I had not been following the Nova Scotia massacre inquiry. On purpose. As with any unforeseen disaster, there is supposed to be an inquiry to find out what worked, what didn’t, and make suggestions to be sure it never happens again. The benefit to the victims is that it shows that everyone cares, and the best closure they can get is the assurances that something will be done, so their loved ones did not die in vain. As such, I felt that the media needed to stay out of it.
Until Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition Found a Political Angle
Once the politicians think they can make political hay with a news report, the actual inquiry is doomed.
What Caused This?
Well, basically the Liberals were looking for a publicity push for their new anti-gun legislation. This is a legitimate political activity. They went through the proper channels and asked the head of the RCMP to release the model names of the guns used in the shootings.
Which, it turned out, she could not do. She could ask, but those running the case and the inquiry had a duty to decide whether that action would affect the outcome. They said, “No.”
So, the government did not interfere with the judicial process. Case closed.
What Happened Then?
Once it got into the hands of the Conservatives and their friends in the gun lobby, it went viral. Outrage and scandal! People “feeling pressured.” Noses out of joint all over the place.
Well, show me a politician, and I’ll show you someone who always asks twice. That’s the job description. Ask, “May I do this?” and the answer is, “No.” The next question is always, “Can we find a way to do this?” and quite often the answer is, “Maybe.” And then the conversation starts. Of course, if you don’t want the question asked in the first place, then anything anyone says is “undue political pressure.”
Mind you, the Liberals brought this on themselves. They’ve already caused a scandal by asking someone in the legal system to do something and applying too much pressure when she refused.
Who Benefits?
First, the Conservatives could make the Liberals look bad.
Second, the Old Boys’ network that runs the RCMP could discredit the female political appointee that was spoiling their game. Time and again in Brenda Lecki’s testimony lately she revealed that she had been told very little about the case.
Third, the Nova Scotia RCMP could deflect the criticism that was pouring in on them for their handling of the disaster.
Fourth, the media.
Fifth, nobody else.
Who Loses?
The victims, the people of Nova Scotia, and the people of Canada. For all that, it affects the average RCMP officers as well by shaking their credibility with the public. The whole judicial process that is there to protect us has been hijacked by the politicians and the media for their own purposes.
The Bottom Line
I can’t help but notice that the whole process was bumbling along just fine until the Conservatives got wind of a political opportunity. Was there political interference? You’re darn right. Or should that be The Right?