In August, I blogged about controversy surrounding Concordia University's Board of Governors. A report co-authored by Bernard J. Shapiro (Canada's first Ethics Commissioner) had concluded that an unofficial, inner circle of board members had been micromanaging some of the university's day-to-day operations, and undermining the president. This had apparently prompted the resignation of the previous two presidents before the midway points of their respective terms in office. It had also caused a public-relations disaster and "culture of contempt" on campus. The report in question had recommended, among other things, that the board be reduced in size from 40 to 25 members.

In June of this year, a report was released on governance at Concordia University. The 39-page report was written by the External Governance Review Committee, a three-person committee chaired by none other than Bernard J. Shapiro (Canada's first ethics commissioner).

Nothing makes me appreciate Stephen Harper more than the moral corruption that characterizes political life in the nations to which Canada is closest: the U.S., Britain and France. Last week I wrote about the bizarrely amoral world of French socialism, but failed to point out how much better the left still were than France's conservatives, including the erratic, hyper fellow who is now president.