NDP REALITY CHECK: Pierre Poilievre’s “Respect” for Taxpayers – No Questions, Please

Pierre Poilievre likes to talk about respecting the taxpayer, but he doesn’t seem to think Canadians have a right to know how he’s spending their money.

When the Canadian Press filed an Access to Information Request asking it would cost the taxpayer to remove investigative powers from Elections Canada, the request was denied.

“Government refuses to reveal cost for splitting up Elections Canada” - Canadian Press, October 7, 2014

When asked point-blank by the NDP about the cost in the House of Commons, Poilievre said:

“Mr. Speaker, the move has not actually occurred. As a result, there have been no costs” - Pierre Poilievre, October 7, 2014

But is that really true? When NDP MP Charlie Angus followed up with a written question to the department, he found:

“Government documents estimate costs at $3.4 million over two years” - Ottawa Citizen, November 25, 2014 “The written response to Angus also shows that Poilievre was made aware of potential costs in June, then updated over the summer and into the fall.” - Ottawa Citizen, November 25, 2014

“Pierre Poilievre doesn’t seem to think that the people who pay the bills – Canadians – have the right to know what wrong-headed Conservative policies are costing,” said NDP MP Charlie Angus. “After 10 years in office, Canadian are ready to replace Stephen Harper’s tired, scandal-plagued government, and repair the damage it has done.”