The Senate implements stricter regulations for language immersion trips following Radio-Canada’s coverage of a Quebec senator’s English classes in Vancouver. Going forward, spouses will no longer be eligible for reimbursement for language classes, and if a senator opts to bring their spouse on the trip, the Senate will not cover their travel expenses. Senators can still participate in language training but are encouraged to choose options in Ottawa or their province of residence when feasible. Any language training requests must be pre-approved by the Senate’s human resources department.
The Senate’s standing committee on internal economy, budgets, and administration (CIBA) approved these new guidelines on Thursday. Recent revelations by Radio-Canada disclosed that Sen. Amina Gerba had attended English classes in Vancouver with her husband for two consecutive summers, costing over $3,000 for training and nearly $19,000 for travel expenses, including business-class airfare.
In response to the report, a representative for the senator clarified that Gerba had not violated any regulations and that such language study trips have been customary among senators for years. English-speaking senators have also participated in French immersion programs in Quebec, but the expenses for similar instruction hours were comparatively lower based on Senate data.
Sen. Éric Forest, a CIBA member and chair of the Senate’s estimates subcommittee, expressed satisfaction with the decision, emphasizing that while all senators adhered to the rules, certain activities warranted scrutiny. Additionally, the Senate’s standing committee on internal economy will review guidelines for “regional familiarization” trips, such as those in Alberta, following concerns raised by senators who were uncomfortable with the presence of spouses during these tours. Sources indicated that a majority of senators support more stringent regulations for these familiarization trips after a survey was circulated among them.