Sandra Finley

2012-03-19 Mercury fillings: Groups working on issue AND Organizations contacted re Mercury Jamboree

Mercury poisoning, dental amalgams. See also Vaccinations. No Responses »

Mar 192012

Hey everybody!

To avoid duplication of effort, most of the organizations I contacted are listed below. A few missing.
FYI: re particular vulnerability of FN people, my media list included: Missinippi Broadcasting, Eagle Feather News, APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network)

THESE HAVE BEEN CONTACTED:

Alzheimers office AT alzheimer.sk.ca (Joanne Bracken)

Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry (CAPHD) (apr 10/12) lengthy conversation

Canadian Dental Assistants’ Assoc, March, (Miriam), Executive Director Mark, 613 521 5495 mbuzan AT cdaa.ca. (Their “Corporate Members” are provincial CDA associations: http://cdaa.ca/about-cdaa/corporate-members/ Latter not yet contacted)

College of Dental Technicians of B.C. ‘info AT cdt.bc.ca’ (Mar 20)

Consumers for Dental Choice – – see Toxic Teeth (below, alpha)

DAMS, Dental Amalgam Mercury Solutions http://www.dams.cc/ Apr 09/12 Lengthy conversation. Lots of people from Canada call them.

Founded in 1990 ‘Dental amalgam mercury fillings are the greatest source of mercury for the adults who have them. DAMS (Dental Amalgam Mercury Solutions) is a leading non-profit group educating the public on this issue in the US and Canada. While the dental amalgam filling, which is half mercury, has been banned in Norway and Sweden, in the USA, the American Dental Association and the FDA continue to defend the use of the amalgam mercury filling, despite the clinical evidence of harm caused by amalgams and the heavy weight of scientific studies that show that amalgams expose patients to unacceptably large amounts of mercury and tend to harm health. We have many books and scientific papers documenting the hazards of mercury and of amalgam fillings. . . .”

DAMS resource page: http://www.flcv.com/indexa.html

1 651 644 4572 or e-mail DAMS at dams AT usfamily.net

1043 Grand Ave, #317 St Paul MN 55105 USA

FACEBOOK: Dr. Tom McGuire’s Dental Wellness Institute http://www.facebook.com/Mercury.Health.Hazards

FACEBOOK, Lyn Rennick’s AMPS Society (Amalgam Mercury Poisoning Sufferers) (find them thru googling, not by search on F/B). Also has a blog: http://lynrennicksamps.proboards.com/index.cgi?

FACEBOOK, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry: Canadian Chapter http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/World-Alliance-for-Mercury-Free-Dentistry-Canadian-Chapter/181950665183216

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) , with a separate invitation to their Women’s Directorate patty.schuster AT fsin.com

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH CANADA

Dr. Marc Berthiaume Director of Marketed Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, Bureau – Health Canada. Apr 11/12. Left a message on his answering machine.

– ‘megan.lewis AT ec.gc.ca’ (The contact person for the group working on new regulations for products that contain mercury. By phone and by sending the information on the Mercury Jamboree to her, I’ve communicated that the decision to exempt amalgam is unacceptable. I also sent her the email re Chief Dentist Peter Cooney works for the industry – no wonder amalgams are to be exempted.)

– ‘mary.albert AT hc-sc.gc.ca’ (The co-coordinator with Megan Lewis of the Govt Group on Mercury Products. Megan represents Environment Canada, Mary represents Health Canada. Health Canada is responsible for regulation of dental amalgam under “Medical Devices” – Marc Berthiaume.)

– ‘Margaret.Kenny AT ec.gc.ca’

– Minister AT ec.gc.ca

Government of Sask, Minister and Deputy Minister of Health. Mar 20/12 (their reply was non-committal). As expected.

International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) http://www.iaomt.org/

Mercury Free Now (Tom McGuire), http://www.mercuryfreenow.com/index.html

Mercury Policy (Vermont) Director is Michael Bender. Had a good and lengthy discussion.

Mid-wives

MS Society cassie.nesbitt AT mssociety.ca (had a good conversation)

Natural Recovery Plan. A dentist who suffered from mercury poisoning, recovered, then became a naturopathic doctor. http://www.thenaturalrecoveryplan.com./ See the videos on the right-hand side.

Popescu, Dr. Star Phoenix March 26. Using synchrotron to do research on metals (but not mercury) in relation to MS. Phone: 655-8714 bfp180 AT mail.usask.ca Dr. Popescu Apr 11, 2012 phone. Dr Popescu agreed to add mercury to the list of substances he is testing re MS.

Radisson SK, group of people who have had amalgams replaced. Health has recovered. They are together learning best ways to de-tox the mercury that has accumulated in their bodies.

Saskatchewan Assoc for Community Living (SACL), people with disabilities. Conversations with and sent info to a number of people at SACL. (Mercury is a neuro-toxin.)

Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists Assoc sdha AT sasktel.net

Saskatchewan Dental Assistants Assoc, Susan Enholdt, Kenaston, 252-2769, sdaa AT sasktel.net, also on licensing (regulatory body)

Saskatoon Health District, CEO Maura Davis Mar 20. No response.

SIAST Dental Assistant Programme, Brenda Udahl, 775-7551, udahl AT siast.sk.ca (Their “Corporate Members” are provincial CDA associations: http://cdaa.ca/about-cdaa/corporate-members/)

TOBIN, Dr. RICHARD Apr 11/12. Had a good and lengthy conversation with him (retired now) – the Health Canada fellow who (1996) challenged the Cdn Dental Assoc statements. “This statement is categorically false.” He was head of “Medical Devices” in the 1995-6 period when Canada became a leader in the work to stop the use of mercury fillings, starting with pregnant women and children. We have since gone to the opposite extreme and are now “obstructionist” in international efforts. Richard grew up in Biggar SK – and will be out for family weddings this summer. He’s very interested in and encourages what we’re doing. I’ll keep him in the loop.

TOXIC TEETH – Consumers for Dental Choice www.toxicteeth.org

316 F St., N.E., Suite 210, Washington DC 20002

Telephone 202.544-6333; fax 202.544.6331

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on Mar 20: sent individual emails to all the profs I could find email addresses for at:

U of T, Dentistry http://www.utoronto.ca/dentistry/facultyresearch/facprofile.html#A

U of A, Dentistry http://www.dentistry.ualberta.ca/en/AboutUs/FacultyStaff.aspx

U of S, Mar 20. Individual invitations sent to professors and staff in Toxicology, Dentistry, Medicine and Sustainability

UBC, Dentistry http://www.dentistry.ubc.ca/AboutUs/FacultyStaffList.asp

World Alliance for Mercury-free Dentistry, (see also under Facebook above – the Cdn Chapter) another great resource: http://www.mercuryundercover.com/film-overview-2/our-network/toxic-teeth info@toxicteeth.org
They have produced a film:

“Mercury Undercover” unveils the dirty truth about the dangers of mercury and how those people in power would love to “protect” you from the real truth. This compelling docu-film brings light to a problem that affects more than you ever imagined.

“Mercury Undercover” exposes the cause and effect of the well-hidden evidence of mercury contamination as seen through the eyes of doctors, scientists, environmental experts and mercury-poisoned survivors. This film exposes the nature of people and the terrible things that some do just for the sake of money. It is a gripping tale that will make you think twice before you eat your next catch-of-the-day or plan your next visit to the dentist’s office.

World Health Organization (WHO) ‘info AT who.int’ Sent a similar message, asking it be forwarded to the Mercury Group. It might never get there, but what the hell?! It’s worth a try.

YOUNG, TERENCE MP After stumbling on the article below, I’ve left a msg for him. His personal tragedy and then experience with Health Canada and the things he is calling for fit well with the mercury fillings. http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2009/04/20/drug-safety-young.html

Zero Mercury Working Group http://www.zeromercury.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=116&Itemid=11

An international group. I explained to them that Peter Cooney, Canada’s Chief Dentist works for the amalgam trade organization. Canada’s failure to cooperate with international efforts to rid the world of mercury fillings is the consequence of corporate money, propaganda and greed. Canadians are embarassed and we are organizing to figure out how to stop the use of mercury fillings. In solidarity with people in the international community. ‘elena.lymberidi AT eeb.org’; ‘rachel.kamande AT eeb.org’; ‘mercurypolicy AT aol.com’

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laurie AT toxicmetals.info

Dear Laurie,

Many thanks for posting your experience to the net for other people to learn from.

(1) If you don’t mind I will add it and a link to your website to the information I have circulated and then posted at Heavy
metals in vaccinations, Mercury in dental amalgams. (from the blog www.sandrafinley.ca )

. . . will update to include the information from your posting about the copper in the amalgams. . . .

Hi Cecile,

This is the story I was telling you about. I read it just now and went to the links which show the x-rays of this woman’s (Laurie’s) spine.

Grant explains: the poison goes into your body – – it is “systemic” inasmuch as the blood carries it throughout the body. It will deposit in different places in your body. (There are some places that are more likely.)

I have offered that immune systems are different in different people and so you have different manifestations of the poisoning.

This woman Laurie’s case may be extreme (except that MS, cancer, etc are extreme in other ways). You will see where her head was laid over to one side. Among the people who I know of that are working on the mercury poisoning from dental amalgams (Grant’s group) it is not uncommon to have neck pain (I am one of them). I am wondering whether in some cases, untreated, the neck pain might eventually lead to the situation you see in the pictures of Laurie. I think I will email her and ask what she thinks.

http://www.toxicmetals.info/case_laurie.htm

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YET TO BE DONE (from Health Canada website:

Canadian Dental Association
Canadian Dental Assistants Association
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association
Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities Federation
Canadian Dental Therapists Association
FDI World Dental Federation NO – this is the industry trade support organization (France) that Peter Cooney, Chief Dentist, works for
Federal, Provincial and Territorial Dental Directors Working Group
Royal College of Dentists of Canada
World Health Organization

2011-06-28 Canada’s chief dentist works for the amalgam industry. No wonder mercury fillings receive an exemption!

