What the hell is going on in our country

Conservatives seething over lack of terror attack ceremony.

Oct 21, 2016

Poli sci profs suggest government taking quieter approach to national security

The Liberals’ decision to not mark the second anniversary of the Parliament Hill shooting triggered sharp criticism from Conservative MPs Friday who accused the government of brushing over the attack.

News broke Friday morning that the government would not host a memorial to mark the death of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, who was killed when a gunman attacked the Canadian War Memorial on Oct. 22 before storming Centre Block and dying in a shoot-out with Parliament Hill security officials. To mark the first anniversary last year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and then-prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau led a ceremony that included a fly-by of CF-18 fighter jets.

In question period Friday, Conservative veterans affairs critic John Brassard attacked the government for deciding not to hold a similar commemoration this year.

“I think I can safely say on behalf of all veterans and all Canadians that we are deeply saddened by this,” said Brassard.

And others have taken to Twitter to express their disapproval.

Peter Woolstencroft, an associate professor of political science at the University of Waterloo, speculates that the Liberals are making a deliberate choice to keep people’s minds off national security.

“They haven’t changed much of the policies … but they certainly haven’t been beating the drums about the terrorist threat,” said Woolstencroft. He argues that while the Harper government might have overplayed the threat of terrorism, Trudeau’s Liberals are actively switching gears on the issues of security and the role of the military.

While Harper focused on fighting and boosting the military’s presence in Canada, Trudeau is focused on involving Canadian troops in peace support operations — widely expected to include a contribution to a highly dangerous UN mission in Mali.

“So the last thing they want to do is commemorate an attack on the Parliament buildings, because that immediately raises the question, ‘Could there be another attack?’ What are they doing, in American terms, to secure the homeland?’” Woolstencroft said. He acknowledged the argument that Canada doesn’t need to mark the event every year, given the high-profile annual memorial on Remembrance Day.

“When people aren’t given something to think about, they don’t think about it.”

According to a poll recently released by Nanos Research, Canadians have consistently rated national security issues — fighting terrorism, securing borders and ensuring safe communities — as very important since 2012.

“This poll reflects that security has become a constant in the Western psyche when we’re talking about foreign policy,” said Tim Abray, a PhD candidate and teaching fellow at Queen’s University who is researching political communication and voter behaviour.

On issues like border security and fighting terrorism, Nanos found that Canadians have a lower level of confidence in Trudeau’s government than they did in the previous Conservative government.

Notably, Canadians’ confidence in the current government’s ability to protect borders is 11 per cent lower than it was in 2015.

The fact that the Liberals are not focusing their communications strategy on promoting a national security agenda likely also reinforces the belief among people who supported Harper’s ‘tough on crime’ agenda that Trudeau is softer on security issues than Harper was, Abray said.

Abray also suggested the choice may be a conscious one on the government’s behalf — an attempt to avoid diverting attention away from their core policy areas such as the environment, indigenous relations and inter-provincial relations.

“People who were certain that Harper was going to do a better job of protecting Canada are even more certain of that now because they’ve been given nothing to show them otherwise.”

http://ipolitics.ca/2016/10/21/conservatives-critical-of-governments-decision-not-to-mark-second-anniversary-of-parliament-hill-attacks/

Liberals 'Dishonouring' Soldiers Killed In Terror Attacks.

Ocot 21, 2015

Conservatives are accusing the Liberal government of trying to forget about terror attacks on Canadian soil that claimed the lives of two soldiers.

Tory MP Peter Van Loan rose in question period Friday to note that Saturday will mark two years since the shooting on Parliament Hill, when “a jihadist terrorist struck at the heart of our freedom and democracy.” Minutes before that attack, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, 24, was gunned down at the National War Memorial.

“The thickness of a door and brave actions of our Hill security staff saved members here a similar fate,” Van Loan said.

Just two days before the chaos in Ottawa, another avowed jihadist ran down Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, 53, in his car in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.

Though thousands of Canadians attended a ceremony in Ottawa last October to honour both Cirillo and Vincent, Liberals have not planned something similar this year.

“The Liberals want Canadians to forget. There will be no memorial," Van Loan said. “Why are the Liberals dishonouring these fallen men and trying to pretend these jihadist attacks never happened?”

Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr said all Canadians remember the tragic events of October 2014.

"Why are the Liberals dishonouring these fallen men and trying to pretend these jihadist attacks never happened?"

Vincent and Cirillo will be honoured at events in Ottawa and across the country on Remembrance Day next month, Hehr said, when Canadians think of soldiers who paid the ultimate price “in war time and at peace, at home and abroad.”

