Manitoba MLAs claim over $9K in ‘ineligible’ expense claims: documents

The exterior of the Manitoba Legislature is seen in Winnipeg, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Members of Manitoba’s Legislative Assembly were denied more than $9,000 in expense claims during the 2025 calendar year after officials found the expenses did not meet eligibility rules.

A review of the monthly expense claims last year for the 57 sitting MLAs revealed most members claimed expenses that Legislative Assembly employees ruled were “ineligible” or “not allowable,” according to copies of the claims.

Some of the claimed expenses deemed non-permissible for reimbursement included “ineligible items” from Costco, Ikea, Walmart, and Wayfair. Other expense claims not approved involved tips on meals, reimbursement for hundreds of kilometres put on a personal vehicle, and food—some involving “ineligible guests.”

One rural MLA was also denied reimbursement for a $100 expense attributed to the retirement of a long-time former member of Parliament who did not seek re-election in 2025.

Omar Sanchez, director of Member’s Allowances at the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, said each claim is reviewed by a team to determine whether it is fully or partially eligible for reimbursement in accordance with the Members’ Allowances Regulations.

“At times, MLAs may submit receipts that include both eligible and ineligible items within the same transaction. This is not intentional nor with the purpose of receiving reimbursement for ineligible expenses. These situations occur because it is often more efficient and convenient for members to purchase multiple items in a single transaction,” Sanchez said in an emailed statement to CTV News.

The tally does not include denied claims noted to require more information or marked with “returned to member” on the claim forms, a reference for claims sent back to the member or the constituency office for correction, according to Sanchez.

“This may include typographical errors, calculation discrepancies, missing documentation, or other issues requiring clarification before the claim can be resubmitted for review and approval.”

Christopher Adams, adjunct professor in political science at the University of Manitoba, said he suspects a lot of the ineligible claims were likely made by mistake.

“Sometimes mistakes are made in terms of charging things to the financial authority that should not be charged,” he told CTV News Monday afternoon.

“Secondly, it could be that some of the people don’t realize the policies, for instance, ‘ineligible guests.’ Maybe you thought those guests were eligible, but they weren’t.

“The question is, are these people doing it maliciously or dishonestly, and I think people often jump to that assumption,” said Adams, noting that it’s possible that some MLAs may be filing expense claims “without proper care.”

MLAs are entitled to several allowances as part of their duties, including a travel allowance and a constituency allowance to provide “non-partisan access and service to constituents,” according to the website of the Manitoba Commissioner for MLA Pay, Allowances, and Retirement Benefits.

Members from the Winnipeg region have a maximum constituency allowance of $76,333 for the 2025 fiscal year, with members from the northern region having the lowest constituency allowance of $68,140.

Members representing constituencies outside Winnipeg who also meet a set of criteria are also eligible for a living allowance, covering up to a maximum of $1,067 per month “when the Assembly is sitting and 2 additional months, plus any month in which special or standing committees meet.”

During non-sessional months, the maximum living allowance is $210 per month, effective April 1 last year.

“Members are responsible for preparing an expense claim form and attaching all required supporting documentation, including invoices, receipts, and proof of payment for the amounts being claimed,” Sanchez said.

“Once submitted, the Members’ Allowances Office will review the claim, confirm compliance with applicable regulations, approve eligible expenses, and process the reimbursement to the member.”