As the PNP scandal fades from front-of-mind status (at least until April), I know many thoughtful people who are sincerely concerned about the liability that has been created when the greedy rushed to the trough occurred and which allowed certain happy recipients to get their fair share of the financial goodies. For those of you who may have forgotten, the PNP scandal was a scheme which allowed wealthy immigrants to buy a Canadian passport – for a sufficient sum of money they would be ‘fast tracked’ through the immigration process – allowing them to buy a Canadian passport within 18 months. The program was managed by the Province and the very large sums of money was used to invest in eligible businesses. Many allege that corruption and cronyism ran rampant and only the political friends of the government of the day enjoyed the largess of the scheme.
Interestingly, I am personally aware of situations where, when well managed, the program was a positive influence in our little world. (As to the seemliness of selling our passports – that is another question.) Where things seem to have gone astray is when the government approved investments which (allegedly) were in violation of the guidelines and rushed to take advantage of a program when they were specifically told by the Federal overlords not to do so. The rightness or wrongness of the morals of such a scheme or the alleged corruption and cronyism accusations are best answered by others.
…and so questions pertaining to the remaining liability to the Province (you and I) have been asked. The question was raised as to if it is the $450,000,000 (that is million). The response was “that is just the tip of the iceberg”. Furthermore, it is not just Asian immigrants who are demanding their money back (which I had assumed), it is also wealthy Americans, Europeans and Syrians. I am told that legal jousting has already commenced and that no provision is being made for this potentially disastrous and financially destructive liability.
Our tiny and insignificant little world is already bankrupt. Will be become more broke? Can one become more broke? Will we return to the good old days when a few feudal families ran the province to their advantage, leaving the rest of the population to struggle or leave. Will our tourism attraction become a place for people to come because they can’t afford to go somewhere else nice?
Does anyone really care?
I suppose with the crash and burn of St. Barack and the inevitable financial ruin of the US it is easy to just assume we are screwed anyway. Relax – be happy! …or should we be concerned?
The government of the day has so many leaks that they need industrial strength Flomax.
03 Feb 2010 at 08:46 pm | #
Sort of makes you wonder which lawyers are getting rich advising the province during the “jousting”.
The same ones who drove the fiasco in the first place?
No doubt our transparent and accountable government will be glad to tell us.
04 Feb 2010 at 02:09 am | #
Robert Ghiz and his advisors have planned his political career around being the second coming of Alex Campbell.
All Mr. Ghiz had to do when this whole scandal (and it is a scandal) broke was come clean. Plead ignorance and make things right. Imagine the credibility he would have gained? Put Brooke in his place. Put Neil in his place, and put Dow in his place. Not to mention the MLA’s that took part.
Now, Ms. Crane, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, whom many Tory’s speak of as the perfect mix of slightly experienced politician, yet fresh enough to have new ideas, gets to take full advantage of gov’t miscalculations on this issue.
I remember when Crane was non stop on agricultural issues in 2007-2008. I remember an inner circle liberal telling me, “Crane is wrong, all polls show agriculture is a non-issue in PEI”.
Can you imagine a Premier’s office dismissing agriculture in PEI?
Don’t discount rural PEI Mr. Premier, and for certain do not think that PNP is still on the minds of every Tim’s coffee drinker.