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tim powers

As has been well-covered on this site and in the paper, Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien was found not guilty of influence peddling. O'Brien no doubt feels deserved relief and this circus that has cast a further pall over politics in Ottawa can at long last move on.

Yesterday, on CBC's Ontario Today, I was involved in a discussion with Penny Collenette, Jean Chrétien's former director of appointments in the PMO, on the O'Brien trial and related matters. As Penny rightly pointed out in her concluding remarks, this trial might again have a chill effect in attracting new and talented people to politics. While I think the justice system did its job well yesterday, and O'Brien - according to the judge and not denied by the mayor - was guilty of some errors in judgment, it's clear the case damaged the public's perception of politics, its machinations and its players. It also reminded us that, like it or not, many politicians are pseudo-celebrities constantly living the examined life. Sometimes it does make you wonder who in their right mind wants to put their name on a ballot. A proctologist's examination might rank higher for many than time in public life.

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