Scandals Unfolding

Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 231 (August 9, 2012) Whispering in the Wind From my perspective, scandals should be described as shameful acts that go against “acceptable” standards or any codes of conduct as identified in the area’s legal systems. Scandals are almost always viewed by the general public as offensive, if not despicable and depending on how the news media handles a specific set of circumstances; scandals usually bring disgrace and humiliation to the individuals involved. In the last few months Canada has been exposed to three so-called scandals which have received varying degrees of attention: “Bev” Oda Scandal Bev Oda lost her job as the federal government’s International Cooperation Minister because she apparently up-graded her accommodation while on a trip to England and at the time, ordered a glass of orange juice costing $16. Bev Oda was also harassed in the press for having purchased an air filter contraption for her ministerial office (she’s a smoker). In my view, Bev Oda’s resulting resignation was not warranted and the Prime Minister should have never accepted her resignation – anybody that has done any amount of international business travel will not be shocked at being over charged for something (like $16 for a glass of orange juice) – simply put, being over charged for something is not an unusual occurrence when traveling and the media totally mishandled this non-scandal. Alberta Health Services Scandal One would have to be in a coma to not have heard of the Alberta Health Services scandal involving Sheila Weatherill and Allaudin Merali. From 1996 to 2008 Sheila Weatherill was President and CEO of the Capital Health Authority and between the years 2003 and 2008 she approved something like $350,000 in expenses for a Mr. Allaudin Merali who was, at that time, Chief Financial Officer of the Edmonton authority – he was also earning over $300,000 in annual pay. Mr. Merali left the Edmonton authority in 2008 to join EHealth Ontario where he earned $2,700 per day plus expenses – he was fired in 2009 because of an expense account scandal (his) in Ontario. In 2008 the Edmonton authority was consolidated into a province wide system, Alberta Health Services. Ms. Sheila Weatherill moved to the new province wide system as a board member and it’s chief operating officer – guess what, about 4 months ago, Allaudin Merali was re-hired as Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Alberta Health Services at $425,000 per year. When all this expense account stuff was exposed by the CBC both Sheila Weatherill and Allaudin Merali resigned their positions. Premier Redford responded to the shocking revelations, stating that Mr. Merali’s actions were “entirely inappropriate.” Health Minister Fred Horne was “outraged” and “dumbfounded.” but did not indicate the possibility of legal action. The opposition parties did not hesitate with their comments and blamed Redford’s government and demanded action, including a forensic audit. For me it is a little early in the scandal to cast responsibility and the public has yet to hear from Dr. Chris Eagle, President and CEO of Alberta Health Services. One interesting point raised by Minister Horne who indicated that any contract commitment would be honored and that means a years severance pay (after only four months work) and a number of other “hidden in the contract” benefits which could end up costing the province millions. For the moment I think it is unfair to accuse politicians for faults that might have occurred in an “arms length organization.” In my view it will be up to Dr. Eagle and the board to clean up what is an obvious mess – after all there are something like 36 senior executives at Alberta Health Services (1 president; 6 executive vice-presidents; 18 senior vice-presidents and 11 vice-presidents) and that should be enough to manage the people and the $12 billion dollar budget – Dr. Eagle it up to you to offer appropriate transparency and undertake appropriate action! Manitoba’s Judicial Scandal I was challenged by an interested reader to deal with a judicial “sex” scandal unfolding in the Province of Manitoba. Lawyer Jack King and his wife, Judge Lori Douglas have been accused of sexual harassment and placing sexually explicit pictures of Judge Lori Douglas on the internet. Apparently the explicit pictures were taken between 1996 through 2003 and then placed on the internet in 2003. The pictures were also used to entice a third party (Alex Chapman) to participate in some form of group sex activity. The harassment charge comes from Mr. Chapman who apparently was given $25,000 (from Jack King) in 2003 for the return of the pictures? Judge Lori Douglas’ lawyer has already asked that the Canadian Judicial Council inquiry be folded because the judges in the inquiry are themselves biased (the inquiry is headed up by three distinguished judges from three provinces). Because another 10 witnesses have to be questioned, the inquiry has been scheduled for further hearings in the fall. To me, there are two primary issues involved in this scandal: First the harassment charges made by Alex Chapman – in my view the 2003 payoff of $25,000 to Chapman has settled the issue (Chapman initially asked for $100,000). The second issue has not been settled and it is whether Lori Douglas knew the sex photos taken of her were being posted online – and whether she lied on here application form to become a judge, when she was asked, if there was anything in her past that could or would negatively impact on the image of the judiciary in Manitoba (and elsewhere)? More to come on this one!