The NDP has stripped MP Niki Ashton’s cabinet critic position after it was revealed she travelled to Greece despite widespread travel restrictions implemented by the government.
Ashton claims she travelled to Greece to visit her grandmother who is seriously ill.
In a statement, the NDP says Ashton did not notify party leader Jagmeet Singh about her trip but she did reach out to public officials for “best practices.”
“Canadians, rightfully, expect their elected representatives to lead by example,” the party’s statement reads.
“While this is no family vacation, Ms. Ashton will be removed from her shadow critic roles.”
Ashton joins a large number of Canadian public officials who have violated the government’s own coronavirus rules and advice.
In Ontario, Rod Phillips resigned as Ontario’s finance minister earlier this week after travelling to St. Barts over the holiday season.
Several Alberta MLAs, including Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allard and MLA Jeremy Nixon, were also revealed to have travelled over the holidays.
In Saskatchewan, the MLA for Prince Albert Carlton Joe Hargrave travelled to California to complete the sale of a home.
In Quebec, Liberal MNA Pierre Arcand was vacationing in Barbados.
