Monday 13 January 2020

Maple Leaf Foods CEO takes aim at U.S. government over downing of PS752 by Iran

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies





Replying to and 49 others
Mr McCain can bet thin Canadian dimes to to fat Yankee petrodollars that I called his buddy Leor Rotchild and left a message as soon as I watched him talk over our airwaves


https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/01/maple-leaf-foods-ceo-takes-aim-at-us.html

 

 



https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/maple-leaf-foods-ceo-michael-mccain-twitter-comments-1.5427178



Business group urges companies to follow Michael McCain's lead after anti-Trump tweets

Maple Leaf Foods CEO says U.S. president shares in blame for downed Ukrainian plane


CBC News · Posted: Jan 14, 2020 9:18 PM AT



Maple Leaf Foods President and CEO Michael McCain posted a series of tweets Sunday on the corporate account sharing his grief for a colleague who lost his wife and son in the downed Ukranian plane over Iran. (Colin Butler/CBC News)

More companies should take bold stands the way Maple Leaf Foods CEO Michael McCain did in a surprising bit of online outspokenness this week, says the executive director of Canadian Business for Social Responsibility.

Leor Rotchild said he supports the New Brunswick-born CEO of a major publicly traded company using the corporate Twitter account to empathize with a colleague who lost his wife and 11-year-old son in the downed Ukranian plane in Iran last week and to articulate his anger with the Trump administration.

Two Iranian missiles shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, killing all 176 people on board, including 57 Canadians. Iran has said that its Revolutionary Guard shot down the plane by mistake as the force braced for a possible military confrontation with the United States.


In four tweets posted Sunday evening, McCain expressed his anger at the loss of life stemming from a "needless, irresponsible series of events in Iran," while casting blame on U.S. President Donald Trump for escalating tensions with an "ill-conceived plan to divert focus from political woes."



…U.S. government leaders unconstrained by checks/balances, concocted an ill-conceived plan to divert focus from political woes. The world knows Iran is a dangerous state, but the world found a path to contain it; not perfect but by most accounts it was the right direction…
..A narcissist in Washington tears world accomplishments apart; destabilizes region. US now unwelcomed everywhere in the area including Iraq; tensions escalated to feverish pitch. Taking out despicable military leader terrorist? There are a hundred like him, standing next in line


The tweets sparked a broad conversation not only about the tragedy and where culpability lies but also the role of a corporate leader, who is responsible to shareholders, using the company's extended platform for his "personal reflections."

Rotchild said the CEO was courageous and authentic in conveying his vulnerability and empathy for a grieving colleague.

"I think it reflects what many Canadians are feeling right now," he told CBC News in an interview Tuesday. "I think, in some ways, he gave voice to that."
Maple Leaf Foods is a member of Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, an organization launched 25 years ago to help business think more sustainably.

He said McCain comments track with the company's outspokenness on issues like food security climate change — it's shifting its operations to be carbon neutral.


Rotchild urged more companies to follow his lead in taking stands, even if there might be repercussions.



Leor Rotchild is the executive director of Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, an organization of at least 20 companies striving to become more sustainable and socially responsible. (CBC)

"We hope more Canadian companies will choose to have a high profile and differentiate themselves by taking a stand on issues that really align with their values and purpose," he said.

"It makes them more human to consumers and investors that are discerning of companies and wondering whether they're going to be part of the new economy or not."

Some of the responses dismissed McCain's comments, telling him to stay in his lane, while others called for a boycott of Maple Leaf Foods and its subsidiaries.
Rotchild doubted there would be much of a significant negative impact on the company. He said the situation reminds him of Nike's Colin Kaepernick ad campaign in which the shoe giant built the entire campaign around the former NFL quarterback best known for spurring player protests over racial inequality and police brutality.

"In the short term, there were people who talked about burning their Nike shoes," he said. "In the long term it proved to be a profitable move for that company and they saw their sales increase."

With files from Harry Forestell


CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices






38 Comments





David Raymond Amos
Mr McCain can bet thin Canadian dimes to to fat Yankee petrodollars that I called his buddy Leor Rotchild and left a message as soon as I watched him talk over our airwaves 


John Smith
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: that takes some grapefruits


David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @john smith: Clearly you underestimate me












Marc Bourque
Does he have putty for brains!! Its the Iranians military that took the decision to shoot down a plane that just left the airport,DONT BLAMING THE USA .BTW Iam no fan of the Don!


David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Marc Bourque: Methinks you should reconsider matters like I have done There is no harm in changing one's mind once more information is available It turned out that the world is not flat, the moon does go around the earth and the earth around the sun much to the chagrin of a few Popes N'esy Pas? 
 

Fred Brewer
Reply to @Marc Bourque:
1) USA kills Iran's top general.
2) In retaliation Iran fires missiles into two USA army bases.
3) Fully expecting retaliation from the USA, Iran is on full alert and nervous.
4) Iran shoots down a passenger jet that it fully admits it thought was a hostile attack by the USA.
How is the USA not at least partly to blame? This all started with the killing of the general.



Matt Steele 
Reply to @Fred Brewer: ......You may want to do a little research as the chain of events started long before the killing of an Iranian General who had a long history of extreme violence and torture . It has been on going for SEVERAL YEARS !
 
 
Jake Newman 
Reply to @Fred Brewer: There is no blame on the US.
 
 
Fred Brewer
Reply to @Matt Steele: That is not the point. This is not about justification for the killing or the past history. It is simply that the killing was the event that lead directly to the downing of flight 752.
 
 
Fred Brewer
Reply to @Jake Newman: The USA committed a war crime when it assassinated the General and trump vows he will continue to commit war crimes contrary to International Law. The blame must be shared with Iran mostly to blame and the USA partly to blame.
 
 
Jake Newman 
Reply to @Fred Brewer: the so called international laws are bogus. countries are always breaking them, and only call it out when something happens directly to them. The US should pull out of the UN and NATO. There is no blame to the US.
 
 
John Smith 
Reply to @Fred Brewer: as far as usa is concerned iraq is a war theatre and he was an enemy combatant and was green lit to be removed from the field
 
 
John Smith  
Reply to @john smith: i also herd it was a favour for iran as teh general had to much power and needed to be removed they even notified the usa before they attacked this might have been a general loyalist or a poorly trained soldier the radar could have been spoofed uk and us call sign might look similar on a russian radar Uk US maybe eh
 
 
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Matt Steele: Methinks you may want to do a little research into the chain of events going back to the time of Mohammad Reza Shah who was the last Shah of Iran and who backed his wicked game Interesting that he piloted his own aircraft when he took off once and for all N'esy Pas?



















David Webb NB
I have no respect for Maple Leaf Foods after these predators bought up the 2 largest meat processing facilities in the Maritimes, shut them down and moved production to other locations, primarily in Ontario, leaving stock raising farmers and loyal employees and customers to blow in the wind. I see this type of thing happening over and over again with these large companies buying up businesses and shutting them down unless they can suck money out of taxpayers. No wonder the Maritimes has such a hard job trying to keep their collective heads above water. I couldn't care less what Mr McCain thinks. He has no clue or care about the problems in the middle east, just like he doesn't care about the destruction he brings upon Canadian communities. It's all about the money for him.


Pat Holland
Reply to @David Webb NB: Well said !!

David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Pat Holland: I agree 
 

Matt Steele
Reply to @David Webb NB: .....Truer words have never been spoken . Micheal McCain has a history of caring about no one but himself . No doubt he is good friends with Frank McKenna and Justin Trudeau as they all share the same personality traits .















Murray Brown
Leor Rotchild is foolish... Consumers do not want political opinions from people who sell them food, cars or clothing... McCain should be ashamed for selling foods that result in multiple fatalities due to unhealthy diets. Bacon, meat and processed foods kill millions of consumers and he's the CEO of the company that provides these unhealthy choices to consumers for cheap prices. His opinion is moot and unwarranted. If he wants to run for political office he's free to do so, until then he should keep his opinions to himself.



Kris Boucher
Reply to @Murray Brown: No one puts a gun to your head to eat unhealthy these are all choices. If you don’t want health problems later in life make better choices.

It’s a free country and I’m glad industry is speaking up to the insanity that is happening south of the border. I’m hoping more will speak up.


Pat Holland
Reply to @Kris Boucher:
The only ones insane south of the border are the Democratic Party.


David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Pat Holland: Methinks many Maritimers would agree that all politicians on both sides of the 49th are as crazy as a bag of hammers N'esy Pas?


















Jim Cyr
CBC goes out and finds a tiny group of far-left businesspeople, then suggests that we get our truth from them. Typical.


Josef Blow 
Reply to @Jim Cyr: Instead of pointing your finger at CBC, Mr. Cyr, explain what position you might have taken as CEO of Maple Leaf Foods. And, while you're at it, explain what "far-left businesspeople" are. Should we perhaps (only a suggestion, mind you) get our truth from you?

