'My public life is before you; and I know you will believe me when I say, that when I sit down in solitude to the labours of my profession, the only questions I ask myself are, What is right? What is just? What is for the public good?" - Joseph Howe
This quotation hung for many years on a billboard in downtown Halifax. It seems to me that these remain good questions for MLAs to ask themselves daily.
While the Auditor General's report covered only three weeks of my time as MLA, I want you to know that no expense I've claimed since becoming an MLA was named in the report. Nor have my expenses been of the type about which the AG has raised concerns.
One of the reasons I decided to seek public office was that I felt the previous government had failed in its duty to be a good steward of the resources given to it to safeguard. I was determined to do better.
I was shocked last fall to learn some former MLAs were selling their office furniture for their own profit. While this practice was allowed, it wasn't right, it wasn't just and it wasn't for the public good. It doesn't make economic sense to have every newly elected MLA buy an office full of brand new furniture and equipment. I've tried to equip my office frugally - buying used furniture and equipment when possible, and bringing other items from home. And when I retire, I will pass my furniture and equipment to the next MLA - just as our federal MPs do with theirs.
You should know that even before the AG released his report, the legislature took some steps toward accountability and expenditure reduction. These include eliminating the annual technology allowance, eliminating the $45,000 tax free severance, reducing constituency office budgets for the remainder of fiscal '09 and freezing MLA salaries. A review of the entire expense system is underway and I welcome more changes.
I'm sorry this report has given you reason to lose faith in your provincial politicians. But I want you to know that I will work with you and with my colleagues to address the concerns raised by the Auditor General in his report, and to restore trust in your provincial legislators.
Finally, I want to remind you of the next consultations for the proposed cultural arts centre for the new Bedford High School on Thursday March 4 at the Bedford Legion, and Monday March 8 at the LWF Community in Fall River starting at 7 p.m.
As always, for assistance, please contact my office at kelly@kellyregan.ca or 407-3777.
