OTTAWA – POLITICS – Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has a new MP. The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today welcomed Eve Adams, Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Brampton South, to the Liberal Caucus.
Eve Adams was first elected to Parliament as a Conservative.
“Eve Adams entered public service to be her community’s voice in Ottawa – not Stephen Harper’s voice in her community – and today I am pleased to welcome her to the Liberal Caucus,” said Mr. Trudeau. “Ms. Adams has demonstrated passion and commitment to her constituents as a City Councillor, Member of Parliament, and Parliamentary Secretary. But she has also seen her work restrained by a party focused on the politics of meanness and division.”
“I am very concerned for the direction our country is heading in under Stephen Harper, and I strongly believe that it is time for a leader who can steer Canada in a more positive, productive direction. I believe that leader is Justin Trudeau,” said Ms. Adams. “I am proud to stand behind a leader like Mr. Trudeau, who has demonstrated humanity, compassion, and decisiveness when serious issues present themselves.”
Ms. Adams was appointed by Stephen Harper as Parliamentary Secretary for two portfolios since her election to the House of Commons in 2011, and today she resigns as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health. Previously, Ms. Adams served for eight years as City and Regional Councillor for Ward 5, Mississauga, Ontario. During that time, she also held several senior positions on City and Regional Councils, including Chair of the Audit and Management Committees and Vice Chair of the Court of Revision.
“The Liberal Party of Canada is for inclusion. Our growth depends on bringing people together to grow the middle class, and it depends on bringing people together who believe that through hope and hard work we can and will achieve great things,” said Mr. Trudeau. “We are building the team and the plan that will give hard-working Canadians a real chance at success and a more prosperous future. I am very pleased that Ms. Adams is joining us today to accomplish just that.”
The Conservatives are stating that they had already told Eve Adams she would not be their candidate.
Conservative Party of Canada President John Walsh states, “After Ms. Adams’ request of just a couple weeks ago to seek the Conservative Party nomination in a new seat, I informed her in writing on January 29th that she would not be permitted to run for our Party in the next election due to the misconduct from the Oakville North-Burlington nomination race. I communicated clearly that our Party takes our nomination rules and procedures seriously, and we made a commitment to run fair and open nominations, and any misconduct from candidates, including caucus members, would not be tolerated.
“In the last election, the people of Mississauga Brampton-South elected a Conservative MP to focus on their priorities – creating jobs, reducing taxes and providing benefits directly to families. They clearly rejected the Liberals high tax, high debt agenda.”
NDP Statement
NDP Ethics critic, Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay), made the following statement about the decision of Eve Adams to cross the floor of the House of Commons: “Once again, an elected official is thinking of their own career ahead of the constituents that elected her. The Liberal Party of Canada is giving us yet another example of cynicism by accepting in their ranks a Conservative MP that has fallen out of favor of the Prime minister.
“Members shouldn’t play petty politics and think only of their career, by changing political parties whenever they like. MP’s are elected personally and under their party banner. We must ensure that members are accountable to their constituents.
“We believe that changing political affiliation during your term needs the approval of your constituents. The NDP tabled a Private member’s bill to state those principles and to prohibit sitting MP’s from crossing the floor.
“This is why the NDP is asking Eve Adams to do the right thing for democracy and to resign and to run in a by-election.”
