Spotted on CBCNews.ca: Tues., May 10

NDP apologizes for embellishing new MP's resumé

The NDP apologized Tuesday to Ruth Ellen Brosseau, who won the Quebec riding of Berthier-Maskinongé without ever having set foot in it, for "inadvertently" embellishing her resumé.

Brosseau's online biography says she "has a diploma in Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications from St. Lawrence College in Kingston." But the college says while she attended classes there, she didn't complete the course.

A spokeswoman for the NDP says Brosseau told them she studied at the community college in Kingston, Ont., but never said she had a diploma.

"When her bio was posted on our website, a party staffer inadvertently changed the wording. We apologize for posting this information in error and regret any inconvenience this has caused Ms. Brosseau," Kathleen Monk wrote in an email.

Commenters on CBCNews.ca were split on whether the error was significant, and on whether Brosseau deserved such media scrutiny.

"The only ridiculous part of this situation is that a bunch of people voted for someone they knew nothing about. But, they did vote for her. Next time do your homework BEFORE you vote," wrote CBC Community member Junk-yard-dog.

Other commenters said her credentials were less important than the party she represented.

"The NDP picked her to represent the riding, and the riding overwhelmingly voted her in and quite frankly, the mistake on her bio had zero impact on the vote because they were not voting for her in the first place, but for the NDP," said ...Ugh.

"ENOUGH!!!" wrote joelmg25. "She won the vote in her riding by a large margin. I don't care if she claimed she was the Queen of England. She wasn't voted in on her resume, she was voted in because the country is sick and tired of the same old mud slinging politics."

"Who cares?" said meowiekitty. "Every party has some questionable people in it. She was elected. I honestly don't know how she was elected, but she was, so forget about it."

Some of the commenters called on Brosseau to resign or for NDP Leader Jack Layton to take action.

"If Jack had half the moral fiber he claims to have, he would remove her from his caucus," said Marc P.

Some of the commenters criticized the media for focusing on Brosseau, but others said that the treatment was fair.

"This is fair game," said Pollster. "The media has always sleuthed around into the background/affairs of elected officials from all parties. Some may dismiss it as irrelevant. But it is not as it goes to character for the person and quality of thought and credibility for the party."

Gas prices jump at Ontario, Quebec pumps


Gasoline prices at the pumps soared in parts of Ontario and Quebec early Tuesday, even as the price of crude oil was little changed.

Motorists were paying 6.5 cents a litre more in southern and eastern Ontario, the website tomorrowsgaspriceotoday.com reported.

A litre of regular gas in the Toronto area cost $1.396 early Tuesday, compared with 96.3 cents a year ago.

Many commenters on the story called on government action to ease the burden on consumers.

"And why can't the governments do something? This is getting crazy & the only ones profiting are the big oil companies," said maxwych.

"In my opinion, a commodity like gas and electricity are essential to everyday life and impact the cost of almost everything else, as such they should be regulated, Prices should only be allowed to be increased with due cause after being given consent by a regulator," said That Old Dude.

"So these companies are seeing record profits and our government continues to give them huge subsidies on top of huge tax breaks? I would like to see how many jobs have been created in the oil industry in the last year compared to the national average," said
Phipps.

But some commenters said it is up to individuals to deal with higher gas prices by taking steps to consume less.

"Amazing how people will complain and whine, but REFUSE to do anything else," said Mr. Lo Key.

"Numerous studies have shown that as gas prices increase, usage - wait for it - stays the same!"

"If you don't like the price of gas, use less. Clean out your car trunk. Properly inflate you car tires. Keep your maintenance up (oil, filter, etc.). Drive a bit slower. Consolidate trips. Even - gasp! - consider taking public transit," he said.