Thoughts on BC Politics and More

Nine companies in which Mark Carney had reported financial interests have lobbied his office since he became prime minister in March ... ... further list of 103 entities are subject to an ethics “screen” intended to ensure Carney isn’t made aware of and doesn’t “participate in any official matters or decision-making processes,” that could unduly benefit the companies’ interests. Those companies are linked to his former leadership roles at Stripe and Brookfield Asset Management, before he stepped down to run for office. The commissioner’s disclosure offers insight into the challenges of maintaining transparency in a system where many people, including Carney, hold investments in diversified portfolios ... CLICK HERE for the full story

  ...  Investigations that would normally be conducted by a commissioner are on pause until a permanent replacement is found.  Dion said the role serves as a good safeguard to detect corruption, and Canadians should care that the instruments it has are being used.   "It's a little bit like judicial appointments. If you don't appoint judges, it will be hard to deliver justice," Dion said in an interview.   "So it means that things can go essentially unpunished and unnoticed for a period of time until a new person has been appointed" ...   CLICK HERE to read the full story

Most of today’s commentary focuses on exerts from two separate investigations into Justin Trudeau’s actions, by the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.   Not a whole lot needs to be said by me, the reports speak for themselves. Let’s begin: The Trudeau Report of December 20 th , 2017 (made under the Conflict of Interest Act and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons) found Mr. Trudeau contravened sections 5, 11, 12, and 21 of the Conflict of Interest Act Section 5 requires that a public office holder arrange his or her private affairs in a manner that will prevent the public office holder from being in a conflict of interest.   I found that Mr. Trudeau failed to meet the general duty set out in section 5 when he and his family vacationed on the Aga Khan’s private island. Section 11 Subsection 11(1) prohibits a public office holder or a member of his or her family from accepting ...

Canadian political history was made as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was found -- guilty for the second time – of contravening the Conflict of Interest Act. “ For the second time in just four years, the Ethics Commissioner found Trudeau guilty of violating the Conflict of Interest Act. The first violation was for accepting a paid vacation on a luxury island from someone lobbying him. Today it was confirmed that it was his connection in the SNC-Lavalin corruption scandal ,” said Kamloops Thompson Cariboo Conservative MP Cathy McLeod. In the ruling released this week by Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Mario Dion, the guilty verdict related to the actions of Mr. Trudeau in seeking to influence a decision of the Attorney General of Canada in relation to the prosecution of SNC Lavalin. This situation led to the resignation of Ms. Jody Wilson-Raybould from the Liberal cabinet, before Mr. Trudeau removed her and Ms. Jane Philpott (whom likewise resigned fro...