Ethics probe launched into minister’s car bills
OTTAWA — Ethics commissioner Mary Dawson is now examining whether Health Minister Jane Philpott violated the Conflict of Interest Act in her use of a highend car service owned by a Liberal supporter.
Dawson’s probe, to be conducted in private, will focus on a section of the act pertaining to “preferential treatment.”
It comes after Conservative health critic Colin Carrie wrote to the commissioner over the revelation that Philpott paid a limousine company $1,700 on one day for service and more than $1,900 on another day.
A public report will be issued once the probe is complete.
Philpott said Thursday she would repay the cost of these trips totalling just over $3,700, while admitting these were “excessive costs” related to her work travel.
The minister’s department is also examining 20 rides from her home to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport totalling $3,815, while it conducts a review of all other ministerial expenses.
She has promised to pay back any other filings deemed to be inappropriate.
Reza Shirani — the owner of the vehicle company who canvassed for the minister during the last federal election — told the Canadian Press the minister was driven in a Lexus ES 300 and admitted he was in the driver’s seat on July 12.
On that day, Philpott billed taxpayers a total of $1,994 for transportation around a speaking engagement at the Assembly of First Nations annual meeting in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Philpott’s office said Tuesday it has received notice from the commissioner.
“The minister will work in full co-operation with the conflict of interest and ethics commissioner,” it said in a statement.
Carrie said he trusts the commissioner will give Philpott’s use of the company a “thorough review.”
“The minister knew this was a partisan, a supporter of hers,” Carrie said in an interview. “She utilized the service to the point which is up to three times the going rate. … Canadians are outraged.”
The fact the ethics commissioner is looking into this issue shows the matter is serious in nature, NDP MP Charlie Angus said Tuesday.
Philpott is also reimbursing taxpayers for $520 for the use of Air Canada lounges in North America and Europe.
Late Monday, the minister promised to repay the money after the Opposition Conservatives used the Access to Information Act to obtain the receipt for the one-year “Maple Leaf Club North America Plus” membership. A copy of the document was provided to the Canadian Press.
Environment Minister Catherine McKenna also came under the microscope for her spending after it was revealed she spent $6,600 for photography documenting the COP21 climate change conference in Paris late last year.
“This is a long-standing practice under previous governments, including the Conservative government, because clearly pictures are an important way that we communicate the government business to Canadians,” McKenna said at an Ottawa event.
She said her department will conduct its own review of expenses.