Progressive Conservative MLA leaves trail of unpaid debts

[First Lady]

I must say I've been very impressed with CBC's Charles Rusnell and his investigative journalism.

Progressive Conservative MLA leaves trail of unpaid debts

The house-building company of Edmonton Progressive Conservative MLA Peter Sandhu has a history of chronic debt, some of which he appears not to have publicly disclosed as required by the province’s Conflicts of Interest Act, a CBC News investigation has found.

The investigation also uncovered a false statement made by the Edmonton-Manning MLA in a sworn affidavit filed in a civil court case involving a dispute over an alleged debt.

MLA Peter Sandhu or his company has been sued dozens of times. (Alberta Legislature)
“The appropriate legal avenue to deal with this is to request an investigation by the ethics commissioner,” NDP Leader Brian Mason said in an interview with CBC News.

Sandhu did not respond to several interview requests, but released a written statement to CBC News through his lawyer.

Link to full article

I heard a rumour that he will be leaving the PC party - but that is unconfirmed at this point.

[First Lady]

Oh... guess it is now confirmed....

Alberta Tory member steps aside in ethics probe

[Rathji]

Wouldn't he have to resign as an MLA as wel'?

[Dion]

“I am pleased that the Ethics Commissioner has agreed to look into this issue and I look forward to learning the results of this investigation. Albertans can have every confidence that the government they elected will always uphold their trust,” said Redford.

Quietly Redford is cursing the CBC for digging up yet another scandal within the PC party.

[Bobblehead]

Good, indiscretions like this need to be investigated and punishment to follow.

CBC and Global have done some good investigative reports lately, I hope that forces other media outlets to up their game.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Wouldn't he have to resign as an MLA as wel'?

Is up to him. If investigation finds him guilty he may feel more compelled to step down altogether.

[vanisleflamesfan]

So let me get this straight... if you are a wrp supporter it goes like this:

CBC investigating an Alberta PC = impressive investigative journalism.

- But -

CBC investigating the federal cons scandal du jour = evil socialist lefty pinko rag.

Sound about right?

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by Dion

Quietly Redford is cursing the CBC for digging up yet another scandal within the PC party.

Have you got any proof of the allegation you're making or is the same type of drive-by you lecture other posters about?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by vanisleflamesfan

So let me get this straight... if you are a wrp supporter it goes like this:

CBC investigating an Alberta PC = impressive investigative journalism.

- But -

CBC investigating the federal cons scandal du jour = evil socialist lefty pinko rag.

Sound about right?

I find it sad and pathetic that you felt the need to mix a false dichotomy with a red herring argument and then use a wide brush to tar many people for the opinion of one.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I find it sad and pathetic that you felt the need to mix a false dichotomy with a red herring argument and then use a wide brush to tar many people for the opinion of one.

Way to many metaphors in that post for a simpleton like me to understand.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by vanisleflamesfan

So let me get this straight... if you are a wrp supporter it goes like this:

CBC investigating an Alberta PC = impressive investigative journalism.

- But -

CBC investigating the federal cons scandal du jour = evil socialist lefty pinko rag.

Sound about right?

Not sure if this was directed at me specifically, but two things...

1) I don't follow federal politics as closely as provincial and seldom comment on them, good/bad or ugly.

2) I've never referred to the CBC as "evil socialist lefty pinko rag." In fact I'm confident I've never used the words "socialist" or "pinko".

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Kavy

Way to many metaphors in that post for a simpleton like me to understand.

Well, one metaphor and two informal fallacies.

On topic though, I also disagree with Dion. This is a personal scandal for Sandhu, but from the party perspective, their exposure is limited by his stepping away from the party caucus. It will be interesting if he ultimately resigns his seat. The by-election that would cause wouldn't be a PC vs. Wildrose battle given the location, but would send a message about the viability of the Liberals and/or NDP.

Also...

“Albertans can have every confidence that the government they elected will always uphold their trust.”

Easy thing to say, Redford, given how little trust you engender. Even within your own party, it seems.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

On topic though, I also disagree with Dion. This is a personal scandal for Sandhu, but from the party perspective, their exposure is limited by his stepping away from the party caucus. It will be interesting if he ultimately resigns his seat. The by-election that would cause wouldn't be a PC vs. Wildrose battle given the location, but would send a message about the viability of the Liberals and/or NDP.

As far as his poor business management - yes that is his own personal baggage; which his constituents may or may not remember come next election.

Where the party gets dragged into the mess is from his sworn affidavit. In it he claims to have been in India for a number of months; yet over that same time period he has submitted expenses for activity in Canada. You can't be in two countries at the same time.

So either he submitted false expense claims or he lied in his sworn statement.

Additionally; MLA's are required to disclose ALL debts (business, personal, etc) as part of their appointments, to the ethics commission. As I understand it none of this was disclosed.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by vanisleflamesfan

So let me get this straight... if you are a wrp supporter it goes like this:

CBC investigating an Alberta PC = impressive investigative journalism.

- But -

CBC investigating the federal cons scandal du jour = evil socialist lefty pinko rag.

Sound about right?

Nope!