Reality Check: For the record – Stephen Harper and the Conservatives defend Pamela Wallin’s extravagant spending

Before he dumped Pamela Wallin from the Conservative Caucus, there was no greater defender of the sometime Saskatchewan Senator than Stephen Harper and his gang of ministers.

On February 13, Tom Mulcair asked the Prime Minister:

Senator Wallin is using taxpayers' money to travel around the country and to star in the Conservative Party's fundraising activities. Does the Prime Minister believe it is acceptable for taxpayers' money to be used to raise money for his political party? – Tom Mulcair, House of Commons, February 13, 2013

Mr. Harper responded:

Mr. Speaker, I reject that characterization. In terms of Senator Wallin, I have looked at the numbers. Her travel costs are comparable to any parliamentarian travelling from that particular area of the country over that period of time. For instance, last year Senator Wallin spent almost half of her time in the province she represents in the Senate. The costs are to travel to and from that province, as any similar parliamentarian would do.

– Stephen Harper, House of Commons, February 13, 2013

Stephen Harper wasn’t the only one staunchly defending Ms. Wallin’s travel habits. Here’s what Peter Van Loan had to say:

I do know that Senator Wallin spent 168 days last year in the province of Saskatchewan, which she represents. The costs that are in question are related to her travel from Ottawa to Saskatchewan. As members know, we expect parliamentarians to maintain a residence in their home region and in Ottawa. That is exactly what Senator Wallin has done.
– Peter Van Loan, House of Commons, February 13, 2013

Senator Wallin spent 168 days in the past year in Saskatchewan proudly supporting our government__, proudly supporting our party and advancing the causes that Canadians believe in: jobs, growth and a stronger economy, which is something she fights for every day as do all of us on this side.
– Peter Van Loan, House of Commons, February 14, 2013

There is nothing out of the ordinary and those expenses do relate to her travel from Ottawa to Saskatchewan, where she was 168 days last year.
– Peter Van Loan, House of Commons, February 14, 2013

With the review of Senator Wallin’s expenses about to be revealed, we’ll see if the Prime Minister and his House Leader continue defending Ms. Wallin’s extravagant travel habits and misspending of taxpayer dollars.

Canadians deserve better.