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 NDP MP Pat Martin, who first proposed the committee review. The all-party government operations committee has called for further study in the form of a national debate on the responsibilities and selection process 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 GG, we go soft," he said. 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 that MPs don't think Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson should be leading international trips like last fall's $5-million "circumpolar tour." The committee embarked on its review following Madame Clarkson's northern tour that was originally estimated to cost $1 million. 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," he said. Mr. Szabo was noncommittal as to whether his committee would be involved in the further study. The report urges the Governor General to improve the reporting of spending information to Parliament, noting that 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 that budget specifically directed to the Governor General has increased 78 per cent since 1996, to $19 million from $10.6 million.
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