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On Monday, Dawson’s office confirmed that she had received a request for an investigation.

“The Commissioner is looking into the matter but has not launched an examination at this time,” office spokeswoman Jocelyne Brisebois told the Citizen.

Photo by Chandra Arya

Arya’s office had three days to respond to a Citizen request for comment, but chose not to.

And while Arya may be shy about answering media questions, it’s worth noting that he hasn’t been the least bit shy about promoting his involvement with the potentially problematic giveaway.

Not only did he brand the initiative with his own name, but it made it into his (taxpayer-funded) summer mailing to constituents.

“I would like to congratulate the graduating students in Nepean for their hard work and dedication,” the MP states under a black-and-white photo of a student assembly.

“I was happy to present twenty-three schools in my riding with certificates to all graduating students. I was pleased to grant the M.P. Chandra Arya Outstanding Achievement Award to a deserving graduating student at each of the schools who showed perseverance in the face of adversity.”

The newsletter says 18 elementary and middle school honourees were given a Kindle e-reader, while eight high school students “received a $500 cash award.”

It also includes a full list of recipients, but offers no details on the source of either the e-readers — which Dickin, in his complaint, assesses at a total value of $7,020 — or the cash, nor how the money was collected or managed by the MP’s office before it was distributed to the students.