And the number of the counting shall be 27

Writing to supporters, Mr. Wilson explains "the words 'fraud' or 'fraudulent' are used to described what is simply an unfortunate and very human error." Specifically, "We were informed that a few volunteers...because of the short time-frame...and as a result of over-enthusiasm, allowed one member in a household to sign the Forms of other members resident in the household, or, signed on behalf of the member in question" - all of which is consistent with statements previously offered by the Rae campaign.

But Mr. Wilson also questions how Mr. Aggarwal figured out 78 delegates would be disqualified because of this error. "As the person on our B.C. Team who is responsible for the lists, I think that number is 27," explained Mr. Wilson. "I simply cannot explain the Ignatieff Campaign's number. We elected 145 delegates in British Columbia...nearly double the number elected by the Ignatieff Campaign. I can only conclude that 78 is a convenient number that would leave Bob with less B.C. delegates than Ignatieff." The following is a complete copy of his email.

***

I apologize for using this impersonal form of e-mail merge to address questions and comments that I am receiving from a number of Bob's supporters across British Columbia.

I wanted to provide you with some information on the subject of the appeal launched by the Ignatieff Campaign that attempts to disqualify a significant number of Bob Rae delegates. This has received some coverage in the media over the weekend.

The Ignatieff Campaign has written a letter of appeal concerning a decision by the National Returning Officer regarding Bob Rae delegates who were elected in British Columbia. In what can only be described as a dramatic over-reach, the Ignatieff Campaign seeks to overturn the election of all 145 Bob Rae delegates elected in B.C. and rerun every delegate election meeting in the Province.

I realize that many of you are angry. I know that many of you have paid your registration fees, booked airline flights and made hotel reservations already. I know that many of you worked very long hours to elect Bob Rae delegates in your constituency. I urge you not to over-react. As you are aware, the Ignatieff Campaign went through bad times last week, and it is my view that this is nothing more than an effort on their part to deflect attention from their campaign's troubles.

The Ignatieff Campaign letter of appeal is riddled with factual errors and misstatements. Because some of these have cropped up on various Internet sites and in media articles, I wanted to ensure that you are aware of the facts.

1. On October 2nd, the various campaigns were made aware of signature problems by the Regional Returning Officer. These problems related to requests for replacement mail ballots. More than 100 signatures on requests for replacement ballots did not match the signatures on the individual's membership application form. While we were not aware of any problem mail ballot requests from Bob Rae supporters (indeed most came from other campaigns), our BC campaign team nonetheless felt that it was important to review Forms 6 to ensure that what was obviously happening in other campaigns was not happening in our own. I know of no other campaign that conducted such a review, much less a thorough review.

2. On October 2nd, 3rd and 4th, I examined copies of Forms 6 submitted by the Rae campaign. I did find a problem with a batch of Forms 6. Accordingly, when I identified problem forms, I went to the Party Office where a member of the Party Staff and I examined the individual membership forms and Forms 6. Both the Party Staff person and I concluded that there was a problem with certain Forms 6.

3. On October 3rd, our British Columbia Team's legal counsel wrote a letter to the National Returning Officer identifying that there was a problem.

4. On October 3rd, 4th and 5th, our legal counsel and I spoke to various campaign volunteers who had been responsible for collecting a particular batch of Forms 6. We were told that a few volunteers had not properly understood the rules. As you are aware, the rules for this process are numerous and complex. This is particularly difficult for volunteers who have no past involvement in a political campaign. In addition, some of these rules are not written in simple English, and English is not the first language of some of these volunteers.

We were informed that a few volunteers ... because of the short time-frame ... and as a result of over-enthusiasm, allowed one member in a household to sign the Forms of other members resident in the household, or, signed on behalf of the member in question.

We were assured that the individuals in question had consented to the Form 6 being completed and submitted.

We accept the explanation provided by the volunteers in question. I am one of the two individuals who has examined the Forms 6 and membership application forms in question: I note that no individual from the Ignatieff Campaign has reviewed the Forms 6 or the membership application forms in question.

There was no intent by our volunteers to break any rules. There was no intent to deceive anyone. Simply put, volunteers made an unfortunate error that arose from inexperience, unfamiliarity with the rules, a short time-frame and over-enthusiasm. There was neither fraud nor any fraudulent activity.

5. On October 5th, our legal counsel advised the National Returning Officer that we could not vouch for the integrity of the forms in one particular batch and asked that the National Returning Officer disqualify or delete the entire batch. On October 11th, the National Returning Officer made that decision to protect the integrity of the process. Before finalizing his decision he specifically asked for the various leadership campaigns to provide input.

6. On October 6th, Mason Loh resigned as our B.C. Campaign Chair as a result of the errors of volunteers with whom he worked. Mason continues to support Bob Rae and we are pleased to have his support.

7. On October 13th, the Ignatieff Campaign filed their letter of appeal of the decision of the National Returning Officer. On October 14th, the Dion and Kennedy campaigns submitted letters in support of the Ignatieff Campaign's appeal.

8. The Ignatieff Campaign's letter stated that there were 78 delegate spots held by the "now-disqualified delegates". As the person on our B.C. Team who is responsible for the lists, I think that number is 27. In addition, those disqualified had not yet been elected, and are therefore only delegate candidates. I simply cannot explain the Ignatieff Campaign's number. We elected 145 delegates in British Columbia ... nearly double the number elected by the Ignatieff Campaign. I can only conclude that 78 is a convenient number that would leave Bob with less B.C. delegates than Ignatieff.

9. The Ignatieff Campaign's letter is simply a media campaign camoflauged as an appeal. The words "fraud" or "fraudulent" are used to describe what is simply an unfortunate and very human error. After reading and rereading their letter, I went to consult the dictionary. "Fraud" is defined as "intentional perversion of truth in order to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right." This was simply not intentional.

As one of the 145 British Columbians elected by members of the Liberal Party to represent Bob Rae in Montreal, I understand how angry many of you are. But, please remember that we know that we did the right thing. We were worried about a potential problem. We investigated our own problem. When we discovered an error, we reported it to the appropriate Party official. None of the other leadership campaigns can make the same claim.

It is important that we concentrate on our campaign to elect Bob, and not be distracted by others. It is vital that we reach out to supporters of other candidates to encourage them to support Bob. Please remember that we need to be persuasive to those Liberals who have chosen to support other candidates. We need their votes on the second and successive ballots.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call.

On behalf of Bob's BC Team, I thank you for your continuing support. It means so very much to all of us.

Take care.

Greg