The Couillard-Bernier Affair

I have done my share of pictures on Julie Couillard and Maxime Bernier. When I think about the scandal, what becomes clear to me is that the sole responsibility for what happened rests on the shoulders of Bernier. No matter how much he tries to weasel out of it, this reality remains.

To begin with, let's briefly look at Madame Couillard's life story. She grew up in a very tough environment where her father was an addict who associated with shadowy characters. In that environment, she tried to survive as best as she knew how -- she married a biker who was killed and she might have been a nude dancer, but that is the kind of life she found herself in.

When she met Bernier, she likely saw an opportunity to rehabilitate herself and improve her life.

As for checking Couillard's background, the full responsibility for that lay with now ex-Minister Bernier because it was him - not her - who was the Foreign Affairs Minister. He was the one who had the responsibility to screen for potential conflicts. Furthermore, Bernier had the resources to run such checks as would have been necessary. If, after this, Bernier felt comfortable that there was no conflict of interest with his duties, and if he was confident that she was removed from her past life, then there would have been a lot less cause for concern.

If Couillard's intention in entering a relationship with Bernier was to seek favours for herself and her associates for money, then again the responsibility lay with Bernier - not her - to do a proper background check.

Looking at the whole saga, one does feel sorry for Couillard and the type of life she had to survive in. One doesn't feel the same with regards to Bernier however because he should have known better. Given his carelessness and poor judgment in this regard, Bernier doesn't qualify to be a public servant.

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