UPDATE SEPTEMBER 19, 2015: SEE ALSO DISCLAIMER AND LITIGATION UPDATES.
[This post, which began in May and having over 1000 revisions and 2000 comments, is being retired from service and updates. It lived through the success of reaching a total of $500,000 in donations from our kind, dear supporters who had little money to give, the hope and disappointment with the summary trial decision, and the certainty that we are now finally moving on to the Charter trial.]
CANADIAN CHARTER TRIAL UPDATE:
— We have instructed the Arvay team to prepare for the “Constitutional-Charter” trial. This means that our focus now, as it was in the beginning of our lawsuit, is on the Charter trial.
Unless there is a new expense in the future that we have not anticipated, the monies from your donations will be sufficient to take us through the “constitutional-charter” trial in Federal Court. However, to pay other legal bills we will need additional donations from our supporters, and a request for donations will appear on another post soon.
OUR LITIGATION HISTORY:
One year ago, on August 11, 2014, Litigator Joseph Arvay filed a FATCA IGA lawsuit in Canada Federal Court on behalf of Plaintiffs Ginny and Gwen, the Alliance for the Defence of Canadian Sovereignty (en français), and all peoples.
Because of a Government delay we initiated a “summary trial”, using a portion of the arguments, which offered the possibility of preventing private banking information from being turned over to the IRS before September 30, 2015. See Alliance’s Claims, our Alliance blog, and AUGUST 4-5 SUMMARY TRIAL FILINGS in LITIGATION UPDATES.
Radicalized person, IMO, is politically correct-speak for terrorist. To think that we, fighting in court, would be called terrorists in Canada, would be absurd. We fight with Canadian law, with intent to kill no one. They fight with death, and (they hope) fear. That’s what their damned beheadings are all about. That’s what their online call to arms are all about.
You just can’t equate the two situations.
I haven’t read that this person was part of a bigger operation, but what was referred to as another *lone wolf* copycat incidence of violence. The result was reprehensible but rather than a likely part of ISIS (which many argue is a western world creation), another lone wolf mentally disturbed person who didn’t survive to be brought to trial for further analysis.
I don’t refer to our present fight with Canadian law at all. I refer what COULD be allowed to happen in the future with our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms taken away with the likes of Bill C-51, Bill C-24 and, of course, the one we’re most familiar with, C-31. I want due process in this country and others preserved.
It was an act of terrorism, Calgary411, because Harper was terrified enough to hide in a closet.
You have me, bubblebustin — lest I forget that noble act of this country’s Great Leader.
I’m sorry I inadvertently swerved this thread off topic. (Although I do see a linkage between Bill C-31 and Bill C-51.) Has anyone noticed that terrorist acts rarely, if ever, help the purported cause of the terrorists? They only alienate people. Then often with lightning speed, intricate laws are introduced which reduce the freedom of the innocent citizenry and increase the control of the government. I believe that some freedom-restricting laws are written in advance and await a dramatic incident to make them acceptable to citizens who are now infused with fear. (Did you know the core of the Patriot Act was written by Joe Biden in 1995?) The media plays an important role by hyping the phrase “act of terrorism”, right from the onset. It’s easy to get away with this because the evil deed doer, if not killed in the act, will be locked away incommunicado so that his motives can be assigned to him without rebuttal. I confess I get worried when the “T” word gets flung around because I think, “Oh, oh. What else are we about to lose?”
The media does us ALL a disservice. Look at how well they botch our situation up.
I also believe the level of discourse in the western world has badly affected by the internet. Hit and run anonymous comments are something we battle all the time. It dismays me that the “hiding in the closet” comment is mentioned here. I think it’s not deserved. It has already been stated in the media that the people in the room, or some security person, directed him to a side room. Can’t possibly imagine WHY, since he has been the subject of death threats and BEHEADING by Islamic fanatics. Regardless of what is thought of the man’s policies, let’s have some respect for a fellow Canadian, the biggest target in the nation. I wouldn’t belittle Mulcair or Trudeau in that position.
I really think we should take the high road here, if WE expect any respect in this fight. Taking the high road doesn’t mean we give in, it means we fight civilly.
