Mountie showed lack of leadership –

Toronto Star – Letters to the Editor

Regarding: RCMP’s apology fails to clear air
Editorial, Sept. 29.

You’re absolutely right to express amazement that no one is being held to blame for the RCMP’s actions in the Maher Arar case and no one will be brought to account. As you and others have noted, those RCMP officials immediately responsible have — at most — been given verbal taps on the hand for their distortions, smears and misleading actions, and have in fact been promoted and given medals of commendation.

Yet, what is most incomprehensible about all this is the complete failure of the commissioner to act honourably in this case. Here’s a man who knew virtually from the outset Arar’s real role, yet he did absolutely nothing to interfere with the outrageous actions of his subordinates to defame and smear Arar, claiming he didn’t have enough information. This is absolutely unacceptable. Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli showed a complete lack of leadership, ethics or integrity and the worst kind of moral cowardice in his handling of the entire Arar case. He must be fired.

Geoff Weir, Oakville