Nathan Cullen has taken the next step in his concerns with Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Dick Harris, who found himself under the spotlight over his plans to install Houston mayor (and soon to be Conservative candidate) Sharon Smith as his “go to person” in the riding which he doesn’t represent.
The move has resulted in a fair amount of debate over the ethics of such a move and the role of elected MP’s in the House of Commons if they aren’t a member of the governing party.
The NDP MP believes that Harris is in violation of the MP’s code of ethic and wants the ethics commissioner to investigate and punished the Conservative MP for his behaviour.
In Monday’s Daily News, Cullen outlined his concerns and what he hopes will happen with the case.
CULLEN WANTS RIVAL HARRIS PUNISHED FOR ‘GO-TO’ FIASCO
Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP files his complaint with the ethics commissioner
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Monday, September 9, 2007’
Pages one and three
Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen expects the federal ethics commissioner will begin an investigation in to the behaviour of the Cariboo-Prince George MP within a week.
“We hope to have this resolved quickly and certainly prior to the Christmas season because people here need to feel like when someone does something wrong, there is some kind of ramification to that otherwise there are no watchdogs, just paper tigers,” said Cullen.
He spoke after filling a complaint with the ethics commissioner following Prince George MP Dick Harris issuing a press release in late August announcing the appointment of Sharon Smith as the ‘go-to’ person for Skeena-Bulkley Valley constituents looking for access to the federal government.
Smith, the Mayor of Houston, is also the nominated Conservative candidate for the next general election.
Harris suggested that those in ridings not represented by Conservative MPs have difficulty getting government projects approved or even basic government services, like passport applications, processed.
Cullen said he believes Harris violated the MPs code of ethics by using his public position to further Sharon Smith’s private interests in the next election.
While Harris has dismissed Cullen’s concerns in the media, Cullen noted that even the Conservative Party has said Harris’ stance is not official public policy.
“I’m not sure what I find more upsetting – that they did this in the first place, which was just not very bright, or that the Conservatives tried to defend it in the face of such a public outcry… it was a stupid move.”
Cullen said that the response from complaints to the ethics commissioner is usually quick.
“She is new to the position and we don’t think she has a lot on her plate just yet,” he said.
He expects an initial interview will be conducted in the next week followed by interviews with other sources. If the ethics commissioner chooses to launch a full investigation, Cullen said he expects that could take up to a month to complete.
While the decision to launch a full investigation is out of his hands, Cullen said he would like to see a tightening of the rules so government can’t keep “undermining the democratic process,” and “bullying or tricking people.”
“We would imagine there would be some handing of a decision to Mr. Harris himself, asking him to issue a public apology or not to do this again because it’s not about Dick Harris or the Skeena-Bulkley Valley alone, it’s about sending a signal to MP”s everywhere that the ethical bar will be higher than has been portrayed by this government so far. Of course, the final decision that she makes will be up to her.”
The move has resulted in a fair amount of debate over the ethics of such a move and the role of elected MP’s in the House of Commons if they aren’t a member of the governing party.
The NDP MP believes that Harris is in violation of the MP’s code of ethic and wants the ethics commissioner to investigate and punished the Conservative MP for his behaviour.
In Monday’s Daily News, Cullen outlined his concerns and what he hopes will happen with the case.
CULLEN WANTS RIVAL HARRIS PUNISHED FOR ‘GO-TO’ FIASCO
Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP files his complaint with the ethics commissioner
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Monday, September 9, 2007’
Pages one and three
Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen expects the federal ethics commissioner will begin an investigation in to the behaviour of the Cariboo-Prince George MP within a week.
“We hope to have this resolved quickly and certainly prior to the Christmas season because people here need to feel like when someone does something wrong, there is some kind of ramification to that otherwise there are no watchdogs, just paper tigers,” said Cullen.
He spoke after filling a complaint with the ethics commissioner following Prince George MP Dick Harris issuing a press release in late August announcing the appointment of Sharon Smith as the ‘go-to’ person for Skeena-Bulkley Valley constituents looking for access to the federal government.
Smith, the Mayor of Houston, is also the nominated Conservative candidate for the next general election.
Harris suggested that those in ridings not represented by Conservative MPs have difficulty getting government projects approved or even basic government services, like passport applications, processed.
Cullen said he believes Harris violated the MPs code of ethics by using his public position to further Sharon Smith’s private interests in the next election.
While Harris has dismissed Cullen’s concerns in the media, Cullen noted that even the Conservative Party has said Harris’ stance is not official public policy.
“I’m not sure what I find more upsetting – that they did this in the first place, which was just not very bright, or that the Conservatives tried to defend it in the face of such a public outcry… it was a stupid move.”
Cullen said that the response from complaints to the ethics commissioner is usually quick.
“She is new to the position and we don’t think she has a lot on her plate just yet,” he said.
He expects an initial interview will be conducted in the next week followed by interviews with other sources. If the ethics commissioner chooses to launch a full investigation, Cullen said he expects that could take up to a month to complete.
While the decision to launch a full investigation is out of his hands, Cullen said he would like to see a tightening of the rules so government can’t keep “undermining the democratic process,” and “bullying or tricking people.”
“We would imagine there would be some handing of a decision to Mr. Harris himself, asking him to issue a public apology or not to do this again because it’s not about Dick Harris or the Skeena-Bulkley Valley alone, it’s about sending a signal to MP”s everywhere that the ethical bar will be higher than has been portrayed by this government so far. Of course, the final decision that she makes will be up to her.”
Cullen has also written the prime minister asking him to tell his member to step down as chair of the B. C. caucus.
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