POLITICKING: OttawaSpeak. When former Liberal cabinet minister Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould told the House of Commons Wednesday she looked forward to the opportunity to “speak my truth” she may be referring to the fact that political Ottawa has its own language, used to signify “truth”.
For example, PMO insiders confided to the media that the former Minister was “difficult” and “very Jody-centered.” Translation: “Not a team player”( won’t toe the party line). Usually applied to women politicians. It was applied to me when I refused to drop theft charges against a staff member, a member of a prominent Quebec family.
Reminds me of my own assessment made by Conservative Erik Nielsen, who served as Deputy Prime Minister in Brian Mulroney’s government, who found me “unsatisfactory” although I negotiated the historic Atlantic Accord which triggered the development of the Atlantic offshore oil and gas resources, signed the original Canada-US Free Trade Principles of Agreement, and served as first woman President of Treasury Board.
Hang in there, Hon Jody. They can’t erase your distinguished record as a Minister!
NEXT: Ottawa definition of The Rule of Law.