Interview With the New Chief of Staff

Peter Who (Dunnit)?

(As We Imagine It) 

Actually, I am being a little disingenuous in the title. Although he may not be a household name to most Albertans, Peter Kruselnicki, the newly named replacement for Rod Love as the Premier’s Chief of Staff, is well known inside Alberta Government circles. He was Deputy Minister of Finance under both Stockwell Day and Pat Nelson as well as Deputy Minister of Labour before that. Most recently he has been living for nearly the past year in New Zealand studying that country’s form of a dual track healthcare system. In light of Ralph Klein’s recent musings, I think we can definitely read something into that.

Personally, I became aware of Mr. Kruselnicki more than two years ago when I came across some startling information. Sharp-eyed long time readers will already have a hint of what I want to ask Mr. Kruselnicki in this interview as he has made a guest appearance, or perhaps more correctly a reference in the famous Pat Nelson no-show interview almost exactly two years ago. Check the archives for the October 2003 interview.

The press has made much of the fact that the appointment of Peter Kruselnicki is the first non-political appointment to the Chief of Staff position whereas in reality, as I hope to show, the position is very political indeed. The Klein inner circle has secured the secrets once again.

Now that the ground has been prepared, let’s say we move on to the business at hand. Mr. Kruselnicki is on the telephone from New Zealand as he has not yet arrived back in Canada since he is not scheduled to take up his new duties until October 3 and obviously the Prairie Post doesn’t have the travel budget to get to New Zealand. The long distance bill might even be a bit sticky. But let’s throw caution to the winds, open the wallet, and make that call.

Q. Hello. Is Mr. Peter Kruselnicki there please?

A. Speaking.

Q. Mr. Kruselnicki, how are you?

A. Fine. Just fine. Whom am I speaking to, again?

Q. It’s the Prairie Post calling. I wanted to get your reaction to being named the Premier’s new Chief of Staff.

A. Oh, the Prairie Post. I thought it was somebody important. Yeah, I guess I got time to talk to you but if Tom Olsen calls, I’ll have to go.

Q. Thanks for that, I think. By the way, what’s Tom Olsen got that I don’t have?

A. This interview is not going to long enough. What did you ask me again?

Q. I asked how you felt about being named as the Premier’s new Chief of Staff.

A. I’m very excited about it and it’s a great opportunity. Certainly, having to fill the shoes of somebody as capable as Rod Love will be extremely difficult but when the Premier calls, you have to answer.

Q. Were you aware that you were second choice?

A. I don’t look at it as being second choice. Mr. Day wasn’t in a position to accept that’s all.

Q. There are those that have said that the reason that Rod Love left is that Ralph Klein indicated he would be staying on as Premier until 2007. He wasn’t willing to expend any more effort on the Premier knowing that Ralph Klein is winding it down. And, since he is actively promoting Jim Dinning as the next leader, it was counterproductive to stay on. They also think that you were picked to help Ralph wrap up his career in public life.

A. I can’t read Rod love’s mind as to why he chose to leave. That’s something that you are better off asking him directly. Whatever the reason was, he is leaving and I will try to do the best job for Premier Klein that I can. If that includes helping the Premier prepare for his retirement, so be it.

Q. Is there any significance to the fact that you have been “seconded” I think the term is to the University of Victoria in New Zealand since late last winter studying that government’s health care system now that Premier Klein has indicated a willingness to offer a two-tier system to Albertans?

A. Public policy issues are always very important to me and when the opportunity arose to learn about New Zealand’s answer to one of the thorniest issues confronting Albertans and Canadians as a whole, I jumped at the chance. Beyond that, I don’t think there is anything sinister or otherwise you should read into it. Should the time come when the Premier wants my limited expertise as input then I will be happy to contribute.

Q. You’ve contributed before haven’t you?

A. In my capacity As Deputy Finance Minister I’d like to think I contributed certainly.

Q. No, I mean you contributed specifically before.

A. I’m not quite sure what it is you are driving at. Perhaps you could make your question a little clearer.

Q. Do you recall the letter I wrote you in April 2003 regarding the West Edmonton mall cover-up and your involvement with all the major players?

