Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

The committee met to consider a motion from Michael Barrett (CPC) to study the connection between the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and Alto, the Crown corporation managing the high-speed rail project. The motion proposed inviting the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Alto executives including CEO Martin Imbleau, and the minister to testify. Barrett argued the minister had claimed to recuse himself from Alto-related decisions due to his partner’s role at Alto, yet had voted on Bill C-15, which included provisions for the project.

Liberal members spoke at length against the motion, arguing the Ethics Commissioner had already found no conflict of interest and that the minister had gone beyond requirements by imposing a conflict-of-interest screen. They characterized the motion as a partisan fishing expedition and a waste of committee and House time. Bloc Québécois members supported the study, stressing the need for transparency and accountability regarding the minister’s recusal and his role in Bill C-15.

After over 12 hours of debate, the committee adjourned without a final decision on the motion or on an amendment to remove the requirement to report the study to the House. No witnesses were heard.