Thursday 29 August 2024

Northern mayors say they'd be strong voices in a PC government

---------- Original message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Subject: Fwd: I tried to talk to you folks corret???
To: <votepaul2024@gmail.com>, <diane.cyr@campbellton.org>, <diane.cyr@snb.ca>

A grateful thanks to everyone who attended the Saint John Portland-Simonds Nomination Convention this evening. I am truly humbled by the support that I received from family, friends, neighbours and the good folks from across the riding. I would like to single out my wife, Jamie, for all of the hours she gave in preparation for this evening and for presenting my nomination - she was amazing. I would also like to thank Anne Kinsella (widow of the late Honourable Dr. Noel Kinsella, former Speaker of the Canadian Senate) for her encouragement and for seconding my nomination. A special thanks to Premier Higgs for attending our riding Convention and for his words of encouragement to the gathered audience. I would also like to thank my niece, Nicolle Carlin (pictured bottom right) for challenging me to get involved. Nicolle is also the PC Candidate for Fredericton South-Silverwood. The Saint John team of PC candidates is taking shape and momentum is building.


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 1:16 PM
Subject: Fwd: I tried to talk to you folks corret???
To: <kim.chamberlain@bathurst.ca>, Rene.Legacy <Rene.Legacy@gnb.ca>, <normandpelletierpc@outlook.com>, guy.arseneault <guy.arseneault@gnb.ca>
Cc: Jacques.Poitras <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>


 

Northern mayors say they'd be strong voices in a PC government

Higgs, PC candidates say election a chance for region to wield more influence on road decisions, other issues

Allan Dickson's on a crusade — and this, he figures, may be the best time to make some progress.

Dickson's been complaining loudly about the poor state of Route 11 in northern New Brunswick, and he knows with a provincial election coming, it's an opportune moment to get the attention of politicians.

"It's terrible," he said during a mini-tour of the road in what used to be Tide Head, a village that was amalgamated with Campbellton during local government reform last year.

"It just seems to be neglected, neglected, neglected. All through the years we seem to get the tail end of everything."

He pointed out crumbling shoulders, bumpy sections of road, and what he considers poor patching work that may not survive next spring's frost heaves.

Dickson contacted CBC News in June about the issue, knowing that the campaign was on the horizon and that the Progressive Conservatives under leader Blaine Higgs are — for the third straight election — hoping for a big breakthrough in the province's north.

The influence the region could have if PCs were elected here has become the dominant message in the party's run-up to its re-election campaign.

Route 11 shoulder     A crumbling shoulder on Route 11, which runs from Moncton along the eastern and northern shores of New Brunswick. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Higgs alluded to that Wednesday night when he credited Bathurst Mayor Kim Chamberlain, who was officially nominated as a PC candidate, with persuading him as premier to have the province buy and demolish the former Smurfit-Stone mill in the city.

"Imagine the impact when we have voices all across the north," Higgs said at Chamberlain's nomination meeting.

About 60 people attended the PC meeting, though many of them were candidates or party members from ridings other than Bathurst.

Chamberlain, one of two northern mayors running for the PCs, said the Liberals have taken the riding for granted and said that has to end.

"I know that the decisions are made by those who sit in government in Fredericton, and that's why I'm running in this provincial election," she said.

"I think it's important that there will be new, strong, northern voices at the government table." 

Blaine Higgs and Kim Chamberlain Premier Blaine Higgs, as leader of the PC Party, congratulated Bathurst Mayor Kim Chamberlain at her nomination Thursday. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Dickson wouldn't say whether he thinks the neglect of northern roads predates the Higgs government, which took office in 2018. 

Dickson was the last mayor of Tide Head before it was amalgamated with Campbellton as part of the Higgs government's local governance reform.

The northern stretch of Route 11, which he calls "a main artery in the province of New Brunswick," winds through Tide Head before reaching its end point at the bridge to Matapédia, Que.

Last year, Dickson was hopeful: the previous PC transportation minister, Jeff Carr, had come to the area to personally look at the roads.

"He realized what was going on," Dickson said. "Mr. Carr was the only one that really saw firsthand what it was like."

WATCH | 'He wants to represent our province': Northern mayor runs for Higgs:
 

Northern mayors join PC team for provincial election

Normand Pelletier, one of two northern N.B. mayors running for the Progressive Conservatives, says Premier Blaine Higgs hasn’t neglected the north.

But three months later, Carr was dumped from cabinet after he joined a revolt against Higgs about changes to the province's sexual orientation and gender identity policy for school students.

Dickson wrote the new minister, Richard Ames, but says he received only a form letter in response.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure "has a well-established asset management system that helps staff determine the timing of paving projects" to ensure money is spent effectively, Ames wrote.

"And here we are," Dickson says, pointing out a large hole along the shoulder of Route 11 overlooking the Restigouche River.

Campbellton-Dalhousie Restigouche Liberal MLA Guy Arseneault said that it's another example of Higgs ignoring the north, and that the PC leader's promises to listen to the region are designed to attract well-known names to run for the party.

"He's going to make idle promises, promises he won't keep, just to get some candidates on side with him," Arseneault said. "He doesn't want to be embarrassed."

Guy Arsenault Guy Arsenault, Liberal MLA for Campbellton-Dalhousie Restigouche, said the road conditions along Route 11 are another example of Higgs ignoring the north of the province. (Chad Ingraham/CBC)

Another northern mayor running for the PCs, Normand Pelletier of Heron Bay, said it's not true Higgs is not interested in the region. 

