Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau says the actions of his national campaign co-chairman, who gave advice to TransCanada Corp. on how to lobby a new government, were inappropriate and his resignation demonstrates the party's commitment to accountability.
Initially, the Liberals stood by Dan Gagnier after a report by The Canadian Press on Wednesday revealed that he sent a detailed email to officials at TransCanada Corp., the company behind the Energy East Pipeline, with advice on how and when to lobby a new government _ including a Liberal minority.
But Gagnier issued a statement later in the day announcing he was stepping down because he didn't want to be a distraction to Trudeau's campaign.
Trudeau says ``Mr. Gagnier has a long history of working with governments and has always behaved in a responsible way.''
During a campaign stop in Montreal, Trudeau told reporters that after sitting down with Gagnier, he chose to do the responsible thing and step down from the Liberal campaign.
The liberal leader says it's a way of demonstrating the fact that his party takes ethical standards and responsibilities extremely seriously.
He says Gagnier will remain away from his team ``for the long term future.''
Trudeau also teed off on Stephen Harper's association with Toronto city Councilor Rob Ford and his brother Doug, both of whom appeared at an event for the Conservative leader earlier this week.
Doug Ford also said he is hosting a rally for Harper later this week.
Trudeau says Harper should be ``embarrassed that he's having to count on the support of Rob Ford for his re-election.''
He says a lot of people are talking about the hypocrisy of the Fords and their drug problems and Harper and his policy positions on that.
Later today, Trudeau is planning to visit the backyard of N-D-P Leader Tom Mulcair.
He will make a whistle stop in Montreal's Outremont riding, the seat held by Mulcair at dissolution and a former Liberal stronghold.