Ok and now what??

Three wise guys ? All for one and one for all I think.


Bloc-NDP-Grit government a coalition for Canada: Layton


OTTAWA — A budding coalition between New Democrats, the separatist Bloc Quebecois and Liberals is an exercise in nation building, NDP Leader Jack Layton told his caucus in a conference call covertly recorded by the government.

Layton's national unity musings were secretly recorded Saturday by the Conservatives. They held the tape for a day and then had an official from the Prime Minister's Office deliver it to various media on Sunday.

"The 'Coalition for Canada,' I love the idea - (but it) could be a deal-breaker for the Bloc," Layton is heard saying to laughter.

"'The Coalition for Canada and Quebec?"' he adds, to more laughter.

Layton, however, appears deadly serious when he pitches the coalition as a potentially unifying force in federal politics.

"Nothing could be better for our country than to have the 50 (BQ) members out of 75 who've been elected in Quebec actually helping to make Canada a better place. We just approach it on that basis and say, 'We're willing to make that happen. Here are the things we're going to be investing in and transforming together.'

"If they're willing to work with us, we're willing to accept that offer."

The NDP said Sunday it may pursue criminal charges after the Conservatives covertly listened in, taped and distributed audio of Saturday's closed-door strategy session.

There no wiretap crime under the Criminal Code of Canada if someone is invited to participate in a conference call and then releases the recording publicly.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper said an unnamed Conservative had been "invited" to participate on the call.

"Maybe the invitation was meant for the Bloc, and they accidentally invited us," said Dimitri Soudas.

"We were invited. When you get invited somewhere you have the opportunity to choose to participate or not participate."

Two disparate segments of the recording totalling about 15 minutes were delivered Sunday. The senior PMO official distributing the recordings suggested more will be revealed later this week.

The Conservative take is that Layton's comments show he began conspiring with the Bloc for months to bring down Canada's elected government - long before last week's economic update that precipitated the current crisis of confidence in the Harper minority government.

The recording is more ambiguous.

In a discussion over concerns that the Bloquistes will be "offside" on issues, Layton said that's already been taken into account and strategies have been developed to avoid policy conflict.

"I actually believe they're the least of our problems," he said.

"This whole thing wouldn't have happened if the moves hadn't of been made with the Bloc to lock them in early because you couldn't put three people together in three hours.

"The first part was done a long time ago. I won't go into details."

Layton suggests reluctant Liberals may be a bigger problem, and he exhorts his MPs to organize public rallies this Thursday and not wait for other coalition partners to do the work.

"Chances are there are a bunch of Liberals in the other ridings on whom we want pressure placed," he's heard saying.

As far back as 2004, it's known that Layton, Duceppe and Stephen Harper - then the leader of the Opposition - held a "close consultation" on what would happen if they could defeat the Liberal minority of Paul Martin.

The three leaders co-signed a letter to then governor general Adrienne Clarkson asking her to "consider all your options" if the Liberal government fell.

And during last year's raucous parliamentary session, the Bloc and NDP regularly voted non-confidence in the Conservatives while the Liberals abstained or supported the minority government.

NDP MP Thomas Mulcair said the Tories are panicking and desperate to change the channel on their economic management.

The recording, he said, is a breach of parliamentary rules. NDP lawyers are examining if the tapes break the Criminal Code.

As for the substance of the call, Mulcair said the talks with the Bloc were perfectly normal consultations between parties in a minority government. They began only after the government's economic update was delivered last Thursday, he said.

Layton is heard downplaying the policy questions that could plague a coalition of such disparate party interests, saying everyone will have to curb their wish list.

"What we really want is just to get Harper out and get this new group in because it's going to be a hell of a lot better for everything we believe in. Correct? Correct!"

And he warned his caucus not to be defensive because the coalition represents the majority of Canadian voters.

"You can see where Harper's going here," said Layton.

"He's going to say its the socialists and the separatists and the opportunists getting together. Those are their talking points and so we just need to push back."

And the winner is??

This the best summary of the present liberal leadership Also it raises the question who would be the PM in a coalition?

Column: Right on the MoneyLiberal leadership crisis Party faces difficult task picking next leader Jesse G. HamonicRight on the MoneyNovember 27, 2008

Credit: Desiree Geib / the Gauntlet
Right on the Money:
After experiencing one of the worst defeats in Liberal history, Liberal leader Stephane Dion announced his resignation. Although a new leader may be helpful, the Liberals still find themselves near an abyss of irrelevance. Dion turned out to be such a weak and ineffective leader, he had no other option than to resign. As a result, the Liberal party faces its third leadership convention in five years. Unlike the last leadership election, there seems to be much less interest this time around. Only three official candidates, Michael Ignatieff, Bob Rae and Dominique LeBlanc have thrown their hats in the ring. Picking up major supporters of past leadership candidates, Ignatieff seems to be an unstoppable front-runner. Considering the many Liberal party policies and ideals, Ignatieff is a peculiar choice to say the least. Ignatieff has written numerous papers supporting torture and was an advocate for the war in Iraq. Both seem to be in contradiction to the Liberal electoral base. He is also quoted as saying "I'm not losing sleep" over civilian deaths in Lebanon, a highly insensitive and disturbing comment that upset many Canadians. Further, some have blamed the Liberal party's failure in the last election on the Green Shift, yet that's exactly what Ignatieff has and does support-- carbon taxes. If the Liberals did lose ground on the carbon tax proposal, surely another leader proposing the same thing will fair no better. Being a former Harvard university professor, Ignatieff's arrogance is well displayed. Worst yet, he has spent the last 25 years on top of the ivory tower in the United States. It is difficult to fathom how an American elite could have any understanding of the Canadian middle class, let alone more broadly, Canadian values. Rae, similar to Ignatieff, is also running an uphill battle. Being the former and sole NDP Premier of Ontario, his governance record is a disaster and that's a euphemism. His accidental win in Ontario led the province to debilitating deficits and one of the worst recessions it has ever faced. The province was in such dire straights, public service employees were forced to take "Rae Days"-- unpaid days off-- cutting services to Ontarians, in order to stave off the province from bankruptcy. It's mesmerizing that, during the current difficult economic times, Rae even considers mentioning the word economy, let alone has the audacity to suggest that he can solve it. Hearing Rae claim he has learnt from his mistakes in the early '90s and now has the answers is like giving George W. Bush a third term because he says he will govern differently. Once an economic hit man, always an economic hit man. Polls provide evidence of this belief. In a recent survey by Innovative Research Group, Rae was viewed as the worst of four possible Liberal leadership contenders to lead Canada through the current global economic crisis (the sample also included Martin Cauchon, who has since decided not to enter the race). In the Liberal bastion of Ontario, asked who would be worst suited to lead through the crisis, 26 per cent picked Rae, compared to nine per cent each for Ignatieff and LeBlanc. Where Rae does have considerable strength is his knowledge and deep understanding of international affairs. Unfortunately for him, economics is the soup du jour and by the time this global slowdown ends, he may just be too old for the job. The last serious contender is LeBlanc. He is the son of former Governor General Romeo LeBlanc and a Harvard-educated lawyer from New Brunswick. LeBlanc's main asset may equally be a liability. He has little to no political baggage and is fluently bilingual. Regrettably, the reason he has stayed away from trouble in the past is because he is relatively unknown. LeBlanc has a lot of work to get to be known within the Liberal party, let alone among Canadians in general. The other obstacle for LeBlanc is the fact that he comes from the east coast. Liberals have lost a lot of support in both Quebec and Ontario, trends they must turn around in order to regain government status. The Governor General's son from New Brunswick is no le petit gars de Shawinigan. The Liberal board of directors have really botched up this leadership race. With the rules being so stringent, unless challengers have a pre-existing support base, they are hopeless in trying to win the next leadership election. This leaves a threesome leadership talent pool so shallow