Hehr appeared to shoot Van Loan a stare after answering.

Tory MP John Brassard, his party’s critic for veterans affairs, also rose just before question period to call Liberals out on the matter.

Brassard noted that a ceremony last year at the National War Memorial included a speech from the Governor General, a military march, a fly-pass of CF-18 fighter jets and the unveiling of a plaque for Cirillo at the site.

In one memorable moment, then-prime minister Stephen Harper and prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau came together to lay a wreath, mere days after a hard-fought election campaign came to an end.

“This year, there’s no commemoration, no event, and no honour is being paid to these fallen heroes by this government,” Brassard said.

Veterans are “deeply saddened by this lack of remembrance,” he added.

Ottawa Liberal MP David McGuinty also delivered a member’s statement paying tribute to Cirillo, calling him a “beautiful example of what the Armed Forces can represent.”

McGuinty lauded soldiers who choose to “watch over us” in the pursuit of a world free of injustice and oppression.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them,” he said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/10/21/peter-van-loan-liberals-nathan-cirillo-patrice-vincent_n_12589384.html

Politicians are blind to this, we mean more as Soldiers and Peace Keepers to children then any "LYING politician" ever will.
This is not going to go unnoticed, protest are starting up already.
Smile for the cameras and spread the message of the quagmire VAC system.

Tx for posting that article Trooper...

Maybe we should send these kids to Ottawa and have a chat with JT? It seems they get it and I believe they would really know how to 'teach' the former teacher.

Family of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo gather in Oakville for special memorial.

Jun 13, 2016

Family members of slain Canadian soldier Corporal Nathan Cirillo gathered for a special memorial ceremony at the Bronte Veterans Garden Friday.

Students from St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School contacted the family recently to express thanks for Cirillo’s service and asking his family members to help unveil a plaque in his honour.

The sun shone on the morning ceremony that was attended by dozens of St. Dominic students and staff, as well as officials from the Town, Province, Royal Canadian Legion and others.

Some students held Canadian flags next to enlarged photos of Cirillo.

One photograph showed the Canadian soldier lovingly holding his dog while another showed him in full uniform standing guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa, where he lost his life when a gunman attacked in October 2014.

“Today is a very special day. We will unveil a plaque to honour and remember Cpl. Nathan Cirillo. Cpl. Cirillo stepped up and chose to serve his country. He freely made the decision, as many thousands of Canadians have done before him, to serve and defend Canada with pride,” said Grade 7 student Lauren Smith.

“He could have been our older brother, cousin or friend. We, as young Canadians, can clearly connect to his love of country and family and his adorable dogs Jagger, Mya and Kya.”

The 24-year-old Hamilton native was killed Oct. 22, 2014 when a gunman opened fire on him and other soldiers as they stood guard at the National War Memorial.

The gunman then stormed Parliament and was killed in a firefight inside the building.

The memorial ceremony at the Bronte Veterans Garden began with Senior Kindergarten student Henry Kantor handing Cirillo’s mother, Kathy, a bouquet of flowers.

“We promise to remember your son, Nathan,” said Henry as he presented the flowers.

Kathy could be seen choking back tears as she embraced the small child.

Those present also heard from Grade 8 student Savannah Arne, who eulogized Cirillo, calling him an animal lover, a dedicated soldier and a dedicated father to his young son, Marcus, who was also present at the ceremony.

“Cpl. Cirillo is someone I strive to be like and someone I look up to because of his courage, dedication, and caring nature, not just towards people around him, but people all over Canada and the world,” she Arne.

Grade 8 Student Melissa Arruda spoke about the gift soldiers give to society.

“Soldiers are courageous men and women, who see a future and a better world in which to live. They want to play an active part in bringing peace and justice to Canada and to citizens in countries around the world if called on to do so,” she said.

“Imagine leaving everyone and everything you’ve ever loved. All men and women who wear the uniform of our Armed Forces take that risk. Firstly, we honour Cpl. Nathan Cirillo because he freely offered himself to his country to protect us in peacetime and wartime.”

Arruda said Cirillo’s plaque within the Bronte Veterans Garden would not only help keep his memory alive, but would hopefully inspire future generations, who read his name, to learn about his actions and emulate his spirit.

Cirillo’s family then participated in the unveiling of the plaque with Cirillo’s son Marcus pulling away the bright red cloth that covered it.

With the unveiling complete, Cirillo’s sister, Nicole, addressed the students.

“On behalf of my family, I would like to express our complete gratitude towards honouring my brother, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo. His dedication and sacrifice to Canada will always be remembered because of people like you,” she said.

“I know Nathan would feel humbled and honoured by this presentation.”

