Sask. senator contests expenses flagged by AG

Saskatchewan Senator David Tkachuk says he plans to go to arbitration over some of the expenses flagged in the auditor general’s sweeping audit.

The comprehensive report released Tuesday named 30 current and retired legislators. Nine files, seven retired, two still sitting, will be referred to the RCMP for further investigation.

The audit detected $7,391 in questionable spending by Tkachuk referencing a trip to Vancouver for a fellow senator’s 50th wedding anniversary. He was also flagged for extending stays in Ottawa in which he conducted private business on, according to the report.
 
Speaking on The John Gormley Show, Tkachuk said he has repaid the expenses that he deemed problematic, but is contesting $1,600 for overnight stays in Ottawa, which he said he only billed taxpayers for work related matters.
 
“The next day I had private business, but I billed for the night I came. [Michael Ferguson] said I should’ve gone back that night,” Tkachuk said.

“I fought with him on this, and like they still put it in so I’m going to take it to arbitration. I think he’s dead wrong on it.” 
 
Tkachuk believes he has always spent within the rules and said he has never exceeded his allowance for expenses while in Ottawa.