Monthly Archives: April 2020

The Trudeau Liberal government is being deliberately ambiguous on the issue of COVID-19 financial aid to corporations that use offshore havens to evade Canadian taxes.

When opposition parties and organizations such as Canadians for Tax Fairness first brought up the issue -- pointing out that other countries, such as Denmark, decided from the outset that firms that avoid paying taxes would not receive taxpayers' money -- the Canadian government dissimulated and retreated behind generalities about its good intentions to end tax evasion.

Then, on Tuesday, April 28, the prime minister, speaking during the first-ever electronic session of the House said, in French: "We will continue to assure that those who need help get it, but those who practice tax avoidance or evasion will not receive aid" [italics added].

That sounded clear enough.

However, when Bloc Qubcois and New Democratic MPs tried to get details, the Liberals refused to offer any. Instead, they went back into a defensive shell, repeating platitudes about how much the government has invested in investigating the use of tax havens.

Bloc MP Alain Therrien put the question to Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier, who pointedly refused to even repeat Justin Trudeau's pledge, let alone amplify it. Instead, the minister told the House there are now 50 criminal investigations of such tax evasion activities. So far, none have resulted in criminal prosecutions.

Lebouthiller did not, in any way, affirm that any company that resorts to offshore tax avoidance gimmicks would be denied COVID-19 aid money. To the contrary, she pointed out that the COVID-19 money in question is supposed to support employee salaries, not corporate profits.

The next day, during the once-a-week live and in-person session of the House, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh observed that, in many cases, the use of tax havens remains perfectly within the law, because the government has not moved to legally ban the practice. Then, he put the question to the prime minister this way:

"Very simply, if a company is cheating the public and not paying its fair share by using legal tax havens, will this government commit today to say: 'No, we will not give them public money if they are cheating the public and not contributing to our economy and our society?'"

In response, Justin Trudeau talked about the thousands of workers who need the money from the COVID-19 wage subsidy, whether they work for large companies or small, franchises or mom-and-pop operations.

"We know that COVID-19 has caused people across the country in different sectors, in different industries, to lose their paycheques," he said. "Our focus has been on making sure that people get the help they need to pay for groceries, to pay for their rent regardless of the size of company they work for."

Singh mentioned the case of Loblaws, which, he said, is evading $400 million in taxes. Trudeau responded:

"I'm sure the honourable member isn't suggesting that someone who works as a grocery clerk at Loblaws shouldn't get support from the government because of the behaviour of their head office."

Speaking during regular Commons proceedings on Wednesday afternoon, April 29, Jagmeet Singh discussed the tax haven issue, and the billions it costs the Canadian government in lost revenue, more fully. He placed it in the context of another NDP demand: that the government institute a universal basic income (UBI).

The NDP argues that a UBI would be preferable to the Liberals' current patchwork approach -- an approach that has the governing party repeatedly going back to the drawing board to fill gaps the opposition parties draw to its attention.

Most recently, the Liberals agreed to an NDP suggestion that they boost proposed emergency financial support to students with children so that it equals what other parents (who do not happen to be students) can receive from a different program, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

Linking the issue of support for those who need it most to corporate abuse of tax havens, Singh said:

"It does not make sense that the government is going to deny a universal income at the same time that there are companies that are stealing, effectively, billions of dollars out of our coffers It is beyond time that the Liberal government commits to closing these tax loopholes to ensure that we have the revenue that we can invest in Canadians ..."

In 2017, Canadians for Tax Fairness issued a comprehensive report on Canadian corporations' widespread use of tax havens.

Many major Canadian companies thinly disguise their use of these offshore tax evasion schemes by shifting funds to subsidiary or related companies. The Tax Fairness report points out that the 60 largest companies on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) have over 1,000 such entities in tax haven jurisdictions.

"All of the 10 largest companies on the TSE have multiple subsidiaries and related companies in known tax haven locations," it adds.

Some companies -- such as Valeant Pharmaceuticals and Sunlife Financial -- have over 50 such subsidiaries or related companies each. The report states that "many of the largest companies have multiple subsidiaries or related companies in multiple tax haven jurisdictions."

Bringing it back to the level of the average Canadian, for whom the use of tax havens would be a far-fetched fantasy, Bloc MP Christine Normandin remarked that some of her constituents have complained that they do not qualify for government assistance because they do not regularly file taxes. To receive the CERB, for instance, those who apply must show they filed a tax form for at least $5,000 last year.

The MP said she tells her constituents that to get government benefits one must be willing to contribute via the tax system -- a policy, she added, that seemed fair to her. However, she then asked, why doesn't the same principle that governs individuals apply to corporations? Why can multi-billion-dollar corporations still receive government money while at the same time using elaborate means to evade paying Canadian taxes?

