COMMONS ETHICS COMMITTEE CHAIR RESIGNS POST OVER TRAVEL TO U.S. OVER CHRISTMAS
Jan 04, 2021
By Bob Komsic
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While Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole asked all caucus members to stay home over Christmas, his office today says MPs David Sweet and Ron Liepert were given the green light by the party’s whip for ”essential travel” to the U.S.
Liepert’s trip was in relation to ”emergency repair” to property he owns in California.
Sweet also went south of the border for an unspecified ”property issue.”
But O’Toole’s office says Sweet then decided to stay ”for leisure” without telling the party whip.
Consequently, O’Toole accepted Sweet’s resignation as chair of the Commons ethics committee.
Meanwhile, the Conservative leader in the Senate, Don Plett, took a personal trip to Mexico December 28.
A spokesperson says when he got there, Plett ”reflected on his decision to travel” and immediately made arrangements to return, which he did December 31.
He’s quarantining for 14-days as required.
Plett’s the latest in a number of federal and provincial politicians to get into hot water for travelling abroad, including Rod Phillips, who resigned as Ontario finance minister but is staying on as MPP.