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Harper's cabinet appointments raise serious questions, Rota says

News release from Anthony Rota, Nipissing-Timiskaming MP CABINET APPOINTMENTS RAISE SERIOUS QUESTIONS SAYS MP ROTA February 7, 2006 Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota says that some of Stephen Harper’s Cabinet appointments “raise some very serious
News release from Anthony Rota, Nipissing-Timiskaming MP

CABINET APPOINTMENTS RAISE SERIOUS QUESTIONS SAYS MP ROTA

February 7, 2006

Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota says that some of Stephen Harper’s Cabinet appointments “raise some very serious questions, in terms of how Mr. Harper intends to govern this country.”

“I find it very interesting that Mr. Emerson who, following his recent re-election as a Liberal MP, vowed to his constituents that he would become Mr. Harper’s “worst enemy”, has now chosen instead to serve as one of his closest allies as a Conservative Cabinet Minister,” says Mr. Rota.

“I am also rather amazed by Stephen Harper’s decision to appoint his campaign co-chair to cabinet.

Michael Fortier did not run for office in the election, but Stephen Harper felt that it would be appropriate to name him to the Senate in order to bypass the democratic process. I believe this says a lot about Mr. Harper’s commitment to democratic reform.”

Mr. Rota also points out that Vic Toews, who will now serve as Justice Minister, has a previous conviction under Manitoba’s Election Finances Act, and Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor, a retired brigadier general, also worked as a defence lobbyist before entering politics. According to Mr. Rota, “Canadians must be wondering how all of this fits into Stephen Harper’s plan for better ethics and accountability.”

“Furthermore,” says Mr. Rota, “with only six women in Cabinet, and even fewer visible minorities, I am not satisfied that the Government’s executive branch accurately reflects Canada’s diversity.

“Nevertheless, I am committed to working with the Conservative Cabinet, and indeed members from all parties, towards ensuring that the needs of my constituents are being properly addressed.”