Return of the Head tax?

While the Gomery inquiry tries to decide whether a publication ban is an effective tool in our wired universe, another possible scandal flies slightly below the Parliamentary radar. And this one much to the relief of PM the PM revolves around a Conservative MP and some possibly questionable requests of his constituents.

Stephen Harper was busy putting out a small fire prior to his trip with PM the PM to Rome for the Popes funeral. Harper was busy denying that Conservative MP Gurmant Grewal had requested that a constituent put up 50,000 dollars in guarantees, to help arrange for temporary visas for family and friends.

And in fact Grewal himself issued a statement late in the day Wednesday, that he had not solicited any money, nor had he cashed any Chicago. Grewal was responding to the suggestion by Immigration Minister Joe Volpe that the ethics commissioner might required on this file. Grewal went on to recommend to the Minister that he had best be careful with his suggestions, lest lawyers be required to sort out the whole sordid mess.

Grewal in the past has floated a trial balloon about having Canadians post a bond when they have high risk visitors that are being considered for admittance to Canada. There is a bit of confusion on the Hill at the moment, as to whether Mr. Grewal has been field testing out his theories on various constituents who approach him for assistance.

One thing is certain in the super charged atmosphere that seems to be Ottawa these days, any chance to deflect the heat from the Liberal advertising scandal will be jumped upon without delay. Mr. Harper and his fellow caucus members had best consider that old adage about those living in glass houses, not tossing stones.

With the Liberals on the run over Gomery, they'll be digging deep into the Conservative bench to try and balance the current ethical difficulties that they are suffering courtesy of Gomery.