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April 05, 2005
Do Canadians Care About Government Scandal?
Those of you who get your news from the internet certainly know about the current scandal in Canada called Adscam. Basically, members of Canada's dominant Liberal Party have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
From Captain's Quarters blog, "A political scandal involving the Public Works Ministry, a government effort called the Sponsorship Program, and allegations of corruption in the ruling Liberal Party has Canada abuzz with rumors of payoffs, Mob ties, and snap elections. For the last two years, Canadian politics has been gripped by the so-called “sponsorship scandal” – tens of millions of dollars in government contracts which were funneled into advertizing firms closely connected with the Liberal government for little or no work, but with shadowy rumours that much of the money found its way back into Liberal coffers."
Now, worried that the episode may hurt them, the Liberals are looking to have a snap election...meaning, don't wait until the scheduled election date but move it up to increase damage control. Fortunately, that's something that cannot happen here in the U.S.
But will the episode affect the Liberals in power?
For one thing, there has been a ban on coverage within Canada on the scandal itself (which some Canadian bloggers are ignoring, and so we have to wonder how much the average Canuck knows about what's going on.
What's interesting here is that, even if there was extensive coverage, some wonder if Canadians really care? Arthur Weinreb of Canada Free Press doesn't think so:
The revelations that are coming out of the Gomery Commission will be significant in the province of Quebec, but probably nowhere else. Because the whole sponsorship scheme was supposedly undertaken to keep that province in Canada and the advertising companies that made the big bucks were based in Quebec, Quebeckers are taking it personally. But it is doubtful that the Commission will make a dent in how the voters in Ontario, the ones who usually determine which party will govern Canada, will vote in the next election.
Also:
The only effect that Adscam will have on the next election will be a possible shutout for the Liberals in Quebec. Martin will merely step up his rhetoric and convince the rest of Canada that they will be doomed, simply doomed, if they elect a Conservative government. It will work in the east and it will work in Ontario. The likely effect will be another minority government.
In other words, because it doesn't affect them directly, most Canadians may be yawning at the news. Have they become so enamored of their "free" healthcare and other nanny state perks (not to mention high taxes) that they would rather have a bunch of frauds and bilkers in office than a Conservative government that might shake things up a bit?
Canadians should take a good hard look at their government. If corruption like this is happening in the realm of advertising, then where else can it be lurking?
Posted by at April 5, 2005 09:07 PM
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Comments
Let Freedom Blog in The American Spectator today talks about this scandal. Reading that article, I didn't get the impression that the Canadians were uninterested. On the contrary; I gathered they were flooding to Morrissey's CQ for info. As to the ban:
Canada's attorney general has already talked about pursuing Canadian bloggers merely for linking to Captain's Quarters, possibly charging them with contempt of court. What makes the ban especially disturbing is the rumor that the Liberals could call a snap election before the testimony becomes public to avoid accountability at the polls.
Posted by: kitty at April 6, 2005 09:09 AM
Well, the commentary I read was only one man's perspective. Let's hope what you read is more accurate in that Canadians are concerned not only about the scandal itself, but how it's being handled...that is, banned. Unfortunately for them, I don't think there's a freedom of speech clause in any founding Canadian government documents. Correct me if I'm wrong!
Posted by: Pam M. at April 6, 2005 09:34 AM
I confess that this is the first I've heard of this scandal. When I read the TAS piece, I thought how rich! The Canadians derive great pleasure sliming us every chance they get, and now they need us for info on their home grown scandals!
Posted by: kitty at April 6, 2005 11:50 AM