David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Jim Cyr: YUP


Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Josef Blow:
Does the CEO of Maple Leaf Foods have a "position", or stake, in this?
I *think* not.
And giving him a position is foolish and NOTHING but manufactured news.

















Marguerite Deschamps
You da man, Mr. McCain!


David Webb
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: I'm sure he and Mr. Morneau are the best of buddies. Neither gives a damn about you, me or anyone else. This is only a ploy by Mr. McCain to try and gain market share on the backs of dead Canadians.

David Raymond Amos
Reply to @David Webb NB: Methinks you are not alone in that opinion I must be fair and confess that some of you given me cause to rethink my opinion of McCain N'esy Pas?

David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks McCain's fans know that I agree with his opinion of a certain narcissistic Yankee. However you dudes should not be surprised by the fact that my research of Canadian Business for Social Responsibility and reading other news now gives me cause to question his motives N'esy Pas?








https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/maple-leaf-ceo-asked-parliamentarians-to-not-sanction-chinese-officials-1.4765483



Maple Leaf CEO asked parliamentarians to not sanction Chinese officials

Rachel Aiello Ottawa News Bureau Online Producer
@rachaiello Contact
Published Monday, January 13, 2020 5:54PM EST





OTTAWA -- The CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, Michael McCain, called on parliamentarians to back off on calling for sanctions for Chinese officials last month, according to a copy of a letter obtained by CTV News.

The letter, which was obtained by Evan Solomon, host of CTV’s Power Play, was sent last month from McCain to Senators Leo Housakos and Than Hai Ngo. It was in reference to a motion introduced in the Senate by the pair that called for Magnitsky Act sanctions for human rights abuses against Chinese and Hong Kong government officials in relation to the ongoing protests and treatment of Muslims in China.

“On behalf of Maple Leaf Foods and the entire Canadian livestock and meat industry I appeal to you to withdraw this initiative. In making this request, I am not making any judgment on the issue of human rights abuses in Hong Kong or in China. But the simple fact is that Canada acting alone on this ensures two certain consequences: (i) Chinese human rights policies will not change and (ii) Chinese retaliation will be uniquely directed to Canada,” McCain wrote.

Going on to cite his industry’s dependence on exports and the jobs potentially at stake, McCain referenced comments from China’s ambassador to Canada stating that sanctions would result in further trade retaliation. While Maple Leaf turned a profit in its most recent quarter, McCain cited global trade as a drag on the company's performance. 

Canadian beef and pork producers were shut out of the Chinese market for months last year after the country halted imports, a byproduct of in what remains ongoing strained relations between Canada and China over the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver more than a year ago.
“It is no exaggeration to say that there are thousands of livelihoods at risk if your motion triggers action by the government,” reads the letter.

Copies of the letter were also sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, outgoing Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, Agriculture and Agri-Food minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, and Senator Don Plett.
The motion has not yet been voted on in the Senate, and while it’s common for industry representatives to send similar letters advocating for or against parliamentary measures, Housakos tweeted about the letter today, questioning McCain’s “consistency.”

Referencing the letter, Housakos said that McCain “cited concern for his employees, ie the impact on their jobs. He didn’t seem overly concerned about human rights then and he didn’t seem overly concerned about his employees and their jobs last night.”

This comes after Sunday night when, in a series of tweets posted to his company’s main account, McCain spoke out against the U.S. government and President Donald Trump in relation to the Iranian plane crash.

In the thread of what he called “personal reflections,” he said he was “livid” because a colleague’s wife and child were two of the 57 Canadians killed when Iran shot down Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, on Jan. 8 in Tehran. The plane was downed accidentally according to Iran, as they prepared for retaliation for filing missiles as Iraq bases housing U.S. military.

McCain called it a “needless, irresponsible series of events,” and called Trump a “narcissist,” and alleged that U.S. officials “concocted an ill-conceived plan to divert focus from political woes.”

In a statement, Housakos said that while he sympathizes with the “enormous loss being felt by Mr. McCain’s colleague” and “shares Mr. McCain’s anger over the atrocity that was committed against everyone on that flight and those they left behind,” he believes there have been “valid” points raised about the appropriateness of McCain’s comments.






https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies





Replying to and 49 others
I Wholeheartedly Agree about knee-jerk investor reactions Obviously this article supports my opinions yesterday and the fact that Mr McCain has found a friend in me.


https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/01/maple-leaf-foods-ceo-takes-aim-at-us.html

 

 



https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/ethics-business-trump-1.5424829






Maple Leaf Foods boss attack on Trump pits ethics against shareholder value: Don Pittis

As stock falls, the 'shareholder primacy' rule argues McCain should have stayed mum



Don Pittis · CBC News · Posted: Jan 14, 2020 4:00 AM ET



U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a statement on Iran's missile attacks on U.S.-led forces in Iraq. Maple Leaf Michael McCain traces the cause of the latest dispute, that led to the airline missile strike, back to the U.S. withdrawal from the international nuclear pact with Iran. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

So when should a company CEO take a stance?

According to the business principle of shareholder primacy, there is an argument that Sunday's Twitter attack on U.S. President Donald Trump by the CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, Michael McCain, was dead wrong.

A lot of the debate over McCain's outspoken tweets revolves around the detail of what he said and where he assigned blame, a subject exhaustively addressed in the hashtag #BoycottMapleLeafFoods trending on Twitter Monday.




While the Canadian food company boss did not mention Trump by name, reference in his series of tweets to "a narcissist in Washington" seemed like a dead giveaway to most people. According to the Twitter response, even Trump fans recognized the description.

Blame Trump


Essentially the case McCain made in his angry attack was that by pulling out of the multi-country agreement that had forced Iran to stop its nuclear program, Trump had intentionally reopened a geopolitical wound the world had found a route to heal.

But  McCain didn't stop there. The company boss drew a straight line from Trump's action in tossing out the international "path to contain" a "dangerous" Iran, to the latest round of tit-for-tat violence that led to the killing of a plane load of innocents, including the family of a Maple Leaf Foods employee.

This will be fun.

Let’s see how shareholders will feel by the end of the day, that a CEO of a publically traded company, used a tragedy to spew his far-left political opinion 🤔

View image on Twitter




Even more contentious was his implication that the latest U.S. attack on Iran was politically motivated, intended by the Trump administration to divert attention away from his "political woes," including a growing wave of evidence that Trump had colluded with Russia against the interests of the United States.

Shares decline

While many, especially die-hard Trump supporters, will disagree with McCain's depiction of how events have unfolded, it is by no means crazy talk. The same contention has been widely reported in news stories and commentary easily found in various credible media outlets.
But quite apart from the CEO's political analysis of events, the question from the business point of view is whether, as the boss of a company owned by shareholders, he should have spoken out at all. The question was especially relevant as the share price fell on Monday, closing down about one per cent on the day.

As outlined by the conservative economist Milton Friedman in his 1962 book Capitalism and Freedom, the principle of shareholder primacy insists that "corporations have no higher purpose than maximizing profits for their shareholders."

According to that point of view, the purpose of a company is not to make the world a better place. At least not on purpose. The job of the capitalist is to do anything legal to make money, and as the representatives of those shareholders, corporate bosses have the same duty.


A sign for the Maple Leaf food processing plant in Toronto. Milton Friedman argues the purpose of a company is not to make the world a better place, but to make money. (Mark Blinch/Reuters)

But with the growing power and influence of global corporations and the powerlessness of governments to step in and solve problems like gross inequality and climate change, the shareholder primacy principle seems to be slipping.

Just last summer a powerful group of 200 corporate stars, including Apple's Tim Cook, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, JPMorgan Chase's Jamie Dimon and Mary Barra of General Motors, announced they were withdrawing from that shareholder-only point of view.

Instead, the influential Business Roundtable announced the responsibility of member companies would also include "generating good jobs, a strong and sustainable economy, innovation, a healthy environment and economic opportunity for all."

CEO activism trend


As the Harvard Business Review has reported in the past, it's a trend that has been growing for about five years. Companies often align with the interests of their employees and customers and against government. When companies objected to state laws forcing workers to use washrooms that matched the gender on their birth certificates, North Carolina lost billions in new investment says the review.

Harking back to an earlier form of capitalism, sometimes scorned as paternalistic, these corporate leaders have expressed the view that they have a much wider form of accountability — to employees, to society,  and in the case of climate change, to the entire planet.

To truly gigantic corporations that have more clout than many governments, the concept has a certain self-serving rationale. As a company becomes bigger and bigger, its interests begin to merge with the population as a whole.
As many in the tech world have noted, there is no point in having a wonderful product if the masses of consumers are too poor to buy it. And, while some companies profit from instability, history shows that war, revolution and displaced populations have often been bad for corporations.

