This Is Getting Stinky

It's one thing to "tell a little white lie", it's quite another to lie outright and then recant later.

With RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli changing his story with regards to the status of Maher Arar (and when he knew anything) in public testimony, I think it's time for the man to resign.

Zaccardelli has just shot what credibility he had out the door. Anything he says on the matter now is suspect (and subject to arbitrary revision) - which is enough in my view to justify his removal from office given the position he holds.

If this were a matter of a few dollars' worth of office supplies, I'd be annoyed, but would not be calling for him to step aside. However, in this case, the consequences of Zaccardelli's actions (or inaction) was a gross abuse of a Canadian citizen's rights.

Regardless of what and when Zaccardelli knew (or didn't know) anything, we cannot afford to have law enforcement officials lying to us. (and one way or another, Zaccardelli has clearly lied)

The more that comes out of the whole Arar case, the less comfortable I am with handing over more powers to our law enforcement officials, covert and overt, without significant changes in the checks and balances used to monitor them.

[Update:]

The Galloping Beaver has has more on Zaccardelli.
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