COULD ABEL LEBLANC LAND IN JAIL????

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My God, this was like drinking 20 cups of coffee when I saw this story in my emails-
NB Telegraph-Journal | Politics
As published on page A2 on April 7, 2006

Tories want LeBlanc's comments investigated
Saint John Lancaster MLA could be in hot water over comments in letter to the editor
LeBlanc

By Shannon Hagerman
Telegraph-Journal

FREDERICTON - A Saint John MLA who called Michael (Tanker) Malley's promotion to Speaker a "sham" could find himself tossed out of the legislature for alleged contempt of the House.

Saint John Lancaster Liberal MLA Abel LeBlanc is being accused of breaking privilege after he called Mr. Malley's appointment an act of "greed" in a letter published in the Telegraph-Journal Thursday.

Parliamentary tradition forbids elected members from calling into question the Speaker's impartiality or rulings.

"His comments have undermined this venerable institution and the work we perform," said Government House Leader Bev Harrison. "By questioning this House's selection of Speaker and the operation of this legislature, he has brought disrepute to the role of the Speaker and the legislature as a whole."

Mr. Harrison is asking the matter be investigated by the legislature's standing committee on privileges.

If Mr. LeBlanc is found guilty of contempt of the legislature, he could face stiff penalties.

The committee-which rarely meets in New Brunswick-has the power to order an MLA removed from the legislature, revoke their right to vote and even impose jail sentences, in severe cases.

It will be up to Mr. Malley to decide if an investigation is ordered.

Mr. Malley said Thursday he will review the alleged breach and report back on his decision.

Liberal House Leader Kelly Lamrock urged Mr. Malley to seriously weigh the consequences of allowing the privileges committee to investigate the issue. The governing Tories hold a majority on the committee and could abuse the power to tip the scales inside the tightly-matched legislature, he warned.

"It's not a question of privilege that means you give the government the power to throw Liberals in jail or throw Liberals out of the house," he said. "They want to pass motions to take a Liberal out of commission."

Mr. LeBlanc refused to comment on the issue on Thursday.

The controversy over Mr. LeBlanc's letter erupted late in the afternoon on Thursday a few hours after a Conservative cabinet minister was accused of making offensive comments when he referred to the "tripod" under his kilt.

Business New Brunswick Minister Kirk MacDonald later apologized.

Mr. Lamrock said the allegations being lodged against Mr. LeBlanc were "bogus".

He said even the House of Commons has been reluctant to send investigations to the privileges committee. It has only happened three times, he said.

"The House should tread very lightly when we talk about letting a committee of privilege throw a member in jail for expressing their opinion," Mr. Lamrock said.

The letter may dominate debate again today, on the eve of a crucial budget vote.

Mr. LeBlanc's letter stated that the governing Tories should be ashamed for using Mr. Malley's appointment for their own personal gain.

"I am writing on the issue of Michael (Tanker) Malley becoming Speaker of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly. How disheartening it is to have this sort of sham take place in the legislature. No wonder the citizens of New Brunswick question politicians and their motives," he wrote. "In this instance, the motive is greed."

Mr. LeBlanc also suggested the real reason Mr. Malley has been named Speaker is to protect the pensions of government MLAs who must serve eight sessions inside the legislature before they are eligible.

"I've heard of sneaky deals, but this one takes the cake," Mr. LeBlanc wrote. "Shame, shame, shame."

He also questioned why Mr. Malley was good enough for the post.

"Mr. Malley chose to leave the Progressive Conservative Party to sit as an Independent. He supposedly did so because he was passed over in the last cabinet shuffle. Although not ministerial material, this man is now holding one of the most prestigious seats in our province. I must ask, does this make any sense? How did this happen?" he asked.

This was the letter that Abel wrote –


Malley 'deal' takes the cake

I am writing on the issue of Michael (Tanker) Malley becoming Speaker
of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly. How disheartening it is to
have this sort of sham take place in the legislature. No wonder the
citizens of New Brunswick question politicians and their motives.

In this instance, the motive is greed. For those who may not know, each
MLA has to have eight sessions to be eligible for a pension. Each
session is constituted by the giving of the throne speech. There is
generally one throne speech per year, however, that can be changed at the whim
of the premier. The last throne speech was made in December, 2005; this
carries through until, supposedly, December, 2006.

Mr. Malley chose to leave the Progressive Conservative Party to sit as
an Independent. He supposedly did so because he was passed over in the
last cabinet shuffle. Although not ministerial material, this man is
now holding one of the most prestigious seats in our province. I must
ask, does this make any sense? How did this happen?

At the 11th hour former cabinet minister Tony Huntjens supposedly
stepped aside for the good of the Tory team, allowing Mr. Malley to step in.
What has this done for the team?

Well, it is allowing l6 Tory MLAs to get the time needed to collect
their pensions. Had this government fallen, those MLAs would have been at
the mercy of the electorate to regain their seats - and earn the time
needed to collect this coveted pension. I've heard of sneaky deals, but
this one takes the cake.

Shame, shame, shame.

ABEL LeBLANC
Liberal MLA
Saint John Lancaster

I bumped into Abel LeBlanc yesterday and told him that I posted his letter in my blog.

He told me that they cut his letter down a lot.

From what I could understand? It wasn’t the same letter that Abel wanted?

I’m certain that the message was the same but these Irving’s editor can change a letter BIG TIMES!!!

I know…it happened to me on a few occasions!

Now? I don’t believe that Tanker will demand an investigation on this issue.

I know Tanker and Abel very well and these two MLA’S always called themselves People’s person.

If Tanker has a beef with Abel?

Just write a letter to the editor.

If he goes against Abel?

Well? I am going to be one upset puppy!

Yes, this morning, there’s going to be lots of action in the House and guess what? I’m going to sit here in my little room and watch it on TV!!!!

The Government will not fall and it’s going to be very interesting watching the issue of Kirk MacDonald and Abel LeBlanc in the Chambers.

If I’m there? I’ll sit in the gallery and it drives me nuts! I’ll be right here in my room and if the situation goes out of control?

I’ll run at the Leg!!! It’s only two blocks away!

Good for Abel for speaking the truth and lets see if Tanker is indeed a People Person????

I always respected Tanker but if he speaks against Abel?

Our little friendship will be dissolved forever!!!

I’ll stand by Abel 100%!!!

As a matter of fact? I just phoned the talk show voicing my support of Abel LeBlanc!!!! Keep the fine work of speaking the truth Abel!!!