MP-elect George Chahal’s cabinet seat chances in jeopardy as police investigate pamphlet-swapping video – Calgary

Calgary MP-elect George Chahal’s seat probabilities within the Liberal cupboard could possibly be in jeopardy, after it was revealed Friday that police are trying right into a video which seems to indicate him swapping one other election candidate’s marketing campaign flyer for his personal.

The video, taken by a doorbell digicam, was shared on social media earlier this week.

In it, Chahal is seen climbing the steps of the house at midnight, taking an election brochure from the door, folding it after which placing completely different papers on the entrance step.

He’s carrying a jersey with “CHAHAL” and the quantity 21 on the again, and “VoteGeorge” on the entrance.

Police stated on Friday that they’d acquired a report in regards to the incident the day earlier than and have been investigating what occurred, although it wasn’t identified whether or not the investigation would stick with police, or be transferred to Elections Canada.

Mount Royal College political scientist Duane Bratt stated this begs the query of whether or not this was the one incident of Chahal swapping pamphlets, or if it was simply the one one caught on digicam.

“Had he and his volunteers been doing that every one night time? Each home that they went to, throwing their materials in and taking out Jagdeep Sohota’s?” he stated Friday.

“Speak about an increase and fall in the identical week.”

“Monday night time, George Chahal was an absolute slam dunk to be sitting within the Trudeau cupboard. You’ve bought to be considering the PMO goes: ‘There’s no approach we are able to contact this man proper now.’”

Bratt stated there’s a “large cloud round George Chahal proper now,” and that simply 5 days after being elected — and earlier than he’s even been sworn in — the newly elected federal consultant for Alberta can be vulnerable to being kicked out of the Liberal caucus.

“Right here you’ve got the star candidate, who hasn’t even been sworn in but as MP, and now’ who’s future seems extremely cloudy,” he stated. “What does this say about his judgement?”

Chahal’s marketing campaign workplace stated he eliminated the competing marketing campaign’s pamphlet as a result of it had incorrect details about polling station areas.

“Whereas dropping off polling information flyers previous to polls opening on election day, George eliminated a chunk of marketing campaign literature that recognized an incorrect polling location for the particular person residing on the handle,” a press release from his workplace stated.

“All by way of election day, marketing campaign volunteers discovered incorrectly labelled supplies throughout the japanese facet of the using. Our marketing campaign contacted Elections Canada and suggested them of the problem.”

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Bratt identified that not solely is that not any marketing campaign’s duty — issues round incorrect voting info needs to be reported to Elections Canada — however it’s additionally less than the candidates themselves to appropriate the error.

“This isn’t a volunteer. That is the candidate. There’s no separation right here. You may’t say, ‘Effectively it was an over-zealous volunteer,’” he stated.

Bratt stated he doesn’t understand how Chahal will be capable to save his fame amid the scandal.

“This doesn’t look good for the occasion, and this doesn’t look particularly good for George Chahal.”

Police didn’t say whether or not any expenses could be laid towards Chahal.

In an emailed assertion to International Information, a spokesperson for Chahal stated “neither George or the marketing campaign have been contacted by the Calgary Police Service and now we have not been made conscious of any ongoing investigation associated to this matter.”

The CPS anti-corruption unit is dealing with the investigation, as is the case with any “delicate” investigations for high-profile folks like politicians and judges.