The cabinet ministers who oversee the country’s finances, farms and fish run some of the most expensive government offices.
Documents tabled in Parliament this week show the total tab for ministers’ offices was nearly $60 million last fiscal year, which includes everything from personnel to paper clips.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper had the highest costs at $8.15 million, which included $7.27 in staff salaries, $690,912 for transportation and communications and $73,589 for professional and special services. Another $66,121 was spent on utilities, materials and supplies.
Among Harper’s inner circle, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty had the largest expenditures, topping $2.8 million. The bulk of that — $2.17 million — was for personnel, while $534,724 went to transportation and communications. Another $53,741 was spent on services and $29,575 on utilities, materials and supplies.
The figures do not include the Minister’s salary and car allowance, civilian termination benefits or employer contributions to benefit plans.
Other office expenditures detailed in the Public Accounts:
Defence Minister Peter MacKay $2.45 million
Industry Minister Tony Clement (Jim Prentice until Oct. 29/08): $2.27 million
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz: $2.24 million
Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl: $2.17 million
Transport/Infrastructure Minister John Baird (Lawrence Cannon until Oct. 29/08): $2.09 million
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans came to $2.05 million
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson: $1.95 million
Environment Minister Jim Prentice (John Baird until Oct. 20/08): $1.98 million
kathleen.harris@sunmedia.ca
