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The problem is that members of Parliament are governed by strict rules about keeping their parliamentary work separate from fundraising and campaigning. According to the members by-law of the board of internal economy, which governs the House of Commons, parliamentary premises like Centre Block can’t be used for partisan activities, including “solicitations of contributions and solicitations of membership to a political party” or for “activities related to a member’s re-election.”

Angus said filming a fundraising ad in the prime minister’s office was a “bush league” move from someone who should have known better. “He knows the rules. This is not rookie backbencher activity. This is the prime minister of the country,” he said. “He seems to believe that because he’s Justin Trudeau, prime minister, rules don’t apply.”

Angus said the rules are very clear, especially for something like a direct fundraising appeal, and he was surprised by the decision. “The prime minister has enormous resources to do his outreach, and the Liberal Party has enormous power and capacity to do fundraising,” he said. “It is such a direct financial ask. To me, it makes it seem that they don’t really care that rules are in place.”

In an email, Liberal Party spokesperson Braeden Caley said the video was filmed in the Centre Block office “due to Mr. Trudeau’s time constraints in his other important work as prime minister.” He said the party “is in the process of making an appropriate reimbursement” that will be complete by early next week, but didn’t say what the reimbursement will be.