May 22, 2013 - 2:28 PM
OTTAWA - The federal New Democrats are asking a parliamentary committee to look into political appointments to the new Social Security Tribunal.
New Democrat MP Chris Charlton has put forward a motion asking the human-resources committee to examine the qualifications of several appointees with Conservative ties.
The request comes a day after a Canadian Press investigation found up to one of every five chairpersons on the Employment Insurance Boards of Referees ran afoul of federal guidelines by giving money to political parties, riding associations and election candidates while they served on the tribunal.
Elections Canada records show all but one of the dozens of donations went to Conservatives, with the lone non-Tory donation going to a Liberal riding association in the Toronto area.
Federal guidelines stipulate that appointees to administrative tribunals, such as the EI referees boards, which hear complaints about EI decisions on issues such as denied benefits and fraud, are not supposed to engage in any political activities.
The committee must make a decision on the motion and report back to the House of Commons by next Tuesday.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013