The high road? What road did Stephen Harper take when he chose to throw 1 M Canadians and the Charter under the FATCA bus? Fact or not, the closet story is funny and makes Harper look like the goof he is. Sorry, no holds barred for what the Cons under Harper has done.
@bubblebustin
I chose my words very carefully in my post and did so in careful consideration of the Oklahoma City bombing. Yes I’d consider that a rare example of something I’d call a terrorist attack. But yes it was (very slightly) more than 20 years ago.
@The Mom
That is why I hope we can respectfully agree to disagree as reasonable people. Certainly the attacks you mention might reasonably be considered to be terrorist attacks. I just prefer not to use the ‘t’ word if I can possibly avoid it because I know the use of that word isn’t going to be used to protect us from the murderers but rather to restrict everyone’s civil liberties based on the murderer’s acts. But I definitely hear your point of view.
Basically the language in C-51 refers to far more than just hijacking planes so I’m concerned. Hijacking planes is clearly a terrorist act. Behaving in an intimidating way regarding someone’s economic security–not so much.
But here I am talking about C-51 when I just said earlier today I hoped we could keep the focus on here primarily on C-31. Shame on me.
And is ISIL a terrorist organization? Absolutely. But they aren’t just intimidating people regarding their economic security. They are cutting off people’s heads! But I’m profoundly suspicious of Western politicians using this example of real terrorism to restrict the civil liberties of Westerners.
Has any bank or countries suffered the 30% sanctions?
@GeorgeIII. No example of FATCA 30% on banks or countries. Yet 100% of banks and countries will not sign up. So this may call the bluff. Will America really bust chops on the poorest of countries who have not signed up? Then those countries will be the next tax haven countries.
There is example of America coming down hard on FFI in Switrzerland with major fines and I believe bankrupting one bank. The US had multibillion fines against a French bank for violating US sanctions on Iran. Then we have US intervention into FIFA because senior officials – foreign nationals and in foreign countries – were using US banks. King George III would be pleased with such power.
Litigation update states:
“Government is directed by Court to serve and file its motion record (response to our motion) by JUNE 3, 2015. At later date TBD we file response.”
Any thoughts on how the government will refute Mr. Arvay’s claims???? I guess we’ll find out June 3rd.
In their response they are openly and willingly throwing fellow Canadian. Citizensunder the bus and then to the wolves
I find their position chilling
Could C-51 be used to fight C-31? We should charge the Canadian government of aiding and abetting the US government that is behaving in an intimidating way regarding our economic security. Or the Canadian government could charge the US under C-51. If US laws apply in Canada then Canadian laws should apply in the US…right? (ha).
@Charl – – What a great logical point you have made! You rock!
I found this excellent letter and have permission to post, regarding c-51.
Hi
At the risk of having my name put on some sort of list, I want to do my duty as a Canadian to tell you what your constituents think. I was astounded at what you wrote in your ‘opinion’ column in the Strathmore Standard entitled “Anti-terrorism measures implemented to protect Canadians”. You state “As your Member of Parliament, I will vote in support of our Government taking these pro-active measures against future would-be terrorists.” Kevin, is it your job to tell your constituents how you will vote, or is it your job to ask your constituents how they would like you to vote?
I received no phone call, questionnaire, or person at my door asking me how I would like my federal representative to vote on bill c-51. I don’t know any thinking person in our constituency of Crowfoot who wants you to vote yes to bill c-51. In fact, there were about 50 cities across Canada with demonstrations March 14, 2015 asking their representatives to listen to them and vote NO to bill c-51. See the following sites:
Calgary http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/video…
Toronto- http://www.macleans.ca/i/…
Winnipeg- http://www.cbc.ca/…/hundreds-of-winnipeg-bill-c-51-opponent…
Vancouver-http://www.vancouversun.com/…/Vancouver…/10890681/story.html
http://www.cbc.ca/…/ralph-nader-stephen-harper-is-selling-t…
Kevin, did you ever think that you are being used by your group to further an agenda? Did you ever think that your basic goodness is being taken advantage of? The very fact of your basic goodness is often the reason you cannot see the bad in others. Just because you are on the same ‘team’ as the characters that come up with schemes like bill c-51, does not mean you have to agree with them.
