Tory staffer under probe leaves electoral campaign

A Tory staffer who quit the Harper Government last fall was helping the Conservatives in a key Edmonton riding. Just days after the government called in the RCMP to investigate his actions, Sebastien Togneri was spotted at Stephen Harper's rally in Beaumont Monday night.

Power Play: Robert Fife in Winnipeg

5:00 p.m. EST: CTV's Ottawa bureau chief explains how Conservative Leader Stephen Harper responded to revelations that a former Tory staffer who is under investigation by the RCMP was working for the Conservative campaign in a key riding.

CTV Edmonton: Simon Ostler on the resignation

Sebastien Togneri, a former Conservative staffer under investigation by the RCMP, has left his volunteer job in a key electoral battleground.

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Sebastien Togneri is seen in this undated image taken from video.

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The Canadian Press

Date: Tue. Mar. 29 2011 9:15 PM ET

REGINA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper says a former Conservative staffer under investigation by the RCMP has left his volunteer job in a key electoral battleground.

Harper told a news conference in Regina today that Sebastien Togneri is no longer working for the Conservative campaign in the riding of Edmonton-Strathcona.

The announcement came after The Canadian Press learned Togneri was helping on the campaign of Ryan Hastman, a popular Conservative with ties up to the Prime Minister's Office.

Hastman is trying to wrest away the only riding in Alberta the Conservatives did not win in 2008.

As a senior aide to a cabinet minister in 2009, Togneri demanded that government officials block the release of a document requested by The Canadian Press under Access to Information laws.

Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose called in the Mounties this month to determine if charges should be laid after Canada's information commissioner found Togneri clearly interfered with the request without legal authority to do so.

Comments are now closed for this story

ABC
said

All these little inappropriate actions by the Reform Party and its supporters is very bothersome. There are many similarities between the Reform Party and the Nazi Party of Germany! Honestly, go read up on the policies and how they worked and compare that to the Reform Party...not much difference!

Mike Stokes
said

What a joke.The Liberal party is so desperate .

Scott
said

He was a volunteer. He was not on staff. He is no longer a volunteer according to Harper this morning. Which means he was asked to leave. He is not welcome. Human factors can have an impact on any federal party.

Ontario Taxpayer
said

Has he been formally charged? Has he been found guilty in a court of law? If either of these is a yes, he should not be allowed to work on anyones campaign from any party. Lets open this up to all political parties...I demand a police verification on every person working on every campaign for every candidate! Ibet that would bring forth some very scary results. Please stick to the real issues vise trying to generate non existant scandals!

Gordon
said

"A Conservative Diet"The Conservatives figure the voters will get tired of hearing about their transgressions by giving us a steady diet of Conservative players who have run afoul one way or another, by feeding us one of them everyday.

Jamie D
said

We were trying to concentrate on the real issues, when we realized one of the parties discussing it was making moves that made them appear to be untrustworthy of the publics trust. So now the issues have been sidelined while the public once again has to come to grips with the bad behaviors of public office. We all believe in second chances, but we also believe that MP's should be squeaky clean. Former problems in politics resulting in reprimand are a strong signal that a person should not hang out in politics until the heat has cooled a bit.

Bigger Thomas
said

OMG I am so worried about these people getting a majority. When you consider that the entire Liberal Ad Scam scandal was about 4 - 500,000 and that just about every week there is some new ethical issue with the Tories, I mightbhave to vote strategically. For me that means voting for the Liberal in my riding in order to keep the Tory out. Given the list of issuesx piled up by this government, can you. Shine what this country will look like in four years?

jd
said

How Canadians dismiss the constant assaults on our democracy by Steven Harpers people as too petty to bother with.The fact one can't understand the complexity of these issues should induce quite contemplation not loud braying about wasting one's time! Our system is endangered when a political party feels that laws are only to be obeyed by the left leaning members of society!

AW in BC
said

Well will you look at this focus for an election issue. In the past few days has anyone thought about of what is in the news? Do we read of how the Canadian economy has faired well over the past few years while the rest of the world is in the tank?? Are your comments and news items focusing on our strong employment position, the good things we have?? No, this is worse than a school yard haggling and name calling. It is time the general public grew up and focussed on issues of relevance as to the governance of our country. By the by, you want to get petty ...how many of you can really cast the first stone where you have never done anything underhanded to your ex, or a family member, or a colleague, or your mannerism cut someone off on the highway, did something that wasn't "ethical"? Let's face it, we all know that lawyers and politicians are known since the beginning of time to be less than society's finest, but that is what we have to work with. However, we need to focus on issues that are of significance. And if you think you are so righteous and above everyone else's foibles, why aren't you running for offfice...probably because you are scared what may come out of the closet and get printed!

RK in MB
said

Mr. Togneri may have the best intentions but to help his party he would have been wise to stay away. He should have known that this would draw attention in a negative way and the candidate should also have considered the impact of such a story. It seems odd that the CPC doesn't consider perception given recent scandals they have faced. Many citizens have been vocal in their distaste and distrust but the CPC changed nothing for this election. Odd!!

Teed Off
said

I am sick and tired of this Iggy guy's continuous and stupid use of the phrase "attack on our democracy" on anything, good or bad, that a conservative supporter may say or do. I doubt that this "academician" even knows how to spell the word and I am certain he doesn't have a clue as to what it means.

Accord or Coalition - Ottawa
said

Just wondering if the Liberals plan to form an "Accord" not a "Coalition" with the NDP like what was done back in 1985 when the deal then took down the elected minority Conservatives in Ontario.NDP Bob Rae at the time (now Liberal) and David Peterson (Liberal) did exactly this. The voters have a right to know before heading to the polls if this is the plan.

