P.E.I. Liberal bill would make governing parties repay the cost of partisan government ads

A Liberal Opposition bill in P.E.I. would make the governing party repay taxpayers for government ads found to break the Government Advertising Standards Act. Leader Hal Perry's amendment, introduced Nov. 3 and debated Nov. 4 without a vote, would have the auditor general order the reimbursement. Perry says the law has no penalty. It follows an October finding by Auditor General Darren Noonan that a video featuring Premier Rob Lantz and Finance Minister Jill Burridge broke the act, which bars taxpayer-funded ads showing cabinet ministers. Lantz said his government accepts the finding and that no government money promoted the video.