AvengersAssembled (Fan account) 🇨🇦

CBSA Union president - ArriveCan wasn't needed Good morning, my fellow Canadians. In the latest episode of the ongoing saga that encapsulates the depth of dysfunction under the Trudeau administration, Meeting No. 105 of the PACP - Standing Committee on Public Accounts unfolded in what can only be described as a monumental barn burner. The spotlight shone intensely on Mark Weber, the resolute President of the Customs and Immigration Union, who took the stand to expose the underbelly of inefficiency and mismanagement festering with the ArriveCan from the perspective from his members on the ground. In a testament to the burgeoning controversy, Weber's testimony sliced through the facade of bureaucratic efficiency, laying bare the consequences of a government more concerned with image than substance. The ArriveCan debacle, with its spiraling $60 million expenditure, stands as a glaring symbol of the Trudeaus approach: reckless spending which is severely lacking accountability. The session was a spectacle of irony and disarray that bordered on the comedic, as the theater of government dysfunction unfolded before our very eyes. Amidst the turmoil, Liberal MP Brenda Shanahan stood up, emblematic of the coalition's unwavering detachment from reality, posing the question to Mark Weber: “Can you please tell us what you have heard from your union members in terms of how ARRIVE can provide efficiencies to the previous paper-based system?” Before diving into Weber's response, it's crucial to note the backdrop against which this farce was set. Here we had the Liberal party, clinging with desperate fingers to the thin reed of "efficiency," as if this single word could magically overshadow the colossal sum of $60 million funneled into the abyss for an app that, as it turns out, was about as necessary as a screen door on a submarine. Mark Weber's response was as pointed as it was illuminating, a stark contrast to the fluff and bluster we've come to expect from the powers that be. “In terms of the information that we needed for our purposes for customs officers, really all we needed was to be able to verify that the person was vaccinated, which everyone was able to do simply by showing us their vaccination on their phone or a printed-out copy.” There it was, the moment of truth – the revelation that the taxpayer, the everyday Canadian, had been bilked out of $60 million for a redundant app, an app that wasn't even a requirement in the practical conduct of our border security. Weber then laid bare the operational fiasco that was the app's implementation. The hours squandered on the ground, the bureaucratic hoops jumped through for information that seemed to serve no one, certainly not the Canadian public. he dissected mercilessly. And then came the kicker, the detail that should make every Canadian's blood boil: “As far as I know, no one verified where anyone was staying. You know, the hundreds of hours that our officers spent helping people collect this information at the border we don't believe was really used at all.” Mark was probed about another critical aspect: the training—or lack thereof—that his union members received on the proper use of the ArriveCan app. With a shake of his head, Mark's response was disheartening but unsurprising. The training was minimal, leaving border guards underprepared and travelers equally bewildered. This lack of instruction exacerbated an already tense situation, pitting frustrated travelers against equally frustrated border personnel, a recipe for chaos and inefficiency at our nation's gateways. Mark didn't stop there. He acknowledged that while technology can be a powerful ally, it is not a panacea for all woes. He underscored a fundamental truth: an app is merely a tool, and like all tools, its effectiveness is contingent upon the skill and expertise of those wielding it. In the realm of national security and border control, this means boots on the ground—trained, knowledgeable personnel ready to act. Mark stressed that despite the high hopes pegged on technological advancements like automated passport checkouts, these innovations have not significantly reduced wait times at airports. The anticipated streamline and efficiency, much vaunted by proponents of the app, have yet to materialize in any tangible form. This situation leaves us with a glaring juxtaposition: on one side, a government heralding the dawn of a new, tech-savvy era in border management; on the other, the stark reality of frontline workers grappling with underpreparedness and ineffective tools. The mismatch between the glittering ideal and the gritty reality underscores a profound disconnect. Mark painted a picture of an organization beset by inefficiency and bureaucratic bloat. He described a surreal scenario where the hierarchy was so top-heavy that there were instances of four superintendents tasked with supervising merely two employees. This, he argued, was indicative of a toxic culture that not only hampered operational effectiveness but also left little room for accountability. More alarmingly, Mark highlighted a significant gap in the organization's framework: the lack of whistleblower protection. This absence of