A storm of controversy has erupted over a nine-day spending spree by Ontario Liberal MP Arielle Kayabaga, totaling a staggering $173,574 of taxpayer money. The expenditures occurred during a brief, almost ephemeral, period when she served as House Leader – a role that began and ended within a matter of days as an election loomed.
The most significant portion of the bill, $157,028, was allocated to “personnel” costs. This revelation comes as Kayabaga publicly appealed for campaign volunteers just two days before the election was called, raising serious questions about the use of public funds.
When pressed for answers, the MP remained conspicuously silent regarding whether paid staff were engaged in political campaigning while on the public payroll – a clear violation of established Treasury Board rules. A spokesperson attempted to explain the massive expense, attributing it primarily to vacation pay for existing staff.
“Ms. Kayabaga did not hire any additional staff,” the spokesperson stated, emphasizing that she simply maintained the team already in place. However, this explanation has done little to quell the growing outrage and demands for transparency.
Conservative MP Kelly Block voiced the concerns of many, declaring on social media that “Canadians deserve an explanation.” The situation has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with some observers pointing to Kayabaga’s previous admission of being unable to afford a home.
Records reveal a remarkably light workload during her time as House Leader. She attended only a single cabinet meeting before returning to her riding, all while Parliament was effectively paused. Her public statements during this period focused on unity and serving Canadians, yet her actions are now under intense scrutiny.
Treasury Board guidelines are unequivocal: public resources cannot be used for partisan purposes. The rules explicitly state that ministers and their staff must be “especially vigilant” in distinguishing between official government business and political activities, avoiding even the appearance of impropriety.
Adding to the intrigue, Kayabaga admitted to reporters shortly after her appointment that she was unsure of her duties as House Leader. When questioned about the necessity of the role given the impending election, she offered a vague response, stating that a House Leader is “very important for our democracy.”
Her initial days were marked by a lack of engagement with her counterparts, and her responses to questions were often broad and lacked specific details. She spoke of “Team Canada” and a desire for unity, but her actions now cast a shadow over those sentiments.
The situation has left many questioning the justification for the substantial expenditure and demanding a full accounting of how taxpayer money was utilized during this brief and controversial period. The call for transparency continues to grow louder, as Canadians seek answers and accountability.
