The Chronicle Herald, February 20, 2010
www.thechronicleherald.ca

___________________________________

It’s been over two weeks since the auditor general’s report on MLA expenses, and change is coming at a snail’s pace. Sure, there have been the obligatory vows from various politicians (past and present, government and opposition) to clean up the mess, but can taxpayers really trust those who embraced the current system to design the next one?

Perhaps it’s time to let their bosses — regular taxpayers — fix the system.

While some politicians have made good recommendations, it’s not clear they are taking the biggest expense scandal in Nova Scotia’s recent history very seriously.

Take Premier Darrell Dexter for example: He flew to Halifax from his vacation in Arizona and stayed just long enough to apologize for his own overspending and commit to rein in other MLAs’ spending. But before he could roll up his sleeves and get the job done, he took off on a taxpayer-funded junket to the Olympics.

And if you were hoping to see the premier tackle the problem this week, you’ll have to suffer a little more suspense since he’s not returning to Nova Scotia just yet — he’s on another taxpayer-funded trip to Washington.

Fortunately, Premier Dexter did announce a few first steps before jetting off to the Games. He asked for changes to MLA per-diems, recommended abolishing the secret internal economy board, and agreed to study the issue to find "best practices" so that reforms can be made. These are all positive moves.

But that’s where the good moves end. Art Donahoe, a former Speaker of the Nova Scotia legislature, has been put in charge of the study and plans to present an interim report within a few weeks.

But can taxpayers have faith that Donahoe will act in their best interests? In 2003, he chaired a commission on MLA pay that recommended, amongst other things, that MLAs be given a raise of 39 per cent.

Another ex-politician, former federal cabinet minister Barbara McDougall, chaired the last commission in 2006 on MLA compensation. She recommended a 21 per cent salary increase.

So if you’re wondering why MLAs from all three parties support Mr. Donahoe to lead an expert commission looking into their expenses, it’s likely because they’ve been down a similar road before and they know they can trust former politicians to look after their best interests.

Why not ditch all the politicians and put together a randomly selected citizens’ panel of Nova Scotians to look at MLA expenses?

A citizens’ panel to set MLA salaries was conducted in British Columbia in 1997. That report recommended modest increases in politicians’ salaries, cutting extra money for serving on committees (the panel said this is part of the MLA’s job), implementing fines for MLAs who failed to attend sittings of the House and eliminating perks like unlimited ferry and highway tolls.

This process removes the clear conflict of interest politicians have in making their own rules, or the inherent bias former politicians hold.

Hopefully a citizens’ panel in Nova Scotia would start by abolishing the unreceipted expense payments made to MLAs.

Right now, MLAs receive a direct payment of between $44,000 and $48,000 for travel, mail and office expenses that they need not prove they incurred at all. NDP Finance Minister Graham Steele has called for this practice to end and all expenses to be receipted immediately.

Second, a citizens’ panel should adopt Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil’s suggestion that all expenses be put online and be regularly updated. As former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis wrote: "Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants."

The City of Toronto has led the way with this transparency by scanning all city council receipts and expense claims and putting them up on a dedicated website. This routine disclosure should be the standard rather than the exception.

With daily stories of MLAs abusing their expense accounts, it’s easy to shrug and let this re-affirm a cynicism about politicians.

But it’s the responsibility of citizens to ensure their politicians clean up this mess. Do not allow MLAs to hide behind promises, studies by other politicians and apologies.

Nova Scotians should demand a citizens’ panel be appointed and not settle for anything less.

By: Scott Hennig
Posted: March 08, 2010
Topic: Provincial

Type: Editorial

Join Us   |   Donate