Conservatives In Public Positions

Every election campaign, opposition parties invariably promise to reform hiring of senior personnel to the government’s very wide circle of boards, councils, committees, Crown corporations, and agencies. It accuses the outgoing government of patronage — of hiring friends and party supporters on the age-old principle that politics is not what you know, but who you know. And usually, the incoming government fails abysmally to uphold its old, lofty principles.

Some prefer to refer to patronage simply as corruption. In some cases certainly that is true. I will go with the milder term, however, both because it captures a much broader area of activity (most of the appointments are salaried, but some board members get only expenses, per diems, etc) and because it is usually impossible to prove a clear link in any case. Since 2006, the general trend is to hire people who are notably Conservative or who have no apparent party loyalties. Prior to 2006, a similar trend favoured Liberal over Conservative appointees. Stephen Harper once denounced this system as the Prime Minister rewarding his “buddies,” but while in office has been uninterested in changing the system. Instead he has continued to appoint party insiders and supporters at a frenzied pace, even to the Senate, which he once demanded be fully democratized through elected Senators with term limits. Days after the May 2011 general election, he even appointed several losing candidates to the Senate, so that they could have a seat in Parliament anyways after being denied one by the public.

I have named this list the Patronage List. A century ago, this was literally the name for a shortlist of preferred contractors handed out to government departments. Now the process is much less formal. The following table spans the Harper Government™ and is a woefully incomplete work in progress. I want to stress that it does not prove that these people are incompetent or corrupt in any way whatsoever; it simply establishes that there is a clear pattern in which people who have supported or worked for the Conservative Party receive a disproportionate number of government positions.

Currently, according to the government, there are about 2000 jobs within the gift of ministers and the prime minister, which they lavish upon friends, colleagues, and supporters. According to Harper, his government awards about one in every three public sector appointments to Conservative Party members and donors, which is far in excess of their actual percentage of the population (the party’s membership roster stands at just 300,000 or so). Moreover, his own figure may obviously be an understatement. This figure was from the minority government; it remains to be seen what will happen between 2011 and 2015.

This page will consist of two tables, mainly for the sake of manageability. The first table consists of government appointments since May 2, 2011. The second consists of appointments made by the Harper minority government, between 2006 and 2011.

