Candidate’s Diary – Putting Immigration Reform on the Map in Calgary Southeast

Written by Paul Fromm

Monday, 25 April 2011 01:40

*Candidate’s Diary – Putting Immigration Reform on the Map in Calgary Southeast* Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 From the start, I intended to run a serious campaign – not just put my name on the ballot to show the flag. I wanted to use this election to make immigration an election issue. Jason Kenney, Minister of Immigration, Multiculturalism and Citizenship, seemed the ideal target. There’s an undercurrent around the country that people are concerned about this issue. However, the politicians are so busy chasing Third World votes – almost a fulltime occupation for my opponent Jason Kenney – that they shudder at any serious question about efforts to halt the all-out invasion of our land. Important elements of the business community and media, as you shall see, seem part of an unholy agreement to put a damper on any serious debate on this issue. I threw $1,000 of my own money into the campaign. We got some excellent election postcards printed – thanks to Meghan G.s artwork. I want to insert the immigration issue at every opportunity. Originally, I had approached Pattison Outdoor Advertising to see about placing my election signs on some buses running in Calgary Southeast – a tactic that drew a lot of attention when I ran for Mayor last Fall in Mississauga. Political censorship works in subtle and wicked ways in this country. Calgary Transit told me they had no objection to political signs,. However, Pattison, their sole agent, did and my business was rejected. I was told: *“We have learned from our Oakville head office, who I understand you were in previous contact with, that we are unable to accept your campaign ad. “* * * *Same story when I approached Coffee News. *This is a single sheet paper distributed free in community restaurants and donut shops in many parts of Western Canada. Each community has its own edition. I approached a Mr. de Vries with my ad to run the week before the election. Here was my ad:* “*Protect Alberta Jobs; Fight Traffic Gridlock – FREEZE IMMIGRATION,’ with, of course, my name and riding. On April 20, the cloying voice of Mr. de Vries advised me that he’d checked me out on the Internet and was “aware of some of my services” (?) and his being a “family friendly paper” he would not be running the ad. I protested that this was political censorship but to no avail. That’s the bad news. The good news is that I have found other ways to get the message to the voters. I headed back to Alberta April 14. I couldn’t believe it – snow on the ground and snow remained for the next week It seems Spring has missed us. It must be global warming. I and a small crew of helpers. and immediately hit apartments and malls with thousands of my election cards. Some young friends took stacks of cards for distribution on the Easter weekend. Another backer with good walking shoes is going door to door in several subdivisions. I taped an excellent three minute statement on Shaw Cable TV that will be run a number of times the weekend before the election. My profile, with a short statement, appeared in the *Calgary Herald*, April 21. Riding profile Calgary southeast *Calgary** Herald** April 21, 2011 * * Paul Fromm -- Western Block Party*** *Age: 62* *Political experience: Lost bid for a federal seat in 1988, and for Mississauga mayor in 2010.* *Background: A fixture of the far right. He produces Internet radio programs. He splits his time between B.C. and Ontario.* *Most important issue in your riding? Immigration. "There are tens of thousands of Alberta tradesmen who are out of work, and yet the federal government is still issuing temporary work visas."* *An accompanying article on the riding gave me one paragraph: “Paul Fromm has a different take on immigration and is running for the Western Block Party. A far-right activist, he said there needs to be a freeze on immigration until the employment rate improves.* --rcuthbertson@ calgaryherald.com When I was interviewed by reporter Cuthbertson on May 18, I could sense his palpable hostility. I could hear him sniff when I replied that immigration was the key issue in Calgary Southeast. He tried to engage me in a discussion of my alleged “links” to “Neo-Nazis” and “White Supremacists.” I cut him off quickly and said these were smear words and utterly foolish allegations. I continue to work on the media. In many ways, Calgary Southeast is political Deadsville. I encountered widespread apathy. There are no all candidates’ meetings organized in the riding. So, I have had to devise a method to reach the voters. I am making use of the services of a company that matches the voters list to phone numbers. Thanks to your generosity, I have already phoned the 25,500 number list with two hard-hitting immigration reform messages. I intend, money permitting, to send out at least one more. Thus, 25,500 people have twice heard a short, cogent immigration reform message. Many were supportive, some annoyed that they were called at all, and a few outraged: “take my name off your list!”; “this is harassment!” [no, mam, it’s an invasion!] Two furious invasion fans – one even threatened me with death – promised to call the *Calgary Sun* to protest. I hope they do. I continue to send out provocative press releases to try to capture the attention of the sleepy local media. I’ve received an encouraging reception from many people I’ve contacted and enlisted some new recruits to the cause. Already I consider the campaign a success and this has been possible because of your support and generosity. There are times when the reactions of some voters make you realize how tenuous democracy is. Last week, I received a peevish call from a man in a posh condo. He had received one of my election cards at his door. He didn’t call to agree or disagree or to discuss immigration. “How did you get into the building?” he demanded,. “It’s a top security building.” I tried to tell him my crew and I had no trouble entering any building we wanted. Indeed, at one “pass key only” condo, the “secure” door opened at a touch. Furthermore, the Canada Elections Act gives us access to dwellings to canvas and meet with voters. I said, out of respect for people’s time and privacy, we elected only to drop our leaflets. When I think of the near hysterical 15 or so people who called me demanding to be taken off our phone list I wonder at the involvement of some voters. First, a responsible voter should be involved. He/she should try to learn about the candidates and about the issues. To reject information, any information, about a candidate seems just plain stupid. We head into the final week of the campaign and I have some more surprises ready. --*Paul Fromm*

