An NDP MP loses role for non-payment of taxes

MONTREAL – The NDP has suspended a member from its shadow cabinet because of his chronic, long-term failure to pay taxes.

Tyrone Benskin has been stripped of his role as official-languages critic until he pays the taxes he owes.

The announcement follows a report that Quebec’s revenue agency has contacted the House of Commons to seize part of his salary because of more than $58,000 he owes the province for unpaid taxes between 2007 and 2011.

The Montreal MP had been an actor in films, including the popular “300,” before being elected in 2011.

Benskin has issued a statement saying he’s truly sorry, and will pay back every last cent he owes. He also says the life of an artist isn’t always easy, and he struggled financially.

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair says he’s happy the MP apologized — but will now be sidelined until he settles his tax bill.

The NDP has come under some criticism for the vetting of candidates in the 2011 election, where in a swift and surprising breakthrough it elected 59 MPs in Quebec.

In the days following the election, the CVs of some of the rookie MPs came under intense scrutiny in Quebec media and from the Bloc Quebecois — which had been nearly wiped out by the so-called Orange Crush.