Arrogance knows no bounds...
The New Brunswick Ombudsman has decided to investigate the French Second Language decision made by the current Liberal government. Here is part of what he had to say about it (emphasis mine):
I do have a broad discretion to refuse complaints where "having regard to all the circumstances of the case, further investigation is unnecessary" or in cases where I find that "upon a balance of convenience between the public interest and the person aggrieved, ... the grievance should not be investigated." Generally, when government determines a new policy direction at the cabinet level or through legislative amendment, and people object to the policy decision taken, I will not intervene. However, in exceptional cases, where serious and pressing allegations of substantial and procedural unfairness are raised with respect to a given decision, an Ombudsman investigation may be the appropriate channel, or even the only way, of addressing an issue in the public interest. In my view the numerous complaints received and the substantial concerns raised on this issue are an example of such a case.
He expects to release the report on his investigation in June. In the meantime, he has asked the government to delay their cancellation of Early French Immersion until the 2009-2010 school year, "in the interests of a fair and full investigation."
The government has refused.
The Graham government has hit a new low. Not content with refusing to consider the opinions of the general public, actual statisticians and researchers, and Liberal riding association presidents, they are ignoring the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman, Bernard Richard, is himself a prominent Liberal and a former Education Minister. Their refusal to grant his reasonable request for a year's delay while everything is sorted out is a display of arrogance I didn't think even Shawn Graham had in him.
It's a sad day for New Brunswick.
I do have a broad discretion to refuse complaints where "having regard to all the circumstances of the case, further investigation is unnecessary" or in cases where I find that "upon a balance of convenience between the public interest and the person aggrieved, ... the grievance should not be investigated." Generally, when government determines a new policy direction at the cabinet level or through legislative amendment, and people object to the policy decision taken, I will not intervene. However, in exceptional cases, where serious and pressing allegations of substantial and procedural unfairness are raised with respect to a given decision, an Ombudsman investigation may be the appropriate channel, or even the only way, of addressing an issue in the public interest. In my view the numerous complaints received and the substantial concerns raised on this issue are an example of such a case.
He expects to release the report on his investigation in June. In the meantime, he has asked the government to delay their cancellation of Early French Immersion until the 2009-2010 school year, "in the interests of a fair and full investigation."
The government has refused.
The Graham government has hit a new low. Not content with refusing to consider the opinions of the general public, actual statisticians and researchers, and Liberal riding association presidents, they are ignoring the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman, Bernard Richard, is himself a prominent Liberal and a former Education Minister. Their refusal to grant his reasonable request for a year's delay while everything is sorted out is a display of arrogance I didn't think even Shawn Graham had in him.
It's a sad day for New Brunswick.