Bye Bye George B
Entry for November 24, 2008....
Watch this ...judge this for yourself.
It appears in this video that President Bush's approval is in a sorrier state than polls indicate. In a video taken at the G20 summit, Bush walks across a line of world leaders without shaking or being asked to shake any of their hands. Whether the President is being rejected by the world leaders or he is rejecting them, CNN's Rick Sanchez aptly says that Bush looks like "the most unpopular kid in high school that nobody liked."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/20/world-leaders-dont-shake_n_145141.html

Enjoy the ride boys and girls !

I hope my " good friends" in the Sask Party enjoy life at the top. One year in power in Saskatchewan. Because you meet the same people on the way down as you meet up . As you meet them on the way down they are not as nice as they were on the way up.
Sask. Party convention chance to celebrate.

Gathering is the first since 2007 election win

James Wood, The StarPhoenixPublished: Friday, November 14, 2008

REGINA -- Riding high a year after its provincial election victory, the Saskatchewan Party's annual convention this weekend in Saskatoon is expected to be a love-fest and not a slug-fest over policy.
This will be the first convention since the party took office and the tentative agenda urges delegates to "share in the glory of the Saskatchewan Party in power."
"We haven't gathered together now for about a year-and-a-half, so I think people will want to celebrate the win and enjoy each other's company," Premier Brad Wall told reporters at the legislature this week.
Unlike the convention in February 2007, which focused exclusively on election preparedness and where no policy was discussed, there are 16 policy resolutions that will be discussed by the delegates.
But with the resolutions raising issues such as expanding SaskTel's cellular phone coverage, analyzing the use of plastic bags, expanding wind power and increasing the high school graduation rate, Wall said the resolutions did not take an "ideological approach."
There are resolutions calling for the enshrinement of property rights in the Saskatchewan Bill of Rights and asking the government to take the constitutionality of the gun registry to the Supreme Court.
After taking over as leader in 2004, Wall made a concerted effort to move the small-c conservative party to the centre, including a major policy overhaul a year later that left in the past issues such as abortion or Crown corporation privatization.
Wall said he's not worried about a disconnect between the party and some of its members once the celebrating is over.
"I think the members of our party
. . . increasingly so now that we have this solid base in urban Saskatchewan, reflect the values of Saskatchewan people. And I think they like the fact that Saskatchewan is going to continue to move forward economically, that we're going to lead the country, but we're also going to take care of those most vulnerable in the province," he said.
NDP deputy leader Pat Atkinson noted only three Sask. Party constituency associations had actually submitted resolutions for consideration and wondered whether that reflected on the health of the party underneath the surface.
"I think in the past, leading up to the election for several years, they were discouraging resolutions because they didn't want to do anything that would raise concerns in the public and so now we have a group of people that are in government and I would suspect, based on our own experience in government, that party people have all kinds of ideas and suggestions for public policy," she said.
"Unless you can keep everybody in the tent in terms of public policy, those people go away."
University of Saskatchewan political studies Prof. Joe Garcea said the Sask. Party no longer has the "right-wing bias its previous incarnations had."
Ideology has declined overall in politics and all parties' primary interests when it comes to conventions is "managing the convention in such a way as to not raise any issues that will create a certain image of them in the public mind. They want to stay away from issues being raised that are considered radical in some way, shape or form."
The convention will be held at the Sheraton Cavalier hotel. It will also see the election of a new party president, planning sessions for the next convention and a dinner with speaker Pamela Wallin.
jwood@sp.canwest.com
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)

Ler's Us not forget!

“Under the orders of your devoted officers in the coming battle you will advance or fall where you stand facing the enemy. To those who will fall I say ‛You will not die, but step into immortality. Your mothers will not lament your fate, but will be proud to have borne such sons. Your name will be revered forever and ever by your grateful country, and God will take you unto Himself.”
General Sir Arthur Currie – special order to the Canadian Corps – France, 27 Mar 1917

For ValourSgt. Hugh Cairns, V.C., D.C.M.On November 1, 1918, just 10 days before the First World War ended, Sgt. Hugh Cairns of the 46th Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment, won the Victoria Cross, Great Britain's highest award, awarded for most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour, self sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. The next day he died of injuries sustained in the campaign which resulted in the medal.General Currie would later characterize Sgt. Cairns’ actions as a “superhuman deed”.Please Note: mouse over photos and graphics for descriptions and links to larger images opening in new browser window.


