Essay On The Airbus Scandal

Political ethics and scandals are the forefront of the Canadian political system, as month rarely passes when the public is not engaged, by a new revelation of misbehaviour within the political system. As corruption is directly assimilated within the Canadian political system, as scandals are simply demonstrable breakdown of politics in relation to corruption and ethical behaviour within the political realm. The Airbus scandal of 1968 has been the longest running scandal in Canadian history, as many Canadian politicians consider the scandal to be “the biggest scandal in Canadian history (CBC New Online, 2005).” As the Airbus affair has lasted over 15 years, with many questions still left un-answered.
The Airbus scandal, regarded to be one of the most

prolific and longest running scandals in Canadian political history. The political ambiance is still entrenched within the political system. As the Airbus affair left many Canadians to question ethical behaviour within the Canadian political system and the government as a whole.

In the early months of 1994 an investigative journalist named, “Harvey Cashore”, had received a tip in regards to the European consortium (Johnson, 2010). The tip had alleged that Airbus Industries had paid bribes to Canadian politicians during the former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney era, in exchange for the crown corporation (Air Canada) to purchase 1.8 billion dollar order from Airbus industries (Johnson, 2010). This would launch a 15-year investigation into Brian Mulroney and Karlheinz Schreiber a German Canadian businessman and his alleged role in the Airbus affair (Johnson, 2010).
The political relationship between both the former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Kariheinz Schreiber has spanned over twenty-five years. Brian Mulroney in an interview with RCMP had “denied his friendship with Schreiber, claiming he was just an acquaintance with whom he had a couple of cups of coffee (Mair, 2007).” As this begs the question what was the real relationship between Brian Mulroney and Karlheinz Schreiber? In the early months of 2007, Schreiber had filed an affidavit against, Brian Mulroney. The affidavit filed

by Schreiber lawyers contained information, to the business and financial dealings between Schreiber and Mulroney (Karlheinz Schreiber A Businessman, Unknown). In the affidavit Schreiber had revealed that the secret agreement between both Mulroney and Schreiber allegedly came to effect two months after Mulroney had left office and was serving as a member of parliament (Oliphant Commission, Unknown). After the affidavit was published Brian Mulroney had admitted to receiving $225,000 in cash on three separate occasionally from scriber from 1993-1994 (News Staff, 2009). Mulroney had argued to the courts that the payments were for legal consulting work done by his firm, Ogilvy Renault (Mair, 2007). Schreiber still insists the cash payments were to lobby the government. Section 24 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms stipulates that “sitting public office holders, are required to report any serious offers of outside employment to the ethics commissioner within seven days of receiving them (Public Policy Issues, Unknown). The cash payments from Schreiber to Maloney were not reported. “Throughout the duration of the political scandal between Mulroney and Schreiber, the former prime minster had played an imminent role throughout the scandal as he wore “three different hats (Public Policy Issues, Unknown).” As that phrase is used to describe the political power which Mulroney possessed, as he was the Canadian prime minster, a member of parliament and a former office holder (Public Policy Issues, Unknown). The direct relationship between Schreiber to Maloney has been described as unique (Oliphant Commission, Unknown).
The Airbus Affairs, regarded to be one of the prolific and longest lasting scandals in Canadian history, but the chapter still has not been closed pending, many unanswered questions. The Mulroney administration claims that discussions between Mulroney and Schreiber in regards to Airbus were not initiated while Prime Minster Mulroney was still in power (Mair, 2007). Given the continually changing version in correlation to Mulroney and Schreiber discussions, an un-answered question is, what was the purpose of the multiple cash payments of $225,000. One of the biggest remaining unanswered questions is, did Schreiber bribe members of the Mulroney administration and if so who were there payoff made to in parliament (Mair, 2007).
As the Airbus Scandal sent waves through the Canadian Political system, it has tarnished the reputation of the once beloved Brian Mulroney and lobbyist Karlheinz Schreiber.