Angry in the Great White North
RCMP Investigation: Lousy timing for the Liberals
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at 05:27 PM

Read other posts by Steve Janke published by the National Post
Leader

Being subject to a criminal investigation during an election being fought largely on the question of ethics sounds like something from a sitcom.

It's hard to imagine a worse possible time:

The RCMP have begun a review of reported heavier-than-usual trading in income trusts and dividend-paying stocks ahead of an announcement last week that the federal government was increasing the tax credit on corporate dividends.

NDP finance critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis sent a letter of complaint to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police earlier this week requesting the probe into whether Bay Street insiders received advance knowledge of the announcement, Staff Sgt. Paul Marsh told Bloomberg News.

"The RCMP will review the information provided to determine if there is a basis to proceed with a criminal investigation," Marsh said.

"It would be inappropriate to speculate what action may or may not be taken."

Not just the RCMP, but other stock market regulators as well.

Finance Minister Ralph Goodale denied allegations that information was leaked.

Expect a lot of airplay, as well as some very pointed questions aimed at Paul Martin from the other party leaders during the leadership debates.

You have to wonder if maybe the Prime Minister should have taken the opposition up on its offer to start the election in mid-January.

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