Oct. 25 - It takes a lot to leave me speechless, but this does: Military housing rents to be increased:

CANADA'S cash-strapped soldiers living in military homes will see their rents hiked by up to $100 on Nov. 1. Defence department spokesman Tina Crouse said the Canadian Forces Housing Agency will increase rents on bases across the country to bring them in line with surrounding rental prices.

"For the small number of occupants who have not reached appraised shelter values, their rent will continue to increase until they are paying based on the appraised value of their home," Crouse said.

Crouse said about half the military's 15,000 homes and apartments will see a rent increase to a monthly maximum of $100.

The boost comes while soldiers haven't seen their pay increased since April 2003, when they received a 2.5% hike. The lowest-paid private makes $26,616, while a sergeant can receive a maximum salary of $53,484.

Nov. 18 19:00: There may be a reprieve on the rent. Let's hope.

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Oct. 25 - Don Cherry will be the featured "great Canadian" on CBC tonight. Wrestler Bret Hart will make the presentation.

Don says here that

... he's a good Canadian, not a great one. On CBC last week, he threw his support behind another Top-10 finalist, Sir John A. Macdonald.

"Gotta endorse another good Kingston boy," he said.

He now says he would vote for Canada's Unknown Soldier, who placed No. 21 on the list. "As far as I'm concerned, he's the guy who should be the greatest Canadian. He paid for Canada with his life."

Cherry thinks he'd win hands down if the show was called The Most Popular Canadian. "I've got no humility on that one," he told the Sun.

"It's funny, eh? The frenzy the left-wing media is in," Cherry said.

"So far, I've been called shallow, narrow-minded, high-collared, low-brow, racist, retarded, hidebound dinosaur -- I don't even know what that means, hidebound," he said.

Cherry continued: "Embarrassing, buffoon, monster, cash cow, beer-swilling, puck-chasing hoser. Beer-swilling, puck-chasing hoser -- that sounds like a good Canadian to me."

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Oct. 20 - The endorsements are coming in for Don Cherry, Greatest Canadian.

First mention goes to The Meatriarchy, who started this whole thing last Spring, and his posts here and here.

Joe Warmington of the Toronto Sun weighs in his reasons to support Grapes.

The Monger is supporting Cherry and I find his rationale to be both witty and appealing.

I have to go to my "real job" so will continue to look for other supporters tomorrow.

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Oct. 19 - In another world, journalists and other great thinkers of the day (heh!) would look at these three news items, Anti-Bush Canadians Put Gov't in Quandary, UK anti-Bush letters spark outrage (with more and better samples from the Guardian site here,) and Cherry among ten greatest Canadians?, and do the patented Arsenio Hall hmmm. They might even connect the dots between the first two and reach the conclusion that the last item is highly relevant to the first and second and, in fact, contradicts some assumptions about the first.

The Toronto Star front page item on Canadian great Don Cherry (I wish I could reproduce the page just to show how huge the headline was!) has Garth Woolsey bewailing the fact that Don made it to the top 10 list of Greatest Canadians.

The stereotypes are true: We really are a nation of shallow, narrow-minded, beer-swilling, puck-chasing hosers.

Proud of it, too.

Confirmation comes in the high-collared, low-browed form of Don Cherry making the CBC's list of "The Ten Greatest Canadians" of all time, as voted upon by some 140,000 citizens of the Great White North.

Oh Canada, woe Canada, you have spoken. You have accorded Cherry a place in the pantheon, alongside Tommy Douglas, Sir John A. Macdonald, Terry Fox, Frederick Banting, Lester Pearson, Alexander Graham Bell, David Suzuki, Pierre Trudeau and Wayne Gretzky.

Don is an individualistic individual. He is refreshingly, heart-warmingly outspoken, and it isn't so much what he says (although it often is!) but the fact that he refuses to be gagged by the political correctness that has rendered political discourse in this country a vapid recitation of approved cliches which have little content but won't grab the attention of the Language Police.

His love for this country runs true and deep. He's no more a buffoon than the men who stormed Juno Beach, his support of the troops doesn't wait for the photo-op of a funeral, and he has given more good advice to Canadian kids on how to live and play with dignity and honour than all the Canadian government agencies and schools combined.

The article contends that mother won't let their kids watch Coach's Corner. That's b.s. Don consistently hammers home the need for sportsmanship as well as hockey skills. He's a sports parent's best friend.

The Yahoo article is only one of similar articles one finds everywhere which defends Canada's obsession with the USA with the usual lame excuse:

Measured by shared boundaries and trade, no foreign country has a larger stake in the U.S. presidential election than Canada. Its citizens, by an overwhelming margin, hope for President Bush (news - web sites)'s defeat, but its government — unsure of the Nov. 2 outcome — is trying to keep bilateral tensions from escalating.

