I certainly agree with the concern expressed by Impolitical at the possibility that the next arms-length agency in Harper's sights is the CRTC. The thought of Kory Teneycke armed with a TV station that cable companies are forced to carry as part of their basic packages would be enough for me to issue threats about canceling my cable if I weren't already relying on an antenna. But it was the comparison to Maurice Duplessis that really made me shudder. Duplessis was Premier of Quebec for a total of eighteen years with fifteen of those years continuous from 1944 to 1959. At this point I expect you're shuddering too. And if you're not, you should be.
"This is Maurice Duplessis stuff..."
La Grand Noirceur certainly describes our times alright.
Except instead of a Quiet Revolution, we would need a very noisy one to be rid of this resurrection.
That's really quite a hair-raising and -curling story to read. I wonder whether our Steve has also had quiet little chats with Silvio Berlusconi. Memories of Mussolini. (Have you noticed how these guys all end up looking like Mussolini? They start jutting their chins out and up that way -- Bill Blair started doing it during the G20, and Fantino always did that. Now Harper does.)
skdadl, something like this?
http://sistersagesmusings.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Harpercon_land_flag.jpg
Gotta have that hand gesture as well.
I am always amazed by the number of pundits who pay no attention to legislation.
AHEM.
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/C-22/page-2.html#anchorbo-ga:s_3
5. (1) A person is not eligible to be appointed or to continue as a member of the Commission if the person is not a Canadian citizen ordinarily resident in Canada or if, directly or indirectly, as owner, shareholder, director, officer, partner or otherwise, the person
(a) is engaged in a telecommunications undertaking; or
(b) has any pecuniary or proprietary interest in
(i) a telecommunications undertaking, or
(ii) the manufacture or distribution of telecommunication apparatus, except where the distribution is incidental to the general merchandising of goods by wholesale or retail.
Disposal of interest
(2) A member in whom any interest prohibited by subsection (1) vests by will or succession for the member’s own benefit shall, within three months thereafter, absolutely dispose of that interest.
1974-75-76, c. 49, s. 5.
Unless Harper re-opens the legislation, no way does any QMI exec get the job.
I, however, am available.
:-)
That would certainly take Luc Lavoie out of the running. But it wouldn't prevent Harper from putting someone in the position who would rule in Sun Media's favour and be rewarded later.
True.
There's no question that Harper has the ability to install a sympathetic commissioner. But no decision is made by any one commissioner, or the head of the commission.
Most CRTC panels are made up of at least 5 members and decisions are by majority. Every vote is equal to every other vote.
Reasons for dissenting from majority decisions must be fully explained, in writing, as appendices to those decisions.
In order for QMI to win its bid on its terms, not only must it have its sympathetic appointees, it must also have influence over the decision to appoint panellists for that particular hearing.
So, Harper would have to replace most of the commissioners and then, somehow, ensure that any panel considering the QMI application is made up of his toadies.
There are checks and balances in the system, which is arguably the best and most corruption free in the world.
I would say that most of these people are not toadies to QMI or Harper.
[url]http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/about/commissioners.htm[/url]
Zerb : And I see most of them have terms that don't run out till 2012 or 13.
Lavoie left Quebecor two years ago though, no?
QiQuebecor Announces Departure of Luc Lavoie
Montreal, August 29, 2008 - Quebecor Inc. announces the departure of Luc Lavoie, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs.
PKP : "I am pleased to announce that Luc will continue cooperating with Quebecor on an ad hoc basis, both as an advisor and, true to his first calling as a journalist, as a commentator on current affairs."
Yes but, if you Google his name and Teneycke's, you will see several reports connecting him DIRECTLY to this application.
Yeah, so watch Harper appoint Gwyn Morgan.