Source: http://scc.lexum.umontreal.ca/en/news_release/2009/09-12-21.2a/09-12-21.2a.html
SUPREME COURT OF CANADA ‑‑ JUDGMENTS TO BE RENDERED IN LEAVE APPLICATION AND MOTION FOR RE-HEARING
OTTAWA, 2009-12-21. THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT JUDGMENT IN THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO APPEAL WILL BE DELIVERED AT 9:45 A.M. EST ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2009. THIS LIST IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
FROM: SUPREME COURT OF CANADA (613) 995‑4330
COUR SUPRÊME DU CANADA ‑‑ PROCHAINS JUGEMENTS SUR DEMANDE D’AUTORISATION ET DEMANDE DE NOUVELLE AUDITION
OTTAWA, 2009-12-21. LA COUR SUPRÊME DU CANADA ANNONCE QUE JUGEMENT SERA RENDU DANS LA DEMANDE D’AUTORISATION D’APPEL SUIVANTE LE MARDI 22 DÉCEMBRE 2009, À 9 H 45 HNE. CETTE LISTE EST SUJETTE À MODIFICATIONS.
SOURCE: COUR SUPRÊME DU CANADA (613) 995‑4330
COMMENTS/COMMENTAIRES: comments@scc-csc.gc.ca
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Anette Sagen et al. v. Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (B.C.) (Civil) (By Leave) (33439)
OTTAWA, 2009-12-21. THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT JUDGMENT IN THE FOLLOWING MOTION FOR A RE-HEARING WILL BE DELIVERED AT 9:45 A.M. EST ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2009. THIS LIST IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
FROM: SUPREME COURT OF CANADA (613) 995‑4330
OTTAWA, 2009-12-21. LA COUR SUPRÊME DU CANADA ANNONCE QUE JUGEMENT SERA RENDU DANS LA DEMANDE DE NOUVELLE AUDITION SUIVANTE LE MARDI 22 DÉCEMBRE 2009, À 9 H 45 HNE. CETTE LISTE EST SUJETTE À MODIFICATIONS.
SOURCE: COUR SUPRÊME DU CANADA (613) 995‑4330
Nancy Rick also known as Nanc Rick v. Berend Brandsema also known as Ben Brandsema et al. (B.C.) (Civil) (By Leave) (32098)
33439 Anette Sagen, Jenna Mohr, Lindsey Van, Jessica Jerome, Ulrike Grassler, Monika Planinc, Karla Keck, Nathalie De Leeuw, Katherine Willis by her Litigation Guardian Jan Willis, Jade Edwards, Zoya Lynch by her Litigation Guardian Sarah Lynch, Charlotte Mitchell by her Litigation Guardian Miriam Mitchell and Meaghan Reid by her Litigation Guardian Nina Hooper‑Reid v. Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
(B.C.) (Civil) (By Leave)
Charter of Rights - Application -Right to equality - Discrimination based on sex - Olympic Games - 2010 Winter Games will include men’s ski jumping events but not women’s ski jumping events - Whether Canada should be hosting discriminatory Olympic Games - Whether an activity, undertaken pursuant to a government contract, that implements the discriminatory decision of a third party meets the “ascribed activity” test under s. 32 of the Charter - Whether, for the purpose of the equality guarantee under s. 15(1) of the Charter, is a benefit provided by an entity carrying out a government activity a “benefit of the law” only if the benefit is directly derived from the statutory authority and only if government controls its distribution?
The Applicants, women ski jumpers of various nationalities and at various stages of their careers, seek a declaration that the failure of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (“VANOC”) to include women’s ski jumping in the 2010 Winter Games violates their equality rights under s. 15(1) of the Charter. The Applicants are clearly being treated differently than their male counterparts.
In 2003, based on a bid submitted by three levels of government and some private bodies, Vancouver was selected to host the 2010 Winter Games. Shortly thereafter, VANOC was federally incorporated as a non‑profit corporation. VANOC and the City of Vancouver were signatories to the “Host City Contract” with the International Olympic Committee (“IOC”), a non‑governmental, not‑for‑profit corporation headquartered in Switzerland. It charged VANOC with staging the Games, but gives the IOC full discretion to set the Olympic Programme, selecting the sports, disciplines and events to be staged. For the 2010 Winter Games, the IOC heard requests to add women’s ski jumping and six other events to the Programme. The Olympic Programme Commission recommended that women’s ski jumping not be included in the Games because it lacked the universality and technical standard required of Olympic events. In late 2006, the IOC Executive Board accepted that recommendation. Women’s ski jumping is not on the Olympic Programme for the Games.
The trial judge found that VANOC was subject to the Charter in its planning, organizing, financing and staging of the 2010 Winter Games, but that the Charter did not apply to the IOC, which had implemented the decision to exclude women’s ski jumping from the Games. The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal, finding that the Charter did not apply to the selection of events.
July 10, 2009
Supreme Court of British Columbia
(Fenlon J.)
Neutral citation: 2009 BCSC 942
Application dismissed
November 13, 2009
Court of Appeal for British Columbia (Vancouver)
(Rowles, Frankel and Groberman JJ.A.)
Neutral citation: 2009 BCCA 522
Appeal dismissed December 1, 2009
Supreme Court of Canada
Application for leave to appeal, motion to expedite leave application and appeal filed
December 4, 2009
Supreme Court of Canada
(Cromwell J.)
Motion to expedite application for leave granted; motion for leave to expedite appeal deferred to leave panel
33439 Anette Sagen, Jenna Mohr, Lindsey Van, Jessica Jerome, Ulrike Grassler, Monika Planinc, Karla Keck, Nathalie De Leeuw, Katherine Willis par sa tutrice à l’instance Jan Willis, Jade Edwards, Zoya Lynch par sa tutrice à l’instance Sarah Lynch, Charlotte Mitchell par sa tutrice à l’instance Miriam Mitchell et Meaghan Reid par sa tutrice à l’instance Nina Hooper‑Reid c. Comité d’organisation des Jeux olympiques et paralympiques d’hiver de 2010 à Vancouver
(C.-B.) (Civile) (Sur autorisation)
Charte des droits - Demande - Droit à l’égalité - Discrimination fondée sur le sexe - Jeux olympiques - Les Jeux olympiques d’hiver de 2010 comprendront des épreuves de saut à ski masculin, mais non des épreuves de saut à ski féminin - Le Canada devrait-il être l’hôte de Jeux olympiques discriminatoires? - Une activité, entreprise en vertu d’un contrat gouvernemental, qui met en œuvre la décision discriminatoire d’un tiers répond-elle au critère de « l’activité attribuée » visée à l’art. 32 de la Charte? - Pour l’application de la garantie à l’égalité prévue au par. 15(1) de la Charte, le bénéfice fourni par une entité qui exerce une activité gouvernementale est-elle un « bénéfice de la loi » seulement dans les cas où le bénéfice découle directement du pouvoir conféré par la loi et où le gouvernement en contrôle la distribution?
Les demanderesses, des sauteuses à ski de diverses nationalités et rendues à diverses étapes de leurs carrières, sollicitent un jugement déclarant que la décision du Comité d’organisation des Jeux olympiques et paralympiques d’hiver de 2010 à Vancouver (« COVAN ») de ne pas inclure le saut à ski féminin dans le programme des Jeux d’hiver de 2010 viole les droits à l’égalité que leur garantit le par. 15(1) de la Charte. Les demanderesses sont calirement traitées de manière différente de leurs homologues masculins.
