Newest Senators Face Controversy
Mike Duffy, Patrick Brazeau Face Criticism
Mike Duffy is defending himself over remarks made regarding two Provincial Premiers, while Patrick Brazeau is defending himself against sexual assault charges and allegations of corruption.
Patrick Brazeau Defends Himself Against Corrpution Charges:
The former chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples has loudly defended himself against all charges. Before taking his senate seat he faced two sexual assault charges, one of which has been settled. He confirmed the settlement to the Globe& Mail: “It is true there was an allegation, but the case has been closed.” The second allegation is against the organization itself and remains under investigation.
The corruption charges stem from an audit conducted by Health Canada while Brazeau was vice-chief. The agency questioned the way federal money was being spent, and demanded the repayment of $5 thousand. Brazeau explained the discrepancy to the Globe& Mail: “If I spend 30% of my time on health issues, well there’s a component in the health budget to cover my salary.”
He defended himself in an interview with CTV’s Question Period saying the issues went back to transparency: “I have always been open, and transparent and always invited people to criticize my policies.”
At age 34 Patrick Brazeau is among the youngest senators in Canadian history. He resigned his post as Congress Chief in order to avoid any conflicts of interest between the positions.
Mike Duffy Defends Himself Over Remarks:
The former TV host is facing controversy of his own over remarks made in his first speech to the senate. The comments referred to the Premiers of Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) “getting in bed together” in their ongoing fight over a cap on equalization payments. He carried the metaphor further saying he thought PEI Premier Robert Ghiz would be “getting the shaft.”
Prince Edward Island stands to lose up to $20million/ year, with Newfoundland losing $1.6 billion over the next three years under the cap. Premier Williams reacted by disregarding Duffy’s comments adding that he was very disappointed in the former journalist’s comments.
Fellow Senator Claudette Tardiff called his comments ‘sexist’, forcing Duffy to withdraw them. He has issued no apology. He commented to the Canadian Press: “What’s the point of being in the Senate if you can’t get any attention?”
Duffy’s comments also drew reaction from Prime Minister Stephen Harper who refused to reprimand the newly minted senator. In an interview with CTV Atlantic Anchor Steve Murphy, Harper added he thought the main message behind the remarks was “felt by most people in this region.”
Both Patrick Brazeau and Mike Duffy were part of the group of 18 senators named by Stephen Harper before Christmas.
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