Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis takes questions from reporters on Sparks St. in Ottawa on Feb. 9, 2010.The Canadian Press
The federal Ethics Commissioner is investigating the conduct of Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis over allegations he may have used his position to advance a business proposal from former Tory MP Rahim Jaffer.
Mr. Paradis concedes Mr. Jaffer called him in August when he was Public Works Minister to discuss a proposal to install solar panels atop federal government buildings. An aide to Mr. Paradis subsequently pressured officials in the deputy minister's office to meet Mr. Jaffer.
Liberal MP Marlene Jennings asked commissioner Mary Dawson to look into the matter and to determine if Mr. Paradis violated the Conflict of Interest Act. Mr. Paradis issued a subsequent statement claiming the letter written by Ms. Jennings to the Ethics Commissioner was "entirely bogus."
"I have always conducted myself appropriately and in accordance with my obligations," he said. "In fact, the non-partisan public servant who appeared before committee this week clearly indicated that this file has followed a normal course according to the guide entitled "Doing business with the government of Canada"".
But Ms. Dawson responded to Ms. Jennings on June 29 with a letter that says the request "satisfies the requirements" that would prompt her to act. Mr. Jaffer is married to former cabinet minister Helena Guergis, who was turfed from the Tory caucus amid allegations her husband lobbied federal officials and kept dubious company.
The investigation of Mr. Paradis is "long overdue," Ms. Jennings said, suggesting to reporters at a Tuesday news conference that Ms. Dawson has disappointed "over and over again" for refusing to investigate allegations and for letting politicians under suspicion off the hook.
"I didn't have high hopes that she would actually, for once, interpret the law and the code properly," the Liberal MP said.
Ms. Jennings said she wanted a complete investigation into Mr. Paradis's own actions and the actions of his staff in "fast-tracking" Mr. Jaffer's request and allowing Mr. Jaffer to have privileged access to government.
The Liberals have also filed a complaint with the Ethics Commissioner over a video that Industry Minister Tony Clement made in 2008 when he was Health Minister to help a company in his riding that makes environmentally friendly cleaning products attract business in China.
"To do a promotional video for a private entity that has competitors, selling, promoting that private entities services or good can appear to provide a competitive edge for that entity," Ms. Jennings said, but Ms. Dawson "is the one who told him he could do it."
The Liberals are thinking about taking the Clement matter to Federal Court or calling Ms. Dawson before a Commons committee "to explain her behaviour and to have her explain perhaps why she considers that she is till qualified to hold that position."