"Setting the Record Straight:
Jean Chretien's True Legacy"
November 19, 2003
Last Thursday night, Canadians, particularly
those limited to programming offered on television channels
affiliated with Canada’s two largest networks, were subjected
to a primetime gala tribute to outgoing Prime Minister
Jean Chrétien. It included the obligatory set of
flowery speeches, videos and syrupy musical dedications.
Granted, the impending retirement of
a man who has led this country for a decade is an historical
moment that deserves recognition. And I can certainly
agree that Jean Chrétien’s departure is reason to celebrate,
but delegates at the Liberal Leadership ‘coronation’ were
celebrating ten years of Liberal boondoggles. It was a
shameless attempt to rewrite the history books and I would
like to set the record straight by recalling exactly what
Canadians should remember about this Liberal government.
The SeaKing helicopter replacement
fiasco. Ten years, still no new military helicopters.
$500-million in cancellations penalties because the Liberals
killed the previous contract.
Toronto’s Pearson Airport expansion/improvement
project. Another $500-million in cancellation penalties.
The Federal Firearms Registry.
$1.25-billion (at least) and rising with no end in sight
and Canadians none the safer for it.
The Human Resources Development billion
dollar boondoggle.
Shawinigate: the Grand Mère Hotel and
golf course, a couple of million in federal grants and
loans to Shawinigan businessmen Yvon Duhaime and Pierre
Thibault.
The Public Works and Government Services
sponsorship scandal that awarded Alfonso Gagliano his
plum assignment as Ambassador to Denmark and resulted
in criminal charges against Liberal-friendly Quebec firm
Groupe Everest.
Two $100-million jets bought by Ottawa
without competition from Bombardier Inc. where Mr. Chrétien’s
son-in-law is a director. Bombardier also received
billions in federal grants and loans throughout the past
decade.
Sheila Copps’ department’s million
dollar grant to an organization whose chairman pledged
to raise $7-million for her doomed leadership campaign.
Art Eggleton’s $36,000 payment to his former girlfriend
for a 14-page report. Lawrence MacAulay’s attempt
to get RCMP officials, who reported to him as Solicitor
General, to give his brother’s PEI college a contract.
The freewheel spending and fine dining
by political patronage appointees like former Labour Relations
Board Chairman Ted Weatherhill, disgraced Privacy Commissioner
George Radwanski, and ex-ministerial aide Charles Boyer.
The 20-day, $1-million dollar circumpolar tour by Governor
General Adrienne Clarkson, her husband and 60 “distinguished”
Canadians.
The cruel and unjustified denial of
federal compensation to Canadians who contracted the Hepatitis
C virus from tainted blood before 1986.
The all-time record set by the Liberals
for the use of time allocation (75) and closure (9) to
limit or end debate on controversial legislation.
I simply don’t have enough room to
itemize the scandals, waste and moral and ethical low
points in federal politics for the past ten years.
It isn’t just Jean Chrétien’s legacy, this is the very
Liberal legacy that delegates so enthusiastically embraced
this past weekend in Toronto.
Mr. Chrétien may be on his way out,
but after December 12th, his successor, and former Finance
Minister, Paul Martin, will be asking you to forget, forgive
and to trust him!
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