Fifteen senators spent $118K in taxpayer funds on an Alberta tour. The Senate now faces questions over the trip’s purpose, costs, and spousal travel.
Alberta Tour by Senators Sparks Spending Concerns
Senators from Ottawa took a taxpayer-funded “familiarization tour” of Alberta in July 2024, raising questions over public spending, spousal travel, and relevance.
Fifteen members of Canada’s Senate embarked on a three-day tour of Alberta last summer, visiting the Calgary Stampede, Lake Louise, the oilsands, and local farms. The trip, organized by Alberta Senator Scott Tannas in partnership with the provincial government, cost taxpayers $118,000 — an amount that has sparked internal and public debate about the appropriateness of such excursions.
Purpose Behind the Trip
Senator Tannas said the tour aimed to help his colleagues understand Alberta’s culture and economy, offering what he called a “come to know” experience. The itinerary included agriculture and energy site visits, along with meetings with the province’s tourism industry leaders. According to Tannas, understanding regional issues is critical to Senate responsibilities.
Cost and Participation Details
The trip saw 15 senators participate, with six staff members and three spouses joining. While within Senate rules, the inclusion of spouses — whose travel was reimbursed — has drawn particular criticism. The $118,000 cost included accommodations, meals, and transport, with some hotel stays exceeding $500 per night during peak tourist season.
Pushback From Within the Senate
Three senators, speaking anonymously, expressed unease about the trip, describing it as a “summer team-building” event rather than legitimate Senate work. They noted the tour wasn’t linked to any formal committee study, and lacked deliverables like reports or recommendations, calling its necessity into question.
Official Review Underway
The Senate’s Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (CIBA) has initiated a review of such trips. A subcommittee has been tasked with examining the regulation of coordinated Senate travel to ensure public funds are used responsibly and transparently.
CIBA Chair Lucie Moncion stated that the Senate must guarantee all travel spending is “justifiable, appropriate, reasonable and well documented.”
Wider Political and Expert Criticism
New Democrat MP Alexandre Boulerice and political scientist Geneviève Tellier have both criticized the trip’s timing and lack of accountability. Tellier argued such travel should be tied to official Senate studies, and warned that perception of extravagance could damage the Senate’s credibility, especially in light of past expense scandals.
Mixed Reactions on Spousal Travel
Spousal travel emerged as a key point of contention. While technically allowed under “family reunification” guidelines, critics argue it shouldn’t be used for what appears to be vacation-like purposes. Senator Pierre Moreau called for tighter rules, suggesting spouses should pay their own way unless clear justification exists.
Organizers Defend Legitimacy
Defending the initiative, Tannas said the Stampede and related activities offered cultural and political insights unique to Alberta. He rejected the idea that the tour was a luxury trip at public expense, noting the packed schedule and policy discussions.
Senator Daryl Fridhandler, organizing a similar tour this summer, echoed the sentiment: “Better understanding leads to better senators.”
Relevance and Reputation at Stake
With another Alberta tour planned during the 2025 Stampede, and one in Churchill, Manitoba, the question remains: how should senators balance regional awareness with fiscal accountability? Some fear that unregulated “familiarization tours” risk returning the Senate to the kind of spending scrutiny it faced during its 2012–2015 expense scandal era.
“The Senate is already a fragile institution in the eyes of many Canadians,” Tellier said. “Trips like this may help — or they may undermine that trust entirely.”
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