March 28, 2024

NDP MLA defends his travel expenses

The New Democrat who has spent the most on travel of any MLA so far this fiscal year says there's a good reason for the big tab. Skeena MLA Robin Austin says about 19-thousand dollars worth of his 54-thousand dollar travel bill was for a trip to Sri Lanka. "I was invited by speaker Bill Barisoff to join him in attending the Commonwealth … [Read more...]

BC’s Health minister is already onboard with releasing all MLA expenses

As a Legislative committee tries to iron out privacy concerns over posting MLA expenses online, BC's Health minister wants to know what the big deal is.  The privacy concerns are around constituency office staff and their pay but Mike DeJong says he has been posting that information on his MLA website for years.   "There is a global … [Read more...]

MLA expenses will soon be posted online for all to see

The secretive legislative assembly management committee has emerged from a four-hour meeting with a plan to tackle a scathing report from the Auditor General.  NDP MLA Shane Simpson sits on the committee and he says they have decided to meet all recomendations made by the Auditor General since 2007.  That includes making LAMC more open … [Read more...]

Taxpayers will have to wait to see a report on MLA expenses

An Auditor General's report examining the legisature's budget and MLA expenses was supposed to be released Tuesday but it has been delayed.  The NDP's Shane Simpson says a special five member MLA's committee and the speaker of the house have to give the okay before the report is released.  He says both NDP members have done just … [Read more...]