Stephen Harper’s poor judgement
September 28, 2013
On Thursday, Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro, who just days ago was reappointed by the Prime Minister to serve as a Parliamentary Secretary, was faced with four serious charges under the Canada Elections Act, including spending more on an election than the law allows, willfully exceeding campaign contribution limits, and filing false and misleading documents with Elections Canada.
These latest and very serious allegations confirm what Canadians have known for too long: Conservatives believe there is one set of rules for them, and another set of rules for everyone else.
Stephen Harper was elected on a promise to provide accountable and ethical government. As the Prime Minister said when he was first elected to office: “This government is interested in accountability, and we intend to implement accountability.” (Hansard, December 7, 2006.)
It is a sad irony that Mr. Del Mastro – the very person appointed by the Prime Minister to defend the Conservative government over allegations of electoral fraud in the 2011 federal election – has himself been charged with gross abuses of the law.
Mr. Del Mastro is only the latest example of the Prime Minister’s misguided judgement. A rundown of the key people appointed under Mr. Harper tells a very troubling story:
- Nigel Wright, former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister:
Resigned after admitting he gave a $90,000 cheque to Senator Mike Duffy to cover his ineligible expenses – a transaction that is now being investigated by the RCMP.
Currently facing an RCMP investigation concerning his expenses and his deal with Nigel Wright.
Now facing her own RCMP investigation, after a recent audit ordered her to repay $121,348 to taxpayers.
Facing investigation by the RCMP for breach of trust.
- Peter Penashue, former senior Conservative Cabinet Minister:
Resigned after allegations emerged of serious campaign irregularities, overspending and thousands of dollars in ineligible contributions.
- Bruce Carson, former Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister:
Currently facing an ethics investigation and charge for influence peddling, Mr. Carson was hired by the Prime Minister’s Office despite them being aware of his two previous fraud convictions.
- Arthur Porter, former Chair of the Security Intelligence Review Committee:
Facing charges of fraud, conspiracy to commit government fraud, abuse of trust and laundering the proceeds of a crime.
- Saulie Zajdel, former Conservative candidate and Ministerial advisor:
Facing five criminal charges related to corruption, bribery, breach of trust and fraud.
On top of all this, today we learned that new rules to ensure greater accountability of Senate expenses have been delayed as a direct result of Mr. Harper’s decision to prorogue Parliament.
Canadians expect their elected officials to play by the rules, and these charges laid against Mr. Del Mastro have the potential to undermine Canadians’ trust in our democratic electoral system.
Nearly eight years later, Canadians are still waiting for Mr. Harper to start offering the accountable and ethical government he promised.
Scott Andrews, MP
Liberal Open Government and Ethics Critic