Harper cleared: Liberal media issues in-depth report

[Montgomery Burns]

Ethics commissioner clears Harper of conflict over Emerson party switching

OTTAWA (CP) - Ethics commissioner clears Harper of conflict over Emerson party switching.

I hope Greg doesn't give me heck for posting this entire article. Yes, that is the entire article.

[Canuck E Stan]

Ethics commissioner clears Harper of conflict over Emerson party switching

OTTAWA (CP) - Ethics commissioner clears Harper of conflict over Emerson party switching.

I hope Greg doesn't give me heck for posting this entire article. Yes, that is the entire article.

The Ethics commissioner's statement should have been made three weeks ago,BEFORE starting an "investigation". Too bad the guy can't think without making an "investigation" first, or does he get paid by the "investigation"?

[Montgomery Burns]

Although the Canadian Press is pouting and refuses to go in-depth about today's ruling, the Vancouver Sun does:

[...] 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.

Ya think he's talking about Belinda Stronach and Paul Martin?

Just askin'.

[geoffrey]

Maybe Monty... some people that really like their jobs might go the extra distance for a few more days in it if you know what I mean.

Sounds like someone's sucking up to the chief.

[na85]

I take it that Emerson won't be forced to run in a by-election?

[geoffrey]

Why would he? He was elected...

No laws or ethical codes or common sense was violated.

[Hicksey]

Why would he? He was elected...

No laws or ethical codes or common sense was violated.

Shapiro came out with a result friendly to my party, but he still flubbed on it.

When he came to the conclusion that crossing the floor for a cabinet position isn't the same as crossing for a monetory bribe, he guaranteed many more years of such chicanery and let down all Canadians as a result.

[geoffrey]

Why would he? He was elected...

No laws or ethical codes or common sense was violated.

Shapiro came out with a result friendly to my party, but he still flubbed on it.

When he came to the conclusion that crossing the floor for a cabinet position isn't the same as crossing for a monetory bribe, he guaranteed many more years of such chicanery and let down all Canadians as a result.

I'm personally ok with floor crossing so I guess we've just outlined the great schizm in the Conservative Party, one that will always be there. The populists vs. the elitists. The pseudo-Americanised and the pseudo-Britishised (made up a word).

That's the problem with the CPC and why dissent is just a failed election away. We have people like you Hicksey, that have an idealistic view that people make good choices and should have more say in govenrment (like re-calls and referedums, which from the sounds of it, would be something you suport), and people like I that really have little faith in the general ability of people's abilities to understand things that are for the most part beyond their grasp, more along the lines of the old conservative tradition, rather than the reformer populist that the conservative movement has become. All that keeps this party together is shared beliefs on things like freer markets, national defense and a less aggressive social policy.

There is two distinct views from within the party on matters of reform and populist influence, and an event like this goes to show that.

[sharkman]

Still waiting for gerryhatrick to weigh in on this bit of news with his usual love in attitude for Harper...

[Montgomery Burns]

Maybe Monty... some people that really like their jobs might go the extra distance for a few more days in it if you know what I mean.

Sounds like someone's sucking up to the chief.

Me thinks Geoffrey has a point.

[BubberMiley]

It amazes me how much the Conservative media sucks up to Harper, despite his squandering the good will of the people that he would have an ethical (except appointing Emerson), accountable (except allowing ministers to even speak) government.

[gerryhatrick]

Ethics commissioner clears Harper of conflict over Emerson party switching

OTTAWA (CP) - Ethics commissioner clears Harper of conflict over Emerson party switching.

I hope Greg doesn't give me heck for posting this entire article. Yes, that is the entire article.

It's a headline, not an article.

But, if you want to paint it as the work of a "liberal media" trying to sweep something under the carpet, go ahead. More nitwittery!

[BubberMiley]

Now, now. Monty probably just didn't realize that all those letters underneath the headlines provided further detail.

[Nocrap]

Now, now. Monty probably just didn't realize that all those letters underneath the headlines provided further detail.

I wasn't disappointed. I expect so little from government when it comes to ethics, that I've developed a rather thick skin in that department.

[geoffrey]

Well it is amusing the the CBC leading story for a couple days was "Harper will not discuss with ethnics commissioner" but I never saw "Harper gets cleared completely of any wrongdoing" right after.