Tory house leader calls for probe into Olivier allegations

Opposition House Leader Steve Clark has asked the Ontario Provincial Police to investigate the circumstances behind former Sudbury Liberal candidate Andrew Olivier’s announcement he will not be seeking the party’s nomination in the upcoming byelection.

In a letter to OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes, Clark provides a brief description of Olivier's allegations regarding the implication a patronage job could be provided in exchange for him withdrawing from the race quietly.

He then asks for an OPP investigation into the allegations, citing two sections of the Criminal Code of Canada dealing with corruption.

"Because of these reports, I ask that you direct the Ontario Provincial Police to open an investigation regarding these alleged incidents," Clark wrote. "We believe the alleged actions could be offences under the Sect. 121 and Sect. 125 of the Criminal Code of Canada amongst other potential offences."

Click here to see the letter from Clark.

Section 121 of the code concerns corruption and disobedience by or of an official by promising some form of consideration in exchange for a service, an indictable offence punishable with a maximum prison term of five years.

The second code reference, Section 125, is concerned with influencing or negotiating appointments, specifically if promising a service in exchange for an appointment, or promising a service in exchange for securing a resignation from an office. Again, this is an indictable offence in Canada, punishable with a maximum prison term of five years.

Quoted in the Globe and Mail today, Premier Kathleen Wynne denied any promises or specific offers were made to Olivier in exchange for his withdrawl from the race.

The premier suggested, she said, it was hoped, despite the party's request that he remove himself as a candidate, Oliver would "stay involved" with the Liberals.

Speculation that the hand-picked candidate the party preferred is Marianne Matichuk was refuted by the former mayor.

She told NorthernLife.ca she had no intentions of running for the Liberals in the upcoming byelection.