard complaints about drunk  and abusive cops in Vancouver too.

 

Those hypocritical lying evangelical Christians Conservative cabinet ministers in Ottawa do boast of their accountability program and yet is clear to many they wrongfully do not practice it yet still..

"A  Canadian citizen Maher Arar ended up being tortured in a Syrian prison, wrongly accused of being an Islamic extremist linked to al-Qaida  happened because the RCMP fed false information about him to the U.S.  SAp what needs to be addressed is a culture within the RCMP which does not appear to hold anyone responsible -- save for former commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli who fell on his sword -- for this mess. Many who caused this disaster have been promoted. Tories like Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day seem reluctant to clean house. "

"We must also decide who leads the fight against terrorism, the RCMP or CSIS, which has had its own screw-ups, such as its botched investigation of the Air India bombing. Someone needs to be in charge. Right now, these two agencies often work against each other due to turf wars. "

Who is holding the RCMP officers now fully accountable for their poor works? who in reality?