Tory Minister Attacks Chretien Over China Remarks
22/08/2008 06:31
A junior Conservative cabinet minister has lambasted former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien, who has criticized Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to skip the Beijing Games.
Jason Kenney, secretary of state for multiculturalism, told CTV Newsnet on Wednesday that Chretien has many clients who do business in China and has represented Chinese state firms.
"Mr. Chretien has a lot of explaining to do when it comes to, at the very least, the appearance of conflict of interest," Jason Kenney.
"You've got Prime Minister Harper who's representing Canada's interests and values ... and then you've got Mr. Chretien representing his own personal financial interests."
Kenney didn't name any firm, but Chretien has strong ties to Quebec's Power Corp.
On Monday, Chretien took aim at Harper's China policy, saying the prime minister's non-attendance at the Beijing Olympics and decision to honour the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet, with honorary Canadian citizenship could harm relations with the rising economic power.
More from CTV News.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Stephen Harper doesn't need some junior "flunkie" like Jason Kenney coming out of the woodwork and accusing Jean Chretien of conflict of interest, which is completely off topic and missing the point. Harper can do a good enough job of that himself.