Reimbursement, ethics investigation follow health minister's limo fiasco

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 30, 2016
By Ali Raza

It’s the most famous limousine ride that Stouffville’s ever heard of.

Markham-Stouffville MP and federal health minister Jane Philpott was the highlight of national media after it was revealed her office had spent $1,708.84 of taxpayer money on luxury car services in March while travelling around southern Ontario.

A spokesperson said the MP has “no new comment" today.

Philpott’s office released more information about the minister’s travel expenditures, which included an additional $1,994.73 she spent in July to travel to the Assembly of First Nations meeting.

Philpott’s press secretary, Andrew MacKendrick, she did not use a limousine. She rode in a car from Executive Sedan Livery Service Inc. which is owned by a Liberal supporter who canvassed for Philpott in the recent federal election.

But the office has announced that Philpott will reimburse taxpayers a total of $3,703.57 from her March and July travel.

“I would like to apologize for the excessive costs related to travel for my work responsibilities,” Philpott said in a statement. “This does not live up to the standard that Canadians expect and I have taken steps to ensure this does not occur again. I will personally reimburse in full the expenses incurred on March 31 and July 12 for travel to meetings that took place in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, and in Niagara Falls.”

“I have also asked my department to review travel booked to and from the airport with this service to ensure that taxpayers are charged for only fair-market value, and I will reimburse any excessive expenses based on departmental advice,” she added.

Last week, after Conservative health critic Colin Carrie wrote to Ethics commissioner Mary Dawson regarding Philpott’s expenses, the minister will be examined to determine whether or not she violated the Conflict of Interest Act in her use of the car service, as the service is owned by a Liberal supporter.

Philpott’s office confirmed and agreed to the investigation.

“I can confirm the letter was received,” said MacKendrick. “Our office and the Minister will work in full cooperation with Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.”