Senate page fired for anti-Harper protest

[Hammer Sandwich]

Jack Layton actually stands up for civility:

Opposition Leader Jack Layton also disapproved.

“I think it’s wrong,” he told the CTV program Question Period.

“We have been pushing for decorum in the House of Commons. You don’t have decorum if people are standing up holding up signs in the middle of debates and solemn moments. … We encourage protests, it is part of a great long tradition of democracy. But it should be happening at the proper place and at the proper time.”

I had to read the text three times to actually realize I agree with something Jack Layton said....

You wanna protest?.. do it properly, take that shit outside, sister.

I wonder how long this woman is going to last when the afterglow of her university-fed ideology wears off...and she steps into the real world, where "working for the man" is what you have to do to provide yourself with the basic essentials of life.....

The "reality sandwich" is often a bitter meal when consumed.

Bon Appetit, Brigitte DePoop.


And, ColinP's idea? Brilliant.
Appoint people in that position who've already shown their commitment to Canada, and have already made a massive contribution to the nation.

 

[Bird_Gunner45]

I don't see what the big deal is.  It would seem that she knew that she was graduating, losing her senate page job upon graduating, and thought it would be a good way to get publicity and a job afterwards.  Her argument is the same old same old unfounded "secret agenda" jargon about the conservatives killing health care (unfounded), spending billions on fighter jets (which we need, explanations to be found in F35 discussion), and attacking the environment.  She never provided any "real" evidence other than siting un-named bills which she saw passed (and apparently the rest of Canada missed).  Really, it's just another case of making up problems, without any solutions offered and playing on fears.  She's at minute 14 or her 15 minutes.  Let 'er go.

 

[George Wallace]

I don't see what the big deal is.  It would seem that she knew that she was graduating, losing her senate page job upon graduating, and thought it would be a good way to get publicity and a job afterwards.  Her argument is the same old same old unfounded "secret agenda" jargon about the conservatives killing health care (unfounded), spending billions on fighter jets (which we need, explanations to be found in F35 discussion), and attacking the environment.  She never provided any "real" evidence other than siting un-named bills which she saw passed (and apparently the rest of Canada missed).  Really, it's just another case of making up problems, without any solutions offered and playing on fears.  She's at minute 14 or her 15 minutes.  Let 'er go.

There is a time an place to protest.  She signed on as a Page and swore an oath to the Queen, as well as an agreement to perform her duties in a nonpartisan way.  She broke her oath and showed that she had no ethics.  Seriously.  Would you hire someone who could not keep their word?  Someone who signs a contract with you and then breaks it?  What kind of expectations do you have for the ethical practices of your subordinates?

 

[Hammer Sandwich]

There is a time an place to protest.  She signed on as a Page and swore an oath to the Queen, as well as an agreement to perform her duties in a nonpartisan way.  She broke her oath and showed that she had no ethics.  Seriously.  Would you hire someone who could not keep their word?  Someone who signs a contract with you and then breaks it?  What kind of expectations do you have for the ethical practices of your subordinates?

I took Bird_Gunner45's post as being sarcastic...... ???

 

[Remius]

I really think there are better jobs for our wounded vets than being a Senate or H of C page.

 

[Hammer Sandwich]

I really think there are better jobs for our wounded vets than being a Senate or H of C page.

There probably are....

Or, maybe using vets for such a position might bring a little honor, and dignity to the position, as opposed to using university students, (who may or may not give a flying fig about their duties, and instead, use the position as a soapbox).


I think that type of postion would be great for reservists of junior rank.

Make it similar to any other tasking....
Advertise the position at the unit level, and let people apply who really want to do it.

At 500 required hours to fufill the commitment, that's 12 and a half weeks of full time Class B emplyoment.

(I know there's a lot more to setting up Class B/taskings...etc, this is just my  :2c

 

[Remius]

Well for one thing, I really don't think we need to militarise the page program.  It isn't a military position nor should it be. 

One page in the entire history of the program gets on a soap box and all of a sudden we paint them as university students who don't care about what they do or respect the institution they work for.

