Disturbing incident underscores need for greater accountability

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In recent news, Canadians learned of a disturbing incident involving NDP MP Niki Ashton, who charged taxpayers for a family trip to Quebec over the Christmas holidays. This incident underscores the urgent need for greater accountability of elected officials at all levels of government.

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Parliamentary travel records show Ashton spent four days in Ottawa. She flew to Ottawa from Thompson a week after the House of Commons’ 2022 Christmas recess. To add fuel to the fire, she took her partner Bruce Moncur, a former candidate for the NDP nomination, and their two children with her.

The family then travelled to Quebec City on Christmas Day, with Ashton billing the House of Commons for a number of expenses. The total cost to taxpayers was $17,641.12, including $13,619.90 for airfare, other transport costs, accommodation and $1,512.83 for meals and other incidentals.

During a press conference on a different topic, Ashton was repeatedly asked who she met with in Quebec. She answered vaguely that she met with “various people” involved in preserving the French language and culture and sought feedback from unspecified groups on a revision of the Official Languages ​​Act. When asked if she regretted the trip, Ashton explained that her trip was approved by the House of Commons administration and that her role was to travel to meet and engage with stakeholders.

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The left immediately tries to justify their actions with a “cultural” or marginalized reason, and we are supposed to accept that, or maybe not question it, otherwise we are seen as far-right, out of touch with reality, and not human rights-friendly. None of that is the case, and they know it.

Ashton’s reasoning raises significant concerns. Her primary role is to represent her constituents, hold government agencies to account for improper spending, and not to engage in such spending herself. The appearance of a family trip under the guise of official business not only undermines public trust, but also betrays the nature of her role. This highlights a wider problem: how many MPs and MLAs make similar trips, ostensibly for work but in reality for personal reasons? What about councillors and mayors?

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In the private sector, an individual would likely be fired if, as Ashton did, they tried to claim travel with their partner and children as a valid business expense. Why not elected officials too? Some would argue that if we fired every official involved in such manipulation, frequent elections would be necessary. However, the need to implement robust accountability measures is not just essential, it is urgent.

Such misuse of public funds is unacceptable when many Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. Unfortunately, by the time of the next election, voters have often forgotten these incidents or are hesitant to criticize candidates. Unlike the average worker who undergoes an annual performance review, elected officials should be subject to a similar level of scrutiny. Before each election, every resident should be sent a comprehensive report of their spending and voting habits so that informed decisions can be made about their performance.

Popularity-based elections are failing us. It is high time we systematically hold our elected representatives accountable and ensure that they put the common good above personal gain. The shortcomings of the current system affect us all, and we must demand better performance from those we elect.

— Kevin Klein is a former Tory cabinet minister, former city councillor and president and CEO of the Klein Group Ltd.

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