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Ottawa Party Cost Nova Scotians $26,000 |
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Written by NS Liberal Party
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Wednesday, 19 April 2006 |
Liberal Leader Francis MacKenzie wants to know why the Conservative government spent $26,309.26 on a party to open an office in Ottawa. The Liberal caucus has learned through a Freedom of Information request that 14 government staff and 5 Ministers attended the event at a cost of $12,725.67 for flights, accommodations and meals.
“Why was it necessary to have so many staffers attending the event?” asked MacKenzie. “Some were even outgoing employees from the Premier’s office. Then- Minister of Agriculture Chris d’Entremont spent $1,500 for his trip to Ottawa. If that isn’t a waste of taxpayers’ money, I don’t know what is.”
Catering for the party to open the office cost $13,583.59. “I am sure parents waiting for a daycare space, or low-income Nova Scotians on a list for affordable housing would not be pleased by the government’s free spending on food for bureaucrats at a photo- op.”
MacKenzie agrees that having a Nova Scotia presence in Ottawa through this special office is a good idea. But in a time of financial difficulty for many Nova Scotians he advises the government to be more frugal and stop wasteful spending. |
