Time to scrap the Ottawa Ambassador office

The Premier was in Ottawa this week for meetings, but confirmed today that he didn’t have time to visit Suite 1604 on Metcalfe Street, also known as the office of the province’s Ottawa representative, an empty space costing the taxpayers of this province almost $100,000 a year in rental expenses. Opposition House Leader Kelvin Parsons raised the issue in the House of Assembly earlier today and encouraged the premier to finally scrap the ineffective office.

The position of the Ottawa representative has been vacant since January when John Fitzgerald was reassigned by the premier.  There is $378,000 budgeted for the office this year, however, no indication has been given as to what function this office is serving.  

“It is certainly obvious that this office has had very little impact over the past few years,” said Mr. Parsons. “This timeframe has represented the most strained relationship our province has ever had with the federal government, yet the premier appears willing to continue spending good money after bad to maintain a symbolic white elephant position in Ottawa at a cost of approximately $400,000 per year.”

Parsons also noted that there are also some questions as to whether taxpayer’s money is being used in the best manner for expenses. Travel claims for the former Ottawa representative were obtained under the Access to Information Act at a significant cost. In an attempt to get a glimpse of his activities, the Opposition did pay for his 2007 travel claims. As outlined in the documents, the former ambassador charged the people of this province 72 taxi trips from his private residence to work during that year. There is nothing in his employment contract that permits such claims and no other public servant is permitted to claim travel to and from work each day.

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