Expense scandal snares senator
Nick Sibbeston defends himself, saying auditor didn't listen to his explanations
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Senator Nick Sibbeston has been flagged by the auditor general of Canada for $50,102 in questionable expense claims for items such as overnight stays in Yellowknife, taxi trips and his wife's travel to Ottawa.
Sibbeston, the territory's only senator, is one of 30 others cited in a report released Tuesday on the growing expense scandal. The 120-page report is the culmination of a two-year review that flagged a total of nearly $977,000 in improper claims, citing a lack of "oversight, accountability, and transparency" in the Senate expense system. Nine of the 30 have been referred to the RCMP for further investigation. Sibbeston is not among them. His spending will be referred to a Senate committee for further examination and to determine whether the costs should be repaid.
The report found Sibbeston's claims were either not for parliamentary business or there was insufficient information to determine whether the expenses had been for parliamentary business.
He disputed that in an interview with Yellowknifer Tuesday and said he's disappointed with the findings of the audit.
"I would say I'm ashamed," he said. "I don't like that I've been pointed out in the auditor general's report because it gives the impression that, 'Wow, you did something wrong.'"
He believes he will be able to prove most of the expenses were for legitimate Senate business.
"I remember every meeting and am only criticized for the lack of paperwork."
There were several instances of overnight stays in Yellowknife en route home to Fort Simpson by the senator and his wife that were claimed as senate business. The auditor general could not confirm the purpose of the extended stays which cost $4,436 for accommodations, per diems, car rental and mileage.
In his written response included in the audit report, Sibbeston stated that the rules for overnight stays were not as clear as the report suggests. He also pointed out the high cost of travel in the North. Because of that, he said it was common to combine travel for personal and public business.
As a well-known public figure, he said he's always on duty as a senator.
"As soon as I arrive, residents immediately approach me to strike up conversations about issues of concern. In essence, I am always on the job," he stated.
Travel costing $27,629 within Western Canada and the territory claimed as Senate business was also found to be problematic because its purpose could not be confirmed. Taxi trips for personal business while in Ottawa cost taxpayers $913. Senators have taxi vouchers he said he used for trips to things such as doctors appointments.
"Hospitality expenses" of $2,457 were cited, which Sibbeston said were for lunches in Ottawa and Fort Simpson.
His wife's trips to Ottawa were also referenced. Senate rules state expenses can be claimed to reunite a spouse with a senator. Her travel was, on five instances, considered in breach of the rules.
"We determined that the spouse's trips on these occasions did not respect the objective of family reunification, because the expenses were incurred for personal activities, including reuniting with independent adult children and their families, rather than with the senator and any dependents," the report states.
The costs included per diems, accommodations, airfare, mileage, car rental, and taxis totalling $13,133.
Sibbeston was critical of the auditor general's narrow interpretation of the family reunification rules. He referred to an instance where she went to Yellowknife for an appointment a day before he did and then the next day they both went on to Ottawa. He said the auditor suggested they should travel together.
"'We didn't both have to travel (together), and look, I saved the government money,'" he said he told the auditors. "It's things of that sort that are an issue. They interpret the rules very narrowly."
According to the report, records show his cellphone was being used by someone else in another location and that this staff had text-messaging charges that were for personal activities. The cost of these telecommunications charges was $1,534.
Sibbeston served in the NWT legislative assembly from 1979 to 1991, spending six years in cabinet and two years as premier. He was appointed to the Senate by former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien in 1999.
Former NWT premier Dennis Patterson, now senator for Nunavut, owes $22,985 according to the report. Patterson, appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2009, has already repaid $6,200. Sibbeston has not repaid anything.
