Liberals slam Conservatives on patronage appointments

The opposition says diplomatic posts, court positions and senate seats are being used to reward Conservative supporters

At a theatrical press conference yesterday Liberal MPs Wayne Easter and Alexandra Mendes handed out "patronage awards" to Conservative senators, ministers and MPs in an effort to draw attention to what they say is a pattern of Tory supporters being awarded cushy government jobs. Easter said about one fifth of federal appointments since the last election have gone to Conservative insiders, including people who have donated money to the party. Stephen Harper campaigned on ending patronage appointments, and in a statement yesterday his press secretary Andrew MacDougall said all positions are awarded on merit.