The Honourable Mac Harb, Senator

NEWS ADVISORY
Lhonorable Mac Harb, snateur

For immediate release

(OTTAWA May 9, 2013) The Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has accepted the report of a subcommittee which recommended that Senator Harb be ordered to repay moneys received for accommodations in Ottawa on the basis that his true principal residence was in Ottawa and not in a location situated at least 100 km outside the city.

The basis of this finding is that Senator Harb spent more days in Ottawa than in his designated primary residence. This criterium is not found in Senate regulations or guidelines and has never been communicated to senators or implemented by financial officers. Senator Harb was invited to attend a meeting of the Committee at 5 pm on May 8, the meeting being held the same day at 6:30 pm; he was not provided with a copy of the subcommittee report. At the meeting, his legal counsel was not allowed to make representations or ask questions on the legal basis of the report. Legal counsel was not allowed to participate in the May 9 session during which the Committee would vote on the subcommittee report. Senator Harb has retained the services of Heenan Blaikie LLP to determine all legal actions that can be undertaken to quash the decision of the Committee. The matter being one that will be submitted to the courts, Senator Harb and his counsel will not comment on the proceedings or the decision. -30Office of the Hon. Mac Harb 1.613.996.2379