Harper announces limited Schreiber inquiry

Oh dear! We had hoped for more from David Johnston. It seems the taxpayer will once again be stuck with a bill involving Mr. Mulrony’s and Mr. Schreiber’s questionable dealings. And we doubt very much that the inquiry will produce anything on a higher level than “he said – he said”. See Diane Francis’ comments below.

(RCI) OTTAWA: HARPER GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO MULRONEY INQUIRY
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says there will be a public inquiry into business dealings of former prime minister Brian Mulroney and German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schreiber. Mr. Harper said Friday the inquiry will begin once the House of Commons ethics committee finishes its hearings into the matter. Mr. Harper said an inquiry will build on the testimony heard by the committee, which has already been told that Mr. Mulroney accepted cash-stuffed envelopes from Mr. Schreiber to lobby for a German armoured vehicle plant. Friday’s announcement came two days after Mr. Harper received a report from his special adviser on the matter, David Johnston. The University of Waterloo president was appointed by Mr. Harper two months ago to sketch out the basis of an inquiry. Mr. Johnston is recommending a limited probe–one that will not look at any potential dealings over the purchase of Airbus plane or what Mr. Harper may or may not have known about that controversy. Opposition parties want a wide-ranging probe.

PM will wait for Commons committee hearings to finish
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced he will wait for the end of House of Commons committee hearings before launching an inquiry into allegations that former prime minister Brian Mulroney acted improperly in 1993 and 1994 when he accepted cash payments from lobbyist Karlheinz Schreiber.
Mr. Harper made the announcement in a statement Friday while releasing a report by special adviser David Johnston which recommended the scope of the inquiry be limited to Mr. Mulroney’s business dealings with Mr. Schreiber. National Post

Mulroney probe wa$te
by Diane Francis
Greed, Canadian Politics, Taxes
Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed that a narrow inquiry into former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney’s cash deals with sleazebag arms dealer Karlheinz Schreiber should be staged at the end of the year. … My guess is that Dr. Johnston will conduct the inquiry, cost taxpayers millions, and it will cover old ground and whitewash the point.  [Update: she was absolutely right]