Grewal’s MP status affects gambling probe, NDP says

‘Parliamentary privilege’ can slow, stop subpoenas

The New Democrats’ ethics critic is raising concerns that Raj Grewal’s decision to stay on as MP for Brampton East will make investigations into his gambling activity more difficult. Nathan Cullen, an NDP MP from British Columbia, said special rights afforded to MPs under the centuries-old convention of “parliamentary privilege” mean that potential investigations into Grewal’s conduct — and for a court or a parliamentary committee to subpoena him as a witness — could be slowed or obstructed.

“Maintaining his seat maintains his privilege, which makes investigations and his obligation to appear as a witness much more difficult,” Cullen told the Star on Monday.

“That privilege is afforded (to) us as MPs to do our job, not to avoid prosecution.”

Grewal has been at the centre of a cascade of revelations and media reports about his gambling activity since announcing his intention to resign Nov. 22. The 33-year-old former Bay St. lawyer then changed his mind about stepping down, and said in a video statement Friday that he will decide whether to stay on as an MP by late January.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said the RCMP are working to answer questions about the former Liberal MP, after the Globe and Mail reported that Fintrac, the government agency responsible for tracking money laundering, flagged Grewal’s gambling transactions to the RCMP. The Canadian Press has also reported that word of Grewal’s debts was picked up on an OPP wiretap during a money laundering investigation.

Neither police agency would confirm to the Star whether it is investigating Grewal’s activity.

In his statement, Grewal said he has a “mental health issue with gambling” that drove him into a debt worth millions of dollars and forced him to borrow money from friends and family. He said “everyone has been paid back in full.”

“This has nothing to do at all with anything sinister except to feed my own addiction,” he said.

Grewal has not responded to interview requests and questions from the Star over the past 11 days.

A lawyer responding to an email on his behalf Monday said the situation is now a “private personal family matter.”

Mark Holland, the Liberals’ chief government whip, said Monday he expected Grewal would resign. When he saw Grewal’s video, Holland said Grewal was “removed” from the Liberal caucus on Saturday.