NDP launch online campaign for PNP inquiry

The NDP in P.E.I. have launched an online campaign to pressure the ruling Liberal government to hold a public inquiry into the provincial nominee program.

NDP leader James Rodd said people in the province should make their opinions known in an online petition on Tuesday or to call Access P.E.I. offices to express any concerns about the program. They're also encouraging people to email the government of P.E.I.

"Today we're calling on Islanders to exercise their democratic right of providing public pressure to the government," he said.

"We're asking Islanders to take two minutes on Tuesday to show your support for a public inquiry into the operations of the immigrant investor component of the provincial nominee program."

The program, commonly known as PNP, matched foreign investors who wanted to immigrate to Canada with P.E.I. companies they could invest in. In return for their investment, applicants would have their immigration application expedited.

It was later revealed that companies owned by MLAs and senior civil servants received PNP money.

Last week, Rodd called on the Green Party and the Progressive Conservatives to join his party's quest for an inquiry.

Rodd said Monday that he had not received a response from the Green Party and the Tory opposition felt it could deal with the issue through the public accounts committee.

Liberal MLAs have stymied several attempts by the Progressive Conservative party to reveal information about the PNP through the public accounts committee.