Many Canadians have intently followed the campaign, watching the TV debates and writing impassioned letters to newspapers. Two recent polls showed Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites) favored by more than 2-to-1 across Canada; in French-speaking Quebec, Bush's support was only 11 percent.

The CNN and Guardian articles are pretty clear indications of how dimly Americans view outsiders meddling in our affairs. Take.The.Hint.

Canadians who are worried that events in the USA might impact Canada should look to their political leadership for solutions: that's why they hold office.

The primary issue for US voters remains national security. We were attacked several times during the 90's and our gentlemanly forebearance only convinced our enemies of our weakness culminating in the outrage of Sept. 11. (I can't believe I still find it necessary to remind people of that, but there it is.)

Due to an incredible series of strategic and personnel errors, the Democrats have found themselves saddled with a candidate who has a Sept. 10 mindset. Shame, shame on them.

I think that the candidates for Greatest Canadian preferred by the Toronto Star and the readers of the Guardian have Sept. 10th mindsets, and Don Cherry is a staunch Sept. 12th guy. I believe that of all the people on the Top 10 list, Don understands that the ideals of Canada must include unyielding opposition to terrorism and unceasing support of the spread of democracy.

If my assessment is right, Don made that list because others recognize that he represents a powerful symbol for those who know that readers of the Toronto Star and Guardian must stop yearning for Sept. 10 and accept Sept. 12 realities if we are to face the future.

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Oct. 19 - GI's no refugee, feds will argue:

THE FEDERAL government is challenging an American soldier's bid for refugee status in Canada. A government official confirmed the feds will oppose a refugee application from Jeremy Hinzman because he "does not fit the criterion for status refugees."

Refugee cases are heard by an independent tribunal and the federal government intervenes in hearings only when there's a novel legal argument or high public profile.

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Oct. 18 - Two items on the Chicoutimi: this which alleges that the hatches were left open and the fire may have been due to human rather than mechanical error, the inquiry in Glasgow is a closed-door affair, and there may be a bill forthcoming from the British for the rescue of the stranded submariners.

I have a meeting tonight before work so have to get going. So long, everyone!

17:49: Oops, another bit of information: a House of Commons committee will investigate the purchase of the subs. But it's not really news when it's a given, is it?

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Oct. 18 - It seems like only yesterday the Danes claimed Hans Island (more here including some interesting comments.)

Today it's the North Pole:

Denmark has launched an extraordinary bid for ownership of the North Pole, one of the world's last untapped sources of oil and natural gas.

In recent decades the remote polar region has largely been left to a few explorers and tourists. Now, however, the effects of climate change have dramatically raised the stakes.

Scientists estimate that the ice in the Arctic Ocean is melting at a rate of three per cent a year - in time allowing the economic exploitation of a region that is almost totally unexplored.

In the words of one Danish scientist: "The Vikings hope to get there first."

At present, the North Pole is considered international territory. The Danish bid is based on new geological data claiming to show that the Pole and Greenland - which has been owned by Denmark since 1814 - are linked by a 1,240km underwater mountain range, the Lomonosov Ridge.

The Danish claim has been countered with rival claims from Canada and Russia.

I wonder if PM Martin's recent meeting with Russian Pres. Putin included some discussion of this issue.

(Via Neale News.)

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Oct. 17 - I suffered through the Yanks-Sox game last night with two Sox fans - one a diehard, the other of the anyone but the Yankees variety. The less said, the better.

That same peanut gallery was cheered immensely was Avril Lavigne placed high than Jean Chretien as the "greatest Canadians." (It's not that they are Lavigne fans, but they liked the fact that a pop star beat out the last Prime Minister.) Wrestler Bret Hart beat them both out, and I recall hearing actor William Shatner's name but missed the ranking (Flea informs me Shatner was actually #55.)

Flea is live-blogging this over at the Shotun!

Laura Secord is also there, one of the six women who made it to the top 50.

Truth is, I didn't really pay attention until they mentioned Mr. Dressup (Canada's Mr. Rogers, if you will) but will try to keep up henceforth and link to the CBC story which is bound to list them all when it appears.

I'm trying to add some links for the lesser well-known Canadians for American readers, but I'm resistant to having to link hockey stars - if you're a fan, you'll know their names when you see them!

