Tory MPP Peter Shurman — who represents Toronto — bills $20,719 for second home in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Tory MPP Peter Shurman — who represents Toronto — bills $20,719 for second home in Niagara-on-the-Lake | National Post
TORONTO — Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak won’t say if he approved a move by his party’s finance critic to bill taxpayers over $20,000 last year for a second residence in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Peter Shurman represents the Toronto riding of Thornhill and has an apartment in the city, but last year claimed the maximum $20,719 housing allowance for members of the legislature who live more than 50 kilometres from Queen’s Park.
A Toronto-area Progressive Conservative MPP whose riding is a half-hour drive from the legislature is billing taxpayers for his second residence.
Last year, Tory finance critic Peter Shurman claimed $20,719, the maximum permitted, from a housing allowance that was set up to help representatives of far-flung constituencies pay for accommodation in Toronto. Mr. Shurman received the funds because he claims a home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. – about 150 kilometres away from his riding – as his primary residence. He uses the money to help pay rent on his Toronto apartment.
n an interview, Mr. Shurman said he bought the house in Niagara because he needs somewhere to retire. Asked why he decided to use it to charge the government for expenses, Mr. Shurman said he could not pay for two residences without assistance.
“Frankly, on the basis of … how we’re paid at the legislature, I can’t afford two houses,” he said in an interview. “I make $112,500 a year. Some people think that’s a lot of money. To do what I have to do, or any MPP has to do, it’s not very much at all.”
Mr. Shurman and his wife bought the house in Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2008 for $660,000. He said they initially rented it out. When the tenants’ lease expired, he had it renovated and began spending time there. This summer, he said, he was there more than he was in Toronto.
He said he does not live in his constituency, suburban Thornhill, because his wife’s eyesight is poor and she is unable to drive. He said he previously lived in the area for 20 years and remains connected to it.
“I’ve served my constituents wonderfully, as evidenced by two re-elections, and I’m quite confident of a third,” he said.
Mr. Shurman said he cleared claiming his home with Tory Leader Tim Hudak. Asked whether he thought Mr. Shurman’s use of taxpayer dollars was appropriate, Mr. Hudak’s office did not provide comment.
The Tories, and Mr. Shurman in particular, have criticized the governing Liberals’ spending habits.
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Tory MPP Peter Shurman — who represents Toronto — bills $20,719 for second home in Niagara-on-the-Lake | National Post
TORONTO — Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak won’t say if he approved a move by his party’s finance critic to bill taxpayers over $20,000 last year for a second residence in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Peter Shurman represents the Toronto riding of Thornhill and has an apartment in the city, but last year claimed the maximum $20,719 housing allowance for members of the legislature who live more than 50 kilometres from Queen’s Park.
A Toronto-area Progressive Conservative MPP whose riding is a half-hour drive from the legislature is billing taxpayers for his second residence.
Last year, Tory finance critic Peter Shurman claimed $20,719, the maximum permitted, from a housing allowance that was set up to help representatives of far-flung constituencies pay for accommodation in Toronto. Mr. Shurman received the funds because he claims a home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. – about 150 kilometres away from his riding – as his primary residence. He uses the money to help pay rent on his Toronto apartment.
n an interview, Mr. Shurman said he bought the house in Niagara because he needs somewhere to retire. Asked why he decided to use it to charge the government for expenses, Mr. Shurman said he could not pay for two residences without assistance.
“Frankly, on the basis of … how we’re paid at the legislature, I can’t afford two houses,” he said in an interview. “I make $112,500 a year. Some people think that’s a lot of money. To do what I have to do, or any MPP has to do, it’s not very much at all.”
Mr. Shurman and his wife bought the house in Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2008 for $660,000. He said they initially rented it out. When the tenants’ lease expired, he had it renovated and began spending time there. This summer, he said, he was there more than he was in Toronto.
He said he does not live in his constituency, suburban Thornhill, because his wife’s eyesight is poor and she is unable to drive. He said he previously lived in the area for 20 years and remains connected to it.
“I’ve served my constituents wonderfully, as evidenced by two re-elections, and I’m quite confident of a third,” he said.
Mr. Shurman said he cleared claiming his home with Tory Leader Tim Hudak. Asked whether he thought Mr. Shurman’s use of taxpayer dollars was appropriate, Mr. Hudak’s office did not provide comment.
The Tories, and Mr. Shurman in particular, have criticized the governing Liberals’ spending habits.
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