To the Editor,
Re: Page’s university visit cancelled over political fundraising, Oct. 13.
The Campus Young Liberals at Vancouver Island University, with the assistance of the Nanaimo-Alberni Riding Association, invited the Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page to speak at the university on the evening of Oct. 11.
From the outset, Page and his staff understood this to be a university-sponsored event, which would be open to the public.
While the organizers did not intend to exclude the public, the advertising focused on members of the Liberal Party.
The organizers also saw his visit as an opportunity to raise funds.
Page and his staff were unaware of these arrangements until the last minute, and he cancelled when they were brought to his attention.
On behalf of the federal Liberal Party in Nanaimo-Alberni, I’d like to apologize to Page for any embarrassment this may have caused him. He is entirely blameless in this.
Bill Stewart
President, Nanaimo-Alberni Riding Association
Liberal Party of Canada