A recent report by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has brought to light a significant increase in the Canadian Senate's hospitality spending since 2019. The CTF's review of Senate expense disclosures indicates that hospitality expenses have more than doubled, with taxpayers footing the bill for ritzy dinners, alcohol, gifts, and recreational activities. Individual senators expensed $116,100 on hospitality in 2025, marking a 67% increase from the previous year.
The CTF highlighted specific expenditures, including $27,000 spent on alcohol from the LCBO, SAQ, wineries, and the Beer Store since 2019. Senators also expensed thousands on gifts, such as $1,600 on "gifts" from a distillery in Newfoundland and Labrador. Lavish meals at high-end restaurants, including $20,500 on nine excursions to Le St-Estèphe, and $2,100 for three receptions at Rivero Disco, were also among the expenses. Adding to the eyebrow-raising costs, the Senate's human resource department spent $644 on a "staff working session" at a mini-golf venue and $210 at an escape room.
Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director, expressed outrage at the findings. "Taxpayers are going to be outraged when they see how unelected senators are milking their expenses,” Terrazzano stated, questioning the value Canadians are receiving for the increased spending. He also pointed out that it's hard for senators to provide sober second thought when they're spending thousands on booze.
The revelations come as senators are slated to receive a nearly $10,000 hike to their base salary of $184,800. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling for greater accountability and scrutiny of Senate expenses, urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to address the issue of frivolous spending. As Terrazzano put it, "Just because it's called the Red Chamber, it doesn't mean senators should be driving Canadian taxpayers further into the red".
