Senator Donald Neil Plett

Appendix B—Files recommended for review by the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration Senator Donald Neil Plett

Province: Manitoba

Appointment date: 27 August 2009

For the period from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013

Total amount of items referred to the Internal Economy Committee
(including applicable taxes)
$4,095
Amount repaid after 5 June 2013 and before 7 May 2015 $2,975

Findings—travel

We found several instances of travel expenses claimed by the Senator that were not for parliamentary business.

1. On 10 July 2011, the Senator flew from Calgary to Ottawa. He had been in Calgary for personal activities. The Senator stated that he returned to Ottawa to conduct Senate-related office work. Airfare from Calgary to Ottawa is more expensive than from his primary residence in Winnipeg. The incremental cost of the airfare was $715.

2. On 4 to 5 December 2011, the Senator and his spouse travelled from Landmark, Manitoba to Montréal, before travelling to Ottawa. The Senator stated that he had a meeting in Montréal, but he was unable to provide us with any information about the meeting. The Senate Administrative Rules state that every person who uses Senate resources is responsible to account for that use. We received no additional documentation or explanations for the purpose of this trip or the events that took place during that time. On the basis of the information available, we determined that these expenses had not been incurred for parliamentary business. The incremental cost of the trip to Montréal, including accommodations and taxi, was $222.

3. On 5 February 2012, the Senator travelled by air from Landmark to Montréal, and then to Ottawa by train later that afternoon. The Senator stated that he had dined with a Senate colleague in Montréal. The Senator’s calendar contained an entry for a professional hockey game early that afternoon. The Senate Administrative Rules state that every person who uses Senate resources is responsible to account for that use. We received no additional documentation or explanations for the purpose of this trip or the events that took place during that time. On the basis of the information available, we determined that these expenses had not been incurred for parliamentary business. As there was no incremental cost in airfare, and no cost for the train, the only incremental costs were for the per diem and taxis in Montréal, for a total of $183.

4. From 8 to 10 June 2012, the Senator travelled round-trip from Ottawa to Montréal. The Senator’s calendar indicated personal activities on 8 and 10 June. The Senator stated that this claim was made in error. The cost of the trip, including taxis and per diems, was $262.

5. From 14 to 16 December 2012, after the Senate had adjourned for the holidays, the Senator travelled from Ottawa to St. John’s, and then to Winnipeg. The Senator stated that he visited family in St. John’s instead of flying to see his family in Winnipeg. We determined that the purpose of this trip was for personal activities. The incremental cost of the trip, including airfare, hotel, and per diems, less the cost of airfare for the Senator travelling home to Winnipeg, was $2,713.

The Senator’s comments

ITEM 1

ITEM 2

ITEM 3

ITEM 4

ITEM 5

Appendix B—Files recommended for review by the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Senate of Canada—Senators’ Expenses