In the current example, with this series of tweets, McCain showed Maple Leaf Foods workers that he was willing to stake his own and the company's reputation in support of one of their fellow employees. Although it appears McCain's comments were motivated by sincere grief and anger, not a cynical plot to increase productivity, it is well documented that workers who feel loyalty to their bosses help to build stronger businesses.

And as to the Boycott Maple Leaf Foods campaign, in a politically divided world, so far McCain's tweets also seem to be attracting many outspoken supporters who promise to buy more of the company's products.

As a fellow Canadian and just... you know... a human being devastated by the pointless loss of so many lives, I share this man’s grief & anger and I’m glad he’s using his platform to speak out w/ no regard to his bottom dollar. The hashtag is shameful. https://twitter.com/mapleleaffoods/status/1216529697288355840 


Certainly McCain is not alone in expressing public alarm about the direction Trump is taking the United States and the world. Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz said something similar last week. Many U.S. business leaders, including Bloomberg's Michael Bloomberg and Amazon's Jeff Bezos, have not hurt their respective businesses by opposing the U.S. president.

Between motivated employees knowing McCain has their backs and the many buyers of Maple Leaf Foods products who are glad the company executive has taken what he saw as a moral stance in an immoral world, it is very possible shareholders will benefit in the longer term.

As the saying goes, the proof of the pudding — or in this case the prepared meats — will be in the eating.


Follow Don on Twitter @don_pittis

About the Author




Don Pittis
Business columnist
Don Pittis was a forest firefighter, and a ranger in Canada's High Arctic islands. After moving into journalism, he was principal business reporter for Radio Television Hong Kong before the handover to China. He has produced and reported for the CBC in Saskatchewan and Toronto and the BBC in London. He is currently senior producer at CBC's business unit.






4015 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.







Mark Sobkow
People need to stop making excuses for why they can't say anything about Trump and his antics and speak up exactly as the CEO did. It is high time the world stopped putting up with Trump and got rid of the would-be demagogue.


Jim Rockfort (Spaceman ) 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow:
Many GOP politicians can't stand Trump. Look at the revolving door of people who have come and gone from his administration, not to mention all the ones who have been charged with felonies and are doing jail time.
The rest just hold their noses and agree with him to maintain their cushy jobs and golden pensions.



Sam Denoff 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: The world has no right to do anything with Donald Trump. He was legally elected by the American people. The world has no say in that FACT. That's reality. Learn to live with it or don't. Makes no difference to him.


John Sollows 
Reply to @Sam Denoff:
We have no choice but to live with it. A critical mass of American voters made a terrible mistake and the rest of the world can no longer have the same level of trust and respect for the U.S., for the foreseeable future.



Jed Eckert 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow:
The corporate world is morally bankrupt. I don't trust a word any of them they say.



Sam Hain 
Reply to @Sam Denoff:
I mean, the US has no problem meddling in the politics of other nations, or with those elected by their own people, so why can't the world say Trump is a garbage pile that needs to go? Why do Americans get such special privileges where they can't be questioned?



Victor CRETU 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: That CEO speaks only from his narrow, biased perspective. He's worse than Trump!


Douglas Holden 
Reply to @Sam Denoff:
Yes, the world does. Remember that thing Trump is always ranting about, the border? When he does things inside of it, you’re right, none of our business. Have all the guns and lack of healthcare you want. However, when he does something that affects things outside his border, it’s everyone’s business. Unless you want to try and explain how Iraq, Iran and that plane were somehow on US soil, this qualifies as everyone’s business, especially when you are someone, or know someone who lost someone personally as this CEO did (and no, claiming “imminent attacks” were coming doesn’t count, since at this point that’s been debunked as retroactive justification not based on facts, and also consider the source).



Nadine Mardini 
Reply to @Douglas Holden: Great post.


Perry Best 
Reply to @Sam Hain: "the US has no problem meddling in the politics of other nations"
Most nations turn to the US when they need help. Remember when the US wouldn't join WWII?
If Russia invades us, who will you turn to? Denmark?



Stan Danke 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: You all repeat the same nonsense. The U.S. killed a man guilty of orchestrating the deaths of 10's of thousands. Yet somehow he and Iran are the victims. Iran is a corrupt terrorist state. Iran shot down that plan while IT was attacking another country. Iran was NOT under attack. But this is what you believe? Trump is a fool, but Iran sponsors acts of terrorism everyday, and Iran shot down that plane for no reason. Then they lied about it. Why are you here doing thier lying for them?


Perry Best
Reply to @Douglas Holden: "However, when he does something that affects things outside his border, it’s everyone’s business."
Like ridding the world of a crazy terrorist? Obama did that too but I don't think you complained that time.



Lieschen Mueller 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: Yes, Trump needs to GO. But if as others on this thread claim many Republicans cannot stand Trump, well, they need to EVICT HIM.


Lieschen Mueller
Reply to @Sam Denoff: He might have been legally elected by the American people (the ignorant masses) but that should NOT give Trump the right to endanger the world.


Stephen George 
Reply to @Perry Best:
"If Russia invades us, who will you turn to? Denmark?

The chances of Russia invading us are exactly the same as Canada invading Russia. None.
I suppose you are still saying that if it wasn't for the USA we would all be speaking German. Another sillyness.



Mike Wynnyk 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: but Iran’s actions are okay? Iran had been ruled by religious extremists for 38 years before Trump became president and those 38 years were full of murders of Iranian Canadians while in prison, oppression and torture of opposition , meddling in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and so on. This idea that Iran was some peace loving nation until Trump came along is ridiculous.


Rick Nash  
Reply to @Sam Denoff:
Same logic as the person who lead Germany into WWII, legally elected, took the world to stop him.



Douglas Holden 
Reply to @Perry Best:
Of the thousands of “crazy terrorists” in the world, why exactly did Trump pick this one, at this moment? He was planning an “imminent attack” on four US embassies? One of Trump’s water carriers claims he “misspoke” and it was only one. Others privy to the so called “intelligence” say there was no imminent attack. Considering the sources, I’m guessing that last assessment is the correct one, and this strike was made specifically to provide a distraction from Trump’s “political woes”. These people didn’t die to protect America; they died to protect Trump. Considering many were distinguished citizens, professionals and experts, who worked hard their whole lives to make the world a better place, and Trump is...well...Trump, this is a disgusting prospect, at best.



Rick Poulter 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow:
Trump should find this rebuke for stinging than most as it comes from a real billionaire, one that has built a business from the ground up.



Jed Eckert 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow:
“On behalf of Maple Leaf Foods and the entire Canadian livestock and meat industry I appeal to you to withdraw this initiative. In making this request, I am not making any judgment on the issue of human rights abuses in Hong Kong or in China. But the simple fact is that Canada acting alone on this ensures two certain consequences: (i) Chinese human rights policies will not change and (ii) Chinese retaliation will be uniquely directed to Canada,” McCain wrote.

There you have it. McCain isn't the humanitarian he purports to be



Art Rowe 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow:
I agree in regard to your statement. I would take it a step beyond however and say that it is high time people in important and leadership roles do speak out and take a stand. We need more of the opinions and less of the "toe the line" stance.
The shareholders of major companies should encourage their CEOs to speak out on their behalf.
But alas, some will say "Oh that will cost me $6.00 next year" so they will not support that. So we all lose.



Rick Nash  
Reply to @Perry Best:
So that's the reason to turn a blind eye to injustices is because theyre acting like the bully but will protect us? Canadians fought in two great wars to defend agaibst such The Americans waited, wondering what was in it for them.



Matthew Stanley 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: Demigod*


Rod Poole 
Reply to @Jed Eckert: Agreed. Divide and conquer the people. Look at the housing bubble collapse. Millions made homeless by corporate malfeasance and the corporations were rewarded with trillions of taxpayers dollars and CEO's got massive bonuses. Only 1 person, Kareem Serageldin, was ever charged. He was a fall guy as many others had committed far worse crimes than he in this robbery of public funds.
“I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half.”
Industrialist/Corporatist Jay Gould



Beverley Bent
Reply to @Matthew Stanley: dem·a·gogue
/ˈdeməˌɡäɡ/
noun
noun: demagogue; plural noun: demagogues

a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.
"a gifted demagogue with particular skill in manipulating the press"



Rick Nash 
Reply to @Jed Eckert:
Can you explain his request from his perspective? Was he speaking for himself or the entire industry which would be punished instead of China? You look at it as Trump looked at trade tariffs with China. Punish the farmers and those purchasing goods from China. He's bragged to his base how he was punishing China when all the while it was his fellow Americans too dumb to realize that no one wins in a trade war.
The Canadian government needed to work with industry before destroying their livlihood.



