(Quebec) Liberals again refer to the Ethics Commissioner in the forthcoming election calendar as setting up another “particularly partisan” Qaquist and funding targets to be reached – $ 40,000 per candidate. Content was shared by the Government Chief Whip’s Office.
This is the second time in less than five days that party Liberal du Quebec (PLQ) commissioner Arian Mignolet has condemned the use of public funds for partisan purposes.
Friday, mMe Mignolet has also confirmed that it has launched an investigation into training on “media planning and procurement” for the 2022 election. The training was provided by two employees of the Coalition d’avenir Québec (CAQ), but was released by the Content Whip Office.
The prime minister is Franois Legalt Rejected the partisan use of public funds. On the contrary, he argues that the webinar presented last Wednesday was intended to “properly explain” what should be paid with funds from the CAQ and what should be paid from the National Assembly.
But now the content of another training, this time provided in June, the campaign has begun. That in the internal document Press Were able to contact, which explains the election preparation calendar and election objectives. We learned specifically that candidates must raise $ 40,000.
They also need to add 2,000 subscribers to their Facebook page, 10,000 supporters and 400 members. We will explain how to “work” the county and manage the house.
The Liberals say this is a “particularly partisan” presentation, linked to preparations for the next election campaign. During a recent training session on media acquisition, PLQ emphasized that the content was transmitted by employees of the Office of the Chief Government Whip, who are employees of the National Assembly.
In an e-mail sent to the county office staff, an employee of the company invites recipients not to hesitate to “refer”. [à eux] Support your goals when needed and ”.
“Additional evidence” according to PLQ
In his second letter to the commissioner, Liberal MP Mark Tangwe considered the new information to be “additional evidence that supports reasonable grounds.” [de croire] Government Chief Whip, Deputy Eric Lefebvre, appears to have violated the ethical code and professional conduct of members of the National Assembly.
“The deputy, who is said to be a government whip, in this case of the National Assembly appears to have allowed the use of state goods and / or services for activities other than those related to the ‘exercise of office’. Wrote.
However, the Chief Whip’s office is fully read. “The mandate is always clear: there must be a wall between our duties and partisan activities in the National Assembly,” the parliamentary department assured in an email to Press Secretary Mark Danis. Press.
The training in question was described as “optional” and was presented to members by CAQ Director General Brigitte Legalt on June 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. “Training resumed on Friday, June 11 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am for some members who did not attend the previous day,” one added.
“Employees who are paid by the National Assembly follow the CAQ training in their own time. At the request of several members who attended the training, the presentation was sent to them via email,” Mr. Danis summed up.
The use of state goods and services is governed by Rule 36 of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Members of the National Assembly. These regulations stipulate that assistants and members of the political staff may use property held by the State only for activities related to their duties.
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