Mercury poisoning, dental amalgams. See also Vaccinations. No Responses »

Mar 192012

The article re Canadian Chief Dental Officer Peter Cooney working simultaneously for the amalgam industry trade group is followed by an excerpt

“Why the FDA is Resistant to Banning Amalgam“. The issue is the same: corporate corruption of Government.

At the bottom: a picture of Peter Cooney.

Peter Cooney’s phone is 613 941 4748 . I left him a message on his answering machine.

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Is Canada’s Negligence Putting its Citizens – And the U.S. – At Risk?

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/28/canada-blatantly-disregards-its-own-ethics-policy-and-harms-many.aspx

Posted By Dr. Mercola 38,329 views … EXCERPT

Canada’s Chief Dental Officer Embroiled in Conflict of Interest

The United Nations has convened a series of five conferences to put together the environmental treaty on mercury, a treaty that represents a chance for the world to rid itself of amalgam, and rid dentistry of mercury. Chief Dental Officer Peter Cooney attended the second of these conferences, held in Japan in January 2011.

As Chief Dental Officer, Cooney was representing the Canadian government, which has historically been ahead of the United States in their progress toward removing toxic mercury from dental fillings. Canada advised dentists to stop placing amalgam in children and pregnant women in 1996 — 15 years ago!

However, this seems to be regressing, as Cooney was not only representing the Canadian government at the environmental treaty on mercury conference, he was also representing the European-based Fédération Dentaire Internationale (FDI), a private trade group that lobbies against
mercury-free dentistry and is funded by its “corporate partners” — major amalgam manufacturers and distributors Dentsply, Henry Schein Inc., and
Ivoclar Vivadent.

As if there were any doubt about this egregious conflict of interest, upon rising to speak Cooney actually announced, “I am wearing two hats”!

In a petition asking the Prime Minister of Canada to remove Peter Cooney from his position as Chief Dental Officer, dentist David Warwick, supporter of Consumers for Dental Choice stated:

“Amalgam’s use today is by dentists who refuse training to convert to mercury-free dentistry; with amalgam, they make more money per chair per day. The World Dental Federation profits handsomely from amalgam; it has “Corporate Partnership” contracts with amalgam manufacturers and sellers, who pay FDI money in exchange for FDI promoting its product. So Cooney – disdainful of Health Canada’s admonition to stop using amalgam on our children and our pregnant women – goes to Japan to protect the interests of a trade group and the profits of the amalgam makers who partner with it. Indeed, Cooney has a pattern of leaving the country, getting a speaking slot as a government official, then announcing he is “wearing two hats.” In April 2010 he pulled the same stunt at a UN meeting in Washington.”

Why is the Canadian Government Allowing a Clear Violation of its Ethics Code?

The Canadian government’s Values and Ethics Code for Public Service clearly states that officials must “avoid or withdraw from activities or situations that would place the public servant in real, potential or apparent conflict of interest with his or her official duties.” Yet, Peter Cooney is obviously taking part in activities that conflict with his official title. The petition gave several clear examples of this very conflict, noting that Cooney’s role as FDI lobbyist is at odds with his role as Chief Dental Officer. The petition noted, for instance:

“The Canadian Government and FDI have different positions on the use of amalgam. Health Canada advises dentists not to place dental amalgam in children, pregnant women, and people with impaired kidney function. Since this limits the profits of FDI members, FDI claims that amalgam is safe for everybody and opposes all restrictions on amalgam use. Dismissive of protecting children and pregnant women from this mercury exposure, Cooney endorses dentists making profits without conscience.”

The Canadian Government and FDI have different positions on the alternatives to amalgam, a major issue at the treaty
negotiations. Health Canada programs for First Nations and Inuit children have successfully utilized atraumatic restorative treatment (ART), a modern mercury-free restorative technique that is the leading alternative to dental mercury use in rural areas especially.

Since the technique can be performed by non-dentists, FDI opposes it for economic reasons. Although Health Canada endorses ART, Cooney in Japan was dismissive of the practice – and for obvious reasons: FDI dentists would lose their monopoly.
The Canadian Government and FDI have different positions on stakeholder participation in the treaty negotiation process. While neutral and objective public servants – such as many we have met from Environment Canada – are graciously open to
considering our position and encourage the participation of all stakeholders, Chief Dental Officer Cooney of Health Canada is abetting a
trade group that is actively trying to shut us out of the process. FDI’s stated goal is to be “the sole representative of the international dental practice community within the United Nations Environmental Programme Global Mercury Partnership and at the United
Nations and World Health Organisation consultations on global mercury.” In order to maintain the illusion that FDI is the “sole representative,” Cooney denies the existence of the mercury-free dental societies and undermines dental patient organizations – such as ours.”

The fact that Canada’s Chief Dental Officer spoke on behalf of FDI also gives the organization undue authority, implying that it is government-backed when it is not. Cooney also used his title and influence to secure prime time slots for FDI presentations that private entities do not get. As the petition explained:

“Cooney’s decision to present himself as Chief Dental Officer of Canada but to lobby for a position at odds with the Canadian government’s
domestic policy and its developing international position puts our government in an awkward situation. At the least, Cooney has created the impression that Canada does not want amalgam addressed in the treaty at all, even though the official delegation says it has taken no such stand. At the worst, Cooney’s “two hats” suggest that Canadian government officials may float back and forth between private and public duties — and at a major international showcase no less. As Canadian citizens, we find both scenarios intolerable.”

If You are a Canadian Citizen, Take a Stand!

This type of blatant conflict of interest should not be tolerated at any level, and the fact that Canada’s Chief Dental Officer is “wearing two hats” is simply unacceptable. To date, Charlie Brown, president and founder of the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry and national counsel of Consumers for Dental Choice, has sent two letters to Margaret Kenny, director general for Environment Canada, asking for Cooney’s severe conflict of interest to be addressed — but no responses were received.

Why does the Canadian government appear to be ignoring this issue by not responding to legitimate concerns regarding one of its chief officers?
There are questions that need answers. As Brown stated in his second letter to Kenny:

“A lobbyist for FDI is making critical decisions about their dental care; the FDI position is give amalgam to anybody, as long as it continues
quick-and-easy profits for the pro-mercury faction of dentists. Health Canada, since 1996, has said no amalgam for children and pregnant women. So is Cooney enforcing the Health Canada position or the FDI position in his high-salaried role as Chief Dental Officer?”

Again, to date there has been no response from the Canadian government addressing Brown’s letters or the petition to have Cooney removed from his position.

Canadians have a right to a Chief Dental Officer who is, as the petition stated, “not hopelessly entangled with an amalgam seller-trade group
partnership that is working to protect risky — albeit profitable — mercury products.”

If you live in Canada, please write the following government officials to let them know you will not support a Chief Dental Officer who “wears
two hats” on behalf of an industry-funded lobby group.

You can contact:

Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment

Email: Minister AT ec.gc.ca

Phone: 819-997-1441

Fax: 819-953-0279

Mailing Address:

The Honourable Peter Kent

Minister of the Environment The Honourable Peter Kent

Minister of the Environment

Les Terrasses de la Chaudière

10 Wellington Street, 28th Floor

Gatineau, Quebec

K1A 0H3

Margaret Kenny, Director General

Chemicals Sector, Environmental Sustainability Branch

Environment Canada

Email: Margaret.Kenny AT ec.gc.ca

Mailing address:

Ms. Margaret Kenny, Director General

Chemicals Sector, Environmental Sustainability Branch

Environment Canada

351 St. Joseph Boulevard, 12th floor

Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3

Some points mentioned in the petition and Charlie Brown’s letters:

We request that you address the problems raised by Dr. Cooney’s use of his government position to lobby for FDI and to undermine
stakeholders opposed by FDI.

We need assurances that Dr. Cooney will not participate in the delegation’s decision-making, that he will not be permitted to attend the third conference to put together the environmental treaty on mercury and intersessional meetings with his incompatible “two hats,” and that the damage he has already inflicted will be redressed.

We taxpayers do not know – but would like to know – if Cooney drew his government salary during this 10-day negotiation session. Did he forfeit his salary? If not, why did we pay a man to lobby against the government, all the time using his public position to maximize his impact?
We taxpayers do not know – but would like to know – who paid for this trip. Was Cooney at this comfortable Japanese resort as a guest of the World Dental Federation? If so, how could this not be “accepting economic benefit,” prohibited in the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service?

Brown said:

“Canada’s an incredible country and it’s time their leaders in Ottawa stood up to the pro-mercury amalgam industry, which they’re not now and
not doing at all.”

Consumers for Dental Choice: So far they’ve ensured that amalgam is listed in the first draft of the international treaty as one of five products to be addressed, and they are introducing strategies for phasing out mercury fillings while exposing the risks of implanting mercury into human teeth

With the third round of negotiations right around the corner in October 2011, now is the time to act to make a difference and help make mercury use in dentistry a practice of the past.