Rod Poole 
Reply to @Sam Denoff: That's an exceedingly embarrassing comment considering the US Empires manipulation in the affairs of dozens of foreign gov'ts, including Canada, overthrowing democratically elected leaders around the globe to the benefit of corporate hoarding.


Rick Nash 
Reply to @Beverley Bent:
The Orange One instantly come to mind.



Edward Peter 
Reply to @Jed Eckert: If life was so simple, what corporations do you deal with through out your life?


Jed Eckert 
Reply to @Edward Peter:
That's a loaded question Edward. And you know it.



Craig Hall 
Reply to @Sam Denoff: Ya, with negative 3 million votes. And his killing of Soleimani was illegal. But I guess you're ok with that too. Amiright?


David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: I agree


Joe Renaud 
Reply to @Victor CRETU: Re: "That CEO speaks only from his narrow, biased perspective. He's worse than Trump! " - Yes - he does speak from a narrow and biased point of view - he is pissed that a person who worked in his company was killed along with his entire family. Narrow, biased and justified.


Alex Keith 
Reply to @Craig Hall: How was killing Soleimani illegal?


David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Alex Keith: How is killing anyone you are not at war with legal?


Gina Davis
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: Trump is carrying on the work of those before him. He promised to stop it when he campaigned. So much for draining that swamp eh.

There is no accountability Mark. None. We keep falling for the US's BS to get us to support their wars. WMD's etc.



Mark Sobkow 
Reply to @Matthew Stanley: Try a dictionary.


Mohamed Khan 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: if only what he said was true I would agree. But it is Iran by boming US bases via proxy that escalated, not the other way around. And the Nuclear pact enabled Iran to use frozen funds to support ethnic cleansing via chemical weapons in Syria ( OPCW-UN Joint Mission independantly confirmed), destabilize Iraq and Yemen. Facts matter


Robert Jones  
Reply to @Stephen George: "The chances of Russia invading us are exactly the same as Canada invading Russia. None. "

Yes, thanks to the USA. They would have taken us over decades ago otherwise.

"I suppose you are still saying that if it wasn't for the USA we would all be speaking German. "

No, Russian. Try to keep up.



Robert Jones  
Reply to @Douglas Holden: "Of the thousands of “crazy terrorists” in the world, why exactly did Trump pick this one, at this moment? He was planning an “imminent attack” on four US embassies? "

He had just attacked the US Embassy in Iraq. How did you not hear about it?



Robert Jones  
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: "It is high time the world stopped putting up with Trump and got rid of the would-be demagogue. "

"The world", you say? How exactly would "the world" accomplish this?

I just love it when left-wingers demonstrate their disconnection from reality...

(and this is the "most liked" post? wow...)



Robert Jones  
Reply to @Rick Nash: "Same logic as the person who lead Germany into WWII, legally elected, took the world to stop him. "

Godwin. You lose.



Richard Jay 
“People need to stop making excuses for why they can't say anything about Trump and his antics and speak up exactly as the CEO did.” 

On 3 October 2015, a United States Air Force AC-130U gunship attacked the Kunduz Trauma Centre operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders in the city of Kunduz, in the province of the same name in northern Afghanistan. At the time of the airstrikes, MSF was treating women and children and wounded combatants from both sides of the conflict.

Casualty reports listed 30 dead including 13 MSF staff (three of them doctors), 10 patients, and seven burned beyond recognition and as yet unidentified. MSF reported that six intensive care patients were burned to death in their beds, and another patient died after staff had to leave the individual on the operating table. They reported that the 12 staff killed were all Afghan nationals, and that all three of their international staff members who were present survived. A review of the incident released on 7 November by MSF reported that some medical staff were decapitated and lost limbs to shrapnel and others were shot from the air as they tried to flee the burning building. 42 people were killed and over 30 were injured. On 7 October 2015, President Barack Obama issued an apology.

Where was the call for action back in 2015 to speak up? Seems to me people don't know history very well or they have decided to ignore it. The US has been meddling in the Middle East for a very long time and it started long before Trump.



Robert Jones 
Reply to @Douglas Holden: "this strike was made specifically to provide a distraction from Trump’s “political woes”. These people didn’t die to protect America; they died to protect Trump."

Thanks for sharing the political worldview of a child, but this actually a serious business.


Don Cheer 
Reply to @Richard Jay:
Bad things happen in a war zone like Afghanistan and you are under the impression Obama called the strike to occur knowing Doctors with out borders was there. Get real.

Other than that, the world needs to step up to all POTUS with a demi-god complex which has been everyone since Roosevelt.



Don Cheer  
Reply to @Robert Jones:
Cons being condescending is just what the world needs less of



Michael West 
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: You know Michael McCain is lobbying Ottawa to not place sanctions against Chinese officials involved in human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in China, right?


Don Cheer 
Reply to @Michael West:
You have a source for that?



Michael West 
Kim and Steve and Lim/McIntyre
Reply to @Mark Sobkow: I think that if Mr. McCain rides out the knee-jerk investor reaction, he will find a whole world of more ethical investors out there willing to support him with a more rational response.


David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Kim and Steve and Lim/McIntyre: I Wholeheartedly Agree about knee-jerk investor reactions Obviously this article supports my opinions yesterday and the fact that Mr McCain has found a friend in me. 
 

Douglas Holden
Reply to @Robert Jones:
Thank you for lowering the level of discussion to kindergarten. Really helps us figure out who the adults in the room are.






















Dave Robertson
I'll choose their products over their competitors from now on. A CEO with a conscience, how refreshing.


Patrick O'Connor 
Reply to @Dave Robertson:
Conscience would dictate researching where one has made a dreadful mistake.

Then conscience would dictate an apology is due to US President Donald Trump.



Fred Rickert 
Reply to @Patrick O'Connor: LOL. You've got to be joking.


Perry Best
Reply to @Dave Robertson:
You're going to buy more.
Many more people are going to buy none!
As a savvy business person, would you say that's a great move by the CEO.



Ryan Tasker 
Reply to @Patrick O'Connor: You're out of your mind...
 

John Grail
Reply to @Dave Robertson: Yeah. Nothing says conscience like being the largest slaughterer of animals in the country...

John Grail
Reply to @Dave Robertson: What conscience are you referring to? The one that enables his company to be the largest killer of animals in the country?


Lieschen Mueller
Reply to @Dave Robertson: I will certainly go out of my way to buy Maple Leaf Foods (already was doing that to an extent, but now, one hundred percent and publicly).

Also, I think that any hotel chain operating in Canada should not only be exclusively using and serving Maple Leaf Foods but should also be very public about this and that if say an American tourist etc. wants something else, tough, no go.

John Grail
Reply to @Dave Robertson: Profiting on the death of countless animals. Sounds like a strong moral compass to me...


Lieschen Mueller 
Reply to @Patrick O'Connor: Trump is the chump and mistake here. He needs to go and he needs to keep his ignorant mouth shut.


Stephen George  
Reply to @Ryan Tasker:
I concur.



Won Tu 
Reply to @Dave Robertson:
Well, let's also not forget that Maple Leaf Foods, by showing they have a CEO with a moral compass, can be trusted to at least try its best to make food that is safe to eat. The CEO that calls the POTUS to task isn't likely to put people's lives at risk for a little extra profit.



Stephen George 
Reply to @John Grail:
Your getting lots of up thumbs I see. No surprise.



John Grail 
Reply to @Stephen George: I don't need approval from (wo)men. It's good to know the truth for you is simply popular opinion. Speaks volumes of why society is the way it is.


John Grail 
Reply to @Won Tu: They have a CEO that makes billions from needlessly slaughtering animals. Anything but moral.


Stephen George 
Reply to @John Grail:
What world do you live in? This is a story about what McCain said, not what you say.



Vasja Batareikin 
Reply to @Dave Robertson: First check what ingredients list in they products :-)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/n-b-woman-17th-listeria-death-linked-to-maple-leaf-products-1.711562



Douglas Holden 
Reply to @Patrick O'Connor:
My conscience dictates I pick up a log of bologna tonight.



Matthew Stanley 
Reply to @Dave Robertson: You will choose what is best for your bottom line, just like any CEO. Shrinking middle class and all.


David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Dave Robertson: Me Too


David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Douglas Holden: Mine tells me to go for the wieners


Mary-Ellen Johnson 
Reply to @Dave Robertson: Not so fast, Maple Leaf has been one I have been avoiding at all costs since I saw how they took advantage (and continue to do so today) of massive tax breaks and various spiffs from where I used to live. Like Amazon is doing where they expand, they make the surrounding communities pay for new roads, bus services, bring hundreds and thousands of lower cost immigrant employees (from South America or Africa) in to an area without one red cent of tax money going into the system to help build up said infrastructure or medical and school systems. Sorry, they have shown little to no regard for the population around them when they have expanded - this move, while admirable, is too little to change my mind on them.


