June 18, 2010
Cullen welcomes audit of MP expenses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 18, 2010
OTTAWA – This week’s announcement that Auditor General Sheila Fraser will conduct a performance audit of MP expenses is good for Canadians and parliamentarians, says Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen.
“Absolutely, I think a reasoned parliamentary audit is a good idea because of the level of innuendo and distrust that has been swirling around the whole issue of elected officials’ expenses in recent months in Canada and abroad,” Cullen said today as he prepares to leave Ottawa for the summer recess.
“Canadians have every right to be assured their tax dollars are being responsibly and respectfully spent, whether through government programs or MP expenses.”
Cullen says he agrees with views expressed by many Canadians that the recent appearance of MPs standing in the way of an audit by Fraser is not a good one. He noted that while MPs are subject to rigorous scrutiny of their expenses by impartial House of Commons administrative staff and an external auditor, public perception of possible improprieties is disturbing and should be put to rest.
“MPs must prove that every expense is incurred in the process of carrying out their parliamentary duties, representing constituents, and holding government to account,” he said. “But clearly there is some distrust on the part of some taxpayers so the solution is to address any concerns so we can get back to all the other challenges on our collective plates.”
Cullen, whose riding is one of the largest in the country and furthest from Ottawa, says his own expenses are correspondingly high. He says he has received many calls and emails from constituents acknowledging his expenses are the “cost of doing business” in representing rural and remote ridings.
Cullen’s expenses are posted under Public Disclosure on the Help Desk section of his website. See MP Expenses 2008-2009 for the most recent documents.
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For more information, please contact:
Shelley Browne, Office of Nathan Cullen, 250-877-4140; cullen1@parl.gc.ca
