Olivia Chow, MP

Patronage Appointments: New Democrats Fight for Transparency

Olivia Chow and NDP Colleagues Prevented from Shedding Light on Dubious Federal Appointments by Conservatives

May 1, 2012

OTTAWA — Conservative MPs opposed an NDP motion calling on candidates proposed to the board of directors for several port authorities across the country to appear before the House of Commons committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN).

 “The Conservatives don’t seem to think it’s necessary to discuss the proposed candidates in parliamentary committee,” said New Democrat MP Isabelle Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce‒Lachine), who sits on the TRAN committee. “By rejecting our motion, the Conservatives are ensuring that their friends won’t have to respond to questions by the opposition.”

 Two candidates who are well known for their Conservative ties, Éric Dupont and Pierre Rivard, are proposed to be appointed to the board of directors of the Quebec port authority. Jean-Sébastien Harvey, who is also the secretary of the Jonquière-Alma Conservative riding association, is proposed for appointment to the Saguenay port authority board of directors.

 “The Harper government must show transparency when making appointments for such important positions,” said Robert Aubin (Trois-Rivières), Deputy Transport Critic. “We’re not questioning the government’s prerogative to make these appointments, but we think they could at least discuss them with the opposition, to ensure that Canadian ports are managed by the most qualified people.”