Two interviews with Marjaleena Repo about the "robocall" scandal and voter obstruction

Thursday, March 1, 2012, 7 a.m. PST
New Audio: Vancouver Co-Op Radio
Listen here

Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 8 a.m. CST
New Audio: CKUW Radio (University of Winnipeg Radio)
Listen here

April 27, 2011
Why aren't people voting? Let me tell you the reasons why
By Marjaleena Repo

At Guelph university Conservative operatives recently tried to nullify the vote of several hundred students at a poll set up to facilitate student voting. They failed, but there is a far subtler and more effective way of eliminating troublesome voters, students, Aboriginals, the poor and the elderly alike. continued...

May 3, 2011, CKUW Radio
Marjaleena Repo: The democratic deficit in Canada

Marjaleena Repo was the campaign manager for David Orchard in two federal elections, in Prince Albert in 2000 and in Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River in 2008. She also managed David Orchard's two Progressive Conservative leadership campaigns, in 1998 and 2003. She talks with Michael Welch about the reason for low voter turnout in elections and so called "voter apathy."

Marjaleena refers in the interview to the "by-election of 1988," which she says should be 2008 (at which time stringent new voter ID requirements were introduced).

David Orchard's Campaign for Canada urgently needs funds to continue its work. If you value David Orchard's longstanding campaign for an environmentally sustainable, politically and economically independent Canada, please donate to keep this work going. You can also help by purchasing David Orchard's bestselling book, The Fight for Canada: Four Centuries of Resistance to American Expansionism. All proceeds go towards keeping the Campaign for Canada going. A perfect gift to friends and family — and all who would benefit from learning the true history of Canada. (See readers' comments.)

We have books!

Understanding Canada

For yourself or as gifts to others, we have a number of outstanding books and a fine DVD.

David Orchard's The Fight for Canada, 2nd edition, is available in French and English. Please read various reviews of this outstanding and unique history of Canada and its relationship with its powerful and expansionist neighbour on our website.

Now also available: Hoodwinked: The Myth of Free Trade (DVD, 90 min.), a film by Bill Dunn and Linda West. This documentary shows how "free trade" has not paid off for Canadians. With valuable historical footage, narrated by Laurier LaPierre, the film has interviews with Dalton Camp, Stephen Clarkson, Shadia Drury, David Orchard, Jim Stanford, John Turner and Peter Urmetzer. Read review. Special: $20.00 (mailing $3.00)

A very special SPECIAL: Fight for Canada and Hoodwinked $35.00 plus mailing $7.00.

Understanding what is going on in the world

To understand what happened to Yugoslavia is a key to understanding what is going on in the world in 2010 — eleven years after the lawless bombing of that country. The bombing of Yugoslavia was, in effect, "globalism’s first war," (see David Orchard's June 23, '99 article "Globalism's first victim"), with other illegal invasions, occupations and assaults on sovereign countries to follow, with increasing speed and brutality.

The following books, also available from us, are “must reads” for all who want to know how a functioning country was destroyed, bit by bit, by the Western powers, and what that has meant for all humanity.

Edward S. Herman and David Peterson, The dismantling of Yugoslavia. A study in in-humanitarian intervention — and a Western liberal-left intellectual and moral collapse. (A special issue of Monthly Review, October 2007) $5.00 Mailing $3.00.

Peter Brock, Media cleansing: Dirty reporting. Journalism and tragedy in Yugoslavia. Foreword by David Binder. (GM Books 2006) $15.00 Mailing $10.00. Read review by Edward Herman.

Michael Mandel, How America gets away with murder: Illegal wars, collateral damage and crimes against humanity. (Pluto Press 2004) $25.00 Mailing $4.00 Read review by Edward Herman.

Diana Johnstone, Fools’ crusade: Yugoslavia, NATO and Western delusions. (Monthly Review Press 2002)  $20.00 Mailing $4.00 Read review by Edward Herman.

Jean Bricmont, Humanitarian imperialism. (Monthly Review Press 2006) $15.00 Mailing $4.00. Read interview with Jean Bricmont. Read review by Steven Sherman: "The perils of humanist intervention".

New Video: Shaw Cable 11, Victoria, B.C. (1-hour stream on VIMEO, originally broadcast spring 2009)
David Orchard interviewed on "Face to Face with Jack Etkin"

A rousing discussion on such topics as depleted uranium, organic farming, dirty politics and war.

NOW AVAILABLE: Hoodwinked: The Myth of Free Trade (DVD, 90 min.). Since we signed the free trade agreements with the U.S. (FTA in 1989, NAFTA in 2004), our standard of living has gone down, foreign ownership is reaching unprecedented levels, wealth is more concentrated in the hands of a few and several noxious clauses severely endanger our sovereignty. This documentary shows how "free trade" has not paid off for Canadians. With valuable historical footage, narrated by Laurier LaPierre, the film has interviews with Dalton Camp,  Stephen Clarkson, Shadia Drury, David Orchard, Jim Stanford, John Turner and Peter Urmetzer.  Special: $20.00 plus mailing $3.00.     http://www.canadahistoryproject.ca/hoodwinked/quotes.html

A very special SPECIAL: Fight for Canada and Hoodwinked, $35.00 plus mailing $7.00.

