Monday, April 26, 2010
MacKenzie? Gone from Basi-Virk? The New ACJ?
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Holy crap, I mean, come on ... this stunning maneuver is announced today by the Prime Minister's office, just as the BC Rail / Basi-Virk-Basi pre-trial hearing gets under way and the actual trial looms ... ?
Seeing is believing (sorta); see for yourselves what the PMO says HERE ...
26 APRIL 2010
Ottawa, Ontario
Holy crap, I mean, come on ... this stunning maneuver is announced today by the Prime Minister's office, just as the BC Rail / Basi-Virk-Basi pre-trial hearing gets under way and the actual trial looms ... ?
Seeing is believing (sorta); see for yourselves what the PMO says HERE ...
PM ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW ASSOCIATE CHIEF JUSTICE TO SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
26 APRIL 2010
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the appointment of the Honourable Anne W. MacKenzie, a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, as Associate Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. She replaces the Honourable Justice Patrick Dohm, who retired on April 16.
After receiving a bachelor of arts degree from the University of British Columbia in 1973, Associate Chief Justice MacKenzie completed a bachelor of laws in 1977. She was called to the British Columbia Bar in 1978. In 1990, she was appointed to the Provincial Court of British Columbia, and was elevated to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1996.
Associate Chief Justice MacKenzie is an active and long-time member of the British Columbia Supreme Court’s Criminal Law Committee, and has served on the Executive Committee of the Court. She has participated regularly in the Court’s annual education programs, trial advocacy and Continuing Legal Education programs. In addition, she regularly presides over French language trials.
This appointment is effective immediately.
After receiving a bachelor of arts degree from the University of British Columbia in 1973, Associate Chief Justice MacKenzie completed a bachelor of laws in 1977. She was called to the British Columbia Bar in 1978. In 1990, she was appointed to the Provincial Court of British Columbia, and was elevated to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1996.
Associate Chief Justice MacKenzie is an active and long-time member of the British Columbia Supreme Court’s Criminal Law Committee, and has served on the Executive Committee of the Court. She has participated regularly in the Court’s annual education programs, trial advocacy and Continuing Legal Education programs. In addition, she regularly presides over French language trials.
This appointment is effective immediately.
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And Canadian Press says:
And Canadian Press says:
Legislature raid judge promoted to associate justice of B.C. Supreme Court
April 26, 2010
VANCOUVER, B.C. - The B.C. Supreme Court judge shepherding the long-delayed B.C. Rail corruption case to trial has been promoted, but that won't affect her handling of proceedings due to begin next month.
Judge Anne MacKenzie has been named associate chief justice of the B.C. Supreme Court.
{Snip} ...
MacKenzie has served on B.C. Supreme Court since 1996 and sat as a provincial court judge for six years before that appointment.
When Judge Elizabeth Bennett was elevated to the B.C. Court of Appeal, MacKenzie took over the legislature raid case involving government employees Dave Basi, Bobby Virk, Aneal Basi and the sale of B.C. Rail.
Judge Anne MacKenzie has been named associate chief justice of the B.C. Supreme Court.
The Prime Minister's Office announced the appointment Monday morning.
MacKenzie replaces Judge Patrick Dohm, who retired just over one week ago
{Snip} ...
When Judge Elizabeth Bennett was elevated to the B.C. Court of Appeal, MacKenzie took over the legislature raid case involving government employees Dave Basi, Bobby Virk, Aneal Basi and the sale of B.C. Rail.
April 26, 2010
VANCOUVER, B.C. - The B.C. Supreme Court judge shepherding the long-delayed B.C. Rail corruption case to trial has been promoted, but that won't affect her handling of proceedings due to begin next month.
Judge Anne MacKenzie has been named associate chief justice of the B.C. Supreme Court.
{Snip} ...
MacKenzie has served on B.C. Supreme Court since 1996 and sat as a provincial court judge for six years before that appointment.
When Judge Elizabeth Bennett was elevated to the B.C. Court of Appeal, MacKenzie took over the legislature raid case involving government employees Dave Basi, Bobby Virk, Aneal Basi and the sale of B.C. Rail.
____________________________________
Legislature raid judge promoted to associate justice of B.C. Supreme Court
(CP) CKNW
VANCOUVER, B.C. — The B.C. Supreme Court judge shepherding the long-delayed B.C. Rail corruption case to trial has been promoted, but that won't affect her handling of proceedings due to begin next month.Judge Anne MacKenzie has been named associate chief justice of the B.C. Supreme Court.
