This is the third week of the Manitoba election and there has been little discussion from the parties about true democratic reform . . . until now. The Liberal Party has come out with some good ideas that will help taxpayers monitor where their tax dollars are going. Armed with the Auditor General's report, Liberal leader Jon Gerrard stated "we need to open up the process of government so we can restore a sense of trust in our elected officials." The CTF is in full agreement.

If elected Gerrard's Liberals say they will provide a full accounting of tax expenditures and how equalization transfers are spent. Both laudable ideas since Manitoba does not use the detailed Summary Budget process that AG Jon Singleton has recommended. The detailed Summary Budget process provides more transparency of how monies are being spent as AG's report clearly states:

" . . . this would mean framing the annual budget documents around the Summary Budget, with the Operating Fund budget being shown in a subsidiary context to demonstrate how the government plans to comply with the Balanced Budget legislation and to highlight those expenditures that will require legislative approval."

Mr. Gerrard also wants to put salaries and pension plans on the political hot seat. A Liberal government would pass legislation so that wage increases or pension changes for elected officials won't come into affect until after the next election. If the public does not like the pay or benefit increase, they will have the next election to make their opinion known. This is certainly a good first step but still falls short of getting to the root of the problem. The CTF believes that it is a conflict of interest to vote on your own compensation. Whenever possible, compensation should be determined by an arms length body and then voted on by the politicians so it takes effect after the next election.

Another plank in the Liberals' accountability platform is to open one cabinet meeting a month to the media. The Liberal government in BC has done this with some success. It will provide the public the opportunity to know what decisions are being made right away. TV ratings would probably be low for this show, but at least the public will be afforded the opportunity to know what their elected officials are up to.

Regrettably, there were still some key issues that are missing from the Liberal platform. Like banning partisan advertising (those annoying ads telling all of us how good a job the government is doing), or setting fixed election dates. Elections are the ultimate tool for citizens to hold their government accountable and pass judgement on the job their elected officials are doing. Setting election dates should not be a game as it currently is.

Most of what the Liberals have said is good news for taxpayers but will the Liberals put our money where their mouth is if elected Only time will tell, but bringing the ideas of democratic reform out during an election is an important starting point.