The Senate has implemented stricter regulations for language immersion trips following a report by Radio-Canada on a Quebec senator’s English classes in Vancouver that cost taxpayers nearly $22,000. Moving forward, spouses will no longer be reimbursed for attending English or French classes, and travel expenses for spouses accompanying senators on trips will not be covered.
Senators can still participate in language classes, but they are encouraged to choose options in the Ottawa area or their home province whenever possible. Requests for language training must now be approved in advance by the Senate’s human resources department.
The Senate’s standing committee on internal economy, budgets, and administration (CIBA) officially adopted these new guidelines on Thursday. The changes were prompted by revelations that Sen. Amina Gerba had attended English classes in Vancouver with her husband over two summers, costing over $3,000 for training but close to $19,000 in travel expenses, including business-class airfare.
Following the report, a spokesperson for Gerba clarified that she had not violated any rules, as similar language study trips had been a common practice among several senators for years. However, comparisons to French immersion programs in Quebec showed lower costs for a similar amount of instruction, according to Senate data.
Sen. Éric Forest, a CIBA member and chair of the Senate’s subcommittee on estimates, expressed satisfaction with the decision, stating, “All senators were in compliance with the regulations, but certain activities raised concerns.”
Additionally, the Senate standing committee on internal economy will review guidelines for “regional familiarization” trips in the near future. The tours, including visits to the Calgary Stampede and Lake Louise in Alberta, raised discomfort among some senators due to the presence of spouses. A survey distributed to all senators indicated a majority supporting stricter regulations for such trips.