safeguards for those willing to speak out against malpractices further entrenched the culture of silence and complicity, stifling any potential for reform or improvement from within. In response to these criticisms, the Liberals and NDP, now bound in a coalition, deflected by invoking the specter of the Harper era, suggesting that the policies instituted during his tenure continued to cast a long shadow over the CBSA. However, this attempt to pivot away from current issues falls flat. The reality is, with the power and mandate to govern, the coalition could have engaged with the union or the CBSA long ago to address and reverse any contentious Harper-era policies. Yet, they chose inaction. My fellow Canadians, as we close this chapter, let's reflect on a critical issue that has metastasized within our public institutions—a malignancy that threatens the very integrity of our governance: the lack of whistleblower protection. This deficiency, a silent but deadly cancer, undermines the moral and operational foundation of our services. When our dedicated public servants, those tasked with safeguarding the public good, stand muted, crippled by the fear of reprisal, we face a grave crisis. How can we expect improvement or rectitude within our systems if those witnessing wrongdoings remain shackled by fear? A system that stifles the courageous voices calling out corruption or malpractice is a system that has failed its people. Consider the case of Luc Sabourin, a former employee of the CBSA. His experience is a stark illustration of this systemic failure. Sabourin spoke out, did his civic duty by reporting wrongdoing within his organization. But what reward did his honesty fetch? Bullying, ostracization, and a clear message: silence is safer than integrity. This is the dire consequence of a system that fails to shield its truth-tellers. This, my fellow Canadians, is unacceptable. It's high time we demand more than just superficial changes and empty promises from the Liberals and the NDP. Mere band-aid solutions and deflections to past administrations will not heal the deep-seated issues within our governance. The controversies swirling around instruments like ArriveCan and the toxic culture within the CBSA demand rigorous scrutiny, not mere sidestepping or finger-pointing. The swamp of corruption and malaise within our government requires draining, not mere change of guards or partisan rhetoric. Pierre Poilievre and his team, along with every conscientious lawmaker and citizen, must grab their metaphorical shovels. It's time to excavate the entrenched bog of mismanagement and cleanse the festering wound of corruption that plagues our country. Let this be a call to action: a plea for transparency, accountability, and genuine reform. For the health of our democracy, for the integrity of our institutions, and for the well-being of every Canadian, the time to act is now. Let's unite in this critical endeavor to rejuvenate our system, to transform it into one that truly serves, protects, and represents us all.

Folks, let's cut to the chase on this ArriveCAN saga, specifically the 'Meeting No. 93 PACP - Standing Committee on Public Accounts'. The key witness, Andrew Hayes, couldn't dish out the dirt on the accounting specifics of ArriveCAN – talk about a letdown. But, and this is a significant 'but', he did drop a few bombshells. First, circle February 12th, 2024, in your calendars. That's when we're supposed to get the full monty on the ArriveCAN accounting. I'm talking about a report that promises to blow the lid off the whole operation. We're expecting it to unveil the masterminds who green-lit GC Strategies to snag the ArriveCAN contract. Remember, this is the company that reportedly pocketed a staggering $11 million for, guess what, zero IT work. This committee session, truth be told, was a bit of a flop. But, hidden among the bureaucratic banter, there were a few slivers of gold. Things got heated, and frankly, it was nothing short of a circus. The NDP and Liberals were throwing points of order left and right, trying to derail Conservative Larry Brock's line of questioning. Here's the thing: it was Brock's six minutes, his time to grill, to dig deep into the heart of the matter. Who cares if he's asking about some high-flying, controversial topics? That's his prerogative! But no, the Liberal/NDP coalition couldn't stomach it. They had to jump in, wave their procedural flags, and try to shut it down. It's embarrassing, sure, but let the man ask his questions! NDP’s Gord Johns, was a letdown! I had some hope for you, Gord. But no, you just had to whine about this meeting being called at the end of the week and how it interrupted your precious party strategy meeting. Come on, man! Canadians don’t give a flying hoot about your party strategy meeting. They care about transparency, about where their hard-earned tax dollars are going! Larry Brock, in his response to being interrupted, laid it out plain and simple. CBSA officials, according to Brock, misled the committee. And the big question – who in the world chose GC Strategies, the two-person consulting company, to pocket $11 million for doing zilch in terms of IT work on ArriveCAN? Then there’s the