Opposition calls out Tories for partisan cheques

The federal ethics commissioner is reportedly considering an investigation into the use of Conservative logos and Tory MP signatures on mock cheques for big federal funding announcements.

Canada AM: Dimitri Soudas, PMO spokesperson

The Prime Minister's Office is promising cheques from the Government of Canada will no long bear the logo of the Conservative Party, and that it was a few isolated incidents.

CTV National News: Robert Fife on the ceremonies

Opposition MPs are upset with the Conservative government over a number of taxpayer-funded cheques presented to members of the public that bear the Conservative party's logo.

Power Play: Opposition MPs react to the cheques

NDP MP Peter Stoffer and Liberal MP Marcel Proulx discuss blurring of the line between government expenditure and political partisanship.

Power Play: Strategists discuss the memo

The Tories released a memo to its caucus members reminding them again that tax-funded projects and grants must not be announced as Conservative party initiatives.

CTV News Channel: Harper government spending

The Tories come under fire for putting the Conservative Party logo on stimulus cheques and Ottawa pledges millions for the carbon capture system.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

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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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Selected Comment

Other than our government branding getting bruised, this really isn't that worthy of outrage. The fact that it took this long to report shows that no even pays attention to what's on the cheque. (They just take the money and smile) On the other hand, a really ineffective form of flaunting your party.

Dan from Northern Ont

Opposition calls out Tories for partisan cheques

talking about
Opposition calls out Tories for partisan cheques

Got something to say?

CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Wed. Oct. 14 2009 10:35 PM ET

The federal opposition hammered the Conservatives over a series of taxpayer-funded cheques presented to the public as if they came from the Tories, including at least one project that was actually approved by the previous government.

The issue was first raised when a picture surfaced of Nova Scotia MP Gerry Keddy presenting an oversized Government of Canada stimulus cheque that was stamped with the Conservative party logo. Such a display breaches government rules under the Federal Identity Program.

Keddy's office said it was an oversight, but another photo involving the parliamentary secretary with another Tory-stamped cheque was identified.

In Charlottetown, the current government looks to be taking credit for the city's latest federal building with a sign touting their economic action plan. Trouble is, the building has been open for three years and was announced by the Liberal federal government six years ago.

P.E.I. Liberal MP Wayne Easter lashed out saying: "Somebody is driving by and they must look and say, 'My goodness, Stephen (Harper) must have put that building up and created those jobs."

"I mean, it's outright misinformation."

Dimitri Soudas, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, defended the use of the individual politicians' names on Wednesday, saying members of Parliament deserve credit for local projects supported by the federal government.

"These are cheques that obviously convey to Canadians that work is being done by the Conservative government implementing the economic action plan," Soudas said on CTV News Channel's Power Play.

However, he called the use of the Conservative logo on government announcements "inappropriate."

Dozens of cheque presentations can be viewed on the websites of individual Conservative MPs, including several cabinet minister, all with the MP's name and signature written in bold letters, while the Government of Canada logo remains nearly invisible.

Nova Scotia NDP MP Peter Stoffer has referred the use of the cheques to the Ethics Commission.

"There are three things we want to government to do. One, stop it immediately, two, apologize and three, who in the cabinet authorized this blatant use of political partisanship," Stoffer told Power Play.

Easter says the stimulus money comes from the public purse and not the budgets of individual MPs.

As he put it, the public treasury is not designed to fund "the Conservative propaganda machine."

The Liberal Party of Canada press office issued a release Wednesday alleging that the Conservatives are "treating your money like it's their own."

Comments are now closed for this story

Mike the disqusted
said

Well I guess Harper was right global warming isn't a problem. Apparently he thinks we are quite happy to drown in BS.

Rockstar
said

If whinning and complaining is all the Liberals are going to do, then just end the party all together. Looks as though the Liberals can't handle the fact that the Conservatives are moving along quit nicely, compared to all those dorment Liberal years.

Mary in Montreal
said

Shame on the Conservatives!

Crime Buster
said

Liberals in Adscam and E health scam had the same thing the middle man keeping the money. Nice to see Harper gives direct.

Wade Ens
said

If the Liberals were in power in would be payable to thier friends. Cry me a river the Liberal party is a joke

Roadrobber
said

First wafergate, then the Olympic logo and now this. Dig deeper, Libs. You need more than this. This is desperation.

