McIver attacking fellow candidate’s ethics prior to PC leadership election

Watch the video above: Ric McIver appears on the Global Edmonton Morning News two days before the PC leadership election

EDMONTON – PC leadership candidate Ric McIver is bringing out the heavy artillery in the lead-up to Saturday’s vote.

McIver’s campaign released a radio advertisement, questioning fellow candidate Jim Prentice’s ethics and calling him an insider.

“Jim Prentice has admitted to giving away free memberships to the PC party. His campaign is buying votes to win the premier’s office. Maybe someone should tell him that public trust isn’t for sale,” says the announcer in the ad.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Jim Prentice has admitted to giving away free memberships to the PC party. His campaign is buying votes to win the premier's office. Maybe someone should tell him that public trust isn't for sale," says the announcer in the ad.

McIver appeared on the Morning News Thursday where he continued his attack.

“If you look for insiders, you look for who all the insiders are circled around and it’s certainly not my campaign.”

Dozens of current PC caucus members have publicly supported Prentice, but the candidate has called himself an “outsider.”

“I’m not from the cabinet. I’m not from the government. I’m not from caucus. I’m a taxpaying Albertan who’s been disappointed by the government we’ve received,” said Prentice.

Prentice says he’s disappointed in McIver.

“I’m an incredibly optimistic, hopeful person. I think I reflect Alberta in that sense. I’m not a negative person and I’m not into attack ads.”

McIver has also called himself an outsider despite serving as transportation minister and infrastructure minister during Alison Redford’s reign as premier.

“If Albertans want to get past all the controversy on ethics and expenses, there’s one candidate that doesn’t actually have all that baggage and you’re looking at him,” said McIver.

“Even the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said they had no issue with my expenses, either when I was on (Calgary) city council or when I was in provincial government. And the other candidates cannot say that.”

McIver also questioned Prentice’s commitment to Alberta.

“Mr. Prentice actually hasn’t said he’ll even not go back to Toronto if he doesn’t win. A question he hasn’t answered yet.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Mr. Prentice actually hasn't said he'll even not go back to Toronto if he doesn't win. A question he hasn't answered yet."

Prentice served as an MP for the federal PC party from 2004 to 2010 before resigning his seat.