Centre Street Bridge, Calgary, Alberta
In response to voter concerns, our campaign looked into the significance of Mr Richardson’s role as Chair of the Board of Streetlight Intelligence Inc. In 2009, Natural Resources Canada granted Streetlight Intelligence Inc $185,000. At the time, the grant was reviewed by the ethics commissioner because Mr. Richardson had been a member of the committee for natural resources. We also learned that on April 15th of this year, Streetlight Intelligence suspended operations and laid off their staff despite government grants and significant investments by Hydro Ottawa and Enmax. The attached press release is based on numbers by SEDAR and a story in the Ottawa Citizen, dated April 27th. A detailed look at the public records of Streetlight Intelligence shows Enmax invested $1.85 million in 2008 and another $200,000 in 2009. As taxpayers we have questions about these losses, any benefits received and Mr Richardson’s role as a promoter of the company.
Voters are asking where Mr. Richardson’s priorities lie. Is it with his electors, the corporation he chairs, the public utilities’ shareholders or his personal interest? Calgarians should have the right to expect loyalty of their elected MP. Mr Richardson’s loyalties appear divided, and thus call into question his commitment to serving as the Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre. Mr. Richardson’s association with Streelight Intelligence and Enmax investment is to be questioned. The facts point to a loss of tax payers’ money through federal grants and the public utilities investors.
Holding members of parliament accountable is essential to democratic government. Jennifer believes that when the public calls for closer examination of an issue, it is important to ensure a full investigation to determine the truth.
Release sent to media April 28, 2011
Calgary – A company that was at the centre of controversy last year after
receiving a grant from Natural Resources Canada, recently announced
that they are temporarily laying-off their staff, much to the consternation of
Hydro Ottawa which had invested in the company.
Streetlight Intelligence Inc. made headlines last year when it accepted a
funding grant of $185,000 from Natural Resources Canada while it’s Board
Chair and Director was the Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, Lee
Richardson. Liberal Member of Parliament Marlene Jennings referred the
matter to Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson.
“From a tax-payers perspective I am very concerned about this matter and
for voters it raises a question of Richardson’s role and judgment,” said
Jennifer Pollock. “First you have Streetlight receiving a government grant
and then it suspends operations and lays-off its workers all the while Lee
Richardson was Chair of the Board. Clearly Mr. Richardson has problems
with fiscal oversight in both his political and business careers.”
Both Richardson and the Conservative party want to be branded as good
financial managers but neither has a record to back it up. This election the
public should hold the Conservatives accountable for wasting our money
and spending it with their friends.
Ottawa Citizen “Hydro Ottawa’s B.C. investment draws fire
$1.5M put into failing company”
The Leaders Debate looks and sounds much better in 10 second clips. Taken as a whole it was disjointed and without substance for those who hoped to understand the platforms of the parties. Harper caught fellow leaders off guard when he began with a denial regarding the Conservatives plan to decrease corporate taxes.
Ignatieff, Layton and Duceppe engaged with each other while Harper who was positioned on the far left, chose to deliver messages directly to the camera. Since Harper is the incumbent, fellow leaders repeatedly tried to hold him to account, a futile effort. Using the rope a dope strategy, successfully, Harper’s lack of interaction and modulated tones removed the prospects for a knockout. Beyond the strategy of disengagement in the debate, Harper discounted the finding of contempt and avoided responding to any calls for accountability.
Michael Ignatieff raised the issue of Harper’s character. For those who follow Canadian politics, there were no surprises.
In case you missed it you can watch the debate for yourself on CTV website http://ow.ly/4yX3L
Twitter was active across the country. The comments were so frequent it was difficult to follow and interact with fellow Canadians. Calgary did not engage in a twitter discussion, although local tweets did engage in municipal twitter discussion of issues and followed the candidate debates last fall. Our Mayor Nenshi was prepared to engage and interact but even His Worship could not stimulate the Calgary twitterverse. Democracy in Canada is certainly one of the most important issues of our times. All of those participating in this election need to step up our work to engage fellow citizens.
For those of you who don’t follow twitter, here are some of the comments from local reporter Jason Markusoff and Mayor Nenshi and others. My twitter feed is found at http://twitter.com/#!/jcpollock/
KevinNewman_tv Kevin Newman
Debate results/impact settle over time. It takes hours, not minutes. #db8 #elxn41
MMFlint Michael Moore by Patrick_Johner
140 chrctr CanadianPM debate sumry: Should we b more like U.S.–more guns, less health care? Privatize services? Tax breaks 4 rich? #canusa
jaypalter Jay Palter
by Patrick_Johner
Leaders’ debates distract us from what our democracy lacks: good policy, accountability & true leadership. #elxn41
nenshi Naheed Nenshi
@FACLC @markusoff in fact Calgarians send about $10 bn more per year to feds and province then we get back. So, the answer to your q is yes.
nenshi Naheed Nenshi
Ok, I’m a half-hour into the #db8. I officially apologize to everyone who watched the 34 mayoral forums if they were this painful. #elxn41
nenshi Naheed Nenshi
Wow, not a lot of excitement about the debate. Maybe I should catch up on te last few weeks of Idol instead? #elxn41
nenshi Naheed Nenshi
Great United Way event, now I am going to watch the debate. Did I miss anything exciting? #elxn41
colbycosh Colby Cosh by markusoff
So, congrats, Canada, on NOT picking the womanizing jet-set novelist who has 100 awesome literal war stories. Who’d want to drink with HIM?
joeboughner Joe Boughner by markusoff
Ok. Inspired by #db8 and #elxn41, here’s my hastily assembled Canadian Democracy 101: http://youtu.be/qRNuPNGzMrs Hope @kady approves
markusoff Jason Markusoff
…. he asked the twitterverse.
markusoff Jason Markusoff
Has it gotten to point where watching the debate without Twitter or a blog open is on par with listening over the radio? #elxn41 #cdnpoli
jcpollock Jennifer Pollock
Me too #yycCentre RT @anitavandenbeld: Ignatieff defines ballot question – earning the trust of Cdns & respecting democracy, proud 2 B running with Michael Ignatieff #db8 #lpc
jcpollock Jennifer Pollock
RT @voterenee: @M_Ignatieff “I want more health not more healthcare”. #fed2011 #db8 #yycCentre
jcpollock Jennifer Pollock
RT @politicopinion: Harper: “I simply don’t accept the truth”. #cdnpol #db8 #elxn41
jcpollock Jennifer Pollock
RT @Mortgage604: Can’t help but feel that Democracy was broken by not having Elizabeth May #db8 #lpc #cpc #ndp #elxn41 #yycCentre
Today I signed up as a Pro Internet candidate on the website http://www.VoteNet.ca. It was developed by http://www.OpenMedia.ca to make access to the internet and its regulation an issue in this federal election on May 2, 2011.
The internet redistributes power in our society, giving voice and access to some groups that are marginalized unfairly. So long as the internet remains with limited censorship and affordable price, the internet is an important tool in a free democracy. The opportunity to access high speed internet connectivity at a reasonable cost is important to everyone but to especially those who are poor, isolated, less literate, creative and/or innovative.