James
said

sigh.....Canadians are just so sensitive

Dave in Calgary
said

Do I not deserve a government and a Prime Minister who I can have my child is proud of? I went to the opening ceremonies for the world Skills Competition in Calgary. I thought I went had gone to a Conservative Party Meeting. Mr. Harper was a genius; he made the Mayor of Calgary look like a world statesman. The partisanship is beyond belief .

Mike vdB - Chatham, ON
said

I thought the Conservative party was supposed to do things differently when they got into power? All I hear from Torie supporters is that if the Liberals can do it, so can we. How is that doing it different? There is no difference...Liberal or Torie alike. Each party is out for themselves and to hell with the rules. Meanwhile people try to justify something what is not supposed to happen in the first place. The money does not come from Tories alone, it comes from all the Canadian taxpayers. I don't care if Liberals cried for the money or didn't cry for it. Those cheques and that money respresents the Govt of Canada alone.

Judy B, Guelph
said

Just another Conservative lie...the money did not come from the Conservative party as the cheque would have you believe., the money did not come from the M.P.'s personal account as the cheque would have you believe....the money came from Canadian taxpayer....all taxpayers...not just Conservatives....so many lies on one cheque..

happy
said

All you will ever get from the Regressive Conservatives is hypocrisy, ignorance, lies and corruption. We deserve better than this. Harper is behaving like a dictator thumbing his nose at our laws. I fear facism is slowly creeping into our government.

Mike
said

Totally appropriate for Canadians to know that the Conservative government is looking after their needs and getting the job done not giving their money to the friends of Liberals like McGuinty and Chretien did under their watch....Our money is well spent under this government

Chris in Ontariariari-Oh!
said

As a conservative supporter I have to disagree with the use of the party logo on these sample cheques.Even though they are not the real thing they still can convey the wrong message.I disagree with this type of "branding"of the government's message and I believe this is something the liberal's were famous for in the past as seen in colour imagery on government advertising to identify the government with the party.Just look at how government sign's and ad's changed in Ontario after Mcguinty came to power as the red and white logo was soon adopted as Ontario's provincial colour's.The opposition has little to complain about as they have all done this in the past but I think the government need's to refrain from this. This type of branding worked well for the liberal's for decade's and the conservative's are just using a page out of their playbook to re-identify their own brand but it still doesn't make it right.

DC in AB
said

Jay,Ottawa: Oh no, seriously? The Government of Canada is getting sued for 250 million, and that makes them the dirtiest government we've seen? I understand that you have no memory, so let me fill you in. The Liberal government under Jean Chretien STOLE billions from the taxpayer, and was found to be guilty in the Gomery inquiry. Yet, oh no, the Cons are getting sued (not yet found guilty). You need to get your facts straight my friend.

Mike
said

Yes this is wrong.But I want to thank you all for helping to pay for my renovation & thank you Mr Harper for extending my EI so I got paid for doing my own reno.If my EI wouldn't have been extended I would of had to hire a contractor.The thanks goes to all Canadians, it was your money that allowed me to do it.

david sawkiw[saskatchewan farmer]
said

Its good to see the conservatives taking a page out of the liberal play book!!This is how politics is done in Canada,, why the lefties are so offended ,,, is totally beyond me..

Tony
said

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!

The Grouch
said

Sometimes watching the government reminds me of a slow ride home from work.It's like a few idiots driving slow in front, blocking all the lanes, while the rest of us just have to live with the fact that the people leading the way don't know what they're doing.My point: This is stupid. Can't they try taking on some real issues?

Brent
said

Dan, you need your head readjusted. Did you read the article?? It has nothing to do with anything but partisanship and the PC government breaking the rules again. Telling people that this money is from the PC's. You don't have to be a Liberal to see that. Duh!

jon
said

wrote : 'Next time do it the Liberal way.....out the back door, round the corner with cash in a plain brown envelope. Sheesh!"I think it was Mr. Mulroney's way to which you are referring to!

Canada Goose Whistler
said

Can we really blame the conservatives. an EKOS poll shows that conservatives have lower education than liberals.We need to push for higher education and votes for the liberals would increase. Higher education = more liberal votes.

