Economy Board makes major changes to MLA expenses rules
Posted Mar 2, 2010 03:57:10 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The first public meeting of the legislature’s Internal Economy Board Tuesday, resulted in a number of major changes to the rules governing MLA expenses.
Auditor general Jacques Lapointe’s report on expenses resulted in public outrage and a demand for change.
All expenses will now need receipts, and those expenses will also have to be posted online. Although no start date was set, the instructions are to do it as soon as possible.
A $1050 expense used for a variety of reasons from office incidentals to emergency home heating for a constituent has been eliminated.
Double-dipping has been eliminated, which means MLAs can no longer claim meals on days they receive a per diem. The per diem itself has been cut by more than half.
Only half of those accused of excessive spending have paid back the money. Letters will go out to the remaining MLAs demanding repayment by April 3 or the money will be deducted from them.