En 2003, sur la base de la candidature soumise par trois paliers de gouvernement et certains organismes privés, Vancouver a été choisie comme hôte des Jeux d’hiver de 2010. Peu de temps après, le COVAN a été constitué, sous le régime des lois fédérales, en personne morale sans but lucratif. Le COVAN et la Ville de Vancouver ont signé le « contrat ville hôte » avec le Comité international olympique (« CIO »), organisme non gouvernemental sans but lucratif ayant son siège social en Suisse. Aux termes du contrat, le COVAN est chargé de présenter les Jeux, mais le CIO a l’entière discrétion quant à l’établissement du Programme olympique, c’est-à-dire le choix des sports, des disciplines et des épreuves devant être présentés. Pour les Jeux d’hiver de 2010, le CIO a entendu des demandes sollicitant l’ajout du saut à ski féminin et de six autres épreuves au Programme. La Commission du programme olympique a recommandé que le saut à ski féminin ne soit pas inclus dans le programme des Jeux, parce qu’il ne possédait pas l’universalité et la norme technique requises à l’égard des épreuves olympiques. À la fin de 2006, la Commission exécutive du CIO a accepté cette recommandation. Le saut à ski féminin ne fait pas partie du Programme olympique pour les Jeux.
La juge de première instance a conclu que le COVAN était assujetti à la Charte pour ce qui est de la planification, de l’organisation, du financement et de la présentation des Jeux d’hiver de 2010, mais que la Charte ne s’appliquait pas au CIO, qui avait mis en œuvre la décision d’exclure le saut à ski féminin des Jeux. La Cour d’appel a rejeté l’appel, concluant que la Charte ne s’appliquait pas au choix des épreuves.
10 juillet 2009
Cour suprême de la Colombie-Britannique
(juge Fenlon)
Référence neutre : 2009 BCSC 942
Demande rejetée
13 novembre 2009
Cour d’appel de la Colombie-Britannique (Vancouver)
(juges Rowles, Frankel et Groberman)
Référence neutre : 2009 BCCA 522
Appel rejeté1er décembre 2009
Cour suprême du Canada
Demande d’autorisation d’appel, requête pour accélérer la demande d’autorisation d’appel déposées
4 décembre 2009
Cour suprême du Canada
(juge Cromwell)
Requête pour accélérer la demande d’autorisation d’appel accueillie; demande d’accélération de la procédure d’appel renvoyée à la formation qui se prononcera sur la demande d’autorisation
77
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Canadian Afghan detainee abuse scandal 2009.
Canadian Afghan detainee abuse scandal
In November-December 2009, as Minister of Defence, MacKay had to deal with the Canadian Afghan detainee abuse scandal, around allegations of torture of Afghan prisoners handed over to Afghan officials after being arrested by Canadian soldiers. Richard Colvin, a senior diplomat testified in November 2009 before the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan that he began warning the government about torture in Afghanistan in May, 2006. MacKay admitted that "there were deficiencies in the arrangement of how we transfer detainees". After almost a year, on May 3, 2007 a new transfer agreement between Canada and Afghanistan was signed, that allowed Canadian forces to monitor the treatment of detainees.
On December 5, 2009, MacKay said Canada was "trying to change the culture" in Afghanistan. When asked why it took more than a year to act on allegations of torture, MacKay said to the press that the government moved as fast as they could. "We acted almost immediately. In fact, upon taking government it became quite clear there were deficiencies in the arrangement of how we transfer detainees".[6]
On December 9, 2009, after the release of a letter signed by 23 ex-ambassadors that condemned Conservative attempts to discredit Colvin, the NDP demanded MacKay's resignation as Defence Minister, accusing him of misleading the House of Commons over what the government knew about the possible torture and what it did about the allegations [7]. Further online petitions have circulated demanding that MacKay resign as Minster of Defence. [8]
In November-December 2009, as Minister of Defence, MacKay had to deal with the Canadian Afghan detainee abuse scandal, around allegations of torture of Afghan prisoners handed over to Afghan officials after being arrested by Canadian soldiers. Richard Colvin, a senior diplomat testified in November 2009 before the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan that he began warning the government about torture in Afghanistan in May, 2006. MacKay admitted that "there were deficiencies in the arrangement of how we transfer detainees". After almost a year, on May 3, 2007 a new transfer agreement between Canada and Afghanistan was signed, that allowed Canadian forces to monitor the treatment of detainees.
On December 5, 2009, MacKay said Canada was "trying to change the culture" in Afghanistan. When asked why it took more than a year to act on allegations of torture, MacKay said to the press that the government moved as fast as they could. "We acted almost immediately. In fact, upon taking government it became quite clear there were deficiencies in the arrangement of how we transfer detainees".[6]
On December 9, 2009, after the release of a letter signed by 23 ex-ambassadors that condemned Conservative attempts to discredit Colvin, the NDP demanded MacKay's resignation as Defence Minister, accusing him of misleading the House of Commons over what the government knew about the possible torture and what it did about the allegations [7]. Further online petitions have circulated demanding that MacKay resign as Minster of Defence. [8]
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Now the other shoe drops Defence Minister Peter MacKay Canada has violated Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva,
Canada has violated
Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949.
Part II : General protection of prisoners of war
ARTICLE 13. -- HUMANE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS
[p.140] PARAGRAPH 1. -- PROHIBITION OF PHYSICAL MALTREATMENT1. ' First sentence. -- Humane treatment ' (1)The requirement that protected persons must at all times be humanely treated is the basic theme of the Geneva Conventions (2). The expression "humanely treated" is taken from the Hague Regulations and the two 1929 Geneva Conventions.The word "treated" must be understood here in its most general sense as applying to all aspects of life. With regard to the concept of humanity, the purpose of the Convention is none other than to define the correct way to behave towards a human being; each individual is desirous of the treatment corresponding to his status and can therefore judge how he should, in turn, treat his fellow human beings. The principal elements of humane treatment are subsequently listed in the Article.The requirement of humane treatment and the prohibition of certain acts inconsistent with it are general and absolute in character. They are valid at all times, and apply, for example, to cases where repressive measures are legitimately imposed on a protected person, since the dictates of humanity must be respected even if measures of security or repression are being applied. The obligation remains fully valid in relation to persons in prison or interned, whether in the territory of a Party to the conflict or in occupied territory. It is in such situations, when human values appear to be in greatest peril, that the provision assumes its full importance.2. ' Second sentence. -- Threats to the life or health of prisoners 'The first obligation is to protect the life and health of prisoners; this is a fundamental obligation which stems from the right of prisoners to be treated humanely. This is already included in the general concept of humane treatment which is stated at the beginning of the Article, but the authors of the Convention decided to denounce it specifically as a serious breach; the other "grave breaches" are listed in Article 130 .3. ' Third sentence. -- Mutilation and medical experiments 'The authors of the Convention wished expressly to prohibit mutilation and medical experiments which are a particularly reprehensible [p.141] form of attack on the human person. This prohibition is also included in Article 130 . The intention was to abolish for ever the criminal practices inflicted on thousands of persons during the Second World War.The Convention, of course, refers only to experiments not justified by the medical treatment of the prisoner concerned. It does not prevent doctors from using treatment for medical reasons with the sole object of improving the patient's condition. It must be permissible to use new medicaments and methods invented by science, provided that they are used only for therapeutic purposes. The prisoners must not in any circumstances be used as "guinea-pigs" for medical or scientific experiments.PARAGRAPH 2. -- OTHER PROHIBITIONSThe concept of humane treatment implies in the first place the absence of any kind of corporal punishment. But it does not only have this negative aspect. The present provision adds the notion of protection. To protect someone means to stand up for him, to give him assistance and support and also to defend or guard him from injury or danger. It is therefore a positive obligation for the Detaining Power at all times which follows from the obligation to treat prisoners humanely. The protection extends to moral values, such as the moral independence of the prisoner (protection against acts of intimidation) and his honour (protection against insults and public curiosity).PARAGRAPH 3. -- PROHIBITION OF REPRISALSArticle 2, paragraph 3 , of the Geneva Convention of 1929 already forbade measures of reprisal against prisoners of war; after the First World War, the International Committee of the Red Cross had considerable difficulty in obtaining sufficient support for the idea that reprisals on the person of prisoners of war should be prohibited. Many people considered that in the event of one of the Parties committing illicit acts in regard to prisoners in its hands, reprisals or the threat of reprisals on prisoners in the hands of the other Party constituted the most effective, if not the only means of ensuring a return [p.142] to normal conditions (3). But this argument did not prevail over the view that it was inhuman that a defenceless man should be held responsible for acts which he had not himself committed. It must, moreover, be pointed out that quite apart from the fact that the safeguards afforded to prisoners would be endangered by the launching of systematic reprisals, the feelings which lie behind such practices are absolutely contrary tothe spirit of the Geneva Conventions. It was not always easy to obtain respect for the corresponding provision of the 1929 Convention, and the efforts made by the International Committee of the Red Cross in this field during the Second World War demonstrate the great importance of this rule (4). It forms part of the general obligation to treat prisoners humanely both by virtue of its practical importance and because of its very great moral significance.Moreover, it need hardly be pointed out that reprisals rarely solve the initial problem. They do not lead to a re-establishment of lawful practices but involve those who apply them in a vicious circle of reprisals and counter-reprisals which brings a gradual deterioration of the law and standard of values which one wishes to protect. And even if they bring a solution for a short time, the danger is that they may engender fresh hatred which would be a factor conducive to fresh conflicts.* (1) [(1) p.140] See Jean S. PICTET, ' Red Cross Principles, 'pp. 14-31;(2) [(2) p.140] See First and Second Conventions, Article 12;Fourth Convention, Article 27;(3) [(1) p.142] The Hague Agreement concluded between theBritish and German Governments on July 2, 1917, containeda provision in Chapter IX stating that measures ofreprisal should be taken only after at least four weeks'notice of this intention had been given. The Agreementalso provided for an endeavour to remove the motives forreprisals by means of direct discussion (See ' Bulletininternational des Sociétés de la Croix-Rouge, ' 1917, p.445);(4) [(2) p.142] See ' Report of the International Committee ofthe Red Cross on its activities during the Second WorldWar, ' Vol. I, pp. 365-372;
