Crocodile tears are good theatre but do nothing to answer key questions on PNP

Paul MacNeill, publisher Eastern Graphic

Second Opinion by Paul MacNeill, publisher Eastern Graphic

The crocodile tears that flowed prior to the closing of the legislature made good theatre but did nothing to answer key questions on the abuses of the provincial nominee file.

Innovation Minister Allan Campbell read an email from Neil Stewart, a provincial bureaucrat at the heart of the controversy. He is upset with Opposition Leader Olive Crane. In particular he felt intimidated by a meeting the two had last year. Crane picked him up at his work and drove to Victoria Park in Charlottetown. She then proceeded to question him about what he knew about the nominee program.

Stewart, who is no shrinking violet, claims he was intimidated. OK. Let’s give him that. At best the meeting is odd.

But for Stewart, recently promoted to head of PEI Business Development, to come forward with a public complaint on the last day of the legislative sitting is equally odd. His stated the reason is that he is tired of Crane continuing to question his integrity.

Let’s clarify. She has not questioned his integrity. She has questioned his actions, and those of the former deputy minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning Brooke MacMillan.

Why? The auditor general outlined a litany of abuses in the management of the provincial nominee program. Rules were ignored. Rules were made up but not documented. Companies received benefit that should not have.

Neil Stewart was there.

If Neil Stewart is worried about his professional reputation he need only look in his minister’s office for someone to blame.

Allan Campbell won’t let Neil Stewart tell his side of the story.

Robert Ghiz won’t let Stewart talk about the significant issues, including political interference, in the operation of PNP.

Stewart should be allowed to appear before Public Accounts to tell under oath what happened. The Ghiz Liberals won’t let that happen. They’re terrified of public accountability. They’ve stonewalled every attempt to bring those most intimately knowledgeable about the PNP file before Public Accounts.

Neil Stewart cannot blame the opposition for that. With his email, he has done a rare thing for a career bureaucrat; he’s picked sides. He is trying to blame the opposition for the issues raised by the auditor general.

The Ghiz Liberals used Neil Stewart to spin the public. Neil Stewart allowed it to happen.

But the spin won’t work. Islanders have too many valid questions.

If Allan Campbell really cares about Neil Stewart’s reputation, let him testify. And Neil Stewart should demand the opportunity.

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