Ethics commissioner wants higher bar for MPs receiving gifts

OTTAWA – Parliament’s ethics watchdog wants to tighten the rules around gifts given to MPs.

Mary Dawson says many MPs and public office holders still do not consider whether certain gifts are appropriate, regardless of how little they might cost.

Currently, public office holders — including ministers, their staff and senior bureaucrats — must declare any gift over $200.

For MPs, the amount is $500.

The conflict of interest and ethics commissioner wants the limit for MPs cut to $30.

She also says that MPs don’t seem to consider free meals and drinks as gifts, but if they want to exclude receptions from the rules they need to change them first.