Former lieutenant-governor Leonce Bernard has created a political controversy with a letter to the editor of La Voix D'Acadienne attacking the Progressive Conservative government.
'For me, it would be wrong.'— Former lieutenant-governor Marion Reid
The letter was headlined "Binns Government Must Prepare for the Winds of Change." The paper notes Bernard is co-chairing the campaign of Liberal candidate Sonny Gallant in the district Evangeline-Miscouche.
Leonce Bernard said he was just continuing with his political life.
(CBC)
Among other things, Bernard took issue with a promise by Progressive Conservative Leader Pat Binns to give local Tory candidate Wilfred Arsenault a cabinet post if he forms the next government.
"Never in the history of the province has a premier so blatantly abused the (democratic) rights of the constituents of this riding (Évangéline-Miscouche) and all Islanders," Bernard wrote.
Another former lieutenant-governor, Marion Reid told CBC News Thursday Bernard's actions are inappropriate.
"It's not the ethical thing to do. You just don't involve yourself in politics once you have achieved that office. For me, it would be wrong," said Reid.
Bernard argues he's just continuing on with the political life he was leading before his appointment.
"I feel I'm doing what is right for our community. I feel I want to give back to the community," Bernard told CBC News Thursday.
"If it was before lieutenant-governor or after lieutenant-governor I would do the same thing. I'm just going back to answer to my community for the fine support they have given me in my political career."
Bernard served with the Liberal Party as the assemblyman in the old district of 3rd Prince from 1975 to 1993.
The lieutenant-governor's briefing book says retired lieutenant-governors should exercise prudence in their choice of associations and activities. It further says that upon leaving office a former lieutenant-governor should keep a low profile for a minimum of two years.
Bernard left the position eight months ago.
P.E.I. Votes 2007 Headlines »
- P.E.I. tide paints province Liberal red
- P.E.I.'s Liberal party cruised to a surprisingly easy victory in Monday's provincial election, crushing the governing Progressive Conservatives and reversing the seat count from the previous legislative session.
- Hasty promises, desire for change sank P.E.I. Tories
- Pat Binns and his Progressive Conservatives went down to defeat in Monday's Prince Edward Island election, at least in part because of how two campaign promises fed into Islanders' growing appetite for change.
- Liberal wave fails to flood Eastern P.E.I.
- Progressive Conservative candidates picked up all of their handful of successes in the eastern part of Prince Edward Island on Monday, as Liberals swept the rest of the province.
- Liberals sweep crucial districts
- The Liberal party took every key district they needed for victory Monday night, and then some.
- 6 ministers defeated as P.E.I. cabinet trounced
- Six of Pat Binns's cabinet ministers fell and two were re-elected as P.E.I. voters bounced the Progressive Conservative government out of office Monday night.
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