Bill 108 2013

An Act to amend the Legislative Assembly Act

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

   1.  The Legislative Assembly Act is amended by adding the following section:

Report re expenses

   68.  (1)  The Board of Internal Economy shall provide quarterly reports to the Assembly setting out every payment made to a member under section 64 or 67 in respect of any of the following expenses:

    1.  Allowances and costs related to transportation and travel.

    2.  Accommodation costs.

    3.  Any other costs incurred while the member is on business as a member of the Assembly, or in the performance of his or her duties as a member.

Explanation of expenses

   (2)  For each payment reported, the Board of Internal Economy shall include the amount of the payment and an explanation of the expense.

Posting of report

   (3)  The Board of Internal Economy shall post the reports on the website for the Legislative Assembly.

First report

   (4)  The first report shall be in respect of the first quarter that begins after the Transparency in Members' Expenses Act, 2013 receives Royal Assent.

Definition

   (5)  In this section,

"quarter" means a period of three months commencing on the first day of January, April, July or October in any year.

Commencement

   2.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   3.  The short title of this Act is the Transparency in Members' Expenses Act, 2013.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Legislative Assembly Act to require the Board of Internal Economy to submit quarterly reports to the Assembly respecting members' expenses. The reports must set out every payment made to a member in respect of a travel, accommodation or other expense. The reports must include the amount of each payment and an explanation of each expense. The Board of Internal Economy is required to post the report on the website of the Legislative Assembly.