Canada's troops investigated for Afghan abuse
Last Updated: Friday, December 18, 2009 9:09 PM ET Comments234Recommend70
CBC News
Richard Colvin, a former senior diplomat with Canada's mission in Afghanistan, testifying before a parliamentary committee on Nov. 18. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
Canada's military police have been quietly investigating allegations for more than a year that the country's troops abused Afghan detainees, CBC News has learned.
Canadian soldiers captured the detainees sometime in 2008 and the investigation into their conduct has been ongoing for at least a year.
It was uncovered in documents obtained by CBC News. The documents were written for Defence Minister Peter MacKay in March to prepare him for question period.
The documents reveal that in 2008, military police launched six separate investigations into allegations of abuse involving Canadian troops.
"The military police determined that the allegations were unfounded in five of the six cases, and the remaining investigation is ongoing," said Major Paule Poulin, a spokesperson for the Canadian Forces Provost Marshall.
For more than a month Parliament has been seized with questions about the treatment of detainees in Afghan hands.
It started when Richard Colvin, a former senior diplomat with Canada's mission in Afghanistan, claimed that all detainees transferred by Canadians to Afghan prisons were likely tortured by Afghan officials.
"According to our information, the likelihood is that all the Afghans we handed over were tortured," Colvin told a parliamentary committee on Nov. 18.
The government's response to opposition questions about Colvin's testimony was to accuse opponents of smearing the good name of Canadian troops.
"The member is suggesting by implication that the military did something wrong, that somehow they did not do the right thing. That is what is so despicable," MacKay said on Dec. 10.
However, MacKay apparently never told the House there were allegations against Canadian troops, at least one of which is still being investigated.
That is in addition to the ongoing court martial of a Canadian captain charged earlier this year with murdering a wounded Afghan fighter in his custody.
Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949.
Part II : General protection of prisoners of war
ARTICLE 13. -- HUMANE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS
[p.140] PARAGRAPH 1. -- PROHIBITION OF PHYSICAL MALTREATMENT1. ' First sentence. -- Humane treatment ' (1)The requirement that protected persons must at all times be humanely treated is the basic theme of the Geneva Conventions (2). The expression "humanely treated" is taken from the Hague Regulations and the two 1929 Geneva Conventions.The word "treated" must be understood here in its most general sense as applying to all aspects of life. With regard to the concept of humanity, the purpose of the Convention is none other than to define the correct way to behave towards a human being; each individual is desirous of the treatment corresponding to his status and can therefore judge how he should, in turn, treat his fellow human beings. The principal elements of humane treatment are subsequently listed in the Article.The requirement of humane treatment and the prohibition of certain acts inconsistent with it are general and absolute in character. They are valid at all times, and apply, for example, to cases where repressive measures are legitimately imposed on a protected person, since the dictates of humanity must be respected even if measures of security or repression are being applied. The obligation remains fully valid in relation to persons in prison or interned, whether in the territory of a Party to the conflict or in occupied territory. It is in such situations, when human values appear to be in greatest peril, that the provision assumes its full importance.2. ' Second sentence. -- Threats to the life or health of prisoners 'The first obligation is to protect the life and health of prisoners; this is a fundamental obligation which stems from the right of prisoners to be treated humanely. This is already included in the general concept of humane treatment which is stated at the beginning of the Article, but the authors of the Convention decided to denounce it specifically as a serious breach; the other "grave breaches" are listed in Article 130 .3. ' Third sentence. -- Mutilation and medical experiments 'The authors of the Convention wished expressly to prohibit mutilation and medical experiments which are a particularly reprehensible [p.141] form of attack on the human person. This prohibition is also included in Article 130 . The intention was to abolish for ever the criminal practices inflicted on thousands of persons during the Second World War.The Convention, of course, refers only to experiments not justified by the medical treatment of the prisoner concerned. It does not prevent doctors from using treatment for medical reasons with the sole object of improving the patient's condition. It must be permissible to use new medicaments and methods invented by science, provided that they are used only for therapeutic purposes. The prisoners must not in any circumstances be used as "guinea-pigs" for medical or scientific experiments.PARAGRAPH 2. -- OTHER PROHIBITIONSThe concept of humane treatment implies in the first place the absence of any kind of corporal punishment. But it does not only have this negative aspect. The present provision adds the notion of protection. To protect someone means to stand up for him, to give him assistance and support and also to defend or guard him from injury or danger. It is therefore a positive obligation for the Detaining Power at all times which follows from the obligation to treat prisoners humanely. The protection extends to moral values, such as the moral independence of the prisoner (protection against acts of intimidation) and his honour (protection against insults and public curiosity).PARAGRAPH 3. -- PROHIBITION OF REPRISALSArticle 2, paragraph 3 , of the Geneva Convention of 1929 already forbade measures of reprisal against prisoners of war; after the First World War, the International Committee of the Red Cross had considerable difficulty in obtaining sufficient support for the idea that reprisals on the person of prisoners of war should be prohibited. Many people considered that in the event of one of the Parties committing illicit acts in regard to prisoners in its hands, reprisals or the threat of reprisals on prisoners in the hands of the other Party constituted the most effective, if not the only means of ensuring a return [p.142] to normal conditions (3). But this argument did not prevail over the view that it was inhuman that a defenceless man should be held responsible for acts which he had not himself committed. It must, moreover, be pointed out that quite apart from the fact that the safeguards afforded to prisoners would be endangered by the launching of systematic reprisals, the feelings which lie behind such practices are absolutely contrary tothe spirit of the Geneva Conventions. It was not always easy to obtain respect for the corresponding provision of the 1929 Convention, and the efforts made by the International Committee of the Red Cross in this field during the Second World War demonstrate the great importance of this rule (4). It forms part of the general obligation to treat prisoners humanely both by virtue of its practical importance and because of its very great moral significance.Moreover, it need hardly be pointed out that reprisals rarely solve the initial problem. They do not lead to a re-establishment of lawful practices but involve those who apply them in a vicious circle of reprisals and counter-reprisals which brings a gradual deterioration of the law and standard of values which one wishes to protect. And even if they bring a solution for a short time, the danger is that they may engender fresh hatred which would be a factor conducive to fresh conflicts.* (1) [(1) p.140] See Jean S. PICTET, ' Red Cross Principles, 'pp. 14-31;(2) [(2) p.140] See First and Second Conventions, Article 12;Fourth Convention, Article 27;(3) [(1) p.142] The Hague Agreement concluded between theBritish and German Governments on July 2, 1917, containeda provision in Chapter IX stating that measures ofreprisal should be taken only after at least four weeks'notice of this intention had been given. The Agreementalso provided for an endeavour to remove the motives forreprisals by means of direct discussion (See ' Bulletininternational des Sociétés de la Croix-Rouge, ' 1917, p.445);(4) [(2) p.142] See ' Report of the International Committee ofthe Red Cross on its activities during the Second WorldWar, ' Vol. I, pp. 365-372;
Canada's troops investigated for Afghan abuse
Last Updated: Friday, December 18, 2009 9:09 PM ET Comments234Recommend70
CBC News
Richard Colvin, a former senior diplomat with Canada's mission in Afghanistan, testifying before a parliamentary committee on Nov. 18. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
Canada's military police have been quietly investigating allegations for more than a year that the country's troops abused Afghan detainees, CBC News has learned.
