Article content continued

The full Senate will debate Wallin’s recommended punishment when it reconvenes in the fall. The upper chamber’s internal economy committee also voted last week to refer Wallin’s expenses to the RCMP.

Wallin, appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2009, is the fourth senator to have expenses referred to the Mounties.

Senators Patrick Brazeau, Mike Duffy and Mac Harb are already under police investigation. Wallin, Brazeau and Duffy, all former Conservatives, are now sitting as independents, as is Harb, a former Liberal.

In February in the House of Commons, Harper vouched for Wallin’s expenses.

“In terms of Sen. Wallin, I have looked at the numbers,” he said at the time. “Her travel costs are comparable to any parliamentarian travelling from that particular area of the country over that period of time.”

In terms of Sen. Wallin, I have looked at the numbers. Her travel costs are comparable to any parliamentarian travelling from that particular area of the country over that period of time

But Harper’s office has since said that he was referring to the total amount, not defending the appropriateness of individual expenses.

This week in Whitehorse, a stop on his annual tour of northern Canada, the prime minister was asked why he stood in the Commons to defend Wallin’s expenses.

“At the time, I indicated that all of the senator’s individual expenses would be subject to robust scrutiny through an audit that of course has since been done and obviously has uncovered some significant problems,” Harper said.

Harper also noted that Wallin quit the Conservative caucus months ago.

“I would expect that action will be taken to ensure full accountability for any breaking of rules,” he said.