Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and Liberal MP Martha Hall Findlay accused the Conservatives of using taxpayer-funded money for political advertising and called on Stephen Harper's government to ban the practice. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

The Liberal Party accused the Conservatives on Friday of using taxpayer-funded money for political advertising and called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to end the practice.

But a spokesperson from the Prime Minister's Office rejected the charges, saying the ads are all above board and an important tool to inform Canadians about government programs.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff quoted the communication policy of the Canadian government that states "institutions must not use public funds to purchase advertising in support of a political party."

"They’re breaking their own rules," Ignatieff told reporters in Ottawa.

Ignatieff said if the Liberals were in power, he would create a committee that would vet advertising proposals to ensure they are non-political.

"I'm willing in the interest of democratic renewal here to create an independent advisory committee which will, if we’re in government, say 'Here are the lines, brother, you can’t cross them.'"

Liberals looking into filing complaints

The Liberals say there are a number of examples where the Tories have broken the rules. They point to reports that the Tories spent $40 million to advertise the Conservatives' economic plan — compared to just $6.5 million for H1N1 prevention.

The Liberals also claim the ads link to a Conservative-blue website with campaign-style photographs of Harper that refers to the government of Canada as the "Harper government."

Liberal public works critic Martha Hall Findlay said Treasury Board rules specify what should be included in government of Canada advertising.

"Strangely enough, it doesn’t say 'Harper government’ in the rules."

She said the party is looking into making formal complaints against the Tories, saying their advertisements may also infringe Elections Canada financing rules.

"We feel very strongly that there are rules being broken," she said. "But even above all of that, from an ethical perspective, what we are seeing with these websites and … these advertisements is of such a partisan nature that it’s contrary to the spirit of any of the rules we have."

PMO spokesman defends ads

But Andrew MacDougall, a PMO spokesman, said the advertisements are not political and that they adhere to all guidelines.

"The government advertises what the government does," he said.

MacDougall said the economic action plan, for example, included the biggest single stimulus program in history and it was important to advertise to get Canadians spending again to stimulate the economy.

He said some of the measures, like the home renovation tax credit, are time sensitive, so Canadians need to be informed to take advantage of the plan.

MacDougall said complaints about the websites are unfounded because they are administered by the Privy Council.

With files from The Canadian Press