Kevin, PLEASE THINK FOR YOUR SELF. What basic research did you do before you wrote columns of pure propaganda? Kevin, please think with some sense of mathematical probability. The world did not get more dangerous because one person supposedly died at the war memorial in Ottawa. Canadians actually have a greater risk of dying from a moose or lightning strike than a terror plot. Do you remember a time when news stories used to try to tell just the facts and not how citizens should think?
Mathematically, what were the chances of one soldier being killed in Ottawa at the exact time the proponents of bill c-51 wanted to persuade more citizens to have some of their liberties taken away? Mathematically, if one soldier being killed can cause sweeping spying laws on all Canadians, how come hundreds or thousands of Native women being killed caused nothing? Does this really add up to you? Mathematically, when you watch thousands of citizens across Canada demonstrate against bill c-51, can you still tell yourself that your constituents want you to vote for it?
Kevin, when I see the pm speaking on television, I often see you sitting close to him looking like a proud soldier yourself. What if you are being deceived and you are working against Canada? Could you ever forgive yourself for that?
Please do your own research and please ask your constituents what they think about being spied upon by our own government with no oversight. Who is going to watch the watchers in Canada?
The bill c-51 proponents are NOT YOUR BOSSES. I am one of your bosses, and I AM DIRECTING YOU TO VOTE NO TO BILL C-51.
Sincerely,
Thanks, Sid.
I will copy that to *Honourable* MP Michelle Rempel and every other (still, for the time-being) Conservative MP in Calgary — and it extends to what should be their individual critical thinking and taking into account just HOW constituents would like them to vote on their behalf — just two others Bill C-31 and Bill C-24, both from 2014.
@all, in preparation for visits with local candidates for the upcoming federal election in Canada, could one of the brilliant(!) people on this site calculate the lost benefit of not being able to take advantage of various saving opportunities in Canada? For example, my three Canadian born children are, for all practical purposes, denied access to the TFSA, which now has quite a substantial annual contribution limit, and I am wondering what their actual monetary loss would be over the course of, say, 25 or even 40 years. Is it possible to quantify some of these losses? Tax free earnings compounded over time? If someone could run a couple of sample scenarios and spit out some estimates of loss, as compared to a non-tainted Canadian, it might be useful ammunition to take to local candidates. Thanks, all you brilliant people!
I have been rereading the legal documents for weeks now.
They are simply brilliant and I believe arvey has found the tool to pick the lock.
It is clear obama admin types and Harper’s minions were clever by half.
To get this to work they needed to amend the tax treaty not to attempt to find some spurious legal authority to build an addition on it.
I also believe this legal basis provides a path in other jurisdictions.
What I think is clear is that all these agreements need to be rewritten and go through a treaty amendment process meaning the us Senate needs to be involved.
For once I am pretty positive.
@ Stephen Kish
I attached a butterfly to the back of our envelope this month. Maybe it will fly a little faster to Toronto that way. 🙂 We REALLY want to see the thermometer rise faster very soon.
Albertans showed up on Saturday, they came from Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Strathmore to express their sorrow for Canadian’s loss.
@calgary411
I haven’t read that this person was part of a bigger operation, but what was referred to as another *lone wolf* copycat incidence of violence.
If we are talking about the Parliament building attacks, I tend to agree. ‘Terrorism’ is a difficult word to define, but when I use the word ‘terrorism’ (preferably sparingly), I think of someone who is part of an evil–but very organized with rigorous military-like discipline–group. I do understand that some might use the ‘t’ word to describe that guy, because I do think he fantasized about joining such a group. But in reality he was simply an undisciplined lone wolf with a long rap sheet. There are way too many such guys around and I do not deny that they do horrible things–I just prefer not to use the ‘t’ word.
These labels do in fact have impacts on real people’s lives. People have ended up on ‘no fly’ lists or being held indefinitely without charges or trial. Sometimes the reasons are obvious–although even then I’d be concerned about lack of due process. Sometimes, though, there is no obvious reason but someone’s life is ruined or severely damaged.
@ Sid
Thank you, that’s an inspiring video. Well done Calgary and all the other cities which participated.