Hugh Cairns was born December 4, 1896 in Ashington, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, to George H. and Elizabeth Dotes Cairns (nee Donkin). He was the third of eleven children who emigrated with his family to Canada; settling in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in May 1911 at age 14. The Cairns family lived in the Caswell Hill area at 713 29th St. West until 1913, then moved a short distance into a larger home at 832 Avenue G North. He worked as an apprentice plumber and lived with his family until his deployment.Hugh was an active and highly regarded footballer. In 1913, he led his team, the Christ Church Intermediate Boys Football club, to the championship of the Sunday School League. He also played for the St. Thomas Church team in 1915 when they won the Saskatoon League Championship.

Cairns in 1913 - standing in front of 2nd column from the left

On August 2, 1915 at age 18, Hugh Cairns enlisted with the 65th Battalion.
Departing from Canada on June 20, 1916, aboard the S.S. Empress of Britain; the 65th Battalion arrived in Liverpool, England eight days later. On June 30th, Sgt. Cairns was transferred to the 46th Battalion and on 9th of August was on his way to France.

S.S. Empress of Britain - 14,500 tons - Canadian Pacific Line



Sgt. Cairns’ service record lists thefollowing awards and promotions,all of which took place in the field:
11.8.17
Awarded 1st Stripe
25.8.17
Awarded DCM
11.11.17
Promoted to Lance Cpl.
1.7.18
Promoted to Cpl.
15.8.18
Promoted to Sergeant
1.11.18
Awarded VC
Alongside the men of the 46th Battalion, Hugh Cairns took part in every engagement fought from August 1916 until his death before Valenciennes in November 1918.During the first week of June 1917, he received thirteen shrapnel wounds in the back, but soon recovered and returned to his unit less than a fortnight later, and in the process won the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry. Pte. Cairns and the men he led had taken on and captured an enemy gun emplacement at Lens (Vimy Ridge). Subsequently he held up a German advance almost single-handed for 90 minutes while the rest of the platoon retreated to their lines. It was soon after that he was promoted to Lance Corporal.Sergeant Cairns, had two brothers in the army during the Great War, Henry Cairns and Corporal Albert Cairns; the later having been killed on September 10, 1918, age 23, during the battle of Cambrai. Albert and Hugh were said to have been inseparable, and one of Sgt. Cairns’ comrades recalled that “Hughie said he’d get fifty Germans for that” adding, “I don’t think he ever planned to come back after Abbie got killed.” Only Cairns’ almost fanatical desire to avenge his brother’s death can explain his actions eight weeks later.Sgt. Hugh Cairns died thirty-two days short of his 22nd birthday, and now rests in Auberchicourt British Cemetery; 7 km east of Douai, near Nord, France. Albert Cairns is buried at Terlinchun British Cemetery in Pas de Calais.

Hugh Cairns was admired and respected by fellow soldiers and officers of the 46th Battalion. It was said he knew how to use a Lewis rifle better than any other man, was well known as a long distance runner and, as a boxer, had made his mark in the ring.The 46th Battalion has since come to be known as the Suicide Battalion - losing 1,433 killed and 3,484 wounded - a casualty rate of 91.5 percent - winning 16 battle honours in its 28 months in France.

Most conspicuous braveryThe heroic deed¹ It was dark, with occasional splashes of rain, on Halloween night, 1918, when the Canadians moved down from billets in Thiant to the front line for the attack on the French city of Valenciennes. After repeated failures on the part of the imperial troops, the taking of the city was entrusted to the men from Canada, and the task was given to the 4th Division. The Canadians had advanced down the west side of the Canal l'Escaut early in October, until they had reached a position opposite Valenciennes. The enemy dammed the river lower down and flooded the area around the city. For three weeks the two armies viewed each other across the watery expanse with no other excitement than occasionally sniping at each other. Then the orders came to the Canadians to move back for an attack on the city from the south.The Dominion troops appreciated the honour implied in the changed orders giving them the task of taking Valenciennes, and to keep the spirits of the men to a higher pitch, word was received the day before the attack that Austria had signed the armistice. Thoughts of the end of the war and home made them eager to make a quick finish of the work at hand.The men moved to the assembly trenches and took up battle formation under cover of darkness. The 10th Brigade frontage extended from Trith St. Leger, on Canal l'Escault to Famars, the canal forming the left boundary of the area to be attacked, and the Rhonelle river, the right boundary. The 46th Battalion, holding the right sector of the brigade frontage, from La Fontenelle farm to Famars joined with imperial troops across the Rhonelle.

