Ethics czar to investigate Tory logos on cheques

Federal opposition parties have been complaining about mock cheques with Tory logos on them and now the federal ethics commissioner has confirmed she will investigate.

Power Play: Dimitri Soudas, PMO spokesperson

The press secretary for the prime minister's office weighs in on complaints of Tory party logos on government cheques and says the government sees no problem in their federal identity program.

Power Play: Bill Siksay and Wayne Easter

The NDP ethics critic and a Liberal MP say the Tories are misusing the money from there economic action plan and they are violating their position by misleading Canadians.

CTV News Channel: Tom Clark on the debate

In Tuesday's question period the Liberals once again suggest Tory ridings were receiving more stimulus money than Opposition-held ridings. Plus, Chretien gets the Order of Merit.

Question period: Opposition hammers government

Party leaders debate the day's hot topics in question period including Tory branding on government cheques.

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Conservative MP Colin Mayes makes a funding announcement using Conservative party logos as seen in this photo provided by the Liberal Party of Canada.

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Claude

Ethics czar to investigate Tory logos on cheques

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Ethics czar to investigate Tory logos on cheques

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Tue. Oct. 20 2009 10:09 PM ET

Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson will formally investigate complaints over the use of the Conservative party logo and individual names of members of Parliament on cheques that were used to promote government stimulus projects.

"She's going ahead with an investigation," a spokeswoman for commissioner Mary Dawson's office said Tuesday.

CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife said Tuesday afternoon that the ethics commissioner will look into whether government regulations were violated when the Conservative logo appeared on cheques for stimulus projects, giving the impression that the money was coming from the party and not the government.

Opposition MPs have filed a number of complaints over the cheques and Dawson said in a statement she expects there to be about 50 complaints in total.

Liberal MP David McGuinty said his party is considering pushing for the public service commissioner, the auditor general and Elections Canada to investigate the matter.

Prime Minister's Office spokesperson Dimitri Soudas said on CTV News Channel's Power Play that the use of the Tory logo on the cheques was "inappropriate."

"It will not happen again," Soudas said.

But Soudas said the government has "no concern" over individual MPs having their name on oversized cheques announcing federal stimulus projects.

"These members of Parliament represent their constituents," Soudas said. "The government sees no problem with the federal identity program and members of Parliament working hard and ultimately delivering these results in their own region."

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has implicated 55 Tories in the "dubious strategy" of putting their names on the novelty stimulus cheques.

"Conservative members have tried to funnel $600,000 of taxpayers' money to their ridings as if this money belonged to the Conservative party," he charged Tuesday in the House of Commons.

He said it looks like the economic stimulus plan is "a plan to help Conservatives."

Last week, Liberal MPs lodged dozens of complaints with the ethics commissioner over the oversized novelty cheques.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper admitted the party logos should not have been on the cheques.

"The use of a partisan logo on a government announcement is not correct," he said in the House of Commons. "We endeavour not to do that."

Comments are now closed for this story

mariel
said

I don't care how much it will cost Tax payers, probably a lot less than The Cons are doing using tax dollars for political propaganda for their own partisan and political gains.

rick quinte west
said

Its about time. The CONservatives have gone too far.

Stu from London
said

What? Conservative supporters still beating the Adscam drum? Say it isn't so...do any of you have a reasonable explanation for the Conservatives politicizing the Economic Action Plan without mentioning Adscam? Everyone responsible for that was held responsible, GIVE IT UP! How about we keep bringing up the Chuck Cadman affair...how the tapes WERE NEVER doctored...now THAT'S a scandal.

david sawkiw[saskatchewan farmer]
said

Ignatioff said it looks like the economic stimulus plan is "a plan to help Conservatives" let's think about those words,,, is he saying that if you are a conservative, you should not get any help?? When the liberals handed out the cash, were they careful to not give any to liberals?? Last time I checked we are ALL Canadians, some conservative, some liberal, some ndp, some bloc,,, maybe someone should check who DOES get the lion's share..................

edd
said

Every time the Liberals bring up some stupid issue like this it backfires on them and the Canadian public(taxpayer) see the RED neon sign "ADSCAM".

Happy camper
said

The sole reason Liberal MP David McGuinty is getting involved is because he wants Michael Ignatieff's job. McGuintys are opportunists and he desperateoy wants to one up his brother, beloved Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty.I wish these guys would stop muck raking and do something constructive in the House of Commons.

Wendy
said

This just makes me sick, me my partner & kids works so hard, only to have this government throw a way millions of tax payers dollars to promote their party.How much was the sign for the door knobs?

Adam in Montreal
said

Putting the Conservative party logo on Government of Canada cheques is getting extremely close to the level of scuminess that the Liberals were accused of stooping to by Gomery. This is not OK in any way, and the Tories need to get out of the glass houses that they have moved into. Enough. No wonder no credible leader wants to run for politics in Canada.

