• CTF Calls for Spending Restraint at Rideau Hall

Ottawa: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) reacted today to news that Adrienne Clarkson is to remain Canada's Governor-General for at least another year. Madame Clarkson was appointed on October 7, 1999, and although the Governor-General's term of office is not fixed, the recent convention is to serve 5 years.

"We are disappointed the Prime Minister has asked Adrienne Clarkson to continue serving as Canada's Governor-General for another year," stated CTF federal director John Williamson. "Many Canadians will view this as slap in the face, given Madame Clarkson has repeatedly failed to show restraint when spending tax dollars. We expect from now on costs will be controlled at Rideau Hall."

Madame Clarkson's time in office has been marred by controversy over her spending, particularly a three-week "Quest for the Modern North Tour" in the fall of 2003 to Russia, Finland and Iceland with husband John Ralston Saul, 22 staff members, and 59 "prominent" Canadians. The trip was taken on the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs despite the Governor-General having no foreign policy or foreign representative function as the Queen's representative in Canada. The trip was budgeted to cost taxpayers $1-million but skyrocketed to $5.3-million, prompting the federal government to cancel the second leg of the tour scheduled for this year.

Previously, Madame Clarkson shrugged off legitimate inquiries into her spending from parliamentarians by telling them she is "above politics." An inappropriate response given that Her Majesty the Queen has begun to pay taxes to the British government, and provides a report outlining spending practices at Buckingham Palace, her official residence. Yet a rising budget prompted a House of Commons committee to review the monies allocated to the Governor-General's office. It found the office spent $41-million in tax money last year. According to the CTF, the Governor-General's budget has increased by 310% or $31-million since 1995.

"The mood of Canadians has changed following the Auditor-General's February report highlighting abuse of Ottawa's advertising and sponsorship program," concluded Mr. Williamson. "Madame Clarkson's inability to control costs is exactly the sort of thoughtless spending that Canadians are currently up in arms over. The attitude of taxpayers is not likely to change and the Governor-General must demonstrate greater restraint and more consideration to Canadian taxpayers."