A B.C. Liberal wants to put a stop to “free lunches” at the legislature for Greater Victoria MLAs.
Peter Milobar, who represents Kamloops-North Thompson, has introduced a private member’s bill that would prevent Greater Victoria MLAs from claiming for meals while working at the legislature.
Under the current rules, all MLAs can get up to $61 a day for expenses when the house is in session — even if they live near the legislature.
Milobar said it’s “outrageous” that Finance Minister Carole James, who represents Victoria-Beacon Hill, and Education Minister Rob Fleming from Victoria-Swan Lake, get reimbursed for meals when they work just a short distance from home.
The Liberals claim James, Fleming and Premier John Horgan from Langford-Juan de Fuca have filed for nearly $4,800 in expenses since September.
Agriculture Minister Lana Popham from Saanich South, on the other hand, did not claim anything, “which shows you can live in the region and still work and provide your own meals,” Milobar said.
“So, hopefully, the government will move forward with this initiative and close this whole loophole so that taxpayers aren’t paying for people’s lunches while they’re working within their own city.”
Milobar, however, has been accused of playing politics with the issue. His bill, which is unlikely to get past first reading, would apply only to NDP and Green MLAs since the Liberals have no MLAs in Greater Victoria at the moment.
Milobar’s legislation also appears to exempt a number of MLAs from other parts of the province — including Liberals — who own or rent second homes in Victoria and are eligible to claim the same per diem.
Government house leader Mike Farnworth said he found it “interesting” that the Liberals never raised the issue while they were in power and their own MLAs were getting reimbursed for meals.
Former Oak Bay-Gordon Head Liberal MLA Ida Chong came under fire in 2010 for racking up nearly $6,000 in meal expenses.
“Now all of a sudden, it’s changed,” Farnworth said.
“I notice he didn’t mention his colleagues who may rent in the vicinity of the buildings. Should it apply to them as well?”
Farnworth added that such issues are dealt with by the all-party legislative assembly management committee rather than by private member’s bills.
“This is not something new,” he said. “The policy has been in place for many, many years.”