testimony from MacDonald and Utano at the Government Operations Committee. Shocking revelations, folks. But what happens next? They get suspended without pay, right after spilling the beans. If that doesn't reek of intimidation and retaliation, I don't know what does. But here’s the twist – the Conservatives seem to be playing a different game altogether. While the Liberals and NDP are playing checkers, trying to cover up and downplay, the Conservatives are playing chess. They're not just trying to martyr MacDonald and Utano; they’re sending out a beacon to other whistleblowers. They’re saying, “Come forward, we’ve got your back.” And let me be clear – MacDonald and Utano are no saints. They’re part of the swamp. But this isn’t just about them. It’s about the bigger picture. It’s about getting to the bottom of this ArriveCAN scandal and blowing the lid off whatever else is festering in the depths of governmental bureaucracy. The conservatives are onto something here, and it’s about time someone did something about it. Final thoughts Let's wrap this up, folks. Remember those shady connections of Vaughn Brennan to Chrystia Freeland's office? And how about CBSA President O'Gorman's little rendezvous in and out of the PMO office before her testimony? Put it all together, and what do you get? A scandal that smells so foul it could knock a buzzard off a manure wagon. This isn't just a few misplaced dollars or a simple oversight; this reeks of a cover-up that goes right to the top. The conservatives, they're on the scent, and they're not letting go. They're digging in, and it looks like they're onto something big. This ArriveCAN scandal? It's more than just a technological flop or a financial misstep. It's a tangled web of connections, backdoor deals, and, let's be frank, outright corruption. So, stay tuned, because this story is just heating up. The report coming on February 12th might just be the crowbar we need to pry open this can of worms. We're talking about potentially uncovering the full scope of this debacle, exposing whoever let this ship run aground. You can bet I'll be right here, ready to break it all down for you. Because when it comes to government spending, accountability, and the truth, you deserve nothing less. This isn't just a story; it's a pursuit of the truth. And in this pursuit, rest assured, I won't let up. #cdnpoli

Oh, let's all take a moment to shed a tear for Justin Trudeau, who's had to endure the unbearable hardship of being in the House of Commons for over 28 hours. Can you imagine? The Prime Minister actually having to do his job for a whole day and a bit? The horror! And then there's Karina Gould, lamenting the $70,000 cost of democracy. Oh, the irony! The Liberal government, which never hesitates to throw millions at their pet projects, suddenly counting pennies when it comes to the democratic process. It's almost comical, isn't it? Here we have a government that's spent billions with little to show for it, getting their feathers ruffled over a mere $70,000 used to uphold the democratic process. This isn't about the money; it's about the principle. The Conservatives are forcing the Liberals to face the music, to actually consider the implications of their policies on real Canadians. And it seems the Liberals are finding it a little tough to swallow their own medicine. So, while Trudeau might be looking for sympathy for his marathon session in the Commons, let's not forget what this is really about. It's about holding a government accountable, about ensuring that every policy and tax imposed is scrutinized and debated, not just rubber-stamped in a hurry to get home for dinner. In the grand scheme of things, $70,000 is a small price to pay for keeping our democracy robust and our government in check. Maybe, just maybe, this will remind the Liberals that governing is about more than just photo ops and sound bites. But I won't hold my breath. #cdnpoli

#Breaking Oh, Canada! As much as I wanted to bask in the serenity of a Canadian weekend, Twitter and its political dramas pulled me back in. Who, might you ask, was the culprit? None other than the PMO's chief of staff, Katie Telford. Every time I hear her, it's like an echo of Justin Trudeau himself. I sometimes wonder if she's the genius behind his speeches. But, let's set that aside for a moment. Right there, on her feed from Aug 3rd, a bold claim: "Canada has zero pro-choice Conservative MPs, watchdog says," linked to a Guardian article. Just from the headline, I could sense some misinformation at play. Here's the deal: the "Conservative Party of Canada POLICY DECLARATION" updated in the National Convention on March 19, 2021, has it in black and white on Page 30. The Conservative Government has zero intentions to touch the abortion legislation. It's as clear as the Canadian sky. But here's the kicker: this so-called "Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC)" being touted as a "watchdog" is a bit rich. Especially when you consider that they receive funding directly from the government and act as a lobbying group for abortion rights. In our Canadian political milieu, "watchdog" conjures a different image, one of unbiased oversight and not governmental puppetry. And