Liberal

Ask Mr. Harper to come clean

Secret deals. False expenses. Cover ups.

This is not what Canadians expect from their government — or the Prime Minister. Canadians deserve better.

If you want Mr. Harper to come clean about what he knows — please sign and share this petition.

Why Mr. Harper’s top advisor gave a Senator $90,000 to repay inappropriate expenses isn’t the only question Canadians want Mr. Harper to answer.

Over 2,000 Canadians sent us questions to ask the Prime Minister in Question Period — questions like why is it getting harder for young families to afford housing, groceries and utilities.

I’ll start asking those questions next week when Mr. Harper comes back from South America.

In the meantime, let’s get the answers Canadians deserve on the PMO ethics scandal.

Please sign and share this petition now: 

http://lpc.ca/harper-come-clean

Thank you.

Justin

Just the Facts: Top 10 Questions Stephen Harper Must Answer on the PMO Ethics Scandal

Liberal press conference on the PMO ethics scandal (May 23, 2013)
Left to right: Liberal Senate Leader Sen. Jim Cowan, Liberal Whip Judy Foote, Deputy Leader Ralph Goodale, Natural Resources Critic Marc Garneau. Photo : Greg Kolz

In recent days, serious questions have emerged about the ethics of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). First, it appears the PMO whitewashed and obstructed an audit report on Senate expenses; then Mr. Harper’s right-hand man apparently cut a $90,000 cheque to cover-up potentially fraudulent expenses.

Instead of providing Canadians with the answers they rightfully deserve, Mr. Harper skipped town.

Canadians deserve transparency and accountability from this Conservative government. Canadians deserve the truth.

The Prime Minister must stop running and answer the following key questions:

#1 – On Monday, May 20^th, the PMO told CTV News that they had forwarded a copy of the agreement between Senator Duffy and Nigel Wright to Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson. On Tuesday, Conservatives said that the document couldn’t be released because no such agreement existed. Which is it? And when will the government publicly release all documents and emails relating to this deal so they can be reviewed by the Canadian public?

#2 – Two former Chiefs of Staff to a Conservative Prime Minister have said that there is no way that Stephen Harper could not have known about the deal. How could Mr. Harper continue to say he had the utmost confidence in Wright for nearly a week when he was allegedly kept in the dark about this serious undertaking?

#3 – Media reports indicate that Stephen Harper’s former senior legal advisor negotiated the agreement between Senator Duffy and Nigel Wright. That lawyer says he didn’t participate in the decision to write the $90,172 cheque, but has not denied drafting an agreement. Who drafted the agreement?

#4 – The Senate committee’s report on Senator Duffy was whitewashed. Who ordered the members of the committee to whitewash the Duffy report and why did a majority of Senators on the committee agree to co-operate in the cover-up?

#5 – Senator Duffy was told by the Prime Minister’s Office that they would repay his expenses and “go easy” on him in exchange for his silence. What else did the PMO expect in exchange for over $90,172 and a whitewashed Senate report?

#6 – Conservative Senator David Tkachuk tipped off Senator Duffy that he had billed inappropriate expenses. Was Sen. Tkachuk – or any other Conservative senator – ordered by PMO to give Senator Duffy the heads-up as part of the deal to “go easy” on him?

#7 – Once Senator Duffy repaid the $90,172 he immediately stopped co-operating with the Deloitte investigators who were auditing him. Was he ordered to quit co-operating by the PMO?

#8 – Why is the Conservative Leader in the Senate refusing to allow committee hearings into this whole affair to be held in public? Why does Stephen Harper continue to have confidence in the Conservative Senators who whitewashed the report and who are now being asked to review it?

#9 – The audit of Senator Pamela Wallin’s expenses has yet to be made public. Had the Duffy-Wright deal not come to light, would she have received similar treatment?

#10 – Despite being required to disclose a gift of over $500 to the Senate Ethics Commissioner within 30 days, Senator Duffy did not disclose the $90,172 gift from Nigel Wright. Why?

Yvonne Jones arrives on Parliament Hill

As I left my home community of Mary’s Harbour Tuesday, the early morning rise, and the two-hour trek over gravel roads and worn pavement were the same, but something was different. Labrador was about to change and I was going to lead that progress for people. I looked forward and I saw an even bigger land with vast potential.

I left Labrador for Ottawa, my first trip to Parliament Hill as the newly elected Member of Parliament. Arriving that evening, I spent a restless night in my hotel room. A mixture of enthusiasm, a recollection of responsibility and an eagerness to get down to work kept me on my feet until the early morning hours. I was reminded of a call that one campaign worker took during the election from a person who suggested that she had better check the batteries in Yvonne Jones because I was running on some high alkaline. This was a normal pace for me, a busy life, a life committed to working for people. It may sound sad to some but these are my happiest moments. That is what makes me tick: pressure, stress, work deadlines…gotta love it!

