Liberal MPs among latest politicians to disclose international travel during pandemic

The list of politicians known to have travelled outside the country in recent weeks grew on Sunday as the federal Liberals revealed that two of their MPs had visited the U.S. in late December.

Chief government whip Mark Holland said in a statement that Montreal MP Sameer Zuberi and Brampton MP Kamal Khera, parliamentary secretary to International Development Minister Karina Gould, left the country without his knowledge.

In a separate statement posted to social media, Kherasaid she flew to Seattle on Dec. 23 to attend a small memorial service for her uncle and father, who died within weeks of each other earlier in the year.

Khera, who tested postive for COVID-19 in March, said she returned to Canada on New Year's Eve.

Holland's statement said Zuberi visited his wife's sick grandfather in Delaware on Dec. 18 and returned to Canada on Dec. 31. Zuberi, who represents the Quebec riding of PierrefondsDollard, has stepped down from his roles on parliamentary committees, according to the statement.

"The Whip was not previously made aware of their requirement to conduct essential family business during lockdowns in their respective jurisdictions. Both MPs followed all local health and safety advice at all times during their travel," the statement read.

The two Liberal MPs are the latest Canadian politician whosetravelling over the holidays have come under scrutiny.

Conservative Ron Liepertof Calgary-Signal Hilltravelled to Palm Desert, Calif., on two occasionssince March to address what his office called "essential house maintenance issues", while the NDP'sNiki Ashton wasstripped of her critic roleson Friday after sharing that she travelled to Greece to visit her sick grandmother after spending Christmas alone with her family in Manitoba.

In Quebec,Liberal MNA Pierre Arcand said he nowregrets his decision to visit Barbadoswith his wife for the holidays, while Rod Phillipsresigned from his roleas Ontario'sfinanceminister after it wasrevealed he tooka personal vacation to the Caribbean Island of St. Barts.

In Alberta, several MLAs left the country for vacations, prompting Premier Jason Kenneyto orderMLAsnot to leave the countryunless it was for government business.