WATCH ABOVE: Alan Carter explains why the allegations are important as voters go to the polls.
TORONTO – The OPP is investigating whether a crime may have been committed when Ontario Liberals allegedly tried to force Andrew Olivier out of the byelection race in Sudbury, according to police documents obtained Thursday.
The allegations are contained within an information to obtain – a document used by police to get a search warrant – filed by Ontario Provincial Police Det. Const. Erin Thomas who is among the officers looking into the actions of political figures during the Sudbury byelection.
Thomas suggests in the documents that there are grounds to believe a crime was committed.
According to the Toronto Sun, the ITO says the crime may have been “The solicitation, negotiation in any manner or recommendation with respect to an appointment to an office in expectation of a direct or indirect reward, advantage or benefit.”
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Andrew Olivier was the Liberal candidate in last year’s June election, losing by only 980 votes to NDP candidate Joe Cimino. Cimino stepped down six months later, sparking a byelection.
Olivier had intended to run for the Liberals during Thursday’s byelection but contends he was pressured not to, and offered a position instead.
He has released audio of conversations he says he had with organizer Gerry Lougheed Jr and campaign director Pat Sorbara, who is also the premier’s deputy chief of staff in which Olivier claims he was offered a job to bow out of the race.
“I come to you on behalf of the premier, and on behalf of Mr. Thibeault more indirectly, to ask you if you would consider stepping down and more than that Andrew, nominating him,” the man in one of the audio recordings identified as Lougheed can be heard saying.
“In the course of that deliberation the premier wants to talk to you. We would like to present to you options in terms of appointments, jobs or whatever, that you and her and Pat Sorbara can talk about.”
The Liberal party however says the recordings vindicate them, suggesting they were discussing ways Olivier could remain involved in the party after he was already told her wouldn’t be the candidate. Both Lougheed and Sorbara have previously denied any wrongdoing. The premier’s office said in a previous statement that Lougheed is not a government nor Liberal staff member and speaks for himself.
More to come.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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