FELDSTED: The rear-guard action, coupled with Trudeau’s attempts to wrap himself in a flag of righteousness, would make a great Monty Python skit except this is not comedy – at least not intentionally
(According
to a CBC New story) ... last
Wednesday, an emergency meeting of the House of Commons justice committee was
called to discuss a proposal from the Conservatives and New Democrats to hear
from nine witnesses — including PMO officials and Jody
Wilson-Raybould herself.
At the
beginning of the meeting, the Liberals tabled their own motion that severely
limited the witness list, leaving only three names. Attempts to amend the
motion failed.
Reid
admitted it doesn't look good when a government shuts down lines of inquiry,
but he argued that, due to solicitor-client privilege and cabinet confidence
issues, it's almost impossible to have those conversations in committee without
the dialogue descending into a "political gong show."
The Liberals are being exposed as arrogant crooks
manipulating contracts paid for with public money to favour friends and line
their pockets.
The stench is oppressive ... do they risk brand
damage?
Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government is trying
desperately to limit damage by constantly changing the story line, and avoiding
the truth or any close facsimile. They have chosen to support SNC-Lavalin, a
generous political ally, to reassure others they stand by those who stand by
them.
The Liberal refusal to allow a Justice Committee
investigation into the SNC-Lavalin affair is not surprising.
An honest government would welcome a probe, and put
all rumours to rest without delay. The rear-guard action, coupled with
Trudeau’s attempts to wrap himself in a flag of righteousness. would make a
great Monty Python skit except that this is not a comedy – at least not
intentionally.
Political party infighting has descended into
petty, uncivil, vicious attacks that destroy democracy. When MPs gather without
civility or decorum, or respect for the institutions and traditions they are
part of, and are openly hostile to others, democracy is dead.
The role of government is not to rule as ‘kings of
the hill’. The government must respect opposition members and listen to advice
offered and suggestions for improvement.
A democratic government cannot ignore the
opposition ranks without destroying democratic representation.
The role of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition is not
to obstruct or oppose the government, but to examine proposed legislation and
programs, offer advice on issues, and propose improvements whenever possible.
Canadians deserve the best results possible.
The Liberal contention that allowing key witnesses
to testify at a commons justice committee hearing would deteriorate into a
‘gong-show’ is hilarious. We are watching top level gong-show play out in the
media which is not in the public interest, and undermines confidence in
government and parliament.
The juvenile, silly-bugger behaviour of key players
is disgusting. None of them appear to understand that they are in parliament to
represent the people of Canada, not their political party, and we will not
tolerate their parliamentary war games.
A government intent on keeping secrets from the
people it serves cannot be trusted with the power it has been given.
Solicitor-client privilege and cabinet confidence
must never override the public right to know the truth of an issue.
Governance without ethics, honesty, openness and
principle is not democratic governance.
Liberal rule must end but cannot be replaced with
Conservative rule.
We must restore democracy to our parliament.
We are at least five decades behind in building a
national infrastructure of rail lines, highways, ports, pipelines, refineries,
electrical transmission lines, broadband and cellular transmission towers and
fiber optic networks connecting every populated corner of the nation.
Whoever wins the next election had better arrive in
Ottawa with a plan to smash the status quo, and get Canada back on track as a
nation of ten separate and equal provinces ... with a federal government
restricted to its separate constitutional role.
Nothing less will suffice.
John Feldsted
Political Consultant
& Strategist
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Comments
Post a Comment