Jim McB
said

The Liberals and NDP are doing what we learned in the Navy many years ago, "what to do when you have no idea of what is happening around you!"When in worryWhen in doubtRun in circlesScream and shout!;)

reidjr
said

Alex (Toronto)Lets not forget it was the liberals who the big reason the action plan was delayed.

reidjr
said

To Joe In EdmontonOne of the biggest scandals in the history of the country is e-health.Yes it is a liberal party granted not federal but still its the liberals.

cantuc
said

This is nit-picking and nothing more . But , if this is all the liberals have to whine about things can't be that bad . I f this was that serious Ignegative would be holding a thinking thinkers thinking thoughtful thingamajiggy thingys conference on it by now , don't ya think ?

HUbert
said

Wait until they get a majority - then you'll really see arrogance. Not only will you have to display the cheque but kiss the boots as well.

Keith in Gibsons
said

I am starting to think that this was done on purpose to goad Iggy et. al. into another one of their blithering fits of indignation over nothing. Although I do miss the daily threats of a non-confidence motion now that Iggy has his party's polling numbers way down. Well played, Mr. Harper. We need the entertainment.

Kristine
said

Please check the facts of this story. The MP for South Shore-St. Margarets is GERALD KEDDY and the MP in the picture is COLIN MAYES.

Brian
said

As a Conservative supporter, I agree that the logo should not be on government grants or literature, but this is not a huge issue. Stop doing it and move on.

cam
said

How Canadians support this PM and the hacks around him is not only baffling but infuriating.Like the Bush regime it is all about image (how can we ever forget GW in the jump suit with the mission accomplished sign).They will do and say anything to camouflage their real agenda.No wonder they can't govern!They are obsessed with campaigning!Left in office much longer and the Tories will turn us into the basket case the cons did in America.

CON supporter
said

I am a CON supporter and will honestly say that I do not think this is a 'mistake'. I honestly believe it was done intentionally but sporadic enough to look like an honest mistake.The CONs should apologize. However, if this is the worse they've done then they'll get my vote again come election time.

joe in Edmonton
said

This is dishonest, wrong and illegal. No otherparty, including the Liberals, have ever done thiswith taxpayer' money. Prime Minister Harpershould apologize.

Tim from Calgary
said

Man, the Liberals are really desperate when it comes finding something, anything to criticize the government for and to get the story in the media. It seems like every day the Liberals concoct some new scheme to whine about. I laughed big time when the Liberals' Hedi Fry brought up the Canadian athletes uniform logos looking like the Conservative logo.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

If Canadians cared as much about WHERE our money goes (especially the shotgun-blasted stimulus program funds), and whether it's being wasted, instead of freaking out over WHO takes credit for spending our money, this country would be a better place.

Peter 1951
said

I don't care who has their logo on a cheque, just give me a cheque. Plus I am sure a person wouldn't have to dig to deep to see a cheque with the Liberal logo on it and a Liberal members signature.

Bob - Ladner
said

Next time do it the Liberal way.....out the back door, round the corner with cash in a plain brown envelope. Sheesh!

Citizen
said

While I think this is inappropriate and should not occur in the future I do not believe it is as bad as the hundreds of millions pocketed by the Liberal Party and its supporters during the Sponsorship Scandal.

Forever Blue
said

As if someone actually found this to be worthy enough to call "news". Perhaps this was indeed just a mistake?? Mistakes happen, our government are just people not perfect gods. I checked my MP's website and all the cheques he's presented that have been photographed dont bear the conservative logo, so its not "all" of the conservative government that does that.

Should be thanking the Liberals
said

I bet the Conservatives leaked this picture to the Liberals, knowing they would run with it and plaster it all over the internet and media. Keeping a promise and forking over the cash is the important part - the exposure the Conservative logo gets thanks to the Liberals is just a bonus.

Ryan P.
said

"People of Ontario CALL OUT McGuinty Liberals on 1 Billion Worth of Wasted Health Care Dollars."Do I care about a silly party logo or do I worry about the enormous amount of money wasted by Iggy's provinicial cousins. Get real-the Liberal brand cannot under any circumstances claim to be the party of ethical political action.

