A
rainstorm in late Feberuary flooded Sussex in many areas of the town.
It forced 24 people out of their homes and closed more than a dozen
streets. (Luke Belyea)
Engineering
technologists in the Town of Sussex are using a drone to help collect
topographical data and pictures to help fast-track survey work for flood
mitigation infrastructure.
The light detection and ranging
drone uses light, invisible to the human eye, to measure the distance
and position of objects in its path. That data is later used to create
maps and 3D models of that location.
"We're able to filter out
vegetation and buildings and other obstructions and get the true earth
surface," Mike Allen said, the drone's pilot and a senior technologist
with Gemtec Consulting, a New Brunswick engineering consultancy that
helps conduct geotechnical, material and environmental tests and
surveys.
Accurate topographical data in turn helps engineers and technicians to make better design decisions, he said
Mike
Allen, an engineering technologist, says he's been able to collect more
accurate data using his drone than if he'd done it manually. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
Allen
said his drone can pick up millions of data points in an hour, mapping
large construction sites, while the same work would take weeks to be
completed manually by a surveyor using a hand-held GPS data collector.
"I
do a lot of the post processing and design work in the office
afterwards and when you have [the drone] data, you know what you're
dealing with. There's no second guessing what's actually there," he
said.
WATCH | Data collected by drone could help control floods faster:
Drone helps Sussex speed up work to reduce impact of future floods
A
drone is collecting topographical data to help fast track a surveying
process that’s essential for designing flood mitigation infrastructure
in Sussex.
Allen said his colleague also
collects specific data points manually, such as hydro poles, fire
hydrants and culvert inlets, as a backup.
"If a car is passing
over a manhole, we might not see that in the [drone] survey, but we
collect that information as a due diligence and accuracy check as well,"
he said.
The drone surveys the land topography, collecting data and pictures using lasers, invisible to human eye, says Allen. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
Scott
Hatcher, the town's chief administrative officer, said this latest
technology helps the town to fast-track the process of building flood
mitigation infrastructure.
The town has had major flooding over a number of years, including in 2014, 2019, 2020, 2022 and early 2024.
Hatcher said building the infrastructure in a timely fashion is important to protect the residents from any further loss.
"The
data would be used in several projects to make the overall strategy
happen. And we're using the technology to speed up the process of the
data collection and allowing our engineers to get to work sooner."
Scott
Hatcher, chief administrative officer for Sussex, says the flood
mitigation project is expected to cost more than $38 million, paid for
by all three levels of government. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
Sussex
is building a flow-diversion channel at the town's eastern limits,
another such channel on Parsons Brook and storm-water infrastructure
upgrades in the town's northeast and northwest corners, including two
overpasses and a new berm in and around the Meadow Crescent area,
Hatcher said.
The first project in the plan — a $1.2-million berm behind Gateway Mall — was completed in 2019.
Hatcher has said the project is expected to cost more than $38 million,
paid for by all three levels of government. But the Meadow Crescent
berm will cost an additional $2.1 million, equally divided between the
province and the town.
"Within the next couple of weeks, you'll
see a public tender to construct a $2.1-million berm to protect 85 homes
in that subdivision. That work we believe could be completed by late
summer 2025 and would provide immediate effective control of adverse
flooding in that neighborhood," he said, adding that the plan is to
complete the larger project by the end of 2028.
Kurtis
Carter and Kassandra Chudiak moved to Sussex in late 2022 and have had
their property flood about 10 times so far. Carter said they will
directly benefit from the upcoming Meadow Crescent berm. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
Kurtis
Carter, who lives in the flood-prone area of Meadow Crescent, will
benefit from the berm. He said his family moved to the area in 2022 and
has experienced "probably in total around 10 flooding events," with the
last one leaving four feet of water in their basement.
He's grateful that work on the infrastructure is happening, as his neighbours have experienced flooding for more than a decade.
"They
used to enjoy the sound of rain and now they kind of dread it," Carter
said. "So ... if we could get back to a point where you enjoy the sound
of rain hitting your roof and knowing that it's not going to be in the
basement, then I think that's a wonderful thing."
Elmer Cole of Sussex says he faces erosion in his backyard every time his neighbourhood floods. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
Elmer Cole, who lives a few away houses from Carter, has had erosion on his property.
"I lose about five feet every time it floods," said Cole, pointing to a large hole in his backyard.
He has lived in the same house for 37 years and has been fighting floods for over three decades, he said.
Sussex Resident Elmer Cole loses about five feet of top soil from his backyard in each flood, he says. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
He said the town's mitigation plan gives him hope that it could provide the best fix for his neighbourhood's extreme flooding.
"They're
going to do it right. I know they are, because the berm is going all
the way up and across by the elementary school," he said. "Hopefully
it'll hold the water back."
Rhythm
Rathi is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick in Moncton. He was born and
raised in India and attended journalism school in Ontario. Send him your
story tips at rhythm.rathi@cbc.ca
Kate Rogers, mayor of Fredericton, believes N.B. Ex is not moving fast enough on development plans. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
Fredericton's
mayor says the city could strike an agreement with the province to
build a new school on land it leases to the New Brunswick Exhibition
without the organization's green light.
To date, Kate Rogers
said plans for the land have moved through the joint decision-making
authority — a committee with members from the city and the N.B. Ex.
But
she believes the group is not moving fast enough on development plans
struck by both parties in 2021 to add housing and a school to the large
plot of land on Smythe Street.
"We
have been trying to work through that at a committee level, and now
we're just saying we need to use all measures possible," Rogers said
Thursday.
"That committee has been meeting for quite some time as
well, and we haven't been moving probably as quickly as we would have
liked."
WATCH | Fredericton mayor describes importance of developing exhibition grounds:
This Fredericton property could be used for housing and a school. What’s the holdup?
The
City of Fredericton wants to see the New Brunswick Exhibition grounds
developed for other uses — something N.B. Ex agreed to in 2021. But
Mayor Kate Rogers says the deal isn’t moving fast enough.
It's
not clear yet whether council will opt to move ahead with an agreement
outside of the joint committee. Rogers was not made available to answer
follow-up questions.
Council passed a motion earlier this week
that called on the provincial government to co-operate with the city to
"pursue all available means" to acquire ownership of the land needed for
the new school.
Plan A in the city's agreed development plan is pictured on the right, next to a Google Maps image of the exhibition grounds. (Google Maps/City of Fredericton)
The
motion said council "wishes to see a negotiated and mutually beneficial
arrangement" with the N.B. Ex, but added that the city will "pursue all
available means to expedite" the site plan.
Rogers said the move
comes because members of the N.B. Ex did not vote on whether housing and
school development should move forward at its annual general meeting on
Sunday.
"We're just ready to move and don't know that that organization is feeling the same sense of urgency," she said.
But
Rob Kitchen, N.B. Ex president, said he was surprised by the motion and
disagrees with Rogers's assessment that the organization doesn't want
to move quickly.
"There's been no delay tactics or anything done
by the N.B. Ex," he said. "The membership wanted more information ...
They did not say no to development, they just said they need more
information before they move forward."
For example, he said, the members were seeking more information about how much land the school site would use.
Kitchen,
who is a member of the joint committee, says the city did not provide
enough information about the proposed developments ahead of the planned
member vote.
"It's not fair to ask the membership to vote on something with no information," he said.
Kitchen
also takes issue with making any land-use decisions outside of
the joint committee, which he believes is the proper channel.
The
joint decision-making authority is set up for that reason, he said,
"and at no time was the JDA given information of the size of the school
or the nature of how much land it's going to take."
Rogers said part of the urgency comes as the city was given more than $10 million from Ottawa for housing development.
The
city hopes to use part of that for housing slated for the N.B. Ex site,
but Rogers said there is a time limit for those funds to be spent.
Matt Steele There is lots of space in the city to build apartments and schools . There is enough congestion in the downtown core already without adding in more traffic and housing . The Mayor seems out of touch with reality , and focuses only on Special Interest Groups , and their agendas .