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Individual Organization Explanation
Alain Bolduc Quebec Superior Court Conservative donor ($425) appointed puisne judge for Trois-Rivieres in 2010.
Alan D. MacInnes Manitoba Court of Appeal Conservative donor in the Mulroney era, appointed to the bench by Mulroney in 1992 and promoted by the Harper Government in 2007.
Alan Mostyn Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Father of 2006 Conservative candidate Michael Mostyn. Appointed in 2006.
Alcide Boudreault Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative candidate in 2006. Appointed as chairman for Quebec in 2008.
Alexander Sosna Ontario Superior Court Mulroney-era PC candidate, appointed in 2006.
Alex Dantzer National Parole Board 2006 nominee, appointed in 2009 to Pacific division.
Alex Pazaratz Ontario Superior Court Conservative donor, appointed a judge in the family division in 2006.
Alice McCarron Canadian Museum of Nature Co-Chair of Nova Scotia PC Leadership 2010 convention, appointed in 2010 to the Board of Trustees.
Allan Warrack National Research Council (NRC) Former Alberta PC Cabinet minister under Peter Lougheed. Appointed to the Council in 2008.
Al Santing Windsor Port Authority Donor ($955.31), appointed to Board of Directors in 2009.
Andre Bachand United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Former PC MP and Conservative candidate, appointed in 2009 as the Canadian Ambassador to UNESCO.
Andre Plourde Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Mulroney-era PC MP. Appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
Andrew J. Goodman Ontario Superior Court Conservative donor, appointed judge ex officio in 2009.
Andrew Nickerson Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($1000), appointed in 2009.
Andrew Saxton Canadian Commercial Corporation Father of MP Andrew Saxton (elected 2008), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2010.
Angela Vautour Veterans Review and Appeal Board 2004 Conservative candidate and former PC MP, appointed in 2009.
Anish Makim Downsview Park Inc. Chief financial officer for then-Ontario MPP (now finance minister) Jim Flaherty's leadership campaign in 2004. Appointed to the Board of Directors in 2007.
Ann-Marie Applin National Film Board Vice-Chair of the Canadian Alliance Founding Dinner in 2000
Ann Dillon Citizenship and Immigration Canada Donor ($750), appointed a citizenship judge in 2009.
Anne Marie Kains Citizenship and Immigration Canada Donor ($1100), appointed a citizenship judge in 2009.
Ann MacQuarrie Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($382.50), appointed in 2008
Anthony Leoni Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($1025), appointed in 2009.
Arlene Ponting Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Partner of Conservative backer Phil Ponting, appointed to NSERC in 2007.
Arni Thorsteinson Canadian Museum for Human Rights Former Manitoba PC fundraiser. Appointed in 2007 as chairman of the Advisory Committee.
Arthur L. Hamilton Federal Bridge Corporation Conservative Party lead counsel, having representing them in the In and Out laundering case; appointed to the corporate Board of Directors in 2006.
Arthur Lust Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($350), appointed in 2009.
Atam Uppal Immigration and Refugee Board Conservative nominee in Don Valley East in 2005, appointed in 2006.
Barbara Baird New Brunswick Court Former New Brunswick PC leader, appointed a judge in the family division in 2007.
Barbara Barry Canadian Museum of Nature Donor ($3100), appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2009.
Barbara Hagerman Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island Wife of the PEI PC party financial agent and Conservative PEI chapter treasurer, Nelson Hagerman. Appointed Lieutenant-Governor in 2006.
Barbara McDougall Agreement on Internal Trade Panel Former Mulroney Cabinet minister, appointed in 2006.
Barry Kyle Belledune Port Authority Donor ($1000), appointed to Board of Directors in 2009.
Barry Moore Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) Mulroney-era MP in Quebec, named to the Board in 2007 by Jim Flaherty.
Basile Chiasson Belledune Port Authority Identified as close to the chief of staff of New Brunswick PC leader David Alward in 2011. Appointed to the Port Authority in 2008.
Benoit Bouchard Indian Affairs Canada Mulroney-era Cabinet minister, appointed as Chief Federal Negotiator with the Quebec Innu in 2006.
Benoit Bouchard (2) Canadian Museum for Human Rights Mulroney Cabinet minister, appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2007.
Bhagwant Parmar Canadian Tourism Commission Donor ($201), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Bill McKnight Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan Mulroney-era Cabinet minister appointed to this post in 2007 and re-appointed in 2011.
Bill Saunderson Public Sector Pension Investment Board Former Ontario PC Harris government Cabinet minister, appointed in 2006.
Bob Beccarea Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal Donor ($500), appointed in 2009.
Bob Mills National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Alliance and then Conservative MP until retirement in 2008.
Bob Runciman Senator Former Ontario PC Cabinet minister, appointed in 2009.
Bonnie Dupont Bank of Canada Donor ($1000), appointed to Board of Directors in 2009.
Bonnie Staples-Lyon Royal Canadian Mint Aide to former Manitoba PC premier Gary Filmon, appointed to RCM Board of Directors in 2008.
Bradley Farquhar International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development 2006 Conservative candidate, appointed in 2009 to the Board of Directors.
Bradley Green New Brunswick Court of Appeal Former New Brunswick PC Cabinet minister, appointed judge in 2009.
Brent Taylor Veterans Review and Appeal Board 2006 New Brunswick PC candidate, appointed in 2009.
Brian Abrams Ontario Superior Court Conservative candidate until early 2011; stepped down, and named a family court judge.
Brian Bowen Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor ($400), appointed in 2010
Brian Coburn Citizenship and Immigration Canada Former Ontario PC Cabinet minister in the Harris government. Appointed citizenship judge in 2006.
Brian Coburn Citizenship and Immigration Canada Former Ontario PC MPP, appointed a citizenship judge in 2009.
Brian Henley Bank of Canada Newfoundland co-chair of the 2004 Conservative campaign. Appointed to the Board of Directors in 2011.
Brian K. Johnston Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Conservative donor, appointed in 2008.
Brian Ketcheson Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Manitoba Conservative candidate, appointed in 2008.
Brian Mitchell Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Former PC and Conservative leadership contestant who sat on the Conservative national council before being appointed to the CBC Board of Directors in 2008.
Brian O'Kurley Veterans Review and Appeal Board Former PC MP in the Mulroney era, appointed in 2009.
Briat Coulter Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($1000), appointed in 2009.
Bruce Carson Canada School of Energy and Environment Carson was a senior adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper prior to his appointment to the School in 2008. He was embroiled in an influence peddling scandal in 2011.
Bruce Carson (2) Carbon Management Canada Carson, a former Harper senior adviser, helped establish CMC from his patronage position at the Canada School of Energy. He was embroiled in an influence peddling scandal in 2011.
Bruce Gilboord Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former president of York Centre riding association. Appointed in 2008.
Bruce Richards Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Campaign manager for MP Dave MacKenzie in 2008, appointed in 2010 to Ontario branch.
C. Scott Shepherd Ridley Terminals Conservative donor, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
Cameron Crowell Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former member of the South Shore PC riding association (riding of Conservative MP Gerald Keddy). Appointed in 2008.
Carl Spencer Farm Credit Canada Donor ($250), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Carman Joynt Royal Canadian Mint Conservative Party auditor and donor ($1000 per year). Appointed to Mint Board of Directors in 2007.
Carol Anderson Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor ($250 in 2009), appointed in 2011.
Carol Fletcher-Dagenais National Parole Board Federal and Ontario provincial Conservative member, appointed in 2010.
Carol Hansell Royal Canadian Mint Former RCM director. Appointed in 2006, after contributing to finance minister Jim Flaherty when he was an Ontario MLA.
Caroline Brown Ontario Superior Court Donor ($1000), appointed family court judge in 2009.
Carol Pennycook Public-Private Partnerships Canada Ontario PC donor, appointed to the P3 Canada board.
Carol Skelton Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) Former Conservative MP and Harper government revenue minister, appointed in 2010.
Carol Soucy Sept-Iles Port Authority Donor ($1500), appointed to Board of Directors in 2009.
Carolyn Stewart Olsen Senator Former Harper PMO Director of Strategic Communications, appointed in 2009.
Casper Bloom Public Service Labour Relations Board Donor ($775), appointed chairman in 2009.
Catherine Dennahower Buffalo and Port Erie Public Bridge Authority Donor ($367.27), appointed in 2008
Catherine Wells National Council of Welfare Donor ($1050), appointed in 2009.
Cecil Rarabeck National Research Council (NRC) Donor ($1000), appointed in 2009.
Charles Doucet Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative candidate in 2006, appointed in 2007 and again in 2011.
Charles W. White Newfoundland Court of Appeal Donor ($4550), appointed in 2009.
Cheryl Barker Public Sector Pension Investment Board Donor ($2000), appointed a director in 2009.
Cheryl Walker Immigration and Refugee Board Donor ($1675), appointed to Calgary office in 2009
Chris Dumfries Payments in Lieu of Taxes Dispute Advisory Panel Conservative donor ($500), appointed in 2010
Chris Essex Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Former Reform activist, appointed in 2009.
Chris Henley Toronto Port Authority Conservative donor and fundraiser, appointed in 2006.
Chris Kluczewski Oshawa Harbour Commission Conservative and Ontario PC donor, former member of finance minister Jim Flaherty's riding association. Appointed in 2010.
Christopher Bondy Ontario Superior Court Conservative donor ($4298) named a judge in early 2011.
Christopher Bondy (2) Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed to the tribunal from Windsor in 2008.
Christopher Hilkene National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Ontario PC donor ($585.94), appointed in 2010
Cindy Silver Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative candidate in 2006, appointed in 2007.
Claire-Marie Jadot Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($400), appointed in 2009.
Claude Carignan Senator 2008 Conservative candidate, appointed in 2009.
Claude Dallaire Quebec Superior Court Donor ($900), appointed as puisne judge for Montreal in 2009.
Claude Durand Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative candidate in 2008, appointed to Quebec division in 2010.
Claude F. Bennett Royal Canadian Mint Former Ontario PC Cabinet minister under Bill Davis, appointed to the RCM Board of Directors in 2007.
Colin Hume Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees 2005 president of the Ajax-Pickering riding association, appointed in 2009.
Colin Presizniuk Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Wildrose (then Alberta Alliance) candidate, appointed in 2006.
Colin Presizniuk Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($4515), appointed in 2009.
Conrad Sullivan Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board Conservative donor ($1800) appointed in 2010.
Craig Beattie Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($1300), appointed in 2009.
Craig Rix Toronto Port Authority Aide to then-Ontario PC minister Jim Flaherty, now federal finance minister. Appointed in 2008 then 2011.
Dallas Miller Alberta Court Conservative donor and 2005 campaign co-chair, appointed in 2006.
Damian J. Parrent National Parole Board Conservative donor, appointed in 2010.
Dane Minor Citizenship and Immigration Canada Campaign manager for Nina Grewal in 2008, chair of Langley riding association nomination committee in 2011. Appointed as a citizenship judge in 2011.
Danielle Jackson Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative candidate campaign manager in 2006, appointed in 2010.
Daniel Veniez Ridley Terminals Former senior aide in the Mulroney government. Appointed chairman of the board in 2007.
Daniel Veniez Ridley Terminals Identified as a Mulroney-era political staffer when appointed to the Chairmanship of Ridley Terminals in 2007.
Darcy Tkachuk Immigration and Refugee Board Donor ($2550), appointed to Calgary office in 2009.
Darrell Rushton Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board Former Sobeys executive who has co-chaired and donated to Peter MacKay election campaigns in Nova Scotia. Now ACOA board member.
Darren Deluca Port Alberni Port Authority Campaign manager for MP Gary Lunn in 2006. Appointed in 2011.
Darren Peters Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board Conservative candidate in 2004, appointed to the board in 2007.
Darryl Gray National Council of Welfare 2008 Conservative candidate, appointed in 2009.
David Bishop National Round Table on the Environment and Economy Conservative donor ($1000) appointed in 2010.
David Braley Senator Largest donor in Harper's leadership campaign, contributed $99 000 to Conservative causes, appointed in 2010
David Hoff VIA Rail Donor ($1049), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
David J. Ramsbottom Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed in 2008.
David L. Henderson Halifax Port Authority Conservative donor, appointed in 2010.
David Laidley Bank of Canada Donor ($5650), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
David Langtry Canadian Human Rights Commission Former Manitoba Conservative candidate and campaign manager. Appointed in 2006 and promoted to Deputy Chief Commissioner the following year.
David Leith Natural Resources Canada Donor ($500), appointed Advisor to the Minister on AECL Restructuring in 2009.
David McLaughlin National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Former Mulroney chief of staff who advised finance minister Jim Flaherty (2006-2007), appointed in 2007.
David Saxton Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Identified as Nova Scotia PC backer when he was appointed chairman for Nova Scotia in 2008.
David Schioler National Parole Board Progressive Conservative candidate in 1993, appointed in 2010.
David Usherwood Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Alberta PC candidate in 2004, appointed in 2009.
David Wells Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board Former aide to MP Loyola Sullivan, appointed in 2010.
David Young Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former Ontario PC Cabinet minister under Harris and Eves. Appointed as the Ontario chairman in 2007.
Denis Almon Employment Insurance Board of Referees Conservative donor, appointed in 2010.
Denis Bernier Quebec Port Authority Conservative donor ($1185), appointed in 2010.
Denis Jolette National Parole Board Former senior adviser to Harper minister Peter MacKay and nominated to the interim council of the unified Conservative Party in 2003. Appointed in 2008.
Dennis Boyle Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former New Brunswick PC candidate, appointed as chairman for Saint John in 2007.
Derek McElveny National Parole Board Judge of a Conservative student essay contest, appointed in 2010.
Derwyn Shea National Seniors Council Donor ($1000), appointed in 2009.
Derwyn Shea National Seniors Council Former Ontario PC MLA, appointed in 2007.
Diane Bellemare Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Mother of Julie Couillard, ex-girlfriend of Maxime Bernier. Appointed in 2010.
Dianne Cunningham National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Former Mike Harris Cabinet minister, appointed to the Board of Directors.
Dianne Kelderman Marine Atlantic Conservative, rose to be executive vice-president of Nova Scotia PC party in 2010. Appointed to this Board of Directors in 2006.
Dominic Lundrigan Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Newfoundland PC candidate, appointed in 2010.
Dominique Bellemare Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative candidate in 2004 and 2008, and Conservative donor ($5000), appointed in 2010.
Dominique Setton Immigration and Refugee Board Appointed in 2008 and again in 2011.
Donald Amos Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Supported Gary Lunn in 2008, appointed in 2009.
Donald Kirkpatrick Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former member of Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford riding association, appointed in 2010.
Donald Woodley Canada Post Donor ($850), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Donald Wright VIA Rail Donor ($5000), appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2009.
Don Bettle Farm Credit Canada Donor ($500), appointed in 2009.
Don MacKinnon National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Former PEI PC MLA, appointed to NRTEE in 2007.
Don Plett Senator Conservative Party president, appointed in 2009.
Dorothy O'Keefe Veterans Review and Appeal Board Former aide to MP Norm Doyle, appointed in 2010.
Doug Emsley Bank of Canada Former PC Party Executive member, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Doug Finley Senator Conservative National Campaign Director in 2006, appointed in 2009.
Dray Matovic Canada Tourism Commission Conservative donor in Niagara Falls, appointed to the CTC Board of Directors.
Dwight Rudderham Marine Atlantic Endorsed Jamie Baillie campaign for leadership of Nova Scotia PC party after being appointed to the Board of Directors in 2007.
Edouard Prefontaine Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($1000), appointed in 2009.
Edward Gareau Ontario Superior Court Donor ($3700), appointed judge in 2009.
Edward Hyer Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($1614), appointed in 2009.
Edwin C. Hooker Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Ontario PC Windsor riding association financial officer, appointed in 2007.
Eleni Palantzas Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor ($325), appointed in 2010
Elizabeth Marshall Senator Former Newfoundland PC Cabinet minister, appointed in 2009.
Elizabeth Parr-Johnston International Development Research Centre Donor ($530), appointed to the Board of Governors in 2009.
Elliot Tepper International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development Roommate of climate change denier and Tom Flanagan associate Barry Cooper. Flanagan was a close Harper aide during his first years in power. Appointed in 2011.
Elwin Hermanson Canadian Grain Commission Former Reform MP and Saskatchewan Party leader, appointed chief commissioner in 2008.
Eric Hansen Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Campaign worker in 2006 election, appointed in 2009.
Eric Hughes Canadian Museum for Human Rights Donor ($5912.25), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Eric Mackenzie National Capital Commission Conservative nominee in 2004, former New Brunswick PC MLA, appointed in 2010
Eric Stefanson VIA Rail Donor ($2650), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Eric Sykes Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Campaign organizer for MP John Cummins, appointed in 2006.
Eugene Rossiter Tax Court of Canada Former president of the PC Island Fund, appointed tax judge in 2006.
Eva June Landry Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board Former Conservative riding association director; former Conservative director of ACOA board.
Eva Landry Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation Former member of Cape Breton-Canso riding association, appointed in 2009 to the Board of Directors.
Fabian Manning Senator Conservative MP who lost seat in 2008, was appointed to Senate the same year, resigned in 2011 to run again.
Faith Collins Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former PC candidate, appointed in 2008.
Fiona Robin Canadian Museum of Civilization President of Vancouver Quadra riding association in 2007, appointed in 2009 to the Board of Trustees.
Florence Minz Canadian Museum of Nature Donor ($5916.98), appointed in 2009.
France Bergeron Quebec Superior Court Donor ($1000), appointed puisne judge for Quebec in 2009.
Francois Huot Quebec Superior Court Donor ($400), appointed puisne judge for Quebec in 2009.
Francois Turmel Sept-Iles Port Authority Conservative donor, appointed as a director in 2010.
Frank Collins Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($400), appointed in 2009.
Frank MacInnis Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation Conservative campaign worker, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Frank MacInnis Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board Experienced Conservative campaign worker and now-former ACOA board member.
Frank Pizzitelli Tax Court of Canada Donor ($2155), appointed judge in 2009.
Fraser Walsh Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board Donated $500 to Conservative election campaign in 2008.
Fred Dickson Senator Former Nova Scotia PC premier John Buchanan's chief of staff, appointed in 2008
Fred E Dugdale Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor ($25) appointed to Manitoba board in 2011.
Frederick Tufnell National Parole Board Donor ($250), appointed to Ontario division in 2009 and as vice-chairman of the board in 2011.
