An effective way to deal with MPs caught in ethical violation is to suspend them, says Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion..“Whether there’s a demand on the part of the public for access to more penalties, I think there is,” Dion testified at the House affairs committee..Dion said he would “leave it to parliamentarians to determine, in order to have a credible response in principle, whether it’s necessary to look at possible penalties under the Ethics Code or to increase them or to give me more authority vis-à-vis recommending such penalties.”.Blacklock’s Reporter said the maximum penalty under the Conflict Of Interest Act for public office holders is a $500 fine..There is no written penalty for MPs who breach the related code on conflict..“The challenge we have right now is when a member violates the code the public perception real or otherwise is that it’s a very limited response that’s available to us,” said Conservative MP John Brassard (Barrie-Innisfil, Ont.): “What would be a good deterrent?”.“Suspension from one’s duties for a few days or a few weeks in labour law has proven to be an effective remedy,” replied Dion..“Maybe that’s a possible one for a member of the House of Commons who would contravene in a very serious way one of the provisions of the code. That’s one that comes to mind.”.Joe Peschisolido, ex-Liberal MP (Steveston-Richmond, B.C.), in 2020 became the first legislator in Canadian history to apologize for an ethics breach under the Code..The forced apology followed an order that passed the Commons by a 168-148 vote..“We have seen a slow and steady degradation of the confidence Canadians can have in this democratic institution,” Conservative MP Michael Barrett (Leeds-Grenville, Ont.), sponsor of the censure motion, earlier told the Commons..“These behaviours are unchecked.”.Global News reported Chinese investors used Peschisolido’s law firm to channel funds into Canada. The Ethics Commissioner in a separate February 5, 2020 report cited Peschisolido for failing to disclose financial dealings through his Peschisolido Law Corporation..Liberal MP James Maloney (Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ont.) also apologized in 2020 after he was cited for failing to promptly disclose personal assets. Records showed Maloney as chair of the Commons natural resources committee had extensive and unreported stock holdings including shares in Cenovus Holdings, Suncor Energy and SNC-Lavalin..“There is no sanction set out in the code,” Dion testified..“I have the power to recommend a sanction in the code. The House is the only authority that can sanction an MP..“The only sanction that was imposed was an apology in a few cases. It never went any greater than that.”
An effective way to deal with MPs caught in ethical violation is to suspend them, says Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion..“Whether there’s a demand on the part of the public for access to more penalties, I think there is,” Dion testified at the House affairs committee..Dion said he would “leave it to parliamentarians to determine, in order to have a credible response in principle, whether it’s necessary to look at possible penalties under the Ethics Code or to increase them or to give me more authority vis-à-vis recommending such penalties.”.Blacklock’s Reporter said the maximum penalty under the Conflict Of Interest Act for public office holders is a $500 fine..There is no written penalty for MPs who breach the related code on conflict..“The challenge we have right now is when a member violates the code the public perception real or otherwise is that it’s a very limited response that’s available to us,” said Conservative MP John Brassard (Barrie-Innisfil, Ont.): “What would be a good deterrent?”.“Suspension from one’s duties for a few days or a few weeks in labour law has proven to be an effective remedy,” replied Dion..“Maybe that’s a possible one for a member of the House of Commons who would contravene in a very serious way one of the provisions of the code. That’s one that comes to mind.”.Joe Peschisolido, ex-Liberal MP (Steveston-Richmond, B.C.), in 2020 became the first legislator in Canadian history to apologize for an ethics breach under the Code..The forced apology followed an order that passed the Commons by a 168-148 vote..“We have seen a slow and steady degradation of the confidence Canadians can have in this democratic institution,” Conservative MP Michael Barrett (Leeds-Grenville, Ont.), sponsor of the censure motion, earlier told the Commons..“These behaviours are unchecked.”.Global News reported Chinese investors used Peschisolido’s law firm to channel funds into Canada. The Ethics Commissioner in a separate February 5, 2020 report cited Peschisolido for failing to disclose financial dealings through his Peschisolido Law Corporation..Liberal MP James Maloney (Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ont.) also apologized in 2020 after he was cited for failing to promptly disclose personal assets. Records showed Maloney as chair of the Commons natural resources committee had extensive and unreported stock holdings including shares in Cenovus Holdings, Suncor Energy and SNC-Lavalin..“There is no sanction set out in the code,” Dion testified..“I have the power to recommend a sanction in the code. The House is the only authority that can sanction an MP..“The only sanction that was imposed was an apology in a few cases. It never went any greater than that.”
