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So STRONACH and MARTIN violated the ethics code?

Emerson and Harper cleared.  Stronach and Martin implicated.  What a fabulous day.

The Vancouver Sun online is carrying a slightly more fair and balanced report than the previously mentioned state-run CBC report and the slightly light Canadian Press report from Yahoo News (it’s a new and improved CP report). 

At least they don’t just get the negative quips from Shapiro, and they actually interviewed Mr. Harper.  And it raises a point:

[…] Yet the report doesn’t give a blanket clearance for any floor-crosser to demand or to be lured by a cabinet post.

In fact, Shapiro wrote that MPs who switch parties just before important parliamentary votes are breaking the ethical rules.

“Clearly, if the prime minister were to approach a member with an offer of a cabinet position with the sole intent and specific purpose of acquiring that member’s vote directly linked to a parliamentary proceeding existing at that time, such conduct would be inappropriate and unacceptable,’’ he wrote. […]

Hello Ms. Stronach and Mr. Martin! 

But back to the other salient points:

‘‘I am satisfied that no special inducement was offered by Mr. Harper to convince Mr. Emerson to join his cabinet and his party,’’ he wrote.

‘‘In addition, there is no reason and certainly no evidence to contradict Mr. Emerson’s own claim that accepting Mr. Harper’s offer seemed, at least to him, a way to better serve his city, province and country. I therefore find no reason to pursue these matters further.’’

The report also indicates that Harper, despite public assertions from his office that he was ‘‘loath to co-operate’’ with the investigation, in fact provided Shapiro with both an interview and a written response.

[…] Harper’s reaction was terse.

“This was never an ethics issue,’’ the prime minister said in a release. “Today, the ethics commissioner has confirmed that there was not even a basis for an investigation. This comes as no surprise.’’

Harper called the widespread criticism of Emerson’s cabinet appointment “nothing more than a partisan effort to demean his fine record of public service.’‘

Joel Johannesen
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