Frederick Wesolowski National Parole Board Former Reform candidate, appointed in 2011.
Fred Stille Thunder Bay Port Authority Mulroney-era PC candidate, appointed director of the port authority in 2006.
Fred Wesolowski National Parole Board Former Reform candidate appointed as a part-time member in 2011.
G. Grant Machum Telefilm Canada Donor ($2102), appointed in 2009.
G. Howard Kroon National Gallery of Canada Donor ($2100), appointed to Board of Directors in 2009.
Gail Baldwin Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former New Brunswick PC candidate, appointed in 2010.
Gary Harron Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former Ontario PC candidate and PC government appointee to various boards. Appointed as chairman of the EI board for Ontario in 2007.
Gary Valcour Oshawa Harbour Commission Donor ($525) and member of finance minister Jim Flaherty's Oshawa-Whitby riding association, appointed in 2008
Gavin Semple Canada Post Major donor to Saskatchewan Party (and recipient of a patronage appointment from Brad Wall, as well). Appointed in 2006.
Geoff Machum Halifax Port Authority Chair of the 2006 Nova Scotia PC leadership campaign, appointed in 2009.
George Cooper Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Parliamentary secretary in the Clark government. Appointed to the CBC Board of Directors in 2008.
George Filliter Public Service Labour Relations Board Husband of Barbara Baird, former New Brunswick PC leader and herself a judicial patronage employee. Appointed to the board in 2008.
George Gibault Citizenship and Immigration Canada Aide to Kim Campbell, appointed in 2007 as a citizenship judge.
George Hungerford Payments in Lieu of Taxes Dispute Advisory Panel Donor ($3774.34), appointed in 2008
George Khouri Citizenship and Immigration Canada 2008 Conservative candidate, appointed a citizenship judge in 2009.
Georgette Roy Citizenship and Immigration Canada Former executive director of New Brunswick PC Party, appointed citizenship judge in 2010.
George William Taylor Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Ontario PC MPP, appointed in 2008.
George Young Canada Tourism Commission Described as a "longtime supporter" of industry minister Tony Clement, who appointed him to the board in 2010.
Gerald Legere Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees New Brunswick PC candidate in 2006, appointed Chairman for New Brunswick in 2011.
Gerard Latulippe International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development 2000 Alliance candidate and Quebec campaign co-chair, appointed President of the Board in 2009.
Gilles Bernier Forum Francophone des Affaires Former Conservative MP and father of Maxime Bernier. Appointed Canadian representative to the 2006 Forum meeting.
Gilles Chasles Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Identified as Conservative before appointment in 2008
Gilles Duguay Citizenship and Immigration Canada Former Conservative candidate, made a citizenship judge in 2009.
Gilles Guenette Immigration and Refugee Board Former Conservative candidate in Ottawa, appointed in 2006.
Gilles Guenette Immigration and Refugee Board 1997 PC candidate, appointed to the Ottawa office in 2009.
Gilles Robichaud Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Nova Scotia nominee in 2008, appointed same year
Giuseppe Anzini Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($726.35), appointed in 2009.
Glen Findlay Canadian Wheat Board Former Manitoba Conservative Cabinet minister, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Gloria Shan Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Worked on Ontario PC Leadership campaigns in the 1980s, appointed in 2009.
Gordon Stovel Canada Foundation for Innovation Donated to Mississauga South riding association, appointed to foundation Board of Directors in 2011.
Graham Coveney Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Friend of an aide to former Ontario PC minister (now federal Conservative minister) Tony Clement. Appointed in 2006.
Graham Wells Payments in Lieu of Taxes Dispute Advisory Panel Conservative donor ($2000), early backer of Stockwell Day's leadership campaign, appointed in 2010.
Grant Driedger Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Manitoba PC nominee, appointed for Winnipeg in 2008.
Greg Melchin Public-Private Partnerships Canada Alberta PC minister under Ralph Klein and Ed Stelmach until his resignation in 2007. Appointed to chair the board of P3 Canada.
Gwyn Morgan Public Appointments Commission Conservative fundraiser appointed by Harper to lead this new Commission in 2006. His appointment was blocked by opposition parties and the entire commission was then shelved.
Harold Beaudry Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor, appointed chair for Sudbury in 2008.
Harold Gilleshammer Citizenship and Immigration Canada Aide to MP Merv Tweed, appointed in 2007 as a citizenship judge and reappointed in 2011.
Harold Veale Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Alberta PC local association president, appointed in 2006.
Harriet Walker National Gallery of Canada Donor ($1510.64) and wife of former Ontario PC Gordon Walker. Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2006 and reappointed in 2009.
Harriet Wolman Immigration and Refugee Board Former Ontario PC candidate, appointed as a full-time member in 2007.
Harry Gaffney Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor ($500), appointed in 2010.
Harvey Cenaiko National Parole Board Alberta PC MLA from 2004 to 2008, and then appointed the same year as vice-chairman of the Parole Board.
Harvey Cenaiko National Parole Board Former Alberta PC Cabinet minister, appointed in 2009.
Harvey Merrill Grigg Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative candidate in 2004 election. Appointed in 2007.
Harvie Andre Indian Affairs Canada Former Mulroney Cabinet minister and father-in-law of the head of then-Indian Affairs minister Jim Prentice's riding association. Appointed land claims negotiator in 2006.
Heather Jane Chutter Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former member of Vancouver Quadra riding association, appointed in 2009.
Hector Daniel Lang Senator Former Yukon PC MLA, donor ($1000), appointed 2008
Helene LeFebvre Standards Council of Canada Donor ($5900), appointed in 2009.
Herbert Lee Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada Conservative donor ($1063.56) appointed in 2010.
Howard Bruce Transportation Appeal Tribunal Former Alliance (2000, 2004) and Conservative (2006) candidate, appointed in 2006.
Howard Bruce Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada 2004 and 2006 Conservative candidate, 2000 Alliance candidate, appointed in 2009.
Hugh Gaffney Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Husband of a Conservative riding association executive in South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale. Appointed in 2007.
Ian Gregory Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor ($500), appointed in 2010
Ian McClelland Northlands Former Edmonton MP, appointed as the federal representative on the Board of Directors in 2010.
Ian McIlreath National Museum of Science and Technology Donor ($300), appointed to Board of Trustees in 2009.
Ian McPhail RCMP Public Complaints Commission Ontario PC donor ($4886.32), appointed in 2009.
Ian McPhail RCMP Public Complaints Commission Conservative donor, appointed in 2010.
Irving Gerstein Senator Major donor ($12 014) and insider charged in the In and Out laundering scandal during the 2006 election, appointed in 2008.
Irvin Kew Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative campaign worker, appointed in 2009.
Irvin Sherman Immigration and Refugee Board Conservative donor ($250), appointed in 2010.
Isabelle Hudon Competition Policy Review Panel Daughter of a Mulroney-era PC MP, Jean-Guy Hudon. Appointed in 2007.
J.D. Bruce McDonald Alberta Court Former chair of National Canadian Alliance Fund, whose daughter worked in Harper's Prime Minister's Office. Appointed judge in 2006 and judge of the Court of Appeal in 2009.
J. Keith Robson Federal Bridge Corporation Donor ($1200), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
J.W. Bud Bird North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization Donor ($500), appointed to organization council in 2009.
Jack Reimer Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Manitoba PC MLA from 1990 to 2007, appointed as chairman for Manitoba in 2011.
Jacqueline Holzman National Capital Commission Former Ottawa mayor and PC donor, appointed in 2007.
Jacques Bouchard National Parole Board Conservative candidate in 2008 election and former adviser to MP Jean Pierre Blackburn. Appointed in 2010.
Jacques Leger Quebec Court of Appeal PC Party President in 2000, appointed puisne judge in 2009.
James Armstrong Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board Donated $790 to Newfoundland Conservative campaign in 2008. Now an ACOA board member.
James Caroeneto Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor, appointed before 2009.
James Carpeneto Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($1400), appointed in 2009.
James Love Royal Canadian Mint Donated $63 000 to leadership campaigns of Ontario PC MLA Jim Flaherty, who became Harper's finance minister. Appointed Chairman of the Board of RCM in 2006.
James MacSween Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($250), appointed in 2009.
James W. Sloan Ontario Superior Court Conservative donor, appointed judge ex officio to the Court of Appeal in 2011
James Walsh Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($500), appointed in 2009.
James Wilcox Ontario Superior Court Conservative donor ($400) appointed judge in 2010.
Jamie Baillie Public Sector Pension Investment Board Chief of staff to former Nova Scotia PC premier John Hamm, appointed in 2007. Returned to provincial politics to run for PC leader in 2010.
Janice Charette Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Former chief of staff to Joe Clark, appointed deputy minister of HRSDC and chairwoman of the Canada Employment Insurance Commission in 2006.
Janice Sokolyk Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Wife of Manitoba PC premier Gary Filmon's aide Taras Sokolyk, associate of Harper minister Vic Toews. Appointed in 2007 and 2010 as Manitoba chairwoman.
Jason Skinner Farm Credit Canada Donor ($525), appointed in 2009 to the Board of Directors.
Jay Josefo National Research Council (NRC) Donor ($250), appointed in 2009.
Jayne Claridge Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($800), appointed in 2009.
Jean-Claude Cormier Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees President of New Brunswick PC riding association in Dieppe Centre-Lewisville, appointed in 2010.
Jean-Francois Beland National Gallery of Canada Former PMO Policy Advisor, appointed in 2009.
Jean-Francois Emond Quebec Superior Court Donor ($580.57), appointed pusine judge for Quebec in 2009.
Jean-Guy Bonneau Saguenay Port Authority Conservative donor ($300), appointed in 2010
Jean-Martin Masse VIA Rail Conservative youth organizer appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Jean-Paul Ouellette New Brunswick Court Conservative donor, appointed a family court judge in 2008.
Jean Dube Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former PC MP (1997-2000), appointed in 2007.
Jean Dube National Parole Board Former PC MP (1997-2000), New Brunswick PC MLA, appointed to Atlantic division in 2009.
Jean Martel Business Development Bank of Canada Donor ($500), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Jeanne Foster Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former secretary of the Kitchener-Waterloo riding association, appointed to the Kitchener board in 2007.
Jeffrey Keefe Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed before 2009.
Jeffrey Leard Payments in Lieu of Taxes Dispute Advisory Panel Conservative donor ($220), appointed in 2010
Jeffrey Steiner Export Development Canada "Longtime Conservative" appointed to the Board of Directors in 2010.
Jennifer Lynch Canadian Human Rights Commission Chief of staff to former PC leader Joe Clark, appointed as Chief Commissioner in 2007.
Jennifer Tanton Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($1000), appointed in 2008
Jeremy Adams Toronto Port Authority Former Jim Flaherty campaign manager, appointed to Port Authority Board of Directors in 2009.
Jerry Lampert British Columbia Treaty Commission Former PC Party National Director, appointed in 2009.
Jessica Ann Bergen Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Attacked Paul Martin government in Prince George newspaper; Conservative party member; appointed in 2007.
Jim Dinning Export Development Bank of Canada Dinning was an Alberta Conservative MLA and leadership contestant between the 1980s and 2006. He earned this position in 2007 and was reappointed as Chairman in 2011.
James "Jim" Edwards Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Mulroney MP and Campbell Cabinet minister, appointed to NSERC in 2008 and 2011.
Jim Silye National Museum of Science and Technology Former Reform MP, appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010.
Joanne Blanchard Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($400), appointed in 2009.
Joanne Cowan-McGuigan Veterans Review and Appeal Board Conservative donor ($550), appointed in 2010.
Jocelyne Cote-O'Hara RCMP Reform Implementation Council Donor ($400), appointed special adviser to the Public Safety Minister in 2009.
Jocelyne Senecal Immigration and Refugee Board Donor ($1330), appointed to Montreal office in 2009
Jocelyn Geoffroy Quebec Superior Court Both Conservative and Liberal donor, though most recently Conservative (2006) before her appointment in 2008.
Joe Comuzzi International Joint Commission Former Conservative MP, appointed Canadian Commissioner in 2009.
Joe Spina Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Ontario PC MPP, appointed in 2009.
John A. MacNaughton Business Development Bank of Canada Conservative donor ($2100), former Progressive Conservative Association secretary, appointed to the BDC board in 2008.
John Brinkerhoff Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($1250), appointed in 2009.
John Buddy Wiens Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor to Portage-Lisgar riding association, appointed to be chairman for Manitoba in 2010.
John Carman McClelland Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal 2007 Ontario PC candidate, appointed in 2009.
John Crosbie Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland Former Mulroney Cabinet minister. Appointed to his office in 2008.
John Cyr Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($500), appointed in 2008
John D. Wallace Senator 2006 Conservative candidate, appointed in 2008
John Eberhard Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor ($489.45), appointed in 2010.
John Firth Canada Revenue Agency Conservative campaign worker, appointed to the Board of Management in 2009.
John Hamm Assisted Human Reproduction Canada Progressive Conservative premier of Nova Scotia from 1999 to 2006, named AHRC chairman in 2007.
John Hanson Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($600), appointed in 2009.
John Hazen Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Identified as a Conservative when appointed in 2008
John Hillyard Canada Development Investment Corporation Donor ($500), appointed director in 2009.
John Huggins Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former PC candidate, appointed in 2007.
John Huggins Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Timmins-James Bay riding association chairman, appointed in 2010.
John K. Bell Royal Canadian Mint Ran for the Liberals in 1990, but supported MP Gary Goodyear as of 2009. One month after he made headlines for attacking Michael Ignatieff, he was appointed to the RCM Board of Directors.
John Kivlichan Immigration and Refugee Board Donor ($500), appointed to Toronto office in 2009
John Larlee Veterans Review and Appeal Board Donor ($1600), appointed in 2009.
John Martel Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former Ontario PC candidate, named chairman of the board in Windsor in 2007.
John Martel Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($2000), Mulroney-era PC candidate, appointed in 2009.
John McDermot Ontario Court of Appeal Donor for Barrie riding association, appointed to judge ex officio in 2010.
John Middlebro Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Progressive Conservative candidate, appointed in 2010.
John Middlebro Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal 1997 PC candidate for Grey-Bruce, appointed in 2007.
John Oostrom Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Mulroney-era PC MP, appointed chairman for Toronto in 2008.
John Prato Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Former Ontario PC fundraiser, appointed Consul-General to New York in 2010.
John R. Campbell Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($750), appointed in 2009.
John Rooney Export Development Canada Donor ($5710), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
John V. Hachey National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Conservative candidate in 1997, appointed to board of directors.
John Weissenberger Canadian Foundation for Innovation Harper friend and chief of staff for minister Diane Finley, appointed in 2008 to the Board of Directors of CFI.
John Weissenberger Canada Foundation for Innovation Managed Stephen Harper's 1993 campaign, former chief of staff to minister Diane Finley, appointed in 2009.
Josef Fogarassy Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative candidate in Vancouver Centre in 2006, appointed in 2010.
Joseph L. Rotman Canada Council for the Arts Conservative donor, appointed in 2008.
Joseph Wamback Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees PC candidate in 2000, appointed in 2009.
Joy Dirks Citizenship and Immigration Canada Conservative donor ($372.84), appointed citizenship judge
Judith Bobka Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Stormont-Dundas Ontario PC riding association official (federal riding of Guy Lauzon), appointed in 2010.
Judith Crockford Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($1435), appointed in 2009.
Judith Seidman Senator Harper's Quebec campaign co-chair in 2003, appointed in 2009.
Judy Dreeshen Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative campaign worker, appointed in 2009.
Julia Foster National Arts Centre Conservative donor ($4211.91), appointed in 2010.
Julie-Anne Miller Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former President of Alliance riding association and staff for Guy Lauzon, appointed in 2009.
Karen Oldfield Advisory Council on National Security Chief of Staff for former Nova Scotia PC premier John Hamm, appointed in 2009.
Katrine Giroux International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development Niece of former Tory premier Bernard Lord, recommended by him for the appointment in 2011.
Keith Heming National Parole Board Conservative donor ($1399), appointed in 2010.
Keith Montgomery Competition Tribunal 2004 Conservative candidate, appointed in 2009.
Keith Poulson Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Managed Brian Pallister leadership campaign in 1998, appointed in 2006 and re-appointed in 2009.
Kelley Sherwood Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Reform activist, appointed in 2009.
Kellie Leitch Advisor to the Minister of Health Conservative donor and Ontario campaign co-chair, appointed as adviser on healthy children to Health Minister Tony Clement in 2007. Ran as a Conservative candidate in 2011.
Kellie Leitch (2) National Research Council (NRC) Appointed in 2008. Ran as a Conservative candidate in 2011.
Kelvin K. Ogilvie Senator Donor ($500), appointed in 2009.
Kendall Dolliver Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal "Good friend" of MP Guy Lauzon, appointed in 2010.
Ken James Blue Water Bridge Authority Former Conservative MP for Sarnia-Lambton; appointed to board in 2006, re-appointed chairman in 2010.
Kenneth Atkinson Immigration and Refugee Board Former PC MP, appointed to the Toronto office in 2009.
Kenneth Pearson Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor ($525), appointed in 2010
Kerry-Lynne Findlay Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Former Conservative candidate, running again in Vancouver in 2011. Appointed in 2006.
Kerry Morash National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Former Nova Scotia PC MLA, appointed in 2007.
Kevin MacAdam Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Former Binns government minister in PEI who worked for minister Peter MacKay in Ottawa. An ACOA Director-General as of 2010, taking a $110 000-a-year job he will be taking two years learning French (on the public dime) in order to do.
Kevin Smith Canada Foundation for Innovation Conservative donor ($3189.09), appointed in 2010.
Ki Kit Li Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Ontario PC candidate in 2007. Appointed to the CPP board the following year.
Kimberley Bozak National Arts Centre Donated to Tim Hudak leadership campaign ($1500). Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2011.
Kirk Macrae Royal Canadian Mint On RCM Board of Directors since 2007. Campaigned for Jamie Baillie in Nova Scotia PC leadership race, which Baillie won.
Kirk Sisson Alberta Court Member of MP Bob Mills's Red Deer riding association, appointed a judge in 2006.
Lance Bryant Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former Ontario PC candidate, appointed in 2008
Laura Wicks Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($1450), appointed in 2008
Laurence Tetrault Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Appointed as chairman for Manitoba in 2008. Became a provincial PC candidate in 2011.
Lawrence O'Neil Nova Scotia Supreme Court Conservative MP during Mulroney government, appointed family judge in early 2011.
