Below is the text of an email written to the Executive of the federal Conservative Party from Simcoe Grey MP Helena Guergis:
Dear Mr. Hilton,
This letter is in response to your correspondence dated May 5, 2010, advising me of the decision The National Candidate Selection Committee (NCSC) of the Conservative Party of Canada has taken to remove me as the candidate of record in the Electoral District of Simcoe-Grey. Please be advised that this letter is notice of my intention to formally appeal the decision of NCSC.
Your letter refers to recent events as the reason that this decision was made; perhaps you could highlight for me what I have done to justify this drastic measure. Specifically, I ask that you please provide the details of what led the NCSC to make this decision, especially at a time when no election is imminent.
This is a serious decision that the NCSC has made, as it overrides the democratic choice of the members in the riding of Simcoe-Grey with regard to my candidacy. Although I have not seen it, I understand the Simcoe-Grey EDA Board members recently wrote a letter to the Party about these matters, and it has been explained to me that they are very upset with how they have been treated. They have also advised me that they wanted me to have the opportunity to clear my name before any drastic measures are taken. I only ask for the same.
In recent weeks, in essence, I have been charged, convicted, and sentenced without any due process or knowing what I have done wrong. There have been endless rumors and allegations unfairly leveled against me, but to date I have not been given a specific reason for my removal from caucus nor has there been any investigation launched, let alone concluded.
I am confident that I have done nothing wrong and will be exonerated of all the baseless accusations in the media. It is unfortunate that I have been left in a situation where I am not able to defend myself appropriately and am waiting for the RCMP to make a decision on information that has not been made privy to me.
I have dedicated over six years of my life to advance the cause of our Federal Party and am grateful for the opportunity to have served both in the House of Commons and in Cabinet. I have also represented the constituents of Simcoe-Grey to the best of my ability and have been returned as a result as the Conservative Member in three separate elections. I should at least be given the opportunity to honor this record. The Party should be respecting the wishes of the grassroots electors and allowing due process to take course.
In conclusion, I humbly ask that the NCSC reverse its decision in order to give me the opportunity to clear my name and rejoin the Conservative Party of Canada caucus.
Hon. Helena Guergis, PC., MP.
Simcoe-Grey