"I can't say he's against the north," said Pelletier, the candidate in Restigouche East. "He got elected because he wants to represent our province."

Pelletier acknowledged, though, that there are "mixed feelings" about the PCs in the region and said there's some logic to larger spending in the south, where a larger part of the population is.

"If you've got a budget to invest in your province, you're going to want to make sure you get a bang for your buck when you do make those investments," Pelletier said.

"Certainly, we probably got neglected in some aspects, but you can't just blame the premier. There's a whole team behind him."

Normand Pelletier Heron Bay Mayor Normand Pelletier, who is running as a PC candidate, says he would be an asset for the area if elected. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Becoming part of that team, he said, would make him an asset for the area. 

"I believe we need a voice in Fredericton. We can't always be in the opposition."

The PCs elected a single northern francophone MLA under Higgs in 2018 and none in 2020, though they picked up one in 2022 when Réjean Savoie won a byelection in Miramichi Bay-Neguac.

After byelection defeats in two other northern ridings in 2023, Higgs claimed the party has historically done poorly in the area, though the PCs won seats in the region under party leaders Richard Hatfield, Bernard Lord and David Alward.

The Liberals grudgingly acknowledge that the two northern mayors are strong candidates but argue that won't be enough.

"It's not about the candidate that's running. It's all about Higgs," said Arseneault, who is running for re-election against Pelletier in the newly redrawn Restigouche East riding.

"We have to get rid of Higgs. We have to form a government that listens to people, cares about people, and they can't change that." 

Construction Route 11 Some work began on Route 11 this summer. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Since Dickson contacted CBC in June, a number of road projects have started along Route 11.

He wouldn't say if he thinks that's motivated by the election. 

"I wonder, honest to goodness. I really wonder." 

Arseneault has no doubt. 

"They are starting a little bit of paving now, but … what is it, an election year by chance? Yes. We can't wait every four or five or six years for paving."

But Campbellton city councillor Diane Cyr, the PC candidate in Restigouche West, said one way to rectify that is by getting more MLAs into Higgs's government.

"When we win this election and we do get to Fredericton," she said, "we are going to advocate for the north." 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

 
 
 
95 Comments 


David Amos

I wonder if Mayors Kim Chamberlain, Normand Pelletier and Councillor Diane Cyr will respond to the email I sent them today 
 
 
David Amos
"I can't say he's against the north," said Pelletier, the candidate in Restigouche East. "He got elected because he wants to represent our province."

Yea Right

David Amos
Reply to David Amos 
Methinks I should run against Higgy for his seat in order to represent him N'esy Pas?
 
 
 
valmond landry
in a previous posting i said that i wouldn't vote for those two old parties however i have to give some credit to RENÉ LEGACY for playing a role in trying to get this old mill cleaned up, as far as mrs CHAMBERLIN i don't have a clue .  
 
David Amos
Reply to valmond landry 
Legacy is a joke to me 
 
valmond landry
Reply to valmond landry  
I feel the same about the mayers that's running for office 
 
 
 
Cecile Smith
Pelletier is on rocky ground in his mayoral term in Dalhousie, with his desire to push an open pit mine in town. I don't know how he expects to get support for winning the riding.
 
David Amos
Reply to Cecile Smith
IMHO The deputy sheriff does not have a prayer  
 
 
 
Jonathan Martin  
idntetti and widge politiks is all the leebs know.
 
David Amos 
Reply to Jonathan Martin 
The same should be said of you
 
 
Jonathan Martin 
Another majority for the pc is almost assured at this point. most NBers have a good understanding of the positive impact this govenrment has had on the province.  
 
Graham McCormack 
Reply to Jonathan Martin  
That's a good one! 
 
Robert Brannen 
Reply to Jonathan Martin  
Pierre Poilievre is already sensing a collapse in support for all Conservative parties, at all levels, across Canada. He is desperate to go now, before it is too late. 
 
Don Corey  
Reply to Robert Brannen 
Nothing could be further from the truth. There is indeed ongoing desperation in Ottawa, and it's all coming from the PMO. 
 
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey 
True
 
David Amos
Reply to Jonathan Martin 
Spin Right Much? 
 
Robert Brannen 
Reply to Don Corey 
After seeing recent polling results from New Brunswick and party shifts in British Columbia, Poilievre is accepting that a return to a more Centrist preference is developing in Canadian politics.
 
David Amos
Reply to Robert Brannen
Surely you jest
 
Don Corey  
Reply to Robert Brannen
The simple reality is that Canadians have had enough of the extreme left coalition. Why do you think the Conservatives won the recent Toronto byelection?
 
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey 
Good question The byelections in Montreal and Winnipeg may prove interesting as well
 
 
 
Walter Vrbetic
Packing the room?

"About 60 people attended the PC meeting, though many of them were candidates or party members from ridings other than Bathurst."

Cecile Smith
Reply to Walter Vrbetic
this is the PC way.
 
David Amos
Reply to Walter Vrbetic
Wow They had that many? 
 
David Amos
Reply to Walter Vrbetic  
Years ago I recall that there was quite a crowd that came from all over to watch Holland win the nomination instead of Keirstead 
 
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/albert-pc-party-holland-keirstead-1.4624118
 
David Amos
Reply to David Amos 
Better yet I bet no member of the PCNB will forget the night Higgy became their leader
 
 

A VERY VERY tired Blogger and Cleveland J. Allaby gives a update at P.C. Leadership Convention!

Charles Leblanc
Oct 23, 2016
 
1 Comment

Too Too Funny Say Hey to Clevey Baby for me will ya?
 
