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TMCNet: BR-NS-Spending-Scandal

[February 09, 2010]

BR-NS-Spending-Scandal

(Canadian Press Broadcast Wire (Canada) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) HALIFAX - Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter says he regrets billing taxpayers for a digital camera worth over two-thousand dollars and two laptops worth over five-thousand dollars.


The purchases were among several flagged as excessive spending by legislative members in a report released last week by auditor general Jacques Lapointe.

Dexter says he was simply replacing equipment used for constituency work with upgrades that were more durable and robust.

He says the camera was purchased four years ago when prices were significantly higher and he's since reimbursed taxpayers the full amount for both items.

The premier says he's moving through legislation to replace the internal economy board with a more modern commission that will meet publicly to set the rules for members' expenses.

The move is supported by Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil, who also suggests the online posting of members' expenses as another way of making the process as transparent as possible.

(The Canadian Press) ked (The Canadian Press) (c) 2010 The Canadian Press

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