Andrew Olivier recordings: Sudbury byelection candidates react

Morning North7:07The Olivier tapes

Independent candidate Andrew Olivier released recorded conversations between himself and Liberal party officials discussing giving him something for not seeking the Liberal nomination. The CBC's Erik White was in our studio to talk about the fallout.The recorded conversations with Liberal organizers released by the independent candidate dominated talk on the campaign trail in Sudbury yesterday — but the other candidates didn't get into the specifics of what they heard.

Andrew Olivier said he released the tapes to keep the questions surrounding his claims that he was offered a job by the Liberals from being a distraction.

• Andrew Olivier releases documents over alleged appointment offer

"To maintain focus on the important issues on this campaign, I will not be commenting further on this matter."

But it did just the opposite yesterday, as candidates who were prepared to talk about highways and PET scanners took time out from the issues to talk about the release of the secret tapes.

"Sudbury and Sudburians have every right to be absolutely disgusted with what has taken place over the last few weeks,” said Progressive Conservative Paula Peroni.

But she wouldn't make any comments on the specific things she heard Liberals say on the tapes.

Neither would New Democrat candidate Suzanne Shawbonquit.

"You know what, I think it's up to Sudburians to judge that and discern that for themselves. But I think it's this kind of backroom dealing that makes people really cynical, right?"

Olivier’s recorded conversations with Liberal officials include discussion of the defection of NDPer Glenn Thibeault and possible job opportunities for Olivier.

The Liberals said the tapes prove they did nothing wrong, and the tapes vindicate Sorbara, the premier's office said in its statement.

"The tape confirms what Pat Sorbara said publicly last month — that any suggestion that anything was offered in exchange for any action is false," Wynne's office said. "Olivier had already been informed that he would not be the candidate."

'Political games'

The Sudbury seat was vacated in November by New Democrat Joe Cimino, who resigned after just five months as a member of provincial parliament. The seat was previously a long-held Liberal riding and Sorbara told Olivier the premier is desperate — "desperate in a good way" — to get it back.

The Progressive Conservatives had asked the Ontario Provincial Police to investigate Olivier's allegations, suggesting they could contravene sections of the Criminal Code that relate to offering government advantages and securing appointments.

The OPP determined this week no criminal offence was committed, but a spokesman wouldn't say Thursday whether investigators listened to Olivier's recordings.

Steve Clark, the Tory MPP who first made the complaint to the OPP, wrote to the commissioner again Thursday asking him to reopen the investigation, suggesting the recordings were not part of the police's original examination.

Both the Tories and the NDP have also asked Elections Ontario to investigate if the alleged Liberal actions contravened the Election Act.

Clark said he pointed out the recordings Thursday to Elections Ontario and they told him they would examine the audio.

NDP house leader Gilles Bisson said this situation lands squarely at the feet of the premier.

"I think the premier at the end of the day has to accept responsibility or it just demonstrates that she's not in control of what's going on in that party," he said.

Thibeault hadn't listened to the tapes before speaking with reporters on Thursday, but said it's not distracting him from the campaign.

"The opposition will continue to play political games with this and oppose, right? And for me, it's not about political games anymore."

A conversation between Olivier and Premier Kathleen Wynne is referred to in one of the tapes. Olivier has not publicly put forward any taped conversation he had with Wynne and we have not confirmed that it was in fact taped.

She is touring Sudbury today, but her staff said she will not be available to take questions from reporters.

The tapes are now one of the key pieces of evidence before the court of public opinion, which will render its verdict in Sudbury’s byelection in three weeks from now.