Allan Marven So the transformation is complete. Turn the exhibition grounds/racetrack into condominiums, and a school to ease everyones frustration with the "for money" developers . Now has anyone...ANYONE.. read the story about how the CRA ( your national walletkeeper) has been getting scammed by developers, and how they (the CRA)turn a blind eye to it? MR Cain Reply to Allan Marven Nah, that is fake news.
Lauchlin Murray Although as always, there's a little room for improvement, that Plan A schematic really looks like planners have given the proposal some excellent concepts. The 'apartments over commercial' space is a bit dubious — but after that, from my basic knowledge of urban planning, Fredericton's history and its current needs; it's one of the more feasible projects I've seen for a Canadian municipality in decades. It's too bad the mayor and council are coming up against so much reluctance by some feeling it's a threat to their playground. Mayor Rogers seems to always be thinking ahead for Fredericton's longer-term growth. I'd love to see that block stop being a brownfield and thermal generator and more of a daily use pedestrian/residential area with significant arboreal environment. OK I do have some doubts about the middle school beside the agri-complex (and on top of half a century of creosote soaked soil), even if each one's use with be in different seasons. Meh. After that, my compliments to the designers/planners/engineers and Mayor Rogers. It's the right way to revitalize that otherwise under used dead zone. Allan Marven Reply to Lauchlin Murray Give us a break....real estate developement is the biggest scam in Canada....bar none. JT knows it.
MR Cain Reply to Allan Marven Nah, doesn't even make the top ten. As the Cons will say, let the markets decide; where there is need, there is an opportunity.
A
letter from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Atlantic Region says
the union offered to continue delivery of pension and social assistance
cheques during the strike, but New Brunswick was one of several
provinces to refuse. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
Amid
the ongoing Canada Post strike, a New Brunswick disability advocate is
concerned about those who rely on mailed disability benefits.
"An
issue that's often forgotten in this type of event is our vulnerable
populations," said Haley Flaro, executive director of Ability New
Brunswick.
"There's still a significant number of New
Brunswickers that don't have internet access, can't make online payments
or apply to programs online.
"It's
impacting their ability to apply to programs. They have … disability
benefits in the mail, and they don't know where they are."
Because
of inflationary costs and growing poverty, Flaro said one thing that a
lot of people have been cutting out is cell phones, which makes it
difficult for some people to access their benefits.
WATCH | Flaro describes assumptions people might make about mail strike:
How the Canada Post strike is hurting disabled people living in poverty
Not
everyone has internet access or a cellphone, Ability New Brunswick’s
executive director says, so many people are wondering if their benefit
applications will be processed during the Canada Post strike.
She
said her organization has been hit with significant bills just trying
to get people the information they need through Purolator.
"People
haven't stopped being diagnosed or experiencing hardships, you know,
during this strike, and I think that's really forgotten," said Flaro.
Offer refused, union says
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers Atlantic Region said they have not forgotten about people who need cheques delivered.
A
letter signed by Jeff Callaghan, CUPW Atlantic director, said the union
offered to continue delivery of pension and social assistance cheques
during the strike, but New Brunswick was one of several provinces to
refuse.
Margaret Johnson, PC MLA and social development critic, said this came as a shock to her.
PC
MLA and social development critic Margaret Johnson says she was
'dismayed' to hear that the province had advised people that, if they
didn’t have direct deposit set up, they would need to make arrangements
to collect their cheques at the regional office. (Radio-Canada)
During
Thursday's question period in the legislature, she said was "dismayed"
to hear that the Department of Social Development had advised people
that, if they didn't have direct deposit set up, they would need to make
arrangements to collect their cheques at the regional office.
She
said that during a time of financial insecurity, it wasn't fair to ask
someone from Juniper, for example, to go to Woodstock — about a
70-kilometre drive — to pick up their cheque.
Social
Development Minister Cindy Miles responded, saying accommodation would
be made to get cheques in the hands of those who needed them.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Johnson said she believes Miles recognizes the decision was an error in judgment.
"[I] sincerely believe that she's going to get back to us with some solutions," Johnson said.
"The
next cheque is not due until the first week of December. However,
Christmas is coming and that's a hard enough season. … You're going to
be talking about relying on friends that have cars … it really just once
again establishes that stigma of requiring help and needing a leg up.
"We
want to make sure that we maintain the dignity of our people, and we
can't ask them to have to be begging all the time for assistance."
Minister
of Social Development Cindy Miles says if someone can’t pick up their
cheque, staff from the regional office will go to them. (Radio-Canada)
Miles
told reporters she didn't have an explanation for why the province may
have denied the union's offer to deliver the cheques.
But
she said staff in the regional social development offices have been
informed that if someone can't pick up their cheque, staff will go to
meet them.
She also said she's willing and "more than
happy" to go back and have another conversation with department
officials to find the best approach forward.
"We want to meet folks where they're at all the time," she said.
Flaro wants
to see something put in place to ensure basic access to mail for
people, especially in New Brunswick, where she said there is a real
"access to internet and technology gap."
"I had a colleague in Ontario who said to me, 'Well, everyone has internet access,'" Flaro said.
"And
I went, 'Really, have you been throughout the province of New
Brunswick?'" There are some areas where even if people can afford it,
they can't get it, she said.
Ability New Brunswick will continue to help people who need it, she said, but it's because they don't have a choice.
"We're
not going to sit here and watch people go through hardship," she said.
"But I really don't think that there's an economic and social policy
lens put on these issues."
Hannah
Rudderham is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick. She grew up in Cape
Breton, N.S., and moved to Fredericton in 2018. You can send story tips
to hannah.rudderham@cbc.ca.
Gregory Wulf Way too risky to send important paper through the mail.
Walter Vrbetic Point of the matter...
'A letter signed by Jeff Callaghan, CUPW Atlantic director, said the union offered to continue delivery of pension and social assistance cheques during the strike, but New Brunswick was one of several provinces to refuse.'
Don Corey Reply to Anne Wallenberg Who cares. Note that this story is specific to NB. Stay relevant.
Danny Sterns Reply to Walter Vrbetic Did the postal workers want full pay to deliver the cheques?
Helen Cochrane I hope they get the cheques to everyone as soon as possible.
Albalita Star The only people who get cheques from the government rather than direct deposit need to be investigated....
Walter Vrbetic Reply to Albalita Star Why??
SarahRose Werner Say that you live in Juniper, where there are no banks, and you don't have Internet access. If you receive a cheque, you're probably depositing it via ATM, then withdrawing cash from the same ATM to go back your bills. So why can't you arrange for the cheque to be directly deposited? You can still go to the same ATM to check your balance and get your cash.
As a low-income senior, I'm certainly glad I arranged for direct deposit for my CPP and OAS/GIS.
Albalita Star Reply to SarahRose Werner I get furious when I try to go to the ATM to get a few bucks...and someone is running their business thru the ATM...really? Ted DiBlase Reply to SarahRose Werner Smart
Sam Carson Reply to Albalita Star Do you pay a fee to use ATM's? I haven't used one in a few years now. I get cash out from in the credit union.
Ralph Skavinsky Surely most people would willingly drive a friend, neighbour or family member to pickup their cheque.
Albalita Star Reply to Ralph Skavinsky To Ottawa?...
David Webb Who in this day and age does not have a bank account? There are plenty of free ones such as Simplii, and Tangerine. There is no excuse to not have an account and direct deposit. ATM's are widely available if you need the cash in hand. Also it is well past time for once per week delivery of mail to residential locations.
MR Cain Reply to David Webb Everybody likes to get mail; a holiday card or a physical cheque, always gets a smile. Speeding ticket not so much.
Alex Stevens Why would any province refuse an offer for the continued delivery of cheques for the most vulnerable? Whoever made that decision should find employment elsewhere. David Webb Reply to Alex Stevens I would suggest that it is not a significant issue. Just politicians of any stripe trying to score political points.
Fred Dee What are they being paid? Benefits etc???? For minimal training and no education should not be making big bucks
MR Cain Reply to Fred Dee I believe they are required to have graduated with grade 12. No, most are not making big bucks; the cost to have a roof over the head has hit everyone hard.
SarahRose Werner Reply to Fred Dee Disability benefits in New Brunswick are pretty minimal. They're paid to people who are unable to work due to physical and/or mental disabilities so that these people have at least this minimal amount to live on. No one is making "big bucks" on disability benefits.