A. That was you? You wrote that letter?

Q. Yes. I also remember that you didn’t choose to respond to it nor did Pat Nelson, the Minister of Finance at the time.

A. What was there to respond to? It was your version of a grand conspiracy theory.

Q. Well, certainly it was no theory. I gave you specifics.

A. What “specifics?”

Q. First of all, you have a personal relationship with Chief Justice Allan Wachowich who, as you know, had his final order between the Alberta Treasury Branches and West Edmonton Mall sealed so the Alberta taxpayers had no idea how badly their pockets were picked. As Deputy Finance Minister, you were ideally suited to be the link between Justice Wachowich and the ATB. You were a bureaucrat, not a politician so you had a certain amount of “shelf life” that the Minister couldn’t count on.

A. That’s a stretch isn’t it? I know Chief Justice Wachowich certainly. I won’t deny that. But to take that fact and turn it into a Byzantine conspiracy is a little far-fetched.

Q. Come now, Mr.Kruselnicki. You don’t just “know” the Chief Justice. You are close personal friends. As such, you would certainly be aware that Chief Justice Wachowich had an ongoing and shall we say lucrative relationship with the Ghermezians.

A. Really, this is all supposition and besides, it’s old news.

Q. But the people of Alberta deserve to know that these relationships endure and in fact are still influencing decisions taken today. Your selection as the new Chief of Staff is a prime example. Not only does it reward you for services rendered, it also keeps the scandal among the knowledgeable few.

A. Have you been drinking? Do you do drugs? This is fanciful.

Q. The answer is no on both counts. Alas, it is far from fanciful. We don’t have time to go through the history in detail. Besides, I’ve already detailed it in the best selling Banksters and Prairie Boys.

A. That was that fairy tale you wrote a few years back. I found it very entertaining as a work of fiction but as I was Deputy Minister of Finance during the time of the supposed cover-up, I didn’t recognize anything as accurate. And it certainly didn’t involve me.

Q. Really?

A. Really.

Q. You wrote a number of memos concerning the old Triple Five Corporation’s Trustee in bankruptcy. The Trustee is allowed to examine anyone he chooses and subpoena any documents that relate to a bankruptcy.

A. Everyone who is familiar with the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act knows that. It is hardly a qualification as a conspirator.

Q. Ah but I am not finished. During the bankruptcy proceedings, one of the memos you wrote was to Ken Kowalski for the purpose of informing him that the government had his lawyer, Michael Ritter, replaced by an attorney from Calgary by the name of Frank Foran. Mr. Ritter has since had his own taste of the justice system from an entirely different perspective. Mr. Kowalski wasn’t the only recipient of the letter however. Any politician or politician’s handler who had been subpoenaed got their own copy of the memo. Do you happen to recall what was in that memo?

A. Over the course of a bureaucratic career one is called upon to write many memos sometimes numerous ones per day. I don’t recall specifically what was in a single memo although I suspect that you are poised to remind me.

Q. I thought you would never ask. In that memo you implied that none of the recipients would have to worry about being examined as part of the bankruptcy investigation. As well, your department, by using Mr. Foran could sanitize the files related to the bankruptcy. He was in place to ensure that the bankruptcy trustee received no co-operation so everything could be controlled. In essence, that memo outlined the plan for the obstruction of justice.

A. Oh please. Will you never give up on this fantasy world of yours?

Q. You know it’s not fantasy. Frank Foran is a bankruptcy litigation specialist with particular expertise in the area of corporate directors avoiding liability under business statutes and resisting judgments across national borders. He was there to vet the files so the politicians and handlers could never be held to close scrutiny. You controlled the proceedings and here is where your relationship with Chief Justice Wachowich came in particularly handy. He could see that the court interpretation matched Mr.Foran’s. AS he would be sealing the final order, there would be no more public examination of what happened. You were the important linchpin between the government, the ATB, and the Court of Queen’s Bench that made the plan possible and workable.