Since 1856, 1,351 British and colonial soldiers have won the right to wear a medal in the shape of a small Maltese Cross, made of bronze taken from Russian guns captured at Sebastopol during the Crimean War
The attack opened with a heavy artillery and smoke barrage before dawn. The first wave of infantry went over the top and advanced to its objective, capturing Mount Houy, a steep wooded hill, strongly held, which has proved fatal to several previous attacks. When the leading battalion had reached Aulnoy the 46th Battalion passed through and carried the attack to the final objective, the main railway in Valenciennes. There was hard fighting in Aulnoy and down the two rural streets connecting Aulnoy and Famars with Valenciennes. The streets were closely packed on either side with houses, from which the Boche attacked the passing troops. Small mopping up squads were formed in the Canadian line and these houses cleaned out, the men fighting from house to house down the long street. The number of prisoners taken in this operation was greatly in excess of the attacking force, the 46th Battalion alone taking 800 prisoners with a force of not more than 300 men. Sgt. Cairns was in charge of a platoon during the advance. About 300 yards north of Aulnoy, when he was advancing down the Famars road, a machine gun opened on his men from a house on the side of the street. The fire was coming from a window upstairs. Sgt. Cairns seized a Lewis gun and rushed into the house. Dashing upstairs in face of fire turned on him, he killed the crew of five and captured the gun. The Canadian line advanced. It swung across the Famars road to the south side where, in front of an old French cemetery, they were held up again by fire from a strongly-held machine gun post. Again Sgt. Cairns rushed forward alone, firing his gun from the hip as he went. He silenced and captured two enemy guns, killing 12 Germans and taking 18 prisoners. Once more the Canadian line moved on, routing out the Germans from the houses and sending back scores of prisoners.
In the outskirts of Valenciennes, in an old brickfield, the advance was again stayed by a battery of field guns firing point blank, and a large number of machine guns. Sgt. Cairns was wounded in the shoulder, but notwithstanding, he led a small party of his men around the position and outflanked it. Working his way to within 75 yards of the guns he took careful aim and killed a large number of the enemy gunners, causing 50 others to surrender. Seven machine guns, four field guns and one trench mortar were captured. The objective was gained and the line of railway in the city of Valenciennes consolidated. The two front lines of the attacking companies had instructions to push out patrols to ascertain whether or not the enemy were evacuating and to gain other information of military importance. Sgt. Cairns accompanied Lieut. J. P. G. MacLeod; D. S. O., with a small patrol to exploit Marly, a suburb east of Valenciennes. Cairns noticed a considerable number of the enemy in a courtyard surrounded with buildings, and with Lieut. MacLeod, pushed forward to the gate, where they came face to face with about 60 Boche.
The Germans, seeing the Canadian officer and the sergeant with his Lewis gun, threw up their hands when ordered but before they could be disarmed one of them gave the signal that the two men were alone and, as he approached Sgt. Cairns as if to surrender, a German officer drew his pistol and shot Cairns through the stomach. Sgt. Cairns immediately dropped to his knees and fired upon the German officer, killing him instantly. The other Boche then took cover behind boxes and piles of debris and began firing on the two Canadians. In spite of the fact that he had received his fatal wound, Cairns got his gun into action. Again he was wounded in the hand and arm, but bleeding and in great pain he continued to operate his gun. Then another shot blew away the trigger and mangled his hand. Twenty Boche ran forward to overpower him. Seizing his broken gun, he hurled it into the face of the nearest Hun, then staggering to the gate, collapsed unconscious.In a moment the remainder of the patrol came running to the courtyard and a skirmish took place, during which Lieut. MacLeod dragged away the insensible form of the hero, placing him on a door to use as a stretcher. During this evacuation enemy fire was taken from the flank killing one of the stretcher bearers and wounding Sgt. Cairns yet again. They carried him back to the Canadian line and then to the field hospital where he died the next day.
A spirit of recklessness had animated Sgt. Cairns from the moment of attack that day. His superior officer had suggested he not to go into action; as he had seen a great deal of fighting in all the engagements; but he absolutely refused to be left behind. His brother had been shot at his side a few weeks before and he seemed possessed with the idea of avenging his death. Sgt. Cairns led four skirmishes that day on which more than 50 Germans paid with their lives for the death of his brother.It had been a day of incredible achievement for the 21-year old Canadian soldier. One of heroic service which won him the last Victoria Cross awarded for actions during World War I. He was buried on the field of honour.

Retreating German Infantry burn Valenciennes

"A" Company's Report on Valenciennes Operation - November 1st 1918Extract from 46th Battalion War Diary for November 1918After the various meetings of all Officers by the Commanding Officer and details of scheme explained, the scheme was carefully gone into with the whole Company and the following points explained.
That "A" Company attack on a two platoon frontage with one platoon in support. Lieut. Johnston with No.1 Platoon on the right and Lieut. Cook with No.2 Platoon on the left and Company Headquarters and Sergt Cairns with No.3 Platoon forming the support wave and that we advance on lines of sections in file at forty paces interval and 100 paces distance, and that the Company advance behind the 44th Battalion with our right flank resting on the main FAMARS-VALENCIENNES road until the cemetery in AULNOY was reached, at which point the Company were to slightly change direction by swinging to the right and crossing the FAMARS-VALENCIENNES road and that they were to get in behind the 44th Battalion's left flank and taking care of all buildings on main road running out of AULNOY.

