The subject for today's Blog is a no brainer given that tomorrow at 10 a.m. the verdict comes down on whether our Mayor is guilty of influence peddling and conspiring to adversely influence the outcome of an Election. Not exactly the wording from the Criminal Code but in essence this describes the two charges against Mayor O'Brien.
A little history.
Shortly after he was elected Mayor 3 years ago, the above charges were laid against O'Brien. The complaint came from one of the Mayor's competitor's for the Mayor's Chair - a light weight by the name of Kilrea. Kilrea and O'Brien represented the right wing of the spectrum so the two met where it was alleged that O'Brien offered the former a spot on the National Parole Board if he would drop out of the race and leave O'Brien to collect all the right of centre votes. Interestingly enough, when questioned about this in Court - Kilrea denied that such a deal was even offered to him by O'Brien.
Also of interest is the fact the Union representing the City Workers pressed for the charges to be laid as well as the fact that the first Prosecutor asked to prosecute the case turned it down saying there was no case to prosecute.
Enter Liberal Queen's Park to press for prosecution which then eventually leads to tomorrow's expected verdict.
I voted for O'Brien, but am not a fan of his so my comments are not at all biased in his favour. He campaigned on a "zero tax increases" and then promptly voted along with his left wing leaning Council to have them increased. Be that as it may, he did not deserve - but more importantly, his voters did not deserve having these charges laid.
I have been involved in politics since I was 11 or 12 years old. Even then I think I knew that if a politician was doing his job, he would enter into such arrangements, as are being alleged.. It comes under the heading of 'Just Doing His Job'. Indeed, countless policitians have done just that on many, many occasions, one of the more recent being Harper's offer to a Liberal MP from BC to become his Industry Minister.
In his particular case, O'Brien denies having made such a promise to Kilrea and, as mentioned, by Kilrea's own testimony he supports O'Brien's position.
Most with an IQ of over 100, with even minimal interest in Ottawa City politics, expect a not guilty verdict tomorrow. But regardless, the damage has been done and what might otherwise have occurred on the municipal scene - as voted for by Ottawa's citizens, has been lost forever.
The only winners here are the City Union and Queen's Park.
I heard someone call in to a radio talk show to say that 'yes, charges should have been laid: against all of those who insisted that O'Brien be charged."
Amen to that.
"Galagher"
