CALGARY, AB – After being sworn in as chairman of the Legislature’s Public Accounts Committee, Wildrose Shadow Finance Minister Derek Fildebrandt announced a commitment to scrutinize past spending boondoggles and lead the effort in holding government spending to account.
Tasked with analyzing every dollar the government spends, the Public Accounts Committee plays an integral role in ensuring government is held to account for its financial management or lack thereof.
Fildebrandt said the Public Accounts Committee will act as the single most important watchdog on public spending under his leadership, especially given successive years of budget deficits and Alberta’s newfound reliance on tax increases to fund massive new spending increases.
“As chairman of Public Accounts, I will work hard to ensure that every penny of Albertans’ hard earned tax dollars are spent wisely, and with sound justification,” Fildebrandt said. “I look forward to working with all members of the committee to get results for Albertans.”
Other Wildrose members on Public Accounts include Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes, Cardston-Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter, and Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr.
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said Albertans can expect sensible, moderate and fiscally responsible leadership at Public Accounts in monitoring government spending.
“Premier Rachel Notley and the NDP provided a mini-budget with high spending amounts, and little accountability,” Jean said. “With our strong team appointed to Public Accounts, I am confident that this government’s spending will be appropriately scrutinized.”