Canada's NDP

Skip to main content

March 15th, 2013

Peter Penashue - Minister for not being there

Yesterday’s resignation by Peter Penashue was a clear attempt to try and get ahead of damning revelations sure to come from Elections Canada about his scandal plagued 2011 election campaign.

While claiming he was taking responsibility, the former minister quickly found a scapegoat to blame.

The former Minister blamed all this on an “inexperienced” volunteer. Someone too “inexperienced” to manage the finances for a local riding campaign, and yet Conservatives thought he was experienced enough to reward him with a plum appointment to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, responsible for overseeing an industry worth billions.

To make matters worse, a Conservative Party spokesperson yesterday warned that “if Newfoundland and Labrador want to continue to have a strong voice within government they need to re-elect him as the Member of Parliament for Labrador”.

A strong voice? Really?

Here’s a quick list of the dates and times Peter Penashue was asked questions in the House of Commons by the NDP where he failed to stand up.

  • Thursday, March 15, 2012 - 2:46 PM
  • Thursday, March 15, 2012 - 2:50 PM
  • Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - 2:37 PM
  • Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - 2:39 PM
  • Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - 2:40 PM
  • Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - 2:41 PM
  • Thursday, October 18, 2012 - 2:36 PM
  • Thursday, October 18, 2012 - 2:39 PM
  • Tuesday, October 30, 2012 - 2:47 PM
  • Tuesday, October 30, 2012 - 2:49 PM
  • Monday, October 22, 2012 - 2:43 PM
  • Friday, November 02, 2012 - 11:16 AM
  • Monday, November 05, 2012 - 2:25 PM
  • Monday, November 05, 2012 - 2:26 PM
  • Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 2:50 PM
  • Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 2:53 PM
  • Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 2:54 PM
  • Wednesday, November 07, 2012 - 2:41 PM
  • Wednesday, November 07, 2012 - 2:43 PM
  • Wednesday, November 07, 2012 - 2:44 PM
  • Thursday, November 08, 2012 - 11:34 AM
  • Wednesday, November 21, 2012 - 2:26 PM
  • Wednesday, November 21, 2012 - 2:53 PM
  • Friday, February 01, 2013 - 11:21 AM
  • Friday, February 01, 2013 - 11:26 AM
  • Friday, February 01, 2013 - 11:27 AM
  • Wednesday, March 06, 2013 - 2:34 PM

For a Minister who had 32 public servants working for him at the Privy Council Office, including eight senior policy advisors, and employed 16 exempt staff, including a policy director and another senior policy advisor, he really didn’t provide much of a voice at all.

Canadians deserve better.