Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak has removed Peter Shurman from his post as finance critic after criticism over reports that the Toronto-area MPP filed expense claims for a residence outside Toronto.
Shurman, who represents the riding of Thornhill, claimed the maximum allowance of $20,719 in 2012 after moving to a second home located on Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Shurman did not violate any rules. MPPs are permitted to claim the allowance if their primary residence is more than 50 kilometres away from Queen’s Park.
However, the MPP came under heavy criticism from the governing Liberals and the NDP, who said Shurman was taking advantage of the system.
Liberal House Leader John Milloy called Shurman’s expense claim a “taxpayer-funded retirement home subsidy” that should not be allowed.
In a statement Sunday evening, Hudak said while the current rules were followed, it was clear “taxpayers hold elected officials to a higher standard and those rules need to be changed.”
On Thursday, Hudak said in a statement that Shurman had agreed to discontinue any receipt of the accommodation allowance and would pay for the expenses out of pocket in the future.
Hudak has not said whether he personally approved Shurman’s expense claim for the Niagara home.
The spotlight on Shurman’s expense claims comes amid an expense scandal involving Canadian senators.
With files from The Canadian Press
