From the standpoint of a spectator enjoying the disarray of the Canadian right, it isn’t easy to outstrip a week where Conrad Black sues his fellow directors for attempting (sic) to turn him into a “loathsome laughing stock.” In fact, I figured that would be about as goofy as things could get.
The only way I could reach that conclusion was by seriously underestimating the Conservative Party. And I’m pleased to say they’ve blown the Black trial out of the water this week.
Back on Jan. 20, Grant Devine announced he wanted back into politics, and would seek the Conservative nomination in Souris-Moose Mountain.
This raised some eyebrows. On Devine’s watch, no less than 14 of his MLAs committed fraud and breach of trust (and earned criminal convictions). In 1991, he was clobbered by voters in a defeat so bad that the party ultimately decided to place itself in suspended animation until a cure could be found for Public Fury Syndrome (a.k.a. “unmitigated gall-stones”).
It took a month for the Tory/Alliance brain trust to figure this one out, but on Feb. 19, they finally decided that Sticking Hand in Fire Hurts, and told Devine to get lost.
The riding association promptly responded by voting to allow Devine to run anyway, deciding that the best way to take advantage of a Liberal corruption scandal would be to remind voters of how the pros do it.
Then the riding association executive held a meeting and fired their president for “misrepresenting” their views. A spokesperson says Devine will not, in fact, be on the ballot.
Devine’s now saying he’ll fight on, and adds “Keep your powder dry,” a sentiment no doubt shared by the local NDP riding association. They must just be salivating at the prospect: one more crack at the man who drove Saskatchewan into the ground while the more light-fingered members of his caucus made out like (actually, just like) bandits.
Still, it’s not like the whole affair hasn’t been of some public service, and I don’t just mean the entertainment value. At least it’s a healthy reminder to the Quebec-bashing likes of Joe Comuzzi that la belle province has no monopoly on graft.
