Greens jump gun by criticizing Harper over fundraiser he isn't attending
NEW GLASGOW — The federal Green party issued a clarification Thursday after it distributed a terse media release that criticized the prime minister for planning to attend a $200-a-plate dinner in Nova Scotia.
The Prime Minister's Office quickly shot down the Green missive, saying Stephen Harper had no plans to attend the fundraising dinner Saturday in Stellarton for Defence Minister Peter MacKay.
An earlier release from the Green party quoted Leader Elizabeth May, saying the dinner was beyond the means of many in MacKay's riding of Central Nova.
May plans to contest the riding in the next federal election.
The Tory dinner is described as a tribute to MacKay, who will be celebrating his 10th anniversary as MP for the riding in northern Nova Scotia.
The Green party's clarification noted that invitations to the dinner at the Museum of Industry state that it is ``anticipated'' Harper will be the guest speaker.
``In the event the prime minister does come to Central Nova, we reiterate the point that a $200 a plate dinner is inaccessible to most voters,'' the statement said.
Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for the prime minister, noted that May was scheduled to attend a $100-a-plate Green party fundraising dinner in Montreal this Saturday.
Emily McMillan, one of May's aides in Nova Scotia, confirmed that the party leader was initially slated to attend the dinner in Westmount but she later cancelled due to illness.
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