Of course, I don't believe for a moment Cheliak's departure has nothing to do with politics, as the government claims. I'm surprised though at the opposition's reaction and some media pretending that this is a trend developed only in the last few months—we all know that this is the way things are done in Ottawa.
The so-called interference can be open, subtle, gentle or brutal.
For example, do we really believe that the former privacy commissioner George Radwanski, a strong supporter of Jean Chrétien against Paul Martin, was crucified because of a few dinner receipts and an incorrect minor document that was mistakenly provided to a Parliamentary committee by members of his staff? If this is the case, I believe that many people on the Hill would now be without a job.
Radwanski's problems were of a political nature, in particular the political interference from the government on policies adopted after the dramatic events of 9/11, which were heavily and openly criticized by the commissioner. When Radwanski refused to bend under the pressure and refused to be moved in another position, he found himself politically isolated and exposed to the retaliation of new and old enemies. He was publicly humiliated, professionally and economically destroyed by the political interference and nobody lifted a finger to denounce the injustice against a person that, rightly or wrongly, decided to stand by his principles. He wasn't defended by Chretienites because of his criticism against the government, he was attacked by the Martinites who had the opportunity to get even, and he was attacked by the opposition parties eager to embarrass the Liberals.
Nobody raised the issue of political interference in Radwanski's ouster even after he was eventually acquitted in court after a lengthy RCMP inquiry, but to date, his reputation is still destroyed. He has reacted to this injustice with a very dignified silence.
Still, today, we have media and politicians acting "horrified" because the Harper government has interfered politically to defend his government.
I don't know what's worse: political interference and political hypocrisy
