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1 Feb
Canada’s Child Tax Benefit Schedule
When taxpayer’s money is used to benefit the child, we are pleased that the money is going for its express purpose, but in the case of cults like the FLDS, all money goes to the leadership to be disbursed as they see fit, including welfare and child tax benefit money! http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/cctb/cctb_pymnts-eng.html
31 Jan
Hard Questions that need to be asked in the Winston Blackmore tax-evasion trial
Hard questions that need to be asked in this case:
1. How many followers does Winston Blackmore have in the U.S. or other places, e.g. Mexico, Nicaragua?
2. What does Winston Blackmore consider to be a “tithe“? In the old Mormon custom, a person kept only what they needed and gave the rest to the church. (In the mainstream LDS custom of today, members pay 10% of their gross earnings to the church.)
3. Do his followers in other countries “tithe” to him? How much?
4. Does Winston Blackmore keep a double set of books like the FLDS are famous for doing?
29 Jan
Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! Muslim polygamy “honour” murders
The first ever Canadian trial of four “honour” murders caused by a Muslim polygamous family has returned guilty of first-degree murder verdicts for the father and husband of the women murdered, his second wife and their son. GOD BLESS CANADA!
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/shafia-jury-enters-second-full-day-deliberations-kingston-090532874.html
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Shafias+guilty+first+degree+murder/6069325/story.html
Editorial by Sally Armstrong in January 30 Ottawa Citizen. Sally is the author os Veiled Threat: the Hidden Power of the Women of Afghanistan and Bitter Roots Tender Shoots: the Uncertain Fate of Afghanistan’s Women Her third book: Daughters of the Revolution will be published in October.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/canada-in-afghanistan/tradition+shame/6070455/story.html
The conversation continues from Afghanistan with another brutal murder of a young mother who failed to give her husband a boy!
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Afghan+killed+giving+birth+girl+police/6071976/story.html
29 Jan
Prophet’s Prey by Sam Brower
I have just posted my review of Sam’s book as promised on the right sidebar under book reviews.
29 Jan
Question: How much money does Winston Blackmore receive from his “followers” in the States?
Does anyone out there know how many followers Winston Blackmore has in the States and if they pay a tithing to their “leader” which would be another source of undeclared income, wouldn’t it?
28 Jan
Event raises funds for Holding Out Help
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=19032925#.TyQCHdDCAes.facebook
Holding Out Help is a volunteer organization founded by Tonia Tewell in Utah. It helps those fleeing the FLDS. I featured this organization some time ago when it first started. Unfortunately, I could not get any Canadian press on the organization because I could not find a Canadian connection of someone from Canada who has been helped by this group.
27 Jan
Do we dare S-M-I-R-K using both sides of our faces?
The title of Daphne Bramham’s article is enough to bring glee to any man/woman who for years has watched Winston Blackmore wave his polygamy in our faces! Sorrowfully, though, Blackmore is now in a “gentile” court, answering questions from “gentile” officials–women!–, and the booming voice he has used to “chastise” any and all women who have interviewed/questioned him before is now reduced to a whisper because he doesn’t want the press to hear.
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Will+taxwomen+bring+down+polygamist/6060271/story.html
27 Jan
Day 4: Winston Blackmore alleged tax-evasion trial
Truly, I am always amazed at how cleverly Winston Blackmore can deflect questions. I wonder what question was asked when he went into his description about paying money to FLDS leaders for upcoming predicted apocalypses — 15 times! Didn’t anyone ever teach him, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, duh, fifteen times!–shame on who?
26 Jan
Day 3: Winston Blackmore’s alleged tax-evasion trial
http://www.castanet.net/news/BC/70184/Tax-man-and-the-polygamous-leader
Mr. Winston Blackmore certainly does have a problem with numbers! On page 309 of Daphne Bramham’s book The Secret Lives of Saints: Child Brides and Lost Boys in Canada’s Polygamous Mormon Sect, Ms. Bramham writes: “. . .In 1993, Blackmore had three wives. Four years later, “Uncle Wink” (as Blackmore is called by his admirers) had seven wives. By 2002, he had twenty-six wives–only seven of whom were Canadians–and close to ninety children born in Canada and entitled to both Canadian and U.S. citizenship.”
