Toronto: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released suggested changes to the handling of city of Toronto councilor expense accounts, focusing on transparency and accountability. CTF Ontario Director Kevin Gaudet said, "transparency of spending precedes accountability. Expenses should be made public quarterly to shed light on some councilor's out-of-control spending. Councilors need to remember it is not their money they are spending."

The CTF has been campaigning against waste at city hall and recent reports of councilors' abusing their office budgets highlights the problem. Mayor Miller, while first denying any problem existed, has finally agreed something needs to be done. The CTF applauds this effort and suggests council follow rules used at other levels of government:

• Rules be established for advertising and promotions;
  
• That each expense be filed on a single standard form;
  
• That all expenses be filed monthly;
  
• Late filed expenses will not be reimbursed;
  
• That no expense shall be reimbursed without a fully completed form and all related receipts;
  
• That all such forms and all receipts for each councilor be posted on a central website every quarter;
  
• That expenses only be used for office-related expenses; and,
  
• The purchase of assets in excess of $500 clearly demonstrate at least three competitive quotes.

Gaudet concluded, "this expense fiasco demonstrates a problematic mindset on council, that many feel they are 'entitled to their entitlements'. Sadly, one cannot legislate common sense and the only way to hold councilors accountable to how they spend taxpayer money is to ensure that taxpayers can see how the money is spent."

A few examples of wasted spending:

• Councilor Kelly and his wife's trip to China - $3100
  
• Council Kelly Costco membership - $ 53.50
  
• Councilor Vaughan espresso machine - $ 281
  
• Councilor Vaughan artwork - $ 900
  
• Councilor Mammoliti video camera - $1699