So, lets see now. You go from being an elected member of the opposition party with no power and the standard members' pay and travel allowance, to being a member of the Cabinet in the government which brings an increase in salary, perks, personal power, and benefits. Does that sound like any benefit was offered to entice Mr. Emerson to switch parties?

In what comes as no big surprise, the Prime Minster's Office has announced it won't co-operate at all with Mr. Shapiro's investigation. You see, Mr. Shapiro was appointed by the Liberals, and Mr. Harper refuses to recognise his actions being anything other than partisan.

According to his office, Mr. Shapiro was found in contempt of Parliament and had his decision-making abilities questioned. Since the vote that passed that resolution occurred during the days of a Liberal minority government, and wasn't considered a vote of confidence, (one that if the government lost they would have to call an election), it was probably a partisan motion to begin with; an attempt by the opposition to discredit the office of the commissioner when they didn't agree with his decisions.

One has to remember that when dealing with politicians it is quite amazing how the truth is shaped. Although what they are saying is technically true, parliament did find Mr. Shapiro in contempt, the circumstances of the vote would cast a light on the veracity of parliament's findings. Just because the people who don't agree with someone's decision question his or her judgement and hold it in contempt, doesn't mean the person was wrong.

So the big question today is, what happens if Mr. Shapiro finds this whole mess was a conflict of interest? Will Harper and his gang try to bluster their way out of it claiming partisan politics and by discrediting the Mr. Shapiro? What if the opposition parties vote to accept his findings if they are against the government?

As far as what the Ethics Commissioner can do, according to Appendix A of the Conflict Of Interest Code For Members Of The House Of Commons section 28 subsection 6 he can:

If the Ethics Commissioner concludes that a Member has not complied with an obligation under this Code, and that none of the circumstances in subsection (5)(Mitigating circumstances) apply, the Ethics Commissioner shall so state in the report and may recommend appropriate sanctions

Now obviously once the sanctions are recommended they will have to be voted on by the House of Commons, so that should be an interesting time. The first week of the Steven Harper's new government devoted to debating the ethical conduct of the new Prime Minister and whether or not he should be sanctioned for his actions.