If any of his “ex” wives are reading the news reports on this trial, I wonder what they think of his memory loss regarding their relationships with him?
Also, Sheila Pratt of the Edmonton Journal did a feature article last summer on the slave labour camps of the FLDS. It reran on December 28th as it was voted best feature article of the year.
http://www.theprovince.com/health/From+archives+Journey+from+Bountiful+Sundre/5919976/story.html
23 Jan
Day 1, Winston Blackmore, Bountiful federal tax court trial
22 Jan
My dream to help ex-FLDS cult members in transition
My dream is an all-inclusive centre housing those leaving the FLDS cult and are in transition. It would include:
- personal counseling based on client-centered psychology,
- a qualified/certified educational section,
- a play centre for the children,
- a music/recreation area,
- a fully-equipped library,
- life-skills training coaches,
- a medical facility,
- dental care specialists
- Legal assistance and advice especially regarding the best interests of the children in polygamy custody battles
In this type of centre, ex-FLDS could interact not only with the professionals there to help them, but with each other as they move from having minds and bodies bound by the dictates of a cult leader to becoming independent, free thinkers able to make positive choices for their lives and the lives of their family members. Yes, I know it sounds impossible, but I believe that if you are going to dream, you might as well dream big!
There are help centres but often they cost too much; or, they are run by volunteers whose resources are stretched to the limit. My centre would be funded so that participants could concentrate on moving into the real world, not worry about paying bills.
Most people who have been in any kind of …cult have given over all their personal and financial resources to the leaders.
Also, I would want bursuries to be available for those ready to start their own businesses or continue in education for careers. I don’t want much, do I?
21 Jan
Winston Blackmore’s tax evasion trial starts on Monday, January 23, 2012
2011-06-04
Mormon fundamentalist leader must testify in tax case and reveal details of polygamy and child brides in Bountiful
Vancouver Sun – Canada June 8, 2011
Polygamous leader’s tax trial set for January By Daphne Bramham | Vancouver SunPolygamous leader Winston Blackmore will testify under oath for the first time about his ‘lifestyle’ during his 12-day trial in federal Tax Court begins Jan. 23, 2012.
Blackmore had asked for an unprecedented ban on the publication and use of any witness testimony or evidence related to polygamy during his tax trial so that none of that information could be used against him in any future criminal trial. His motion was denied by Judge Campbell Miller. Blackmore is not appealing the decision and now has three months to pay the $50,000 in court costs that Miller ordered him to pay.
Polygamy is illegal in Canada, but the law is under review by Chief Justice Robert Bauman of the B.C. Supreme Court, who was asked by the B.C. government to determine if the criminal sanction is constitutional since the Charter of Rights guarantees religious freedom and freedom of expression.
Blackmore’s unprecedented request was denied earlier this month, clearing the way for his trial which is also a precedent-setting case to determine how he and his extended family ought to be taxed.
Blackmore is appealing the reassessment of his personal income tax filings for 2002 to 2006 that concluded he had under-estimated his earnings by $1.5 million and the $147,000 he was assessed in penalties.
At issue is whether Blackmore’s large family (which includes 19 or more wives and more than 130 children), plus his extended family of siblings and their multiple wives and children constitute a “congregation” for tax purposes.
The government of Canada says they don’t. Up until 2002 when he was ex-communicated by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Blackmore was the bishop of the congregation in Bountiful, B.C. Since then, the government says he and his family are not “a constituent part of any religious organization.”
In Tax Court, it’s up to the taxpayer to prove that the government’s interpretation is wrong. So, it will be up to Blackmore, his wives and others to prove that they all lived and worked together and share beliefs. And under cross-examination, lawyers for Canada will be able to ask questions about all of that including how many wives Blackmore had during the disputed tax years and where they all lived.
