Senate Leaders to Block Suspended Colleagues’ Expenses

Senators say they’re taking action after it was revealed that a member who has been barred from the chamber is still claiming thousands of dollars in expenses.

This one seems like a no-brainer. The Senate’s Government Leader Marjory LeBreton said Thursday that Senators who have been suspended from duty should not be allowed to keep billing taxpayers for travel and office expenses. Her comments came after reports this week that Senator Raymond Lavigne continues to claim $10,000 a month, despite being charged with fraud and suspended from the chamber in 2007. He also continues to collect his $133,000 annual salary, and taxpayers are footing the bill for his office and second house in Ottawa. His case is still before the courts. LeBreton said that she’s asking Senate committees to draft new rules to prevent similar abuses in the future.