Canadian Senate Hospitality Expenses Skyrocket, Drawing Taxpayer Ire
The Canadian Senate's hospitality expenses have more than doubled since 2019, according to a recent report from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF). Individual senators charged back a combined $116,100 on hospitality expenses in 2025 alone, marking a significant 67% increase over the previous year's expenditures.
Lavish Spending Details Emerge
The CTF's analysis, which was double-checked by the National Post, highlights numerous questionable expenses billed to taxpayers. These include:
- $27,000 spent on alcohol purchased from Ontario and Quebec liquor stores, beer stores, and wineries since 2019
- $20,500 for catering at Le St-Estèphe in Gatineau, Quebec, including events like the unveiling of former Speaker George Furey's official portrait
- $2,100 for DJ services from Rivero Disco for three separate events
- $790 for bartending services at a single event
- $644 for a "staff working session" at Ottawa's now-closed Par-Tee Putt mini-golf facility
- $210 for two sessions at a downtown escape room
"Taxpayers are going to be outraged when they see how unelected senators are milking their expenses," said CTF federal director Franco Terrazzano in a press release. "I bet most Canadians don't think the Senate is providing 67 per cent more value."
Individual Senator Spending Patterns
The CTF identified specific senators among the top spenders since 2019:
- Ontario Senator Yvonne Boyer accumulated $15,000 in hospitality expenses, with more than half ($8,000) spent on gifts for unnamed recipients
- Ontario Senator Bernadette Clement spent approximately $3,300 on gifts alone
- Newfoundland and Labrador Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia billed $1,100 for a single business meeting for 20 people at India Gate Restaurant in St. John's
Additional questionable expenses included a $340 "business meeting" for four people at The Keg restaurant and a $100 meeting for two at Toronto's Cibo Wine bar.
Historical Context and Current Concerns
The spending revelations come as senators are scheduled to receive a nearly $10,000 pay raise on April 1, increasing their base salary from $184,800. This timing has amplified criticism from fiscal watchdogs who argue that senators are "bolstering perks on the taxpayers' dime."
Terrazzano emphasized that "expenses are supposed to be used sparingly and for crucial work business," suggesting current practices violate this principle. The report's findings contrast sharply with the Senate's historical purpose as envisioned by Canada's first prime minister, John A. Macdonald, who described it as the "home of sober second thought in legislation."
Notable individual expenses from previous years include former Speaker George Furey's $1,600 gift purchase from the Newfoundland Distillery Company during his tenure. The CTF's comprehensive analysis covers expenditures from 2019 through 2025, revealing a consistent pattern of increased hospitality spending that has now reached record levels.