An idea whose time has come...... An ELECTORAL COALITION, to be formed prior to an election, the opposition parties NOT running against each other in ridings where the two- or three-way split now delivers the seat to "Conservatives." In the last federal election in 2008, two deserving candidates in Saskatchewan, Nettie Wiebe (NDP in Rosetown-Biggar) and David Orchard (Liberal in Desnethe), could have won their seats if Liberals had not run a candidate against Wiebe and NDP had not run against Orchard — and the Greens had refrained from running a candidate against two of the greenest candidates you could find in the country! Without an electoral coalition, the "Conservatives" can easily stay put in Saskatchewan forever — and perhaps even take the last remaining seat in Regina-Wascana! We CAN defeat them easily and well, but it takes collective will and an ability to work for the common good, as opposed to one's narrowly partisan interests. If you are interested in these ideas — see the below articles by John Ryan, David Orchard and Michael Byers — and in turning them into a pleasing reality, you will be invited to a serious discussion about how to stop whining about the "Conservatives" and instead help send them packing. Drop a line to Marjaleena Repo at mrepo@sasktel. net or leave a message at 306-244-9724. Global Research.ca, Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Canada needs a Liberal-NDP-Green Coalition by John Ryan ... Although almost two-thirds of Canada's voters in the last two elections opposed the platform, policies, and philosophy of the Conservative party, it is the Conservatives who have formed the government. The majority vote was split amongst four parties, thereby thwarting the predominant will of the people and making a mockery of democracy. ... So what do we do? How do we get out of a system that seems to ensure an unending regime of Conservative governments – governments that do not have the support of the bulk of our population? continued... The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon), Thursday, December 11, 2008 Coalition move can checkmate Harper by David Orchard ... Last election saw a record number of Canadians abstain from voting. Many people, the young among them, are appalled at a system which regularly elects a prime minister and a governing party that most Canadians have voted against. Some ask, "Why should I waste my vote?" ... A Liberal-NDP electoral coalition that would see the Conservatives reduced to winning approximately one third of the seats in the House, i.e. roughly the percentage of their vote nationally, would re-energize all those Canadians who long for a more representative Parliament, one that more accurately reflects their views inside the House of Commons, rather than leaving them outside as a "wasted vote." continued... Toronto Star, Monday, November 2, 2009 Liberals and New Democrats together could unseat Harper Electoral ceasefire would put nation's centre-left majority in political control by Michael Byers ... There is only one surefire way to prevent a Harper majority. The Liberals and NDP should agree to not run candidates against each other in the next campaign. In each riding, the party whose candidate fared worst in the last election would pull its current candidate out, or refrain from nominating one. Both parties would win more seats, with the Liberals potentially forming a majority government. continued...

The StarPhoenix, Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Strong opposition against nuclear power in Saskatchewan: UDP report
by James Wood

REGINA — Public consultations on the government's Uranium Development Partnership saw an "overwhelming response" against nuclear power and other aspects of the industry, widespread concern over health, safety and environmental impacts and skepticism towards the UDP itself, according to the report prepared by a former top civil servant and released Tuesday. continued...

Regina Leader-Post, Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Heated opposition to nuclear option
Sask. Party government vows to proceed 'with caution': Boyd
By Angela Hall, Saskatchewan News Network

The Saskatchewan Party government isn't putting the brakes on the possibility a nuclear power plant could come to the province, but its foot is "off the accelerator," says Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd. continued...

New Video: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 Humanitarian intervention challenged On the 10th anniversary of the US-NATO bombing of former Yugoslavia A panel discussion at Montreal's Vanier College on NATO's 78-day bombing campaign of the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Speakers: Scott Taylor, publisher, author, war correspondent and ex-Canadian soldier, James Bissett, former Canadian ambassador to Yugoslavia and David Orchard, author, environmentalist, farmer and politician.

The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon), Thursday, June 18, 2009
(also published in the Nipawin Journal, Moosoomin World-Spectator, Yorkton News-Review, SK and Edmonton Journal, AB)
Uranium poses ethical, moral issues for Saskatchewan
by David Orchard

Saskatchewan has already embarked on uranium mining. Now our government is proposing a nuclear reactor, which will place the province squarely on the nuclear road. The implications do not appear well thought out. continued...

Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 7 p.m.
Prairieland Park Building, Saskatoon Exhibitions Grounds, Saskatoon, SK
David Orchard presents to the Saskatchewan Uranium Development Hearings

Public consultations were being held across Saskatchewan, May 26 - July 31, 2009, to hear responses to Capturing the Full Potential of the Uranium Value Chain in Saskatchewan, a provincial government report which recommends the construction of a Saskatchewan nuclear reactor and supports the burial of nuclear waste in that province. For more information, go here.

New Audio: Wednesday, April 8, 2009 CKUW Radio ("People of Interest") David Orchard interviewed on the state of the nation and Canada in the world, including the case of Abousfian Abdelrazik.

