MPs boost spending on office budgets by $5-million over last year

MPs spent a total of $132,580,489 on staff salaries, office space, phone calls and travel during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

MPs spent more than $132.5-million on their offices and travel in the past fiscal year, a 3.7 per cent or $5-million increase from the previous year.

Overall, the biggest spender for 2008-2009 was Minister of State for Democratic Reform Steven Fletcher (Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia, Man.), a quadriplegic MP who represents a riding in Northern Manitoba. He expenses totaled $781,631, of which $308,905 was spent on the miscellaneous...