Canadian aid groups told to keep quiet on policy issues

[HeresyLives]

Canadian aid groups told to keep quiet on policy issues

Non-governmental organizations say they're receiving veiled warnings about positions that clash with Ottawa's
Campbell Clark

Ottawa — From Friday's Globe and Mail Published on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 9:30PM EST
Last updated on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 9:46PM EST

Aid groups say the federal government is casting a chill over advocacy work that takes positions on policy or political issues – and one claims a senior Conservative aide warned them against such activities.

An official with a mainstream non-governmental aid group said that Keith Fountain, policy director for International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda, gave a verbal warning that the organization's policy positions were under scrutiny: “Be careful about your advocacy.”

The official did not want to be identified out of concern that it might jeopardize funding for the group's aid projects from the Canadian International Development Agency, or CIDA.

That's a concern voiced by some other NGO leaders, who said they have received hints the government dislikes their policy advocacy or criticisms of the government policies, but did not want to be identified.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadian-aid-groups-told-to-keep-quiet-on-policy-issues/article1465349/

Canadians afraid to disagree with the govt for fear of punishment. Is this Canada anymore?

Have I mentioned how much I loathe this govt?

[JBoy]

1. Political advisor Keith Fountain is now toast

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/top-adviser-leaves-bev-odas-office/article1470147/

A Conservative political adviser caught up in the fracas between the Harper government and aid groups has left his job at CIDA minister Bev Oda’s office.

Keith Fountain, who served as policy director for Ms. Oda, the Minister of International Co-operation, no longer works for her, a spokesman said today.

But today Ms. Oda’s office denied Mr. Fountain’s departure had anything to do with The Globe and Mail article or the allegation. “Let’s kill that rumour right now,” Mr. Benoit said.

He nevertheless refused to explain why Mr. Fountain left Ms. Oda’s office. “We don’t discuss staffing issues publicly.”

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Yeah, his departure had NOTHING to do with the controversy.

[HeresyLives]

2. Sheer coincidence I'm sure.

:rofl:

Actually they should have asked what 'moved on' means. Usually with Harper it just means 'moving on' to someone else's office and so out of sight for awhile.