By Michael J
Morris
David Wilks, the
Conservative MP for Kootenay-Columbia in British Columbia, a riding visited by
Mike Duffy, the senator now involved in a scandal over expense claims, says he
does not condone or tolerate any form of illegal activity whether criminal or
civil in nature.
Although Wilks does not
directly address the allegation that Duffy "double billed" his expense claims to
the Conservative Party and the Senate, while on a visit to speak to the
Kootenay-Columbia Riding Association, Robert Fife says in a comment on Twitter
and Facebook in which he posts Wilks' letter, "Tough words on Senate expense
scandal from BC Tory MP David Wilks." Duffy visited the riding on April 5, 2011
during the last federal election campaign.
Fife, the Ottawa Bureau
Chief of CTV News broke the scandal wide open when he reported that the Nigel
Wright, the chief of staff to Stephen Harper, had given Duffy, who represents
Prince Edward Island but lives in Ottawa a personal cheque for over $90,000 to
pay back housing expense claims to which he was not entitled. Wright has since
resigned.
Wilks wrote in his letter
that appeared on May 25: "Over the past week I have heard from constituents
voicing disgust and displeasure with recent events that have occurred in Ottawa,
specifically, the issues revolving around Senators Duffy, Wallin, Brazeau and
Harb.
"I can tell you
unequivocally that I am equally upset over the entire set of events. I do not
condone nor tolerate any form of illegal activity whether criminal or civil in
nature."
Wilks, a retired Royal
Canadian Mounted Police officer added: "I am frustrated by a set of legislative
rules that do not allow us to remove someone from public office for a breach of
trust. Furthermore, if a criminal act has been committed and enough evidence is
gathered then it should be brought before the courts for judgement."
After discussing
constitutional challenges, Wilks returned to the main issue.
He wrote: "There is no room
for ignorance of law or procedure when you sit at the highest level of
government. We have at our disposal countless legal authorities to give us
advice and guidance. If you choose not to accept that advice or guidance then,
in my opinion, you live with the consequences.
"Any person who holds a
public office position, either elected or appointed, should not only withstand
public scrutiny, but stand before the public to explain any
shortcomings.
"If you can do neither, you
should do the honourable thing and quit the position."
In my Cranbrook Guardian
column about "Duffygate" reaching Kootenay-Columbia riding, I wrote that I did not expect Wilks to speak
out on this matter in his own words, but as a former police officer he
knows "Not only must Justice be
done; it must also be seen to be done."
After showing some
independence from the Tory party line with public comments he made about budget
provisions with which he disagreed, Wilks backed off and supported the budget in
its entirety.
However, as Bob Fife noted,
these are "tough words" from Wilks that makes his position clear. Now it is time
for other members of the House of Commons and most especially the Senate and the
prime minister himself to heed what Wilks writes about comments from his
constituents who are voicing "disgust and displeasure" over the entire
matter.
My email is
mj.morris@live.ca
Thank you Michael for this column as a follow-up to Friday's. I'm glad you are recognizing and applauding our MP Wilks' statements about the whole Senate debacle and money dealing. He deserves our appreciation for standing up and representing our views. Wouldn't it be something if he could influence our PM to take some leadership on this issue.
ReplyDeleteI generally do not reply to "anonymous" comments but I would hope he would be able to influence the PM.
ReplyDelete