Canada PoliticsShould the town of Wadena remove their “Home of Pamela Wallin” sign?
Over the years, Senator Pamela Wallin has made a big deal about being from Wadena, Saskatchewan — a town of approximately 1,500 people, 200 kilometres northeast of Regina.
And Wadena has made a big deal about being the hometown of Pamela Wallin: They've even named a street after her and have a sign that reads "Home of Pamela Wallin."
But, according to CTV News, that signage has become an issue of debate in light of the senator's expense scandal which may have peaked on Tuesday with the release of the Deloitte audit into her travel expenses.
For years, the signs paying homage to Wadena's most famous resident have been a matter of contention in the town, but due to recent problems for Wallin, the divide is growing.
"Fence sitters have gone one way or the other. I would say mostly negative, but those who support her are still supporting her," said Alison Squires, editor of the town’s newspaper, Wadena News.
[ Related: Details of Senator Pamela Wallin’s “troubling” audit released, to be forwarded to the RCMP ]
It appears that the issue has been simmering for months.
In June, CBC News reported that both Wallin and her niece, Meaghan Bilokraly, felt the need to each write a 'letter to the editor' of the Wadena News.
"How pathetic of a life you must have," Bilokraly said in her letter referring to Wadena-ites who had criticized her aunt and sent death threats.
Wallin's letter was more apologetic.
"I'm very embarrassed that the people of my home town, who so generously named a street after me, have had to go through all of this," she said, according to CBC News.
"It's taken a toll on my family as well, and it has changed my life forever — the leaks and lies and insinuations that I am some fat cat or a cheater, and the disturbing calls and emails, some of them uglier than you can imagine."
[ Related: Pamela Wallin audit spurs debate about what is ‘Senate business’ ]
The Deloitte auditors reviewed Wallin's $532,508 in total travel expenses from January 2009 to September 2012 and found that at least $121,348 of that was falsely claimed. The inappropriate expenses included trips for personal and private business.
Auditors also reviewed Wallin's residency in Saskatchewan, and found that while she held a driver's licence, she couldn't prove that she had a Saskatchewan health card or that she was registered to vote there.
Despite all that, however, Wallin does have strong ties to Wadena. She owns a home there, is part owner of a hair salon there, her mother lives there and her sister Bonnie is a city councillor.
[ Related: What’s in store for Senators Duffy, Harb and Brazeau? ]
As a result of the scandal, Wallin will lose over $120,000, a lot of her Senate expense privileges and will have to endure a RCMP review.
But losing that "Home of Pamela Wallin" sign could be the worst punishment of all. Going from the penthouse to the outhouse in your own hometown would be tough pill to swallow for anyone.
(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)
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