Canadian soldiers captured the detainees sometime in 2008 and the investigation into their conduct has been ongoing for at least a year.
It was uncovered in documents obtained by CBC News. The documents were written for Defence Minister Peter MacKay in March to prepare him for question period.
The documents reveal that in 2008, military police launched six separate investigations into allegations of abuse involving Canadian troops.
"The military police determined that the allegations were unfounded in five of the six cases, and the remaining investigation is ongoing," said Major Paule Poulin, a spokesperson for the Canadian Forces Provost Marshall.
For more than a month Parliament has been seized with questions about the treatment of detainees in Afghan hands.
It started when Richard Colvin, a former senior diplomat with Canada's mission in Afghanistan, claimed that all detainees transferred by Canadians to Afghan prisons were likely tortured by Afghan officials.
"According to our information, the likelihood is that all the Afghans we handed over were tortured," Colvin told a parliamentary committee on Nov. 18.
The government's response to opposition questions about Colvin's testimony was to accuse opponents of smearing the good name of Canadian troops.
"The member is suggesting by implication that the military did something wrong, that somehow they did not do the right thing. That is what is so despicable," MacKay said on Dec. 10.
However, MacKay apparently never told the House there were allegations against Canadian troops, at least one of which is still being investigated.
That is in addition to the ongoing court martial of a Canadian captain charged earlier this year with murdering a wounded Afghan fighter in his custody.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
787 Technical concerns.
Composite fuselage
Disassembled fuselage section of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The 787's all-composite fuselage makes it the first composite airliner in production. While the Boeing 777 contains 50% aluminum and 12% composites, the new airplane uses 50% composite (mostly carbon fiber reinforced plastic), 15% aluminum, and other materials. The 787 fuselage is made up of composite barrel sections joined end to end. Each fuselage barrel will be manufactured in one piece. This will eliminate the need for some 50,000 fasteners used in conventional airplane assembly.[103] It was suggested by many, such as former Boeing senior engineer Vince Weldon, that the risks of having a composite fuselage have not been fully assessed and should not be attempted.[109][110] It was also added that carbon fiber, unlike metal, does not visibly show cracks and fatigue.[111] Boeing has dismissed such notions, insisting that composites have been used on wings and other passenger aircraft parts for many years and they have not been an issue. They have also stated that special defect detection procedures will be put in place to detect any potential hidden damage.[112]
Concerns have been raised about the porous properties of composite materials, allowing them to absorb unwanted moisture. As the aircraft reaches altitude, the moisture expands, and may cause delamination of the composite materials, and structural weakness over time.[113]
Another concern arises from the risk of lightning strikes.[114] The 787 fuselage's composite could have as much as 1,000 times the electrical resistance of aluminum, increasing the risk of damage during a lightning strike.[115] Boeing has stated that the 787's lightning protection will meet FAA requirements.[109] FAA management is planning to relax some lightning strike requirements, which will help the 787.[116]
In 2006, Boeing launched the 787 GoldCare program.[117] This is an optional, comprehensive life-cycle management service whereby aircraft in the program are routinely monitored and repaired as needed. This is the first program of its kind from Boeing: Post-sale protection programs are not new, but have usually been offered by third party service centers. Boeing is also designing and testing composite hardware so inspections are mainly visual. This will reduce the need for ultrasonic and other non-visual inspection methods, saving time and money.[118]
According to Boeing Vice President Jeff Hawk, who heads the effort to certify the 787 for airline service, a crash test involving a vertical drop of a partial fuselage section from about 15 feet onto a one inch-thick steel plate occurred on August 23, 2007, in Mesa, Arizona.[119][120] Boeing spokesperson Lori Gunter stated on September 6, 2007, that results matched what Boeing's engineers had predicted. As a result the company can model various crash scenarios using computational analysis rather than performing more tests on actual pieces of the plane.[121][122] However, it has also been suggested by a fired Boeing engineer that in the event of a crash landing, survivable in a metal plane, the composite fuselage could shatter and burn with toxic fumes.[109]
Weight issues
Boeing had been working to trim excess weight since assembly of the first airframe began in 2006. This is typical for new aircraft during their development phase. The first six 787s, which are to be used as part of the flight test program, will be overweight according to Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Scott Carson.[123] The first 787 is expected to be 5,000 lb (2,270 kg) overweight. The seventh and subsequent aircraft will be the first optimized 787s and are expected to meet all goals.[124] Boeing has redesigned some parts and made more use of titanium.[36] According to ILFC's Steven Udvar-Hazy, the 787-9's operating empty weight is around 14,000 lb (6,350 kg) overweight, which also could be a problem for the proposed 787-10.[125]
In early 2009 a number of 787 customers started to publicly mention their dissatisfaction with the reduced specifications on the 787, specifically weight and range issues. Industry insiders have stated Boeing has reduced its range estimates for the 787-8 from 14,800–15,700 km to 14,150–15,170 km, a reduction of over 500 km. There have also been reports that this led Delta to delay deliveries of 787s it inherited from Northwest in order to take later planes which may be closer to the original estimates. Other airlines are suspected to have been given discounts to take the earlier models.[126] Shanghai Airlines stated in March 2009 it wished to either delay or cancel its first order. Boeing expects to have the weight issues addressed by the 21st production model.[127]
In May 2009, a press report indicated that a 10–15% range reduction for early 787-8 aircraft is anticipated due to these planes being about 8% overweight. This means a range of about 6,900 nmi (12,800 km) instead the originally promised 7,700 to 8,200 nmi (14,800–15,700 km). Substantial redesign work is expected to correct this, which will complicate increases in production rates.[128] Boeing confirmed on May 7 that early 787s would be heavy and is working on weight reductions. The company stated the early 787-8s will have a range of almost 8,000 nmi (14,800 km).[129]
Computer network vulnerability
787 flight deck
In January 2008, previous Federal Aviation Administration concerns came to light regarding protection of the 787's networks from possible intentional or unintentional passenger access.[130][131] The computer network in the passenger compartment, designed to give passengers in-flight internet access, is connected to the airplane's control, navigation and communication systems.[130]
Boeing called the report "misleading", saying that various hardware and software solutions are employed to protect the airplane systems including air gaps for the physical separation of the networks, and firewalls for their software separation. Measures are provided so data cannot be transferred from the passenger internet system to the maintenance or navigation systems. As part of certification Boeing plans to demonstrate to the FAA that these provisions are acceptable.[130]
