Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Toews denies NDP's charge that government tried to muzzle Mountie

OTTAWA - The Opposition leader in the Senate says an alleged attempt by the RCMP to prevent a British Columbia Mountie from testifying at a committee may amount to serious interference with the Senate’s ability to carry out its responsibilities.

In a question of privilege put to the upper chamber Tuesday, Liberal Sen. James Cowan said Canadians "should not be fearful of telling the truth before us."

Senate Speaker Noel Kinsella is expected to rule on the matter Wednesday.

The controversy was sparked by claims that Cpl. Roland Beaulieu, currently on stress leave from the national police force, was discouraged from appearing before a committee Monday studying a bill that would give RCMP managers more power to deal with disciplinary issues.

The Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada, which represents many regular and civilian Mounties, says the RCMP told Beaulieu if he was well enough to go to Ottawa to testify, he should be fit enough to work.

Rob Creasser, a former RCMP officer and spokesman for the association, said the force had not previously objected to Beaulieu travelling outside his district of duty.

"They didn't seem to have problems with him going to other locations for other reasons," Creasser said. "I just find the timing suspect, let's put it that way."

Beaulieu, who is involved with the professional association, did not go to Ottawa — though another representative of the group did testify at the Senate's national security and defence committee.

During the House of Commons question period Tuesday, NDP public safety critic Randall Garrison accused the government of silencing Beaulieu.

"What is this minister afraid of?" Garrison asked. "Why is he muzzling RCMP officers who want to speak out on the reform of their organization?"

Some RCMP members and the NDP oppose the bill intended to modernize the force, saying it would give the commissioner too much unchecked power over rank-and-file officers.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said Beaulieu "indicated that he wanted to testify, and there was nothing stopping that officer from testifying."

The RCMP had no comment on the matter Tuesday.

In his remarks to colleagues, Cowan said witnesses "who wish to appear before us should not be subject to intimidation."

Cowan said he found it ironic that the senators would soon be studying another bill involving the police force, dealing with witness protection and safeguards for those who testify in courts of law.

"But what about Canadians who would like to testify before Parliament, is there to be no protection for them?"

Original Article
Source: ottawacitizen.com
Author: Jim Bronskill

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