January 6, 2011 Hamilton Spectator
Re: Harper's mini-shuffle targets T.O.; Fantino, Kent join big-city election push (Jan. 5)
What a sorry day it is in the lives of Canadians when a person such as Julian Fantino gets to destroy a respected police force’s credibility and the security of a small town, only to be rewarded by being elected as a Tory MP for Vaughan.
Then only one month later, not having earned his pay yet, he gets picked for a seat in cabinet as minister of state of seniors, while many other qualified members are passed over. It can only be hoped he gives seniors a better deal than he gave the OPP and the folks of Caledonia.
It was my understanding of the political system that MPs spend a few years learning about the processes in government before being appointed to cabinet. This would enable them to better serve the group he/she is to represent.
Are our elected officials so desperate that they overlook the good of the citizens and country? This just highlights the sad state of affairs in our once respectable government.
What next for Fantino? Maybe run for prime minister!
Diana Martin, Hamilton