HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative campaign manager has resigned amid accusations of “vote buying” with Tim Hortons gift cards.

Peter Zwicker, Conservative campaign manager for the riding of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, resigned this morning after the Nova Scotia Liberals filed a complaint with the provincial electoral agency alleging that a campaign worker had handed out gift cards to people waiting in line at a Tim Hortons collection. -until Saturday morning.

Zwicker released a statement saying the campaign held a meeting at the Tim Hortons store in Lunenburg 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 an average cup of coffee.

Zwicker said Corkum-Greek didn’t know it happened, and he said he was “sincerely sorry” that his actions distracted from the campaign.

Elections Nova Scotia confirmed receipt of the official complaint from the Liberals and a spokesperson said the agency was investigating.

At a news conference Tuesday morning, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston said handing out gift cards was not a party strategy and that “local campaigns make decisions.”

Nova Scotians will go to the polls on November 26.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press