Abiding By The Rules

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle    Senator Pamela Wallin appears at a Senate committee hearing on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, August 12, 2013. 

 

My, my, what an entirely enviable career trajectory. A woman endowed with generous and lovely physical features, pairing that genetic gift with wit and intelligence. Enabling her to achieve quite the career in journalism and in the public affairs of television interviews. Rounding all that out with being selected to for the plum position as consul general for Canada at the New York consulate from 2002 to 2006.

More outreach, more valuable contacts, more opportunities. Including invitations to sit on the boards of quite a few high-powered corporations. And a post as chancellor of University of Guelph.

But wait; there's more to this high-achieving, ambitious woman's curriculum vitae; the privilege at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Canada to sit as a senator representing Saskatchewan in the ornate Red Chamber of the Senate of Canada. Ms. Wallin is a charmer, bright and loquacious, she knows her way around, and is capable of raising enviable funding for the political party whose values and agenda she supports. She is popular on the speaking circuit, connected and respected.

Sometimes the genius of those who accomplish much is tarnished by the inability to perform those simple little tasks that are required of everyone acting on the public dime. Or answerable to the tedious demands of accounting for funds spent in reflection of one's position and duties and chosen profession. From journalist to diplomat, board member to chancellor and on to political activism and respected member of the Senate, one must account for expenditures.

"We know that we can't use our position here or the resources in the Senate to advance our own personal issues, and most of us don't. I don't think the problem is widespread. I've said from the beginning that I don't think the problem is with the rules, I think the problem is with the inability or unwillingness of some senators to abide by the letter and spirit of those rules."
Liberal Senate leader James Cowan

Most reasonable people would agree with Mr. Cowan. Most of his colleagues in the Senate would nod their heads in agreement. Certainly taxpayers have no patience for elected officials who take little notice of those who fund them, let alone public servants in service of discharging their obligations without due diligence in defending the beleaguered taxpayer wanting value for their hard-earned and grudgingly-dispensed taxes.

When it is revealed that unelected officials make fast and loose with scarce funding, the fury of blazing fur flies.

Billing the Senate (taxpayers) to fly to Toronto for the purpose of attending a luncheon where the chief executive of Porter Airlines - a company on whose board Ms. Wallin gracefully reclines - is simply not on. Billing the Senate is hugely inappropriate when the purpose of the flight is to deliver the convocation address at the University of Guelph, as its chancellor.

Billing the Senate for a Toronto flight meant to appear as a special guest at the Juno Awards, is hugely inappropriate ... heh ... to be avoided at all costs.

"Senator Wallin indicated that she was asked to be a different kind of senator -- one who was more active in the community, representing the Senate -- and that discussions with Senator (David) Tkachuk early in her tenure regarding various roles she had (such as chancellor of the University of Guelph in Ontario) confirmed that travel expenses to such events would be eligible for reimbursement", read the auditor's report.

An prime example of a colossal miscommunication where Ms. Wallin wanted to believe she was entitled to reimbursement by the Senate for expenses relating to her many and varied appointments pre-dating her Senate appointment. Many people believe themselves to be special, and as such especially entitled; Ms. Wallin did not scoop up the the Oscars of Insolent Entitlement; she shares it generously with many others.

"If she did something wrong, no one told her to do it; certainly not me. I was chair of the audit committee. I was trying to move the process along. What I told her to do was submit relevant material. Don't submit irrelevant material. That was her decision to make after that, what was relevant and what isn't; it wasn't my decision." 
Senator David Tkachuk, now retired with great relief, from the audit committee

No, Senator Tkachuk, breathe easy, do not excite yourself immoderately, it most certainly was not your decision. But Ms. Wallin is without doubt grateful for your guidance, nonetheless.