Angry in the Great White North
Did a Liberal candidate offer a bribe to an NDP candidate to drop out of the race?
Friday, January 13, 2006 at 10:44 AM

Read other posts by Steve Janke published by the National Post
Leader

oliver.jpg Abbotsford Liberal candidate David Oliver

Oh. My. God.

The place is Abbotsford, British Columbia. The Liberal candidate is David Oliver.

The NDP candidate is Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson.

A formal letter (a copy of which was received by this blogger), was sent to the Commissioner for Elections Canada:

OTTAWA
January 12, 2006

Mr. Raymond Lavigne
Commissioner for Elections Canada
257 Slater St.
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0M6

Mr. Lavigne,

It has just been brought to my attention that on the evening of January 10th, 2005 the Liberal campaign in Abbotsford requested a meeting with our candidate in that electoral district.

Please find attached a notarized statement by our candidate Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson of the events that took place. At this meeting a proposal was made which appears to be in contravention of section 481 (1) of the Election Act

481. (1) Every person is guilty of an offence who, during an election period, directly or indirectly offers a bribe to influence an elector to vote or refrain from voting or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate.

This allegation is a very serious matter, and questions the integrity of the Liberal campaign and could involve a serious breach of the Act governing the electoral process in Canada. I urge you to investigate this matter as soon as possible.

If I can be of any assistance in these matters, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely yours,

Eric Hebert
Federal Secretary, New Democratic Party of Canada

A news release has also been prepared:

Jan 13 2006 10:13:13 - Source: CCN [CCNMatthews ]

NDP Files Complaint With Elections Canada: Abbotsford BC Liberal Can
FOR: NDP

Date issue: January 13, 2006
Time in: 10:13 AM e

Attention:

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Jan. 13, 2006) - The NDP has written to Elections Canada requesting an investigation into allegations that the Liberal candidate in Abbotsford, B.C., offered the NDP candidate in that riding a bribe in exchange for dropping out of the race, NDP Federal Secretary Eric Hebert said today.

The NDP candidate, Jeffery Hansen - Carlson, submitted a notarized statement federal NDP headquarters that outlines a meeting he had with the Liberal candidate and campaign manager on the evening of January 10. That sworn statement is attached, along with a copy of Hebert's letter.

"Mr. Hansen-Carlson's statement contains troubling information about **> Liberal Party<** actions that we believe to be contrary to the Canada Elections Act, and we had a responsibility to the voters in Abbotsford-and, indeed, voters throughout the country-to formally ask Elections Canada to investigate," said Hebert.

NOTE TO EDITORS/REPORTERS: Hansen-Carlson will be available for comment later today. To arrange an interview, please call Clay Suddaby in Vancouver at 604-313-1138.

Update: The sworn statement.

Assuming this email is legit -- this is shocking. Will this nightmare never end?

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