National

Mike Duffy's Former Executive Assistant Tells Of Office Procedures

The Canadian Press, 09 Jun, 2015 11:36 AM

OTTAWA — Mike Duffy's former executive assistant is testifying again today at the trial of the embattled senator.

Melanie Mercer, a former political staffer, worked for Duffy following his 2009 Senate appointment until he was suspended from the upper chamber in 2013.

Mercer has testified on a practice in Duffy's office, which involved having the senator sign blank travel claims.

She says two aides from other senator's offices suggested this strategy as they showed her the ropes.

Mercer told court she thought the procedure was very practical and she didn't think anything of it at the time.

Duffy has pleaded not guilty to 31 charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. Auditor Rips Performance Of Government's $182 Million Computer System

VICTORIA — The B.C. government has spent seven years and $182 million trying to modernize aging computer systems in the social services ministries, but the province's auditor general says only one-third of that goal has been achieved.

B.C. Auditor Rips Performance Of Government's $182 Million Computer System

Baby Boom Continues For Endangered J Pod Orcas With New Calf Spotted Off B.C.

GALIANO ISLAND, B.C. — Researchers say yet another baby has been born to an endangered population of orcas off British Columbia's coast.

Baby Boom Continues For Endangered J Pod Orcas With New Calf Spotted Off B.C.

Leaders' Personal Info Revealed In Australian G20 Summit Privacy Breach: Guardian

TORONTO — A published report says personal details of world leaders attending last November's G20 summit in Australia were accidentally disclosed to the organizers of an Asian Cup soccer tournament.

Leaders' Personal Info Revealed In Australian G20 Summit Privacy Breach: Guardian

G20 Officer Committed Battery, Violated Rights Of Protester, Court Rules

TORONTO — A police officer who gained widespread notoriety for telling a protester at the infamous G20 summit that "this ain't Canada right now" committed battery when he manhandled him, Ontario's top court has concluded.

G20 Officer Committed Battery, Violated Rights Of Protester, Court Rules

Britain's Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver Expands Food Crusade To G20, Cites Diet Problems In Canada

OTTAWA — Jamie Oliver, Britain's celebrity chef, has thrown down the gauntlet — or maybe it's an oven mitt — to Canadian politicians to join his international campaign for mandatory diet education in rich countries.

Britain's Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver Expands Food Crusade To G20, Cites Diet Problems In Canada

Commons Committee Report Calls For A Better Strategy To Combat ISIL

OTTAWA — As Canada prepares its next forays in the fight against ISIL, the Conservative-dominated foreign affairs committee is calling on the government to develop a strategy that goes beyond the military campaign.