Different takes on Limousine-gate
Re Retreat begins with another Philpott apology, Aug. 22
The message to hardworking MPs like Jane Philpott seems to be: sweat the small stuff. All of your hard work, no matter how impressive, pales in comparison to your missteps when the hounds get a whiff of your blood.
It doesn’t matter that Philpott’s apology was not conditional, like those of most politicians. She readily admitted that the limo expenses were “inappropriate” and took personal responsibility for them by committing to repayment of excessive amounts — even if she herself had not made the arrangements.
However, though she dealt with the issue in a forthright and adroit manner, it did not stop the nasty letters and columns, despite having earned nothing but rave reviews before this incident. Her performance as a new MP and health minister has made her omnipresent in her own riding, the country and abroad, so it is little wonder she requires limo service.
Many of us who have gotten to know Philpott up close in our riding have the deepest respect and admiration for her and believe she deserves some slack in view of her stellar performance.
Let’s not send the wrong message to her and other hard-working representatives, or we’ll dampen their enthusiasm for exemplary public service. Salvatore (Sal) Amenta, Stouffville Does a younger generation of Canadians not remember that English saying: Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves? There is only one source of cash for Canadian coffers. Me or you. Not that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow Philpott’s limo service thought they found. Justin Trudeau would be wise to enforce the “count those pennies rule.” Most of us have to. Rochelle Hatton, Sudbury, Ont. Could a Conservative tell me the cost of shipping Stephen Harper’s limousine by airforce plane from Canada to France and back again? Was it less than $1,700? Where was Colin Carrie then? Graham Steeves, Port Elgin, Ont. A $1,700 limo ride? It didn’t take Philpott long to become a true Liberal. Total disregard for taxpayer money. She’s a fast learner. Too bad for Canadians! Claude Gannon, Markham