NDP: Wynne's comments show 'Liberal arrogance and corruption'

Recordings released by former Liberal candidate Andrew Olivier show the Liberals violated the Elections Act, says NDP MPP Gilles Bisson.

Bisson said he met with officials from Elections Ontario on Friday morning and they confirmed to him they are investigating “the bribery allegations.

“I informed Elections Ontario that I will be forwarding any and all relevant evidence to them including the (Premier Kathleen Wynne's) comments this morning,” the NDP's House Leader said in a statement. “The premier admitted she offered Mr. Olivier 'opportunities' and 'there was an engagement with Andrew on what he might be interested in doing going forward.' ”

Wynne made the comments at a news conference Friday in Sault Ste. Marie. That alone demonstrates the Liberals violated the Act, Bisson said.

“It's clear to me the Liberals and Kathleen Wynne violated the Elections Act,” he said, quoting Section 96.1 of the Election Act. That section states: “No person shall, directly or indirectly, (e) give, procure or promise or agree to procure an office or employment to induce a person to become a candidate, refrain from becoming a candidate or withdraw his or her candidacy. 1998, c. 9, s. 44.”

“Even when the Liberals are caught red-handed, they deny it and try to cover it up, and the premier did just that this morning,” Bisson said in his statement.

“These tapes not only show that the Liberals tried to bribe Mr. Olivier, but that they were only interested in what was best for the Liberal Party, and not what’s best for the people of Sudbury. This is just more Liberal arrogance and corruption.”