“New scandal hits
Senate.
Brazeau ejected from
caucus after arrest; Harper faces more headaches over upper house as reform
stalls.”
So read the headline published in the GLOBE AND MAIL, dated
Feb. 8th, 2013 and written Bill Curry, Daniel Leblanc, and Steven
Chase.
As you may know, with the current Senate format, it is the
Prime Minister who appoints members for their respective role on Canadian
governance and, for all appointed, on a path to easy money and ultimate retirement. One
would assume; appointments are based on recommendations and rhetoric. In the
above noted case, one could surmise too, Harper needed an “Aboriginal” in his
caucus to be seen as a Prime Minister sensitive to aboriginal issues but also a
Prime Minister who likely needed an Aboriginal who advocated PC views…enter Patrick Brazeau.
For Harper, Brazeau is young and is a non-status Indian and
therefore does not fall under the Indian Act and furthermore, in the past,
Brazeau has been negative and critical on the on-going challenge of the
relationship of status Indians under the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and
the federal government. So, how has Brazeau performed and conformed so far?
“ I am deeply appalled…and feel let down,” said the Prime
Minister today (February 9th, 2013).
Subsequent to a 911 call, the RCMP responded and went to Senator Brazeau’s
house in Gatineau, QC and did apprehend him overnight pending investigation
with possibly pressing criminal charges. Today, the RCMP has charged him with
assault and sexual assault.
So, what is the Prime Minister to do now?
“I think it is known that in light of the serious events
that have been reported today (February 9, 2013), I have removed Senator
Brazeau from the Conservative caucus.”
Senator Brazeau now sits as an Independent and is on leave
with full pay. Unless Harper reforms the Senate as he had promised as an
election platform, Senator Brazeau could retire comfortably, thanks to future
earnings of $7 million dollars to the end of his term…not bad for a likely
criminal facing serious allegations.
In the big picture, it is the Prime Minister who should be
held accountable but with a majority government…who cares?
