Liberal MP tops all others with $21.9K spending on ‘protocol gifts.’ Here’s what he spent it on – National | 24CA News

Liberal MP Chandra Arya used House of Commons funds to buy $21,931 price of “protocol” presents from the identical native firm that handles his constituency printing and communications work, a Global News evaluation of expense knowledge exhibits.

Arya’s complete spending of taxpayer funds on “gifts given as a matter of protocol” far outstrips some other MP, together with cupboard ministers who incessantly meet with overseas officers and dignitaries, between July 2020 and Sept. 30, 2022.

House of Commons guidelines permit MPs to offer protocol presents not exceeding $150 earlier than taxes “in recognition of the value and importance of a person, an event or an organization in the Member’s constituency that has contributed positively to the community.” According to Arya’s workplace, he bought 1,025 plaques for a complete of $20,426, with the objects starting from $15.65 to $28.59 every.

MPs are permitted to buy protocol-related presents utilizing constituency funds beneath House of Commons guidelines, however a Global News evaluation of expense knowledge exhibits most MPs spend a relatively modest quantity.

That consists of cupboard members like Global Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, Canada’s prime diplomat who meets usually with overseas officers and should current them with a token merchandise. Her constituency bought $1,632 in protocol presents over the identical interval as Arya, a backbench MP representing the Ottawa-area using of Nepean.

Asked why his spending on presents outstripped the opposite 337 MPs within the House of Commons, Arya informed Global News that he used the cash to buy custom-made plaques for “many front-line workers and volunteers who served our community during the COVID pandemic,” in addition to “volunteers serving in many community (and) charity organizations.”

Arya gave three present contracts – ranging in worth from $1,685 to $10,955 – to a single firm: SINIX Media Group.

SINIX, which incorporates divisions dealing in printing, design and signage, obtained a complete of 53 contracts for a complete of $53,681.50 from Arya’s constituency workplace over the interval analyzed by Global News. Most associated to printing providers, promoting and promotional objects.

1:07Trudeau checking if ‘all rules’ have been adopted in Hussen’s hiring of foodie agency

SINIX additionally obtained smaller contracts from different Ottawa-area MPs, together with Treasury Board President Mona Fortier, Anita Vandenbeld, and former MP Karen McCrimmon.

In a May 2020 press launch, SINIX’s CEO Hamed Zadeh credited Arya with serving to to shepherd the corporate’s request to supply private protecting gear throughout the pandemic.

“Nepean MP Chandra Arya was also of valuable assistance tracking the application until Health Canada’s authorization was granted,” the press launch reads.

“During the COVID pandemic, due to the urgent nature of the time (and the associated delays in new company/product approvals at Health Canada), an application to Health Canada to register a company and its product was followed up by our office,” Arya’s workplace stated in an announcement.

Arya didn’t reply to questions associated to his relationship with Zadeh. A consultant for SINIX stated Zadeh was not out there on Tuesday, and a request for remark was not returned.

In January, Global News reported that Housing Minister Ahmed Hussen spent $93,050 in constituency funds on public relations assist from Munch More Media, a foodie-focused communications agency. After Global’s preliminary report, Hussen’s workplace admitted that the agency’s director, Hiba Tariq, is the sister of Tia Tariq, the minister’s director of coverage.

MPs’ constituency bills are publicly out there, however usually obtain little public scrutiny. Federal politicians are permitted to spend on a spread of products and providers associated to their constituency workplaces, from promotional objects to public relations assist to typical office-related bills like hire and provides.

2:44Housing minister’s contracts with foodie agency Munch More Media raises eyebrows

Global News additionally reported that Marci Ien used $10,000 in constituency funds to rent Munch More Media’s providers earlier than she turned a cupboard minister.

Using the identical knowledge, the National Post reported that MPs have been utilizing constituency funds to cowl their house web prices throughout the pandemic. In response to that report, the Conservative Party stated they might not allow their MPs to proceed doing so.

&copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.