Prime Minister Stephen Harper was slammed with cries of “shame!” from Liberal MPs during question period yesterday, after a question regarding controversial anti-terrorism measures morphed into a smear campaign against Liberal MP Navdeep Singh Bains.
The incident took place when Harper, responding to a question from Liberal Leader, Stephane Dion, about the fairness of judicial appointments, tried to read from a newspaper article linking Bains’ father-in-law to the ongoing Air India investigation. He began reading, “…given what I’m reading in the Vancouver Sun today when I read this is how the Liberal party makes decisions. The Vancouver Sun has learned that the father-in-law of the member of Parliament from Mississauga-Brampton South…” He was then forced to stop reading, interrupted by shouts from the last two rows of Liberal benches. House Speaker, Peter Miliken, was ignored when he tried to end the chants. He eventually chose to end the Liberal’s questioning prematurely and move on.
The Vancouver Sun story reported that Bain’s father-in-law, Darshan Singh Saini, is on a list of potential witnesses to be interviewed by the RCMP regarding the Air India investigation. They hope to use the investigative hearing provision of the Anti-Terrorism Act to compel the witnesses to speak. However, the provision expires on March 1, unless extended by a Parliamentary vote. Dion has decided that the Liberals will not be supporting the extension, a move Harper says is designed to protect one of their own.
Despite being shouted down (a move I support on an emotional level but regard as foolish in a political setting), it’s clear Harper intended to make an allegation that Dion has changed his position on the sunset provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act not on principle or analysis, but because of influence from those within the Indo-Canadian community — which gave him significant support in the leadership race. Of course, it bears noting that Saini appears to be nothing more than a material witness and has never been charged with interfering with the Air India investigation or anything of a similar nature. Dion has publicly stated that one reason he does not support the hearings is because of the damage they can inflict on witnesses, perfectly evidenced by today’s proceedings. Hey, Vancouver Sun, aren’t those hearings supposed to be confidential?
It was, quite frankly, nothing more than a low blow and was entirely without class. My personal feelings toward the Conservative party aside, I feel ashamed to have such a man hold the office of the Prime Minister. I understand that politics can be a dirty game sometimes, but dragging an MP’s family members into the fray, and certainly without due reason, is below contempt.
Harper is a chameleon of sorts, fashioning himself as a moderate conservative while simultaneously sinking to any low to gain political advantage. Three years ago, he accused Paul Martin of supporting child pornography. How low can he go? I seem to recall learning in my high school civics class that Canada is a democratic country, where slanderous allegations cannot be simply thrown about at will. Harper would do well to keep that principle in mind. Innocent until proven guilty, Stephen, innocent until proven guilty.
Ethics aside, it was a politically-foolish move to make. Like CalgaryGrit, I have to wonder why Harper would step up to the plate himself, rather than giving another MP the job. Harper has repeatedly told the media that he is far from anxious to force another election. You wouldn’t know it, though, considering some of the tactics employed by the Conservatives in recent weeks. Attack ads, massive spending announcements, smearing Liberal MPs and their family members? Sounds like an election to me, guys.
When an election is finally called (a real one, not just posturing), I hope the video of Harper’s comments is played for each and every one of the minorities he hopes to court for votes. Particularly here in the 905.
I may not like Harper, but I thought he was smarter than this.