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But the hatchet job unleashed on the former leader was an unconscionable personal attack on Scheer and his family. Worse, it was friendly fire from within the CPC, organized in part by people who would benefit from a leadership contest.
MacKay’s comments were a part of that unseemly and undeserved attack. Political life is full of “experts” who will tell you that leaders must be ruthless. Those dim lights are always wrong, but they always find an audience.
The voices that call for honour, dignity and at least a measure of nuance are quieter, but the wise heed their call.
Of course, politics isn’t the only arena where grace seems a distant memory.
Teaching was once a profession for people with extraordinary gifts of empathy, caring and selflessness.But that was long ago.
Twenty-five years ago, a former education minister told me I was well suited for the job because I didn’t have children in the school system. In my naivety as a new minister, I didn’t know she was referring to the teacher union tactic of picking on the children of politicians – or any parent that dares to take on the union.
Apparently, things haven’t improved much.
This week University of Ottawa professor Tracy Vaillancourt said that teacher attacks on social media aimed at Education Minister Stephen Lecce amounted to cyberbullying, hardly the kindness one might expect from teachers.
I’m sure Lecce isn’t fussed about this. Some things just go with the job.
