Besieged Former MP Defends Statements

Besieged Former MP Defends Statements

Friday, January 27, 2006 at 15:43

 

 

A former MP under fire from Aboriginal leaders for comments he made this week admits he could have worded his statements differently.

 

Harrison has been vilified by several Aboriginal leaders for singling out reserves in his allegations of election day voting irregularities that he says cost him the election in Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River.

 

Harrison’s comparison of the situation to what takes place in a banana republic has drawn a particularly hostile response.

 

Harrison admits he could have phrased his comments better, but believes his track record should erase any doubts about his attitudes towards Aboriginal people.

 

He also maintains he still has his share of Aboriginal supporters.

 

As for what happens now, Harrison says his lawyers are compiling numerous affidavits from people who say they saw irregularities at polling stations Monday night.

 

He plans to apply for a judicial recount through Court of Queen’s Bench.

 

Meantime, Harrison says he’s been told that the margin of victory is either 56 votes or 71, depending on what Elections Canada does with the vote validation process.