Conservative Senator Leo Housakos is shown in Montreal on Jan., 9, 2009.
People were lining up to defend their reputations Wednesday amid the torrent of allegations swirling around in Quebec, where a corruption inquiry has rattled the political system.
The devastating testimony heard so far has dented reputations in Montreal, in different parts of Quebec, and it has also left its mark on the federal scene.
People have begun fighting back on multiple fronts: At the federal level, the provincial level, the municipal level, a provincial agency and at the inquiry itself.
In Ottawa, Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos distanced himself from one of the people accused of wrongdoing in the testimony.
Housakos told reporters he never urged anyone in the Harper government to have Robert Abdallah appointed as the head of the Port of Montreal. He confirmed that he knew Abdallah but said he wasn’t involved in getting the Prime Minister’s Office to promote his ultimately unsuccessful candidacy.
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Can anyone see this situation moving to the federal level? I can “in time”. In point of fact I can’t see how it would not. It’s not brain surgery and the public scream will become overwhelming as this mess continues to evolve.
Think Gomery and Chretien playing with golf balls.
You can’t make this stuff up. It defies belief until you actually see it in action and so we are.
It already has moved to the federal level Jack, did the news article not establish links between the PMO, Robert Abdallah, and [Conservative] Sen. Leo Housakos?
We are only hearing allegations at this point. I think you’re correct but much more work needs to be done. Stay tuned.
Update:
Somewhere very recently a Quebec lawyer pointed out that if the federal government wants to become involved in this “brew ha” a new inquiry on the federal level will be required. Correct. But far to early to make any decisions at this time. For now it’s watch and wait.
That inquiry will come in it’s own good time but for now I suspect Harper is “chatting” with the RCMP Commissioner. And it isn’t a happy chat. I would want to know just how “dirty” my administration was and there is no need to wait for Quebec to do their thing. That investigation can begin now.
If Harper is having a chat with the RCMP Commissioner my version of what his thoughts may be are somewhat different than yours.
The tip of the iceberg. Where they’s smoke there’s fire. Whatever, these sayings all didn’t just fall out of the sky. They all came about as a rsuilt of real life experiences. I’d bet my dollars against Tim’s donuts that this sort of corruption exists coast to coast in every province. Hopefully the RCMP has launched a national investigation tasked with infiltrating these organizations across the land. If they do I’d give it 3-4 years until they have the ammo to blow the lid right off. Look at it as Quebec might very well be the hub and the rest of the country the spokes. I’d verture to say that taxpayers are more likely than not getting robbed blind at every level.
When you said “coast to coast in every province” you forgot to mention the feds – was that inadvertent or intentional?
Gimme a break, sl. What part of every level did you not understand? Feds too. No stone left unturned.
Just making sure btdt. You are, IMO, somewhat overly enthusiastic and optimistic regarding our current PM, his government, and what you believe that his intentions are.
Enthusiastic? No, I don’t think so. I’m not enthusiastic about any politician anywhere the truth be known. If I was ‘enthusiastic’ I think for example you would expect to see campaign signs on my front lawn. When hell freezes over. Optimistic? I obviously believe in the ability (or desire) of some to do what is bascially in the overall better interests (IMO) of their country over that of others. That’s it. No requirement for a degree in psychology to come to that conclusion.