I am surprised that this envelope story is being made out as the major problem for the NDP. Very surprised.
No, there is no story here and anyone who tries to make it one will only remind others that he was offered a bribe and refused. The degree to which he had any proof to go to police with is debatable. Further, it does not pass the most important test-- when people ask what they would do in the same situation, most would likely agree that there is no big scandal in refusing and not thinking more of it. I think there is also a feeling that in politics bribes get offered and politicians are rightfully worried that in a situation with no proof attacking those who are offering a criminal bribe is neither wise nor safe. He was a minister in a government that has been exposed as one that had sleaze floating around; likely every minister has been offered a bribe and the ones with integrity walked away. Those who do not live in Québec don't get comfortable-- that level of sleaze is right across the country although the reporting of it seems to be minimized. For what it is worth, I have a few theories about why it is under-reported in other provinces none have anything to do with incidence. I suspect that under-reporting may not continue much longer.
But the striking thing here is not that this is not a problem for the NDP but that there are huge problems that overshadow this as threats. The NDP has ceded the spotlight to the Liberals in a way that given what they have done was entirely predictable. The fact that Trudeau would be able to get that spotlight is also predictable. It makes you want to ask how is the leadership running the party to have misplayed this so badly? How did the NDP not see the Liberals coming? How did the NDP do next to nothing in terms of events over such a long period allowing the void that the Liberals have filled? How did the NDP not know that they could not coast through this without a strategy to remain in first? Did they really think that it would blow over and that it would be easier to come back from third than it would be to fight to remain in second? Why wasn't the NDP engaging the public in new, non-traditional and traditional ways through this time? Did the NDP not realize that if they snuffed out a Trudeau flame now it would be weaker later so why did they not spend some serious cash and make some noise during this time? It may not be too late but the NDP better plan for a busy, busy fall with original new and engaging things or the party will be consigned to third place irretrievably by Spring. So please-- look at the macro situation not this envelope story.
The trouble with the NDP is the party spends too much time reacting to silly little things and can't produce and project a strong long-term macro strategy that is proactive and taking ownership of the stage. The party spent the last year acting either like an established first place party or a third place one taking shots on whatever issue of the day comes up. This is different than what you need to do to come from second to first or to establish yourself as the alternative. Don't blame the media -- seriously question the absent focus the party has shown in getting a solid message across on issues that matter to Canadians.