The Prime Minister's Office announced the appointment Monday morning.
MacKenzie replaces Judge Patrick Dohm, who retired just over one week ago
{Snip} ...
When Judge Elizabeth Bennett was elevated to the B.C. Court of Appeal, MacKenzie took over the legislature raid case involving government employees Dave Basi, Bobby Virk, Aneal Basi and the sale of B.C. Rail.
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Some things bear repeating, such as this comment from Skookum1:
WTF??
Well, we know former ACJ Dohm can't intervene now to ruminate from the bench as to whether or not the new ACJ MacKenzie should be removed from the case, as he did with Justice Bennett. And new ACJ MacKenzie isn't in a position to ruminate on herself (though perhaps she should...).
I think we all have to dread now who will be appointed next, and what new tone the trial will take when that happens.
And the nature of the relationship between the Harper Tories and the Campbell Liberals should come under much closer scrutiny than we've gotten into before. Not that the federal Liberals would be any less in lockstep with the desires of His Gordoship.
"Transparency in government" only makes sense as Campbell's promise if "transparent" is taken to mean "bald-faced".
It's interesting the contrast in how Quebec is dealing with its own corruption scandal right now; I'll see if I can find some news links for comparison.
That big Gala Dinner hoo-hah with its theme of "confidence in the justice system" is pretty ironic, given this latest turn of events, which does anything but bolster confidence in BC's courts. Or the impartiality and altruistic motives of its justices, and those who appoint them.
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WTF??
Well, we know former ACJ Dohm can't intervene now to ruminate from the bench as to whether or not the new ACJ MacKenzie should be removed from the case, as he did with Justice Bennett. And new ACJ MacKenzie isn't in a position to ruminate on herself (though perhaps she should...).
I think we all have to dread now who will be appointed next, and what new tone the trial will take when that happens.
And the nature of the relationship between the Harper Tories and the Campbell Liberals should come under much closer scrutiny than we've gotten into before. Not that the federal Liberals would be any less in lockstep with the desires of His Gordoship.
"Transparency in government" only makes sense as Campbell's promise if "transparent" is taken to mean "bald-faced".
It's interesting the contrast in how Quebec is dealing with its own corruption scandal right now; I'll see if I can find some news links for comparison.
That big Gala Dinner hoo-hah with its theme of "confidence in the justice system" is pretty ironic, given this latest turn of events, which does anything but bolster confidence in BC's courts. Or the impartiality and altruistic motives of its justices, and those who appoint them.
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Comments:
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I was just reading the court listings for today, A.Basi & B.Virk,
plus 'limited access'???
Who is limitd access,
Mary,do you know?
plus 'limited access'???
Who is limitd access,
Mary,do you know?
# posted by 
: April 26, 2010 at 11:05 a.m.
: April 26, 2010 at 11:05 a.m.
Anon 11:05,
You're playing with fire.
I'm tempted to say "I have no idea."
I'm tempted to say "Three guesses, and the first two are wrong."
Or "Do you intend to keep asking this question every day?"
But maybe I'll just take an aspirin and lie down.
You haven't noticed the news about the judge on this case, I assume.
.
You're playing with fire.
I'm tempted to say "I have no idea."
I'm tempted to say "Three guesses, and the first two are wrong."
Or "Do you intend to keep asking this question every day?"
But maybe I'll just take an aspirin and lie down.
You haven't noticed the news about the judge on this case, I assume.
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Unbelievable!
Is this a set up?
Could Bennett come back? After all, she does know the majority of the evidence so far? OR will there be yet another judge? The next few days are going to be interesting.
I am just shaking my head at the turn of events in this trial. I don't believe there is any such precedent in what is going on in this trial, ever.
Is this a set up?
Could Bennett come back? After all, she does know the majority of the evidence so far? OR will there be yet another judge? The next few days are going to be interesting.
I am just shaking my head at the turn of events in this trial. I don't believe there is any such precedent in what is going on in this trial, ever.
# posted by : April 26, 2010 at 1:19 p.m.
: April 26, 2010 at 1:19 p.m.
All it means is that we haven't started the trial yet, and we are open to many more successive Pre-Trial judges.
# posted by : April 26, 2010 at 3:52 p.m.
: April 26, 2010 at 3:52 p.m.