The Battalion left present billets in THIANT for jumping off position by 0100 hours November 1st 1918 meeting guides and L.A.R.'s (Lewis machine guns) at Railway cutting as set out in orders. From here guides took respective platoons to their positions. Reported to B.H.Q. time 0255 hours that Company was in position.The barrage opened at 0515 and the whole line moved off in good order. After we had gone about 500 yards we came under heavy machine gun fire from the left, just to the back of MOUNT HOUY and from the top of a building in K.3.c.40.30. I ordered one section of No.1 Platoon to mop up buildings which they did very satisfactorily, killing a large number of Boche and taking nine prisoners. The M.G. on the left still gave us considerable trouble but we got forward with very few casualties as the resistance was overcome during the advance to the sunken road by the leading waves of the 44th Battalion. When within 400 yards of the sunken road we encountered heavy machine gun fire from houses at junction on sunken road and main FAMARS-VALENCIENES road.
At this point the 44th Battalion had some trouble so I ordered No.1 Platoon to assist them overcoming their resistance. They captured some machine guns and many prisoners besides killing a great number. The advance then continued without any check until about 50 yards beyond the sunken road when direct machine gun fire was encountered from the trench and main road behind us. At this particular stage I only had about 20 men under my direct command as Lieut. Johnstone had taken something like 20 men with him who were now merged with "B" Company on the left. Realizing that I had not sufficient men to tackle the area allotted to "A" Company I called upon two sections of "C" Company, one to assist on the right flank and one on the left. The barrage playing here for 15 minutes enabled me to organize for the second stage and upon barrage lifting the line went forward in good order.
A platoon from the 46th Battalion entering the outskirts ofValenciennes under fire on 1 November 1918
Opposition was not met with until we got practically in line with the houses at the junction of the roads in E.27.b.70.70. Here they held us up for a few minutes when the left L.A.R. section got their guns into action allowing the right to advance. The Boshe were now retiring down the sunken road to the brickfields and we bought to bear heavy fire from our L.A.R.'s and rifles on them which was very effective. The advance continued without further trouble until we reached the south side of the brickfields. At this point we came under very heavy machine gun fire and there was a fight on for over 20 minutes, when finally I ordered C.S.M. Gibbons, Sergt Cairns and 4 other ranks with 2 L.A.R.'s to outflank them on the right. These men crawled on their hands and knees while we covered them with rapid rifle and machine gun fire, resulting in them getting within 75 yards of the Boshe. The Boshe Officer became a casualty and the whole position fell. We captured 3 field guns, one trench mortar, 7 machine guns and over fifty prisoners and the ground had plenty of dead on it. The advance then continued to the south edge of the factory without much opposition. Here I ordered Sergt Cairns with 8 other ranks and 1 L.A.R. to seize the railway crossing in E.16.c.85.30. I then went over to the right flank to straighten things out as this flank was held up by machine gun fire from the railway in E.23.a.60.20. I found nothing could be done by be as the fire came from the east of the river so I directed them to remain where they were until the situation cleared on the left. I proceeded to the left and met Lieut. Johnstone coming over with 10 O.R's (ordinary ranks) and two L.A.R.'s of "A" Company and 20 other ranks of the 44th Battalion he had taken charge of. He was proceeding to rejoin the Company. I ordered Lieut. Johnstone to mop up the factory and established posts on the railroad, while I proceeded to the left to find out how Sergt Cairns had made out. Sergt Cairns had established a post covering all the approaches and was then moving down the railway to connect with Lieut. Johnstone. The situation here was now clear. I once more went to the right to see if the bridgehead could not be taken but found a very limited field of fire and not a satisfactory position to be taken up so retained the position in E.22.b.60.00. The whole line was established by 0900 hours.
I then notified Lieut. Jones of "C" Company to have patrol report to me at once (as per O.O.181 of Oct.31/18). Lieut. MacLeod reported to me and I gave him the necessary instructions and he moved his party forward at 0920 hours. With him were 1 Sergt, 10 O.R's with L.A.R. They entered the factory just the other side of the railway in E.16.c.90.40.Lieut. MacLeod left 7 O.R's in the houses while he and Sergt Cairns and 2 O.R's with L.A.R. proceeded to examine factory, Sergt Cairns handling the gun himself. Just as they were crossing the street a Boshe opened on them with an automatic rifle. Sergt Cairns made a run for the swinging door opening into the courtyard shooting his L.A.R. from the hip. Those he did not kill or wound ran down a back street. At this time Lieut. MacLeod and one O.R. entered the courtyard and as they proceeded around the corner they discovered about 50 more Boshe in a passage in a south-easterly end of the yard. Here they ordered them to put up their hands which was done immediately with the exception of one Boshe who retained his rifle. Lieut. MacLeod immediately covered him with his revolver when a Boshe Officer made a motion as if to put the rifle aside at the same time drew his pistol and shot Sergt Cairns through the stomach. Sergt Cairns then opened fire from the hip killing and wounding about 30. The Boshe then saw they must fight for their lives and commenced firing a machine gun from a high brick wall. Sergt Cairns was again hit through the wrist but continued to fire his L.A.R. when he finally got a bullet through his hand nearly taking it off. This bullet also broke the L.A.R. He then threw the L.A.R. in the face of one of the Boshe who were firing at him, knocking him over. He then staggered to the gateway and collapsed. He was being carried back to our line when M.G. fire opened from the left killing one of the carrying party. Lieut. MacLeod then dragged him into our lines and reported to me at 1315 hours what he had done and reported casualties as 1 killed and 1 wounded.
The streets were closely packed on either side with buildings, from which the Germans attacked the passing troops
At 1800 hours same date two platoons of 50th Battalion came up to reinforce. These consisted of 2 Sergts and 23 O.R's.At 2100 hours I was relieved by a Company of the 54th Battalion and I reported with Company to THIANT.In conclusion would say the barrage was splendid though there were a number of shorts during the latter stages of the advance. The smoke barrage was effective and enabled us to get close to the Boshe, and preventing him from knowing our strength which, had he known, would have caused us considerably more trouble and more casualties. The men did all I expected of them and I wish to specially mention the valuable services throughout the entire operation of the following O.R's.Sergt CairnsC.S.M. GibbonsPrivates Slack, Dennis, and WindrimAlso Lieut. MacLeod of "C" CompanyI consider the work done by the above mentioned greatly assisted in the success in the action of my Company.Total casualties; - All ranks - 42R.W. Gyles Capt.C.C. "A" Company

Distinguished Conduct Medal citationTranscribed from hand-written entry on service record“Awarded DCM for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to unit in leading a party forwards at a critical moment and supplying covering fire to the flank of an attacking Battalion. With great initiative he recovered two guns which had been left behind [and loaded them] repelling three enemy attacks and successfully covering our subsequent withdrawal. Though wounded he held on until all his ammunition was expended, when he made his way back to our line having done invaluable service and set a very fine example.”


Victoria Cross citationSergeant Hugh CairnsAwarded the Victoria Cross posthumously, for acts of Valour before Valenciennes:“For most conspicuous bravery before Valenciennes on 1 November 1918, when a machine gun opened on his platoon. Without a moment's hesitation, Sergeant Cairns seized a Lewis gun and single-handedly, in the face of direct fire, rushed the post, killed the crew of five, and captured the gun. Later, when the line was held up by machine-gun fire, he again rushed forward, killing 12 enemy soldiers and capturing another 18 and two guns. Subsequently, when the advance was held up by machine guns and field guns, although wounded, he led a small party to outflank them, killing many, forcing about 50 to surrender, and capturing all of the guns. After consolidation, he went with a battle patrol to exploit Marly and forced 60 enemy soldiers to surrender. Whilst disarming the party he was severely wounded. Nevertheless, he opened fire and inflicted heavy losses. Finally he was rushed by about 20 enemy soldiers and collapsed from weakness and loss of blood. Throughout the operation he showed the highest degree of valour, and his leadership contributed to the success of the attack. He died on 2 November from his wounds.”

