Minister Boissonnault to testify before ethics committee over ties to lobbyist, PPE company

Members of the Parliamentary ethics committee have approved a motion to call Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault and ethics commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein to testify about the minister’s ties to a lobbyist and a medical supply company revealed by Global News.

Last week, Global News published two investigations into the Edmonton Centre MP’s business activities. The first found he had ties to a lobbyist who went on to help her client win $110 million in federal grants. The other found a personal protective equipment (PPE) company Boissonnault co-founded was awarded $8.2 million in provincial and municipal contracts and has also faced serious legal challenges.

Tory MP Michael Barrett brought the motion before the ethics committee on Tuesday, which passed it by six to five.

Conservative, NDP and Bloc Québécois MPs on the committee voted for the motion, while Liberal MPs voted against.

Barrett asked the committee to examine whether Boissonnault violated conflict of interest and lobbying laws and to report its findings publicly. A date for the hearing has not yet been set.

Boissonnault’s office told Global News the minister has followed conflict of interest and lobbying rules.

“Minister Boissonnault always met all of his conflict of interest and ethics obligations as a public office holder,” stated Alice Hansen, his director of communications.

Boissonnault, the only Liberal cabinet member from Alberta, represents Edmonton Centre, one of the party’s two footholds in the province.

The motion comes after Barrett wrote to the lobbying commissioner, Nancy Bélanger, and von Finckenstein regarding Boissonnault’s business activities. Citing what he stated were possible violations of eight sections of the Conflict of Interest Act, along with the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct and the Open and Accountable Government Code, he demanded that both commissioners launch investigations.

Bélanger told Barrett her office cannot reveal whether it is or is not conducting an investigation, or preparing to do so.

On Tuesday, Barrett asked the ethics committee to “undertake an immediate study” into payments Boissonnault is receiving from Navis Group, a lobbying firm, and his involvement in Global Health Imports (GHI), a medical supply company embroiled in lawsuits.