Engine interchangeability
The two different engine models compatible with the 787 will use a standard electrical interface to allow an aircraft to be fitted with either Rolls-Royce or General Electric engines. This will save time and cost when changing engine types.[132] However, ILFC's Vice President of Marketing, Marty Olson, stated that swapping different engines could take up to 15 days, and therefore would cost too much. "You'd have to take all the pylon, everything from the wing down, off," Olson said. Other aircraft can have engines changed to those of a different manufacturer, but the high cost makes it rare. Boeing said that the design is unfinished, and 24 hours is still the goal.[133]
Disassembled fuselage section of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The 787's all-composite fuselage makes it the first composite airliner in production. While the Boeing 777 contains 50% aluminum and 12% composites, the new airplane uses 50% composite (mostly carbon fiber reinforced plastic), 15% aluminum, and other materials. The 787 fuselage is made up of composite barrel sections joined end to end. Each fuselage barrel will be manufactured in one piece. This will eliminate the need for some 50,000 fasteners used in conventional airplane assembly.[103] It was suggested by many, such as former Boeing senior engineer Vince Weldon, that the risks of having a composite fuselage have not been fully assessed and should not be attempted.[109][110] It was also added that carbon fiber, unlike metal, does not visibly show cracks and fatigue.[111] Boeing has dismissed such notions, insisting that composites have been used on wings and other passenger aircraft parts for many years and they have not been an issue. They have also stated that special defect detection procedures will be put in place to detect any potential hidden damage.[112]
Concerns have been raised about the porous properties of composite materials, allowing them to absorb unwanted moisture. As the aircraft reaches altitude, the moisture expands, and may cause delamination of the composite materials, and structural weakness over time.[113]
Another concern arises from the risk of lightning strikes.[114] The 787 fuselage's composite could have as much as 1,000 times the electrical resistance of aluminum, increasing the risk of damage during a lightning strike.[115] Boeing has stated that the 787's lightning protection will meet FAA requirements.[109] FAA management is planning to relax some lightning strike requirements, which will help the 787.[116]
In 2006, Boeing launched the 787 GoldCare program.[117] This is an optional, comprehensive life-cycle management service whereby aircraft in the program are routinely monitored and repaired as needed. This is the first program of its kind from Boeing: Post-sale protection programs are not new, but have usually been offered by third party service centers. Boeing is also designing and testing composite hardware so inspections are mainly visual. This will reduce the need for ultrasonic and other non-visual inspection methods, saving time and money.[118]
According to Boeing Vice President Jeff Hawk, who heads the effort to certify the 787 for airline service, a crash test involving a vertical drop of a partial fuselage section from about 15 feet onto a one inch-thick steel plate occurred on August 23, 2007, in Mesa, Arizona.[119][120] Boeing spokesperson Lori Gunter stated on September 6, 2007, that results matched what Boeing's engineers had predicted. As a result the company can model various crash scenarios using computational analysis rather than performing more tests on actual pieces of the plane.[121][122] However, it has also been suggested by a fired Boeing engineer that in the event of a crash landing, survivable in a metal plane, the composite fuselage could shatter and burn with toxic fumes.[109]
Weight issues
Boeing had been working to trim excess weight since assembly of the first airframe began in 2006. This is typical for new aircraft during their development phase. The first six 787s, which are to be used as part of the flight test program, will be overweight according to Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Scott Carson.[123] The first 787 is expected to be 5,000 lb (2,270 kg) overweight. The seventh and subsequent aircraft will be the first optimized 787s and are expected to meet all goals.[124] Boeing has redesigned some parts and made more use of titanium.[36] According to ILFC's Steven Udvar-Hazy, the 787-9's operating empty weight is around 14,000 lb (6,350 kg) overweight, which also could be a problem for the proposed 787-10.[125]
In early 2009 a number of 787 customers started to publicly mention their dissatisfaction with the reduced specifications on the 787, specifically weight and range issues. Industry insiders have stated Boeing has reduced its range estimates for the 787-8 from 14,800–15,700 km to 14,150–15,170 km, a reduction of over 500 km. There have also been reports that this led Delta to delay deliveries of 787s it inherited from Northwest in order to take later planes which may be closer to the original estimates. Other airlines are suspected to have been given discounts to take the earlier models.[126] Shanghai Airlines stated in March 2009 it wished to either delay or cancel its first order. Boeing expects to have the weight issues addressed by the 21st production model.[127]
In May 2009, a press report indicated that a 10–15% range reduction for early 787-8 aircraft is anticipated due to these planes being about 8% overweight. This means a range of about 6,900 nmi (12,800 km) instead the originally promised 7,700 to 8,200 nmi (14,800–15,700 km). Substantial redesign work is expected to correct this, which will complicate increases in production rates.[128] Boeing confirmed on May 7 that early 787s would be heavy and is working on weight reductions. The company stated the early 787-8s will have a range of almost 8,000 nmi (14,800 km).[129]
Computer network vulnerability
787 flight deck
In January 2008, previous Federal Aviation Administration concerns came to light regarding protection of the 787's networks from possible intentional or unintentional passenger access.[130][131] The computer network in the passenger compartment, designed to give passengers in-flight internet access, is connected to the airplane's control, navigation and communication systems.[130]
Boeing called the report "misleading", saying that various hardware and software solutions are employed to protect the airplane systems including air gaps for the physical separation of the networks, and firewalls for their software separation. Measures are provided so data cannot be transferred from the passenger internet system to the maintenance or navigation systems. As part of certification Boeing plans to demonstrate to the FAA that these provisions are acceptable.[130]
Engine interchangeability
The two different engine models compatible with the 787 will use a standard electrical interface to allow an aircraft to be fitted with either Rolls-Royce or General Electric engines. This will save time and cost when changing engine types.[132] However, ILFC's Vice President of Marketing, Marty Olson, stated that swapping different engines could take up to 15 days, and therefore would cost too much. "You'd have to take all the pylon, everything from the wing down, off," Olson said. Other aircraft can have engines changed to those of a different manufacturer, but the high cost makes it rare. Boeing said that the design is unfinished, and 24 hours is still the goal.[133]
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Opposition poll oroande "borgerliga koalitionsregering i Sverige.