The StarPhoenix, Friday, March 20, 2009
Let's stand on our own two feet
by David Orchard

For decades we have endured the unrelenting promotion of the virtues of deregulation, free trade, privatization and globalization. Canadian ownership of its corporations became passé. Institutions and programs serving Canadians were swept away. ...

Some of yesterday's preachers for an unregulated, borderless world now have turned 180 degrees. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who until recently promoted further deregulation of our financial sector by slamming "protectionists" and "socialists," now brag about Canada's independent banking and financial institutions. Separatist leaders, who said they didn't need the Canadian market any more, are alarmed at Quebec's dependence on a U.S. economy that's in free-fall. Former advocates of adopting the U.S. dollar now laud Canada's financial system as a model for the world. continued...

David Orchard supports return of Canadian citizen from Sudan Thursday, June 4, 2009 Court orders government to fly home Abousfian Abdelrazik In what's being called a tough, landmark decision the Federal Court of Canada today ordered the Harper government to fly Abousfian Abdelrazik home to Canada within 30 days — and if it hasn't arranged for a ticket for him within 15 days, the government is required to come before the court so it can "issue further orders" and make sure they do what they have been ordered to do. Judge Russell Zinn also says he found no evidence that Abdelrazik is a national security risk or has any connections with Al Quaida or other terrorist organizations. The full judgment and reasons for judgment — and it makes for good reading — is here. Although there is a chance that the government may appeal it, this decision by the Federal Court is a victory for Abousfian Abdelrazik and his family, all those who have supported him, and for all Canadians whose citizenship rights have been put in danger by the government's refusal to uphold them. It is also vindication for the small of group of people, among them former Trudeau Solicitor General Warren Allmand and David Orchard, who earlier this year, at the risk of ten years' imprisonment for aiding and abetting a terrorist, donated money for an airline ticket to fly Abousfian Abdelrazik home. They did the right thing, as the court has now confirmed! Two breaking news stories are below. Globe and Mail Update, Thursday, June, 4, 2009 Court orders Ottawa to allow Abdelrazik to return to Canada Federal Court judge issues landmark ruling that Harper government has breached constitutional rights on man trapped in Sudan. Canadian Press, Thursday, June 4, 2009 Court orders government to let Abdelrazik return by Jim Bronskill Globe and Mail, Saturday, April 4, 2009 Canadian can't come home, Cannon says In last-minute reversal, Ottawa says citizen stranded in Sudan poses too great a national security risk by Paul Koring Abousfian Abdelrazik, a Canadian citizen, poses so grave a threat to Canada that he can't come back, Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said yesterday, abruptly reversing the government's written promise of an emergency one-way travel document less than two hours before his flight home was to depart from Khartoum. ... "The only plausible explanation is that the decision was taken at the highest political levels," [Yavar] Hameed [Mr. Abdelrazik's lawyer] said. "They will do anything to keep him from coming home and telling his story." "The government is now in violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms," Liberal MP Irwin Cotler said. continued... Globe and Mail, Wednesday, March 25, 2009 Canadians 'from all walks of life' come to aid of Abdelrazik Former UN envoy joins lawyers, former government officials and ordinary citizens in denouncing treatment of Muslim Canadian by Paul Koring Stephen Lewis, a former UN special envoy, has joined more than 160 Canadians to purchase a flight home for Abousfian Abdelrazik... David Orchard [said] "I don't like torture and I don't like Canadian citizens being tortured and I don't like our government asking foreign governments to do the torturing." He said he was appalled at the "the hypocrisy of our government condemning Sudan for human-rights abuses and then approaching them and asking them to pick up a Canadian citizen." continued... Globe and Mail editorial, Saturday, March 21, 2009 Abdelrazik: Pointing fingers and a right of return The Abdelrazik affair gets curiouser and curiouser. Yesterday, Canada's civilian spy agency publicly declared itself innocent of having Abousfian Abdelrazik, a Canadian citizen, arrested by Sudan in 2003 on suspicion of terror links. Then who had him arrested? Is CSIS implying that some other Canadian institution (perhaps Foreign Affairs, which pointed a finger at CSIS in official documents) did wrong somehow? ... Citizens have a right of return. Canada should allow Mr. Abdelrazik to come home. His return may embarrass the government, but that embarrassment will only grow worse with each day that goes by. continued... Toronto Star editorial, Saturday, March 14, 2009 Criminalizing charity Is Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government prepared to criminalize empathy? If not, it shouldn't even consider bringing charges against the 115 Canadians and others who chipped in to buy a $996 plane ticket to bring Abousfian Abdelrazik home from Sudan. ... The contributors include former Liberal cabinet minister Warren Allmand and former Progressive Conservative leadership candidate David Orchard, plus university professors, lawyers, artists and others. continued... Montreal Gazette, Saturday, March 14, 2009 And another thing ... Concise comments on current topics Doing the right thing ...the donors have done the right thing, making up in some small measure for the disgraceful behaviour of the Canadian government that seems to have thrown up every obstacle it could think of to block Abdelrazik's return to Canada. continued... Globe and Mail, letter to the editor, Saturday, March 14, 2009 Taking on Ottawa by Mary Dixon Winnipeg -- Bravo and a warm thank you to those who have donated funds for the return of Abousfian Abdelrazik, a much-maligned (tricked, unlawfully held, tortured) innocent Canadian stranded in Sudan (Canadians Defy Law In Bid To Bring Home One Of Their Own - front, March 13). continued... Globe and Mail, Friday, March 13, 2009 The Abdelrazik case: Canadians defy law in bid to bring home one of their own More than 100 supporters chip in for airfare for Canadian exiled in Sudan by Les Perreaux and Bill Curry ... Former Iraq hostages James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden and former Liberal solicitor-general Warren Allmand are among the donors. Saskatchewan farmer David Orchard, who has dabbled in Progressive Conservative and Liberal leadership politics, gave $400. continued... For more information on Abousfian Abdelrazik's situation go here and, on Facebook, here. For a comprehensive report see Paul Koring's article in the Globe and Mail, March 5, 2009, "CSIS asked Sudan to arrest Canadian, files reveal. Abdelrazik is 'first case of Canadian rendition,' MP says". To learn more about the campaign to fly Mr. Abdelrazik home contact projectflyhome@gmail.com.

