REVscene Automotive Forum - Bev Oda scandal

Bev Oda is outta here!
Too bad it's not tossed out on her ass!

Bev Oda quitting as MP and cabinet minister - Politics - CBC News

Quote:

International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda announced this morning that she is quitting her job as a member of Parliament at the end of the month.

Oda, who has faced controversy in recent months over her spending habits, said in a message on her website that she informed Prime Minister Stephen Harper of her decision two weeks ago.

The MP for Durham said her last day on the job will be July 31.

"For over eight years, it has been an honour and privilege to have served the constituents in Clarington, Scugog and Uxbridge. As the minister for International Co-operation, I have had the opportunity to witness the hardships of the world's most vulnerable peoples and have witnessed the great compassion of Canadians for those in need," Oda said in the statement.

"I am grateful for the support of my staff and colleagues in the House of Commons and Senate," she said. "I wish to express my appreciation to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet for their outstanding leadership."

Oda was first elected in 2004 and was named heritage minister in 2006. Harper made her international co-operation minister in 2007.

He issued a statement Tuesday thanking Oda for "hard work and dedication" and "for her many accomplishments" in his cabinet.

"Under Bev's guidance, Canada has led a significant initiative to save the lives of mothers, children and newborns in the developing world. Bev has also promoted accountability and effectiveness for Canada's aid programs and has championed high-profile efforts to respond to humanitarian tragedies in Haiti, Pakistan and the Horn of Africa," Harper said.

"Through Bev's leadership, Canada has also met, ahead of schedule, its commitment to double aid to Africa. This is a record of which to be proud."

Oda's resignation comes on the heels of another Conservative MP leaving the House of Commons, Calgary MP Lee Richardson. He stepped down on May 30 to take a job with Alberta Premier Alison Redford. Byelections will be held in both ridings to fill the vacancies.

Oda did not provide an explanation for her decision in her statement. The 67-year-old MP worked in broadcasting before she entered politics and also served as a commissioner with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

Opposition MPs have been calling on Harper to kick Oda out of cabinet. She sparked a controversy in the spring over travel expenses she claimed for a trip to London last summer. Oda paid taxpayers back for a portion of the trip once details of it — including an orange juice that cost $16 — were revealed.