NDP wants inquiry into Emerson's floor-crossing

[Minstrel Boy]

A New Democrat MP has asked the ethics commissioner to investigate turncoat Liberal MP David Emerson, suggesting he violated the Ethics Code when he deserted his party and took a cabinet post with the Conservatives.

Peter Julian sent a letter to House of Commons Ethics Commissioner Bernard Shapiro requesting an investigation into a possible breach of the Ethics Code involving Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Trade Minister David Emerson.

Julian says Harper could be in violation of Parliament's conflict-of-interest code when he offered Emerson a plumb post in exchange for defecting from the Liberals.

"There's very clearly the appearance of a violation of the ethics code," Julian said on CTV's Mike Duffy Live. "There's the appearance that there was a reward. Cabinet ministers are paid more, there are additional perks that come with office."

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060210/ndp_emerson_060210/20060210?hub=Canada

The case may be weak, but the story's just not going away.

[CHIMO]

1. 2 Tories say Emerson should quit

Pair say Liberal defector should run in a by-election
Role of minister in softwood lumber talks questioned

OTTAWA—Two Conservative MPs broke ranks with their fellow caucus members and said Liberal defector David Emerson should resign his seat in the House of Commons and seek re-election.

Alberta MP Myron Thompson (Wild Rose) said Emerson should consider stepping down to obtain a mandate from the voters of Vancouver-Kingsway riding under the Conservative banner in a by-election.

"I think it would be the honourable thing to do ... I'm talking about the way we do things in Ottawa, and I want to see some changes," he said yesterday.

Former Tory cabinet minister Garth Turner (Halton), who briefly served in the Kim Campbell government, added his voice to Thompson's.

"It was nixed by senior (forestry) industry people ... I don't think it can be described as a done deal."

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1139526651849&call_pageid=968332188774&col=968350116467

All quite on the western front. Well only during the campaign.

And now the leaks about a possible softwood lumber deal that was put under the rug.

How much more can the MSM watch without digging.