Testimony at Gomery inquiry irks Boshcoff

Explosive testimony at the Gomery inquiry over the past week has caused the Liberals’ popularity to plunge—and has some MPs publicly considering crossing over to the Conservative party.
But Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Ken Boshcoff said he has no intention of leaving his party.
“It has not crossed my mind,” Boshcoff said Tuesday from Ottawa. “The extremist policies of the Conservatives are far too difficult to stomach.
“There’s no doubt they do have a hidden agenda.”
Nevertheless, the most recent testimony at the inquiry, particularly that of Jean Brault, former president of ad agency Groupaction, has been galling, Boshcoff admitted.
“If any of the allegations are true, then I am as angry as any other Canadian,” Boshcoff said. “I’m furious that such a thing could have happened. I really want to see justice done.”
A scandal like this one is particularly offensive to Canadians, he noted.
“In Canada, we have a special right to be angry. We hold our democratic rights in the highest regard,” Boshcoff remarked. “There may be some wrongdoing in all parts of our society, but in government we need a higher standard.”
The problems currently facing the Liberal party are not reserved to government.
“Many organizations have had difficulties with individuals: churches, charities, all sorts of things,” said Boshcoff.
“The ones that deal with their problems openly and honestly continue to be around because of their principles and values which do not reflect those of the very few,” he noted.
Prime Minister Paul Martin’s approach to the sponsorship scandal is a testament to the integrity of the party, Boshcoff said.
“I believe the steps that have been taken will ensure nothing like this ever happens again,” he noted. “It is the Liberal party that has laid the criminal charges against those 19 firms, not any other party.
“That pretty much tells the open side of the story.”
As for the possibility of an election before the end of the year, “I don’t think very many people want to do that,” Boshcoff said.
On Tuesday, Conservative leader Stephen Harper had suggested an election could be called before the Gomery Commission finishes its inquiry.
Boshcoff said it’s important to hear the results of the inquiry before passing judgment on the Liberal party.
“We don’t make our decision on things like this until the final verdict,” he said.
Meanwhile, Boshcoff said he continues to travel the riding, talking to constituents, “doing what I was elected to do.”
“In our riding, people know who I am, so they know I stand for integrity and an open democratic government.”
This week, Martin sent an open letter to Liberal MPs regarding the Gomery Commission.
“Like all Liberals and Canadians, I’m offended by what I’ve heard in recent testimony. If even part of it is true, it is abhorrent to us all,” Martin wrote.
“This is not the way politics should be done. Most certainly, this is not the way we do politics in the Liberal Party,” he stressed.