HALIFAX — Most Nova Scotians weren’t invited to the swanky party, but they paid for it. During last year’s premiers’ conference in Halifax, taxpayers coughed up $110,054.90 for a meeting steeped in swag.The bill included $1,653 for whiskey tumblers with the Titanic etched on them, $1,625 for 25 cheese boards with beeswax, $1,875 for Diamond Jubilee leather journals, $4,940 for ‘Taste of Nova Scotia’ crates and $35,654.35 for 400 fleece jackets.
“Nova Scotians pay some of highest taxes in all of Canada, yet our politicians act like there is money to burn,” said Kevin Lacey, Atlantic Canada Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
“Why are taxpayers shelling out for swag and gifts for Canada’s premiers? Our politicians should treat taxpayers’ money like it’s their own. That means rather than spending thousands on expensive loot bags, they should set the example and govern frugally.”
Federal taxpayers handed over $72,691.57, while Nova Scotia’s share was an extra $37,363.33.
The premiers’ conference was held July 25-27 and focussed on federal issues, including energy production.
The provincial NDP government responded to the report from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation by pointing out that Lacey is a former Tory staffer and the previous Progressive Conservative government had used tax dollars to snag swag, too.
“Mr. Lacey’s Conservative Government spent almost five times as much in 2002, including $12,000 for golf shirts and $3,300 for crystal wine carafes,” said NDP MLA Mat Whynott.
Original Article
Source: cnews.canoe.ca
Author: Kris Sims
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