Simcoe-Grey MP Helena Guergis went on the public relations offensive this week with calls to local media organizations.
The MP has been under intense scrutiny at the national level after CTV's W5 pursued her handling of the case of a 51-year-old Trenton woman, Brenda Martin, who for two years has been awaiting a trial in a Guadalajara women's prison.
Guergis is secretary of state for foreign affairs but the matter has since been handed over to Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kinney.
In a short telephone interview, Guergis responded to a number of issues raised by the newspaper.
- On the report that she attended a cocktail reception just 20 km from Martin's jail: Guergis said he met with officials "advocating on her (Martin's) behalf" but the schedule did not allow her to meet with the 13 Canadians being held in Mexican jails.
She said the meeting was a gathering with officials and Canadian residents. Guergis said she was meeting with the Canadians living in Mexico to discuss what the government could do for them.
"I was there for 35-40 minutes on the way to the airport," Guergis said.
- On federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's outspoken criticism of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, and calls for the premier to reduce corporate taxes.
Guergis said Flaherty is "doing an excellent job" and needs to pressure McGuinty in order to encourage job growth in Ontario.
"Dalton McGuinty needs to reduce taxes in Ontario. He (Flaherty) can see what needs to be done," she said.
- On a potential boycott of the Beijing Olympics:
"Our athletes are free to make any decision that they want to," she said.
- On local priorities:
Guergis said she has been meeting with her agriculture advisory group on a regular basis and she is meeting with mayors to develop a program to provide infrastructure dollars to municipalities.
On her upcoming wedding to Edmonton MP Rahim Jaffer:
"I can't plan a wedding. Why don't you call Stephane Dion and ask when we are going to have an election so I can set a wedding date."
"They (Canadians) don't want an election. We are happy to wait until October 2009."
