Premier Robert Ghiz’s decision to give Order of P.E.I. to Olympian questioned

When it comes to 'rules', there are generally two sorts of people out there: those that believe they're the centrepiece of an orderly society and those who think rules are meant to be broken.

One would expect their elected officials to practice and preach the former, right?

That's not the case, however, on Prince Edward Island where Premier Robert Ghiz is under fire for circumventing provincial legislation.

According to reports, last Friday, Ghiz ignored protocol and announced that Olympian Heather Moyse would receive the Order of Price Edward Island. He made the announcement at a hometown event celebrating the Gold medalist bobsledder's heroics in Sochi.

The move has angered Charles Curley, Chair of the Order of P.E.I. Advisory Council, who argues that the Premier cannot make such a unilateral decision.

"There is a committee of nine people. We evaluate every nomination that is received based on their merit and then after that we make our selection," Curley said, according to the Guardian newspaper.

"There is a process."

For his part, the Liberal premier says the decision stands and that he'll introduce legislation in the next session allowing him to make such declarations in extraordinary circumstances in the future.

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I don't think anyone is arguing that Moyse shouldn't be receiving the Order of P.E.I. She is, after all, a two-time Gold medalist and, by all accounts, a model Islander.

But shouldn't the premier of the province be following the rule of law?

And if new legislation is passed, how do we know that such a power — the power of giving the premier the right to bestow such honours — won't be politicized or abused?

Who's to say that a future premier won't want to recognize the fantastic broadcasting career of Mike Duffy?

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If Ghiz wanted to honour Moyse at the event last Friday, he should have done what was within his powers as premier. He should have given her a key to the province, presented her with a gift basket or made a promise to name a day after of her.

He didn't have the right to bestow the Order of P.E.I.; he should have left that to the volunteer committee.

But apparently, 'King' Ghiz believes the rules don't apply to him.

What do you think? Should Ghiz have given Moyse the Order of P.E.I. or should he have gone through the proper channels?

Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

(Photo courtesy CBC)

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