Rosco holt Maybe news outlets should report on the postal workers work conditions? It is said many postal workers have to use soup kitchens to make ends meat.
But Canadian news outlet won't because they are bias against workers. Poor Tim can't get his Christmas package, Nana won't get her cards. Not many receive checks by the mail any more.
MR Cain Reply to Rosco holt Every low wage earners are finding it difficult to make ends meet. A bit disingenuous to claim news outlets are bias against workers. They report on what is provided to them. As well, many seniors prefer that cheque in the mail, whether they have internet or not.
Rosco holt Reply to MR Cain This story has more reporting about the impact on citizen than the plight of workers. Look at other labor conflicts it similar. How the conflict impacts the economy? Business owner whine how it negatively impacts them, politicians pressuring government to resolve the issue. Not many reports on what the employees live and why they take job action. Most news outlet paint workers/ labor movement in a bad light that is why I said they are bias just like most governments are bias. MR Cain Reply to Rosco holt One of the fundamentals in collective bargaining is not to negotiate in public. Union leadership is the voice of the membership. If the news media reported on the sad state of affairs of the average postal worker, then they would be considered biased. There are those who have been with the postal service a number of years, have seniority and/or attained supervisory status. I suspect if the public got wind of their pay and benefits, any sympathy for these workers would drop.
MR Cain Reply to Rosco holt https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canada-post-strike-benefits-cut-1.7395774 Anne Wallenberg Reply to Rosco holt Yes, I see that too. Most of the information re issues relevant to this postal strike - centrally that postal workers don't want gig work conditions - I have from a Tyee article.
Don Corey Reply to Rosco holt I found during my working life that the best way to make ends meet was to work, 5 or 6 days a week, 12 months a year. Postal workers, when pay and benefits are considered, are much better off than the average Canadian.
The postal union is not concerned in the least for those negatively impacted by the strike.
It's time for the feds to do what they should have done a week ago.
A table full of international dignitaries and then there’s this. That’s how legends are born
---------- Original message ---------- From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada<mcu@justice.gc.ca> Date: Mon, Dec 2, 2024 at 2:18 PM Subject: Automatic Reply To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
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---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Justice Minister<JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca> Date: Fri, Mar 31, 2023 at 3:05 PM Subject: Automatic reply: YO Donald Trump Jr. and Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. DEJA VU or What? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
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Canadians should be told if their banking info shared with IRS, says MP
Canada Revenue Agency says banks should tell their clients
By Elizabeth Thompson, CBC News Posted: Mar 17, 2017 5:00 AM ET
The Canada Revenue Agency should notify Canadian residents when their
bank account information is being shared with the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service, says the NDP's revenue critic.
Pierre-Luc Dusseault says informing Canadian residents their
information is being sent to the IRS could prevent others from landing
in the same predicament as Jeffrey Pomerantz, a Vancouver area man
facing a $1.1-million lawsuit for failing to file a form reporting his
bank accounts outside the U.S.
Dusseault said there could be more lawsuits because of the "large
number" of files regarding Canadian bank accounts being transferred
under an intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and Canada.
The deal was negotiated in the wake of the U.S. adopting the Foreign
Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).
"I would emphasize again the need for the CRA to notify Canadian
taxpayers when they transfer their files to the IRS, a foreign
government department," said Dusseault. "This notification may avoid
that kind of situation."
Department hits Vancouver-area man with $1.1M lawsuit over bank form
Transfer of banking records of Canadian residents to U.S. taxman doubles
Canada's Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien has already recommended
that Canadian residents be notified when their bank account
information is transferred, Dusseault pointed out.
In September 2016, the CRA shared information about 315,160 bank
accounts — double the number it shared a year earlier in the first
year of the agreement.
However, Revenue Minister Diane LeBouthillier's office said it is the
responsibility of individual banks to let clients know if information
about their bank accounts might be transferred.
Youngest MP 20110519
Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP MP for Sherbrooke, says the transfer of
information about banking records could lead to more Canadian
residents being pursued by U.S. authorities. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian
Press)
"The legislation implementing the Canada-U.S. Intergovernmental
Agreement (IGA) requires that Canadian financial institutions
communicate with account holders of pre-existing accounts if there is
information suggesting that they are a U.S. citizen or resident (e.g.,
their client file contains a U.S. contact address or phone number,)"
said spokesperson Chloé Luciani-Girouard.
"These clients would therefore be on notice that their information may
be exchanged with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service."
CRA will respond to requests
While the government has no plans to inform people whose bank account
information has been shared, those who want to know can contact their
financial institution or the CRA, Luciani-Girouard said.
"The CRA will respond to any request to confirm whether information
relating to a particular individual or entity has been reported and
provided to the U.S. under FATCA. To date, fewer than 10 such requests
have been received by the CRA," she added.
Tax law has more Americans living abroad renouncing citizenship, lawyer says
The information-sharing agreement was in the spotlight Thursday
following a CBC report that Pomerantz, a dual Canadian-U.S. citizen,
is being sued by the U.S. Justice Department for $860,300 US in civil
penalties, late payment penalties and interest.
While Pomerantz filed income tax returns to both Canada and the U.S.,
the Justice Department said he failed to file a Foreign Bank and
Financial Accounts report to the U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes
Enforcement Network (FinCEN) for three tax years.
During those years, Pomerantz had accounts with the Canadian Imperial
Bank of Commerce and in Switzerland with Sal Oppenheim JR & Cie, in
addition to a corporation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the U.S.
Justice Department said in its lawsuit.
In a separate case, Pomerantz is challenging an audit by the IRS.
Court challenge
Lynne Swanson, part of a group challenging the bank account
information sharing agreement in Federal Court, said the Pomerantz
case is an example of how the bank account information agreement can
make some Canadian residents vulnerable.
IRS-Political Groups
The CRA transferred 315,160 Canadian bank records to the IRS in
September 2016. (Susan Walsh/Associated Press)
"I don't think they should be transferring any information. Period.
Full stop," she said.
"If they are transferring it, of course, they should be telling people
that they have transferred it and what they have transferred. But I
don't think they should be transferring anything."
David Raymond Amos
Gee I wonder if Elizabeth Thompson or Diane LeBouthillier and
Pierre-Luc Dusseault bothered to read the email i sent them and many
others on St Valentine's Day?
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Chrystia Freeland<Chrystia.Freeland@fin.gc.ca> Date: Mon, Dec 2, 2024 at 2:16 PM Subject: Automatic reply: Michael Cohen should write another book and mention Canada before Trump gets sworn in To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
The
Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic
correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your
comments.
Le ministère des Finances Canada accuse réception de votre courriel. Nous vous assurons que vos commentaires sont les bienvenus.
FYI I just called Trump's old lawyer Cohen again and left him another voicemail
For
the record the last time we talked the sneaky lawyer called me an idiot
and slammed down the phone. Need I say I still laugh about that?
Thank you for your email to Premier Houston. This is an automatic confirmation your message has been received.
As
we are currently experiencing higher than normal volumes of
correspondence, there may be delays in the response time for
correspondence identified as
requiring a response.
