Anonymous threatens to reveal the "real reason" former foreign affairs minister John Baird left politics

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      The hacker collective Anonymous is threatening to release information it describes as the “real reason” former Canadian foreign affairs minister John Baird left office last February.

      A message posted on Twitter on July 29 claimed the group would soon distribute text messages and video related to the affair.

      Anonymous describes its actions as being in retaliation to the July 16 police shooting of James McIntyre, a 46-year-old man who was killed outside of a public meeting about the Site C dam held in Dawson Creek. McIntyre was reportedly wearing a Guy Fawkes mask and allegedly holding a knife when he was shot by the RCMP.

      Baird, who was previously the Conservative MP representing Ottawa West-Nepean, told CBC News he was leaving politics following the death of a friend, Canada’s former finance minister Jim Flaherty, which Baird claimed had prompted him to reassess his priorities.

      At first, many onlookers assumed the information Anonymous says it had decrypted relates to old and widely circulated rumours Baird might be gay. Just about every journalist in the country has heard those claims but very few have ever cared enough to report on them.

      However, later on July 29, another Anonymous message posted on Twitter aimed to dispel that notion.

      “To be clear: what John Baird does or did sexually with other consenting adults is none of our concern & no reason for leaving office,” it reads.

      Another message claimed the information reveals “illegal activity”.

      Matthew Miller, an Ottawa-based journalist who has written for the National Observer and other publications, has posted messages on Twitter related to trips Baird made to Egypt and then allegedly Mexico. The Anonymous Twitter account created in relation to the Dawson Creek shooting, @OpAnonDown, signalled the details Miller discussed might have something to do with what's coming but claimed there would also be more.

      If and when Anonymous does release something on Baird, it will be the third such incident since the group threatened retaliation for the death of McIntyre.

      On July 28, the National Post reported on documents it described as “hacked by Anonymous” that revealed previously unknown details about the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

      Those files stated CSIS operates 25 foreign stations, “many of which are located in developing countries and/or unstable environments”. According to the Post, the government had previously only told the public about the existence of three CSIS stations abroad.

      Before that, on July 20, Anonymous claimed responsibility for an attack on RCMP cyber infrastructure.

      Comments

      17 Comments

      Robofraud

      Jul 30, 2015 at 11:42pm

      ANON 1st took on C-30 treatening TOews and became Vikileaks .. ANON has sent several messages about CETA TPP Election Fraud ..

      In late Jun .. ANON Hacked and disrupted MP sites but only CPC MP denied access to their accounts sites .. ANON was retaliating for passing C-51

      BR Toronto

      Jul 31, 2015 at 6:37am

      Do it! We all know there is the 'official' reason and then the truth. Lets get to the truth!

      Barry William Teske

      Jul 31, 2015 at 9:48am

      John Baird.
      A man of extraordinary circumstance to say the least.
      I believe he could survive the storm but I don't know.
      I'm not kidding when I say I have in some of my comments gone up one side of him and torn down the other.
      I personally hope the man who circled around Nelson Mandela with a look of wonder in his eyes stays true to his path as he stated when he staged left ...
      I am torn over this.
      May non confrontational minds win the hearts of us all.

      Ruth McVeigh

      Jul 31, 2015 at 10:10am

      The funny part is that people who would vote NDP or Liberal really couldn't give a rat's ass what John Baird did or with whom. But "loyal" Conservatives may be appalled and drop their suppport. And the more that comes out....

      Grant

      Jul 31, 2015 at 3:50pm

      Hard core conservatives will not be influenced by any revelation about Baird. They have not been effected by any of the corrupt senators or any other MP even when they walk out of a courtroom in handcuffs. The Conservatives are now down to this loyal base. Nothing will change their minds. All they need to win is that votes are split between the other three parties evenly and they still form a reluctant coalition with the liberals and nothing will change. Strategic voting is the only way.

      Paul Davis

      Jul 31, 2015 at 6:06pm

      I dont believe there is anyone who disliked the pitbull,worst foreign affairs minister,and generally obnoxious man that John Baird is, but if there is evidence publicize it now.Innuendo is not any kind of proof
      . Please show the evidence now so that he is not falsely accused of something he did or did not do

      Greg G.

      Aug 1, 2015 at 5:33am

      @Paul Davis Well, Anonymous hasn't really been knowing for making false accusations; their credibility is about the only political capital they have. But if the Writ is dropped Sunday or Monday, it looks like we won't have much of a wait to find out if it is all B.S. or not. Keep in mind though that these rumours didn't start and won't end with Anonymous, they have been known in Canadian journalistic circles for a long while, they just didn't have any proof to back up the allegations. Anonymous may have found that missing link.

      JudyjustJudy

      Aug 1, 2015 at 6:05am

      Please end the innuendo, Anonymous. If we are to take you seriously, you need to stop threatening and reveal. With proof. I have no doubt there was much more than meets the eye with Baird's sudden defection, but this Con government continues to be teflon; accusations abound, but still no justice. It is exhausting.

      BR Toronto

      Aug 1, 2015 at 10:26am

      What? Still no video? No quotes? If Anon has them then why do they spout threats, promises and try to drum up drama instead of just posting it? This is quickly turning into Ashley Madison LOL...

      Shanghai a Sumatra

      Aug 1, 2015 at 10:46pm

      If anyone can bring Harper down it is the Anon. collective.
      The truth will soon be revealed.
      My guess is Mulcair will be the next PM but just barely.