SASKATOON – As the Senate scandal involving Pamela Wallin deepens, the Saskatchewan senator has been ordered to pay back tens of thousands of dollars in questionable expenses and the matter has also been referred to the RCMP.
In her home province, it appears people’s patience is wearing thin with the once loved broadcaster turned politician.
The independent audit released publicly on Tuesday found Wallin spent more than $121,000 of tax payers money on bogus travel claims with another $21,000 remaining questionable.
As well, the report says Wallin altered expenses and sometimes claimed to be at events she never attended. Wallin said that’s because she was advised by fellow Saskatchewan Senator David Tkachuk to only include relevant information.
“All I did was, it was a passing comment in an hour long conversation where I said submit what you have to submit and leave all the irrelevant material off your calendar,” defended Tkachuk.
Despite Wallin describing the report as “fundamentally flawed and unfair” she’s said she’ll pay back the money including interest as she wants to get back to representing the people of Saskatchewan.
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Some say it may not be so easy.
“This really signals probably the end of Pamela Wallin’s political career, she’s damaged beyond any use to any party really, the conservatives have basically cut her off completely and I don’t see her necessarily being welcomed back with open arms into the Saskatchewan party,” said David McGrane, University of Saskatchewan professor of politics.
The Morning Show discusses the reaction in Saskatchewan to Pamela Wallin’s senate scandal
On the streets of Saskatoon, many say they no longer support the embattled senator who was once so loved by the people of Saskatchewan.
Former clerk of the Senate, Gordon Barnhart, is critical of the honour system that currently exists surrounding expense claims.
He says there have been problems with the system since he was a clerk 20 years ago.
“I had made some recommendations then to make some improvements that I think would have made a huge difference to today in terms of expense allowances and the Senate hasn’t implemented that and it hasn’t really changed a lot over the years,” said Barnhart.
He says there’s also grey areas surrounding what consists of members duties.
“I think what is lacking is there needs to be some absolute definite rules, what is the role of a senator what counts as an expense what doesn’t count and then give that power to the administration to carry that out but they should have the power to make sure that it’s carried out,” he added.
The once high flying Wallin is now on a tight leash, the senate committee restricting her to only direct or immediate flights between Saskatchewan and Ottawa to attend senate business.
Any travel outside of that will have to be pre-approved.
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