International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda admitted Monday that she is responsible for modifying a memo that had originally recommended funding for an aid group.
Early Oda said she did not know who wrote the word "not" on the memo. In December 2010 when she was asked by the Commons foreign affairs committee who wrote the word “not” on the document and she replied, “I do not know.”
During her appearance before the committee and under persistent questioning about where the modification to the memo originated, Oda did not inform the MPs that she was the one responsible for it.
Oda may have been literally right -- she may not know who actually wrote the word -- but she knew at whose direction the word was written. Interestingly, Margaret Biggs, who signed off on the positive recommendation for KAIROS before it was sent to Oda for approval and subsequently changed was asked by Liberal MP John McKay if the word “not” was on the document when she signed it and Oda interrupted before Biggs was allowed to answer that the word was absent. That interruption is suggestive.
Oda, who was rebuked last week by the Speaker of the House of Commons over the matter, made a statement in Parliament “to set the record straight” and clear up any misunderstanding.
This mess might remind some of former Prime Minister Mulroney's careful language when being asked about the Airbus affair -- literally correct yes but, some might suggest, intended to misdirect.
6 comments:
Was it even literally correct, I wonder? Seem to recall hearing her say she *did not know* who actually, literally wrote the word - yet even that seems unlikely.
It probably was literally, narrowly true, given the 'proud of herself for getting away with a true answer to a sloppy question' tone.
But at least now the Opposition knows which types of new candidates they need to field for the next elections: criminal prosecutors & attorneys, who know how to question people effectively to, er, depose them.
Foreign Affairs Committee, Dec. 9, 15:50 :
Mr. Jean Dorion, BQ:
Ms. Biggs, was the word “not” handwritten on the form that you signed on September 28, two months before the minister signed it?
Ms. Margaret Biggs (President, Canadian International Development Agency):
No, it wasn't, sir.
Mr. Jean Dorion:
So then, when you signed the form, you were in fact giving your approval. You were recommending approval, since the form states:
“Recommendation: That you sign below to indicate you approve a contribution of $7,098,756 over four years for the above program.”
So then, on September 28, you were recommending that the minister approve the project.
Ms. Margaret Biggs:
Yes, I think as the minister said, the agency did recommend the project to the minister. She has indicated that. But it was her decision, after due consideration, to not accept the department's advice.
This is quite normal, and I certainly was aware of her decision. The inclusion of the word “not” is just a simple reflection of what her decision was, and she has been clear. So that's quite normal.
I think we have changed the format for these memos so the minister has a much clearer place to put where she doesn't want to accept the advice, which is her prerogative.
Pretty anateurish question.
*Never* ask "who did it?" *Alsways* ask "who was responsible?"
The person asking the question should have known better.
As for Oda, there's a special place of contempt for such misrepresentations.
Yup
incredible!
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