Nicole said when her family was first approached about the plaque and tribute they were surprised to learn students were behind the undertaking.

“Please know that as a family suffering a loss, remembering a loved one is very important and knowing there is a place for families to visit for years to come is very comforting,” she said.

“Thank you, Mr. John MacPhail (St. Dominic’s history teacher) and the students of St. Dominic School for honouring and remembering the fallen soldiers of our wonderful country. Your patriotism and efforts are truly heartwarming. With young people like the students of St. Dominic’s, our country’s future is in good hands.”

For several years, Grade 7 students from St. Dominic have been exchanging letters and posters with the families of Canada’s fallen soldiers and veterans.

Tributes to these soldiers were erected in the veterans’ garden after the students made strong connections with these families.

The Bronte Veterans’ Garden was created in 2011, with the support of the Town of Oakville, after St. Dominic students made the case for the memorial to Ward 1 Town Councillor Ralph Robinson.

Additional garden enhancements, including a flagpole, were made possible through funding from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch General Chris Vokes Branch 486, Bronte; Ward Funeral Home; Kopriva Funeral Home; and MEDIchair Halton.

The 1.5-metre semi-circular pathway, benches, and plaques were funded in part by St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School; a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Education; and Finewood Products/Starfleet Construction.

http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/6720688-family-of-cpl-nathan-cirillo-gather-in-oakville-for-special-memorial/

Military gets new social media policy in wake of attacks

Members of Canada’s National Defence staff and Canadian Armed Forces are being asked to remove any reference to their employment on social media profiles, “especially photographs of military personnel in uniform.”

The Canadian Forces Counter Intelligence Unit - Western Region issued a new directive regarding social media practices to soldiers and staff on Friday, two days after a reservist guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa was shot dead.

The staff bulletin was prompted by a recent increase of reports made to the unit’s western branch of military personnel -- or their family members -- receiving “friend requests” on Facebook.

In addition to adjusting privacy and security settings on their personal profiles, military personnel are being asked to search their children’s social media contact lists and delete any profiles they do not know personally.

“Adjust your privacy / security settings so only your friends can view your photos / timeline, etc.,” the directive said. “Repeat this procedure with family members (siblings/elderly parents/children, etc) who are not familiar with security or privacy settings.”

If members continue to receive “friend requests” from unfamiliar people or “suspicious characters” they are urged to notify their local military police detachment.

Soldiers were also provided with Facebook and Twitter “smart cards,” which provide visual steps on how to adjust privacy and security settings.

Following the killings of two soldiers earlier this week, the Canadian Armed Forces ordered military personnel to avoid wearing their uniforms in public. Miltary officials eased the order on Thursday, saying soldiers may wear their uniform on their way to and from work.

From the social media bulletin:

Should you receive a Friend Request on any social media site from someone you do not know, do not accept that person’s Friend Request.
Should your children have social media site access, go through their contact list with your children and delete all contacts they do not know personally.
Adjust your privacy / security settings so only your friends can view your photos / timeline, etc. Repeat this procedure with family members (siblings/elderly parents/children, etc) who are not familiar with security or privacy settings.
Remove any reference to your employment with the DND and/or CAF from all social media sites, especially photographs of military personnel in uniform.
If, after all the above steps are taken and you continue to receive “Friend Requests” from people you do not personally know or suspicious characters, please notify your nearest MP Detachment.



Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/military-gets-new-social-media-policy-in-wake-of-attacks-1.2070490#ixzz3HI9doZPN

Rest in peace brothers...

Pissed off pinger.

Well in both cases they were completely taken by surprise, I was going to say arm all service members, like they do in the us,
I guess in both these cases it would not have made a difference.

It is sad for sure, lost for words, only to say that my thoughts are with both of them, and feel for both families.

I hope that all Canadians are more alert to there surroundings going forward, as these subjects who are pursuing these cowardly acts, are so high on drugs, that they have no fear of death.

yup got ya 2 longs sorted yesterday 2 shorts will be sorted tomorrow.

hope all stays quiet.

happy Halloween ladies

propat

PS do interpret this as anything but me being at the ready troops Royal is in a very very good place, airborne

Charlotte has been given a warning order and she is happy once more, walnut my favourite wood gain other than the obvious, RIP troops and thank you for your service.

sad sad sad. we passed the torch to these guys and right now at this time I feel so fracking guilty for that. guys if ya find yourself on cenotaph duty come the 11th put a few in your pocket . I WOULD .

propat

Hear Hear!!!!

There is "blood on our tomb"! Make the first sortie in Syria count boys!!! They have pissed off the wrong country!!