- Born
- April 10, 1953 — Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
- Family
- Divorced
- Education
- Degree in psychology and political science from the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus (now the University of Regina) in 1973
- Career
- Journalist, diplomat, news anchor
- Political Experience
- Appointed to the Senate of Canada on January 2, 2009
- Notable
- Diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2001. Served as Canada's consul general in New York City. Chancellor of the University of Guelph.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before her Senate appointment, Pamela Wallin was a prominent journalist, television host, and diplomat. She hosted programs for both CBC and CTV. She later served as Canada's consul general in New York City. Wallin also held positions on several corporate boards, including Bell Globemedia (now Bell Media), the wealth management firm Gluskin Sheff + Associates, and the oil exploration company Oilsands Quest. Reports from the Senate expense investigation noted that some of her travel coincided with her paid speaking engagements and corporate board duties.
Key Relationships & Connections
Pamela Wallin was appointed to the Senate in 2009 by Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper. She initially sat as a member of the Conservative caucus. Her career in journalism and diplomacy connected her with numerous figures in Canadian politics, media, and business, though her most defining political relationship was with the Harper government that appointed her.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Pamela Wallin's time in the Senate has been marked by a significant investigation into her expense claims. An independent audit and a Senate committee review found that she had improperly claimed tens of thousands of dollars in travel and living expenses. The core issue was whether she was billing the Senate for travel that was primarily for personal or private business purposes, including her work on corporate boards and paid speaking events, rather than for her official duties as a senator representing Saskatchewan. This created a clear conflict between her personal financial activities and the rules governing the use of public funds.
Public Controversies
Wallin was a central figure in the Canadian Senate expense scandal that began in 2012. An audit of her travel claims found that she had improperly billed the Senate for over $120,000. The matter was referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for a criminal investigation into breach of trust and fraud. In 2013, she was suspended from the Senate without pay, along with senators Mike Duffy and Patrick Brazeau. After a lengthy investigation, the RCMP announced in 2016 that it would not be laying criminal charges against Wallin, stating there was not sufficient evidence to proceed. However, she was ordered by the Senate to repay the improper expenses, which she did. She was reinstated as a senator in 2015 after the federal election and later joined the Canadian Senators Group.