Sitsabaiesan accused of misusing parliament resources

The Board of Internal Economy of the Canadian Parliament is investigating a group of New Democrat Party (NDP) members including Tamil Canadian member Rathika Sitsabaiesan for misusing parliamentary resources.

The CBC news reported that they have been accused of using parliamentary resources to send out two million handbills - ineligible mass mailouts - to households in 26 different ridings (electoral district), some at a time of holding by-elections. The Board, consisting four Conservative, two NDP and one Liberal MP has ruled the mailouts were ‘partisan’ and ‘improper’.

Sitsabaiesan and 22 fellow members have been asked to repay Canadian $ 1.17 million to the House and the Canadian Postal Service. The controversial MP is allegedly backed by the LTTE diaspora in Canada and is known to be vociferous in campaigning on behalf of their activities.

The NDP members have rejected the Board’s ruling.

MF