Richard Jay
Reply to @Dave Robertson:
LOL, because he's a Trump hater he's a good guy. Doesn't take much to fool you now does it.



John Grail 
Reply to @Stephen George: And he says, not okay to start a war but to needlessly slaughter animals?


Jack Slate 
Just stay away from their soleimani...


Michael West 
Reply to @Dave Robertson: A CEO with a conscience. Right. A conscience that compels him to lobby Ottawa to not place sanctions against Chinese officials involved in human rights abuses towards China's ethnic minorities.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/maple-leaf-ceo-asked-parliamentarians-to-not-sanction-chinese-officials-1.4765483

You "CEO with a conscience" is a self-serving hypocrite.


Colin Wilson
Reply to @Mary-Ellen Johnson: I can tell you to be careful of the capitalist (American) selling debt or the communist (Chinese) that buys it. Ether way the consumer loses. It takes more than one CEO to convince a community of elected officials to allow for the use of taxpayer monies to be used to augment a large business's expansion or new build. They will laud the expansion to improve employment numbers in the community if only we can ....improve the sewage connection, industrial electric upgrades, highway access, etc... (insert ask). It is incumbent for all of us to participate in the process of democracy (city counsel meetings) in order to prevent these kinds of asks that are regularly foisted on the public. All of us, the electorate, needs to ensure that the quid pro quo between a business and the municipality it resides in is a fair and equitable arrangement that does not unduly burden the citizenry. Remember all that is required for evil to flourish is to do nothing.


David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Michael West: Methinks the powers that be are well aware of why I have no respectwhatsoever for Housakos the Speaker of the Senate of Canada N'esy Pas?

"In a statement, Housakos said that while he sympathizes with the “enormous loss being felt by Mr. McCain’s colleague” and “shares Mr. McCain’s anger over the atrocity that was committed against everyone on that flight and those they left behind,” he believes there have been “valid” points raised about the appropriateness of McCain’s comments."





















Mo Bennett
no one should ever regret calling a spade, a spade!! the poor shareholders will have to take one for the gipper.


John Sollows 
Reply to @mo bennett:
Wait a month. Sometimes taking one leads to long-term gain.



Lieschen Mueller 
Reply to @mo bennett: Funny how often people decry that CEOs take no stance but if a CEO does and like you say call Donald Trump the horrid thing he is, people still howl.


Edward Peter 
Reply to @mo bennett: I am not sure the share holder will.
But you notice that when Mr. McCain mentioned "the Narcissist" all sides knew exactly who he meant, and jumped to their sides of the Wall.
So his defenders know who they respect.



David Raymond Amos
Reply to @mo bennett: YO MO Methinks you should not be surprised that we agree once again N'esy Pas?


John Grail 
Reply to @mo bennett: Exactly. Calling McCain a hypocrite is calling a spade a spade.


Don Cheer 
Reply to @John Grail:
Why? What has he done to be called that?










https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies





Replying to and 49 others
Methinks Trump and his cohorts prove on a daily basis that the term "intelligence of nations"is an oxymoron N'esy Pas? 


https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/01/maple-leaf-foods-ceo-takes-aim-at-us.html

 

 




https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/maple-leaf-foods-ceo-ps752-us-iran-1.5424530





Maple Leaf Foods CEO takes aim at U.S. government over downing of PS752 by Iran

Michael McCain says he's 'very angry' in Twitter thread mourning loss of colleague's family



The Canadian Press · Posted: Jan 12, 2020 10:07 PM ET



Maple Leafs Foods CEO Michael McCain, pictured here in 2011, posted a series of tweets from the company's official Twitter account lamenting the loss of a colleague's family in the downing of Flight PS752. (The Canadian Press)

The CEO of Maple Leaf Foods spoke out against the United States government days after an Iranian missile accidentally shot down a Ukrainian jetliner, killing all 176 people on board — including, he said, the family of a company employee.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, Michael McCain said the time since Wednesday's crash has not quelled his anger over what he describes as a "needless, irresponsible series of events in Iran." The tweets were sent from the official Maple Leaf Foods account, though McCain characterized them as "personal reflections."

Fifty-seven Canadians were among the 176 people killed on Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752. There have been vigils and memorials across Canada commemorating the victims, as well as protests calling for de-escalation in the region.




McCain said he feels that "a narcissist in Washington" destabilized the region, ultimately leading to the crash.


I’m Michael McCain, CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, and these are personal reflections. I am very angry, and time isn’t making me less angry. A MLF colleague of mine lost his wife and family this week to a needless, irresponsible series of events in Iran...


Flight PS752 was mistakenly shot down minutes after taking off from an airport on the outskirts of Tehran, just hours after Iranian missiles targeted bases where Americans were stationed in Iraq.

They were retaliating for the U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Iran has admitted the plane was mistaken for a hostile target amid those soaring tensions with the United States, after first pinning the crash on a mechanical failure.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Iran must take full responsibility for shooting down the plane.
He said that must include a full and credible investigation, but he's steered clear of pinning the crash on the Americans.

"I think it is too soon to be drawing conclusions or assigning blame or responsibility in whatever proportions," he told reporters last week.




McCain said he's both livid and mourning for his colleague's wife and 11-year-old son, who were killed on the plane.

…U.S. government leaders unconstrained by checks/balances, concocted an ill-conceived plan to divert focus from political woes. The world knows Iran is a dangerous state, but the world found a path to contain it; not perfect but by most accounts it was the right direction…
..A narcissist in Washington tears world accomplishments apart; destabilizes region. US now unwelcomed everywhere in the area including Iraq; tensions escalated to feverish pitch. Taking out despicable military leader terrorist? There are a hundred like him, standing next in line


CBC News reached out to McCain for further comment. In response, Janet Riley, the company's vice-president of communications and public affairs, said in an email that McCain "would prefer to let the messages in his tweets speak for themselves. He felt the tragedy warranted his response."


With files from CBC News








9379 Comments but much editing is play
Commenting is now closed for this story.





Awistoyus Nahasthay
Most Canadians agree with McCain.


Andre Legault
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay:
What we know from your post is that you agree with him. The rest is speculation.



Jed Eckert  
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay:
Wide sweeping statements have no validity.



Fred Barchetta 
Reply to @Jed Eckert:
Oh the irony.......



Andre Legault 
Reply to @Jed Eckert:
After posting that you know Mcain did this to sell more products?Really?



Eric Gulapa 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: please share your stats sources


Brendan Burke  
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: no they dont


Hay Lowe 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: not likely


Andre Legault  
Reply to @Brendan Burke:
I think what you mean is that you don't agree.



Brendan Burke 
Reply to @Andre Legault: Actually, I'll rephrase it by saying that anyone with any sense would not agree


Andre Legault   
Reply to @Brendan Burke:
Again all your saying is that you agree. You can't know what anyone with any sense thinks.



John Hancock 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: no they don’t.


Mitchell Roberts 
Reply to @John Hancock: Yes they do.


Lee Hall
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: 


<-- 100="" a="" aligned="" almost="" and="" any="" are="" as="" been="" charlatans="" complex="" countries="" critical="" democratically="" determines="" elected="" evidence="" exploiting="" for="" foreign="" from="" governments.="" guido.="" harsh="" has="" have="" haven="" he="" i="" in="" industrial="" is="" it.="" juan="" like="" many="" meddling="" military="" not="" notorious="" of="" oil.="" oligarchy="" opposing="" opposition.="" palestinians.="" peep="" policy="" puppets="" reputation="" resources="" right="" said="" see.="" span="" supported="" t="" that="" the="" treatment="" trudeau="" us="" we="" whatsoever="" wing="" with="">
Dan Shortt 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay:
Most readers at this website think exactly what they're told to think, by Michael McCain, or by anyone, for that matter. Right now, 46 people agree with you. Most assuredly, that isn't "Most Canadians."



Herb Weber 
Reply to @Dan Shortt: Make that 49 - just added my "vote". Most Canadians are neither confirmed Cold Warriors, nor LPCers.


Steve Wilson
Reply to @Dan Shortt: ... yes, attack the reasonable, great response! 
 
Lorraine Karuse
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: To save himself from Impeachment. Here is one article quoting The Wall St Journal and New York Times
" Trump Cited GOP Senate Impeachment Pressure As Reason to Kill Soleiman"
Deep inside a long, detailed Wall Street Journal report about President Trump’s foreign policy advisers is an explosive nugget: “Mr. Trump, after the strike, told associates he was under pressure to deal with Gen. Soleimani from GOP senators he views as important supporters in his coming impeachment trial in the Senate, associates said.” This is a slightly stronger iteration of a fact the New York Times reported three days ago, to wit, “pointed out to one person who spoke to him on the phone last week that he had been pressured to take a harder line on Iran by some Republican senators whose support he needs now more than ever amid an impeachment battle.”

