Harper Index: Phony grassroots groups peddle Conservative propaganda

[tuvor]

OTTAWA (28 Feb. 2008) - Before he became prime minister, Stephen Harper headed the National Citizens Coalition (NCC), a pioneering wolf-in-sheep's-clothing outfit that championed conservative causes while posing as a grassroots organization.

The NCC was founded more than 40 years ago by the late Colin Brown, a cranky insurance millionaire who sensed populism could be faked and milked for political impact. He'd approve of the tactics Harper is using in Ottawa today.

Over its many years, the NCC has poured millions of murky dollars into billboard campaigns, national newspaper ads and Supreme Court challenges on behalf of right-wing causes, never once identifying the "citizens" it speaks for or allowing anyone to view its list of donors. The suspicion has always been that corporations fund the lion's share of its activities.

The NCC is a model that right-wing groups have used repeatedly and, with a federal election again looming, the concept is being put to use once again by the Harperites.

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