TEN ENTITLEMENTS SENATORS RECEIVE

Based, in part, on exhibits at Sen. Mike Duffy’s fraud trial, here are 10 entitlements of senators:

1. Senators are paid $142,400 salary per year with extra payments for those performing added official duties (whips, caucus chairs etc.).

2. As with MPs, senators are entitled to a lifetime pension after six years in the red chamber.

3. Each senator is allowed about $150,000 for research and office expenses.

4. Each senator gets 64 travel points per fiscal year to be “spent” by either the senator or an “alternate” — a “senator’s designated traveller” such as a dependant child (under 21) or under 25 if still in school; an office employee; or a “contractor” chosen by the senator. It’s complicated but, for example, one point is deducted for every return trip from a senator’s home base to Ottawa. Points are different from travel expenses.

5. Senators, their spouses and dependant children (see above) travel free on Via Rail. Senators may travel in Via business class without charge but spouses and dependants pay for upgrades.

6. Senators can make up to four trips a year to Washington D.C. or New York City for business reasons, with prior approval. All other international travel requires pre-approval. Other foreign travel as part of Senate or joint parliamentary committees is paid from committee budgets. A senator flies business class but in the event he or she travels with an impecunious parliamentary association and is booked economy, the senator can upgrade at the cost of 0.5 points. The upgrade cost is reimbursed.

7. Senators living 100 kilometres or more outside the National Capital Region can claim up to $22,000 a year living expenses for their time in Ottawa.

8. Senators who travel to countries where tap water may endanger their health are entitled to claim for bottled water (with receipts).

9. Senators are reimbursed for membership of Air Canada’s exclusive Maple Leaf club ($665 for worldwide membership).

10. Travel costs are reimbursed if a senator takes part in political party activities “related to the work of the Senator or Senate.” Travel to and from “purely partisan” activities is not covered.