Keep the focus on CPC electoral fraud

The Del Mastro story is back in the news today, and a good thing. It's an old story, first reported in June 2012, but it needs to be brought back to the surface on occasion as it is a reminder of how the Conservative Party of Canada flouts electoral law at every turn. The Del Mastro case is indicative of what seems to be a very common attitude this party has in relation to the laws and conventions that regulate our public processes and institutions: Where are the loopholes? How can I get around it? How far can I stretch it? An attitude that carries over from a business world view perhaps, as for example in relation to taxation and regulation. This one is pretty small potatoes: getting a small business owner cousin of his to entice 22 employees, friends and family to each contribute $1000 to the campaign, all of whom are then reimbursed fully plus a $50 bonus. The employees each make $50 at no cost to them, plus a small tax deduction, the campaign gets $22,000 and the cousin gets to effectively contribute way above the campaign contribution limit of $1100. Maybe he just wants to see his cousin win, or maybe he thinks it can't hurt future business prospects, who knows? Why he did it or whether it actually resulted in any benefit to him does not matter. The simple fact is that this type of scheme is unlawful under the Canada Elections Act. From the ITO, it seems the money trail is pretty clear. It will be interesting to see how this plays out if and when it gets to court. Meanwhile, Del Mastro will need to defend himself in a separate court case dealing with yet another breach of the Elections Act, which also first surfaced in June 2012.

This is the MP personally selected by Stephen Harper as his Parliamentary Secretary in 2011 and given the role of government point man on the Robocall election scandal. Takes one to know one I guess. In a now familiar pattern, the PM stoutly defended Del Mastro when the allegations first surfaced.

Back in the air

After a long hibernation brought about by the election of a Conservative majority in the 2011 election (because really, it's been like a frozen wasteland since then), the Northern Harrier is taking flight once more, with the 2015 election on the horizon and with it, the dim prospect of a new spring. So, I am starting a New Year's list of reasons we need to get rid of this government in the hope that it can somehow contribute to the regime change that we so desperately need.

#1 Canada planning to sell weapons to developing countries? Not only have we become bad actors in arms control, like not signing the cluster bomb ban treaty, but now we are considering actually joining in league with the merchants of death. Shameful.

#2 Clean energy versus the tar sands. Canada goes all in on the tar sands. Meanwhile, it looks like nuclear fusion might actually turn out to be a real thing, and we are nowhere. We are so stuck in the past it is pathetic.

Well, short and sweet. I am now also on Twitter. You can follow me at @North_Harrier if you are into that kind of thing.