Trost questions MP’s ‘fitness for office’

OTTAWA — The gloves are off in the Conservative caucus as the leadership race heats up, with declared candidate Brad Trost questioning the neutrality and “fitness for the office” of the party’s deputy leader in the House of Commons — who is backing his rival, Andrew Scheer.

In a letter to interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose, Trost accused MP Chris Warkentin of recording his telephone conversations with Trost and threatening to release them publicly.

Trost also questioned whether Warkentin blocked him Monday from making a member’s statement before question period that called on Guy Giorno, former chief of staff to Stephen Harper and a Scheer supporter, to repay tens of thousands of dollars in expenses associated with his 2008 move to Ottawa from Toronto.

Trost has not provided any proof to substantiate his version of events.

The Saskatoon MP and strong social conservative also urges Ambrose to ensure that Warkentin, a well-respected caucus member whose longtime friendship with Scheer is no secret among Conservative MPs, and all other caucus and House officers remain neutral in the leadership race.

He’s asking her to issue a public statement to assure party members and leadership candidates that she will uphold and enforce neutrality among caucus and House officers.

“Considering his behaviour, I hold serious doubts as to the ability of Mr. Warkentin to be and to remain neutral, and about his fitness for the office to which you have appointed him,” Trost said in the letter, copies of which were sent to all declared leadership candidates and those considering a run, and which was obtained by the Ottawa Citizen.

“With this in mind, I ask that you review with Mr. Warkentin his duty to be strictly impartial in respect of the leadership election now underway. I also ask that you instruct him to refrain from making statements or engaging in any activity which might indicate that he favours any candidate over another.”

A spokesman for Ambrose said there is a normal rotation among Conservative MPs for making members’ statements, and that declared and potential leadership candidates are only allowed to deliver them on local constituency issues, so as not to give any potential advantage to contenders.

Warkentin said he has “never had anything to do with the allocation of members’ statements.” His job as question period co-ordinator only begins once question period begins.

Since declared candidates like Scheer, as well as those who have expressed interest in joining the leadership race, aren’t allowed to ask questions in question period, Warkentin’s friendship with Scheer was not considered a conflict.

Trost, meanwhile, said Warkentin insisted during a phone conversation he was not a caucus officer and under no obligation to be neutral in the leadership race.

As well, he alleges during a subsequent phone call Warkentin revealed he was recording their conversations and was threatening to release the recordings publicly — something Trost called “highly irregular and very disturbing.”

“I am very concerned that the question period co-ordinator and deputy house leader would see fit to record any private telephone conversation, let alone release it publicly. I would like to receive some assurance from you and from Mr. Warkentin that this is not an accepted practice among caucus colleagues,” Trost said in the letter.

The dispute marks the latest round of internal bickering in the Conservative caucus before the party’s leadership election on May 27, 2017.

Leadership contenders have already openly criticized fellow candidate Kellie Leitch over her proposal for a “values” test for immigrants, refugees and visitors.

Trost’s calls for Giorno to repay moving expenses came amid controversy over Gerald Butts and Katie Telford, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s two top aides, claiming more than $207,000 in similar expenses.

Telford has promised to pay back $23,373 that was a “personalized cash payout” from the total $80,382 she claimed, while Butts has pledged to pay back $20,799 in the personalized payout of the $126,669 he claimed. The personalized cash payouts they received covered a range of potential moving expenses.

Butts will also repay most of the $25,141.31 in land transfer tax and associated fees he claimed, for a total repayment of $41,618.62.

Considering his behaviour, I hold serious doubts as to the ability of Mr. Warkentin to be and to remain neutral.” Brad Trost, in a letter