P.E.I. and N.B. MPs battle in flyer war
CBC News
Posted: Jun 26, 2012 6:28 PM AT
Last Updated: Jun 26, 2012 8:07 PM AT
A flyer war has erupted between two Maritime MPs, and it's bothering some recipients.
Political flyers are turning up in mailboxes in New Brunswick MP John Williamson's and P.E.I. MP Lawrence MacAulay's ridings.
Flyers from Williamson's office began turning up in MacAulay's Cardigan, P.E.I., riding earlier this week. The flyers picture MacAulay, a Liberal MP, laughing with interim Liberal leader Bob Rae partnered with the lines "Stop the corruption" and "Cardigan taxpayers deserve better."
The flyer also says that MacAulay is using taxpayer's money to send attack mail to Conservative-held ridings.
MacAulay doesn't deny sending missives to Williamson's New Brunswick riding earlier this spring. His flyers outlined concerns about the possibility of Ottawa changing fishing fleet separation and owner-operator policies.
"I sent out this flyer to a number of ridings, never to attack the individual, always to make sure that you stay on policy. I seem to have angered a few people," said MacAulay.
"Obviously he's a puppet for Mr. Harper and I'm paid to represent and make sure that I do everything possible to hold on to the owner operator fleet separation policy and that's what I'm doing."
"This is what you see in the playground in the sandbox," said Peter McKenna, a political science professor at the University of P.E.I. He said these flyers reflect the political mood in Ottawa.
"Members of Parliament need to be a bit more judicious and a bit more careful about engaging in this kind of character assassination. It doesn't serve the public well."
Residents of Eastern P.E.I. told the CBC they found Williamson's flyer "abrasive" and "cheesy."
Williamson said MacAulay's flyers "upset an awful lot of families" in his New Brunswick Southwest riding.
The Conservative MP complained to the House of Commons weeks ago and asked MacAulay to stop sending flyers to his riding. Williamson said MacAulay never offered assurance, but his concerns were "noted."
Williamson said he considers the matter closed.
On the other hand, MacAulay said he will do it again.
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