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Warren Kinsella

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File:Kinsella.jpg
Warren Kinsella in his basement
Warren Kinsella should not be confused with Canadian author W. P. Kinsella.

J. Warren Kinsella, (born August 1960 in Montreal, Quebec), is a Toronto-based Canadian lawyer, author, musician, political consultant, lobbyist and commentator.

Education and Career History

After receiving a bachelor's degree in journalism from Carleton University, Kinsella worked as a reporter at the Ottawa Citizen newspaper. He subsequently earned a law degree from the University of Calgary and was a partner at the Bay Street law firm McMillan Binch. In April 2006, Kinsella launched his own political consulting firm, the Daisy Consulting Group.

Politics

Kinsella worked as a staffer in opposition leader Jean Chrétien's office, as a strategy advisor in the Canadian federal Liberal Party's 1993 election campaign "task force", and as chief of staff to federal Public Works minister David Dingwall. In his book Kicking Ass in Canadian Politics, Kinsella describes how he cultivates the image of "Liberal attack dog", and the "James Carville" and "Prince of Darkness" of Canadian politics. Kinsella gained national exposure during the 2000 federal election when, acting on a plan devised by Liberal campaign staffer Sophie Galarneau, he appeared on television brandishing a toy Barney dinosaur to highlight Stockwell Day's creationist beliefs. Kinsella ran as a Liberal candidate in the 1997 federal election in the riding of North Vancouver and lost.

Kinsella was a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. He criticized the Paul Martin Liberal campaign several times in the 2004 federal election, and 2006 election.

While a practicing Roman Catholic, he is a member of the board of the Canada Israel Committee.

Gomery Inquiry

Kinsella's work as a political aide figured in a 2004 Canadian sponsorship scandal. In 1995, while working for David Dingwall, then Minister of Public Works, Kinsella wrote a memo to deputy minister Ran Quail recommending that the department place Charles Guité in charge of reviewing federal advertising policy.

In 2006, Guité was convicted of fraud and sentenced to 42 months in prison for misdirecting funds intended for government advertising or sponsorship in Quebec, offences that occurred after Kinsella left government. In his report on the scandal, Justice John Gomery noted that the memo was "a highly inappropriate attempt by political staff to interfere in the internal administration" of the department. Kinsella was a witness at the Gomery Commission and frequently mocked Judge Gomery on his web site.

Writing

Kinsella is a best-selling author who has written five books: Unholy Alliances (Lester, 1992); Web of Hate (HarperCollins, 1994); Party Favours (HarperCollins, 1997); Kicking Ass in Canadian Politics (Random House, 2001); Fury's Hour: A (sort-of) Punk-Rock Manifesto (Random House, 2005). Kinsella is media columnist for the National Post. In late 2000, he established a weblog, "Latest Musings".

Legal action against bloggers

In 2004, Kinsella aroused controversy when he threatened legal action against Canadian bloggers who he alleged libelled him. The threatened lawsuits were eventually settled without litigation when most parties involved compromised. In January, 2006, he filed a statement of claim for $600,000 against blogger Mark Bourrie over a post by Bourrie regarding Kinsella's role in the Public Works department leading up to the sponsorship scandal. Bourrie issued an apology and paid $1000 of Kinsella's costs. Kinsella launched a suit against the same blogger in June, 2006.

Music

Kinsella wrote a track, Barney Rubble is My Double, recorded on the Ripple Rock (Album) album and has played in two Canadian punk rock bands, The Hot Nasties and Shit From Hell.

References

  1. National Post (date of copyright unknown). Warren Kinsella leaving McMillan Binch for Navigator Ltd (Google Cache). Retrieved from Google Cache Apr 30, 2006.
  2. Globe and Mail (2006). Warren Kinsella and Co. have launched Daisy Consulting Group. Retrieved July 2, 2006.
  3. Wells, Paul (2001-06-26). "Debunking the Cult of Warren". The National Post. p. A6. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. Canada-Israel Committee (2006). Board of Directors. Retrieved June 30, 2006.
  5. CTV Inc. (2006). Guite hand-picked by Liberals, memo shows. Retrieved July 2, 2006.
  6. Commission of Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program and Advertising Activities (2005). Who is Responsible? Fact Finding Chapter VI - Administration of the Sponsorship Program Retrived July 3, 2006.
  7. Gomery.ca (2005). Schedule of Witnesses. Retrieved July 2, 2006.
  8. Warrenkinsella.com (2006). Latest Musings June 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2006.
  9. Barrera, Jorge (2006-02-15). "'Prince of Darkness Sues Blogger". Ottawa Sun. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. Ottawa Watch (2006). Kinsella v. Bourrie (Google Cache). Retrieved from Google Cache June 30, 2006.

External links

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