Member of Parliament Blair Wilson got an early lump of coal from the Liberal Party last week after an Elections Canada investigation into Wilson’s campaign spending was frustrated by gaps in the official records.
According to Elizabeth Whiting, a spokewoman for the Liberal Party, Wilson has failed to reveal key information on his nomination forms from 2004, 2006 and the current nomination process.
Wilson is currently sitting as an independent after resigning from the Liberal caucus in October over allegations that he did not fully disclose all his expenses from the 2006 federal election. Former campaign workers accused Wilson of paying for some campaign-related expenses out of pocket and not keeping or filing the receipts.
Wilson has denied the allegations, but voluntarily resigned to deflect criticism from the party. At the time he said that he expected to have his name cleared quickly, after which point he would rejoin the Liberal Party.
The Elections Canada investigation is still underway, but the Liberal Party’s Green Light committee conducted an internal review of the case that prompted the party to formally sever all ties with Wilson. Wilson was sent a letter last week informing him of the decision.
As a result, the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky riding association for the Liberal Party will have to choose another candidate for the next federal election. Wilson may run again, but only as an independent or by joining another party. Pique Newsmagazine contacted the riding association to find out when they planned to host a nomination meeting, but had not heard back at press time.
Wilson was not available to comment on these latest developments.
