One of Sheila Copps's closest political allies is bowing out of involvement in her bitter nomination battle with cabinet minister Tony Valeri because he says he doesn't want to compromise the new Ontario government.
Hamilton East Liberal MPP Dominic Agostino says the provincial integrity commissioner has warned ministers and parliamentary assistants they risk trouble if they endorse a candidate in a federal nomination battle because it could be seen as the government of Premier Dalton McGuinty endorsing that person.
Agostino, who says the ruling was issued by commissioner Coulter Osborne a few days ago in response to various queries, is the parliamentary assistant to Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky.
"My first priority is to the government of Ontario," Agostino said yesterday. "I think it would be wise to stay neutral."
This contrasts with his pledge to help Copps at the end of November. At the time, he told The Spectator he was "obviously with Sheila" and he had no worries his backing of Copps would bother Valeri, who many believed would be the next regional minister in the Paul Martin government. Source.
