We’re just days away from the Elections Act trial that will deal with allegations that Ontario Liberal Party organizers offered a bribe to a candidate in a Sudbury byelection to step down so that their preferred candidate could “win” the nomination.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the governing Liberals with a provincial election less than a year away, but they may not be the only ones who could wear the stench of political manipulation, when all is said and done.
Patrick Brown‘s Progressive Conservatives are facing similar pushback from members of their own party about how they allegedly manipulated the nomination process in a couple of ridings to ensure that their preferred candidate got the nomination.
The trial is sure to expose the dark underbelly of politics, namely that this kind of interference in the political process happens all too often.
Riding associations and sometimes even party leaders have been known to have their favourite candidates and will sometimes tip the scales to influence the outcome.
Is it unethical or illegal?
I suppose the trial will give us that answer.
But, whatever the outcome, will it put an end to the covert, backroom political deals?
I think we all know the answer to that, don’t we?
Bill Kelly is the host of Bill Kelly Show on AM 900 CHML and a commentator for Global News.