Faults in institutions are rarely individual. They are typically systemic.
So last week’s report to the Legislative Assembly Management Committee from Speaker Darryl Plecas may have pointed fingers at two officials on leave, clerk Craig James and sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz, but the issues run much deeper.
The report cited a culture of entitlement and partisanship at the senior levels of what ought to be an independent moral compass of a legislature, the eye in the hurricane of political polarity.
It suggests an extended reign of self-indulgence, a flouting of sensible judgment to protect the taxpayer and a cavalier attitude about even appearances of restraint. Even if most of the allegations are hyperbolic, there is a definite odour in the chamber.
But when we examine the foibles of people, we are wise to step back and examine the circumstances under which they may have engaged in malpractice. There we will find checks unchecked, balances imbalanced and a system that was never established or evolved to hold properly accountable those furnished with an independence that was bound one day to run amok.
Into this issue we must be reminded of the trait of the political class to build protective mechanisms for itself.
In this case, the province’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act is ingeniously designed for the Speaker’s operations to defy serious public purview (as are the office expenses of MLAs and the political offices of cabinet ministers). No wonder we witness occasions of outrageous conduct.
It is well and good for the Legislative Assembly Management Committee to call in an auditor to review the workplace, but it is a far better prescription for the premier to get off his duff and put some teeth into legislation that would compel more transparency, and presumably more ethical behaviour, among all those elected, appointed and privileged to serve the public.
