Harper owes Greek Canadians apology: MP

[CHIMO]

A Liberal MP says Prime Minister Stephen Harper should apologize to Greek Canadians for suggesting in the Commons Wednesday that opposition MPs are convinced of a government scandal because those involved are Greek.

John Cannis demanded the apology after a bizarre exchange in Question Period involving Mr. Harper and Bloc Québécois MP Michel Guimond.

The Bloc was asking why Mr. Harper's deputy press secretary, Dimitri Soudas, got involved in the government's long-standing battle with the Rosdev Group two years ago. Mr. Soudas's move in the summer of 2006 came a few months after an intervention on the same matter by his friend and party fundraiser, Leo Housakos, who was named by the Harper government to the board of Via Rail last month.

“The Prime Minister cannot plead ignorance concerning what Mr. Housakos did,” Mr. Guimond said. “It was his own government that appointed him to Via Rail. In that context, can the Prime Minister tell us whether

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080130.wPMgreeks0130/BNStory/National/home

[tuvor]

1. Harper's reply was one very weird non sequitir.

“The Bloc member mentioned two people who are of Greek origin – one who was an employee here in Ottawa, another one who is a supporter of the Conservative party in Montreal. The fact that two Montreal gentlemen of Greek origin doesn't mean there's a conspiracy here.”

It begs the question, :wtf:

[daleo]

2. Misdirection, like calling Linda Keen a Liberal?

There may be more to this than anyone thinks. We are told that the attempted influence peddling didn't work, but how do we really know that? Sure, there is still a lawsuit, but only the government lawyers could say whether or not the suit has been altered in response to the Harper appointee's pleas.

[Hand]

3. Harper owes ALL Canadians an apology.

Followed by his resignation and departure for Paraguay where he can live on Chimpy's new pig farm for the rest of his vile life. :nuke: