Dear Me...

The superior political party constantly crying foul! is suddenly finding itself in an uncomfortable position. It has a predecessor Liberal Party leader and former prime minister to thank for that. It was his legislation brought into law that forbade campaign funding in excess of $1,100 that brought them to this pass. Of course, Jean Chretien never had to worry about the inconvenience of having to raise campaign funds with those restrictions, but that's another story altogether. He took the high road knowing it would not impact on him.

So here's his party in dire straits, still blundering in the wilderness, desperately attempting to re-secure their rightful place in political Canada - leading government, not simply part of the governing process. How nasty an outcome, in fact, for a party that screamed foul! at the Conservative party for what they insist were violations of the elections law through an 'in and out' process of financial manoeuvring that they themselves along with other parties resorted to in the past for advertising purchases.

But which was made a substantial issue to prove the untrustworthiness and unethicality of the Conservatives as opposed to the high standards which Liberals imposed upon themselves as righteous politicos. Now, Stephane Dion, Gerard Kennedy, Martha Hall-Findlay, Maurizio Bevilacqua, Joe Volpe and Hedy Fry are facing a sticky situation that contravenes Canada's election laws. They have all still not managed to repay the loans they drew during their election campaigns.

And although the chief electoral officer, Marc Mayrand had granted an extension to the loan repayment deadline, that extension evaporated with the incoming new year. They must now seek legal advice and hope for a judicial permission to permit them yet another extension to enable them to once again attempt to pay off their debt. Before the outstanding debts are assigned as campaign contributions under the law, which could leave them in violation of the Canada Elections Act.

Life can be so unfair. There is the little matter of shortfalls between spending and income for some. And details, details; some of the MPs admit to not quite knowing how much they still owe; so much for bookkeeping and principles. But they do attest that through hard slogging they have managed to bring their total debts down. Steadily. Without quite reaching dissolution of debt. Which is the actual requirement to haul them out of the hot water they've dipped into.

But as Ms. Hall-Findlay pointed out, "for everybody, having all this happening in minority governments, when we're having to fight elections or be prepared, in combination with the much tougher rules, has made it more difficult". Oh, dear, dear. Who, precisely is it that keeps threatening the current Conservative-led government, and champing at the bit to call another election that the electorate most definitely does not wish to engage in?

The heart bleeds.