IN THE U.S.:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/01/28/scientists-urge-fda-to-stop-amalgam-use-in-children-pregnant-women-and-hypersensitive.aspx

EXCERPT

Why the FDA is Resistant to Banning Amalgam

FDA remains adamant in protecting mercury fillings, which no doubt has at least something to do with its commissioner. FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg has an egregious conflict of interest on amalgam, yet participated in the rulemaking that led to last year’s abysmal amalgam rule. Hamburg entered the FDA through the revolving government/private industry door after allegedly making millions as the director of Henry Schein Inc., the largest seller of amalgam (mercury fillings).

The FDA has a history of stacking the deck of its advisory panels so that the pro-industry, pro-mercury position is upheld.

Why?

In a word: money. Over 100 million fillings are put into mouths in the United States alone, and each tooth that’s filled with toxic mercury represents a profit source for the amalgam industry – an industry that is used to having its way with world governments for the past 100 years.

Folks, bringing about change in the health care field has always been about battling against entrenched profit centers, and this is no exception.

The dental amalgam industry and their paid shills and former executives in government simply do NOT want access to your mouth blocked, regardless of the health implications. The mercury fillings industry is an entrenched, embattled and a very profitable industry, and they have been on a war footing against scientists all over the world for decades.

The FDA has been far behind the rest of the world in stepping up to the plate to reduce mercury in your mouth. The FDA has been standing in the way of banning this dangerous dental material for 34 years — since 1976. But the very good news is that we are starting to win this battle.

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PETER COONEY (Click on the link to see a picture of him).

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/branch-dirgen/fnihb-dgspni/ocdo-bdc/cdo-dc-eng.php

Chief Dental Officer
Dr. Peter Cooney was appointed Chief Dental Officer with Health Canada in 2004. He joined Health Canada in 1991 and worked with Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) in Manitoba Region, was appointed the National Dental Officer in 1997 and served as the Director General of the Non-Insured Health Benefits Directorate from 1999 to 2003.

Dr. Cooney completed his Specialty, Masters and Fellowship in Community Dentistry. He is a Past President of the Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry and a former Chief Examiner for the specialty of Dental Public Health with the Royal
College of Dentists of Canada. He is currently cross appointed as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry and Chair of the World Dental Federation’s International Chief Dental Officers Public Health Section.

2012-03-19 Excellent videos re mercury in “silver” fillings (dental amalgam).

Mercury poisoning, dental amalgams. See also Vaccinations. No Responses »

Mar 192012

The following is a sampling of excellent resource videos.

I felt a little sorry for the “officials” interviewed in item #6 for TV. It seems to me that they are older people who failed to update their knowledge base. What they learned 30 years ago is not good enough for today. OR, maybe they are industry plants, like Canada’s Chief Dentist, Cooney (in another posting).

1. Smoking Teeth = Poison Gas (from the IAOMT, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ylnQ-T7oiA (This is from a list of many URL’s related to mercury poisoning – – http://sandrafinley.ca/?p=3256)

2. Dr. Boyd Haley On Heavy Metals, short video, good: http://vimeo.com/27251578

3. How Mercury Causes Neurodegeneration (Brain Damage) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VImCpWzXJ_w

4. Multiple Sclerosis from Mercury (Silver) Fillings. Linda Brocato testifies before the FDA joint Medical/Dental panel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-qhxa-3Wbw

5. (Very good information about how the mercury works, and a preferred method for excretion) Chronic Fatigue, ME and Fibromyalgia: The Natural Recovery Plan (II) Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMZwdukrNkw

6. Part 1 of 3 – Mercury Amalgam Fillings Dangers (ITV, Feb 16, 2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMI_em8UPo4&feature=youtu.be

Part 2 of 3 – Mercury Amalgam Fillings Dangers (ITV, Feb 16, 2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz6YgkR8Yjc&feature=related

Part 3 of 3 – Mercury Amalgam Fillings Dangers (ITV, Feb 16, 2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVaTnIDOA0s&feature=related

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There is also a “video library” on the IAOMT website, http://www.iaomt.org/ , see right-hand side.

2012-03-15 Misleading robocalls went to voters ID’d as non-Tories

Robocalls & Vote moving, Election Fraud No Responses »

Mar 162012

By Terry Milewski, CBC News

Posted: Mar 15, 2012 9:02 PM ET Last Updated: Mar 16, 2012 9:27 AM ET

Read 2923 comments2923

Robocall patterns4:44

Terry Milewski

Election day calls

The pattern of legitimate so-called “Voter ID” calls, followed by bogus “Elections Canada” calls, occurs in ridings across the country.

Charles Cochrane of Saint John, N.B., made it very clear to the Conservatives that they did not have his vote. Then, on election day, he said, “The phone rang and it was a recorded message. This is Elections Canada calling, your polling station has now changed.” He checked. It had not changed.

From the outset, the Conservative Party leadership has insisted it had no involvement in these calls.

