Politics

Federal New Democrats poke fun at Michael Ignatieff attending Olympics

by Charlie Smith on February 8th, 2010 at 12:37 PM

Vancouver civic politicians have learned that their constituents don't like them attending Olympic events on the taxpayers' dime. From what I've heard, their e-mail in-boxes are full of complaints.

Now, the federal New Democrats are exploiting this issue by highlighting how federal Liberals will be attending the 2010 Games rather than "working" on Parliament Hill.

Last week, NDP Leader Jack Layton said he would be watching the Olympics on television as he copes with prostate cancer.

In a "reality check" released today, the NDP accused the federal Grits of taking advantage of "Olympic junkets".

Below is a copy of the NDP news release:  

REALITY CHECK: Ignatieff snags flip-flop gold.   Tough-talking Liberals fleeing Hill for Olympic junkets

From the curling rink to the athletes’ village, Ignatieff and the Liberal team will be abandoning their post on Parliament Hill to make the scene at Olympic venues:

“Leader Michael Ignatieff will use the special pass put at his disposal to be present for about three days at the start of the Games and again toward the end. But he will ”˜not be running after the cameras,’ a party official said.” – Globe and Mail, 5 February 2009

“An email mysteriously arrived in my inbox showing that [Liberal] MP Joyce Murray requested 10 distinguished guest passes and five upgraded access passes for the Games ”˜so that Liberal parliamentarians can have some representation’ at the events.” – Don Martin, National Post, 4 February 2010.

Liberals sure are excited!   But hold on one one-hundredth-of-a-second.

Wasn’t it only four weeks ago, as the public outcry against Harper’s prorogation was picking up, that Michael Ignatieff sternly boasted to the press that every Liberal MP would be channeling Canadians’ outrage into hard work in Ottawa – right through the Olympics?

“ ”˜We will be working, in other words, right through the Olympics, which is what we think Canadians want to see,’ he said.   When asked if he truly expected all Liberal politicians to be in Ottawa throughout prorogation, Mr. Ignatieff replied: ”˜We don’t play half team. We all show up. And we are not just showing up for a photo op. We are showing up to go to work’.”   - Michael Ignatieff as quoted in the Globe and Mail, 8 January 2010

If Liberals intended to go to the Olympics, why did Michael Ignatieff say they would be “showing up to work” in Ottawa?

Comments

11 Comments

Nathan Burk

Feb 8, 2010 at 1:33pm

Maybe this is unfair. It could be that Iggy is planning a special Liberal roundtable on capital cost allowance co-chaired by Miga, Quatchi and Sumi.

Canada's Twin#1

Feb 8, 2010 at 3:54pm

Political spin again. Mr. Ignateiff clearly said during the Olmypics he would be holding small meetings etc. Mr. Layton it seems your party didn't put alot of effort in during progroation. So lets make a deal.
How about Mr. Ignateiff have a nice town hall meeting in the Comox Valley that you like so much. Then we can bring the senior Metis who has cancer -then as responsible politicans in govermnet we all can compair notes in the form of medical records and other forms of data. Then all parties can explain why Canadian's are not being told they have cancer when they have it and explain the process of how we slot Canadians into clinical trials without their consent. See in womens health they are not getting the same consideration as others in healthcare in Canada because as one politican said 'THIS IS HOW WE REVIVE THE ECONOMY -(DRUG DEVELOPMENT GRANTS CLINICAL TRIALS YOU NAME IT DURING A RECESSION)-- WHILE WE SPEW THE VIRTURES OF CANADA'S SYSTEM DOWN IN THE GOOD OLE USA.
I'm sure Mr. Layton will remember that and why he didn't get invited to the white house. As good ole history has it it was the NDP in BC who had a bad track record in healthcare and why the liberals came in to sort out the mess and why 200 inspection took place across Canada and Ryan died as a result of whats going on in the hear and now.
Mr. Layton maybe while you spend time at home rather than watching the Olympics you could figure out how to protect Canadians when they aren't signing up for clinical trials and how as a Nation we treat our women. An issue all parties have blatenley ignored while showing a reckless disregard for those who suffer. The senior Metis evidence proves it beyond belief. SHAME SHAME ON CANADA AND THE POLITCAL CRAP THAT JUST KEEPS SPINNING.

K. Miles

Feb 8, 2010 at 7:28pm

When all is said and done what can Canada truly be proud of. For those who climb their mountains-its a struggle for many but some get there even though it politics and politicans who put the mountain there in the first place while ignoring the reason why it occurred. Yet for a simple moment in passing there is the refreshing stream where one truly meets a friend with courage where there is a rest from politics. So for Canadians who like to stand proud a a Nation because yes there is the rainbow whereby you will find the DREAM. Sadly in this province the politicians with their politics failed to even see the simple miracle that leads to the DREAM. Instead our seniors suffer, the poor get poorer while the rich get richer, youth long for the future because there is little faith today. Many will not be remebered for what they did but for those they harmed. It is a Canadian disgrace what was done in my home town to the seniors and but the Prime Minister and the Premier should apoligise. Mr. Layton you could of done something but you to refused.

Canadas Youth

Margaret

Feb 8, 2010 at 9:10pm

Cannot stand the NDP. They have the collective character of a pack of alley cats.

RodSmelser

Feb 8, 2010 at 11:38pm

Margaret -

Well, in that case, you'll have an excellent idea of how I feel about people in your party, people like you IOWs. Except I am thinking more in terms of a canine than feline metaphor.
Rod Smelser

mikestree

Feb 9, 2010 at 3:52am

Considering the fact that parliament was due to resume only a week ago (Jan 25). Isn't all this proragation nonsense - just that - nonsense? I'm not sure if Mr. Ignatieff was an honest person or not. But he most certainly has become a consumate politician. More so than Harper, Ignatieff deserves all the ridicule pitched his way. AND....I'm off to see the wizard.

RodSmelser

Feb 9, 2010 at 9:38am

I have to hand it to you, Margaret. The Liberals are very well organized on this item.
Rod Smelser

Wow

Feb 10, 2010 at 7:05pm

What a surprise, the Liberals once again caught up in one of their spin lies.Their propoganda machine, the cbc, will be spinning crazy on this one with excuses. I know lets blame Harper for iggy the american and his cronys going to the olympics.

ChrisInKW

Feb 10, 2010 at 7:58pm

mikestree:

Is outrage over shutting down Parliament to avoid being accountable to Canadians "nonsense"? Heavens no. Although 24 out of ~130 sitting days is significant, the net effect upon our democracy of prorogation, which killed the majority of bills not yet passed and shut down the AFGH committee stymieing it, is deeply troubling. As our customs of governance rely almost completely on precedent, the next time uncomfortable questions are asked of the government the way is paved this for even more flagrant evasions of scrutiny through abuse of executive power by the Prime Minister. Is this something you want, a government that is even less accountable than the one we have today, with more power in the hands of one person? Please consider this.