More Apologies From Federal Liberals: Are Any of These MPs Thinking?

Another day, another apology from a Liberal MP.  This time from the Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr and his comments about bringing in authorities whether police or military with regards to pipeline protesters.  This coming days after (the fraudulent Canadian that is somehow still a MP) Maryam Monsef's apology to not only the opposition but her fellow Liberal colleagues that served on the electoral reform committee.  The quick response from (how is she a...) MP Maryam Monsef begs the question from many sources - did she actually read the report and it's findings? More smoke and mirrors from the Liberals on an obviously what will be actually failed promise.  See earlier post.

Back to MP Jim Carr, although his warning of bringing in the authorities was an aggressive statement, when you dig beyond what the media reports, it is even more inflammatory in nature. 

Typical media reports all pipelines the same - new pipelines, existing pipelines, pipelines in development, thinking of a pipeline, pipelines under a lake, over a lake, in sensitive areas, barren waste lands, native land or not - they are all reported the same. 

Much to the disbelief of many readers of Metro or 24, the pipelines approved by the Liberals are the replacement of one EXISTING pipeline and the EXPANSION of another EXISTING pipeline.  The routes, the access needed and a lot of the work has been done already.  This is not a scene out of Avatar where the big, bad machines of development are pressing through the thickly forested utopias destroying everything in sight. 

So, although there will always be differing views on topics so environmentally and economically charged, shame on the extremist protesters for spewing untruths and fiction so offside the media cannot help themselves to cover these outrageous claims, but also shame on Jim Carr too - playing the bad cop when in fact he only has a bark, no bite.

Oh! Justin on the TV now, apologizing at the AFN conference...

Canadian Football: Canada's Vanier Cup - the Most Underrated Game

Even older than the SuperBowl, the 52nd Vanier cup proved to be yet another close affair as represented by two of Canada's most prolific football programs - University of Calgary and Universite Laval.

Thanks to Canadians' apathy to our own cultural and sporting institutions, I managed to PVR the event on SportsNet (who covers the event in a commendable way every year) and watch Canada's university game the following weekend - with no spoilers. Hats off to Tim Micallef who is the only Anglophone sportscaster in Canada that makes an effort on the French-Canadian accent when pronouncing last names. 

Lacking the cache of US style marching bands, big time scholarships and million dollar coaches at the "college"level, the Vanier Cup has managed to demonstrate some incredible finishes and suspenseful games over the last seven years at least, with just our own home-grown boys.  It has survived as its own independent event and also tucked in with the Grey Cup weekend (the McMaster-Laval match in 2011 was an insane Vanier Cup final - the most memorable football game I have ever attended). 

Although, the interest ebbs and flows in various regions of the country (highest in the Prairies and La Belle Province), the outpouring of interest and importance is none better than the die-hard regional following in Quebec City where Canadian University Football (now referred to as U Sports) is "Big League", in a city devoid of all professional sports and the size of an NHL market. 

Maryam Monsef Is An Undeserving, Insulting, Fraudulent MP...and Canadian: Long Live "First Past the Post"!

This is a must see. http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/video-maryam-monsef-vs-everyone-in-question-period-as-she-attacks-mps-who-worked-on-electoral-reform

Liberals have vowed to kill the First Past the Post system (unilaterally - really?!).  Well, what's happened over the last nearly 10 years? Lost elections by the Liberals even trying such desperate, banana republic measures to form coalitions in toppling previous winning and democratically elected governments, and going so far as to proposing "changing the rules of the game" as an integral part of the party's 2015 election platform....in time for the next election! WHAAAAAAT?!?!?

Since then, the Liberals have won a (shocking and suprise) majority - and all of a sudden the foot is not on the gas pedal anymore.  The MP and "unofficial Canadian" Maryam Monsef (who must resign according to the Liberal's own interpretation of revoking citizenship based on lying or incorrect information on applications) even insulted an "all-party" committee on election reform during question period and its 400 page report that was "not good enough".

Maybe Canadians want to think really hard about this. The last election, the Liberals won 39.5% of the votes and 54% of the seats in the House of Commons.   If proportional representation or a method linked to the popular vote is actually pushed ahead by the Liberals, then Ontario's agenda will win every time. Canada - do you want this?

Long Live "First Past the Post!"

Liberal Advent Calendar

I saw a "Trudeau-scented candle" in an inept email that came my way recently,  Scented? Does it smell like b#llsh!t?  Afterward, I then started thinking what would have been a bigger seller. Immediately what came to mind - a "Justin Advent Calendar".  Every square that is opened up adds another C$1.0B to Canada's deficit levels.  Oh! And of course, the calendars would be paid for by taxpayers.  Merry Christmas.

The Justin and His Cuban, Chinese Cohorts

As posted earlier, the comparisons between "The Justin" and his Father, Pierre ("P.E.T.") are becoming more and more apparent.  Not only has The Justin played out like his Father before him acknowledging the death and honouring the life of a communist dictator, whom which he has met, 

The Justin also blatantly has held court with wealthy Chinese "businessmen" (they are called "billionaires" in the media).  Whether Chinese or Chinese-Canadian, lacking specific residency evidence, my hunch is that a good part of this group spends most of its time outside of Canada; yet has the ear of Canada's leadership and how policy and laws are conducted in this country....for Canadians.  

