Canada’s Liberals plan to hold press conferences in the coming days to continue to seek the resignation of Minister of International Cooperation Beverley Oda in a bid to emphasize what they describe as a culture of “secrecy and deceit” within the government of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“We will continue to demand Oda’s resignation and a full answer from the Prime Minister on what direction he – or his office – provided to her,” the Globe and Mail quotes a senior Liberal Party official, who added that they also plan to detail the various ways “Harper has undermined democracy in Canada.”
Oda has been under fire the past few weeks after admitting that a memorandum by the Canadian International Development Agency was modified under her direction. The admission contradicts an earlier testimony where she said she did not know who altered the CIDA document.
>> Beverley Oda: I Ordered Modification of CIDA Memo
The Liberal Party is waiting for the ruling of House of Commons Speaker Peter Miliken on whether Oda breached her parliamentary privilege. The party says it is hoping to see a ruling when the House of Commons resumes its session next week.
>> Did Beverley Oda Mislead Parliament on Controversial CIDA Document?
Meantime, Harper and the Conservative Party are standing behind Oda. A background document explaining the government’s argument on the issue has been released to members of Parliament and senators, the Globe and Mail says. The document also explains why the opposition is wrong in demanding Oda’s resignation.
>> Canadian PM Backs Beverley Oda in Altered CIDA Document Scandal
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