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PERSONAL OPINION
Political crisis

John H. Redekop

In recent months, Canadians have observed numerous instances of political scandal. In all cases, the politicians involved demonstrated a lapse of good judgment. In some cases, the situation was made worse by biased media reporting. Recall the following.

Stockwell Day, the Canadian Alliance leader, got into serious difficulty when a court found him guilty of libel. While Treasurer in the Alberta government, he wrote a letter to a newspaper criticizing a school board member, who was also a lawyer, for defending a purveyor of child pornography. The trustee was awarded $60,000 and costs. The Alberta government paid the entire tab. This development triggered widespread criticism of Day, who then apologized to the trustee. He also mortgaged his Red Deer house for $60,000 and repaid the Alberta government the amount of the actual fine. Liberal Lynn Myers, Member of Parliament for Waterloo-Wellington in Ontario, was accused by Alliance MPs of (again) calling them “racist”. He denied the charge and claimed that he had used the word “rubbish”. When Hansard (the official record of House of Commons debates) proved that he had, in fact, said “racist”, he apologized to the Alliance members. Rahim Jaffer, Alliance MP for Edmonton Strathcona, on the spur of the moment, lied about the fact that an executive assistant identified himself as the MP in a radio interview. He got caught because some radio listeners recognized the assistant’s voice. Jaffer apologized to the House and to others. He was demoted to the backbenches. Our Liberal Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, has for many months been severely criticized for apparently interfering, in unacceptable ways, in the government bureaucracy for his own financial gain. There appears to be no doubt that he lied to Parliament and the country about personally contacting the head of the Business Development Bank of Canada. At the time of this writing, the usual parliamentary activity has almost ground to a halt as this saga unfolds. Liberal Hedy Fry, Canadian Secretary of State for Multiculturalism, got herself into hot water by stating that she had received a letter from the mayor of Prince George B.C. documenting that, “as we speak”, some citizens of that city were exhibiting crass racism by burning crosses on lawns. It turned out that there was no evidence to substantiate her accusations. She did not produce the letter. Under great pressure, she apologized to the people of Prince George. At the time of this writing, opposition calls for her resignation continue. Various cases of provincial misdeeds also fill the news. In British Columbia, for example, the NDP government is accused of introducing another budget in which the figures have been fudged. The electorate awaits an imminent election.

What is the general and long-term significance of these situations – and others? Let me suggest that the fundamental significance may not be what headline-hunting reporters and editors tend to say. All citizens should, of course, be rightly concerned about unethical behaviour in the political realm and elsewhere. But we should not be too quick to criticize the entire political system or to become cynical. Christians, in particular, should be careful not to react inappropriately and unwisely. We should note the following.

First, all of the individuals mentioned above have had to deal with the public response to their actions. The media glare has been persistent. They have had to accept the consequences of their misdeeds.

Second, our free and independent media continue to serve us well. Our fundamental freedoms have not been compromised. Most of the people in this world do not enjoy such benefits, and many lose badly when their politicians get entangled in wrongful deeds.

Third, as the dust gradually settles in each of the situations described above, justice does generally prevail. Those found guilty eventually apologize and must accept whatever additional punishment the system metes out to them. In some cases, the voters pronounce the final verdict. Thus, our rulers must also live by the rule of law. In a democracy such as ours, they are governed by the laws they make. Less than a third of the world’s countries have such a political climate.

Fourth, all of us enjoy complete freedom in responding to whatever misdeeds occur in our political landscape. We can exhort, criticize and denounce. We can encourage, approve or affirm. Or we can remain aloof and silent. We need fear no retribution for any action or inaction. For these great freedoms, we are widely envied.

While unfortunate developments such as those summarized above generate much frustration, disappointment and even anger, let us not lose perspective. The embarrassments and scandals which occur almost routinely in our democracy are not surprising in a morally fallen world. Yet, our political system manages to deal rather well with the failings of our representatives and leaders. More than 30 million Canadians continue to live day after day, month after month and year after year in one of the most politically favoured countries of the world. For this, I often thank God. I do not deserve to be so privileged. Perhaps there is no fundamental political crisis.

John H. Redekop is on the faculty of Trinity Western University and is a member of Bakerview MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C.

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Last modified April 19, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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