It’s been a very long time coming but Justice John Gomery finally released his first report on the Canadian Liberal government’s sponsorship scandal* (aka “AdScam”) today.
His report (text) places the blame squarely on former Prime Minister Jean Chretien and his key staff members and exonerates the current PM, Paul Martin, who was Chretien’s finance minister.
During the last election, Martin campaigned with a promise to investigate the corruption and to clean up the mess in Ottawa. The scandal’s effects rippled throughout Canada and the Liberals were reduced to a minority government situation as a result. It’s been one huge battle in the House of Commons since then for the Liberals as they’ve had to compromise in order to move their agenda forward.
Justice Gomery’s role in the investigation was to provide recommendations based on his fact-finding mission but, since he acted solely as a commissioner, he is not able to bring criminal charges. Some involved in the scandal have already faced charges in the courts as a result of RCMP investigations.
Gomery will release the second part of his report in February, 2006 at which time PM Paul Martin is expected to call an election as he had promised earlier this year but there are rumblings today that the opposition parties will pressure the government to call one as soon as possible instead.
Early opposition reaction to the Gomery Report, which was just released this morning, has been predictable. Despite the fact that the justice found Martin free of blame, he is being attacked from all sides.
Anyone interested in watching the debate in the House today can tune into Question Period at 2pm ET as the fireworks hit the floor.
* see link for background
The Globe and Mail has extensive coverage.
