Yorkregion.com - Georgina - Van Loan denies lying, refuses to apologize
Van Loan denies lying, refuses to apologize
Georgina
Apr 30, 2008 09:03 PM
By: John Slykhuis
York-Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan has flatly refused to apologize after being accused of lying in the House of Commons by advocacy group Democracy Watch.
Democracy Watch called for the apology, claiming its position on the Conservatives’ TV advertising controversy was misrepresented when Mr. Van Loan “partially quoted” co-ordinator Duff Conacher’s remarks on Canada AM April 16.
Democracy Watch said Mr. Van Loan used just half of Mr. Conacher’s comments in the House, stating, “In terms of our spending practices, I would like to quote Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch, who was on CTV today.
“He said ‘The Conservatives did something in the last election that all parties have done for years.
“That’s legal and parties can donate as much as they want to a local candidate and often do to candidates that don’t have a lot of local support and can’t raise money on their own.
“And then what happens is those candidates use some of that money to buy materials for national headquarters, like pamphlets, signs, platforms to hand out to people. That’s all.”
Democracy Watch said Mr. Van Loan left out the part where Mr. Conacher said he believes the Conservatives’ scheme violated the Canada Elections Act.
“Peter Van Loan lied when he claimed that I said the Conservatives’ TV ad spending scheme during the last election was legal. In fact, I said, very clearly, that I believe the scheme was illegal,” Mr. Conacher said.
Reached by The Advocate Monday night, Mr. Van Loan responded, “It’s surprising to see Duff Conacher criticize my choice of words in the House of Commons since I quote him using his exact words.
“Mr. Conacher said that it is legal for national political parties to transfer funds to local campaigns. He was right, which is why I referenced his remarks in the House of Commons.
“If Duff Conacher believes he misspoke, then it is up to him to apologize.
Regardless, I accepted that Duff Conacher meant what he said on live television and will not be apologizing for using his exact words.”