Leah Lawrence National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Alberta PC candidate in 2008, appointed the following year.
Leo Doiron Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal New Brunswick PC candidate, appointed as the member for Bathurst in 2008.
Leo Housakos Senator 2000 Alliance candidate, appointed in 2008
Leo Ledohowski Bank of Canada Identified as an associate of public safety minister Vic Toews. Appointed in 2008.
Leonard Cusack Historic Sites and Monuments Board Former PEI PC candidate, appointed in 2009.
Leon Courville Public Sector Pension Investment Board Chief strategist for ADQ leader Mario Dumont, appointed in 2007.
Leroy Legere Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former Nova Scotia Progressive-Conservative minister, appointed in 2010
Les Cannam Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) Donates $1000 per year, appointed to CDIC board.
Lily Durepos Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board Donated $250 in 2010; ACOA board member.
Linda Carvery Citizenship and Immigration Canada Former Nova Scotia Progressive-Conservative candidate (1999, 2003) appointed in 2010.
Linda Frum Sokolowski Senator Donor ($8530), fundraiser host, appointed in 2009.
Linda Hohol Export Development Canada Conservative donor ($1000 per year), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2010.
Linda Lennon National Parole Board Former Ontario PC candidate, appointed in 2011.
Lise Beland Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($1000), appointed in 2009.
Liza Maheu National Gallery of Canada Donor ($1500), appointed to Board of Trustees in 2009.
Lois Hoegg Newfoundland Court of Appeal Conservative donor ($1500) appointed in 2010
Lorna Reid Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Alliance donor ($1781), appointed in 2009.
Lorne Crawford Thunder Bay Port Authority Donor ($207.24), appointed in 2009.
Lorne Curtis Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($1000), appointed in 2009
Lorne Mayencourt Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees 2008 Conservative candidate, appointed in 2009.
Lorne Staley Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($1000), appointed in 2009.
Lorne Wheeler Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Senior policy adviser to the opposition leader and then to the Conservative fisheries minister in 2006-2007; appointed to the Historic Board in 2008.
Louis-Philippe McGraw National Parole Board Former New Brunswick PC MLA, appointed as vice-chairman in 2008.
Louise Harris National Parole Board Chief of staff to Ontario PC minister Frank Klees, appointed in 2010.
Louise Pelletier Canada Lands Company Donor ($425), appointed as a director in 2009.
Louis Johnson Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($3465), appointed in 2009.
Loyola Hearn Foreign Affairs and International Trade Former Conservative MP, appointed ambassador to Ireland in 2010.
Loyola Sullivan Ambassador for Fisheries Conservation Former Newfoundland PC leader and Cabinet minister, appointed in 2009.
Luba Fedorkiw Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative candidate in Winnipeg in Mulroney era, appointed in 2008
Luc Barrick Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal 2000 Conservative candidate, appointed in 2008
Luc Moreau Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($455) appointed in 2008
Lyall Knott International Joint Commission Donor ($4388.34), appointed Canadian chairman in 2009.
Lyn Chow Canadian Race Relations Foundation Donor ($360), appointed in 2009.
Lyne Demers Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Worked in the party whip's office during the Harris government in Ontario. Appointed in 2008.
Lynn Faulder Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($400), appointed in 2009.
Malcolm Stockton Veterans Review and Appeal Board Donor ($800), appointed in 2009.
Marc Courtois Canada Post Brother of Conservative Senator Nicole Eaton. Appointed chairman of the Board of Directors in 2007.
Marc Guignard Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Co-chair of the PC New Brunswick Fund. Appointed as a part-time member in 2008.
Marc Nadeau Citizenship and Immigration Canada 2008 Conservative candidate, appointed as citizenship judge in 2009.
Marco Navarro-Genie International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development Donated to Canadian Alliance, appointed to Board of Directors in 2009. Now associated with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
Marc Patrone Canadian Radio-Television Communications Commission (CRTC) Declared candidate in 2005 (did not run), appointed to CRTC in 2008.
Margaret Lefebvre National Research Council (NRC) Donor ($3175), appointed in 2009.
Margot Ballagh Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($235), appointed in 2009.
Marie-France Pelletier National Parole Board Former staff to New Brunswick PC premier Bernard Lord, appointed as Executive Vice-Chairwoman in 2009.
Mario Charpentier Export Development Canada ADQ insider, appointed to the EDC Board of Directors in 2007.
Mark McQueen Toronto Port Authority Conservative Party member and former assistant in the Mulroney Prime Minister's Office. Appointed as a director in 2007.
Mark Muise Canadian Museum of Nature Former Nova Scotia PC MLA. Appointed in 2008 to the Board of Trustees.
Mark Mullins Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Fraser Institute economist who advised the PC and Alliance parties; appointed in 2009.
Mark Parent National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Former Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative MLA (1999-2009) and Cabinet minister (2006-2009)
Marleen Tasse Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($500), appointed in 2008
Marlene Hogarth Immigration and Refugee Board Donor ($1147) to PC Party, appointed in 2009.
Marlie Oden Telefilm Canada 2007 director of the Vancouver-Quadra Conservative riding association, appointed in 2008.
Marni Larkin Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative campaign organizer in Manitoba, appointed in 2006.
Martin Dallaire Quebec Superior Court Donor ($2500), appointed judge for Chicoutimi in 2009.
Martin Loveless National Seniors Council Member of Alliance merger committee in 2004. Appointed in 2007.
Martin S. James Ontario Superior Court Donor ($1219.20), appointed judge in 2009.
Mary-Lynn Charlton National Film Board (NFB) Aide to former Saskatchewan PC Cabinet minister Lorne Hepworth, appointed in 2007 and re-appointed in 2011.
Mary Fickel Buffalo and Port Erie Public Bridge Authority Donor ($1100), appointed in 2009.
Mary Jean Dirksen Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor, appointed in 2010.
Mary McNeil Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) From a Conservative family. Named to the CBC Board of Directors in 2008 but stepped down to run as a nominee for the Conservative candidacy in a Vancouver riding.
Mary Sandra Gulliver Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor ($340), appointed in 2010.
Maurice Picard Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal 2006 New Brunswick PC candidate, appointed in 2009.
Maxime Langlois Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Quebec PC candidate, appointed in 2006.
Maxim Jean-Louis Canada Polar Commission Conservative donor, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2010.
Melvin Hawkrigg Hamilton Port Authority Conservative donor ($1020), appointed in 2010.
Merry Hallsor Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Identified as a "longtime Conservative" in 2007 upon her appointment. Mother of Bruce Hallsor, a 2000 Alliance candidate.
Michael Burge Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees High-profile provincial PC member in the 1990s; appointed in 2010.
Michael Crosbie St. John's Port Authority Conservative donor, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2010.
Michael Fortier Senator Former Alliance candidate, Harper leadership campaign co-chair in 2003, and national campaign co-chair in 2006. Appointed to the Senate in 2006.
Michael J. Audain National Gallery of Canada Donor ($4500), appointed to Board of Trustees in 2009.
Michael L. MacDonald Senator Conservative Party Vice-President, appointed in 2008
Michael Meighen Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission Conservative senator, appointed in 2007.
Michael O'Brien Bank of Canada Donor ($352.92), appointed to Board of Directors in 2009
Michael Parayeski Ontario Superior Court Donor ($1000), appointed judge in 2009.
Michael Pratt Great Lakes Pilotage Authority Conservative donor ($700), appointed in 2010
Michael Rohrer Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Ontario PC candidate and vocal supporter of PC-Alliance unification in 2003. Appointed to the tribunal in 2008.
Michel Byczak Immigration and Refugee Board Donor ($1000), appointed to the Montreal office in 2009.
Michel Doyon Payments in Lieu of Taxes Advisory Panel Mulroney-era PC candidate, appointed as chairman of the panel in 2008.
Michel Girouard Quebec Superior Court Conservative donor, appointed to the court of Abitibi, Rouyn-Noranda and Temiscamingue, in 2010.
Micheline Lavoie-Cote Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed in 2010.
Michel Larose Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada Donor ($200), appointed in 2009.
Michel Morin Canadian Radio-Television Communications Commission (CRTC) Quebec PC MNA until he left provincial politics in 2007, and was appointed the same year to the CRTC.
Michel Rivard Senator Alliance candidate, appointed in 2008
Mike Burns Atomic Energy of Canada BC Conservative fundraiser, appointed in 2006 to the Board of Directors.
Mike Shaikh Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) Former director of the Calgary-Lougheed riding association. Appointed to the CATSA Board of Directors in 2008.
Mildred Dover National Parole Board Former PEI PC Cabinet minister, appointed to Atlantic division in 2009.
Monte Solberg International Development Research Centre Former Harper Cabinet minister, appointed to the Board of Governors in 20093
Murdoch MacKay Canadian Grain Commission Conservative donor, appointed in 2010.
Myles Bourke Canada Revenue Agency Donor ($300), appointed to the Board of Management in 2009.
Nada Borden Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Chief financial officer for Newfoundland PC premier Danny Williams in 2001. Appointed chairwoman for Corner Brook in 2007.
Nada Borden Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees President of Humber-St Barbe-Baie Verte riding association, appointed in 2010.
Nancy E. McKay Belledune Port Authority Donor ($400), appointed to Board of Directors in 2009.
Nancy Greene Raine Senator Donor ($250), appointed in 2008
Neal Caldwell Saskatchewan Court of Appeal Conservative donor ($2465), appointed in 2010
Neil LeBlanc Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Former Nova Scotia PC finance minister, appointed in 2006.
Neil Nawaz Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor to Ajax-Pickering riding association, appointed in 2011.
Nestor Prisco Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($1000), appointed in 2008
Nicholas Kaufman Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed in 2007.
Nicholas Offord Canadian Museum of Nature Former Ontario PC Eves government advisor who sits on the board of directors of the Manning Centre. Appointed in 2010 as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Nick Careen Marine Atlantic Former Newfoundland PC MLA, appointed in 2007 to the Board of Directors.
Nick Katalifos Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($2000), appointed in 2009.
Nick Scaravelli Nova Scotia Court of Appeal Conservative donor, appointed in 2006
Nicole Eaton Senator Donor ($14 614), appointed 2008
Norman Betts Export Development Canada Donor (1859), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Normand Allaire Citizenship and Immigration Canada Donor ($3975), appointed a citizenship judge in 2009.
Normand Forest Immigration and Refugee Board Senior policy advisor to labour minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn in 2006; appointed to Board in 2011.
Normand Morin Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former ADQ candidate, appointed as Chairman for Quebec in 2011.
Norman Halldorson Canada Revenue Agency Conservative donor, appointed to the Board of Management in 2008.
Pasquale Fiorino Immigration and Refugee Board Donor ($150), appointed to Toronto office in 2009.
Pat Binns Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Former Progressive Conservative premier of PEI, appointed Consul-General in Boston in 2010.
Pat Binns Foreign Affairs and International Trade Former PEI PC premier, appointed ambassador to Ireland in 2007.
Pat Mella Canada Revenue Agency Former PEI PC opposition leader. Appointed to the Board of Management in 2006.
Patricia Edge National Seniors Council Reform activist and Conservative donor ($1850) appointed in 2010.
Patricia Gerhardi Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former member of the Cariboo-Prince George Conservative riding association. Appointed as a B.C. chairwoman in 2008.
Patricia Haasbeek National Parole Board Wife of a former adviser to justice minister Vic Towes, appointed in 2007.
Patricia Whiting Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor ($525), appointed in 2010
Patrick Dowd Transportation Appeal Tribunal Conservative donor ($250), appointed in 2010
Patrick Dunn Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former Nova Scotia PC Cabinet minister, appointed in 2009.
Patrick Murray Nova Scotia Supreme Court Conservative donor ($500) appointed judge in 2010.
Patrick O'Neil Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Ontario PC candidate, appointed in 2009
Paul Baay National Gallery of Canada Donor ($1425), appointed to Board of Trustees in 2009.
Paul Boothe Canada School of Public Service Advised Alberta PC government's Mazankowski Commission on healthcare; appointed to Board of Governors in 2011.
Paul Crampton Federal Court of Canada Donor ($350), appointed judge in 2009.
Paul Demers Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former Ontario PC candidate, appointed in 2007 as chairman for Sudbury.
Paul G. Smith VIA Rail Donor ($3825), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Pauline Browes National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Former Mulroney Cabinet minister and candidate in 2006, appointed to the Board of Directors.
Paul Jeffrey Alberta Court Donor ($550), appointed judge in 2009.
Paul Mayer Quebec Superior Court Conservative donor, appointed as a puisne judge for the Montreal district in 2008.
Paul Schnabel Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($245), appointed in 2009.
Percy Mockler Senator Former New Brunswick PC cabinet minister, appointed in 2008
Perle Bouchard Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Party nominee in Brome-Missisquoi in 2008
Peter Abrametz Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor ($1300), appointed in 2007, reappointed in 2010.
Peter Annis Ontario Superior Court Conservative donor ($2532.25) and Progressive Conservative candidate in 1997, appointed in 2010.
Peter Annis (2) Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal Conservative donor ($2532.25) and Progressive Conservative candidate in 1997, appointed in 2007.
Peter Armstrong Public Private Partnerships Canada Donor ($2200), appointed to the P3 Canada Board of Directors in 2009.
Peter Burgener National Capital Commission Donor ($7200), appointed in 2009.
Peter G. Gaulton Saint John Port Authority Conservative donor, appointed a port director in 2008.
Peter Lauwers Ontario Superior Court Conservative donor, appointed in 2008.
Peter McCreath Canadian Human Rights Commission Mulroney-era Parliamentary secretary and a Cambell Cabinet minister, appointed to the CHRC board of directors in March 2011.
Peter Menzies Canada Radio-Television Communications Commission (CRTC) Managed Conservative training group according to 2009 reports, appointed that year.
Peter Richardson-Bryson Nova Scotia Supreme Court Donor ($6500), appointed as judge in 2009.
Peter Senchuk Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($500), appointed in 2009.
Peter Stastny Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees 2004 Conservative candidate, appointed in 2009.
Philip Gaynor Citizenship and Immigration Canada Associated with Oshawa-Whitby riding association (riding of finance minister Jim Flaherty). Appointed citizenship judge, 2006.
Philip Ponting Canada Council for the Arts Donor ($2250), appointed in 2009.
Phyllis Kobasiuk Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($800), appointed in 2008
Pierre Blais Federal Court of Appeal Former Mulroney Cabinet minister, appointed chief justice in 2009.
Pierre Cadieux National Parole Board Former Mulroney Cabinet minister, appointed as a full-time member in 2007.
Pierre Daigle Canadian Forces Ombudsman Donor ($425), appointed in 2009.
Pierre Gingras Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Campaign assistant for Conservative candidate Claude Carignan in 2008, appointed in February 2011 to Board of Directors.
Pierre Lavallee Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor, appointed to the board for Rouyn-Noranda in 2006.
Pierre Nollet Quebec Superior Court Conservative donor ($600), appointed puisne judge for Montreal in 2010
Pierre Rocque Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Early friend of Brian Mulroney. Appointed as chairman for Quebec in 2007.
R. Dan Cornell Ontario Superior Court 2003 Alliance candidate and 2004 Conservative nominee, appointed in 2009.
R. Gary Robinson International Pacific Halibut Commission Conservative donor, appointed in 2008.
Ralph Ottenbreit Saskatchewan Court Former lawyer for the Saskatchewan Party and Saskatchewan PC party, appointed in 2007 as a judge.
Raminder Gill Citizenship and Immigration Canada Conservative candidate, appointed as citizenship judge in 2009.
Randy Dewell Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Nova Scotia PC candidate and riding association president, appointed in 2007.
Raymond Andrews Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Donor ($850), appointed in 2009 as Canadian Representative to the General Council.
Raymond Castelli Prince Rupert Port Authority Donor ($4385), appointed in 2009.
Raymond Chartre Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($303.36), appointed in 2009.
Raymond Kaduck Canadian Transportation Agency Donor ($1250), appointed in 2009.
Raymond Kindiak Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($950), appointed in 2009.
Rejean Belanger Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Donor to Hull-Aylmer riding association, appointed in 2007.
Renaud Dutil National Parole Board Donor ($300), appointed to Quebec division in 2009.
Renee Dussault Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor ($500) appointed in 2010
Renee Giroux Citizenship and Immigration Canada Spouse of a Conservative candidate, appointed citizenship judge in 2009.
Richard Belisle Great Lakes Pilotage Authority 2004 Conservative candidate, 2000 Alliance candidate, appointed in 2009.
Richard Bell New Brunswick Court New Brunswick campaign co-chair for the Harper leadership campaign in 2004. Appointed a judge in 2006.
Richard Bragdon National Council of Welfare Candidate for Conservative Party National Council in 2005; appointed in 2011.
Richard Hornung Canada Industrial Relations Board Conservative donor ($750), appointed in 2010.
Richard LeBlanc Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 New Brunswick PC MLA from 1999-2010, after which he was appointed to the museum's Board of Trustees.
Richard Letourneau Saguenay Port Authority Donor ($1203.34), appointed in 2009.
Richard Margesson Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Ontario PC donor, appointed in 2009.
Richard Neufeld Senator BC Liberal Cabinet minister known to support federal Conservatives
Richard Prokopanko National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Social Credit aide in the 1980s, subsequently Mulroney political assistant, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2007.
Richard Woodfield Veterans Review and Appeal Board Conservative activist in 2007, appointed in 2009.
Rick Byers Public-Private Partnerships Canada Ontario PC candidate in 2007 and aide to a Mulroney Cabinet minister. Appointed to the P3 Canada Board of Directors in 2010.
Rick Leroy Ontario Superior Court Donor ($800), appointed judge in 2009.
Rick Perkins Business Development Bank of Canada PC candidate in 1997, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
Robbie Grossman Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Vice-President of St. Paul's PC riding association, appointed in 2009.
Robert Cooling Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Official agent for Conservative candidate Charles Doucet in 2006, and allegedly participated in the In and Out money laundering scheme. Appointed to the Moncton board in 2006.
Robert Dewar Manitoba Court Donor ($250), appointed in 2009 as judge.
Robert E. Gray Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor ($4825.25), appointed in 2008
Robert Emigh Transportation Appeal Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
Robert Giroux Public Service Staffing Tribunal Former Canadian Alliance candidate, appointed to the tribunal as a temporary member in 2008.
Robert Hogan Tax Court of Canada Conservative donor, appointed a tax judge in 2008.
Robert MacArthur Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($297), appointed in 2009.
Robert Mainville Federal Court of Appeal Donor ($6950), appointed judge in 2009.
Robert Munroe Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation Donor ($550), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Robert Munroe Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board Donated during 2004 and 2008 elections; hired as ACOA board member.
