OTTAWA — The secretive body that ordered New Democrats to reimburse almost $4 million in mis-spent parliamentary resources is being asked to investigate a new allegation of improper spending by NDP MPs.
Liberal MP Marc Garneau wants the board of internal economy to conduct a thorough investigation into what he believes is the improper use of taxpayer-funded constituency offices to campaign for re-election.
In a letter to Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer, who chairs the multi-party board, Garneau says at least 43 New Democrat MPs have used their riding offices to stage door-to-door canvassing blitzes and more intend to do so again later this month.
He says the purpose of the blitzes is to identify supportive voters in advance of this fall's federal election.
And that, he says, violates parliamentary rules which forbid any partisan activity in riding offices, including "activities related to a member's re-election."
New Democrat MPs, who are challenging the multi-party board's previous rulings in court, have maintained they're just doing their jobs, talking to constituents about issues of the day.
