Quebec Senator Amina Gerba and her husband undertook two 20-hour English courses in Vancouver, with the total cost amounting to nearly $22,000. This move, which some parliamentary members find ethically questionable, occurred in July 2023 and 2024 and was in compliance with Senate travel regulations. The expenses, including tuition at Collège Éducacentre at $1,521 per course, as well as travel costs like hotel accommodation, business-class airfare, and daily allowances for the six-day trips, were reimbursed by taxpayers.
Senators, as per Senate regulations, are entitled to reimbursement for official language training and associated travel expenditures. Furthermore, the Senate permits senators’ spouses to partake in the same courses and have their costs covered. Senator Raymonde Saint-Germain, a member of the Senate’s standing committee on internal economy, budgets, and administration, believes that the guidelines concerning language training should undergo a review.
In response to inquiries regarding Gerba’s travel expenses, it was revealed that the committee will be examining the rules pertaining to English and French courses during an upcoming meeting. Saint-Germain emphasized the need to evaluate whether language proficiency can be achieved more efficiently and cost-effectively, considering the context of public service.
Gerba defended her travel choices, stating that her husband’s presence aided in maintaining family balance while not impeding her official duties. She justified the necessity of traveling to Vancouver as vital for fulfilling her responsibilities representing her constituency and gaining insights into various provinces’ realities and issues. She highlighted the cultural enrichment and professional activities, like discussions on a supply management bill, engagements with the Francophone Chamber of Commerce of British Columbia, and honoring Korean War veterans, during her stays.
Bloc Québécois MP Christine Normandin and NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice expressed concerns over Gerba’s expenses, suggesting that they should be repaid, given their perceived unjustifiability. Normandin criticized the trips as potentially resembling vacations rather than genuine language learning endeavors. Boulerice questioned the choice to travel to Vancouver for language courses when similar options are available in Montreal, closer to Gerba’s residence.
Apart from language training, the Senate is also reevaluating other types of travel, such as regional familiarization tours, following reports on discomfort among members during visits to places like Alberta. A survey on these tours was recently circulated among senators, with a majority advocating for stricter regulations. The standing committee is expected to announce potential further regulations on such tours in the near future.