Robert Pennock Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($300), Mulroney-era PC MP, appointed in 2006 and reappointed in 2009.
Robert Pletch Canada Post Conservative donor in 2006. Appointed to the Board of Directors in 2007.
Robert Poirier Toronto Port Authority Conservative fundraiser, appointed in 2009.
Robert Presser Defence Construction Canada Ltd Former PC candidate, appointed as chairman of the Board of Directors in 2008.
Robert Sopuck National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Appointed to NRTEE in 2007. Ran in a by-election in 2010 and elected as a Conservative MP.
Robin Baird Canadian Human Rights Commission Conservative candidate in 2006, appointed in 2011.
Rocco Vacca Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority Donor ($360), appointed in 2009.
Roch A. Fournier Canadian Human Rights Commission Donor to Sherbrooke riding association, appointed in 2009.
Rodney MacDonald Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board Former Progressive Conservative premier, appointed in 2010.
Roger Beaulieu Public Service Labour Relations Board Mulroney-era Conservative fundraiser, appointed in 2007.
Roger Cumming Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($600), appointed in 2009.
Roger Demers Business Development Bank of Canada Donor ($1200), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Roger Demers (2) Laurentian Pilotage Authority Conservative donor, appointed in 2007.
Roger N. Clarke Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($725), appointed in 2009.
Ronald Barriault Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Former New Brunswick PC candidate, appointed to the commission in 2007.
Ronald Stevens Alberta Court Former Alberta PC Cabinet minister, appointed judge in 2009.
Ron Blackie Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees 2000 PC candidate. Appointed to the Hamilton board in 2007.
Ron Hierath Farm Credit Canada Former Alberta PC MLA, appointed in 2009.
Rose-May Poirier Senator Former New Brunswick PC Cabinet minister, appointed in 2009.
Rose Andrachuk Immigration and Refugee Board Ontario PC candidate in 2003, appointed in 2011.
Rosemary Vodrey Canada Council for the Arts Former Manitoba PC Cabinet minister, appointed in 2009.
Roy B. Norton Foreign Affairs and International Trade Legislative assistant to several Trudea-era Conservative MPs and briefly a senior foreign affairs adviser in the Clark government. Appointed as Consul-General to Detroit in 2010.
Salma Ataullahjan Senator Ran for Conservative Party in Toronto in 2008. Appointed by Harper in 2010.
Sean Morley Toronto Port Authority Spent four years as an advisor in the Ontario PC Mike Harris government. Appointed in 2008 and 2011.
Sean Morley Toronto Port Authority Worked for then-Ontario PC minister Jim Flaherty, later Harper's finance minister, before being appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
Shane Parker Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative candidate in 2008, appointed in 2010.
Shane Perlmutter Court of Manitoba Donated the maximum $1100 in 2009; now a judge as of early 2011.
Shane Roherty Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Member of the board of directors of the Prince Edward-Hastings riding association in 2006, appointed as chairman for Kingston in 2007.
Sharon Hayes Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Reform MP during the Chretien era; appointed in 2006.
Sharon Piper Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Head of Conservative Cabinet minister Jim Flaherty's nomination committee in Oshawa-Whitby. Appointed in 2006 to the Toronto board.
Sharon White Farm Credit Canada Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
Sheldon Lanchbery Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($250), appointed in 2009.
Shirley McClellan Defence Construction Canada Ltd Former Alberta PC Cabinet minister, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
Sian Matthews Canada Post Official Agent for Stephen Harper in 1993, Conservative donor ($3750), appointed to Board of Directors in 2010
Sonia Rodrigue Immigration and Refugee Board Donor ($800), appointed to Montreal office in 2009
Stan Cook Marine Atlantic Donor, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2006 and reappointed in 2009.
Stanley Schumacher Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former PC MP and Alberta Conservative MLA, former fundraiser for Alberta PC minister and leadership candidate Ted Morton. Appointed in 2006.
Stephen Campbell Saint John Port Authority Donor ($500), appointed a director in 2009.
Stephen Glithero Ontario Superior Court Former Cambridge PC riding association, appointed judge by Mulroney and chief justice in 2006.
Stephen Greene Senator Former Preston Manning chief of staff, appointed in 2008
Stephen Probyn Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology PC candidate in 1997 federal election. Appointed as chairman of the Board of Directors in 2007.
Stephen Rogers Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada Conservative candidate in 2004 and 2006, appointed in 2009.
Steven Howarth Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($700), appointed in 2009.
Steven Katkin Public Service Labour Relations Board Conservative donor ($425), appointed in 2010
Stewart McInnes Canada Post Donor ($3942.02), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
Stuart Busse Payments in Lieu of Taxes Dispute Advisory Panel Donor ($540), appointed in 2008
Stuart Murray Canadian Museum for Human Rights Former Manitoba Conservative leader, appointed as director in 2009.
Stuart "Bud" Smith Prince Rupert Port Authority Former Social Credit minister, appointed in 2006.
Susan McArthur Canada Revenue Agency Donor ($9500), appointed to the Board of Management in 2009.
Susanne Friedl Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Member of the board of Harper science minister Gary Goodyear's Cambridge riding association in 2005. Appointed in 2008.
Suzanne Chartrand National Parole Board Conservative candidate in 2008, appointed in 2010.
Suzanne Dery Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($100), appointed in 2009.
Suzanne Fortin-Duplessis Senator Mulroney-era PC MP, appointed in 2008
T. Richard Turner Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Donor ($2000), appointed in 2009 as a director.
Terence "Chick" Cholock Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Active in Newfoundland PC politics. Appointed as chairman of the board for Newfoundland in 2007.
Terrence Leier Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former Saskatchewan PC official agent
Terrence Morrison New Brunswick Court Donor ($500), appointed Judge in 2008
Terry Geddes Great Lakes Pilotage Authority Supported Helena Guergis in 2006, appointed in 2009.
Thomas Cryer Canada Post When he was appointed to the Post's Board of Directors in 2007, Cryer was also the CEO of the Conservative Party's official auditor, Deloitte & Touche.
Thomas Deblois Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board Ran for Conservatives in Charlottetown in 2006 and 2008. Now an ACOA board member.
Thomas Jarmyn Veterans Review and Appeal Board Donor ($1125), appointed in 2009.
Thomas McEwen Ontario Superior Court Donor ($947.50), appointed judge in 2009.
Timothy Haig National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Company donated $2000 to Conservatives. Appointed in 2009.
Timothy Keene Saskatchewan Court Donor ($1400), appointed in 2009.
Tina Positano Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Campaign worker and former Ontario PC candidate, appointed in 2008
Tom Hockin International Monetary Fund Former Mulroney Cabinet minister, appointed candidate for the Canadian-Caribbean Executive Director in 2009.
Tom Long Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Long's Egon Zhender International HR firm handled the hiring of a new CBC news director in 2007.
Tom Pentefountas Canadian Radio-Television Communications Commission (CRTC) A former ADQ politician who got his job in early 2011 through the admitted assistance of a Harper-appointed Senator, Leo Housakos, despite having no experience in communications and not being on the shortlist of applicants.
Tracey DeWare Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative Party worker, appointed in 2009.
Troy Myers Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal 2006 Nova Scotia PC candidate, appointed in 2009.
Tung Chan Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada Former vice-president of the Richmond PC riding association, appointed in 2006.
Tung Chan Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Conservative and NPA member active in Vancouver politics and the Richmond PC riding assoication, appointed in 2010 to the Board of Trustees.
Tyler Shandro National Parole Board Conservative donor ($1015) and Alberta Progressive Conservative activist, appointed in 2010.
Valerie Hazlett Parker Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($1450), appointed in 2009.
Vikram Khurana Asia-Pacific Foundation Former Tony Clement business partner, Conservative donor ($3600), appointed in 2009.
Vim Kochhar Senator Mulroney-era PC leadership contestant, appointed in 2009.
Vim Kochhar (2) Canadian Museum for Human Rights Mulroney-era PC leadership contestant, appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2007.
Virginia McLaughlin National Museum of Science and Technology Donor ($1275), appointed in 2009.
Vivian Lougheed Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Daughter-in-law of former Alberta PC premier Peter Lougheed, appointed in 2006.
W.A. Sam Shaw Standards Council of Canada Donor to Edmonton riding associations. Appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council in 2011.
Walter Paszowski Prince Rupert Port Authority Former Alberta PC Cabinet minister, appointed in 2007.
Walter Viner Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor ($250), appointed in 2009.
Wesley Becker Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor ($944), appointed in 2010
Wilfred Arsenault Veterans Review and Appeal Board 2007 Conservative nominee, former PEI PC MLA, appointed in 2009.
William A. Black Bank of Canada Donor ($1695), appointed to Board of Directors in 2009.
William Burnett Manitoba Court Donor ($3250), appointed in 2009 as judge.
William Burnett Court of Manitoba Former co-chair of the PC Manitoba Fund and Conservative donor ($3250), appointed Associate Chief Justice in early 2011.
William Forrestall Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board New Brunswick PC candidate in 2006, gained Conservative nomination in 2007; appointed as a commissioner in 2011.
William McMackin Public Private Partnerships Canada Donor ($300), appointed to the P3 Canada Board of Directors in 2009.
William McMurray Canada Industrial Relations Board Donor ($1100), appointed Vice-Chairman in 2009
William R. Johnston Manitoba Court Donor ($3380), appointed to family court in 2009.
William Tufnell National Parole Board Donor ($250 in 2009), appointed to the board and then to Vice-Chairman for Ontario in 2011.
William Wheatley VIA Rail Donor ($2400), appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009.
William Wheatley VIA Rail Chief of staff to former Saskatchewan Cabinet minister Gary Lane, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2007.
Willie Littlechild Canadian Museum for Human Rights Mulroney-era PC MP, appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2008.
Wilson Wiseman Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Former Newfoundland PC candidate, appointed in 2008.
Yonah Martin Senator Conservative candidate in 2008 election, appointed same year
Yuri Shymko Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Former Trudeau-era PC MP and Ontario MPP, appointed in 2010.
Yvan Gregoire Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor ($400) appointed in 2010.
Yves Laberge Canadian Museum for Human Rights 2006 Conservative candidate, appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2008.
Yves Poirier Quebec Superior Court Donor ($1100), appointed to Montreal district as puisne judge in 2009.
Zoe Addington Canada School of Energy and Environment Industry minister Tony Clement's aide until her appointment in 2009.
Zoel R. Dionne New Brunswick Court Conservative donor, appointed as a trial judge in 2008.
Alan Fenton Payments in Lieu of Taxes Advisory Panel Conservative donor, appointed in 2008.
Catherine Hodder Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed for St. John's in 2008.
Lawrence "Larry" Kroeker Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed for St. Catharine's in 2008.
Timothy Denton Canadian Radio-Television Communications Commission (CRTC) Conservative donor, appointed in 2008.
Robert Rushowy Immigration and Refugee Board Conservative donor, appointed in 2008.
G.R. "Randy" Barber National Parole Board Conservative donor, appointed in 2008.
John H. Morrison Veterans Review and Appeal Board Conservative donor, appointed in 2008.
Paul M. Tellier Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission Conservative donor, appointed in 2007.
John Scott Canadian Transportation Agency Conservative donor, appointed as vice-chairman in 2007.
Bruce Wright Oshawa Harbour Commission PC candidate in 2000, appointed as a commissioner in 2007.
Catherine Smith Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Conservative donor, appointed in 2007 to the Board of Directors.
B. Richard Bell (2) New Brunswick Court of Appeal Conservative donor, appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2007.
Douglas N. Abra Manitoba Court Conservative donor, appointed as a judge in 2007.
James A. "Jim" Millar Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Conservative donor, appointed in 2007 to the Board of Directors.
Robert Page National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Conservative donor, appointed in 2007.
Valerie Hazlett Parker Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed in 2007.
Maureen Molot Canada School of Public Service Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
Arthur Porter Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
Murray Dodds National Parole Board Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
Cheryl Barker Public Sector Pension Investment Board Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
B. Anne Perry National Museum of Science and Technology Conservative donor, appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2006.
Lloyd Fogler Canada Lands Company Conservative donor, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2007.
James W. Ramsay Downsview Park Conservative donor, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2007.
Drew Gunsolus Ontario Superior Court Conservative donor, appointed as a judge in 2007.
Kevin J. Gaudet Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed for Toronto in 2006.
Thomas S. Fleming Canadian Broiler Hatching Egg Marketing Agency Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
Brien Benoit Patented Medicine Prices Review Board Conservative donor, appointed chairman of the board in 2006.
Charlie Pingle Windsor Port Authority Identified as a Conservative appointee by the Windsor Star following his appointment in 2006.
Hosran Khosrowshahi Canada Post Fraser Institute director who donated Liberal until defecting in 2006, the same year he was appointed to the Canada Post Board of Directors.
Cameron J. Turner Toronto Port Authority Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
Brian Coulter Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
Eleanor Grennell Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Partner of Conservative donor Herbert J. Grennell. Appointed in 2006.
John Morrison Hanson Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
Louis C. Johnson Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
Robert Harold Johnston Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed in 2006.
John K. Koulouras Citizenship and Immigration Canada Conservative donor, appointed as a citizenship judge in 2006.
Fredrik Stefan Eaton Canadian Museum of Civilization Conservative donor, appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2006.
Joel Teal Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Conservative donor, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2006.
Ernest H. McDonald Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor, appointed as chairman for Brampton, ON, in 2006.
John M. Johnston Ontario Superior Court Conservative donor, appointed a judge in 2010.
Bernard Funston Canadian Polar Commission Conservative donor, appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2010.
Marie-Claude Cossette Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor to the Vaudreil-Soulanges riding association, appointed in 2008.
Martine Phaneuf Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor to Westmount-Ville Marie riding association, appointed in 2008.
Robert Mullan National Council of Welfare Donor to Kings-Hants riding association, appointed in 2008.
Martin Cohos National Capital Commission Donor to Calgary Centre-North riding association, appointed in 2008.
Andres Rioux National Capital Commission Donor to Manicouagan riding association, appointed in 2008.
Helene Lacroix National Parole Board Sherbrooke riding association donor, appointed in 2008.
Ron Profit Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Husband of 2011 Conservative candidate Donna Profit. Appointed in 2008.
Steven Shinnie Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Selkirk-Interlake riding association donor, appointed in 2008 for Winnipeg.
Ronald V. Colucci Downsview Park Donor to Mississauga South riding association, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
Denis Durand Via Rail Donor to Repentigny riding association, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
Jean-Denis Pelletier Canadian Transportation Agency Donor to multiple Quebec riding associations, appointed in 2008.
William Greenwood Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor to the Niagara Falls Conservative Association, appointed in 2008.
Raymond H. Raphael Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Donor to Willowdale riding association, appointed in 2008.
George Berg Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor to Medicine Hat riding association, appointed as Chairman for Alberta in 2008.
Sylvain Richer Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Sherbrooke riding association donor, appointed as chairperson for Quebec in 2008.
John Griffin National Farm Products Council Charlottetown riding association donor, appointed in 2008.
John McFarlane Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) Halifax riding association donor, appointed in 2008 to the Board of Directors.
Peter Wallace Great Lakes Fishery Commission Toronto Centre riding association donor, appointed in 2008.
Robert Kay Canadian Commercial Corporation St. Paul's (Toronto) riding association donor, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
Thomas Sewell Byng Giraud Ridley Terminals Victoria riding association donor, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
Steve Reimnitz Quebec Superior Court Laurier-Ste. Marie riding association donor, appointed as a puisne judge for Montreal in 2008.
Rod Seiling Canadian Tourism Commission York-Simcoe riding association donor, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
Doug Milburn Cape Breton Development Corporation Halifax riding association donor, appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
B. Gail DeGroot Citizenship and Immigration Canada Windsor West riding association donor, appointed as a citizenship judge in 2008.
Marie-Claude Cossette Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Vaudreil-Soulanges riding association donor, appointed as chairwoman for Montreal in 2008.
Bill Smirle National Farm Products Council Former member of an Ontario PC riding association. Appointed as chairman of the council in 2008.
Marc Rousseau National Film Board Donor to Outremont riding association, appointed in 2008.
Stan Bracken-Horrocks Business Development Bank of Canada Member of the Board of Directors of Canfor, the company controlled by industry minister David Emerson. First appointed by Emerson in 2005 (when Emerson was Liberal), then reappointed in 2008 (when Emerson was Conservative).
John K. Mitchell Prince Edward Island Supreme Court Cardigan riding association donor, appointed as a trial judge in 2008.
Douglas MacArthur National Research Council (NRC) Charlottetown riding association donor, appointed to the council in 2008.
J. Stephens Allan Canadian Tourism Commission Donor to Calgary Centre riding association. Appointed in 2008.
Suzanne Duprat Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor in Montreal, appointed to the board in 2008.
Pierre Trepanier International Joint Commission Conservative donor, appointed as a Canadian commissioner in 2008.
Bruce Faulkner Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal Conservative donor, appointed in 2008.
Pierre Patenaude Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Conservative donor, appointed in 2008 for Longueuil.
Andre Audet Canadian Museum of Civilization Laurier-Ste. Marie riding association donor, appointed as vice-chairman of the Board of Trustees in 2008.
William Glover Employment Insurance Act Board of Referees Donor to the Lethbridge riding association, appointed as chairman for Alberta in 2008.
Armando DeLuca Windsor Port Authority Essex riding association donor, appointed to the port board of directors in 2007.
Jean Saucier Canada Council for the Arts Laurier-Ste Marie riding association donor, appointed in 2007.
Josee Verner Senate Former Conservative MP, appointed to the Senate after losing the 2011 election.
Fabian Manning Senate Former Conservative Senator, reappointed after losing the 2011 election
Larry Smith Senate Former Conservative Senator, reappointed after losing the 2011 election despite promising to refuse a reappointment