Nobody from the government side had an answer to that question.

Karl Nerenberg has been a journalist and filmmaker for more than 25 years. He is rabble's politics reporter.

Image: Diane Lebouthillier/Twitter

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Trudeau Liberals play coy on support for corporations that abuse offshore tax havens - rabble.ca

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn should be pardoned. The reasons behind his dismissal were garbage and the perjury charge was also ridiculous. The reason why Flynn received the wrath of the Department of Justice and was fired from the Trump administration stemmed from phone calls he had with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the transition. These calls were made public in the press, which rehashes another disturbing aspect: classified communications were being leaked to the press by deep state actors.

The perjury charge seemed fishy from the start, especially when FBI agents reportedly told disgraced ex-FBI Chief James Comey that they felt Flynn did nothing wrong (via Washington Examiner):

In March 2017, then-FBI Director James Comey briefed a number of Capitol Hill lawmakers on the Trump-Russia investigation. One topic of intense interest was the case of Michael Flynn, the Trump White House national security adviser who resigned under pressure on Feb. 13 after just 24 days in the job.

There were widespread reports that Flynn had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about telephone conversations that he, Flynn, had with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the transition in late December 2016. On Jan. 24, 2017, two of Comey's FBI agents went to the White House to question Flynn, and there was a lot of speculation later that Flynn lied in that interview, which would be a serious crime.

[]

According to two sources familiar with the meetings, Comey told lawmakers that the FBI agents who interviewed Flynn did not believe that Flynn had lied to them, or that any inaccuracies in his answers were intentional. As a result, some of those in attendance came away with the impression that Flynn would not be charged with a crime pertaining to the Jan. 24 interview.

Nine months later, with Comey gone and special counsel Robert Mueller in charge of the Trump-Russia investigation, Flynn pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to the FBI in that Jan. 24 questioning.

Now, as Bronson wrote last night, new documents show the FBI plotted a perjury trap, which is what Flynns lawyer had alleged back in October of 2019.

This is all part of the Trump-Russia collusion circus, the deep state antics that go with it, and the liberal media peddling an outright myth for two years. There is and never has been any solid evidence pointing to a Kremlin-Trump collusion scheme. Every bombshell ended up blowing up in the faces of the Trump-deranged reporters who jumped up and down thinking they had the smoking gun, which in actuality was nothing more than piles of crap. The anti-Trump resistance needed allies in the DOJ to get a scalp and help make the sting of the 2016 election feel less painful. So, it appears the FBI came a-knocking. Yet, not all liberal reporters found any of this credible from the start. Glenn Greenwald and Michael Tracey, two reporters who are in no way conservative or pro-Trump, thought the collusion narrative was nonsense, but theyre also not insane. They took no prisoners calling out their colleagues who peddled this myth when the Mueller report definitively said there was no evidence to the collusion delusion that liberal America so desperately wanted to be true. Theyre also tried of the overreactions toeverything the Trump administration does from lefty outlets.

For Tracey, he tweeted why he felt the Flynn case was garbage from the get-go.

It was obvious from the beginning that Mike Flynns ouster was a total set-up because the circumstances of it were so implausibly stupid, he wrote. They tried to criminalize completely routine phone conversations with the Russian ambassador.

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Do the right thing, President Trump. Pardon Flynn.

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Liberal Reporter: This Is Why The Whole Michael Flynn Fiasco Was 'Implausibly Stupid' From the Beginning - Townhall

04/30/2020

JONESBORO The names of this year's most outstanding graduating students in the College of Liberal Arts and Communication at Arkansas State University have been announced, according to Dr. Carl Cates, dean. These awards are normally presented during Convocation of Scholars, which had to be cancelled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Chancellors Scholar award was presented to Connor Scroggins of Malvern, who will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Music degree. The Chancellors Scholar is the graduating student in the college with the highest cumulative gradepoint average.

Noah Ford of Searcy, Claire Hulett of Jonesboro, Alyssa Perry of Cabot, along with Scroggins, received the 4.0 Scholar Award. In the event of a tie, the Chancellor's Scholar is the student who has completed the most credit hours.

The departmental award recipients and their respective degree programs are (by academic department):

Art + Design

Kaly Ishee of Pangburn, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), studio art; Calley Dunnihoo of West Plains, Mo., BFA, graphic design; Mykala Smith of Pocahontas, BFA, art education; Timothy Arquitt of Lake City, BFA, digital design.

