Saturday, February 10, 2018
Philippines president says he wants to axe $233M deal to buy Canadian helicopters Philippines president says he wants to axe $233M deal to buy Canadian helicopters Canada calls President Rodrigo Duterte’s comments ‘troubling’ President Rodrigo Duterte addresses the troops during the 82nd anniversary celebration of the armed forces of the Philippines. Duterte said Friday he wants to cancel a deal to buy helicopters from Canada. President Rodrigo Duterte addresses the troops during the 82nd anniversary celebration of the armed forces of the Philippines. Duterte said Friday he wants to cancel a deal to buy helicopters from Canada. “So from here on now, I am directing the armed forces of the Philippines, since most of the guns, bullets and whatever, weapons of war ... invariably to be used against the rebels and the terrorists, do not buy any more from Canada. Or from the United States, because there is always a condition attached,” he said. Earlier this week, Reuters reported the Philippines inked a $233-million deal to buy Montreal-built Bell helicopters. The Canadian Commercial Corporation, which facilitated the deal, wouldn’t confirm the cost. The Liberal government had defended the deal, which is being facilitated by the Canadian Commercial Corp., arguing the Montrealbuilt Bell helicopters would be used during search-and-rescue missions and disaster relief.
But International Trade Minister FrancoisPhilippe Champagne announced Wednesday he had ordered a review of the deal, which was finalized in December, after a senior member of the Philippines military said the aircraft would also be used in “internal security operations.” “The president’s troubling comments only underscore the confusion and contradictions that have emerged recently on the intended end use of the helicopters,” said a spokesperson for Champagne on Friday. “That is precisely why the minister ordered a review and that process will continue.” The sale was denounced by human rights activists who warned that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government was cozying up to some of the more dubious regimes in the world. They pointed to an ongoing deal to sell light-armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia, a move the Liberals criticized the Conservative government for arranging but went ahead with when Trudeau came to power. “The Liberal government had pledged to uphold higher standards after the terrible Saudi arms deal but instead it is selling to the worst and most repressive regime in Asia where the president brags about personally shooting drug users and throwing people out of helicopters,” said Steve Staples, vice president of the Rideau Institute in Ottawa.
Democracy Watch asks lobbying watchdog to probe Trudeau’s trip to Aga Khan’s island Democracy Watch is calling on the Federal Court to overturn former lobbying commissioner Karen Shepherd’s decision not to investigate the Aga Khan in connection with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to his private island in the Bahamas. The group is arguing that Shepherd erred in law when she ruled in September 2017 that the Aga Khan didn’t violate the lobbying rules because he is not paid to lobby on behalf of the foundation that bears his name. “Democracy Watch is challenging the Lobbying Commissioner’s ruling in court, because it is legally incorrect, violates the spirit and purpose of the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct and opens up a huge loophole that big businesses and other organizations will exploit by having their unregistered board members or staff do favours for, and give gifts to, government officials they are lobbying as a way of unethically influencing their policy making decisions,” Democracy Watch cofounder Duff Conacher said in a statement. Democracy Watch also alleges in court documents that there is “a reasonable
apprehension of bias” on Shepherd’s part, because her mandate was temporarily renewed by Trudeau’s government. Shepherd’s decision not to investigate the Aga Khan was obtained by CBC News in December. She has since finished her term and was replaced by Nancy Bélanger in December. The Aga Khan, believed to be one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, is the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims and is listed as a member of the board of directors of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. The foundation, which has received millions of dollars in federal government development aid over the years, is registered to lobby several federal government departments, including the prime minister’s office. A search of the lobbyist registry shows the foundation has filed 132 reports since 2011 outlining its meetings with government decision makers. However, none of those reports list any meetings with Trudeau — despite the meetings the prime minister has had with the Aga Khan and his officials.
Full implementation of legal cannabis could be delayed beyond July 1 The full implementation of legal cannabis could occur later than July 1, government officials told CBC News Tuesday. While the Liberal government is still hoping its legislation will pass Parliament before July — even though it faces entrenched opposition from some Conservative senators — it recognizes it may take some provinces 8 to 12 weeks of further work after the law passes before consumers can purchase legal, recreational marijuana from storefronts. Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor, during an appearance before a committee of the whole inside the Senate Tuesday, said she has heard from lower levels of government that more time might be required. “As a practical matter — they told us they need 8 to 12 weeks following royal assent for preparatory activities to occur, such as lawful
movement of product from license producers to distribution and retail outlets.” “Before legislation comes into force and Canadians can legally buy cannabis, Health Canada continues to engage national and community partners to share information related to implementation and ensure all levels of government are prepared for the prospective coming into force of bill,” she said. Based on that timeline, the Senate would have to pass the bill by end of May if the government is to meet its July timeline for full legalization. That scenario seems unlikely as the legislation, Bill C-45, is currently only at second reading in the Red Chamber, meaning it still has to be studied at committee — where many witnesses are expected to be called for testimony — before the bill is sent back to the chamber for further debate at third reading.
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