 
 
Kyle Woodman 
Blaine Higgs former chief of staff Louis Léger was part of Northern Construction, a large roadbuilding company. Despite this, no work has been done in the north under Higgs. This tell you everything you need to know. If Louis couldn't get anything done in the north, what makes these folks think it will be any different.  
 
 
 
Ronald Miller  
Maybe the Higgs gov't should slow down on infrastructure projects, it was just last week this writer and his loyal followers were complaining about infrastructure projects, another flip flop I see. 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Ronald Miller 
How prophetic of you
 
David Amos
Ronald Miller 
Enough fun with the lefties for now, they can rant on about money being spent, tomorrow they will rant about money not being spent, Higgs controls the universe and oversees all gov't projects, I hear he is on site today in Upham. This is the first project that has caused disruptions for those in the area. Thank you to the left for giving the rest of us a good laugh, continue your obsessions, very healthy stuff. 

Kyle Woodman 
You really don't get it, do you? 

Ralph Skavinsky
..lol..I know that area much better than you would believe along with the people. Guess who is complaining...JP did his work well in getting interviews.  
 
Archie MacDaniel
That's good news. It's about time he showed up to this job in Upham.
Ralph Skavinsky 
I've never met Ronald Miller but in my estimation he appears to be one very smart and informed guy. I do agree with almost all his posts as I feel he writes wiith fair and no nonsense way.
 
Ralph Skavinsky 
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky 
..in a fair.. 
 
Ron parker 
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky 
thanks for the laugh.
 
Ronald Miller 
Reply to Ron parker  
Don't you get enough of those each day in front of the mirror?
 
Ron parker 
Reply to Ronald Miller
I sure do! 
 
David Amos
Reply to Ron parker 
Me too


 
Kyle Woodman  
Have none of these candidates realized that Higgs doesn't do anything for rural areas. We have seen almost no money spent in Albert County under Higgs, and this is a secure PC riding. What makes these folks in the north think they would be treated any better. Higgs is all talk, no action.  
 
Ronald Miller 
Reply to Kyle Woodman
The DTI web site shows multiple road projects that have been completed in that area along with a massive well infrastructure project. It also shows a number of road and bridge projects in all corners of the province including the north. I think you better get ahold of them to let them know you seem to know the state of their projects more than they do. Maybe you can tell them your social media contacts are you source for all information.  
 
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Ronald Miller 
Come for a drive Ronald. 
 
Ronald Miller 
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Can you share with me anytime, that all roads in this province has a fresh coat of pavement less than 2 years old, if you can, you win, good luck. Again, the DTI site has proven you wrong again, take it up with them. 
 
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Ronald Miller
You really like the taste of boot leather don't you? 
 
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman 
Good question 


 
Alex Butt  
It is a disgrace that this province is in the condition that it is in. This is the root cause of terrible governance from all the parties. The only time they do anything to help the poor and working poor is election season! 
 
La Cl 
Reply to Alex Butt
The Evil Empire is the reason NB is in such sad shape. 
 
Matt Adams 
Reply to Alex Butt 
also the root cause is people abusing the system - healthcare, welfare, etc. If people spent as much time working as they did trying to scam free money from the government and taxpayers we would be in better shape.
 
David Amos
Reply to Alex Butt 
Amen
 


---------- Original message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 1:16 PM
Subject: Fwd: I tried to talk to you folks corret???
To: <kim.chamberlain@bathurst.ca>, Rene.Legacy <Rene.Legacy@gnb.ca>, <normandpelletierpc@outlook.com>, guy.arseneault <guy.arseneault@gnb.ca>
Cc: Jacques.Poitras <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>



Northern mayors say they'd be strong voices in a PC government

Higgs, PC candidates say election a chance for region to wield more influence on road decisions, other issues

Admin
 
Do we want to stop this man from destroying our town if so we need to show up for his nomination to do a peaceful protest who's in

   
Normand Pelletier seeks the Progressive Conservative nomination in Restigouche East.
Mayor of Heron Bay Normand Pelletier announced today that he will be seeking the Progressive Conservative nomination in the riding of Restigouche East. It's the same riding where Liberal MLA Guy Arseneault plans to run in the next election, which is scheduled for October. In making the announcement Pelletier stated, "We all leaders municipal and provincial elected officials in Restigouche County continue working together for our beautiful region, schools, hospital and highways."
Pelletier spent 22 years at the local Coop Store before he took on a business opportunity. He was self-employed for 5 years at Norm's Ship Chandler. Then, he worked 2 years at Atlantic Towing, 2 years as a school bus driver and 2 years Olin chemical, after all major closure of industry, he worked in Three Rivers Quebec with assorted drilling companies for Natural gas for 1 year.
Pelletier was born and raised in Dalhousie. He still resides in Dalhousie with his wife Linda Meunier and their 44 years relationship produced a son and daughter. Their son passed away tragically on December 19, 2020.
Pelletier spent last several
years in various political roles in the Dalhousie area: Councillor in the Town of Dalhousie from 1995 to 1998, Mayor of Dalhousie from 2016 to 2022 and Mayor of Heron Bay from 2022 until today.
Pelletier returned to school at age 50 and attended the NBCC Miramichi - Dalhousie campus. After 2 years he graduated as a Correctional officer. He has been working as a Deputy Sheriff for past 13 years at the Campbellton Sheriff office.
Nominating Convention Information
July 21, 2024
Charlo Golden Age Club
17 McIntyre St, Charlo, NB. E8E 2A7
Registration: 1:30pm
Meeting: 2:00pm
Voting: 2:30
Media: normandpelletierpc@outlook.com or 506-453-3456