Political Policing or Business as Usual?

“They persecute us. Yes, of course they do. We’re a threat to the system they represent. If we don’t want them to harass us, then we should just submit to their laws and integrate ourselves into their system. They won’t bother us if we do that.” - Buenaventura Durruti

Last week, I stood alongside about 15 other people outside an Edinburgh police station for the second time in five days, waiting for the release of a UK Uncut activist. Unlike the two women arrested during Saturday's action in BHS, this man was arrested at his home for breach of the peace, a chargeable offence in Scotland. There are now four UK Uncut activists in Edinburgh preparing for court dates, along with the Fortnum and Mason 145, and dozens of people awaiting trials for violent disorder and other serious offences following the March for the Alternative on March 26th, and the student fees protests over the winter months. Criminal convictions could have a devastating effect on these people's lives, and solidarity with those facing charges is crucial.

The behaviour of the police has been widely condemned by the left, some of whom accuse them of overstepping the mark with “political policing”. But we should not be surprised by the actions of the police. Examples of brutality and violence such as the hospitalisation of Alfie Meadows, the kettling and horse-charging of school children, and the systematic arrests of demonstrators should not be mistaken for illegitimate policing, or the actions of a few “bad apples”. The repression of political dissent is a central function of the police, but we rarely see them carrying out this role as there has been little in the way of effective organisation and struggle in the UK since the miners' strike. The anti-cuts movement has become the biggest threat to the political status quo in years, and the militancy of the protests and occupations was bound to be met with violence and arrests from the police. During the miners' strike, when it seemed like the miners could win, police were drafted in from across the country to break up pickets and escort scabs into the mines. During the student fees protests, when crowds gathered in Parliament Square and could have prevented the legislation about tuition fee rises being passed, police used brutal, violent means to contain the protesters and ensure business as usual inside Parliament.

Clearly the police perform some useful social functions, and if all the police did was beat up protesters and break up picket lines, it would be hard for the public to justify their existence. Arresting wife-beaters, breaking up pub fights, providing a crime reference number for your insurance claim after your house has been burgled, giving directions to lost tourists is all in a days work for most police. In periods where there is little in the way of organised political dissent, this is the friendly side of policing that many people see. Lots of people feel reassured by the presence of police on the streets, and more bobbies on the beat are often promised by hopeful politicians keen to present themselves as community-minded.

Not all sections of society hold such a rose-tinted view of the police, and the harassment and violence seen as extreme by the liberal left is terror as usual for migrants, sex workers, the homeless and other disenfranchised groups. Strained relations between the police and black and Asian communities has been well-documented, with the scandal of the 1980s sus laws, the targeting of Asian youth through anti-terror legislation, and legacy of the Steven Lawrence investigation and the institutional racism of the Met Police being some of the more high-profile issues. The recent death of Smiley Culture, who suffered a fatal stab-wound while under arrest in March, has mobilised protests and campaigns from predominantly black communities. Smiley Culture has unfortunately become one of a long line of people to die in police custody, the majority of whom come from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

For many of those arrested or beaten by the police on anti-cuts protests, shocked at the outing of PC Mark Kennedy and others infiltrating left-wing movements or the footage of Jody McIntyre being dragged from his wheelchair by riot police, this is their first experience of the oppressive nature of policing. Whilst all these things warrant our condemnation, we should not be shocked. The police often tell us their role is to facilitate peaceful protest; what they won't tell us is that they will contain and suppress any actions that actually pose a threat to the political and economic order. The government are perfectly happy for people to hold rallies and marches, as this doesn't impact on the workings of government, or hit them where it hurts – their pockets. The million-strong anti-war marches showed how much notice the government takes when we exercise our democratic right to march. It is only when our actions begin to cause disruption and pose a real threat that the government may sit up and listen.

The student protests and occupations, the direct action during the March for the Alternative, workers and Trade Unions balloting for industrial action, disabled people protesting the benefits system, and the ongoing UK Uncut actions on high streets across the country all pose a threat to the government's austerity measures. Not only do the actions themselves cause disruption and loss of profit, but they run the even greater risk of inspiring public support, and creating a culture of resistance encouraging others to join in too. With greater numbers and greater militancy the anti-cuts movement could easily win, but the government are unlikely to surrender without a fight. By now it is obvious that we are not “all in this together”, and that some people fare better than others under the austerity measures. What is good for big business and politicians is not good for us, and we can't be surprised when big business and politicians call on the police to defend their interests. If the anti-cuts movement is going to win, we will have to anticipate repression from the police; that's how we know we're doing it right, how we know we're posing a threat. An article by The Commune explained it like this, “The police defend the state unconditionally, the state defends capital unconditionally, and capital attacks us without remorse – or even a second thought”. The police are not on our side, and we cannot expect them to tolerate us.

Clearly, some police are more brutal than others, and it's unlikely to hear a police officer say “I joined the police to defend the interests of capital”. There has even been talk of police marching against cuts to their own budget. But even if they did march, what are they marching for? The right to be paid well to escort bailiffs who will evict people from their homes when Housing Benefit cuts kick in, to keep their jobs and numbers so they can “effectively manage” further strikes and protests by whatever means necessary, to reward those who will infiltrate political organisations and sleep with young activists? The police who march against budget cuts are the same police who will arrest you for holding a banner in BHS, or crack skulls during the next school student walk-out. Calling this “political policing” suggests that the police's actions are out of the ordinary, that they are anything other than political. The police who arrest and harass us are just doing their job, and doing it well.

Knowing that the police will do what they can to undermine our actions and intimidate people away from participation doesn't mean that we shouldn't challenge it. But instead of calling for more liberal policing, a polite jostle rather than a horse charge, or a telling off instead of an arrest, we should instead turn our efforts into educating ourselves and each other about police tactics and our rights under arrest, and offering practical support and solidarity to those singled out and victimised. They will attack us, arrest us and monitor us, and they will hope we all get sick of it and give up. They will make examples of us, send photos of those they can't track to the press, and if we are not prepared for it they might win. It's never pleasant to be on the receiving end of police attention, and the actions they take as part of their working day can ruin or even cost us our lives. We need to watch each other's backs and be prepared for the police to do their worst, and we must stand in solidarity with those injured and arrested. I'm sure I will be outside or even inside that police station in Edinburgh again before the summer is through, but if we carry on organising within our workplaces, universities and communities, I'm sure we can win.

Columbian Trade Unionists Freed From Prison

Dear Supporter,
We are very happy to begin this e-bulletin with some great news – two of the
political prisoners we have been campaigning on have been released and a third is
expected to be freed soon. On May 16th trade unionist Aracely Cañaveral Velez was
released after no evidence was provided against her.
FENSUAGRO trade union activist, Rosalba Gaviria, was also declared innocent and
released on 3rd June after spending 27 months unjustly imprisoned. Both prisoners
and unions have sent messages of thanks to JFC and all our supporters – showing that
the campaign can really make a difference.
On Friday 3rd June, imprisoned academic Dr Miguel Angel Beltran was declared
innocent of all charges, after being imprisoned since May 2009. In early May over
4000 UK academics signed a UCU-coordinated letter to President Santos demanding his
release. It is thought the verdict relates to the Colombian Supreme Court decision
that evidence from the notorious FARC computers is illegal. We expect Dr Beltran to
be released in the coming days.
JFC and Jorge Gamboa of the CUT recently returned from a successful trip to the ETUC
Congress in Athens. Jorge met new ETUC General Secretary Bernadette Segol, as well
as trade union leaders from across Europe as part of JFC’s campaign to block the
EU-Colombia FTA. The final Congress document, the Athens Manifesto, reiterated its
opposition to the FTA.
Unfortunately the murder of our colleagues in Colombia has continued unabated with
11 trade unionists assassinated so far this year, despite claims by the Santos
regime that things are improving. The two most recent killings on May 26th and 27th
were of teacher trade unionists.
April and May also saw the largest popular mobilisations of recent years, in protest
at the Santos administration’s education and economic plans. Up to a million
Colombians braved the repression to express their opposition to the policies.
Thanks for your support – it is only with your help that we can continue to show
much needed solidarity with our colleagues in Colombia.
Best wishes from Justice for Colombia.


Below is a selection of recent news articles on Colombia – for more visit our website.

Political Prisoners' Conference Opens Amidst Onslaught of Repression in Prisons 4 June
Update: Shot Labour Lawyer Dies, his Family is Threatened 2 June
Amnesty Colombia Report: Paramilitaries Expanding and Still Colluding With
Government Forces 2 June
Letter from Political Prisoner 1 June
Trade Unionist Shot Dead at Work 31 May
Unions Denounce Glencore for Anti-Union Activity 31 May
Children Shot by Army in Caguan 30 May
Democratic Pole Reports Threats 25 May
NGO Reports Alarming Increase in Extrajudicial Executions in 2010 23 May
University Union Denounces Repression 20 May
Santos Recognises Existence of an Internal Armed Conflict 20 May
GMB Calls on Lib Dem MEPs to Block FTA 18 May
Opposition Politician and Survivor of Patriotic Union Killed 18 May
Army and Paramilitary Abuses Strike Fear into Civilian Population of Cauca 16 May
Venezuela Hands Exiled Journalist to Colombia 10 May
Human Rights Hearing Exposes Army Abuses 7 May
Colombia Not a Legitimate Partner: Leader of EU Labour Party Protests Signing of FTA
6 May
Army Bombs Indigenous and Afrocolombian Communities Killing Three 5 May
Teacher Killed in Cordoba Department 3 May
Palm Oil Workers Strike 18 April
Army Troops Arbitrarily Detain Leading FENSUAGRO Trade Union Member 18 April
While Santos and Obama Talk Trade Union Rights, Another Trade Unionist is Killed 12
April
Human Rights and Victims Groups Reject Land and Victims Law 10 April
One Million Colombians March Against Government's Economic Plans 9 April
Academics and Students in National Day of Protest 6 April
Update: Peace Community Reports Killing 3 April
Trade Unionists Killed in Militarised Zone 2 April


Connect with JFC




Justice for Colombia 9 Arkwright Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 6AB
Phone: 020 7794 3644 | email: info@justiceforcolombia.org |
http://www.justiceforcolombia.org/

The blue-wall two-step: 18 investigators, 361 complaints: Not a single G20 cop charged

TORONTO - One year after being allegedly punched in the face by a Toronto Police officer at the G20, journalist Jesse Freeston has not heard a thing.

Not from the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), not from Toronto Police professional standards, not from anybody.

“Nah, never heard anything from them,” said Jesse of The Real News Network. “When I tried to follow up with the (OIPRD) person in charge of my case, her e-mail was no longer working.”

He was trying to film what turned out to be the equally as unnecessary arrest of a deaf man when he was cold-cocked in the kisser.

But at least he has get-to-the-bottom-of-things Gerry McNeilly — the head of OIPRD — who said “the review will investigate common issues arising from complaints against police during the G20 Summit” and that he ensures “these issues are investigated thoroughly and in a way that is accountable, transparent, efficient and fair to both the public and the police.”

I played along and asked about Freeston.

“The OIPRD does not comment on specific cases, nor do we release information about individual public complaints,” said spokesperson Rosemary Parker. “This information is confidential so we neither confirm nor deny whether a specific complaint was filed or not. The only time any information about a case will be released is if a case goes to a hearing, then the decision is posted on the OIPRD website.”

On how many charges stemming from the G20 she wrote “we don’t discuss individual complaints. When investigations are completed, complainants receive a report about their own complaint. Decisions are not made public unless they go to a Police Services Act hearing.”

I have come to recognize the Blue Wall two-step.

Meanwhile, I can’t find anything on their site but Parker said “the OIPRD received 361 complaints regarding the G20” and that OIPRD “budget for 2010-2011 was about $8.3 million” which encompasses “nine full-time investigators” and “nine” additional “contracted “investigators.”

Like the Special Investigations Unit, many of the investigators are former police officers.

Parker said “our office is working hard to complete investigations and produce a report that will make meaningful recommendations regarding policing large events. We expect to have the report out soon.”

Meanwhile, with or without their report, 88,000 people have already watched the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7OA920pbv8, where Freeston was clearly being struck and had his microphone taken. The video is like a modern review without spending $8.3 million of taxpayers’ money.

It also shows there should be no identification issues since this officer didn’t take his name badge off. M. Martinez is what is on it.

Toronto Police spokesman Mark Pugash is looking to see if there was any internal discipline or investigation under way.

He didn’t know of the case in a new video called “Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair: The Truth,” posted on www.TorontoG20Exposed.ca. You can see Blair dealing directly with RNN’s senior editor Paul Jay.

