What happened to Canadian tsunami aid?

CFP ^ | April 26, 2005 | Garth Pritchard

[MikeEdwards]

Given the lack of interest in a federal election over the revelations from Judge Gomery's inquiry, one wonders how Canadians will react when they learn that Ottawa is sitting on more than $400 million in tsunami relief.

The outpouring of compassion following the Dec. 26, 2004 disaster was unprecedented in Canadian history. This is a compassionate country, and Canadians gave from their pockets, piggy banks, and bank accounts. The Canadian media told them not to send blankets or food--send money. And they did.

On Jan. 3, Prime Minister Paul Martin committed his government to 'double up,' or match the $40 million collected up to that point. He also acknowledged that a reconnaissance team had recommended sending in the 200 soldier-strong Canadian military Disaster Assistance Relief Team, or DART.

I accompanied the Canadian DART to Kalumnai, Sri Lanka. The tragedy staggered us all. But when we witnessed the resilience and human spirit of the surviving Sri Lankans, we were absolutely committed to these beautiful and gentle people. The devastation was total. Parents lost children. Children lost parents. Three hundred metres of a city gone, 13,000 dead in Kalumnai's Ampara district alone.

The Canadians went to work immediately, producing drinking water, sending out their medical teams, doctors, nurses, medaids. They brought boats knowing that a huge bridge in their area had been knocked out.

But even before DART was deployed, its soldiers knew full well they were being set up by the bureaucrats in Ottawa to fail. The Minister of External Affairs claimed they were the "wrong people, the wrong place." Otta-wa's Canadian Press joined the attack immediately. "Paper tiger" said Terry Pedwell's story. "Antiquated" wrote Stephen Thorne. These are two senior CP reporters. . . . .

[pabianice]

Given the lack of interest in a federal election over the revelations from Judge Gomery's inquiry, one wonders how Canadians will react when they learn that Ottawa is sitting on more than $400 million in tsunami relief.

They need the money to fund the $1 billion+ Canadian Gun Registry Fiasco.

[randog]

Yet another reason why I don't give money to charities (I give other other items to charity, but never money).

[stubernx98]

No they need the money to pay for the cost of the Koyto Treaty, heh heh.

[Peter Libra]

They need the money to fund the $1 billion+ Canadian Gun Registry Fiasco

Worse than than comes the news that NDP leader Jack Layton (Ted Turner in disguise) has negotiated a deal. For, the left wing Right Hon member Jack can KEEP THE LIBERALS IN POWER. His party has enough seats, combined with the Liberals, to offset a vote of confidence.

Ah one might ask how so? Herewith: "Prime Minister Paul Martin is leaving the door open to some "rollback of corporate tax cuts in a bid to win New Democrats support....." courtesy Toronto Star's Ottawa bureau (Page A1 today)

. Layton eyes hungrily, the sum of $4.6 billion corporate tax cuts "aimed primarily at small and medium sized businesses".

Alas, Jack has never realised that " a poor man never gave anyone a job". Employers do.

[gridlock]

But this is Canada. They get a get-out-of-jail-free card for this sort of thing. Everybody expects them to be backward and provincial.

But if the United States were to fall one-half-of-one-percent behind in it's commitment, you would hear about it for a month of Sundays...

[fatnotlazy]

But if the United States were to fall one-half-of-one-percent behind in it's commitment, you would hear about it for a month of Sundays...

***

We already have. What did the U.S. pledge, something like 325 million or whatever...and there are those out there who say it's still not enough.

[Peter Libra]

a vote of confidence.

To self. Need more care.(than that) It is a vote on Non-confidence,that the opposition can use to topple a government.

Figures herewith. Courtesy Toronto Star. 131 Liberal Seats. 19 New Democratic Party seats. Others (Tory and Bloc Quebecois) combined 153 seats. 3 Independents. If, as the Toronto Star points out, the Independents sided with the Liberals, it would be a 153-153 tie in such a vote. The Speaker of the House, a Liberal could cast a deciding vote.

[Heartofsong83]

Speakers, regardless of party or beliefs, traditionally vote for the status quo. In this case, it would be to keep the current government in power.

However, Cadman and Kilgour are expected to vote to bring down the government, Parrish to keep it standing. That means 155-151.

[Peter Libra]

However, Cadman and Kilgour are expected to vote to bring down the government.....

Thanks for the information. As I read the august and reputable Toronto Star, they politely declined a forecast on the independent members preference. I had no idea until your post.

I digressed too much, as usual- and should have addressed the tsunami relief funds. Be interesting to "follow the (that) money". The irony of ironies would be if handsome Carolyn Parish, humiliated by her off guard anti- American statements, could hold the balance of power. Still, she knows Harpers leans toward the good old US of A. LOL

PS. Now on first page of FR. Two posts- re Liberal NDP get together.

[Levante]

"They need the money to fund the $1 billion+ Canadian Gun Registry Fiasco."

Either that or the stinking liberals in government will use it as bribe money for Quebec.