Pressure On Public Servants But Not On Staffers
Niagara Falls, Ontario - Thursday, January 10, 2002 - by: Joe Hueglin
ethic counsellor	Most troubling in regard to the developing Grant-Gagliano confrontation over whether or not political influence was at play in the Canada Lands Co. is the role, or lack there of, of Howard Wilson, the government's ethics counsellor.
laissez faire	Grant's statement that "Mr. Wilson said he concluded there was nothing to it after discussions with staff in Mr. Gagliano's riding office and Mr. Gagliano's chief of staff, Mr. Bard." that it was based on a misunderstanding" must be consider a laissez faire approach at best.
overeager staffer	A misunderstanding when "overeager staffers" ask that a friend be hired, an appointment be made, to be directly involved in Canada Lands deals in Quebec?
insufficient	Wilson's "Don't worry! Be happy! It's all a misunderstanding" is insufficient. Public servants ought not to have to fend off pressure from Ministerial aides.
?	If Wilson was reporting to the House of Commons, rather than the Prime Minister, Grant's concerns may have been dealt with in an efficient manner and corrected, rather than ignored and now bringing both Minister and ethics counsellor's actions into question.
----------------References:
	Insider Denounces Gagliano, Toronto Globe and Mail, by Daniel Leblanc, January 9, 2002
	Should the above reference fail, (archiving limited) click here to read story.
	Biography of Alfonso Gagliano.