A. I don’t know what to say now any more than I did when I received your letter. I will complement you on one thing though.

Q. What’s that? Would it be my superb detective and deductive reasoning? Or could it be the clear and concise statement of fact that exposes the pattern of behaviour?

A. No, actually none of those. I was thinking more of your overactive imagination. You’ll never get anybody to believe this.

Q. Unfortunately I would have to agree with you except that you made one little mistake. You see not all the files relating to the bankruptcy got sanitized before they made it to the Trustee in Bankruptcy. A copy of your memo was left in one of the boxes of files. The Trustee realized he had proof of an organized effort to obstruct justice but he also realized he had struck gold. Here was an opportunity to force the ATB into a million dollar budget to handle the bankruptcy. It was to be disguised as a loan but it was never repaid.

A. That’s how you found out about the memo?

Q. Yes sir.

A. Okay then, Mr.Conspiracy Buff how do you explain that with the memo as so-called proof, none of the politicians were prosecuted since you claim they were involved.

Q. Opportunity can sometimes be a two-way street and this was one of those occasions, and seized on immediately by your lead lawyer. He realized the memo was huge problem but if he took the initiative and gained control of the proceeding, he could exercise some damage control. He quickly got approval to offer a five million dollar budget for the Trustee but in return exacted some terms. All inquiries were henceforth to be directed solely to the Ghermezians or ATB executives. The Trustee also had to recognize the ATB’s proof of claim that made the ATB the controlling creditor in the bankruptcy proceeding despite the fact that it was a claim arising out of the fraudulent 1994 proceeding. That recognition of proof of claim was a stroke of genius and the Trustee’s tactical failure. You see, there was enough information arising out of the 1994 mall financing to prove the claim clearly fraudulent. As well, control of the Trustee effectively allowed the ATB to put a leash on the Trustee because the funding could be withdrawn at any time should the Trustee stray outside his mandate. You must have been exceedingly proud and relieved as to how it all worked out. But here is the best part as far as I am concerned. The ATB lawyers knew all about the arrangement and I can’t believe that with a five million dollar budget, they wouldn’t have had to keep the ATB Board informed. The Board knowing the situation still approved the deal. They saw absolutely no problem with a compromised Chief Justice Wachowich signing the order and then sealing the file as well. They blatantly approved the burial of the fraud which is an affront to all Albertans.

A. It was clever; at least as you describe it. I won’t admit for public consumption that there is an iota of truth in any of the preceding. However, I do congratulate you on the intricacy of your plotline. Ken Follett needs to start looking over his shoulder. Or would that be more suitable for John Grisham?

Q. I can tell by tone in your voice that I hit the mark. Your appointment completes the circle and keeps the scandal as the knowledge of a select few. You have as much to lose as the rest of them so they know you won’t be divulging any secrets. And the press thinks you got the job because of your healthcare studies and being a nice guy. Non-political appointment, huh?

A. You can tell all of this over a long distance line to New Zealand? Who are you trying to kid?

Q. I am not trying to kid anybody. In fact, I think you have got the situation a little backwards. I should be asking you that question.

A. How so?

Q. I have my sources obviously and one of them relayed to me an interesting postscript to this whole affair.

A. Is it creative as what you have told me today?

Q. I don’t know. I’ll leave that for your determination after I tell you. It seems that when you asked one the government lawyers if there was anything that could possibly go wrong with such a brilliantly executed plan. I am told he responded by saying my name. What do you suppose he meant by that?

A. Tom Olsen’s on the other line so I gotta go. It’s been great talking to you. ‘Bye.

Q. Wow that ended abruptly. You don’t suppose it was something I said, do you?

                                                                        L’Affaire Jean 

Wow! I sure didn’t see that coming! That must have been Prime Minister Paul Martin’s reaction to the tempest in the political teapot over the naming of Michaelle Jean as our next Governor General. What started out as a positive story about one individual’s realization of what is best about Canada quickly dissolved into much hand-wringing and butt covering by almost everybody involved. I thought Ms. Jean remained incredibly dignified throughout the entire matter.

