Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris was the House of Common's second biggest spender, according to an expenditures by members
report released this week.
The Conservative backbencher cost taxpayers $585,075 in 2010-11, second only to Manitoba Conservative MP Steven Fletcher, who ran up $803,109.
The representative of one of the ridings furthest away from Ottawa, Harris spent the fourth most on travel at $199,363.
However, Nathan Cullen, the NDP MP for neighbouring Skeena-Bulkley Valley, ran up $525,738, the 21st highest in the House and spent $143,541 on travel, the 26th most.
When it comes to hospitality and events, Harris was the top spender at $9,760. Labour minister Lisa Raitt was second at $9,621.
Cullen spent $7,302 on hospitality and events, well down the list of 309 MPs listed in the report.
Reached Friday, Harris said he economizes in other areas, notably the so-called "10 per centers", the largely partisan newsletters and surveys sent to constituents'
mailboxes several times per year.
Harris spent $7,581 on the items, about the middle of the pack. Cullen, meanwhile, spent $9,932 on 10 per centers, a massive drop from $39,118 for 2009-10.
Harris defended his spending on hospitality and events by saying it's part of his job.
"It's a thing that I do," he said.
"Some people spend tens of thousands of dollars on advertising. I prefer to meet and spend a little more formal time with my constituents and dinner or lunch or breakfast is my favourite way to do it."
