I'm impressed and employees of the federal government should feel a bit more secure. It's not that the federal government can't fire you, it's just that it doesn't know how to fire you... or at least that's how I interpret the Federal Court of Canada's reinstatement of Jean Pelletier to his position as Chairman of Via Rail. I almost feel sorry for Paul Martin, you have to wonder if pulling the trigger on his former boss' ex-chief-of-staff was one of the few pleasure he's enjoyed in two years of being PM; and now that bullet seems to have ricochet back and hit Martin in the foot.

According to Justice Noel, the government's decision to fire M. Pelletier was unfair because he wasn't informed of the reason for his dismissal or allowed to respond (ironic that, since it was a 'response' by M. Pelletier that got him into hot water in the first place). Which sorta begs the question of what process was used that didn't cover these fairly basic points? Presumably, we'll now have to pay Pelletier for the 18 months he's been off the job, yet another example of value for money in patronage appointments.

Federal Justice Minister Cotler is now 'studying' the decision. Am I naive for wondering if they couldn't have consulted a lawyer before firing M. Pelletier, and if they did, could we at least fire him?