Liberal Motion Seeks to Compel All Members of Parliament to Disclose Travel and Hospitality Expenses

March 5, 2014

OTTAWA – Scott Simms, the Liberal Critic for Democratic Reform will stand in the House of Commons today to bring forward a motion calling on the Board of Internal Economy to instruct the non-partisan professional administrative staff of the House of Commons to begin posting all travel expenses incurred under the travel point system, as well as hospitality expenses of Members to the Parliament of Canada website.

“We firmly believe that transparency and accountability in the expenditure of taxpayers’ money, is a key responsibility for all elected officials. In order for Canadians to have full confidence that their tax dollars are being spent responsibly, it is critical that Members of Parliament expenses be made public in a detailed, consistent, and universal manner” said Scott Simms.

The motion is as follows:

“That the House recognize the importance of transparency and accountability in the expenditure of taxpayers’ money and also recognize that the majority of parties have already begun disclosing the travel and hospitality expenses of their Members; and therefore call on the Board of Internal Economy to instruct the non-partisan professional administrative staff of the House of Commons to begin posting all travel expenses incurred under the travel point system as well as hospitality expenses of Members to the Parliament of Canada website in a manner similar to the guidelines used by the government for proactive disclosure of ministerial expenses.”

This motion would expand the expense disclosures in a system that is uniform, standardized, and applies to all Members of Parliament, across party lines. Liberals want to see all of the travel and hospitality expenses in one spot, in a format that is non-political, easy to find, and easy to understand. Canadians have a right to know how their money is being spent.