Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Oliphant labours, and brings forth...nothing

In July -- how quickly we forget -- we were enjoying the spectacle of a former prime minister of Canada, one Martin Lian Baloney, appearing before a commission of enquiry to explain why he pocketed $225,000 in case (or $300,000 if you accept the word of the donor) for doing, by Baloney's account, virtually nothing.

The Commissioner in charge of the proceedings was Jeffrey Oliphant, Associate Chief Justice of the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench. Mr. Justice Oliphant was appointed to his position by ex-Prime Minister Mulroney's government, so of course he could be relied on to make a clear and objective judgment of the facts before him. He said he would do this in December.

December has come and gone -- how quickly we forget -- and there is no sign of any report from His Lordship. Rumour in Ottawa has it that there was not enough meat in the evidence to produce even a thin gruel.

Walt has already seen an early draft of the report; see "The Oliphant in the Room". Since that version will likely never see the light of day, Walt can now reveal the true winners of the epic battle -- the judge, the lawyers, and of course Mr. Baloney, who had a chance to present his self-serving version of the events for two days...all expenses paid by the Canadian taxpayer.

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