If you are looking for the most up-to-date information from the Government of Nova Scotia please visit: http://novascotia.ca
Best regards,
The Premier’s Correspondence Team
---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> Date: Mon, Dec 2, 2024 at 2:15 PM Subject: Michael Cohen should write another book and mention Canada before Trump gets sworn in To:
<atlanticiunit@cbc.ca>, mdcohen212 <mdcohen212@gmail.com>,
washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>,
<Pierre-Luc.Dusseault@parl.gc.ca>, Jean-Yves.Duclos
<Jean-Yves.Duclos@parl.gc.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>,
Nathalie.G.Drouin <Nathalie.G.Drouin@pco-bcp.gc.ca>, lgrey
<lgrey@gwsllp.ca>, ministryofjustice
<ministryofjustice@gov.ab.ca>, JAG.Minister
<JAG.Minister@gov.bc.ca>, jagmeet.singh
<jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, JUSTMIN <JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca>,
<elizabeth.thompson@cbc.ca>, Michael.Duheme
<Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, Michelle.Boutin
<Michelle.Boutin@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, Sean.Casey
<Sean.Casey@parl.gc.ca>, Sean.Fraser
<Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca>, rob.moore <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>,
robert.gauvin <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, postur
<postur@for.is>, Melanie.Joly <Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca>,
cra-arc.media <cra-arc.media@cra-arc.gc.ca>, David.Akin
<David.Akin@globalnews.ca>, Julian Assange
<julian@julianassange.com>, birgittajoy
<birgittajoy@gmail.com>, <support@winningpublishing.com>,
fin.minfinance-financemin.fin
<fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, pierre.poilievre
<pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>,
<ps.ministerofpublicsafety-ministredelasecuritepublique.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca>,
robert.mckee <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca> Cc:
premier <premier@ontario.ca>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>,
premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, Office of the Premier
<scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, premier <premier@gov.pe.ca>, premier
<premier@leg.gov.mb.ca>, premier <premier@gov.yk.ca>,
premier <premier@gov.nl.ca>, premier <premier@gov.bc.ca>,
premier <premier@gov.nt.ca>, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>,
Katie.Telford <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, washington field
<washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>
FYI I just called Trump's old lawyer Cohen again and left him another voicemail
For
the record the last time we talked the sneaky lawyer called me an idiot
and slammed down the phone. Need I say I still laugh about that?
---------- Original message ----------
From: Michael Cohen <mcohen@trumporg.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2018 23:49:05 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Yo Bill Morneau before Trump causes the
markets to crash Methinks I should remind folks of the Bank of Canadas
long lost mandate, Harper's Bankster bail out 10 years ago and Trudeau
The Younger's recent Bankster Bail-In plan
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal
counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be
directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be
directed to 646-853-0114.
______________________________
__
This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate
thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity.
This email may contain information that is confidential and/or
proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used,
copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended
recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have
received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and
promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed
to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted,
corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses
or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not
guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for
any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in
any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its affiliates.
Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic
signature under applicable law.
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Office, Press" <Press@bankofengland.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2018 22:23:31 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Yo Bill Morneau before Trump causes the
markets to crash Methinks I should remind folks of the Bank of Canadas
long lost mandate, Harper's Bankster bail out 10 years ago and Trudeau
The Younger's recent Bankster Bail-In plan
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
The Press Office mailbox is monitored between 08:30-18:00 Monday-Friday.
Emails received outside of these hours will not be responded to until
the next working day.
If your message is urgent, please ring 020 7601 4411 and you will be
connected to the duty Press Officer.
Thanks
---------- Original message ----------
From: "MinFinance / FinanceMin (FIN)" <fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>
Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2018 20:27:12 +0000
Subject: RE: I just called Re Trump versus Canadian Dairy Farmers
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
The Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic
correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your
comments.
Le ministère des Finances accuse réception de votre correspondance
électronique. Soyez assuré(e) que nous apprécions recevoir vos
commentaires.
---------- Original message ----------
From: Contact Us <contactus+noreply@bcdairy.ca>
Date: Sat, 09 Jun 2018 20:27:06 +0000
Subject: Re: I just called Re Trump versus Canadian Dairy Farmers
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for reaching out! Your e-mail is importance to us and will
be responded to within 48 hours.
Kind Regards,
The BC Dairy Team
---------- Original message ----------
From: Brian Gallant <briangallant10@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2018 13:27:09 -0700
Subject: Merci / Thank you Re: I just called Re Trump versus Canadian
Dairy Farmers
To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
(Français à suivre)
If your email is pertaining to the Government of New Brunswick, please
email me at brian.gallant@gnb.ca
If your matter is urgent, please email Greg Byrne at greg.byrne@gnb.ca
Thank you.
Si votre courriel s'addresse au Gouvernement du Nouveau-Brunswick,
svp m'envoyez un courriel à brian.gallant@gnb.ca
Pour les urgences, veuillez contacter Greg Byrne à greg.byrne@gnb.ca
Merci.
---------- Original message ----------
From: Newsroom <newsroom@globeandmail.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2018 20:28:19 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: I just called Re Trump versus Canadian Dairy Farmers
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for contacting The Globe and Mail.
If your matter pertains to newspaper delivery or you require technical
support, please contact our Customer Service department at
1-800-387-5400 or send an email to customerservice@globeandmail.com
This is the correct email address for requests for news coverage and
press releases
.
---------- Original message --------- From: President Donald J. Trump<support@winningpublishing.com> Date: Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 8:31 PM Subject: RE: Your shipment is waiting To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
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In
this file photo taken on December 4, 2019, then-U.S. President Donald
Trump talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the plenary
session of the NATO summit at the Grove hotel in Watford, northeast of
London. Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM /AFP via Getty Images
In his upcoming book, Save America,
former U.S. president Donald Trump insists that Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau could be the son of Communist Leader Fidel Castro.
“Justin
Trudeau and I got along very well, but there were natural differences
in that he is very Liberal, and I, to put it mildly, am not,” Trump
writes in an excerpt obtained by the Daily Mail.
“It
will be very interesting to see how (their relationship progresses) in
the future, but first, I have to get there (back to the White House),”
Trump continues, adding, “His mother was beautiful and wild. In the
1970s, she would go ‘clubbing’ with the Rolling Stones, but she was also
somehow associated with Fidel Castro. She said he was ‘the sexiest man
I’ve ever met,’ and a lot of people say that Justin is his son.”
Trump concedes that Trudeau is aware of the longstanding rumour, but writes: “He
swears that he isn’t, but how the hell would he know! Castro had good
hair, the ‘father’ didn’t, Justin has good hair, and has become a
Communist just like Castro.”
Earlier this month in an interview with video game streamer Adin Ross, Trump floated the theory that Trudeau was the son of the late Cuban revolutionary leader.
“He’s
turned very liberal, actually they say he’s the son of Fidel Castro,
and could be,” Trump told Ross in a video that has been viewed more than
2.5 million times. “Anything’s possible in this world, you know?”
Trump said that he and Trudeau got along “very
well,” but hinted that he is well aware that the Liberal Leader is
headed for political annihilation amid his sagging popularity amongst
Canadians.
“He seems to be going very
progressive and the people of Canada are not liking it,” the Republican
presidential candidate added in his interview with Ross. “If they had a
good conservative person – which maybe they do, maybe they don’t, I
don’t know – but somebody that’s a strong conservative would win in
Canada. Canada is very unhappy about the way they’ve been treated as
people, but I got along with him well.”
Back in 2022, Joe Rogan suggested Trudeau should take a 23andMe DNA test to confirm that he’s not the child of Castro.
During a segment on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Rogan told comedian Sam Tripoli that the similarities between Trudeau and Castro were “wild.”
The rumour was first circulated when Castro’s son, Fidelito, committed suicide in 2018. Several sites, the Associated Press noted, reported that Fidelito left a goodbye note that referenced Trudeau as his half-brother.
A theory that Castro was Trudeau’s dad was also shared after the communist leader’s death in 2016.
The
Canadian government denied the reports and AP’s fact-check revealed
that it was more than four years after Justin’s birth that his mother
Margaret made her much-publicized first trip to Cuba and met Fidel in
1976.
But during a segment of his podcast two summers ago, Rogan revisited the rumour in his chat with Tripoli “just for funsies.”
“Let’s
Google, look at the two of them together,” Rogan began. “There’s
multiple photos. That’s wild. That’s f***ing wild,” he continued as he
looked through the images. “Oh my God, look at the top one … that is
wild.”
Rogan then jokingly suggested Trudeau take a DNA test to confirm the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau was really his dad.
“Hey
bro, you need a 23andMe right away, sir. It’s wild how close he looks …
If I was the father, I’d be f***ing suspicious as s***.”
Trudeau had a rocky relationship with Trump during his tenure as president. Back in 2019, following a NATO meeting in London, Trump hit out at Trudeau after the prime minister was caught on a hot mic with then-British
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron
making fun of the president’s tardiness at a Buckingham Palace
reception.
“He was late because he takes a
40-minute press conference off the top,” Trudeau said. “I watched his
team’s jaws drop on the floor.”
