"To me that's a lie... " PC house leader d'Entremont
"To me that's a lie... and if you're going to stand there and you're going to continue to stretch the truth or you're going to lie, I don't think that's the right way to conduct a government," PC house leader Chris d'Entremont told CBC.
CORRECTION: Based on an email from a Department spokesperson, SCT has reviewed the original story and determined that the assertion in headline that minister Samson had admitted lying about ferry funding was conflation of facts and not necessarily a fair report. In the email, the department states that minister Samson disagrees with Mr. d'Entremont's allegation, but respects the process of a review of his actions and will participate fully. SCT regrets the error and any embarrassment caused by it to the minister.
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Economic Development minister Michel Samson has admitted to withholding information from Nova Scotians about how much money the province spent subsidizing the ferry between Yarmouth and Maine.
Samson said no repeatedly when he was asked numerous times recently whether the government had authorized or given the operators of the Nova Star more money than the $26 million disclosed to date.
Days later, Samson admitted he "misspoke" when he failed to disclose that an extra $2.5 million had been committed Christmas week.
Samson told CBC Thursday," "If I could go back I would do it differently."
The Conflict of Interest Act states, "Ministers shall be truthful and forthright and not deceive or knowingly mislead the House of Assembly or the public."
When asked by reporters, premier McNeil denied that his minister has breached that code of conduct.
The PC Caucus office has announced that they have called for a review of Samson's actions as they relate to the Ministerial Code of Conduct
Outline of story elements
- Minister Samson repeatedly denied that the government had committed additional funds.
- A news outlet in Maine reported that, according to government documents, an additional $2.5 million had been committed in late december
- Subsequently, minister Samson admitted he "misspoke" when he failed to disclose that an extra $2.5 million had been committed Christmas week. Samson told the Chronicle Herald," "If I could go back I would do it differently."
- The Nova Scotia Conflict of Interest Act states, "Ministers shall be truthful and forthright and not deceive or knowingly mislead the House of Assembly or the public."
- Premier McNeil denied to media that his minister has breached that code of conduct.
- PC House Leader Chris d'Entremont issued a news release in which he said Samson's denial was "a lie."
- The PC Caucus announced that they have called for a review of Samson's actions as they relate to the Ministerial Code of Conduct
- Samson agrees to cooperate in review
- Department demands retraction of conflated assertion in headline.
- SCT revises story