Communication

Steven Holmquist of Roland and Zoey Smith of Alexander, Bachelor of Arts (BA), communication studies; Shawna Martin of Gassville, Bachelor of Science (BS), strategic communication; and Abbigail Singer of Kansas City, Mo., BS, strategic communication, online program.

Criminology, Sociology and Geography

Sydney Morgan of Crossett, BA, criminology; Annica Karlsson of Vantaa, Finland, BA, sociology; Trey Sykes of Little Rock, Master of Arts (MA), criminal justice; and Robert McCord of Jonesboro, MA, sociology.

English, Philosophy and World Languages

Maggie Smith of Gatewood, Mo., and Adrienne LaSage of Benton, Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE), English; Rayna Todd of Camden, BA, English; Kaitlin Fielder of Batesville, BA, philosophy; Alberto Segovia of Dardanelle, BA, Spanish; Jesse Matlock of Malvern, MA, English; and Nicole Johnson of Jonesboro, MSE, English.

History

Nathaniel Grimes of Grapevine, BA, history; Kyle Walker of Jonesboro, BSE, social science; and Tara Loperano of Jonesboro, MA, history.

Media

Hope McAlee of McRae, BS, creative media production; Brooke Buckner of Little Rock, BS, multimedia journalism.

Music

Alyssa Perry of Cabot, Bachelor of Music Education (BME), instrumental music; Olivia Adams Sanders of Jonesboro, Bachelor of Music Education (BME), vocal music; and Connor Scroggins of Malvern, Bachelor of Music (BM), composition.

Political Science

Peyton Knight of Hamburg, BA, political science; Emily Noel of Paragould, MA, political science; Ayat Bugshan of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Master of Public Administration (MPA); and Lauren Whitby of Scottsdale, Ariz., MPA, online program.

Theatre

Hayley Scott of North Little Rock, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in theatre.

# # #

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Liberal Arts and Communication Names 2019-20 Top Graduates - ASU News

Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna posted a strange video of her socking a punching bag repeatedly in what we can only assume is a boxing workout.

"I've been really missing going for my morning swim but having this punching bag has really helped me stay focused," said McKenna in a tweet posted Thursday morning.

The bag, which has a sign that reads 'COVID-19', is meant to represent COVID-19. McKenna, in turn, is meant to represent the fight against COVID-19. Very complex, we know.

McKenna is no stranger to strange social media moments. Recently, the MP and environmental crusader was mocked for posting photos of her plastic lawn and gas barbecue. McKenna is a known environmental protection advocate, and was at one time called the 'climate Barbie,' a term she is not particularly fond of, as it implies some level of sexism in her position.

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WATCH: Liberal minister posts bizarre video of her boxing with punching bag that says 'COVID-19' - The Post Millennial

The Canadian governments recent COVID-19 initiative for the gas and oil industry may signal Ottawa has reached a turning point and is responding to public pressure to address the climate crisis, noted environmentalist Tzeporah Berman says.

The federal government will spend a combined $2.5 billion to clean up thousands of contaminated oil and gas wells in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan and to cut a potent form of carbon pollution, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced April 17.

I think this decision, this bailout package, was a shot across the bow of the oil industry, said Berman, international program director for Stand.earth.

Ottawa is getting the message voters want climate change to be a priority, Berman told 500 participants on a Zoom event hosted by Canada's National Observer Editor-in-Chief Linda Solomon Wood last week.

Its a recognition that we need to spend as much, if not more effort, supporting other industries that are truly cleaner and safer, Berman added.

The environmental activist and campaigner, who is based in B.C. and lives part-time on Cortes Island, was discussing fossil fuel industry bailouts and how COVID-19 might open new possibilities to establish a green economy.

Trudeaus stated goals for the oil and gas COVID-19 initiative was to support industry workers and their families, and help fossil fuel companies avoid bankruptcy, while meeting his governments environmental objectives.

The federal government resisted enormous pressure from the oil and gas industry to roll back environmental regulation, Berman said, referencing a leaked memo obtained by Environmental Defence.

Additionally, the Alberta government wants Ottawa to provide cash bailouts of $30 billion to $40 billion to the fossil fuel sector to help companies survive the staggering price collapses caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

I was really glad to see that (the federal government) didnt cave to those incredibly outrageous demands, because quite frankly ... we have seen them cave in the past, Berman said, referring to the Liberal governments $4.5-billion buyout of Kinder Morgans struggling Trans Mountain pipeline.

Environmental policy crossroad

I think its a turning point for politics in Canada where we acknowledge the incredible mess that does need to be cleaned up, Berman said.

A second indicator Ottawa is shifting ground around the environment is the decision not to proceed with the Teck Frontier oilsands project, Berman said.

