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Liberals vote against transparency for cash-for-access fundraisers
11-29-2016
It was one of the biggest promises the Liberals made during the last campaign. They promised a Liberal government would be open, transparent and accountable to all Canadians.
But the Prime Minister and his Liberal cabinet ministers are unashamedly breaking their promise by defying their own ethics rules. These rules clearly state that ministers should not grant preferential access to certain people or special interest groups.
But that’s exactly what’s happening. In fact during their first year in office, the Liberals have held more than 80 cash-for-access fundraising events featuring lobbyists, lawyers, and other important groups who do business with the Government of Canada.
That’s why I delivered a motion in the House of Commons to give the Ethics commissioner the power to investigate these cash-for-access schemes. But when it came time to vote, the Liberals chose elitism over transparency by voting down this motion.
Deplorably, the government can continue these cash-for-access fundraisers. It is extremely disappointing that the Prime Minister refuses to enforce his own standards on this issue.
Sincerely,
Blaine Calkins, MP
Conservative Critic for Conflict of Interest and Ethics
Member of Parliament for Red Deer–Lacombe
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