West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country residents now have a federal representative with no party ties. MP Blair Wilson announced in a news release Monday (Oct. 29) he has resigned from the Liberal caucus after allegations of campaign misspending were brought to Elections Canada.
"I am confident that the allegations against me will be found to be baseless. However, I have decided to resign to ensure that there are no negative implications for the Liberal Party at this time," said Wilson.
Wilson is alleged to have run part of his 2006 election campaign with cash payments and no supporting receipts, and a citizen's challenge was brought to Elections Canada Commissioner William Corbett to investigate Wilson's campaign expenditures, according to the Province newspaper Sunday (Oct. 28).
"had Mr. Wilson actually only spent what he was allowed to, he may well have lost," stated the citizen's submission.Wilson won the 2006 election by fewer than 1,000 votes over Conservative candidate John Weston.
In a note to his "friends and neighbours" on his website, www.blairwilson.ca, Wilson wrote, "Please rest assured that I will continue to work for our community and that my offices will continue to provide constituency services."
John Weston, Conservative Party candidate for the riding, said the campaign spending issues are merely allegations and it would be inappropriate for him to comment on them.
"I'm working hard to serve the people in Whistler and around the riding to win back the riding for the Conservatives," Weston said. "That's my focus and it's a focus based on my principles and of my campaign team - that is, integrity in government, better government and moving Canada forward.
"I'd just say Canadians want honest leadership and not scandals."
Liberal leader Stéphane Dion said he accepted Wilson's resignation effective immediately.
"They are serious allegations, which raise questions that Mr. Wilson must address without delay. I am pleased that Mr. Wilson has called on Elections Canada to launch a formal review of the matter," said Dion in a statement.
Elections Canada never reveals details, or even the existence of ongoing investigations.
The riding's federal NDP candidate, Dana Larsen, said he's been hearing rumours for a couple of years now, but he has no idea what or if anything is true.
"I'm not surprised that news of some possible indiscretions have come out," he said. "I'm surprised that it hasn't come out sooner and he [Wilson] managed to last as long as he has. Being named as the National Revenue critic is quite ironic now."Larsen said he would be surprised if a by-election was called.
"Harper...would probably call one if he thought he could win the riding."
Former campaign manager Elizabeth Wood and former communications director Christopher Bennett allege cash transaction began taking place in January 2006 once Guilio Villas took over the campaign.
"When this Guilio guy came in it all started going weird," Bennett told the Province.
The evening before the news appeared in the media, Wilson hosted a cocktail reception at constituent Zygmunt Riddle's West Vancouver home, which was held in support of a Nov. 15 dinner honouring Stéphane Dion. Riddle said nothing was mentioned of the following day's article.
"There were no surprises. The surprise came the next day. I don't think anybody knew about this," said Riddle, a mortgage broker for Remax Riddle.
Wilson's father-in-law Bill Lougheed claims Wilson and his wife Kelly borrowed $1.9 million from the Lougheeds and alleges his step daughter and son-in-law are not repaying the loans despite having sold some of the properties they purchased with the money.Lougheed said he thought the riding's voters should know the type of person they have as their federal representative.
"He was doing so much damage to people," said Lougheed.
Riddle said the family problems should not have gone public, but acknowledged the damage its done.
"Mrs. Wilson's mother died, so she couldn't be a witness whether she wanted them to have this money or not. I mean this is disgusting. Whatever happened it happened already in the media, it's not going to help him at all. It's not going to be sunshine for him anyway."
Liberal replacement?
Political online blog sites are already speculating on replacements, including Mayor Ian Sutherland, former Vancouver police chief Jamie Graham, West Vancouver Mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones and former Whistler mayor and MLA Ted Nebbeling.
Sutherland said he hasn't heard of possible interest from the Liberal party, and he's reserving judgment over the allegations, adding taking the position would be "a giant step."
"I've always said it would be very tough to imagine how you would manage a job where you'd have to fly across the country every Friday and every Sunday."
Nebbeling was less diplomatic, saying he started hearing similar stories during the 2006 campaign.
"Obviously there is a lot he didn't disclose... and a lot of people are hurt for having given him their trust."
Nebbeling said he's not interested in running, if asked.
"I haven't talked to anybody about it.... no, I wouldn't go there."
John Moonen, a West Vancouver lobbyist who ran against Wilson for the Liberal nomination in 2004, has also been mentioned as a contender, but is also reserving judgement.
"I'll be watching that very carefully," said Moonen.
With files from Ian Jacques, Coast Reporter, Laura Walz, Powell River Peak, David Burke, Whistler Question.
