The Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) has fired its Executive Director the day after Andrew Scheer resigned, and as questions swirl about accountability for funds raised from donors to the party..As Dustin van Vugt was released from service, the party says it will review how expenses are approved. Andrew Scheer stepped down as CPC leader amidst controversy over using party funds on Thursday morning, but was re-appointed as Interim Leader by the Tory Caucus..The story – which is developing with contradictory information – began Thursday morning when it was leaked to the press that Scheer would resign. Allegations that Scheer was using party money from donors to pay for his children’s private school tuition surfaced shortly afterward, but had been swirling around media circles the day before. The Western Standard learned of the potential scandal Wednesday morning, but was unable to confirm a source, and so declined to publish.. Questions swirl about accountability of Conservative Party’s fundsAndrew Scheer (source: WikiCommons) .Van Vugt released a statement after the leader’s resignation saying that Scheer was eligible for expenses related to relocating his family to Ottawa, and that amount was covered only for the difference in costs that the family had paid in Regina, Saskatchewan..After question period Thursday, the Tory caucus went into another meeting and reemerged to inform media they had chosen Scheer – who had resigned hours earlier – to be the Interim Leader of the party..According to the CPC’s constitution, the “Conservative Fund Canada is a non-share capital corporation incorporated under and governed by the provisions of the Canada Corporations Act.” It is “the sole fundraising arm of the Party and shall be the chief agent of the Party pursuant to the Canada Elections Act.”.Most federal and provincial parties elect a board that oversees both the administration and finances of the organization..The Conservative Party of Canada has two separate arms of governance; the National Council – elected by members every two years and is responsible for Party business – and the Conservative Fund directors – who, according to (9.8) of the Constitution are nominated by the Leader – and are responsible for the party’s financial affairs..In effect, this means that Conservative Party members have no say or oversight into how money is raised or spent..There are seven current directors of the Fund, including former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Senator Linda Frum..In 2016, Irving Gerstein, Conservative Fund Chair and a former Senator appointed by Harper, addressed delegates at the CPC convention in Vancouver..“On behalf of the directors of the Fund – all being volunteers – I say to you, that as long as the Fund is in control of the financial affairs of the Party, we will see that the fund fulfills its obligation to operate in a prudent and fiscally responsible manner.”. Trudeau on WE scandal: Case closed .John Paul Tasker, a reporter with CBC politics tweeted that a source close to the Fund said “they did not know Scheer was receiving party funds to pay for his kids’ private schooling. They were looking it when Scheer resigned. They do not view his decision to resign as coincidental and would not have approved expenses if asked.”.According to Section 10.4 of the CPC’s Constitution, the Executive Director is nominated by the Party leader (subject to ratification by the National Council). Dustin van Vugt was hired in July of 2014 to replace Dmitri Soudas.