CounterPunch.org, Thursday, February 5, 2009
Self-defence against peace
by Michael Mandel

Did self-defence justify Israel's war on Gaza? Objections have been raised to this claim on grounds of a lack of both proportionality and necessity. ... A more fundamental objection, however, is the self-evident legal and moral principle that an aggressor cannot rely upon self-defence to justify violence against resistance to its own aggression. You can find this principle in domestic law and in the judgments of the Nuremberg tribunals. continued...

National Post, Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Domestic cars and a national grid
David Orchard, Special to the National Post

In the lead-up to the Jan. 27 federal budget, the National Post has asked prominent Canadians to tell us what kind of fiscal blueprint our country needs. Here's what they told us, in 250 words or less.

---

The most productive government spending is on people. Investment in training and education is returned manifold over recipients' working lifetimes. Canada has a much-reported shortage of skilled labour, yet many Canadians are unemployed or underemployed, with no opportunity for training in the skills required. continued...

Toronto Star, Sunday, January 11, 2009
Jewish dissenters speak out over Gaza
by Haroon Siddiqui

Judith Weisman, 78, is a Toronto psychotherapist. She grew up in "a very Zionist family" in Baltimore but "began to change when Israel supported the Vietnam War." ... She helped found Jews for a Just Peace; Jewish Women to End the Occupation (since renamed Women in Solidarity with Palestine); Not in Our Name; and an umbrella group, Independent Jewish Voices.

... Hers has been a long struggle, ignored by the media and shunned by "the organized Jewish community" that is solidly pro-Israel. But in recent years, she and other dissidents have been garnering support. In recent days, they've had much company. continued...

Toronto, Thursday, January 8, 2009, Media conference
Audio: Prominent Canadians speak out against the war on Gaza

Participants: Judith Deutsch, Ursula Franklin, Anton Kuerti, Michael Mandel, Judith Weisman and David Orchard

Video:

Judith Deutsch Ursula Franklin, part 1 Ursula Franklin, part 2 Anton Kuerti Michael Mandel, part 1 Michael Mandel, part 2 Judith Weisman David Orchard

Transcript and written statements

Photo: Mike Celik

Canadian Press, Thursday, January 8, 2009
Nationwide rallies staged in solidarity with Israel as others slam Ottawa's stance

TORONTO — Prominent Canadians called on Ottawa to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in the face of Israel's "war crimes" as others planned to rally nationwide Thursday in support of Israelis who have been "paralyzed" for years by Hamas missile strikes. ...Internationally acclaimed concert pianist Anton Kuerti said the "servile" way Ottawa is supporting the U.S. position makes him "ashamed" to be a Canadian.

"The unbelievable war crimes that Israel is committing in Gaza ... it makes me ashamed to be a Jew," Kuerti said at the Toronto news conference. "The servile way in which Canada is supporting the U.S. position - basically it's all Hamas's fault because of missiles that they throw over in desperation - I think this reluctance of Canada to use its influence makes me ashamed to be Canadian." continued...

Canwest News Service, Thursday, January 08, 2009
Canadian Jews condemn Gaza attack
by Jordana Huber

TORONTO - Physicist Ursula Franklin and pianist Anton Kuerti were among a group of Jewish Canadians speaking out against Israel Thursday morning. ... Franklin said Israel's actions were a "betrayal" of a generation that attempted to learn from the consequences of the Holocaust.

"Never again didn't mean no Jews should ever be in a concentration camp. The never again meant no human being should ever be again in a position that power can determine their lives and there are some people who do not matter," she said. continued...