let's touch upon Bill C-311. It's 78 words of legislation that, surprise, doesn’t even mention abortion. It's crafted to ensure added protection for pregnant women, especially in criminal circumstances. Telford then had the gall to defend her misleading tweet, pointing to: "The credibility of the source. The neutral entities that retweeted before her. Its 'factual' basis in a parliamentary vote. The CPC's choice to maintain a dignified silence." Frankly, there’s nothing here for the CPC to acknowledge. Liberals are painting a frightening narrative: conservatives, the boogeymen, taking away women's rights. But remember, Harper, even with a majority, didn’t broach the abortion debate. With their numbers slipping, Trudeau and his team seem desperate. Observing the abortion tensions in the US, they’re hoping for a ripple effect here, trying to fan flames where there isn't even a spark. And, oh, that Guardian article? Authored by Tracey Lindeman who wrote "BLEED: Destroying Myths and Misogyny in Endometriosis Care." Not one to judge a book by its title, but this doesn’t scream impartiality. It's a strategy as old as politics itself: when in doubt, divert and deflect. In wrapping this up, it's disheartening to see the PMO, a representation of Canada's pinnacle of power, taking a path that's less than noble. But the most cutting blow? The Liberals think you're stupid. They don't care about transparency, and they most certainly don't care about pregnant women or their unborn children. Do better, Katie. You represent the highest office #cdnpoli

My fellow Canadians, we have a situation that's shaking up our nation's capital. David Johnston, the special rapporteur appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to dig into allegations of foreign interference in our elections, has thrown in the towel. His resignation is making waves, arriving amidst a hailstorm of controversy and growing demands for a public inquiry. Critics suggest Johnston's exit only thickens the cloud of suspicion hanging over what they're calling a Liberal cover-up of potential Chinese interference. From the start, Johnston's appointment raised more than a few eyebrows. His close ties to the Trudeau family led to questions about his ability to conduct an impartial investigation. But the real stunner came when he decided not to call for a public inquiry. Despite acknowledging, "Foreign governments are undoubtedly attempting to influence candidates and voters in Canada," he somehow concluded that a public inquiry wasn't the right move. Opposition leaders aren't taking this sitting down. Our very own Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, wasn't shy about voicing his concerns. He labeled Johnston as the prime minister’s “ski buddy” and “family friend,” suggesting that these personal connections obstructed an impartial investigation. The disappointment extends beyond the political arena. Communities directly impacted by China's influence, such as the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, expressed their disbelief at Johnston's refusal to call for a public inquiry. Mehmet Toti, the project's head, described this decision as "shockingly disappointing" and a setback for Canadian democracy. The demand for a public inquiry, transparent and independent, is escalating. Canadians want answers and justice regarding these serious allegations of foreign interference. Johnston's resignation and the continued refusal to hold a public inquiry only serve to undermine public confidence. We need to ask ourselves: who gains from this lack of transparency? But let's be real here, my fellow Canadians. This isn't just about Johnston. It's about Trudeau. It's about a Liberal government that appears more interested in preserving its own image than protecting our democracy from foreign interference. By appointing an insider like Johnston, who had such close ties to Trudeau himself, the Prime Minister has done nothing to alleviate concerns about potential bias. In fact, it's only amplified them. Trudeau's refusal to back a public inquiry, even as calls for it increase from all sides, is deeply troubling. And now, with Johnston stepping down, we're left with a gaping hole and a host of unanswered questions. Who will Trudeau pick next to investigate these serious allegations? Another one of his liberal insiders? Canadians won't stand for it. We deserve better. We demand better. The allegations of Chinese interference threaten the very fabric of our democracy. And it's time we treated them with the gravity they deserve. No more dodging, no more deflections, and certainly no more cover-ups. The Canadian public won't be silenced or placated with half-measures. We need a full, comprehensive public inquiry. Only once the carpet has been lifted and the extent of these allegations and potential corruption is laid bare, can we begin to address and rectify this issue. In the end, the strength of our democracy hinges on transparency, accountability, and truth. And we, the Canadian people, will settle for nothing less. Trudeau and his government need to remember that. Because when it comes to preserving the integrity of our democracy, we won't back down. Not now, not ever. #cdnpoli