This would not mean Trump ordered the strike entirely, or even primarily, in order to placate Senate Republicans. But it does constitute an admission that domestic political considerations influenced his decision. That would, of course, constitute a grave dereliction of duty. - nymag.com



Lorraine Karuse 
Brendan Burke 
Reply to @Andre Legault: you're speaking in riddles now lol


Steve LaFramboise
Reply to @lorraine karuse: nymag is like quoting Fox News...

Maybe check out Some other “analysis” ..?



Richard Jay 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay:
I don't.

First of all, "The CEO of Maple Leaf Foods spoke out against the United States government days after an Iranian missile accidentally shot down a Ukrainian jetliner"

Since when does the US control Iranian missiles?

Also, "U.S. government leaders unconstrained by checks/balances, concocted an ill-conceived plan to divert focus from political woes".

Really? You agree with that? The US planned for Iran to take down a plane to divert focus from political woes? That doesn't seem just a little far fetched? Exactly what political woes anyhow? An impeachment that doesn't seem to be going anywhere? The Russian collusion nonsense that and FBI investigation found nothing?



Richard Jay 
Reply to @lorraine karuse:
"McCain's views are supported by FACTS
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/01/report-trump-cited-impeachment-pressure-to-kill-soleimani.html";

That link does not report facts but nice try. If you read it and see "This is a slightly stronger iteration of a fact the New York Times reported three days ago" you would know that. NYT is propaganda and proven to be many times.



Wayne Taylor
Reply to @Richard Jay: Ignorance is bliss.


Douglas Holden 
Reply to @Richard Jay:
Donald Trump initiated these latest incidents with Iran to distract from his impeachment and his incompetence as president, with zero regard for the consequences. That plane being shot down was one of the consequences. Most Canadians know who initiated all this and why.

Richard Jay
Reply to @Wayne Taylor:

"Ignorance is bliss."

It sure is. Hopefully you can over come it.



Richard Jay
Reply to @Douglas Holden:

"Donald Trump initiated these latest incidents with Iran to distract from his impeachment and his incompetence as president"

Nonsense. That's a conspiracy theory and a silly one at best.



David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Richard Jay: I disagree


David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Andre Legault: Methinks we should ask Bill Morneau what he has to say N'esy Pas?


Peter Ray 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay:
No.

Only the bleeding hearts and those who wish OUR way of life to disappear.

The rest of well-adjusted, intelligent and educated Canada does not.



David Raymond Amos
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: True or False?

"Nancy McCain is an heir to the privately held multi-billion dollar McCain Foods empire co-founded by her late father Andrew McCain and three uncles, Harrison, Wallace and Bob (all deceased). Nancy McCain's husband, Bill Morneau is Canada's finance minister and previously was executive chairman of the billion dollar human resource consultancy, Morneau Shepell, which his father William Morneau Sr founded. Her brother, Allison McCain is the current Chairman of McCain Foods, Nancy's cousin is Michael McCain who is CEO and the largest shareholder of the $4 billion Canadian food giant, Maple Leaf Foods. Little is known about the distribution of profits from the McCain company to family members. Public Court filings showed that at least one of Wallace McCain's children, Nancy's cousin, receives an annual $4.25 million tax free capital dividend. Public records show that Bill Morneau received compensation in excess of $1 million prior to his resignation from his company to become Canada's finance minister. While strict conflict of interest rules apply to Morneau's personal holdings in his capacity as finance minister, they do not apply to the personal holdings of Nancy McCain and by extension McCain Foods." 



Douglas Holden
Reply to @Richard Jay:
We all watched this happen in real time. While I’m sure there are many “backroom details” we’re not privy to, in no way was it a conspiracy. Trump did it in plain sight, because he knows by now his employers and enablers will cover for him. Reports from those in the room have said he didn’t even know who the drone strike was targeting. That’s because he didn’t care, so long as it did exactly what it’s doing: distract. It’s his one trick, he’s done it over and over, and this is just the latest disgusting example. Pizzagate was a “conspiracy theory”. This is global diplomacy as practiced by someone who could not care less about anyone else on the globe. 



David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Douglas Holden: I agree


Matthew Smith 
Reply to @Richard Jay: I agree. 0 proof has yet to be presented. Only the sequence of events which still have fully not been revealed are used.


Brendan O'Fecalith 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: McCain certainly speaks for me on this, and for most of the people I have spoken with about it. Only his language is more measured.


David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Brendan O'Fecalith: Me Too


Aaron Morris
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay:
Most Canadians aren't so obtuse to see this as a black and white issue. Both sides are to blame, however one side physically destroyed a passenger plane. 



Tina Falco
Reply to @lorraine karuse:
That's one view, this is another and more likely:

With Suleimani Assassination, Trump is Doing the Bidding of Washington’s Most Vile Cabal

by Jeremy Scahill, January 3, 2020



Tina Falco
Reply to @Peter Ray:
Still peddling 9/11 talking points?



Tina Falco
Reply to @David Raymond Amos:
So Bill Morneau got indirectly dragged into this? Awesome.



David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Tina Falco: Methinks its just another one of those things I do that my political opponents fail to appreciate N'esy Pas? 
 

Douglas Holden
Reply to @Aaron Morris:
That’s a bit like parents watching one sibling smash the toy of another sibling, the other sibling throwing a punch in retaliation, then the parents blame them both for the dust up. Would the punch have been thrown if the toy were still intact? Of course not.



Tina Falco
Reply to @Aaron Morris:
Canadians have been given a gift to learn about the US shenanigans used in manufacturing consent for wars, yet some choose to remain obtuse.

Why not accept the gift instead?

The L iar s that Led Us to War
January 10, 2020



Tina Falco
Reply to @David Raymond Amos:
Yup.  


David Allan  
Reply to @Brendan Burke:
"Actually, I'll rephrase it by saying that anyone with any sense would not agree"

Anyone with any sense can see that Trump's illegal assassination is what caused this.



David Allan  
Reply to @Lee Hall:
"We are aligned with US foreign policy almost 100% and the US oligarchy that determines it."

No we aren't.
You just made that up.

When did Canada express support for Trump's illegal assassination?



Norm Dixon 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: On the contrary, most Canadians can think for them selves. Is it Trumps fault that Iran are shooting protestors too? We are all responsible for our own actions!!!


David Allan 
Reply to @Steve LaFramboise:
"nymag is like quoting Fox News... "

What about WSJ?
Are you going to attack them too?



David Allan  
Reply to @Richard Jay:
"Since when does the US control Iranian missiles? "

Attempting to disassociate the cause from the effect is disingenuous at best.

If Trump hadn't illegally assassinated Iran's general in an act of war, this wouldn't have happened.



Perry Best 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: "Most Canadians agree with McCain."
It seems that a lot of Iranians are putting their lives on the line to agree with Mr. Trump.



Graham Godlien 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: when I wrote this .... at best only 133 Canadians agree .
..

Tina Falco 
Reply to @David Allan:
Nope..Lee did not make that up, die hard Liberals however, just won't admit it.

Canada supports US in all their foreign adventures, the US even boasted about how we adopted an America First Policy.

Yet unlike you, I won't tell you to get a clue.



Michael Trebych 
Reply to @Perry Best: Then why were they outraged when the General was assassinated? Yours is an utterly lame defense that thinks lives lost in an election bid is acceptable. Despicable


Tina Falco 
Reply to @Norm Dixon:
Protesters like MeK? A group that Bolton, Giuliani and even Harper rallied to overthrow the Iranian government?

Now why would Bolton, Giuliani and even Harper want to do that? 

 

Toby Mockler
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: If you're taking a poll, this Canadian does not agree with him.


Bell Woo 
Reply to @toby mockler: this canuck does however...


Doug Mackenzie
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay:
Most Canadians are worried about the Habs, the Leafs, Jets, etc. 



Norman Albert
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: I agree 100 per cent. They need to str8 jacket Donnie and lock him up before he takes us on a road with no return.


Dima Elman 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: Don't talk for most Canadians.


Mia Stalling  
Reply to @Dima Elman:
I would say he does and you no not......bye bye



Mia Stalling 
Reply to @mia stalling:
do not



Ethan Beaver  
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: Then most Canadians are not very bright. Following that logic trail, blame George Washington or Christopher Columbus.


Norman Albert 
Reply to @Andre Legault: Until Donnie decides to sanction all McCain products that is. I respect Micheal's choice..


