The owner of Executive Sedan Livery Service Inc., Reza Shirani said in a statement he’s a long-time supporter of the Liberal Party and of Philpott and “I’m delighted that she and my party were elected to form a majority government”.
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Philpott’s office admitted the minister was aware of that connection when she used the service.
Philpott’s office disclosed Wednesday that the minister also billed $1,994 worth of service on one day in July when she was speaking at the Assembly of First Nations annual meeting.
The minister also paid the company $3,814 for 20 trips to Toronto’s Pearson Airport before flying to Ottawa for ministerial business.
Tory MP Colin Carrie, who is health critic in the Conservative shadow cabinet, called on Philpott to repay the money.
While the Tories demanded Philpott repay the $1,700, her office has revealed even higher expenses, including a $1,994 bill for a vehicle on the day the minister spoke at a July gathering of the Assembly of First Nations in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Shirani said his only objective in responding to criticism – which he characterized as “petty political posturing” – is to restore Philpott’s “fine reputation and relieve her of being required to answer for such patent nonsense”.
“With regard to government travel, for the period of November 3, 2015, to April 22, 2016, the minister of health did not use rented limousines while on official business, within Canada or elsewhere”, it said in a response tabled in the House of Commons.
“I am pleased that minister Philpott is taking responsibility over her failure to respect the principles of accountability and transparency”, he said. “I think that attitude is of concern and it raises red flags”.
Shirani added he resents the suggestion he’s somehow playing the system or that he is an “insider” in any way.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s office said late Thursday night it is always looking for ways to be cost-effective but conceded it is “an ongoing process” and it is always on the lookout for ways to do better. “I will have no further comment”.
It is absolutely not appropriate for Shirani to reimburse taxpayers, Carrie said.
“Putting taxpayers on the hook for these kinds of outlandish amounts just to get around the Toronto area is totally unacceptable”, Carrie said in an interview.
“I have already taken steps to prevent this from occurring in the future”, Philpott said.
“One of the things he could have really emphasized is the understanding that this is Canadian taxpayer dollars and to see that the Liberal party has fallen back on to their old ways, their old game of using tax dollars to reward their friends”. Her office added it will no longer use the company.
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The minister’s has not responded to media requests on Thursday.
