FAQ 2c. Who is Tim Murphy and why was he involved?

Tim Murphy is the chief of staff in the Prime Minister's Office. From 1993 to 1995, he was Liberal MPP for the constuency of St-George-St. David in the Ontario Parliament, following which he had practiced law and served as president of the Ontario Liberal Party.

From 2001, he was a senior political advisor for Paul Martin, who was then Finance Minister. After Martin became Prime Minister in late 2003, Murphy was chosen as his chief of staff.

Since any negotiations about Grewal's changing parties and joining the Liberal caucus would require Paul Martin's approval--as would any 'understanding' by which Grewal took any formal role within the government--it was natural that he would send someone to represent him. (On the question of whether it was appropriate for him to be involved, see the article in the Hill Times archived here.)

On Murphy, see the Wikipedia entry under his name.

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FAQ 2b. Who is Ujjal Dosanjh and why was he involved?

Ujjal Dosanjh is the Minister of Health in the Liberal Government, a former NDP premier of BC, and prominent member of Vancouver's Indian community. He came to Canada at the age of 21, worked as a labourer while putting himself through university and then law school. He was involved in civil liberties, was elected as an NDP MLA, eventually becoming Attorney General in the NDP government of Glen Clark. He was chosen to replace Clark as leader of the NDP and Premeir of BC in 2000. In the next election, the NDP was annihilated and Dosanjh lost his seat.

In 2004, he was recruited to run for the Liberals by Paul Martin and following his election in the riding of Vancouver South, was made Minister of Health.

Like Grewal, Dosanjh is a Sihk and a prominent Indo-Canadian. Given his position within the Liberal government, it was natural that he would be involved in any negotiations concerning Grewal's change of Party.

For Dosanjh, see the Wikipedia entry, Ujjal Dosanjh. For his website, see here.

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