Afterwards, Trump called Trudeau “two-faced.”
“Honestly
with Trudeau he’s a nice guy, but the truth is I called him out on the
fact he’s not paying 2% (in defence spending) and I guess he’s not happy
about it,” Trump said.
A year prior, following a G7 summit in Quebec, Trump called Trudeau “very dishonest & weak” after the Canadian leader threatened to escalate a trade war between the two countries.
Elsewhere,
Trump referred to Trudeau as a “far-left lunatic” following Ottawa’s
harsh response to the “Freedom Convoy” protests that crippled the
nation’s capital back in 2022.
“The
Freedom Convoy is peacefully protesting the harsh policies of far-left
lunatic Justin Trudeau who has destroyed Canada with insane COVID
mandates,” said Trump in a statement.
Trump added that his social media site Truth Social would welcome Freedom Convoy supporters.
“Facebook
is cancelling the accounts of Freedom Convoy USA, and GoFundMe is
denying access to funds that belong to the Freedom Convoy. This is
unacceptable and extremely dangerous in any country that values free
expression,” he said.
Sentencing was to take place next week. Instead, Trump side allowed to file motion to dismiss
Thomson Reuters ·
Did Trump just get a get-out-of-jail-free card?
Donald
Trump will make history as the first convicted felon to become
president of the United States and he’s still facing other criminal and
civil cases, but experts tell CBC’s The National that come inauguration
day those legal problems will likely disappear.
A New York judge on
Friday granted Donald Trump permission to seek dismissal of the criminal
case in which he was convicted in May of 34 felony counts involving
hush money paid to a porn star in light of his victory in the Nov. 5
presidential election.
New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan
Merchan formally delayed the sentencing of Trump, which had been
scheduled to take place next Tuesday. Prosecutors with Manhattan
District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office this week asked Merchan to
consider deferring all proceedings in the case until after Trump, 78,
finishes his four-year presidential term that begins on Jan. 20.
Lawyers
for Trump, a Republican, have argued that the case must be dismissed
because having it loom over him while he is president would cause
"unconstitutional impediments" to his ability to govern. Bragg's office
said it would argue against dismissal, but agreed that Trump deserves
time to make his case through written motions.
Merchan
on Friday set a Dec. 2 deadline for Trump to file his motion to
dismiss, and gave prosecutors until Dec. 9 to respond. The judge did not
set a new date for sentencing or indicate how long proceedings would
remain on hold. Merchan also did not indicate when he would rule on
Trump's motion to dismiss.
Manhattan
District Attorney Alvin Bragg speaks to the media on May 30 after a
jury found Donald Trump guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying
business records. Bragg and his team could see their efforts come to
naught, given Trump's return to the White House. (Seth Wenig/The Associated Press)
Representatives for Trump's campaign and for Bragg's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The
case stemmed from a $130,000 US payment, made by Trump's former lawyer
Michael Cohen to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, for her silence
before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she has said she had a
decade earlier with Trump.
Trump denies the affair.
A
Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to
cover up his reimbursement of Cohen. It was the first time a U.S.
president — former or sitting — had been convicted of or charged with a
criminal offence.
Trump pleaded not guilty in the case, which he
has sought to portray as a politically motivated attempt by Bragg, a
Democrat, to interfere with his campaign.
Trump last week
nominated his defence lawyers in the hush-money case, Todd Blanche and
Emil Bove, to serve senior roles at the Justice Department during his
administration.
Trump faced four criminal indictments for months while running for president.
The
case accusing Trump of hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago
estate had been seen as the most legally clear-cut of the four
indictments against him, given evidence including testimony of aides and
a former lawyer, but the judge dismissed the case in a ruling
questioning the legality of appointing special counsel Jack Smith.
Smith
appealed that ruling, but last week asked for a pause on the appeal
given Trump's Nov. 5 election win. Smith's team had already secured a
similar pause in another federal case involving Trump efforts to
overturn his defeat in the 2020 election.
Trump
and several associates were indicted in a racketeering case in Georgia
over similar 2020 election actions in that state. The outstanding cases
have been in limbo, as some defendants sought to disqualify the
prosecuting attorney.
As president, Trump would have no power to shut down the New York or Georgia cases because they were filed in state courts.
WATCH l Trump can make generational changes to federal bench, Supreme Court: expert:
What does a Trump win mean for the legal cases against him?
Lawrence
Douglas, professor of law at Amherst College in Massachusetts, says
that while Donald Trump won't be able to pardon himself on state charges
against him, he won't likely serve time and, as president, he'll be
able to make sure federal cases against him don't go to trial.
Judge dismisses election interference case against Donald Trump at prosecutors' request
Separately, an appeal sought in a case involving Trump and classified documents has been abandoned
The Associated Press ·
U.S.
president-elect Donald Trump, wearing a Make America Great Again hat,
visits Boca Chica, Texas, last week. On Monday, U.S. federal prosecutors
moved to dismiss charges against him in two federal cases. (Brandon Bell/The Associated Press)
Special counsel Jack
Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against U.S.
president-elect Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump's
return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute
him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020
election defeat.
The decision was inevitable, since longstanding
U.S. Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face
criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an
unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as
federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while
he was simultaneously running for another term.
Trump emerges
indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations
through legal manoeuvres and then winning re-election despite
indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country's
constitutional foundations.
"I persevered, against all odds, and WON," Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website.
He
also said that "these cases, like all of the other cases I have been
forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been
brought."
The judge in the election case granted prosecutors'
dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on
Monday evening.
Special
counsel Jack Smith speaks in August 2023 about the indictment of Trump.
Smith's decision to dismiss the criminal charges and to abandon the
classified documents case against Trump represented the end of the
federal effort against him following his election victory earlier this
month. (Jacquelyn Martin/The Associated Press)
Constitution requires dismissal, prosecutors say
The
outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal
accusations, nothing supersedes the voters' own verdict. In court
filings, Smith's team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions
was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the
legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief.
"That
prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the
crimes charged, the strength of the Government's proof, or the merits of
the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind," prosecutors
said in one of their filings.
They wrote that Trump's return to
the White House "sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national
interests: on the one hand, the Constitution's requirement that the
President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty
responsibilities… and on the other hand, the Nation's commitment to the
rule of law."
In this situation, "the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated," they concluded.
Smith's
team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in
the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago
property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because "no principle of temporary
immunity applies to them."
'Political weaponization'
Steven
Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications director, said
Americans "want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our
justice system and we look forward to uniting our country."
Trump
has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and had
vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will
start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that
he will lead.
The
2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most
serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White
House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden
in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters' violent attack on
the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
But it quickly stalled amid
legal battles over Trump's sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution
for his actions while he was in the White House.
The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution,
and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to
determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to
trial.
The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the
trial court in the weeks leading up to this year's election. Smith's
team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they
planned to use against Trump at trial, accusing him of "resorting to
crimes" in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of
voters after he lost to Biden.
In
dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors' request to do so
"without prejudice," raising the possibility that they could try to
bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is
"consistent with the Government's understanding that the immunity
afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave
office."
But such a move may be barred by the statute of
limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office.
The immunity afforded to a sitting president is temporary, expiring when
they leave office.
The separate case involving classified
documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because
the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and
lost the powers of the presidency.
The indictment included dozens
of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records
from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., and
obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty
and denied wrongdoing.
The case quickly became snarled by delays,
with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which
favoured Trump's strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal
cases — while also entertaining defence motions and arguments that
experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings.
In
May, she indefinitely cancelled the trial date amid a series of
unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months
later. Smith's team appealed the decision, but now has given up that
effort.
---------- Original message --------- From: Chrystia Freeland<Chrystia.Freeland@fin.gc.ca> Date: Wed, Nov 6, 2024 at 11:24 PM Subject: Automatic reply: WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
The
Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic
correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your
comments.
Le ministère des Finances Canada accuse réception de votre courriel. Nous vous assurons que vos commentaires sont les bienvenus.
