On Second Thought....

"We request that you proceed to interview each senator who has claimed a secondary residence allowance to confirm the legitimacy of such claims. Should any senator be unable to convince you that the claim is valid, that senator should be required to repay immediately all monies so paid with interest.
"We believe it is vital for the reputation of the Senate and those senators who are in full compliance with our rules and regulations that this determination be made as soon as possible and that the result be made public."

The above from an authorizing letter sent to the Senate internal economy committee investigating a number of individuals in the Senate of Canada who have filed for housing allowance, when it has been revealed by the press that their residential claims appear suspicious, to say the least. 

Signed by Conservative Senator Marjory LeBreton and Liberal Senator James Cowan, those senators claiming the allowance, whose primary residence is within the 100 kilometre-area of the National Capital Region, will be held to task.

It isn't as though this little bit of expense-claiming skullduggery represents the only embarrassments to come out of the Senate of Canada in the last several years. Last year one senator left in disgrace when he was found to be guilty of expensing claims outside of his official duties, and authorizing a government-paid member of his staff to perform tasks for him at his property in Gatineau.

Also in the last year an incident occurred where a senator in his 70s, married to a woman in her 20s, caused a ruckus aboard an airplane, the senator's wife taken into custody and charged by police for causing witnesses to claim that she had threatened to kill her husband, and shouting obscenities at the cabin crew.

One eminent senator who happens also to have been a world-renowned heart surgeon was apprehended by Ottawa police on charges of soliciting for sex, named as a "John" and instructed to attend "John School", paying $500 for the privilege of being taught how his anti-social activities impact on society and the women who are victimized.

And the youngest member of the Senate has now been dismissed from that grand chamber for having distinguished himself by being arrested on a 911 domestic assault and sexual assault call at his home in Gatineau; a young man of great promise, but whose penchant for controversial behaviour has shed an awkward light on the Senate of late.

Three Conservative senators - Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau, the very young man dismissed from the chamber, along with Liberal Mac Harb are all now suspected of illegally having claimed living expenses, indicating their primary residences are elsewhere than within the 100-kilometre area to receive a $21,000 yearly housing allowance.

Thus clarifying for a public already of the conclusion that the Senate is ripe for change or outright abolishment, that those sitting in that august chamber are somewhat less than noble lawmakers.