Statement from NDP Ethics critic Charlie Angus on fraud charges for Bruce Carson

I want to thank the Royal Canadian Mounted Police A Division for their diligent work in investigating the activities of Bruce Carson, formerly a special advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The charge of influence peddling under the criminal code is a very serious one and goes to the very heart of holding government accountable in a democracy. Preferential access and profiting from influence can never be tolerated.

Stephen Harper and his office only mentioned problems with Bruce Carson’s activities after the matter was made public by the media – as usual, Conservatives only acknowledge their ethical problems after they are caught.

The Prime Minister still hasn’t explained, or taken any responsibility, for how his inner circle included someone with previous criminal convictions for fraud – who then went on to allegedly use his political connections to take advantage of impoverished First Nations communities for a quick buck.