Canada's NDP

Skip to main content

January 21st, 2014

Mark Adler and his “million dollar shot”

Conservative MP Mark Adler may not have realized the cameras were rolling when he tried his best to weasel his way into a shot with the Prime Minister. Unfortunate for him they were… and news travels fast in a digital age.

“It’s the re-election! This is the million dollar shot!” - Mark Adler, January 21, 2014

Adler’s outburst confirms what many Canadians already assumed; the Prime Minister and his entourage of 237 aren’t in Israel exclusively for diplomatic reasons.

Stephen Harper filled every seat he could on the way to Israel. This includes former MP Stockwell Day and his wife, 63 donors to the Conservative Party, and 32 individuals involved in lobbying or being lobbied at the federal level. These lucky guests joined six ministers, nine Conservative MPs, Senator Irving Gerstein and his wife, Senator Linda Frum and her daughter, Senator Judith Seidman and Prime Minister’s Office staff.

While Canadians will have to wait some time before learning how much this trip cost them, Mr. Adler’s outburst makes one thing clear: Conservatives aren’t just in Israel to make new friends.

Instead of focusing on their constituents, Conservatives are running for re-election and having the taxpayer foot the bill.

Canadians deserve better.