DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONSOFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFEBRUARY 7, 2014

Prime Minister Speaks on the Issues of Nigel Wright and Senate Reform

OTTAWA---Prime Minister Stephen Harper met today with members of Senate to discuss the latest turn of events in the issues troubling the Senate.

Speculation and criticism aimed at Harper regarding the expense claims of Senator Duffy, Senator Wallin, Senator Brazeau, and former Chief of Staff Nigel Wright’s actions have become a regular occurrence for the Prime Minister. Today’s meeting of the Senate proved no different in that regard, with Harper coming under fire again for issues concerning the actions of Wright, who was dismissed in late October.

The point of contention today was in regards to Harper’s statement at that time which said that Wright had resigned and raised questions as to how much he really knew during the events.

Harper stated that he was kept in the dark and deceived regarding the deal between Senator Duffy and Nigel Wright as he had demanded that Duffy pay back the expenses in question from his own funds.

“I was told that was what he (Duffy) agreed to do. I was told that is what he (Duffy) had done,” said the Prime Minister.

Harper has said on numerous occasions that Wright made the decision on his own to cut Duffy a cheque to cover the expenses without consulting him at any point. Questions regarding an email which was sent to the Prime Minister for approval of an item at that time have not been linked to any wrongdoing on the part of Harper.

Harper has continued to insist he first learned of Wright’s “secret payment” on May 15, the day after it was reported by CTV National News, and that he immediately took “appropriate action.”

The RCMP back up the Prime Minister’s claim in their affidavit which indicates that they were not able to find any evidence suggesting he knew of any deal. Wright and his lawyers also stated that Harper was left in the dark concerning the repayment as he had never discussed it with the Prime Minister.

Despite repeated attempts by the opposition to cast Harper as a villain in the Senate scandal, none have been able to show anything to demonstrate he has behaved in anything but an appropriate, responsible manner throughout the entire scandal.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONSOFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

The topic was then steered towards its intended course and revolved around Justin Trudeau’s recent decision to expel Liberal senators on Wednesday, January 29. The Prime Minister stated that he and the Canadian people disagree with this course of action.

“What the Liberal Party doesn’t understand is that Canadians are not looking for a better unelected Senate,” he said. “Canadians believe that for the Senate to be meaningful in the 21st century it must be elected.”

An Angus Ried poll from November revealed that according to half (50%) of Canadian adults polled, the red chamber should be abolished altogether, while 43% believe the Senate should be reformed. Only seven per cent say the institution should be left as is.

“I gather the change announced by the Liberal Leader today is that unelected Liberal senators will become unelected senators who happen to be Liberal,” he added.

When asked what he believed should happen to the Senate, the Prime Minister said that the Conservatives have sent a question to the Supreme Court asking them to rule on the constitutionality of and to what degree Parliament is able to make in regards to senate reform. The Conservatives say if they can’t make their reforms, they would favour abolishing the Senate instead.

Media Contact: Sheryl Doiron

Deputy Director of Media Relations

Office of the Prime Minister

80 Wellington St Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2.

Phone 1-800-310-3030.