Senators, MPs react to Mike Duffy ruling

As Justice CharlesVaillancourt read his nearly six-hour ruling that dismissed all 31 charges against Senator Mike Duffy, reaction was already coming from the senators and MPs who had witnessed Duffy's Senate expense drama unfold over the past three years.

Vaillancourt found Duffy not guilty on allcharges relating to hisresidency, travel claims and expense contracting. In reacting to Vaillancourt's decision, many politicians reflected on the impact the ruling will have onthe Senate.

• Judge clears Mike Duffy of all charges and slams Harper's PMO
• Live blog: 'Covert, shocking, unacceptable': Judge slams Harper's PMO and lets Duffy go
• Read Justice Charles Vaillancourt's ruling

Here is a sampling of reaction from Parliament Hill Thursday:

"The Senatehas learned its lesson. We have to show some humility here in the sense that we're on to new business we have new Senators and many of us are trying to do decent thingsas Senators." - Senator JimMunson

"Thingsaretighter,ifyoucheckthespendingintheHouseofcommonsandSenateexpensesaredown.Canadiansshould have confidence the money is spent wisely and with good value Ithink that is very muchthe case." - Senator Doug Black

Marjory LeBreton responds to Duffy decision

8 years ago

Duration 7:37

Former Leader of the Government in the Senate, Marjory LeBreton discusses Mike Duffy being cleared of 31 charges.

"I think that many of those (problems in the Senate)have been evident for many years and probably could have been rectified sooner... Better late than never." - Senator John Wallace

"Let's just say if I was in (Duffy's) situation I would not think it would be fair; it's been three years to have that hanging over my credibility, career and family Iwould never want that myself." - Wallace

"I think some people in the Senatehave yet to understand the impact. The Canadian people want anon-partisan Senate and we still have a lot to do in that regard." -SenatorPierretteRinguette

"Peoplewill understand tax dollars from taxpayers have to be spent in accordancewith rules.I've always done that. It'sregistering with peoplearound here who may have been a bit loose on it.. that's good, these are taxpayers' dollars." - Senator David Smith

Analysis of Duffy decision

8 years ago

Duration 9:47

Former House of Commons Law Clerk Rob Walsh and Criminal Lawyer Jason Gilbert discuss the judge's ruling in the trial of Mike Duffy .

"I think that the Senate is the problem it's unaccountable it's undemocratic. These unelected officials pretend that they can spend public money and make laws for the rest of us, that's the sort of anachronism that Canadians want to get rid of. Iknow Iwant toget rid of it, and today doesn't solve any of the problems of the Senate as an undemocratic unaccountableinstitution here in Canada," - NDP Leader TomMulcair

"I've been able to follow it sporadically throughoutthe day but Ihaveseen a lot of those comments with regards to the behaviour of Mr. harper's office, and it's quite a severe rebuke of their behaviour." - Mulcair

"Duffy cleared of charges is an indictment of the criminal culture of the Senate. Any other workplace you're fired." - tweet by MP Nathan Cullen

"The Senate of Canada has taken note of the court decision rendered today pertaining to Senator MichaelDuffy. Under the rules of the Senate, today's acquittal gives rise to the reinstatement of Senator Duffy as amember ofthe Senate in full standing with full salary and office resources." - MichelPatrice, Law Clerk and ParliamentaryCounsel and Chief Parliamentary Precinct Services Officer of the Senate

Power Panel: Duffy Decision

8 years ago

Duration 11:56

The Power Panel discusses the Duffy trial after Duffy is cleared of 31 charges.