The Gomery Inquiry

There is no other way to describe this scandal but as a national shame. It is all too easy to scoff it off by assuaging this fact by concluding all politicians are corrupt and that corruption is the norm rather than the exception. Indeed, corruption is as natural to humanity as is integrity.

Corruption tends to exist in places where lack of government transparency, high concentration of power and large amounts of public capital are involved in large projects. It also feeds off a credulous public and where an 'old boys' network exists. Certainly, Canada does meet the above criteria. Canada is a country built on patronage and nepotism.

On the other hand, Canada is far from being a Middle-East kleptocracy where honesty in governance is not even a word.

Corruption is a parasitical vice that enjoys non-democratic societies where the rule of law is absent. Canada is a stable, advanced and civilized democracy with a functioning political culture. Nonetheless, it is something that needs to be curtailed. The general public, like crime, will usually tolerate acceptable levels of corruption. Left unchecked, corruption can undermine the political process as well as affect the economy. It basically is regressive though profitable for the few. The rest of society is stuck paying for it - because nothing in life comes for free.

When examining or discussing corruption it becomes apparent how subjective and elusive a vice it really is. Transparency International is an organization that aims to fight corruption on a global scale and publishes the 'Corruption Perception Index'. In this list, which is highly debated for its subjective nature, Canada ranked 12th in 2004. By comparison the United States ranked 17th.

Another report called the 'International Global Corruption Barometer' reveals that most people conducted, one global trend is clear - that people are increasingly holding political parties, transmitters of democratic ideals, accountable and are increasingly demanding that parties regain the public trust. Governments need to become more accountable and heed the wishes of their constituents.

The purpose here is not to discuss the human condition regarding corruption. The point is to remind that in the end, the Liberal Party of Canada betrayed its citizens. On the other hand, we willingly turned a blind eye to an affair that was decorated with familiar political briberies and mob ties.

They did not use private funds to create this scheme but public funds. They used our money, through high taxes, to financially better themselves and those around them. All at OUR expense. This should not be met with a shrug but outrage. $250 million wasted. Just like that. Money that could have been allocated elsewhere. Places that are in dire need of funding. Think health care, education, the military and athletics. How about the growing concern of autism where families are increasingly asking the government to help them out?

The Gomery inquiry has also let out apologists and virtuous pagans who will espouse their virtues at the expense of the scandal. Separatists will rationalize this as just yet another example of Ontario based corruption.

While the Parti Quebecois pointed out that the scandal was hatched in Ottawa, they won't say that the players were Quebecers. To listen to them sing the tune of the gentile incorruptible alouette has no merit. Quebec wrote the book on corruption. Anybody with an honest and remedial knowledge of Montreal history will acknowledge this to be a reality of affairs.

Typical political games.

Still, they should be careful trying to paint themselves as the democratic underdog and virtuous 'petit peuple'. Being within Canada gives them some cover and leverage whenever something like this happens. It's the perfect recipe for finger pointing. Leave Confederation and have real brut power where your actions are scrutinized and you'll be exposed as no different than the enemy you chose to degrade.

As for the Liberals themselves, they are doing what is all the rage these days. That is, they are playing the victim. Accountability is a precious commodity that is dwindling. The Liberals need to recognize that they annoy decent citizens when they fail to simply take full responsibility without any buts or ifs. Prime Minister Paul Martin deserves credit for calling the inquiry but he needs to go further. He needs to lead. He needs to establish trust and credibility. No doubt, this is what the Liberals will do and I fear this may just be enough to get them back into power. Power they abused and do not deserve any longer.

In a land rich in mineral deposits and ironies as well as oil patches and contradictions the Gomery inquiry does one thing: it knocks Canada off its Ivory Tower. We should use this to strengthen the values we claim to have and enforce them. Rather than smugly point out the blemishes of other nations, we should take this chance to better ours.

Canadians should stop depending on government and begin to depend on themselves a little.