By Canadian Press

N.S. Tory campaign staffer resigns after alleged vote-buying with Tim’s gift cards

Nov 12, 2024 | 12:03 PM

HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative constituency campaign manager has resigned amid accusations of “vote-buying” with Tim Hortons gift cards.

Peter Zwicker, the Tory campaign manager for the constituency of Lunenburg, N.S., resigned this morning after the Nova Scotia Liberals lodged a complaint with the provincial elections agency, alleging a campaign worker had handed out gift cards to people in line at a Tim Hortons drive-thru on Saturday morning.

Zwicker issued a statement saying the campaign was hosting a meet and greet at the Lunenburg Tim Hortons location with candidate Susan Corkum-Greek, and staff handed out $51.75 worth of $2.07 gift cards in about 15 minutes.

The value of each gift card was equivalent to one medium cup of coffee.

Zwicker said Corkum-Greek did not know this had happened, and he said he is “sincerely sorry” that his actions caused a distraction from the campaign.

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Elections Nova Scotia confirmed the receipt of the official complaint from the Liberals, and a spokesperson says the agency is investigating.

During a news conference Tuesday morning, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston said handing out gift cards is not a party strategy, and that “local campaigns make decisions.”

Nova Scotians go to the polls on Nov. 26.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press