FELDSTED -- Trudeau plays diversity like a drug-fueled drummer in a heavy metal band, but the bass drum beats only for Ontario and Quebec

The way I see it ... it’s all about power

     

The report of the federal Ethics Commissioner on PMO dealings with the Solicitor General of Canada is not a “bombshell”, except in the minds of the media. Many if not most of us suspected that was the case last February.

Government stonewalling of all efforts to inquire into the SNC-Lavalin affair confirmed our suspicions that the PMO had some nasty dealings to hide. Now that the cat has escaped the bag, the Prime Minister has publicly stated that he accepts full responsibility for events that in his words “should never have happened”. However, he is lying again.

Mr. Trudeau cannot accept responsibility for a breach of ethics and also refuse to apologize; refusal to apologize is a rejection of responsibility.

Mr. Trudeau claims his action were honorable; to protect Canada and “save jobs”.

He was trying to protect SNC-Lavalin from criminal prosecution and save future contacts with his government. The federal government has no constitutional obligation to save jobs. If it did, thousands of east cost fishermen and prairie oil and gas workers would not have lost their livelihoods due to government dictate and policy.

The root of the SNC-Lavalin affair lays in vote-rich Quebec. 78 seats in Quebec outweigh 34 in Alberta and 32 in the entire Atlantic region. Rescuing SNC-Lavalin was all about gaining and retaining seats in Quebec and a continued majority government. The little people in little provinces don’t matter.

Consider Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s efforts to tie Ontario Premier Doug Ford to Conservative leader Andrew Scheer. They have entirely different mandates and responsibilities; however, Trudeau sees Ford as unpopular at present and thus serves his purpose to look good in Ontario.

The same can be said for Trudeau’s recent meeting with Toronto Mayor John Tory.

There is no formal connection between the federal government and a municipality. Trudeau is intruding on Ontario Premier Ford’s domain. Cities are the jurisdiction and responsibility of the province. Trudeau should be meeting with Ford to see what can be done about gang violence in Toronto.

Trudeau plays diversity like a drug-fueled drummer in a heavy metal band, but the bass drum beats only for Ontario and Quebec which hold 59% of the seats in the House of Commons between them. Acquisition and retention of power trumps true representation the people.

The glaring problem is that under our current system, Trudeau cannot be held accountable for the lack of ethics that resulted in his unlawful practices. Without accountability democracy is dead.

If parliament was in session, opposition parties would file a motion of non-confidence which would be quashed by the Liberal majority in the house. In October however, electors will be in the unique position of voting directly on a non-confidence motion.

Quoting Oliver Cromwell (April 20, 1653): “You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!”

History does repeat itself.   

John Feldsted

Political Commentator, Consultant, & Strategist

Winnipeg, Manitoba