Sen. Mac Harb
Appointed to the Senate in 2003 on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
What does he owe?
Just before he stepped down as chair of the Senate’s Internal Economy committee, Sen. David Tkachuk said Harb owed a total of $231,649 in improperly claimed expenses.
That was a hefty increase from an earlier Senate report that ordered Harb to repay $51,000 in housing and living expenses he had claimed over 18 months, before auditors were asked to review expenses going back to 2005.
What has he paid back?
The Senate issued a press release Friday saying Harb had sent a $51,482.90 cheque to the Senate Committee on Internal Economy. However, it noted “that he forwards this cheque under protest, which means that he vigorously denies any liability and he intends to pursue his Judicial Review Application in the Ontario Divisional Court.”
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Sen. Pamela Wallin
Appointed to the Senate in 2009 on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
What does she owe?
The audit into Wallin’s was finally released on Aug. 13, after outside auditing firm, Deloitte, requested more time. Auditors looked at more than $500,000 worth of Wallin’s travel expenses, and deemed $121,348 ineligible. Another $20,978 in claims were referred back to the Senate committee to determine whether they are eligible.
What has she paid back?
Wallin has been steadily paying back expenses over the last year and a half. So far, she has returned $38,369 in travel expenses, and must only repay the outstanding balance, plus interest. Insiders told CTV News she paid back about $25,000 before the forensic audit even began.
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Sen. Mike Duffy
Appointed to the Senate in 2008 on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
What does he owe?
The Senate Committee on Internal Economy determined that Duffy had to repay $81,332.54 in improper housing allowances from 2008-2013, plus $8,839.70 in interest, for a total of $90,172.24. However, Duffy is also being investigated for his per diem claims, including allegations he claimed Senate per diems while he was actually campaigning for Conservative candidates.
What has he paid back?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s then-chief of staff Nigel Wright wrote a personal cheque to Duffy for $90,172.24, so the senator could pay back his housing allowance claims. The cheque was a gift; Wright did not expect to be paid back. That cheque sparked an RCMP criminal investigation into Duffy that is ongoing. Documents related to the investigation can be found here.
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Sen. Patrick Brazeau
Appointed to the Senate in 2008 on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
What does he owe?
Brazeau owes $48,744, including interest, in improper housing and mileage expenses for the period from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2013, according to the Senate Committee on Internal Economy.
What has he paid back?
Brazeau is fighting the Senate’s order that he repay the housing allowance claims, citing the Deloitte audit, which found that he passed its “indicators” for his stated primary residence. The Senate is holding firm, however, and because he missed his first payment deadline in June, his salary is now being docked.
Last May, Brazeau wrote an open letter to Sen. David Tkachuk, asking senators to hold an open meeting “to help Canadians understand the decision making process of their Senate.”
