Prince George's two MLAs top travel spending list for cabinet ministers.
According to a column by Michael Smyth in this week's Province, Shirley Bond spent $103,082 on travel and Pat Bell spent $93,873.
Bond, who is transport minister, said it was natural a cabinet minister from northern B.C. would incur such costs while Bell, the forests minister added, "I was also in China twice last year, where we're developing new markets."
Rounding out the top six travel spending cabinet members were: Kevin Krueger ($82,733); Kevin Falcon ($79,242), George Abbott ($78,097), and Gordon Campbell ($78,375.)
Krueger, who is the tourism minister and lives in Kamloops, told Smyth the damage could have been worst were it not for the fact he drives a lot.
The numbers come as greater scrutiny is being paid politicians' expenses with Auditor-General Sheila Fraser asking to audit federal MP expense accounts.
Provincially, MLA spending is reported in a single "line item" that covers everything from personal expenses, offices and local advertising. Last year, politicians from both major parties charged for $16 million in such expenses. There is no way of knowing who spent what or how much and MLA's personal expenses are exempted from Freedom of Information Act requests.
Cabinet ministers, however, are required to disclose their annual travel bill incurred while performing ministerial duties.
B.C.'s Auditor General John Doyle is currently auditing MLA expenses. There is also a move afoot for the government to introduce new disclosure laws.
