David Emerson: Media Watch
Media highlights for April 19th through Thursday April 20th
April 20 (Metro) Tory convert unhappy
They hate the f——ing Liberals and theyâre doing everything they can to screw them. Trade Minister David Emerson on the Tories, according to a former aide
April 20 (CTV News) PM rejects claims Emerson frustrated with Tories
Prime Minister Stephen Harper dismissed claims from David Emerson’s former aide that the trade minister is privately complaining he is frustrated as a member of the Conservative government. “Minister Emerson said no such thing [...] I think that not just Minister Emerson, but I know all of my ministers, are pleased not to be in the Liberal party these days,” Harper told reporters in Montreal on Thursday.
Sources and several journalists I’ve spoken to since this story broke yesterday feel the comments from the former Emerson aide are indeed legitimate. Harper’s in damage control, and his quips won’t help him here.
April 20 (CKNW Vancouver) Emerson back in Vancouver tomorrow
David Emerson will make another rare appearance in Vancouver tomorrow. The former Liberal Cabinet Minister who crossed the floor to the Conservatives will be the key speaker at the Vancouver Board of Trade’s Annual B.C. Economic Forum. This news comes on the heels of a report out of Ottawa indicating Emerson may regret his defection.
And protests will be there too…
April 20 (Jared Ferrie, Metro) Critics seek apology over alleged remark (6MB PDF)
Members of the De-Elect Emerson Campaign are demanding an apology after a Conservative official allegedly made a xenophobic remark to to volunteers. [Manuel Pereda and Jurgen Claudepierre] are accusing New Westminster-Coquitlam Conservative Electoral District Association president Peter Appleton of asking, “Why don’t you just go back to the country where you came from?”
Standing just a few feet away from Appleton, I also heard him yell the remark at Manuel, Jurgen and others including an Asian-Canadian who prefers to remain out of the press limelight. I’d rather hoped we’d expunged xenophobic and racist people from positions of power in our party, but it seems not. Appleton must resign.
April 20 (CTV News) Emerson frustrated by Tories, ex-aide claims
A former aide claims Trade Minister David Emerson is privately complaining that he is frustrated as a member of the Conservative government, according to a report in the Toronto Star. Since joining Harper’s Conservative cabinet on [Feb.] 6, after winning a seat as a Liberal on Jan. 23, Emerson has been dogged by protests from voters in his Vancouver-Kingsway riding who say they feel cheated by his decision.
April 20 (Les Whittington, Hamilton Spectator) Partisan Politicos
Trade Minister David Emerson is telling former associates privately that he is frustrated being a member of the Conservative government, according to an ex-aide.
April 19 (CP, Edmonton Journal) Protesters call for byelection in Emerson’s riding