Roundup: Trying to politicize the RCMP – again

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Trying to cash in on the Duffy trial, the NDP decided to send an open letter to the RCMP Commissioner yesterday, essentially demanding that the case against Nigel Wright be re-opened and expanded to include current chief of staff Ray Novak, for some unknown reason. Oh, and they want a “clear response” as to why there are no charges. There are a few problems with this approach, so let’s list them, shall we?

  1. The RCMP don’t have to answer to the NDP. Sorry, but they don’t. They don’t have to explain why they didn’t press charges for someone else’s partisan gain.
  2. We’ve pretty much determined that in order for a bribery charge to be even feasible, they would have to establish the mens rea – the intent – that the $90,000 cheque was intending to buy influence. It wasn’t, and we have Wright’s testimony under oath to that effect. Are there no lawyers in the party that can explain this?
  3. And this is the big one – the NDP are explicitly trying to politicise the RCMP by making them part of their campaign against the Conservatives in the campaign.

Whoever in the NDP brain trust decided it was a good idea to drag the RCMP into the election should give their heads a shake because it’s kind of gross. The NDP brought them into a previous election – you’ll remember the December 2005 letter from the RCMP that the NDP used against the Liberals in that election, and when Harper won the election, how there were plenty of curious appearances of ties with the then-RCMP commissioner and Harper. (An investigation, it should be noted, that amounted to nothing). One would think that the RCMP would have learnt their lessons, and that they’ll be more circumspect. I guess we’ll see if they are, but suffice to say, the NDP trying to repeat that particular cheap stunt is not particularly endearing, and they should rethink trying to drag nominally non-political actors into the fray. No good can come of it.

On the campaign:

  • Stephen Harper announced he would re-introduce his “life means life” bill despite letting it languish on the Order Paper for months. His supporters then verbally abused reporters.
  • Thomas Mulcair pledged money and training for fire fighters.
  • Justin Trudeau pledged money for clean technology in places like Northern Ontario. Also, his favourite Avenger is the Hulk, because he’s green.
  • Elizabeth May promised a supertanker ban on the west coast, and stronger environmental laws.
  • Here is the Tuesday campaign roundup.

Good reads:

  • The Duffy trial yesterday focused on what Ray Novak, the current chief of staff, new of the $90,000 payment. (Cobb and Kady O’Malley liveblog recaps here).
  • Brad Wall wants the party leaders to give their position on GMOs, as he’s apparently concerned about crop science.
  • A lawyer who was suspended from the federal security roundtable after media reports alleging links to extremism got a letter of appreciation from the government.
  • Dean Del Mastro’s lawyer is prepping his appeal.
  • Stephen Gordon argues that we’re not in recession, but rather our sluggish (and even negative) growth is likely the new normal no one wants to talk about.

Odds and ends:

The Twitter history of one Liberal candidate in Calgary came under fire. She stepped down later that day.

If you’re keeping score, Feist is supporting Andrew Cash, Raffi is supporting Elizabeth May, and Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida are supporting Trudeau.

The new Executive Legal Officer of the Supreme Court of Canada has connections with Star Wars fandom.

https://twitter.com/martinpatriquin/status/633744415232671744

https://twitter.com/martinpatriquin/status/633748270121021444

2 thoughts on “Roundup: Trying to politicize the RCMP – again”

  1. Dale,

    Nigel Wright’s sworn oath is what you are hanging your hat on? It’s very clear he concoted a lie to the public already. How do we trust his testimony? He is not a credible witness. If we believe him, the facts turn us to the conclusion that there was no political motivation to cover-up Duffygate. That is a fork in the road most logical people refuse to take – the facts don’t support going down that road.

    Nigel Wright’s job was essentially to protect the Prime Minister. $90,000 to pay back money that Duffy expensed incorrectly. The NDP isn’t trying to politicize the RCMP – the PMO already got there first. The fact is, this should be the trial of Nigel Wright not Mike Duffy. The fact the RCMP have not charged Nigel Wright with anything is itself an indication it is politicized.

    Mr. Wirght bought silence and encouraged Mr. Duffy to lie for political purposes. This is an affront to every Canadian. I agree Mr. Mr. Mulcair that Mr. Wright should be brought to justice.

    I don’t beleive that Mr. Harper had no knowledge even though most everyone in the PMO knew what was going on? E-mails are only the tip of the iceberg. We should have everyone in the PMO on the stand. They all knew. Would you hire people who didn’t keep you in the loop? Mr. Harper first lauded Mr. Wright and then changed his story to blaming Mr. Wright and throwing him under the bus when the PR went bad..

    Now Mr. Harper wants to starve the Senate of appointments and reform or abolish it. I am sure there is not a pure motive there. It’s simply a political motive. He doesn’t want to be seen sending more pigs to the trough until after the election.

    WHat no one is asking is this – “What does Mike Duffy know that caused Nigel Wright to lie and put his reputation on the line?”

    APG

    • I still don’t think there’s enough evidence of a quid pro quo from Duffy or mens rea on Wright’s part to make any charges stick. I don’t see how that is the RCMP being politicized, when it’s standard practice not to lay charges if there’s no reasonable hope of conviction. And the focus on Wright at this point is completely distracting from the issue at hand – Duffy allegedly made fraudulent expense claims, and he took money to repay it when he shouldn’t have. The rest of this is distraction from the issue at hand.

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