Is My MP a Landlord?

Conflict of interest screens are preventive compliance measures, agreed upon pursuant to section 29 of the Conflict of Interest Act (Act) by public office holders and the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, to assist them in avoiding conflicts of interest. Screens also seek to minimize the possibility of conflicts arising between the public duties of the public office holder and their private interests or those of their relatives and friends.

The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and I have agreed that a conflict of interest screen is an appropriate compliance measure for me, aimed at preventing any opportunity to further the private interests of my father, President of the Board of Directors of Bionest Technologies, of Bionest Technologies, its subsidiaries, affiliates and associates, while I exercise my official powers, duties and functions as a reporting public office holder.

Accordingly, I have agreed to recuse myself from any discussion or decision in relation to my father or to Bionest Technologies, its subsidiaries, affiliates and associates. I understand that recusal means I must remove myself from the room, physically or virtually as the case may be.

I also agree not to have any communication with government officials in relation to any matter or decision-making processes which I or my administrator know or reasonably should know to affect my father’s private interest.

This screen is co-administered by my Chief of Staff and Deputy Minister to ensure that I am neither made aware of nor participate in any official matters or decision-making processes involving my father's private interests, unless the interest relates to a decision or matter that is of general application. I will participate in decisions or matters of general application and those that may affect my father's private interests as a member of a broad class of persons unless those interests are disproportionate to the other members of the class.

Moreover, all powers, duties and functions on matters that form part of this screen will be exercised by the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions).

The Prime Minister, the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to Cabinet, Parliamentary Secretary, as well as the members of my ministerial staff have been duly informed in writing of this conflict of interest screen.

I have undertaken to inform the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner at the earliest opportunity of all changes of which I become aware that relate to or should form part of the above list of matters caught by this screen.

In the event that I am made aware of a matter forming part of this screen or any such matter comes before me, I am required under section 21 of the Act to recuse myself from that matter, by leaving the room or the virtual meeting where the discussion and decision making is taking place. I must inform the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and, where appropriate, make a public declaration of recusal pursuant to subsection 25(1) of the Act.

Co-owner of a rental property located in London, UK

Sole owner of a rental property located in London, UK

Gift (Act)

Nature

One ticket to attend "An evening with the Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien" on June 6, 2023 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario

Source

The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy

Circumstances

Invited to honor the 60th anniversary of political involvement of the Right Honorable Jean Chrétien

Gift (Act)

Nature

Tie

Source

Luigi DiMaio, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Italy

Circumstances

Official visit abroad

Gift (Act)

Nature

Bottle of Hennessy Cognac

Source

H.E. Akylbek A. Kamaldinov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Canada

Circumstances

Offered as a present for the year 2020

RBC Homeline Plan

Line of credit with RBC

Line of credit with National Bank

Personal loan with National Bank

Mortgage with Desjardins

Last 12 months:

- Rental income

Next 12 months:

- Rental income

Obligation to provide a confidential report has been met and all initial reporting and compliance measures have been taken to comply with the Conflict of Interest Act.

Travel on a non-commercial chartered or private aircraft

Flight: From Montreal to Toronto

Date: 2022-08-22

Offered by: Government of Germany

Circumstances: I travelled on the same plane as the German delegation from Montreal to Toronto.

This flight was required in my official capacity as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and was pre-approved by the commissioner.

Travel on a non-commercial chartered or private aircraft

From: Aswan, Egypt

To: Sharm al-Sheik, Egypt

Date: 2019-12-12

Offered by: Multinational Force and Observers

Circumstances: Travel to visit Canadian Armed Forces members stationed at the Multinational Force and Observers based in the Sinai.

I was accompanied by Adam Austen, Press Secretary and Benjamin Prud'homme, Policy Advisor.

This travel was required in my capacity as a public office holder.

Travel aboard a non-commercial chartered or private aircraft

Date: June 24, 2019

Offered by: TVA

Circumstances: I overflew the Samuel-De-Champlain Bridge, aboard the TVA 3 jours helicopter, as part of an interview with Andy St-André to announce the opening of the bridge.

This flight stems from my activities as Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and received prior approval from the Commissioner

Travel on a non-commercial chartered or private aircraft

Member of my ministerial staff in attendance:

Alexandra Howell, Senior Special Assistant – Communications and Tour

Departing flight

From: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

To: Norman Wells, Northwest Territories

From: Norman Wells, Northwest Territories

To: Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Return flight

From Inuvik, Northwest Territories

To: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Date: 2018-11-13

Offered by: Government of Northwest Territories

Circumstances: Travel to announce the Canyon Creek all season road in Norman Wells and to announce the Inuvik Wind Generation Project.

This travel was required in my duties as Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

I am a beneficiary of the François-Philippe Champagne Trust, François-Philippe Champagne Trust 2 as well as a (potential) beneficiary of the Gilles Champagne Family Trust, which are all discretionary family trusts that own interests in private corporations, and for which I am ordered, as required by paragraph 41.3 (2) of the Parliament of Canada Act, by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner not to derive any income from the trusts, including disbursement of assets, for the purpose of financing a nomination contest, a leadership contest or an electoral campaign pursuant to the Canada Elections Act.