OTTAWA – The Liberals are after Timmins James Bay MP Charlie Angus. However, the New Democrat MP is brushing off the attack.
Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie wrote the House of Commons Speaker stating, “I am writing to you in your capacity as the Chair of the House of Commons’ Board of Internal Economy regarding the potentially inappropriate use of Members’ designated Websites by Mr. Charlie Angus, the Member of Parliament for Timmins-James Bay.
“The rules are very clearly stated within the Members’ Allowances and Services guide, requiring that Members’ do not solicit membership in any political party nor include any campaign information on their Members’ Web site. It appears clear that Mr. Angus has violated both of these rules in advertising for his federal election nomination event and in soliciting NDP Memberships directly from his Members’ Web site, www.charlieangus.ndp .ca. Screenshots of these problematic posts are enclosed with this letter.
“It is worth further noting that the rules also explicitly state that Members are personally responsible for the content on their Members’ Web sites. I urge the Board of Internal Economy to investigate this matter, make appropriate recommendations, or seek appropriate penalties should the Board find Mr. Angus violated the rules.”
Responding to the issue on Facebook, Charlie Angus posted, “You know you’re pissing off the government when they send a backbencher to go after you with frivolous accusations. Like being stoned to death with popcorn.
“I don’t use House resources to pay for my website.”
Angus is on record saying that it is his Timmins-James Bay Riding Association which pays for this website.
The Timmins-James Bay MP suspects that the impetus for the efforts by the Liberals stem from a complain he raised with the Speaker of the House of Commons over Prime Minister Trudeau using his office to film a Liberal Party fundraising video last year.
In that case, the Liberals paid $500 and promised to return any donations raised as a result of that video.
