Senate Speaker Raymonde Gagné spent nearly $1M on foreign travel

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has revealed that Raymonde Gagné, the speaker of the Senate, has spent nearly $1 million in public funds on international travel since her appointment in May 2023.

Financial records indicate that Gagné and her entourage billed taxpayers $875,677 for at least 14 international trips. The CTF noted that the actual total is likely higher, as recent travel to Chile, Tunisia, and the Netherlands has not yet been included in the reported figures.

One specific trip to Japan for a 45-minute “courtesy call” to a state minister cost approximately $107,594, involving a seven-person entourage that included fellow senators, staff, and a spouse. Other high-cost trips included visits to the United Kingdom and Spain to meet King Charles III, and a trip to New Zealand.

CTF federal director Franco Terrazzano criticized the spending, arguing that an unelected official should not be using taxpayer funds for extensive global travel. He called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to ensure accountability regarding how senators utilize public funds.