The Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons allows Members to accept, for themselves and their guests, sponsored travel that arises from or relates to their position.
Sponsored travel is any travel worth more than $200 that is not fully paid by the government, a political party, a recognized parliamentary association or Members themselves.
It is not considered a gift under the Code and is therefore excluded from its acceptability test. That rule prohibits you and your family members from accepting gifts or other benefits that might reasonably be seen to have been given to influence you.
The mandatory training on the Code, which all Members must take in the 120 after their election is confirmed, can help you understand these rules. So can your advisor in the Commissioner’s Office. Please call 613-995-0721 or send us an email.
Within 60 days after the end of a sponsored trip, you must disclose it to the Commissioner’s Office by filling out a Public Statement of Sponsored Travel by Members.
A document called How to disclose sponsored travel explains the specific information required in the statement and how you can submit it to the Commissioner’s Office.
The Commissioner’s Office will post the statement in the public registry.
The Commissioner is required to submit to the Speaker of the House of Commons, by March 31 each year, a List of sponsored travel by Members during the previous calendar year. The Speaker tables it in the House of Commons.