Conservatives Refuse to Come Clean on Ethics Scandal

November 7, 2013

OTTAWA– Today in the House of Commons, the Conservatives voted to defeat the Liberal Opposition Day Motion that would have launched a committee investigation into the actions of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the repayment of Senator Mike Duffy’s expenses, and called on the Prime Minister to appear and testify under oath.

“The Conservatives made a clear choice today: they voted against the motion and reaffirmed that they are unwilling to provide Canadians with transparency on the PMO Ethics Scandal that is now squarely at the Prime Minister’s doorstep,” said the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Ralph Goodale. “Once again, instead of standing up to defend the interests of the voters who elected them, backbench Conservative MPs chose to be mouthpieces for the Prime Minister’s Office. Voters in Provencher, Brandon–Souris, Bourassa and Toronto Centre now know exactly what kind of representation they will get if they vote Conservative.”

The Liberal Opposition Day Motion, which was introduced by Mr. Goodale, would have instructed the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics to examine the conduct of the Prime Minister’s Office in the repayment of Senator Duffy’s expenses, as well as call the Prime Minister to appear before committee and testify under oath.

“The Prime Minister has constantly changed his story since this scandal began. It is time to end the months of spin and damage control, and for the Prime Minister to take responsibility and shed light on this sordid affair,” said Mr. Goodale. “Even though the Prime Minister ‘couldn’t care less,’ Canadians expect and deserve answers. It’s a shame Mr. Harper refused – once again – to take responsibility and show some leadership.”