“The Conservative party can say absolutely, definitively, it has no role in any of this,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper. His parliamentary secretary, Dean Del Mastro, calls claims to the contrary “baseless smears.”

However, opposition leaders say the scheme could never have gone forward without callers having access to the Conservatives’ proprietary database on voter intentions. Known as “CIMS,” the database assigns a “smiley” face to supporters, and a “sad” face to non-Conservatives. Liberal and NDP politicians say it would make no sense to call randomly, since many of the voters misled would be Conservatives.

“Who had access to the database? Who wrote the scripts?” asked the NDP’s Charlie Angus in question period Thursday. He did not receive an answer.

Lori Bruce of Fredericton thinks she has a good idea. She said the Conservatives knew she was not a supporter, and called her more than once — even identifying themselves while misdirecting her to the wrong polling station.

Voters from ridings across the country who spoke to CBC News describe receiving misleading automated calls with incorrect polling station changes after receiving Conservative Party calls. (Canadian Press)Bruce said she received a call stating that it was “on behalf of Stephen Harper and Keith Ashfield for the Conservative party.”

“At that point, he told me that my voting location had changed. I, at that point, said no, it’s at the same location it always is.”

Bruce then Googled the caller’s number and found out it was the Conservative campaign office. Still, she wanted to be sure.

“I called the number back,” she says, “and I just got an answering machine message, saying thank you for calling the Conservative Party.”

Peggy Walsh Craig of North Bay, Ont., told a similar story — but received two separate calls.

“The first one was a few weeks before the election and it simply asked me one question and that was, was I going to vote for the Conservative Party — and I indicated no.”

Only later did she get an anonymous second call, she said.

‘Polling stations have changed’

“That was, it was Elections Canada calling and that they — due to higher than anticipated voter turnout, the polling station had been changed.”

Once again, it hadn’t changed at all. The same thing happened to Astrid Dimond of Mission, B.C.

Dimond said a caller told her that, “We’re just phoning to let you know that the polling stations have changed.”

Dimond knew better.

“And I said, no they haven’t, and I hung up on her.”

Dimond added that she tracked the call back to its source. The misleading call “came from the same number that all the other calls had come from, which I found out was the Conservative Party.”

CBC News came up with many voters with similar complaints, including Saj Aziz in the riding of Mississauga-Streetsville, Carmen Leveille in Victoria, Gordon Webb in Guelph, May Beland in Willowdale and Susan Lapell in the Toronto riding of St. Paul’s.

Aziz said a “research company” tried to find out who he was voting for as part of an “independent poll.” When he declined to commit to the Conservatives, he was told that “a supervisor” would call him back. Then, he got a call from the Conservative party, trying to win him over. When that didn’t work, he finally got a call saying that his polling station had moved. However, he’d already voted in the advance poll, at the right place.

In Guelph — where the robo-call scandal began — Gordon Webb says he made it clear to the Conservatives that he would not vote for them. He, too, got a misdirection call telling him to go to a phoney polling station. At least a hundred people showed up there and some of them angrily gave up on voting, blaming Elections Canada.

As for the next step, all of these voters say they want Elections Canada to get to the bottom of it.

“There definitely should be punishment,” said Lori Bruce of Fredericton. “They should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

In North Bay, where the Liberals lost by just 18 votes, Peggy Walsh Craig said, “I care a lot about democracy and so I’m appalled that this is happening.”

“It raises enough questions that it makes me wonder about the results here.”

2012-03-14 Canadian professors threaten censure over Balsillie deal

Take back the University No Responses »

Mar 162012

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1146111–canadian-professors-threaten-censure-over-balsillie-deal

Louise BrownEducation Reporter

Canada’s professors’ union will consider issuing a formal “censure” —academic boycott — of York University, the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University over joint programs it feels are dangerously cozy with a think tank run by BlackBerry co-founder Jim Balsillie.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers will vote in April on whether to give the three universities a six-month ultimatum to change agreements they have signed with Balsillie’s Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) to remove any say the Waterloo-based think tank may have over academic matters — or it will impose “censure” in November, which would discourage academics from working or meeting at those schools.

The move was prompted by a $60-million deal York signed recently with CIGI to launch an international law program with 10 research chairs (experts) and some 20 PhD students. The deal gives CIGI two spots on a five-person steering committee that would advise on hiring and research — but as of Friday, that deal has been changed to remove any veto power the committee has over hiring.

Despite the fresh amendment — which York vice-president Patrick Monahan said provides binding protection to academic freedom that has been signed by both sides — the professors’ association is against CIGI being on any academic committee at all.

“It is still unacceptable for CIGI to have any voice in academic matters, even if they no longer have veto power,” said James Turk, executive director of the association which represents 66,000 professors, librarians, researchers and other professionals at 122 universities and colleges.

CIGI already has partnerships with Waterloo and Laurier to run programs through a new joint Balsillie School of International Affairs, which Turk said also give the private think tank too much influence over the choice of program and staffing.

