moved for leave to introduce Bill C-332, an act to provide for improved information on the cost of proposed government programs.
Mr. Speaker, this bill, an act to provide for improved information on the cost of proposed government programs, is something that is long overdue in this place.
Basically the bill would provide that any new programs introduced into the House are properly costed beforehand. That costing and the methodologies used therein would be supported by the auditor general. In other words, the auditor general would actually review the costing methods used and certify them as being appropriate. That legislation, wherever it is advertised and promoted, would also include certification by the auditor general and also the actual cost, not only of the total program but also on a per capita basis for all the taxpayers of Canada.
I believe this would give us more control over our financial picture and would certainly give better information to the public on how much these programs cost.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)