Don’t wait for the end of the Charbonneau inquiry
Re: “Mayor’s party lays out proposals” (Gazette, Oct. 22)
The Charbonneau Commission has exposed a lot of sensational testimony worthy of a made-in-Quebec movie called Guilty by Association, and its sequel Where’s the Proof ? Innuendo and hearsay have been tarnishing the reputations of good politicians for years; today they serve to provide immunity from prosecution for those testifying and should be discounted.
Stop the political bashing. Focus on closing the many loopholes that nourish collusion and corruption. This requires provincial law and municipal checks and balances.
I welcome the city’s recent proposals submitted to Quebec, because it is imperative essential contracts put on hold are awarded before the spring thaw. This includes reducing party donations, public financing for candidates and tightening Bill 35 to exclude companies convicted of fraud, and their associates, from bidding on contracts. I encourage Richard Bergeron and Louise Harel to do the same.
I request the PQ, Liberals and CAQ discuss without delay all issues that affect the awarding and approval of contracts; whatever they agree on should be voted into law. We cannot wait until the commission and its recommendations or the police investigations and resulting prosecutions are complete.
Michael Shafter
Montreal