Commentary
The crisis of trust across Western societies has to be familiar by now. Faith in established institutions from government to mainstream media has plummeted, fuelling a populist surge. So whatever you think of its justification, you grasp that it must be taken seriously, right? Which brings me to the Hogue inquiry … and straight on by.
None dare call it treason. But while parliamentarians don’t get much respect these days they are, I repeat, the only people in the entire vast state apparatus we the citizens choose. And some are apparently not on our side.
Related Stories
Egad. If false, it had to be refuted convincingly. But if true, it had to be validated with names, dates, and places. Yet neither was done.
The Establishment, oblivious to the deepening crisis of trust, brushed it aside. Who among us doesn’t take lavish trips funded by foreign states, privately advise their consulates about manipulating our government, and regard Canada as a settler-colonial state?
So the PM had to call the Hogue Commission inquiry anyway. Which after nearly 18 months said at enormous length nothing to see here folks. Elections were interfered with, mistakes were made, influence was had. But it’s all better now and no, you can’t know who they were or what they did.
That alleged “Report Summary” is 123 pages long, not exactly rushing to the point. A summary is a page or two saying “Here’s who they were and what they did.” Instead, the report’s meandering “Word from the Commissioner” includes: “The measures implemented over the past two years, along with several statements made on the matter, suggest that the government is now prioritizing the fight against foreign interference. This must continue.”
We can’t know how or why, of course. Or who they were or what they did. Instead, we should believe “several statements” by politicians about their own excellence.
Worse, Hogue blames us for impudently wanting more: “On the one hand, trust in Canada’s democratic institutions has been shaken, and it is imperative to restore it. This can only be achieved through greater transparency. On the other hand, while the government has the primary responsibility for ensuring national security and protecting our democratic institutions, what I have read and heard convinces me that society as a whole must help defend these institutions.”
Trussssst us, they say. And wonder why we don’t.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Please rewrite this sentence.
Source link
