The Liberal government appears to be stymied in its campaign pledge to remake the National Energy Board as it signalled Friday that it will not demand the resignation of last-minute Conservative appointees to the embattled regulatory agency.
The Conservatives made a slew of appointments and reappointments to boards and agencies in the leadup to the August election call, including more than 30 cases in which the candidates were scheduled to assume their posts or begin their new term after the Oct. 19 federal vote.
Liberal House Leader Dominic LeBlanc sent letters in early December to 33 office-holders, asking them to resign their posts. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Friday that “a significant number” of those appointees have agreed to step down, but would not provide the precise numbers, their names or where they worked.