Equal time?

Mary Dawson
Commissioner
Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Parliament of Canada
66 Slater Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
ciec-ccie@parl.gc.ca

Dear Commissioner Dawson:

This morning at approximately 8:30 (Winnipeg time) the CBC aired what appeared to be an approximately 2- minute message from Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Member for Delta-Richmond East, as part of free announcement time allowed Parliamentarians. We believe the program is called, The Nation's Business.
As you are undoubtedly aware, this is a common practice during federal election campaigns, however, this is the first time we have encountered its use outside lead up to a general vote. Although we do not have a transcript, in it Ms Findlay appeared to be extolling the virtues of the Omnibus Crime Bill currently before Parliament. She also suggested the last election resulted from the action of Opposition Parties which some would argue represents an embellishment.

Questions

1. Was Ms Findlay correct in placing this announcement on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's radio network?

2. Will Opposition Members be allowed equal time to present their views on the issue?

Please be advised any reply received will be published on this site.

Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk

Media Citizen Journalist
Blog Master
www.CyberSmokeBlog.blogspot.com

Kerry-Lynne.Findlay@parl.gc.ca