Toronto Sun, Thursday, January 8, 2009
Security alert for Jewish community
by Tom Godfrey, Sun Media

Prominent Jewish Canadians criticized Israel’s assault in Gaza today while B’nai Brith officials issued a security alert warning of threats of attacks against the Jewish community because of the two-week-old Israeli military action. ... Osgoode Hall Law School professor Michael Mandel said Canadians are being told Hamas are the aggressors. “It is the exact opposite,” he said.

Judith Deutsch, president of Science for Peace, said the Israeli military action is a crime against the people of Gaza. “Israel has returned to openly committing war crimes,” Deutsch said. continued...

Prince Albert Daily Herald, Thursday, January 8, 2009
Orchard joins call for ceasefire
by Angela Hill

..."The targets — the mosques, the schools — these things are absolutely unacceptable targets and I just felt that I had to speak out," he said. "We are seeing a heavily armed group attacking a largely defenceless refugee population," Orchard said ... "These are civilians that can't get out... it's like they are in a prison and now they are being bombed," he said. "I want the killing to stop and there needs to be a ceasefire yesterday." continued...

January 7, 2009
Video: Eight Jewish Canadian and Israeli Women occupy the Israeli Consulate in Toronto on January 7, 2009

For immediate release
Wednesday, January 7, 2009

 

Media conference:
Prominent Canadians speak out against the war on Gaza

Thursday, January 8, 2009
10:30 a.m. (ET)

Mayfair Room, Banquet floor
Intercontinental Toronto Yorkville Hotel
220 Bloor St. West (between Avenue Road & Bedford), Toronto, ON

With the war on Gaza into its twelfth day, prominent Jewish Canadians and others will speak out against the bombing of the Palestinian population, the vast majority of whom are already refugees living in the most dire of circumstances. The media conference participants will speak about the humanitarian catastrophe under the bombs, the lack of action by the Canadian government, and will call for an immediate ceasefire and a lifting of the blockade of Gaza.

Judith Deutsch is President of Science for Peace, Member of the Steering Committee, Independent Jewish Voices, and was a participant in the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme/World Health Organization international conference, "Siege and Mental Health...Walls vs. Bridges," October 27-28, 2008 in Gaza City and Ramallah.

Ursula Franklin is a Pearson Medal of Peace recipient and a Companion of the Order of Canada, a research physicist and author renowned for her work on technology and human rights.

Anton Kuerti is a nationally and internationally acclaimed Canadian concert pianist and recording artist. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a human rights activist.

Michael Mandel is an author and professor of international law at Osgoode Hall Law School. He has taught at several of Italy's major universities and has been a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Law of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

David Orchard is a fourth generation farmer, author, and twice a leadership candidate for the former Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (1998 and 2003). In 2008, he was a federal election candidate for the Liberal Party in Saskatchewan.

Judith Weisman is a Toronto psychotherapist, a member of Independent Jewish Voices, and a founding member of Not In Our Name, Jews for a Just Peace and the Jewish Women's Committee to End the Occupation (of Palestine).

For more information please contact Grant Orchard at tel 416-778-7027, cell 416-254-8480 or David Orchard at cell 306-961-7122.

The Guardian, Wednesday, January 7, 2009
How Israel brought Gaza to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe
By Avi Shlaim

Oxford professor of international relations Avi Shlaim served in the Israeli army and has never questioned the state's legitimacy. But its merciless assault on Gaza has led him to devastating conclusions. continued...

This article was also posted on Information Clearinghouse, a source for a good deal of information not often reported on in North America.

Toronto, Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Letter to the Globe and Mail from Anton Kuerti
To: David Orchard
Subject: Gaza
I just sent this to the Globe; they probably won't print it, but you may use it on your website if you wish.

Dear Editor.

The Honourable Peter Kent's [junior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs] statement that "The position of the government of Canada is that Hamas bears the burden of responsibility for the deepening humanitarian tragedy" in Gaza flies totally in the face of the facts. It is beyond deplorable that Canada should so cravenly mimic the position of the discredited and corrupt U.S. administration and thus bless the outrageous massacres being perpetrated by Israel. continued...

David Orchard speaking to rally in Toronto, Sunday, December 28, 2008, against the bombing of Gaza. He calls for an immediate ceasefire and urges the Canadian government to do the same.

New Audio: Friday, December 19, 2008 CKUW Radio (University of Winnipeg) David Orchard on the economic and political situation facing Canada.

New from Marjaleena Repo:

Saskatoon, Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Stéphane Dion and The Tale of Two Tapes
By Marjaleena Repo

Mr. Dion's speech was late to arrive at the networks, and when it was broadcast, it turned out to be of visually substandard quality, out of focus and with a a disorganized background that distracted from the speech. (Those who heard it on the radio, were lucky because they had no distractions and could pay attention to the words.) Mr. Dion's speech itself was clear and personable, not in the slightest difficult to understand, in my opinion — but then, having an accent myself, I am accent-friendly! ... Nevertheless, the production of the tape, rather than the content, has become THE political event in the Canadian media.

As many people have written and called asking "what went wrong?," below are a couple of short pieces about what happened with the tape, with names of the responsible ones, at least a few of them. You be the judge of whether Mr. Dion is to blame! continued...

