VINDICTIVENESS TRIUMPHS

December 14, 2001

OTTAWA-If the Canadian Alliance wants to build a national party capable of governing Canada, it took seven steps away from that goal last night. 

“Obviously I am very disappointed,” began Hill, “I was elected to represent the views of my constituents, my Board of Directors and the Canadian Alliance members in my riding, which I have done vigorously. I have been expelled for representing those views… that’s not what the Reform Party stood for.”  

Prince George Peace River MP Jay Hill said the termination of his membership – along with the yanking of the party cards of his six DR colleagues- is a step back from the first principle of the Canadian Alliance. That principle is to “build a national coalition of people who share these Principles and Policies and who reflect the geographical, cultural and socio-economic diversity of Canada.” 

“In public the Canadian Alliance preaches bigger, broader coalitions,” continued Hill, “ and then in private they conspire to hand out punishment to those who are trying to do exactly that! This decision is clearly a triumph for vindictiveness over reconciliation.” 

Hill said that the loss of the party cards won’t stop him and his PC-DR Coalition Colleagues from continuing to work for what Canadians want – a single national alternative to the Liberals. The Coalition is already delivering a strong, national opposition in Parliament through experienced leadership, a firm footing in democratic conservative values, and MP’s from eight provinces representing all regions of Canada. 

“This latest disciplinary action only proves that the Canadian Alliance has become less tolerant than the Liberal Party when it comes to MPs speaking out to represent their constituents. Blind loyalty to any Leader is not good for any party, and certainly not good for the country.” 

Hill said people can do three things to work toward unity: they can support the Democratic Representative association in its efforts to build coalitions; if they’re members of the Canadian Alliance they can support a candidate serious about building unity rather than firewalls; and they can get involved in the PC-DR Coalition’s discussion groups dedicated to Expanding the Coalition. 

“The saddest thing is that Stockwell Day’s legacy will be that he was the guy that had Deb Grey kicked out of the Canadian Alliance.” concluded Hill.