Wayne Easter, MP

The Duffy Issue

Some folks have asked where I stand on the Duffy issue:

Simply put, Mike Duffy’s appointment to the Senate representing PEI is a violation of the constitution because, in my view, he does not meet the residency requirements as spelled out in the constitution. He has been shown to do Harper’s biddings rather than defend and promote the interests of Islanders (ie: EI, equalization, job cuts, etc…).

With respect to his expense scandal, I initially extended Mike Duffy the benefit of the doubt. Given my previous experience with an administrative error, I know firsthand how quickly small internal administrative mistakes can be angled poorly in the public’s eye. As public servants, we are rightfully held to very high standards which demand us to own up and maintain responsibility to our constituents and Canadians generally when mistakes are made.

It was December of 2012 when the Senate Internal Economy Committee announced it would conduct an audit to assess whether all Senators’ declarations of primary and secondary residence were supported by sufficient documentation. Since this audit was ordered, Mr. Duffy has been misleading the public about personally repaying Canadians, attempted to bypass protocol to obtain a PEI health card, withdrew from participation of the Deloitte audit and avoided media with no substantive answers to the public’s questions. Obviously in a panic to cover this up, Mr. Duffy has taken no genuine responsibility for these accusations which cannot logically be suppressed as simple administrative mistakes. The ongoing confusion surrounding Mike Duffy’s secret deal to erase the $90,000 debt with the Prime Minister`s Office has only added to the confusion.  This scheming and manipulation has been shameful to watch as he is seen, rightly or wrongly, to represent us as an Islander.

As all these events have transpired, Canadians have looked to their Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, for accountability and leadership. His approach, however, has been to completely subvert our system of governance. When he finally made a statement of any substance, it was delivered from a podium in Peru where our press had limited opportunity to question him. What started as an administrative paperwork issue, whether intentional or not, has exploded into a mess of misinformation, avoidance, and behind the scenes cover ups. This all says a lot about Prime Minster Harper as a leader and has reflected badly on government.

Islanders want better than this. I want to thank you all for your support and assure you all that I am doing everything I can to make sure Canadians know the actions of Sen. Mike Duffy do not reflect Islanders in any manner. Further to that, I would like to highlight and commend the efforts of hardworking Island Senators Catherine Callbeck, Percy Downe, and Libbe Hubley who have, and continue to represent Islanders well in Ottawa.

Question on Vote for Time Allocation

Mr. Speaker, it is important to understand what this time allocation motion is really on. It is on the motion to extend the hours of Parliament.

This is coming much earlier than normal. We do not mind working late hours, but we are incensed that the government is always invoking closure and limiting debate on real issues.

I ask the House leader this. The government is trying everything it can do to avoid the PMO-Duffy scandal. We know that the Prime Minister is out of the country. Is this really an approach to try to get what government business it can get done now so it can prorogue Parliament earlier and get out of town and not have to answer questions in this House? Is that really the game that is being played here? This is an extension of hours about three weeks ahead of the normal time. Is there a scheme at play coming right out of the Prime Minister’s Office to avoid the scandal the government is caught up in?

HARPER GOVERNMENT AXES U.S. ADVERTISING – MAJOR CONCERN FOR TOURIST OPERATORS ON PEI

OTTAWA, ON- Malpeque MP, Wayne Easter, raised concerns today in the House of Commons regarding the Canadian Tourism Commission is axing U.S. advertising for Canada’s tourism industry.

“Tourism operators on Prince Edward Island who depend on American visitors should be extremely concerned by the decision of the Harper government to eliminate all general advertising in the U.S.”, said Easter. “This government is no longer investing in strengthening Canada’s tourism industry.”

“It was unbelievable,” said Easter, “to hear that it didn’t seem to matter to the Minister of Industry (responsible for tourism), Christian Paradis, that Canada has slid from 7th to 18th in terms of being a destination for international tourists. He confirmed that the Canadian Tourism Commission has eliminated its general advertising program into the United States promoting Canada as a tourist destination. For Canada to ignore the United States as the largest middle class base in the world is extremely poor decision-making on the part of the Harper government”, continued Easter.

“This type of blatant disregard for Canada’s tourism industry is a sincere slap in the face to all of those tourist operators on Prince Edward Island who work so hard to provide exceptional service to our visitors. Without the support of the government to promote Canada as a tourist destination for Americans, we shall surely see the ramifications”, finished Easter.
Background:

The question & answer read:

Hon. Wayne Easter (Critic for International Trade, LPC): Mr. Speaker, how can the minister stand there and reads those words, that the Canadian Tourism Commission will continue to promote Canada, when he knows full well that is wrong? The headlines in the paper state: Tourism Commission Axes United States Advertising. The Canadian Tourism Commission confirms it has eliminated all general advertising in the United States. International tourism is the fastest growing market in the world and Canada has dropped from 7th place as the most visited country to the 18th.Why is the government spending money on its own propaganda rather than creating jobs for the tourism business?

Hon. Christian Paradis (Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), CPC): Mr. Speaker, that is total nonsense. It is a typical Liberal way to badly manage the economy. When we talk about tourism, we have to look at where the potential is. That is what the CTC is doing. It has refocused its resources to places like India and China where tourism has a high potential. What we have seen in the last quarter is a growth of tourists in Canada. We are proud of Canada. We will promote Canada correctly. We will not do it as badly as the Liberals suggest.

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