"That's my story and I'm sticking to it!" ..... Huh?

Good Day Readers:

For Shelly Glover to claim she was unaware of the purpose of a gathering she attended is totally feeble. When was the last time you received an invitation to an event and attended knowing only the location and time? She's been caught by the short and curlies but in all likelihood will escape with a tiny slap on the wrist. Why? The Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is a toothless paper tiger of a lion. How many times has it summarily thrown out a politician on their arse? She'll probably be given a little pat on the head by the Commissioner and asked not to do it again.

Charlie Angus NDP Critic for Ethics recently summed it up best, "What's next? Is she going to charge admission in her office here. This is the kind of behaviour that Canadians I think are getting fed up with."

Amen!

Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk

Tory MP Shelly Glover under fire for ethics investigation

Canadian Heritage Minister Shelly Glover faces tough questions in Question Period over fundraiser

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Canadian Heritage Minister and Saint Boniface MP Shelly Glover was under fire in Question Period on Monaday for a a controversial fundraiser held earlier this month. (CBC)

Canadian Heritage Minister Shelly Glover was under fire during question period in Parliament on Monday, when the NDP Ethics Critic demanded to know what sanctions she would face over a donation issue earlier this year.

The federal Ethics Commissioner is investigating the St. Boniface MP for a fundraiser in which she asked members of Winnipeg’s arts community for a $50 donation to attend.

NDP MP Charlie Angus brought up Tory MP Shelly Glover's recent ethics investigation during Question Period on Monday. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

The invitation for the fundraiser read, "Invitees are primarily members of the cultural community in Winnipeg. Shelly is interested in meeting with you and hearing your views."

Under federal conflict of interest rules, cabinet ministers are not allowed to solicit donations from anyone who has asked for money or who may ask for money from her department.

Glover promptly cancelled the controversial donations, but the matter is still be investigated under the conflict of interest legislation.

On Monday, NDP Ethics Critic Charlie Angus brought up the controversy during Question Period, accusing the Conservatives of providing a “get-out-of-jail-free card” to any of their ministers who may need it.

“The latest to make use of it is the heritage minister,” said Angus, an Ontario MP for Timmins-James Bay.

“Hasn't anyone told her that you can't charge admission to the very groups that are coming to you for grants?

What sanctions will this minister face?"

Glover shifted the blame for the event, saying she wasn’t in on the planning of the fundraiser and “very swiftly took actions to address this situation.”

She added, “I proactively reported it to the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. While she is doing her examination, I’m happy to help her with her work.”

The latest controversy isn’t the first time Glover has landed in hot water.

She was also investigated for overspending during the 2011 election and was found to have overspent on her campaign. She has promised to underspend if she runs again.