MLA expense woes 'drop in bucket:' finance minister

Finance Minister Graham Steele urged Nova Scotians to set aside their anger over the MLA spending scandal Wednesday during a pre-budget session in Lower Sackville.

Steele addressed the controversy in his opening address.

He said he understands if people are annoyed or angry that MLAs spent taxpayers' money inappropriately or excessively, but suggested some perspective was in order.

"For tonight's purposes, I need you to understand that we could fundamentally overhaul the MLA expense system and it's a drop in the bucket compared to the size of the financial challenge facing the province," he said.

Steele is staging a number of brainstorming sessions around the province to get ideas on how to balance the budget. The NDP government projects a $525-million deficit this fiscal year, a growing multibillion-dollar debt and more financial woes ahead.

Steele said all of the questionable expenses identified by the auditor general add up to $80,000, while the recommended repayment for these purchases totals $28,000.

"That issue has to go down the track that it's on.  And like I said, there will be change and there will be consequence," he told the crowd of about 60 at the Royal Canadian Legion.

Lindsay Allen, one of the people who got up to speak, said government departments seem to spend money the same way as MLAs — excessively.

"It's so infuriating. If they continue to do that, how can they ever possibly imagine that they would be fiscally responsible?" said Allen.

There are seven more community meetings scheduled before Steele brings down his budget in April.