Angry in the Great White North

Dr David Johnston has delivered his recommendations for an inquiry into the dealings former prime minister Brian Mulroney had with Karlheinz Schreiber:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's special adviser is recommending a limited and less-than-public inquiry into the Mulroney-Schreiber affair.

David Johnston says an inquiry commissioner might want to make any investigation into former Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney more "efficient" by holding confidential interviews rather than open public hearings.

In response, the Liberal Party has issued this letter:

Dear Dr Johnston,

On behalf of the Liberal Party, I would like to thank you for your hard work with regards to setting the frames of reference for an inquiry into the Mulroney-Schreiber affair.

Though in recent weeks, members of Canada's natural ruling party have made statements to the effect that any inquiry ought to be wide-ranging, in truth, such an inquiry would not be effective.

Liberals have not profited from the recent parliamentary committee hearings, and when the Liberal Party suffers, Canadians everywhere suffer. 

Despite our best efforts to convince Canadians of the need to hold the current government culpable for Brian Mulroney's failings, it seems that we have been perceived as shrill and desperate.  Clearly this is a result of manipulation from a pro-Conservative press corps.

In another incident, one of most intelligent members of parliament, Mr Pablo Rodriguez, lent his considerable investigatory and rhetorical skills to helping the CBC frame this complex story.  Yet even after Mr Rodriguez carefully developed a question to pose to Mr Mulroney concerning the wireless spectrum auction, the CBC betrayed Mr Rodriguez, alleging that a CBC reporter had been responsible for all of Mr Rodriguez groundbreaking work.

That duplicitous act by the pro-Conservative CBC not only embarrassed Mr Rodriguez, it muddied the waters.  Canadians were denied the opportunity to:

1. understand how closely linked the Airbus affair of 1985 is to the wireless spectrum auction of 2008; and
2. bask in Mr Rodriguez' glowing intelligence.

If the inquiry into the Mulroney-Schreiber affair is not leading to net benefits for the Liberal Party, then Canadians cannot be expected to see any benefits either.  Your decision, therefore, to recommend that the inquiry been limited in scope and out of the public view is a welcome one.  The fewer opportunities for the Conservative-controlled media to contrive of ways to embarrass members of this party, the better for everyone who matters. 

On behalf of all true Canadians, thank you for delivering a recommendation that works to preserve the integrity and the honour of the Liberal Party.  A nation is in your debt.

Yours truly,
Some Liberal Hack

I expect to hear momentarily from Liberal Party lawyers demanding that this super-secret letter hitherto found only in Celine Hervieux-Payette's fanny pack be returned forthwith.