Nova Scotia taxpayers have become all too familiar with politicians abusing their expenses. In the past two years, we've seen four provincial politicians convicted of crimes relating to their expenses.

 

Even after the convictions and after significant reforms were implemented by the Dexter government, the MLAs have not managed to stay scandal free. In the last sitting of the legislature, taxpayers watched as one MLA didn't want to come to work (he chose to take a month long vacation from the only two month long session). Another MLA is being investigated by the auditor general based on allegations that he accepted a $1500 taxpayer funded housing allowance he was not entitled to.

 

Given all that has gone on at the provincial level, it makes sense to turn our attention to Nova Scotia's second largest government -- Halifax Regional Municipality -- to see how politicians there treat taxpayer dollars.

 

But answering that question may be a bit more difficult than you think.

 

HRM Regional Council-Expense System

 

Unlike in major municipalities like the City of Toronto, there is no mandatory disclosure of Halifax City Councilor expenses. In Toronto, you can view all the expenses for each city councilor online and even get a copy of any relevant receipts.

Nova Scotia MLAs also have all their expenses disclosed and put online. Also included are MLA pension entitlements and salaries. Provincial public accounts also disclose the salaries/expenses of public employees and taxpayer funded third party organizations.

In HRM, the only way for taxpayers to find out how their city councilors and/or senior government officials are spending their money is to make a request under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.

 

Only Mayor Mike Savage and Councilor Waye Mason proactively post their expenses online.

 

This has to change.

 

Full disclosure is an important tool to ensure public accountability.

 

After all, sunshine is often the best disinfectant.

 

A complete list of the expenses from Sept 1^st, 2012 to March 1^st, 2013 can be found at the bottom of this post.

 

Councilors expensed everything from iPad cases, hard drives, parking, meals at Durty Nelly’s bar, an end of council party and a even a pair of work boots.

Some of the biggest expenses were for mileage. Councilors are entitled to bill at a rate of 46 cents per kilometre for any work they are doing on behalf of constituents.

But a 1/3 of Councilors don’t take advantage of it. They are:

 

Lorli Nicoll

Gloria McCluskey

Jennifer Watts

Russell Walker

Steve Adams

Tim Outhit

 

But, it’s time for Halifax Regional Council to get with the times and bring in reforms that will force politicians and senior public servants to disclose all their expenses.

 

Click HERE for city council expense documents.