RCMP to probe into the Goverment's controversial G8 spending

The RCMP has confirmed it's decision to probe into the allegations about the government's misappropriated spending to pump $50 million into Tory cabinet minister's riding last year just before the G8 summit in Huntsville, Ont.

The development follows this month's Interim auditor general report into the summit, stating that the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper lacked transparency to show how funds were allocated.

The approval of infrastructure projects funds was submitted to Parliament without clear and accurate information about what MPs voted to approve has been a subject of question.

In 2009, Parliament approved an $83-million fund for border infrastructure, which aimed to relieve traffic and congestion at the crossings. The government however, did not mention that $50 million of that fund was to be used in Clement's riding in Ontario cottage country. The money was used on 32 projects, including construction of parks, gazebos, public washrooms and several beautification projects in and around Huntsville.

The move comes in the wake of a complaint by former Liberal MP Marlene Jennings who wrote the Mounties a letter April 15 that raised questions about a possible misappropriation of funds. A final version of the report was made public on June 9 stating that the Harper government misinformed the House of Commons about the legacy fund.

Jennings represented Notre-Dame-De-Grace-Lachine in Quebec before losing her seat May 2.

Opposition parties immediately jumped on the news Tuesday, pointing to it as evidence that their long-standing claims of government misspending at the summit are well-founded.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird waved off the questions from the opposition saying they were merely a political public relations stunt and that the Tories have done nothing wrong.

He said the auditor general's report reveals the government showed no intent to mislead Parliament about how the funds were spent.

Liberal leader Bob Rae said if the government wouldn't provide any straight answers about G8 spending, the Liberals would look to get answers in other ways.

The RCMP acknowledged Tuesday that it has received a referral.

The matter is currently with A Division, said Const. Suzanne Lefort, referring to the commercial crime section of the RCMP which cannot be decided whether the investigation will be initiated based on the information received.