Yesterday, The Globe and Mail reported that the Liberal Party would be investigating allegations that some Quebec, Papineau riding, members of the party had not themselves paid the membership fee as required by the party’s rules and that others had been signed-up without their knowledge or consent. According to the Globe, questions began to be asked after the Joe Volpe campaign reported large numbers of new party members by the mid-summer sign-up deadline. Only members expected to support Joe Volpse were discussed in the Globe. Spokesperson for the Volpe campaign denied any wrongdoing. To his credit, the president of the Papineau riding association told the Globe that is is critical that the issue be resolved before Liberals vote next weekend to elect delegates to December’s leadership convention and indicate their preference for leader.
The Toronto Star elaborates on the report in a lengthy piece today alleging that the membership list in Quebec include persons long deceased and others who did not pay the fees or did not apply for membership. The Star expanded the investigation to several Montreal ridings. Again, all the concerns are directed at the Volpe campaign. There is no suggestion that Volpe knew about or condoned any malfeasance. Both newspapers link the story only to prominent Quebec Liberal organizers.
The hint of impropriety is damaging to any political party but the Liberal Party is Quebec is more vulnerable than any other. Intense scrutiny will be required to ensure those voting at next week’s constituency conventions are entitled to do so. But a more aggressive response would be in the interests of the Party.
Joe Volpe’s campaign was tainted earlier in the summer when donations from underaged Canadians were revealed; part of an apparent attempt to circumvent election financing laws. Volpe denied wrongdoing and returned the money and hoped the issue would go away. With the latest reports, if Joe Volpe respects the Liberal Party, he will withdraw from the leadership race before next weekend. Probably no one in Canada - not even Volpe - believes he has the slightest chance of winning the race and any hope of being a king-maker has vanished. No other candidate wants Volpe’s, or his team’s public endorsement. For the sake of the party and out of respect for all the Liberals working to end Stephen Harper’s tenure in the PMO, Joe, it’s time to go.
The Toronto Star elaborates on the report in a lengthy piece today alleging that the membership list in Quebec include persons long deceased and others who did not pay the fees or did not apply for membership. The Star expanded the investigation to several Montreal ridings. Again, all the concerns are directed at the Volpe campaign. There is no suggestion that Volpe knew about or condoned any malfeasance. Both newspapers link the story only to prominent Quebec Liberal organizers.
The hint of impropriety is damaging to any political party but the Liberal Party is Quebec is more vulnerable than any other. Intense scrutiny will be required to ensure those voting at next week’s constituency conventions are entitled to do so. But a more aggressive response would be in the interests of the Party.
Joe Volpe’s campaign was tainted earlier in the summer when donations from underaged Canadians were revealed; part of an apparent attempt to circumvent election financing laws. Volpe denied wrongdoing and returned the money and hoped the issue would go away. With the latest reports, if Joe Volpe respects the Liberal Party, he will withdraw from the leadership race before next weekend. Probably no one in Canada - not even Volpe - believes he has the slightest chance of winning the race and any hope of being a king-maker has vanished. No other candidate wants Volpe’s, or his team’s public endorsement. For the sake of the party and out of respect for all the Liberals working to end Stephen Harper’s tenure in the PMO, Joe, it’s time to go.
