Did a northern New Democrat break website rules? Sault MP Sheehan says yes

Sault MP Terry Sheehan has penned a letter to House of Commons Speaker Geoff Regan regarding what he believes to be improper use of an MP’s parliamentary website.

Sheehan’s letter to Regan, who chairs the Board of Internal Economy, points to Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus, a New Democrat, using his parliamentary website to post a notice about an upcoming NDP nomination meeting and a link to his party’s site, through which people may become party members and donate to the NDP.

“I learned about it a couple of days ago and sent it yesterday morning...we noticed he (Angus) was soliciting memberships, announcing political events,” Sheehan said from his Ottawa office, speaking to SooToday in a telephone interview Wednesday.

Sheehan said use of an MP’s website for such purposes breaks the rules.

“It appears clear that Mr. Angus has violated both of these rules in advertising for his federal election nomination event and in soliciting NDP memberships directly from his Member’s website,” Sheehan wrote in his letter to Regan.

“I urge the Board of Internal Economy to investigate this matter, make appropriate recommendations, or seek appropriate penalties should the Board find (that) Mr. Angus violated the rules,” Sheehan wrote.

An MP’s site may include party logos and party statements, but may not ask for contributions, urge individuals to become party members or seek funds for community groups or charities.

Those rules, however, are applicable only to websites paid for out of an MP’s office budget.

Angus staff have stated the information appeared on a website paid for by the Timmins-James Bay Federal NDP Riding Association.

The Board of Internal Economy will decide on that, Sheehan said.

“The Board of Internal Economy...will investigate and make appropriate recommendations on what they find.”

“Is it appropriate that a parliamentary website is used to solicit memberships? That’s the question,” Sheehan said.

When asked by SooToday if he had discussed the matter with Angus, Sheehan replied “no, I have not spoken with Charlie Angus about this.”

Earlier, Angus complained to the Board of Internal Economy Prime Minister Justin Trudeau improperly used his parliamentary office as the backdrop for a fundraising video for the Liberal party.

The Liberal party paid the Speaker’s office $500 to cover the cost of the use of the space in the video, also stating it would return any donations made to the party that stemmed directly from the video.

Below is Sheehan’s letter to House of Commons Speaker Geoff Regan:  

HOUSE OF COMMONS/CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES CANADA

Terry Sheehan

Member of Parliament

Sault Ste. Marie

January 29, 2019

Dear Mr. Speaker,

I am writing to you in your capacity as the Chair of the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy regarding the potentially inappropriate use of Members designated Web sites by Mr. Charlie Angus, the Member of Parliament for Timmins-James Bay.

The rules are very clearly stated within the Members Allowances and Services guide, requiring that Members do not solicit membership in any political party nor include any campaign information on their Members Web site.

It appears clear that Mr. Angus has violated both of these rules in advertising for his federal election nomination event and in soliciting NDP memberships directly from his Members Web site.

It is worth further noting that the rules also explicitly state that Members are personally responsible for the content on their Members Web sites.

I urge the Board of Internal Economy to investigate this matter, make appropriate recommendations, or seek appropriate penalties should the Board find Mr. Angus violated the rules.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament

Sault Ste. Marie