578...Hedy Fry/Montreal Gazette/Cut And Paste

Conservative irony
Montreal Gazette
Sat Jul 25 2009
Page: B6
Section: Editorial / Op-Ed
Source: The Gazette

Reading your July 23 article "Federal Tories reject Divers/Cité funding bid," I couldn't miss the opportunity to point out the irony of the whole situation.

The Harper government, having derided the Liberal government's sponsorship fund, sets up its own, under a different guise.

Having accused the Liberal minister in charge at the time, of politicizing the sponsorship fund, Conservative ministers now can't seem to resist manipulating their own version, the Marquee Tourism Events Program. The Ablonczy affair confirms that.

*Hedy Fry*

Liberal MP

WFDS

558...Tories And Gays And Montreal

Jennifer Ditchburn, Canadian Press reports that the Montreal Gay Pride thingy, Divers-Cite, has been refused funding, they wanted less than 200 000 shekels, 155 k to be precise, in part one would presume because of the fall out over the federal government, also known as the Conservative Party of Canada, got over giving Pride in Toronto money.

Ironically, in the hoo haw over Toronto Pride, Divers-Cite incurred the wrath of many in the gay community by stating that they had never been treated with anything but respect by the Tories.

Until now that is.

Paul Girard, the marketing director for the event, was told that all his ducks were in order and that the file had been sent to Minister Tony Clement's office for approval. Tuesday he was informed ixnay to the oneymay aulpay.

The event, which happens next month, features Latin American singer India, Marjo from Quebec and from the Pittsburgh Pirates 1979 World Series Champions, Sister Sledge.

But don't expect Stephen Harper, our beloved Prime Minister, to cruise down Ste. Catherine Est for Divers-Cite.

WFDS

557...Tories Diss Montreal Gays

No money for Divers-Cite, the Montreal Gay Festival.

Tories jam out.

More details to follow.

WFDS