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April 1st, 2004
OTTAWA - Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board, announced today
that travel and hospitality expense information of political staff and senior
Government of Canada officials is now available on-line.
"I am proud of this latest step in this government's efforts to be more
open," said Mr. Alcock. "Making this kind of information available
on-line demonstrates our commitment to functioning in an ethical and transparent
manner."
"We are moving ahead as planned. This is a new process for government
and we expect there will be glitches as we roll out and refine our
procedures," said Mr. Alcock. "But we are committed to doing this
right."
As part of the Prime Minister's commitment to enhance transparency and
accountability, on December 12, 2003, the government released the Guide
for Ministers and Ministers of State and Guidelines
for Ministers' Offices, which stipulate that all travel and hospitality
expenses for ministers, ministers of state, parliamentary secretaries, and their
exempt staff will be provided on institutional Web sites.
The Government of Canada has moved quickly to meet this commitment.
Departments and agencies are working together to publish travel and hospitality
expenses for all ministers, ministers of state, parliamentary secretaries, and
their exempt staff, as well as deputy ministers and senior public servants.
Federal institutions will be required to update travel and hospitality expense
information every three months and post it on-line within 30 days of the end of
each period.
This initiative is part of the government's plan, Strengthening
Public Sector Management. To achieve these objectives, the government
is working hard to:
- Strengthen comptrollership and improve oversight;
- Enhance the role of Parliament and the proactive disclosure of information
so that Canadians are better able to hold Parliament, their Government, and
public sector officials to account;
- Modernize and transform management practices and the ongoing review of
government spending to improve administration and ensure tax dollars are
spent wisely; and
- Build capacity and better tools within the public service to support good
management.
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For more information, contact:
Lise Jolicoeur
Press Secretary
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
and Minister responsible for the Canadian
Wheat Board
(613) 957-2666
Mario Baril
Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
(613) 957-2391
IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE
ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.
TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613) 957-9090
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