Harper distancing himself from MP’s expenses
Posted May 21, 2010 8:38 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper is distancing himself from concerns over the secrecy surrounding expenses by members of Parliament.
Harper said in Niagara Falls today that how M-P’s spend their money is not under the government’s jurisdiction.
He says Parliament is “independent on these matters” and, through the Board of Internal Economy, makes its own decisions.
The all-party board has nixed a request by auditor general Sheila Fraser to examine M-P expenses.
The board said it would “go beyond” her mandate.
Harper says he understands there are “some discussions” ongoing about making the expenses more transparent.
The P-M says he wants to see Parliament work to limit the growth of its expenses.