#33 - Gordon Lightfoot
#32 - Michael J. Fox
#31 - Pierre Berton (a Canadian icon in journalism)
#30 - Rick Hansen
#29 - Jim Carrey (the 3rd of 4 comedians who made the list)
#28 - Sir Isaac Brock
#27 - Celine Dion
#26 - Dr. Norman Bethune
#25 - Nellie McClung (the "Persons" case)
#24 - Arthur Currie
#23 - Maurice "Rocket" Richard
#22 - Harold Rogers
#21 - The Unknown Soldier (same symbolism as we have the USA)
#20 - Mike Myers
#19 - Bobby Orr
#18 - Shania Twain (she's the top ranked woman)
#17 - Stephen Lewis who is also the former leader of the leftist New Democratic Party.
#16 - Gen. Romeo Dallaire
#15 - Peter Gzowski (radio and television interviewer)
#14 - Neil Young
#13 - Stompin' Tom Connors
#12 - Jean Vanier
#11 - Louis Riel (finding a link is easy, but there are some real divisions as to whether he was a patriot, demagogue or just nuts. They are referring to him as a "Canadian Che Guevera" but John Brown might be more accurate as they both saw themselves as God's instruments.

Next up: The Top Ten. Terry Fox, Pierre Trudeau, Dan Ackroyd and Don Cherry are probably on it. Let the voting begin.

The finalists:

Sir Frederick Banting
Alexander Graham Bell
Don Cherry
Tommy Douglas
Terry Fox
Wayne Gretzky
Sir. John A. MacDonald
Lester B. Pearson
Dr. David Suzuki
Pierre Trudeau

According to the website, these are the rules for voting for the Top 10:

October 18 - November 22, 8 p.m. : Watch The Greatest Canadian on Mondays and Wednesdays to see in-depth profiles of each of the Top Ten Greats. After every episode, vote (requires registration) for the Canadian you think is greater than the rest.

November 28, 8 p.m. : Take one last look at the Top Ten candidates and then cast your final vote for the Canadian you feel is the cream of the crop.

November 29, 8 p.m. : The results will be broadcast on CBC.

Oct. 20 - 17:47: The list of the 100 greatest Canadians is here.

Nov. 4 08:43: A Greatest Canadian message board has been opened here. By the way, as of October 27, the top 3 were Tommy Douglas, Don Cherry and Terry Fox.

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Oct. 17 - This article from Toronto Sun writer Stephanie Rubec about the Canadian Forces Our troops great, but the gear reeks points out something which has become nearly cliche: the people in the Forces are exceptional, and they persevere and get the job done despite equipment that routinely breaks down and spends more time in the shop than on deployment.

I find it awkward to comment on the Canadian Forces because I come from a country that is willing to spend massive amounts on her military and it's impossible for me to reconcile the facts that Canadians support their military in words but are not willing to support them with tax dollars.

I know that sounds harsh, but it is reality. The crocodile tears flow profusely when a sailor or soldier is killed in the line of duty, but once the photos are published, it's back to business as usual, and that business doesn't include a sober appraisal of improving the capability of the military and allocating the funds necessary to that endeavour.

Ms. Rubeck (who also wrote a series of articles from Afghanistan last spring) and the Toronto Sun are to be commended for their ongoing support of the Canadian Forces between funerals, but the voters of this country (although, arguably more precisely, the voters of the Greater Toronto Area and Quebec) chose funding the bottomless pit of social services over improving the military.

You get what you pay for and take your chances.

The real wonder is that so many good men and women continue to enlist in the Canadian Forces, and that doubles the shame on the Canadian voters who have either failed or been unable to hold the Liberal Party to account for both the neglect of the military and their record of fiscal mismanagement at best and outright theft at worst.

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Oct. 15 - Go immediately and read about the arrest of six Iranian bloggers and internet journalists in Thoughtcrimes and then read these link-filled roundups of the threatened legal action by a political hack former Chretien aide Warren Kinsella against Canadian bloggers here and here.

The two items are not exactly comparable: the first involves arrest, jail, and all the other delightful aspects of incurring the mullah's wrath, and the other involves the threat of legal action to stifle criticism of a public figure who has an underdeveloped sense of taking responsibility for decisions which he may have influenced.

But Canada is supposed to be a free country. Normally, in a free society, some of the possible responses to Kinsella would have been "Bite Me" or "F**k off and Die" but the very real prospect of lawsuits and incurred legal fees has had the effect of stifling freedom of speech by threatening a lawsuit which should not make it onto the docket but well might.

The bloggers who removed their posts chose discretion, but the fact that they took the threat from Kinsella seriously (and, I might add, with good reason) exposes an underbelly of Canadian politics where deviating from the "correct" political line is increasingly deemed anti-Canadian.

The initial outrage is one thing, but will I and others have this affair in the backs of our minds when we write posts? Probably. It will affect each of us differently, but it seems to me that the fact that it will affect us at all is an attack on our freedom of speech up here.

