Bernier Resigns

August1991 · May 26, 2008

He left confidential documents in a non-secure place. That's known as a security violation and hardly merits a resignation.

But this vase is too full.

Emerson takes the MFA job and Verner still deals with la Francophonie.

----

Remember that a young minister, Jean Charest, once had to resign for a similar error. And he came back and turned out to be quite successful. I wonder what Bernier will do. Perhaps he's not made for public life.

Les erreurs de Maxime Bernier lui auront finalement coûté son poste de ministre des Affaires étrangères.
C'est ce qu'a confirmé le premier ministre Stephen Harper, lundi soir en conférence de presse. M. Harper a affirmé que M. Bernier l'avait informé qu'il avait laissé des documents confidentiels dans un endroit non sécurisé.

R-C

Michael Bluth · May 27, 2008

He left confidential documents in a non-secure place. That's known as a security violation and hardly merits a resignation.
But this vase is too full.

Emerson takes the MFA job and Verner still deals with la Francophonie.

----

Remember that a young minister, Jean Charest, once had to resign for a similar error. And he came back and turned out to be quite successful. I wonder what Bernier will do. Perhaps he's not made for public life.

I believe the resignation was merited in this case. The fiasco with Couillard finally bit him in the arse. It will be interesting to see what she has to say in the interview tonight.

My guess is he will run again in the next election. Beauce is a conservative and forgiving riding and he won more than 60% of the vote last election. They elected Gilles Bernier as an independent in 1993 as Campbell dropped his nomination because of the fraud charges he was facing.

I'd suspect Bernier will be back in cabinet after the next election. His escort to the swearing-in ceremony will probably be dressed uhh... 'conservatively' next time around.

capricorn · May 27, 2008

IMO Bernier's resignation will be better received in Quebec than had Harper been the one to remove him from caucus. As disturbing as this security breach is, in a way it has saved Harper's bacon. Better to have Bernier step down than to push him out.

Not willing to leave well enough alone, the Liberals are pressing to keep the Bernier matter front and centre.

"The issue has now come to a breaking point," Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale told reporters. "The prime minster has been very dismissive of this situation for weeks now, despite the questions -- serious, respectful questions that were put in the House of Commons -- (that) he simply refused to answer."
Goodale pointed to how dismissive Harper was earlier Monday afternoon of the situation. "Obviously now with events this evening the prime minister has been proven to be incorrect -- and that raises some questions about his judgement..."

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"When the prime minister comes and just simply says there were some documents put aside in a way that may have been accessible to other people, everybody wants to know what the heck we're talking about."

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Well, Ralph we're actually past the breaking point and Bernier's resignation offered the solution. Let's see which Parliamentary Committee the opposition parties will ask to investigate Harper's lack of judgment. <sarcasm on>I mean, what are these committees for anyway?<sarcasm off>

With Bernier out of the way, most Canadians will want to move on. If the Liberals keep chasing ghosts and flogging dead horses ahead of dealing with policy matters, they risk pissing off a public already turned off by this dysfunctional Parliament.

Michael Bluth · May 27, 2008

With Bernier out of the way, most Canadians will want to move on. If the Liberals keep chasing ghosts and flogging dead horses ahead of dealing with policy matters, they risk pissing off a public already turned off by this dysfunctional Parliament.

We can only hope Steph shows horrible judgement and chooses to force an election over this issue.

Now that Bernier has resigned the Liberals just appear shrill.

This time next week the country will have moved on.

jdobbin · May 27, 2008

He left confidential documents in a non-secure place. That's known as a security violation and hardly merits a resignation.
But this vase is too full.

It was just a matter of time. Ignatieff was on CTV yesterday about the gaffes Bernier was making repeatedly. They showed poor judgment and worse, it embarrassed Harper. Still, even this morning he was defending his minister and saying he saw no security problems. Well, leaving documents at your girlfriend's house is the exact type of thing people were thinking about when security was raised. Knowing that girlfriend has had a relationship with known criminals only enhances those security concerns.

jdobbin · May 27, 2008

Experts are saying that Canada needs to reassure our allies over Bernier's security breach.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Canada will need to move quickly to reassure allies that no sensitive information was leaked in the wake of the Maxime Bernier affair, according to experts on international relations.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced late Monday evening that he had accepted the foreign affairs minister's resignation after Bernier told him about a possible security breach. Harper did not offer many details.

But The Canadian Press reported Bernier may have left classified documents related to April's NATO summit in Bucharest at an ex-girlfriend's home.

DELETED rest of article quote by MODERATOR

Harper was far too cavalier about security when it came to Bernier.

Edited May 28, 2008 by Charles Anthony
deleted excessive article quote

Who's Doing What? · May 27, 2008

Seems awful convenient when an imminent firing was demanded.