Sgt. Hugh Cairns VC DCM memorials and honours
The earliest memorial to Hugh Cairns was erected in 1921 by the Saskatoon Football Association in what is now known as Kiwanis Park, near the University Bridge. The statue is of Sgt. Cairns as a footballer. Soccer players in their hundreds joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force and many did not return from the conflict in Europe. Around the base of the statue are the names of the seventy-five Saskatoon soccer players who lost their lives in the Great War.

The memorial was dedicated on June 8, 1921 and unveiled by Rev. B.W. Pullinger of Detroit, Michigan. Rev. Pullinger had been the Chaplain of Sgt. Cairns’ regiment in France. Constructed of a 6 foot marble statue carved in Naples, Italy, set upon a 12 foot polished granite base, the Sgt. Hugh Cairns VC DCM Soccer Memorial is reputed to be the only war memorial in the world dedicated to soccer players. It is doubly unique considering that it is found in such a young soccer nation as Canada.


The memorial is used in the logo of the Saskatoon District Soccer Association and a representation appears on the medallions that are awarded each year to individual and team award winners. In addition, each year on 11 November members of the SDSA lay a wreath at the memorial in remembrance of those who have gone before; reminding us that it was in many cases our youth who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.On November 13, 1933 all ranks of the 46th Battalion who lived, fought and died in France and Flanders from 1916 to 1918 were celebrated with the unveiling of a bronze memorial plaque at the University of Saskatchewan. With seventy soldiers of the famous unit present, the ceremonies in Convocation Hall were officiated by the lieutenant-governor of Saskatchewan Col. H. E. Monroe with Mr. and Mrs. Cairns, the parents of Sgt. Hugh Cairns VC, as honoured guests.

On the day preceding the unveiling of the Vimy Memorial of July 25, 1936, the city of Valenciennes renamed a street L'Avenue du Sergent Hugh Cairns. This was the only instance this type of honour was bestowed upon an allied non-commissioned officer by a French city.In 1960 the city of Saskatoon named a street and a school after him and his regiment renamed their new armoury to honour him.



² In November 1977, Sgt. Cairns’ nephew Bill, representing the family, presented the hero's medals in trust to the armoury. Along with the Victoria Cross, he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the French Legion of Honour (presented posthumously by the French government in 1936) and two standard WWI service medals. In addition to Sgt. Cairns’ medals, the Cairns family also presented the armoury with medals won by his brothers, Albert, Henry and Lawrence. The Victoria Cross is now on public display at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.

In 1995, the provincial government of Saskatchewan developed a program to erect markers at appropriate sites throughout the province in honour of Saskatchewan's six Victoria Cross winners. In August 1995 a plaque was unveiled at what was thought to be the home of Sgt. Hugh Cairns.Likely mistaken as an unknown Hugh Cairns Jr. in the 1912 and 1913 Saskatoon Henderson address directories, Sgt. Hugh Cairns was identified as living at 418 10th St. East. – presumably the son of Rev. Hugh Cairns at the same address.³ Coincidently, yet another Hugh Cairns lived in Saskatoon during this time. Hugh Charles John Cairns was the only child of successful merchant and celebrated sports founder James Frederick Cairns. – J. F. Cairns, for whom Cairns Field is named; his wife Edith, and son Hugh, resided on Spadina Crescent. Tragically the younger Cairns died in a boating accident on Pike Lake, near Saskatoon, in June 1917 at age fourteen.Nevertheless, the 1914, 1915 and 1916 Henderson directories correctly published Hugh Cairns, the plumber, as one of the Cairns boys living at Ave G North. Apparently this was overlooked by bureaucratic planners of the program eighty years later. An imprudence which regrettably caused considerable confusion and dismay to family members and fellow veterans.




The Cairns family home at832 Avenue G North, Saskatoon
In February 2005, an ongoing initiative to have the plaque relocated to the correct residence, spearheaded by Mrs. Rowena McLellan of Saskatoon, was successful.Although the date of the plaque's transference was not set, the Saskatchewan Government Heritage Resource Unit stated that an error may have been made and it is their intention to transplant the marker in its entirety once the ground is sufficiently thawed.On Tuesday, July 12, 2005 Sgt. Cairns’ plaque was relocated to his home at 832 Avenue G North. This was completed by a civic work crew and purportedly brought about without any public notification, proclamation, nor rededication ceremony.Ed. – I extend my gracious apologizes to a great Canadian for the inexcusable delay, and thank you to all those who contributed, in any fashion, to getting the job done.



Plaque mounted between the housesat number 3 and number 5L'Avenue du Sergent Hugh Cairnsat Valenciennes

Grave marker ofSgt. Hugh Cairns VC DCMat Auberchicourt British CemeteryGrave Reference: I. A. 8.
Photos of Auberchicourt Cemetery taken during a recent visit by Alain Dubois of Valenciennes can be found here at Alain's personal website.

Sgt. Hugh Cairns VC Armoury German artillery weapon

ª In front of Sgt. Hugh Cairns VC Armoury sits a well preserved WWI German model L/40 artillery gun on permanent display.Obtained by the armoury, this weapon was originally presented to the City of Saskatoon by the Government of Canada in 1919.

Manufactured by Krupp of Essen in 1917, the L/40 fired a 15cm shell and had a maximum range of 20,451 yards.In 1917 the German Army was desperately short of artillery of all types. The German Navy on the other hand was not short of surface vessels and a number of large calibre barrels were deemed surplus to requirements by the Navy.The army took these barrels and mounted them on wheels. This picture shows the complete unit with trails as a separate piece. In this case they are being reattached for firing. Normally when traveling, they were separated into two individual pieces. The Sgt. Hugh Cairns Armoury gun is missing the trails which is as long as the gun itself.It is unclear whether this weapon system was captured or seized by the Allies when Germany surrendered. A great many captured weapons were sent all across Canada as a thank you for raising Victory Bonds. It is known that the more a community raised, the larger the weapon system it received.


