The spin wars are on in full force in Ottawa with charges and countercharges of political interference flying around the Hill.
First, the Liberals held a news conference to release their “enemies list” – a compilation of senior officials who tangled or disagreed with the Harper government and have since been fired from their post, have not had their terms renewed or have simply left government.
Conservatives countered hours later, circulating a memo blasting the Liberals and their previous governments for their appointment practices – practices they say led to a “culture of entitlement which bred the sponsorship scandal.”
The Tories include their own list in the memo, documenting Liberals appointed by Liberals to patronage posts.
“We have, in fact, made it the rule rather than the exception to make new appointments when old ones expire,” the Harper strategists crow. “Unlike the Ignatieff Liberals, we do not believe that those who currently hold appointments are entitled to keep them indefinitely. Appointments should – and will – not be made for life.”
Conservatives are using this as the explanation for not renewing Pat Stogran’s term as veterans’ ombudsman. The former colonel provoked controversy this week when he ripped into the government for its treatment of returning soldiers.
This was quickly followed by news that a senior RCMP officer – a big proponent of the long-gun registry – was moved from his job as head of the program. The Harper government wants the registry abolished and MPs are to vote on the issue next month.
There is nothing suspicious about the timing of the officer’s move, the Tories say. “Frankly, we’re a little surprised that the Ignatieff Liberals would raise the issue of appointments given their record.”
Conservatives note that Alfonso Gagliano, a former Chrétien public works minister who was “embroiled in the sponsorship scandal,” was appointed ambassador to Denmark. It also singles out Montreal Liberal MP Marlene Jennings, whose husband, Luciano Del Negro, “was appointed by the Liberals to the Immigration and Refugee Board.”
Several more Grits are mentioned, including the appointment of former Chrétien cabinet minister David Dingwall as president of the Canadian Mint. He is, of course, famous for uttering the line _ “I’m entitled to my entitlements” during questioning by a parliamentary committee as to whether he should receive a severance package for voluntarily retiring over an expense controversy.
“So yes, we have departed from the Liberal approach to appointments and we’re not surprised they’re complaining about it,” the Tories conclude.
