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Michael Ignatieff asks Privy Council to stop government advertising after nonconfidence vote
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has released the following open letter:
Mr. Wayne G. Wouters
Clerk of the Privy Council
Langevin Block 80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A3
March 24, 2011
Dear Mr. Wouters:
As you are no doubt aware, a motion has been tabled in the House of Commons which seeks to find the government in contempt of Parliament, the result of which would be a loss of confidence in this government.
We are concerned that the Conservative government, which has taken every advantage in the past to use public dollars for self-promotional government advertising, will continue its current advertising campaign after this vote occurs, or to launch new advertising before a writ is dropped.
On behalf of Canadian taxpayers concerned about further abuse of public funds, we are calling on you to ensure that all Government of Canada advertising stops immediately once a vote of non-confidence passes in the House of Commons.
Over the past four years, the Conservative government has wasted almost half a billion dollars on advertising. $26 million has been spent since the middle of February alone. The previous President of the Treasury Board has admitted to overruling Treasury Board advertising guidelines. Now, reports indicate the Conservative government is using taxpayers’ money to promote and advertise the 2011 Budget, even as this budget does not enjoy the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Commons. All of this must stop once the House has lost confidence in this government.
Forcing taxpayers to pay for government advertising once their duly elected representatives have lost confidence in that government erodes the non-partisan image of the Government of Canada and, in your capacity as Clerk, we ask that you take the necessary steps to put an end to this inappropriate spending once a vote occurs.
Sincerely,
Michael Ignatieff
Leader of the Official Opposition
CC: Michelle d'Auray
Secretary of the Treasury Board
Federal election 2011
The Conservatives could run an ad campaign without the tax payers money. Just ban advertising with tax funded dollars - banning ALL advertising seems a desperate attempt by Michael to hide his own party's dire state.