Thank You, Farewell

"Under Bev's guidance, Canada has led a significant initiative to save the lives of mothers, children and newborns in the developing world.  Through Bev's leadership, Canada has also met, ahead of schedule, its commitment to double aid to Africa.  This is a record of which to be proud."  Prime Minister Stephen Harper

To his credit, Mr. Harper did not succumb to publicly admonishing International Co-Operation Minister Bev Oda.  Neutral observers have lauded her administration of CIDA, insisting that under her initiatives the Canadian International Development Agency has gone forward in serving the international community. 

The public backlash when it was revealed that Minister Oda had been less than guarded in her personal use of public funds created an embarrassment for herself and for the Conservative government.

Her seeming penchant for upgrading her accommodation on foreign trips and her use of expensive limousine service revealed her as an individual who seeks personal comfort at taxpayer expense.  That was unfortunate. 

She appears to have served her portfolio very well, as a long-term minister who, though implicated in a few hiccoughs appeared to have otherwise made good administrative decisions. 

Canadians are very touchy when it comes to high-ranking politicians appearing to be extravagant with public funds.  And the news media seems to be engrossed particularly in finding instances wherever they can dig them up that cast a light of condemnatory suspicion on Conservative lawmakers, hoping to expose their purported ill-doing and finding a reaction within their readership. 

From the number of letters to the editor, it seems they reached their goal with this minister.

Minister Oda obviously felt it in her best interests at this time to hand in her resignation to the Prime Minister.  Her decision and her reason for arriving at it remain private.  She has served her constituents well, those who cast their vote for her, in her riding. 

And she has served Canadians well.  Her selection to the Harper Cabinet was a good one, for she gave every appearance of being able to handle her portfolio well, and in fact, did so.

It is a pity that she is resigning within an aura of public disgrace, for she obviously as a hard-working and capable minister deserves gratitude for her efforts, and not repudiation.