Canada PoliticsSomething smells rotten in Peter Penashue’s riding of Labrador
Things are getting a little weird in Labrador.
Last week, federal intergovernmental Affairs Minister Peter Penashue resigned his post and stepped down as an MP for the region for accepting ineligible donations during the 2011 election campaign.
According to CBC News, Penashue overspent his campaign limit by over 20 per cent and even accepted corporate donations which are illegal under federal election rules.
[ Related: Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Peter Penashue resigns, blames “inexperienced volunteer” ]
On the surface, it looks like Penashue did the right thing: he took responsibility and he — or the Conservative Party — even paid the government $30,000 in penalties.
But, as is often the case in Ottawa, things aren't as clear-cut as they should be. In fact, the only thing that is clear is that the Tories are in full-campaign mode.
As explained by CBC's Kady O’Malley Penashue’s campaign website was registered before he stepped-down.
[The] deliveringforlabrador.ca domain was registered on March 11, 2013.
Not only was that four days before Penashue’s resignation was ostensibly submitted, but it was also the very same day that he was in North West River to present $1.35 million in new federal funding for “broadband improvements,” which would turn out to be his final appearance before stepping down.
If you've watched Question Period in the House of Commons in the last couple of days, you'll note that the Conservatives have shamelessly been campaigning for him there with the 'talking point' that Penashue was the 'best ever MP Labrador ever had.'
Even Prime Minister Harper got into the act on Tuesday.
"Minister Penashue has done the right thing under difficult circumstances, and he is prepared to take his record and be accountable to the people of Labrador — everything from defending the seal hunt to promoting the Lower Churchill project," Harper told the House.
"This is the best member of Parliament Labrador has ever had."
Meanwhile, media outlets are reporting that Harper is poised to call a by-election within two weeks — before Elections Canada finishes their investigation into the matter — with Penashue as the acclaimed Conservative candidate.
Interestingly, former Tory MP, Inky Mark told the Huffington Post that the Harper Conservatives are not letting anybody run against Penashue for nomination because they're "scared of losing the seat to a more prominent and honest person ... (to) someone you can’t control."
[ Related: Being a Tory means never having to say I'm sorry: Bob Rae ]
There are several questions Canadians should be asking here:
- Is it proper that Penashue began his campaign before his resignation?
- Was the $1.35 million in federal funding on March 11th part of the campaign?
- Why isn't Penashue being forced to run in a nomination?
- Why is the Harper government poised to call a by-election before Elections Canada makes the details of their investigation public?
For a party that only won the riding of Labrador by 79 votes in the last election, the Conservatives are employing some risky tactics.
Time will tell if they were calculated risks or mere arrogance.
(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)
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