Helena Guergis touted firm linked to husband Rahim Jaffer

[daleo]

Helena Guergis touted a green technology company to Simcoe County officials while her husband Rahim Jaffer and businessman Nazim Gillani were involved in a plan to take the firm public in a $1 billion deal.

Guergis wrote a letter last September to the top municipal politician of Simcoe County, Tony Guergis, suggesting he and council take a good look at a company called Wright Tech Systems. Tony is Helena's cousin and at the time was the senior municipal official in Simcoe.

"I feel it is my responsibility to encourage you to consider this presentation about alternative waste management technology," Guergis wrote on her member of Parliament letterhead.

Cabinet ministers and MPs are forbidden from using their position to influence a person or organization to benefit their interest or that of relatives or friends, according to the federal Conflict of Interest Act.
...

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/796250--helena-guergis-touted-firm-linked-to-husband-rahim-jaffer?bn=1
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It seems like as clear cut a case of conflict of interest as you could imagine.

[Spazito]

1. I agree....

More and more is being revealed about Guergis and Jaffer's activities as this scandal grows. It isn't going to go away, much to the Harper cabal's dismay.

[daleo]

2. The businessman concerned could also be in some trouble

Wright, who does not live in the riding but has a cottage there, approached Helena Guergis, the local MP. He contacted her office, and very quickly she wrote the Sept. 9 letter to her cousin, Tony, the warden of Simcoe County.

Did Jaffer and Guergis know he was dealing with each of them?

"Of course they (Helena and Rahim) knew I was talking to both of them. If I am talking to the husband does that mean I can't talk to the wife?" Wright said in an interview. Before the letter was sent, Wright said Helena Guergis "gave me a few minutes of her time."

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Actually, if you are doing a business deal with the husband of a politician, you probably should be scrupulous about approaching that politician for letters of reference for your business that are meant for other politicians (especially when they are related). Whether this fellow realizes it or not, he crossed the line. How would he feel if he knew one of his competitors had a similar arrangement? I think he would consider it unfair competition, influence peddling, political interference, cronyism, nepotism, what have you.

Hot off the press. Note the government of Canada logo on this busniness's website.

http://www.wrighttech.ca/

[Spazito]

3. I would sure like to hear the answer to the question....

Why do you have the Government of Canada logo on your website? Who/what agency approved this?

I hope the media follows up on this. As far as I know companies cannot just use the logo if they wish, it has to be approved by the government, doesn't it? I was trying to find info on the use of the logo but so far nothing.

Edited to add:

NDP asks ethics commissioner to probe Guergis’ letter

OTTAWA—The New Democrats have asked the federal ethics commissioner to investigate whether ex-cabinet minister Helena Guergis violated conflict of interest rules by touting a green technology company linked to her husband.

NDP MP Libby Davies (Vancouver-East) sent a letter to Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson urging her to probe the allegations contained in an investigative report by The Star’s Kevin Donovan published Friday.

Both the Liberals and the NDP are also asking the RCMP to investigate the allegations in the report, which says Guergis, who now represents the riding of Simcoe-Grey as an Independent MP, wrote a letter last September to the top municipal politician of Simcoe County – her cousin Tony Guergis – suggesting he and council consider a company called Wright Tech Systems.

She sent the letter at the same time her husband, former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer and financier Nazim Gillani – who has since been charged with fraud – were involved in a plan to take the firm public in a billion-dollar deal.

more
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/796398--ndp-asks-ethics-commissioner-to-probe-guergis-letter

This just became a lot more 'official' which, again, is NOT good news for the Harper cabal, imo.

[daleo]

4. Yes, it makes you wonder

The use of the logo seems pretty loosey-goosey, but it certainly gives the impression that this company is tight with the government. It may not be true, but it is bound to affect prospective customers and investors.