Jay-TO
said

Conservative says "The Liberals made Keddy make the mistake and now they're forcing him not to acknowledge the mistake and apologize. "You sir are a complete idiot and the perfect example of what dumbing down the dialogue has done. You belong with the conservatives, they play to dolts like yourself. Is this the type you want running our country people? This is the voting base of the conservative party, to whom they have to cater or no votes. You all should be scared.

charlie
said

At least with the Liberals, you know they would never do anything like this. Right? er, right? Possibly? Ok, another non-issue hyped to the max by the outraged Opposition. Yawn.

Kel in Victoria
said

If anyone is really suprised by this, you must have been sleeping in a coma for the last year.This is the way Conservatives do business, we will just have to get used to it; at least until such time we vote them out.

Alex (Toronto)
said

So are only Conservative taxpayers paying for these projects? Do civil servants working on these have to be Conservative party members? Or are Conservatives taking credit for projects they would not have done if the Liberals hadn't forced them back in January, and that are coming from everyone's taxes? This is what third-world dictators like Hugo Chavez do, taking personal credit for government programs as if the money is coming out of the party leader's own pocket.

M M B Ont
said

Will this get printed?First, the item in the picture is not a legal cheque. It is more like a huge postcard to let everyone know the stimulus money is being spent and where. Unfortunately the Liberals don't seem to understand that the monies are going out . I think this is a good way to get the word out to the people so we all know if and when the money the spent. After all this is 2009 and not 1960 and I like to see things changed a little to get the word out to the people.The Liberals are non stop whiners without any idea of a plan for Canadians or the economy. Yet they voted for a large stimulus which created a huge deficit and now they are hiding behind their vote. At least the Conservatives are not afraid to put their logo on the plan to help Canadians and they at least are taking responsibility for their actions.

shelley
said

I can't believe this stupidity. Harper plays the piano and he goes up in the polls, of course its all over the news. His party continues to abuse our tax dollars on cheques and signs, and its not news. Why don't you list all the stuff they have abused in the last year. Sponsorship has been over and dealt with years ago, get over it.

Bill
said

As long as the money goes to good causes and people, not like the sponsership scandal, have the Liberals forgotten all about that, I guess they had their names on the cheques, ( hidden) I did not hear Easter than that they did breach government rules, short memory, I am waiting for the $ 50. million to be given back to the tax payers.

GTA
said

Hey, that looks strangely like an Olympic logo - is this a sports related story? Should someone squeal to the IOC? Yep, we have a definite "logo-gate" happening here.

KMC (Markham, ON)
said

Jay, Ottawa:Perhaps you could provide us with a link to this "contracting issue" to which you allude?To suggest that anything this Conservative Government has done comes even, remotely, close to the Liberals' theft of $100 Million of the taxpayers' money and using the said taxpayers' money on their (Chretien's) private property, is pure unadulterated baloney."Corruption is endemic in the Liberal Party" Sheila Copps, Former Liberal MP & Deputy Prime Minister Under Jean Chretien

John from Alberta
said

"but the Liberals did...." ... SO WHAT!!!I thought we are supposed to be the party of ethics and transparency? this is outrageous! we are now doing what we fought so hard to stop.

Jay
said

To those who say harper and company should pay it all back.I hope you fell the same where about the ontario liberals.

CMQ in NB
said

The Liberal Party of Canada press office issued a release Wednesday alleging that the Conservatives are "treating your money like it's their own." ha, ha, ha, ha,ha,ha, ow my sides are hurting.... The liberals actually had the nerve to say this...ha, ha, ha, he hee, hee (on the floor rolling around)I don't think I can stop laughing long enough to write anymore.... what a joke!!!!! joke of the day!!!!!

