Liberal senator wants investigation into AG leaks

OTTAWA – A Senate Liberal wants the upper chamber to investigate its own leaks of the auditor general’s Senate expense report because they were “damaging” to the institution.

Sen. Céline Hervieux-Payette plans to argue in the Senate committee on rules, procedures and the rights of Parliament on Tuesday that the leaks were a breach of privilege, and ask Senate Speaker Leo Housakos to order an investigation.

“For six days in a row, bits and pieces of the report were released by some individuals. I don’t know who they are, but as far as I am concerned there is a breach of privilege on the part of senators,” Hervieux-Payette said in an interview.

“This is damaging the institution.”

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The details followed the revelation that three top senators – Housakos, Senate Liberal leader James Cowan, and Conservative Sen. Claude Carignan – were among the 21 flagged for questionable expenses.

Hervieux-Payette, appointed 20 years ago by former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien, also wants senators who are named in the report to be removed from the internal economy and the rules committees’, respectively.

Only two senators named in the report sit on those committees: Conservative senators David Tkachuk and Housakos, who were among the 21 with questionable expenses.

“If you are part of the problem you should not be there to judge the others,” said Hervieux-Payette, whose name is not in the report.

As it stands, senators in the report may appeal to a third party arbitrator, who will make final recommendations back to the internal economy committee. Housakos has said all decisions will be made public.

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Housakos has said he will pay back $8,319 in expenses for staff travel and consulting contracts, while auditors flagged $7,319 in Tkachuk’s travel expenses.

Tkachuk has paid back $1,900, but in his response to the audit, said Senate rules allowed for his travel. He said he will repay the rest if the internal economy committee finds “an error was made in interpreting the rules.”

When asked what he thought of Hervieux-Payette’s case of privilege, Tkachuk said in an email: “She is entitled to her opinion.”

A spokeswoman for Housakos said the speaker has ruled it a prima facie case and referred to the committee for an independent inquiry and a public report without delay.

But she said Housakos’ schedule prevents him from making it to committee on Tuesday.

Hervieux-Payette said she hopes the committee orders the investigation.

“I think we should make an inquiry, to see how the paper was released, who got it, and how many people have got their hands on it. Then you can start making an inquiry and question the people,” she said.