May I remind readers, and never are these connections made by our robotic and mundane news networks, the timing of when these cash-for-access meetings were held immediately preceded an announcement by a Chinese insurance company Anbang (as referred to by the Globe & Mail, "A massive Chinese insurance company with a murky ownership structure") purchasing a significant stake in a British Columbia senior care provider (“Retirement Concepts”), resulting in an important role in the delivery of health care in B.C.  In this country where health care is deemed to be sacred and any outside, non-governmental or foreign providers are vehemently frowned upon, I will write this again.  A Chinese insurance company has purchased a significant stake in a British Columbia senior care provider, resulting in an important role in the delivery of health care in B.C.

Due to the size of this +$1.0B investment, this is deemed to be a “foreign takeover” and as such is currently under scrutiny by the federal government’s Investment Review Division (all transactions greater than the $600-million threshold need to be considered in light of a “net benefit” test to Canada).  The decision will be up to Innovation Minister Navdeep “what does an Innovation Minister do?” Bains.  Minister Bains, who unlike other members of The Justin’s cabinet, is actually and officially Canadian…that’s right Maryam Monsef. 

Another connection the media at large have failed to outline, this Anbang purchase of Retirement Concepts comes at a time when British Columbia Premier Christy Clark is seeking both hard and soft trade-offs with regards to the recent Trans Mountain pipeline announcement by her fellow Liberal, The Justin. Hmmmmm…….

Plaza Premium versus Maple Leaf Lounge/Salon Feuille d’Erable : The Winner Is...

On a recent trip from Toronto to Vancouver, my girlfriend and I decided to compare the differences between the Plaza Premium Lounge and the Air Canada Maple Leaf/Salon Feuille d'erable lounge. With extra time on our hands thanks to the convenient Union Pearson Express that whisked us from downtown, we arrived with much time to spare to perform this. 

As an American Express Platinum card member, I have access for two to the Plaza Premium lounge, while my girlfriend with many millions more of Aeroplan points than I'll ever have gave us both entry to the Air Canada lounge. ‎Both lounges are only one floor apart in the same elevator bank just to the side of security checks.

First up, Premium Plaza...

‎Upon entry to the bright white reception area, we were greeted by Mei n English only (no friendly "AlloBonjour" ‎that really is specific to the Canadian travel industry‎) . Instead, due to the wafting aroma of garlic rice (which I later found out was the culprit) it felt more like a restaurant reservation, and for a brief moment was awaiting Mei to take us to "our table ". 

After this brief formality, we entered into the lounge. The decor was pleasing: simple, basic high-back, fabric chairs arranged simply and symmetrically‎ and the room less perplexing than the contemporary seating arrangement of the Air Canada lounge. After claiming a chair, I immediately seeked out the "buffet style " area.

En route, I passed the fridge which had a disappointing section of canned beers - Coor's Golden, Heineken and Molson Dry. None of them a premium or even a true domestic, Canadian beer. ‎However, the selection of cereals available (even in the late evening) was above anyone's expectations. 

While at the food station, my nose discovered the garlic rice while the beef concoction that went with it did not look very appetizing /do the rice any favours (nor did my nose care for it either). I decided to at least pick up a dollop of some quinoa salad, cream puffs and some sweet tasting crackers (???) for my efforts.

While back at my chair, seated among my fellow American express card holders community‎, I noticed the obligatory Van Houtte coffee machine which I'm sure had ample selections for those who drink coffee (if not, maybe one of the dozen cereals available may have paired better with it). I'm convinced Van Houtte must have a lock on these machines at the airport. 

Facing the less than ideal sized large screen televisions, I watched the please-all-International-travellers channel that is typically  chosen by airports around the world ....CNN. After finishing the quinoa salad then discovering the crackers were strangely sweet and tasty, I bit into the dainty cream puffs only to find out they were still frozen. 

Quickly calculating our ‎small disappointment with the Plaza premium lounge we headed out to the elevator  (with a curious look from Mei) to travel one floor up. 

Next Up...the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge.

We were greeted in a much wider and warmer reception area of espresso coloured walls, bright flooring and lighting,with a very welcoming ‎and genuine "AlloBonjour" from the friendly French Canadian lady behind the desk. 

Having been in the lounge before several times we knew to make the trek past the English magazine stand (with a smattering of French ‎publications) and the odd mining company executive, veering right to where the food and bar was located. After picking a metallic table complete with two chairs near the over-sized televisions, The familiar and mandatory two choices of soup were available as well as a selection of breads, crackers, hummus and salsa (culturally unoffensive choices and doused in an extra side of political correctness sauce for Canadian and foreign travellers).

After choosing a tomato soup, I surveyed the‎ other side of the central high top table to complete my comparison of food and beverage options. The wine and beer selections were an improvement with Guinness and Harp on tap (as well as the commoditized Coor's Light and Molson Canadian) along with Wolf Blaas and Ontario options for wine‎. The hard liquor (not for me before a flight) included Smirnoff, Cognac and Jameson's Irish Whiskey. 

After returning to our seats we finished our snacks and food while turning our gaze back to the large screen televisions spouting the usual CBC drivel and its stalwart Peter Mansbridge crapping on about new useless discoveries of milk. 

With 15 minutes to spare we headed out to gate D40 to board our west bound Air Canada flight. The challenge completed. Winner…Maple Leaf Lounge/Salon Feuille d’erable!

Trump Win, Canada's Timely Interest in Increased Immigration Levels

Interesting the timing of the Liberals' push for increased immigration levels.  With the Trump win and so many Americans threatening to make due on their promise to move to Canada, the Liberals will likely set the table for Canada's newest and largest immigrant group in recent times.  "How y'all doin'...eh?"