Put PM in penalty box

Re: Trudeau and SNC not up for debate, Michael Higgins, Sept. 13

There has been much discussion and debate about SNC-Lavalin’s pursuit of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement and the entanglement of the prime minister and his courtiers accused of political interference in the justice system. Just how serious a breach this whole misadventure represents and the consequences of it should form an important part of the electorate’s deliberations in this fall’s election.

Without being certain of all the intricacies, this whole fiasco reminds me of a game of hockey in which there are rules of the game. At times, these rules get infringed upon, wittingly or not. And if caught, you go to the penalty box for a time.

I believe the same thing should happen in politics. Historically, John A. Macdonald, our first prime minister, reluctantly set the example. When his party was caught out in the Pacific (railway) Scandal, which evolved with his efforts to build a national railway to bind the country together coast-to-coast, he was forced to resign and “sent to the ‘penalty box’ for four years” (1873-78). However, he did recover his reputation subsequently, sufficient to enable him to win back the prime minister’s office from 1878 to 91.

However, the fact that he and his government were caught and had to pay a price (penalty) is important, I believe — to help hold democratic governments in check. In other words, they must pay a penalty for their unethical (perhaps illegal behaviour) for if they do not, such will invite even greater misbehaviour going forward and crony capitalism (always at play) will move to a higher order of misadventure.

So, whether you like our prime minister or not is beside the point. He got caught in an “offside play” and, perhaps, needs to be sent to the penalty box; that is, if we do not want to invite even more egregious behaviour by succeeding political leaders and governments.

Ultimately, the electorate will decide.

Paul Daigle, Moncton, N.B.