There must be another judge and Mackenzie, the new boss, will do the choosing. hmmm. Someone not likely to overturn their new boss's old gag order. hmmm. What next? I am hoping for a new Special Prosecutor and a new investigation that includes politicians. hmmm. I must be daft!
What is happening in our province and country? I'm starting to feel afraid and ashamed.
# posted by : April 26, 2010 at 6:59 p.m.
: April 26, 2010 at 6:59 p.m.
HST equals I'll take care of your court and Judge problem!
Tha, Tha,Thats all folks. The deal's done and the fix is in.
Tha, Tha,Thats all folks. The deal's done and the fix is in.
# posted by : April 26, 2010 at 8:08 p.m.
: April 26, 2010 at 8:08 p.m.
WTF??
Well, we know former ACJ Dohm can't intervene now to ruminate from the bench as to whether or not new ACJ Mackenzie should be removed from the case, as he did with Justice Bennett. And new ACJ Mackenzie isn't in a position to ruminate on herself (though perhaps she should...).
I think we all have to dread now who will be appointed next, and what new tone the trial will take when that happens.
And the nature of the relationship between the Harper Tories and the Campbell Liberals should come under much closer scrutiny than we've gotten into before. Not that the federal Liberals would be any less in lockstep with the desires of His Gordoship.
"Transparency in government" only makes sense as Campbell's promise if "transparent" is taken to mean "bald-faced".
It's interesting the contrast in how Quebec is dealing with its own corruption scandal right now; I'll see if I can find some news links for comparison.
That big Gala Dinner hoo-hah with its theme of "confidence in the justice system" is pretty ironic, given this latest turn of events, which does anything but bolster confidence in BC's courts. Or the impartiality and altruistic motives of its justices, and those who appoint them.
Well, we know former ACJ Dohm can't intervene now to ruminate from the bench as to whether or not new ACJ Mackenzie should be removed from the case, as he did with Justice Bennett. And new ACJ Mackenzie isn't in a position to ruminate on herself (though perhaps she should...).
I think we all have to dread now who will be appointed next, and what new tone the trial will take when that happens.
And the nature of the relationship between the Harper Tories and the Campbell Liberals should come under much closer scrutiny than we've gotten into before. Not that the federal Liberals would be any less in lockstep with the desires of His Gordoship.
"Transparency in government" only makes sense as Campbell's promise if "transparent" is taken to mean "bald-faced".
It's interesting the contrast in how Quebec is dealing with its own corruption scandal right now; I'll see if I can find some news links for comparison.
That big Gala Dinner hoo-hah with its theme of "confidence in the justice system" is pretty ironic, given this latest turn of events, which does anything but bolster confidence in BC's courts. Or the impartiality and altruistic motives of its justices, and those who appoint them.
""Transparency in government" only makes sense as Campbell's promise if "transparent" is taken to mean "bald-faced"."
I've always been confused by calling an eagle "bald" until someone mentioned that in England someone who is "bald" is white headed. In other words lots of hair, but the colour of white, not no hair, just skin that is white as opposed to the colour of skin of........
bald faced is defined as: "Markings on horses usually are distinctive white areas on an otherwise dark base coat color. Most horses have some markings, and they help to identify the horse as a unique individual."
In other words a killer whale can be called balf face .... but to say that Campbell's "promise" is bald-face fails to describe the deceit, the corruption, the lying attitude that lies within Gordon Muir Campbell in his zeal to do anything to get elected, stay elected and stay tight lipped on the sale of BC Rail to his buddies.
"Bald face", you mean like white lies
I've always been confused by calling an eagle "bald" until someone mentioned that in England someone who is "bald" is white headed. In other words lots of hair, but the colour of white, not no hair, just skin that is white as opposed to the colour of skin of........
bald faced is defined as: "Markings on horses usually are distinctive white areas on an otherwise dark base coat color. Most horses have some markings, and they help to identify the horse as a unique individual."
In other words a killer whale can be called balf face .... but to say that Campbell's "promise" is bald-face fails to describe the deceit, the corruption, the lying attitude that lies within Gordon Muir Campbell in his zeal to do anything to get elected, stay elected and stay tight lipped on the sale of BC Rail to his buddies.
"Bald face", you mean like white lies
# posted by : April 27, 2010 at 7:12 a.m.
: April 27, 2010 at 7:12 a.m.
I take this insult as direct, in-your-face, whatcha-gonna-do-about-it, interference in the BC Courts system with an eye to a pre-determined result with this particular case by the Prime Minister of this country.
