Conservatives barred from using rule that lets MPs bill taxpayers for home internet – National | 24CA News
Members of Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative caucus have been advised they’re not allowed to cost taxpayers for residence web companies.
A breakdown of latest bills exhibits 31 Tory MPs have charged taxpayers for residence web companies for both themselves or workers, in keeping with an evaluation by The Canadian Press. The info was first reported by the National Post.
The MPs embrace former interim occasion chief Candice Bergen and fellow Manitoba MP James Bezan, together with Calgary MP Michelle Rempel Garner and British Columbia consultant Mark Strahl.
A spokeswoman for the House of Commons mentioned the apply is allowed beneath current guidelines for members of Parliament, who can expense the charges via their workplace budgets.
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As was the case for a lot of Canadians, the COVID-19 pandemic pressured MPs and their staff to do business from home. But their places of work have now been again open for months, and no well being restrictions at present require them to work out of a house workplace.
No guidelines have been damaged, however the opposition whip’s workplace advised MPs {that a} new coverage has been set for caucus, in keeping with a latest electronic mail obtained by The Canadian Press.
The electronic mail mentioned it has been determined that no caucus member or worker can expense residence web prices, following a dialogue with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
The message mentioned if the occasion expects Canadians to see Conservatives as accountable monetary stewards, “we must lead by example.” It provides that the occasion plans to suggest that the present House of Commons coverage finish for MPs of all stripes.
Since he grew to become occasion chief in September, Poilievre has been laser centered on financial and affordability points together with inflation, housing prices and meals costs.
“With Canadians continuing to face a cost-of-living crisis, spurred in part by irresponsible government spending, we do not expect that taxpayers should be left paying the bill for the home internet of members of Parliament,” Kerry-Lynne Findlay, the chief opposition whip, mentioned in an announcement Thursday.
“While these expenses were allowed under the standing policy of the House of Commons, Conservatives will cease any expensing of home internet charges going forward.”
Findlay mentioned members of the Conservative caucus have been knowledgeable of the brand new coverage.
The determination comes as Tory MPs put together for a two-day caucus retreat that begins on Friday. The House of Commons resumes sitting subsequent week.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
