Reality Check: Conservative Party continues to pay for partisan activity with Senate pork

The audit of Senator Pamela Wallin’s expenses once again showed how the Conservatives have been using money from average Canadians to pay for Conservative Party fundraising and political organizing.

The Audit outlines how she apparently charged taxpayers for attending Conservative fundraising events in Saskatchewan, Toronto, Kitchener, Montreal (fundraising gala for Brian Mulroney) and a TV panel appearance during the election campaign.

If you ever wondered why Conservatives and Liberals continue to defend the Senate, look no further than the subsidized fundraising and campaigning of their Senators. It’s no accident that Stephen Harper failed to push Senate reform while appointing even more Senators than Brian Mulroney.

It’s not just regular taxpaying Canadians who are outraged, here’s a quote from former Conservative MP Jeremy Harrison:

I can say from experience that there are few things that irritate MPs more than a self-important and un-elected senator, who hasn’t had to face the voters in decades, getting up at the microphone on Wednesday in caucus and expounding on the issues of the day.
– Jeremy Harrison, National Post, August 13, 2013

Canadians deserve better.

The solution is to follow the NDP’s plan for Senate abolition and, in consultation with the provinces,Roll up the Red Carpet.