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MacKenzie Believes Process To Open Ottawa Office Tainted |
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Written by NS Liberal Party
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Monday, 06 February 2006 |
Liberal Leader Francis MacKenzie is not happy with the way the Conservative Government went about opening the Nova Scotia office in Ottawa. "This announcement was made without notice, the money was not earmarked in the budget, and was approved without consulting all members of the House of Assembly," MacKenzie said.
Attorney General Roy Salmon is also on record criticizing the expenditure of these funds without approval of all elected members. Salmon stated on January 18th in Public Accounts, "I do not believe that that is effective control over public funds."
MacKenzie would also like to know what measurements are in place to gauge the success of the office. He points out there is already an advocacy office for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and an entire department in Nova Scotia specifically for Intergovernmental Affairs.
"My hope is this office will not duplicate services that Nova Scotia already has, not to mention the work of MPs elected to represent Nova Scotia's interests in Ottawa," said MacKenzie.
MacKenzie does not dispute the qualifications of faithful Conservative Ian Thompson as Nova Scotia's representative, but does question the patronage appointment.
"This should have been a more transparent process, open for anyone to apply. Clearly John Hamm is just handing out a favor to a loyal Tory before he vacates the Premiers' Office," he added.
MacKenzie is interested to know how many civil servants and elected officials traveled to Ottawa today for the opening of the office, compliments of the Nova Scotia taxpayer. "Our caucus will be filing a Freedom of Information request immediately to learn the total of this bill and exactly who attended the event." |