oroande": Reinfeldt Publicerad: 14 December 09 14:39 CETOnline: http://www.thelocal.se/23838/20091214/ Ordbok verktyg Dubbelklicka på ett ord för att få en översättning Svenska statsminister Fredrik Reinfeldt har erkänt att han är oroad av enkät resultat som visar att oppositionen i ett försprång över de borgerliga koalitionsregering. (27 november 09) "Det är mycket oroande. Mona Sahlin blir statsminister hur det ser ut nu, utan att hon låter någon vet var hon vill ta Sverige och utan [oppositionspartierna] har utarbetat någon gemensam politik sade Reinfeldt, talar vid sidan av en talande engagemang på måndagen vid Stockholms universitet. "Jag ska göra allt jag kan för att undvika att kasta Sverige in i kallt vatten, tillade han, innan förutspår att nästa års val kan kristallisera till en folkomröstning om den motsatta blocken respektive sysselsättningspolitik. En Sifo-undersökning som presenterades på söndagen lade trepartssamtal röd-gröna oppositionen i en elva punkt leda över regeringen. Enligt undersökningen, socialdemokraterna, miljöpartiet och vänsterpartiet få ett samlat stöd på 52,2 procent av väljarna, jämfört med bara 40,8 procent för den borgerliga alliansen. En SCB undersökning som publicerades förra veckan visade också på att Mona Sahlin och hennes allierade skulle få tillräckligt stöd för att bilda en regering var ett val som skall hållas i dag. Socialdemokratiska ledare Mona Sahlin sade att hon inte ville ställa alltför mycket aktier i opinionsundersökningar släppt nio månader före valet, men hon uttryckte glädje att den rödgröna alliansen började ta fart. "Jag tycker det är delvis ned till särskiljningsförmåga för den röd-gröna. Det var mycket främmande i början, föregås av en ganska svår start. Nu har vi presenterade oss själva, etablerat oss och har levererat en hel del av den gemensamma politiken. Det är något väljarna alltmer ser, och tillitsfull, och uppskattar, säger Sahlin. "Men det finns också diskussioner om arbetslöshetsförsäkringen, skatt på pensionärer och socialförsäkring som slår regeringen hårt. Deras politik har alltid såg ut så här men man vet nu att de blir avslöjade, tillade hon. Reinfeldt sade att han trodde att hans egen långvariga frånvaro samtidigt om EU-ordförandeskapet tull kan ha haft viss betydelse för de fattiga enkät resultat. Statsministern trodde också kritik kring omfattande förändringar för Sveriges sjukförmåner systemet kan ha haft en negativ inverkan på regeringens rating. Men Reinfeldt tillade att socialdemokraternas egen politik inte skiljer sig avsevärt från regeringen. "I grund och botten inte har några andra förslag. De använder information från media och gör en massa oväsen, eftersom de tror att det kommer att öka sitt stöd." Reinfeldt konstaterade att ledande socialdemokrater som hade tittat in i socialförsäkringssystemet hade uppnått samma slutsats som den moderatledda regeringen: att det inte var hållbart att Sverige har den högsta sjukfrånvaron i Europa. "[Fd socialdemokraten statsminister] Göran Persson brukade resa runt i Europa skryter om att vi inte hade någon arbetslöshet, sade Reinfeldt, som anklagade sin företrädares politik som leder till en situation där det sociala försäkringssystemet användes som buffert bakom sig för att dölja arbetslöshetssiffror. "Folk fick en stämpel i pannan som innebär att deras arbetsdagar var över, sade Reinfeldt och tillade att moderaterna inte tror på att driva människor i förtidspension program bara för att de hade en existentiell kris vid 32 års ålder. Hans parti hade tro på kraften hos den enskilde att studsa tillbaka, sade Reinfeldt
Monday, December 14, 2009
Opposition poll worrying' centre-right coalition government in Sweden.
Opposition poll lead 'very worrying': Reinfeldt
Published: 14 Dec 09 14:39 CETOnline: http://www.thelocal.se/23838/20091214/
Dictionary tool Double click on a word to get a translation
Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has admitted he is concerned by poll results showing the opposition in a commanding lead over the centre-right coalition government.
(27 Nov 09)"It's very worrying. Mona Sahlin will become prime minister the way things are looking now, without her letting anybody know where she wants to take Sweden and without [the opposition parties] having prepared any common policies" said Reinfeldt, speaking on the sidelines of a speaking engagement on Monday at Stockholm University. "I'm going to do all I can to avoid throwing Sweden into cold water," he added, before predicting that next year's election is likely to crystallize into a referendum on the opposing blocs' respective employment policies. A Sifo survey presented on Sunday put the three-party red-green opposition in an eleven point lead over the government. According to the poll, the Social Democrats, Green Party and Left Party enjoy the combined support of 52.2 percent of the electorate, compared to just 40.8 percent for the centre-right Alliance. A Statistics Sweden poll published last week also indicated that Mona Sahlin and her allies would enjoy enough support to form a government were an election to be held today. Social Democrat leader Mona Sahlin said she did not wish to set too much stock in opinion polls released nine months before the election, but she expressed pleasure that the red-green alliance was beginning to gain momentum. "I think it's partly down to the distinctiveness of the red-greens. It was all very unfamiliar at the beginning, prefaced by quite a difficult start. Now we have presented ourselves, established ourselves and have delivered quite a lot of common policies. That's something voters are increasingly seeing, and trusting, and appreciating," said Sahlin. "But then there's also the debates about unemployment insurance, tax on pensioners and social insurance that are hitting the government hard. Their politics have always looked like this but it's now that they're being revealed," she added. Reinfeldt said he believed his own protracted absences while on EU presidency duty may have had some bearing on the poor poll results. The Prime Minister also believed criticism surrounding widespread changes to Sweden's sickness benefits system may have impacted negatively on the government's rating. But Reinfeldt added that the Social Democrats' own policies didn't differ substantially from those of the government. "Basically they don't have any other proposals. They use information from the media and make a lot of noise because they think it will boost their support."Reinfeldt noted that top Social Democrats who had looked into the social insurance system had reached the same conclusion as the Moderate-led government: that it was not sustainable for Sweden to have the highest rate of sick leave in Europe. "[Former Social Democrat prime minister] Göran Persson used to travel around in Europe boasting that we didn't have any unemployment," said Reinfeldt, who accused his predecessor's policies of leading to a situation in which the social insurance system was used as a buffer behind which to hide jobless figures. "People received a stamp on their forehead to the effect that their working days were over," said Reinfeldt, adding that the Moderate Party did not believe in pushing people into early retirement programmes simply because they had an existential crisis at the age of 32. His party had faith in the power of the individual to bounce back, said Reinfeldt
Published: 14 Dec 09 14:39 CETOnline: http://www.thelocal.se/23838/20091214/
Dictionary tool Double click on a word to get a translation
Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has admitted he is concerned by poll results showing the opposition in a commanding lead over the centre-right coalition government.
(27 Nov 09)"It's very worrying. Mona Sahlin will become prime minister the way things are looking now, without her letting anybody know where she wants to take Sweden and without [the opposition parties] having prepared any common policies" said Reinfeldt, speaking on the sidelines of a speaking engagement on Monday at Stockholm University. "I'm going to do all I can to avoid throwing Sweden into cold water," he added, before predicting that next year's election is likely to crystallize into a referendum on the opposing blocs' respective employment policies. A Sifo survey presented on Sunday put the three-party red-green opposition in an eleven point lead over the government. According to the poll, the Social Democrats, Green Party and Left Party enjoy the combined support of 52.2 percent of the electorate, compared to just 40.8 percent for the centre-right Alliance. A Statistics Sweden poll published last week also indicated that Mona Sahlin and her allies would enjoy enough support to form a government were an election to be held today. Social Democrat leader Mona Sahlin said she did not wish to set too much stock in opinion polls released nine months before the election, but she expressed pleasure that the red-green alliance was beginning to gain momentum. "I think it's partly down to the distinctiveness of the red-greens. It was all very unfamiliar at the beginning, prefaced by quite a difficult start. Now we have presented ourselves, established ourselves and have delivered quite a lot of common policies. That's something voters are increasingly seeing, and trusting, and appreciating," said Sahlin. "But then there's also the debates about unemployment insurance, tax on pensioners and social insurance that are hitting the government hard. Their politics have always looked like this but it's now that they're being revealed," she added. Reinfeldt said he believed his own protracted absences while on EU presidency duty may have had some bearing on the poor poll results. The Prime Minister also believed criticism surrounding widespread changes to Sweden's sickness benefits system may have impacted negatively on the government's rating. But Reinfeldt added that the Social Democrats' own policies didn't differ substantially from those of the government. "Basically they don't have any other proposals. They use information from the media and make a lot of noise because they think it will boost their support."Reinfeldt noted that top Social Democrats who had looked into the social insurance system had reached the same conclusion as the Moderate-led government: that it was not sustainable for Sweden to have the highest rate of sick leave in Europe. "[Former Social Democrat prime minister] Göran Persson used to travel around in Europe boasting that we didn't have any unemployment," said Reinfeldt, who accused his predecessor's policies of leading to a situation in which the social insurance system was used as a buffer behind which to hide jobless figures. "People received a stamp on their forehead to the effect that their working days were over," said Reinfeldt, adding that the Moderate Party did not believe in pushing people into early retirement programmes simply because they had an existential crisis at the age of 32. His party had faith in the power of the individual to bounce back, said Reinfeldt
Sunday, December 13, 2009
what a bad Provincial Party Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta!.
Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta
Wildrose Alliance
Active Provincial Party
Leader
Danielle Smith
President
Jeff Callaway
Founded
2008
Headquarters
#3, 1303 - 44 Ave NECalgary, ABT2E 6L5#401 Legislature Annex9718-107 StEdmonton, ABT5K 1E4
Ideology
ConservatismLibertarianism[1]
International affiliation
None
Official colours
Blue & Green
Website
http://www.wildrosealliance.ca
Politics of CanadaPolitical partiesElections
The Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta is a fiscally conservative provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. It includes both libertarian and socially conservative factions,[1] and has been led by the libertarian Danielle Smith since October 2009.[2]
Though it won no seats in the 2008 election, winning its only seat in the Legislative Assembly in a 2009 by-election, a November 2009 poll found the party leading province-wide with 39% support, 14 points ahead of both the governing Progressive Conservatives and opposition Liberals.[3]
Contents[hide]
1 History
2 Elections
2.1 2008
2.1.1 Election results
3 Leadership election 2009
4 Danielle Smith era
5 References
6 External links
//
[edit] History
The Wildrose Alliance was named after the Wildrose Party of Alberta and the Alberta Alliance Party. The new party was named for the flower Rosa acicularis commonly known as the Alberta Wild Rose, which grows in Alberta and other areas in North America. The Alliance portion of the name comes from the former Alberta Alliance Party that existed from 2002 to 2008.
The party was created by merger at a special convention on January 19, 2008. The Alberta Alliance Party changed its name to the "Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta", and accepted the members, assets and liabilities of the Wildrose Party.[4] By-laws were adopted that were substantially similar to those of the Wildrose Party, and a new executive committee was elected.
Alberta Alliance leader and Member of the Legislative Assembly Paul Hinman was selected by an agreement of the executive councils to lead the new party into the 27th Alberta general election.
On February 1, 2008, the President of the new party, Rob James, resigned.[5] John Hilton-O'Brien was selected to serve as interim President of the Party. Hilton-O'Brien was the Alberta Alliance candidate for Grande Prairie Wapiti in the 2004 election. He was elected to the party executive at the merger meeting.
At the Wildrose Alliance's first AGM on June 21, 2008 in Red Deer, Alberta, Jeff Callaway was elected president of the party. He ran un-contested again at the AGM on June 5 and 6 2009 in Calgary, Alberta and was re-elected as a result.
[edit] Elections
[edit] 2008
Main article: Alberta general election, 2008
The party kicked off its 2008 pre-writ election campaign with a tour of towns and small cities across Alberta.
The party ran on a platform of:
minimal taxes (raising the basic exemption to $20,000, eliminating health care premiums, reducing corporate taxes, and building the Alberta Heritage Trust Fund with the object of eventually being able to replace personal tax revenue with investment revenue)
smaller, efficient government (allowing governance and service delivery at the municipal and community level as much as possible, reducing government bureaucracy and unnecessary programs, and reducing government spending to a per capita rate comparable to other Canadian provinces)
free market economics (recognizing existing signed oil sands agreements, enacting a market-based royalty framework that protects the ability of energy companies to grow the Alberta economy, establishing a maximum royalty rate on a per well basis at no higher than 37%, and recognizing that higher royalties in the conventional sector are inappropriate if gas prices are below $7.50/mcf and oil is below $75/barrel)
democratic reform (establishing set election dates every four years, allowing for citizen initiatives via referendums, and enacting the right to recall elected officials)
reclaiming provincial responsibilities from Ottawa
[edit] Election results
On election night, Hinman lost his seat and no other Alliance candidate won a seat. The result in Hinman's riding was close and a recount was held which confirmed Hinman's loss to PC challenger Broyce Jacobs.[6] The Wildrose Alliance received 6.8% of the popular vote across the province, performing on par with the Green Party (4.6%) and the NDP (9.8%).
On election night the Alliance's website was attacked by five computer addresses which blitzed it 100,000 times in 24 hours, making the website difficult to access. The Liberals' website was also experiencing downtime from a possible attack.[7]
[edit] Leadership election 2009
For more details on this topic, see Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta leadership election, 2009.
On April 20, 2009, Paul Hinman announced his intent to step down as Wildrose Alliance leader at the 2009 Annual General Meeting on June 6, 2009 in Calgary, triggering the party's first leadership election under the Wildrose Alliance banner. On June 7, 2009, the party had attracted two candidates to the race, former Canadian Federation of Independent Business provincial director Danielle Smith and Calgary chiropractor Mark Dyrholm. On July 24, 2009, Jeff Willerton became the third candidate. Following the Calgary leadership debate on September 16, 2009, Willerton dropped out of the race.
On October 17, Danielle Smith was elected leader of the party, which subsequently shifted its focus to fundraising and selecting candidates for a future election.[8]
Although standing down as leader, Paul Hinman managed to win a by-election in Calgary-Glenmore, a Progressive Conservative riding for over 35 years,[8] in the midst of the party's leadership election. Hinman's election returned Wildrose to the legislature, and was said to have earned the party a shot of credibility.[8] The by-election result was arguably the first strong showing by the Alliance in an urban seat.
[edit] Danielle Smith era
After Smith was elected she appointed Stephen Carter as the party's first interim Chief of Staff.[9] On November 25, 2009 Carter resigned the position after it came to light in the public his business Carter McRae was collapsing financially.[10] He notified Smith and the party about the failure of his business interests before accepting the job.[11] Carter had been involved in a controversy over twitter a week earlier to which Premier Ed Stelmach's communication director Tom Olsen accused him of insulting Ukrainian heritage.[12]
Smith announced in her first month of leadership to set up a task force to develop a detailed energy policy for the party[13] and a second task force to independently determine elected Members wages and benefits.[14]
[edit] References
^ a b Andrew Steele (19 October 2009). "Safe change". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/andrew-steele/safe-change/article1329485/.
^ "Wildrose party leader to run for Calgary seat". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 October 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/10/19/alberta-wildrose-alliance-smith-party-leader-calgary.html. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
^ "Poll gives Wildrose big lead". National Post. 2009-11-29. http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2327477. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
^ Party website
^ "Wildrose President resigns". Calgary Herald. February 1, 2008. http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=a8a2b04f-c7fc-4d12-8180-c3190f312512&k=21324/. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
^ http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=3fd28602-4834-4d2a-8deb-16cbc2cd6015
^ Voter confusion, website controversies unsettles Alberta election
^ a b c "Smith elected Wildrose Party leader". CBC News. 2009-10-17. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/10/17/edmonton-wildrose-alliance-leader.html. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
^ Trish Audette (November 21, 2009). "140 characters = 1 day of bad press". Edmonton Journal. http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/electionnotebook/archive/2009/11/21/140-characters-1-day-of-bad-press.aspx.
^ Nathan VanderKlippe (November 24, 2009). "High-profile member of Wildrose party resigns". Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/high-profile-member-of-wildrose-party-resigns/article1376291/.
^ "Wildrose aide quits over Twitter post mocking Stelmach". National Post. November 25, 2009. http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2265808.
^ "Tweet about premier a 'lapse in judgment'". CBC News. November 20, 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/11/20/edmonton-carter-twitter-stelmach.html.
^ "Wildrose Alliance drafts two critics for energy task force". Calgary Herald. November 11, 2009. http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Wildrose+Alliance+drafts+critics+energy+task+force/2209807/story.html.