Michael
said

I don't see this as any big deal. Any party in power would do a little advertising like this. The Liberals sure did this and much more when they were in power.If parliamentarians want to have this practice stopped, then they can all get together and pass a law to end it from now on.No crime here. Wish the Liberals would use their highly-paid-for time to do something useful.

adrian
said

I can't believe that there is anyone on this post regardless of your party of choice who says that this is either a non-issue or that the opposition is trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Those who do not see this blatant abuse of power should not be able to vote. The haper gov't is teeming with underhanded tactics, they were totally successful in pushing out Dion (who also wasn't his own best ally anyway). How did they do this....by capitalizing on the fact that YOU don't want an election, then making everything an election issue.They already run the gov't as a semi-dictatorship and it was extremely unfortunate that it took a threat of a coalition to make harper rethink his aggressive tactics. If you believe for one single second that all the gov't ceremonial cheques were not approved by someone in the PMO then you are dead wrong. This gov't is fanatical about controlling image through the media, do you think they would allow their MP's to be completely autonomous. Also did these autonomous MP's all decide to do this too at the same time, under the same leadership. The call came from somewhere close to harperPlausible Deniability.

Rob NS
said

If the Liberals were in Power, they would write their name on the "Pay to the Order Of" line...like they did with the Sporsporship scandel...Spin news by a desparate Liberal Party... this is closer to non news than news...any possible slur to the Conservatives... Shameful, they should try and work with the Goverment in power to improve our Country!

my take on this
said

Conservatives, the Sponsorship Scandal has been dealt with, move on, this isn't an issue, as the conservatives always say. This is today and Stephen Harper promised accountability and transparency and that is exactly what Canadians are getting from this conservative government. If Canadians cannot see the blatant abuse that is coming from a conservative minority government then give Stephen Harper the majority government he so badly wants and as Paul Martin said, Canada will never be the same. The Liberal Party of Canada is far from perfect but they are a far better choice than the present day Conservative Party of Canada UNDER Stephan Harper.

Terry Morley
said

All opposition parties have agreed, the media have agreed , the Harper Government makes such hypocrisy out of our Canadian institutions and the media just lets it happen! Unbelievable

Red X
said

The Conservatives should pay during the next election. Voters who had one of these stimulus photo ops in their riding should take the money and vote the bums out...

Eric, Ottawa
said

My money is paying for these announcements like every other taxpayer. I'm not a Conservative member or supporter. So yes, this is a problem, and not just some "minor detail" as a bunch of neocons have gone and posted.

CD - toronto
said

Blue is a much nice colour then red in my opinion.

Jeff
said

Okay, I see the issue here, and it should be fixed. But this is far from an election issue, or a real issue that should be plastered as the top story.

An Albertan.
said

I have to laugh at the many comments here putting forth the argument that because Liberals have made blunders or transgressions in the past, that somehow the Conservatives current transgressions are to be considered OK. No doubt these same individuals think it was perfectly OK that Brian Mulroney took large sums of money in litle envelopes and placed it in a security depoist box and didn't pay taxes for years. I guess its OK because other politicians in the past have also previously done things suspicious as well. p-)

Bevan in Wimnipeg
said

To the Liberals: Got any more nits to Pick?

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

To even the score, let the Liberals and the NDP take credit for our ballooning deficit by placing their party logos on a giant deficit calculator mounted on Parliament Hill. They wholeheartedly and forcefully supported the federal stimulus program ("Economic Action Plan") that has blown $billions$ of taxpayer money.

rose
said

wow you libs sure have a short memory! What about the sponsership program? and other lib programs. Maybe even some golf balls?

peter In mb
said

Oh please � give me a brake.. If the liberals did this like they have done in the past�it would be okay and forgotten�. Yes the conservative are not perfect, they are only human and make mistakes. But considering what the liberals have done in the past the conservatives should be cut some slack

Goldens
said

If this is all the Grits can find to complain about the Tories must be doing a great job! The Grits are grabbing at the bottom of the barrel for this one! John W ridgetown NS

d from g
said

At least it is money that is being spent legitimately, not "lost" on friends as has happened in Liberal government spending in very recent years, federally as well as provincially. Keep looking for something to equal the Liberal party's dishonesty but I don't think you'll find it. Your indignation ( from you standpoint) is understandable but quite humourous to this Canadian. The Liberals' credibility and integrity has been marred by the greed, mismanagement and dishonesty of many of its members, leaders and friends.

