Pamela Wallin has recently come under fire on Parliament Hill. The former broadcaster and local resident, now a Conservative senator, sits on the board of Oilsands Quest Inc. After she helped vote down a climate change bill previously passed by the House of Commons, critics have cast doubt on the Senate’s code of ethics and are asking why Wallin wasn’t forced to declare a conflict of interest.
“The climate change legislation was passed by the House of Commons, by people who were elected by Canadians,” said MP Charlie Adler, NDP ethics critic. “Here’s a woman who sits on the board of a major oil sands company who helped kill that legislation because she said it was a nuisance.”
Canadians, as well, have begun to demand accountability. The recently created Facebook group Canadians Demanding the Resignation of Senator Pamela Wallin has nearly 300 members, including climatologist Paul Beckwith. He said he would either like to see her give up directorship or resign from the Senate: “Here she is on the board of directors, getting paid to explore the oil sands further. She can’t be impartial.” Wallin was not available for comment.
