Mike Duffy trial sees email recalling 'great' B.C. luncheon with MP

Mike Duffy sent an email in 2014 to the father of a Conservative MP in which he thanked him for government-related information he received at a B.C. luncheon held two years earlier — a meeting that was under investigation by the RCMP for being improperly expensed by the suspended senator.

"I thought it was one of the highlights of my (now interrupted) Senate career," Duffy writes in the email, dated Feb. 1, 2014, and addressed to Andrew Saxton Sr.

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Saxton Sr, a prominent B.C. businessman, is the father of MP Andrew Saxton. Both hosted Duffy for lunch at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club on Jan. 3, 2012. The MP testified Wednesday that Duffy, weeks earlier, had said he wanted to meet with business leaders, which is why Saxton arranged the luncheon.

Duffy has pleaded not guilty to 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery related to expenses he claimed as a senator and later repaid with money from the prime minister's former chief of staff, Nigel Wright. 

In the email, with the subject line "confidential update," Duffy appears to be making the case that the luncheon was for parliamentary business. He had also noted in his diary that it was to discuss the budget and other matters. 

The Crown has accused Duffy of filing travel expense claims for events not related to parliamentary work, including this trip to B.C., for which he expensed nearly $,4,500 and spent days with his family.

In the email, Duffy writes that at the "great luncheon," Saxton explained the discount Canada is giving the U.S. for Canadian oil and that he was proud of the fact that he was able to "bring the case for the pipeline directly to the PM."

Duffy adds there were several follow-ups with Wright and Finance Minister Joe Oliver "and it was all thanks to you."

Duffy also writes about the investigation at the time and that the RCMP "have been all over me and despite their bluster have found nothing criminal." But he also mentions he is looking for work, and that he would be most grateful if Saxton knew anyone who could use his writing and editing services.

Testifying over the phone on Wednesday, the senior Saxton said he never replied to Duffy's email because "I didn't want to be involved."

He said that they did speak about current events at the luncheon, including pipeline-related issues. His son, who also testified, said the lunch was to "give ideas to Senator Duffy" but that no notes were taken.

Earlier, Ontario Court Judge Charles Vaillancourt set extension dates for the remainder of the case, taking it to at least the end of the year.

The trial, which began April 7 in the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa, resumed Monday following a three-week break. This second part of the trial is scheduled to end June 19.

The trial been slated for 41 days, but both the Crown and defence have made it clear they would need more time.

After the second part ends, Vaillancourt said the trial will:

• Take a second break and begin its third phase on Aug. 11, going to Aug. 28.
• If more time is needed, the trial will break again, before restarting Nov. 18 and running to Dec. 18.