Lisa Raitt Debacle: A Product Of CPoC's Nomination Process?

Given Ms. Raitt's current predicament, it is perhaps a good time to note just how much controversy her appointment as Tory candidate for Halton originally generated. Members of the Halton Conservative riding association complained vociferously about this "star candidate" being parachuted in when at least three other association members had announced their intention to run. In fact, during the election itself a website sprang up urging disgruntled Torys to cast their vote for someone other than Ms. Raitt. At the time this might have sounded like sour grapes, but given recent developments, the words of Charles Conn, Reform Party candidate for the riding of Mississauga West back in 1993, now seem prescient:

...[i]nvestigators might possibly find it useful to also probe Toronto city councillors and mayor Miller about Ms. Raitt's tenure at THC.

(Note: THC=Toronto Harbour Commission, precurser to the TPA=Toronto Port Authority)

And, just this morning, former MP Joe Hueglin weighed in, blaming the current debacle on the CPoC's penchant for "top down governance":

Though there were several candidates who had been cleared to stand for nomination, though there were requests the Nomination Meeting be held from the EDA it was not.

Rather than this Lisa Riatt was named as candidate through application of the Conservative Party of Canada Candidate Nomination Rules and Procedures Section 8 b., APPENDIX B...

[...]

Some would consider the decision made by the hierarchs as an error based not only on current misadventures but on questions as to whether she would have passed the test to be able to stand for nomination due to questions raised concerning her conduct in the position from which she has taken a leave of absence.

I notice that the TPA scandal continues to percolate, and threatens to draw in Transport Minister John Baird. Looks like some of these Tory rebs from days gone by might have had a point about ignoring the wisdom of the CPoC grass-roots.

Prominent Tory Calls For Tory Heads To Roll Over Casey Smear

An excerpt:

I was Tory as a University Campus Club member, as supporter and member and worker and then Member of Parliament and after losing (to the usual Liberal tactics of making the electorate fear the Tories more than them and so vote for the lesser of two evils, the Grits) a Riding President, Regional Chairman and a Subject Chairman at an Ontario Federal Policy Conference.

At no time during the 40 odd years between 1960 and 1993 was there any occurrence to my knowledge or recollection that in any way, shape or form was of a nature such as the actions taken against Bill Casey - actions out of ______, you provide a rationale for I can not think of one that makes any sense from a political point of view.

There may be those receiving this who do consider the actions taken as not being unworthy of Tories and are not disturbed by the headlines.

There may be those who do not believe, as I do, it is incumbent upon the decision makers in the Conservative Party of Canada to determine who those responsible for the Black Ops without purpose were and eject them from your Party. These may well take exception to this post being sent.

We all make choices. To do otherwise than act against the 'Black Operatives' who perpetrated these misdeeds, not only going to he RCMP but blacking out and circulating their report, is to sanction their actions as being acceptable to Tories.

Joe Hueglin
Member 29th Parliament
Niagara Falls Riding.

Here's Joe's bio from wiki.