Liberals refuse to invite him to funding announcements, says Sudbury-area MP

A federal funding announcement for Wahnapitae First Nation sparks political friction as MP Jim Bélanger says he’s been “ghosted” from 3 riding announcements.

A Sudbury-area Conservative MP says he’s frustrated that he hasn’t been invited – or even consulted – on federal announcements affecting his riding by the governing Liberals.

Sudbury East-Manitoulin-Nickel Belt MP Jim Bélanger said there have been three occasions where he wasn’t invited to announcements made by his Liberal counterparts.

Two of the announcements were made by Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe and one was made by Nipissing-Temiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort.

“I have approached Pauline Rochefort and Viviane Lapointe and asked that I be involved when things were happening,” Bélanger said.

“I even met with FedNor and asked them to notify me. And so far, nothing.”

On Tuesday in Wahnapitae First Nation, Lapointe announced more than $1 million in FedNor funding for tourism.

Bélanger said he found out about the event through the grapevine.

“A constituent emailed me and asked us if we could be there at their announcement. That’s how I found out about it,” he said.

For her part, Lapointe said Bélanger is welcome to attend any of the events and said she made Monday’s announcement on behalf of the federal government, not as a fellow MP.

“FedNor certainly posts all announcements on their social media,” she said.

“So, he would certainly be aware of when announcements are being made. He can certainly come to those announcements. But the spokesperson in this case is the federal government – it is a federal government announcement.”

Under current federal protocol, agencies like FedNor coordinate announcements through the minister’s office, which typically designates an MP from the governing party to serve as the official spokesperson.

While this often results in MPs delivering news outside their own boundaries – and bypassing the local representative – it is a standard – though often criticized – practice used by governments of all stripes.

Charlie Angus, retired New Democratic politician from northern Ontario, said it’s a long-established, but nasty, policy.

“In reality, it’s kind of like Mean Girls,” said Angus, the former MP for Timmins-James Bay.

“Whoever is in government wants to snub those who aren’t in government. And so you never get invited or you’re never allowed to speak – or they want to come and make announcements and they don’t include you.”

Angus added that it happens regardless of which party is in power.

“The Conservatives were notorious for doing that, the Liberals are really good at that,” he said.

“So you have to decide as an opposition member, sometimes you crash the event. You know, what are you going to do? This is just the pettiness of politics in Canada and … how they play the game.”