Independent MP Garth Turner to join Liberals
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 6, 2007 | 12:41 PM ET
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/02/06/turner-liberals.html
Independent MP Garth Turner, who was kicked out of the Tory caucus last fall, will join the Liberals, party sources have told CBC News.
The announcement that Turner is crossing the floor will be made official at 5 p.m. ET in Ottawa. Turner will be accompanied by Liberal Opposition Leader Stéphane Dion.
Turner, 58, was elected as a Conservative last year in the Ontario riding of Halton. He became an Independent last fall after he was expelled by the Tory caucus for allegedly breaching caucus confidentiality on his blog.
Turner denied the allegation, saying he was booted out because some of his beliefs were at odds with the party.
But Turner had also been critical of the government while he was a member of the party. Notably, he denounced Stephen Harper's decision to swear into cabinet David Emerson, who crossed the floor after being elected as a Liberal in January 2006.
Turner said then that anyone who crosses the floor should step down and run in a byelection.
Turner served briefly as minister of national revenue in the Progressive Conservative government of Kim Campbell.
Then a one-term MP, he was defeated in the Liberal sweep of 1993.
There had been speculation that Turner might join the Green party, which has no seats in the House. As recently as Monday, Turner had said it was an option that was still on the table.
On his blog Tuesday, Turner made no mention of his defection, saying only that "this day should be jam packed with news."
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 6, 2007 | 12:41 PM ET
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/02/06/turner-liberals.html
Independent MP Garth Turner, who was kicked out of the Tory caucus last fall, will join the Liberals, party sources have told CBC News.
The announcement that Turner is crossing the floor will be made official at 5 p.m. ET in Ottawa. Turner will be accompanied by Liberal Opposition Leader Stéphane Dion.
Turner, 58, was elected as a Conservative last year in the Ontario riding of Halton. He became an Independent last fall after he was expelled by the Tory caucus for allegedly breaching caucus confidentiality on his blog.
Turner denied the allegation, saying he was booted out because some of his beliefs were at odds with the party.
But Turner had also been critical of the government while he was a member of the party. Notably, he denounced Stephen Harper's decision to swear into cabinet David Emerson, who crossed the floor after being elected as a Liberal in January 2006.
Turner said then that anyone who crosses the floor should step down and run in a byelection.
Turner served briefly as minister of national revenue in the Progressive Conservative government of Kim Campbell.
Then a one-term MP, he was defeated in the Liberal sweep of 1993.
There had been speculation that Turner might join the Green party, which has no seats in the House. As recently as Monday, Turner had said it was an option that was still on the table.
On his blog Tuesday, Turner made no mention of his defection, saying only that "this day should be jam packed with news."
