NDP calls for investigation of Jean Charest’s lobbying activities

NDP Ethics Critic Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie) has written to the Lobbying Commissioner to ask for an investigation into Jean Charest lobbying on behalf of TransCanada. Documents from the National Energy Board (NEB) made public last week reveal that Charest met with Jacques Gauthier and other top representatives of the NEB to discuss the TransCanada Energy East pipeline even though Charest was not registered as a lobbyist.

“This meeting raises important concerns about the ability of former politicians with deep Liberal connections to bypass all measures of accountability,” said Boulerice. “So much for Liberal talking points about open and transparent government.”

The secret meeting also raises further concerns about the transparency and impartiality of the NEB review process. Jacques Gauthier, the representative of the NEB who helped coordinate the meeting with Mr. Charest, now sits on the review panel for Energy East.

“Instead of keeping their promise to overhaul the National Energy Board, the Liberals seem perfectly content with allowing important discussions to take place behind closed doors” said NDP Environment critic Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley). “It’s secretive, shady meetings like this that lead Canadians to lose faith in the entire process.”