Several members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau香蕉视频直播檚 cabinet are using conflict-of-interest screens to keep them out of controversy 香蕉视频直播� and they insist the tools work very well.
The screens have been pulled into an intense public debate in recent weeks amid allegations of conflict of interest that have stalked Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
Morneau set up one of the screens after entering office in 2015 on a recommendation from the federal ethics commissioner, who told him a blind trust wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 be necessary since his shares in his family香蕉视频直播檚 firm were indirectly held through private companies. Therefore, she said, they were not considered a controlled asset under the Conflict of Interest Act.
Political opponents have attacked Morneau for choosing a screen rather than a blind trust. For his part, Morneau has maintained that has not been in a conflict of interest.
A few of Morneau香蕉视频直播檚 cabinet colleagues also have screens, however, for different reasons.
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi are using conflict-of-interest screens to prevent them from participating in matters or decisions related to company holdings involving their spouses.
Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc also has a screen to ensure he abstains from participating in decisions related to J.D. Irving Ltd. because of his close friendship with the Irving family.
LeBlanc said Monday that ethics commissioner Mary Dawson recommended he set up an ethics screen for any cabinet or privy council documents that have anything to do with J.D. Irving Ltd., or its affiliates and subsidiaries.
香蕉视频直播淯nder the rules, you shouldn香蕉视频直播檛 be using 香蕉视频直播� your public office to benefit a friend,香蕉视频直播� LeBlanc said. 香蕉视频直播淔rom my perspective it香蕉视频直播檚 working very well.香蕉视频直播�
LeBlanc香蕉视频直播檚 screen, in place since early 2016, means he wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 have been privy to cabinet information about shipbuilding contracts or even the Energy East pipeline, both of which have connections to Irving.
Sohi said Monday that he has a screen in place to prevent him from participating in decisions that could benefit his wife香蕉视频直播檚 holdings in a company that香蕉视频直播檚 also a partial owner of farmland in Alberta.
He argues the screen, which is overseen by his chief of staff, has already proven to be an effective tool.
Sohi said because of the screen he香蕉视频直播檚 been him removed from the approval process for an infrastructure project that was proposed by the province. It would be in close proximity to the farmland.
香蕉视频直播淢y chief of staff has made sure that I do not participate in any shape or form in the approval of that particular project,香蕉视频直播� Sohi said.
香蕉视频直播淚t will be done by a different minister and it would have to go the Treasury Board to make sure there香蕉视频直播檚 no conflict whatsoever.香蕉视频直播�
Wilson-Raybould香蕉视频直播檚 profile on the ethics commissioner香蕉视频直播檚 website states that she must abstain from decisions or matters related to self-government talks with First Nations and Indigenous communities with the consulting company, KaLoNa Group, in which she holds a significant interest. Her spouse is also the president and controlling interest holder of the firm.
The added public scrutiny on the conflict-of-interest issue has been driven by allegations related to pension legislation Morneau introduced in the House of Commons.
Opponents allege the pension reform could benefit Morneau Shepell, a human resources and pension management firm he helped build with his father before entering office. Morneau maintains he was never in a conflict of interest.
In response to accusations that he香蕉视频直播檚 personally profited from decisions he香蕉视频直播檚 taken as finance minister, Morneau has promised to sell off $21 million worth of shares in his family香蕉视频直播檚 company and place the rest his substantial assets in a blind trust.
Morneau has also promised to donate to charity any gains in the value of his Morneau Shepell shares since he was elected two years ago. The gains are estimated to be worth more than $5 million.
Dawson recommended the screen for Morneau to prevent any appearance of a conflict of interest and maintain the public香蕉视频直播檚 confidence.
Her office also confirmed Monday that up to four cabinet ministers currently hold controlled assets indirectly, but would not share the names nor provide a more-precise number.
The issue of indirect holdings in a company have been at the centre of the debate around Morneau.
Dawson urged the previous Conservative government in 2013 to amend the law to require blind trusts for personal assets owned by ministers, regardless of whether they were directly or indirectly owned 香蕉视频直播� a change that was never made.
The Canadian Press
