Thursday, December 12, 2019

When Ethics are Unfair



Jane Philpott is shown Sept. 19 at the B.C. Assembly of First Nations annual meeting

Before the federal election in October I wrote about Jane Philpott who ran as an independent candidate in the riding where she had been elected previously as an Liberal. I reflected on her choice to challenge the ethics of Prime Minister Trudeau and the party over the SNC Lavalin debacle, which led to her ouster from caucus. Philpott was an effective Health Minister and moved on to Indigenous Services. Philpott is a Christian who is active in her local congregation and spent years in Africa as a physician in a faith-based hospital. 

Losing in the election was a blow to Philpott but she figured she'd found an ideal role as special health adviser to the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which comprises 49 remote communities in northwestern Ontario. Well, to her dismay and that of the communities she cannot assume that job, at least not as a paid position. 

There is an ethics rule which forbids those who were in elected positions to be in similar work for a two year "cooling off" period following the end of their terms. It sounds like the non-compete clauses in some private sector jobs, and there is merit, to a degree. Yet this circumstance is unique in that there is no real concern that Philpott would benefit financially from her role and she would provide considerable expertise and benefit to the First Nation.
Philpott sought a waiver from ethics commissioner Mario Dion to waive or shorten the period but the request was refused.

Why does our system of government seem so weighted against helping Indigenous peoples in this country receive the services and dignity they deserve? In the end this law to ensure ethical behaviour seems singularly unfair. And in case we've forgotten, there were no real consequences for the federal government regarding its unethical support for a multi-billion dollar corporation. It's a challenge not to be cynical, isn't it?

Thoughts? 


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