MP-Elect George Chahal’s Chances of a Cabinet Post in Danger as Police Investigate Brochure-Swapping Video – Calgary | The Canadian News

Calgary MP-elect George Chahal’s chances of a seat in the Liberal cabinet could be in jeopardy, after it was revealed on Friday that police are investigating a video that appears to show him exchanging another electoral candidate’s campaign flier for his own.

The video, taken by a doorbell camera, was shared on social media earlier this week.

In it, Chahal is seen climbing the steps of the house in the dark, taking an election booklet from the door, folding it, and then placing different papers on the front step.

He wears a T-shirt with “CHAHAL” and the number 21 on the back, and “VoteGeorge” on the front.

Police said Friday that they had received a report on the incident the day before and were investigating what happened, although it was not known whether the investigation would remain in the hands of the police or be transferred to Elections Canada.

Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt said this raises the question of whether this was the only incident where Chahal exchanged pamphlets or if it was just the only one caught on camera.

“He and his volunteers had been doing that all night? Every house they went to, throwing away their stuff and taking out Jagdeep Sohota’s? he said on Friday.

“Talk about a rise and a fall in the same week.”

“On Monday night, George Chahal was an absolute blow to be sitting in Trudeau’s cabinet. You have to think that the PMO is going to say, ‘There’s no way we can touch this guy right now.’

Bratt said there is a “big cloud around George Chahal right now,” and that just five days after being elected, and before he’s sworn in, the new federally elected representative for Alberta is also at risk of being ousted from the liberal caucus. .

“Here’s the star candidate, who hasn’t even been sworn in as a deputy yet, and now ‘whose future looks incredibly cloudy,” he said. “What does this say about your trial?”

Chahal’s campaign office said it removed the competing campaign brochure because it had incorrect information about polling station locations.

“While handing out election information brochures before the polls opened on Election Day, George pulled out a piece of campaign literature that identified an incorrect polling place for the person residing at the address,” said a statement from his office.

“Throughout Election Day, campaign volunteers found mislabeled materials on the east side of the walkway. Our campaign contacted Elections Canada and briefed them on the matter. “

Bratt noted that not only is it not the responsibility of any campaign (concerns about incorrect voting information should be reported to Elections Canada), but it is also not up to the candidates themselves to correct the error.

“This is not a volunteer. This is the candidate. There is no separation here. You can’t say, ‘Well, he was an overzealous volunteer,’ ”he said.

Bratt said he doesn’t know how Chahal will be able to save his reputation amid the scandal.

“This doesn’t look good for the party, and this doesn’t look especially good for George Chahal.”

Police did not say whether charges would be brought against Chahal.

In an emailed statement to Global News, a Chahal spokesperson said that “neither George nor the campaign have been contacted by the Calgary Police Service and we have not been informed of any ongoing investigation related to this matter.”

The CPS anti-corruption unit is handling the investigation, as is the case with any “sensitive” investigation for high-profile individuals such as politicians and judges.