Just out from the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition:
Statement by the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Leader of the Opposition, on the Need for a Public Inquiry into the Mulroney-Schreiber Affair
Prime Minister Harper's decision to appoint an independent third-party to advise him on what to do next in the matter of Karlheinz Schreiber's allegations about Mr. Mulroney's involvement in the Airbus affair does not satisfy our calls for a public inquiry into the matter.
Now that Mr. Schreiber's affidavit has been made public – now that it names Prime Minister Harper himself as an alleged actor in some of the events in question – Mr. Harper seems desperate to look like he is taking action, while actually offering nothing but delay.
The affidavit leads to some troubling questions. When did Prime Minister Harper and his cabinet first become aware of Mr. Schreiber's allegations? Why was the Justice Canada investigation into this matter stopped? Do these new allegations explain why they are still so reluctant to call a public inquiry?
Most importantly, now that the Prime Minister is himself named as an actor in some of the activities alleged by Mr. Schreiber, he is saddled with at least the appearance of conflict of interest. As such, his impartiality could come under question as further decisions on how to proceed are taken.
That is why the announcement of an independent third-party advisor to the Prime Minister is insufficient. The Prime Minister must take decisive action now, and call a full judicial inquiry with all the independence and powers of the Inquiries Act, to allow others to get to the bottom of this in a transparent and accountable process.
This is the only way to ensure that he fulfills his obligation to preserve the integrity of the office of the Prime Minister.