Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

FELDSTED: The only work that the PMO has done since February 7th is to make it clear that the PMO does not consider itself accountable to parliament or to the people our parliament represents


Former justice minister says solicitor-client privilege is not hers "to waive"
Kathleen Harris ~~ CBC News -~~ Feb 20, 2019

Jody Wilson-Raybould told the House of Commons today (February 20th) she wants to tell her side of the SNC-Lavalin scandal now consuming official Ottawa, but she can't "waive" solicitor-client privilege on her own.


Sadly, it makes no difference what Ms Wilson-Raybould has to say. I do not doubt her honesty or integrity. She is the only person in this affair to have the good sense to say nothing.


Our Prime Minister, on the other hand, has no idea how, or when, to shut up. Whoever in the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) who decided that demoting Wilson-Raybould was a good strategic move precipitated this scandal.

Media reporters smelled a rat and went digging. Their sources unearthed rumours that the PMO and Wilson-Raybould were at odds over how SNC-Lavalin should be treated in criminal charges the firm faced. When the first hint appeared in the Globe and Mail, the PMO damage control unit went into overdrive to squelch the rumour.

Over the next couple of weeks, on thing became very clear. The Prime Minister and this government had no intention of being open and honest about its dealings with SNC-Lavalin. We have listened to a series of ever-changing and often bizarre comments.


Wilson-Raybould resigned from her ministry and cabinet without explanation. As our consternation grew and Liberal members of the Commons Justice Committee tried to limit investigation into the affair, Gerald Butts, the most senior member of the PMO resigned, claiming that he was distracting from ‘important work’ of the PMO.

The only work that the PMO has done since February 7th is to make it clear that the PMO does not consider itself accountable to parliament or to the people our parliament represents. That revelation indicates that we have allowed our Prime Minster to acquire far too much power to abuse.

The media is abuzz with speculation over the Butts resignation, but that is deliberate misdirection.

The pertinent questions are:

  1. why are unelected advisors to the Prime Minister given the power to manipulate our government as they see fit; and 
  2. why is the PMO standing between members of its Cabinet and legitimate questions from the floor of the House of Commons.


No democratic government can operate shrouded in secrecy and avoid accountability to the public.

John Feldsted
Political Consultant & Strategist
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper to step down for Conservative Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to run in a by-election

Deputy Whip and MLA Reann Gasper has informed the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia of her decision to step down as MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, creating an opportunity for Conservative Party of British Columbia Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to seek the seat in a forthcoming by-election. Gasper said the decision was made carefully and deliberately, with the future of British Columbia firmly in mind. Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper “This is a decision I have made after a great deal of careful consideration, and I believe it is the right decision for me, for our Party, and for the work ahead,” said MLA Gasper. “It has been a privilege to represent the people of Abbotsford-Mission, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me. I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside my colleagues in the Conservative Caucus and to contribute to our leadership team.” “I have confidence in Kerry-Lynne, in her leadership, and in her ability to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

NDP Sits on $61 Million With No Start Date for Burnaby Hospital

Phase 2 of Burnaby Hospital redevelopment  was green lit to go ahead in September 2023 The NDP spent $45 million on the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment, cancelled the second phase, and now has another $61 million listed for the project in the province’s Public Accounts, with no start date for construction. If the NDP cancelled the project, what is happening to the $61 million set aside for it? The Phase 2 project was expected to cost between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion and was intended to expand the hospital’s capacity. With Burnaby’s population growing and residents struggling to access healthcare, the government should be investing in healthcare capacity, not leaving millions of dollars tied up in limbo. “The NDP spent $45 million on this project before cancelling it, and now $61 million remains listed for it in the Public Accounts,” said MLA Misty Van Popta, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure. “If the government isn’t going to build the hospital expansion, it should explain whe...
Post a Comment
Read more

BC Conservatives Point to Warning Signs in BC’s Economy

While Canada posted modest job gains in July, warning lights are still flashing in British Columbia. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, leaving too many first-time jobseekers shut out of the workforce. BC also lost 3,400 public administration jobs in July, likely as temporary Census positions ended. “BC's jobs divide remains stark. Unemployment is far higher in business-driven communities like Kelowna (9.3%) and Abbotsford-Mission (8.3%) than in Victoria (5.0%). Government should be focused on creating the conditions for private-sector investment and job growth,” said Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Shadow Minister for Economic Development. “We need an economy where young people can find work, businesses can hire, and every region has the opportunity to prosper.” This comes as BC faces five straight quarters where more businesses are closing than opening, an NDP cabinet rift over job-creating projects like Tilbury LNG, and fresh signs that even the province's to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more