I don't know how to make a google-bomb, but I think Warren Kinsella richly deserves one. Maybe by tomorrow morning I'll come up with a suitable label for him but as I'm stuck working tonight I'll have to, er, work on it.

Oct. 17 - 22:12: This kerfuffle is settled, as recounted by Jay and Sean, so no google bomb this time around. Nevertheless, I hope Mr. Kinsella has become aware that bloggers will unite from across the political spectrum (and around the world) to defend our freedom of speech as well as his.

I've read no updates on the more worrisome item that began this post, that of the arrests of six Iranian bloggers, other than this and this which specifies the charges against them (and which pre-date my post.)

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Oct. 14 - A "damning" British report recounting numerous problems with the four Upholder subs was brought up in the Canadian House of Commons today in an effort to ascertain if the Federal government had known about the report and problems with the subs prior to their purchase 5 years ago. They didn't receive a straight answer.

Toronto Sun columnist Bob MacDonald in Forces chopped into shame recounts some of the penny-pinching measures behind the decision to purchase the 4 mothballed submarines as well as some in their refit.

Canada's navy was forced to tie up the rest of its fleet of second-hand submarines yesterday as a safety measure -- on the same day that a whopping $8-billion federal budget surplus was revealed.

Earlier, Conservative opposition leader Stephen Harper revealed in the Commons that it was Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin who chopped $54 million from the funds to make the four used British subs safe. Martin did this in his earlier role as finance minister.

Harper charged that the chop left the navy unable to safely re-equip the subs or properly train its crews.

Of course, the Grit government dodged answering his charges with deputy PM Anne McLellan saying "all answers" will come out sometime in the future at a naval board of inquiry.

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Oct. 14 - This is such a surprise: PM not sending troops to Iraq.

Canadian PM Paul Martin is in France after meeting with Russian Putin earlier this week. The headline may be an eye-catcher but hardly constitutes the bulk of the article.

During his meeting with Chirac, Martin described French-Canadian relations as "exemplary," according to presidential spokesman Jerome Bonnafont.

"We are hand in hand on most international questions and our bilateral relations are excellent," Bonnafont quoted him as saying.

Martin and Chirac reviewed international issues, including Afghanistan, where both Canada and France have troops, Congo and Iraq. However, the broad discussions also included issues like commercial fishing.

Martin voiced his "concern" over exploitation of fish resources, a position supported by France, Bonnafont said.

Chirac "suggested that Canada and France, with other interested countries, work out a common initiative," the spokesman said. However, he would not specify what such an initiative might entail.

Asked about Quebec Premier Jean Charest's planned November trip to Mexico, Martin played down the significance. French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin is to accompany Charest there.

"The prime minister of Canada speaks for Canada," Martin replied. "There is but one voice on the international scene and that is the prime minister of Canada."

The Mexican trip, he said, is a "commercial mission."

Oct. 18 - 00:12: be sure to read Andrew Coyne's National Post column, Forty Years of Federalist Backpedalling, posted at his website.

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Oct. 14 - So that's what Carolyn "Americans are bastards" Parrish is - a rebel grit!* And here I thought she was a %&$*#.

Rebel Grit says PM fixing votes on missile shield defense vote.

The fix is in. Canada will be protected whether she likes it or not.

Look, I'm no techie but I do have absolute confidence in the "work around" approach to any and all tech issues (it also helps to avoid anything called "beta.")

The last thing the American government wants to do is be divisive in Canada, so surely we could come up with a missile defense program that doesn't cover Canadian terroritory and let Canada decide which it prefers.

(*grit is slang for Liberal Party members.)

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Oct. 12 - More information about the ordeal aboard the HMCS Chicoutimi ('Nightmare' at sea) and a sobering assessment of the state of the equipment of the Canadian military.

Defence Minister Bill Graham doesn't rule anything out (responding specificially to the prospect of scuttling the subs altogether) and wouldn't answer questions about the possibility of taking legal action again Britain who sold the 4 submarines to Canada.

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Oct. 11 - Note new address for Jack's Newswatch, a daily briefing of news from Canada and the rest of the world. Jack includes some of the text from the items, and sometimes even his own commentary (although not often enough, to my mind.)

Oct. 12 17:40: Jack just informed me that he's undergoing major surgery tomorrow and will be away for at least a week. I'll be praying for you, Jack, and looking forward to your return.

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Oct. 11 - According to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll conducted in Canada, 48% fear terror hit in Canada. The poll suggests that Canadians think the war in Iraq, which Canada did not support, has heightened the threat to Canadians.

