Public money, public knowledge

Sometimes Canadians are guilty of thinking about government as something separate from themselves. While John or Jane may not be a sitting member of the House of Commons, House of Assembly or municipal council, they are very much connected to the whole process.

Every Canadian over the age of majority has the right, and some would argue the duty, to participate in the political process. That means paying attention to the issues and getting out to vote when elections are called.

Some of the issues, especially those in far-off Ottawa, may seem unimportant to many citizens. But it's important to remember the action - or inaction - of the average Canadian is what sets the direction and allows that process to keep moving.

When John and Jane Canadian hear about the latest actions of government members, they should recall their votes led to the election of that person and their tax dollars are paying his or her salary and expenses.

And that's something the politicians should remember too.

Parliament's management board has slammed the door on Auditor General Shelia Fraser's request to look at the books of the House and the Senate. The board said the review was outside the AG's mandate.

Right now, Canadians, with some effort, can find out how much their Member of Parliament is spending, but not where the money is going. Access to Information laws don't cover MPs' budgets.

They shouldn't have to.

Those 308 sitting MPs are spending Canadian taxpayers' money.

As Canadians, we have a right to demand more clarity.

We have a right to see the details of where the $533 million spent by the House and the Senate each year is going and what we as Canadians are getting for our money.

Perhaps nothing untoward is happening. Perhaps there is. Either way, as the people footing the bill, we have a right to ask more about what's going on.

Government is not a far-off, separate entity to which the average Canadian has no connection. It is something created to serve the interests of the people of the country and the politicians in that system work for us.

We, as Canadians, need to be calling the shots and setting the direction - telling our employees, those 308 Members of Parliament, what we expect them to be doing.

We need to step up to the plate and become more hands-on managers. And our employees need to remember just who they work for.

editor@gulfnews.ca