Angry in the Great White North
It's not an ethical question
Monday, March 20, 2006 at 02:21 PM

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

Finally we can get on with business:

Canada's ethics czar has cleared Prime Minister Stephen Harper of any wrongdoing in his controversial decision to bring former Liberal David Emerson into the Conservative fold.

"My conclusion from the preliminary inquiry is that neither Mr. Harper nor Mr. Emerson contravened any of the specific Sections of the Members' Code," federal Ethics Commissioner Bernard Shapiro said in a report released Monday.

"I am satisfied that no special inducement was offered by Mr. Harper to convince Mr. Emerson to join his cabinet and his party."

As well, Mr. Shapiro said, there is "no reason, and certainly no evidence" to contradict Mr. Emerson's assertion that he accepted the Prime Minister's officer in order better serve his Vancouver-area constituents.

"I therefore find no reason to pursue these matters further," Mr. Shapiro said.

Moreover, the Commissioner agrees with me that cabinet appointments are a matter of judgment, not of ethics:

With regard to Mr. Harper, Mr. Shapiro found that he was "performing a constitutionally recognized executive function, and not an activity associated with his legislative duties or functions" and as a result was entitled to make the cabinet appointment.

For Mr. Emerson, he added, the higher salary and benefits afforded a cabinet minister can't be considered an improper inducement on their own.

"If it was, the appointment of any person to Cabinet could be considered suspect," Mr. Shapiro said.

Also true.

No reaction yet from the the folks who want to overturn the fair election of David Emerson. I'm willing to be they won't give up. This was never about ethics. It's all about politics and the chance to take a seat from the minority Conservatives and give it to the opposition.

Well, if nothing unethical happened, then clearly nothing illegal happened, and nothing is going to change. Emerson is in cabinet, and he's going to stay there. Another win for Stephen Harper.

Interestingly, Belinda Stronach should be concerned:

He also noted that if an opposition member were approached — or did the approaching — with the sole intent of changing their vote on a specific issue in the House, then such a move may be considered inappropriate and unacceptable.

Nothing will come of this statement in terms of an inquiry, but a subtle jab nonetheless. We might yet see this comment come up again during the Liberal leadership campaign if Stronach runs.

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