Conservatives load up Social Security Tribunal with allies

[Joe Shlabotnik]

The Social Security Tribunal, which began work last month as the body that will hear appeals of employment insurance, Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security decisions, has hired 46 full-time members and a chairperson. The government says the tribunal will be “fair, credible, impartial and independent.”

But at least half of the tribunal’s members – who will earn as much as $124,500 a year – have ties to the Conservatives.

Six are failed Conservative candidates, one is a failed federal Progressive Conservative candidate, some have unsuccessfully run for Conservative nominations, some have been on the executive of Conservative riding associations, some have run for conservative parties at the provincial level, and others have donated to the federal party.

Explaining the douche-baggery:

“That is part of the new culture of accountability,” said Mr. Van Loan, “ensuring that the appointees who do these jobs are highly qualified, capable, experienced in the area that they are dealing with, so that they make judgments that protect the taxpayers’ interests and deal with people’s very important rights.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-load-up-social-security-tribunal-with-allies/article12160769/

Great, so when people are in dire need of fairness and compassion they can plead before bitter right wingers for mercy.

[blkmusclmachine]

1. Canada, you are in trouble.

[arikara]

2. We have been for quite some time

Harper is just escalating the destruction.

[JBoy]

3. Another predictable move by Scumbag Steve.

Love this comment on the Globe article:

What gives? harper didn't have any temporary foreign workers available to appoint to the tribunal? I'm shocked! Could have saved 15% on salaries