Reg Alcock, minister in charge of the Canadian Wheat Board, is suing a Conservative member of Parliament over allegations that the board’s hiring of an Alcock political supporter as the CWB’s Ottawa lobbyist is an example of “Liberal corruption and cronyism”.
Rookie Regina MP Tom Lukiwski alleged in a letter published in the Western Producer Dec. 23 that Alcock influenced the awarding of the CWB lobbying contract to Avis Gray, Alcock’s campaign manager in the 2004 election in Winnipeg South.
Alcock, who is also treasury board president, said in the suit filed in an Ottawa Superior Court Feb. 18 that the allegation was untrue and damaging to his reputation. He demanded $100,000 plus costs.
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By alleging the decision was corrupt, Lukiwski was alleging “wrongful, illegal and criminal conduct” on the part of the minister, said Alcock’s brief.
The allegation from Lukiwski was false, because Alcock did not know about the hiring until after the fact, the document stated.
“Further, the plaintiff denies corruption,” said the suit, filed by Winnipeg lawyer Robert Tapper.
Alcock offered to drop the suit if Lukiwski apologized “but the defendant has willfully refused to respond.”
A representative for Lukiwski said Feb. 21 the MP had not received a copy of the statement of claim, was seeking legal counsel and had no comment.
A representative for Alcock declined to comment on the lawsuit, referring all questions to Tapper, who also declined to comment.