This article was found at:
http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/blogs/thinktank/archive/2011/06/08/polygamous-leader-s-tax-trial-set-for-january.aspx
Polygamous leader’s tax trial set for January By Daphne Bramham | Vancouver SunPolygamous leader Winston Blackmore will testify under oath for the first time about his ‘lifestyle’ during his 12-day trial in federal Tax Court begins Jan. 23, 2012.
Blackmore had asked for an unprecedented ban on the publication and use of any witness testimony or evidence related to polygamy during his tax trial so that none of that information could be used against him in any future criminal trial. His motion was denied by Judge Campbell Miller. Blackmore is not appealing the decision and now has three months to pay the $50,000 in court costs that Miller ordered him to pay.
Polygamy is illegal in Canada, but the law is under review by Chief Justice Robert Bauman of the B.C. Supreme Court, who was asked by the B.C. government to determine if the criminal sanction is constitutional since the Charter of Rights guarantees religious freedom and freedom of expression.
Blackmore’s unprecedented request was denied earlier this month, clearing the way for his trial which is also a precedent-setting case to determine how he and his extended family ought to be taxed.
Blackmore is appealing the reassessment of his personal income tax filings for 2002 to 2006 that concluded he had under-estimated his earnings by $1.5 million and the $147,000 he was assessed in penalties.
At issue is whether Blackmore’s large family (which includes 19 or more wives and more than 130 children), plus his extended family of siblings and their multiple wives and children constitute a “congregation” for tax purposes.
The government of Canada says they don’t. Up until 2002 when he was ex-communicated by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Blackmore was the bishop of the congregation in Bountiful, B.C. Since then, the government says he and his family are not “a constituent part of any religious organization.”
In Tax Court, it’s up to the taxpayer to prove that the government’s interpretation is wrong. So, it will be up to Blackmore, his wives and others to prove that they all lived and worked together and share beliefs. And under cross-examination, lawyers for Canada will be able to ask questions about all of that including how many wives Blackmore had during the disputed tax years and where they all lived.
This article was found at:
http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/blogs/thinktank/archive/2011/06/08/polygamous-leader-s-tax-trial-set-for-january.aspx
(Note: Thank you, Perry Bulwer, for your archiving of these articles on your blog. Perhaps, after Mr. Blackmore reveals his many “wives”, aka concubines, we may see polygamy charges laid against the man.)
19 Jan
FOR THE ATTENTION OF ATTORNEY-GENERAL SHIRLEY BOND
(Note: Jancis Andrews is the official representative for Stop Polygamy in Canada Society B.C. division)
Dear Honourable Minister,
Thousands of British Columbians, as well as other concerned Canadians, are encouraged by your decision to investigate Bountiful for the alleged trafficking of underage girls in to and out of the USA. We hope that this is merely a first step towards cleaning up the horrendous lawlessness that has been allowed to fester for years in that infamous polygamous cult.
Canadians (especially female Canadians) urgently want to be reassured that polygamy remains a crime in this country. On 23 November 2011 Chief Justice Robert Bauman ruled in BC Supreme Court that polygamy is indeed a crime that harms all society, particularly women and children, and that S. 293 CC, proscribing polygamy, is constitutional.
Given that sections 15 and 28 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantee equality to women, and given that Canada has ratified the Protocols on several UN documents pertaining to women’s equality rights, including the right to be free of the ancient patriarchal practice of polygamy, it is unthinkable that a prosecution under S. 293 CC will not take place.
Canadians need certainty. Canadians are entitled to be reassured that concubines and harems will never be allowed in Canada.
We trust that charges under S. 293 CC will be laid soon.
Yours very truly,
Jancis M. Andrews
18 Jan
BC appoints Special Prosecutor to investigate Bountiful
Dear All:
I have highlighted a line in this report that has been misconstrued by the press over and over again since Chief Justice Bauman’s decision was handed down. I am quoting paragraph 15 of the decision:
“I would answer the essential question before me: while s. 293 offends the freedom of religion of identifiable groups guaranteed by s. 2(a) of the Charter and the s. 7 liberty interests of children between 12 and 17 married into polygamy, the provision, save in its application to the latter group, is demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. My reasons for that conclusion and the specific answers to the questions on the reference follow.” (My emphasis on the word “offends”.)