Other Saskatchewan recipients of the Victoria Cross are:Sgt. A.H.L. Richardson, Fort Battleford, - Lord Strathcona's Horse - Wolwespruit, South Africa, 1900L/Cpl. Michael O'Leary, Fort Battleford, - 1st Battalion - Cuinchy, France, 1915Lt. Robert Combe, Melville, - 27th Battalion - Acheville, France, 1917Sgt. Harry Mullin, Moosomin, - Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry - Passchendaele, Belgium, 1917Maj. David Currie, Moose Jaw, - 29th Canadian Armoured Reconnaissance Regt. - Battle of Falaise, 1944

References, acknowledgments and sites of interestFrances Morrison Library Local History Room (Saskatoon)¹ Regina Morning Leader - Carolyn Cornell, 8 Nov 1919 p.26² Saskatoon Star Phoenix - November 10, 1977 p.21³ Joan K. Murray - Corporate Historian, Hbc Heritage Servicesª Col. Larry Wong (retired) - North Saskatchewan RegimentThe Suicide Battalion - J. McWilliams & J. Steel. 1978The Men Who Marched Away - J. Steel. 1989National Archives of CanadaLibrary and Archives Canada Biography OnlineCanadian Military History NewsVictoria Cross Reference (migrated to Wikipedia)The History of the Victoria CrossThe Saskatoon Heritage SocietySgt. Hugh Cairns VC DCM Memorial virtual tourGreat Ships The Postcard and Ephemera Collection of Jeff NewmanAlain Dubois-ChoulikSaskatoon and District Soccer AssociationPrairie Gold: Sports Heroes from SaskatchewanSaskatchewan Council for Archives and ArchivistsVAC Canada Remembers : Victoria Cross HeroesVeterans Affairs CanadaThe Commonwealth War Graves CommissionImperial War MuseumThe Saskatchewan DragoonsFriends of War MemorialsGoogle search: Canadian War MemorialsA Canadian's Visit to Vimy RidgeSaskGallery HistoryFallen Heroes - Saskatoon Collegiate Institute
Page Published: © 30.11.99 - last edited: 29.02.08Created by Rod Filan in association withRosebud's WWI and Early Aviation Image Archive

WoW

The New America!

Obama: U.S. presidential win 'sent a message to the world'
Illinois senator 1st black man to be elected to nation's highest office
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 1:57 AM ET
By Andrew Davidson, CBC News
President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, and daughters Malia, 7, left, and Sasha, 10, wave to the crowd at the election night rally in Chicago on Tuesday night. (Jae C. Hong/Associated Press)
Democratic candidate Barack Obama made history on Tuesday by becoming the first black man to be elected president of the United States, saying his win shows the world that "a new dawn of American leadership is at hand."
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer," the Illinois senator told a jubilant crowd of more than 100,000 people gathered in Chicago's Grant Park.
The wide range of Americans who turned out to vote in this election "sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states," Obama said. "We are, and always will be, the United States of America."Marissa Wilkes, left, and Ladona Miller hug each other at an election party Tuesday in Greensboro, N.C., as they learn of Obama's victory. (Gerry Broome/Associated Press)
He also congratulated Republican candidate John McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin, for a long and hard-fought campaign and reached out to their supporters.
"To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices," he said. "I need your help, and I will be your president, too."
The Democrat said his opponent, a veteran who survived years of torture as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, "has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine."
"We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader," Obama said.
The 47-year-old son of a black Kenyan father and a white mother from Kansas also praised his family, including his wife, Michelle, his two young daughters and his grandmother, who died just two days before Obama was elected to the nation's highest office.
"While she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching," he told the crowd.
The president-elect, who will be inaugurated Jan. 20, 2009, also spoke of the difficult challenges facing Americans beset by "two wars, a planet in peril and the worst financial crisis in a century."
"There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, threats to meet and alliances to repair," he said. "The road ahead will be long, our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term.
"But America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there."
The emotional crowd responded with the Obama campaign's familiar chant of "Yes, we can," which Obama himself integrated into his victory speech, using it to punctuate an anecdote about a 106-year-old black voter he met in Atlanta and the challenges she has seen America overcome in her lifetime.
"It's fantastic," said Hulon Johnson, 71, a retired Chicago public school principal celebrating in the crowd. "I've always told my kids this was possible; now they'll have to believe me."
The Obama victory also sparked celebrations across the country, even along the capital's famed Pennsylvania Avenue.
Among the crowd gathered at Howard University, Washington's historically black institution, one woman told CBC News that she never believed she would be able to vote for a black presidential candidate, let alone see one elected.
"I feel hope and change in the air," she said. "I'm really, really excited about waking up tomorrow."
McCain praises rival
Shortly after several U.S. media outlets projected that Obama had captured at least the required minimum of 270 electoral college votes, McCain told supporters in Phoenix that he called the Illinois senator to concede the election.
"A little while ago, I had the honour of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him," said McCain, alongside Palin, which garnered loud boos from the crowd.
"Please.… to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love. In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance."
Obama campaign spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama received the call from his Republican opponent around 11 p.m. ET, accepted McCain's concession and asked him for help in leading the country.
President George W. Bush also called Obama to congratulate him on his victory, a White House spokesman said.
Key wins in Virginia, FloridaRepublican presidential candidate John McCain concedes defeat during a rally with supporters on election night in Phoenix on Tuesday. (Chris Carlson/Associated Press)
With more than 94 per cent of polls reporting, the Associated Press pegged Obama's electoral vote tally at 349, compared to McCain's 147. Obama was also leading in popular vote 52.3 per cent to 46.4 per cent.
Obama's victories included wins in the coveted states of Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, which has backed the winning presidential candidate since 1964, and Virginia, the former bedrock of the Confederacy and a state that hasn't backed a Democratic presidential candidate in 40 years.
Obama was also victorious in Florida, Iowa and New Mexico, states which were won by Bush in 2004.
On the west coast, Obama secured victories in California, Washington and Oregon, which have traditionally voted Democrat in presidential races.
Georgia, Missouri and North Carolina still remained undecided.
Observers hailed Obama's success — both during the Democratic primaries and in the presidential campaign — in marrying the internet to community organizing and fundraising, building a vast list of donors across the nation that allowed him to turn down public financing and spend money in traditionally Republican states.
McCain was the projected winner of 155 electoral votes in the southern states his campaign had expected to capture, including Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina, as well as in traditionally Republican states in the west, such as Utah and Wyoming.
A defeat early in the evening in Pennsylvania narrowed the chances of victory for the Republican hopeful, who had poured significant resources into the state and made several campaign appearances there in recent months.
Obama also added New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Wisconsin to his earlier projected victories in traditionally Democratic states, including New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Illinois, the state he has represented in the Senate since 2006.
States are apportioned electoral votes according to the size of their population, and in most cases, the winner of a state's popular vote gets all its electoral votes.
'We had a great ride'People gather at a polling station in Miami to show their support for Obama. (Submitted by Juan Moreno)
Before polls closed, McCain remained undeterred by opinion polls suggesting Obama was poised to win, vowing on the flight to his home state of Arizona that momentum was on his side to stage an upset victory.
Alongside his wife, Cindy, McCain, 72, reminisced about the lengthy journey over the past 22 months of campaigning.
"We've had a great ride, a great experience full of memories that we will always treasure," he said.
An Associated Press exit poll of more than 10,000 voters conducted in 300 precincts nationally suggested the majority of those casting their ballots were most worried about the nation's economy.
Six in 10 voters picked it as the most important issue facing the nation, while none of the four other issues listed by exit pollsters — energy, Iraq, terrorism and health care — was picked by more than one in 10 people, according to the poll's preliminary results.
At least 130 million Americans were expected to cast ballots to elect the 44th president of the United States in what was expected to be a record turnout.
Bush: 'May God bless whoever wins'
As they wound down their campaigns on Monday, the candidates stuck to familiar themes in their addresses to supporters.
Obama warned that a vote for McCain would continue the failed policies of the administration of Bush, who is slated to leave office after eight years with near-record low approval ratings as America faces one of the largest financial crises since the Great Depression.
"When it comes to the economy, the truth is that John McCain has stood with President Bush every step of the way," he told his supporters at a rally in Virginia on Monday night.
But McCain — who portrayed himself during the campaign as a maverick candidate of change despite Republicans being the incumbent party in the White House — countered that Obama's policies are far left of the political views of the majority of Americans.
'We've had a great ride, a great experience full of memories that we will always treasure.'— John McCain, Republican presidential candidate
Bush, whose record as president was under fire for much of the campaign, was conspicuously absent on election day, making no public appearances.
The president cast an absentee ballot several days ago and was spending election night in the White House residence at a dinner with his wife Laura and several friends, according to a spokeswoman.
White House press secretary Dana Perino said Bush ended his dinner toast this way: "And may God bless whoever wins tonight."