Shirley
said

This was a very dumb thing for the Conservatives to do. That said, the Liberals have to kill the upswing in the polls that the Conservatives were just starting to enjoy. Like this is our petty politics here in Canada.

plailey
said

Well, on this same website I see that Chretien is receiving the Order of Canada, so it doesn't appear that ethics are that important in judging our PM's.

Lunt
said

They should put the logo of the taxpayer on them....just show a picture of someone bent over......

Alberta Redneck
said

First of all, I AM a Conservative Party and Stephen Harper supporter. I fear the day the Liveralls of any stripe and mostly the Ignatieff Stripe form the Government of Canada. I understand that there is a tendency to suppport, protect and defend 'your'guys agains all comers. BUTl, just because the Liberals have consistently blurred the line (to say nothing of crossing it at a cost of tens of millions of dollars) is no reason for Harper and his colleagues to use the same tired, dog eared Liberal playbook. MOST Canadians are not stupid. We understand that mistakes will be made on almost any file and we also understnd that some officials and aides in an attempt to curry favour work hard to ignore the line. But, Mr. Prime Minister, I expect better of you and your entire government. Let's get back to being parliamentary, focussing on the issues, and no more of this childishness. Nuff said??

CWS Saskatoon
said

So what's the problem? It's a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Tim in Victoria
said

why is the mainstream media SO obsessed with using the term "czar" for everything? it's ridiculous. that and this is a non-issue.

Johnny (Montreal)
said

They always keep showing the same photo over and over using plural description. Where are the other photos?It looks like a small faux pas compared to liberal propoganda back in the day. As long as the money didn't go into the coffers of a few Liberal friends for no work performed, I have no problem with this. The liberals are desperately trying to make an mountain out of an ant hill. Next problem please.

Jay, Ottawa
said

The Conservatives haven't really been challenged on their shenanigans up to now. Sadly it's likely just the beginning on ethics violations investigations. We need a new new Conservative alternative in Canada. One that isn't so seedy. Maybe there's still some Progressive Conservative letterhead in a box somewhere.

Peter 1951
said

We as Canadians spend millions and millions of dollars in salaries to Bloc MP�s who�s only goal, is to get all they can just for Quebec and Quebec only, not to mention wanting to break from this country. But I sit here and don�t hear one stinking word from the Liberal about that misuse of Canadian taxpayer�s money. So what do we hear, some Conservative member is putting his/her name on a blown up cheque not even a real cheque. The Liberal are scrapping the bottom of the barrel with this cheque issue. If I was a Liberal I would put my head in the sand, with embarrassment.

allan
said

This is truly a country of whiners. We have many other "real" problems and do not need fools running around with doorknobs. I cant believe the time/effort wasted on this garbage, every person with half a brain knows the cheques are not real!

Gilbert from Orleans
said

Quite interesting how it's refered to as the Harper-Government by oppositions parties. Some times it's refered to as the Conservative Government by opposition parties. They like to use those references when it suites them and try to paint them as negative, but now if the government calls itself the Conservative Government or the Harper Government for some reason it becomes tabou??? Let's get real here people, lots of people like the Conservatives but not too many Canadians are as naiive as to think the Conservative Party of Canada gives out stimulus money across the country.

Ron
said

Someone asked, what will this cost?Answer: Nothing that hasn't already been budgetted. If this money isn't spent on what it was intended for, this government agency like all others will spend their budgets before the 31st of March on something else.

BCDarr
said

I'd say the key words are "Prime Minister Stephen Harper admitted..." Don't see that every day.

Barb
said

I can't believe my ears How the liberals can cast stones at other party,about wasting the tax payers money. when they did it for 13 yrs, and there are over 40 million unacounted for that they took and and never payed back because they were broke, now that they have some money how about doing the honourable think and pay back the money their party took,

Tim from Calgary
said

The Liberals are looking for anything on the Conservatives. Something that would make people forget about the money stolen by the Liberals under Adscam. Myself, until the Liberals pay back every cent taken under Adscam, their creditability with me is zero.

Jim McB
said

The story is inflamatory and inaccurate. Bogus cheques for announcements are not issued, they are only printed for the occasion. The Liberals think they can be exhonorated for their thievery by making others look dishonest. What they are achieving is to make both sides look stupid!

Rob NS
said

Liberals will now cost us ten times the price of the logos, at least, so they can spin this yarn, and throw mud.I thought the opposition party was supposed to work with the goverment, to improve our lives. This is a big game to the Liberals....one that Canadians are getting sick of listening to!Get a platform, take a stance, get a leader, and enough with these stupid games!!!!

CMQ in NB
said

Another investigation into something we as canadians already know the answer to..... They should not be doing this, they knew this from the start but did it until they were called on it. If there are 55 instances then obviously this took place over some period of time. Why is it brought to our attention now? Oh yah, maybe it has to do with the Liberals falling in the polls. Could this be a distraction? Canadians are smart enough to know what is going on and we have good enough memories to know this has been done before by other parties. We are also smart enough to know it is not conservative money, it is tax payer's money. Accountability is good here in the stopping of something wrong. But stop insulting our intelligence by sending it to a commission for study to tell us what we already know. Then, just then taking action as you have might gain some respect. We are not that stupid. Lastly, when people are getting money the money is most often remembered not the source.

