Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

No more home internet money for Tory, Liberal MPs

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Jan, 2023 02:29 PM
  • No more home internet money for Tory, Liberal MPs

OTTAWA — The federal Liberal government is joining the Opposition Conservatives in no longer allowing its members of Parliament to expense taxpayers for home internet services. 

And Government House Leader Mark Holland's office said Thursday he will propose that the practice be ended for MPs of all parties, after Conservatives signalled their intention to do the same.

A breakdown of recent expenses shows 31 Tory MPs have charged taxpayers for home internet services for either themselves or staff, according to an analysis by The Canadian Press.The information was first reported by the National Post.

The MPs include former interim party leader Candice Bergen and fellow Manitoba MP James Bezan, along with Calgary MP Michelle Rempel Garner and British Columbia representative Mark Strahl. 

A spokeswoman for the House of Commons said the practice is allowed under existing rules for members of Parliament, who can expense the fees through their office budgets. 

As was the case for many Canadians, the COVID-19 pandemic forced MPs and their employees to work from home. But their offices have now been back open for months, and no health restrictions currently require them to work out of a home office. 

No rules have been broken, but the opposition whip's office told MPs that a new policy has been set for caucus, according to a recent email obtained by The Canadian Press. 

The email said it has been decided that no caucus member or employee can expense home internet costs, following a discussion with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. 

The message said if the party expects Canadians to see Conservatives as responsible financial stewards, "we must lead by example." It adds that the party plans to propose that the current House of Commons policy end for MPs of all stripes. 

"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, said in a statement 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." 

By Thursday afternoon, Government House Leader Mark Holland informed Liberal MPs that the rules were also changing for them. 

"The chief government whip has told Liberal MPs today that going forward, they should not bill for their own home internet expenses and for their staff," spokesperson Alex Maheux said in a statement. 

The statement from Maheux added that at the next meeting of the Board of Internal Economy, which is the committee that sets rules for MPs, Holland would be proposing a change to end the practice for good. 

"Our government has and continues to support Canadians as they face the economic and heath challenges that have confronted this country," Holland's office said. 

"That is why, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we brought forward measures to allow Canadians to claim tax deductions for expenses related to working at home, such as the cost of the internet."

MORE National ARTICLES

Repair of B.C. dike to finish this month: minister

Repair of B.C. dike to finish this month: minister
Farnworth says the provincial government has dedicated $1.6 million to the Sumas dike project, as he gave an update on recovery progress ahead of the one-year anniversary of what he called "one of the most devastating weather events in the history of our province."

Repair of B.C. dike to finish this month: minister

Kids' pain meds coming but supply fragile: critics

Kids' pain meds coming but supply fragile: critics
Health Canada pegged the problem to “unprecedented demand since the summer,” with stock “limited” at stores and hospitals in various parts of the country. Observers point to a complex web of factors driving demand, limiting supply and complicating any attempt at a quick fix.

Kids' pain meds coming but supply fragile: critics

94% of Surrey police vow not to join RCMP: union

94% of Surrey police vow not to join RCMP: union
A statement from the Surrey Police Union says 94 per cent of its members have signed a pledge to refuse to apply to, or join, the Mounties, if newly elected Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke makes good on a campaign promise to cancel the city's switch from the national police force to a municipal one.

94% of Surrey police vow not to join RCMP: union

Man arrested over alleged assault regarding ice cream confrontation

Man arrested over alleged assault regarding ice cream confrontation
The victim, a convenience store, shared that when the suspect was spoken to about not paying for ice cream, he began to strike the staff member and brandished a knife. Charges related to assault with a weapon and breach of conditions are being recommended.

Man arrested over alleged assault regarding ice cream confrontation

Interest rate hikes may halt economic growth: PBO

Interest rate hikes may halt economic growth: PBO
In that scenario, the Canadian economy would contract by 0.3 per cent in 2023 and grow by 1.3 per cent in 2024. The PBO says this analysis represents only one of many possible scenarios that could play out in the Canadian economy.   

Interest rate hikes may halt economic growth: PBO

Canada's immigration backlog drops to 2.4 mn people

Canada's immigration backlog drops to 2.4 mn people
The data showed a large reduction in the backlog of temporary residence applications while the permanent residence backlog registered a slight increase. The permanent residence inventory stood at 506,421 people as of November 3, compared to 505,562 as of October 3. 

Canada's immigration backlog drops to 2.4 mn people