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Dec 4, 2021 at 2:06 PM
Subject: I tried to talk to you folks corret???
To: <kim.chamberlain@bathurst.ca>, <rickey.hondas@bathurst.ca>, <Stephen.Legacy@bathurst.ca>, <Jean-Francois.Leblanc@bathurst.ca>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>


https://www.bathurst.ca/city-council

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2017 08:02:43 -0400
Subject: Well Mr Stever we spoke once again long ago Now I will argue
your City Solicitor Johanne Theriault and her buddies working for the
Crown
To: paolo.fongemie@bathurst.ca, lee.stever@bathurst.ca,
johanne.theriault@bathurst.ca, bernard.cormier@bathurst.ca,
shawn.delong@rci.rogers.com, michael.diotte@rci.rogers.com,
"Larry.Tremblay" <Larry.Tremblay@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "jan.jensen"
<jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>, "mike.obrienfred"
<mike.obrienfred@gmail.com>, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, nmoore
<nmoore@bellmedia.ca>, gopublic <gopublic@cbc.ca>,
rjgillis@gmglaw.com, curtis <curtis@marinerpartners.com>,
"leanne.murray" <leanne.murray@mcinnescooper.com>, "Leanne.Fitch"
<Leanne.Fitch@fredericton.ca>, david <david@lutz.nb.ca>,
francis.sonier@acadienouvelle.com, "Robert. Jones"
<Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, city@bathurst.ca, city.police@bathurst.ca,
PREMIER@gov.ns.ca, jamiebaillie@gov.ns.ca, justmin@gov.ns.ca,
StephenMcNeil@ns.aliantzinc.ca, "terry.seguin" <terry.seguin@cbc.ca>,
"Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>, "steve.murphy"
<steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>, briangallant10
<briangallant10@gmail.com>, "brian.gallant" <brian.gallant@gnb.ca>,
"David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>, JUSTWEB@novascotia.ca,
mcgratst@gov.ns.ca, craigpj@gov.ns.ca, hansence@gov.ns.ca,
Jennifer.MacLellan@novascotia.ca, msandler@criminal-lawyers.ca,
Lynne.Watt@gowlings.com




---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2017 17:00:53 -0400
Subject: Fwd: YO Mr Gillis You are too funny and far and away too greedy
To: paolo.fongemie@bathurst.ca, lee.stever@bathurst.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2017 17:30:32 -0400
Subject: YO Mr Gillis You are too funny and far and away too greedy
To: rjgillis@gmglaw.com, curtis <curtis@marinerpartners.com>,
"leanne.murray" <leanne.murray@mcinnescooper.com>, "Leanne.Fitch"
<Leanne.Fitch@fredericton.ca>, david <david@lutz.nb.ca>,
francis.sonier@acadienouvelle.com, "Robert. Jones"
<Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, city@bathurst.ca, city.police@bathurst.ca,
"steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, nmoore <nmoore@bellmedia.ca>,
oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>, Luc.foulem@bathurst.ca,
"mike.obrienfred" <mike.obrienfred@gmail.com>

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/rod-gillis-lawsuit-bathurst-fredericton-police-1.3991276




Rod Gillis sues 2 cities and 2 officers over 'wrongful' obstruction conviction
Saint John lawyer seeks damages in lawsuit against Bathurst,
Fredericton, Andre Comeau and Mark Lord

CBC News Posted: Feb 20, 2017 6:06 PM AT
rominent Saint John lawyer Rod Gillis is suing two police officers and
two municipalities, alleging he was wrongfully convicted of
obstruction of justice in 2013, because of their negligence.

Gillis filed a notice of action and statement of claim against
Bathurst Police Force officer Andre Comeau, Fredericton Police Force
officer Mark Lord, and the City of Bathurst and the City of
Fredericton as their employers.

Gillis is seeking special damages for loss of income and legal costs,
as well as general damages for future loss of income, "including loss
of reputation and loss of clients," and for emotional distress,
according to the notice filed Jan. 31 with the Court of Queen's Bench
in Saint John.

    Rod Gillis freed in obstruction of justice case

The lawsuit stems from an obstruction of justice allegation against
Gillis, dating back to 2009.

The veteran lawyer with Gilbert McGloan Gillis was accused of
attempting to stop a witness from testifying against one of his
clients.

Gillis was representing former Liberal MLA Frank Branch in a civil
lawsuit against the North Shore Forest Products Marketing Board, as
well as on criminal charges of fraud and extortion.

The manager of the marketing board, Alain Landry, alleged Gillis
approached him during a break in proceedings at the Bathurst
courthouse and offered a deal. He alleged Gillis had said to him,
"They're your witnesses, make sure they don't testify and the Crown
won't have a case."

    'Being charged, arrested, and wrongfully convicted of obstruction
of justice have caused him damage and loss.'
    - Rod Gillis, statement of claim

Gillis was charged with obstruction on Nov. 25, 2011, found guilty on
Jan. 31, 2013, and sentenced to 22 months in jail.

But the New Brunswick Court of Appeal quashed his conviction on Sept.
9, 2014, and ordered a new trial, citing errors of fact and law by
trial Judge Irwin Lampert that "combined to deprive [Gillis] of a fair
trial," and "resulted in a miscarriage of justice."

The Crown sought to have that decision reviewed by the Supreme Court
of Canada but was denied.

