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

By The Canadian Press on November 12, 2024.

Susan Corkum-Greek, Nova Scotia Economic Development Minister, speaks with reporters at the provincial legislature in Halifax, Thursday, April 4, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Keith Doucette

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.

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.