Graham Steele: Politics and the Dalhousie dentistry scandal

The Dalhousie University dentistry scandal has captured public attention in a waythat Ive rarely seen.

This is a story with staying power. Were a month into itwhich in politics is aneternityand still every day brings fresh news. Website comments and letters to theeditor abound.Its the talk of the province, and indeed the country.

Amidst all the controversy, there have been calls for the Nova Scotia government toget involved, even though Dalhousie is a private institution.

When theres a public outcry to do something,but the authoritys not clear, whatsa politician to do?

How independent is Dalhousie?

The relationship of the provincial government to Dalhousie is complex.The government does not own Dalhousie, and has no legal power to issue orders toit.

Nevertheless, the provincial government is, by far, Dalhousies largest source ofrevenue.In 2013-14, Dalhousies revenue from all sources was $638.5 million. Justunder one-third of that, $207.4 million, came from the province.(Tuition, the nexthighest revenue source, is only $144.8 million.)

Shouldnt this amount of money let the government dictate what Dalhousie does?

Money brings influence, certainly, but only at a high level. Any attempt to usefunding leverage to affect decisions touching on the conduct of individual facultymember or individual students would touch off a storm of controversy.

What about the board of governors? Dalhousie has a large board, about half ofwhom are appointed by the provincial government. Once the appointment goesthrough, though, the government doesnt control those members, and has nomechanism to direct them what to do, even if it wanted to.

A government can put some of its friends on the board, and can quietly keep intouch with them about university affairs, but thats a subtle and indirect way ofexercising influence.

To make things even more complicated, student discipline is ultimately theresponsibility of the Dalhousie Senate, not the Board of Governors. And theprovincial government does not appoint anyone to the Dalhousie Senate.

Three very different ideas

Given the public outcry, yet the lack of real government authority, we saw threedifferent ministers offer three very different ideas of what the government shoulddo.

All three condemned the postings, but its what they said next thats so interesting.

First up was Premier Stephen McNeil.He expressed disbelief that thestudents could think their discussions were appropriate.He called on fathers andmen across Nova Scotia to talk with their sons about what is acceptable behaviour.

Here we see McNeil take on the role of politician as a values leader, a role at whichMcNeil excels. His focus is not on Dalhousie at all, but what it means for householdsacross the province.

Next up was Joanne Bernard, minister for the status of women.She spoke of theneed for accountability, and added "I'm very confident that the president will look at this in all aspects and I'm really hoping for some strong punitive measures at theend of this.

In contrast to McNeil, Bernardexpressed a definite opinion about what theoutcome should be for this particular group of students. Still, she acknowledgedthat it was in the universitys hands.

The third minister to make a public comment was Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan, who was scrummed by reporters after last weeks Cabinetmeeting. The ministers message was that the government is monitoring thesituation at Dalhousie.

When pressed by reporters, though, Regan couldnt explain what thegovernment could do if it didnt like what it heard.

Finding the right note

Politicians want to do the right thingand be seen doing the right thing.In the case of the Dalhousie dentistry scandal, the degree of public attention isalmost unprecedented.Saying nothing might be an option in another case, but notthis one.

So whats a politician to do? Stephen McNeil, Joanne Bernardand Kelly Regan areallin their different roles and in their different waysstruggling to hit the right notein a drama in which they are, properly speaking, not even on the stage.