The Ontario NDP are asking Election's Ontario to investigate donations made by then Calgary MP Jason Kenney to the Ontario Progressive Conservatives from 1997 to 2016. iPolitics/Matthew Usherwood

TORONTO — The Ontario NDP is joining a growing chorus of left-of-centre parties questioning the residency status of Jason Kenney during his time as a federal minister and MP.

Last week, Ontario Liberal MP Jennifer O’Connell asked the Speaker of the House to investigate whether Kenney misused the expense system by claiming Calgary as his primary residence despite seldom visiting the city. The allegations were first brought forward by former Alberta Liberal candidate Kyle Morrow.

Kenney has denied them, and his representatives argue they are no House of Commons rules barring MPs from claiming expenses for a secondary residence in or near their riding.

The Ontario NDP is now calling on Elections Ontario to investigate if Kenney — the leader of the United Conservative Party in Alberta — illegally made donations to the Ontario Tories. Since Kenney, who represented a Calgary riding, listed Alberta as his primary residence, the NDP say he shouldn’t have been allowed to make those donations.

The Ontario NDP say Kenney’s donations total more than $1,000 between 1997 and 2016.

“That might not be a lot of money to Jason Kenney but to everyday people, $1000 is a lot,” NDP MPP Taras Natyshak said. “The rules clearly stipulate that donations can’t be made by people outside of the province. And if anybody should know the rules and adhere to the rules it’s an elected member of parliament or an elected member of provincial parliament.”

United Conservative Party Spokesperson Matt Solberg quickly dismissed the questions raised by the Ontario NDP. Solberg said the money was paid to attend events like policy conventions, rather than direct donations.

Elections Ontario says that people who aren’t allowed to donate because of residence status can still attend events but can only cover the costs incurred but no donation can be made.

[READ MORE: Sagging in the polls, Alberta’s NDP government emphasizes ‘Rachel’s Team’]

Solberg also accused the Ontario New Democrats of slinging mud when Alberta is on the cusp of a provincial election. The Alberta NDP are badly trailing the United Conservative Party, according to a recent poll.

“We are not surprised that the anti-oil & gas Ontario NDP… is looking to assist their fellow NDP’ers in Alberta,” Solberg said in a statement.

“Albertans will not look kindly on efforts by the Toronto NDP to interfere in our election, just as they also object to recent efforts by the Trudeau Liberals to help their Alberta NDP allies.”

Follow @MariekeWalsh