---------- Original message --------- From: Moore, Rob - M.P.<Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca> Date: Wed, Nov 6, 2024 at 11:24 PM Subject: Automatic reply: WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
*This is an automated response*
Thank you for contacting the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P. office. We
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If you did not already, please ensure to include your full contact
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If your question or concern is time sensitive, please call our office: 506-832-4200.
Again, we thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns.
---------- Original message --------- From: Fraser, Sean - M.P.<Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca> Date: Wed, Nov 6, 2024 at 11:24 PM Subject: Automatic reply: WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your contacting the constituency office of Sean Fraser,
Member of Parliament for Central Nova and Minister responsible for
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If you are looking to discuss matters related to housing, infrastructure or communities, please reach out to
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Please note that all correspondence is read, however due
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Thank you.
-------------
Merci d'avoir contacté le bureau de circonscription de Sean Fraser, député de Central Nova. Il s'agit d'une réponse automatisée.
Le Ministre Fraser est maintenant le Ministre du Logement, de l'Infrastructure et des Collectivités et les questions relatives à IRCC doivent être adressées à IRCC.
Cette boîte de réception ne peut pas répondre aux questions relatives à IRCC, à moins que vous ne résidiez dans Central Nova.
Pour contacter le service de l'immigration, des réfugiés et de la citoyenneté, veuillez envoyer un courriel à
Minister@cic.gc.ca.
Pour vous renseigner sur l'état d'un dossier d'immigration, cliquez ici, ou contactez votre député local pour obtenir de l'aide.
Veuillez noter que toute la correspondance est lue, mais
qu'en raison du volume élevé de courriels que nous recevons
quotidiennement, il se peut que nous ne puissions pas vous répondre dans
les meilleurs délais.
Pour que nous puissions vous répondre dans les meilleurs délais,
veuillez indiquer votre nom complet, votre adresse personnelle, y compris le code postal, et votre numéro de téléphone
lorsque vous nous contactez.
---------- Original message ---------- From: Michael Cohen Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:15:14 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE FATCA ATTN Pierre-Luc.Dusseault I just called and left a message for you To: David Amos
Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be directed to 646-853-0114. ________________________________ This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity. This email may contain information that is confidential and/or proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used, copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its affiliates.Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic signature under applicable law.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Finance Public / Finance Publique (FIN)" Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2017 22:05:00 +0000 Subject: RE: Yo President Trump RE the Federal Court of Canada File No T-1557-15 lets see how the media people do with news that is NOT FAKE To: David Amos
The Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your comments.
Le ministère des Finances accuse réception de votre correspondance électronique. Soyez assuré(e) que nous apprécions recevoir vos commentaires.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Joly, Mélanie (PCH)" Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:16:17 +0000 Subject: Accusé de réception / Acknowledge Receipt To: David Amos
Merci d'avoir écrit à l'honorable Mélanie Joly, ministre du Patrimoine canadien.
La ministre est toujours heureuse de prendre connaissance des commentaires de Canadiens sur des questions d'importance pour eux. Votre courriel sera lu avec soin. Si votre courriel porte sur une demande de rencontre ou une invitation à une activité particulière, nous tenons à vous assurer que votre demande a été notée et qu'elle recevra toute l'attention voulue.
**********************
Thank you for writing to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.
The Minister is always pleased to hear the comments of Canadians on subjects of importance to them. Your email will be read with care. If your email relates to a meeting request or an invitation to a specific event, please be assured that your request has been noted and will be given every consideration.
---------- Original message ---------- From: "Hancox, Rick (FCNB)" Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:15:22 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: RE FATCA ATTN Pierre-Luc.Dusseault I just called and left a message for you To: David Amos
G'Day/Bonjour,
Thanks for your e-mail. I am out of the office until 24 February. If you need more immediate assistance, please contact France Bouchard at 506 658-2696.
Je serai absent du bureau jusqu'au 24 fevrier Durant mon absence, veuillez contacter France Bouchard au 506 658-2696 pour assistance immédiate.
RE FATCA, NAFTA & TPP etc ATTN President Donald J. Trump I just got
off the phone with your lawyer Mr Cohen (646-853-0114) Why does he lie
to me after all this time???
Trust that Trump, CBC and everybody else knows that I speak and act
Pro Se particularly when dealing with the Evil Tax Man
Transfer of Canadian banking records to U.S. tax agency doubled last year Documents for thousands of Canadian residents transferred under controversial FATCA legislation
By Elizabeth Thompson, CBC News Posted: Jan 29, 2017 5:00 AM ET
Banking records of more than 315,000 Canadian residents were turned over to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service last year under a controversial information sharing deal, CBC News has learned.
That is double the number transferred in the deal's first year.
The Canada Revenue Agency transmitted 315,160 banking records to the IRS on Sept. 28, 2016 — a 104 per cent increase over the 154,667 records the agency sent in September 2015.
Lisa Damien, spokeswoman for the CRA, attributed the increase to the fact it was the second year for the Canada-U.S. information sharing deal that was sparked by the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).
"The exchange in September 2015 was based on accounts identified by financial institutions at the time," she said. "The number of reported accounts was expected to increase in 2016, because the financial institutions have had more time to complete their due diligence and identify other reportable accounts." Trudeau Nuclear Summit 20160331
Prior to coming to power, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opposed the agreement to share banking records of Canadian residents with the IRS. He has since changed his position. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
The transmission of banking records of Canadian residents is the result of an agreement worked out in 2014 between Canada and the U.S. after the American government adopted FATCA. The U.S. tax compliance act requires financial institutions around the world to reveal information about bank accounts in a bid to crack down on tax evasion by U.S. taxpayers with foreign accounts. Dual citizens, long-term visitors affected
The deal requires financial institutions to share the banking records of those considered to be "U.S. persons" for tax purposes — regardless of whether they are U.S. citizens.
Among the people who can be considered by the IRS as "U.S. persons" are Canadians born in the U.S., dual citizens or even those who spend more than a certain number of days in the United States each year.
Former prime minister Stephen Harper's government argued that given the penalties the U.S. was threatening to impose, it had no choice but to negotiate the information sharing deal. The former government said it was able to exempt some types of accounts from the information transfer. CRA
The Canada Revenue Agency transfers banking records of people believed to be 'U.S. persons' to the IRS. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
The Canada Revenue Agency triggered controversy after it transferred the first batch of Canadian banking records to the IRS in September 2015 in the midst of the election campaign, without waiting for an assessment by Canada's privacy commissioner or the outcome of a legal challenge to the agreement's constitutionality.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Treasury Board President Scott Brison and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale have dropped calls to scrap the deal, which they had made before the Liberals came to power. Watchdog wants proactive notification
Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien has raised concerns about the information sharing, questioning whether financial institutions are reporting more accounts than necessary. Under the agreement, financial institutions only have to report accounts belonging to those believed to be U.S. persons if they contain more than $50,000.
Therrien has also suggested the CRA proactively notify individuals that their financial records had been shared with the IRS. However, the CRA has been reluctant to agree to Therrien's suggestion. Racial Profiling 20160107
Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien has questioned whether the CRA is transmitting more banking records to the IRS than is necessary. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
NDP revenue critic Pierre-Luc Dusseault said the increase in the number of files transferred was "surprising," and he questioned whether financial institutions are only sharing records of accounts worth more than $50,000.
"I don't see how there would be 150,000 more accounts reportable to the IRS in one year. It is something I will look into."
Dusseault said the CRA should notify every Canadian resident whose banking records are shared with the IRS.
Lynne Swanson, of the Alliance for the Defence of Canadian Sovereignty, which is challenging the information sharing agreement in Federal Court, said she has no idea why the number of banking records shared with the IRS doubled. Youngest MP 20110519
NDP revenue critic Pierre-Luc Dusseault says the CRA should notify every Canadian resident whose banking records are shared with the IRS. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
"It still seems low in comparison to the number of Canadians that are affected by this," she said. "It is estimated that a million Canadians are affected by this." Hopes for repeal
Swanson hopes that U.S. President Donald Trump, or Congress — which is now controlled by the Republican Party — will scrap FATCA. The Republican platform pledged to do away with the information collecting legislation.
