The WE Scandal: The Scorpion, The Frog and Prime Minister Trudeau
The WE scandal marks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s third ethics investigation. Former ethics commissioner Mary Dawson recently stated that the Prime Minister appears to have a “blind spot” when it comes to conflict of interest issues. Indeed, I have had numerous constituents who are perplexed and dismayed by the PM’s ethical indiscretions and his seeming inability to learn from his mistakes.
Many simply cannot believe he has “done it again.” While I myself am at a loss to explain his actions, I believe one of Aesop’s Fables may provide us some insight. A scorpion, which cannot swim, asks a frog to carry it across a river on the frog’s back. The frog hesitates, afraid of being stung by the scorpion, but the scorpion argues that if it did that, they would both drown. The frog considers this argument sensible and agrees to transport the scorpion. Midway across the river, the scorpion stings the frog anyway, dooming them both. The dying frog asks the scorpion why it stung him despite knowing the consequence, to which the scorpion replies: “I couldn’t help it. It’s in my nature.” Like the Scorpion, perhaps a failure to recognize conflict of interest is simply hardwired into the Prime Minister.
The challenge for Canadians is that the Prime Ministers behavior is unacceptable; free vacations cannot be accepted from organizations that want millions from the Federal government, the independence of the justice system cannot be undermined by the Prime Minister, and organizations that pay family members of the Prime Minister hundreds of thousands of dollars cannot receive a sole sourced 900 million dollar contract. The Prime Minister has demonstrated that he is either unwilling or unable to reform. Canadians deserve better. In the last election, Canadians offered the Prime Minister a chance to reform when they voted for him, albeit with a small minority government. Many Canadians were hoping for a return to “Sunny Ways”, however it looks like that is simply not in his nature.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
