A Couple Of Tid Bits From The Hill

There is more happening in Ottawa than changing light bulbs......

On the Hill Sunflashes
By ALAN FINDLAY

PUBLIC GETS ACCESS

The feds will open government agencies to public scrutiny in April.

Treasury Board President Vic Toews announced that the Canadian Wheat Board, four Liberal-initiated foundations and five agents of Parliament, including the auditor general, will be subject to Access to Information Act as of April 1.

Other promised organizations, including the CBC and VIA Rail, remain closed to scrutiny, however, despite passage of the Federal Accountability Act in December.

Toews also announced a three-week consultation on regulations aimed at tightening up lobbying rules.

The NDP's ethics critic Pat Martin said the Conservatives are clearly stalling key aspects of the Accountability Act after touting it as centrepiece legislation for the government.

BIG LIMO BILLS FOR DION

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion was accused of green-hued hypocrisy yesterday after expense claims from his ministerial days suggest a penchant for pricey limo trips between Ottawa and Montreal.

According to documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Dion's chauffeur spent $14,225 on Montreal hotel and travel bills in 2004 and 2005 while shuttling the former environment minister to and from his hometown.

"It's infuriating," said CTF federal director John Williamson.

"I think the green lifestyle would have been to take the train to Montreal and cab to get around rather than heading up to Montreal in a government limo."