But York’s Monahan noted these university-private partnerships are becoming more common and have even been encouraged as recently as Friday by MPP Glen Murray, Ontario’s minister of training, colleges and universities, who called on corporations to start investing in higher education.

The university will draw up shortlists of candidates for the 10 research positions. In a statement, Monahan said “in cases where there is any difference of opinion on the shortlist, the matter will be referred to an independent committee of scholars, experts in the relevant fields, who are at arm’s length from CIGI.

“The views of the independent committee of scholars will be binding on CIGI.”

Fred Kuntz, CIGI’s vice-president of public affairs, stressed that CIGI does not have a veto over hiring, but wants to be on the steering committee to ensure that the areas of research are relevant to the field of international governance, “and not Norwegian folk music.

2012-03-14 How votes get “moved”: Voter fraud concerns in east Toronto widespread

Robocalls & Vote moving, Election Fraud No Responses »

Mar 152012

(Related to earlier postings re “vote moving”.)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/03/14/toronto-voting-irregularities-scarborough.html

CBC News

Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:30 PM ET; Last Updated: Mar 15, 2012 2:03 PM ET

Mano Kanagamany, who has worked on Liberal Party campaigns in east Toronto for 25 years, says he and former Scarborough Southwest candidate Michelle Simson filed a complaint with Elections Canada after the last federal election. (CBC)

Allegations of widespread voting irregularities in an east Toronto federal riding are similar to complaints from a neighbouring riding and a municipal byelection held nearby, two people closely involved say.

“This should have come out a long time ago,” Muttukumaru Chandrakumaran, who ran in a municipal byelection in Ajax, Ont., said Wednesday.

Chandrakumaran was responding to a CBC News investigation on Tuesday that uncovered allegations of electoral fraud concentrated in the Tamil community in the riding of Scarborough-Rouge River. Those allegations, which span both the federal and provincial ridings, centre largely on what appears to be a lack of oversight surrounding election-day additions to the official voters list.

Chandrakumaran said he remembers groups of people from his Tamil community who were not on the voters list showing up at polling stations during the 2008 vote and claiming to live at the same address.

“Up to 26 people were voting from one house,” he said.

‘Elections Canada, it’s like talking to a wall’

Chandrakumaran said he complained to police and Elections Canada with no response.

“Elections Canada, it’s like talking to a wall,” he said.

CBC reported Tuesday that Marlene Gallyot, the federal Conservative candidate who lost to the NDP’s Rathika Sitsabaiesan in Scarborough-Rouge River has complained to Elections Canada, alleging ineligible voters “by the dozens” turned up on voting day and filed ballots illegally. She also said scrutineers — party volunteers who oversee voting on behalf of candidates — were approaching voters at polling stations, speaking to them in Tamil and coaching them on who to vote for.

Mano Kanagamany, who has worked on Liberal Party campaigns in east Toronto for 25 years, said Wednesday that he and former Scarborough Southwest candidate Michelle Simson filed a complaint with Elections Canada after the last federal election over concerns about illegal voters.

“We are only asking Elections Canada to investigate it,” Kanagamany said. “Cross-check with [Citizenship and Immigration Canada] that they are real citizens who live in the riding.”

Most of the complaints involve members of the Tamil community.

Gary Anandasangaree, a spokesman for the Canadian Tamil Congress, said the community works to get out the vote but has never heard of anyone taking part in fraud.

“We’re not in any way, advertently or inadvertently, suggesting people go out and vote when they’re not eligible to vote,” he said.

2012-03-15 Great video: Rally in Ottawa Against 2011 Election Fraud and ‘Robocall’ Scandal – March 11, 2012

Robocalls & Vote moving, Election Fraud No Responses »

Mar 152012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDUMa2VU8L0

2012-03-15 Important info: The legal status of #robocalls – – Election fraud or dirty tricks?

Robocalls & Vote moving, Election Fraud No Responses »

Mar 152012

http://rabble.ca/news/2012/03/election-fraud-or-dirty-tricks-legal-status-robocalls?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rabble-news+%28rabble.ca+-+News+for+the+rest+of+us%29

By Peter Rosenthal

While authorities are busy investigating election calls, many people are uncertain about whether deliberately misinforming voters about the location of their polling station is illegal or just a “dirty trick.”

Be assured that such acts violate at least two sections of the Canada Elections Act and that substantial penalties may be imposed on anyone convicted. The combined effect of sections 281(g) and 491 (3) of the Elections Act make it an offence to wilfully endeavour to prevent an elector from voting. Also, section 482 states that every person is guilty of an offence who, by any pretense or contrivance, induces a person to refrain from voting or to refrain from voting for a particular candidate.

There is no doubt that both these offences were committed by everyone who made such calls and by everyone who knowingly aided or abetted the making of them. Moreover, an attempt to commit an offence is an offence.

