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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

FELDSTED: The back-room dealings, controversy, rumours scandal, and secrecy are an object lesson in why governments should not be involved with or support business enterprises of any kind


Defence lawyers receive heavily censored memo to Trudeau about Mark Norman's case.
Murray Brewster ~~ CBC News ~~ Mar 28, 2019

A 60-page memo about Vice-Admiral Mark Norman's breach of trust case — written by the country's top federal bureaucrat to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — has been delivered to Norman's lawyers with its contents almost completely blacked out.

Norman's defence team isn't happy with the redaction and plans to fight it in court.

The Department of Justice claims the document is subject to solicitor-client privilege and cannot be completely disclosed.

Marie Henein, Norman's lead counsel, has alleged political interference in the prosecution of the former head of the navy. Norman is accused of leaking cabinet secrets related to a $668 million shipbuilding deal

CLICK HERE to read the full story:


What the heck is going on?

Media reports last week alleged that Jody Wilson-Raybould had written a 60-page memo to Trudeau about appointment of Manitoba Judge Joyal to the Supreme Court. Now we discover a 60-page memo from Wernick to Trudeau on the Admiral Normand case.

It is unlikely that there are two separate 60 page documents we don’t know about, blanked out or not. It is too much of a coincidence to be credible. The PMO rumour mill is tripping over itself.


Claiming privilege, and the right to secrecy, is not appropriate in a criminal proceeding. Wernick is not separate from the PMO despite efforts to make it appear so. Wernick is also Secretary to the Cabinet which makes him part of the PMO, not apart from it.

There is a major battle on between Norman’s defence lawyers and the government:

In the background, Scott Brison, who was president of the Treasury Board during the alleged Norman misdeed resigned, and within a couple of weeks landed up with the Bank of Montreal. It turns out that the BMO has a significant stake in the Trans-Mountain purchase.

More on that later. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/briefing/article-bmo-warns-of-vicious-fallout-if-trans-mountain-pipeline-project-dies/

Then we have this: Morneau unveils principles for Indigenous ownership in Trans Mountain pipeline.

What is that all about?

We need to get Trans Mountain Pipeline back in private ownership, but I don’t see financing the purchase and expansion through indigenous bands. Building maintaining, and operating pipelines is a highly specialized field. We need to rebuild investor confidence in oil patch development and adding an indigenous factor will not be helpful. This looks more line a vote-buying ploy than a sound business plan.

All of the back-room dealings, controversy, rumours, scandal and secrecy are an object lesson in why governments should not be involved with or support business enterprises of any kind.

Governments need to develop a level playing field for all investors and business people -- and allow fair competition and market forces to work to our advantage. 

Entrepreneurs don’t gamble in Vegas and flee any nation where they suspect the dice are loaded in favour of local corporations or government favourites. We are getting some insight into just how bad it can get.

John Feldsted
Political Consultant & Strategist
Winnipeg, Manitoba

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