By Jill Sperling

MP Cathy McLeod calls Liberal fundraiser featuring PM ‘cash for access’

Jan 8, 2019 | 2:55 PM

KAMLOOPS —It won’t be the first time Justin Trudeau has visited Kamloops, but Wednesday will mark his first time in the city since becoming prime minister. 

Trudeau is scheduled to appear at a fundraising lunch for the Liberal Party, an event that comes with a $300 pricetag for a regular ticket. 

Conservative MP Cathy McLeod says the fundraiser doesn’t sit well with her. 

“Typically prime ministers in the past, for very good reasons, don’t do fundraisers or they don’t do high-priced fundraisers,” McLeod said. “So, for the Prime Minister to come and be charging $300 for a lunch, I have trouble with that.” 

McLeod is labelling the event as ‘cash for access’ despite the prime minister’s plans to host a public town hall meeting. 

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“I think the decision around a town hall was made later,” McLeod said. “Certainly, I think they felt there would, and should be, lots of pushback in terms of pay $300 you can see the Prime Minister, but otherwise you don’t get to. So, I think the forum that’s going to be at TRU, I hope the hard questions get asked.”

The Prime Minister’s Office says the town hall will be the first of many, as Trudeau embarks on a tour across Canada to connect with people and discuss their concerns. 

Trudeau will also be meeting with Mayor Ken Christian. 

Before hearing from the Prime Minister’s Office, Christian had said he would like to speak to the Trudeau about the homelessness grant program, transit, the Trans Mountain pipeline, infrastructure and railroad issues.

“We need to know if the province of Alberta is buying lots of oil tank cars then they have no where to go except through Kamloops,” he said. “So, I need to know that in terms of our future planning and the safety of our citizens and our environment.” 

Between the meeting with the mayor and the town hall the Prime Minister will likely hear about a range of Kamloops specific concerns.

“Hopefully it is an opportunity for people in our community to really ask the tough questions,” said McLeod. 

The town hall will be hosted at the Old TRU Gym at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening and doors will open at 5:00 p.m.