Ethics Commissioner must continue Nigel Wright investigation

Full ethics inquiry needed into legality of secret payments

NDP Ethics Critic Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay) wrote to Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson today, demanding she continue her investigation into secret PMO payments related to the Senate expense scandal cover-up.

“Has Ottawa become so broken ethically that the Criminal Code has become the sole yardstick for judging the actions of politicians?” asked Angus.

The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner stopped her inquiry when the RCMP investigation began. Now the onus is back on the Commissioner to determine if these secret payments to a sitting legislator violate current ethics rules in Ottawa.

“I urge you to reassure the public that ethical standards can still be established and enforced by your office,” concluded Angus.