Cornwall ON – We now know where our MPs stand on being open and accountable. The Board of Internal Economy has rejected a request by the Auditor General to look at their expenses.
Am I the only one who thinks that smells? This is the 21st Century, not the 18th when they would not have to account for how they spent OUR money. This is entitlement at its worse.
The party that was elected on transparency and accountability says NO
The party coming off the sponsorship scandal and which should be interested in showing how honest and transparent they are, says NO
The NDP that claims to represent the interest of average Canadians says NO
And the Bloc which previously said they had no objections must be saying NO as well.
Unfortunately this Board is like a medieval secret society, no one is allowed to talk about what happens at their meetings. Isn’t that a wonderful example of openness and accountability? We can only assume that as above, that all 4 parties agreed to slam the door on the Auditor General. If there was some disagreement and a split vote we will never know unless someone leaks that information to us. I challenge all four parties to tell us how they voted.
If each party is worried that there might be some MP in their ranks who didn’t do everything the right way over the past years, then start with year 2010 and go forward from there. Its not rocket science.
Its time for a popular revolt, MPs are elected and with their election comes the administration of a budget that is paid for by the taxpayer.
Citizens need to send a strong measure and voice their disproval. Sign up for Facebook sites that demand they open their books, write your MP. Demand your MP post all their expenses online.
Next election, go to the all candidates meetings and demand from each candidate that they will agree to post their detailed expenses online. It’s our money, not their money.
Keith Beardsley is a senior strategist for True North Public Affairs in Ottawa, as well as a blogger and political analyst. He can often be found running or cycling on his favorite bike trails.
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The Auditor General can see any books she wants on the Hill. She has that power! They are just making noises that she doesn’t but she does!
No leadership, no example = a tuned-out electorate. Time for a popular revolt, you say. Maybe. But who will start it? Who will take the lead?
There must be more than one type of expense audit, which one did they say no to?
They said no to Parliamentary expenses being audited. Michael Ignatieff and Rob Nicholson seem to think the citizens of Canada – who the government works for, do not have the right to view their expenses. That 500+ million dollars they get to run parliament and all their other secret expenditures. Well, they even have the audacity to say no after what, 88% of the country feels it is our right to see how our tax dollars are being spent. It is a slap in the face to all Canadian Citizens. I say stick it to the Libs and the Cons by voting another party instead! Both those main parties are becoming too powerful that now they just don’t care and call the shots, much to the chagrin of the Canadian Citizens!