SK Doctor
said

This is a waste of taxpayers' money for something so trivial...

Joe C
said

For those who are pulling the "Liberals wouldn't do better" card, I ask you this:WHY DOES IT MATTER?I don't care if it's a Conservative or a Liberal or a Green or a Pirate Party member who broke a law. If they are found to have done so, I want to see them properly punished. Let's hope that they have to pay for it if indeed they are convicted.

Gord. Robson, Nova Scotia
said

We all know that this money came from the stimulus program ! The Conservatives worked hard at getting the money out and I for one thinkthat they deserve a little recognition for doing so.Come on, no one is decieved here, we are not stupid. Remember what Jean said about Liberals and recognition when he was in power!The Liberals really have nothing to talk about!

Rob
said

I dont understand, if the PM has admitted wrong doing, and the article indicates that he did what is to investigate. The other side of this is the question, does it mean that the opposition can no longer argue that the funds are not getting spent?? Just sayin?

Red X
said

They should put the logos of the Liberals, Bloc Quebecois, New Democrats, Green etc. on those cheques...

kktown
said

These are the new government cheques? COOL!!I can't wait to get my tax refund next spring....

William
said

I must be weird becuase as far as I am concerned = who cares! that's right what the heck do I care if an MP wants to get credit for helping to get his consituents a stimulus project and getting credit from some gimmick photo at a phot op = all I care about is that the project got underway and is creating jobs. After all folks that is why I pester my MP and why I donate money and time to my political party to make sure we get some of the leavings from the trough as it were? I am sorry folks but this is an old story going back to the beginning of time - sorry don't see the issue here unless you are against the gov't and decide to use this as a partisan shot then maybe it makes some sense!

reece
said

Cheap petty politics....always behaving like liars. Always the "we didn't know" or the little minions always forgetting to advise Harper and/or Bush of serious ethical breaches. Insulate the leader by neglecting to tell them about serious problems...wink wink wink. It's MY money Harper. Don't package it up like YOUUUUU were doing people favours.

JB in Calgary
said

Really? Is that the actual cheque? That's the one they will take to the bank?

If the Conservatives paid for those cheques out of their donations, who cares. It was a Conservative government that got that money going, even if it was under duress of the opposition.

The Conservatives are our government, the GG asked Harper and his Conservatives to form a government for Canada. So what is the big deal? We all know that the money is coming from Canada and not the Conservatives pockets. Another brilliant example of what a waste of time this opposition is.

Rose
said

Well if the Conservative Logo was on the check's then all the money should come out of conservative pockets. If Tax dollars were used with the Logo and it was our tax dollars, all money should go back to taxpayers. Let the conservative pay up. This was no mistake this was deliberate.

jim
said

Would this be considered under the new white collar crime bill?

Larry NL
said

Another "reach to the bottom of the barrel to find fault" by the Liberals. How far do the Liberals have to lower themselves before they start scraping the bottom?

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
said

@ Donald Bruce Smith, If the key words are " novelty cheque ", Why did Harper say the party logos shouldn't be on the cheques?

TrappedinTexas
said

What part of the title "Ethics Commissioner" has czar in it?

mark in the East
said

And so they should be investigated. The use of party logos on Government Cheques, novelty or not, is improper.

But the Liberals hardly have room to talk:

Via Jean Chretien.net archives;

OTTAWA; QUEBEC CITY - Jean Chretien, the Prime Minister, yesterday said his government had nothing to apologize for in seeking to reap maximum partisan political benefit from disbursing $1-billion worth of federal job grants across Canada each year.

He had always made sure since taking power in October, 1993, that voters were left in no doubt that it was his Liberals who were distributing such grants, he said.

"Listen," he added, "we are the government ... I don't see why we can't try to get credit for what we do. I hope we do so. There is nothing to be ashamed in that."

Stuart
said

Once again the double standard between what the Liberals can do and what the Conservatives can do. Chretien ran roughshod over the ethics rules for years and he never faced even the hint of backlash.

Donald Bruce Smith
said

Key words here is "over the oversized novelty cheques."

Scotty
said

Good. If the accusations turne out to be true (that certainly looks like a Tory logo on the cheque in the photo above) let's hope the Conservative Party has the decency to refund Canadian tax payers for using our money to promote themselves.

Claude
said

Let's finally get to the bottom of this story..

Carolyn McDonald
said

So many unintentional "faux pas", but they just keep occurring. Our esteemed PM should know better and most likely does - he's using public funds to campaign when no election has been called.

Evelyn Loaring
said

Now, how much is this going to cost the taxpayer|?

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