"I am personally and profoundly committed to rapid and permanent changes in the way things are done in Ottawa.... One thing I can promise you is that I'm going to change the way citizens feel about their government... I give you my word, I'm going to make that happen.... " “We will put an end to cronyism . . . No longer will the key to Ottawa be who do you know. We are going to condemn to history the practice and the politics of cronyism.” (Paul Martin, Speech to Quebec City Chamber of Commerce, March 17, 2004). Flash forward 13 months:

A flurry of recent federal appointments, including a posting given to a Liberal fundraiser who has done business with Prime Minister Paul Martin's family shipping empire, has drawn accusations of patronage from Opposition parties. Liberal ministers have made dozens of appointments over the past few weeks to fill vacancies at Crown corporations and federal agencies. The announcements come as the Liberals have been hit with allegations of patronage over its appointment of federal judges and for giving a top environmental job to the former mayor of Winnipeg.