I have heard it said that if you use a word 10 times it will be yours forever. But when it comes to the word accountability, I beg to differ.
Canadians have been hearing and using this word a lot recently along with other old-time favourites such as transparency, honesty and responsibility.
These words are often used by politicians to describe their own impeccable behaviour while at the same time they condemn the scandals of their dishonourable colleagues.
However, it is becoming increasingly clear that many of our elected (and non-elected) representatives don’t understand what the words really mean.
Now that our national government is under investigation by the RCMP and the public trust has been openly violated it might be a good time for a review.
To paraphrase Forrest Gump’s mom, accountability is as accountability does. Let’s have a look at what passes for privileged senatorial behaviour by some well-known Canadians.
Mike Duffy doesn’t say much these days but his residential expense claims are singing like canaries to auditors as they investigate his permanent whereabouts in the country.
His misspent funds were paid back but the Conservative hush money just made the scandal louder and even more inappropriate.
Criminal charges are pending. Mr. Duffy is being held accountable.
At the same time, Pamela Wallin’s personal travel expense scandal is just beginning to unfold and her questionable accounting is being examined by auditors as well.
The feisty, well-travelled Ms. Wallin has used her media savvy to lash back at her detractors, claiming to be the victim of a fundamentally flawed process.
Senator Wallin has clearly not been paid to keep quiet as she acts out like a toddler caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
She said it just wasn’t fair, that the rules shouldn’t apply to her.
That might be a useful response for cookie theft but really, shouldn’t we expect more from a senator who was hand-picked by the prime minister, as both Ms. Wallin and Mike Duffy were?
She has already paid back some of the money and has agreed to fork over the rest, even if it is under protest.
Her file is in the hands of the RCMP. Senator Wallin is being held accountable.
Or is she? I think this is where the meaning of accountability gets a little fuzzy.
Once a person is caught and made to pay a penalty, they do not suddenly become accountable. Accountability is not retroactive.
It seems to me that paying back fraudulent funds after you’ve been caught red-handed just confirms that you are guilty as charged.
Saying “Oops!” and promising not to do it again is meaningless. Canadians expect their politicians, both elected and appointed, to be held responsible for their actions.
However, the fact that they will have to answer for their screw-ups doesn’t mean that the Honourable Members can screw up with impunity until they get caught.
Who else is taking advantage of our precious Canadian democracy?
We shouldn’t have to worry about senators ripping off taxpayers. That’s the stuff of tabloids.
In Canada, it is said, governments defeat themselves. Political parties rise and fall on the backs of the scandals they create.
Stephen Harper rose to power on the tide of anti-Liberal sentiment following the sponsorship scandal of 2004. Remember that?
In view of recent events he may want to consult with some of those scandalized Liberals he left in his wake.
Perhaps one day Canadian voters will realize that Mr. Harper appointed those offensive senators in the first place and decide to hold him accountable, too.
What goes around comes around, Steve.
