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Aaron Wudrick, the federal director of the CTF, has said, “Politicians are elected, and paid, to do a job. If they are not doing that job, they shouldn’t be getting paid for it.”

With what part of that simple statement does Kenney disagree?

Two points have been raised by those who think Kenney’s actions are OK. The first is that there is no rule against it. As we saw during the lengthy and detailed examination of Senate expenses and the lax rules surrounding them, Parliament has long acted on the belief that honourable members will behave honourably. The notion seems quainter by the day.

There is also precedent for seeking the leadership of a provincial party while continuing to draw an MP’s paycheque. Patrick Brown did the same thing just last year when he sought the leadership of Ontario’s PCs. It hardly seems like an example to follow.

At least Kenney will resign in October, which places him one step up the ethical ladder from Brown, who did not give up his seat as an MP until he won the provincial leadership.

And then there is former prime minister Stephen Harper, who announced in May that he would resign in the fall. Did he need the taxpayers to cover the cost of his summer?

Perhaps the entitled behaviour of these Conservative politicians wouldn’t seem so bad if they hadn’t cast themselves as guardians of the public purse. In Jason Kenney’s case, he has created an unnecessary ethical issue, all so he can collect three months of pay. It seems a low price for one’s integrity.