Ethics watchdog to examine conduct of Harper, Emerson

[Spazito]

The federal ethics commissioner says he is opening a preliminary inquiry into conflict-of-interest allegations against Prime Minister Stephen Harper concerning his formerly Liberal cabinet minister David Emerson.

Emerson ran as a Liberal in the campaign leading up to the Jan. 23 general election, but was a surprise appointment to Harper's Conservative cabinet on Feb. 6.

Ethics commissioner Bernard Shapiro says he will look into what influence Harper wielded to convince Emerson to cross the House of Commons floor.

snip

"Although the subject of this inquiry is the prime minister, given that the actions of...Harper and Emerson in this incident were intertwined, questions will no doubt be raised during the course of the preliminary inquiry on the conduct of Mr. Emerson as well," Shapiro said in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Canadian Press.

more

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/03/03/emerson_060303.html



Hmmmm, I suspect Harper has set a new record for the earliest behavior of a newly elected PM to require a conflict-of-interest ethics investigation and all I have to say to that is


:rofl: :rofl: and, once again, :rofl:

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. If there was ever PM that needed the attention of an Ethics watchdog . .

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Harper would be at the top of the list in my opinion

[CHIMO]

2. Harper 'loath' to co-operate with ethics commissioner

Harper 'loath' to co-operate with ethics commissioner
Last Updated Fri, 03 Mar 2006 15:11:45 EST
CBC News

The Prime Minister's Office attacked the credibility of the ethics commissioner Friday night after he announced an investigation into conflict of interest allegations against Stephen Harper.

"The Prime Minister is loath to co-operate with an individual who's decision-making ability has been questioned, moreover who has been found in contempt of the House," said Sandra Buckler, the prime minister's director of communications.

"This Liberal appointee's actions have strengthened the Prime Minister's resolve to create a truly non-partisan ethics commissioner, who is accountable to Parliament."

Based on that decision, the PMO is arguing that Shapiro has no business investigating something that happened in between the dissolution of the last Parliament and the commencement of the next one.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/03/03/emerson_060303.html



Aw. He wanted in, got in and now no one understands the poor little fellow. They are just picking on him.