 

Persecution of Political Dissident Terry Tremaine Continues

Written by Paul Fromm

Saturday, 23 April 2011 01:57

Persecution of Political Dissident Terry Tremaine Continues On March 11, Terry Tremaine learned that six years of torment inflicted on him by chronic complaint filer Richard Warman will continue. He will face a trial under Canada's notorious "hate law" -- Sec. 319 of the Criminal Code. "A former university lecturer will stand trial on a charge of promoting hatred. Terrence Cecil Tremaine, who previously lectured at the University of Saskatchewan, learned Friday that the case would go to trial after Regina Provincial Court Judge Bruce Henning determined the Crown had offered enough evidence during a preliminary hearing that a trial was warranted. The matter will first go to a pre-trial before going to trial at the Court of Queen's Bench. Dates have not been set for either proceeding.Tremaine previously elected to be tried by a Court of Queen's Bench judge and jury. Tremaine will remain out of custody until the trial under a number of conditions. The hearing originally began in October 2009, but it's been adjourned from time to time for continuation. A decision was not rendered until Friday. ... Tremaine is being represented by B.C.-based lawyer Doug Christie who in the past has criticized anti-hate legislation, calling the laws 'a massive waste of police resources' and saying that the state should not decide what people say." (*Regina Leader-Post*, March 14, 2011) On May 6, there will be a conference call to plot the course of this case, Mr. Tremaine told CAFE. Richard Warman complained to the Canadian Human Rights Commission in 2005 about more than 4,000 postings Mr. Tremaine had made on STORMFRONT using the name "*Mathdoktor99."* Warman then complained to the University of Saskatchewan and cost Mr. Tremine his job. The ever busy Warman then filed a complaint about many of the same Internet postings to the Regina City Police. This piece of mischief eventually led to a raid on Mr. Tremaine's home and the seizure of his computer and books and other personal property. [CAFE raised money for the silenced dissident and replaced his computer within 10 days.] Early in 2007, a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found Mr. Tremaine guilty of a "discriminatory practice" slapped him with a "cease and desist order" and loaded him -- now nearly destitute -- with a $4,000 fine. Is the persecution of the genial, soft-spoken native of Saskatchewan part of some sinister larger plan? Quoted in an interview discussing his many complaints about rightist Internet dissidents, Warman said intriguingly: "*The goal was to knock out a generatoion of the neo-Nazi leadeership and worst offenders*, establish a solid body of case law, and show the Internet was not the Wild West." (*Globe and Mail,* March 19, 2011) The "hate law" investigation and surveillance of Mr. Tremaine was carried on by the Major Crimes Unit of the Regina Police. "There are a number of unsolved murders and serious drug dealing problems in Regina," the accomplished diver and pipe-smoking lecturer smiles, "but they focus on my Internet postings." Maybe it just beats tangling with the violent drug-pushing Indian gangs in the city. Early in 2008, he was formally charged under the "hate law" and gagged by bail conditions that forbad him from owning a computer or accessing the Internet. Four times, he went back to court to get these conditions modified so that the restrictions on his liberty resembled those on dissidents in Libya rather than those in North Korea. His "amended" bail conditions of March 23, 2008 said that he was "not to access the website of the NSPC or STORMFRONT of any website where the primary content relates to the topic of White Supremacy." This masterpiece of vagueness could also apply to accessing "anti-racist" sites as they are obsessed with what they define as "White Supremacy." Mr. Tremaine points out the vulnerability of the victim in these bail hearings. The accused and the Crown put forth their arguments. The judge makes an oral ruling and leaves. Then, the court clerk, often with the Crown looking over her shoulder, write out the ruling. At times, Mr. Tremaine has had to object: "That's not what the judge said." Still, ever ready with another complaint, Mr. Warman complained that Mr. Tremaine had violated the cease and desist order by continuing to post on STORMFRONT and on his Canadian National Socialist Party site located in the U.S and, thus, was in contempt of court. . One complaint launched in 2009 was adjourned *sine die* because Mr. Tremaine had never been served with the Court order. Warman complained again and the case was heard in November, 2010, in Federal Court in Victoria. Mr. Tremaine was acquitted because he had not received notice of the Court Order before the postings in question. The Crown is appealing. So, the torment of Terry Tremaine continues,. On June 28, he goes to court for his first appearance to answer a charge of breach of his bail conditions. The alleged breach involved an alleged posting on STORMFRONT, July 22, 2009, of his planned defence against the "contempt of court" charges that were adjouirned at the last minute. Mr. Tremaine believes that the police were unaware of amended bail conditions. Over these six years -- blackballed from employment in his profession -- Mr. Temaine has held a series of low paying jobs. Again and again, mysterious phone calls or information surfaces just as he is settling into his new job.. Former U of S lecturer Terrence Tremaine to stand trial on promoting hatred charge Leader-Post staff March 14, 2011 - Story - Photos ( 1 ) [image: Terrence Cecil Tremaine.] Terrence Cecil Tremaine. *Photograph by: *Jana Pruden, Leader-Post files REGINA — A former university lecturer will stand trial on a charge of promoting hatred. Terrence Cecil Tremaine, who previously lectured at the University of Saskatchewan, learned Friday that the case would go to trial after Regina Provincial Court Judge Bruce Henning determined the Crown had offered enough evidence during a preliminary hearing that a trial was warranted. The matter will first go to a pre-trial before going to trial at the Court of Queen's Bench. Dates have not been set for either proceeding. Tremaine previously elected to be tried by a Court of Queen's Bench judge and jury. Tremaine will remain out of custody until the trial under a number of conditions. The hearing originally began in October 2009, but it's been adjourned from time to time for continuation. A decision was not rendered until Friday. Details of the preliminary hearing cannot be reported because of a court-imposed publication ban. Tremaine is being represented by B.C.-based lawyer Doug Christie who in the past has criticized anti-hate legislation, calling the laws "a massive waste of police resources" and saying that the state should not decide what people say. Christie previously represented the late First Nations leader David Ahenakew when he faced a trial for promoting hatred — a charge which was eventually thrown out. © Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Former+lecturer+Terrence+Tremaine+stand+trial+promoting+hatred+charge/4426313/story.html#ixzz1Gc0glawe

