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Opposition expresses concerns with
Premier undermining Green recommendation on constituency allowances
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Liberal Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says he has serious concerns that the Premier and members of his caucus have found a convenient way of subverting at least one of the recommendations of the Green Report as it relates to MHA constituency spending. In his report released last month, Justice Green recommended that MHAs should no longer be permitted to give donations from their constituency allowances to groups and organizations in their districts. Reid points out that on Wednesday, while attending functions in his own district, the Premier presented cheques for $175,000 and $100,000 to two organizations in his district. In announcing the funding, the Premier stated he was doing so as Apremier and the proud member for Humber West@. AWhile the funding may not have come from his constituency allowance, the Premier has conveniently found a way of getting around at least one of the recommendation made by Green,@ says Reid. AOnce that Green Report was presented to the House of Assembly in June, all parties including the Liberal caucus members agreed to abide by the recommendations in that report. One recommendation was that MHAs would not be permitted to give donations to individuals, groups and organizations in their districts.A Reid said he raised the issue of Tory MHAs and cabinet ministers giving out departmental cheques at functions when he met with Justice Green in June. AWhile Green responded that he had no control over such practices, he did view it as an issue concerning ministerial ethics. Green certainly left the impression that such practices are morally inappropriate. AThis spending practice by the Premier and his caucus also creates an uneven playing field. They can attend functions in the months leading up to the election and make contributions to various groups and organizations, yet our caucus members are unable to do likewise. The only funding we have available is our constituency allowances out of which we cannot make donations. Being able to pass out cheques while attending district functions puts Tory MHAs in a more favorable position, as Liberal MHAs are not afforded the same privilege of spending taxpayers money.@ Reid points out that he has no problem with the various groups receiving this funding. AI do however have serious concerns that only Tory MHAs are afforded this privilege. All parties in Legislature agreed to live by the recommendations in the Green Report. It is unfortunate that the Premier and his caucus have already found a way of subverting these recommendations.@ - 30 -Media Contact: Kim Ploughman Caucus Communications
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