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 91裸聊视频渦rgent91裸聊视频 situation, Ashton said in a statement.
91裸聊视频淚 then met separately with stakeholders in Quebec,91裸聊视频 said Ashton, who often participates in House of Commons work virtually.
The MP did not respond to a request for an interview. Word of Ashton91裸聊视频檚 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 91裸聊视频渢o meet with stakeholders about business of the House.91裸聊视频
Five days later they went to Montreal for the same disclosed reason. Then on Dec. 31 the family travelled back to Ottawa where they stayed for a few days before returning to Thompson, Man.
Ashton charged $17,641.12 for the trip, including $13,619.90 for transportation, $2,508.39 for accommodations, and $1,512.83 for meals and incidentals, expenses show. There were no details provided about the $2,900 Ashton returned.
Photos of the trip Ashton posted on her Instagram account show the family sightseeing in Quebec City, including ice-skating in a downtown park and attending a Christmas market.
91裸聊视频淭hanks to Quebec for an unforgettable visit,91裸聊视频 Ashton captioned the group of photos. 91裸聊视频淭hank you progressive activists for sharing your inspiring work. Thank you to everyone who shared their culture, history, city with us.91裸聊视频
Ashton has not said who she met with during her Christmastime trip and has no plans to share names.
The Churchill91裸聊视频擪eewatinook Aski MP said she paid back the money 91裸聊视频渋n order to protect the privacy of the stakeholders I met with and to ensure that they were not subject to similar abuse.91裸聊视频
As a result of media reports around her travel, Ashton said she and her family have been subjected to death threats, harassment and abuse.
91裸聊视频淭he discourse around this House of Commons-approved travel has become a distraction to the important work New Democrats are doing for Canadians,91裸聊视频 Ashton said.
91裸聊视频淢y team and I are focused on delivering support for the people in northern and Indigenous communities who are so often left without the resources they need.91裸聊视频
Mickey Djuric, The Canadian Press