Biker Mamas and Cabinet Ministers

As I've told you, politics of great interest to me.  With that in mind, this news about Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier is quite intriguing.  If you aren't aware of the situation I'll give you the Coles Notes: Mr. Bernier is under harsh criticism because he previously dated a woman who has been romantically linked to at least two known biker gang members.  The woman in question, Julie Coulliard was engaged to marry a member of the Hell's Angels ten years ago.  More recently, Mlle. Coulliard accompanied Mr. Bernier to a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

This situation raises the rather touchy subject of whether or not a public official's personal business is of concern to the general public.  I think the initial response would be "no," but upon closer inspection my answer might be different, given that this should have been dealt with on an earlier occasion.

My involvement in politics is peripheral at best, but I do know a thing or two and I will share my thoughts.  When one decides to seek public office under a party banner, it is incumbent upon the riding association and the federal HQ to ask all of the relevant and pertinent questions in order to get all of the necessary information from the potential candidate.  One of the first questions is usually this:  "Is there anything in your past that might tarnish your reputation or that of the party?" I'm paraphrasing, but you get the picture.  I can recall in a recent federal election campaign, a local nominee was almost dismissed because a background check revealed that he had missed a single child-support payment.  He was asked to provide proper documentation that the matter was taken care of and was allowed to proceed with the nomination, only to lose to another candidate.  The Conservative Party, in particular, prides itself on its ability to vet its members and candidates in order to keep them on message.  If that is the case, than why was this not taken care of before the opposition got hold of the information? 

Yes, let's be honest, the Liberal and NDP parties are using this information purely for political gain.  But, one has to wonder if it is a matter of public security when a minister of the crown allows an individual who is currently or previously associated with organized crime in to the corridors of power.  We would be silly to say that this is only about "pillow talk" and blindly dismiss the bigger issues.

I, for one, could care less about a minister's private life, but I say that on the premise that those in their personal life have not knowingly associated with gang members. The issue at hand is this:  The Proper apparatus should have been in place in order that Mr. Bernier could have been given the opportunity to renounce his association with this woman before it got this far.