Sask MLA Expense Transparency Needed

WINNIPEG: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) called on Saskatchewan MLAs to improve transparency of their expenses today after identifying flaws with the current system.

Specifically, the CTF called on MLAs to begin placing scanned receipts for their expenses on the internet just like the City of Toronto does and to make the Legislative Assembly's expenses subject to theFreedom of Information Act. "Currently, taxpayers can only get a glimpse into MLA expenses by first digging through binders in the Clerk's office and then by asking individual MLAs for permission to see the receipts," said CTF Prairie director Colin Craig. "MLAs must be accountable to taxpayers and should put all of this information online, just like the City of Toronto," continued Craig. "When we asked MLAs for details on some of the more questionable expenses, most of the requests went unanswered. Placing the details on the internet would solve the problem." As the expense details available in the Clerk's office only provide short descriptions, the CTF inquired with some MLAs for further information and copies of receipts on a few of the expenses that were either unclear or seemed potentially questionable (listed below). Only MLA Ken Chveldayoff responded, noting his bill was for a video recorder and a wall bracket for mounting a TV.

MLA	Line Description	Dollar Amount	Cheque Date
Heppner	LEATHER SOFA/MISC. & OFFICE SUPPLIES	$989.92	01-07-09
Kirsch	OFFICE CHAIR	$900.66	03-01-09
Kirsch	OFFICE CHAIR INCL CR INV#F24923	$832.92	03-01-09
Norris	DIGITAL RECORDER	$261.45	02-01-09
Norris	CHAIR	$677.25	02-01-09
Eagles	DESIGN/INSTALL CUSTOM BLINDS NO GST	$2,208.15	03-16-09
Furber	SHREDDER	$945.00	05-01-08
Belanger	TV	$896.25	06-01-08
Harrison	TUITION/BOOK/INK CARTRIDGE	$1,123.91	02-01-09
Harrison	POSTAGE/BOOK/TUITION/MISC SUPPLY	$1,123.91	10-01-08
Harrison	UNIVERSITY CLASS TUITION	$1,106.46	06-01-08
Harrison	BOOK	$112.51	06-01-08
Harrison	POSTAGE/BOOK/TUITION/MISC SUPPLY	$131.30	10-01-08
Harrison	TUITION/BOOK/INK CARTRIDGE	$123.80	02-01-09
Cheveldayoff	SONY CAMCORDER & HOME THEATER	$1,696.39	03-30-09

"After speaking with officials at the Saskatchewan Legislature about the controls they have in place, it sounds like the overall system is pretty good," added Craig. "However, bringing the Legislative Assembly's expenses under the Freedom of Information Act and placing MLA expense details online would improve transparency and accountability." To view the expenses listed above, click here. Colin Craig, Prairie Director

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