Angry in the Great White North

Here is the original news release:

CARP In The Dark About Income Trust Announcement

TORONTO, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - There is no truth to the serious accusations that CARP had inside information about Minister Ralph Goodale's announcement regarding Income Trusts. In fact, the political crossfire regarding who knew what, when and how about the Minister's announcement has created the false allegation that there was a leak to CARP.

The record must be set straight! At no time was CARP given an indication by the Minister's office of when the announcement would be made or what it would say.

There was communication between CARP and Mr. Goodale's office beginning in September when the issue of Income Trusts was first raised and thousands of seniors began contacting the Association in panic. Phone calls closer to the announcement involved CARP's urging the Minister to end the uncertainty regarding the Income Trust issue - especially before the expected end of Parliament.

CARP was told that because of the upcoming election, it was important to have certainty in the market and so an announcement could be coming soon. Although CARP had no idea of what the announcement would be, or exactly when it would come, it was good news that something was being done.

This absurd accusation seems to have started with Warren Kinsella who, for some reason, "mused" on his website that "a seniors organization had been actually briefed by Ministerial aides on what was coming before it did". He later cited CARP as the organization. CARP challenges Mr. Kinsella to back up this irresponsible claim!

CARP is Canada's Association for the Fifty-Plus. A non-profit, non- partisan organization, CARP has 400,000 members across the country. Its mandate is to promote and protect the rights and quality of life for older Canadians. Its mission is to develop practical recommendations for the issues raised, as was done in the case of Income Trusts.

For further information: Interviews/Information: Judy Cutler, Bill Gleberzon, Directors, Government & Media Relations, (416) 363-8748 ext. 241, carp@50plus.com, www.carp.ca

Here is the new version of the news release. Some date. Same title. But a significant edit at the end:

CARP in the Dark About Income Trust Announcement

December 8, 2005 – Toronto, Ontario: There is no truth to the serious accusations that CARP had inside information about Minister Ralph Goodale’s announcement regarding Income Trusts. In fact, the political crossfire regarding who knew what, when and how about the Minister’s announcement has created the false allegation that there was a leak to CARP.

The record must be set straight! At no time was CARP given an indication by the Minister’s office of when the announcement would be made or what it would say.

There was communication between CARP and Mr. Goodale’s office beginning in September when the issue of Income Trusts was first raised and thousands of seniors began contacting the Association in panic. Phone calls closer to the announcement involved CARP’s urging the Minister to end the uncertainty regarding the Income Trust issue – especially before the expected end of Parliament.

CARP was told that because of the upcoming election, it was important to have certainty in the market and so an announcement could be coming soon. Although CARP had no idea of what the announcement would be, or exactly when it would come, it was good news that something was being done.

CARP is Canada’s Association for the Fifty-Plus. A non-profit, non-partisan organization, CARP has 400,000 members across the country. Its mandate is to promote and protect the rights and quality of life for older Canadians. Its mission is to develop practical recommendations for the issues raised, as was done in the case of Income Trusts.

Interviews/Information: Judy Cutler/Bill Gleberzon Directors, Government & Media Relations 416 363-8748 ext. 241 carp@50plus.com

Apparently CARP has decided that Warren Kinsella's claim was not all that irresponsible. CARP seems to have withdrawn their challenge, without an apology, I might add.

I wonder if there are any other edits forthcoming as the question of a leak remains unanswered.