Harper widens NAFTA probe

TOM HANSON/THE CANADIAN PRESS

March 07, 2008
Bruce Campion-Smith
Allan Woods
Ottawa Bureau

OTTAWA–Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expanding the investigation into the government leaks that rocked the U.S. presidential race, a decision that could put the future of his own senior aide in jeopardy.

Harper announced the broader probe by an internal security team yesterday after The Canadian Press said it was unguarded comments by Ian Brodie, his chief of staff, that set the controversy in motion and eventually undermined presidential hopeful Barack Obama in a key race this week.

"We will investigate this entire matter and take whatever action is deemed to be necessary, based on the facts we are able to discover," the Prime Minister said in the Commons yesterday.

As well, David Wilkins, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, signalled Washington's quiet displeasure at the controversy.

"I guess you could say it shouldn't have happened. It was interference. But again, I don't think it's something the Canadian government did in its official capacity," Wilkins said in an interview with CBC Radio's The House, to be aired tomorrow.

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