"FATCA not only allows 'unreasonable search and seizures' but also threatens the ability of overseas Americans to lead normal lives," the platform reads. "We call for its repeal and for a change to residency-based taxation for U.S. citizens overseas."
Swanson's group is also hoping the Federal Court of Canada will intervene, although a date has not yet been set for a hearing.
"A foreign government is essentially telling the Canadian government how Canadian citizens and Canadian residents should be treated. It is a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms."
Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau talks with U.S. President Joe Biden as they
take part in a family photo at the G7 Summit in Savelletri Di Fasano,
Italy on Thursday, June 13, 2024. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
U.S. President Joe
Biden's uneven — and at times incoherent — debate performance Thursday
reportedly has triggered panic in Democratic circles as it could result
in an insurmountable lead for Donald Trump and a Republican victory in
November's vote.
It also has observers on this side of the
border wondering what a second Trump presidency could mean for Canada
and how political leaders here will handle the sometimes volatile former
president if he wins again.
Polls suggest Trump was already leading Biden
before Thursday's debate in the six battleground states that are
expected to decide the presidential election — Arizona, Georgia, Nevada,
Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Some voters have simply shrugged off Trump's criminal conviction and his association with the Jan. 6 siege on Capitol Hill.
This
combination of photos shows Republican presidential candidate former
President Donald Trump, left, and President Joe Biden during a
presidential debate hosted by CNN, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Gerald Herbert/The Associated Press)
Like the Toronto-St. Paul's voters who backed a Conservative in the long-time Liberal stronghold due
to frustration with the current state of affairs, some Americans have
turned away from Biden as the country grapples with inflation and
surging home prices.
The ongoing influx of migrants at the southern border has also been a sore spot for some U.S. voters.
Biden's
debate performance Thursday did nothing to silence critics who maintain
he's too old and infirm to lead the most powerful country on Earth.
WATCH | Biden's debate performance has Democrats wondering if he'll drop out:
Biden's debate performance has Democrats wondering if he'll drop out
A
poor debate performance from U.S. President Joe Biden had Democratic
pundits and columnists calling for their nominee to step aside. For
those dreading a second Donald Trump term, Biden's showing distracted
from the former president's lies and deficiencies.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/1.7249398
A second Trump presidency could be very consequential for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his own political future.
Trudeau
has presented himself as a defender of the rules-based international
order — a sort of foil to the isolationist "America First" Trump and his
disdain for multilateral institutions like NATO.
In a 2016 speech before Parliament,
former U.S. president Barack Obama famously praised Trudeau as the
leader to carry the torch of liberalism at a time when anti-democratic
forces were supposedly on the march.
There's some hope in
pro-Trudeau circles that a chaotic Trump presidency could make Canadians
sour on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Liberals
have repeatedly tried to brand Poilievre as Trump-like figure because of
his embrace of populist politics.
Some Liberals think that if
Canadians recoil at a second Trump victory, they could choose Trudeau in
the 2025 general election as a steady hand on the tiller during a
period of uncertainty.
Dan
Arnold, a former staffer in the Prime Minister's Office who led the
Trudeau Liberals' research program during their 2015, 2019, and 2021
election victories, said a second Trump presidency could consume news
headlines and reverse Canadians' current appetite for change.
"I
think you could make the argument that, if the world is moving in a
direction that is very scary, that is very populist, that is very
right-wing, we don't want Canada to move in that same direction," he
said in an interview.
"And maybe you need a bit of a counterweight
in Canada to what's going on in the U.S. So I think that's something
that, you know, potentially, that could be something Canadians think
about if Trump gets elected."
But Arnold said a Trump presidency could be a double-edged sword.
"There's
also a threat there, too. Maybe people will think, 'Hey, Poilievre and
Trump will get along a lot better than Trudeau and Trump.' Trump doesn't
seem to like Trudeau very much so maybe it's not so good for the
Liberals," he said.
Roughly
44 per cent of Canadians surveyed by Abacus said they believe Poilievre
would be better placed to deal with Trump, while 30 per cent chose
Trudeau.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre arrives to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
"Perhaps
most concerning in this poll is how Poilievre performs against Trudeau
on the key policy areas. He's well ahead on the cost of living, housing
and managing the economy. He also has a 14-point lead when it comes to
who best Canadians think can deal with another possible President
Trump," said Abacus Data CEO David Coletto in a media statement.
In
an interview with CBC News, Coletto said it will be difficult for
Trudeau to recover from the Liberals' stinging defeat in the Toronto-St.
Paul's byelection — a seat the party has held for more than 30 years.
The desire for change is strong and Canadians have turned against Trudeau, he said.
But he also said "external events" could "force voters to, you know, evaluate Trudeau differently."
"I
think the pandemic, for example, did that with a lot of political
leaders. It was a crisis that forced us to look at our leaders in
different ways. And maybe Trump's election is that," he said.
"I
think Liberals are hoping that might be — which is a weird thing to say —
they're hoping for Trump. I don't think they want Trump to win. But
politically, it might be the only kind of thing that does it."
U.S.
President Donald Trump, right, extends his hand to Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau during a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on
Feb. 13, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Trump and Trudeau have had a fractious relationship.
While Trudeau and his government successfully renegotiated NAFTA and saved Canada's most important trade agreement from ruin, it was a battle to get signatures on the dotted line.
Trump called Trudeau "two-faced" after the prime minister was heard on a hot mic mocking Trump's long-winded press conference following a NATO meeting.
After
Trudeau said Canada would not be pushed around by Trump and would
vigorously defend the country's interests in the face of U.S. tariffs,
Trump blasted the prime minister on social media, calling him "very
dishonest & weak," and torpedoed the leaders' communique after the G7 meeting in Charlevoix, Que.
John
Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser, relayed in his book
how Trump didn't like Trudeau and told his aides to attack the prime
minister on the U.S. Sunday morning political shows.
Later, after
losing the presidency, Trump aligned himself with the anti-mandate
protesters who staged the trucker convoy that shut down much of downtown
Ottawa.
"The Freedom Convoy is peacefully protesting the harsh policies of far left lunatic Justin Trudeau who has destroyed Canada with insane Covid mandates," Trump said.
Trudeau, while more diplomatic in his criticisms of Trump, has indicated he's no fan of the former president.
Speaking to reporters in January, Trudeau said Trump "represents a certain amount of unpredictability."
Facing
the possibility of a second Trump presidency, Trudeau has said
International Trade Minister Mary Ng and Industry Minister
Francois-Philippe Champagne will collaborate with industry groups and
civil society organizations to draw up a plan on cross-border relations.
A
Trump presidency threatens co-ordinated North American climate action
and the federal government's industrial policy of heavily subsidizing
electric vehicle (EV) assembly — a policy that essentially mimics
Biden's Inflation Reduction Act.
WATCH | Key moments from the Biden-Trump debate:
Key moments from the Biden-Trump debate
U.S.
President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump squared off in a
debate in Atlanta that aired on CNN. Here are some of the major moments —
including when Trump took advantage of a verbal fumble from Biden, as
well as the current president accusing his predecessor of having 'the
morals of an alley cat' regarding his ongoing criminal and civil legal
issues.
The strongly pro-oil-and-gas Trump
could try to revive the Keystone XL pipeline, or something like it — a
potentially positive development for Alberta and Canada's natural
resource exports but a setback for environmentalists on both sides of
the border.
Trump's aversion to free trade and full-throated
embrace of Buy American policies — policies Biden himself has also
supported — are also a source of concern for Canada.
"Canada-U.S.
relations are fundamental for the prosperity, well-being of Canadians.
We know this is an important election year for the U.S.," Trudeau said
at his most recent cabinet retreat.
"We know there's always challenges whenever there's an American election."
J.P.
Tasker is a journalist in CBC's parliamentary bureau who reports for
digital, radio and television. He is also a regular panellist on CBC
News Network's Power & Politics. He covers the Conservative Party,
Canada-U.S. relations, Crown-Indigenous affairs, climate change, health
policy and the Senate. You can send story ideas and tips to J.P. at
jp.tasker@cbc.ca
Trump wants Charles Kushner, father of son-in-law Jared, as U.S. ambassador to France
Pardoned by Trump 4 years ago after pleading guilty to tax evasion, illegal donations
The Associated Press ·
Charles
Kushner, the father of Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is
shown arriving at the funeral of Ivana Trump in New York City in July
2022. (John Minchillo/The Associated Press)
U.S. president-elect
Donald Trump said Saturday that he wants real estate developer Charles
Kushner, the father of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to serve as
ambassador to France.
