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: Lobbyists don’t care which party is in power. They will find operatives who can carry the case for their client to whoever is in power


‘Political grandmaster’ Frank Iacobucci is at the center of SNC Lavalin, Kinder Morgan scandals 
The Buffalo Chronicle ~~ March 11, 2019

Frank Iacobucci is one of the most influential lawyer-lobbyists in all of Canada.  He has been at the crux of the nation’s political, legal, and business communities well before he retired his post as a Supreme Court Justice in 2004. Today he is a partner at Torys, Bay Street’s whitest-shoe law firm, and is the most statured attorney in the firm’s indigenous law practice. Conservative, Liberal, NDP, PMO, Trans Mountain Pipeline,

Suddenly, this week, nearly everyone in Ottawa wants him to testify before the House of Commons’ justice committee regarding his involvement in the SNC Lavalin scandal, following widespread rumors that it was Iacobucci who first insisted that Jody Wilson Raybould be removed as Attorney General. 

Iacobucci led SNC-Lavalin’s efforts to secure a ‘Deferred Prosecution Agreement’ last summer and into the fall.  He was instrumental in persuading Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to insert the new legal provision as a policy rider into last year’s budget bill, acting as SNC Lavalin’s in-house attorney.

CLICK HERE to read the full Buffalo Chronicle news story:


The real question is ... Why do we allow lobbyists access to government?

This problem is not confined to the current government. Lobbyists don’t care which party is in power. They will find operatives who can carry the case for their client to whoever is in power. Conservative, Liberal, NDP members, Ministers and PMO staffers are all carefully reviewed to find useful links that can be used to peddle influence.

Creating a registry of lobbyists and tracking their efforts gives an aura of legitimacy to sleazy, back door dealings between business interests and government that are not in the interests of Canadians.


It is not surprising that SNC-Lavalin is trying to secure the contract for completing the Trans-Mountain pipeline expansion, and is willing to do whatever it takes. The millions it is spending on lobbying will be built into its Canadian contracts.

The Trans-Mountain expansion is estimated at several $ billions and it appears that the fix is in

While SNC-Lavalin is the current news-maker, dozens of other major business entities are also seeking preferential treatment from the government.

Why are we allowing this to occur?

While the temptation to engage in a quid pro quo (we’ll help you if you help us) arrangement is very high, the majority of residents and taxpayers are shut out of negotiations.

We must ask: “Who is our government serving”? 

No political party is stepping up offering to end the practice of lobbying. That is scary. We cannot afford ‘business as usual’ in Ottawa. The drain on public funds is too high to sustain.  


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