Liberals continue cash-for-access fundraisers

 

It was one of the biggest promises the Liberals made during the last campaign -- a government open, transparent and accountable.   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.

That’s exactly what’s happening. In their first year in office, the Liberals have held more than 80 cash-for-access fundraising events featuring lobbyists, lawyers, and other 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 voted down this motion.

The government can now continue these cash-for-access fundraisers. It is extremely disappointing that the Prime Minister refuses to enforce his own standards.

Blaine Calkins
MP for Red Deer–Lacombe
Ottawa