Trump made the announcement in a Truth
Social post, calling Charles Kushner "a tremendous business leader,
philanthropist, & dealmaker."
Kushner is the founder of
Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former senior
Trump adviser who is married to Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka.
The
elder Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading
guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign
donations.
Prosecutors alleged that after Charles Kushner
discovered his brother-in-law was co-operating with federal authorities
in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation.
Kushner
hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have
the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera
and the recording sent to his own sister, the man's wife, prosecutors
said.
Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts, including
tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years
in prison — the most he could receive under a plea deal but less than
what Chris Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey at the time and
later governor and Republican presidential candidate, had sought.
Christie
has blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump's transition team in
2016, and has called Charles Kushner's offences "one of the most
loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S.
attorney."
Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles, and their children were married in 2009.
Joe Biden pardons son Hunter of gun, tax convictions, despite promise he wouldn't do so
President-elect Donald Trump called the pardon an abuse and miscarriage of justice
The Associated Press ·
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, walks with his son Hunter on the South Lawn of the White House on July 26. (Susan Walsh/The Associated Press)
U.S. President Joe
Biden on Sunday night pardoned his son, Hunter, sparing the younger
Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax
convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary
powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.
The
Democratic president had previously said he would not pardon his son nor
commute his sentence after his convictions in the two cases in Delaware
and California.
The move comes weeks before Hunter Biden was set
to receive his punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and
guilty plea on tax charges, and less than two months before
president-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House.
It
caps a long-running legal saga for the president's son, who publicly
disclosed he was under federal investigation in December 2020 — a month
after Joe Biden's 2020 victory — and casts a pall over the elder Biden's
legacy.
Biden, who time and again pledged to Americans that he
would restore norms and respect for the rule of law after Trump's first
term in office, ultimately used his position to help his son, breaking
his public pledge to Americans that he would do no such thing.
WATCH | Biden has said repeatedly he would not pardon his son:
U.S. President Joe Biden pardons his son Hunter Biden
U.S.
President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter, shielding him from prison
over federal felony gun and tax convictions, despite previous promises
to avoid using presidential powers for family benefit.
In
a statement released Sunday evening, Biden said, "I believe in the
justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw
politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of
justice."
The president's sweeping pardon covers not just those
offences, but also any other "offences against the United States which
he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the
period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024."
In
June, Biden categorically ruled out a pardon or commutation for his
son, telling reporters as his son faced trial in the Delaware gun case,
"I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon
him."
As recently as Nov. 8, White House press secretary Karine
Jean-Pierre ruled out a pardon or clemency for the younger Biden,
saying, "We've been asked that question multiple times. Our answer
stands, which is no."
'Hunter was singled out,' president says
The
elder Biden has publicly stood by his only living son as Hunter
descended into serious drug addiction and threw his family life into
turmoil before getting back on track in recent years. The president's
political rivals have long used Hunter Biden's myriad mistakes as a
political cudgel against his father: In one hearing, lawmakers displayed
photos of the drug-addled president's son half-naked in a seedy hotel.
WATCH | Hunter Biden denies his China, Ukraine dealings were unethical:
Hunter Biden denies unethical behaviour
U.S.
presidential candidate Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, says although his
family has helped him get opportunities, he denies any unethical
behaviour engaging in foreign work in Ukraine and China.
House
Republicans also sought to use the younger Biden's years of
questionable overseas business ventures in a since-abandoned attempt to
impeach his father, who has long denied involvement in his son's
dealings or benefiting from them in any way.
"The charges in his
cases came about only after several of my political opponents in
Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election," Biden
said. "No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can
reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he
is my son."
"I hope Americans will understand why a father and a
President would come to this decision," Biden added, saying he made the
decision this weekend.
The
president had spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Nantucket, Mass., with
Hunter and his family, and was set to depart for Angola later Sunday on
what may be his last foreign trip as president before leaving office on
Jan. 20, 2025.
President Joe Biden with his son Hunter Biden and his grandson Beau walk in downtown Nantucket, Mass., on Friday. (Jose Luis Magana/The Associated Press)
Legal troubles
Hunter
was convicted in June in federal court in Delaware of three felonies
for purchasing a gun in 2018 when, prosecutors said, he lied on a
federal form by claiming he was not illegally using or addicted to
drugs.
He was set to stand trial in September in the California
case accusing him of failing to pay at least $1.4 million US in taxes.
But he agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanour and felony charges in a
surprise move hours after jury selection was set to begin.
David
Weiss, the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Delaware who negotiated the
plea deal, was subsequently named a special counsel by Attorney General
Merrick Garland to have more autonomy over the prosecution of the
president's son.
Hunter Biden said he was pleading guilty in that
case to spare his family more pain and embarrassment after the gun trial
aired salacious details about his struggles with a crack cocaine
addiction.
The tax charges carry up to 17 years behind bars, and
the gun charges are punishable by up to 25 years in prison — though
federal sentencing guidelines were expected to call for far less time,
and it was possible he would avoid prison time entirely.
WATCH | Republicans accuse Twitter of supressing Hunter Biden story:
Republicans take aim at Twitter, Hunter Biden in combative hearing
Republican
lawmakers grilled former Twitter executives over accusations they
suppressed negative content about U.S. President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter
Biden, in a combative hearing that suggests the GOP is making good on
its pledge to investigate Biden and his family.
Hunter
Biden was supposed to be sentenced this month in the two federal cases,
which the special counsel brought after a plea deal with prosecutors
that likely would have spared him prison time fell apart under scrutiny
by a judge. Under the original deal, he was supposed to plead guilty to
misdemeanour tax offences and would have avoided prosecution in the gun
case as long as he stayed out of trouble for two years.
But
the plea hearing quickly unravelled last year when the judge raised
concerns about unusual aspects of the deal. The younger Biden was
subsequently indicted in the two cases.
Hunter Biden's legal team
this weekend released a 52-page white paper titled, The Political
Prosecutions of Hunter Biden, describing the president's son as a
"surrogate to attack and injure his father, both as a candidate in 2020
and later as president."
The younger Biden's lawyers have long
argued that prosecutors bowed to political pressure to indict the
president's son amid heavy criticism by Trump and other Republicans of
what they called the "sweetheart" plea deal.
Trump criticizes pardon
Rep.
James Comer, one of the Republican chairs leading congressional
investigations into Biden's family, blasted the president's pardon,
saying that the evidence against Hunter was "just the tip of the
iceberg."
"It's unfortunate that, rather than come clean about
their decades of wrongdoing, President Biden and his family continue to
do everything they can to avoid accountability," Comer said on the
social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Biden is hardly the first president to deploy his pardon powers to benefit those close to him.
In
his final weeks in office, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, the father
of his son-in law, Jared Kushner, as well as multiple allies convicted
in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Trump this
week announced plans to nominate the elder Kushner to be the U.S. envoy
to France in his next administration.
Trump, who has pledged to
dramatically overhaul and install loyalists across the Justice
Department after he was prosecuted for his role in trying to subvert the
2020 presidential election, said in a social media post on Sunday that
Hunter Biden's pardon was "such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice."
"Does
the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have
now been imprisoned for years?" Trump asked, referring to those
convicted in the violent Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol by his
supporters.
'Mistakes during the darkest days'
Hunter
Biden said in an emailed statement that he will never take for granted
the relief granted to him and vowed to devote the life he has rebuilt
"to helping those who are still sick and suffering."
"I have
admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest
days of my addiction — mistakes that have been exploited to publicly
humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport," the younger
Biden said.
Hunter Biden's legal team filed Sunday night in both
Los Angeles and Delaware asking the judges handling his gun and tax
cases to immediately dismiss them, citing the pardon.
A spokesperson for Weiss, the special counsel who brought the cases, did not respond to messages seeking comment Sunday night.