“I am very aware of the incident and we were video-taping it as well,” says the chief. “We videotaped all aspects of that, one of the things the media missed yesterday (Friday) there was a large cadre of Black Bloc dressed people in the centre of that crowd, as it approached along College St., they began to throw things at my officers; it was necessary for my people to put their helmets on and it was also necessary for us to go into that crowd and arrest some of the people that were attacking them. Now all of that was videoed. Now if your reporter wishes to make a complaint of any kind against the police, there is a proper format to do that. I urge you to contact us in writing and have him do that ... or he can call the Office of the Independent Police Review Director.”

Jesse did exactly that. And Jay said Monday “we sent a formal letter to Blair and his communications person, asking for their tapes that would prove Black Bloc started things that day. No reply ... Not a word.”

The chief has been mistaken about a number of facts about the G20, but if that tape is out there, we will post it. Maybe they also sent it over to their pals at OIRPD where they have had 361 complaints, have 18 investigators, $8.3-million spent and not one known police act charge so far!

As you can see, their system of police investigating police is really working well.

One group of officers, two allegations of brutality

One is a Somali immigrant and former youth worker, arrested one summer night in a west Toronto suburb for illegally carrying a loaded handgun. The other is a freelance stage builder, rounded up at Queen’s Park a year later during protests against the G20.

The latter, Adam Nobody, is well known as the man at the centre of the most high-profile allegations of police brutality during the summit; the former, Abbas Jama, is one of many people convicted of firearm offences in Toronto this year.

But both men accuse the same group of undercover officers of roughing them up and humiliating them during their arrests.

In Mr. Jama’s pre-trial hearings over the past few weeks, the officers testified about both cases. It was all part of Mr. Jama’s bid to have his charges thrown out. His lawyer argued that were parallels in the way the officers allegedly treated the two men.

A judge nonetheless convicted the 26-year-old of weapons charges on Monday.

Around 11:30 p.m. on June 24, 2009, a group of undercover officers that included constables Todd Storey and Luke Watson and Detective Michael DiCosola tried to arrest Mr. Jama near Capri Road and the East Mall. He fled, they chased him down and made the arrest as he tried to run into the apartment block where he lived.

After noticing a security camera on the building, Mr. Jama alleged in an affidavit last November, the officers led him away and twice threw him to the ground – on a patch of nearby grass and later on the pavement near a police cruiser – where they kicked him in the head and punched his body as he lay face down in handcuffs. The officers admitted punching him outside the building, but said he was resisting them and they only used the force necessary to control him. They denied beating him subsequently.

Mr. Jama said Det. DiCosola also interrogated and punched him in an interview room at the 22 division police station, while hurling racial insults. When Mr. Jama vomited in the corner, he alleged that the officer used him as a “human mop,” dragging his body across the mess and sopping it up with his clothes. (Det. DiCosola maintained he had no contact with Mr. Jama at the station.)

On June 26, 2010, the same three officers encountered Mr. Nobody. Police in riot gear handed him to constables Storey and Watson. Constable Storey testified that he appeared to be lightly hurt, but that he didn’t fill out an injury report.

“He had some bruising to his face, mud and blood on his left cheek,” he said.

Both officers testified Mr. Nobody co-operated, though he swore as they led him away. They took him between two parked paddy-wagons, searched him and expressed disbelief at his unusual last name. Det. DiCosola filled out the paperwork and they sent him onto a temporary detention centre.

In his testimony in the Jama case, Mr. Nobody, however, added several details to the story that police denied. While he lay on the ground, his hands tied behind his back by zip-cuffs, he alleged Constable Watson stood on his head and both men punched and kicked him. All the while, he said, they swore, hurled taunts and challenged him to fight.

The officers’ testimony still left some matters opaque: they said a riot squad officer who appeared to be with the Toronto police gave them the badge number – 10924 – that they wrote on Mr. Nobody’s arrest papers. The number, it turned out, belongs to a Montreal officer who was not at the G20.

Neither could they explain why Mr. Nobody was charged with assaulting Constable Storey, who said such an assault never happened.

Both constables Storey and Watson were investigated in Mr. Nobody’s case by the province’s Special Investigations Unit, which ruled there wasn’t enough evidence to charge them. The SIU charged a different officer, Constable Babak Andalib-Goortani, alleged to have been among the group that first arrested Mr. Nobody. That case is working its way through the courts.

In the end, Mr. Nobody’s story was also not enough to sway Mr. Justice Robert Clark, who allowed proceedings to continue against Mr. Jama, who was sentenced Monday to three years and 11 months. With credit for time already served, he was left with one more day in prison.

His lawyer said he planned to complete his political science degree, for which he had previously studied at Carleton University, and help operate a small business with his brother.

McGuinty and Blair come under fire at G20 hearing

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It has been nearly a year since the G20 and citizens continue to push for accountability for events flowing from the weekend which left Toronto looking like a war zone and more than 1,100 people being arrested.

However, many in attendance last night at the second of two public hearings called by the independent civilian review into the G20 were not optimistic that day will ever come.

“Dalton McGuinty and Chief Bill Blair need to be held accountable,” Charles Zach, of the National Firearms Association, said Monday night at the Etobicoke Civic Centre.

Zach, one of a handful of speakers at the hearing, accused McGuinty and Blair of “exploiting” a law meant to protect buildings during the Second World War in order to lock up protestors in droves.

And he suggested to former associate chief justice John Morden, the man at the helm of the review, that both should be “dismissed” in order to “restore public trust.”

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FBI accidentally left behind secret documents in peace-activist raids

​When the FBI launched an early morning raid on the home of local peace activist Mick Kelly last September, it was supposed to be a precision operation.
Backed by Minneapolis police officers, more than a dozen FBI agents in full SWAT gear, burst into Kelly's one-bedroom West Bank apartment. Provisions had been made for every eventuality -- a black Suburban idled in the ally, monitoring the back exit. Hostage negotiators were on hand if the situation turned ugly.

But the agents made one mistake: When they left Kelly's apartment, they accidentally left behind some of their secret documents.

And today, Kelly held a press conference to release the FBI's secret documents to the media.

Those documents include the operational plans for the raid, surveillance photos showing the apartment building, and 57 interrogation questions for Kelly and the eight other Twin Cities peace activists whose homes were being raided at the same time.

​Taken together, the documents offer the first glimpse into a highly secretive government investigation into the activists, which has resulted in 23 subpoenas to a secret federal grand jury.
The activists claim the investigation, which concerns charges of "material support of terrorism," is an unjust and intrusive effort by the FBI to intimidate and stifle political dissent.

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Ind. ruling on illegal police entry sparks protest

An Indiana Supreme Court ruling that people don't have the right to resist police officers who enter their homes illegally has sparked outrage among some residents and lawmakers, with plans under way for a large Statehouse protest, a flurry of threats made against police and judges and calls for the state to reinforce homeowners' rights.

The court's 3-2 ruling last week brought Indiana law in line with most other states', but critics contend that it infringes on their constitutional rights and contradicts centuries of common law precedent regarding homeowners' rights and the limits of police power.

"We're by and large outraged by it. It pretty much wipes out the Fourth Amendment," Greg Fettig, a co-founder of the Hoosier Patriots tea party group, said Wednesday. "Police can come into your house and do whatever they want now."

Police are investigating several threatening emails and phone calls directed at the state Supreme Court because of the ruling, court spokeswoman Kathryn Dolan said. She declined to say how many threats the court received, but said most of them were aimed at police officers.

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Once again: Brutal G20 Cops can't find any brutal G20 cops

SOC Editor: Above is an actual photo of the incident. The cop in the circle is the suspect that can't be identified. Its not so curious that such a heavy amount of police resources went into finding G20 vandals(public wanted lists, facial recognition software, even a dedicated team of detectives), yet the police can't identify a colleague who is clearly shown in the photo above. Lets get this photo out there and try to nail this guy.

Ontario's police watchdog says it has again been unable to identify any officers involved in a G20 arrest that a man claims left him with serious injuries.

The Special Investigations Unit had reopened the case of Dorian Barton who claimed his arm was broken when he was assaulted by police during last June's G20 demonstrations in Toronto.

Civilian witnesses told the SIU that Barton, who was taking pictures of mounted police officers, was struck with a riot shield and then hit with a baton after he fell to the ground.

The SIU says none of the civilian witnesses was able to positively identify any of the officers involved. Photographs of the incident were shown to 11 officers, but the SIU says none of the officers could identify the perpetrator.

Director Ian Scott says without a positive identification, the SIU has concluded that there are no reasonable grounds for charges to be laid against any Toronto police officers in Barton's arrest.

"Based upon this lack of positive identification, I am not in a position to form reasonable grounds that an identifiable police officer used excessive force against the complainant," Scott said Monday.

The SIU is an arm's-length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

What the #&^$: New contract for Toronto police

In this occasional feature, the National Post tells you everything you need to know about a complicated issue. Today: Megan O’Toole examines the tentative contract deal for Toronto police.

What are police being offered?

The Toronto Police Association, which represents the force’s nearly 8,000 civilian and uniform members, reached a tentative agreement this week with the Toronto Police Services Board, an oversight body that includes three city councillors. Under its terms, which would replace a collective agreement that expired in December, police would receive a series of wage hikes: 3.2% in 2011, 3% in each of the next two years, and 2% in 2014.

How does this compare to other union contracts?

At nearly 12% over four years, it is significantly richer than the most recent contracts negotiated with the city’s outside and inside workers. The latest contract for CUPE Local 416 provided a raise of 6% over three years, equivalent to the deal for inside workers. Councillor Adam Vaughan (Trinity-Spadina), a former police services board member, says this is the most expensive deal the city has ever signed with Toronto police. With a budget nearing $1-billion, Mr. Vaughan says the city’s police were already the highest paid in the country. “This is gravy on top of gravy with a serving of gravy underneath,” he said.

How are others receiving the news?

For the most part, not well. As the city prepares to wrestle an $800-million budget gap next year, critics argue this is simply not the time for such a generous deal, which would add tens of millions of dollars to the cost of policing. University of Toronto criminology professor Mariana Valverde called the tentative agreement “extremely unfortunate,” noting it could ultimately contribute to higher crime rates if the city ends up slashing youth programs, recreation programs and other social services to fill the budget hole. “I don’t think a wage freeze would have been unreasonable under the very serious financial crunch that we’re under,” she said. Representatives for the police association and the board did not respond to requests for comment.

So police are the highest paid in Canada, but so what? Isn’t it harder to police Toronto than, say, Kapuskasing?

Yes and no. “It seems logical that Toronto would be at the high end of the scale for municipal police officers, just given the size of the city, the complexity of responsibilities involved in policing in a city like Toronto, and of course the cost of living in Toronto,” Ryerson University municipal politics professor Myer Siemiatycki said, though he agreed the timing of the wage increase is justifiably “raising eyebrows” in light of Mayor Rob Ford’s stated goal to rein in the costs of government. Ms. Valverde, meanwhile, disagrees that Toronto officers inherently deserve higher wages, noting they also have substantially more resources than police in smaller rural settings. “I feel much more sympathy for the RCMP officers in small towns where there is no backup,” she said.

What is the Mayor saying about all this?

Nothing until the ratification vote, scheduled for May 25. “Unfortunately I can’t comment on the police contract until it’s ratified. I will comment after,” Mr. Ford said in a scrum this week. Asked about public comments from his brother, Councillor Doug Ford, who has come out in favour of the tentative deal, the Mayor simply laughed: “Talk to Doug, then,” he said.

How might this affect other union contract negotiations down the road?

It could have dramatic consequences in terms of what other unions will expect at the bargaining table, observers warn. The TTC is now an essential service, so if negotiations fail, the matter goes to binding arbitration, where the police contract could be viewed as a reasonable precedent. “Mayor Ford’s desire to declare transit an essential service is going to come back to haunt him,” Mr. Siemiatycki said. The police deal has set up “one of the most expensive rounds of labour negotiations the city will ever see,” Mr. Vaughan added. “[TTC union boss] Bob Kinnear is doing cartwheels.”

National Post
motoole@nationalpost.com

10 ways 'the police state' tracks you

The war on terror is a worldwide endeavor that has spurred massive investment into the global surveillance industry, which now seems to be becoming a war on “liberty and privacy.” Given all of the new monitoring technology being implemented, the uproar over warrantless wiretaps now seems moot.

High-tech, first-world countries are being tracked, traced, and databased, literally around every corner. Governments, aided by private companies, are gathering a mountain of information on average citizens who so far seem willing to trade liberty for supposed security. Here are just some of the ways the matrix of data is being collected:

GPS -- Global positioning chips are now appearing in everything from U.S. passports and cell phones to cars. More common uses include tracking employees, and for all forms of private investigation. Apple recently announced they are collecting the precise location of iPhone users via GPS for public viewing in addition to spying on users in other ways.

Internet -- Internet browsers are recording your every move forming detailed cookies on your activities. The National Security Administration has been exposed as having cookies on their site that don't expire until 2035. Major search engines know where you surfed last summer, and online purchases are databased, supposedly for advertising and customer service uses. IP addresses are collected and even made public. Controversial websites can be flagged internally by government
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sites, as well as re-routing all traffic to block sites the government wants to censor. It has now been fully admitted that social networks provide no privacy to users while technologies advance for real-time social network monitoring is already being used. The Cybersecurity Act attempts to legalize the collection and exploitation of your personal information. Apple's iPhone also has browsing data recorded and stored. All of this despite the overwhelming opposition to cybersurveillance by citizens.

RFID -- Forget your credit cards which are meticulously tracked, or the membership cards for things so insignificant as movie rentals which require your Social Security number. Everyone has Costco, CVS, grocery-chain cards, and a wallet or purse full of many more. RFID “proximity cards” take tracking to a new level in uses ranging from loyalty cards, student ID, physical access, and computer network access. Latest developments include an RFID powder developed by Hitachi, for which the multitude of uses are endless -- perhaps including tracking hard currency so we can't even keep cash undetected. (Also see microchips below).

Traffic cameras -- License plate recognition has been used to remotely automate duties of the traffic police in the United States, but have been proven to have dual use in England such as to mark activists under the Terrorism Act. Perhaps the most common use will be to raise money and shore up budget deficits via traffic violations, but uses may descend to such “Big Brother” tactics as monitors telling pedestrians not to litter as talking cameras already do in the UK.

Computer cameras and microphones -- The fact that laptops -- contributed by taxpayers -- spied on public school children (at home) is outrageous. Years ago Google began officially to use computer “audio fingerprinting” for advertising uses. They have admitted to working with the NSA, the premier surveillance network in the world. Private communications companies already have been exposed routing communications to the NSA. Now, keyword tools -- typed and spoken -- link to the global security matrix.

Public sound surveillance -- This technology has come a long way from only being able to detect gunshots in public areas, to now listening in to whispers for dangerous “keywords.” This technology has been launched in Europe to “monitor conversations” to detect “verbal aggression” in public places. Sound Intelligence is the manufacturer of technology to analyze speech, and their website touts how it can easily be integrated into other systems.

