Reality Check: What did Conservatives say about Mike Duffy campaigning on the taxpayers’ dime for the Conservative Party?

New documents filed in court by the RCMP allege that Mike Duffy was charging the Senate for travel and daily expenses while he was campaigning for the Conservative Party during the 2011 election.

As RCMP Corporal Greg Horton wrote in the court filings:

"He submitted expense claims for Senate business to cover travel costs during the federal election campaign, and filed per diem claims for being in Ottawa for Senate business on days when he was actually campaigning in other parts of the country.” – Postmedia, August 8, 2013

But what did the Conservatives say in the House of Commons when asked about Senator Duffy’s inappropriate campaigning?

“Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party has been clear that it pays its own campaign expenses.” – Stephen Harper, House of Commons, June 4, 2013

“Mr. Speaker, any campaigning done on behalf of the Conservative Party has been paid for out of Conservative Party funds. That is something that was the case in the 2006, 2008 and 2011 elections.” – John Baird, House of Commons, June 3, 2013

“The Conservative campaign was financed by Conservative funds, straight up.” – James Moore, House of Commons, May 30, 2013

“Any and all expenses for the Conservative Party of Canada during a campaign have been paid by the party.” – Pierre Poilievre, House of Commons, May 31, 2013

It now seems the taxpayers were asked to help Mr. Duffy campaign for Stephen Harper’s Conservatives.

Canadians deserve better.