RCMP Security Checks on Bernier raised no alarms

Once again the Opposition has drawn a blank in its smear campaign against the Conservative government. Former foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier had cleared both RCMP and CSIS security checks just weeks before his resignation.

Former foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier cleared a full background check by the RCMP and CSIS just weeks before the explosive allegations of missing documents led to his resignation from cabinet, the Prime Minister's national security adviser, Margaret Bloodworth, told a House of Commons committee yesterday.

But the Opposition are such sore losers. It looks like they will not be letting go of this issue anytime soon. They are now suggesting that the government should have ignored the security clearance given by the RCMP and CSIS and investigate based on allegations of Mr Bernier's connection with 'organized crime' Note, there has not been a shred of evidence produced to support these allegations. All we have had so far coming from the opposition benches is unsubstantiated gossip and useless chatter.

But opposition MPs said they were left incredulous at Ms. Bloodworth's suggestion there was no need to look into the matter further when the allegations surfaced in May, because of the positive background check in April.

"I would expect that if there was a significant concern about ministers' connection with organized crime, that would come out of a criminal or security [background] check," she explained.

The Opposition were calling for an RCMP investigation of Bernier when the issue first arose. Now they are saying that the RCMP and CSIS security clearance of Bernier was not enough. It seems that they always seem to find some way of moving the goalpost and changing the issues when things do not go their way.

Most likely nothing more than what we already know will be coming out of this HOC committee. It will just demonstrate the lack or priorities shown by Opposition MPs, who should be getting on with more prevalent issues, such as gas prices and other matters affecting our countries. But then again, why should we be surprised at this development? During the Liberal leadership debate, Opposition leader, Stephane Dion made the following statement:

Do you think it is easy to make priorities?

Stay tuned,

Tony