OTTAWA – New Democrat Ethics Critic Bill Siksay (Burnaby—Douglas) is calling on the Minister of State for Sport, Gary Lunn, to remove himself from ministerial responsibilities pending a full investigation into suspicious third party spending in the 2008 election.

“There is a dark cloud over the minister,” said Siksay. “Very serious allegations have been made and the responsible thing to do would be to step aside until this matter is cleared up.”

At issue are four previously unheard of groups that took out advertising in support of Lunn during the election. The four all had direct links to each other and to Lunn’s campaign.

“It is not unusual for a minister under these circumstances to excuse himself as a minister for the crown,” said Siksay. “I am surprised that the minister isn’t welcoming an investigation as a chance to finally determine if what happened was right or wrong.”

Earlier this week Siksay requested that Elections Canada launch an investigation into this matter. Elections Canada has said that third party returns are currently being "reviewed and assessed.” As a rule Elections Canada will not confirm or deny that there is an investigation under way.