January 20th, 2013
Mulcair to PM: extend Kevin Page's term in PBO
Official Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper today to request the extension of Kevin Page's appointment as the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) until a replacement is found.
"I believe it would be sensible to extend Mr. Page's appointment until such time as a thorough, transparent and competitive search for his replacement can be completed and a new PBO appointed," Mr. Mulcair writes in his letter to the Prime Minister.
Mr. Mulcair also pointed to the upcoming federal budget and the important role of the PBO in providing critical information to Parliamentarians and Canadians.
"Mr. Page has proven that he has the confidence of Canadians in exercising his duties and informing the public," writes Mr. Mulcair.
"For the sake of accountability, I hope you will agree to ask Mr. Page to stay on until his replacement is found."
January 20, 2013
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A OA6
Dear Prime Minister:
The Order-in-Council appointment of Parliamentary Budget Officer, Kevin Page, will be coming to an end on March 25th, just over two months from today. We are surprised that no notice of vacancy has yet been placed in the Canada Gazette concerning his replacement. I also note that no clear indications have been given by your government on the search for the next PBO.
Given the importance of the Parliamentary Budget Officer to the work of parliamentarians, I believe it would be sensible to extend Mr. Page's appointment until such time as a thorough, transparent and competitive search for his replacement can be completed and a new PBO appointed. Mr. Page has proven that he has the confidence of Canadians in exercising his duties and informing the public on the state of the economy and how taxpayers’ money is spent.
It is crucial that parliamentarians, who are responsible in the coming months for providing oversight on the government's annual budget, continue to have access to the PBO's valuable advice.
For the sake of accountability, I hope you will agree to ask Mr. Page to stay on until his replacement is found.
Sincerely,
Thomas Mulcair, MP
Leader of the Official Opposition
New Democratic Party of Canada