 

Here Come The Namibians!

Written by Paul Fromm

Friday, 22 April 2011 06:53

*Here Come The Namibians!* "More than 400 Namibians have sought refugee status in Canada over the last six months prompting suspicions an African alien smuggling ring is at work, border agents say. Officers of the *Canada Border Services Agency* said as many as 10 to 15 Namibians on some nights are arriving at *Pearson International Airport* to file refugee claims. The Namibians, who *do not require a visa to enter Canada*, are written up in a report and given dates to return for refugee hearings, which can take more than a year. During that time they’re eligible for welfare, some *OHIP* [Ontario medicare] and dental work and subsidized housing, the officers said. Most of the Namibians are arriving from Paris and other European cities on *Air Canada*, and *Alitalia* flights. [So, they are not genuine refugees, arriving as they are from a safe third country]. The claimants allege they are fleeing 'traditional issues' that can include violence for being lesbian, female gender mutilation and forced marriages with older men. [Yes, Paris can be a pretty rough city. And surprise, surprise ...] airport officers suspect the smugglers are paid to coach the Namibians on what to tell Canadian immigration authorities when arrive. ... So far this month, there’s been 103 claims from Namibia ... more than 400 claims from that country since last October. ... About half the population lives below the international poverty line and the nation has suffered heavily from the effects of *HIV/AIDS,* with *15% of the adult population infected* in 2007." (*Toronto** Sun*, March 21, 2011) Bring on the visas. [This article appears in the February, 2011 issue of the *CANADIAN IMMIGRATION HOTLINE*. Published monthly, the *CANADIAN IMMIGRATION HOTLINE*is available by subscription for $30 per year. You can subscribe by sending a cheque or VISA number and expiry date to *CANADIAN IMMIGRATION HOTLINE*, P.O. Box 332, Rexdale, ON., M9W 5L3.]