It’s alleged that other kinds of improper calls were made. The making of telephone calls that purport to be from the office of a candidate, but are really instigated by an opponent and are calculated to discredit the named candidate, would constitute using a pretense to induce a person to refrain from voting for a particular candidate, and thus would also contravene section 482. On the other hand, a call that leaked true information about a politician’s divorce would be a “dirty trick” but not illegal.

The maximum penalties for violating these sections of the Elections Act are severe: a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to five years, or both. Moreover, a person convicted of such an offence may also be ordered to compensate anyone who has suffered damages as a consequence of the offence and to take any other reasonable measure to ensure compliance with the act.

We have to hope Elections Canada does a thorough investigation, identifies those responsible and prosecutes them vigorously.

Can elections be annulled if they were affected by such telephone intrusions? Any elector in an electoral district and any candidate may challenge the results if irregularities, fraud or corrupt or illegal practices affected the outcome. Such a challenge is made by an application to a superior court.

Anyone considering a challenge must act quickly: an application must be made within 30 days after the applicant first knew or should have known of the irregularity.

Peter Rosenthal, a lawyer with Roach, Schwartz and Associates, is adjunct professor of law and professor emeritus of mathematics at U of T. This article was first published in NOW magazine.

2012-03-12 Dick Cheney cancels upcoming Toronto visit

George Bush war criminal No Responses »

Mar 122012

I love good news! thanks from everyone, Doug!

Cheney cancels his visit –
– And all because of our “thugs” in Vancouver!

Way to go!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/03/12/toronto-dick-cheney-cancels-visit.html

Dick Cheney cancels upcoming Toronto visit

The Canadian Press

Posted: Mar 12, 2012 4:51 PM ET

Last Updated: Mar 12, 2012 6:19 PM ET

Read 118 comments118

Former U.S. vice-president Dick Cheney has cancelled an upcoming visit to Toronto. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press)

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Former U.S. vice-president Dick Cheney has cancelled a Canadian speaking appearance due to security concerns sparked by demonstrations during a visit he made to Vancouver last fall, the event promoter said Monday.

Cheney, whom the protesters denounced as a war criminal, was slated to talk about his experiences in office and the current American political situation at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on April 24.

However, Ryan Ruppert, of Spectre Live Corp., said Cheney and his daughter Elizabeth had begged off via their agent.

“After speaking with their security advisers, they changed their mind on coming to the event,” Ruppert said.

“(They) decided it was better for their personal safety they stay out of Canada.”

Last Sept. 26, Cheney’s appearance in Vancouver was marred by demonstrators who blocked the entrances to the exclusive Vancouver Club.

The activists, who at one point scuffled with police, called for Cheney’s arrest for war crimes and booed guests as they arrived at the $500-a-ticket dinner.

One man was arrested for choking a club staff member.

Ruppert said the “thugs” put everyone at risk and forced Cheney to remain inside the club for seven hours until police were able to disperse the protesters and deem it safe for him to leave.

“It was a complete disaster for them because it’s a major security issue,” he said.

The upshot, he said, is that discussion over American policy on such issues as Guantanamo Bay or the Iraq war is being silenced.

“You lost that conversation because you’re talking about a group of thugs,” Ruppert said.

“It’s a real sad story because it really overshadows what the peaceful protesters, who often have very legitimate points, would be doing and saying.”

Those who bought tickets to the Cheney event can either get a full refund or exchange them for an appearance by free-speech activist, Mark Steyn.

“It’s incredibly disappointing for us,” said Ruppert, who was planning for as many as 5,000 people to attend the Cheneys’ talk.

“We were very excited about this event.”

Rupert did not say how many tickets had already been sold at prices ranging from $79 to $595.

Cheney critics accuse him of endorsing the use of water boarding and sleep deprivation against detainees while serving in former president George W. Bush’s administration.

Before the Vancouver event, Human Rights Watch urged the federal government to bring criminal charges against Cheney, accusing him of playing a role in the torture of detainees.

Don Davies, the NDP immigration critic, also argued that Cheney should not have been allowed into Canada.

Cheney has vigorously defended interrogation techniques on the grounds they saved hundreds of thousands of lives.

2012-03-12 Election fraud. The problem for the journalist. Someone may be able to help.

Robocalls & Vote moving, Election Fraud No Responses »

Mar 122012

THE JOURNALIST’S DILEMMA (and ours):

I did see the video . . . . The key problem is that they skate over the key question: how the voters supposedly move. Their addresses won’t match up at the polling station and they won’t get a ballot in the normal course of events. It’s kind of a huge problem with the story – unless there’s systematic fraud whereby scrutineers overlook the wrong addresses. Not saying that can’t happen – but unless you show that it did, you’re just making fun videos for YouTube. Obviously tons of folks would “move” in every election if it were easy. Let me know if you hear more.

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