That decision was due to the fact the federal government faced massive opposition to the project from the public and environmental scientists, she said.

Teck pulled out because they knew they werent going to get the decision they wanted, Berman said. Our governments are listening. They will respond and prioritize, in part, what they think voters are prioritizing.

Taxpayers footing oilwell cleanup bill

However, Berman stressed, taxpayers shouldnt be paying to clean up the dregs left behind by the oil and gas sector.

There are 6,000 orphan wells and 90,000 inactive wells that could fall into that category across B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan, said Berman.

Abandoned wells can leak pollutants such methane, brine or heavy metals and can contaminate groundwater, surrounding land or the atmosphere.

Estimates to clean up the well problem range between $70 billion and $200 billion, Berman said.

So thats a strategy, get all the oil out, make the profits go bankrupt and leave the cleanup to taxpayers, she said. So, should taxpayers' dollars be going to pay for the mess the industry left behind? Actually no. Regulations and laws and policy should make sure were not left this mess.

But, the federal decision to contribute to the cleanup of wells has led to increased awareness about the problem, Berman noted.

The interesting thing is this decision really elevated in public consciousness and in politics in Canada that our laws lag behind other jurisdictions, she said.

North Dakota, California and Texas all have limits for how long a well can be inactive before being cleaned up, Berman said.

Setting limits on how long a well can be inactive and requiring companies to post bonds, or pay money up front, for their cleanup would solve future problems in Canada, she added.

Canadas environmental disconnect

Despite Canada's preferred self-image as a green leader with talk about national carbon pricing and the phase out of coal, the country is actually increasing oil and gas production, and its carbon pollution is going up according to the latest national greenhouse gas inventory report, Berman observed.

Oil and gas production is now the single largest component of Canadas emissions and the fastest-growing, Berman said.

The math simply doesnt add up for Canada to reach its stated goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, she added.

Even before the COVID-19 crisis and its attendant plunge in oil prices, the oil and gas industry was facing record bankruptcies, with Canada's sector being in more trouble than most, Berman said.

Now is the moment to diversify the Canadian economy and to wind down and end oil and gas production to meet the governments 2050 goals, she said.

The oil industry is never going to go back to those big boom days. COVID-19, the price drop, and climate action around the world have changed oil demand forever, Berman stressed.

What we decide to build with these new stimulus and bailout packages will decide what our economy looks like and also whether or not we have a stable climate.

Its vital that Canada begins to align its energy projects with its climate targets, said Berman, referring to the federal governments support of pipelines.

Its like the right hand isnt talking to the left hand right now. We have a climate plan, and then over here, we have infrastructure and project development and thats not being led by our climate priorities.

Plan for fossil fuel wind down

Canada isnt going to stop using fossil fuels overnight, but theres enough supply and above-ground storage to meet demand during the wind down, especially if efficiency measures focused on electrified and renewables systems are put in place, Berman said.

We need to acknowledge as a nation that we can not expand it. No new projects whatsoever, she said.

Planning for the decline of the oil and gas industry would ease turmoil at an economic and individual level, Berman said.

If we do that, then there will be fewer casualties. Then we can ensure were retraining people and that were leaving no one behind, she said. Its going to happen by design or default.

Berman said the pandemic has demonstrated what government and the public can achieve if everyone acts collectively and listens to the science.

I heard somebody say its like we are in a zero-gravity moment. And when we land, things will be different, she said. I think it has given us all time to reflect on what kind of economy we want in the future.

Rochelle Baker / Local Journalism Initiative

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Tzeporah Berman: Liberal government is getting the message from voters about climate change - National Observer

Several liberal groups, including Media Matters, have filed for small-business loans during the coronavirus pandemic from the Trump administration.

Media Matters, the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center, and other liberal groups have filed to receive funds from the small-business relief program, which was replenished with $484 billion, according to Fox News.

Its hard for me to imagine that any of these liberal groups are going to pull their punches on criticizing government because they got a loan, Gara LaMarche, the president of liberal donor group Democracy Alliance, told the New York Times.

Up to 14 state affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union also applied for loans (one of them receiving $154,000), and the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center applied for a loan of $160,000.

Conservative nonprofit groups are also seeking loans.

I would love someone to give us free cash, said Adam Brandon, the president of FreedomWorks.

President Trump signed a $484 billion coronavirus relief package into law on Friday, which included $370 billion in aid for small businesses, $75 billion for hospitals that are having trouble covering costs, and $25 billion for virus testing.

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Media Matters and other liberal groups file for coronavirus small-business relief loans from Trump administration - Washington Examiner