The Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy began reviewing secondary living expenses for all senators after media reports alleged some were inappropriately billing taxpayers for their time spent in the Ottawa area, despite living there most of the time.
The committee called in external auditors to look more closely at the money claimed by that Conservative Senator Mike Duffy, Liberal Senator Mac Harb and Patrick Brazeau, who has since been forced on a leave of absence while he faces criminal charges. The committee later confirmed it had also asked an external auditor to review the travel expenses of Conservative Senator Pamela Wallin.
The new figures cover the quarter from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 — a period that began around the time the stories first hit the news, up until the time the internal economy committee tabled its report on the investigation.
Duffy claimed $5,518.96 in secondary living expenses associated with his home in suburban Ottawa, while saying his primary residence was a cottage in Cavendish, P.E.I. Duffy has since volunteered to repay the money.
Wallin claimed $815.75 in travel to and from Saskatchewan, the province she represents in the Senate, while claiming $24,323.09 in “other” travel.
Wallin has said only direct flights between Ottawa and Saskatchewan are counted as regular travel, so if she flies to Saskatchewan from elsewhere, including Toronto, where she owns a condo, it distorts the numbers.
Their spending levels for the latest quarter are comparable to those in earlier quarters.
Harb claimed $2,239.63 for his time spent in the National Capital Region, although he owns several units in a condo building near downtown Ottawa, and people who live near his residence in Westmeath, Ont., just far enough away to make him eligible for the allowance, say he is rarely there.
That is almost half as much as Harb spent in the previous quarter ending Nov. 30. The Liberal senator was not available for comment Thursday.
Brazeau claimed $1,750 in secondary living expenses, far lower than the $5,250 he claimed to cover the rent for his home in Gatineau, Que. the previous quarter while claiming a permanent residence in his hometown of Maniwaki, Que.
That is likely because Brazeau, who was arrested at the Gatineau home Feb. 7, has since been residing in Maniwaki, Que., while out on bail facing charges of assault and sexual assault.
Original Article
Source: thestar.com
Author: Joanna Smith
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