Minister called to account for third party support

OTTAWA – New Democrat Ethics Critic Bill Siksay is calling on the Minister of State for Sports to account for the expenditures of third party organizations his riding during the October federal election. At issue is advertising in support of Saanich-Gulf Islands Conservative MP Gary Lunn during the campaign.

“There is some suggestion that there is more going on here than a love-in for the Minister,” said Siksay. “Many questions are raised, which must be answered.”

According to Elections Canada’s Third Party Election Advertising Reports five previously unheard of groups took out ads supporting Mr. Lunn’s re-election. At least four of these groups seem to have ties to Lunn’s political organization.

Election Canada documents show that four of them shared the same financial agent and listed 800-1070 Douglas Street, Victoria, as their office location. This address also happens to be the law office of Lunn’s riding association Election Readiness officer, and the 2006 Conservative Party BC provincial campaign manager, Bruce Hallsor.

Furthermore, one of these groups, Citizens Against Higher Taxes, paid Lunn’s 2008 campaign manager, Byng Giraud, $2,240 for signs promoting his candidate.

“On the surface this seems to be an attempt to skirt the election spending cap,” said Siksay. “The Minister must explain immediately.”