Nova Scotia MLAs get money previously earmarked for postage, mileage

Provincial politicians in Nova Scotia can now spend money earmarked for postage and mileage on anything they want.

The House of Assembly management commission voted to change the spending rules on Tuesday.

That means MLAs now have unfettered access to between $14,059 and $18,558.

Until now, that money has been reserved for what's called franking and travel. Franking is essentially postage and travel relates to mileage claimed for use of a vehicle to travel within a constituency. Mileage claims have to be supported by a driver's log and postage-related charges need a receipt.

But not every sitting member claims for every kilometre they drive which means some MLAs didn't use up their entire budget for franking and travel.

That is expected to change now that there are no strings attached.

The change was proposed because some MLAs were facing a cash crunch due to changes to the constituency boundaries, and the fact constituency offices need to be barrier-free.

Provincial politicians who now represent larger constituencies have had to open offices in more than one community.

Spending posted online

Progressive Conservative House leader Chris d'Entremont is worried the new wide-open spending rules may lead to "hog wild" spending on self-serving ads.

"Unfortunately what I've seen is that we're not going to help those who were impacted without putting more money into everybody else's pocket," he said.

Government House leader Michel Samson rejects that suggestion.

He points to the fact all expenses are now posted online as a guard against reckless spending.

"All elected members have to justify to their constituents what expenses that they make," he said.

"They are posted online. They are there for everyone to review and I can certainly tell you people are reviewing them and they are holding us to account."