My statement regarding Ms. Ashton's trip to Greece:

Preface: I consider Niki a friend and was once nearly violently assaulted in the #HOC for calling out violent gestures made towards her by a con (Ed Fast, finger gun).
#cdnpoli

My granny was the woman who raised me and I'd

Have done anything 4 her. I deeply empathize with her decision to see her for what might possibly be the last time. Had I been in a similar position, I would have struggled not 2 do the same. Were it not 4 the international travel I surely would have. Niki made a human decision.

There has already been too much "lonely, solitary" death cause by this pandemic, with all too much more to come. This is the crux of it all. "We" are asking people not to travel and not to gather. A higher standard is set for politicians with good reason. These are the people we

are entrusting to make the difficult decisions we might not be capable of doing. The job does also come with sacrifices and sacrifice specifically related to family and friends. They are absolutely unreasonable and we should do what we can to mitigate this, post-pandemic.

In this context, Niki's trip becomes highly questionable. It's not a vacation which is outrageous but it sure doesn't help and could damage Ms. Ashton's credibility in calling for a federal plan to get vaccines out to Indigenous Communities. Anyone that would use it to do that

is a terrible person. I raise the point to attach a potential real world consequence.

Ms. Ashton being stripped of her critic portfolios is an appropriate punishment for her failing to advise the Leader and Whip of her trip. This doesn't make anyone look good and could have been

much worse had the news leaked before it was released. Furthermore I've seen desire for a joint statement as expressed by @NoLore. This option was taken away by Ms. Ashton's decision not to inform prior to departure.
It would be foolish to think that the tweet and party release

weren't in part at least coordinated. I'm glad the party chose to disclose the trip and I'm happy Niki "outed herself" That's transparency. Wasn't perfectly done but held up against other current examples it holds up well.

I hope that Niki isn't upset by the leadership's actions

I also think its foolish to think this was done to "remove a leadership challenger" as I've seen some people comment. I also think it's preposterous to brand people because they've taken a harsh or a very soft attitude towards Ms. Ahston's trip. Lets be neither docile nor fanatic

And now, I come to the end of my thread. Niki's a friend and I wish her and her granny the best. On this she made a human decision which I respect, but I also think as an MP she was wrong to take this trip that sends a mixed signal to people at home coping with this pandemic.q

The loss of her Shadow cabinet roles in justified. As an MP of a caucus you have a responsibility to let people know when you're doing something that could embarrass them. Good or bad it's part of the gig. https://twitter.com/danharrisndp/status/1345561229448896513?s=20