Reminder: “Free” BBQ this Sunday 22 October 2023 hosted by Dawn Gallagher Murphy MPP (and paid for by the taxpayers) - Gordon Prentice at Large

The popular celebrity MPP for Newmarket-Aurora, Dawn Gallagher Murphy, will again be hosting a “free” BBQ this coming Sunday at 2pm at Doug Duncan Drive allowing constituents to meet their representative at Queen’s Park.

Since Doug Ford personally selected her as the PC candidate for Newmarket-Aurora, Dawn has made a name for herself by tirelessly visiting places, handing out certificates and congratulating people for what they do.

It is busy work being a Progressive Conservative MPP.

Free Community BBQ

Last year Dawn billed the taxpayers for the full $11,160 cost of her first annual “free” BBQ.

This requires a certain kind of chutzpah.

Personally, I don’t think it's an appropriate use of public money. But that may be an old-fashioned fuddy-duddy view.

I wrote to the Speaker of the Legislature, Ted Arnott MPP, on 7 June 2023 suggesting the rules be changed to outlaw “free” BBQs, paid for out of public funds, say, in the twelve months prior to an election.

In the circumstances, I thought my recommendation was pretty modest. I didn't want to push my luck.

Hostess with the Mostess

As I understand it, there is nothing to prevent Dawn holding one of her free BBQs in the immediate run-up to a calendared Provincial election, boosting her already stratospheric popularity as the hostess with the mostess.

The Speaker acknowledged my email:

“We will endeavour to review and respond to your message as soon as possible.”

But I heard nothing more.

I left it a month and I tried again with a gentle reminder and got precisely the same reply.

“We will endeavour to review and respond to your message as soon as possible.”

It looks like nothing is going to change.

Why not spend $22,000?

So I shall wander down to Doug Duncan Drive this Sunday at 2pm to see what’s happening. I won’t be eating or drinking anything paid for by the taxpayers but I want to talk to people.

Dawn believes her “free” BBQ is an appropriate use of public money. Otherwise she wouldn’t be doing this.

But, if I get the chance, I want to ask her why she is limiting her spending to only $11,160?

What if the whole Town turns out for a free hamburger and fries?

Why not double that $11,160 and put on something really spectaclar?

Rules

I suspect I’d be told there are rules that would prevent such a thing.

Except no-one can show me the rules.

In their entirety.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Click “read more” to see my email exchanges with the Speaker, Ted Arnott.

7 June 2023: To the Speaker

Dear Mr Speaker

I am writing to you and your colleagues on the Board of Internal Economy about the rules for MPPs claiming expenses.

I was taken aback to learn that my MPP (Dawn Gallagher Murphy) had claimed more than $11,000 for a BBQ and Corn Fest here in Newmarket last October which was advertised as “free” and open to all.

I was in touch with Members’ Services about this as I was concerned that hospitality on this scale could be seen as a form of treating even though it was outside the election period.

Ms Gallagher Murphy has stated publicly that it is her intention to hold this free BBQ annually. Your Members’ Services staff told me a claim against expenses would be in order up until the dropping of the writ for an election. I was told:

“There is a “writ” period prior to an election, upon dissolution. Expenses for events held during this period are not reimbursable.”

If an MPP were to host an event costing $11,000 one month before an election and this was charged to the taxpayers I think many people would raise an eyebrow.

Is there not a case for extending this writ period in respect of reimbursable hospitality spending? Personally, I would think events on this eye-watering scale should not be reimbursed if held within 12 months of a calendared election.

I am also told:

“Members are provided with a global budget at the beginning of each fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) which they are not allowed to exceed, however, they may allocate their budgets as they deem appropriate under specific rules. This includes using the budget for hospitality/event expenses.”

and

“Rules governing how members allocate their spending within their global budget are not publicly available.”

Is there any reason why the rules on the allocation of MPP budgets cannot be made publicly available?

Gordon Prentice

7 June 2023: From the Speaker:

We have received your email message. Thank you for contacting us.

If your email did not include your full mailing address (postal address), please get back to us and provide that information.

We will endeavour to review and respond to your message as soon as possible.

Keep well, stay safe and take care,

Ted Arnott, MPP

Wellington-Halton Hills

Toll Free: 1-800-265-2366

Phone: 519-787-5247

7 July 2023: To the Speaker

Dear Mr Speaker

I wrote to you and your colleagues on the Board of Internal Economy on 7 June 2023 about the rules for MPPs claiming expenses. You acknowledged receipt on the same day saying you would review my email and respond as soon as possible.

I am attaching a copy of my letter for ease of reference.

Would it be possible for you to let me know when you are likely to be in a position to give a substantive reply?

I am grateful.

Yours sincerely