Tories overrule officials to fund project of Baird’s ‘dear f

[Scona]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/pol ... le2429391/

The Conservative government overruled federal bureaucrats and gave $1-million to a social hall project submitted by an Ottawa rabbi with close ties to Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.

After speaking to Mr. Baird, Human Resources Minister Diane Finley personally approved the project even though her officials determined it did not meet the criteria for a federal program aimed at making facilities wheelchair accessible....

....The Ottawa-based rabbi recently joined Mr. Baird on a tour of Israel. During that January visit, Mr. Baird repeatedly joked in his speeches that while he was not Jewish, he did have a rabbi.

The Conservatives are quickly peeing a lot of people off for various reasons. If an election were held today, I doubt very much that they'd form a majority government.

[The Islander]

I'm glad that the Cons have decided that they can make decisions about spending money on projects. For far to long the unelected bureaucrats have felt that they are the only ones who can make spending decisions. We do have elections for a reason, to decide who's in charge. Another federal employees with their nose out of joint doesn't bother me at all. Way to go John!!

[ChangingColours]

Why are we still giving money to special interest groups at all?

[richardson]

probably because they're citizens.