Saskatoon, Monday, December 8, 2008
I attend an anti-parliament rally in Saskatoon with a leaflet
By Marjaleena Repo

This is my first-hand experience of attending an anti-parliament rally in Saskatoon on December 6th, organized by Conservative party members (how I hate to call them that after they stole the name from the Progressive Conservatives to cover up their Reform party roots — "Tories" they definitely are NOT!). The rally attracted the most fanatic and aggressive, who are already in a murderous mood. Their signs were vicious and vitriolic, and they targeted mostly Stephane Dion and Ralph Goodale. continued...

Saskatoon, Sunday, November 30, 2008
OPEN LETTER: The Liberal Party HAS a leader and his name is Stéphane Dion.
By Marjaleena Repo

... The facts are these: back in December 2006, in our convention in Montreal, Stephane Dion was elected by the membership to be the party's leader. He was chosen, I believe, because there was a strongly-felt need for something new and fresh, not part of the "same old, same old" which had ceased to attract Canadians to the party, as members and voters. This decision by the members stands, and cannot be undone by a handful of individuals in the caucus and on the executive. continued...

New Video: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 CTV Mike Duffy Live: David Orchard, former Liberal Party president Stephen LeDrew and Liberal MP John McCallum talk about the election and where the Liberal Party goes from here.

New Audio: Friday, October 17, 2008 University of Victoria Radio, CFUV 101.9FM David Orchard interviewed about the election: his own experience in Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, the reasons for the historically low voter turn-out, the obstacles people experienced in voting and what must be done about them, his take on the national campaign, the problem with the progressive parties splitting the vote, and what lies ahead for the future, for him personally and politically. This interview covers the bases and sets the tone for the discussion that must now follow about how to stop "painting the country blue."

Harvest 2008, Saskatchewan

Globe and Mail, Saturday, October 11, 2008
'Lone wolf' at parliament's door. The kingmaker seeks a crown of his own
By Roy MacGregor

... It is early evening, with military stripes of geese moving across the harvest moon that hangs over this field where two combines have been running well into the dark. But theirs aren't the only lights on the landscape.

David Orchard, the Liberal candidate in Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, is roaring down the back roads in his 1981 Oldsmobile, a high plume of dust billowing behind. He is chasing someone - not votes, but a half-ton carrying two men clad in hunter's orange. continued...

22 July, 2008, Angus Reid Global Monitor: Polls & Research
"Many Canadians want to renegotiate NAFTA"

This Angus Reid Strategies poll, which has received scant media attention, reveals among other things: only 7% of Canadians believe that Canada has been the main beneficiary of NAFTA and that the U.S. (46%) and Mexico (30%) have benefited the most. Over half, 52%, think that Canada should do whatever is necessary to renegotiate the terms of NAFTA and 11% believe that Canada should do whatever is necessary to leave NAFTA. A majority of Canadians who intend to vote Liberal in the next election, 56%, think that NAFTA should be renegotiated (as do 52% of Conservative and Bloc voters). Read the complete poll here.

New Video: (on YouTube) Renewable energy, sustainable resources, and trade

David Orchard's speech to the 5th Annual Resource Issues in Saskatchewan Conference at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) Woodland Campus, Prince Albert, SK, March 18, 2008.

New from Marjaleena Repo
Prince Albert Daily Herald, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 (edited version) and Prairie Messenger, April 9, 2008
The Ahenakew affair: a bad law, an opportunity missed

Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence To hear David Orchard's remarks at a demonstration in Toronto, March 1, 2008 go here. To read his articles on the U.S./NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 go to "Canada at War", "Humanitarian bombing" and "Globalism's first victim". Edmonton's CHED Radio aired a one hour interview, April 9, 2008, with James Bissett, Canada's former ambassador to Yugoslavia, about the history of Yugoslavia's disintegration and the U.S./NATO bombing preceding Kosovo's declaration. To listen go here and for James Bissett's web site, "The Balkan Crisis Page," go here. Scott Taylor, former soldier, author, and editor of Esprit de Corps has reported extensively on the civil war in Yugoslavia, the bombing, and post-war developments in Kosovo. Read his recent article, "Is Kosovo really an independent country?" here. For Marjaleena Repo's 1999 article, "Spinning NATO's war: demonizing the Serbs," go here and for her reading list, "Understanding the systematic dismantling of Yugoslavia," go here. (The books and publications on the list can be ordered directly from Campaign for Canada.)

Global Research.ca, Sunday, February 23, 2008, The Hill Times, Monday, February 25, 2008 and CounterPunch.org, Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Canada in Afghanistan: The New Conquistadores
by David Orchard

... Military assaults against the poverty stricken farmers of Afghanistan and Haiti, and an Iraqi population struggling for its very survival, are part of a long, barbarous tradition going back to slave ships and colonial resource wars and will some day, I believe, be seen in that context. In the meantime, the agony of millions does not reach our ears or eyes, and Prime Minister Harper is busy working the phones to shore up the U.S.-led war, seeking more troops and helicopters to "finish the job." continued...

