Premier Darrell Dexter
February 8, 2010
Remarks in response
To the Auditor General's Report
First let me start by thanking the Auditor General for his report. I know that many Nova Scotians are disappointed with what the auditor general has found. I regret that I have been included in his report. But talk is not as important as action.
As MLAs we must create a fully accountable system that reimburses MLAs reasonably for the direct expenses of the work they are required and expected to do. Work is now underway by the Speaker to implement the Auditor General's recommendations. That work has the full support of this government.
I would also like to acknowledge that the other party leaders are equally strong in accepting the recommendations, and supporting the Speaker.
As you know, the Legislature has taken steps over the past few months to curb MLA expenses. The Auditor General's report has made it clear that these steps are only a start. As the Auditor General stated, the regulations have not been updated to reflect a contemporary office or working environment, especially in regard to electronic technology. Clear, adequate rules and guidelines are required.
That is part of the work that Art Donahoe is doing now.
MLAs need to have the resources required to serve their constituents. There is a cost associated with that work. But that cost must not be excessive. Mr. Donahoe is working to find that balance. In the meantime, there is a fundamental problem that the Legislature can now address.
The Internal Economy Board is an archaic arrangement that has proven ineffective. Today, I contacted the Speaker and the Leaders of the Opposition Parties to tell them that in my view the time has come to disband the Internal Economy Board. I asked the Opposition Leaders to work with government over the next few weeks to prepare legislation to replace the Internal Economy Board.
We will introduce a modern legislature management commission based on best practices, operating in the open with a framework of accountability and specific direction that is publicly debated and adopted by the legislature. I expect that the legislation, relying on the work of Mr. Donahoe, will set clear limits on what can be expensed and why. I expect the proposed commission to also standardize the system of procurement, leasing and staffing. And I expect that the Commission will hold public meetings.
If necessary, I will ask that Mr. Donahoe provide an interim report in order to meet the timeline I have outlined.
In the meantime, I have asked the Speaker to seek agreement from the IEB that any further meetings of the IEB be held in public. Today I am also announcing that I have asked the Speaker to seek an immediate change in the regulations, so that Members are now required to deduct their own meals from any expense claim they submit on a day they qualify for a per diem.
The Auditor General's recommendations on the subject can then be fully implemented. Working with the two Opposition parties we will establish a new framework that will ensure that the recommendations of the Auditor General's report are implemented. We will move quickly pulling this legislation together over the next few weeks and introduce it when the legislature resumes sitting.
Then MLAs from all three parties will have a regime of consistent and best practices on reimbursing costs that MLAs incur.
I expect people to assess the response of MLAs to this report on the basis of action taken and improvements made.
Thank you.
