A secretly recorded conversation between a Nova Scotia MLA and the premier’s chief of staff is again dominating politics in Nova Scotia.
Premier Stephen McNeil has asked the RCMP to investigate the recording in which Chief of Staff Kirby McVicar seems to be offering to arrange financial assistance for Andrew Younger’s wife, during Younger’s leave from cabinet.
The opposition is calling on the premier to remove McVicar from office.
There was unanimous support on Thursday in the Nova Scotia Legislature for a motion asking Younger to make public the recorded conversation between himself and McVicar.
“An edited part of the conversation was released,” says N.S. Energy Minister Michel Samson. “My understanding is that there has been another portion that has been released as well.”
The tape, along with an unsigned letter, was addressed to the premier’s press secretary on Wednesday and released to the media on Thursday.
This is the second piece of a recording that Younger allegedly made in February.
The audio recording: “I know you’re taking a financial hit, I know that’s painful. And if there’s anything we can do for your wife on that side, let us know.”
To which a reply is heard, “Yeah.”
CTV News cannot independently verify the tape.
In it, McVicar seems to offer a personal services contract to Younger’s wife.
“Well I turned it down,” says Younger. “I don’t know what to make of it.”
Younger released part of the tape last week, at the time he said it was only part of the recorded conversation he had.
“I did actually find another piece of tape the next day, on Friday” he explains. “I distributed it to people in my circle.”
The resolution gives Younger until noon on Friday to produce the full recording, but he says he doesn’t have it because the government cleared his phone when he was removed from caucus.
“Well Mr. Younger has to tell everything he knows,” says the province’s opposition leader Jamie Baillie. “But you know what, so does the premier’s office.”
Kirby McVicar has yet to speak publicly about the tape.
In Question Period on Thursday, the premier was asked why his chief of staff has not presented his side of the story.
“Kirby’s been working with us and doing a good job for us,” says Premier Stephen McNeil, “and continues to do so.”
“Until we hear the entire nature of that discussion I don’t think it’s fair or appropriate to be reaching any conclusions,” adds Samson.
The premier maintains McVicar will keep his job.
“I’m certainly not happy with what I heard in the context of those 40 seconds,” says Premier McNeil, “but I think I need to look at it in its totality.”
McNeil says he has turned over the letter and the recording to the RCMP for investigation.
If Younger does not release the full contents of the tape by noon on Friday, a warrant will be issued ordering the Sergeant at Arms to collect the tape.
If that doesn’t happen, the matter will go back to the house and they will decide what to do next.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Sarah Ritchie.