RCMP informant's decades of spying on social reformers are chronicled in new book OTTAWA — As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books. Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press Dec 22, 2024 3:00 AM Dec 22, 2024 3:20 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Frank Hadesbeck is pictured in Regina, Sask. in a circa 1950 handout photo. Hadesbeck's lengthy tenure as a paid informant for the Mounties' security branch is chronicled in the new book "A Communist for the RCMP" by Dennis Gruending. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Phyllis Pederson via Between the Lines *MANDATORY CREDIT* OTTAWA — As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books. But he also had tasks his party comrades could know nothing about: snooping on mail, copying phone numbers from scratch pads and rummaging through waste baskets. Hadesbeck, known to his RCMP handlers as agent 810, would pass along any information he could glean to the national police force. His lengthy tenure as a paid informant for the Mounties' security branch is chronicled in "A Communist for the RCMP" by Dennis Gruending, a former New Democrat MP who has worked as a journalist and authored several books. Before the First World War, Hadesbeck's family left what was then southern Hungary for Canada, settling in Saskatchewan. Frank had a difficult childhood. He was orphaned at age 11, worked on farms, spent time in the United States, and did a number of jobs in the Regina area in the 1930s. He was among the Canadians who volunteered to fight on the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War against Gen. Francisco Franco. Hadesbeck was alone, broke and looking for work in Alberta when the RCMP recruited him as an informant, on condition he join the Communist Party to establish a cover. Several days later, he was fingerprinted, weighed and photographed at an RCMP office. "My contact said I was not an informer or a stool pigeon or a snitch as other informers were classified," Hadesbeck recorded in his notes. "I was part of a team on a monthly salary, plus expenses and was given a number." The RCMP has always jealously guarded information about its sources, even decades after events, Gruending writes. He formally requested Hadesbeck's file through the Access to Information Act, but an official would neither confirm nor deny such records exist. However, Hadesbeck thoroughly documented his efforts for the RCMP over the decades. Gruending acquired a box of his papers through an acquaintance, and managed to corroborate and flesh out many of Hadesbeck's claims. The files contain the names of hundreds of people on so-called Watch Out lists — individuals of interest to RCMP security officials who grew increasingly concerned about the perceived menace of Communism during the Cold War. The records also describe in detail how Hadesbeck operated as an agent, his dealings with handlers, and his thoughts about the ethics and wisdom of his double life, Gruending notes. RCMP security officials wanted information on people they considered subversive, but were not interested in understanding why those individuals were critical of the existing economic and political system, the book says. Hadesbeck appeared to have a clear sense of his mission. "I soon realized that I was being paid to collect information only, not to think about why they wanted all this information about people who I thought were honest Canadian citizens." Hadesbeck would meet a handler every couple of weeks, often in a hotel room. The officer typically provided names and photos of people of interest, and told him to make discreet inquiries. The RCMP's cash payments supplemented the salary from his steady job, from the early 1950s on, at a Regina company that salvaged old tractors. Hadesbeck's notes and Watch Out lists from the 1950s point to RCMP suspicions about Communist control of the peace movement. Socialist trailblazer Tommy Douglas, who attended numerous peace-related events, turned up alongside dozens of others on Watch Out lists. A handwritten list labelled the Canadian Peace Conference and Voice of Women as Communist Party fronts. Douglas was premier of Saskatchewan and went on to lead the federal New Democratic Party, but Gruending contends the RCMP did not bother much with distinctions between Communists and social democrats. "The force continued to believe that Douglas was secretly a Communist, or at least was unduly influenced by them." Indeed, a multi-volume RCMP file on Douglas of more than 1,100 pages came to light through Access to Information in 2006. Hadesbeck scribbled half a dozen notes about writer Farley Mowat, another subject of curiosity for the security service. Many prominent Canadians appeared on his Watch Out lists, including author Pierre Berton, journalist June Callwood, musician Stompin' Tom Connors, Liberal cabinet ministers Walter Gordon and Herb Gray, and broadcaster Adrienne Clarkson — who would later be governor general. Gruending says Hadesbeck not only routinely betrayed Communist Party members, but was reckless in passing along information about many other people. "Often, he implied that they might be party members when they were not," he writes. Sometimes such scrutiny could have serious consequences. People deemed suspect by the RCMP were harassed, denied employment and promotions, or even fired from government, unions, the media and academia, Gruending notes. Gay and lesbian members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP and the public service were among those targeted. "Careers were ruined and lives shattered." At a November gathering in Ottawa to promote the book, Gruending said he was left with mixed feelings about Hadesbeck, "and I think he was somewhat conflicted in the way he felt about the people that he was surveilling." "I have a good deal of sympathy towards him, but ultimately, he betrayed a lot of people." In September 1976, Hadesbeck was invited to a meeting at a Regina Holiday Inn with several RCMP officers. He was told his career as an informant was over. "I had to sign a paper, but got no copy for myself, that I would keep my connections with the security force secret and not contact them again in any way," Hadesbeck's notes say. He was handed 15 $100 bills as a parting bonus. Even so, Hadesbeck supplied information to the RCMP until 1977, and occasionally for a few more years. "Hadesbeck's behaviour is difficult to understand because he found his abrupt dismissal to be traumatic," the book says. "He believed that he deserved, and had been promised, a pension when he retired." Hadesbeck seemed eager to tell his story in the 1980s, but plans for a book fell through. He died in 2006, shortly after turning 100. In his later jottings, Hadesbeck tried to portray himself as a patriot and anti-Communist, but the pronouncements seem half-hearted, Gruending writes. "It is easy to see Hadesbeck as deceitful, cynical and self-serving. He did not become an informant for ideological reasons or as an act of patriotism. He did it for the money and perhaps a sense of power and excitement." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 22, 2024. Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? 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Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. He was 85. Major League Baseball , the players' association and the Braves paid tribute to Carty on social media on Sunday. No further details on Carty's death were provided. “Carty was one of the first groundbreaking Latino stars in the major leagues, and he established himself as a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, and the city of Atlanta, where he was a beloved fan favorite,” the players' association said in its statement . The Braves said Carty left an indelible mark on the organization. “While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed,” the team said in its statement. Carty made his big league debut with the Braves in September 1963. He batted .330 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs in his first full season in 1964, finishing second to Dick Allen in voting for NL Rookie of the Year. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season, and Carty got the franchise's first hit in its new home on April 12, 1966, against Pittsburgh. Carty had his best year in 1970, batting .366 with 25 homers and a career-best 101 RBIs. He started the All-Star Game after he was elected as a write-in candidate, joining Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in the NL outfield. Carty batted .299 with 204 homers and 890 RBIs over 15 years in the majors, also playing for Cleveland, Toronto, Oakland, Texas and the Chicago Cubs. He retired after the 1979 season. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLBTight race for the North Carolina Supreme Court is heading to another recountHow Family Bonding and Altruism Are Redefining Travel in 2025 as Baby Boomers Lead the Rise of Generational Vacations ?
