Photo Credit: KamloopsBCNow.com
Cathy McLeod has officially entered the election race by submitting her nomination papers.
The Conservative MP had accumulated over 150 signatures from electors to confirm her standing and now awaits the confirmation process, which will be completed within the next 48 hours.
McLeod filed her nomination papers on the day key witness and former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Nigel Wright took the stand in Ottawa. Wright has been accused of allegedly writing a $90,000 check to cover Conservative Senator Mike Duffy’s expense claims. Duffy is currently before the courts, facing 31 charges including fraud, breach of trust, and bribery.
McLeod insists the trial will not have a negative effect on the Conservative campaign and insists the Prime Minister had no fault in the matter.
“The Prime Minister said he was unaware of this issue. The testimony is reconfirming that, that he was unaware of this issue and he felt that Mr. Duffy had inappropriate expenses that he should pay back,” said McLeod.
She adds that there have been a lot of questions from local residents surrounding senate reform and abolition. However, she insists all of the provinces have to be on the same page if change is to occur.
“One hundred per cent of the provinces will need to agree and clearly, clearly a hundred per cent of the provinces have taken a longstanding position that they would not support this position,” said McLeod.
She adds there has also been a lot of feedback surrounding financial stability in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding.
“The economy is always an issue,” said McLeod. “Although many people say ‘I have a job and I’m doing ok’ they do sort of recognize there’s some fragility. So, certainly that’s something that I do hear,” said McLeod.
All candidates have until September 21st to submit their nomination papers.