Better to resign than be fired I guess.

Leafless · May 27, 2008

Experts are saying that Canada needs to reassure our allies over Bernier's security breach.
Harper was far too cavalier about security when it came to Bernier.

The Bernier saga reminds me of Adam and Eve and the apple bit and was highly predicable.

Good riddance Bernier, you have only yourself to blame for being banished from the garden of political Eden.

jdobbin · May 27, 2008

IMO Bernier's resignation will be better received in Quebec than had Harper been the one to remove him from caucus. As disturbing as this security breach is, in a way it has saved Harper's bacon. Better to have Bernier step down than to push him out.
Not willing to leave well enough alone, the Liberals are pressing to keep the Bernier matter front and centre.

Well, Ralph we're actually past the breaking point and Bernier's resignation offered the solution. Let's see which Parliamentary Committee the opposition parties will ask to investigate Harper's lack of judgment. <sarcasm on>I mean, what are these committees for anyway?<sarcasm off>

I'm sure the Tories would like it to go away but I'd like to know what documents were left at his girlfriend's house and whether we need to inform our allies.

I want to know more about the airport security firm that Couillard is head of.

Harper has been in total denial over any security implications involved in his minister being involved with someone who had criminal associations as little as 3 years ago.

bush_cheney2004 · May 27, 2008

....I want to know more about the airport security firm that Couillard is head of.

Me too....Julie Couillard looks really HOT! :lol:

http://images.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/img2...lard_080526.jpg

Edited May 27, 2008 by bush_cheney2004

August1991 · May 27, 2008

Experts are saying that Canada needs to reassure our allies over Bernier's security breach.

Security breach? Gimme a break.

I may be corrected but this "security breach" apparently happened several months or weeks ago. And believe me, Bernier is not the first minister to leave "confidential" documents lying around. (Bureaucrats classify everything because it raises the stakes to be read. Ministers get far too much paper that winds up on airline seats, hotel room beds and apparently in girlfriends' condos. Bernier is hardly the first minister guilty of a "security breach".)

I suspect rather that Harper's office and Bernier are using this old story as a way to offer/obtain Bernier's resignation and as a way to signal other ministers that Harper will back them, even their indiscretions, if they remain loyal and tight-li.pped.

Harper is a remarkably loyal guy. He stands behind his people and they know it. He'll take their heat.

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There is an old line in federal politics. The English feel that the French are sexually loose. That line brought down Pierre Sevigny, Francis Fox and has now apparently brought down Maxim Bernier.

I frankly don't think there was any harm in having a fling with Gerda Munsinger but this woman was married to a full patch Hell's Angels. IMV, sex has nothing to do with this. But I don't think that's the perception in English Canada. English Canadians are prudes and they generally object to carnal relations.

Edited May 27, 2008 by August1991

August1991 · May 27, 2008

I shoulda figured this one.

Ms. Couillard told the French-language TVA network in an interview broadcast Monday night that the documents were left at her apartment in Montreal in April. A source said the documents were a package of information and briefing notes about the NATO summit in Bucharest in April. Some were classified. Others were not and would have probably been released under the Access to Information Act if they had been requested, another source said.
Ms. Couillard's lawyer returned them to Mr. Bernier's office at the Foreign Affairs Department late Sunday night.

G&M

I haven't seen her interview but I should have figured that she would play hardball with Maxime. (Why?) She kept some stupid papers, and then gave them to her lawyer. Her lawyer has now played them as atouts in a bridge game. Why?

Harper has simply done an end run - something that he knew he would have to do anyway, and he has sent a signal to all ministers (and caucus members) that he'll stand up for them, defend them, if they are not foolish and indiscrete.

Harper's in a sweet spot.

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Bernier is doubly condemned. Not only did he go out with a biker chick - he couldn't keep her in line. Bernier's a wannabe biker.

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BubberMiley · May 27, 2008

I may be corrected but this "security breach" apparently happened several months or weeks ago. And believe me, Bernier is not the first minister to leave "confidential" documents lying around.

I too learn many informative.

But there are other CPC ministers who are leaving confidential documents lying around so they can be accessed by people who are known to associate with members of organized crime? Do tell.

Topaz · May 27, 2008

The morning new said he left documents dealing with NATO and the Afghanistan war and there may be charges against both Bernier and Julie because they were top secret and no one is suppose to see them except the minister. Who knows what going on with this government. I think Harper makes as bad as PM as Bernier does a foreign minister.

Michael Bluth · May 27, 2008

I think Harper makes as bad as PM as Bernier does a foreign minister.

Really Topaz? You don't like Stephen Harper?

I never would have guessed that from your extensive posts saying exactly the same thing. :rolleyes:

Bernier's gone. He was a f*ckup. Couillard will go back to the trailer she crawled out of. Harper learned his lesson.

