By Monique Tamminga - Langley Times

Outrage has erupted at MP's yearly spending habits, especially those of South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale's Russ Hiebert.

At a time when most Canadians have been tightening their belts in the worst economy since the Dirty Thirties, Hiebert charged taxpayers $637,000 last year for expenses. A large portion of that was used to fly his wife and children business class to and from Ottawa on numerous occasions.

Langley MP Mark Warawa's expenditures were also released, and tally in at $495,676.

Neighbouring MP Ed Fast of Abbotsford spent $436,945.

Warawa's highest costs were for staff at $247,153, followed by travel at $135,000 last year.
He also spent $50,814 on printing.

A Canadian MP earns a base salary of $155,000 and an additional $74,400 if he or she holds a cabinet position. Warawa is paid an additional $15,000 for his position as parliamentary secretary to the environment minister.

MP budgets have come under scrutiny after the parliamentary board of internal economy denied federal auditor-general Sheila Fraser’s request for more detailed information on expenditures.

MPs and their families are allowed up to 64 round trips to Ottawa a year. Senators have refused to release their expenditure details.