Transport Minister John Baird said today that the Harper government will not track whether $12 billion of taxpayers’ money is being spent effectively on infrastructure projects, changing his tune from when he was President of the Treasury Board during the Conservatives’ first year in government.
John Baird in 2009:
“It’s not up to his government to closely monitor how money intended for road, sewer and other projects is actually spent, suggests the federal minister in charge of infrastructure.
“‘It’s not big government’s role and Ottawa to centrally manage everything,’ Baird said when asked how his department is monitoring spending.” (Canadian Press, July 29, 2009)
John Baird in 2006:
“There’s only one taxpayer, and my job is to ensure that there’s accountability. My job is to ensure there’s due diligence. My job is to ensure taxpayers are protected, and I take that very seriously.” (John Baird, CBC Radio – The House, October 14, 2006)
“Going forward, the government will make responsible spending the norm by requiring that all new and existing programs go through a systematic and rigorous examination. This will ensure that this government only approves funds that are actually needed to achieve measurable results, in a way that is effective and that provides value for money. Our new expenditure management system will be built on the principles of fiscal discipline, managing the results, and maximizing value for money… Canada’s new government will ensure significantly greater transparency, accountability, and value for money in all federal spending. We will settle for nothing less.” (John Baird, Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, October 17, 2006)