The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon), Thursday, June 7, 2007
Lost sovereignty predictable result of currency union
by W. H. (Bill) Loewen and David Orchard

... Canada's reaction to a rising dollar is the opposite to what Japan did through its many years of prosperity after the Second World War. It lowered the value of its currency by buying foreign bonds and other assets, enabling it to continue to export profitably. China is now doing the same.

Canada, instead, is selling more of its assets, with the resulting increase in the value of the dollar. The road to prosperity is found by selling your products, not your assets. continued...

Halifax Chronicle Herald, Sunday, April 29, 2007
Afghanistan and Iraq: the same war
by David Orchard and Michael Mandel

Most Canadians are proud that Canada refused to invade Iraq. But when it comes to Afghanistan, we hear the same jingoistic bluster we heard about Iraq four years ago. As if Iraq and Afghanistan were two separate wars, and Afghanistan is the good war, the legal and just war. In reality, Iraq and Afghanistan are the same war. continued...

Edmonton Journal, Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Harper gov't is doing to CWB what the U.S. couldn't do by itself
Loss of wheat board would mean loss of power
by Albert Horner and David Orchard

... Since assuming power, the Harper government has waged an unrelenting attack on the Canadian Wheat Board — firing its popular CEO, Adrian Measner, stacking the board with government appointees who detest it, and holding a fraudulent barley "plebiscite" (complete with gag orders, a secret voters' list, traceable ballots and deliberately misleading questions). Still, only 13.8 per cent voted to remove barley from the board. ...Today, the Liberal party is truer to John Diefenbaker's defence of the West than the party claiming his name. continued...

Western Producer, April 5, 2007
Liberal leader Dion backs retention of single desk
By Adrian Ewins

Before a standing-room crowd of more than 300 cheering supporters in a Saskatoon hotel ballroom last week, Liberal leader Stéphane Dion gave his audience exactly what they came to hear: a spirited defence of the Canadian Wheat Board's single desk and a stinging attack on the government of Stephen Harper.

Standing in front of a backdrop depicting a golden wheat field under a bright blue prairie sky, the leader of the opposition vowed that his party will do everything in its power to derail the Conservatives from dismantling the single desk. continued...

The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon), Monday, April 1, 2007
Wheat board vote a ruse: Dion
by Janet French

"The wheat board is under assault — an assault more brutal than anything we’ve seen before," Dion said, backed by Liberal MPs Wayne Easter and Ralph Goodale and supporter and trade critic David Orchard. "Because of ideology, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is determined to kill the wheat board. That is his plan. That is his goal, and I think he must be stopped." continued...

NB: This was a standing room only event with over 400 attending (rather than the 250 mentioned in the article). People travelled from all across the prairies to be present. The meeting was chaired by David Orchard.

Audio: Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Ottawa Radio CFRA 580
Author and radio host Michael Harris interviews David Orchard about free trade and globalization. The discussion starts off with the closing of the U.S. owned Hershey Chocolate factory in Smith Falls, ON, and ranges over the history, contents and effects of the FTA and NAFTA agreements.

The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon), Friday, December 8, 2006
Orchard's strategic influence
by Randy Burton

If delivering support to the winning candidate means anything in politics, then David Orchard's star must surely be on the rise in the Liberal party.

The longtime critic of free trade, two-time candidate for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party and new Liberal can be credited for playing a significant role in Stephane Dion's rise to the Liberal leadership. continued...

David Orchard backs Stéphane Dion

Photo credit: StarPhoenix/Richard Marjan

Listen to their press conference in Saskatoon, SK, Wednesday, August 16, 2006.

Globe and Mail, August 17, 2006
MacKay's kingmaker backs Dion
Former Tory lends support from the West to Liberal hopeful
by Campbell Clark

OTTAWA -- David Orchard, once kingmaker for Peter MacKay's Progressive Conservative leadership bid, threw his organizational weight behind Liberal hopeful Stéphane Dion yesterday. continued...

The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon), Thursday, August 17, 2006
Dion welcomes Orchard's endorsement
Support reflective of campaign, says Grit leadership candidate
by Lana Haight

Dion says ... Orchard's support is symbolic of the campaign he's running. "It revolves around rural Canada and urban Canada, a farmer from Saskatchewan and a professor of university from Montreal, a big tent in the Liberal party," he said in an interview. continued...

Ottawa Citizen and Montreal Gazette, Thursday, August 17, 2006
Orchard backs Dion for Liberal leadership
by Juliet O'Neill, CanWest News Service

Orchard praised Dion's achievements as an ardent environmentalist and champion of the Kyoto accord; a firm supporter of the Canadian Wheat Board and supply-management agricultural programs; a renowned advocate of Canadian unity; and for his call for an immediate ceasefire during the Israeli-Hezbollah war in Lebanon. "When you add it all up I think that he is an effective leader who can stand against Stephen Harper," he said. continued...

