[Newsbot]

Title: Suspended senator costs taxpayers $700,000
Category: Misc CDN
Posted By: Hyack
Date: 2010-11-04 23:13:30
Canadian

[Heavy_Metal]

politicians and senators and mayors and the like should make absolutely no more than 80,000 a year. they are servants of the public, they should not be getting rich off the backs of the tax payer, especially for the little amount of work most of them do....or don't do

[Curtman]

$1:

"He is not allowed to be in the chamber and he is not allowed to participate in any other legislative duty, but he is still a senator," said Cowan.

...

In a statement, Lavigne's office responded by saying: "Senator Raymond Lavigne has been mandated by the Senate of Canada for public affairs from coast to coast."

NDP MP Pat Martin scoffed at the statement.

"I don't know what possible function he could be performing for the Senate of Canada from coast to coast. His job is over there in the Senate and when you are suspended you have no duties," he said,

However, the Conservative senator responsible for spending said that Lavigne is entitled to the funds as long as he is still a member of the chamber.

I agree with my MP (Pat Martin) on this one.. Shouldn't he at least have to explain why he's performing those duties if he's not allowed to perform them?

[Freakinoldguy]

$1:

Despite being suspended from the Senate three years ago, Liberal Sen. Raymond Lavigne has managed to cost the Canadian taxpayer more than $700,000 since 2007, public accounts reveal.

Lavigne was suspended from the house of sober second thought after being charged with fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice.

I guess this is to be expected from a Chretien appointee.

The sense of entitlement by unelected officials who act like they're in the House of Lords, is just one more reason the Senate should be elected or disbanded and I personally don't care which, just so long as it happens sooner than later.