Last year I wrote a tribute piece to the current Governor General, Her Excellency Madame Adrienne Clarkson. So what if she travelled extensively or had a soft spot for lavish redecorating. I opined at the time that I thought that Ms. Clarkson brought a cultured and intellectual air to the Vice Regal office. I stand by that assessment despite the howls of the chattering class over her supposed extravagance. Trust me folks. There are more important things to get upset about in Canada than how much the Governor General spent on drapes. As for her husband, the incomprehensible John Ralston Saul, I reserve comment other than to say that as a cure for insomnia, his books are ideal. I dare anyone to read more than ten eye-glazing pages and then tell me what he said.

Madame Clarkson’s term will expire shortly and Paul Martin must have thought it an inspired choice when an aid suggested Ms. Jean for the post. Here was an attractive, young, self-made Quebecer originally from Haiti who had fled that troubled and poverty-stricken country to a new successful life and career in Canada. She was a prominent broadcast journalist primarily on Radio Canada but also as the host of the Passionate Eye on CBC television. She had not appeared on the list of possible candidates but was a refreshing, delightful surprise as the choice for the next Governor General.

At least, we thought she was. Paul Martin was almost giddy at the announcement. She represented what is absolutely the best about Canada. Or did she? Somebody turned up the possibility that both Ms. Jean and her husband, the French born filmmaker Jean-Daniel Lafond were sovereigntistes at heart. Accusations flew thick and fast. How was it that the Prime Minister’s office didn’t do the due diligence necessary to vet the appointment? How could Ms. Jean be the Governor General of Canada when she had supported (allegedly) the sovereignty movement? Was that really Ms. Jean tipping back a collegial glass of wine with some of the notorious FLQ faction from the 70s in that film clip? Apparently, that was the most damning evidence.

Paul Martin must have felt like those cartoon characters after lighting the exploding cigar. Merde! How did that happen? There were calls for Ms. Jean to declare her loyalty to Canada and to reveal how she voted in the referendum. At first, she said nothing. I suspect that she was trying not to inflame the situation and weighing what kind of response was appropriate. Finally, she made an unprecedented statement for a Governor General designate declaring that she was truly devoted to Canada.

For his part, the Prime Minister looked every bit his part as Mr. Dithers. The joy over the appointment was overshadowed and the reaction to the controversy was slow and confused. It appeared as if someone hadn’t done their homework in the PMO and Paul Martin was made an example of in class. It wasn’t his finest hour.

L’affaire Jean also raised some troubling questions as to the direction of the country. The usual suspects in Alberta were already clamoring to revisit the spectre of Western (mostly B. C. and Alberta) separatism after the results of the last election and the Conservatives bone-headed budget gamble. The Western Standard even published a suspect poll claiming to show that 36% of western Canadians supported separation. Uh huh.

Meanwhile, in Quebec, the spotlight shone once more on the face of sovereignty. It’s not Jacques Parizeau’s Quebec anymore. The new version has more to do with Quebec’s power in Canada and less to do with outright separation. The francophone population is less readily identifiable as “French” just as the rest of the country is so diverse that calling it “English” Canada somehow misses the mark. It’s a lot different country now than the one which celebrated the Centennial back in 1967.

The federal government has been slow to recognize and deal with the change in Canada’s demographic profile and how that affects politics and policy for the future. I think that Ms. Jean has adequately stated her position and that she will be a fine Governor General. In the long run, her appointment may be the catalyst that finally lets Canadians come to grips with the profound changes that have been made in this country. Ms. Jean represents the new face of Canada for the 21^st century. And from what I’ve seen so far, it is a very lovely face indeed.

                                                              Tumbleweed of the Month

                                                             Eat, Drink, and Be Murray* 

Remember how I was moaning last month about the dearth of incompetents to grace the Tumbleweed of the Month Hall of Shame? Well, in the words of the late, great Ed Whalen, “Whoooaaaaahooooaaa Nellie!” Patience has been rewarded. The former Minister of Stupid, recently exported to the banks of the Potomac as Alberta’s Ambassador to the Court of Emperor George has risen to the occasion and provided your humble correspondent with a no-brainer for September.

