The email conversations below are between retired Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie and various, high-ranking members of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office and Conservative party headquarters.

The conversations took place from June 2011, shortly before he retired from the military, and September 2012. It was during 2012 that the government paid the moving costs of Leslie under a policy it now has declared under review.

Emails addresses and phone numbers have been removed for privacy reasons.

JUNE 2011

The first conversation is between Leslie and Derek Vanstone, then deputy chief of staff to the prime minister and the discussion revolved around whether Leslie’s name would be advanced as a possible candidate to head the Museum of Civilization.

James Moore, then heritage minister, was involved in that appointment, which was given to Mark O’Neil, from the Canadian War Museum, in June 2011. The “John M.” in Leslie’s email is a reference to John MacDonnell, then chief of staff to the defence minister at the time, Peter MacKay.

1.

From: andrewbleslie

Sent: June 3, 2011 2:23 PM

To: Vanstone, Derek

Subject: Chat-Prospects

Derek

Many thanks for taking the time for the fascinating chat of yesterday evening. Should you need it my personal PIN is XXXXXXXX, and my personal bb cell is XXX XXX XXXX. I took the liberty of giving John M. a brief overview of our conversation. He was very supportive.

Best wishes

Andy

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

2.

From: “Vanstone, Derek”

Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2011 14:00:21

To: <andrewbleslie>

Subject: RE: Chat-Prospects

Thanks, General.

I have now spoken with Minister Moore. All is good on that front. The screening committee advanced two names to the Minister — and one of them was yours.

The Minister will simply select the other candidate, and appreciates your interest and your honesty in these circumstances.

I will be in touch shortly on our other project, and feel free to contact me anytime — either through this email or my pin is XXXXXXXX.

Derek

Derek A. Vanstone

Deputy Chief of Staff / Chef de cabinet adjoint Office of the Prime Minister

/ Cabinet du Premier ministre

3.

From: andrewbleslie

To: Vanstone, Derek

Sent: Mon Jun 06 14:52:39 2011

Subject: Re: Chat-Prospects

Derek

Many thanks for the update. There are a couple of other offers/opportunities with corporate Canada or the UN in train, but as they become more final I will deal with them in the same way as the Museums. Or stall for time.

Do you think there is any chance this next process will be finalized before the end of August?

Many thanks

Andy

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

4.

From: Vanstone, Derek

Sent: Monday, June 06, 2011 2:58 PM

To: andrewbleslie

Subject: Re: Chat-Prospects

Absolutely.

SEPTEMBER 2011

In the fall of 2011, Leslie was talking again to Vanstone, this time about an RCMP position.

At this point, Leslie had retired from the military, and as noted below, had taken up a position in the private sector. Ray Novak was then principal secretary to the prime minister (he is now chief of staff.)

1.

To: Derek Vanstone

Subject: RCMP

Sent: Sep 28, 2011 11:17

Derek

After a great deal of thinking, I have decided to not pursue the RCMP position.

As mentioned, I have not always had a deep and abiding passion to lead that organization, and my efforts would be based mainly out a sense of duty and loyalty to the government and the nation. I do not think this would be enough to lead the changes required. You need somebody who has the passion, and a natural series of friends and allies within the RCMP to help drive the tough changes that are required.

If there were no other suitable candidates then duty would kick in, as I would never say no to the PM. But I do not think this is the case.

I will notify the recruiting agency to please return my file.

Having said this, if you and the government are looking for help with the Canadian Forces — that is something I really have a passion for . . .

I will continue with my new corporate Canada job which is based in Ottawa with CGI and is fascinating (talk about lean overhead — I wish I knew what I have recently learned before I ran the Army)

Anyways, thanks for the wisdom and friendship and if I can help in any way I stand ready to serve

Best wishes

Andy

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

2.

On Sep 28, 2011, at 2:16 PM, “andrewbleslie” wrote:

Ray

Many thanks for your help. I have sent a copy of the email I sent to Derek concerning the RCMP

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Best wishes

Andy

3.

From: Novak, Ray

Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 4:48 PM

To: andrewbleslie

Subject: Re: RCMP

Thank you,

R.

Sent from my iPad

APRIL 2012

In April 2012, Kyle Mirecki was special assistant to the deputy chief of staff to the prime minister, and the PMO was still talking to Leslie, through Vanstone.

1.

From: Mirecki, Kyle

Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 10:10 AM

To: andrewbleslie

Subject: Phone call with Mr. Vanstone

Good morning Andrew;

Would you have time today for a phone call with Derek?

Best regards,

Kyle Mirecki

Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff | Assistant spécial du Chef de Cabinet adjoint

Office of the Prime Minister | Cabinet du Premier ministre

SEPTEMBER 2012

By the fall of 2012, Leslie was still talking to the Conservatives.A Liberal source with knowledge of the discussions said Leslie was encouraged to run for the Conservatives in the Ottawa-area riding of Vanier, against incumbent Liberal Mauril Bélanger, or in Conservative MP Gordon O’Connor’s riding of Carleton—Mississippi Mills.

1.

From: andrewbleslie

Sent: September-04-12 12:14 PM

To: Jenni Byrne

Subject: Chat

Hi Jenni

Hope all continues to go well with you and yours. I am out of the country with my corporate team for about the next three weeks, off and on. When this settles down I wonder if we could talk about option B, continuing to serve my country but not in uniform.

Many thanks

Andy

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

2.

From: Jenni Byrne

Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2012 12:04 PM

To: andrewbleslie

Subject: RE: Chat

Hi - great to hear from you.

Would love to sit down and chat again, please drop me a note when you get back to town.

Safe travels.

Cheers/

Jenni

Read more about: