"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Tuesday 9 December 2014

A Story of Success

Here's something you may not know. Canadian Legions have  always been the experts.
Any question the town had  about protocol,would be referred  to the Legion

The  Military serves Queen and Country.

Loyalty and Obedience are a requirement.

Political discussion  in a Legion was prohibited.

I first met Julian Fantino when he applied for the position of  Police Chief at the Region.

.For Veterans to criticise a Minister of the Crown  is far more serious than appears

It may be a first.

Not necessarily a surprise.

The Honorable Minister of Veterans Affairs ,Julian Fantino  recently  represeneted Canada at a Memorial  of the Canadian Campaign  in Italy in the Second World War

A number of years ago Canadian mothers organized a memorial of the Battle of Arnheim in Holland .
German mothers asked if they could join.

The Canadian mothers said NO.

Their response had nothing to do with facts or reason and everything to do with sorrow and loss.

Julian Fantino is not a sympathetic personality.

According to Wikipedia his career started as security guard at Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

When  he applied for  Police Chief of York Region he was not successful.

The Toronto press reported a quote in the Italian press from the candidate that York Region wasn't ready for an Italian.

At the time, he had held the position of Police Chief in the City of London for a short time.

He never moved to London.

Three years later, a second application to York Region was successful.

 He signed  a five year contract. Left after a couple of years to become Toronto Police Chief.

His contract there was not renewed after the initial term.

There were  reports of things like an illegal wire tap connected to Susan Eng, chairperson  of Toronto Police Services Board. And  an arrest of two hundred for child pornography without evidence. And something  else about a raid on a women's bathhouse.

Wikipedia has a note of a man's suicide with  note blaming Fantino for ruining his life.

Appointments  to  various responsible positions followed  by Former Premier Mike Harris and I believe, Dalton Mc Guinty .

The pattern continued.

Finally retirement and election to the Federal seat vacated by Mauricio Bevilaqua.

The Honorable Member  was immediately appointed Minister for Seniors.

I admit I wasn't thrilled.

Soon after he was appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs.

Y'all know the rest.

The Minister  has an impressive list of honours and awards following his name from both Canadian and Italian governments.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

It has been interesting to watch him stumble. His attitude and impatience have a lot to do with his current problems because he does not appear to have the ability to " discuss ".

Anonymous said...

I’ve never been a fan of Fantino, but I think being an MP or MPP is a different type of politician. I believe that those levels of politicians act for the most part, like good little soldiers. “Toeing the party line” is mandatory. I don’t think we’ll ever know when a politician is acting sincerely for the good of the people or when they are acting like good little soldiers.

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure you can discuss politics at the Legion now. Certainly over a few drinks it must be inevitable.

Anonymous said...

Is Wikipedia the benchmark of research that you use? Do you not have something with credability?

Anonymous said...

10:42- Credibility? I would suggest you find your local MP of MPP for that one. See what you can find out and come back and share.

Anonymous said...

He seems to have offended all the vets groups now.

Anonymous said...

11:18
It does not share - only criticizes the blog-lady.

Anonymous said...

13:59, the misspelling of credibility should have indicated that 10:42 isn't who you think 'it' is.

Anonymous said...


Fantino is a complete bonehead who seems to have served/worked in a variety of posts for relatively short periods of time. I wonder what his police pensions total.

But now Harper has acquired his own bonehead and has shuffled him around a little. But that's no never mind. He is, after all, apparently still popular in a particular ethnic area of Toronto and the chief bonehead needs all the boneheads he can get to cling to Toronto seats.

Is anyone following this?