Biometrics -- The most popular biometric authentication scheme employed for the last few years has been Iris Recognition. The main applications are entry control, ATMs and government programs. Recently, network companies and governments have utilized biometric authentication including fingerprint analysis, iris recognition, voice recognition, or combinations of these for use in national identification cards.

DNA -- Blood from babies has been taken for all people under the age of 38. In England, DNA was sent to secret databases from routine heel prick tests. Several reports have revealed covert Pentagon databases of DNA for “terrorists” and now DNA from all American citizens is databased. Digital DNA is now being used as well to combat hackers.

Microchips -- Microsoft's HealthVault and VeriMed partnership is to create RFID implantable microchips. Microchips for tracking our precious pets is becoming commonplace and serves to condition us to accept putting them in our children in the future. The FDA has already approved this technology for humans and is marketing it as a medical miracle, again for our safety.

Facial recognition -- Anonymity in public is over. Admittedly used at President Obama's campaign events, sporting events, and most recently at the G8/G20 protests in Canada. This technology is also harvesting data from Facebook images and surely will be tied into the street “traffic” cameras.

All of this is leading to Predictive Behavior Technology -- It is not enough to have logged and charted where we have been; the surveillance state wants to know where we are going through psychological profiling. It's been marketed for such uses as blocking hackers. Things seem to have advanced to a point where a truly scientific Orwellian world is at hand. It is estimated that computers know to a 93 percent accuracy where you will be, before you make your first move. Nanotech is slated to play a big role in going even further as scientists are using nanoparticles to directly influence behavior and decision making.

Many of us are asking: What would someone do with all of this information to keep us tracked, traced, and databased? It seems the designers have no regard for the right to privacy and desire to become the Controllers of us all.

Terry Olgin owns 3rd Eye Computer Service, a managed service provider business, and is a member of the Redwood Technology Consortium. Check out his blog at terryolgin.wordpress.com . He can be reached at 3rdeyecomputers@gmail.com.

New deal makes Toronto police highest paid in country

The net $905.9 million police operating budget is the largest single item on the city budget. Salaries, benefits and overtime account for nearly 90 per cent of it.

A first-class constable earning $81,249 in 2010 will make $90,623 in 2014 if the agreement is ratified.

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Protester claims unjust macing by NFTA cop

Protester claims unjust macing by NFTA cop: wivb.com

Uganda lawyers protest over political violence

Some 300 lawyers gathered in Uganda's capital on Wednesday to protest the arrest of the country's top opposition leader and a crackdown on demonstrations, chanting: "We want a change in the regime."

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for a quarter-century, has vowed repeatedly that his government will not be taken down by protests. U.N. officials have said demonstrations over the last three weeks in Uganda have left eight people dead and wounded more than 250 others.

The protests have been the first serious unrest in sub-Saharan Africa since a wave of anti-government protests swept longtime leaders in Tunisia and Egypt out of power.


Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/04/2848297/uganda-lawyers-protest-over-political.html#ixzz1LRcohPux

Ian Tomlinson was unlawfully killed by police officer at G20 protest, says jury

Tomlinson was hit with a baton an pushed to the floor on the evening of April 1, 2009, while the G20 protests - which he was not a part of - were taking place.


The jury found that the force used by the police officer was 'excessive and unreasonable', and that he had acted acted illegally, recklessly and dangerously in shoving Mr Tomlinson - who 'posed no threat' - to the ground. The jurors found that he died from internal bleeding, caused by a combination of the baton strike and the push.


Criminal proceeding could now reopen against Pc Simon Harwood, the officer who pushed Tomlinson (who the jurors did not identify by name for legal reasons). Prosecutors said last year that a decision not to pursue charges against Pc Harwood could be reviewed in the light of the inquest's findings.

Evidence from both Pc Harwood and pathologist Dr Freddy Patel was discredited as part of the verdict, which will prompt reviews by both the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police. Dr Patel's claim that Mr Tomlinson died of a heart attack was rejected by the jury in favour of a string of experts who said he died of internal bleeding.

Pc Harwood was accused of misleading the inquest by Matthew Ryder QC, acting for Tomlinson's family, who said he told 'half truths' and 'deliberately painted a false picture of Mr Tomlinson'.

Members of Tomlinson's family reportedly shouted 'Yes!' and broke down in tears when the jury's verdict was announced.


Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/862230-ian-tomlinson-was-unlawfully-killed-by-police-officer-says-jury#ixzz1LRcNMTTh

Brutal Mass Police Crackdown in Illinois

US Politicians Use Bin Laden Death Hoax to Justify Illegal Torture

The debate over the use of harsh interrogation techniques during the Bush administration is being rekindled by the successful operation against Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan, which was based on information about the courier extracted from detained terror suspects.

Rep. Peter T. King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said initial clues to bin Laden’s location can be traced to the waterboarding of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and the interrogations of Abu Faraj al-Libbi, the former No. 3 al Qaeda leader captured in 2005.

“Khalid Shaikh Mohammed basically gave up nothing until after he had been waterboarded,” Mr. King, New York Republican, said in an interview Tuesday. “It was after that that he first mentioned the courier, he identified him by his nom de guerre, and after that … al Libbi also gave us additional information on the courier.”

White House counterterrorism coordinator John Brennan said Tuesday that he is not aware that waterboarding produced intelligence that led to the identity of bin Laden’s compound.

“Not to my knowledge. The information that was acquired over the course of nine years or so came from many different sources — human sources, technical sources, as well as information that detainees provided,” Mr. Brennan said on MSNBC.

Mr. King said the Bush administration’s overall handling of terrorist detainees was vindicated by Sunday’s successful raid.

“Absolutely. This is a vindication,” he said. “Without that, we may not have gotten bin Laden.”

Administration officials said tracking one particular bin Laden courier ultimately produced key intelligence that ended the worldwide manhunt with Sunday’s commando raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, that left the al Qaeda leader dead.

Work by analysts who “pieced it all together” led to the Abbottabad compound last year and the Sunday raid, Mr. Brennan said, noting that no single piece of information resulted in finding the compound and that data from detained terrorists were mixed.

“Sometimes they gave up information willingly as far as offering some details; some of it was disinformation,” he said. “Sometimes they provided information that they didn’t realize had embedded clues in it that we were able to exploit.”

A senior Obama administration official who briefed reporters Sunday night said intelligence agencies had focused on finding couriers for bin Laden since 2001, with one trusted messenger having “our constant attention.”

Interrogated detainees provided the courier’s nom de guerre, identified him as a protege of Mohammed and al-Libbi, and revealed he was “one of the few al Qaeda couriers trusted by bin Laden,” the official said.

The courier also was living with and protecting bin Laden, but intelligence agencies were unable for years to learn his name or location.

Then, four years ago, the courier was identified by name, and then two years later he and his brother were spotted as operating in a specific area of Pakistan, the official said.

“Still, we were unable to pinpoint exactly where they lived due to extensive operational security on their part,” the official said.

In August the couriers’ residence was located as the Abbottabad compound, triggering the covert operation that began in September and ended on Sunday. Both the courier and his brother were killed in the raid.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, told reporters on Tuesday that “nothing has been found to indicate that this came out of Guantanamo.”

“And people were questioned, but there were no positive answers as to the identity of this No. 1 courier,” Mrs. Feinstein, California Democrat, said.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney said he believes harsh interrogations likely contributed to finding bin Laden.

“I would assume that the enhanced interrogation program that we put in place produced some of the results that led to bin Laden’s ultimate capture,” Mr. Cheney said Monday on Fox News Channel.

Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said in an interview with Newsmax that “normal interrogation techniques” helped lead searchers to bin Laden, but not waterboarding.

“It certainly points up the fact that the structures that President Bush put into place — military commissions, Guantanamo Bay, the Patriot Act, indefinite detention and humane treatment, but intensive interrogation to be sure — all contributed to the success we’ve had in the global war on terror,” Mr. Rumsfeld said.

White House National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said the debate over whether harsh interrogation produced intellgience on bin Laden is a distraction because the successful raid was based on multiple types of information sources.

“There is no way that information obtained by [enhanced interrogation techniques] was the decisive intelligence that led us directly to bin Laden,” he said. “The bottom line is this: If we had some kind of smoking-gun intelligence from waterboarding in 2003, we would have taken out Osama bin Laden in 2003.”
Z

Burkina Faso Riot Police Join Wave of Protests After Government Dissolved

Riot police became the latest group to protest in Burkina Faso, firing their guns into the air at their barracks in the east of the capital, Ouagadougou, two weeks after the president dissolved the government.

“The shooting began in 9.30 p.m. and continued till this morning,” said Oumarou Kabore, who lives near the barracks. “They came out of their camp and fired in the air.”

A mutiny by the presidential guard on April 14 pushed President Blaise Compaore to dismiss his government. On April 22, he appointed himself as defense minister. Sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest cotton producer has been in turmoil since February, when five people were killed during demonstrations against police following the death of a student in their custody.

Compaore, 60, has ruled Burkina Faso since seizing power in a 1987 coup.

Gold miners including Montreal-based Semafo Inc. (SMF) and London-based Avocet Mining Plc (AVM) have operations in Burkina Faso. Semafo said on April 18 the unrest hasn’t disrupted operations at its Mana mine, while Avocet said the same on April 15.

Workers warn police against brutality

Workers and civic society groups have warned that they would be forced to hit back against police brutality if the security forces continued to suppress the voice of workers.

Addressing a well-attended Workers’ Day rally at Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield, Harare, yesterday, activists blasted government corruption with Zimbabwe National Students’ Union (Zinasu) president Tafadzwa Mugwadi warning of Egypt or Yemen-style revolts if the plight of their parents, the workers, was not addressed.

Prominent human rights lawyer Alec Muchadehama said people should be free to fight for their rights and if police suppressed them, they should hit back.

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Lovemore Matombo said workers had to fight for their rights like what war veterans did when they fought for land reform.

“They fought for land and they got it. What can stop the workers from fighting for their rights and win?” he said.

Wellington Chibebe, the ZCTU secretary-general, also warned the police against trying to thwart the people’s freedoms saying they were inviting trouble.

“I appreciate there are police here in attendance — spying.

They had tried to thwart this gathering, but they were playing with fire.

“We want to tell them that when it comes to fighting for workers’ rights, the police are like children. They are not yet grown-ups in the game,” he said.

“To (Police Commissioner-General Augustine) Chihuri, I say don’t dream to thwart our actions because we will embarrass you,” he warned.

“We have seen what the inclusive government has done, but we are tired. We no longer want that and if these people do not respect our rights, we go to the streets,” he said.

Chibebe said the executive committee of the ZCTU had decided to honour Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai by establishing the Morgan
Tsvangirai Labour Activist of the Year Award.

The annual award, Chibebe said, would be a floating trophy with $3 000 prize money with Tsvangirai himself being the inaugural winner for this year.

Award-winning human rights defender Muchadehama said rights were not demanded but fought for.

“Rights should be fought for. If the police violate your rights, fight for them. If government violates your rights, fight them, and if the police fight you, fight back,” he said.

Mugwadi said ever since the coming-in of the inclusive government, nothing much had been done for the workers and their children, a majority of whom were students.

“Why should (President Robert) Mugabe go (out of the country) to get treatment while our parents are dying here in Zimbabwe? Our parents are being forced to sign the anti-sanctions petition, but that is nonsense.

“What is happening in Yemen, Egypt — we want it in Zimbabwe if (President) Mugabe cannot do what we want. Together we shall complete this struggle,” the Zinasu president said.

Ont. cops probe leak after Layton massage story breaks

TORONTO - The Ontario Provincial Police are launching a criminal breach of trust investigation into how Toronto Police notes were leaked, following a QMI Agency story involving NDP Leader Jack Layton.

Toronto Police confirm it made the request after the information involving Layton, who was found in a massage parlour allegedly connected with the sex trade in 1996, was attributed to notes from an unnamed former police officer.

"Today, I made a formal request of the Ontario Provincial Police to conduct a criminal breach of trust investigation into this matter to determine if any offence has been committed," Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair said Saturday.

"They have assigned a detective inspector from their criminal investigative branch to head up their investigation. We will, of course, co-operate in every way."

The investigation launches following a complaint from Toronto human rights lawyer Selwyn Pieters to Blair and Toronto Police Services Board chairman Alok Mukherjee alleging the ex-cop's notes were used to blackmail the leader of a political party.

"I was appalled and distressed at the partisanship or the perception thereof of the Toronto Police Service entering the realm of the political sphere by releasing information quoted directly from a police officer's memo book in the Toronto Sun that appears in the nature of attempting to blackmail a leader of a political party," Pieters wrote in a letter.

He included sections of the Police Service Act that states police can disclose personal information about an individual if the person has been convicted or found guilty of a crime and if the individual poses a threat to others.

He added memo books are the property of the police and should be given back when no longer in use.

"Disclosing personal information about a person who was not charged with a prostitution related offence challenges the presumption of innocence and stigmatizes the person in a way that is totally unacceptable in a society where the rule of the law prevails," Pieters said. "The conduct in question appears, in my view to be unlawful."

Blair responded that while the former cop is no longer with the force, the issue remains important.

"We do, in fact, ensure compliance by those over whom we retain jurisdiction under the act," he said.

WikiLeaks' Assange Calls Facebook 'Most Appalling Spying Machine Ever'

WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange has made a lot of enemies, and you can now add Facebook to that list.

In a recent interview with Russia Today, Assange said "Facebook in particular is the most appalling spying machine that has ever been invented."

"Here we have the world's most comprehensive database about people, their relationships, their names, their addresses, their locations, their communications with each other, their relatives, all sitting within the United States, all accessible to U.S. intelligence," the whistle-blowing site's editor continued.

Assange asserted that he believes many major U.S.-based tech companies are actively helping the government spy on people.
"Facebook, Google, Yahoo, all these major U.S. organizations have built-in interfaces for U.S. intelligence," Assange said. "It's not a matter of serving a subpoena. They have an interface that they have developed for us intelligence to use. Now is it the case that Facebook is actually run by US intelligence? No it's not like that. It's simply that U.S. intelligence is able to bring to bear legal and political pressure to them and it's costly for them to hand out records one by one so they have automated the process. Everyone should understand that when they add their friends to Facebook they are doing free work for United States intelligence agencies in building this database for them."

Assange has cemented his reputation as a conspiracy-monger. He made waves at the end of last year when he began the release of more than 250,000 confidential U.S. embassy cables, causing worldwide diplomatic embarrassment for the U.S. and its allies. The 39-year-old Australian is currently residing near London, awaiting extradition to Sweden where he must answer to allegations of rape and sexual molestation.

By Leslie Horn