Gagnier’s actions were inappropriate: Trudeau
Montreal/Oct.15,2015
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has said that the co-chair of the Liberal Party’s national campaign did the ‘responsible’ thing by stepping down, after the controversy on his emails to several pipeline stakeholders with advice on how to lobby a new government. Dan Gagnier resigned from his post with the Liberals on Wednesday, after an email came to light in which he advised several people on who to target in a potential new government, in order to keep the Energy East pipeline project on track.
“We recognize that Mr. Gagnier’s actions were inappropriate” Trudeau said Thursday, at a campaign event in Montreal. Trudeau said Gagnier resigned on ethical grounds. “It’s a way of demonstrating that we take ethical standards and responsibilities very seriously.” He added that Gagnier will not be a part of his team “for the long-term future.”
In a statement released Wednesday evening, Gagnier said he had relinquished his role to “avoid becoming a distraction.”
Both the NDP and the Conservatives attacked the Liberals over the Gagnier email on Wednesday.
