NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Canadian senators such as Patrick Brazeau, Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin have been under fire lately for allegedly misusing the housing allowance and senate expense allowances.
Senator Nick Sibbeston says he does his best to keep costs to a minimum while travelling. - NNSL file photo
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NWT Senator Nick Sibbeston spent $191,412 on office travel expenses during the most recent full fiscal year. But although this fiscal year only ends March 31, he said it should represent a 15 per cent reduction in total costs.
"I recognize the concern that people have over travel costs," said Sibbeston
As a senator, Sibbeston is allowed to claim housing allowances and travel expenses because his primary residence is in Fort Simpson.
"I maintain a small condo in Gatineau, Que., to stay in when in Ottawa, which is less expensive than hotels, but I live, vote and pay taxes in the NWT," said Sibbeston.
Although Sibbeston said he believes the elected representative has the most important role to play, in this case MP Dennis Bevington, one person can't cover everything so he focuses his efforts on economic development, climate change, regulatory reform and justice.
And representing the NWT does come with a lot of travel expenses, he said.
"The NWT is the biggest senatorial region, other than Nunavut, and the farthest from Ottawa. There are frequent delays and connecting flights so I spend a lot of time in airports," said Sibbeston.
In a typical year, Sibbeston makes the trip eight to 14 times.
"On many of these trips my wife Karen travels with me, as allowed by Senate rules, because of the importance I place on maintaining family life," he said.
"I also occasionally travel to other parts of the country for committee work or to fulfill other aspects of my senate duties such as meetings with aboriginal leaders. And, of course, to carry out my responsibilities to represent the NWT, I travel to communities in the North, which can be very costly as everyone in the North knows." said Sibbeston.
Each senator and member of parliament is given the same opportunities to travel to their home community. Instead of a dollar amount, the system is based on points and each parliamentarian is given the equivalent of 64 trips between Ottawa and their home community. Travel within a home province or territory counts as half a point.
Sibbeston was appointed to the Senate in 1999 by former prime minister Jean Chretien.
"I will try to make sure costs are kept to a minimum but people have to recognize that the NWT is always going to be an expensive place to represent," said Sibbeston.
In the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the last time News/North checked into Sibbeston's travel expenses, the senator spent $190,172 on travel.
