System Light Dark

xentr_theme_editor

xentr_page_setup xentr_appearance xentr_sidebar

  • xentr_page_width

    xentr_toggle_page_width

    xentr_page_width_description

    xentr_color_pickers

    xentr_toggle_color_picker

    xentr_toggle_color_picker_description

    xentr_typography

    xentr_select_the_font_you_want_to_use

    xentr_node_layout

    xentr_grid_layout

    xentr_grid_layout_description

  • Style variation

    xentr_select_the_style_variation_you_want_to_use
    System Light Dark

  • xentr_sidebar

    xentr_toggles_sidebar

    xentr_sidebar_description

    xentr_sticky_sidebar

    xentr_sticky_sidebar_description
    xentr_sidebar_position
    Left
    Right
  • Please do not post any links until you have 3 posts as they will automatically be rejected to prevent SPAM. Many words are also blocked due to being used in SPAM Messages. Thanks!

Jack Layton dies at 61

Draax said:
Layton gave his life for the Canadian people, the least we can do is properly honour him. If you are looking to save some money try investigating Tony Clements slush fund.
Click to expand...

"Gave his life for the Canadian people"? Are you kidding me? In that case we should have a state funeral every time a REAL hero dies in the line of service. How about the police officers, fire fighters and soldiers who give their lives protecting us?


Eldonko said:
Agreed, Canadians want it. :canadianwave: Harper is the one that chooses if there will be a state funeral or not and one can be arranged for any prominent Canadian not only a former PM, gov general, or cabinet minister.
Click to expand...

No, no and no. Do not generalize "Canadians" that way. I'm against it as are the vast majority of comment posters I have seen on various news forums. This has nothing to do with patriotism, it has to do with common sense. Unfortunately, all too many people loose said common sense when someone dies and that's exactly what we're seeing here.

In my opinion, giving Layton (who was NEVER a PM, gov. general or cabinet minister) sullies the tradition and opens a can of worms whereby any MP can have a state funeral. The guy was charismatic, stood up for his ideals and a good debater but does his name belong alongside those of Roméo LeBlanc, John A. Macdonald, Lester B. Pearson and D'Arcy McGee? Hell no.

Would we be having this same discussion if say....Gilles Duceppe or Elizabeth May were given a state funeral? Methinks not.


Eldonko said:
Maurice Richard had a state funeral when he died.
Click to expand...

No, he didn't. That was a provincial funeral for which the Canadiens organization paid upwards of 50%. He was NOT laid in state at the NATION'S capital no was his funeral funded exclusively with taxpayer money.
 
It was a provincial STATE funeral put on by the premier. Perhaps the Canadiens org paid for some of it but the point is it was taxpayer money, same is this is.
 
Does it really matter? What does Richards' funeral or the cost of it or who funded it have to do with anything?

I think Sky's point is good. But, I think when these times are tough economically and no one knows what's going to happen the next few years, the last thing to do is these kinds of things. Was the Layton family poor? They don't have money to fund it?

But, Sky's point that it sets a precedent or that other politician's families will wonder where the Gov't investment is (for them now) makes sense. Taxpayer's money should not be invested for this, period.
 
There is a distinction between Provincial and State funerals though. A provincial funeral takes place within the province and the funded by the province and any outside groups that decide to contribute. This on the other hand is a State funeral which is wholy funded with taxpayer money for someone who wasn't an minister, premier, prime ministor or gov. general. Harper loves bending the rules and this is just one more instance of that.

Plus, funding is of a secondary concern. My primary concern is the reasoning behind having a state funeral for someone who was a leader of the official opposition rather than a core member of the government.
 
SKYMTL said:
"Gave his life for the Canadian people"? Are you kidding me? In that case we should have a state funeral every time a REAL hero dies in the line of service. How about the police officers, fire fighters and soldiers who give their lives protecting us?
Click to expand...

No I am not kidding you, Jack Layton dedicated his life to serving Canadians. You can't quite see that through your partisan shades, though can you? Fire fighters, police officers, and soldiers are not any more "real" than Jack was, in fact Layton indisputably touched more Canadians than all three of those professions combined.
 
Well Layton wasnt exactly some random MP, he was the leader of the opposition that holds over 100 seats so it doesnt exactly set a precedent that any random MPs will get a state funeral. The PM is the only one that has the power to call a state funeral at the federal level so if you take issue with it I suggest you send him a letter. I dont think it is bending any rules, it is within his power to have state funerals for whoever he wants. It just hasnt happened in the past.
 
Draax said:
No I am not kidding you, Jack Layton dedicated his life to serving Canadians. You can't quite see that through your partisan shades, though can you? Fire fighters, police officers, and soldiers are not any more "real" than Jack was, in fact Layton indisputably touched more Canadians than all three of those professions combined.
Click to expand...

He was a great politician who cared about Canadians, that is true. But how is that different from any other the other MPs that have died while in office since the beginning of Confederation? I mean other than the fact that Sir Jack was the only one to deliver a suitably self serving and pompous going away letter...
 
SKYMTL said:
He was a great politician who cared about Canadians, that is true. But how is that different from any other the other MPs that have died while in office since the beginning of Confederation? I mean other than the fact that Sir Jack was the only one to deliver a suitably self serving and pompous going away letter...
Click to expand...

Real classy ... attack a man who is dead, it really speaks volumes about your character.
 
Draax said:
No I am not kidding you, Jack Layton dedicated his life to serving Canadians. You can't quite see that through your partisan shades, though can you? Fire fighters, police officers, and soldiers are not any more "real" than Jack was, in fact Layton indisputably touched more Canadians than all three of those professions combined.
Click to expand...
Yes, that's true. It's so valiant of a politician to display his dedication by visiting massage parlors on the taxpayer's dime. Very admirable for all Canadians to put politicians on a pedestal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

xentr_legal_notice_title

xentr_legal_notice_description

Back
Top