That’s a direct result of publicity that arguably led to last year’s resignation of free-spending Conservative cabinet minister Bev Oda.
In other words, the best way to prevent irresponsible spending is through full and detailed disclosure — which is almost always required in the private sector.
So why would Senators balk at doing the same? What’s their objection to full disclosure?
The question arises in light of a controversy over Senators’ expenses that became a focus of the daily Question Period on Monday.
Four Senators are being investigated, including Saskatchewan’s Pamela Wallin, recently cited by her colleague David Tkachuk, who chairs the Senate’s Board of Internal Economy, for “very unusual” spending.
Taxpayers are in the dark about Wallin’s spending because existing requirements for accountability are so inadequate.
Since Jan. 6, 2011, Senators’ quarterly expense reports have been posted on the Senate’s website, under the following five vague categories: office staff; hospitality; Ottawa living expenses; regular travel; other travel.
The vague expense reporting by Senators is in contrast to Toronto city councillors, required to post their expense receipts online, rather than merely declare cumulative totals.
Senators prefer to remain fully accountable only to the Upper Chamber’s own Committee on Internal Economy, which — wouldn’t you know it? — conducts its affairs privately.
It’s also worth noting that Senators blocked a 2010 request by former Auditor-General Sheila Fraser to audit their expenses.
Around the same time, an Ernst & Young audit submitted to the internal economy committee recommended the Senate “give consideration for a second level approval for Senators’ expense claims,” and noted some receipts were “missing”. It also cited a need for “clearer guidance” on spousal travel.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has posted a petition on its website. The group says, given past spending scandals — all unearthed through audits — involving politicians in the United Kingdom, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, “taxpayers have good reason to want to see how those dollars are spent.”
The federation wants Senators’ expenses, as well as those of MPs, posted online, and insists the existing practice of simply reporting expenditure totals by category is not sufficient.
For example, the current accounting fails to explain why Wallin’s “regular and other” travel expenses have been so high.
A review of Wallin’s posted travel expenses through nine calendar quarters to last November reveals she spent $339,513 on travel.
This compares to $149,606 worth of travel spending by Senator Richard Neufeld, who commutes from his home province of B.C. — two provinces further from Ottawa.
Why would Wallin’s spending be more than double that of Neufeld? Is she working harder? Is she too free in her travel spending?
Taxpayers are being denied the information they would need to make a proper judgment, despite the fact they are paying the freight.
Stephen Harper, who came to power in 2006 promising accountability and transparency, insists Wallin’s travel spending is “comparable to any parliamentarian, travelling from that particular area of the country over that period of time.”
And the Senate website asserts, “Senators manage public funds conscientiously when carrying out their duties as parliamentarians.”
Further, “the Senate has rules and limits to govern what expenditures can be reimbursed, and a vigorous process that ensures that only legitimate and reasonable expenses are paid.”
And if that is not good enough for taxpayers, well, tough luck.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Barbara Yaffe
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