Senate ethics watchdog looks into new allegations against Colin Kenny
Emails obtained by Radio-Canada show the senator's employees tended to a tanning salon he once owned
The Senate ethics watchdog is looking into new allegations that Senator Colin Kenny used parliamentary resources for personal business following an investigation by Radio-Canada.
The CBC's French-language service obtained emails dating as far back as 2005 indicating the senator had staff from his office organizing renovations to his home and taking care of business at a tanning salon he once owned.
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"Yes, we are looking into the concerns raised by this story," said Louise Dalphy, a spokeswoman for Senate ethics officer Lyse Ricard, in an email to CBC News on Wednesday.
"No one has filed an official complaint in this matter," said Dalphy stopping short of providing details, citing confidentiality rules.
This is not the first time Kenny has come under scrutiny over accusations he used staff members to attend to personal business.
A former employee, Pascale Brisson, filed a complaint about Kenny in October 2013. She alleged she spent roughly half her time at the office taking care of the senator's personal affairs.
Kenny was also one of nine senators whom the auditor general of Canada recommended the RCMP investigate over questionable expenses.
New allegations 'regrettable'
A colleague of Kenny's called the new allegations against him "regrettable" and said they should be investigated.
"Well, it doesn't sound good," said Independent Liberal Senator David Smith on Tuesday.
Smith said he's not aware of all the facts surrounding Kenny's case, and adds the senator "is entitled to due process".
"But things like that have to be investigated," Smith said, "because the public has to be satisfied that tax dollars are being spent in an appropriate way."
Another of Kenny's colleagues in the independent Liberal caucus was also hesitant to discuss the situation.
But Newfoundland Senator George Baker did concede it would be improper for a senator to use their office staff for personal business.
"You can't," Baker said on Tuesday.
"The work in a senator's office, it entirely involves work concerning the job that a senator should be doing."
With files from Radio-Canada's Brigitte Bureau