The Globe and Mail editorial is right.

It's a political issue, not an ethical one

No tears for David Emerson, who finds himself the subject of an ethics investigation over his decision to cross the floor and join the Conservatives. The former Liberal could probably have avoided all this if he had done the right thing and agreed to resign his seat and run again as a Tory. He claims he could win such a contest, so why doesn't he put his money where his mouth is and try?

But even if Mr. Emerson brought his troubles on himself, it is disturbing to see a member of Parliament put under investigation for making a political decision. As Ethics Commissioner Bernard Shapiro has noted himself, "crossing the floor has a long and fascinating history in Canada." By one estimate, Parliament has seen 166 party "switchers" since 1921.

Mr. Emerson's case was a particularly egregious example because he crossed to the Tories just weeks after campaigning ferociously against them in his Vancouver riding. That was a betrayal of his constituents, no doubt. But a breach of parliamentary ethics?

Mr. Shapiro is investigating both Mr. Emerson and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Under the conflict-of-interest code for members of the House of Commons, "when performing parliamentary duties and functions, a Member shall not act in any way to further his or her private interests or those of a member of the Member's family, or to improperly further another person's private interests."

There is nothing to suggest that either Mr. Harper or Mr. Emerson furthered any private interest in the floor-crossing deal.

A political interest, yes. Mr. Emerson advanced his political interest by staying in cabinet even though his former party lost the election. Mr. Harper advanced his political interest by getting a high-profile cabinet minister from a city where he needed to shore up his support. It was an ordinary political deal -- grubby, perhaps, but no ethical conflict.

Michael McCafferty comments:

The Globe and Mail is RIGHT ON. The Ethics czar has NO business investing the Prime Minister and Minister David Emerson. Simple as that.