Alan Rock, Industry Minister and fading Liberal star, is in trouble these days, accused of offering financial aid to the Irving empire despite being warned off the case by the Ethics Counsellor. It seems that Mr Rock had availed himself of Irving hospitality by flying on an Irving jet to an Irving salmon lodge.
Two things are noteworthy here, whether one believes that Mr Rock was unduly influenced in the discharge of his duties by this gift or not:
(1) Cabinet ministers never seem to wonder why large corporations are eager to fly them on private holidays. Here's a hint, Alan: it's not because of your warm personality.
(2) Large corporations seem to think that the affectionate regard of Canadian cabinet ministers can be had relatively cheaply. In other climes it would take a handful of diamonds or a Mercedes SUV to win the heart of a high-ranking official. Our national politicians should loook at the hefty bribes allegedly paid to bureaucrats connected with a Manitoba native health-care facility and up their prices accordingly.
Posted by Dexter at October 19, 2003 01:51 PM