International Development Minister Bev Oda has repaid the cost of a luxury car and driver she used while on a government trip in London, England, her office says.
Under pressure from opposition parties, Oda had earlier repaid taxpayers for upgrading to a swanky hotel while attending a conference on international immunizations last June.
But the cost of limousine rides that took her between the two hotels was not repaid until Thursday.
Now Oda has reimbursed roughly $3,000 for charging taxpayers for a chauffeur, according to her office.
Oda has paid "all incremental costs that should not have been charged to taxpayers," her office says, insisting she has now paid all extra costs "except the airport transfer."
It was revealed Monday that Oda rejected a five-star hotel -- where the conference was being held -- and instead had her staff rebook her into the Savoy, another five-star hotel that cost more than twice as much.
Oda's stay at the Savoy cost $1,995, at $665 per night, on top of $287 for the cancelled room at the first hotel, the Grange St. Paul's.
Documents obtained by The Canadian Press show the car service cost an average of nearly $1,000 a day.
Government House Leader Peter Van Loan said Oda did the right thing by reimbursing taxpayers for the costs associated with changing hotels and apologizing.
But critics say the announcement of the car repayment is puzzling since the government insisted yesterday the case was closed.
"This is like conscience on an installment plan. It makes no sense to me," said interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae. "This is just all wrong."
There is also speculation that a cabinet shuffle will be coming before the House of Commons breaks for summer.
With a report by CTV's Richard Madan in Ottawa