Brian Leonard
said

Big deal - he's under investigation -.he's aledged to have done something wrong - he's innocent until convicted . Should he just go to sleep or hide in the corner during the election ? Poorly chosen subject for a headline story Seems like it was written by an anti-conservative.Find something better to write about !!!!!!

TheOtherLowellInBC
said

The conservative bloggers on her have such double standards, it blows me away. If a liberal were doing that (working in an election campaign while under investigation), they would be slinging mud all over the place. Since it is a conservative, its kind of like "who care" attitude. Well all of you Stephen Harper Lackey's. the voters of Canada care. Your accountability and transparency plank in your last election (which you promised) is plainly rotten to the core.

Dave in Cold Lake
said

Whatever happened to being innocent until proven guilty? I've noticed the opposition sure talks a big story when it comes to democracy and justice, until it doesn't "fit" their political line. I'm sure they prefer that he'd be brought in front of their parliamentary committee to receive some of their fair, un-politically motivated justice.

bella73
said

This guy should not be anywhere near a campaign at this time. If the investigation finds he's done nothing untoward, then fine. Until then, stay out of the campaign. This would go for everyone who would be under investigation, be it Lib. Con or NDP.

Sharon B.
said

Are you stating that if it was the other way around the Conservatives or media wouldn't make an issue of this ?!!!! Come on ! Its not about what he's doing, signs or no signs, its about condoning an action by allowing Togneri to particpate. It doesn't matter what party you are with, its about image and walking the walk. We spoke loud and clear when the liberals got caught defrauding.....the conservatives are doing no less by their actions or inactions....

Janice (Brampton)
said

Chretien was "under RCMP investigation" for his involvement in Shawinigate yet he kept his job as Prime Minister......this dude is doing signs of whatever. This is just a smear tactic during an election and blatant partisan bs.

jean-sans-peur
said

How many screw ups do the tories have to make to open up the eyes of the tory supporters? No politician in his right mind will have any association with people up on charges for anything. Even setting up posters.Guilty by association. This blind commitment to a very tarnished political party is looking more idiotic with every screw up they commit. What has this party done for you that warrants this depth of commitment? Every misdeed they commit are against you as much as me; every dime they squander is as much your money as mine; how do you justify this blind faith you have in these criminals?Your continued support of a tarnished political party is looking beyond stupid now ; whatever that is...

Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto
said

So they're letting him put up signs. So what? Did everyone just expect him to stay home? Lets concentrate on the real issues.

Niagara George
said

I wonder how many Cons will comment on this story with their usual "unimportant," "give us real news," or "let's move on." I think their fingers type those words automatically. After all, King Steve did get elected with a promise to have a transparent and open government, with a level of purity not seen in Canada, before. Well he was right about that. We have never seen a government that has reached this level... of contempt for the people of Canada.

Guilty until proven Innocent
said

......and this impacts my daily life, How ? However to give comment, I would think that an individual has a right to participate in the electoral process regardless of an unrelated current investigation, and at this stage that's all it is, an investigation.

Ken from Ottawa
said

Let me be clear hiding information lying manipulation refusing to release requests for imformation contempt for the Canadian people spending more money than allowed to for elections etc. do I live in China or Canada I feel more and more like I'm living in a communist country get rid of these bums CPC should stand for Corrupt Politicians of Canada time to go bye bye Harper.At least the Liberals came clean and had an investigation.

jen from saskatoon
said

I wonder how many of these stories DON'T come to light? This government has got to go!

From Ontario
said

Wow! This is news? How can it be a slow news day? There's an election going on. Who cares who he is helping during the election? The RCMP was called in. He is under investigation. He has not been found guilty of anything yet. Why would a candidate not accept whatever help this person can provide? It is not easy getting volunteers these days. One thing that I am comfortable about is that when the minister felt that there could have been wrongdoing, she called in the RCMP. If the RCMP finds wrongdoing, then that is a different story. Only Liberals would blame this on the Conservatives.

peter in MB
said

This is nothing more than a cheap shot form the liberal camp.

Danny in Halifax
said

The Conservative Party did come in on an anti-corruption campaign and other than being found in contempt by a body made up mostly of Liberals (I mean where else would that happen?) over very argumentive claims, they have done fine. Throw in keeping our economy from tanking like almost every other country has done as well as lifting the Canadian Armed Forces from the 'Dark Ages' caused by the Liberals and I'd say Stephen Harper has done a pretty good job. Of course, if you like to see our military using third rate equipment, or our economy a pile of junk and criminals running rampant, by all means vote for Iggy. History has shown over and over again what happens when the Liberals are in power.

Mr. Not a Pye Chart
said

Do these Cons just not get it or are they going to keep flouting that they are above the law. There is no way this guy should be allowed ANYWHERE near any campaign with the RCMP still investigating him. Isn't this exactly why they were found in CONTEMPT. I sure hope this backfires on Harper and his clan so maybe, just maybe we can get these kinds of things cleaned up and out of government.

BGD
said

Let's keep the chow wagons moving. Got bitten once but try, try again. God to prove that things do not change. The Tories came in with an anti-corruption and "we must be ethical" compaign. It is nice to see they keep they word...not!

Paul, NS
said

Stay classy CPC. I don't care how much people don't like the Liberals, we need a new government, and they're the only ones suitable for the job. If you vote CPC after what they've done all these years, then you must enjoy being punished.

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