This entire issue could end up being a blessing in disguise.

A re-invigorated cabinet could put the kinder, gentler face on cabinet many people feel is needed.....

Shakeyhands · May 27, 2008

The morning new said he left documents dealing with NATO and the Afghanistan war and there may be charges against both Bernier and Julie because they were top secret and no one is suppose to see them except the minister. Who knows what going on with this government.

It'll be interesting to see if Harper takes this seriously enough now to order an RCMP investigation in to this, its doubtful though, like so many things that have happened to this government, he'll wish this goes away quickly.

jdobbin · May 27, 2008

Security breach? Gimme a break.
I may be corrected but this "security breach" apparently happened several months or weeks ago. And believe me, Bernier is not the first minister to leave "confidential" documents lying around. (Bureaucrats classify everything because it raises the stakes to be read. Ministers get far too much paper that winds up on airline seats, hotel room beds and apparently in girlfriends' condos. Bernier is hardly the first minister guilty of a "security breach".)

He has reportedly left information at his girlfriend's place that involved NATO and the war.

This story is now being reported prominently on BBC, CNN and MSNBC.

I frankly don't think there was any harm in having a fling with Gerda Munsinger but this woman was married to a full patch Hell's Angels. IMV, sex has nothing to do with this. But I don't think that's the perception in English Canada. English Canadians are prudes and they generally object to carnal relations.

And this is the right wing not taking seriously how a minister was cavalier about security in the face of RCMP reports that the Hell's Angels was trying to infiltrate the government.

Security experts must be appalled by the lack of any of any concern by Harper in this matter.

Keepitsimple · May 27, 2008

Bernier's been an embarrassment. Harper had hoped he could rise to the occasion based on his family pettigree. He didn't and he's gone.

Michael Bluth · May 27, 2008

He has reportedly left information at his girlfriend's place that involved NATO and the war.
This story is now being reported prominently on BBC, CNN and MSNBC.

Prominently? No prominently was Paul Martin being called Mr. Dithers by the Economist.

To find the CNN story online, you have to go to CNN. com, then click on World. It's not prominent enough to be one of the seven 'top world stories'.

It's the second story in the Americas section half way down the page.

Yeah, real prominent....

I guess mischaracterization can stretch from poll results to the prominence of the way in which a story is being reported. :lol:

Wild Bill · May 27, 2008

I think some folks are so busy being partisan in attacking Harper that they are missing the more likely explanation, that Harper just wanted to dump Bernier!

After all, he was becoming an embarrassment. So we get the story of Bernier leaving secret documents at his girlfriend's home.

Doesn't anyone else find it interesting that SHE was the one supposedly concerned over the security aspects when she found the documents that Bernier had left? That she immediately turned them in?

It makes her look more responsible than Bernier!

This was not Bernier's only indiscretion. I think it more likely that this is a story contrived by Harper and his PMO to get rid of Bernier for the time being. Since he's from Quebec it's more of a knuckle-rapping. He'll be back after an appropriate time-out. There's some ironic justice in making the girlfriend the one who did the right thing, as compensation for her being dragged through the mud by those attacking Bernier and Harper.

Or maybe I'm just too suspicious of politics...

BubberMiley · May 27, 2008

I guess mischaracterization can stretch from poll results to the prominence of the way in which a story is being reported.

I guess when one knows the government is totally incompetent when it comes to security, one would reduce one's argument to how prominent top-of-the-page coverage of their inability to govern is.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/bub...ley/bernier.jpg

Riverwind · May 27, 2008

It makes her look more responsible than Bernier!

Responsible is not the word I would use to describe someone who provides media interviews about her relationship with a public figure.

Michael Bluth · May 27, 2008

I guess when one knows the government is totally incompetent when it comes to security, one would reduce one's argument to how prominent top-of-the-page coverage of their inability to govern is.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/bub...ley/bernier.jpg

Just refuting the mischaracterization.

It wasn't featured prominently on CNN.

Guess when one wants to histrionically overstate a minor issue they are going to use misdirection when the first falsehood is pointed out.

fellowtraveller · May 27, 2008

Prominently? No prominently was Paul Martin being called Mr. Dithers by the Economist.
To find the CNN story online, you have to go to CNN. com, then click on World. It's not prominent enough to be one of the seven 'top world stories'.

It's the second story in the Americas section half way down the page.

Yeah, real prominent....

I guess mischaracterization can stretch from poll results to the prominence of the way in which a story is being reported.

I watch BBC World News every day on the treadmill and there was no mention of this story this morning.

You're just making stuff up again.

I wonder too if Harper had just had enough of Bernier.

It is rumoured that every Minister provides a signed, undated letter of resignation the day they are appointed. Maybe Harper just decided it was time to open his desk drawer and get it out.