Pat's Posts

SOURCE: WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, TOP STORY A6
Mary Agnes Welch, Larry Kusch and Matt Preprost

It was a historic day that started off quietly -- the smell of smoke from the sacred fire wafting throughout The Forks, as residential school survivors read aloud painful memories, only to be capped off with a night of dance and jubilation from the top aboriginal musicians in the country. Buffy Sainte-Marie, introduced as "Canada's favourite daughter," addressed a large crowd about the long road still ahead for aboriginals.

THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD
NATIONAL GENERAL NEWS, Page: B2

Liberal MP lobbyist?
Wiremanager

THE CANADIAN PRESS - OTTAWA

Liberal MP Derek Lee was accused Thursday of illegally lobbying the government on behalf of foreign companies.

But the Toronto MP insisted he's never lobbied the government.

Lee dismissed the allegations as a misunderstanding generated by a misleading profile of him that appeared on the website of a Toronto law firm, to which he has been legal counsel since 2007.

BYLINE: Larry Kusch and Bartley Kives
SOURCE: WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

A veteran city councillor and longtime NDP member is challenging his party's decision to strip him of an endorsement in a ward race he still wants to contest this fall. Daniel McIntyre Coun. Harvey Smith, who's sat on council for 18 years and also served as an NDP MLA, will appear before party officials tonight to protest an NDP committee's decision to endorse Keith Bellamy, a constituency assistant for Winnipeg Centre MP Pat Martin, in the inner-city ward instead.

BYLINE: MIA RABSON
SOURCE: WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

OTTAWA -- In the wake of the train wreck of the Helena Guergis/Rahim Jaffer saga that hit unexpected highs last week, Ottawa is practically gasping for breath. It's easy to understand why.

The sexiest words political pundits and party spokespeople usually get to toss around are more along the lines of "deficit financing" than "busty hookers."

SOURCE: THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
BYLINE: Mia Rabson

OTTAWA -- Winnipeg NDP MP Pat Martin said Thursday allegations a former Conservative MP used his insider ties to the Harper government as a business marketing ploy should be investigated as possible influence peddling. Martin also demanded the government take action to prevent former MPs from lobbying the government for at least five years after leaving office, saying Rahim Jaffer's story exposes a glaring loophole in the Lobbyists Act.