Close X
Friday, January 10, 2025
ADVT 
National

Cost of satellite ministerial staff soars by 70 per cent during austerity years

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 18 Sep, 2014 10:53 AM

    OTTAWA - The cost of paying Conservative political staffers working in a network of satellite minister's offices ballooned by 70 per cent during the same years the government was asking departments to tighten their belts.

    Between 2009-10 and 2013-14, the budget for staffing at the regional offices rose from $1.6 million to $2.7 million, according to figures tabled in the House of Commons this week.

    The number of satellite locations with staff has risen from 11 to 16 to include smaller centres such as Kitchener, Ont., Charlottetown and Iqaluit.

    Several cabinet ministers, including Employment Minister Jason Kenney, Industry Minister James Moore and Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq, have regional offices in addition to their headquarters in Ottawa and their MPs' offices.

    The offices are top spots for patronage hiring.

    For example, Aglukkaq employs ex-candidate Sandy Lee in her Yellowknife office, and Kenney has former regional organizer and candidate Mani Fallon working in a Vancouver office. Fisheries Minister Gail Shea employs a campaign worker and former Conservative nomination candidate in Charlottetown.

    Finance Minister Joe Oliver recently stationed two senior political staff in a regional office in Toronto — former chief of staff Dan Miles and communications director Patricia Best.

    The Liberal governments of the past also employed political staff in regional offices, commonly know as MROs.

    Liberal MP Sean Casey, who submitted the written questions about the offices in the Commons, said he has no issue with ministers having political staff organizing events and meeting with stakeholders in the regions.

    But Casey said the steep increase in spending is a hard pill to swallow considering recent cuts to veterans services, immigration and tax offices, and to Canada Post, among others.

    Casey also noted that there has been a freeze for several years on MPs' office budgets, which he argued translates into a pay cut for employees when inflation is taken into account.

    "It's not whether or not these things should exist, it's whether the austerity program that's applied to all other Canadian citizens has an exemption for members of the cabinet," said Casey, who represents a P.E.I. riding.

    "This is the sort of thing that makes people cynical about politics — cabinet ministers increasing the budget because they're paying their friends."

    Public Works Minister Diane Finley's office said the government believes all Canadians should have reasonable access to ministers' regional offices.

    "That is why in 2010, we expanded and launched three offices in the three northern territories," spokeswoman Alyson Queen said in an email.

    "While the opposition may believe that northern Canadians don't deserve the same services as other regions of the country, our government is committed to serving all Canadians in all parts of our country."

    In all, the number of full-time employees in the ministerial satellite offices has gone from 20 to 30 in seven years.

    Such regional offices have come under criticism for being nothing more than hubs of political campaign activity within the various provinces. Former Canadian Heritage staffer Saulie Zajdel, a one-time Tory candidate in Montreal, was accused of acting as a "shadow MP" in a riding held by a Liberal.

    The NDP is currently fighting a decision by the board of internal economy, which oversees Commons spending, requiring 23 MPs to repay untold millions in salaries paid to aides who worked in satellite offices in Toronto, Quebec and Montreal.

    Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version had an incorrect spelling for Saulie Zajdel's surname.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Revoking pardon of accused Via plotter called unfair, unconstitutional

    Revoking pardon of accused Via plotter called unfair, unconstitutional
    TORONTO - A man accused of plotting to attack a Via Rail train is arguing it is unfair to expect him to explain himself before his trial.

    Revoking pardon of accused Via plotter called unfair, unconstitutional

    Jury selection set to begin in murder trial of Luka Rocco Magnotta

    Jury selection set to begin in murder trial of Luka Rocco Magnotta
    MONTREAL - Jury selection begins today in the first-degree murder trial of Luka Rocco Magnotta.  

    Jury selection set to begin in murder trial of Luka Rocco Magnotta

    Baird in talks with EU foreign policy chief Ashton as Ukraine ceasefire simmers

    Baird in talks with EU foreign policy chief Ashton as Ukraine ceasefire simmers
    OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird is hosting his European Union counterpart, Catherine Ashton, for high-level talks today.

    Baird in talks with EU foreign policy chief Ashton as Ukraine ceasefire simmers

    Mother of girl found dead in rural Alberta charged with first-degree murder

    Mother of girl found dead in rural Alberta charged with first-degree murder
    The mother of a nine-year-old girl found dead in a vehicle on a rural  road in west-central Alberta has been charged with first-degree murder.

    Mother of girl found dead in rural Alberta charged with first-degree murder

    Jim Prentice already beginning transition to Alberta premier's office

    Jim Prentice already beginning transition to Alberta premier's office
    EDMONTON - Alberta's incoming premier is already getting down to work as he prepares to take over the scandal plagued Progressive Conservative government.

    Jim Prentice already beginning transition to Alberta premier's office

    NDP's Tom Mulcair predicts three-way fight in 2015 federal election

    NDP's Tom Mulcair predicts three-way fight in 2015 federal election
    OTTAWA - Tom Mulcair predicts the next federal election will be an historic first: a three-way battle for power among Conservatives, New Democrats and Liberals.

    NDP's Tom Mulcair predicts three-way fight in 2015 federal election