I have ALWAYS believed that federal government heavy-weights were involved in this "sale" from the very beginning...in fact I believe the sale of BC Rail started with them...this latest bit of interference from the PM's office (for the second time!) proves it as far as I'm concerned.
What a scam we've been living under! At this point I strongly doubt there is a more corrupt/corruptible government or court system anywhere on this planet. So much for the integrity of Canada, for a country supposedly based on truth and integrity. I can just see all those smirking chimps sitting in their offices this morning...knowing the end is almost nigh.
Little do they know it has hardly begun...and that Karma has big hungry teeth. They will feel that - in time. In the end, even they will know the meaning of the word "destitute." But more than destitute of home and belongings - they will be destitute of soul. When they don't even have that much left, they will know the meaning of pain. It comes.
I have ALWAYS believed that federal government heavy-weights were involved in this "sale" from the very beginning...in fact I believe the sale of BC Rail started with them...this latest bit of interference from the PM's office (for the second time!) proves it as far as I'm concerned.
What a scam we've been living under! At this point I strongly doubt there is a more corrupt/corruptible government or court system anywhere on this planet. So much for the integrity of Canada, for a country supposedly based on truth and integrity. I can just see all those smirking chimps sitting in their offices this morning...knowing the end is almost nigh.
Little do they know it has hardly begun...and that Karma has big hungry teeth. They will feel that - in time. In the end, even they will know the meaning of the word "destitute." But more than destitute of home and belongings - they will be destitute of soul. When they don't even have that much left, they will know the meaning of pain. It comes.
# posted by : April 27, 2010 at 9:16 a.m.
: April 27, 2010 at 9:16 a.m.
For an interesting (albeit dismal) take on corruption in the BC Attorney General's Office and intereference in the Vitoria Police Chief Paul Tattersall's investigation and links to the Federal Government complicity and suspicious deaths of several implicated bc judges go to http://www.waterwarcrimes.com/organized-crime--bc-ministry-of-the-attorney-general.html
This site details a scandal pre-dating the BC Rail fiasco, but involving several of the same players. It reads like a combination of "All The President's Men" and "Chinatown" As nasty as the theft of BC Rail is, it appears to be the tip of a very large iceburg. I would be interested to see what BC Mary, Robin Mathews and Grant G think of this.
This site details a scandal pre-dating the BC Rail fiasco, but involving several of the same players. It reads like a combination of "All The President's Men" and "Chinatown" As nasty as the theft of BC Rail is, it appears to be the tip of a very large iceburg. I would be interested to see what BC Mary, Robin Mathews and Grant G think of this.
# posted by : April 27, 2010 at 11:04 a.m.
: April 27, 2010 at 11:04 a.m.
Anon 11:04,
It has never been suggested that the BC Rail fiasco was the whole story ...
quite the opposite, in fact: I have said repeatedly that it was the template -- the first big-time attempt to slip a major public asset into private pockets --
and that, as such a noxious model, we should hold onto it for dear life until we extract the truth of how it was done and how to repair the damage to the province.
Either that, or keep repeating the same sad story (BC Hydro, BC Ferries, BC Gas, etc) ad infinitum until there's nothing left.
.
It has never been suggested that the BC Rail fiasco was the whole story ...
quite the opposite, in fact: I have said repeatedly that it was the template -- the first big-time attempt to slip a major public asset into private pockets --
and that, as such a noxious model, we should hold onto it for dear life until we extract the truth of how it was done and how to repair the damage to the province.
Either that, or keep repeating the same sad story (BC Hydro, BC Ferries, BC Gas, etc) ad infinitum until there's nothing left.
.
Anonymous 7:12, the implication of my use of "bald-faced" was clearly "bald-faced liar"...it's nice of you to get all picayune and try and shift the context, even fielding "white lies" (BC Rail, and the Campbell government in general, are about the blackest lies possible).
And learn some ornithology; the heads of bald eagles have white feathers, not white skin.
And learn some ornithology; the heads of bald eagles have white feathers, not white skin.
Well now, the "bald head" of an eagle was named after an English Bald headed man. We all know that birds have feathers and man has hair, but you're starting to split HAIRS, or in your case Skookum1, Feathers.
Now Vultures have neither hair nor feathers on their "bald heads".... but they do have skin.
Now Vultures have neither hair nor feathers on their "bald heads".... but they do have skin.
# posted by : April 27, 2010 at 6:17 p.m.
: April 27, 2010 at 6:17 p.m.
