‘Just terribly damaging’: party leaders shocked by MLA charges
Posted Feb 15, 2011 05:13:14 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Nova Scotia’s political leaders say they are angry and disappointed with the news that former friends and colleagues are facing 52 criminal charges laid by the RCMP investigating MLA expenses.
Premier Darrell Dexter says the outcome will make it harder to involve people in political life.
“It undermines our ability to preserve that institution,” said Premier Dexter during a media conference Monday. “Anything that damages public trust or anything that undermines the willingness of people to participate in public life is just terribly damaging.”
Former Progressive Conservative MLA for Yarmouth, Richard Hurlburt is charged with three counts of uttering a forged document, one count of fraud exceeding $5,000 and one count of breach of trust by a public officer.
Former Liberal, independent MLA for Cape Breton West, Russell MacKinnon is charged with eight counts of uttering a forged document, one count of fraud exceeding $5,000 and one count of breach of trust by a public officer.
Former Liberal MLA for Cape Breton East and Glace Bay, Dave Wilson is charged with 31 counts of uttering a forged document, one count of fraud exceeding $5,000 and one count of breach of trust by a public officer.
NDP, independent MLA for Dartmouth North, Trevor Zinck is charged with two counts of theft over $5,000, one count of fraud exceeding $5,000 and one count of breach of trust by a public officer.
Liberal leader Stephen McNeil the charges tarnish all politicians.
“This has really been a difficult time in public life,” he said. “This feeds right into the cynicism that is out there in the public that people who are elected to the House of Assembly are all crooks and are in it for their own good. I don’t believe that and this doesn’t help.”
Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie is vacationing, but a statement was released by his office Monday.
“Today’s charges are the result of a system where MLAs could set their own rules. This flawed system led some MLAs to act irresponsibly, and possibly criminally, with taxpayers’ money. The voters and taxpayers of Nova Scotia deserve justice. It must be done and seen to be done.” said Baillie.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says if the four men are convicted, they should lose their pensions.
The three former MLAs are qualified for annual pensions ranging from $42,000 to $57,000. Zinck will qualify for just over $21,000 a year in June.
