NDP to remove MP from critic roles after she travelled to Greece to see sick relative

The NDPwill removean MP fromher critic rolesafter she revealed that she travelled to Greece to see an ill relative amid calls by officials for Canadians to stay home during the pandemic.

In a tweet on Friday evening, Niki Ashton, member of Parliament forChurchill-Keewatinook Askiin Manitoba, said she spent the holidays at home before travelling to Greece to be with her "ailing grandmother."

Attempts by CBC News to reach Ashton for comment were not immediately successful.

The NDPreleased a statement about an hour after hertweet, saying NDP LeaderJagmeet Singh was not informed beforehand about her travel and that Ashton will be removed from her critic roles.

"While we are sympathetic to Ms. Ashton's situation and understand her need to be with her family,millions of Canadians are following public health guidelines, even when it made it impossible for them to visit sick or aging relatives," the statement read.

"Canadians, rightfully, expect theirelected representatives to lead by example."

WATCH | NDP MP removed from critic roles over travel to Greece:

NDP MP loses roles as critic over travel to Greece

4 years ago

Duration 3:35

NDP MP Niki Ashton has been removed from her roles as a shadow critic after she posted on Twitter that she had travelled to Greece to see her "ailing grandmother."

Ashton's decision to fly to Greece comes as the federal government isadvising against non-essential international travelto curb the spread of COVID-19.

The NDP statement saidthat Ashton"was allowed entry by Greek officials based on this urgent family situation."

AlthoughManitobans who leave the province are required to self-isolatefor 14days on their return, travel isn't strictly prohibited under the province's health orders.

Several politicians in the past few days have been criticized for travelling over the holidays.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney ordered Friday that MLAs should not leave the country unless it's for government business after news of Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allard's Hawaii vacation was revealed.

In Ontario, the province's finance minister, Rod Phillips,resigned on Thursday after he returned from a vacation inSt. Bartsduring the holidays.