Anonymous 7:12, the implication of my use of "bald-faced" was clearly "bald-faced liar"...it's nice of you to get all picayune and try and shift the context, even fielding "white lies" (BC Rail, and the Campbell government in general, are about the blackest lies possible).
And learn some ornithology; the heads of bald eagles have white feathers, not white skin.
And learn some ornithology; the heads of bald eagles have white feathers, not white skin.
You seem to be the one splitting hairs, with your re-jigging of the meaning of my post. And you seem to have something about baldness, and skin.....and are clearly also a waste of further time.
Mary here's that item about corruption in Quebec; I've excerpted and quoted the passage about the scandal(s) and the daily grilling they're getting in the National Assembly (and presumably in the Quebec media, I haven't looked in the French press yet).
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1179390.html
Charest’s government has been distracted from selling the merits of its budget as it tries to quell a number of simmering scandals.
Principal among these are the allegations by former justice minister Marc Bellemare that Liberal fundraisers had a say in nominating provincial judges.
That prompted Charest to call a public inquiry into the matter.
The premier also faces almost daily questioning about his party’s ties to the construction industry and the government’s allocation of subsidized day-care spots, which the Opposition claims tends to favour Liberal donors.
Sounds like a lot of the same game; but a very different playing field - with a vocal, articulate and politically-powerful Opposition and a vibrant, more-or-less indepedent and competitive media.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1179390.html
Charest’s government has been distracted from selling the merits of its budget as it tries to quell a number of simmering scandals.
Principal among these are the allegations by former justice minister Marc Bellemare that Liberal fundraisers had a say in nominating provincial judges.
That prompted Charest to call a public inquiry into the matter.
The premier also faces almost daily questioning about his party’s ties to the construction industry and the government’s allocation of subsidized day-care spots, which the Opposition claims tends to favour Liberal donors.
Sounds like a lot of the same game; but a very different playing field - with a vocal, articulate and politically-powerful Opposition and a vibrant, more-or-less indepedent and competitive media.
the allegations by former justice minister Marc Bellemare that Liberal fundraisers had a say in nominating provincial judges.
that line in particular kind of catches the eye, doesn't it?
:-|
that line in particular kind of catches the eye, doesn't it?
:-|
I just caught, the tail end of this. Seems, down east, they are calling Harper a fascist. It was said, Harper is so stubborn, he is impossible to work with. Canada, seems in a deep morass of corruption, that has filtered, right down to, the bottom of the food chain. Canada, has the worst crop of, governing officials ever known. Our Canadian Constitution has vanished. Our Civil Rights and Liberties, have been decimated. Democracy and Freedom, have been taken away, from all Canadian citizens. Perhaps, we are in a dictatorship.
# posted by : May 1, 2010 at 10:02 a.m.
: May 1, 2010 at 10:02 a.m.
If Madam Justice MacKenzie can issue a ban on publication, and Mr Justice McDermid in Ontario can issue a ban on publication,
maybe BC Mary, too, can issue a publication ban on things which have a bad effect.
I'm talking about the list of disasters, the hopelessness, the writing off of the province and nation we all love. It drags us down and defeats us.
Fact is: most of us know that something is wrong; we even think we know what it is, and that what happened to BC Rail is a vividly important part of what went wrong. We can learn from it. The province can benefit from what we learn.
So lift up your eyes, Anonymous 10:02 ...
tell us what you're going to do next, to make things better. OK?
And please select a USER NAME when you return, so we can keep some continuity. Thanks.
.
maybe BC Mary, too, can issue a publication ban on things which have a bad effect.
I'm talking about the list of disasters, the hopelessness, the writing off of the province and nation we all love. It drags us down and defeats us.
Fact is: most of us know that something is wrong; we even think we know what it is, and that what happened to BC Rail is a vividly important part of what went wrong. We can learn from it. The province can benefit from what we learn.
So lift up your eyes, Anonymous 10:02 ...
tell us what you're going to do next, to make things better. OK?
And please select a USER NAME when you return, so we can keep some continuity. Thanks.
.
Skookum,
Yes, it does ring a lot of familiar-sounding bells for British Columbia
and we can learn from how the Quebec media handles the issue.
Thanks for [excuse the pun] building bridges for us to follow developments.
.
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Yes, it does ring a lot of familiar-sounding bells for British Columbia
and we can learn from how the Quebec media handles the issue.
Thanks for [excuse the pun] building bridges for us to follow developments.
.
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