EDINBURGH, July 16, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Svend Robinson was sent by the Canada’s New Democratic Party on a taxpayer-funded trip to Scotland as a political representative of Canada – soon before his criminal trial, and despite no longer being a Member of Parliament. A delegation of eight MPs from the country were sent for the July 5-9 meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, held in Edinburgh. The OSCE “is active in early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation” in Eastern European countries, according to their web-site. The OSCE is made up of 55 member nations. Robinson, who reported suffering from “extreme stress” subsequent to his theft confession, appeared “tanned and relaxed” according to an MP on the trip, who wished to remain anonymous, as reported by the Windsor Star.
Canadian Taxpayer Federation director John Williams said that Robinson’s acting as an envoy for the nation is “unacceptable.”“Svend Robinson has a bigger problem right now and it involves the courts of the country and I think most people would view his participation (in the trip) as being really unacceptable,” he told the Star. “He has stepped over the line and he (went) on a junket that he has no business being on. These things are for lawmakers and not for former members who are either too sick to work or are facing criminal charges.” NDP Leader Jack Layton’s press secretary, Karl Belanger, was asked by the Star if it was wise for Robinson to be an ambassador for Canada while he is facing criminal charges. “He has been charged, but he has not been proven guilty,” Belanger said. Robinson’s criminal trial is set to commence August 6. The company has valued the ring Robinson stole at $64,000. At age 55, Robinson will collect an $86,663 yearly pension for his work as a Canadian politician. Read the Windsor Star coverage: https://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=77be1cd9-d95f-49b8-ab01-cbbb203e9803 Read the related LifeSiteNews Special Report: Two-Teared Justice – Robinson’s Ring Caper Another Dubious Mark https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/may/040510a.html tv