In November 2015, when the retrial was set to begin, the charge
against Gillis was dropped. Crown prosecutor Peter Craig told the
court new evidence had come forward and there was no reasonable
prospect of a conviction.
Improper investigation alleged

"Had the defendant Comeau and the defendant Lord conducted a proper
investigation, the charges against [Gillis] would either never have
been brought or would have been dropped prior to trial," Gillis argues
in his statement of claim.

"In the alternative, if the charges against [Gillis] had been brought
to trial after a proper investigation, the charges would have been
resolved in his favour."

Gillis contends the City of Bathurst is "vicariously liable" for
failing to properly supervise Comeau and the City of Fredericton is
"vicariously liable" for failing ot properly supervise Lord or appoint
a more experienced investigator.

"Being charged, arrested, and wrongfully convicted of obstruction of
justice have caused him damage and loss," he wrote.

None of Gillis's claims have been proven in court.

No statements of defence have yet been filed.
Case transferred to Fredericton

In the statement of claim, Gillis says Comeau handled the initial
complaint by Landry and failed to obtain a recorded statement.

The Bathurst Police Force later transferred the complaint to the
Fredericton Police Force because of Bathurst's involvement with the
prosecution of Branch.

Lord was assigned as lead investigator on or about Feb. 2, 2010.

Gillis claims Lord was a polygraphist, who "lacked the investigative
experience or skills" to handle the case and that there were material
errors in the information Comeau gave to Lord and/or in Lord's
understanding of the information.

He also alleges when Lord took a statement from Landry on Feb. 23,
2010, he failed to ask him "obvious and critical follow-up questions,"
which would "be essential to assessing Landry's credibility and
reliability and establishing what really happened."

Similarly, Gillis alleges Lord failed to ask the marketing board's
lawyer, David Young, "obvious follow-up questions" about his
conversation with Landry regarding the alleged deal, and failed to ask
Linda Gould-MacDonald, the executive director of the New Brunswick
Forest Products Commission, about her observations of the meeting
between Gillis and Landry.
Settlement offer 'completely proper and legal'

Gillis contends he handed Landry a handwritten note titled "Offer to
Settle" in the Bathurst courthouse hallway, and explained to Landry a
possible settlement of the civil matter.

He says he also indicated that if the civil matter could be settled,
he would attempt to negotiate with prosecutors to have them offer no
evidence at Branch's criminal trial, the court document states.

"The Crown offering no evidence is a common and proper method for
resolving criminal charges in favour of an accused and is similar to
dropping charges but prevents the Crown from recharging the offence,"
Gillis argues in the statement of claim.

He says he never suggested that Landry or the board would have any
role in resolving the criminal charges.

"The settlement proposal was, in fact, completely proper and legal,"
Gillis contends.

"If the defendant Lord had sought informed opinions on the matter, he
would have realized that the plaintiff's written and verbal offers to
Landry were an accepted way of resolving, or attempting to resolve,
the proceedings."

Gillis alleges the first opportunity he was given to provide his
version of events was when he was arrested on Sept. 9, 2011 — about 21
months after the alleged offence.

"In his mind, the discussion in the hallway with Landry on Dec. 10,
2009 had been a routine and unremarkable settlement offer and he had
thought little of it since it was never mentioned again until his
arrest," according to the statement of claim.

http://gmglaw.com/service/rodneygillis/

Rodney J. Gillis, Q.C.
Title Counsel
22 King Street,
Saint John, NB
rjgillis@gmglaw.com
(506) 634-3600 ext. 302


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2017 15:30:48 -0400
Subject: Re RCMP class action lawsuits about the cops harassing each
other Perhaps I should Intervene EH Bill Pentney?
To: wjk@kimorr.ca, cetter@powerlaw.ca, gina.scarcella@justice.gc.ca,
Victoria.Yankou@justice.gc.ca, susanne.pereira@justice.gc.ca,
"bill.pentney" <bill.pentney@justice.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>,
abespflug@callkleinlawyers.com, info@callkleinlawyers.com
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>

http://www.kimorr.ca/pdf/t168516orderandreasons.pdf

Won J. Kim
Kim Orr Barristers P.C.
4th Flr. 19 Mercer St.
Toronto, Ontario M5V 1H2
Phone: 416-349-6570
Fax: 416-598-0601
Email: wjk@kimorr.ca

Gina M. Scarcella Senior Counsel
Justice Canada
Public Safety & Defence Div., PO Box 36
3400-130 King St. W.
Toronto, Ontario M5X 1K6
Phone: 416-954-8111
Fax: 416-973-5004
Email: gina.scarcella@justice.gc.ca
Victoria C. Yankou
Phone: 416-952-7105


Susanne G. Pereira
Senior Counsel
Called to the bar: 1999 (ON); 2005 (BC)
Justice Canada
Public Safety, Defence & Immigration
900-840 Howe St.
Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 2S9
Phone: 604-666-7710
Fax: 604-666-4399
Email: susanne.pereira@justice.gc.ca


http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-98-106/FullText.html
Intervention
Marginal note:Leave to intervene

    109 (1) The Court may, on motion, grant leave to any person to
intervene in a proceeding.
    Marginal note:Contents of notice of motion

    (2) Notice of a motion under subsection (1) shall

        (a) set out the full name and address of the proposed
intervener and of any solicitor acting for the proposed intervener;
and

        (b) describe how the proposed intervener wishes to participate
in the proceeding and how that participation will assist the
determination of a factual or legal issue related to the proceeding.
    Marginal note:Directions

    (3) In granting a motion under subsection (1), the Court shall
give directions regarding

        (a) the service of documents; and

        (b) the role of the intervener, including costs, rights of
appeal and any other matters relating to the procedure to be followed
by the intervener.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2017 13:39:17 -0400
Subject: Re RCMP class action lawsuits about the cops harassing each other
To: mbm@kimorr.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>

http://www.kimorr.ca/index.html#FL-RCMP

RCMP Class Action

January 17, 2017
On January 13, Justice McDonald of the Federal Court released reasons
certifying the action for settlement purposes. A copy of those reasons
can be read here. The Federal Court has scheduled the hearing of the
settlement approval motion for May 24, 2017 at 9:30 in Toronto. The
Notice of Certification and Settlement approval hearing is here. The
Notice in French is here. The opt out form is here.

