The Teddies, named for Ted Weatherill, a former senior public servant who was fired in 1999 for excessive expense claims as chairman of the Canada Labour Relations Board, were awarded by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. This eighth annual black tie event held in Ottawa called 2005 "yet another blockbuster year for Government waste."
"Abusing the public purse at any level of government is unacceptable," said Tasha Kheiriddin, the federation's Ontario Director and M.C. for the event. "Our teddies ar an appropriate way to give the people who fleece Canadian taxpayers the recognition they so richly deserve."
So, who were the winners of the evening................hmmmmmmmmmm I wonder.......
Former Immigration minister Joe Volpe, the province of Manitoba and the one-time president of the Royal Canadian Mint, David Dingwall, are among the recipients of “Teddy” awards for wasteful spending. Hungry man Volpe was named recipient of the federal award for lavish dining on the taxpayers' tab, often several times a day.
“In a world where money is no object because other people are paying, taxis are free and there is always wine with dinner, Joe Volpe is right at home,” Ms. Kheiriddin said. “Staffers called Volpe a grazer because of his penchant for eating several taxpayer-funded restaurant meals a day.”
On March 21, 2005, Mr. Volpe and friends dined at the swank Allegro restaurant in Ottawa, spending $507.39. A few hours later, they ate again at an Italian restaurant, charging taxpayers $80.14. Mr. Volpe also spent $138 on pizza for two one night, and $207 a few nights later on pizza for three.
David Dingwall, who resigned last year from his job as head of the Royal Canadian Mint, received a lifetime-achievement award for what the federation described as his long-term lavish spending habits.
Manitoba's government was given the provincial award for its taxpayer-funded tummy tucks, fat-reducing surgeries and payments for Botox treatments. “It's certainly not the type of fat taxpayers were hoping the government would be trimming,” Ms. Kheiriddin said.
The federation pointed to revelations last year that the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority had paid $981,000 for 218 tummy tucks and fat-reducing surgeries, and $10,900 for 31 vials of Botox in 2003-04.
In reaction to the revelations, Manitoba Health Minister Tim Sale was unapologetic. “It's one of those judgment calls about the severity of the condition,” Mr. Sale said in December. “It is funded where the condition is medically a serious issue.”
In the cities category, Richmond, B.C., came out the honoree for spending $460,000 on world travel for council members, as well as spending on a speed-skating oval for the 2010 Olympics.
The federation pointed to revelations last year that the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority had paid $981,000 for 218 tummy tucks and fat-reducing surgeries, and $10,900 for 31 vials of Botox in 2003-04.
In reaction to the revelations, Manitoba Health Minister Tim Sale was unapologetic. “It's one of those judgment calls about the severity of the condition,” Mr. Sale said in December. “It is funded where the condition is medically a serious issue.”
In the cities category, Richmond, B.C., came out the honoree for spending $460,000 on world travel for council members, as well as spending on a speed-skating oval for the 2010 Olympics.
And to think that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Ah, who knows what obscene spending is lurking beneath the bowels of the so called priveleged who reek of misused entitlement.
Where your teddies proudly boys! Go out and strut your stuff.
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