MLA expenses soon available online and frequently after scathing audit | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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MLA expenses soon available online and frequently after scathing audit

MLA expenses soon available online and frequently after scathing audit

VICTORIA - Following sharp criticism from B.C.'s auditor general, the province's Legislative Assembly Management Committee has pledged to accept all recommendations made by the auditor's office since 2007.

Auditor General John Doyle called the assembly's bookkeeping messy and said it was full of substantial irregularities.

In a statement released Tuesday night, the committee said it wants to improve its accounting procedures.

"All actions will follow the principles of openness, public accountability and transparency and the committee will implement all recommendations made by the Auditor General since 2007," it said.

After insisting MLAs have been properly submitting expense receipts, the statement said it will soon be easier for the public to see who is spending money and on what.

"To provide more openness to British Columbians, beginning in October, quarterly MLA expenses will be posted online starting with the expenses for the first two quarters of this current fiscal year," said the statement.

The committee also says it wants to comply with every recommendation Doyle made and stop holding meetings in camera, unless needed.

Speaker of the House Bill Barisoff is responsible for the $83 million budget for MLA salaries and operational expenses for the legislature.

Earlier this week, Barisoff took responsibility for the poor bookkeeping but said most members of the legislature were surprised by the scathing review.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2012
The Canadian Press

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