Paul Berton, Edmonton Sun
Unethical practices. Nepotism. Unjustified spending. Charges of corruption. Accusations of a coverup attempt. And finally, this week, the appalling spectacle of former RCMP officers contradicting each other and accusations of lies.
So this is the sad face of our vaunted Royal Canadian Mounted Police?
Former commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli’s appearance this week in front of the House of Commons public accounts committee was yet another low point for the force.
He came to face his accusers, former officers who have told the committee corruption was widespread under Zaccardelli and that he resisted attempts to investigate financial irregularities in the RCMP’s pension and insurance funds.
Four months ago, he quit as commissioner after he gave contradictory testimony to another House committee about his knowledge of the Maher Arar affair.
This week’s testimony, during which Zaccardelli insisted there was no coverup and that he never punished whistleblowers by transferring them to different jobs, was marked by audible gasps of incredulity from officers in the committee room.
And at least one charged him with not coming clean. “He’s telling lies,” said Ron Lewis, a former RCMP officer. “I’m sick of him, and he’s doing it under oath.”
Not exactly the kind of thing to inspire confidence among a public still smarting from the revelations of the Arar case.
“One of them is lying here,” said MP David Christopherson.
Who is it? What are we to make of it all? How are we to sort out the contradictions?
In June, a report is expected from a special investigator, but given the complexity of the case and the scope of the contradictions, that may not be enough. After all, several internal and external audits have reported improprieties, and Zaccardelli has admitted as much.
What is needed is a full-scale judicial commission of inquiry, which is the motion adopted by the committee this week.
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day should take it seriously. Despite the committee meetings, one criminal investigation, and two audits, no charges have been laid, and the public is still in a state of confusion. It’s time to clear the air.
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