Members of Parliament (MP’s) handed out the checks to municipalities for the stimulus money. They’re supposed to feature a “Government of Canada” logo together with that for the Conservative Party, as well as the MP's signature. But according to the Liberals the Conservatives’ logo is larger.
Liberals file 47 Complaints With Ethics Commissioner
Liberal MPS David McGuinty, and Marcel Prolux announced October 15 that their party had filed 47 complaints with the Parliamentary Ethics Commissioner. They claim to have found 181 examples dating back to 2007 where the Conservatives took credit for federal funding announcements using what they termed ,according to CBC.CA, as “personalized partisan checks.” McGuinty commented in an article published by Canadian Press that the checks made it appear that the Conservatives were paying for projects: “It gives the false impression the Tories are paying for the projects out of their own pockets.”
The issue first came to attention because of Nova Scotia MP Gerald Keddy. He awarded a novelty-sized $300,000 check from the Atlantic Opportunities Agency to update a rink within his riding. According to the Canadian Press, the majority of these checks handed out by either Keddy, or British Columbia MP Colin Hayes had the Conservative logo on them.
The Liberals are accusing the Conservatives of breaking rules in the Federal Identity Program. According to Canadian Press, they are planning to ask both the Public Service Commission, and Elections Canada to look into the matter.
Conservatives Admit Party Logo Inappropriate On Novelty Checks
The Conservatives meanwhile admitted the presence of the party logo on the novelty checks was wrong. But at the same time, they found nothing wrong with the presence of MPs' signatures on them. Prime Minister Harper's spokesperson Dimitri Soudas commented in remarks published by Reuters that MPs were only doing their job: “One of the most important functions of a member of Parliament is… to support and promote local, and regional projects.” He said MPs represent their constituents and pointed out that the checks were mock checks.
The Liberals also accuse the Conservatives of acting in their own private interests, which, is a violation of the conflict of interest legislation. In comments published by Reuters, Liberal MP David McGuinty said, “Staying elected is a private interest. The Ethics Commissioner has agreed to look into the allegations.
The Liberals have been actively opposing the government at every turn, including a recent non-confidence motion, which, was defeated. The latest polling numbers show the Conservatives within striking distance of a majority government, with as much as a 10 point lead over the Liberals. The Liberals need the support of the Bloc Quebecios (BQ) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) in order to bring down the Harper government.
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