(Ottawa) An NDP MP has repaid some of the thousands of dollars he spent on a publicly funded Christmas trip for himself and his family.
The federal New Democrats say Manitoba MP Nicky Ashton reimbursed House of Commons management $2,900 for part of the more than $17,000 in expenses for a Christmas Day trip to Quebec followed by a trip to Montreal.
Public expenditure is shown by mme Ashton, her husband and two children moved to Ottawa from northern Manitoba on December 21, 2022.
A day earlier, her Ottawa apartment had been invaded by bedbugs, prompting her and her family to move to the capital to deal with the “emergency” situation, Ms.me Ashton in a statement.
MB did not respond to an interview request. The story of his movements was first reported by CBC News.
M. Travel reports filed in the House of Commonsme Ashton, her husband and children left Ottawa for Quebec on Christmas Day to “meet with partners related to the house business.”
Five days later, they went to Montreal for the same reason. On December 31, the family returned to Ottawa, where they stayed a few days before returning to Thompson, Manitoba.
Mme Ashton charged $17,641.12 for the trip, including $13,619.90 for transportation, $2,508.39 for lodging and $1,512.83 for meals and events. No details were provided about the $2,900 she returned.
Photos of the trip, which she posted on her Instagram account, show family sights including skating in Quebec City and a visit to the Christmas market.
“Thank you for an unforgettable visit,” she wrote in one of her photo’s captions. Thanks to progressive activists for sharing their inspiring work. Thank you to everyone who shared their culture, history and city with us. »
Mme Ashton did not say who she met on her Christmas trip and did not plan to name names.
Churchill-Keewatinook MP Askey said he paid the money back “to protect the privacy of the people I met and to make sure they weren’t subjected to this kind of abuse.”
Following the news about his trip, Mme Ashton alleged that she and her family were subjected to death threats, harassment and verbal abuse.
“This trip, approved by the House of Commons, has become a distraction from the important work the New Democrats are doing for Canadians,” he said. My team and I focus on supporting people in northern and indigenous communities who often lack the resources they need. »
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