^ "Wildrose Alliance scrutinizes MLA pay". CBC News. November 19, 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/11/19/edmonton-wildrose-alliance-mla-pay.html.
[edit] External links
Wildrose Alliance homepage
Wildrose Alliance
Active Provincial Party
Leader
Danielle Smith
President
Jeff Callaway
Founded
2008
Headquarters
#3, 1303 - 44 Ave NECalgary, ABT2E 6L5#401 Legislature Annex9718-107 StEdmonton, ABT5K 1E4
Ideology
ConservatismLibertarianism[1]
International affiliation
None
Official colours
Blue & Green
Website
http://www.wildrosealliance.ca
Politics of CanadaPolitical partiesElections
The Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta is a fiscally conservative provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. It includes both libertarian and socially conservative factions,[1] and has been led by the libertarian Danielle Smith since October 2009.[2]
Though it won no seats in the 2008 election, winning its only seat in the Legislative Assembly in a 2009 by-election, a November 2009 poll found the party leading province-wide with 39% support, 14 points ahead of both the governing Progressive Conservatives and opposition Liberals.[3]
Contents[hide]
1 History
2 Elections
2.1 2008
2.1.1 Election results
3 Leadership election 2009
4 Danielle Smith era
5 References
6 External links
//
[edit] History
The Wildrose Alliance was named after the Wildrose Party of Alberta and the Alberta Alliance Party. The new party was named for the flower Rosa acicularis commonly known as the Alberta Wild Rose, which grows in Alberta and other areas in North America. The Alliance portion of the name comes from the former Alberta Alliance Party that existed from 2002 to 2008.
The party was created by merger at a special convention on January 19, 2008. The Alberta Alliance Party changed its name to the "Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta", and accepted the members, assets and liabilities of the Wildrose Party.[4] By-laws were adopted that were substantially similar to those of the Wildrose Party, and a new executive committee was elected.
Alberta Alliance leader and Member of the Legislative Assembly Paul Hinman was selected by an agreement of the executive councils to lead the new party into the 27th Alberta general election.
On February 1, 2008, the President of the new party, Rob James, resigned.[5] John Hilton-O'Brien was selected to serve as interim President of the Party. Hilton-O'Brien was the Alberta Alliance candidate for Grande Prairie Wapiti in the 2004 election. He was elected to the party executive at the merger meeting.
At the Wildrose Alliance's first AGM on June 21, 2008 in Red Deer, Alberta, Jeff Callaway was elected president of the party. He ran un-contested again at the AGM on June 5 and 6 2009 in Calgary, Alberta and was re-elected as a result.
[edit] Elections
[edit] 2008
Main article: Alberta general election, 2008
The party kicked off its 2008 pre-writ election campaign with a tour of towns and small cities across Alberta.
The party ran on a platform of:
minimal taxes (raising the basic exemption to $20,000, eliminating health care premiums, reducing corporate taxes, and building the Alberta Heritage Trust Fund with the object of eventually being able to replace personal tax revenue with investment revenue)
smaller, efficient government (allowing governance and service delivery at the municipal and community level as much as possible, reducing government bureaucracy and unnecessary programs, and reducing government spending to a per capita rate comparable to other Canadian provinces)
free market economics (recognizing existing signed oil sands agreements, enacting a market-based royalty framework that protects the ability of energy companies to grow the Alberta economy, establishing a maximum royalty rate on a per well basis at no higher than 37%, and recognizing that higher royalties in the conventional sector are inappropriate if gas prices are below $7.50/mcf and oil is below $75/barrel)
democratic reform (establishing set election dates every four years, allowing for citizen initiatives via referendums, and enacting the right to recall elected officials)
reclaiming provincial responsibilities from Ottawa
[edit] Election results
On election night, Hinman lost his seat and no other Alliance candidate won a seat. The result in Hinman's riding was close and a recount was held which confirmed Hinman's loss to PC challenger Broyce Jacobs.[6] The Wildrose Alliance received 6.8% of the popular vote across the province, performing on par with the Green Party (4.6%) and the NDP (9.8%).
On election night the Alliance's website was attacked by five computer addresses which blitzed it 100,000 times in 24 hours, making the website difficult to access. The Liberals' website was also experiencing downtime from a possible attack.[7]
[edit] Leadership election 2009
For more details on this topic, see Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta leadership election, 2009.
On April 20, 2009, Paul Hinman announced his intent to step down as Wildrose Alliance leader at the 2009 Annual General Meeting on June 6, 2009 in Calgary, triggering the party's first leadership election under the Wildrose Alliance banner. On June 7, 2009, the party had attracted two candidates to the race, former Canadian Federation of Independent Business provincial director Danielle Smith and Calgary chiropractor Mark Dyrholm. On July 24, 2009, Jeff Willerton became the third candidate. Following the Calgary leadership debate on September 16, 2009, Willerton dropped out of the race.
On October 17, Danielle Smith was elected leader of the party, which subsequently shifted its focus to fundraising and selecting candidates for a future election.[8]
Although standing down as leader, Paul Hinman managed to win a by-election in Calgary-Glenmore, a Progressive Conservative riding for over 35 years,[8] in the midst of the party's leadership election. Hinman's election returned Wildrose to the legislature, and was said to have earned the party a shot of credibility.[8] The by-election result was arguably the first strong showing by the Alliance in an urban seat.
[edit] Danielle Smith era
After Smith was elected she appointed Stephen Carter as the party's first interim Chief of Staff.[9] On November 25, 2009 Carter resigned the position after it came to light in the public his business Carter McRae was collapsing financially.[10] He notified Smith and the party about the failure of his business interests before accepting the job.[11] Carter had been involved in a controversy over twitter a week earlier to which Premier Ed Stelmach's communication director Tom Olsen accused him of insulting Ukrainian heritage.[12]
Smith announced in her first month of leadership to set up a task force to develop a detailed energy policy for the party[13] and a second task force to independently determine elected Members wages and benefits.[14]
[edit] References
^ a b Andrew Steele (19 October 2009). "Safe change". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/andrew-steele/safe-change/article1329485/.
^ "Wildrose party leader to run for Calgary seat". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 October 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/10/19/alberta-wildrose-alliance-smith-party-leader-calgary.html. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
^ "Poll gives Wildrose big lead". National Post. 2009-11-29. http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2327477. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
^ Party website
^ "Wildrose President resigns". Calgary Herald. February 1, 2008. http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=a8a2b04f-c7fc-4d12-8180-c3190f312512&k=21324/. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
^ http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=3fd28602-4834-4d2a-8deb-16cbc2cd6015
^ Voter confusion, website controversies unsettles Alberta election
^ a b c "Smith elected Wildrose Party leader". CBC News. 2009-10-17. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/10/17/edmonton-wildrose-alliance-leader.html. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
^ Trish Audette (November 21, 2009). "140 characters = 1 day of bad press". Edmonton Journal. http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/electionnotebook/archive/2009/11/21/140-characters-1-day-of-bad-press.aspx.
^ Nathan VanderKlippe (November 24, 2009). "High-profile member of Wildrose party resigns". Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/high-profile-member-of-wildrose-party-resigns/article1376291/.
^ "Wildrose aide quits over Twitter post mocking Stelmach". National Post. November 25, 2009. http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2265808.
^ "Tweet about premier a 'lapse in judgment'". CBC News. November 20, 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/11/20/edmonton-carter-twitter-stelmach.html.
^ "Wildrose Alliance drafts two critics for energy task force". Calgary Herald. November 11, 2009. http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Wildrose+Alliance+drafts+critics+energy+task+force/2209807/story.html.
^ "Wildrose Alliance scrutinizes MLA pay". CBC News. November 19, 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/11/19/edmonton-wildrose-alliance-mla-pay.html.
[edit] External links
Wildrose Alliance homepage
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