B.C. children's watchdog defends spending on new office space

B.C.'s outspoken representative for children and youth exchanged sharp words with the chairman of an all-party legislative committee that approves the annual budget for her office.

Last year, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond battled with the same committee over her budget before eventually getting approval for a 36 per cent increase.

On Wednesday, Turpel-Lafond asked the committee for an 11.7 per cent increase.

But that request turned into a verbal spat when committee chairman Liberal Randy Hawes said he wasn't pleased Turpel-Lafond approved new leased office space worth $357,000 annually without first consulting the committee.

"You need to come to us and get approval," Hawes said. "Could you please come to us when you are making these longer-term commitments?"

Turpel-Lafond shot back, saying Hawes appeared to want to micromanage her office. She also said it appeared Hawes was alleging some form of malfeasance on her part.

"We're not trying to micromanage," said Hawes.

Turpel-Lafond said it was never a clear policy that she should have to appear before the committee to discuss leasing office space.

Critical reports

The children's representative monitors the well-being of vulnerable children in B.C. and has issued several reports critical of government services, including studies of child suicide and services for aboriginal and developmentally disabled children.

Outside of the committee room, Turpel-Lafond said she is aware of the difficult financial pressures facing the government.

But she said she doesn't believe she should be told how to manage every aspect of her office, especially when she is controlling expenses while doing the difficult work of protecting children.

"I think I expressed my views pretty clearly there when I said I need to have an office to operate," Turpel-Lafond said.

"Do I have to come before the committee to determine if I need a pencil sharpener? Do I have to come before the committee to decide if I want to hire a lumberjack or a sailor?"

Outside of the committee room, Hawes said Turpel-Lafond does not have an open chequebook to run her office. He said he expected a budget decision within days.