Gimme some truth

THE EDITOR, Madam:

When FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated his intention to sell part of the organisation’s commercial interests to private investors, he received heavy criticism from many football associations, multitudes of fans and pundits, and several politicians. None was more vociferous than Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who attacked Mr Infantino’s ethics in no uncertain terms. The prime minister said that, in his lifetime, he had run a few organisations and condemned Mr Infantino for not consulting his closest advisers, chief operating officer and board members. He added that he had lost all confidence in FIFA’s Big Kahuna. In the same breath, however, the prime minister had noted how successful the World Cup was for Canada, with host cities Toronto and Vancouver receiving global television coverage while welcoming many thousands of international football fans.

It is certainly hypocritical, and more than a bit rich, for Mr Carney to don his shiny white suit and mount his high horse with personal attacks on the FIFA Grand Poobah, especially in light of repeated reports from Ottawa that the prime minister acts with an extremely elitist and entitled attitude towards his own parliamentary caucus and the lacklustre retreads in his cabinet. Several of his MPs have anonymously complained about his aloof and dismissive leadership style, describing him as an out-of-touch technocrat. Furthermore, none of the myriad promises made during his election campaign has come to fruition after a full 16 months in office as prime minister.

Canada seems to be stuck in a political rut as the prime minister racks up countless air miles flying hither, thither and yon, with more unfulfilled promises arising from each global excursion. The all-important trade deal with the United States may well depend on whether he makes further concessions to the powers that be in Washington. Up to now, all his tough talk has seemed little more than ego and posturing, never matched by actions or results.

Looking at the overall picture in Ottawa reminds me of some song lyrics from 1971: “I’ve had enough of reading things by neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed; all I want is the truth, just give me some truth.” Words to live by from John Lennon’s classic, Gimme Some Truth.

BERNIE SMITH

Parksville, BC

Canada