“On that basis we felt it just doesn’t feel right,” he added. “Intentional or not it’s there and it’s now absolutely about him.”
Howard said CAA has worked with Q104 on various projects in the past, and they will continue to do so in the future. But on the “Richard” contest, they decided it just wasn’t appropriate to be a sponsor.
Although he wasn’t the only MLA flagged in the auditor general’s report for excessive or inappropriate spending by an MLA, Hurlburt was the only one to resign as a result of the scandal. He paid back the money he spent on a generator and a big-screen television and apologized to his family, his former constituents and the people of Nova Scotia.
Meanwhile Douglas says the frugal MLA contest has been the radio station’s most popular contest in quite some time.
“People are loving the comedic take on the situation and many are pretty fired up that the political types have their backs up,” he said. “We’re getting tons of support from our listeners.”
Douglas said the public has been angry over the expense scandal and the radio station sees the contest as a way for the public to vent their frustration, while also getting the chance to win a great prize.
“Our listeners have expressed their outrage with the MLA expense cheques on the air over and over. This is just an extension of their feelings about the situation and we’ve given them a chance to win some of their money back,” said Douglas. “Nova Scotians deserve it after what they’ve had to ensure from their elected officials.”