National Post, Thursday, August 17, 2006
Orchard boosts Dion's farm team
by John Ivison

OTTAWA - If you had spent the last few years abroad -- maybe working for the BBC and teaching human rights at Harvard -- the Liberal leadership race might seem a bit like a soap opera you lost touch with long ago. ... The story took a further improbable twist yesterday when that most liberal of Liberals, Stephane Dion, announced that David Orchard, the Saskatchewan farmer and former Progressive Conservative leadership candidate, was backing his campaign. continued...

Halifax Daily News, Wednesday, July 26, 2006, GlobalResearch.ca, and Information Clearinghouse
Standing up for Canada? The Harper government's refusal to demand an end to the bombings of Lebanon
by David Orchard

For two weeks, tiny Lebanon has been pounded by bombs, shells and high tech missiles from land, sea and air. Its coast is blockaded, its airport smashed. Sixty plus bridges have been destroyed; roads, schools, ports, churches, mosques, grain depots, radio, television and telephone towers, ambulances, power stations, fuel depots, a hospital, milk factory, pharmaceutical plant and entire residential city blocks pulverized. Frantic relatives with bare hands try to free those buried alive. continued...

Audio: Toronto Press Conference, August 13, 2006
Not in our name! Prominent Canadians speak out against the bombing of Lebanon
Anton Kuerti is a nationally and internationally acclaimed Canadian concert pianist and recording artist. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a human rights activist.
Michael Mandel is an author and professor of international law at Osgoode Hall Law School. He has taught at several of Italy's major universities and has been a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Law of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Atif Kubursi is a Professor of Economics at McMaster University and has recently completed an assignment as the Deputy Executive Secretary for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. He has just returned from Lebanon.
Judith Weisman is a Toronto psychotherapist with a long history of social activism and is a founder of the Jewish Women's Committee to End the Occupation (of Palestine).
David Orchard is an author, farmer and was twice a leadership candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (1998 and 2003).

Huron-Wendake, Québec City, PQ, January 16, 2006

David Orchard joins the Liberal Party of Canada
Endorses Liberal candidates Isa Gros-Louis and Yves Picard in Québec

David Orchard receives his Liberal Party of Canada membership from election candidates Yves Picard (Beauport-Limoilou) and Isa Gros-Louis (Louis-Saint-Laurent) David Orchard with Isa Gros-Louis, Yves Picard and their election campaign teams, Huron-Wendake, Québec, January 16, 2006. Photo: Bruno Gros-Louis Legendary Huron-Wendat Chief and father of Isa Gros-Louis, Max Gros-Louis, David Orchard, Yves Picard and Isa Gros-Louis, Huron-Wendake, Québec election press conference, January 16, 2006. Photo: Bruno Gros-Louis (click thumbnail to enlarge)     Yves Picard, David Orchard and Isa Gros-Louis, Huron-Wendake, Québec election press conference, January 16, 2006. Photo: Bruno Gros-Louis   Max Gros-Louis, David Orchard and Yves Picard wearing handcrafted, embroidered Huron-Wendat scarves presented to them by Isa Gros-Louis, Huron-Wendake election press conference, January 16, 2006. (David Orchard's scarf is embroidered with an emblem of a salmon swimming upstream.) Photo: Bruno Gros-Louis   David Orchard endorsing Isa Gros-Lous, Liberal candidate in Louis-Saint-Laurent, Québec, Huron-Wendake election press conference, January 16, 2006. Photo: Bruno Gros-Louis (click thumbnail to enlarge)   David Orchard endorsing Yves Picard, Liberal candidate in Beauport-Limoilou, Québec, Huron-Wendake press conference, January 16, 2006. Photo: Bruno Gros-Louis

Saskatoon, January 10, 2006
David Orchard endorses Liberal candidate Chris Axworthy in Saskatoon-Wanuskewin
 

Liberal candidate Chris Axworthy (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin) pins his campaign button on David Orchard's lapel at a press conference in Saskatoon, January 10, 2006. Photo: Antoinette Martens David Orchard and Chris Axworthy after Orchard's endorsement of Axworthy's candidacy in Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, Saskatoon, January 10, 2006. Photo: Antoinette Martens Press conference to announce David Orchard's support for Liberal candidate Chris Axworthy in Saskatoon-Wanuskewin (David Orchard's home riding), January 10, 2006. Photo: Antoinette Martens

"Who will speak for Canada?"
David Orchard’s speaking notes delivered at January 10, 2006 press conference at Liberal candidate Chris Axworthy’s campaign office, Saskatoon, SK

"...In my view, this is an important election that we are involved in today. There are serious dangers, I think, for our country. One of the big winners in this election is going to be the separatist movement in the province of Quebec.

In triggering an election at this time, both Mr. Harper and Mr. Layton were prepared to play with the fires of Quebec separatism in an attempt to increase their own positions in the House of Commons. It is a dangerous and a short-sighted effort that could hurt our country badly and give a powerful momentum to those working very hard to take our country apart." continued...

June 5, 2005 (published in the Halifax Daily News and Moncton Times and Transcript), Cartoon by Michael de Adder