Poor , Poor , little Ontario

What this all about ?
Ontario to receive equalization payments

KEVIN CARMICHAEL
Globe and Mail Update
November 3, 2008 at 8:49 AM EST
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Ontario will receive equalization payments for the first time in its history next year, and that the amount will be “more” than Premier Dalton McGuinty's government is anticipating.
“Ontario will be very happy with the figure I give them,” Mr. Flaherty told reporters on his way into a meeting with his provincial and territorial counterparts Monday. “It will be more than they expect.”
The 51-year-old equalization program will be the focal point of the gathering, which is scheduled to end around noon at a hotel near Toronto's Pearson airport. Mr. Flaherty revealed last week that he will take steps to rein in payments, which the minister says are growing at an unsustainable pace of about 15 per cent a year.
Mr. Flaherty, who is facing the first federal budget deficit in more than a decade, declined to provide details of how he will restrain the growth of the equalization program, which seeks to redistribute Canada's wealth to poorer regions from the richer ones.

The program paid $13.6-billion in the current fiscal year to all provinces except Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
One of the reasons Mr. Flaherty is seeking to rework the program is to account for Ontario's tumble into the group of provinces that will receive payments. The economy of Canada's largest province is being battered by the global financial crisis and a recession in the United States, events that have destroyed demand for Ontario's factory exports.
Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan kept up his government's feud with the federal government, suggesting he thinks Mr. Flaherty's goal is keep the province from receiving equalization payments – despite the federal minister's repeated assertions to the contrary.
“I don't have the sense they get it in terms of Ontario,” Mr. Duncan told reporters.
Mr. Duncan said Mr. Flaherty still hadn't told him any details about the changes in store for the equalization program.
“If you want to have a serious dialogue, you might put a piece of paper in our hands beforehand,” Mr. Duncan said. “We'll receive the proposal. We won't be able to respond today.”
Mr. Duncan risks becoming isolated at the meeting, as many of his colleagues were taking a more collegial tone ahead of their latest meeting. Like Mr. Duncan, finance ministers from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Manitoba said in interviews Friday that they were waiting to hear what Mr. Flaherty has in mind for the equalization program.
But while apprehensive about the possibility of lower equalization payments, all four ministers expressed sympathy for Mr. Flaherty's predicament and said they would enter today's meeting with an open mind.
“I can sympathize with what the minister is going through; everyone is going to have to do a little bit of belt tightening,” New Brunswick Finance Minister Victor Boudreau said. “So long as everyone is treated fairly, I'll be okay with that.”
Mr. Flaherty told reporters last week that he wasn't planning to “review” the equalization program, which was overhauled in 2007 after an extensive study by a panel led by Al O'Brien, a former Alberta deputy finance minister.
“We want to make sure that's not a program that gets bent out shape because that's a program that just got put back in shape,” Manitoba Finance Minister Greg Selinger said. “But there's been nothing put on the table, so we have to keep an open mind and find a way to co-operate together.”
PEI Finance Minister Wesley Sheridan acknowledged that Mr. Flaherty's concern over equalization is rooted in the possibility that Ontario might end up drawing from the program. “Once that happens, the cost of equalization grows dramatically,” Mr. Sheridan said.
Nova Scotia Finance Minister Michael Baker said he was unsure about Mr. Flaherty's assertion that the equalization program is growing at an unsustainable rate, since his province is due to receive decreased payments.
“This is a constitutionally mandated program,” Mr. Baker said. “I certainly appreciate the difficult times his budget is in, but it is important to remember that the equalization is just that, a constitutionally mandated program.”