Yes, friends, our Tumbleweed of the Month for September is none other than the loveable, laughable Murray “the Sweater” Smith who, as you will doubtless recall, offered a cardigan as the answer to complaints about seniors’ winter home heating hardships. What a kidder!

Murray is at it again and thus took the honours this month as the TWOTM. Apparently, Murray has lots of free time between appointments to lick Dick Cheney’s shoes so he felt like a little moonlighting was in order to help out with the household expenses. After all, $223,000 doesn’t go that far anymore and even with an additional 27% raise for senior government appointees, Murray must have found that he was having to cut corners to keep up appearances in Bushland.

Our man Murray, always the deep thinker, put his considerable brain power to work on the problem and like Archimedes on bath night, came up with an idea that was all wet. Murray reasoned (is that an oxymoron or what-relax Rush, I said oxymoron, not Oxycontin) that since he was already representing Alberta to the poobahs with stacks of Benjamins, it would be swell to occupy his slack hours as a member of the board for an oil patch company. While discussing matters of energy, he could kill two birds with one drill bit or something like that. Such synergy!

There is a huge cry about conflict of interest and the provincial ethics commissioner advises Murray to not take the position. Alas, Murray heeds not such sage advice and continues his part time job. What’s so bad about that? There are even some amongst our readership that have two jobs. Big deal.

However, Murray’s boss at the main gig, Ed Stelmach takes a dim view of his star employee’s extracurricular activities and draws Murray a line in the sand. Murray must resign from one job or the other by Friday night at 5:00 P.M. Ed is pretty steamed and is all heaving chest and fast breathing over this. On the other hand, Murray ignores him completely because he is good buddies with Ed’s boss, Ralph. After all, wasn’t it Ralph who got him the swell day job just before last Christmas as a great gift and when all the reporters were either drunk or away or both for the holidays? You bet your patronage it was.

Ed hates it when his employees go over his head especially when it distracts him from his main goal to sit in the big guy’s chair himself. Murray continues his moonlight serenade that there is nothing wrong with a guy trying to do two jobs just so he won’t get caught short at the end of the month or perhaps get a little nicer car. If you can’t pursue the American Dream in Washington of all places well, pray tell, where would you pursue it?

Meanwhile, ordinary Albertans spend the weekend barbecuing their favourite animal while reporters, sniffing some real scandal in a summer devoid of news, do the same to Murray. The Opposition (humour them, okay) grabs hold of the story and demand that Murray be fired from his post in Washington. Even Ralph begins to feel the heat and not because he was close to the charcoal pit. There are phone calls and more phone calls. Ralph calls Ed. Ralph calls Murray. Ed calls Murray. Ralph and Ed both call Murray.  Optics are discussed. The Marthas and Henrys are seen to be slightly annoyed and that is not good.

Monday morning, the 22^nd of August 2005, Murray has had an epiphany. He realizes that public service is his true calling and elects to give up his position on the board of directors of the energy company. Oh, and the fact that buddy Ralph gave him a no choice special also entered into his decision.

Of course Murray didn’t really see what the problem was but if the Boss saw a problem then that was good enough for him. It was distasteful for Ralph because he hates to make decisions about firing people, especially when they are close friends like Murray. But it didn’t come to that as Ed Stelmach grew a pair and Murray blinked.

Cheer up, Murray. You may have lost that extra dough you were counting on to get to the end of the month but look at it on the bright side. You’ll always have the Tumbleweed of the Month to wow’em in Washington. And who knows, perhaps you can cut back just a little on the household and entertainment expenses like the rest of us do. Maybe slow up to just a couple of bottles of Dom Perignon a day and before you know it, you’ll be flush and right with the world again. Remember, it’s just a little short term pain for long term gain. Oh, and this winter, maybe turn down the thermostat and wear a sweater.

*Thanks to Tom Olsen in the Calgary Herald. This was just too good not to steal!