Doing good more important than looking good

Michael de Adder’s cartoon in The Chronicle Herald on May 24 takes Pierre Poilievre’s reaction to former governor general David Johnston’s report on foreign meddling in elections too lightly.

The behaviour of public figures over the years gives the public occasional insights into character.

So it is, in my book, with regard to Johnston and Poilievre.

I find Poilievre’s latest snide allegations about cronyism on Johnston’s part to be an outrage, but unfortunately, true to form. He is free to respectfully and rationally disagree with the report’s recommendations, but excessive indulgence in character assassination reflects on the source thereof.

The Canadian public should give Johnston’s reaction serious consideration. Those who aim to serve the public don’t do it for thanks and can do without abuse.

I will take Johnston’s word for it that a public inquiry at this point is not prudent.

Transparency should be the default approach with investigations, but exceptions can be dictated by circumstances.

In this case, I don’t know what sort of beans might be spilt to nefarious foreign actors as a result of such a public inquiry, but don’t want to test the hypothesis.

Taking cheap shots to score points and look good usually conflicts with doing good. That strikes me as the case here.

John Sollows,

Yarmouth