Liberals Complain about Conservative Flyers

A Liberal MP has filed a formal complaint over the Conservative party’s use of taxpayer-funded mail-outs.

Mark Holland complained to the Speaker of the House of Commons that the Tories are breaking House bylaws by mailing campaign literature to people in his riding at taxpayer expense.

Conservative MPs have been mailing pamphlets into Holland’s riding, asking recipients which federal party leader they would support on a range of issues.

Commons rules allow MPs to print and mail leaflets called `ten percenters’ to inform the public about parliamentary issues.

But the rules ban the use of free printing and mailing privileges to produce campaign-style literature that urges people to vote one way or another, which is what Holland says is happening.

But, Peace River North MP Jay Hill disputes Holland’s claims. Hill points to Liberal mailouts, which he says are the ones that really bend the rules.

Mark Holland has asked the Commons Board of Internal Economy to force the Conservatives to reimburse taxpayers for the costs of printing and mailing the literature.