To the editor:
One wonders how Liberal Ethics critic Scott Andrews would have the audacity to throw stones at Stephen Harper, considering the fragile nature of the Liberal ethical glass house.
The Liberal sponsorship scandal comes to mind, as do the inappropriate housing expenses incurred by Liberal MPs Judy Sgro, Wayne Easter and former MP John Cannis.
When all the dust settled over the “robocall scandal” in Guelph, it was only the Liberal Party convicted and fined for robocall improprieties. As for senators, Marc Harb resigned over improper housing claims and the only senator in prison for senate fraud is Raymond Lavigne.
Undoubtedly, Andrews is counting on the complicity of Canada’s liberal media establishment to selectively report on the issues. For example, Mike Duffy has become a household name without having been convicted of anything, whereas few people have even heard of Lavigne.
Likewise, it would be hard to find anyone who is aware of Bill C-7, the Senate Reform Act, a comprehensive bill introduced by the Conservatives in 2011. It would bring about provincial senatorial elections, nine-year terms for senators and more financial accountability – and it’s vigorously opposed by the opposition parties, some senators and, of course, Quebec.
Instead of objectively reporting on this, the mainstream media caterwauls about the horrors of omnibus bills. No wonder the Prime Minister’s Office is constantly at odds with the Ottawa Press Gallery.
Regardless, Andrews is wrong. If they’re chosen in good faith, prime ministers of any stripe should not be held personally responsible for the misdeeds of individual MPs or senators.
Duffy and Pamela Wallin (championed by Jean Chretien) should have been good choices. Both were well-respected journalists who had distinguished careers, and if it is determined they had their hands too deep in the senate cookie jar, then they alone are responsible for their actions.
Individual humans are fallible, but the system works reasonably well at bringing them to account. And if anything is certain, it is that no party will ever be immune from the occasional misdeeds of its members.
I. Schreifels
108 Mile Ranch
