Senate internal audit must be released

Re All three parties talk about change in Ottawa,

May 29 In an era when cabinet ministers, senators and even city councillors must publish their expenses online for taxis and paper clips, it seems odd that the Senate would take refuge in parliamentary privilege and fight to keep a 2013 internal audit report secret.

Evidence desired by Mike Duffy’s defence is being withheld by the Senate, which would suggest that it is exculpatory for Duffy. I thought audits were designed to find out the truth; why then keep the truth secret? It was conducted at public expense concerning public accounts and yet the public and Mr. Duffy are denied it.

No mention of the Senate giving a redacted and condensed version to the court has ever been made. The less charitable would categorize these actions as obstructing justice, or even perverting the course of justice.

Crown prosecutors and the police who once casually withheld unfavourable evidence now do not dare for fear of civil liability and careers ending.

Some would even typify the Senate’s actions as a fundamental denial of natural justice, the sort of finding that deadends careers as well as causing acquittals. Successful appeals are often based on such matters.

Perhaps the Speaker of the Senate will have a conversion on the road to Damascus and release the audit. Brian Beckett, Nepean, Ont.

An ultimatum to senators

Re Tory MP’s reform act treading rough waters in Senate, May 27 I am disgusted with the behaviour of senators who refuse to pass the reform act. It appears they are not only cheaters, criminals and bullies, but also mere puppets in the hands of a rogue prime minister. For a house of “sober second thought,” they behave too much like the bystanders who cheer on the schoolyard bully. Grow up, senators, and protect Canadian democracy before it is too late. Or risk losing the last shred of respect anyone has for you. Kate Chung, Toronto