POLITICS
New federal party?
Liberal president talked merger: affidavits
Apps denies 'serious' merger talks, says Kinsella called him, not vice versa
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 9, 2010 | 10:55 PM ET
CBC News
Two Liberal Party advisers have sworn affidavits saying the federal party's president spoke to them about high-level discussions with NDP officials about the creation of a new party.
But Alfred Apps is denying he was involved in any serious merger talks.
Warren Kinsella, who was an adviser to former prime minister Jean Chrétien, said in the affidavit that Apps told him in May about "high-level" discussions with NDP officials about the "creation of a new party."
Warren Kinsella says in an affidavit that the Liberal party president told him about 'high-level' discussions with NDP officials about the creation of a new party. (CBC) He writes that he took "detailed notes" of his conversation with the Liberal Party president and was surprised when Apps told him there was "a lot of interest in merger in the NDP."
He said Apps told him the NDP would have to comply with three conditions: renouncing socialism and embracing a mixed-market economy; accepting Michael Ignatieff as leader; and having senior party "saints" such as former federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent and past Saskatchewan NDP leader Roy Romanow promote the merger.
In another affidavit, John Mraz, a former director of communications for the Liberals, said that in a discussion with Apps, the party president told him about merger talks between the two parties.
Mraz says he told Apps that he had heard rumours of talks between Chrétien and Ed Broadbent, a former federal NDP leader.
He said Apps "angrily" replied: "You don't know the half of it. You've got no idea what you're talking about. I've been involved in those discussions, and they not only included Broadbent and Chrétien, but [former Saskatchewan NDP premier Roy] Romanow, [former Progressive Conservative prime minister Joe] Clark and [former Ontario chief justice and attorney general Roy] McMurtry."
Mraz in his statement also said that any such merger would "demand that the NDP renounce socialism."
The documents come amid fierce denials by leaders of both parties of the CBC News report that the Liberals and NDP have been holding secret talks about possibly merging to form a new entity to take on the Conservatives.
But Apps told CBC News that Kinsella's claims in the affidavit are not true. He insisted Kinsella called him and told him of the meetings of two party's senior figures, not the other way around.
"In subsequent calls from Warren, I discouraged him strongly from pursuing the idea," Apps said. "I have never personally engaged in serious discussions on this topic and have no personal knowledge of any such discussions among others. I have never encouraged such discussion."
Liberal Party of Canada president Alfred Apps denies he was involved in any serious merger talks. (CBC) Apps told CBC that Kinsella and Mraz were the only two Liberals to call him about the subject.
As for Clark's participation, Apps said the only information he passed on to Mraz was information he learned from Kinsella.
"I then speculated and said we clearly have a bunch of former politicians, if these meetings are occurring, I said I wonder if they're involving former PCs like Joe Clark."
On Tuesday, CBC News reported that senior insiders with the Liberals and New Democrats have been holding secret talks about the possibility of merging their parties to form a new entity to challenge the Conservatives.
Many Liberal insiders confirmed that discussions between the two parties are not just focused on forming a coalition after an election or co-operation before one, but the creation of a new party.
The new party would possibly be named the Liberal Democrats.
Kinsella told CBC News "serious people are involved in discussions at a serious level."
But on Wednesday, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff called discussions of a merger "ridiculous."
Kinsella worked for Ignatieff in the Opposition Leader's Office until recently, reportedly leaving on less than the best of terms.
When asked Wednesday about his relationship with Kinsella, Ignatieff responded: "I have no relationship with Warren Kinsella."
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges

- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest

- The deaths of five climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
Latest Canada News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges

- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Forest fires still burning near Timmins, Ont.
- A new forest fire is burning north of Highway 101 near Timmins, Ont., creating a new challenge for firefighters who have been working to contain another fire in the area. more »
- RCMP to close labs in Halifax, Winnipeg, Regina
- The RCMP is closing forensic laboratories in Halifax, Winnipeg and Regina and consolidating them with three others in a move the force says will lead to faster, more efficient service. more »
The National
The Current
- What does it take to get fired at the RCMP? May. 25, 2012 5:02 PM After a senior Mountie was demoted for disgraceful conduct including sex with subordinates, exposing himself and drinking on the job, some former employees wonder what you have to do to get fired.
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Third B.C. salmon farm quarantined
- What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
- RCMP officer charged in fatal crash
- Canada ending 'Buffalo shuffle' for visas, closing consulate
- Reclaiming the dead on Mt. Everest
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped

