Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson wants Tory MPs and ministers to stop using ceremonial cheques tricked out in party colours or slogans at government spending announcements.
She said using partisan props doesn’t technically violate either the conflict-of-interest code or the conflict law, but she still wants it ended.
Dawson said the practice goes too far and tends to erode public confidence.
She got 63 complaints last fall from Liberal and New Democrat MPs complaining about the use of Tory colours, logos, or slogans on ceremonial cheques brandished at news conferences or announcements.
She said these are government activities and it’s not appropriate to label them with partisan identifiers.
Dawson said the issue also triggered an unusual number of complaints from the public.
