NDP MP pays back some of the $17,000 her Christmas trip cost taxpayers
CTV
A New Democrat member of Parliament has paid back a portion of the thousands of dollars she spent on a Christmastime trip for herself and her family that was paid for with public money.
A New Democrat member of Parliament has paid back a portion of the thousands of dollars she spent on a Christmastime trip for herself and her family that was paid for with public money.
The federal New Democrats said Manitoba MP Niki Ashton Reimbursed the House of Commons administration for $2,900, part of the more than $17,000 in costs she incurred during a Christmas Day trip to Quebec City followed by a visit to Montreal.
Public expenses show Ashton, her husband and two children flew from her northern Manitoba riding to Ottawa on Dec. 21, 2022.
A day earlier, her Ottawa apartment was sprayed for bedbugs, which led her and her family to travel to the capital to deal with that "urgent" situation, Ashton said in a statement.
"I then met separately with stakeholders in Quebec," said Ashton, who often participates in House of Commons work virtually.
The MP did not respond to a request for an interview. Word of Ashton's travels was first reported by CBC News.
Travel reports filed with the House of Commons show Ashton, her husband and kids had travelled from Ottawa to Quebec City on Christmas Day "to meet with stakeholders about business of the House."