This is the mind-boggler:

Canadians were generally satisfied with the way Prime Minister Paul Martin handles the war on terrorism. Sixty per cent said they approve and 32% said they disapprove.

No wonder Canadians would prefer to see Kerry elected President: he almost makes Martin look good.

Oct. 12 - 01:23: It seems Canadians weren't the only ones included in this poll; according to this at CNN

Leaders of those countries -- prime ministers Tony Blair of Britain, John Howard of Australia and Silvio Berlusconi of Italy -- all get low marks from their people for their handling of the war on terrorism, an Associated Press-Ipsos poll shows. (Emphasis added)

[...]

"In the context of the presidential campaign in the United States, this is undeniably a blow for George W. Bush, since it shows that a majority of Americans don't agree with the main justification for his policy in Iraq," said Gilles Corman, research director at Ipsos-Inra of Belgium, who studies public opinion trends across Europe.

Something is seriously wrong with this poll. But then, the only poll that matters is the one that opens on election day.

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Oct. 10 - (This should be titled "Why President Bush is a better person than almost everyone": Sub's ordeal nears an end.) The HMCS Chicoutimi, which was disabled by a fire last Tuesday, arrived in Scotland this afternoon - 1 day earlier than expected - because an American tug was dispatched to assist the Canadian sub and was able to tow the sub faster than the smaller British tug boat.

Lt. Chris Saunders died of injuries he sustained when the fire broke out, and the tentative cause of death has been "inhaling hot fire gas." Preparations are being made to return his body with full honours to Canada.

A great many luminaries are expected to be on hand for this event. You can expect many grave faces and words - lots and lots of words - because words are cheap, but outfitting and materially supporting the military aren't.

The real wonder is that so many fine Canadian men and women continue to enlist and staff the military. They get something that the so-called leadership of this feckless country doesn't: the need to stand on guard.

Even as Canadians mourn Saunders, it should be remembered that the crew of the Chicoutimi performed their duties and saved the ship.

Returning to the US tug that returned the Chicoutimi to port, let us all take a moment to reflect on how Haliburton and the oil companies are profiting by this because everyone in Toronto 'knows' that the USA does nothing unless it's to her material advantage.

Sheesh. The failure of this President to take advantage of the unexpected opportunity for a little payback by the simple practice of doing nothing must be added to Sen. Kerry's list of accusations. Or, perhaps the President feels as I do: that the uncomfortable spotlight which has exposed the sorry state of the Canadian military is not a cause for celebration but of sorrow.

As did many others, I waited for the President to slam the French, Chinese and Russians for their conspiracies with Saddam as they exploited, corrupted and debased the UN Oil for Food Project during Friday's debate. He declined the opening.

I get that we need to keep the door open to future Chinese, Russian and, yes, even French participation as the war on terrorism evolves.

I get that even though personal attacks are made on the President daily in the Canadian news media it would be childish for him to allow whatever personal pique he may feel influence his response in an emergency.

I even get that US assistance will not improve his image in Canada. The odds are that most of the voting American public won't even be aware of our assistance and the Canadian public will shrug it off as inconsequential and besides, Canadians are entitled to benefit from all things American.

But damn, doesn't President Bush know about shadenfreude? He still needs to learn more from our enlightened European cousins about these very important matters.

(Do I even need to attach sarcasm tags?)

I guess the long-term need to keep avenues open in the fight against terrorism overrides the very human short-term need to return personal shots.

And that why he's the President and I'm not.

Bob MacDonald has thoughts along similar lines:

It seems George W. Bush sticks to doing what he believes is right -- and not even his sniping opponents will stop him.

Of course, Sen. Kerry does have a plan: hold a summit. Hmm, that's a page right out of Canadian Rules of Engagement! Peabrains do think alike!

16:43 - Kate ties the tow of the sub to Carolyn Parrish beautifully. I had noted that the tug's name is the Carolyn Chouest -- can't someone please come up with a zinger on that shared first name (other than the obvious similarities of their respective appearances?)

Oct. 11 - 18:22: See the comments section for some interesting information about the Carolyn Chouest from Chris Taylor and he's right - we don't want to connect the tug boat with Parrish.

17:00 - The FBI has uncovered a cache of what may be Kerry's plans (according to ScrappleFace!)

Oct. 11 - Coverage of the arrival of Ltd. Saunder's body in Halifax and the HMCS Chicoutimi in Scotland, and this from the UK's Daily Telegraph, contained this good news:

Two other crew members were also airlifted to Sligo General Hospital. Petty Officer Denis Lafleur and Master Seaman Archibald MacMaster, who is still in intensive care, are expected to make a full recovery.

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