Spending Thriftily

Little wonder politicians get such low marks from the public on issues of trust. More revelations over spendthrift senators having little regard for the trust the public does or does not regard them with. And leaving the distinct impression that Senate rules to begin with are inordinately canted toward permitting its members a trifle too much leeway in declaring their entitlements.

New revelations have been unearthed about Mac Harb, a former elected Member of Parliament, selected to sit in the Senate as a recognition of his work on behalf of the public weal. Only, it appears, his enthusiasm for good public work has waned and veered off toward self-enrichment at some cost to the public taxpayer.

Validation has arisen that this real-estate magnate's assertion that his primary residence is outside the National Capital goes beyond suspect. Indeed, since he pays taxes and casts his vote in elections within the City of Ottawa, he is deemed to be living within the 100km area of the capital, and is thus ineligible for the $40,000 he has collected in living expenses reflecting maintenance of a secondary residence in Ottawa.

But then, he is not alone. Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Dennis Patterson have all been lassoed into the same pen of petty malfeasance in declaring what is evidently untrue to enrich themselves personally at the public trough. While serving the taxpayer's best interests of course, through their activities in the Red Chamber.

Investigative reporters have turned up additional examples of questionable expenditures on the public dime. Naming Frank Mahovlich, Vivienne Poy, Don Meredith, Nancy Ruth, Salma Ataullahjan, Asha Seth, David Braley, Nicole Eaton and Irving Gerstein, all notable for their whopping travel expenses. Living in Toronto, travelling back and forth to Ottawa to dispatch their duties in the Senate of Canada.

They are entitled to travel business class all expenses paid with Via Rail which operates regularly between Toronto and the national capital. They are not required to do so by Senate rules. And if they do, there is no cost, they travel free, the four and a half hours or so it usually takes back and forth. Most, however, citing time being of the essence, opt instead to fly, and that costs.

In fact, it costs greatly - with Frank Mahovlich and Vivienne Poy for example topping the travel expense list at $96,311 and $71,256 respectively, with all others coming in well below, from $59,743 down to $42,344 for others. Mind, that's a lot of toing and froing. And it all adds up. Did we mention Linda Frum and Art Eggleton in there as well, at $43,189 and $42,344?

"As you are likely aware, the Senate committee on internal economy is reviewing these matters. I respect taxpayers. I am committed to ensuring my affairs and expenses are both appropriate and respectful of the Senate policies and rules governing them", responded Nicole Eaton to a query respecting her $36,010 travel expenses.

There are more names: "Normally, I just fly Porter and get the cheap rates. It's 40 minutes once you're on the plane. (Regarding) the trains, it just takes a long, long time. Occasionally I'll do it, but normally, you just don't have the time", responded David Smith of his $18,485 travel expenses, reasonably enough.

Taxpayers should rest easy; the Senate's committee on internal economy has been perusing senators' expense claims. All is well.