On October 6, 2016, an historic settlement was reached in the systemic
harassment class actions brought against the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police by female RCMP employees. Under the proposed national
settlement, every single living current and former female regular
member, civilian member, and public service employee of the RCMP who
worked within the RCMP since 1974, and who experienced gender and/or
sexual orientation-based harassment and discrimination, will be
eligible to claim compensation, without fear of disclosing her
identity to the RCMP or of reprisals. The settlement is not effective
until approved by the Federal Court. Here is our press release from
today regarding this historic Settlement. To view the Federal Court
claim, click here.

To read more about this proposed Settlement, please go to
rcmpclassactionsettlement.ca.

On December 22, 2015, Justice Perell released reasons dismissing the
Crown’s motion to strike the statement of claim and confirming that
the pleading meets the s. 5(1)(a) cause of action criterion for
certification. To read a copy of the decision, please click here. The
balance of the certification motion, which was scheduled to be heard
May 26-27, 2016, has been adjourned.

Kim Orr Barristers is prosecuting a class action against the Attorney
General of Canada involving allegations of gender- and
sexual-orientation-based discrimination, bullying and harassment of
female Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the "RCMP") employees. The
action has been commenced in Ontario on behalf of all current or
former female regular members, civilian members and public service
employees of the RCMP in Canada, excluding persons resident in Quebec.

The claim alleges that men and women were, and are, treated
differently within the RCMP, and that female RCMP employees have been
subject to systemic discrimination, bullying and harassment on the
basis of their gender and/or sexual orientation. It also alleges that
the RCMP has failed to investigate, adjudicate and resolve conduct and
complaints about these issues, despite repeated reports over the years
about the problems within the organization.

The plaintiff is a former senior-level RCMP member who alleges that
she suffered discrimination, bullying and harassment throughout her
26-year RCMP career. The plaintiff alleges that as a result of this
treatment, she, as well as the other class members, suffered serious
injuries physical and emotional injuries, including post-traumatic
stress disorder, diminished self-worth, depression, and anxiety. The
claim also alleges that as a result of these systemic issues, female
RCMP employees have been denied training and promotions, and have even
taken early retirement or have left the organization.

The action seeks general, punitive and special damages for the
defendant's alleged failure to fulfill its statutory, common law and
contractual duties to provide female RCMP employees with a work
environment free of gender- and sexual-orientation-based
discrimination, bullying and harassment. The action also seeks damages
on behalf of family members of female RCMP employees who are entitled
to assert a claim under provincial legislation.

For more information on this case, please contact Megan B. McPhee at
mbm@kimorr.ca.

© 2017, Kim Orr Barristers P.C.
Suite 400, 19 Mercer Street Toronto, Ontario M5V 1H2 T 416.596.1414 F
416.598.0601
info@kimorr.ca Copyright Information & Disclaimer Privacy Policy

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rcmp-men-allegations-law-suit-1.3821161

RCMP to face new class-action harassment lawsuit, this time on behalf
of male employees
Current and former members allege they were physically intimidated,
denied promotions, belittled and bullied
By Alison Crawford, CBC News Posted: Oct 25, 2016 8:35 PM ET

The RCMP will soon face another class-action harassment lawsuit — this
time on behalf of male Mounties and civilian employees of the force.

Earlier this month, the federal government and the RCMP set aside $100
million to settle an estimated 1,000 cases of female employees being
harassed and bullied at work.

CBC News has learned that one of the law firms that represented those
women is preparing to bring another suit for men — which could
potentially be much bigger given that men make up roughly 80 per cent
of the RCMP's workforce.

    Mounties offer apology and $100M compensation for harassment,
abuse against female members
    'This is a way for everybody to heal': ex-Mountie on RCMP compensation
    External body needed to probe workplace complaints, senior Mountie says

"We've spoken with hundreds of members, and we're contacted by new
members every day," said lawyer Megan  McPhee of Kim Orr Barristers in
Toronto, who has been working on the case for years. "The stories are
very consistent. We're told that there is a culture of bullying and
harassment within the force, and one of the regular issues that we
hear is a fear of speaking out, a fear of reprisals."

Cpl. Michael Mansoor, who's due to be medically discharged in January,
says he was diagnosed with PTSD after what he alleges was years of
harassment at the hands of his colleagues and superiors.

He says it started in 2001, when he was posted to his hometown of
Richmond, B.C., where his brother was in conflict with the law. It
wasn't long before Mansoor said he found his duties restricted.

"I was banned from any work section in the detachment except for
general duty and traffic because they acknowledged that there might be
a conflict," said Mansoor.
Wrongly accused of sexual assault

Despite pleas for a transfer, he says his superiors stuck to the local
convention that a member must serve five years in the detachment
before being moved.