Stanley Baird 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: this is misplaced anger. Iran shoots its own citizens when they protest and has demonstrated this past week beyond any doubt that they cannot be trusted with nuke weapons. Iran has sent missiles into Saudi Arab last year, into tankers in the Gulf last year, and into Iraq last week. The US has imposed sanctions against Iran and conduct one precise rocket attack on a terrorist ("general") organizer in Iraq. Iran shot down a passenger jet that had just been cleared to takeoff from its own capital's airport minutes before and hours after its own missile strike. To blame Trump for this incompetence makes about as much sense as blaming Trudeau.


Norman Albert
Reply to @Norm Dixon: If protesters are being killed no doubt it is orchestrated by CIA and Mossad antagonizes. Check out the rest of the globe. All these up risings are being used to destabilize designated areas of JUSA and Israe li Interests. There is a direct line between all these actions and the MO of desperate terrorist nations


Michael Trebych
Reply to @David Allan: 100% in agreement.


David Allan 
Reply to @Norm Dixon:
"On the contrary, most Canadians can think for them selves. Is it Trumps fault that Iran are shooting protestors too? We are all responsible for our own actions!!!"

Why isn't Trump responsible for his actions that started this?



David Allan  
Reply to @Tina Falco:
"Canada supports US in all their foreign adventures, the US even boasted about how we adopted an America First Policy.

Yet unlike you, I won't tell you to get a clue."

When did Canada support America's illegal assassination?
Please, quote the official statement from the PMO.

I have that clue.
You clearly don't.



Michael Trebych 
Reply to @toby mockler: Nothing like saying that you agree that innocent lives lost in a re election bid are acceptable to grow your like numbers, huh?

Oh wait…..



Doug Mackenzie 
Reply to @Ethan Beaver:
Cristobal Colon never set foot in America. The continent derives its name from Amerigo Vespucci. Not knowing history accurately can lead to misconceptions.



David Allan 
Reply to @Ethan Beaver:
"Then most Canadians are not very bright. Following that logic trail, blame George Washington or Christopher Columbus."

Trump's illegal assassination is the direct cause of Iran's launching missiles.



Geoff Radnor 
Reply to @Ethan Beaver: You are one of those Canadians


Stephen Metcalfe 
Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: Pretty rich coming from a guy who killed 22 people with his food.


Fern Dignard  
Reply to @Stephen Metcalfe:
Go home 'merican.



Tina Falco  
Reply to @David Allan:
"When did Canada support America's illegal assassination?"

Where's the official statement from the PMO that they don't? Oh right there isn't one.

From the Government of Canada website:

January 3, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

“Canada has long been concerned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Qods Force, led by Qasem Soleimani, whose aggressive actions have had a destabilizing effect in the region and beyond.”

Not only are you blindly partisan, you also...yup I will say it this time, have NO CLUE.



Tina Falco 
Reply to @David Allan:
Oh and Iraq said to take a hike, yet:

“Canada is in contact with our international partners. The safety and well-being of Canadians in Iraq and the region, including our troops and diplomats, is our paramount concern.

“We call on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation. Our goal is and remains a united and stable Iraq."

In other words, America First Policy.


Tina Falco
Reply to @David Allan:

One more thing David, blind partisanship hurts us all.

Oh and of course, get a clue. 



David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Tina Falco: Methinks blind partisanship certainly does hurt us all particularly when practiced by politicians such a Trump and Trudeau who think they have it all figured out because they deliberately ignore any clue that may cause doubt of their agenda N'esy Pas?






















Mannie Salado
I agree with the man. The seminal moment in this path to disaster was the day Trump welshed on the nukes deal.


Jed Eckert
Reply to @Mannie Salado:
You can't twist facts to suit your narrative.



Mannie Salado 
Reply to @Jed Eckert: So what do you see as the defining moment of this latest Iran crisis?


Jed Eckert 
Reply to @Mannie Salado:
There is no single defining moment.



Grant Bryck 
Reply to @Mannie Salado: how far do you want to fo back....1979??


Mannie Salado 
Reply to @Jed Eckert: correct....every incident since 1979 is a single issue in a history of conflict in the region.


Mannie Salado 
Reply to @Grant Bryck: You think Trump never untied his yellow ribbon, and all this is revenge for the hostage crisis?


Mannie Salado  
Reply to @Grant Bryck: Why not go back to Mossadegh and his American engineered removal? My pont is, it looked like the peace pipe had been smoked when the nukes deal was signed...but Trump felt otherwise.


Grant Bryck  
Reply to @Mannie Salado: Geez, a lot happened between then and now.


Grant Bryck  
Reply to @Mannie Salado: how can you say that when the General continues his control of the Iranian les proxy attacks, while the deal was inforced


Mannie Salado 
Reply to @Grant Bryck: I've been clear in my view...this latest chapter began with Trump's welsh on the nukes deal. You can decide for yourself when your chapters begin and end.


Grant Bryck  
Reply to @Mannie Salado: that's the underlying issue, where is the root cause... Complete an analysis and it starts way before OM.
 
Mannie Salado  
Reply to @Grant Bryck: Whatever you say.


Mannie Salado  
Reply to @Grant Bryck: Tell me this...in your estimation, if America had kept their word and not betrayed the Iran deal, would tensions be so high in the Gulf that civilian aircraft would be mistaken for cruise missiles?


Lee Hall 
Reply to @Mannie Salado: 


<--- aligns="" almost="" and="" answer="" any="" behind="" canadians="" changes="" class="" contributed="" corporations="" countries.="" countries="" country="" disagreed="" don="" events="" falls="" first="" foreign="" from="" fully="" government="" has="" have="" in="" iran.="" is="" just="" leading="" like="" line.="" many="" meddling="" natural="" not="" now="" of="" oil="" oligarchy="" our="" parties="" policy="" political="" realize="" regime="" resources="" ruling="" s="" span="" supported="" syria="" t="" that="" the="" these="" this.="" to="" trudeau="" trump.="" two="" us="" venezuela="" want="" we="" what="" with="">
Lee Hall 
Reply to @Lee Hall: 


<--- 100="" actions="" aligned="" almost="" and="" any="" are="" bolivia="" canada="" charlatans="" complex="" determines="" evidence="" foreign="" from="" guido.="" harsh="" has="" have="" i="" in="" industrial="" iran.="" is="" it.="" juan="" like="" military="" not="" of="" oligarchy="" on="" opposed="" opposing="" or="" palestine="" palestinians.="" policy="" puppets="" right="" see.="" span="" supported="" syria="" that="" the="" treatment="" trudeau="" us="" venezuela="" we="" wing="" with="">
Henry Lin 
Reply to @Jed Eckert: What facts are twisted? Can't just say that without meaning anything.


Henry Lin 
Reply to @Grant Bryck: Root cause? Uhm the root is Trump. Why? You want to blame this on Carter or Reagan?


John Hancock 
Reply to @Mannie Salado: yea the Iranians just shot down an aircraft full of civilians. Without a doubt in my mind we should have allowed them to have nuclear capabilities... hahaha


Mannie Salado 
Reply to @John Hancock: Dont go too far down that road. The Americans and the Russians...twice...have shot down civilian aircraft in military misadventure.


Steve LaFramboise 
Reply to @Mannie Salado: I bet the Iranian government doesn’t make a stamp commemorating this one, though.


Lorraine Karuse 
Reply to @Mannie Salado: Saudis appeased Trump by inviting him, treating him like a King and BUYING $Billions in defense equipment. Saudis and Kushner then set their site on sidelining Iran(Sunni - Shia rivalry, Israel - Iran).


Douglas Holden 
Reply to @Jed Eckert:
Ah yes, the inevitability of history. “That gun would have went off whether the assassin picked it up or not,”. That’s how WW1 started. The gun did it.



Steve LaFramboise  
Reply to @lorraine karuse: so Soleimani tried to hire Iraqi militias to attack embassies, to try to win over the angry citizens.

The US killed Soleimani and brought the country together against the US.

Then the Iran military made a mistake, which they compounded with a few days of lies, to try to control the protesters.

The best outcome would be that the Iranians can get this regime out and implement some form of democracy, although the US and Iran’s current regime will both continue to try to use the citizens as pawns.



Karl Gauss
Reply to @Mannie Salado: :"The seminal moment in this path to disaster was the day Trump welshed on the nukes deal." Right on, it's time to nuke Wales!!


David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Mannie Salado: I concur


David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Jed Eckert: Methinks an irrefutable fact is that Trump did welsh on the nukes deal N'esy Pas?


David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Mannie Salado: "So what do you see as the defining moment of this latest Iran crisis?"

Trump's impeachment



Mannie Salado
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: Trump choking on a too big bite of Big Mac, and slowly tuning a darker and darker shade of blue as no one came to his rescue. 
 

Mannie Salado
Reply to @Grant Bryck: What do you mean by "proxy attacks"?


Tina Falco
Reply to @Steve LaFramboise:

"...get this regime out and implement some form of democracy."

