OTTAWA – Health Minister Jane Philpott says she’ll reimburse taxpayers for some of the thousands of dollars spent on using a Toronto-based limousine company.
Philpott issued a statement Thursday night apologizing for the “excessive costs” of hiring Executive Sedan Livery Service Inc. to shuttle her around the Greater Toronto Area.
READ MORE: Limo company that gave Health Minister Jane Philpott $1,700 ride offers refund to taxpayers
The company is owned by a Liberal supporter who canvassed for her during the last federal election.
Philpott says she will repay $3,703.57 of the costs of using limos to take her to meetings in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas.
But she did not immediately indicate she’ll whether she’ll repay $3,815 spent on 20 trips to Pearson airport — Philpott’s riding is in the Toronto-area.
Her office is reviewing the airport trips to see if she was charged at fair market value and has promised to reimburse any excessive expenses on departmental advice.
The announcement comes on the heels of criticism from the Conservatives, who have asked Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson to investigate the minister’s “apparent violation of the Conflict of Interest Act” in her use of the vehicles.
Philpott issued an apology for her use of the limousine service.
“This does not live up to the standard that Canadians expect and I have taken steps to ensure this does not occur again,” the statement said.
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