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MPs and senators' side income provokes ethics debate
Andre Mayer
The debate over Justin Trudeau's speaking fees has raised questions about what MPs and senators should be allowed to earn on top of their parliamentary incomes.
"It's certainly not legally wrong. But as we are re-examining our democratic institutions, should we, in fact, be putting in place higher ethical expectations?" says Penny Collenette, a law professor at the University of Ottawa who served as a senior adviser to prime minister Jean Chretien between 1993 and 1997.
"It's a subject worthy of a public policy debate."
On Sunday, the Liberal Leader issued a statement offering to reimburse charities that paid him to speak at fundraising events while he was an MP. Trudeau’s statement followed a complaint last week by the Grace Foundation of Saint John, N.B., which said it lost money after paying him $20,000 to speak at a 2012 event.
Trudeau has earned about $277,000 from speaking engagements since becoming an MP in 2008. Some politicians believe Trudeau should not be making extra money for speaking as an MP.
In an interview with CBC News, NDP MP Charlie Angus said, "The question is whether or not he's making this offer [of repayment] because it's political damage control, or because he's come to the realization that it was completely unethical for a Member of Parliament to be charging fees, especially outrageous fees, to charities and schools."
In light of the ongoing Senate spending scandal, freelancing should be part of a wider discussion about financial conduct among parliamentarians, Collenette says.
Earning extra income
According to government figures released in April 2013, MPs earn a base salary of $160,200, and receive additional remuneration if they hold a more senior role, such as a cabinet post ($76,700).
Senators make a base salary of $135,200 and receive extra for positions such as government leader in the Senate ($76,000) or for chairing a committee ($11,200).
Conflict-of-interest rules forbid MPs and senators from using their positions to enrich themselves, but they are not prohibited from earning extra income.
Senators are allowed to own businesses and sit on corporate boards, provided these details are disclosed.
Pamela Wallin, who is the subject of a Senate spending probe, has served on several boards, including Oilsands Quest and Bell Globemedia (now CTVglobemedia). Last week, in the wake of questions over her living expenses, Wallin resigned from the boards of Porter Airlines and the investment firm Gluskin Sheff & Associates.