Documents obtained under the Access to Information Act suggest
officers were suspicious of his family ties. Eventually, Mansoor found
himself suspended with pay and under investigation for what he alleges
are two trumped-up internal disciplinary charges.

Furthermore, due to a clerical error, Mansoor was also initially
accused of sexual assault.

"There was a minor glitch with [Mansoor's] security suspension
document service this morning," reads an internal email about
Mansoor's disciplinary charges. "There is a reference to a 'sexual
assault'.... It was our conclusion that HQ Ottawa had screwed up the
paperwork. Seems likely that they took a previous form letter,
re-tooled it for [Mansoor's] case and did not remove a phrase that did
not apply in this case."

As for the two other allegations, they later proved unfounded.

Whisper campaign

Over time, Mansoor says the ongoing whisper campaign and harassment
made him ill.

"There comes actually a point where you start to look at yourself and
go, 'Am I bringing this on myself? Because surely it's not this
widespread in an organization,'" Mansoor said.

Retired sergeant Hugo Desrochers says he knows exactly how that feels.

Retired Sgt. Hugo Desrochers

Retired sergeant Hugo Desrochers alleges that during his employment
with the RCMP he was stripped of responsibility, belittled in front of
colleagues and denied opportunities to develop his career. (Provided
by Desrochers)

He left the force last year after 26 years in a job he says, for the
most part, he loved. He was making his way up the ranks and working
towards another promotion, he says, but that came to a halt near the
end of his career when management changed at the RCMP detachment in
Cornwall, Ont.

"[I] started covering my back. Started taking notes to make sure I was
not going to be hung out to dry," Desrochers said.

Years of meticulous notes document allegations of being micromanaged,
stripped of his responsibilities, belittled in front of colleagues for
taking initiative and denied opportunities to further develop his
career.

The worst incident, according to Desrochers, was when the inspector
refused to sign off on his application to serve in Kosovo due to
shortcomings with his performance. Yet Desrochers says all his boss
managed to come up with, after repeated requests for specifics, was a
late overtime claim.

Retired Sgt. Hugo Desrochers

Desrochers, right, seen here on a marijuana bust in British Columbia
early in his career. (Provided by Desrochers)

"It takes a toll on you because you start questioning yourself...and
then you're not good," an emotional Desrochers told CBC News.

Desrochers welcomes the lawsuit.

"If nobody comes forward to say there's a problem, how are they going
to know there's a problem. Is it just me sitting here? No."

Belittled, physically intimidated

It's not just men in uniform who allege they've been harassed.

Garth Caron worked as a public servant from 2005 to 2015, doing
administrative work in detachments in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Caron
says his first experience with harassment was when a few Mounties took
issue with him being gay and subjected him to a number of pranks.

"I came in one morning to my workstation and I noticed a number of
female items on my desk — boxes of tampons and things like that — and
it kind of struck me as odd as to why they would have been left
there," he said.

At another detachment, Caron said a sergeant questioned his Métis
status, belittled him in front of colleagues and tried to physically
intimidate him. The union got involved and Caron says he agreed, while
under a great deal of duress, to retire before he was ready to leave
the workforce.

It's no secret the RCMP has a bullying problem. Commissioner Bob
Paulson has said so himself. In a 2012 interview with CBC News,
Paulson conceded that he too had been harassed at work.

"I think in the day, if you weren't sort of in line with your
officer's expectations or consistent with his or her vision of where
the organization was going, then you were pushed aside," he said. "And
it's a very uncomfortable feeling and a very destructive feeling, and
it doesn't speak to a transparent, ethical, organization."







---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2017 08:00:47 -0400
Subject: Re Federal Court File No. T-1557-15 and the QMPMA application
for a class action lawsuit against the RCMP byway of the CROWN
To: assoc.mpmq@gmail.com, fsimedia@videotron.ca,
charles.mancer@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, james@dugganavocats.ca,
Serge.Bilodeau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>, "Mark.Blakely"
<Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Gilles.Blinn"
<Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "dale.drummond"
<dale.drummond@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "bernadine.chapman"
<bernadine.chapman@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Paulette.Delaney-Smith"
<Paulette.Delaney-Smith@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Dale.Morgan"
<Dale.Morgan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>

Perhaps we should talk ASAP?

Veritas Vincit
David Raymond Amos
902 800 0369

https://ampmq.ca/class-action-harassment-suit-on-behalf-of-canadas-22000-rcmp-members-is-gaining-momentum/

https://mancer.rcmpclassaction.ca/application/

The Application for certification of a class action on behalf of all
members of the RCMP (past and present) arose from the many members
coming forward with their long-standing stories of harassment, abuse
and discrimination experienced while working in the RCMP. These are
stories that span many decades and point to a culture of bullying,
harassment and discrimination in the RCMP.

https://mancer.rcmpclassaction.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Application-for-Certification.pdf

https://ampmq.ca/en/

President Serge Bilodeau
Vice-President Charles Mancer
Quebec Mounted Police Members’ Association (QMPMA)
Post Office Box 154
Westmount, Quebec, Canada
H3Z 2T2
Phone: (450) 291-4458
assoc.mpmq@gmail.com

1699 Rue Principale,
Saint-Blaise-sur-Richelieu,
Quebec, J0J 1W0

Media relations

Frederic Serre
Media relations officer
Phone: (438) 875-4217
fsimedia@videotron.ca


http://www.dugganavocats.ca/home.php?lang=en#!contact
James Duggan:
Windsor Station
1100 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montreal (West)
Suite 900
Montreal, QC, Canada, H3B 2S2
Phone:  (514) 879-1459
Fax:  (514) 879-5648
Email james@dugganavocats.ca

http://thedavidamosrant.blogspot.ca/2013/06/re-rcmp-just-exactly-how-dumb-are.html

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lisa Porteous <lporteous@kleinlyons.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 14:46:22 +0000
Subject: RCMP
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>

David,

Thank you for your email inquiring about our class action against the
RCMP. As you may know, the Notice of Claim was filed in the British
Columbia Supreme Court on March 27, 2012. The lawsuit has been
brought by former RCMP constable Janet Merlo on behalf of female RCMP
members. Unfortunately, we cannot assist you with your claim.

