In an April 4 email from businessman Hai Chen, it was suggested that Helena Guergis could take credit for an agreement on a proposed Canadian industrial park in China.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
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Helena Guergis's highly anticipated appearance this week before the Commons committee investigating her husband's alleged lobbying is in doubt.
Ms. Guergis was front and centre last week in the House of Commons - last Friday she boldly rose in her seat, challenging the Prime Minister to make public the allegations that led to her firing - but she may not be appearing to testify on Wednesday before the government operations committee.
Her office sent a message this morning saying that Ms. Guergis is "on Doctor's orders for medical leave for physical reasons."
Howard Rubel, Ms. Guergis's lawyer, sent a note this afternoon:
"Unfortunately a health concern has interfered with Ms. Guergis's intentions to appear before the Government Operations Committee this Wednesday, although she expects to be able to participate fully and attend next week."
The embattled MP has been under much pressure since she left the cabinet and was expelled from the Conservative caucus in April.
She still has no idea as to why she was let go from her cabinet position as status-of-women minister or why the RCMP has been called in to investigate.
The source of the allegations, private investigator Derrick Snowdy, told the Commons committee that he never had evidence of wrongdoing against her.
Ms. Guergis and her husband, Rahim Jaffer, a former Conservative MP from Edmonton, were scheduled to appear Wednesday. The committee is deciding later today, however, if Mr. Jaffer's appearance should be put off until later. Some MPs on the committee would like to hear from Conservative lawyer Arthur Hamilton, who brought Mr. Snowdy's allegations to the attention of the PMO.
An official in the office of MP Yasmin Ratansi did not know whether Ms. Guergis would be coming to the committee Wednesday. Further inquiries to Ms. Guergis's office have not been returned.