Angry in the Great White North

Here is a view of what happened at the Garth Turner town hall meeting held last night:

I am writing you today because I was at a Garth Turner townhall meeting last night. I was appalled by a number of things (not the least of which was his collection of Liberal signs, lol).

His worst action last night was while an 84 year old veteran was talking about a) what a great job our armed forces are doing in Afghanistan, and B) how it is patently false that the Government is doing anything but completely honoring its veterans, Mr Turner decided to shout him down and try to move on to other people discussing Afghanistan, who happened to be a crazy 9/11 denier, but Garth let her speak freely.

Im also appalled that when I asked about who is paying for his cross Canada junket, and how this helps Haltonians, he got extraordinarily upset that I would ask such a question, refused to disclose the source of the funds, and said as an MP he can go "wherever the hell he wants". His executive assistant also scoffed many times during my question.

This person identifies himself as a Conservative, and a former colleague of Garth Turner's before a falling out, and I appreciate his honesty.

The encounter with the veteran sounds unpleasant, but to be fair, I'd like to hear how other people perceived it. When it comes to the question of the junket, though, I am willing to delve a bit further, if nothing else because my correspondent provided a direct quote of Garth Turner's reaction.

Garth Turner will be leaving soon for Western Canada:

We should have all the meetings nailed down by next Tuesday for my visit to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. I'll post the sked here.

The exact schedule is still forthcoming. What is this trip? Apparently, it is some sort of speaking tour:

I [am] about to embark on a 10-city speaking tour in Western Canada [starting September 4].

I don't know the subject matter, but given that he is announcing it on his political blog attached to his MP's website, I can only assume it is tied to politics. Indeed, in the blog posting I just quoted, Garth Turner's point was that as a Conservative MP, he would not be allowed to go on this tour (Stephen Harper being a dictatorial control freak, and so on and so forth), while he does enjoy this opportunity now that he is with the Liberal Party.

Clearly political, then, and clearly linked to the Liberal Party.

Now consider that the Liberal Party is in serious financial trouble. Money isn't coming in. When the top tier of the Liberal Party try to raise funds, the results have been downright embarrassing:

Special Liberal fundraising events have so far failed to put much of a dent in the almost $4 million in debts racked up by 11 former leadership contenders.

The first event in Halifax two weeks ago - a cocktail reception featuring Leader Stephane Dion and six of his erstwhile rivals - attracted about 60 people who paid $250 each. After expenses, however, party insiders say the event netted only about $5,400.

The spoils were divvied up equally among the seven former leadership contenders who participated, leaving each with about $750. Insiders with several camps complain that the event didn't make enough to cover even air fare to Halifax for some candidates, much less help retire their combined debt of $3.6 million.

Garth Turner was not a leadership candidate and is not in Stephane Dion's shadow cabinet. Why would the Liberal Party be footing the bill for a backbencher who is not so much important as he is notororious to hit 10 cities in four provinces? Or is it coming out of the constituency budget? In which case, the point of how this helps the people of Halton is one worth asking.

Or is someone else footing the bill?

Really, I wouldn't normally expect the answer to be particularly interesting or scandalous. But if the reaction to the question (An MP can go wherever the hell he wants!) was accurately described, then maybe the question ought to be answered. Preferably without the hissing.

Maybe someone else who was at the meeting can fill in the details. Perhaps Garth Turner was able to provide more information that was missed by this attendee. Perhaps someone has some insight into the the nature of the speaking tour.

Update: Garth Turner responds:

In any case, he asked me last night about who's paying for my coming speaking tour in the West. As I answered, the librarian whose room we were using called out for us to end our meeting. I responded in the time left, telling him no taxpayers would be on the hook for it. (Details of this issue, and the tour will be - as already promised - released tomorrow.)

Oh yes, and he claims I attacked him and so on and so forth. Par for the course, really. Interesting, since I clearly suggested that the perception of the unpleasant encounter with the veteran was difficult to accept without corroboration. I didn't get any points for that. *Sigh* Still, Garth Turner will reveal the details of the tour (including, I hope, on who is paying for the airfare and hotels and meals), so I guess I'll have to go back to his blog tomorrow. Oh well.

Update: And this is why we'll always need real reporters. David Akin has the official word on the Garth Turner tour:

If you’re in Western Canada, watch out, Liberal MP Garth Turner is bringing his “Lost Tory” tour near you.

Now, when Turner was a Conservative, many of his caucus colleagues resented it when he’d show up in their Western riding. They thought he was grand-standing (and stealing their thunder). For many Conservative MPs, Garth’s forays into other ridings contributed to their decision to kick him out of that caucus.

But the Liberals have a different view.

“Turner will be contributing to the Party and the Leaders' narrative on broken promises and policy missteps by the Conservatives and explaining the rationale for his decision to leave the Conservatives and join the Liberals,” wrote Nicolas Ruszkowski, Director of Communications for the Opposition Leader’s Office, in an e-mail reply to a query I had. “He's also helping by spending a significant portion of time in unheld ridings, and we welcome the initiative.”

The official release from the Garth Turner campaign is reproduced on David's blog. The tour seems to be covering well-worn territory concerning income trusts. And Garth Turner says the tour is essentially self-financed, with hotel and speaking venues being provided by fans of Turner's at each location. Good for him.

Like I said, pretty much a non-event. I do look forward to seeing the video of the town hall meeting in question, just to put any lingering doubts to rest. I understand Garth Turner makes video recordings of all his appearances.

And apologies to certain persons who have gotten all worked up about an email I sent asking for information. Had I realized that I the information provided by your own senior staff was so sensitive, I would have been more circumspect. Be assured that the information that has been shared with me has not gone any farther.