SENATE SUSPENSIONS
A vote on whether to suspend Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy and Patrick Brazeau has led a senator to ask his colleagues to “do the right thing.”
OTTAWA — The turmoil that has wracked the Senate this week over the fate of three embattled members was laid bare Thursday as a former president of the federal Conservative party told the upper chamber he would vote against his party’s plan to summarily suspend Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau.
With debate expected to go late into the night, Sen. Don Plett — appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper three years ago — told his colleagues he was ready to buck the party line for the first time in his Senate career.
“What we are trying to do oversimplifies a complex issue with a quick fix at the expense of three individuals,” Plett said, his hands trembling as he read his notes. “Just because it is within our rights, doesn’t make it the right thing to do.”
“I cannot support my leader’s motion.” Plett’s remarks brought into unmistakable relief the unease that exists among some Conservatives at the notion of abruptly stripping the three senators of their pay, privileges and even their health benefits for up to two years, as punishment for their inappropriate expense claims.
As the spending affair widens, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has cast the issue as one of justly punishing people who mistreat taxpayers’ money. His foes have suggested the proposed suspensions are a case of political expediency that ignores due process and robs the accused three of a proper hearing.
Plett said: “My father introduced me to the world of politics at the age of 15. He counselled and mentored me. He was Conservative all of his life. But first and foremost, he was a man of ethics and integrity. He taught me not to let politics get in the way of doing the right thing. He taught me to vote with my conscience.
“Honourable senators, I ask you, please do the right thing.”
When Plett finished his emotion-filled speech, a slow, standing ovation built among the opposition Liberal senators, complemented by applause and desk-thumping from a baker’s dozen Conservative senators.
Those numbers did not mean the three senators facing punishment would win a reprieve. With 60 members in the upper chamber, the Conservatives hold the overwhelming majority of seats. Should all independent and Liberal senators vote as a bloc against the suspensions, they would still need about a dozen Conservatives to break ranks and join them, or vote for amendments that would have the three senators receive new hearings before a special Senate committee.
Wallin’s leading defender, Conservative Sen. Hugh Segal, appeared resigned to the suspensions, saying he didn’t have the votes to stop them.
“As we speak, I don’t think I have them,” Segal told reporters on his way into the chamber. “There’s not a large number as we speak.”
A final vote on suspending the three was not expected Thursday night. Government Senate house leader Claude Carignan told reporters outside the chamber that a final vote could take place as early as Monday night — if the Senate were recalled for a special sitting — or Tuesday.
In Duffy’s absence, former government house leader Marjory LeBreton launched a counter-attack against his allegations that she was part of a coverup involving the Prime Minister’s Office.
Calling the former broadcast journalist a storyteller who traded in rumour and gossip, LeBreton also argued in favour of suspending him without pay.
LeBreton said she would vote in favour of the motions to suspend all three senators because it was the correct punishment for the expense transgressions.