Government jets focus of House debate Tuesday

Government jets should only be used for government work, the NDPargue in a motion to be debated in the House of Commons today.

The New Democrats are introducing an opposition day motion after an ipolitics.ca report said Prime Minister Stephen Harper has transported a family friend and fundraiser between Ottawa and Calgary.

New Democrat ethics critic Charlie Angus called on MPs to "end this abuse of the taxpayerby Stephen Harper and his friends."

"He told Canadians in 2006 that he would clean up the culture of entitlement," Angus said.

"This prime minister, when he was in opposition, certainly didn't think that that was acceptable."

The Conservatives saytheyhavereduced the use ofgovernment jets since taking office.

The motion calls for MPs to agree that "government planes, and in particular the plane used by the prime minister, should only be used for government purposes and should not be used to transport anyone other than those associated with such purposes, or those required for the safety and security of the prime minister and his family."