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Oleksandr Usyk maintained his unbeaten record against Tyson Fury - leaving the Gypsy King fuming at judge's scorecards. Fury fell to his second defeat of the year against the 37-year-old in a money-spinning Saudi Arabian battle to put a further blemish on his previously sterling boxing record, as Usyk defended his WBA, WBO and WBC belts following a unanimous points decision from the judges, with Fury left frustrated - saying afterwards that he felt he won by three rounds . However as well as failing to convince the judges with his showing in the ring, pioneering artificial intelligence technology also gave Usyk victory. The scorecards all showed 116-112 in Usyk's favour in a close contest the Ukrainian ultimately outperformed his rival in, but AI suggested an even greater margin of victory for Fury's opponent - scoring the fight 118-112. The fourth judge had no bearing on the result, but Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh pushed what has been called a 'ground-breaking experiment' to revolutionise the sport - with the tech tested on its biggest stage yet. However Fury, who could now fight Anthony Joshua , was far from impressed, firing out an X-rated reply when asked for his take on the system's scorecard. He said: "By the review of that it's absolutely s***. Here's one, f*** all computers, keep all the humans going. More jobs for humans less jobs for computers. And f*** electric cars too whilst we're at it." Ahead of the bout between Fury and Usyk, Alalshikh promoted the experimental use of AI, after the first fight was won via split-decision. He said: "For the first time ever, an AI-powered judge will monitor the fight. Free from bias and human error. A similar sentiment was expressed in a video he shared: "For years boxing has been defined by its glory but sometimes that glory is clouded by doubt and controversy. Isn’t it time for fairness to step into the ring? The promotion added "This isn’t just AI, it’s revolutionizing boxing. It’s fairness powered by technology and human expertise."
Realme has officially announced the upcoming launch of the Realme 14 Pro series, set to take place next month. While the exact date remains under wraps, anticipation is building around the features and innovations of these smartphones. The latest rumours have revealed that the Realme 14 Pro series will bring a unique colour-changing experience. The Realme 14 Pro series will include two models: the and the . Both devices will captivate users with their colour-changing back panels, a feature that sets them apart in the smartphone market. While this isn’t the first time Realme has experimented with this technology, the implementation in the 14 Pro series takes a different approach. Unlike the , which featured a rear panel that changed colour under UV light, the back panels of the Realme 14 Pro series will shift colours when exposed to temperatures of 16°C or lower. This innovative feature is part of what Realme calls the making the phones not just functional devices but also artistic creations. Realme describes the effect as a shimmering and shifting display of colours that reacts to light and temperature, ensuring the devices stand out wherever you go. This aesthetic appeal is a significant selling point for the series, aimed at users who value both functionality and style in their smartphones. The Realme 14 Pro+ has already garnered attention through hands-on previews. Early impressions highlight the colour-changing technology as a standout feature, alongside its elegant design and solid build quality. Additionally, Realme has teased the photography capabilities of the Pro+ model, sharing impressive camera samples that hint at powerful image-capturing abilities. In terms of performance, the will come with Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, promising robust performance for everyday use, gaming, and multitasking. Although detailed specifications for both models are not available, the use of Qualcomm’s advanced chipset suggests that the devices will deliver smooth and efficient performance. See Also: The colour-changing technology featured in the Realme 14 Pro series showcases innovation but raises some questions regarding its practical use. While the idea of a back panel that shifts colours depending on temperature is visually appealing, the practicality of such a feature might be limited. The colour-changing effect only activates at lower temperatures (16°C or below), which could reduce its visibility for many users in warmer climates. Moreover, while the technology enhances the phone’s aesthetic appeal, it may not provide significant functional value beyond style. Users might find the novelty of colour-shifting back panels intriguing, but whether it justifies a premium price or adds meaningful utility remains debatable. Overall, while the Realme 14 Pro’s colour-changing design is a step forward in terms of innovation, its long-term relevance and practical impact may be questioned by some users. PTA Taxes Portal Find PTA Taxes on All Phones on a Single Page using the PhoneWorld PTA Taxes Portal