How did the Senate expense scandal affect Stephen Harper during the 2015 election campaign?

During the 2015 federal election campaign, the Senate expense scandal resurfaced as a significant political liability for Stephen Harper. Although the scandal originally emerged in 2012, it regained prominence when Nigel Wright, Harper’s former chief of staff, provided high-profile testimony during the criminal trial of Senator Mike Duffy, a Harper appointee.1

The scandal involved the improper use of housing and travel allowances by senators, specifically focusing on Wright’s decision to personally repay approximately $90,000 in expenses that Duffy had allegedly accepted wrongfully. While Harper had previously claimed he was unaware of the deal, the testimony and subsequent media coverage kept the issue in the public eye. Throughout the campaign, Harper was repeatedly confronted by questions regarding the scandal and allegations of a government cover-up, which undermined his efforts to secure a fourth consecutive term as prime minister.123