Photo : Greg Kolz

On Wednesday morning, I walked to Confederation Building on Parliament Hill to pick up my Parliamentarian pass. It was a powerful moment as I realized that many great people had had this privilege and had helped shape our country. The 6^th floor will also to be the home of my new office, so I will pass through those doors many times over the next few years.

I was grateful the rain stayed away, and for the aid of two fine young staffers, who knew not only how to navigate the Hill, but also every face on the block. They were a great source of information for a new MP.

Together we walked to the Centennial Flame, which, constructed in 1967, burned bright, rising up to the Center Block on Parliament Hill. Weaving through several protesters reminded me that democracy is alive and well; we are free to have our say, exercise our constitutional rights and speak freely in Canada.

In the distance I saw my Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal colleagues ready to greet me. I waved and proudly walked up to them wearing a big small town smile. Behind them were Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and the rest of the Caucus. They really knew how to welcome a girl to Ottawa!

In that moment, I was reminded of the tremendous respect and admiration I have for Justin Trudeau. I believe strongly in his ability to lead our country and realize positive change for all Canadians. From the homeless, to children who are unable to access education, to mothers who want a second chance at life, to trades people without opportunities in their home communities, to seniors who need care, to businesses that struggle with government legislation, to immigrants who are not respected, to Aboriginal Peoples who have no say in their land, to teachers who are taken for granted, to industry that is ignored, I know we can make a real difference for them all. I am very excited to join Justin Trudeau in the movement to bring new opportunities and greater prosperity to the people of Labrador.

On the steps under the Peace Tower, in the fray of the media, I looked to the camera and waved to the people back home. I gave our Leader a pair of Labrador boxing gloves and then we walked together to the front doors of Parliament. As we entered the building he looked to the security guards and said, “she’s with me.” I knew there was no other team I would rather play on than the Trudeau Liberal Team.

Yvonne Jones

MP for Labrador

Victory in Labrador: Liberal donations at work

Monday night’s by-election victory in Labrador was a model of political campaign organization.

It was also proof that all donations — from a $5 gift in response to our emails, to regular monthly Victory Fund contributions, or even a $1200 gift as a Laurier Club donor — can make change happen.

Let’s start at the beginning.

On the afternoon of March 14 news broke that Peter Penashue had resigned after taking 28 ineligible contributions last election.

Within 90 minutes, all the key individuals from our National Office, Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador federal executive and the Labrador Riding Association were connected and organizing.

Such a quick and efficient response would simply not have been possible without the stability provided by our generous riding, Victory Fund and Laurier Club donors.

The election wasn’t even called and Yvonne Jones wasn’t nominated yet as our candidate and the Conservatives had already started flooding the riding with advertising. But we didn’t hesitate. Because of the strong financial support from Liberals across Canada, within days we too were able to get our message into Labrador newspapers and on radio with Big Land FM.

Liberals provided the riding association and campaign team with the resources and encouragement it needed to win. And contributions from Liberals also helped Justin Trudeau and Bob Rae visit Labrador to give the team valuable support.

The biggest lesson of all is this: we came together as a team, we worked hard as a team, and we helped Yvonne Jones get elected as a team. This victory belongs to all of us.

Thanks to all Liberals, from coast to coast to coast, for their collective support and ongoing engagement.

The Liberal Team

Important news from the National Office

I want to tell you about an important change at our National Office.

After three years of outstanding leadership, National Director Ian McKay has stepped down and we are now seeking a new National Director.

When our Party faced the extraordinary challenge of rebuilding after the 2011 federal election, Ian seized the moment.

He oversaw the organization of a technologically innovative Extraordinary Convention in June 2011 that gave the Party time to rebuild before choosing a new leader.

He then led the team that organized one of the most important and successful gatherings in our Party’s history, the Ottawa 2012 – Liberal Biennial Convention.

And finally, he oversaw the most open and inclusive leadership race in Canadian politics.

Ian McKay’s accomplishments have enabled our Party to bounce back and be where we are today. The National Board of Directors recognizes Ian’s legacy and thanks him for his professionalism, leadership and hard work.

The National Board of Directors is now seeking qualified candidates for the position of National Director. Matt Certosimo, National Membership Secretary and Chair of the Human Resources committee will oversee the process.

Reporting to the President, the National Director works with the National Board of Directors, its committees, the Leader and the Leader’s office, as well as the PTAs and ridings to lead the Party’s strategic process in terms of both planning and execution, ensuring that those entities have the levels of support they require, as the Party further builds and mobilizes a volunteer-driven, campaign-ready, national organization. Working with the Chief Revenue Officer and the President, the National Director also oversees the fundraising efforts of the organization.

If you believe you have the skills and experience to be the Liberal Party of Canada’s new National Director, please email jobs@liberal.ca by May 31. A job description and requirements for the position are available upon request.

With an upcoming biennial convention and federal electoral campaign, the Liberal Party of Canada is well positioned to be the Party of choice to build a better Canada for all Canadians.

Thank you.

Mike Crawley

President, Liberal Party of Canada