a federal election is 2 years away and the Harper clique is already getting desperate
OTTAWA — A “classroom” at Degrassi High served as the setting for Justin Trudeau’s first national advertisements, which aired Wednesday just as the Conservatives were planning another attack on the new Liberal leader — this time using taxpayer dollars.
Documents obtained by the Liberal Party show the Tories are planning to send thousands of taxpayer-funded mail-outs to households across the country reiterating their message that Trudeau is “in over his head.”
The mail-outs, called 10-per-centers, are usually supposed to be used by MPs to update their constituents on what is happening in the House of Commons. According to the documents, the anti-Trudeau flyers will be mailed out June 1.
The flyers show pictures of a moustachioed Trudeau with a coat thrown over one shoulder against a backdrop of quotes, cursive script and sparkles similar to those featured in the Conservative attack ads released last week.
Another section questions Trudeau’s judgment on such issues as Quebec separatism, tax credits for families and the economy.
According to an accompanying document, the flyers were presented to the Conservative caucus on April 17, and the aim is to “blanket” Conservative ridings across the country with the ads.
The cost to taxpayers of mailing the flyers to 40,000 households in one riding is estimated at $175, or $29,050 if all 166 Conservative MPs send the 10-per-centers.
That would be over and above the cost of printing the flyers, which would also be covered by taxpayers.
While the actual dollar amount may seem small, Liberal MP Stephane Dion said such mail-outs are supposed to be used to update Canadians about the work being done on their behalf in Parliament.
Using parliamentary resources for partisan purposes is not only an abuse of taxpayer dollars, he said, but politicizes Parliament as an institution.
“It’s so disrespectful of taxpayers’ money,” he said.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/0...ampaign-against-trudeau-at-taxpayers-expense/
OTTAWA — A “classroom” at Degrassi High served as the setting for Justin Trudeau’s first national advertisements, which aired Wednesday just as the Conservatives were planning another attack on the new Liberal leader — this time using taxpayer dollars.
Documents obtained by the Liberal Party show the Tories are planning to send thousands of taxpayer-funded mail-outs to households across the country reiterating their message that Trudeau is “in over his head.”
The mail-outs, called 10-per-centers, are usually supposed to be used by MPs to update their constituents on what is happening in the House of Commons. According to the documents, the anti-Trudeau flyers will be mailed out June 1.
The flyers show pictures of a moustachioed Trudeau with a coat thrown over one shoulder against a backdrop of quotes, cursive script and sparkles similar to those featured in the Conservative attack ads released last week.
Another section questions Trudeau’s judgment on such issues as Quebec separatism, tax credits for families and the economy.
According to an accompanying document, the flyers were presented to the Conservative caucus on April 17, and the aim is to “blanket” Conservative ridings across the country with the ads.
The cost to taxpayers of mailing the flyers to 40,000 households in one riding is estimated at $175, or $29,050 if all 166 Conservative MPs send the 10-per-centers.
That would be over and above the cost of printing the flyers, which would also be covered by taxpayers.
While the actual dollar amount may seem small, Liberal MP Stephane Dion said such mail-outs are supposed to be used to update Canadians about the work being done on their behalf in Parliament.
Using parliamentary resources for partisan purposes is not only an abuse of taxpayer dollars, he said, but politicizes Parliament as an institution.
“It’s so disrespectful of taxpayers’ money,” he said.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/0...ampaign-against-trudeau-at-taxpayers-expense/
