Opposition critics are dismissing a report on the role and expenses of the Governor-General as timid and mute as to whether the office is spending too much. "Unfortunately our committee [members] are timid as rabbits and people will be disappointed that not a very conclusive report came out of our study," said New Democrat MP Pat Martin, who first proposed the committee review. The all-party government operations committee has called for a national debate on the responsibilities of and the selection of the Governor-General. Bloc Quebecois MP Gilles Perron said the report's feeble recommendations show the "lack of spine" on the part of the Liberal majority. "It would seem that we as MPs are ready to take on issues like gay marriage, legalizing marijuana, euthanasia, but when we talk about the G-G, we go soft." The report urges Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson to improve the reporting of spending information to Parliament, noting a significant portion of the office's expenses are actually listed under other departments, such as Foreign Affairs and National Defence, leading to "incomplete" budget information. The committee notes the budget specifically directed to the Governor-General has increased 78% since 1996, to $19-million from $10.6-million. About $20-million was spent on the Governor- General across six other departments last year. The Office of the Governor- General told the committee the increases were due to computer upgrades, renovations and an improved visitors' program at Rideau Hall. Conservative MP Paul Forseth was more supportive of the report, but said he doubts the government will act on the study recommendation. Mr. Forseth said he hopes the report will lead to a more open accounting of how the Governor- General spends taxpayers' dollars. "That's been my point. Make sure there's full transparency, get the discussion going and let people decide," he said. Although there is no specific recommendation on the issue, Mr. Forseth said the report implies MPs do not think the Governor-General should be leading such international trips as last fall's $5-million circumpolar tour. The committee embarked on its review following Ms. Clarkson's northern tour that was originally estimated to cost $1-million. Mr. Martin suggested that independent Progressive Conservative MP Joe Clark, who quit the Conservative party when it merged with the Alliance and has said he will not run in the next election, would be an excellent choice to lead the national debate that the committee recommends. Liberal MP and committee chairman Paul Szabo said it was never the intent of the committee to provide hard recommendations. Rather, he views the eight-page report as successful because it is the first official document that clearly lays out the roles and responsibilities of the Governor-General. "It's basically a public education document."
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