Canada PoliticsTory MP Eve Adams defends herself for claiming expenses on grooming products and services
Conservative MP Eve Adams is defending herself over allegations that she broke Election Canada rules for claiming over $2,777 in "personal expenses" during the 2011 election on things such visits to a hair and nail salons, mouthwash and whitening toothpaste.
Late Monday afternoon, Postmedia News' Glen McGregor published an article suggesting that Adams' paperwork was still being reviewed by Elections Canada and that she exceeded the personal expense limit which is set at $200.
According to the report, Adams list of personal expenses included the following:
- Six receipts from Davinci Salon and Spa (presumably for wash and blow dry) : $424
- Another receipt from Davinci Salon and Spa (presumably for highlights & colouring): $110
- A list of items from Shoppers Drug Mart including Crest 3D mouthwash, whitening toothpaste, Neutrogena cleanser, Nivia Visage cream, a Sally Hershberger hair product and travel hairbrushes: $266
- New Nails and spa: $63 (including a $4 tip)
The Postmedia report also suggests that Adams — formerly a city councillor in Mississauga — claimed $1,877 in childcare expenses to somebody who uses the address of a Brampton Hair Salon. Childcare expenses are allowed under Elections Canada rules.
On Twitter, Adams fought back against McGregor.
@omarsachedina $200 cap on personal expenses + 2000$ of it was for childcare. Campaigned from 7am to 10pm every day. bit.ly/11SreWD
— Eve Adams (@MPEveAdams) June 11, 2013
@glen_mcgregor @erin_weir don't let the facts get in the way of a good story. You chose to ignore facts on childcare and report innuendo. — Eve Adams (@MPEveAdams) June 11, 2013
@glen_mcgregor you've clearly never campaigned. Toothpaste and mouthwash are for the dozens of volunteers who literally in campaign office.
— Eve Adams (@MPEveAdams) June 11, 2013
@glen_mcgregor we even bought soap for campaign office bathroom for people to wash their hands after 16+ hour days. Go figure! — Eve Adams (@MPEveAdams) June 11, 2013
@glen_mcgregor You asked me same question 3 ways and each time I patiently answered- she provided child care. Please check your recorder.2/2
— Eve Adams (@MPEveAdams) June 11, 2013
Peter Adams — Eve's ex-husband — was her financial agent for the 2011 election. He told CBC News that he was required to "disclose ALL personal expenses fully knowing of a cap of $200."
Under Elections Canada rules, campaigns are reimbursed up to 60 per cent of eligible expenses if they receive at least 10 per cent of the vote.
In other words, taxpayers might be on the hook for a portion of Adams' hair and nail appointments.
(Photo courtesy of pm.gc.ca)
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