Commons committee wants tighter rules for MP gift, travel disclosures

Members of Parliament would have to disclose more aboutgifts they receive and the sponsored trips they take under newrecommendations from a House of Commons committee.

The committee on procedure and House affairs urges a tighteningof the conflict of interest code for MPs to increase transparency suggestions that come amid intense scrutiny of questionable spendingby senators.

• Auditor General Michael Ferguson willing to audit MP expenses
• Ethics watchdog tries again to get MPs to limit their gift bags, travel junkets

Federal conflict of interest and ethics commissioner Mary Dawsoncarries out confidential investigations of complaints against MPsalleged to have breached the code.

The code prohibits MPs from accepting gifts unless they areroutine expressions of hospitality or protocol.

Even then, any acceptable gift worth more than $500 must bepublicly disclosed a value the committee recommends be lowered to$200.

In addition, the committee says any outside contributions abovethe gift threshold to an MP's travel should also be publiclyrevealed a move that would toughen the current reporting standard.