NDP getting away on a “technicality:” opposition
Posted Mar 25, 2010 05:51:26 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
As MLAs prepare to return to the provincial legislature today, Nova Scotia’s opposition leaders say they’re disappointed charges won’t be laid in connection with excessive union donations to the NDP.
The six-month statute of limitations had expired by the time Elections Nova Scotia handed the file to Halifax Regional Police.
The NDP accepted nine separate donations that totalled $45,000 during the provincial election campaign in June. Elections Nova Scotia ruled the donation was illegal because it was made by one labour group and therefore exceeded the $5,000 dollar limit.
The NDP has been fined $10,000 and a key party member has resigned – but Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says it’s too bad time ran out for the police to lay charges.
“This goes back to a trust issue,” McNeil. “Nova Scotians in the last nine months have recognized, time after time, they’ve been unable to trust the word of this government.”
McNeil says it’s clear the NDP is getting off on a technicality – and the public won’t be fooled.
PC leader Karen Casey says this is one of many examples of the premier failing to deliver, and she says Nova Scotians won’t foget.
“Those keep building up an building up and as they do, they keep eroding his credibility,” she said.
Dexter doesn’t think his party is under a cloud.
“It has nothing to do with the operation of the party, or any person for that matter,” said the premier. “We had no way of understanding or knowing what the particulars of those donations were.”
Dexter says the issue was in the hands of Elections Nova Scotia and police – not his party.
