Canadians deserve better.

Kliege · May 27, 2004

So Martin says that the central issue, the only issue in his words, will be Canadian Values.

We agree.

The only problem is that embezzlement, fraud, theft, corruption, cronyism, patronage, waste, lies and broken promises are not in Martin's "Value Vocabulary". Or in Dalton McGuinty's, a fellow Liberal.

This election is all about values, ethics, honesty and good governance. It is also perhaps the last chance that Canadians have to stop the Liberals before they completely corrupt the political process and steal the remaining money in the Treasury. Who knows, stealing from the Canada Pension Plan may be their next move.

Honesty: The cornerstone of "values" is honesty … the comfort of believing a politician when they make a promise. We demand it of our ourselves, our civil servants, our police and our courts. Why should Martin and the Liberals be allowed to lie consistently, just so that they can get re-elected?

Ethics: Is it ethical for Martin and the Liberals to say they want to "fix" health care, when the current sorry situation is a result of Martin personally cutting the federal share of funding from 50% in 1993, to 13% in 2003? Is it ethical to say, in his 2000 budget speech:

"… $1 billion will be invested in much-needed medical equipment, such as MRIs and CAT scanners and $21.1 billion will be added to the Canada Health and Social Transfer; this so that the provinces and territories can accelerate the changes necessary to ensure that Canadians receive the high quality health care they deserve; to increase the number of doctors and nurses, to shorten waiting lists, and to reduce the time spent in emergency rooms." (source: http://www.fin.gc.ca/ec2000/speeche.htm)

Needless to say, we never saw that money nor the MRIs either. But here we are in May 2004 and he's promising exactly the same thing again?

Martin also promised when he took over that the Ethics Commissioner would report directly to Parliament, rather than to the Prime Minister's office. Needless to say, Martin "forgot" this pledge.

This isn't ethical, it's downright deceptive and outright lying. So much for Martin's ethics.

Fraud: If creating false invoices, and paying Liberal-friendly advertising firms hundreds of millions of dollars for doing nothing but carry a cheque across the street isn't fraud, then we need a new definition for fraud. As for "getting to the bottom of this before an election is called", that statement was fraudulent too.

Theft: Chuck Guité and a Groupe Action executive have been charged, so there's a good start. But the Auditor-General's report on the "probity" of government payments to Canada Steamship Lines will be only tabled after the election, so there could be more to come, less if the Liberals are returned to power to be able to suppress the truth again.

Effective Whistle-Blower legislation would have enabled government corruption to come to light. But after introducing a watered-down version of what was needed, Martin and the Liberals let the proposed Bill die when he called this election.

We could go on and on, but you get the point. If you want crooks, elect Martin and his Liberal brethren.

Because at stake here is good governance … the knowledge that the books are balanced, that there's no slush funds for embezzlement to take root, that Parliament has authorized programs and expenditures, and that the proper management controls are in place and functioning.

Martin and the Liberals fail in every category. 28 Scandals, 36 on-going police investigations, Canada Steamship Lines, HRDC boondoggles, Gun Registry, Sponsorship Scandal … you name it, they've done it: embezzlement, fraud, theft, corruption, etc. It's not isolated, but systemic and continuing to this very minute.

How can we expect good government if we elect crooks to run the bank for us?

Canada could use some fresh ideas, presented to the public for consideration and discussion. Name one vision of substance articulated by Paul Martin since he became Prime Minister:

"Overcoming the Democratic Deficit"? After mouthing this fine-sounding objective, he tramples over Liberal riding associations and members to appoint his own candidates (9 times), ensuring democracy is laid waste in the Liberal Party.

"More representation from Women"? Sorry, there are fewer female candidates in this election.

"Proper representation for each voter in Parliament and the Senate?" Sorry, Alberta, BC and Ontario have been under-represented for decades in these legislative bodies. The Maritimes and Quebec are over-represented, however … wonder why that is?

No, if we want to stop these crooks in their tracks, we have to take action now. If not for us, then for our children and the new immigrants that will arrive in Canada expecting to find an honest, fair, and ethical government.

That's not the Liberals. Choose Change.

Canadians deserve better.