We recommend that you contact Mr. Barry Carter of Mair Jensen Blair
LLP to discuss any claim you may have against the RCMP for harassment.
His contact information is as follows:

Mr. Barry Carter
Mair Jensen Blair LLP
1380-885 W. Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8
Phone: 604-682-6299
Fax 1-604-374-6992

This is not intended to be an opinion concerning the merits of your
case. In declining to represent you, we are not expressing an opinion
as to whether you should take further action in this matter.

You should be aware that there may be strict time limitations within
which you must act in order to protect your rights. Failure to begin
your lawsuit by filing an action within the required time may mean
that you could be barred forever from pursuing a claim. Therefore, you
should immediately contact another lawyer ( as indicated above) to
obtain legal advice/representation.

Thank you again for considering our firm.

Yours truly,

Lisa Porteous
Case Manager/Paralegal

lporteous@kleinlyons.com
www.kleinlyons.com

KLEIN ∙ LYONS
Suite 400-1385 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver BC V6H 3V9 Canada
Office 604.874.7171
Fax 604.874.7180
Direct 604.714.6533

This email is confidential and may be protected by solicitor-client
privilege. It is intended only for the use of the person to whom it is
addressed. Any distribution, copying or other use by anyone else is
strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please
telephone us immediately and destroy this e-mail.

Please consider the environment before printing this email.

 
 

Challenger wins PC nomination in 'rare' upset over incumbent MLA

Mike Holland won a 'decisive' victory over Brian Keirstead to be candidate in N.B. riding of Albert

Mike Holland achieved a rare feat Saturday by capturing the Progressive Conservative nomination for the riding of Albert and ousting incumbent PC MLA Brian Keirstead.

Holland, a 47-year-old from Riverview, N.B., known for his entrepreneurial pursuits with outdoor gear, said he didn't realize how uncommon it is to upset a sitting MLA seeking re-election until after the outcome was announced at the convention in Hillsborough.

He said he'd have to check Wikipedia, but the online encyclopedia doesn't hold the answers. Records for riding by riding party nomination contests are scattershot at best. One known instance occurred 40 years ago.

"Cases of these are so rare for a sitting MLA, an incumbent, to be upset in a nomination contest," said J.P. Lewis, an associate professor of political science at the University of New Brunswick Saint John.

"The drama of political parties can always be a bit of a mystery because they set their own rules and a lot of the ongoings are maybe happening between the small network of people running the political party."

Lewis said there could be many factors at play and he could only speculate as to why a respected MLA like Keirstead was defeated in a riding that's almost a lock for the PCs.

        PC MLA Brian Keirstead said the nomination process was above board. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Keirstead, who was elected to his first term in 2014, said it came down a collection of individual decisions that weren't in his favour, instead of some orchestrated plot behind the scenes.

"As much as we like to we know what's going on, we've seen some extreme upsets politically on all levels of governments," he said. "It's part of the political game; it's part of the political process."

Compelled to run

After deciding to seek the nomination last fall, Holland had ample time to court Albert PC party members and raise his profile, which already comes with a tinge of celebrity. He appeared on the television show Dragon's Den to pitch his company, The Resourceful Redneck.

Holland is also known in PC circles, having worked and volunteered with the party for many years. He even served as executive assistant to PC ministers.

His decision to run had nothing to do with anything Keirstead did or didn't do as MLA, Holland said, but rather that he felt compelled to run.

"An intersection of opportunity and preparedness had come up where I felt like it was time for me to exercise that experience and, of course, incredible desire to be involved in bringing a PC government to power here in New Brunswick," Holland said.

'Will of the people'

Both the PC party president, Rick Lafrance, and the riding association president, Karen Jackman, said nomination contests are a "democratic process" and open to challenges from party members.

"What happened there was the democratic process and the will of the people," said Lafrance, while thanking Keirstead for his work for the party.

He said there have been no other incumbents challenged and, as of Tuesday, 26 PC candidates have been acclaimed.

Rick Lafrance, president of the PC party, said Saturday's upset was 'the will of the people.' (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Jackman said the exact results of the secret ballot vote were not released, but it was a "decisive" victory for Holland.

"I think Mike Holland has a very charismatic personality," she said. "I think he worked hard in the county. He knows a lot of people and has a lot connections, and people responded very, very well to him."

It happened before

In 1978, a sitting MLA was defeated for the party nomination when John Munn beat Sterling Hambrook to be the PC candidate for Southwest Miramichi. Munn then lost to Liberal Morris Green in the provincial election.

Keirstead said at this time he's not sure what's next for him, but he will remain a PC party member and support their bid to return to power. He also remains the Albert riding MLA until the writ drops.

"Whether it's politics or business or anything else, often times life isn't without some kind of setback," he said. "You take it in stride and you look forward and you look positive on things."

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

No comments:

Post a Comment