We've been victims of being tarnished by a few bad apples, so I fail to see the need to do that to a successful student program.

Personally I would turn over the ceremonial duties of the parliamentary security forces to our wounded or disabled vets/reservists etc.  Being responsible for safeguarding the Book of Rememberance for example would be far more appropriate than passsing written messages from MP to MP.

 

[Hammer Sandwich]

One page in the entire history of the program gets on a soap box and all of a sudden we paint them as university students who don't care about what they do or respect the institution they work for.

Yeah, I do tend to have "knee-jerk" reactions about stuff like that....(one of my many personality faults). 

Personally I would turn over the ceremonial duties of the parliamentary security forces to our wounded or disabled vets/reservists etc.  Being responsible for safeguarding the Book of Rememberance for example would be far more appropriate than passsing written messages from MP to MP.

I like your idea waaaay  better.....let's go with this one.

 

[Haletown]

:brickwall:


Why is this bullshyte line allowed to continue.....urghh

The mind of the progressive is difficult to understand because so many simple concepts are foreign to them.

Canada's  Population                      33,739.900
60% of Canada's  Population        20, 243, 940

Voter Turnout in May 2011        14, 720, 580

Such is life in her arithmetically challenged progressive number crunching world .


She also whines on about wasting money on "fighter jets nobody wants".

Which of course totally ignores the official party positions of  the Liberals and the NDP that the CF 18's must be replaced with new fighter jets.

So in fact, rather than her make it up on the fly world, the 39.6% CPC voters , the 30.6% NDP voters and the 18.9% Liberal voters - 89.1 percent of Canadian voters, agreed that Canada needs new fighters.  They disagree on the acquisition process, but all the parties say Canada needs to replace the CF 18.

In her fact challenged world, 89.1% of voters for something becomes a bogus 60% against something.

Kids these days, so impressed with their own ability to think clearly.

 

[George Wallace]

Personally I would turn over the ceremonial duties of the parliamentary security forces to our wounded or disabled vets/reservists etc.  Being responsible for safeguarding the Book of Rememberance for example would be far more appropriate than passsing written messages from MP to MP.

Are you, and the others, suggesting that we create/copy the Yeoman Warders as found in the UK?

 

[Retired AF Guy]

Well for one thing, I really don't think we need to militarise the page program.  It isn't a military position nor should it be. 

One page in the entire history of the program gets on a soap box and all of a sudden we paint them as university students who don't care about what they do or respect the institution they work for.

We've been victims of being tarnished by a few bad apples, so I fail to see the need to do that to a successful student program.

Personally I would turn over the ceremonial duties of the parliamentary security forces to our wounded or disabled vets/reservists etc.  Being responsible for safeguarding the Book of Rememberance for example would be far more appropriate than passsing written messages from MP to MP.

I agree. My understanding is that many pages want the job because they want to use it as a springboard into politics and as a excellent way to get the attention of the politicians who might offer you a job down the line.

 

[Edward Campbell]

Are you, and the others, suggesting that we create/copy the Yeoman Warders as found in the UK?

Maybe that's an idea with some merit. Different rules, of course: former members of the CF (and RCMP?) who were honourably released with preference given to the wounded, no rank "floor" as with the Yeomen Warders, etc.

 

[Remius]

Are you, and the others, suggesting that we create/copy the Yeoman Warders as found in the UK?

Hmn, I honestly didn't know what that was until I google it and realised it was the Beefeaters.  No, although it is a pretty cool concept all things considered.

Really, it was just a suggestion in response to having vets being pages.  Parliamentary security constables normally have one on duty in full dress who is charge of turning the page and guarding the book.  Having seen it, it involves drill, cermony etc.  I'm not knocking the constables (some who are ex-military) as they do take that job very seriously (as well as escorting the speaker to the house).  just that that would be a more approriate for a recent vet.

Although having something similar to the Yeoman Warders would be kosher in my books.

 

[mariomike]

Kids these days, so impressed with their own ability to think clearly.

She is 21. Perhaps she is going through a prolonged adolescence. She disrespected what sounds like a good job to me - clean, inside work, no heavy lifting.

