It outlines a lot of undemocratic examples of the role of the senate. The most recent scandal started when conservative senators, Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau were suspended for allegedly fraudulent travel and house expense claims. They were originally caught by the Auditor General of Canada, and although they have paidmost of it back, have rightfully raised a lot of concerns from Canadians. All three have been suspended from the Senate, without pay. Since all three senators were appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and are part of the conservative party, he has been directly linked to the scandal. In fact, Harper’s former chief of staff, Nigel Wright, paid Mike Duffy’s invalid expense claims, giving Duffy nearly $90,000 of his own money to reimbursethe Senate. Harper is taking no responsibility, even after Duffy has publically declared Harper’s involvement in the matter.2 Harper was hoping to quietly dismiss the issue by suspending the three senators and by vaguely repeating himself in saying “We don 't assure Canadians that everything will be perfect. But we do assure Canadians that when anything goes wrong people will be held accountable, the misuse of expense accountsis not appropriate and will be dealt with appropriately. '
It outlines a lot of undemocratic examples of the role of the senate. The most recent scandal started when conservative senators, Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau were suspended for allegedly fraudulent travel and house expense claims. They were originally caught by the Auditor General of Canada, and although they have paidmost of it back, have rightfully raised a lot of concerns from Canadians. All three have been suspended from the Senate, without pay. Since all three senators were appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and are part of the conservative party, he has been directly linked to the scandal. In fact, Harper’s former chief of staff, Nigel Wright, paid Mike Duffy’s invalid expense claims, giving Duffy nearly $90,000 of his own money to reimbursethe Senate. Harper is taking no responsibility, even after Duffy has publically declared Harper’s involvement in the matter.2 Harper was hoping to quietly dismiss the issue by suspending the three senators and by vaguely repeating himself in saying “We don 't assure Canadians that everything will be perfect. But we do assure Canadians that when anything goes wrong people will be held accountable, the misuse of expense accountsis not appropriate and will be dealt with appropriately. '