Nowhere in any dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedic dictionary can I find the word “offend” being equated with the word “violate”. If anyone out there can find otherwise, please advise. This is my plea to the press to stop misrepresenting the words of Chief Justice Bauman. I find this misrepresentation very offensive.
While, Stop Polygamy in Canada Society is not entirely pleased that polygamy is not in newly appointed Special Prosecutor Peter Wilson’s mandate, we are very pleased that he is moving forward on the allegations of teen brides being trafficked across the border (both ways) for forced marriage in the polygamous commune of Bountiful. This means that both parents of these girls, fathers and mothers could be charged and prosecuted. There are those who may disagree with me saying that the women are only brainwashed and following the dictates of the male leaders; but, with the number of times Bountiful has been investigated over the years, the number of DNA samples procured, the times when charges of polygamy have been dismissed, these women know they are living outside the law. They know they are helping to condemn their daughters to the same sexual crimes they themselves endured in their own forced marriages to keep the baby factories running at full tilt. But most of all, it means that the men who married these girls could be charged and prosecuted.
Onward, Mr. Wilson. We cannot wait for the charges to start being laid and prosecuted!
Nancy Mereska, President
Stop Polygamy in Canada Society
780-768-2180
Subject: New prosecutor for Bountiful, B.C., but mandate doesn’t include polygamy
New prosecutor for Bountiful, B.C., but mandate doesn’t include polygamy
By: The Canadian Press
01/18/2012
VANCOUVER – A new special prosecutor has been appointed to look into allegations involving the religious commune of Bountiful, B.C., but his mandate doesn’t include considering charges of practising polygamy.
Instead, Peter Wilson has been appointed to consider charges related to the movement of teen brides across the U.S. border to marry much older men, the province’s criminal justice branch announced in a news release Wednesday.
A B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled last month that the Criminal Code prohibition on polygamy is constitutional as long as it’s not used to prosecute children.
The attorney general has yet to say how her ministry will respond to that decision, but the news release announcing Wilson’s appointment makes it clear polygamy charges aren’t currently on the table.
“At this time, Mr. Wilson’s mandate does not include consideration of polygamy-related offences,” said the release.
Specifically, Wilson has been asked to look into potential charges including sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, sexual exploitation, procuring prohibited sexual activity and failure to report a child in need of protection, among others.
A previous prosecutor announced this month he was no longer interested in working on the case, prompting the government to announce it would be appointing a replacement.
Two leaders in Bountiful were charged in 2009 with practising polygamy, but a judge threw out those charges because of how the province chose its special prosecutors.
Rather than appeal, the B.C. government launched a constitutional reference case to determine whether the anti-polygamy law violated the religious guarantees in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Residents of Bountiful are members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or FLDS, which teaches that multiple marriage will allow them to reach a higher level of heaven. The FLDS is a fundamentalist offshoot of the Mormon church, which renounced polygamy more than a century ago.
The constitutional case heard allegations that dozens of girls as young as 12 were spirited across the U.S. border to marry men decades older than them, while several American girls were moved to Bountiful.
Those revelations prompted the RCMP to launch a renewed investigation focusing specifically on the movement of children over the border. The Mounties have confirmed their investigation isn’t looking into multiple marriage.
In the end, Justice Robert Bauman concluded the law does violate the right to religious freedom, but the harm that polygamy causes to women and children outweighed that violation.
A lawyer appointed to oppose the government in the case announced last month he will not appeal.
The B.C. government and Ottawa have the option of referring the matter to a higher court, either the B.C. Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court of Canada, but neither have said whether they will do that.
Bauman’s decision is not binding on any level of government or other judges, as constitutional reference cases serve only as advisory opinions.
However, legal observers have suggested Bauman’s ruling will still have considerable weight if another judge hears a polygamy case, as it is currently the only case in Canada to examine whether the law is in line with the charter.
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