New talking points: The NDP commits transparency on expenses

Canwest News Service has obtained a copy of some talking points being distributed this afternoon to NDP MPs. The talking point memo comes from Leader Jack Layton's office and says:

The issue of MP expenses and the Auditor General has dominated much of the media attention of the past few days. We will have to have a further discussion at our next caucus meeting to see what movement can be made and how we can address this issue most effectively. In the meantime, here are some new Talking Points that indicate some movement and will help us with our constituents and the media over the next few days.

“My expenses are currently audited and posted online. Please take a look and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I’ll gladly explain any of them.”

Although I am fully confident that the process works, I understand that the public would like more information. ·

Based on public feedback I feel confident the Board of Internal Economy (BOIE) will consider further discussion on this issue, reflecting public concerns, to seek a mutually agreeable solution to the auditing of MP expenses.

I am certainly not opposed to having the BOIE continue the dialogue with the Auditor General to improve public scrutiny of MP expenses

The MPs are told to point constituents to the disclosures on the Parliamentary Web site [PDF] which lists summaries of each MP's expenses for 2008-09, the most recent year for which figures are available.

London, Ont.-area NDP MP Irene Mathyssen is already taking the hint from her leader's office. She's posted a collection of links at her Web page with three years worth of her MPs expense — again, all summary data and not receipts or details — as well as disclosure statement to Parliament's ethics commissioner and her electoral campaign return.