TORONTO: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is renewing its calls for greater transparency and accountability in spending by MPs and Senators, demanding they disclose in detail all of their spending in addition to allowing the Auditor General audit the books.
CTF Federal Director Kevin Gaudet said, “there is a crack in the dike of MP spending secrecy that taxpayers should turn into a gaping hole. Political backpedaling may signal a victory for taxpayers and provides more evidence that taxpayers and voters can make a difference when they choose to fight city hall.”
The CTF’s renewed demands come amid a myriad of media reports that the Conservatives are allegedly planning to provide greater transparency. It is reported that they plan to bring this plan to the Board of Internal Economy on Monday May 31st. “Ironically their transparency plan is being kept a secret,” quipped Gaudet. "While giving the Auditor General access to these records would be a victory for transparency, our politicians cannot stop there, they must give Canadians access to these records."
As well, an increasing number of Liberal MPs deserve credit for posting on the Internet some expense details of their office budgets. These MPs include, for example, Michelle Simson, Marlene Jennings and Rob Oliphant.
The CTF is calling for MP and Senator spending to be as transparent as that of elected officials from the City of Toronto where all receipts are published online. As well, the CTF is calling for details of all perks such as flights, per diems and housing allowances. Toronto's expense disclosure website can be found HERE.
Gaudet concluded, “this information should be in a standardized format, released all at the same time, so that information from every MP and Senator is the same. No penny that MPs and Senators have access to should be hidden."