First, the west is no shining example of "democracy".

Second, not aware of how that turned out the other 5, 10, 20 times? 



Perry Best
Reply to @Mannie Salado: "I agree with the man. The seminal moment in this path to disaster was the day Trump welshed on the nukes deal."
So you disagree with the intelligence from many other nations saying that Iran was already welshing on the nukes deal?



Mannie Salado
Reply to @Perry Best: The intelligence of what nations were saying that? 


Terri Payne
Reply to @Steve LaFramboise:
Re: your statement that "The best outcome would be that the Iranians can get this regime out and implement some form of democracy", the same applies to the U.S. as well!



Mannie Salado 
Reply to @Terri Payne: And it shows a complete ignorance of politics in Iran. The last elections brought a solid win for the moderates and liberals...a victory Trump refused to recognize in any way. 
 
 
Tina Falco
Reply to @Mannie Salado:
Grant is conflating the facts.

While JCPOA was honoured, there was Yemen, Iraq, Syria...all the US adventures (including through their own proxies) of toppling governments, still going on.

This, along with the arming and support of Daesh, al Qaeda and al Nusra, was met with push back from Iran through Soleimani.



David Raymond Amos  
Reply to @Mannie Salado: Methinks Trump and his cohorts prove on a daily basis that the term "intelligence of nations"is an oxymoron N'esy Pas? 
 

Mannie Salado
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: D'accord. 


David Allan
Reply to @Perry Best:
"So you disagree with the intelligence from many other nations saying that Iran was already welshing on the nukes deal?"

Credible citation required.

Iran was in full compliance.



Norman Brown
Reply to @Mannie Salado: America can not be trusted and that is a problem for the world .


Fern Dignard 
Reply to @Mannie Salado:
Trump welshes on every deal. 
 

Steve LaFramboise
Reply to @Tina Falco: The people need a voice, not a Marshall Plan.

The only way that Iran can join the rest of the world in harmony is if there’s real security in the ME. I’m not sure how that can happen without outside help, but the US shouldn’t be taking the lead, for several reasons. 



Mannie Salado
Reply to @Fern Dignard: Trump is a massive back-stabbing snake in the grass.


David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Mannie Salado: Methinks many would agree that all politicians are N'esy Pas?



















Pat George
I support Michael McCain’s opinions wholeheartedly. He hit the nail on the head.


Will Woods 
Reply to @Pat George: your right, it is easier to virtue signal than articulate a rational point.


Jed Eckert 
Reply to @Will Woods:
And think of the profits ML may reap from the attention and supporters of the CEO'S words.



Brendan Burke 
Reply to @Pat George: I'm sure his American share holders will disagree with you


Roger O' Malley 
Reply to @Pat George: Good, now maybe you can support him and buy more of his companies product because I won't. I've avoided that food for a long time and for good reason I assure you...


Martin Schulte 
Reply to @Pat George: To bad the supporters of Predator Trump are so immersed in their echo chamber/propaganda that they can't see the man for what he truly is. Judge his own words, and his actions, and any reasonable person can see he is not fit for the office of the President.


Matthew Smith 
Reply to @Will Woods: Nailed it.


David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Pat George: YUP


David Allan
Reply to @Jed Eckert:
"And think of the profits ML may reap from the attention and supporters of the CEO'S words."

Check the share price to learn you're wrong.
Facts matter.



Edward Peter
Reply to @Pat George: It is good to see a person in the position of responsibility state his personal opinion and his feeling of loss for his fellow worker, they are human and they do care.


Michael Trebych
Reply to @David Allan: Wrong. Evidently money matters more than the truth and human lives. Sad.


David Allan 
Reply to @Brendan Burke: I believe he was talking from his heart, not about a business deal, it was personal.


David Allan
Reply to @Michael Trebych:
"Wrong. Evidently money matters more than the truth and human lives. Sad."

Credible citation?



Fern Dignard
Reply to @David Allan:
Trump assassinated Soleimani for a small approval uptick and deserves to get publicly slammed.



Norman Albert
Reply to @Fern Dignard: He should be charged under war crimes act and locked up for 1000 years. This clown is not funny anymore.



David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Fern Dignard: I agree


Michael Trebych
Reply to @David Allan: That was just me, Dave. No offence meant. Just sad how it seems like everything is measured in money these days…


Michael Trebych
Reply to @Pat George: He *buried* that nail and it came out the other side…
.

David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Michael Trebych: Everybody knows everything political is always about the money. The existence of this article clearly proves that fact. If Mr McCain was not so wealthy and politically connected methinks we would know of his indignation towards Trump's actions N'esy Pas?


David Raymond Amos   
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: The Current
Maple Leaf Foods CEO's tweets slamming U.S. for PS752 downing reflects 'fury' Canadians are feeling: minister
'Imperative' that Canada and U.S. 'continue to cooperate,' minister says
CBC Radio · Posted: Jan 13, 2020 1:46 PM ET




https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies





Replying to and 49 others
Everything political is always about the money The existence of this article clearly proves that fact If Mr McCain was not so wealthy and politically connected methinks we would know of his indignation towards Trump's actions N'esy Pas?
 

 



https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/maple-leaf-foods-ceo-s-tweets-slamming-u-s-for-ps752-downing-reflects-fury-canadians-are-feeling-minister-1.5424810


Maple Leaf Foods CEO's tweets slamming U.S. for PS752 downing reflects 'fury' Canadians are feeling: minister

'Imperative' that Canada and U.S. 'continue to cooperate,' minister says



A Toronto vigil to the 57 Canadians killed when Iran shot down flight PS752 last week. Tehran said the missile was fired in human error. (Rozenn Nicolle/Radio-Canada)

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino says a Canadian CEO's public criticism of the U.S. is tapping into "the fury" felt by Canadians following the shooting down of flight PS752 in Iran.

Maple Leaf Foods CEO Michael McCain sent the series of tweets days after a colleague lost his wife and son when the plane was shot down by an Iranian missile. Iran blamed human error for shooting down the plane, which coincided with a missile attack aimed at U.S. personnel in Iraq, in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

In the tweets, McCain blamed the U.S., saying that a "a narcissist in Washington" had destabilized the region.

I’m Michael McCain, CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, and these are personal reflections. I am very angry, and time isn’t making me less angry. A MLF colleague of mine lost his wife and family this week to a needless, irresponsible series of events in Iran...


…U.S. government leaders unconstrained by checks/balances, concocted an ill-conceived plan to divert focus from political woes. The world knows Iran is a dangerous state, but the world found a path to contain it; not perfect but by most accounts it was the right direction…
..A narcissist in Washington tears world accomplishments apart; destabilizes region. US now unwelcomed everywhere in the area including Iraq; tensions escalated to feverish pitch. Taking out despicable military leader terrorist? There are a hundred like him, standing next in line



Mendicino told The Current's Matt Galloway that McCain's statement "taps into and reflects the anger that is being felt by the families and by Canadians right across the country."

But he says Canada and the U.S. "are among the closest of allies in the world," and "it's imperative that we continue to cooperate."
He says the government is channelling the national anger into efforts "to provide justice and accountability for families, because they're entitled to it."

"And we will not stop, and we will not rest until we get it."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Iran must take full responsibility for shooting down the plane, which must include a full and credible investigation, but he's steered clear of pinning the crash on the Americans.

Efforts underway


Three Canadian investigators were granted visas and arrived in Iran over the weekend, but Mendocino says the government is expecting Iranian authorities to grant further visas to conduct "a timely, thorough and transparent investigation."




Mendicino says hotlines have been set up for people seeking information, and there is a "whole-of-government approach" to ensuring families can repatriate their loved ones' remains.

He added that "the question of compensation has to be in the mix" for the victims' families.
"We are going to be ensuring that that question is answered, and Iran will have to take full responsibility," he said.

"The message to the impacted families is that we are with you."

Written by Padraig Moran, with files from The Canadian Press. Produced by Ben Jamieson and Max Paris.








179 Comments 






David Raymond Amos
Everybody knows everything political is always about the money. The existence of this article clearly proves that fact. If Mr McCain was not so wealthy and politically connected methinks we would know of his indignation towards Trump's actions N'esy Pas?  













Allen Mark Gordon
I suppose a CEO of a company is entitled to an opinion as much as the next man, or woman. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, friends, loved ones. Hopefully there's no more violence, calmer heads are able to prevail in Tehran and Washington.


Bobby Burke
Reply to @Allen Mark Gordon: - Did we feel the same way in 88 when the USA shot down flight 655? Took decades for them to admit fault!


David Raymond Amos 
Reply to @Bobby Burke: Methinks Trump and his cohorts prove on a daily basis that the term "intelligence of nations"is an oxymoron N'esy Pas?









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