Trust us, it’s only $533 million a year and we’re responsible representatives that need that money in order to help recognize and understand your needs as constituents.

The collective push back from MPs and senators to have their annual expenses audited was summed up in the face of Jay Hill yesterday as he and Sheila Fraser, the auditor general, approached a press conference in Ottawa. Almost as notable as Jay Hill’s expression was the distance he (physically) kept from Fraser as though she had something contagious to pass on. The only sickness in the air of the hill is one surrounding this issue of expenses and audits.

In the end Fraser won the contest to have a proper audit done on the MP and Senators expenses. She doesn’t seemed thrilled to finally get the opportunity to do what she’s been asking to do for weeks now, primarily because she’s an accountant and never looks thrilled and she knows, as do the majority of the Canadian taxpayers, what is about to be found.

Piggish style spending. Unnecessary items and services. Completely un-related to the responsibilities of an MP or Senator.

After just completing a playoff hockey pool, we’re in the mood for another one, more aligned to our wonk tendencies this time. Anybody in for a pool on which MPs and Senators are the most offending after the audit? Total post-audit bill (cumulative) for your five individual picks wins. Let us know.