Ottawa, the centre of?
Yes, Ottawa is the centre of activities that bring the people of Canada face to face, at times, with the country's leaders. More often than not, it is through TV, where most Canadians spend much too much time. Yet, Canadians are more aware of what is happening around the world and are more sensitive to politics and geography than their friends south of the border.
Here in Ottawa we are close to what happens on Parliament Hill, in fact many Ottawans work directly for the federal government and those who don't, support all those activities on the Hill including all programs that require funding, using their federal tax dollars. Many public servants are too well aware of activities within government that are entirely inappropriate but have to put up with situations because it is know that whistle blowers can live difficult lives within the public service.
Today we hear that David Dingwall was on the hotseat for his spending habits while he was President of the Royal Canadian Mint. We also hear that former Cabinet Minister, Alphonso Gagliano, who was later ambassador to Norway, representing the people of Canada, brought some shame to Canada when he was recalled, in part for his share in activities that the Gomery Commission had been investigating for many months. That Commission's report will be released in the near future. He recently stated the present Prime Minister, Paul Martin and one of his Cabinet Ministers, Stéphane Dion, were fully aware of the $250-million advertising program, leading to speculation that there is something there to hide.
And now, we learn that one of the Prime Minister's friends, Richard Mahoney, failed to register as a lobbyist and perhaps did lobby after a "mix-up" within Industry Canada's Lobby Registration Branch. Let us presume that he is absolutely innocent of this "infraction" but the public must wonder about his activities as a lobbyist.
What should concern the people in Mahoney's riding, who voted for the much respected Ed Broadbent of the NDP to become their federal representative and who will be retiring from politics is the fact that Richard Mahoney will probably run again. If elected, he is a likely shoe-in for a cabinet appointment. He could win if the vote is split three-ways with the NDP and the Conservatives receiving well over 50% of the vote but the Liberals under Mahoney receiving the highest share of votes among the candidates, with the entitlement to a seat in Canada's Parliament. The NDP party has very little hope of leading the next government. It would be wonderful for the Conservatives if the NDP voters would support them, to bring about the downfall of the Liberals. Those voters could be the future "king-makers" of the Canadian Parliament.
Ottawa is the centre of scandals, intrigue, corruption of many sorts and no doubt the centre for the creation of national cynicism.
Here in Ottawa we are close to what happens on Parliament Hill, in fact many Ottawans work directly for the federal government and those who don't, support all those activities on the Hill including all programs that require funding, using their federal tax dollars. Many public servants are too well aware of activities within government that are entirely inappropriate but have to put up with situations because it is know that whistle blowers can live difficult lives within the public service.
Today we hear that David Dingwall was on the hotseat for his spending habits while he was President of the Royal Canadian Mint. We also hear that former Cabinet Minister, Alphonso Gagliano, who was later ambassador to Norway, representing the people of Canada, brought some shame to Canada when he was recalled, in part for his share in activities that the Gomery Commission had been investigating for many months. That Commission's report will be released in the near future. He recently stated the present Prime Minister, Paul Martin and one of his Cabinet Ministers, Stéphane Dion, were fully aware of the $250-million advertising program, leading to speculation that there is something there to hide.
And now, we learn that one of the Prime Minister's friends, Richard Mahoney, failed to register as a lobbyist and perhaps did lobby after a "mix-up" within Industry Canada's Lobby Registration Branch. Let us presume that he is absolutely innocent of this "infraction" but the public must wonder about his activities as a lobbyist.
What should concern the people in Mahoney's riding, who voted for the much respected Ed Broadbent of the NDP to become their federal representative and who will be retiring from politics is the fact that Richard Mahoney will probably run again. If elected, he is a likely shoe-in for a cabinet appointment. He could win if the vote is split three-ways with the NDP and the Conservatives receiving well over 50% of the vote but the Liberals under Mahoney receiving the highest share of votes among the candidates, with the entitlement to a seat in Canada's Parliament. The NDP party has very little hope of leading the next government. It would be wonderful for the Conservatives if the NDP voters would support them, to bring about the downfall of the Liberals. Those voters could be the future "king-makers" of the Canadian Parliament.
Ottawa is the centre of scandals, intrigue, corruption of many sorts and no doubt the centre for the creation of national cynicism.
posted by croweagle at
9:47 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home