[Chumley]

From the Edmonton Sun Oct 28


OTTAWA - Canadians paid out $5,230 for Stephen Harper’s phone bill last year and $2,295 in postage for Michael Ignatieff.

Those are some of the smaller expenses Canadians can browse online now that MPs expenses are posted in full.

In total, the prime minister’s expenses came to $281,255.67, compared to Ignatieff’s $570,984.10.

The expenses released are what each MP charges the House of Commons through their MPs expenses. Most of Harper’s expenses would be paid through the Prime Minister’s Office.

Among party leader's, NDP Leader Jack Layton racked up the highest expense account despite being the leader of the smallest party. Layton billed taxpayers for $628,913.68, including $14,676 for his phone bill and $49,013 for “Ten percenters” -- the campaign-style mailings that MPs are allowed to send out on the taxpayer dime to ridings held by political opponents.

“Frankly, I think we managed to do it on a pretty economical basis,” Layton Said, pointing out that both Harper and Ignatieff have official budgets for their roles as prime minister and Opposition leader.

In total, MPs spent $142 million from their office budgets, including $10 million on “Ten percenters,” $1.5 million on hospitality and $5 million on advertising, all during the biggest recession Canada has seen since the 1930s.

While this new method of reporting MPs expenses gives Canadians greater insight into how tax dollars are spent, it does not give the level of detail that lead to scandals in Britain and Nova Scotia.

In Nova Scotia, one MLA was found to have bought the video game Dance Dance Revolution while in Britain, MPs were found to have used their expense account for everything from purchasing porn to having their moats cleaned.

The Canadian expense method gives the public a summary of expenses. MPs told QMI Agency on Thursday that they weren’t bothered with the increased scrutiny.

“It’s public funds so they should be there for the public to see,” said Fisheries Minister Gail Shea.

[Scape]

http://openparliament.ca/

We can see what they are voting on, why can't we see what they are spending it on as well?

[Curtman]

Chumley wrote:

In total, the prime minister’s expenses came to $281,255.67, compared to Ignatieff’s $570,984.10.

The expenses released are what each MP charges the House of Commons through their MPs expenses. Most of Harper’s expenses would be paid through the Prime Minister’s Office.

That almost sounds impressive, until you get to the second part, and realize that the PMO spent 20% more this year than last. Mostly on media spindoctors.

[Chumley]

Among party leader's, NDP Leader Jack Layton racked up the highest expense account despite being the leader of the smallest party.

That's the one that made me say "WTF?"

[Chumley]

Curtman wrote:

Chumley wrote:

In total, the prime minister’s expenses came to $281,255.67, compared to Ignatieff’s $570,984.10.

The expenses released are what each MP charges the House of Commons through their MPs expenses. Most of Harper’s expenses would be paid through the Prime Minister’s Office.

That almost sounds impressive, until you get to the second part, and realize that the PMO spent 20% more this year than last. Mostly on media spindoctors.

And that 20% still makes it far less than the others.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

Curtman wrote:

That almost sounds impressive, until you get to the second part, and realize that the PMO spent 20% more this year than last. Mostly on media spindoctors.

Well not every politician can be a Liberal and have the decidedly leftist media perform spin doctoring voluntarily.

[Chumley]

PublicAnimalNo9 wrote:

Curtman wrote:

That almost sounds impressive, until you get to the second part, and realize that the PMO spent 20% more this year than last. Mostly on media spindoctors.

Well not every politician can be a Liberal and have the decidedly leftist media perform spin doctoring voluntarily.

From the looks of Iggy's expenses I don't think his guys are giving it away for free.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

Chumley wrote:

PublicAnimalNo9 wrote:

Curtman wrote:

That almost sounds impressive, until you get to the second part, and realize that the PMO spent 20% more this year than last. Mostly on media spindoctors.

Well not every politician can be a Liberal and have the decidedly leftist media perform spin doctoring voluntarily.

Fromt he looks of Iggy's expenses I don't think his guys are giving it away for free.

True enough, but in their defense it MUST be hard to try and spin doctor a train wreck

[Mr_Canada]

I like this.

Helps confirm my opposition to all of them.

[DrCaleb]

Chumley wrote:

Among party leader's, NDP Leader Jack Layton racked up the highest expense account despite being the leader of the smallest party.

That's the one that made me say "WTF?"

Being an Albertan, and seeing the experiences of BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario - I wasn't surprised in the least.

[Proculation]

Wonder how much the Bloc spend.

[Curtman]

Chumley wrote:

And that 20% still makes it far less than the others.

No it isn't.. That 20% figure amounts to 1.3 million which is more than double the total amount that Iggy spent.

[Chumley]

Curtman wrote:

Chumley wrote:

And that 20% still makes it far less than the others.

No it isn't.. That 20% figure ammounts to 1.3 million which is more than double the total amount that Iggy spent.

Sorry, mis-read that.