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Opposition cries foul after minister's in-law appointed interim ethics commissioner

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Opposition cries foul after minister's in-law appointed interim ethics commissioner

New interim ethics commissioner is Dominic LeBlanc's sister-in-law

It was announced earlier this week that Martine Richard had been appointed to the role for a period of six months after the previous commissioner, Mario Dion, retired last month.

Richard is the sister-in-law of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who himself has violated ethics rules in the past.

The news outraged opposition parties, particularly the Conservatives. Conservative ethics critic Michael Barrett first raised the issue during question period on Wednesday.

"How can Canadians have confidence in the officers of Parliament if these guys are stacking the deck?" Barrett asked while gesturing at the Liberal bench.

WATCH | Poilievre criticizes appointment

Poilievre criticizes appointment of new interim ethics commissioner during question period

Duration 2:43
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre debates House Leader Mark Holland on the government's choice of a minister's sister-in-law for interim ethics commissioner.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre took his own crack at the government over the appointment during Thursday's question period.

"When is this Liberal government going to run out of family and friends to appoint as independent officers?" Poilievre asked, citing the recent appointment of David Johnston as the special rapporteur on election interference.

The Conservatives have criticized Johnston's appointment, citing his relationship with the Trudeau family and his role with the Trudeau Foundation.

Liberal House Leader Mark Holland responded to both questions by pointing out that Richard has held a senior position in the ethics commissioner's office for years and initially was hired when Stephen Harper was prime minister.

"[Richard] has absolutely made hard decisions on this government … and comported themselves with total professionalism," he said, while also insisting that Richard's appointment was subject to an ethical screening.

WATCH | NDP says appointment is 'not appropriate'

NDP MP says it's 'not appropriate' that interim ethics commissioner is related to minister

Duration 0:43
NDP MP Peter Julian says the fact that the interim ethics commissioner is Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc's sister-in-law should disqualify her from the position.

But Richard's appointment is also alarming the party currently in a governance deal with the Liberals.

NDP House Leader Peter Julian said Thursday that Richard's appointment was "not appropriate."

"We believe the ethics commissioner needs to be above any reproach, particularly at a time when we're seeing more questioning of our fundamental institutions," he said.

The Bloc Québécois also released a statement questioning Richard's appointment.

"If there is one function that must be free from any appearance of conflict of interest, it is this one. The Liberals are obviously not respecting these standards with this choice and are themselves casting a shadow on the independence of the post," the statement said in French.

CBC asked LeBlanc's office for a statement but instead received a reply from the Privy Council Office saying that Richard has served as a senior legal adviser to the ethics commissioner's office since 2015.

"Her appointment will provide the necessary organizational stability while a selection process [for a permanent commissioner] is run," the statement said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Darren Major

CBC Journalist

Darren Major is a senior writer for CBC's Parliamentary Bureau. He can be reached via email darren.major@cbc.ca or by tweeting him @DMajJourno.

 

2069 Comments

 

MireilleMarie Therrien 
Why is it just the opposition who thinks this is wrong? What does that say about the governing party's moral compass
 
 
dave singleton 
Reply to MireilleMarie Therrien  
That people are allowed to have distinguished careers and are deserving of a promotion for a job well done? 
 
 
paul castle 
Reply to dave singleton
It’s not a question of qualifications, it’s a question of ethics when you appoint with no competition a relative or even the relative of a good friend. 
 
 
JOhn D Bond 
Reply to dave singleton
I am a liberal, but this crosses the line to me. 
 
 
David Amos
C
Reply to JOhn D Bond  
Cry me a river  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to paul castle 
Welcome back to the circus
 
 
Hugh MacDonald
Reply to MireilleMarie Therrien  
The moral compass of the liberal party has been degaussed long ago.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kevin Broussard 
"Dominic LeBlanc's family, friends, neighbour win 5 of 6 recent judicial appointments"

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/judicial-appointments-dominic-leblanc-family-friends-political-patronage-1.5191054

Man, seems like it's very lucrative to be related to this guy! What a lucky set of coincidences!

 
David Amos
Reply toKevin Broussard
Trust that luck has nothing to do with it 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
paul castle 
I guess now our PM is just laughing at us, he has no ethics at all appointing one of his best friends who is also an MP sister in law as the interim ethics commissioner. I thought there were actual laws to stop parliamentarians from appointing friends and family to jobs. 

 
David Amos
Reply to paul castle 
Dream on 
 
 
 
 
 
Eric Amor  
More nepotism from the Trudeau government. Once again, blatant and troubling nepotism.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Eric Amor
We elected them correct?
 
 
 
 
 
mo bennett
Ya just can’t cure stupid. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to mo bennett 
Oh So True 
 
 
 
 
 
Peter Manchak
just more ethical miscues..what is that..10, 12..smh 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Peter Manchak
More to follow
 
 
 
 
 
Tom Graham
This bunch is getting as bad as the mob...keep it in the family 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Tom Graham 
Why do you think I call them the LIEbranos? 
 
 
 
 
 
Kasper Cane
Seriously. Now they're just spitting in your face and laughing at you 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Kasper Cane
Its just another one of those things that rich folks do that common folks with common sense fail to appreciate 

 

 

 

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