Rocky
said

Harper should give Keddy a slap. Even though the Conservatives need seats where old-style "spoils" politics is practised blatantly, a lot of their constituents have little patience for it.

rhpearson
said

Are the Liberals the 'logo police' or are they the Official Opposition? They have been listening to the Quebec separatists too much! Instead of coming out with all this outrage at logos why don't they tell Canadians what their policies are or what they will do about the deficit. They are all over the map on most issues. They check the polls to see what their policies should be and when the polls change they change their policy.

mick mackinnon
said

Opposition parties complain about conservative logo on cheques. If that's all you can fault the government for, they must be doing a terrific job. Please include (in the stimulus program) a few truck loads of kleenex for the opposition parties.

Ronald in Barrie
said

This is a big problem. Idols and icons, a terrible sign. The State is the coldest of all cold monsters; coldly it lies and this lie slips from it's lips: "I the State am the people".

Wendy
said

Thank the liberals & NDP for the action plan that Harper brags about. The cons said there was no need for action. It's a good thing Harper will never achive a majority.

dusty - ottawa
said

Now we want all of you good Liberals to put your hand on the bible and swear that you would never do such a thing if you were in power. At least until you got your own logo printed on the envelopes. If this ever happened there would be two moons in the sky.

Samual
said

Never a word of truth from the Harper circus. Since Harper has been PM we have dropped three places in the world as the best country to live in. If Harper was ever to get a majority, we would be worst off than most communist countries. Harper would rule like a dictator, he's bent on taking away our freedom.

Sandi from NS
said

More whining from the libs. Suck it up, you would have done the same had you been in power

Pip
said

All much ado about nothing. The Liberals and NDP wanted stimulus money paid out: well, it is being paid out. While the opposition are busy running off at the mouth over minor sub-details, the job is getting done.

Jay, Ottawa
said

KMC (Markham, ON) said "remarkably good job.It's, certainly the CLEANEST Government Canada has seen in decades."

According to the Commons Committee transcript I read regarding contracting issues this is the dirtiest government in Canadian history. Did you know the government is being sued for $250 million because they got caught cheating on contracts? That doesn't happen when you're clean. Given that issue it not surprising that they tried this stunt too.

Raymond
said

For once I agree with the opposition. This is crass politicking and a clarification/apology is in order.

mark
said

No, actually the Government is not suppossed to do this regardless of which Party is in power. Do they blur the lines and have the Liberals done that in the past? Most likely but they haven't been stupid enough to put their own logo on the cheques. Atleast I hope not. Go Harper PMO/ Privy(ledged) Council!

As for all the Conservative justification ...because the Liberals did it...I thought that you were all different and morally superior and Right all the time? Guess not! Harper will say and do whatever he has to to keep power. All the Conservatives think it is their devine right to Govern,Wow! I sound like ...um... you!Vote Independant!

CYL
said

Oversight? What a convenient word. Are there any honest people in this country ? As a tax payer, this really makes me mad. What are the consequences for this.

Yvonne
said

Read the article - the cheques are for presentation ceremonies. It's not a real cheque! Of course the Tories are going to take some credit for it. The Liberals are such sore losers.

Dan
said

Hey matlewy: I am tried of the Liberals thinking they are better then everybody that disagrees with them that is really what I am tired of. The Liberals AD scam? Or is that OK in your opinion? Because from what I see from the Liberals is they just want to point out things. They don't have any interest in holding themselves accountable to their actions. They just want to hold everybody else accountable. If they did they would not of pro missed us (11 times) child care, or they would not have lied to us about getting rid of the GST. If they did they would not have been a Ad Scam.

So before you go around pointing out all the things the "cons" are doing take a look in the mirror. If you want to have a good debate about the bad things governments do when in power then make sure it is balanced and take into account the Liberals track history. They are starting to talk about child care again, for the 12th time. I don't have my fingers crossed, and even if they try to deliver on their child care carrots it is way too late for me, my kids are all grown up and the Liberals missed the boat in my household.

So you go ahead and vote for the Liberals all you want, I will not call you stupid or uneducated like many Liberal supporters say about Conservative supporters. I will shake your hand and congratulate you. But please don't expect me to do the same as the Liberals have done nothing for me or my family all of my adult, (voting) life. I have voted Liberal in the past but never again. I have voted Conservatives the last several elections because they delivery.

Mike
said

What about the signs on the highway that say "This Highway Improvement is Funded by the Government of Ontario.Premier: Dalton McGuinty" Oh, the infamy! C'mon people, this ain't the mother-of-all-scandals. But the Conservatives definitely owe the $75 for the novelty cheque.