 

[Bird_Gunner45]

I took Bird_Gunner45's post as being sarcastic...... ???

I was in fact trying to be sarcastic with my opening line.

What I meant to say was that our young lady finished classes, probably had a week left in her apartment lease, was quitting anyways, and like many of us, decided to go out with a bang (I once wrote "Leafs suck" in the plastic letters on the road sign for a Harvey's I worked at in high school as a way of quitting because I was told to put "we Be-Leaf" on the sign in the middle of a snowstorm, as my boss was a huge leafs fan and it was the playoffs).  If there are any punishments which can be given to her, than I completely agree with them.  But, she's an opportunist who spouts random, nonsensical jargon about politics, and used her 15 minutes to hook herself up with a job.  Like any other 15 minutes of fame seeker, she'll go away, and hopefully with a large fine and a lifetime ban from the public service.

 

[a_majoor]

Her opportunistic behaviour is bad enough, and I would hope that most employers would avoid her for that reason alone.

There is an opportunity here forthe rest of us, though. IF you think about her comments, they are highly reactionary, discounting the real Canadian Spring that happened around her and her professors and attempting to discredit democracy and the institutions that support it in Canada. Savage mockery should be directed at her, her educators and anyone who voices similar sentiments. What they said is stupid and deceitful, and if it is denormalized then perhaps these ideas will be driven from the public square and better ideas will have room to grow.

Maybe bumper stickers stating "Majority Government=Canadian Spring" would be a good start.

 

[Hammer Sandwich]

I was in fact trying to be sarcastic with my opening line.

Yay!  It worked.

What I meant to say was that our young lady finished classes, probably had a week left in her apartment lease, was quitting anyways, and like many of us, decided to go out with a bang (I once wrote "Leafs suck" in the plastic letters on the road sign for a Harvey's I worked at in high school as a way of quitting because I was told to put "we Be-Leaf" on the sign in the middle of a snowstorm, as my boss was a huge leafs fan and it was the playoffs). 

Best run-on sentence ever, and I FULLY appreciate the sentiment.

But, she's an opportunist who spouts random, nonsensical jargon about politics, and used her 15 minutes to hook herself up with a job.  Like any other 15 minutes of fame seeker, she'll go away, and hopefully with a large fine and a lifetime ban from the public service.

I agree with your statement, and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.



I apologize for cutting up your post, but I agree with what you're saying very much, and this makes me (personally) question the "page program".

From what I've gleaned from this thread, the "hopefuls" agreed to be trotted out, displayed, chosen, (I don't know how, proll'y don't wanna know why)...

All for the hope of being recognized for a future political career?

Something smells "pimpy" to me......

Not to make light of it, but does anyone know how the pages are ACTUALLY chosen?

(I don't, I'm not being sarcastic.)

 

[mariomike]

Not to make light of it, but does anyone know how the pages are ACTUALLY chosen?

http://www.parl.gc.ca/Employment/Senate/PageProgram/selection-e.htm

 

[Neill McKay]

The Canadian Spring was ushered in by the voters, exercising their democratic rights and utilizing the various institutions which support our civil society. By protesting against the legitimate outcome of a democratic election and the stated platform of the winning political party, they are attempting to deligitimize elections and democratic institutions.

No, it's perfectly possible to protest the actions, or planned actions, of a government without attempting to de-legitimize the election that put them in power.  The right to protest is an essential part of that very institution.  Surely you don't feel that, the election having been won, all other opinions should be shut down until the next go 'round four years later on the premise that the majority has spoken.

To be clear, I condemn the timing and location of this individual's protest, and besides that I was never a fan of theatrics.  Public employees must always act in a non-partisan way, and any sort of protest on the floor of the Senate -- and in the face of the Governor General -- is absolutely not on.

 

[Hammer Sandwich]

http://www.parl.gc.ca/Employment/Senate/PageProgram/selection-e.htm

Much appreciated!
Thanks.

Hs

Edit..why do the applicants have to go to;

(Carleton University, Saint-Paul University, University of Ottawa and Université du Québec en Outaouais)?