Senate accountability is important to our government as it is to all Canadians.
The Prime Minister made it clear to the Senate that he wanted to see expense guidelines that were crystal clear.
The Conservative leader in the Senate, Marjory LeBreton, has responded to tightening the reins on Senate spending. Why wasn’t this done long before now? I don’t know but what I do know is that our government is addressing this issue and fixing it.
The old guidelines simply said, “a Senator is presumed to act honorably with respect to expenses.”
How did that work? For the most part, not too bad, but as we see today, there have been lapses in judgment as well as ethics.
Under the old guidelines, no log of mileage expenses were required; purpose of travel was not required; receipts for taxis and other expenses were not mandatory; and per diems were charged even on days when the Senate was not sitting.
Now, all Senators’ expenses will be properly documented and receipted. Unfortunately, current revelations over expense abuse have darkened the reputation of all that sit in the Senate.
Please do not make that judgment because for the most part, Senators have acted honorably.
There is an audit of Senators’ expenses currently on the way and I hope that the audit will validate this statement.
Sometime in the future, I will list all the things your government in Ottawa has enacted, through policy and legislation, to ensure your money is not abused by politicians, civil servants, crown corporations, First Nations or any other group receiving tax dollars.
I am sorry if the current news on this issue has made you angry. Your government is dedicated to building your trust in us and will continue to make those that represent you and work for you, accountable and transparent.
-Colin Mayes is the Member of Parliament for the Okanagan-Shuswap riding.
