May knocks on doors to support Beddome

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This article was published 15/08/2019 (2215 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Federal Green party Leader Elizabeth May was knocking on doors Thursday in Winnipeg, but her thoughts were often on Ottawa.

Following the Wednesday release of a report by ethics commissioner Mario Dion regarding the prime minister’s role in SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. affair, May called Justin Trudeau’s response “completely inadequate.”

“(Trudeau) didn’t apologize and accepted responsibility for committing a massive violation (of the Conflict of Interest Act),” she said. “You don’t just blow this off.”

The report’s impact — and the prime minister’s response — will be felt well into the upcoming federal election campaign, with the vote expected in October.

“Of course, (NDP Leader) Jagmeet Singh and (Tory Leader) Andrew Scheer are going to jump on it,” May said.

“But I don’t believe for one minute that anybody else in the Prime Minister’s Office would’ve done anything different, given those circumstances, and the deep rot in the system that would allow SNC-Lavalin to be able to get into the door of the privy council.”

May was canvassing Winnipeg neighbourhoods Thursday in support of Green Party of Manitoba Leader James Beddome, who is standing as a candidate in both the provincial and federal elections. Manitobans go to the polls Sept. 10.

In the late afternoon heat, the two knocked on constituents’ doors in Osborne Village, and waved at traffic near the bridge on Osborne Street.

Many vehicles honked horns in support, while a couple of drivers yelled, “Vote Green,” as they sped by.

“Right now, we’re pretty much focusing on the provincial campaign,” Beddome said about the impending elections. “In the event that I am successful — and I’m hoping I will be — we’ve got a candidate in the ready to fill in, to cover any vacancies that may be there. But failing that, then I will proceed afterwards with the federal run.

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“Campaigns are always hectic,” Beddome said, adding his significant other has a countdown until the provincial campaign is over. “She’s counting down the days until she gets me back.”

The provincial Green leader said it is a lot of work, but he enjoys being busy and listening to constituents.

“I’m a farm boy, so it’s harvest time.”

nicholas.frew@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @n_frew