Amanda
said

It doesn't matter anymore ... who spends what and when.. we are paying for services that do not exsist ... paying their extremely inflated salaries and EGO's. Let us have control over the money!

gerrie
said

This is not leadership. It's a blatant abuse of power. Shame on the Tories. Perhaps some history lessons on the rise of dictatorships and totalitarian regimes is in order. Of course this sounds extreme and I'm not saying that the Tories are totalitarian, but I am saying that a democratic government must be non-partisan when it governs, it must represent the people even those that did not vote for them. More and more there seems to be a systemic partisanship on the rise. Not good sign.

KMC (Markham, ON)
said

Another non-story.It's a "ceremonial" cheque, not intended to be cashed, solely for the purposes of a photo-op. Did anyone really expect the Tories NOT to take credit for any money "handed out"? Does anyone really believe that the Liberals wouldn't be doing the same, if they had the chance? Remember Lester Pearson and the Liberal red Canadian Flag and the Liberals' refusal to have the borders, representing the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans, Tory blue? So. now the oceans are Liberal red. lol!If this is the best the Liberals and their media mouthpieces can do, this Conservative Government is doing a remarkably good job.It's, certainly the CLEANEST Government Canada has seen in decades.

matlewy
said

Hey Dan - people are not complaining about what /how much/how they are getting their money. They are complaining that this government has broken yet another law and is continuing to spit in our faces about it. Aren't you tired of these people flaunting their position and bending the rules just to get ahead?

allan
said

As if Canadians do not know who is the governing party? If this is all MP Easter and the liberals have to offer us, then they are in line for last place in the next election. Maybe a dumb mistake was made, so move on, we have REALproblems here. And Mr. Easter, WE pay your salary, so I suggest you come up with ideas to help Canadians instead of playing "gotcha" political games.

Dan from Northern Ont
said

Con Servative
said

The Liberals made Keddy make the mistake and now they're forcing him not to acknowledge the mistake and apologize. Oh, the perfidious Liberals. Canada needs a strong dictatorship under Stephen Harper.

Will
said

I can't believe Harper can get away with replacing the Government logo (our tax dollars!) with his own Conservative Party logo. I say that whatever money has been handed out with Conservative logos should be paid for by the Conservative Party and not by us taxpayers!

Dan
said

Thumbs upp/down turned off.... Good!

Claude
said

Again the spin will be put on as if this was a Liberal issue. But how long can the Harper people run from their own mistakes and stupid mistakes. We were told that this would end and that the budget would be better. Let me recap the situation. We are further in debt, have seen more lies and more corruption. People still believe they lies however and are willing to hand Harper votes. So sad.. Once Conservative Reform Alliance Party ( Crap ) forever Crap..

Scott Stelmaschuk
said

Many people are going to say 'Well, at least they're not using the money to pay off supporters for no work done' ala Sponsorship Scandal; but that's a moot point. The Government of Canada, regardless of being the Harper Government, still remains a separate entity from the Conservative Party.

The same would be true of the Liberals or the NDP if they formed a government.The Conservative Party is preparing for an election, and they're doing that by keeping their funds in their pockets; something the opposition cannot do. The Conservatives have been using the 'Renovation Tax Credit' website, the 'Canada's Economic Action Plan' website and those infamous mailers to keep money in their party coffers for the election, while we taxpayers regardless of party affiliation are spending money for Tory advertising. Harper's people have to answer for this and tell us what exactly is going on; who authorized this kind of backdoor spending to put the cost on us taxpayers, and someone is going to have to stand up and take accountability for this method the Conservatives have been using to save themselves money and attempt to woo new voters.

Fred - Brandon MB
said

Is Mr Easter trying to have us believe that the Liberals would never do this? (have never done this?)Pot......meet Kettle

Dan
said

More Opposition complaints. I am not surprised. "Not enough money" "too much money" "the money is not getting out"..... Which is it? The Liberal party war machine is in high gear since their drop in the polls. I know, I know, "we can do better".

About time
said

It's about time this is hitting the media, as do all the letters coming from the MPs which take surveys as to whom is doing the better leadership job! This after chastizing Ignatieff for being in US all his life! GO get them!