Bourrie isn't namining names, but apparently alot of ccs on the email including one to the PM. As to newsworthiness, you might argue that there are national security implications.
Just saw this on the news. Mr. Dechert is the parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. Apparently, Harper accepts Dechert's explanation and there will no action taken against him. It really takes a lot for a Conservative MP to get demoted....
Why would it matter if Dechert was working on matters in Asia. The United States doesn't restrict itself on gathering information on what's happening in North America. Why would China restrict itself to matters in Asia? (As it is Dechert's a part of the Canada-China Legislative Association. Not big, but if people needed an Asian connection, here's one.)
But you're probably right that Dechert wasn't given top secret information.
Here's an article outlines a number of concerns, overall, a lack of common sense with the Conservatives.
From the article: Juneau-Katsuya pointed to two other embarrassing situations for the Conservative government.
In 2008, then foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier had to resign after it was revealed he left some secret cabinet papers at the home of his girlfriend. Earlier this year it was revealed that Bruce Carson, a former senior aide to Harper, once brought a reported ex-prostitute and money-launderer to a party at 24 Sussex Drive to meet with the prime minister.
Taken together, the incidents raise questions about the judgment of officials in the Prime Minister's Office, Juneau-Katsuya says.
"We've got an issue definitely here in the Prime Minister's Office...do people sort of have common sense to realize what is a danger for Canada and what is not.
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ReplyDeleteSure we'll hear the details from Sun media annnnnny second now...
ReplyDeleteLike the old gay situations, now that it's "out", it's no big deal.
ReplyDeleteBut CSIS may have another opinion.
It's Bob Dechart:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Chinese+journalist+claims+mails+from+Tory+fake/5377875/story.html
That's Dechert.
ReplyDeleteMSM finally gets on the case, late on a Friday afternoon. Quelle surprise!
ReplyDeleteJust saw this on the news. Mr. Dechert is the parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. Apparently, Harper accepts Dechert's explanation and there will no action taken against him. It really takes a lot for a Conservative MP to get demoted....
ReplyDeleteAccording to the G&M, government officials have been removed from top secret positions for having links to Xinhua.
ReplyDeleteWhat "sensitive project?" He is now a go-fer for Baird, and not on the Asian beat. No way he has access to top secret information.
ReplyDeleteWhy would it matter if Dechert was working on matters in Asia. The United States doesn't restrict itself on gathering information on what's happening in North America. Why would China restrict itself to matters in Asia? (As it is Dechert's a part of the Canada-China Legislative Association. Not big, but if people needed an Asian connection, here's one.)
ReplyDeleteBut you're probably right that Dechert wasn't given top secret information.
Here's an article outlines a number of concerns, overall, a lack of common sense with the Conservatives.
From the article:
Juneau-Katsuya pointed to two other embarrassing situations for the Conservative government.
In 2008, then foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier had to resign after it was revealed he left some secret cabinet papers at the home of his girlfriend. Earlier this year it was revealed that Bruce Carson, a former senior aide to Harper, once brought a reported ex-prostitute and money-launderer to a party at 24 Sussex Drive to meet with the prime minister.
Taken together, the incidents raise questions about the judgment of officials in the Prime Minister's Office, Juneau-Katsuya says.
"We've got an issue definitely here in the Prime Minister's Office...do people sort of have common sense to realize what is a danger for Canada and what is not.